Sick of sick

I know, I know. I said I was going to blog at least once a week, and it’s been past that. In all defense I wasn't accounting for another pass of strep, or the way the medication the doctor gave me would make me feel as if I just slammed fifteen shots in half an hour, or the anvil on my chest, or the glass shards in my throat, or the fact that even though I’m on medication I’m-not-getting-better. Yeah, I’m pretty miserable here…

On a good note, I have been hard at work. I have only three chapters left to revise on WF. I forgot how much I really loved these chapters compared to the rest of the book and it’s been so long since I last worked on them, it’s like I’m reading it for the first time. What a treat. They still need a ton of work, but not nearly as extensive as the rest of the novel.

I have also been working with Ali Cross and Kathleen Doyle giving the Dojo a makeover. When we are done, the dojo will be what it was always meant to be! Until then we started up a community page on Google+ that is pretty awesome! If you get the chance, sign up. Starting next month we will be holding write-ins and other fun writing activities. Until then, get to know your fellow writers. We are all in this together!

That's all for this week. I think the kids and I will just go tuck ourselves in with a movie and some hot soup, cause baby it's cold outside, even here in Texas.

Ta!

A place to call my own

I've been a busy girl today! I have been looking into getting my own domain name for a while now. Something that is all mine. Today, I took the plunge!
From now on you can access Wild@Heart by typing www.amymcbay.com.
I have my own email address too! I can't tell you how excited this make me :D
So while I am hashing all this out, please be patient. I'm new at this. Eventually I hope to have it all merged but for today, I'm done.

Ta!

IWSG: Is it just me?

A few months ago I started blogging IWSG Alex J. Cavanaugh's Insecure Writers Support Group. The writers are friendly and full of great advice. Its been therapeutic! Today I offer up another one of my fears.
I can't say it enough. I love my story.
I love my story, my characters, my plot, heck, I even love my nasty, mean, demonic villains. It doesn't stop me from worrying that I'm the only one who will ever love this book though. I constantly fret that no one else will enjoy this book once it is out in the world. What's the point of writing a story if readers are going to hate it?
My critique partners are fantastic and are always happy to read my chapters, but sometime I feel a little out of my league with them. They are all such marvelous writers. They have taught me so much, and helped me see errors, plot holes, and odd character behavior.
I'm sure many writers have this little nagging fear, and until we stifle it and send our little book babies into the world we will never know how readers will react to them. So until that day I will listen to the praise of my critique partners, and continue to love my story to the end.
How do you overcome the fear of rejection?

Happy New Year: Resolutions for 2013

Happy New Year!

Time for all those fabulous resolutions we work so hard to keep... at least for the first part of the year. That's OK though. It's like NaNoWriMo, so long as you start, you are already accomplishing something.
There are quite a few resolutions on my list this year. I want to be a better mom, and spend more time doing fun things with my kids. I want to be a better wife, and work through the rough spots of our marriage. I want to spend less time on my chores and more time enjoying life and family. It’s often the little things we take for granted.

2012 was tough and I admit I shed bucket loads of tears. I lost three family members to stupidity and ignorance. I pray to eventually learn to forgive, but right now I only want to forget. I nearly lost a fourth to bad choices, and I continue to pray for them. Sometimes that is the only thing we can do. I'm thankful for the family I have, and love them all so much.

RIP Cookie

I also lost a little furry friend, the Wawa (what my son calls Chihuahuas) Cookie. Unfortunately his wandering ways led him to his death. I bawled so much, that when I called my husband to tell him what happened, his work buddies thought I had killed someone and needed the Hubz help in hiding the body... (I wonder why everyone thinks I'm going to snap and go on a killing spree?) Even though he was only with us a short time, Cookie showed us how loving and loyal a wawa can be. I’m happy we could give that poor little guy a happy life before he had to go.

This year we are turning off the cable. I’m hoping it not only puts a little more cash in our wallet, but also will spur me into reading more. I love to read. It’s what got me into writing! But lately I have been slacking. Books that normally only take me a couple days to read, have been lasting a month, sometimes more. *GASP* I know, right? I get so wrapped up in the drama of the TV shows, they become my number one time suck. My writing suffers, and my to-be-read pile continues to grow. So it’s time to nip that in the bud. Time to take back my reading time. Read more books, watch less TV! Viva la books!

As a writer I always make the resolution to write more. This year is no different.  This year I pledge an hour at the very least dedicated to writing. No matter what. If I have to get up early or stay up late, I will get in my writing time. I have such a fantastic trilogy I'm working on and I can't wait to share! If all goes well the first book will be finished and ready for publication by spring. It took me forever to write, mostly because I was learning the craft as I went. With the help of my CPs and writing friends, I feel I am now a writer. I can say that without feeling it is a lie. I want to be more committed to blogging and visiting other blogs. As I write this from an app on my phone, we are traveling back from Oklahoma.  May as well get a jump on my resolutions while sitting in a car for seven hours with two kids, three dogs, and the hubz! I have also been reading blogs on my greader app. It’s a great way to keep up with all the fantastic blogs I follow.

Big plans are in store for 2013! Stay tuned here at Wild@Heart. I'll be posting more and keeping everyone updated on my happenings! In fact, check back in tomorrow for IWSG! I’ll be spilling some of my writer insecurities.

What are some of your resolutions for the New Year?