Blog Archives
Surviving the Scorching Summer Heat
Scorching summer heat is currently giving us record-breaking temperatures and intense heat waves across the globe. In Arizona we could probably cook on the sidewalks, as crazy as that sounds! Outdoor barbecue has taken on a whole new meaning! The kids are staying out of the sun in the middle of the day and limiting their outdoor activities to the mornings or late afternoons and evenings when the sun isn’t so intense or has disappeared beyond the horizon. Even my dogs don’t want to be outside for long.
As an author and digital artist, I am perfectly happy to be inside my office where I can be comfortable in the air conditioning with my ceiling fan whirring over my head to keep me cool. That’s the most productive atmosphere for me, and my favorite setting. If I want to see the outdoors I can just look out of the window next to my desk and pull back the curtains to let in the light, without having to deal with the heat.
If you work from home, adjust writing routines when necessary, by working during cooler parts of the day, such as early mornings or evenings. Setting realistic goals and focusing on specific tasks like editing or mind mapping during peak heat hours can also be helpful. Writers may need to be especially mindful of channeling and shaping emotions in their work, recognizing the potential for heightened emotional responses during heatwaves. You can also try working from libraries or cafes to make your day more interesting.
Some writers find that the summer heat actually sparks their creativity. Ernest Hemingway embraced writing in the summer heat and his style flourished during these periods. He spent significant time in hot locations like Madrid, Spain and Key West, Florida.
If you’re in one of those excessively hot areas of the world, be kind to yourself and stay hydrated, comfortable, and safe from the effects of the hot sun. Many children are now heading back to school, which will keep them busy for a good part of the day. Stay indoors when you can and protect yourself if you do go outside with sunscreen, a hat or umbrella and wear loose, light clothing that will allow you to stay cool.
Being indoors gives us all a great opportunity to explore our world and other worlds through writing and reading!
Have a great summer!
Solitaire
Overcoming Stumbling Blocks for Aspiring Authors
The decision to write a novel is not as easy as it sounds and may have taken you a long time to realize creating a story was something to consider. According to me, and many, many other sources, it is normal to have doubts about whether we’re capable of performing at such a daunting level. As it turns out, we are our worst enemies, and if not kept in check, will also become the single judge and jury toward our path to success or failure. The most common stumbling blocks to our writing have been listed below, along with potential methods or solutions to bypass their fatalistic results.
Fear of ridicule from the people around you – 
When writing my first novel, it was difficult for me to tell anyone about the project, mainly because of an innate fear the book would never get finished. I anticipated the potential ridicule due to my failure if the project faltered before completion. Several drafts later and nine months of sweat…I finished. There was considerably less ridicule from acquaintances, so the takeaway here is you need to finish the book no matter how long it takes. The quicker you develop thick skin the better and remember, even the greats of literature had to start somewhere, and you may be the next great author. Bear in mind, not even the greats of literature will receive five-star reviews from everyone.
Motivational Issues –
The previous issues have a habit of seeping into our own values of procrastination and one thing leads to another until the project is placed onto a back burner with mild promises to pick it up again later. Some days simply don’t feel inspired and if you have too many in a row, it’s easier to put the project off than to continue. Creating a schedule, one that can be adhered to daily, is prime so be careful and don’t make it so rigid that it begins to feel like punishment. Life can and will get in the way of even the most well thought out plans, so during these times, we must learn to be flexible. During these times I either re-read the entire manuscript to rekindle fresh new ideas or go back over my outline to get myself back on track. It does not matter if you type the next section, the point is not to allow yourself to lose the inspiration.
Lack of confidence in your project –
This last stumbling block is another three-fold issue because sensing a lack of confidence in your project is, more than likely, a combination of the fear of ridicule, a lack of motivation, and not enough prep work as you geared up to start writing. The less you can visualize the nuts and bolts of your story, the more likely you are to lose interest in writing and then the lack of confidence creeps in around the edges. If you begin your project with abbreviated notes/outline, then it will be reflected in the lack of background for the remainder of the book. Good solid prep work with everything laid out like a road map will be a constant source of inspiration and depth to the story. The result of this is a sense of completeness that translates to confidence in what needs to be written next and gives you the feeling that the project can and will be finished. Lastly, see if you can pre-visualize between chapters or scenes and it will tell you what’s missing. Fill those gaps and watch the story come alive.
(If you are a new author or writer and need some helpful hints on writing a book and more, I have something that may benefit your efforts. Check it out HERE.)
Solitaire
Help – How Do I Write a Novel?
Writing your first novel can make you craaaazy!!! Do you have a process , or should you even have one? Maybe you’ve taken a class on writing but are still unclear where to begin. If this is where you’re coming from, then hang onto your hats because I’d like to share something with you.
I’ve been there! You are not alone, so don’t worry. This writing process is the reason for my next book –
THE TRIPLE THREAT
(How to write a novel and stay sane in the process)
Hi, I’m Solitaire Parke and I write science fiction, urban fantasy, horror/thriller, larger world and poetry books. I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember, and I’ve made my fair share of mistakes along the way. Hopefully, I can help you avoid some of those same mistakes and your novel can become a reality instead of just a dream.
