I went through a spell the last few weeks where I had no motivation to write.   None.  Nada. 

My friend, Regan, hounded me relentlessly, but I just couldn’t seem to make myself do anything.  Granted, my twitching eyelid (that still hasn’t stopped, thank you very much) made staring at a computer screen…well…uncomfortable, to say the least. 

It’s weird what your mind can do.  I started doubting everything, wondering if it made sense to spend so much time writing when you hear such dismal discussions across the internet about the industry. 

I guess it comes down to just getting back to why I started – because I like it.

When I started to write, I didn’t tell anyone and did it simply for creative expression.  I needed to do it.  I needed to get the words out. 

Then I started learning about the industry, everything that goes into it, etc.  It got me really excited at first, but then I started seeing posts and tweets about how much junk is really sent to agents.  I questioned myself.  I admit it.  It’s hard not to when you are taking time away from family to pursue something.

But I had to have a come to Jesus talk with myself.  It just doesn’t matter!  I needed to get back to writing for the reasons I started – fun!

So, I’m back, Jack!  I know that I will have these droughts and struggles again, but hopefully, I can get back to my happy place. :-)

Ok, I’m a sucker for some romance and love.  I can’t help it.  Give me a chick flick over an Oscar winner any day of the week.

As such, writing about love is one of my favorite things to do.  I get a thrill out of watching a relationship unfold and go through all of the awkward and goofy stages, through the intense beginnings of a real romance, and then watch it settle into a mature and timeless love. 

It’s funny because I find myself giggling and getting giddy right along with my characters as they develop a crush or have that first kiss with someone.  It is challenging to try and make it authentic without being over the top. 

I write YA, so teenagers do get that intense, hormone-ridden attack when they first dive into a relationship, so it’s hard to show that without making the character seem vapid or immature.  By the same token, you have to give credit to teenagers and their emotions – they know how they feel and don’t want anyone to tell them otherwise.  I’ve had a crush on my husband since I was thirteen years old and we’ve been dating since I was sixteen, so at least I feel I can relate to a real teenage love.  I did have experiences that I thought were love at the time, but now realize belong in a different pocket, so I can use that, too. 

I also enjoy showing love in a nonromantic way too, such as between a parent and a child.  I think it’s an important element in a piece of writing and one that really needs to be done justice.  I think this has gotten a bit easier since becoming a parent because you don’t quite get a grasp on how much your parents love you until you are one yourself.  I know I didn’t, anyway. 

I hope everyone has a wonderful Valentine’s Day!

The rest of the AW Blog Chain:

Aimeelaine – www.aimeelaine.com/writing/blog
Harri3tspy – http://spynotes.wordpress.com
Charlotte49ers – http://www.amandaplavich.com
AuburnAssassin – http://clairegillian.wordpress.com/ <– Next!
Breddings – http://boozingear.com/blog
*RomanceWriter* – http://staceyespino.blogspot.com/
Claire Crossdale – http://theromanticqueryletter.blogpost.com
Collectonian – http://collectonian.livejournal.com
FreshHell - http://freshhell.wordpress.com
Lostwanderer5.blogspot.com – http://www.lostwanderer5.blogspot.com
David Zahir – http://zahirblue.blogspot.com/

So, seeing as how I’m new at this whole writing bit and all, there have been various things that have happened that I didn’t expect.

Here is the one that hit me in the last day or so: I don’t want the twist revelations to happen.

I have SO much fun building the suspense, tension, mystery, etc. that I don’t want it to end.  I mean, I have a bunch of twists and turns to still come about, but this was the first biggie that I’ve hit.  I didn’t write it for days because I just didn’t want to.  Isn’t that silly?  I’ll never finish a book if I don’t, you know, write it. :/

That’s it. 

You were expecting something mind-blowing, weren’t you?  Sorry to disappoint. ;-)