Who was the first person who ever believed in you?
We all have stories of people who’ve inspired, motivated, and given us that little push when needed. But today, I want to share a slightly different story with you. A story of self-belief, resilience, and a sprinkle of stubbornness. This is the story of the first person who believed in me as a writer.
Spoiler alert: it was me!
Now, don’t get me wrong, external validation is great. A pat on the back, a compliment, or even a simple “I loved what you wrote” can work wonders. But before any of those words of affirmation came my way, I had to face the blank page with just one person cheering me on – and yep, you guessed it, that person was yours truly.
Every writer, whether a newbie just starting their journey or a seasoned author with several titles under their belt, has faced that daunting shadow: self-doubt. Today, I want to share a more personal facet of my writing journey – my tussle with imposter syndrome and how I’ve been learning to build confidence in my craft.
What’s the biggest problem you have in your writing right now?
As I sit down to write this blog post, I can’t help but feel a mixture of emotions. The journey I’ve been on, grappling with a problem that seemed insurmountable, has been both challenging and enlightening. You see, the biggest problem in my writing right now is actually writing itself. It’s not a lack of ideas, nor a shortage of creativity – it’s something much deeper that I’ve had to confront head-on: writer’s block born from years of toxicity and emotional abuse.
As the summer days wind down and the kids head back to school, it’s the perfect time to indulge in well-deserved “me” time. And what better way to relax and escape than with a collection of scintillating romance novels from the talented author Lyndell Williams? 📚💕
As writers, our creative process thrives on solitude and uninterrupted moments of inspiration. However, the reality can be far from ideal, especially when attempting to write a book on a shared computer while kids eagerly wait to use it. The constant interruptions and pressure to finish quickly can hinder our creative flow and frustrate us.
Let’s explore the challenges of writing on a shared computer with kids vying for screen time and discover effective strategies to find solace amid chaos.
I was raised in a large family of four kids, so needless to say (but I’m going to anyway), the battle over pizza toppings remained a stable part of Friday night eating. My mother’s children had an expanse of tastes that made it necessary for her to have each of us take weekly turns to decide what would go on top of the tomato and cheesy goodness. When it was my turn, my brothers and sister groaned and complained to Ma that she was wasting a chance to have something new and different on pizza night.
What character have you created that you despise/hate the most?
When I write, I try to give a story’s antagonist some depth and humanity. One way I do this is by making them the protagonist of their own plot, allowing them to justify anything they do to the book’s antagonist(s).
Ava Green is doing her best to live her life quietly and stay out of her small town’s gossip — until Jasper Knight, a dark private investigator who seems to keep popping up at the worst moments, comes to town.
Ava can’t deny the pull she feels around Jasper, but the more time she spends around him, the more she has memories of a past that surely can’t be real. Jasper finally lets her in on his secret — he’s a werewolf. But he’s not what she should be afraid of.
Someone — or something — in her quaint little town is hunting local werewolves, and picking them off one by one.
Ava’s stepped out of her own reality and into another world — a world where werewolves exist. She’s slowly coming to terms with Jasper and their mate bond, but now she has bigger problems. Whatever’s hunting the werewolves in her small town is still on the loose. Worse yet, her parents seem to have a vendetta against Jasper.
With Jasper’s help, Ava’s embracing her Venator heritage. Good thing she has a hot werewolf to teach her everything she needs to know about fighting. But will she be strong enough for what comes next?
Jasper and Ava have made it through every hurdle thrown their way — together. Their relationship is stronger — and hotter — than ever. But now something new and deadly is after Ava. The pair also can’t forget the minor detail that her mother is still missing.
The supernatural world is dangerous, and full of things that go bump in the night. Will they be able to find the monster before the monster finds her?
The Venators’ secrets are getting darker, but can Ava and Jasper’s love survive the truth?A demon has possessed Ava’s best friend in the pack. Jasper and Ava are fighting an unthinkable deadline to complete an impossible task. It’s Monica’s life against Ava’s in this race against the clock.
But new secrets, new allies, and new mates within the pack turn even the most practical plans into the most dangerous. Werewolves, witches, and weddings make for a deadly combination…
Torri Heat has always loved control. Her mind was blown when she discovered she could control entire worlds through story writing. Throw some steamy romance in there, and it was pretty close to perfection. Torri loves dark heroes who ride off into the sunset on their motorcycles, fierce heroines who can fend for themselves, and a sprinkle of the paranormal to keep things interesting. When she’s not creating alternate realities you can find her managing her three ring circus of kids and animals.
Hey, romance addicts. Another week, another thought-provoking blog hop post. Let’s take a look at what we have this week.
Do you write diverse characters? If so, how do you avoid cultural insensitivity?
It’s interesting that this week’s blog hop question asks about diversity in writing. I spent the weekend fielding questions on social media, from white authors about including diverse characters in their books. It’s also ironic that the blog hop posing the question is not very diverse. As far as I know, I am the only contributing blogger who is identifies as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color). No, Italians and the Irish do not count. Let’s not go there. Anyway, onto my answer.
Of course, I write diverse books. just look at my covers.
As an author who identifies with multiple marginalized social intersections, I write to purposefully highlight a range of backgrounds and experiences in my characters. I think diversity is a stable part of literary expression for many BIPOC authors and that the main group challenged to understand the importance of diversity—and how to integrate into their work—is white authors.
Attempts to expand diversity in literature seem to present as a challenge and threat for authors who need to develop a greater appreciation for diverse literature and resist the cultural messaging that centers on whiteness.
Do you have a favorite piece of literature? What is it and why is it your favorite?
Hey, romance addicts. I know it’s been a while since I’ve written a blog hop post, but I couldn’t get in front of the camera to do a video. So, I’m getting back to basics and doing what I do best, writing. Let’s do this!
I don’t have one favorite piece of literature. The literary world is far too expansive to settle on one text. However, some books that influenced and inspired me come to mind.
I whipped the vehicle to the side of the road, put it into “park” and jammed on the emergency brake. I jumped out and joined about 50 other people along the bank of the Madison River inside Yellowstone National Park. We watched a pair of trumpeter swans gliding gracefully through the ripples of water with six cygnets. Although I had seen swans before, rarely had I encountered so many babies with their parents. I’ve not experienced such a sight since.
I relish open spaces, like those found in Yellowstone. Public lands, from parks and forests to wildlife refuges and national monuments, provide sacred spaces to still one’s soul, open one’s heart, and inspire creativity in one’s mind. I am fortunate to live near such special places, and each visit produces a piece of writing or two from the experience.
Other landscapes can stir the imagination, too, such as community parks, botanical gardens, and picturesque farms. Nature’s sights, sounds, and smells open the book of our senses and provide opportunities for creativity to flow.
Two other special outdoor spaces spark creativity for me. One is a ranch located 75 miles from my home, owned by some friends. About three times a year I travel and stay there for an extended period of time. The sage and grass-covered hills, rolling Powder River, and the distant Bighorn Mountains provide solace, and livestock and wildlife encounters bring smiles. Crimson sunrises greet me, and golden sunsets beckon sleep. The quiet relaxes me, and my friends’ generosity brings me joy. The modular guesthouse at which I stay possesses large windows from which one gazes upon the nearby fields and woods. White-tailed deer, fanned-out turkeys, and dancing sandhill cranes abound. I’ve composed many articles, short stories, and book chapters at this scenic and tranquil place.Continue reading “The Outdoors: My Writing Inspiration”→
Lyndell Williams 