Roxy Mews's Blog, page 19

It's IRWA DAy!

There is a common thread among self-help books that you need to surround yourself with people who lift you up. Finding a group where people are farther along in their career path than you, but are still willing to chat and share their experiences is not easy to find.

I have been incredibly lucky in my path to connect with women and men who have taken me under their wing and taken time to chat with me. I often hope that they don't feel that time was wasted. (But that goes into self-deprecation and imposter syndrome, and this blog isn't long enough for that nonsense.)

Today is for happy. I'm traveling to meld minds with some of the fabulous authors of Indiana's RWA chapter. Or just write and shoot the shit over sandwiches and nachos. We'll see where the day takes me.


IRWA Chapter I'm not going to say that everyone should join RWA. Because I didn't join until after I'd published my first few books. And I know it's right for every person.

HOWEVER, I would like to say that finding your group, and other like-minded business people in the Romance industry in particular is a smidge easier when you narrow down the writer pool.

And some chapters like mine, have video recordings of meetings available to members who may not be able to travel.
If you haven't found your tribe, the Romance Writers of America may be a place to start. Just...for all that is holy, stay out of the main RWA forums, especially the PAN loops. Yikes. Seriously, I get my popcorn ready before I dive into some of those threads. Anyone remember the Kindle forums ala 2004-2008? Yup. Similar vibe. 

But back to the positive. I signed up for RWA and my local chapter again this year because my family schedule finally freed up some Saturdays for me. (Which is when IRWA meets.) And I'm glad I did. I've gotten to know more of the women in my chapter, and they haven't kicked me out yet, so I'd say I'm doing well! 

Along with the informative meetings where huge authors and wonderful educators are brought in, we head over to the Mexican restaurant across the street after the meeting and enjoy the company. Catching up, dishing about the business, and at the end of the day, just reminding each other that we're not alone in this biz, is worth the drive and the cost for me. 

Today we're having a writing bootcamp, so I'm loading up my car with bottled water, packing up my notes and computer, and heading in ready to do battle with my WIP. 

I hope you are taking on your To Do List with as much gusto as I am today. I've finished my coffee, and I'm ready to go.

If you live in the Indianapolis, Indiana area, or are within driving distance, you're welcome to attend two of our meetings before you have to join. And we have Jayne Rylon visiting us next month!  If you want more info on my chapter, feel free to drop me an email or message on any of my social media. 

If you have a fab author group, tell me about it! Hearing stories of authors helping each other out, and lifting each other up, are some of my favorite chats to have. We need some serious good in the world right now, and what better way to get it out there than with a Happily Ever After? 

~Roxy

Subscription Boxes I moon over

I'll start with a caveat. I'm not a gambler. I don't go to casinos, I don't wager online, and I don't put my money into anything without researching it. 

However...one of my favorite youtube rabbit holes is watching people do unboxings of "Subscription Boxes".

Say what you will, buying subscription boxes is gambling in my mind. You are paying your hard earned money for a box of things you might not even like.  I mean... That being said, I'm always intrigued by subscription boxes. They are marketed with serious skill. Especially the beauty boxes. Wow! Tons of makeup in teeny tiny samples, that you didn't really want. But it's cheap and it's a surprise. I'd personally rather buy another pretty journal to add to my shelf that is too nice to use. We all have our vices, I guess. Mine just happens to be office supplies.

But there are a few subscription boxes that I stalk and consider buying each time they pop up in my YouTube recommendeds.  Boho Berry Box I've followed Boho Berry's YouTube channel since I started playing around with the Bullet Journal format. And she has fantastic handwriting, pretty esthetic, and a calming voice that rivals some of the ASMR videos I watch.

So when she came up with a subscription box, I was intrigued. Not enough to buy because I don't know what's in it, but I keep an eye on the products she recommends. 

This box is mostly black and white sticker sheets you can color, various pens and paper products, and some kind of washi tape. The "Mighty Fix" is one of the few subscription boxes I broke down and tried. I had to cancel when I realized I needed to cut expenses. But this was something I adored getting.

