DASL Writer's Blog, page 3

3 Signs You’re An Obsessive-Compulsive Writer

[image error]http://Photo by Amador Loureiro on Unsplash

Do you wake up in the middle of the night, startling your cat and significant other, searching blindly in the dark for your pen, Moleskine notebook, or your smartphone? 

Have you ever dreamt of quitting your job just so that you can make a few nickels and dimes posting articles non-stop every day on various blogs and writing platforms? 

Are you currently plotting your NaNoWriMo novel right now, while reading this article? 

If your answer to any of these questions is Yassss! 

Then good news, you’re an obsessive-compulsive writer. 

But really though, what are the signs of an OCW? Based on my experience here are three things all writers with OCW deal with daily: 

You Eavesdrop On Strangers Conversations For Dialogue Ideas: 

Writers, you know that when some juicy details are being shared between colleagues or even your friends while you’re hanging out, you’re trying to craft in your writer’s brain how to transform their gossip into your dialogue. 

Writers with OCW can’t wait to put pen-to-paper to record what they hear. Everything from a domestic dispute between your next-door neighbors who don’t speak a lick of English to the little kids that pop-off with profanity while their parents are pushing them around the grocery store basket. 

Wherever you go the voices follow and no, you’re not crazy. You’re just trying to put together a great conversation, but only with the imaginary characters on the pages of your book will be having the conversation. 

You Loathe Anything That Doesn’t Involve Working On Your Writing: 

If you’re reading this article you fall into one of two categories: a full-time writer or a full-time writer with a day job. Either way, nothing makes you hate another human being, task, or day job like NOT working on your Work-In-Progress. 

When the clock strikes 5 p.m you’re rushing through traffic, racing to eat dinner, and making sure every last head hits a pillow, just to get some writing time. 

You’ve Lost Track of Time Thanks To Your Writing:

True story: In high school, I attended a dry General Chemistry I college lecture with an Australian professor that looked like a short, pink, and balding kangaroo. 

I spent the entire lecture writing in my journal. I spent the entire class writing. By the time the class ended, I had two chapters fleshed out and no knowledge of electron configurations. Later, that story became my first self-published sci-fi romance novel, and I flunked that chemistry class.

So, when you go through marathons of endless writing, and you get so involved in your work, that day becomes night. And, eventually, you’re missing out on showers. 

Then, you forget to feed yourself (and your pissed-off cat), and then your hubby is asking you when you’re planning on doing laundry. 

Just know that when you look up from your work, you’ll know time’s up and you’ll wonder where’d it go. 

It’s okay if you’re an Obsessive Compulsive Writer, just learn to be balanced.

Finally A Rick & Morty Release Date!!!

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Hiya Literary Fans,

I’m a fan of sci-fi, so obviously Rick & Morty Season 4 has been on my watch list since forever.

I just watched the new trailer which aired on Adult Swim on October 7th at Midnight.

Apparently, there’s going to be five new episodes aired on November 10th of 2019.

Hopefully, the trailer will be available online by the time this blog post is shared. I don’t want to spoil any of you guys with what the trailer held, but let me tell you, new season looks pretty promising.

I’m excited, how about you?

Wubba-Lubba-Dub-Dub!!

Fat Girls This Is How WE Gain Killer Confidence Like Lizzo

Lizzo From The 2019 VMAs

Get out from under your rock, please, and tell me if you’ve heard of Lizzo. The recent 2019 VMAs headliner Lizzo, is not only a fantastic singer, performer, and fashionista with outfits that slay, but she is a bad b**** with confidence for days. I’m embarrassed to admit that even though her songs have been hitting me up on the radio, Lizzo didn’t come into my life until after she got mad hype from the previous POTUS, Mr. Obama, thanks to his popular playlist, which was shared on Twitter.

Lizzo’s music is just one phenomenal thing about her. She seems like a genuine person, and honestly, her confidence is the kind of thing I wish I’d grown up with. Thankfully, I still have time to learn how to gain it (even though big girl advocates like the comedian and Oscar winner, Monique and reality star, Whitney Way Thore are still my go-to divas, too!).