I believe everyone has at least one good book within them, probably more. But if you don’t know where to start, that’s a problem. So, I’m attempting to share some of the knowledge I’ve gained along my writing journey in the hope that your dream can come to fruition.
The Triple Threat will cover
Where to start
Outlines
Research
Plots and Subplots
Characterization
Dialogue
Showing not Telling
Conflict
Timelines
Helpful Templates
Editing
Cover Art
Publishing
and much more within each chapter – including examples.
Understanding what you’re writing and finding the answers to all your questions will shape what and how your novel is written and ultimately make your readers (hopefully, a lot of them) happy, and anxious to get your next book when it’s published. Not to mention, the satisfaction you receive from being able to put your thoughts down in a paperback (e-book or audiobook) is well worth all the time and effort, and something you can be proud of for the rest of your life.
The TripleThreat is in its final editing stage and will be out very soon. So, stay tuned for further updates. Happy reading to everyone – and hopefully you’ll be writing your own novel in the near future! If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment or contact me.
Solitaire
Stress Survival 101!
Relieving and managing stress is definitely a necessary survival skill, especially in this crazy fast-paced, technology driven world in which we live today. Authors stress about all sorts of things – whether readers will like our books, deadlines, writer’s block, book sales, the next new project, and a host of everyday things we call “life.” We all have this annoying affliction caused by work deadlines, an overabundance of traffic, countless family obligations, health problems, and who knows what else! Relaxation . . . That’s just crazy talk! So how is it possible to cram more time into a day when it’s packed full of “stuff” to do already? I don’t have the answer to that question, but there are experts out there in the cyber-world that seem to have some suggestions. Maybe it’s time we started listening to some of them before we become another stressed out statistic! (Stress is a major cause of heart attacks, high blood pressure, depression, anxiety, and the list goes on and on. Doesn’t sound good.) So see if any of these ideas might be helpful –
- Lower stress through your diet by making smart food choices that actually help your immune system to function properly rather than try to compensate for all the bad food we eat. Eating whole real food restores balance and reduces the effects of stress on your body. There is a connection between your stomach and your brain. Give your brain something healthy to work with.Release endorphins through exercise. Get your body moving and stop being so sedentary – dance, walk, do Yoga, Martial Arts, swimming, run up and down the stairs or whatever you like to do. Stand up and do some stretches if you can’t do anything else at the time. Our bodies were not designed to sit still for too long. Just get moving!!!
- Get a decent night’s sleep. Sleep and stress cause a vicious cycle. Lack of sleep makes it harder to handle the problems of the next day, which causes more stress. Allow your body to slow down right before bedtime – turn off the technology, as hard as that may be. Your body will thank you for it.
- Breathe. Yes, we do it all the time, but slow down your heart rate with slow deep breathing which will lower your blood pressure and allow you to calm down and relax. Never underestimate the power of just taking deep, slow breaths. Slow down that ragged life style for a little while.
- Have an attitude of being grateful for everything and everyone in your life. It has an amazing affect on your physical, psychological, and relational well-being. Increased positive emotions means greater stress tolerance, better relationships, improved overall health and better sleep. Create a daily habit of remembering what you are thankful for. There is too much negativity in this world already. Don’t add to it.
- Be realistic in your expectations of yourself and others. Don’t expect everything to go perfectly. People will never be perfect. Have healthy responses to conflicts at work and at home, and don’t be so hard on yourself. You can’t control what people are going to do or say, but you can control your reactions to it. Attempt to be the better person. It’s much less stressful when things don’t go as planned, and let’s face it, there are always surprises.
- Identify your priorities and establish boundaries. Consider what is the most important and put that as a priority. Say “no” to lesser priorities and if you need help, don’t be afraid to ask. You might need to set a specific time to exercise or spend quality time with a loved one, or to do something work related. This can keep you from feeling “pulled” in too many directions, or risk disappointment or resentment. Manage your time wisely.
- Take some “alone” time for yourself. It might only be 5 or 10 minutes, but go somewhere away from everyone and just relax and breathe. Walk outside and take in the beauty of nature, do some yoga, take a short rest and calm your mind, or listen to music. Go collect your thoughts and clear your head. Give yourself a break.
- Organize your life. Clean up your desk, or your house. Living in a cluttered world makes your mind cluttered as well. Keep things where they belong so you can find them again. It makes your life less stressful if you don’t have to hunt for something that you need at the time. Organize and unclutter your world. Your brain will thank you for it!
- Socialize and have fun. Laughter is great for your health. Visit with friends, or play Frisbee with your dog, play with your children at their level, watch funny videos on Youtube, or plan a vacation. Take a break from whatever is stressing you out and do something that’s fun. Too much work is not good for you physically or mentally.
So take some time to de-stress and have a great day!
Solitaire
Solitaire Parke - Sci-Fi/Fantasy Books 