T.L. Gray's Blog, page 69

Opportunities

When actively working on chasing dreams, various opportunities will cross the chosen pathway.  Deciding which opportunities to follow and which to pass, can sometimes be confusing.  However, this responsibility to make the decision cannot be neglected.  Just as opportunities can lead to even greater prospects, they can also lead to destruction and disappointment.  More dangerously, they can lead to detours and end up with the chosen path being left altogether.

Over the past few months, I’ve come across some opportunities that, by all outward appearances, seemed prosperous, a blessing and filled with the potential for greater success – yet I hesitated and subsequently chose not to walk down them.  Following those decisions, my mind waged war against my heart, and the sinking feeling of missing my “ship” overwhelmed me at times.  However, now that I’m a few more steps down the path I chose, I sigh with relief that I chose wisely.  At this moment, I may not be exhibiting an abundance of worldly success, but I’m ten steps closer to the dream, and ten steps further than I was several months ago.  I’m still on my chosen path and moving forward.  

There are opportunities I’ve come across over the past few years that are still out there, still open and still available to step through.  Will I eventually step through them?  Perhaps - Perhaps not.  Sometimes a door presents itself, but the timing is not right to walk through it.  When the right time comes, it will either still be there, or there will be another in its place.  What I’m really trying to say this morning is - don’t be too quick to just walk through any door, but also don’t be too hesitant.  Trust your gut and rely on your instincts - not your feelings.  At the end of the day, it’s your face you’ll see in the mirror, and that’s the person who matters most in the end, because they’re the ones who has to live with the decisions you make and the opportunities you pass up or take.

Till next time,~T.L. Gray 

Barnes & Noble - Newnan Author's Event

Compost Happens by Shelly Murphy

Vabella Publishing   Carrollton, Georgia   www.vabella.com

[image error]Announces ...FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE! COMPOST HAPPENS : Confessions of a Plantaholic By Shelly Hargis Murphy Something’s always happening in a garden. Sooneror later it all it all turns to compost, including the gardener. After growing ornamentals a dozen years on a rocky hard clay slope, the queen of gardening gaffes confesses why: “I don’t do bugs, the buck stops here, some plants are X-rated and God will get even with you; attacks from crape murderers and a fat chance of rain may lead to horticultural holocaust and a decent burial; attitude is everything in a pricey pa$t-time that sure beats a shrink, may be in the genes and have one asking, ‘Can this disease be cured?’”
About the Author:

Shelly Hargis Murphy grew up in the desert Southwest in a horticultural - challenged environment. She married her college sweetheart and they moved so often the next 25 years with his coaching career she only planted annuals in pots. It wasn’t until they settled in Georgia in 1993, that she could finally put down serious roots. By 2002, when she received certification asina Georgia Master Gardener, she’d made enough mistakes to fill a how-not-to-garden book. She and her husband, Ed, live in Carrollton. www.ShellyHMurphy.com ISBN: 978-1-938230-03-5 Soft Cover / 978-1-938230-07-3 ebookVabella Publishing222 Hampton Way – Carrollton, Georgia 30116
(770) 328-8355 www.vabella.com

Progress

I love nothing more than seeing the actions, careers and success of my fellow writers move in a forward direction.  I don’t want to run this race by myself, but yearn to be surrounded by my friends and fellow artists; it makes the contest that much more enjoyable.  So, I’m going to take a few moments here and praise the efforts and successes of a few of my fellow writers:
Frank Allan Rogers – congratulations on your new publishing deal and I can’t wait to hop on the trail ride with the upcoming release of Twice Upon a Time . I love seeing you at a table, in a tent or at a booth next to me selling your books.  I’m truly a big fan and can’t wait to see how you rustle up and lasso other fans to your awesome talent.
Mary Cunningham – congratulations on completing another edition of the Cynthia’s Attic Series – The Legend of Lupin Woods .  I love your heart and compassion for the young readers of today.  May you find much success as you fill their young minds with great adventures, and their hearts with a love of reading.  
R.T. Kaelin – congratulations on the release of the new version of Progeny .  I really enjoyed this story, and I’m so glad to see the great response you’ve received from readers all over the world, and now big time agents.  I wish you much success at your appearance at Origins Conference in May, and I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy of the next installment in The Children of the White Lions Series. 
Now, a little shout out to the Up and Coming authors and their debut novels:
Thomas Young – Though I know you by another name, for the past few years I’ve watched you labor over your novel Coming Out of Winter .  I’ve also had the pleasure to see you take this labor of love and transform it into a screenplay, and now you’ve gone and broke it up into two books (which was a great move).  I’m excited to see you step over the threshold from writer to author, from conception of an idea to a printed publication, from a dreamer to making the dream come true.  I can’t wait to see you jump from one stepping stone to the next.  
Norma-Jean Sessamen – Your love and passion, mixed with your excitement and dedication has me on edge to see your hard work finally step into the spotlight it deserves.  I’m so proud of you, and the steps you’ve taken to sharpen your craft.  I’ll be like a proud mama bear when I see the release of Taken , the first book in The Hawthorne Series, finally be released into the world.  
Chuck Wanager – Chuck, Chuck, Chuck.  For many years the world got to experience the reporter; the journalist.  Now, they will get a chance to meet the novelist.  I’m really excited for you and the upcoming publishing deal and release of Jackson Flats .  Sometimes it’s those who struggle most, who appreciate the little things.  I want you to know I see and appreciate the little things you’ve brought to the CCWC.   If you can deliver a book like you deliver a newsletter, the world better watch out!
Shelly Murphy – I love your sense of humor.  I love your grace.  Congratulations on your publishing deal with Vabella Publishing and your upcoming release of Compost Happens .  This book made me laugh, and I know it’ll make the world laugh too.
If you are a fellow writer that I’m acquainted with and I didn’t mention you, it’s not because I’m not proud of you or that I don’t support you; that’s not the case.  It’s just that these seven artists were on my heart today.  These are the seven people I see running beside me at the moment.  I’m glad to see them here, and I hope that many, many more newbies can join us – soon!  (**cough**cough!  Johnathan Bright, Dawn Perry, Lorien Forrest, Ann Brown, , Susan Macdonald, Sue Lee, Laura Kirk, Kathy Camp, and Denise Wellman.  I know you all have first novels in the process and can’t wait to see them complete, published and make their debut into the world.)

