Robin Puelma's Blog - Posts Tagged "create"

Shhhh. I've got a secret. I'm getting my next book ready to self publish.

And I'm giddy about it.

This one? The Naming of Colton Black. I don't want to say too much, except that this book I truly wrote for myself. I poured my heart (my anxiety ridden heart) into this book and especially into its main character, Breslin. So, to say I love this story, is an understatement.

I've started formatting the book; giving it one final edit; and? The most exciting part--WAITING ON SHELLEY TO COMPLETE THE COVER DESIGN! Yes, the same amazing artist who created the cover for The Missing Crimoire is at this moment, designing the cover for The Naming of Colton Black. And let me tell you. It's looking AMAZING.

But that's jumping ahead. I'm still enjoying the excitement around The Missing Crimoire. Don't want to overshadow that story yet! I only wanted to give you a little taste for what's to come...soon.

​Keep you posted.

xoxo

I'm not going to lie, readers. Trying to balance the business of writing with the art of it is TOUGH.. And what I'm finding the hardest is making time for both.

Any of you do this? Start the morning out with social media; marketing; promoting; coming up with post ideas; etc. And by mid morning/early afternoon, when it's time to switch over to writing, I hear this tiny voice inside my head saying, "Pssst, you stop working on this, no one's gonna know about your book." So, instead of ignoring it and moving on, I give in. I spend more time on social media; more time on research; more time on marketing. And before I know it, I've spent the majority of my day promoting one book but not writing the next.

Problem.

Because writing the next is just as important as promoting the first. If I want to make this author thing work, I have to--surprise--produce.

This is exactly the reason I bought myself a writing calendar. To help outline my day/week/month and keep me focused and diligent on all tasks.

Yes. This isn't rocket science. And yes, I'm sure you've all figured this out. I'm just looking to rant a bit. And mostly to ask you to keep me accountable on my daily grind. Ask me if I'm balancing my time between writing and promoting. ASK. ME.

I'll be forever grateful. And maybe even make you cookies.

xoxo

Yesssss. New things are coming. What are they, you ask?

They're a seeeecret.

But not for too much longer! You'll start to see some revamping happening in the next couple of weeks. We're talking new looks; new features; new "branding." Interested? Keep checking back for updates. Or stay up-to-date with me on SnapChat (RobinPuelma), Twitter (@robinpuelma), and Instagram (/robinpuelma).

Oh. The fun is about to begin.

​xxoo

http://www.robinpuelma.com

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We've all seen this on Amazon. We've all probably clicked on the next book/DVD/product too. Because it's easy and it's personalized. Am I right? My favorite are book recommendations. Especially since I'm not always able to peruse the latest bookstore. (Terrible, right?) So, I let Amazon do it for me.

I'm calling these recommendations book siblings.

And my book siblings?

Harry Potter and Percy Jackson.

Now. Don't get me wrong. I am by no way comparing my writing to Rowling or Riordan. But when comparing likenesses of books to my own, I find similarities for sure. Youthful boys, living in not so perfect situations, discover they've got a magical past. And future. Magical worlds interspersed with reality. Unique creatures. Spells of sorts. To name a few.

I wrote THE MISSING CRIMOIRE in college and was truly influenced by Harry Potter. I dreamed of creating my own series of magical books kids would adore to read. So I set out to write Luke's story. True, it's sprinkled with more similarities than I'd include today, but it's a tribute of sorts to my author hero. A nod to her genius.

So, what are your book's siblings? I'd love to hear!

So it's no surprise I'm sure if I tell you I'm an introvert. Love me some good long down time. Lots of quiet space. Tons of no-large-groups-of-people. All Introverts, can I hear a huzzah?

Which means attending events like the LA Book Fest could be a bit overwhelming.

My way to get through it? A game plan. If I were to go, I needed a support system. Husband was free. Check. If I were to go, I needed a project. Photos for Instagram. Check. If I were to go, I needed a goal. Connect with SOMEONE.

So Husband and I arrive to throngs of people. I'm quick to wonder why we're here, but then I remember my check list, grip Husband's arm, and head off to the children's booths. Along the way, I stop at spots where we take quirky and bookish Instagram photos (many of which you'll be seeing this week!). At this point, I'm mastering my list like a pro. We saunter past booth after booth. I lust after authors behind tables with sharpies in hands (and made mental notes for next year. MY booth. With MY sharpie in hand. Boom. More on that later.) Finally, we near the end of the kid's section. When I spot an author I follow on Instagram. Husband suggests I connect.

