Month: December 2011

While I’m Planning, God is Laughing (a lot)

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Writers are supposed to be established by a certain age right?  By the age of thirty-one you would expect them to be published, either with articles in national magazines or a book on the shelves of every bookstore.  If not that then they would certainly be working in a magazine or a newspaper getting first hand experience in their craft and getting the chance to use it on a daily basis.  If you’re lucky you would have some five or six figure book deal that ends up being turned into a phenomenal movie and you’ve finally made it to the bestsellers list.  

Yes I always thought that at this age (31) that I would be already inNew York, working for some national magazine, or a publishing company as an editor with my own book deals in the work simultaneously.  But as you all know, life (and God) often times has very different plans for you that you didn’t anticipate.  You know they say when we plan, God laughs.  Well he must have been having a really good laugh with me for the last few years now.  I am certainly not where I would like to be within my career but perhaps I am where I need to be and wherever God has planned for me to be.  

I was reading a magazine interview with Walter Mosley and what I never knew about him was that he didn’t even start writing until he was 34 years old and wasn’t first published until he was about 38 years old.  Now he is 59 with 34 books published (so far).  This gave me hope.  There is still time for me to make the mark on the literary and media world like I want and perhaps God’s plan for me included a long lengthy journey of good old fashion struggle on my way to success (probably along with a lesson in patience—cause I really need to work on that).  I am hopeful that my journey will be worth it in the end and confident that I will carry out exactly the plan that God has tailor made for me, at the precise time he plans for it to be carried out.  Until tomorrow…Don’t give up hope, his plan IS your plan too! 

 

Jimmetta Carpenter

Writer/Editor

The Diary: Succession of Lies (Now Available)

Writing as “Jaycee Durant”

https://writetobe.wordpress.com/

http://unpleasantlyplump.wordpress.com/

http://www.facebook.com/people/Jimmetta-Carpenter/1069480310

http://www.passionatewriterpublishing.com/thediary.htm

www.lulu.com/ladybugpress

My First Love

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Okay I know what it sounds like this post is going to be about from the title, but it’s not about that kind of love.  Yes I had one of those in high school but my first real love was writing and along with that came the state of New York.  Now don’t laugh at me, but I have never actually been to New York but I am in love with it nonetheless.  

I knew I wanted to be a writer when I was six years old but I really started actually putting it into practice and really fell in love with words when I was ten.  Being the constant information seeker that I’ve always been, I had always heard that if you want to be a writer, I mean really make it as a writer, you move to New York.  Me and my friend in the fifth grade (who also wanted to be a writer) had made plans that we would graduate high school and go to college in New York together and be roommates.  

Now of course that was fifth grade so that never panned out, but I have always in one way or another been trying to get to New York.  There are other places I plan on getting to also, like France and Italy, but there’s just something about New York that is just pulling me in its direction.  It is crazy to think that I am so head over heels for a city I’ve never even been to but I literally watch anything and everything that has to do with being a writer, and New York and if the two come together than that’s even better.  

I say all of this to get around to telling you that one of my goals on my list for the coming year of 2012 is to actually visit New York.  I plan to take in the sounds, the smells, the atmosphere, the sights (I wish I had got to go there before the destruction of theTwin Towers), the food, and yes even the traffic (lol!).  I am going with my best friend, Ms. L. and we plan on having so much fun and I am really planning on this not being one of the items on my goal list that doesn’t ever happen.  So cross your fingers and hope that I make it to where my heart has truly been since I was ten.  Until tomorrow…Where would you go to if you ever got the chance? 

Jimmetta Carpenter

Writer/Editor

The Diary: Succession of Lies (Now Available)

Writing as “Jaycee Durant”

https://writetobe.wordpress.com/

http://unpleasantlyplump.wordpress.com/

http://www.facebook.com/people/Jimmetta-Carpenter/1069480310

http://www.passionatewriterpublishing.com/thediary.htm

www.lulu.com/ladybugpress

Putting Yourself Into Your Work

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I was reading an article in a writer’s magazine today that talked about how this particular author always incorporated a little piece of herself and her life, whether it be childhood or adulthood, into her novels.  They are not autobiographical per say but in some ways each of them give away some aspect of who she is.  I started thinking about the book of novel storylines that I have that I want to work on and realizing that in some ways I do the same thing.  

Now my first novel (The Diary: Succession of Lies) is very much based on some true events that I experienced and worked into the novel.  The second one that I want to get published (When Love Calls; currently awaiting the editing phase) may be a little less based on accurate details but I totally identify with my main character as if a piece of me is in her even though she and I are not really alike.  With the current novel that I worked on during NaNoWriMo and am still working on (Through the Looking Glass) right now is so far a part from any real experience I have ever been through but yet I identify with my main character, Mackenzie, so much.  Now Mackenzie and I are absolutely nothing alike but yet I feel so in tune with her.  

