I AM JUST SAYING

I have not been a very good blogger this year and I finally know why it has been so hard to keep at it. I have not been writing about the things that I want. I have read on the Internet that it is better to maintain a professional blog if you are a wanne be writer. The thing is, you never know whether a publisher or agents might stumble across your blog and find your blog to be boring and inappropriate. Well, if that is the case then think what you will, because I need to write about what pops into my head. I am that kind of person.

Granted, not everyone likes that I blog about all the drama going on in my life, but that is what my blog is about.  My blog even stated it, right at the top. I am a writer that wishes to do it permanently.  I am sorry if I am upsetting anyone, but that is the only way I can remain sain.

In terms with what else is new with me...I joined www.elance.com. You can join for free or sign up to their membership options and basically they give you access to all the great freelance jobs out there, that you would not normally have access to. So what is the catch? As a free member, like myself, you only get to bid on 15 projects a month. Yes, the freelancers have to bid for jobs, but I have only been a member for a week and I am yet to make my first bid. If ever I do feel that I am not getting the best deal, I can sign up for a membership or even end my membership and go to another site like www.odesk.com. The best thing about Elance is that they have an escrow. Meaning, your money is held by a third party, so that you will still get paid, even if your client thought of withholding payment. Keep in mind, that you only get paid if the client is satisfied with your quality of work.

Oh and I started another blog. Why I did it, I am not yet sure. I just wanted to use that domain name before anyone else did. I guess I was hoping to use it once I was a published writer. As I would not be able to still blog on daily drama of an aspiring writer. I barely blog over at my new blog www.mureesdup.blogspot.com.

IT IS JUST TOUGH, ALL AROUND

I am in the weirdest part of my writing career ever. It is the first time in months that I have been unable to creatively put a sentence together, aside for blogging. When I worked as a freelancer I was forced to write everyday, whether I wanted to or not and whether I had an idea about what to write or not. 

We all know that that is spilled milk, as I was "let go" from that job. Now I have all the time in the world to write again and I just cannot manage to write anything. I have had writers block before, but not like this. I seem to be lacking the writing factor. Right now my creativity feels like it has been sucked down a dark and deep hole. 

Just to keep myself on the positive road of seeking representation for my novel, I sent away queries to the last few agents on my list that represents paranormal romance writers. I did everything I could for this novel, so if it fails to acquire representation, then I have to start editing one of my other books that I have written previously and hope it fairs better.

The really strange thing is that there are other writers out there, better writers than myself, that are going through the exact same thing. So I guess whether you are talented or not, you just have to grind your teeth, cross your fingers and hope your turn to achieve success will come. 

IS YOUR TIMING RIGHT?

One thing that I have never been a fan of is timing. If you are a writer, then there would have been some point in your writing life, that you have had the words, “the time is not right now,” directed towards you. I do not think that there is something worse than when you are ready to submit that labor of love and someone mentions that your timing is wrong and that you should either wait a few years till the same market demand shows up again, or abandon your project and write something new.

I just try my best and hope that the timing is on my side regardless.

The Insecure Writers Support Group was created by the wonderful and talented author and blogger, Alex J. Cavanaugh. You guys can visit Alex over at http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com.

IT HAPPENS TO US ALL

As writers and human beings, it is only natural that we will suffer disappointments, setbacks and failure. It happens to everyone at some point in their life. But, having said that, I find that even though bad things happen, you have to go on with your life. Don't get me wrong. I believe in grovelling and sulking, but for 1-2 days maximum. Then it is time to grow up and put all those feelings of despair behind you and go on with your life.

When I recently lost my freelancing job, I cried, I sulked and ate all kinds of junk food, but a few days later, I started querying my manuscript again. Because in reality, I only took on freelancing to get more experience as a professional writer.

So no matter what you are going through, you cannot let bad experiences and incidents allow you to derail your life.

The Insecure Writers Support Group was created by the wonderful and talented author and blogger, Alex J. Cavanaugh. You guys can visit Alex over at http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com.

TAKING A BREAK

I will not be posting anything on my blog during the month of April, because I will be supporting my fellow bloggers during the A-Z challenge. I will be spreading the love, by commenting on as many blogs as I can visit on a regular basis.

Good Luck to all of you with writing your posts and with the entire A-Z challenge.

I THINK IT IS ME

I got some really bad news a few days ago and I am feeling like my whole world has come toppling down on me. I have been holding off to tell you guys, but I have to be honest, after all, that is what blogging is about right?

Well, I got fired from my freelance writing job. Why? Well, apparently the company which I wrote for, decided to shut down their freelancing department, but I still have to do a few articles for them. Why do I call it fired? Because they used the words "we will have to let you go", which is very confusing to me. Perhaps it was the fact that I asked for a raise after working for them for 7 months at minimum wage, who knows?

I am bummed because good and reliable freelance writing jobs are rare in South Africa. The sad part is that I really loved my job. But I guess all things have to come to an end. Just when I got used to telling people that I was now a writer and no longer unemployed. People used to tell me that they were praying for me to get a job for years. Here I get one and then...Bam! I guess I will have to settle for crappy temp jobs again. After all, my degree does not allow me to do anything that allows me to earn a good income.

I don't mean to be really down, but I just feel like a giant loser right now. A loser that is still completing work for the people that fired her.

I HAVE BEEN TAGGED, YAY!

I am really excited because I have been tagged by the wonderful and very talented Melissa Sugar, over at www.fictiontoolbox.blogspot.com. Melissa is a wonderful writer and she just so happens to be a lawyer by day, as well. You guys should really check out her blog, because it is exciting and there are tons of new and happening information on there.

So the here are the rules for the Lucky 7 Meme Tag:

1. Go to page 77 of your current ms.

2. Go to line 7.

3. Copy down the next 7 lines/sentences, and post them as they're written.

4. Tag 7 other authors.

Here is mine...This is from the novel I am currently querying, Immortal: New beginning.

I jumped back at the sound of movement.

There was a door built into the wall, that looked exactly like the wall. It was camouflaged.

When the door opened I could hear the music thumping inside the club. It was so loud that I covered my ears.

At the door stood two men, both of them taller than six foot and they were heavily built. They looked at me, then at Alex and then they looked at me again.

They were frowning at us.

“She’s with me.” Alex informed them.

They nodded and stepped out of the way.

Thank you again Melissa!

Now to pass on the Lucky 7 Meme Tag...Here goes...

Heather - http://hmgardner.blogspot.com

Tonja - http://tonjasmusings.blogspot.com

Beth - http://www.bethfred.com

Annalisa - http://annalisacrawford.blogspot.com

Ryshia - http://ryshia.blogspot.com

Mish - http://www.writer-in-transit.co.za

M.J. - http://mjfifield.blogspot.com