It was only $10/month, but it was always something that could be used. The nice dish towels, the dryer balls, the metal straws, all of it was something I could incorporate easily into my home and took away something disposable I was using. 

​When finances are a bit more stable, this is one I'll be signing back up for. I loved it. And I still sneak around to see what others are getting. Mighty Fix Sparkle Hustle Grow Box There are some boxes that I moon over like no others. Ones that I sigh as I watch people open them or shop past boxes.

The Sparkle Hustle Grow box is my latest obsession. Not only do you get surprise goodies, but you also gain access to an online class! I have been an online class and webinar hoe lately and this speaks to me on all levels. 

But...it's $40/month. I have no doubt it's a killer value, but again, it's filled with items I probably wouldn't have bought otherwise. 

This is one of those dream boxes that I want to get my hands on just because I know it would make me feel giddy to open.
Do you watch subscription box openings online? Do you subscribe to them yourself? And if you do, tell me which ones you find worth the cost. I'll be over here sipping my coffee and scrolling to see what's in next month's shipments. 

~Roxy

Sometimes I need the Weird Side of Youtube

I have to admit something to you. I love ASMR videos. Fall to sleep with them every night. 

Somewhere along the line I got used to falling asleep with music, or television. I need something other than white noise going on in the background in order to drift off. Could be that I need to distract my brain from running wild, or that the song and dance my fridge does by making ice at odd hours of the night needs to be blocked for me to get my zzz's. ASMR lets me fall asleep without getting too involved in the story. I find the soft speech more soothing than tingle-inducing, but it is relaxing. Don't tell you didn't have a teacher at some point in your life whose voice could put you into REM sleep within ten minutes. 

ASMR is an acronym for Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response. Not all people experience the sensation, but for those that do, it's a soft tingle that travels along the spine, up the back of the neck and skull, or down the arms. 

Headphones, especially over the ear ones, are best for checking to see if you experience the sensation. I know I'm calmed and soothed by this type of content, so I can get just as effective a result with my little earbuds too.

If you're curious whether or not you're one of the people who experiences the tingling sensation, I've linked a video by one of my favorite and most prolific ASMRtists below. She also explains the sensations better than I ever could, partnered with some "triggers" you might react to. There's a host of other channels to check out intermixed, but if you listen to it, don't forget the headphones!Well? Did you watch it? Did you feel any tingles? Or are you worried about my mental health more than you already were? 

And if you already watch AMSR videos, who are some of your favorite performers?

I'd better steer clear of hitting replay on the video above, or damn...I'm likely to crawl back into bed instead of getting some work done today! 

​~Roxy

I love thrifting

There are many reasons thrift stores call to me. Mainly, I'm cheap. But also, I love finding use in something that others might have tossed away. 

The treasure hunt aspect of bargain shopping is damn thrilling for me too. Finding bigfoot doesn't hold a candle to spotting orange crushed velvet slides. Which I totally found, just not in my size. 

So I thought I'd take you on a typical thrift run with me. 

First thing I do is hit the home section. If there are any decent pieces of furniture on the floor, they'll be gone before the end of the day. Furniture is expensive. And although hubby has a whole workshop in our converted garage, the materials is even more cost prohibitive than buying new. ​One of my favorite finds in the furniture department was my old school desk. Hinges and metal legs were damn near rust free, and a storage ottoman I picked up a couple weeks prior made this the perfect mini desk which later turned vanity. 

While I score every once in a while at the furniture area, it's not a very regular occurrence. 

So that takes me to the next spot on my rounds...the shelves of mixed media. Sure there are dishes and cookware, and knick knacks galore, but really...who wants to get a knife from goodwill that you have to get layers of tape off of?

Forgoing the fact that my brain starts coming up with all the people this may have stabbed, or fish it may have disemboweled, the logistics of cleaning packaging tape off a dull blade are horrible. 
Nine times out of ten, I strike out in the home goods section. So it's on to where the bulk of my thrift shopping occurs. The CLOTHES! Does everything I love fit me? Nope. Like this Thor shirt I found. It was right in my purple-headed color palette, and I was stoked. 