Still, Lizzo’s life feels relatable to me in this present junction of my life, because I will be a quarter-of-a-century soon. And, throughout my teens and early twenties, I’ve see-sawed between hating my body, loathing my curves, and wishing I never existed.

I’m sure there are other plus-sized, thicc, or heavy girls around the world who feel or have felt the same way I did. Ashamed for being too big and willing to do anything to lose weight just to please other people. However, the self-hate will stop. And, I’m thankful someone like Lizzo’s exists. Big girls don’t need to hide anymore (and shouldn’t have been hiding in the first place), and here’s how I think someone like me can replicate Lizzo’s global-sized, positive, and yet realistic self-confidence, even if your confidence levels are at zilch:

Show Yourself REAL Self Love:

Self Love is not to be confused with selfishness (if you want to be selfish, do you). Being able to love oneself is more than a daily affirmation in the mirror. Self-love means that no matter what happens day in and day out you can still find something you love about yourself, and that means acts of love. Whether it’s spending more time pampering yourself or doing some task you enjoy. Self-love means walking in love, wearing it on your sleeves, and making sure you know you love yourself more than any other man/woman.

Get Yo’ Fatshion Game Right:

I use this term fatshion instead of fashion because while confidence should come from within, it helps if you feel good on the outside, too. A lot of retail stores are finally listening to fat girls and we are throwing money at them in order to get the outfits that accentuate, beautify, and make us feel like the way we want to be on the outside. Lizzo’s leotards are sparkly, outspoken, and beautiful just like her personality. And, even when she’s not on the stage performing for a crowd she wears what she wants, and looks good in it even if haters are in their feels.

Walk It How You Talk:

If you’re going to be confident, and talk about having confidence as a pleasantly plump diva then, by all means, practice what you preach. Share with the world that you want to be more confident no matter your size, and then go for it. Yes, hit up the gym, walk/jog a marathon, and sit down with the girls to enjoy a pizza party afterward. Don’t be ashamed of doing what makes you happy. Be the you, you want to be, and don’t just talk about it. Do it!

Lizzo may not ever read this article, and that’s okay. But, she’s inspired me to be a better me every day and to keep it moving whether I’m a size 22 or a size 32, and I hope this article helps you too!

Being The Daughter of a Villain Is Tough – Just Ask Chaos Martin!

Hiya Literary Fans, a new project is hot off the e-press.



Check out weekly episodes of this new gem for free:

If you’re tired of stories about up-and-coming heroes and their struggles to balance their personal life with their super life, then you’ll love the change of pace in this new serialized novel I’ve been working on.

Introducing:

[image error]New serialized novel.



Blurb:

Everyone doubts a villain’s daughter like, Chaos Martin would ever be a hero. And, she agrees, totally. However, when her father’s rap sheet of crimes against humanity finally catches up with him, not even daddy’s money can keep her lights on.

She has only one place to turn to in her time of need and that’s the Society of Safety (also known as the hero unemployment services). Being ranked lower than a sidekick sucks, but a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do.

Will Chaos survive the chaotic turn her life has taken without being a menace to society? Keep reading each episode to find out.

Synopsis:

I paced like a mad woman. Clutching my phone in one hand. And, holding my electric bill in the other. The word Past Due was printed in big fat red letters, redder than my cheeks.

“I can get the money. It’s just my accounts are frozen and…,”

“We gave you an extension back on the first. You already depleted your deposit. We gave you many chances, ma’am. And, there is nothing further we can do.”

“This is outrageous, and you wonder why people rob banks!”

The woman on the other end didn’t respond.

“I know you heard me.”

I glanced down at my phone and my frustration deepened when I saw the phone go dead. I growled. Of course it’s dead. It died last night, back when I plugged it into the wall. When my lights were on. In this god awful city.

I chucked the phone out the open French doors of my chic loft. It went over the side of the balcony.

“The hell?” Someone grumbled outside of the window.