How is it that I can be so in tune with a character that I am nothing alike?  Isn’t it funny how sometimes when you are telling a story you can identify with a particular character that you really have nothing in common with?  But then again that’s the joy and excitement of writing novels.  You get to tell stories that you would probably never actually live through and if you want to throw in a few real life experiences you can do that too.  Until tomorrow…How much of yourself do you put into your stories? 

 

Jimmetta Carpenter

Writer/Editor

The Diary: Succession of Lies (Now Available)

Writing as “Jaycee Durant”

https://writetobe.wordpress.com/

http://unpleasantlyplump.wordpress.com/

http://www.facebook.com/people/Jimmetta-Carpenter/1069480310

http://www.passionatewriterpublishing.com/thediary.htm

www.lulu.com/ladybugpress

A Wish to be a More Avid Reader

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“Read, read, read. Read everything—trash, classics, good and bad, and see how they do it. Just like a carpenter who works as an apprentice and studies the most.  Read! You’ll absorb it.  Then write. If it is good, you’ll find out.  If it’s not, throw it out the window.”
~William Faulkner 

A writer is supposed to also be a really good reader as well and I have to admit that, while I used to be, I am not the best at reading.  Not since I have thrown myself more into writing and concentrating on perfecting my writing skills and techniques.  I make an honest effort every year to try and do better at maintaining my reading pace.  When I make my list of books to read I try to put a little bit of everything on the list from romantic novels and mysteries, to some writing instruction books as well as motivational books.  I typically find myself only completing about half of my enormous list that I actually think I can read in a year.  

I suppose I would like to think that I could still read at the same pace that I used to read (like ten years ago).  But in reality I know that as I get more and more into writing my novels and other writing projects, I most likely won’t be able to read at that same rate but that never stops me from trying.  This year I am really going to attempt to make a manageable list that I will hopefully complete.  However instead of packing it with an eclectic mix of genres as I normally would I am going to be reading all mysteries next year.  For the last few books on this year’s list I’ve chosen the mystery books and I am really getting into the mystery genre.  I really like Sue Grafton and J.D. Robb novels right now.  

Also since my novel is a mystery and I am beginning a series, then it seems that I like to write mysteries as well.  So if any of you have any mysteries that you would like to suggest for my 2012 reading list I sure would like to hear them.  I have a few of my own already to put on there but I still would like to hear what books you would recommend.  Well I have a list to go finish.  Until tomorrow…What’s on your reading list?

 

Jimmetta Carpenter

Writer/Editor

The Diary: Succession of Lies (Now Available)

Writing as “Jaycee Durant”

https://writetobe.wordpress.com/

http://unpleasantlyplump.wordpress.com/

http://www.facebook.com/people/Jimmetta-Carpenter/1069480310

http://www.passionatewriterpublishing.com/thediary.htm

www.lulu.com/ladybugpress

Hidden on Purpose

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“The greatest thing about being hidden is that you can be underestimated.”

~Tyler Perry 

I admit that I am guilty of watching (probably what most writers would consider) way too much T.V.  I am a soap opera junky and I love movies (mostly suspense and drama), and yes I love my drama TV shows as well, such as Law and Order SVU and Unforgettable and many others.  I know the saying is that if you want to carve out more time to write and be an all around better writer then you need to cut out the unnecessary time wasters, which most would (arguably) consider television to be one of them.  But I have my reasons for watching so much television.  

I watch it not so much for the entertainment value (okay I will admit soap operas are entertaining to me) but from the standpoint of a writer.  I watch with the knowledge that I would love to write for a lot of these shows and quite frankly in terms of soap operas I think that being a lifetime watcher of a lot of them I would be a great asset as a writer because they change writers so often I think that the new writers don’t research the show and its history very well.  Some of the inconsistencies are really just ridiculous.  

I sit back and look at some of these shows and movies thinking I could write stuff like that, hell I can write some things better than that.  And then I find myself being a tad bit (okay maybe a lot) envious.  I wonder, why is my talent going unnoticed?  Why are there so-called writers (you know the ones, those with good story but bad writing technique) who are making millions of dollars off a book, and then movie when I not only have good stories but I can actually convey them well in written form.  Why am I going unnoticed? 

Every time I get this feeling of envy (which I know that it is wrong to be even somewhat envious of others successes) I remind myself of something I came across on Tyler Perry’s website in his inspirational corner.  He does these motivational segments via video and sends out emails of them every so often.  There was one particular video segment that made me see things a little differently.  He spoke about a friend of his who also wondered why his talents and his hard work continued to go unnoticed and he couldn’t seem to get to where he was trying to get to.  That he would get close but then it just wouldn’t pan out somehow.  

Tyler’s words of wisdom to his friend, was that maybe he was being hidden on purpose.  He told him that it just wasn’t his time to be seen yet.  He said “sometimes in life, God wants your story to be such a miracle that she shuts down every avenue, so that you can only go to him for the answer.”  He pointed out that there is an appointed time for everything and that everything that is supposed to happen in your life will happen.  