Or at least I was stoked until I put the shirt on and my breasts ate Thor's head. Were it the actor who plays Thor, I would have no qualms about him being buried in my bosom, but this was not a cute look and had to be put back.
Before you start saying something about not being able to find your size in clothes being a deterrent from shopping at thrift stores...I'm plus-sized. I can't find clothes that fit me most places. At least when I find something cute at Goodwill, it's a quarter of the price I'd usually pay.
Just like any other store, sometimes even the cute clothes aren't working. So I wrap up the day with shoes and accessories. While I didn't find clothing that rocked my world that day, I did find some killer shoes.

I have a wide foot, and lots of shoes, heels especially don't do good things for my comfort. 

But I stumbled onto these babies while I was perusing the aisles. Faux leather, studded, wrapped skinny heels with a peep toe that hugged my foot like they were made for me and me alone. 

Was I looking for shoes like this? Not really. Did I buy them? You bet your sweet ass, I did.


Which brings me to my favorite part about thrift shopping, the adventure of discovery. I go often, because I never know what I'm going to stumble across. Do I find exactly what I need? Sometimes I do, honestly. I have killer luck at thrift stores. But most of the time, I find pieces that are meant to come home with me and join the crazy wardrobe I've built. 

Do you go thrift shopping? What is your favorite thrifty find? I'd love to hear any tips or tricks you have to finding the best items. Or if you'd love to hear more about my thrifting adventures, tell me that too!

​~Roxy

Say it out loud

I wanted to reiterate some of the best writing advice I've ever heard and put into practice myself. And unlike most "writing rules" which I don't think anyone should take as something everyone has to do, this one...I am a firm believer in.

Read your story out loud. 

No, I'm not saying to shout your double penetration scene with gusto from the back of public transportation, but hearing your own words helps so much. Reading out loud will prevent you from skipping over missing words you might have skimmed with your eyes.  For example, look at the picture below. This is one of the first images that comes to mind when you talk reading out loud vs. in your head.  Many of you have probably seen this one before, but if you haven't read the sentence out loud, making sure to say each word. If you didn't see the extra "the" you sure find it quick when you pay attention to each word and say it.

Reading out loud also helps you pick up on your "favorite" words. I tend to do a document search for "That" "Just" "Glare" "Smile" "Grin" and a few other words that my brain loves to put into sentences and dialogue tags for me. And don't get me wrong. Keeping a list of your common repeaters is good to do, but reading out loud shows you so much more than word echos.

1. You hear when your sentence structure stagnates. 

Sentences are part of the art of writing. Word choice helps everyone understand your point. These three sentences are boring because they have the same rhythm and structure. 

By varying word choice and structure we can make our manuscripts more interesting for our readers. And for ourselves too. Working with fragments might seem counterintuitive, but can make a point where we need one. Do you talk to your friends with perfect grammar? I'd bet you don't.

2. You find out if you're characters are saying or thinking their own names too damn much.

When you talk to your significant other, or your mom, or your bestie, do you call them by name each time you address them?

"Becky, you really need to look at the girl wearing those pants. I'm serious, Becky. Her butt looks too big in those pants, and Becky, you know she's probably one of those rap guys' girlfriends."

Or 

"Oh my god. Becky, look at her butt. It is so big. She looks like one of those rap guys' girlfriends."

Sure your characters would say each other's names to get their attention, or at the beginning of a conversation. But if you find yourself using it as a crutch because you can't remember who is talking otherwise, you need to rework your scene, not throw names around like sprinkles. Hearing it makes the sprinkles even more obvious. 

3. You find things that are wrong even if you don't know why.

One of the best parts of hearing my manuscript spoken, is that "Wait. What?" moment. When I have to stop and say something again, my readers will have to re-read to get the meaning too. Sometimes you might not know the technical terms for why the grammar is screwy, but you'll know the sentence is hard to understand or makes it sound like you're talking about the incorrect subject for the description you want to use.

This is one of those trust your gut moments. And for me, this is usually where reading out loud is worth it's weight in gold. If it sounds wrong to you, it's going to sound wrong to someone else too. 