BLANK STARE.

Read more on Robin Puelma's website:

Guuuuys! I’ve been working on getting my next book ready to publish; and I’m feeling ALL THE FEELS! While The Missing Crimoire will always be my First Born, this next one is my heart.I wrote it when I was struggling with an anxiety and OCD disorder and seeing a therapist to help me through it. Time after time he told me to write my pain into this book. And so I did. And what came from it was magic. God used that darkest hour of my life to produce something I truly see as beautiful (more on all that later).

I can’t WAIT to share it with you.

Right now, I’m going through formatting (the devil) and hopefully will get a proof by next week. NEXT WEEK, PEOPLE. When it comes, I’ll do a little cover reveal for you all, since you’ve been SO wonderful with my first book :D

Until then, check back for a TITLE REVEAL on MONDAY! (If you’ve been reading my blog, I let slip what it was already. So shhhhhh if you already know *wink*.)

​xoxo

Thinking back to when my stories first introduced themselves to me. Ever do that? Each has a unique beginning, a unique first meeting, so to speak. You know, when that character or scene flashes into your mind and you know right then and there, “I have to tell her story.” We all have those creative rumblings, don’t we? Those instances when we’re suddenly met by someone we’ve never known and yet — seem to have known forever?

That — that kind of inspiration that pierces through daily distractions and appears so intensely before you, you have no choice but to surrender to it — is undeniably one of the most beautiful things a writer can experience. No? It’s a powerful moment, that is.

The Missing Crimoire – my idea began as a short piece of fiction in a creative writing class back in college. Pepperdine, around 2002. It was one of my first writing classes, in fact. And all I remember was meeting Luke and Mark for the very first time. Writing their stories. Living their lives. Journeying their heros’ journeys. It wasn’t until the assignment was over, and I kept feeling pulled back into that story, that setting, did I realize Luke had a much bigger story to tell. And thus TMC evolved; the world expanded; and characters grew. This novel had a hold on me. Luke and Mark had a hold on me. I haven’t let go since.

The Naming of Colton Black – this story came to me at a spa. Lying on my back, cucumbers on my eyes. When my facial was over, I sat up. And saw them. Breslin and Colton Black. Brother and sister, together under a dark black sky. There was little to hear, little to see, but they were there, nonetheless. Waiting for me. As soon as I got to a journal, I scribbled down what I remembered. Many ideas come and go — many ideas come and linger — few come as powerfully as this one did and demand to stay. I knew right then and there this was my third book.

Untitled Dystopian Novel -- the most recent story presented itself to me at a family party. My husband, his cousin, and I were all talking about how we're the babies of our families, and that one day the babies should revolt against the first borns; because, well, they deserve it. We laughed about it; about how I should write a story about it. And then I stopped laughing. And began listening. I fiddled with the idea for a bit, and soon, came up with what I'm currently writing--a dystopian YA novel. The story has evolved a lot, but I remember how it began--at a family party; with lots of laughter; and a great idea.

Tell me how your ideas come to you--and how do you know if it's one worth listening to?

Happy Friday, readers! I thought I'd throw in a personal post every now and then (not that my writing posts aren't *personal* per say) to give you more of a window into my life. If you're interested, that is. If you're not? Check back next week. I'll be as general as you'd like me to be. :D

With the release of my next book, THE NAMING OF COLTON BLACK, I've alluded to dark times and disorders. Yeah? I realized if I were to publish this book, I'd want to share this part of my life with you. Because while it was one of the darkest, hardest, dirtiest times of my life, it was one I wouldn't trade for anything. It lead to several things. It lead to a freer life; a happier wife/daughter/friend; and a story I'm proud of.

If anyone's suffered with (or is suffering with) an anxiety and / or OCD disorder, you know how disruptive and destructive it is to your life. For a long while, I thought my odd thought patterns and anxiety relief ways were normal. It was how I coped with stress; with life. But after getting laid off from my job in 2011 and panic attacks became a nightly routine, I realized I needed help.

On request of my doctor, I saw a therapist. Someone who I thought would help me get over these attacks and move on with my life. For those of you who've gone through therapy, you'll understand this. He uncovered. So. Much. More.

