Barbie's Bunkhouse: The "Ah-Ha" Moment

YAY! It's Friday!! The end of the work week as we know it! Although here in Central New York it's supposed to be another 90++ degree day. Can someone please tell Mother Nature we're ready for a cool down?? Seriously, I'm done with the heat and sooo over summer. Some of you all may not want summer to end, but I'm ready for fall and a frosty date with old man winter! And yes....I'm ready for some FOOTBALL!!!!!Heat and Humidity are NOT my friend (nor friend to my hair). And quite honestly, it messes with my creativity. I don't know about you, but when I'm over-hot I get tired, cranky and the brain just doesn't function.

But...I will put on my big girl panties and tough it out. Because while summer has flown by in all it's hot, humid glory causing my self-imposed writing goals (remember those? I had BIG plans to finish 2 holiday anthologies) to shrivel to dust and disappear, I've found time to think. REALLY REALLY think. Summer wasn't a total lost cause. I have 2 stories in their final stages which will be coming out soon: Extreme Love Makeover - a romantic short story, and Twist of Fate - my full length romance with an underlying suspenseful tone. I'm really excited for them to finally be "live". While I did attempt to work on the holiday stories, I just wasn't feeling them. Gee, maybe the insanely HOT weather had something to do with it.....

Then, just a couple weeks ago when I started to feel in limbo with my writing I had a talk with my agent about the stories I currently have up and how they are doing sales-wise, and making some interesting changes to the covers of the upcoming books. As I listened to her talk me and my books up, I really listened to what she was saying and it was like someone flipped a switch.

I had my "Ah-ha" moment.

Suddenly, I "got it". It all made sense. I didn't have to write for the trends (between the day job, this just isn't possible, and is how I feel behind the 8 ball all the time) because by the time I could finish a full book publishers would be saturated. Although a good romance is always a true seller, but I didn't have to write from my heart either. I just had to write, period. Have something finished that could either be shopped around or put up on my own. And I really felt like it was time for something new - I'm done trying to re-work partials of old stories. I needed new blood, fresh characters and plots.

My agent gave me a goal. Think of a series that I could write which would brand me. Think of who my current audience is/could be and write the stories they would love and continue to follow. Something unique that hasn't been overdone.

Well, after a couple days of thorough thinking, some research and brainstorming...I'm pleased to say I think I've got it!! I'm working on finishing up the entire series proposal to see what my agent thinks. And honestly, I think this is my best effort ever.

Sometimes we get so caught up in writing and wanting publication, we are willing to do anything to get there. And while we're on the rollarcoaster (or hampster wheel) we can easily lose sight of why we have loved to write and create in the first place. I've always believed things happen for a reason and there are "signs" all around us if we just open ourselves to them.

Mother Nature in her own way basically made me slow down and take stock of things. My agent in her ultimate wisdom and encouragement sparked the idea. And I ran with it - in a totally different direction than I have ever gone with my writing, but in a way it's one that does speak to my heart for various reasons.

When the time is right, I will share it all with you. But for now, as summer winds to a close and we prepare for the goodness of fall, take a moment to reflect and consider a different direction. And if you've ever had your "Ah-Ha" moment, we'd love to hear about it!!

Enjoy the gorgeous weekend ahead and happy writing/thinking/creating!!