Till next time,~T.L. Gray

To Coattail or Not to Coattail ...

coat·tailnoun \ˈkōt-ˌtāl\Definition of COATTAIL1:the rear flap of a man's coat 2 plural: the skirts of a dress coat, cutaway, or frock coat 3 plural: the influence or pulling power of a popular movement or person (as a political candidate or celebrity)

Your Story's Pacing

Everyone has the same twenty-four hours in a day, where we differ is by what we do with and in those hours; it’s what sets us apart.  Too many times I’ve spent (wasted) many of my hours worrying about what was to occur in the hours to come, or fretting over what has already been, not being or living in the moment.  We’re all guilty of doing this, not only in our lives, but for us writers also in our stories.   We get too concerned with what’s to happen next, and in our patience we don’t fully color in the scene we’re currently working on, therefore leaving our characters under-developed and our pacing rushed.  On the flip side to that, sometimes we also bog down our stories by filling in too much; explaining what was or what is or foreshadowing of what is to come, often repeating what is already apparently clear, and stopping the forward momentum of our story.   
What can we do about it?  The answer is so simple, yet so complex.  It is simply - stop.  We can’t pause until we realize we can’t change what has already been, nor do we have control of what is to come.  We think we do.  We convince ourselves that we are the pilots of our own ships of destiny, but we’re not.  Just as we (writers) believe we are the creators of our own stories, when we are merely scribes.  When we try to fit stories into our own ideas of what we think they should be, that’s when things don’t work.  We get frustrated, annoyed and agitated, often unable to see exactly where the problems lay, because we try to control it too much, often stripping our characters and diverting our story lines.  We should let go, and let the story take us where it will, live in the moment, fully be present in each scene, let the characters form themselves and let our gift flow freely from and through us.  THEN, when it has all tumbled out of us, we use our skill and mastery of the English language to conform the story into a shape that can be easily understood and received by others, while maintaining the integrity of the story and characters we were blessed to experience.   
We are the storytellers; the scribes.  It is our job to relay the story we received, accurate and as colorful as possible, to those who will hear it.  We are also the storytellers of our lives – living as we were created to live.  To do that, we must live in each moment, for each moment has a purpose to the main plot.  Don’t rush your own story, for if you do, you will miss key elements, minute descriptions and true characterizations.  Your life is a great adventure, but you are the scribe that expresses that adventure to the world around you.   Don’t bog it down by being unable to let go of the past, or wasted in fear, worry or anxiety with concern for the future.  Live in the moment – fully.

Till Next Time,~T.L. Gray

Characters of Our Own Stories

Time isprecious to everyone, even to writers. We must spend our time wisely when writing, researching, reading,planning, marketing, scheduling, networking, socializing, and so forth and soon … to get the job done.  There must bea balance maintained between career, friends and family – like every othercareer out there.  So, it's important toguard that time, and use wisdom when planning our everyday events, much in the sameway that we must choose the pacing, development and timeline of our charactersin the stories we write.
Yesterdaywas a great example of time well spent for the character of "me".  I was joined by a few close friends and mymother-in-law in Milledgeville, Georgia to promote my latest novel, "MilledgevilleMisfit".  I had an adventurous time.  After being isolated for several days, it feltgreat to be outdoors, laughing in fellowship, talking, catching up on gossip,exploring the rich history and culture of the Antebellum South, listening tothe ghostly tales of a haunted city, reverencing those whose time has come andgone, meeting new fans face to face, and making new friends.  Oh, and it didn't hurt that I sold a fewbooks too.  The character of "Me" had agreat day!
My pieceof inspiration and advice today for my fellow writers and friends is this:  Don't forget to live your life.  I know how easy it is to get lost into thefictional worlds we create out of our imaginations and write into ourmanuscripts, but we can't ignore the world that was created for us.  We are the characters of a bigger story. Weare our own editors. How interesting is your character?  Would you like to read "you" in a book?  If you don't like your storyline thus far,then begin to change it. 
I did somuch living yesterday, I think I'll take a good nap today and relive some of itin my dreams.
Till next time,~T.L. Gray

