Broom Closet Writer and Busy Witchy Bee

“The flesheater’s blood was coagulating on my fingers. I was going to wipe my hands on my jeans, but stiffened when Grosso, and a young cop I didn’t know, stepped out of the police car and walked my way.”  Yes, my Wicked Darlings, Luna Bravo doesn’t get in trouble; she lives in it. Stop by my writing site to read “Shrieking Crow,” the latest bit of Luna’s tale of mythical chaos.

Now to the true purpose of this post…

I’m going to call him Broom Closet Writer, and only because he grin-glares at me when I say the words. He is a Witch. We worked as Marine Combat Training Instructors at the same time, but for different companies. He could do pull-ups until watching him made my muscles ache, but I was always the one who ran his butt to the ground; must love a balanced friendship *grins*

Also, he writes urban war fiction that breaks my heart and arms my soul with resolve. But… he is afraid of not having enough time to write the next tale, so he refuses to share his work.

“I don’t want to let people down, G,” he tells me.

Broom Closet Writer fears he will publish a story, and then life will get complicated (the muse might leave his side, someone can send flying monkeys to steal his shoes...) and he won’t be able to write more. He doesn’t want to disappoint the readers who might enjoy his work. I’m trying to convince him that the latter is the kind of healthy anxiety that gives me the energy to write like a mad witchy woman.

Nothing fuels my witchy writer’s soul faster than the knowledge that you, my Wicked Darlings, are waiting for a tale. I might be okay with disillusioning myself for a while—life happens, you know?—but I go to many lengths to keep me from letting you down.

Why do you think it is that I share all kinds of schedules and calendars with you? I’m just like Shelle, I would forget my own name if I didn’t have to use it or wrote it down somewhere. Many times, if forget things anyway. But when I share my plans with you, the little voice in my head that reminds me of my responsibilities as a writer and a friend gets so loud that I remember everything.

So, dear Broom Closet Writer, you, too, might need a group of wonderful witchy darling readers who inspire you to keep from disappointing them. With that thought in mind, here is my tentative (I’m not above using safety nets) writing schedule for the remainder of this year:

June and July – two deliciously hot months studying Dominican Heritage and the Psychology of Violence, as part of my research for Dancing on Her Bones, the first AlmaMia Cienfuegos novel.

August –  “Heart and Guts” (short story)

October – Pre-Chaos the culmination of “The Haunting” (novella).
              – All Hallow’s Grim 2012 

December – a short story set in the world of AlmaMia Cienfuegos.

In a few days, I’ll answer the question of someone who asked, “Why do you waste so much time blogging and answering people’s comments, when you can use it to write sellable fiction?”

Forgive her, my Wicked Luvs, for she does not know what she’s spewing…

Borrowed this wonderful witchy bee from Platynews. Love her little hat, broom and wand.

How good are you at sticking to your schedule, my Wicked Darlings?

Just so you know, on my own, I suck big time.

I can come up with excuses that leave my brain feeling guilty for even suggesting I should do anything in the first place *sigh* Thank goodness for my Piano Man, my father and all the wicked special people who always make me feel like there is nothing I can not do ;-)

Edited 7/4/2012

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