He discovered I had an anxiety disorder. That I had an OCD disorder. And that these things--which I passed off as odd quirks--were in fact imprisoning me; bullying me; and keeping me from living a freer life.

So we dove into an intensive 2 years of therapy. It included everything from exposure therapy (do what scares you over and over until your brain accepts it as normal); left brain / right brain therapy (to help calm my anxiety when it would spike to over 80%); and a side-screen method thought up by my brilliant therapist. I had ghosts in my life--things that would haunt me--and I fell prey to them. OCD, I learned, goes after the things you cherish and uses them against you.

For me? That was my marriage; my health; my relationships; and my appearance. (I'm still discovering new ones. Oh joy.) These were running themes we saw come up again and again. So we had to attack them. Head on. OCD loves lying to you. It takes fictionalized data and forces you to believe they're facts. It's so deceptive and yet so good at turning you to its side. A headache became a brain tumor in 30 seconds. Calls to my doctor would ensue. Trips to urgent care became frequent. Until I had to fight back. I had to go cold turkey and ignore the desire to do OCD's bidding. I had to accept that whatever was hurting me was OK. I had to cut off its life line, so to speak.

This lead to withdrawal like symptoms. Pain spiked in my body. Anxiety spiked in my body. My body was fighting against me. Yelling at me to just give into the OCD. But I refused. Because like my therapist kept telling me, the harder I fight back, the better life will get.

And life does get better. I'll share more about the after in Part II. (The after is so so good.) I'd love to share more about the process, too, if it's something you're interested in. I've got stories. Oh. I've got stories.

Those who know of my journey, will understand one word. Cheeseburger.

(Who wants to hear that one?)

Thanks for reading this much. I know everyone struggles with something--this is mine. If you've got a blog or novel or piece of art that explores your pain, your struggle, I'd love to read/experience it. We don't have to struggle alone.

xoxo
​

Truth time. I am now 5 days behind on my writing schedule. FIVE. DAYS. People. This is bad. I did so well last week; plugging away, writing my weekly goal. But somehow, the weekend hit, life happened, and whoops. There went my WIP.

But besides feeling guilty for ignoring my baby, I must say, I'm excited about every word. No. Every word isn't perfection. (Gosh, no. My manuscript is horribly messy and poorly written so far). Every word, however, is fresh. New. Mine. It's the start of something new and I'm loving where this journey is taking me. Where my characters are leading me.

Writers, isn't it bizarre when we have an outline and while we "stick to it" per say, we never quite know what's exactly going to happen because we have these livable, breathable characters doing things? It's definitely been a learning experience, allowing my characters to do things uncharacteristic of them. I always thought I had to have them do things that made sense. But hello--people aren't that way. Why should my characters be?

Now. Time to get caught up; and set a new goal. Then stick to it. Here's to the next 13K. This should get me to ACT TWO. (Which COMPLETELY freaks me out. I always feel ACT TWO is the hardest. More on that later.)

xoxo

Ahhhh, ACT ONE of a new novel. It's one of the hardest yet most enjoyable parts of the novel writing experience.

Why?

Well, I think it's obvious why it's one of the hardest. Because well--you have to start. From nothing. That blank page stares at you, judging you, whispering all sorts of doubts and ugly words into your ear. Telling you it's not worth it. You'll only fail. What you have to say is stupid.

And yet, it's one of the most enjoyable too because--it's the beginning. Things are fresh. Ideas are new. You can have as many brilliant plot points as you can conceive--and you don't have to tie them up yet. It's like skipping through a field, picking daisies and not worrying yet about trimming, watering, and caring for those flowers.

At the moment, I'm nearing the end of ACT ONE. It's getting serious. I've introduced my main characters; highlighted my hero's dilemma; created an inciting incident; and am close to writing the opposing argument. Then? It's ACT TWO.

*Wets pants*

I'm TERRIFIED of ACT TWO. Yes, the beginning of the novel is hard; because of the doubts that waft in and out. Because of the blank page. But ACT TWO? You have to make. Things. Happen. You have to carry your plot points convincingly forward; you have to build your character arc; lead your readers along as authentically as possible; dive deeper into your hero's desires and wants.

*Takes deep breath*

Thankfully, I have another week until ACT TWO is upon me. For now, I'll delight in wistful ACT ONE. Picking daisies and not caring a thing about what's to come.

What about you? What's your ACT ONE journey like??