Today started off as a quiet, unassuming day.
I got up early, chipper and ready to go.
My two younger kids - not so much. One took over the bathroom to shower. The other attached to my arm, stomach upset and throat sore. So much for my plans for this morning. He did dig up enough energy to come pick my oldest son up from the lake. My oldest, a rower, got to row in a single boat for the first time in three years. Obligatory photos and video are stored in my camera.

The two older kids off to school and the youngest in the shower, I sat down to check emails and discovered my interview on the Blue Ridge Literary Agency website today!http://blueridgelitagency.blogspot.ca/2012/05/welcome-murdermystery-author-diane.html

I know I've been bad about keeping up the blog lately but not because I've slacked off on the dream. In the past month, I've finished edits for The Bookstore Lady and queried Deja Vu to my agent. I don't have time to hold my breath waiting for a response, however, I still have the rest of the manuscript to tidy up and complete. AND (because that's just not enough to keep me out of trouble) I'm working on another murder mystery that takes place in a small town karate studio. No name for it yet.

When I'm not writing, I work at a karate studio and am learning karate. It's funny how, after only six weeks, when I miss a class or two I feel offkilter. Unbalanced. My writing suffers. My work suffers.

The balance of physical and mental exercise.

I love to walk to free up my mind while using my body. Karate keeps them both busy but when I'm done I buzz with an energy I haven't felt in ages. Creativity flows. Thoughts flow. I can be much more productive.

So much for a quiet unassuming day.

In the Face of Adversity

We never know how strong we are or how much drive we have until we are up against a wall.

As human beings, we face many walls in our lifetimes, walls put up by publishers, by family, by other people who think they are better than us. Some are. Some just wish they were.

Being a writer, adversity is a daily occurance. Rejection letters by agents and publishers. Critiques by friends or family. Yet another edit or rewrite of a novel or short story we thought was "as good as it gets." In the face of adversity, we shed a few tears, find our happy place, steel our resolve and fight. We do that next rewrite or take a second look at that query letter or synopsis and make sure we are doing the best we can.

In my other life, away from the keyboard, I am now a martial artist (3 whole weeks into training!) I have recently looked into the Face of adversity and come away with a stronger resolve. The knowledge that I will be the best I can be. That renewed strength -- mostly of character and drive -- will affect my writing, affect how I live my life, affect how I see the world.

I am writer. Hear me roar...