Booked Up!: T.L. Gray Interview + Giveaway!

Booked Up!: T.L. Gray Interview + Giveaway!: T.L. Gray is a wonderful author. So when I got offered to review a copy of her novel, Milledgeville Misfit, (my review for it here )...

If you haven't had a chance to get your hands on a copy of this book yet, here's your chance to win an autographed or eBook copy!  Good Luck!

Help! I Need Somebody!

I'm obviously stuck onsong lyrics again this morning.  That's okay, they seem to convey thepoint, and the point this morning is that though we writers spend a lot of timein solitude, exercising our gift, when we come out into the populace, we need agreat support system; one that understands the nuances of the career choice we'vemade.  We need YOU! 
Writers have a specialkind of friend, one that doesn't require a lot of face time, one whounderstands that when their writer friend goes underground for a while, it'snot a personal attack or separation, but something the writer needs to dosometimes to get what needs to be done.  Welive in a society that is so needy, touchy, and emotional (Emo – my kids wouldsay), and immersed in a world of instant social interactions, that it ischanging the face of friendships and relationships everywhere.  Now, when a writer disappears for a few days,they get bombarded with phone calls, instant messages, tweets, emails and postsoften wondering where they are, what's happened to them, why they haven't yetresponded or what's wrong, taking the absence by the writer as a personalrebuke or pulling away from the friendship.   What's wrong about all this is,that the writer needs a friend who won't take moments of seclusion as apersonal attack or rebuke, understanding it's often a necessity for their writerfriend, and then choose to be there when their writer friend once again resurfaces. 
Writers also needcheerleaders, friends who understand what it takes for writers to be successfulin their craft.  Their business requires 'wordof mouth' and a strong marketing campaign to make even a modicum ofsuccess.  A true writer's friend is onewho understands that their writer isn't usingthem just for promotions.  Infact, the writer shouldn't have to beg their friends to promote them, bragabout them, post, tweet, or IM about them and their work or events to everyonethey know.  A true friend would be happyto do these things, because they are proud of their writer friend and want themto succeed. 
Lastly, writers need thesupport of other writers.  There's reallyno such thing as competition in this business. The success of my fellow writer is not a threat or detriment to my ownsuccess, or lack thereof.  On thecontrary, the more success my fellow writers achieve, the better a networkconnection is made for me, and vice versa. I do everything I can to help promote and encourage my fellowwriters.  I don't take their sporadicabsences personally, and I spread the word about their achievements, no matterhow big or small, every chance I get.  Whenone of my writer friends makes a successful leap, I'm truly excited forthem.  We shouldn't become jealous orenvious, but look to see how they did what they did and then collaborate toapply the method to our own promotion. 
If you truly support awriter, don't only tell the writer, tell everyone else.  That's how I know the identity of my truefriends, cheerleaders and fans; I look to see who's spreading the word aboutme, my books, my accomplishments, my press and my events.  Have you supported your writer friendtoday?  If not, take just a few secondsto show how much you love and support them – by telling someone else.
Till next time,~T.L. Gray

I Want to Know What Love Is

I'm notjust quoting the chorus of a popular 80's rock ballad by the band Foreigner,but posing a real question.  While manycould answer with a very thoughtful, heart-felt and emotional answer, in theend there would be so many different answers it would only create morequestions.  Everyone has a definition oflove; every person, every religion, every philosophy.  I guess what I'm really asking isn't for a definition of love, but how to recognizethe real thing working in and through my life. The only answer I can really come up with is that the answer depends onthe person doing the asking, and the answers would be just as varied ashumanity is diverse.  I can't speak forthe whole world, only for myself. So, my new question is: What is love to me? How do I recognize it working in mylife, and how do I show it to others?
Thatanswer can't be given without much reflection, research and introspection.  Perhaps one day I will be able sum up the answeris one word, or one sentence or even one paragraph.  But for right now, I plan to keep my eyesopen, my ears attentive and my spirit alert. It may take a while to find an answer, or it may come quickly.  What about you?  Do you dare to take your own journey ofdiscovery?  If so, I wish you muchsuccess on your quest. 
Till nexttime,~T.L. Gray