Whether you're reading from your computer screen and making changes as you go, OR doing like I do, and loading your document for your kindle to read to you in robo-voice, while making notes on the printed manuscript...read it. Out loud.

This is the technique I used when one of my editors congratulated "My Team" on their hard work. Yes, it makes that much of a difference. 

Do you read your book to yourself? To someone else? Do you have Word read it to you? Or are you a gadget queen like me and love sending your books to your kindle for some sexy monotone voice love scenes? Tell me how you utilize this technique in your edits. I'd love to get some pointers for my next project.

​~Roxy

I took a personality test

Back when I had VERY different ideas about what I wanted to do with my life, I took a personality test for my management style. I can't remember exactly what my results were, but I'll never forget the report had a line that said, "She believes she does her job better than anyone else could, and sees no reason to change her methods, because hers are the correct ones." Or something to that effect. 

Basically my personality test called me a know-it-all. I was in my early twenties, a General Manager of small retail store, with low employee turnover, and high growth for the sales. I was a cocky SOB. In my opinion, rightly so, but it didn't leave a lot of room for learning, or change.

Now...fast forward fifteen years, and not only has my attitude changed, so have my priorities. So when I stumbled across this free PERSONALITY TEST, I was intrigued. 

I took it, and although it's not a full in-depth Meyer's Briggs personality test, this one is free instead of the $50 you pay for the real deal. Today, my personality type is listed as a Mediator (INFP-T). Although to be fair, my N and F were damn near a 50/50 split, so I take the middle initials with a grain of salt. It also said I was a Diplomat in search of Constant Improvement. 

The things that stood out in the results for me was "Mediators often wish that they could just be, doing what they love without the stress and rigor of professional life." If I'd nodded my head any harder at that, I would have resembled a bobble head version of myself. 

via Gfycat

​The other thing that had me snorting was "Seemingly every Mediators' dream growing up is to become an author." Damn. And here I thought I was special. 

Why am I bringing this up today? Well, it's because the person I am today, who is working toward finding inner peace and balance, is a far far cry from the young adult me who wanted to take on the world because life was some sort of video game mission I had to beat on nightmare mode.

With all the self-help books and reflection I've been doing recently, I've realized I never stopped to figure out what I wanted to do as an adult. I figured out what I was supposed to do, and then went about trying to get the best grade, highest score, and top recognition. And no matter how high I climbed, I wasn't happy. Because it wasn't my goal I was chasing. 

These personality tests make you take a hard look at yourself, and realize you need to find the best place for you to hang your hat. And sometimes it's a very different place than you thought you'd want to be when you were younger. Time with my family, friends, and (as a severe introvert) time alone are what I want to cultivate. I want what I do to mean something, and I think that's why I started writing in the first place. 

I fell in love with authors who make me smile with their books. I love authors who keep me giggling. I'm currently listening to Beast Behaving Badly by Shelly Laurentson as I work my way back through her catalogue for a re-read. Why? Because I needed to laugh, and I know these books are ones I'll giggle snort my way through and will always brighten my day.  ​I hope some of my characters give you guys a smile. Because that's why I write them. If my characters don't have a sense of humor...well, they're usually the bad guys and get killed off. If you're looking for a taste of my silly characters, check out When the Lights Go Out. 

The whole April Fools For Love collection was brought about by the need to smile and play with other authors who share my smartass sense of humor. I highly recommend all the stories in this collection for any time you need a pick me up. 

Back to my test adventure today. I looked at some of the careers that are recommended for my personality type, and what do you know, writing was top and center. Huh...guess the universe is trying to tell me something. Maybe that I should write a few more stories for you guys. 

So tell me, have you taken one of these tests? Or the official Meyers Briggs? What type of personality do you have?I'd love to hear about it in the comments below. Especially if you've noticed your personality type has changed over time. 

Or if you have any advice for this former know-it-all turned mediator tell me that too. And for those of you who know me, do you think this test is a bunch of baloney?

Until I hear otherwise, this mediator is off to enjoy her introverted lifestyle.

