Love, power, and the podcast

This week I have an eclectic collection of topics to touch on.



First, the topic of loving your work. It has to be said, "Love the one you're with." It works for people and it works for manuscripts. Whichever person or project you are currently with love them and treat them to all of your attention.

Power, words have power. You know it and I know it and we see it all the time. Sometimes I just need to remember that power in itself is neither good or bad it's what we do with it that makes it either light up a room or burn down the house. Wo rds are much the same way they can light up our minds or burn down our egos. I'm working on choosing my words wisely and using my power for good.



And finally,
THE PODCAST
Brandon Sanderson, Howard Tayler and Dan Wells appeared at Dragon's and Fairytale Books and Games in Eagle Mountain on Saturday after our awesome marathon. Those of us still in the mood to talk writing (Debbie and I) went to hear them record three "Writing Excuses" podcasts. They were amazing as always, even though Dan, who wrote I'm Not A Serial Killer, looked scarily close to being a serial killer when he forgot to smile. Hope he's feeling better. Anyway with a large crowd of eclectic fans to make a range of strange noises in the background the recordings were a success.
Here is the quote that hit me the hardest during the discussions, from "I'm Not A Serial Killer" I promise, Dan Wells.
Answering a question about keeping invincible characters interesting he said, "You can make your characters as powerful as you want as long as their obstacles are not in the same area as their power."

Listen to writing excuses, Love your current project, and Say nice words to yourself and others, that is my three cents worth.

Never Give Up!

So I'm supposed to be achieving the first of my New Year's resolutions in three and a half weeks when I will run a 1/2 marathon. This goal has been on my agenda since, you guessed it, Jan. 1, 2010. Its been on the calendar since March and the training is going about as well as my writing this year...inconsistent at best.

What is a girl supposed to do when faced with a huge task and very little time? Give up? Throw in the towel and say, "Better luck next time. Maybe next year my schedule won't be so packed, and I'll fit in a diet and some training?"
Yep.
That's what I say...to myself. Then I remember Howard Tayler's advice. "It's hard to get worse at something you do every day." And I spoke with KBC (Kick Butt Coach) LIZZ, who said, "You could finish the half marathon today if you HAD to do it. So the question is do you want to do it or not?" (paraphrased that a little).

If you have met me, then you probably know that giving up on something that I want is very very difficult for me. In fact, I'd walk 13.1 miles and take all day to do it rather than admit defeat.

Lizz is right. I could walk the half marathon today if I had to (or if someone offered me enough chocolate.) So what did I do?

I set up a crash course of training, made a salad and ran 3 miles. Resolution #1 watch out cause I'm coming.

Next it's on to Resolution #2-write another novel.
Tell us about goals you are not going to give up on, despite the odds and life and such.