I sprinted towards the veranda recognizing the voice. A sleepy eyed man, wearing a black mask that covered just his eyes, and the hood of his Adidas sweatshirt over his messy hair. He hovered on the other side of the railing, clearly caught in the act of eavesdropping. One knee was slightly bent as he suspended on nothing. His rubbed the top of his head with one hand, while the other held onto a smartphone in a bejeweled periwinkle case. Dangling from his arms, a plastic bag with a greasy paper bag stuffed inside of it filled with greasy nom-noms.

To be continued…

***

These Episodic Stories Will Be Released On A Weekly Basis More Info Coming Soon!

Updates! Hey There D. A. Smith, Where Are You?

[image error]D. A. Smith Write’s Logo!

Where have I been?

Funny you should ask. Well, I’ve been suffering from “fiction writer’s block” and have been procrastinating and stalling creating new work. So, I decided to switch things up and hang out on Medium.com, working on stories themed on humorous or stressful moments in my life.

Here’s a tidbit:

How I Pranked My Jamaican Grandmother Using Baby Powder What Really Happened To The Dude That Didn’t Text You Back The Last Time I Remember Being Truly Happy And More

I also managed to survive at the day job 90 days. And, I’m starting to make plans to attend more local literary events. I’ll try to give more updates in the future. But, for now you can always check out my Medium stories in the meantime.

One final thing, back in 2016, I had this blog called “The Life Major” and I found all of my old blog posts and stories that focused on majoring in life when attending college is out of the picture.

Follow me here or on my socials and stay on the look out for future blog posts featuring my time spent taking a permanent gap year from higher education and what I’ve learned about life in the last 6 years since graduating from high school.

What I Learned About My Divorced Parents While Watching The Infinity Train Miniseries on Cartoon Network

[image error]Train Tracks Photo by Derek Story on Unsplash

Cartoon Network has been lit when it comes to producing fantastic entertaining shows that not only draws in kids, but drew me in as a 20-something. 

Since the Regular Show ended, I stayed optimistic that CN would produce even more great shows. When the Infinity Train minisodes aired a few weeks ago, I was hooked. 

If you haven’t seen it, don’t worry I won’t be getting into the spoilers because I need you to watch this show like, yesterday. 

Infinity Train takes place in the mid-west and it follows a young girl named Tulip who’s dealing with the divorce of her parents by suppressing her feelings and redirecting her energy towards coding. 

Fast forward to a verbal fight with her mother about who’s taking her to code camp when her parents drop the ball, and she ends up running away from home and getting sucked into a mysterious train in the middle of her neighborhood (never been there before). She discovers secrets on each car, including mystical creatures, maddening moments, and plenty of light humor. Like most cartoons of this genre, she had a furry companion and a sadistic, yet funny robotic sidekick.

What I thought was going to be a “tired” Adventure Time spin-off ended up being a deeper thought piece, which deals with life as the child of newly divorced parents. 

Let me tell you, I had all the feels. My parents didn’t divorce until I was eighteen, all my life, I’d wished they’d done it sooner. Not because I didn’t want a nuclear family, but because my parents were radioactive when together. They needed to be apart, separate as the East is from the West. 

Like Tulip, I lived with my single mother, and I too used things such as web developing and even writing to fill the emotional sadness of dealing with my parent’s separation. However, unlike Tulip, I wanted nothing to do with my other parent (an article for another day). 

The reason why Infinity Train hit me so hard was because of the depiction of a divorce from two perspectives: one from the child experiencing their parent telling them bad news, and one from the enlightened child looking into the situation as an outsider after gaining some new light on the situation. 

In reality, the show taught me that I need to stay in the past and relive the rough and tough times leading up to my parent’s split. While divorce does change everything, it doesn’t define who you are as a person. I also learned that parents shouldn’t be given a hard time when they decide to get a divorce. Finding love is tough. Keeping love is tougher. Divorce is hard for everyone, but their separation(even if necessary) should not make you hate your parents, it should just help you to realize that they have been through a lot and are ready for a change.

Anyway, that’s my 10-cents on Infinity Train. Did you see it? What do you think about Infinity Train?

Did You Grab This Freebie? *Kindle Story Excerpt*

[image error] Click Here For A Free Copy



Stolen By The Ash, A Fox Shifters Short Story – Synopsis:

Zoe’s in trouble thanks to the local Ash Wolf Pack. The Pack has taken the fox-shifter hostage, and adds her to the menu for their full moon hunt. She’s not about to let the pack sink their fangs into her without snapping right back at them. 

