Sommer Marsden's Blog, page 3
August 30, 2018
Long Time, No See...
Hey there, y'all!
Long time, no see. I've been...well, life-ing. A brief personal update: The Bearded Giant and the mini giant are now in! The cohabitation has begun. Everyone seems to be settling in nicely (knock wood, throw salt) and life is pretty good. Boy child is hustling away at a brand new job and girl child is back in the wilds of upstate NY being smart and talented.
Now life returns to the normality of fall. People doing their own schedules and less summer time off fun, which means more time for writing, blogging, working, and running the vintage shops.
So here we go with book news. Calendar Girl got a re-release from Wild Hearts Romance and then...a bunch of brand spanking (heh) new reviews from Apple readers. Which, I find wildly (heh again, look what I did there!) exciting.
Let's see what folks are saying, shall we?
I was pretty tickled. There are more now, but when I took those screenshots, (totally intending to post that day, hahaha!) I was stoked.
In not-yet-done book news, the novel I finished months ago and was supposed to 'get right on' is being edited slowly but surely. I hope to have it out by early 2019. It seems I am not as fast as I once was, but I've learned life, and the things we go through, can change us. We're constantly evolving. I am faster in some areas, slower in others. And that's a-okay.
However, if you're jonesin' for something new from me, don't fret! I'm pleased to say I'm in some sexy upcoming anthologies. I'll keep you posted on when they come out.
As far as the vintage thing, well, we've been thrifting and digging and poking and picking our way through MD and NY lately. I have some amazing things up on the shops and I make steady sales now so I am one happy camper.
Speaking of campers. I want one. Bad. An Airstream. I can fill it with treasures and tote it behind me as we travel. Which we're doing a lot more of.
Overall, life is good. Things are happy. And I am blessed.
I'll be back soon--I hope--to announce release news for those anthologies and hopefully (shakes fist at sky) my newest book.
XOXO
Sommer
Long time, no see. I've been...well, life-ing. A brief personal update: The Bearded Giant and the mini giant are now in! The cohabitation has begun. Everyone seems to be settling in nicely (knock wood, throw salt) and life is pretty good. Boy child is hustling away at a brand new job and girl child is back in the wilds of upstate NY being smart and talented.
Now life returns to the normality of fall. People doing their own schedules and less summer time off fun, which means more time for writing, blogging, working, and running the vintage shops.
So here we go with book news. Calendar Girl got a re-release from Wild Hearts Romance and then...a bunch of brand spanking (heh) new reviews from Apple readers. Which, I find wildly (heh again, look what I did there!) exciting.
Let's see what folks are saying, shall we?
I was pretty tickled. There are more now, but when I took those screenshots, (totally intending to post that day, hahaha!) I was stoked.
In not-yet-done book news, the novel I finished months ago and was supposed to 'get right on' is being edited slowly but surely. I hope to have it out by early 2019. It seems I am not as fast as I once was, but I've learned life, and the things we go through, can change us. We're constantly evolving. I am faster in some areas, slower in others. And that's a-okay.
However, if you're jonesin' for something new from me, don't fret! I'm pleased to say I'm in some sexy upcoming anthologies. I'll keep you posted on when they come out.
As far as the vintage thing, well, we've been thrifting and digging and poking and picking our way through MD and NY lately. I have some amazing things up on the shops and I make steady sales now so I am one happy camper.
Speaking of campers. I want one. Bad. An Airstream. I can fill it with treasures and tote it behind me as we travel. Which we're doing a lot more of.
Overall, life is good. Things are happy. And I am blessed.
I'll be back soon--I hope--to announce release news for those anthologies and hopefully (shakes fist at sky) my newest book.
XOXO
Sommer
July 13, 2018
Happy High Holy Day!
Since 13 is my lucky number (hence the title of one of my first books !) Friday the 13th is always a good day for me. I'm not superstitious. I'm usually celebrating. And given my boyfriend's name--can you hazard a guess?--a few years ago the day just got better.