​~Roxy

Author Confession: That one time I hid from a prize

I'm convinced that we all screw up when we first start writing with the intent for someone to read it. My mistake? I jumped into the deep end of the pool, fully dressed, and without waterproof mascara. I thought I'd share a story that happened before I became an author. A looooong time ago I entered a writing contest for a pretty big publisher. I had an author mentor to help me with edits, something I'd never done before, and interacted with a publisher, something I'd really never even thought of before. And they probably wouldn't ever work with me again.

Let's paint the picture. I used to write all the time as a kid. In fact, I vividly remember in 8th grade drafting a mini-series about a teenager who had to save the mall from nefarious forces. It was the early 90's. We didn't have internet in our house yet, and the mall was everything. Everyone used to complement my speech and my writing. Well, come high school, I decided that writers didn't make money and put it aside. (To be fair, I was right. LOL)

Jump to adult me. I'd become consumed with reading. There was always a library book on my table, because I read too damn fast to purchase everything. And one of my favorite series took a turn I ABSOLUTELY hated. Then it happened again, where I thought, "Damn. I wish the story ended like this. Even I could write that better." I kept saying that until someone called me on my bullshit. No, I wasn't experienced in how publishing worked. I wasn't writing anything more than book reviews, but people seemed to enjoy them, so I figured what the hell, and gave story-telling a shot.

With only one successful NaNoWriMo under my belt and many failed attempts, I decided to enter a writing contest. Because I was young and stupid, and didn't think about what it meant for a potential career to splatter seriously sub-par writing across the interwebs. It was a contest calling for "New Voices" so I figured, that's me, so I should enter. 

I tossed up the first couple chapters. Used my anonymous internet handle to post under, and kind of forgot about it. Then I got an email, saying I needed to update my profile to include a phone number. I figured, what the hell, and did it. The next day, my phone rang. I was one of the top 20 entrants, and I had to use my real name, and they were matching me with a real published author, and I had to get real feedback on my work.

Holy shit, was I unprepared for that. Here's a tip. Find a writing group. Find someone who will honestly critique your work, and find someone who is just plain mean to rip it apart in detail before you ever send it to someone in the publishing world. Because getting detailed feedback, using terms you haven't even thought about since that high school english class you only sort of paid attention to, is rough. 

But I didn't know that yet. I knew I was in the top 20 and I might even make it to the top 10. Who knew? So I updated my profile, and then started reading the comments. Wow. Talk about a blow to the ego. Some folks loved my voice, but others started talking about how I'd completely ripped off a TV series. A TV series, I'd never heard of before. 

This was my story. I never even heard of this show. So how could I have ripped it off? I went and looked it up and got my ass schooled. Holy shit. My base story line was incredibly similar. My cast, at least the two main characters, was incredibly similar. And my setting was damn near identical. I started to freak out. 

Looking back on this situation, my story line wasn't the same, and there were big differences in the HEA relationship part of the story, which is kind of the whole point of a romance, but I wasn't in the headspace to say that. I was far too worried about what anonymous people online thought. 

My freak out began slow. I took a while to respond to my mentor each time she emailed me. (And if I ever run into her again, I owe the woman a serious round of shots for dealing with me.) And then I did something I regret more than anything. 

I gave up.

I didn't know how to make the manuscript changes the woman was suggesting, and I was too embarrassed to ask her to clarify. I also couldn't take the comments online that I wasn't good enough. Basically, I wasn't ready to move forward in this business yet, and that contest showed me in big neon flashing lights, that natural talent, or even a spark of a great story, doesn't mean dick if you aren't prepared to work on it. I cannot express how much work that story needed. I went back to it after my first book was published, and um...wow. That book will never see the light of day.

I let the emails go unanswered, and when they informed me I'd won a prize for making the top 20, I didn't reply with my address. I didn't want the prize because in my eyes I'd failed. 

I regret letting that interaction, and possible connection die off the way it did. Looking at my current catalogue, I wouldn't have fit well with that publisher anyway. They don't usually publish in the heat level I write, but making connections is the most important part of getting your foot in the published door. 