Zoe must run for her life or risk losing it. But, she’s not about to suffer alone. Galvin is the disgraced lone wolf of the Ash Pack. He goes rogue after setting his gaze on the tender vixen in the red fur.

Will Zoe survive? And, can she really trust Galvin?

Excerpt:

Raw meat, drained of nutrients, bathed in chemicals, and served on a ceramic plate slid under the door of my prison cell. The only source of sunlight to flow into the room came from that crack under the door, and now a set of shadows blocked the glow on the other side.

It’s been days since I’ve eaten a hearty meal. And, hunger nipped at my sides. If it weren’t for the occasional field mouse, sneaking into my cell to steal materials for bedding, I’d be forced to consume the odd-scented meat.

I stared at the raw meat on the plate. Store bought meat. What an insult to a fellow shifter. They should’ve let me starve.

But, the vixen wasn’t having it. She wanted us to feed.

“Eat Zoe.” Her voice hissed in my mind.

I crawled towards the plate.

“Feed. We need strength. Moonrise is near.”

My inner voice was right, I needed to eat. We needed to survive tonight.

I picked up the plate of meat. And I lifted it to my nostrils. Before I dug in, that acrid scent of the meat made my nostrils twitch. Again, the scent of chemicals overpowered my instinct to feed.

I ran my fingers over the meat. It felt slick, true enough, but when I touched my thumb to my tongue. Bile rose in my belly. No, I refuse to eat it.

I added it to the pile of excrement in the shadowy corner of the shed. Now, no matter how badly I wanted to gobble it down. It’ll remain grotesque and out of reach.

Poison. The meat is poisonous. My vixen reluctantly agreed, and its anger eased a bit, though hunger remained…

Thanks for reading, and please feel free to review my e-book on Amazon or grab your freebie now and share this free article with your friends. Don’t forget to comment.

*Limited Time Only* Free Urban Fantasy Short Story For Amazon Kindle!

[image error] Click Here For Your Copy

It’s that time of
year again. Stolen By The Ash, A Fox Shifters Short Story is absolutely free
for a limited time only on Amazon!

If this is your
first time checking me out as an author, you’ll get a free taste of my urban
fantasy short story.

Here’s a quick
Q&A about the story:

What’s The Short Story About?



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A young fox-shifter
is kidnapped and held hostage by a fierce pack of hungry wolven. The Ash Wolf
Pack captures and hunts down a variety of shifters on the night of the full
moon. And Zoe is on the menu. If she can escape to town before the pack dig
their fangs into her, she’s safe. But, if the furtive fox fails, she’s as good
as dinner.

Why Did You Write This Story?

I love wolves,
they’re my favorite animals of all times. But, the market is saturated with
stories about wolves and wolf-shifters. So, I wanted to create a story that
featured a fox-shifter, and break outside of the
“must-turn-during-full-moon” mold most urban fantasy stories feed on.

Who Should Read This Book?

I invite everyone to
read. But, if you love shapeshifters, fast paced action, a bit of twists and
turns, and a touch of romance. You’ll enjoy it.

I’m Intrigued, Where Can I Get My Copy?

Typically the story is on sale for .99-cents on Amazon, but today until August 1st you can grab your kindle copy absolutely FREE!

I Don’t Care for Fantasy Do You Write Anything Else?



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I sure do! If you’re into science fiction, I have a novel just for you!

What Should I Do If I Loved or Absolutely Barfed In My Mouth After Reading Your Short Story?



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Funny you should ask, Amazon allows readers like you with opinions to share them. I’ll appreciate it. And, if you liked my short story, I’ll shower you with thanks. And, if you hated my short story, I appreciate your opinion, and try better next time!

An Open Letter Of Condolence To Japan & Kyoto Animation <3

[image error]Image by Myriam Zilles from Pixabay

As a self-proclaimed Anime Enthusiast and a viewer of the anime K-On, I would be remiss as to not include my condolences in a genuine letter to the Kyoto Animation Studio where young animators between the ages of 20-34 lost their life in a violent arson attack. This letter is my way of sharing my feelings about the event and how important it is to live life creating and to the full! I hope I don’t offend anyone.