Happy Friday! Have a relaxing night. And remember to lock the doors. Just in case.
XOXO
Sommer
p.s. If so inclined drop me a note about what you're reading this weekend. I'm reading The Outsider by Stephen King. And it's the bomb!
June 10, 2018
Calendar Girl Gets a Reboot and That Means a Special Deal for You!
One of my favorite novels evah! The rights for Calendar Girl were returned to me a few years ago and I thought that was that. I wanted to rerelease it myself but had yet to get to it. And then the stars aligned and it got a brand new life and a brand new look from Wild Hearts Romance. The book will be in three sections or you can buy the whole series. And good news--the whole series is on a pre-order special on iTunes for 99c. That's for a limited time only.
It's a great deal for one of my most beloved and comical (in my humble opinion) novels. People often ask where they should start reading when I'm a new-to-them author. I always recommend Merritt's adventures as a great jumping off point. For a few years I couldn't recommend it, but I can now and that thrills me :)
The deets:
Merritt Evans is expecting a lot out of her marriage but what she is not expecting is to come home to find her husband Drake diddling with the local trainer. Thanks to friends in high places, Merritt's divorced by the new year. She’s ready to put her old life behind her and her best friend Jeffrey--drag queen and fake psychic extraordinaire--comes up with a game plan.
A year of fun, frolicking and hot sex. No strings, no expectations and did he mention hot sex? A fresh guy every single month to get all the needs and kinks and cravings out of her system so she can move on. Merritt’s doing well with her plan until Penn Fratila shows up. Hot, Romanian and sexy as hell. Oh yeah, and he wants her. Bad.
This is the Complete Calendar Girl Series by Sommer Marsden.
Happy Sunday!
XOXO
Sommer
April 11, 2018
Let's Talk About Stress, Baby...or How Much Panic Attacks Blow
I just posted this on Facebook but it's WAAAAAY too long to put up in chunks on Twitter so here goes... :)This is the fun fucking part of having gone through a long terminal illness with someone. For every third or fourth time you visit a doctor's office (for you or anyone else) you get a free bonus panic attack. Today the bearded giant had a dental visit. I went with thinking we'd grab lunch after before he headed off to work. At the hour mark my brain decided we had hit radiation an/or chemo time. All the anxiety and fear from then came flooding back despite it being now and not then. And I was crippled by it for about 45 minutes before he came out of the back and whisked me out of there.I asked to go with him. It was my idea. I even had a good book with me I was reading for a friend. I did not anticipate that. I never saw it coming. All I wanted to do was unzip my body and crawl out of my skin. Inside my brain I was literally screaming the entire time. That translated to a slow leak out of my eyes. I then proceeded to beat myself up and then some. Because I should be past this/over this/better than this/stronger than this etc etc etc.I'm posting this not for hugs or sympathy or any of that very nice stuff people offer up when the read something like this. I am offering this up because, if you are there too--if this happens to you--it's okay. I can't seem to tell MYSELF that it's okay but I can sure as shit tell someone else that it's okay. You've been through some shit. You've seen some shit. Sometimes your body goes haywire and crosses its timelines and is a big asshole of a time/emotion traveling TARDIS. And it's okay. It will pass eventually, as much as it sucks in the moment.
xoxo
sommer
February 23, 2018
So I Did A Reading or I’m Not 9 Feet Tall
As a lot of you know, I’ve been doing this dirty writing thing for almost 13 years (in March, hollah!!). I have managed, in those baker’s dozen of years to NOT do a reading. I did submit to a radio interview once upon a time. And last year I did do a podcast with one Rose Caraway because I felt like I’d know her forever and I was in a mindset to say yes to things that scared me. But a reading…yeah, no.
