P.G. Shriver's Blog, page 21
February 21, 2012
Paranormally Themed
I was just thinking about the three novels I've written and realized that they all have paranormal themes! Must have something to do with my belief in such phenomenon.
Just this morning, a news brief discussed how a beautiful 19th century home was being investigated for paranormal activity and that it would be featured on a television show. I don't scoff at news like that. In fact, it doesn't surprise me at all!
I've seen ghosts in my peripheral vision, and no I wasn't drinking or partaking of any psychotic drugs. It usually happens when I am about to go to sleep or so focused on a task that I catch a glimpse. What does that mean? Am I crazy? People ask me all of the time where I get my ideas for my books, and just perhaps that is where they come from. Somebody feeds them to me from the other side! Who? I don't know.
Would that be too weird? So many weird things have happened to me in my life after the losses of much loved family members that I think not. I could go on and on about those stories, but I think I will save them for another blog.
Just this morning, a news brief discussed how a beautiful 19th century home was being investigated for paranormal activity and that it would be featured on a television show. I don't scoff at news like that. In fact, it doesn't surprise me at all!
I've seen ghosts in my peripheral vision, and no I wasn't drinking or partaking of any psychotic drugs. It usually happens when I am about to go to sleep or so focused on a task that I catch a glimpse. What does that mean? Am I crazy? People ask me all of the time where I get my ideas for my books, and just perhaps that is where they come from. Somebody feeds them to me from the other side! Who? I don't know.
Would that be too weird? So many weird things have happened to me in my life after the losses of much loved family members that I think not. I could go on and on about those stories, but I think I will save them for another blog.
February 20, 2012
On Goals
Good Morning!
I'm working on The Dream this morning. Unfortunately, it's Monday, so back to my day job. I've learned over the past years that writing is like blacking out, when I get involved with my characters, I lose entire days to my stories. Then I get behind on other tasks. I now know, though, after completing Dead Perfect in a month, that I can write a novel in a month and work a full time job. If I could stick to that schedule, which I cannot, I could write twelve novels a year. It wouldn't be long before I would have to replenish my idea list. Of course, I would have no life. And I would have no time for other opportunities to sell my books and get out in the public.
Ah, but what a lofty goal that would be to achieve. I suppose just knowing that it is possible for me to write a novel so quickly and complete it by a deadline is goal enough. I always wondered if it were possible, if I had it in me to write to a deadline. I thought I would choke near the end, get a bad case of writer's block, or have a nervous breakdown! But I didn't do any of those things. I actually finished on time. What a wonderful feeling to know that I can achieve anything I set my heart, mind and soul to achieving. One day I will be a best selling author. Why? Because that is what I have wanted all of my life and I now am driven to achieve that goal. It's not about money, fame, or titles. It's about me reaching a goal. It's about me telling that one story that the whole world wants to read. It's about me earning the opportunity to stand at the top of that mountain peak and know that I met my number one goal in life.
Enough dreaming! It's back to my normal routine, write a little bit, exercise a little bit, grade papers, and off to work. My goal is there, within reach, and each day I move an inch or two closer to it. The mountain is still high, and I'm a long way from the top, but every day, every step, I move closer.
I'm working on The Dream this morning. Unfortunately, it's Monday, so back to my day job. I've learned over the past years that writing is like blacking out, when I get involved with my characters, I lose entire days to my stories. Then I get behind on other tasks. I now know, though, after completing Dead Perfect in a month, that I can write a novel in a month and work a full time job. If I could stick to that schedule, which I cannot, I could write twelve novels a year. It wouldn't be long before I would have to replenish my idea list. Of course, I would have no life. And I would have no time for other opportunities to sell my books and get out in the public.
Ah, but what a lofty goal that would be to achieve. I suppose just knowing that it is possible for me to write a novel so quickly and complete it by a deadline is goal enough. I always wondered if it were possible, if I had it in me to write to a deadline. I thought I would choke near the end, get a bad case of writer's block, or have a nervous breakdown! But I didn't do any of those things. I actually finished on time. What a wonderful feeling to know that I can achieve anything I set my heart, mind and soul to achieving. One day I will be a best selling author. Why? Because that is what I have wanted all of my life and I now am driven to achieve that goal. It's not about money, fame, or titles. It's about me reaching a goal. It's about me telling that one story that the whole world wants to read. It's about me earning the opportunity to stand at the top of that mountain peak and know that I met my number one goal in life.
Enough dreaming! It's back to my normal routine, write a little bit, exercise a little bit, grade papers, and off to work. My goal is there, within reach, and each day I move an inch or two closer to it. The mountain is still high, and I'm a long way from the top, but every day, every step, I move closer.
February 19, 2012
On Writing and Mistakes
Now that I have completed my entry for the novel contest, and rested for a week after that grueling month of working and writing, it's time to get back to writing. I began work on the second book for The Gifted Ones, The Dream. I have four chapters written.
I'm excited about my upcoming luncheon/ presentation this week with a 6th grade GT class where I will be able to sign/ sell some of my paperback books! Sixth grade was my favorite class to teach when I taught middle school!
I also learned a valuable lesson this week about forums. I made a mistake with some posts, and was severely chastised for it by readers. I apologized, but somehow, I don't think I will be forgiven. Being who I am, I could not imagine being unforgiving toward a person who has made a mistake. I have a big heart and always give people a chance to right their wrongs. It's really been eating away at me that someone could be so unforgiving. Needless to say, I won't be partaking in any discussion forums, except my own, for quite some time. This type of negativity has happened to me before in discussion forums on author sites and I do not like negativity and hatefulness and stand against it whenever its ugly head arises. Well, hopefully I will have time to update this new blog in the breaks between teaching, writing, and traveling. I think I will soon need an IPhone... Look out Siri, here I come :-D
I'm excited about my upcoming luncheon/ presentation this week with a 6th grade GT class where I will be able to sign/ sell some of my paperback books! Sixth grade was my favorite class to teach when I taught middle school!
I also learned a valuable lesson this week about forums. I made a mistake with some posts, and was severely chastised for it by readers. I apologized, but somehow, I don't think I will be forgiven. Being who I am, I could not imagine being unforgiving toward a person who has made a mistake. I have a big heart and always give people a chance to right their wrongs. It's really been eating away at me that someone could be so unforgiving. Needless to say, I won't be partaking in any discussion forums, except my own, for quite some time. This type of negativity has happened to me before in discussion forums on author sites and I do not like negativity and hatefulness and stand against it whenever its ugly head arises. Well, hopefully I will have time to update this new blog in the breaks between teaching, writing, and traveling. I think I will soon need an IPhone... Look out Siri, here I come :-D