Dear Kyoto Animation,

I have no other words to say but I am sorry. I apologize for
the lost of 34 brilliant individuals just starting out in their dream careers
as animators, writers, and creators.

As a fellow creator, one of the reasons why I wanted to be a
writer is to leave something behind for my family in case I lose my own life.

I am sending sincere love and warm hugs to each and every parent
and the family member that belonged to those group of young creators.

They are loved.

They are looked up to.

And, they are appreciated for their hard work.

I’m an American and I do not know much about the Japanese
culture. And I mean no disrespect if my letter comes off as disingenuous or
rude. But, no one deserves to suffer by any means. And, all artists around the
world extends extreme love to Japan and Kyoto Animation during this sad event
in history.

I hope to see your company and surviving team members grow
and thrive considering these sad times.

We Love You Japan & Kyoto Animation!

Kindly,

D. A. Smith Write

An Anime Enthusiast

The Best Ways To Prevent Writer’s Fatigue

Your regular writing routine falters. Ideas no longer flow from your skull like a junior high student’s volcano project. You know your content needs to be king, but you feel more like an indentured servant to it. Then, the worse thing possible happens; writing stops feeling entertaining. Your “I The Writer’s Life” smartphone’s lock screen window starts to mock you. And, next thing you know, you’re binge watching Real Housewives instead of getting some well-meaning writing done.

Is this a sign that you will never pick up a pen, pencil, keyboard, or typewriter again?

No, you’re probably just suffering from writer’s fatigue.

First, here’s the definition of fatigue as paraphrased from the Mayo Clinic: “Unrelenting exhaustion that lasts longer or is more profound and isn’t relieved by rest [alone]…”

In other words, your writing makes you feel weary over a long period of time and that can effect every aspect of your life.

So, what are the typical side effects of writer’s fatigue?

Losing your joy and creative spark when it comes to your writing assignments.Focusing on the negative such as poor sales, low ratings, and of course “destructive” criticism from reviews. Writer’s doubt rears its ugly head along with writer’s block. Internal self-criticism starts to sound more like a high school bully’s taunts.You’re re-working the same parts in a story without making any real progress.

If you feel like the above points describes your current mood on a weekly, if not monthly basis, don’t fret!

Just try adding these things in your life to counteract the “blahs” that come with writer’s fatigue:

Get Plenty of Rest

Night owls remember that the brain needs to recoup from editing/revising and dealing with a soul-sapping day job. Making time for sleep or a regularly scheduled cat nap will help ease the torture that follows pulling multiple all-nighters just to complete your manuscript.

You Are Not Alone

Check any social media outlet and you will find other writers who are dealing with the same things as you. Some may have gone so far as to take a break from writing, in order to focus on their own mental, physical or emotional health.

And, guess what? That’s good. Don’t be afraid to reach out to experienced writers, who may have suffered from and survived fatigue. They may have tips that can give you great advice on how to keep keeping on.

Invest In Ergonomic Equipment

Writing on your stomach while laying in bed or hunching over in an uncomfortable arm chair while writing can cause aches and pains over time. Consider buying a comfy desk chair, an ergonomic keyboard and mouse set, or just remember to move around once in a while (and blink once in a while).

Get Your Own Space

Speaking of getting your own comfy desk chair. You man need a change of scenery. No, you might not be able to afford that gorgeous beach-side cabana in an exotic island rainforest with plenty of fruity drinks and free WiFi. But, you can find your own space to return the good writing vibes. Just check out these 100 famous authors and their work spaces to get inspired.

Finally, whether you take writing seriously or just enjoying it as a hobby remember that the symptoms of writer’s fatigue can sneak up on you and hopefully these tips will help you stay clear of letting writer’s fatigue ruin your life.

In the comments below, let me know how you deal with writer’s fatigue? What’s your go to method to prevent fatigue of any kind?

Don’t forget to like, share, and comment!!