Hiding from real feedback was my sign that I wasn't ready. While it wasn't my most shining moment, it was part of my journey. I flaked out. But I wanted to share it with you guys in case any of you have done something stupid too. Please, don't let me be the only one. 

It took a decent amount of prompting from a friend to get me back in the game after that, but the pull to write was stronger than my pride, and I took another chance. Now that I'm in the process of rebuilding again, I have to remember what I've already come back from. At least this time, I know I can do it.


~Roxy

Top 5 ways I get my focus back

I've been sidelined the last few days, mainly because my brain tends to melt in the heat. It's been hot and muggy and gross outside, and getting work done while having to go into the oven of the outdoors is tough.

Getting behind sucks. So I do a few things to hop back into the productivity lane. At least in theory. So I figured I'd share what works for me when I'm losing my marbles with all the crap that needs done.

I clean my kitchen.  Don't laugh. This has come up in my blog before, and there's a good reason for it. Most people I know spend a huge chunk of their time in the kitchen. Even at gatherings, the kitchen seems to be where everyone congregates. When your kitchen is messy, you can't just close a door and ignore it. It weighs on your mind, or at least it weighs on mine. So when I'm feeling like I suck, or I can't keep up with anything, I start with my kitchen. I clean the counters off, run the dishwasher, and pre-wash any dishes I can't fit in there, so I know as soon as the first load is done, I can toss the next round inside. Then I clean up around my coffee maker (cause, duh, I need that), wipe down the fridge doors and table, and call it done. I avoid the floors if I don't feel crumbs under my feet. The whole process takes less than thirty minutes on a bad day, and every time I walk through my kitchen, I know I've got at least some of my shit together.

I turn off notifications and close tabs.   The vast majority of my work is online. I handle all of the finances for my home, I write on a computer, and my entertainment is on a computer. But I can't even watch a YouTube Video without something dinging or getting a blinking message on the tab. So if I'm struggling, I shut it all down. There was a time when cell phones didn't exist, and we didn't have internet. So the world will not end if I don't pop on Twitter for a half an hour.

I set a timer. This one is a biggie. Giving your brain the ability to only think about one thing at a time is hard to do. At least for me. So starting out with ten or fifteen minute segments on a timer is FANTASTIC. I know, that my alarm will go off and I can check obsessively all the things that went down while I was productive. Or my mother will call five minutes in, as she tends to do, but afterwards, I reset it, and have bonus productivity.

I play with my planner. I go round and round on what type of planning system I use, and change at least once during the year. My main addiction right now is my Happy Planner. Disc bound planning has been a great way to change up what I have in my planner when I realize something isn't working for me.

I've also started using the punch and spare "Big" planner supplies for plotting and brainstorming projects since I can use the punch to put standard 8.5x11 sheets of paper inside. Basically, I throw all the things I need to do in a notebook format, and it seems a lot less daunting. Of course I still have to put due dates, and plans inside my monthly planner, but I get out a few books of stickers and make it pretty. The main change I made with planning this year is, I only write things I am absolutely going to do that day. When I get overwhelmed with tasks, I stop doing any of them. So if it goes in my planner, I've looked at my available time for the day, and I know exactly when I'm getting it done.

I take an online class. Now this might seem counterproductive and could be for some people. But for me, when I have something with an external deadline, it forces me to get more done. Don't know why. It works for me. Right now I'm taking a tarot class. I've got the days written in my planner, and it makes me get my shit done, because I've made a commitment to do this. 


What do you do when your brain starts going on vacation without you? How do you get yourself motivated and moving forward again? I'd love to hear about it. I'll even put the notes in my Happy Planner.

~Roxy

Binge-Worthy Podcasts for Writers

If there is one thing we have in abundance as authors, it's advice. We get it from our editors, our peers, and even our grandparents who want to know how our little hobby is going.

I'll get a real job when I'm damn well ready, Nanna!

Ahem.

But what I think we need more of in the sea of webinars and blog posts are people who we enjoy listening to. People who inspire us, and someone we can start at the beginning of their podcast and let it run in our ear holes while we dig to the bottom of our sink filled with dishes after the 4th of July. Surely someone else out there still has their decorations up, and firework carcasses strewn about their lawn beside me.