Remember that mindset of saying yes to things that scare me that I mentioned? Yeah, that bit me on the ass toward the end of 2017 when Rachel invited me to read for BWE of the Year Volume 3 in February 2018. I consulted the bearded giant and his words of wisdom were: Yeah! Say yes! You have many months before you have to worry about it…
:/
Time passes quickly, y’all. Because the next thing I knew, it was coming very soon and I had to choose an excerpt. Like a dingus, I asked TBG to do so. He chose, good lord, the DIRTIEST section of the story. But I had been assured by Rachel that light, medium, or heavy dirty was fine.
So, I practiced. I read it out loud every single day the week before the reading. I read it to the dog (poor thing), I read it to my salt lamp, I read it to the Winchester boys (on mute, mind you). I read it until I was bored with it. On purpose.
Let’s fast forward to the day of the reading. I got up and I ran. And ran. And considered just keeping on until I was out of the state. Then I went about my day as best I could all while feeling like a flock of butterflies were devouring my innards.
Fun!
So, mid-afternoon I get a text: ON MY WAY TO YOU! I am me, after all, so I pay attention to time. Time…more time..even more time…too much time. By the time I heard the thump of his bass outside I was like a Chihuahua on crack. He walks in and I’m ready to say: What was that!? That was too long! But there he is with a bundle of flowers, a smile, and a “There she is…”
Talk about diffusing assholery in a second flat.
Like I said, there were flowers and then…um…other stress diffusers, and finally it’s time to feed the beast! (I am the beast) We go get a burger. My all-time favorite food on planet earth. And then we hit the road. It keeps snowing off and on, which stresses me. (I’m stressed to go, I’m stressed to miss, I’m all over the map!) I have well over an hour to stew in my own stress juices as it were.
Multiple times I suggested that the ride had been lovely but we could turn around now. Every time I was shut down.
Finally, we arrive in DC. Kinda…
See, it was Mardi Gras. And there is, friends and neighbors, a Mardi Gras parade in FULL SWING when we hit the wharf where Politics and Prose is located. There was literally no parking. We were almost to launch time, kissing distance to the venue, and yet…stuck.
I texted Rachel. I fumed. I texted Rachel. I gritted my teeth. I waited. I breathed. I was told “I got you. I won’t let you down” by TBG and I knew that was true. Somehow, our vehicular about face led us to accidentally turn into the roundabout for the wharf. But…while waiting to exit to the chaos again, we saw a car go straight. We looked at each other and said: What if…we went straight…?
Answer: a secret underground hidden parking garage NO ONE on the street had directed us to and yet had plenty of free spots!
We hustled out of the car and into the elevator and up we went and boom! There was P&P facing us when the doors opened.
So, this was a blessing in disguise because I literally had ZERO TIME to stress or obsess or any of it. I waltzed in, found Rachel, hugged her, hugged Lynn Townsend who I’ve also ‘known’ forever but never met, perched my ass in a tall, wobbly director’s chair and faced…a lot of fucking people.
Way more than I expected.
It’s okay. It’s fine. Smile. Look away.
There’s the bearded giant over to the right smiling like an idiot and looking like he might pop with pride as he VIDEOS ME [so many eye rolls here]. Adorable goofball, glad to call him mine.
Breathe.
Lynn Townsend leans over as we chat and says: “We gave you the chair without a foot bar because I know you’re tall.”
True, especially in comparison to my fellow readers who all had heels on in the photos you might see and I am wearing flat boots, I am tall. I am not, however, 9 FEET TALL. Which is how tall one would have to be to stabilize themselves on a tall wobbly director chair with no foot bar. So in a lot of pics you see me swinging my legs, with my legs straight out, or hooked behind the chair legs and resting on the side struts. I spent the majority of the reading tyring to stay in a chair that felt like it was going to vomit me onto the floor at any moment.
Again, probably a blessing in disguise.
Because when Rachel asked me to read, I realized that all the excerpts that had been read were not NEARLY as dirty as what the bearded giant had chosen. If you watch the footage, it’s quite possible you will see me mouth “YOU ARE DEAD” to someone off screen. That would be me talking to him.