The best thing that he said that really stuck with me was that “if you walk in the path that you are supposed to at this point in time, then at the right time, God will reveal you, your talents, and everything you’ve done to the world.”  So when I am sitting back and wondering what all of my hard work and good writing is for when it continues to go unnoticed, I just have to keep thinking to myself, it’s not my time to be seen yet. 

I am going to continue to walk in the path in which I am supposed to walk, carrying out the purpose that God put me on this earth for, knowing that when God feels it is my time to be seen then I will shine the brightest that I could ever possibly shine.  Of course I have to keep reminding myself of this constantly when I am feeling a little envious of those writers who are already where I feel I should be right now.  I suppose I should just feel pure joy for those who are shining and being seen right now because they are paving the way for me to be seen when it is my time and when it is my time I will certainly be ready.  Until tomorrow…Get ready, your time is coming too! 

Jimmetta Carpenter

Writer/Editor

The Diary: Succession of Lies (Now Available)

Writing as “Jaycee Durant”

https://writetobe.wordpress.com/

http://unpleasantlyplump.wordpress.com/

http://www.facebook.com/people/Jimmetta-Carpenter/1069480310

http://www.passionatewriterpublishing.com/thediary.htm

www.lulu.com/ladybugpress

Just a Little Break (I Promise)

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Okay so I have officially taken two days away from my novel now, and I know that I have to finish the first draft (hopefully before the end of this month), but I just need to take a mental break for a moment.  Trust me, it won’t be a long break because Mackenzie is nudging me along trying to get me back at the keyboard sooner rather than later.  I think that my mind is just so flooded with all of the ideas concerning the rest of this novel, but more so with the next book that will be next to come in the series, and even the one after that.  I have lots of different angles in mind of where to go but until I finish this novel I won’t really know which angle to take.  Well I just wanted to touch base with all of you.  Hope you all have a blessed night!  Until tomorrow! 

 

Jimmetta Carpenter

Writer/Editor

The Diary: Succession of Lies (Now Available)

Writing as “Jaycee Durant”

https://writetobe.wordpress.com/

http://unpleasantlyplump.wordpress.com/

http://www.facebook.com/people/Jimmetta-Carpenter/1069480310

http://www.passionatewriterpublishing.com/thediary.htm

www.lulu.com/ladybugpress

The Importance of Finishing

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“Winning isn’t always finishing first.  Sometimes winning is just finishing.”

~Manuel Diotte 

Earlier today I was reflecting on how good I felt about completing National Novel Writing Month yesterday (50,002 words) and I began to think about the fact that if I finished everything as strong and with as much determination and staying power as I did those 50,000 words I might be further along in my journey to being successful.  Looking at my list of what I was supposed to accomplish in this entire year I ran over the things I started and just didn’t finish.  For whatever reason, be it frustration of it not working fast enough (I admit I need to work on my patience), or just pure self-doubt that I wasn’t good enough to have the success I was trying to carve out.  There is something to be said for finishing what you start and not giving up halfway through the mission.  

I was listening to the news earlier this morning and they were discussing the whole Herman Cain controversy and there were claims that he was “reassessing” his campaign, which of course people automatically took as him contemplating dropping out of the race.  Now before I say this I want to make it clear that I am not a Herman Cain fan, neither of his politics nor how he chooses to govern his personal life, however, having said that, if he is in fact considering dropping out of the race, I do NOT think that he should.  Yes he is struggling right now on so many fronts but no person is perfect and the person running for the President of theUnited Statesis not going to be an exception.  He started something, and I believe that he should finish what he started.  If he doesn’t I am almost certain he will forever wonder what would have been and what could have been if he had just finished. 

Now no one likes to lose or have that feeling of defeat.  But isn’t it defeat if you have a continuous pattern of starting these grand missions and then never finishing them and seeing them through?  I have a notebook full of a lot of things that I got really excited about and jotted down all of these notes and ideas for projects and how I was going to put those ideas and plans into action and then I would hit a snag and it would seem impossible to envision me being able to complete that project.  I got it in my head that because I hit that snag, there was no use wasting time on an idea that could never really go anywhere.  I just wouldn’t finish.  

When I look back on several moments of my life that is where the majority of my mistakes have been.  That I didn’t finish.  Here’s what I’ve learned from all of those unfinished mistakes.  It doesn’t matter if you’ve started something if it never gets completed and put into action.  Even if you finish and find it not to be a success, at least you’ve finished.  This month I will be making my lists for what I want to accomplish next year.  I can tell you that no matter what, I intend to finish whatever it is I start from now on.  No more unfinished business for me. 

Until next time…Always, Always, Always, finish! 

 

Jimmetta Carpenter

Writer/Editor

The Diary: Succession of Lies (Now Available)

Writing as “Jaycee Durant”

https://writetobe.wordpress.com/

http://unpleasantlyplump.wordpress.com/

http://www.facebook.com/people/Jimmetta-Carpenter/1069480310

http://www.passionatewriterpublishing.com/thediary.htm

www.lulu.com/ladybugpress