When I'm doing my chores I do one of two things, I listen to audio books, or I binge podcasts. I thought I'd share two of the podcasts I'm currently obsessed with.
Print Run is a podcast for the traditional publishing set. And although I'm not in that camp, I do thoroughly enjoy the hosts, Erik and Laura. 

They chat about current events, publishing trends, and give their opinions as agents on different manuscript first pages and queries if you're a member of their Patreon. You can listen to their base content for free, and I highly recommend that, but I found value in their query critiques especially, and am currently paying for their extra content.

This podcast reminds me of my local RWA group getting together and shooting the shit over margaritas. Although I don't think Erik and Laura are drinking during their podcast. But hey...you never know. All I'm saying is you get access to a fun convo between obvious friends with a love of books and the author/publishing community. And sometimes there's a gong. Print Run Podcast Write Now with Sarah Werner The Write Now Podcast is one I've been listening to for quite some time, and although her feed has become more interviews and less one-on-one, I'm still holding out hope she'll come back and chat with us by herself some more.

Sarah has one of those voices that just wraps around you like a warm hug. And although her shows go back for years, I'd argue that much of her advice has survived the test of time. 

This channel is more motivation, and less technical chat. When you're down and feeling like you suck with the highest level of suckage that has ever been achieved by a writer, I'd recommend you pull up some of Sarah's episodes. 

This podcast also follows Sarah's journey as a creator, and I've thoroughly enjoyed seeing her try new methods, and create in new mediums. Her joy is infectious. (Sarah also has Patreon)
​Do you listen to podcasts? Any favorites on writing, reading, or self-help that I need to check out? Send them my way. I'd love to have something else to binge while I fold laundry. 

~Roxy

Alternative Homes

I'm absolutely fascinated by people who have alternative living arrangements to the ones I'm used to. Basically, I've always lived in single family, detached houses. Grew up in one, rented one in college, and bought one when I graduated and moved out on my own. 

I fell down the "Tiny House" movement rabbit hole a while back, and you can see how that manifested in my book Love Shack. The space saving innovations, and multi-use furniture still has me enthralled. But along with this tiny house movement, came the research of prefab structures, RV's, and even people living in their cars. 

What I find mildly annoying about this country, is how being without a free-standing structure on a plot of land is pretty much illegal. I'm one of those types who, when you tell me I can't do something, you'd better have a good reason, or I'm just going to want to do it more.

There are people who travel back and forth across the country, but they pay for use of an established camping space, or hookups for their mobile homes. To pay taxes, to get mail, and many times to get a paycheck where you can pay taxes, you have to have a legal residence. Why? One of the biggest hurdles I see people attempting to live nomadically face is the legality from state to state. With how web based our society is becoming, artists, authors, and many digital media managers could work from anywhere. The only thing I can think of is you have to have a permanent address to have your taxes funneled into the correct state. Whatever the reasons, these laws can cut out a whole lifestyle option for some. 

If we truly want to help people find work and better themselves, I don't see why they have to be beholden to a bank owned piece of property to do so. I live in one of the lowest cost of living states in the country, and our family struggles to do necessary repairs and upgrades our home needs. Not to mention all the cash I keep spending on landscaping since I kill everything I touch. For real. I can kill a cactus. I've kept an air plant alive for a few months now, but I don't have high hopes.

I follow a few people on YouTube who live tiny, or out of a vehicle, but the person I'm currently obsessed with is Katie Carney. She is someone who could afford to live in a home or apartment or hotel, but choses to live in her car to travel while she works. She has a full life of friends family, and career. She just happens to travel. Almost daily.

I've put in one of her videos below where she was invited to speak at Tulane University, because apparently all roads in my internet life now lead to NOLA. LOL.What do you think about people who live differently than you do? Are you fascinated? Appalled? Do you instantly put yourself in that situation and imagine what would you do if you had fewer ties to a single location? Or do you live nomadically already? I'd love to hear about it!

~Roxy