I read it, though, dammit. I read it and my hand shook so hard I had to press it to the arm of my wobbly chair to steady it so I didn’t lose my place. BUT I did not falter because I had read it so many times I just plowed through.
And then it was done. And it was questions. And then a signing. The singing, by far, was my favorite part. I met some sweet, funny, charming people. I met a few authors. I met some ‘fans’ which is a word I can never equate with myself but they used it so there it is. But for me, as always, it came down to the people. The writers I’ve known but never met, and the readers I’ve always wondered about and got to chat with.
The bearded giant shuttled me home. I drank a bucket—no really, a bucket—of wine. And that night I slept like the dead.
Despite the stress, worry, self-doubt, traffic, parade chaos, wobbly chair, restless legs, and beating the mic against the arm of my chair several times by accident (sorry!), I am so glad I went. And dare I say…I’d do it again. Look forward to it, even.
XOXO
Sommer
Remember that mindset of saying yes to things that scare me that I mentioned? Yeah, that bit me on the ass toward the end of 2017 when Rachel invited me to read for BWE of the Year Volume 3 in February 2018. I consulted the bearded giant and his words of wisdom were: Yeah! Say yes! You have many months before you have to worry about it…
:/
Time passes quickly, y’all. Because the next thing I knew, it was coming very soon and I had to choose an excerpt. Like a dingus, I asked TBG to do so. He chose, good lord, the DIRTIEST section of the story. But I had been assured by Rachel that light, medium, or heavy dirty was fine.
So, I practiced. I read it out loud every single day the week before the reading. I read it to the dog (poor thing), I read it to my salt lamp, I read it to the Winchester boys (on mute, mind you). I read it until I was bored with it. On purpose.
Let’s fast forward to the day of the reading. I got up and I ran. And ran. And considered just keeping on until I was out of the state. Then I went about my day as best I could all while feeling like a flock of butterflies were devouring my innards.
Fun!
So, mid-afternoon I get a text: ON MY WAY TO YOU! I am me, after all, so I pay attention to time. Time…more time..even more time…too much time. By the time I heard the thump of his bass outside I was like a Chihuahua on crack. He walks in and I’m ready to say: What was that!? That was too long! But there he is with a bundle of flowers, a smile, and a “There she is…”
Talk about diffusing assholery in a second flat.
Like I said, there were flowers and then…um…other stress diffusers, and finally it’s time to feed the beast! (I am the beast) We go get a burger. My all-time favorite food on planet earth. And then we hit the road. It keeps snowing off and on, which stresses me. (I’m stressed to go, I’m stressed to miss, I’m all over the map!) I have well over an hour to stew in my own stress juices as it were.
Multiple times I suggested that the ride had been lovely but we could turn around now. Every time I was shut down.
Finally, we arrive in DC. Kinda…
See, it was Mardi Gras. And there is, friends and neighbors, a Mardi Gras parade in FULL SWING when we hit the wharf where Politics and Prose is located. There was literally no parking. We were almost to launch time, kissing distance to the venue, and yet…stuck.
I texted Rachel. I fumed. I texted Rachel. I gritted my teeth. I waited. I breathed. I was told “I got you. I won’t let you down” by TBG and I knew that was true. Somehow, our vehicular about face led us to accidentally turn into the roundabout for the wharf. But…while waiting to exit to the chaos again, we saw a car go straight. We looked at each other and said: What if…we went straight…?
Answer: a secret underground hidden parking garage NO ONE on the street had directed us to and yet had plenty of free spots!
We hustled out of the car and into the elevator and up we went and boom! There was P&P facing us when the doors opened.
So, this was a blessing in disguise because I literally had ZERO TIME to stress or obsess or any of it. I waltzed in, found Rachel, hugged her, hugged Lynn Townsend who I’ve also ‘known’ forever but never met, perched my ass in a tall, wobbly director’s chair and faced…a lot of fucking people.
Way more than I expected.
It’s okay. It’s fine. Smile. Look away.
