Author: Brenda Poulos

Doing What I Love Best

Posted on by Brenda Poulos

“Write, write, write. It seems like that’s all you do, anymore. You should let yourself have a little fun, now and then!”  I’ve heard these words many times over the past few years. If you’re a committed writer, I’m sure you have, too.

Yes, it IS hard work—and yes, it CAN feel like solitary confinement, at times, but it really IS what I want to be doing. It IS fun!

I think of things I could be doing, instead of writing: cleaning house, exercising, paying bills, doing laundry, grocery shopping, pulling weeds… Okay, okay, so I have deliberately tried to create a pretty non-appealing list.

To be fair, I’ll list only things I enjoy. Here goes: reading, window shopping, people watching, decorating, singing (don’t worry, I won’t inflict my voice upon any of you), eating out, and writing. Oops, how did writing get on this list?

Well, I told you I like writing! Really, I do! It’s the act of digging deeper into myself, asking more and more of myself, learning more about myself while creating characters that are exciting, whimsical, hilarious, endearing, and even scary at times. It is the telling of their stories—their hopes, disappointments, dreams, accomplishments— that is so compelling.

As I ready myself for writing each day (cup of coffee, comfy slippers, overhead fan on “low”, snack waiting in the fridge) I hear the voices of my characters call to me. I see their faces and feel their impatience. They are anxious for their stories to be told.

So, I set aside my laundry until later, allow the weeds to grow just a little taller, put something on the counter to defrost for dinner, and hope there is time at the end of the day for a quick walk around the block. I warm my cup of coffee in the microwave and head for my office.

I click on the overhead fan, rest my fingers on the keyboard, and close my eyes. A few minutes later, I pause, satisfied that I’ve made the right choice for my day.

Then, I start in again, doing what I love best.

Brenda

Please visit my other blogs at spiritualsnippets.com and 5scribesandtheirstories.com

Personal Writing Motto

Posted on by Brenda Poulos

Recently, I’ve read quite a few articles on when, and how often, to write. Authors are giving advice which varies on # of words to write per day, # of days to write per week, and “free”/ “break” days from writing. They give opinions on where to sit while writing, how often to get up and take a walk, optimal lighting, inspiring background music, even which fabrics are the most comfortable.

Nike says “Just Do It”. IMAX offers: “Think Big”. Sony uses the slogan: “Make Believe.” Energizer’s is: “Keeps going and going and going.” Kodak: “Share moments. Share Life.” ; Yellow Pages: “Let your fingers do the walking;” Taco Bell: “Think Outside the Bun;” Pizza Hut: “Make it great;” fitspholic.tumblr.com states: “Turn Intentions to Actions.”

So what advice could I possibly have to offer? I’m glad you asked. This is my personal writing motto: always write what you will be proud to reread some 20+ years from now. Write the truth, without prejudice or malice; write from the heart; write words that honor God.

Keep plugging along. Don’t give up. Push forward. See it through. Move ahead.

Don’t click on “publish” until you are sure: it’s spelled right, it looks right, it sounds right. And when mistakes come (as they inevitably will), extend yourself the grace to forgive your own humanness and imperfections.

Then, get yourself back to the keyboard. It’s a brand new day. See it from a fresh perspective. Write from your soul. Say it with heart.

Brenda

When Dreams Become Reality

Posted on by Brenda Poulos

So, you’re a relatively new writer, like myself. You’re halfway through your first book and you come up for air. You think it’s time you find out what publishing is all about. The first article you read stops you cold. It says you need to start the process of self-promotion: getting your name out there. Becoming recognizable in the world of the written word. Join the club.

The revelation that you cannot just simply crank out page after page, but actually have to turn to the social media machine that you have been avoiding (because it potentially could suck up all of your writing time) hits you like a ton of bricks. The fact that you only feel comfortable with reading your emails and using your word processing program only compounds the panic that wells up inside you.

You reread the article. You read a few more, hoping against hope that you have misunderstood. But, nope. The message is loud and clear. What to do, now?

You could run, bury your head in the sand, pack it up, give up the dream. But, do you really want to do that? Could you even do that? I mean, fight the compulsion to sit in front of your computer, daily, and let your fingers walk you into that “other world” you create in your mind? That other world that beacons to you, each day? That world that offers you solace, a creative outlet, challenges you to look deep within, inspires you to become more than you ever thought possible?

I didn’t think so. Me neither.

So, you attack the overwhelming task ahead: marketing yourself. Building a platform. Putting your ego aside. Inviting criticism through your door. Fighting your insecurities. Finding a voice. Calming those fears of rejection and perhaps being misunderstood at times. And, braving the world of the technologically-challenged.

But, not for long. Because you’ll wake up one day in the not-too-distant future and put your name into your computer’s search bar and it will pop up. You’ll get a few emails that give notice that you’ve acquired some followers—some, even, in other countries! You’ll read positive comments to your posts. You’ll get encouragement from friends and family.

Your dream—you know, the one that’s been sitting inside you, germinating for a few decades—is coming to fruition. You are suddenly on the brink of a whole new life, filled with endless possibilities.

All because you dare to write. To challenge yourself. To share all of who you are with anyone viewing your website—anyone who is curious to learn what you’ve got going. What you bring to the table that no one else does in quite the same way.

We’re writers—and life doesn’t get any better than that!

Brenda

Please visit my other blogs at spiritualsnippets.com and 5scribesandtheirstories.com

Why I Write

Posted on by Brenda Poulos

Mine is the story of an insecure young girl with a deathly fear of public speaking. While confident in my position as the editor of my high school newspaper, I found that public speaking was quite another story. So, I learned to get my thoughts across by writing articles, poetry, and short stories.

In college, I took SPEECH 101. I spent the entire semester with a racing pulse, blotchy neck, dry mouth, and constant stomach aches. I had my first good sleep the night after I turned in my blue book (essay test booklet) and walked away from the Language and Literature building at  A.S.U. for the last time.

Forty-five years later, writing has proved to be my lifeline. It is my creative outlet and my vehicle for self-expression.

My fear of public speaking has changed over the years. I’m now comfortable in small groups of about a dozen or so people, but still avoid presentations to large audiences. Maybe I’ll join Toastmaster’s—someday…

Now that I’m retired from my teaching/counseling career, I have more time to write. My purpose is to point others to our Lord—to plant a seed, to tell the story of His great love and infinite mercy using imaginary characters. I find writing Contemporary Christian Fiction to be a lot of fun and a great release of stored-up energy!

So, why do I write? To communicate my ideas, to entertain, to fulfill His calling on my life.

I hope you’ll become a regular visitor to my site. I’ll be posting on Tuesdays and sharing what’s going on in my writing world! Be sure to visit http://www.spiritualsnippets.com which is my website filled with encouraging words and scripture!