A.R. Pliley's Blog, page 6
November 21, 2020
Are Your Excuses More Important Than Your Dreams?
I found this picture and not only does it have one of my favorite actors, Robert Downey Jr, but also an amazing quote that hits me deeply right now.
Every time I struggle with something I go through a phase of Yeah, But. My husband calls me affectionately the Queen of the Yeah Buts when this happens. This is an unfortunate side effect of many years of bullying/low self-esteem/not wanting to disappoint anyone.
If a problem comes along there is always an excuse or a Yeah But...
Hubby: Shouldn't you be writing?
Me: Yeah, but...
Hubby: Didn't you say you were writing tonight?
Me: Yeah, but...
You get the idea. It is a habit I'm trying to break.
On the other side, life happens and I'm behind you a million percent when it comes to family and situations that need your attention outside of your dreams. So if something serious happens you should never feel guilty about helping.
HOWEVER, here are a few things to take into account when thinking about any excuse getting in the way of your dream:
* Do I know it's an excuse and I'm still choosing to use it?
* Am I in denial that I'm using an excuse?
* Does my excuse involve my family/friends?
* If it involves my family/friends, is it an emergency or something that can wait?
Basically, when it comes to your dreams you have to make a few decisions and honestly, the hardest is how much time per day/week/month/year you want to put into it.
It really is how your schedule looks and how much time you want to dedicate to your dream.
You worked out what your dream is. Fill in the blank with your dreams, whatever they may be.
____________ is YOUR dream.
Now think of the following:
* How much time, realistically, can you dedicate to it?
* What are you willing to give up to work on it? (Netflix, YouTube, etc)
So how badly do you want it?
Always Keep Fighting.
You Are Enough.
A R Pliley
November 13, 2020
November 5, 2020
National Novel Writing Month in Full Swing!
Or NaNoWriMo for short.
Writing 50,000 words in 1 month is a big task and one I do not take lightly. That being said I am still working on edits to Heritage: Choice as well as trying to make up the word count. Yes, I'm insane. Didn't you know that by now?
If you are new here and didn't know that well here is your answer, yes I am insane. But honestly, even after all these years of writing, I'm still excited by the story ideas I have come up with. I still can't wait to jump into each world I've created to see what happens next.
I've been reading the first book in the Heritage saga, Heritage: Beginning, to my daughter at night and it makes me smile watching her reactions to things. Her face looking shocked or happy due to something that came out of me is just incredible. And the fact that kids are brutally honest really helps with feedback as well though sometimes it is hard to hear.
Reading to her has thrown me back into the world of Talveon while I work on the sequel and honestly, EVERY writer should do this. It has helped so much seeing it from a reader perspective and seeing her reactions firsthand I can see what works and what doesn't. It also gives me such inspiration. To me, it is like adding gasoline to a small bonfire. I go back to how I was feeling in those moments. How I felt when...
Nope, you can't trick me blog I won't give away spoilers.
(Warning, incoming buy my book & promo details)
You'll have to buy it to find out what happens. And it's on sale from now until January 1st, 2021 for $6.99 in paperback.
Anyway, I'm truly having a great time writing the sequel and working on NaNoWriMo, and reading the original to my daughter. It is so amazing to think I have a published book and that people can actually read it whenever they want. How weird is that?
Speaking of I need to get back to it.
Always Keep Fighting.
You Are Enough.
A R Pliley
October 19, 2020
October 14, 2020
October 5, 2020
Preptober BEGINS...
For those that know me well, it will come as no surprise that as of November approaches I will be partaking in the NaNoWriMo once again.
50,000 words in 31 days. (Or faster if I can)
Well, this is a huge undertaking October is named Preptober as in preparing for it...now the title makes sense.
This year I was fortunate enough to find an editor/YouTuber by the name of Natalia Leigh. She created an amazing workbook to help get through this month and prepare for next month and I am so excited to jump right in.
Here is the Instagram page if you want to check it out:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CF3Vm3UpXgU/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
I will post pictures regularly to update my progress and keep everyone in the loop. Don't worry I am still continuing the editing of Heritage: Choice as well so all the birds and all the stones as it were.
Always Keep Fighting.
You Are Enough.
A R Pliley
September 18, 2020
Journey Success!
Now I'm not saying that after my trip I have everything perfectly mapped out and will sell thousands of copies of my book, it was not that kind of success.
The type of success I am referring too is one of inner peace, in a way, and one that can only be achieved through your true happy place. For me, that place is Washington under a near-constant cover of clouds and rain.
Yes, I'm talking about Forks and yes, it was a Twilight reference. I can't deny my level of a nerd for the franchise and I wouldn't want too.
I am the type of reader that gets invested in the stories that I read, it happens with TV shows and movies as well, so I do not know how to just enjoy it and then step away.
Part of me wishes, no hopes, that one day my series can mean the same to someone and they can come along on the journey with Katherine and her friends and see the amazing world with as much love as I do.
But that's not the point.
The point is I have returned from my journey refreshed and ready to kick this sequel in the butt and hopefully get it edited and launched when I want it to be. Fingers crossed.
I can't wait to show you all the amazing places I saw and how much inspiration hit me like a ton of a bricks for several parts of the sequel. It's going to be EPIC!!
Always Keep Fighting.
You Are Enough
A R Pliley
September 3, 2020
I'm Going On An Adventure!
A few weeks ago I was beyond sad when I had to announce the cancellation of the author event up in Forks, Washington. Though the main event is going virtual instead, the author event is still not possible until next year, 2021.
That being said I love the area and look forward to my trip every year as it is a getaway as well as an inspiration boost for me. So I decided that since all the plans were already made and I need a little break, I am still going this year.
In fact, as of writing this, I leave in less than 48 hours.
Now due to the current situation in the world, it will be very different than my usual trip, as masks will be worn in all buildings, a lot fewer people and since the flights were canceled I am driving there and back, but I am still very much looking forward to the craziness that will ensue.
I wanted to do something a little different this year and instead of taking my usual hundreds of pictures, I will be posting videos on Instagram as I travel (and work out every day). I will also be taking videos to put on YouTube after, so make sure you're subscribed if you are not already.
I feel like Bilbo in the Hobbit as he starts to pack his bag before the journey. More excited than scared, yet ready to go on an adventure.
Always Keep Fighting.
You Are Enough.
A R Pliley
August 24, 2020
Beachbody Quest - You know I love a Quest!
Update on the Beachbody Quest, you can check out the current videos here:
Video One - Worked Out 5 days in a row - What?
Video Two - Trying Beachbody on Demand - Summary of Week 1!
I am hoping to make more of these so if you're interested, please subscribe so you will get notified of the next one.
Always Keep Fighting
You Are Enough
A R Pliley
August 15, 2020
Check out my custom masks!
Since masks are required everywhere you go right now I decided I was going to have some nice custom ones.
Also, let me know which color you love most. I personally love the white ones, of course as someone who's closet is 80% dark clothes I love the black ones as well.
I am not planning on making them available in the store, however, if you guys are interested, please let me know. I will say they would be in the $30 - $35 range so keep that in mind.
Always Keep Fighting.
You Are Enough.
A R Pliley