There’s the bearded giant over to the right smiling like an idiot and looking like he might pop with pride as he VIDEOS ME [so many eye rolls here]. Adorable goofball, glad to call him mine.
Breathe.
Lynn Townsend leans over as we chat and says: “We gave you the chair without a foot bar because I know you’re tall.”
True, especially in comparison to my fellow readers who all had heels on in the photos you might see and I am wearing flat boots, I am tall. I am not, however, 9 FEET TALL. Which is how tall one would have to be to stabilize themselves on a tall wobbly director chair with no foot bar. So in a lot of pics you see me swinging my legs, with my legs straight out, or hooked behind the chair legs and resting on the side struts. I spent the majority of the reading tyring to stay in a chair that felt like it was going to vomit me onto the floor at any moment.
Again, probably a blessing in disguise.
Because when Rachel asked me to read, I realized that all the excerpts that had been read were not NEARLY as dirty as what the bearded giant had chosen. If you watch the footage, it’s quite possible you will see me mouth “YOU ARE DEAD” to someone off screen. That would be me talking to him.
I read it, though, dammit. I read it and my hand shook so hard I had to press it to the arm of my wobbly chair to steady it so I didn’t lose my place. BUT I did not falter because I had read it so many times I just plowed through.
And then it was done. And it was questions. And then a signing. The singing, by far, was my favorite part. I met some sweet, funny, charming people. I met a few authors. I met some ‘fans’ which is a word I can never equate with myself but they used it so there it is. But for me, as always, it came down to the people. The writers I’ve known but never met, and the readers I’ve always wondered about and got to chat with.
The bearded giant shuttled me home. I drank a bucket—no really, a bucket—of wine. And that night I slept like the dead.
Despite the stress, worry, self-doubt, traffic, parade chaos, wobbly chair, restless legs, and beating the mic against the arm of my chair several times by accident (sorry!), I am so glad I went. And dare I say…I’d do it again. Look forward to it, even.
XOXO
Sommer
February 22, 2018
Thrift Store Conversations or We Needed a Coffin
Me and he at a thrift store this evening (shocking!):
The Bearded Giant: [hands me a book about surviving menopause with a trio of laughing women speed walking on the front] "Here ya go."Me: [rolls eyes] "Lord…"TBG: "You can still exercise!"Me: "I drink"TBG: [hysterical laughter]Me: "That’s not what I meant!"TBG: “We needed a coffin…”Me: [snorting] "Pretty much."
I was having a stress cycle in my head over some shit going on. I am approaching the age of the pause of men. I had meant to say “I workout every morning.” I had also thought of saying (simultaneously) “They could just drink.” What came out was “I drink” and hysterical laughter from him. Freudian slip if ever there was one.
December 17, 2017
On Christmas and Time and Happy Holidays
I wrote the post below on FB off the cuff a few minutes ago, but figured I should post it here. For those of you who show up to read the blog I hardly every update any more. Below kind of explains why I don't update it much. I forget, to be honest. But I appreciate every single one of you who subscribe and show up when I do remember to say words here in this space.
Happy Holidays, my friends. May they be fun and comfortable and cozy and full of laughter.
I love you,
Sommer
*Our sights at Penn Station in Baltimore upon picking up my beloved girl child at the ass crack of dawn*
I used to work a lot. A lot a lot. I got a lot done. I ran a house, wrote god knows how much in any given year, cooked dinner every night, baked a lot, made a ton of gluten free from scratch. Crafted and was pretty spot the fuck on with my holidays.
I loved my life. I loved all of that. I loved all those thing about myself and the life I had with my family.
Trauma changes you. I'm not the same.
Now I work a lot. But in various things. One a grand new quest that lights me up the way writing did when I was a noob. I am open to more adventure. I go to crowded places, new places, scary places. And I love it. I cook a lot less but still eat good food with people that make me laugh and feel loved. I bake a lot less but have known to whip things up for those I love. I am more laid back about some things. Less about others.
Like time.
Time is not unlimited. Time is very finite. So, if your Christmas is not perfect and pretty and all done up the way mine used to be, if it's kind of chaotic and imperfect, but you're spending time together...you're all good. Are those beloved faces around you? Then you're golden.
Remember that. It's about the time. Not the stuff and the perfection. It's about the time. Because it's the most valuable fucking shit you have, my friend. Use it well.
Happy Holidays, my friends. May they be fun and comfortable and cozy and full of laughter.
I love you,
Sommer
*Our sights at Penn Station in Baltimore upon picking up my beloved girl child at the ass crack of dawn*
I used to work a lot. A lot a lot. I got a lot done. I ran a house, wrote god knows how much in any given year, cooked dinner every night, baked a lot, made a ton of gluten free from scratch. Crafted and was pretty spot the fuck on with my holidays.
I loved my life. I loved all of that. I loved all those thing about myself and the life I had with my family.
Trauma changes you. I'm not the same.
Now I work a lot. But in various things. One a grand new quest that lights me up the way writing did when I was a noob. I am open to more adventure. I go to crowded places, new places, scary places. And I love it. I cook a lot less but still eat good food with people that make me laugh and feel loved. I bake a lot less but have known to whip things up for those I love. I am more laid back about some things. Less about others.
Like time.
Time is not unlimited. Time is very finite. So, if your Christmas is not perfect and pretty and all done up the way mine used to be, if it's kind of chaotic and imperfect, but you're spending time together...you're all good. Are those beloved faces around you? Then you're golden.
Remember that. It's about the time. Not the stuff and the perfection. It's about the time. Because it's the most valuable fucking shit you have, my friend. Use it well.
December 5, 2017
Stuff, Things, Holidays, and an Upcoming Reading. Come see me! Watch my Social Anxiety at its finest! Alright!
Once again I have been away from the land of Bloggerdom for way too long. I have no excuse other than life, fun with the bearded giant, writing, not writing, girl child coming in for holiday, actual holiday, birthday, getting infected with the plague, and opening an Etsy shop as myself...gasp!
But I did want to share a couple cool things about one of my short stories "Demons Purse" which is in BWE of the Year #3 edited by Rachel Kramer Bussel. I wrote the story after hearing the phrase, had fun, wrote dirty--filthy, actually--and thought not much more of it other than "Yay!" when it was accepted. But apparently, other people notice the phrase :)
Like Library Journal:
And this from Publisher's Weekly !
And here's the best most psychedelic part: I am doing my first EVER reading of erotica this winter in February. I am already drinking! I mean worrying! Come see me. Meet me. Say hi. See my social anxiety at its finest. Come whisper in my ear that it's okay and when I get home with the bearded giant and have a glass of wine life will become less bright, sharp, and terrifying.
"Mark your calendars for our #washingtondc Best Women's #Erotica of the Year 3 reading Feb. 13 at 7 pm! Join @raquelita @thienkim @sommer_marsden and Lynn Townsend at @PandPWharf. Can't wait! http://www.politics-prose.com/wharf #books #sexybooks #valentinesday"
All joking aside, I am extremely anxious about it. But also excited. Because fear doesn't stop death, it stops life. And I'm old now. So fuck it! Come shake my hand, I'll already be shaking ;)
XOXOSommer
But I did want to share a couple cool things about one of my short stories "Demons Purse" which is in BWE of the Year #3 edited by Rachel Kramer Bussel. I wrote the story after hearing the phrase, had fun, wrote dirty--filthy, actually--and thought not much more of it other than "Yay!" when it was accepted. But apparently, other people notice the phrase :)
Like Library Journal:
And this from Publisher's Weekly !
And here's the best most psychedelic part: I am doing my first EVER reading of erotica this winter in February. I am already drinking! I mean worrying! Come see me. Meet me. Say hi. See my social anxiety at its finest. Come whisper in my ear that it's okay and when I get home with the bearded giant and have a glass of wine life will become less bright, sharp, and terrifying.
"Mark your calendars for our #washingtondc Best Women's #Erotica of the Year 3 reading Feb. 13 at 7 pm! Join @raquelita @thienkim @sommer_marsden and Lynn Townsend at @PandPWharf. Can't wait! http://www.politics-prose.com/wharf #books #sexybooks #valentinesday"
All joking aside, I am extremely anxious about it. But also excited. Because fear doesn't stop death, it stops life. And I'm old now. So fuck it! Come shake my hand, I'll already be shaking ;)
XOXOSommer
October 11, 2017
Questions, questions...? Bueller?
Readers and new (or not) writers, I want to see your questions for a possible new project. Ask me whatever. DM me or hit me up at sommermarsden@gmail.com
And...go!
XOXO
Sommer
October 10, 2017
Running to Write...
Once upon a time I wrote non-stop. I didn't need to do anything in particular to write. But, as I've said other posts, loss and grief change you. You end up being an entirely new person when you're on the other side. Things you once loved, maybe you don't. Things you once hated now might intrigue you. Things that were easy are harder, things that were hard are easier.
Or sometimes you're just scrambled and everything is different.
That's okay.
Since childhood all I wanted to be was a writer. And I did it. It took many years to get to the point of doing it full-time and those original few years were amazing, much better than current (thank you industry shake up), but after much consideration I find I still want to be a writer. For a while, honestly, I wasn't so sure. I have also found, I need to attack it at a different angle.
I'm not shy about talking about my workouts online. They directly related to my writing now. And I love when some of you email me to ask what's up with all the nonsense. I'm about 50 lbs down from three years ago. I do a lot of the Beachbody programs. I started with T25 went to Insanity Max 30, a few others, right now I'm all about Core de Force (despite fucking up both rotator cuffs getting overzealous with some kettlebells). I also run and do said kettlebells and battle ropes and basically anything else I can get my hands on. I've considered being a coach but haven't made that step. What I have discovered since my husband passed is that in order to write, I need to move. Usually beforehand and sometimes during I need to get up and take a walk (or walks plural. a shortie with the dog and a long for me. :)
There's so much different about me as I approach the 3 year anniversary of Jim's death. I couldn't leave the house then (literally) and I think that is part of my current need to move in order to create. Then all I could do was be in this house and create and care for him. Now I still create but the urge to move and leave the house regularly and throw my body around like a lunatic (heh) is overwhelming.
Things I find amusing about it is, my brain can either get very romantic or very dirty on a run. It can make connections it used to only make in the magical place called: the shower. It can blank out and just go dormant and that STILL helps my writing because it's a weird form of hibernation. Or it can enter a kind of weird surreal state where my body is fighting to do what I want it to do and my brain's all chill and stoner dude. All of them are good and aide my writing.
Anyway, this is a long rambling blog about being a new person, changing after loss, writing, when things that were easy get hard, and not giving up. I've been asked over the years about my advice to writers who want to write full time. My advice used to be: write every day! Blah, blah, blah. I guess my advice would now be to follow your heart or possibly your feet when it comes to what wrings the most words out of you on any given day. There is no single way to go about it. Capiche?
One fun fact: I am a wateraholic. Coffee, water, wine. That's what I drink, people. :) I can't take big bottles cause they slip out of my hands. I like little bottles but they tend to be so flimsy nowadays and I crush them and then feel like the Hulk. Plus there's the whole green aspect. Today I had no little bottles. None. So I went rummaging through the cabinets and found the BKR bottle I got in my FabFitFun summer box. It's glass with a silicone sleeve. Seems bad for running. But I gave it a shot.
I was wrong. The silicone helps me grip it, or when I get too sweaty, I loop my finger through the top hoop thingamajig and it holds perfectly. I was pretty pleased with myself that I found a greener way to take my water AND a way to use something I thought I'd hardly ever use.
You learn something new every day. (I also learned it can be 'fall' and a jillion fucking degrees)
XOXO
Sommer
