Friday, February 13, 2009

What I Learned During My Seven Year Dry Spell

posted by Joanie
Many craft books mention the importance of a mentor for the characters of a story. This
character acts as a guide, a sounding board, a giver of wisdom that keeps the protaganist headed in the right direction. I was blessed beyond belief to be given such a mentor from day one of my writing journey. I am delighted to have her with us today. Please welcome my first mentor, Renee Ryan.

Thanks to Joan and the rest of the Romance Bandits for inviting me here today.

I want to begin by saying I thought I’d made it when I sold my first manuscript in 2001. Unfortunately, EXTREME MEASURES, a 2002 release, was my first and last book with that particular publisher. In fact, after that initial success, I couldn’t buy attention for any of my manuscripts, and there were many! No editor was interested. No agent wanted to represent me. Bottom line, I had sold a book only to fizzle out as a one-book-wonder.

I knew it was time to rethink my career path. I had to stop chasing the all-elusive second sale and decide what I wanted to write and why I wanted to write it.

Long story short, as I type this I am finishing my fifth contracted manuscript for the Steeple Hill Love Inspired Historical line. I can safely say the dry spell is over. At least for now, but I know my success could vanish anytime. There isn’t a single day that I take my return to publishing for granted. I know how quickly it can fade.

So, what did I learn during those seven years (SEVEN years!) between sales? I took positive action steps that I could control. Here are my top ten steps for “staying the course” during a dry spell.

STEP ONE: Persist. Sounds simple, I know. But the only way to guarantee success is to keep writing. The only way to guarantee failure is to stop writing. Never, never give up. That sale could be just around the corner. It may take seven, ten, twenty years but so what? It’s all about the journey anyway. Trust me on this.

STEP TWO: Focus on what you’re doing right, not what you’re doing wrong. Do not go to the negative. Ever. Stay positive. Write down every success you have, no matter how small. Did you read a good craft book? You’re one step closer. Did you attend a book signing? Again, you’re on your way. Remember, every step counts.

STEP THREE: Redefine rejection. Try thinking of those nasty little letters as correspondence with editors. Remember, a rejection is just one person’s opinion. Nothing more, nothing less. You have not been rejected. That particular editor did not like that particular story at that particular time. Never say, “I was rejected.” You weren’t. Your manuscript was rejected. Reframe your thinking right now!

STEP FOUR: Compare yourself only to yourself. If you try to keep up with your friends and/or your rivals you will only make yourself crazy. Let’s face it; there will always be someone more successful than you in this business. Their success is not an indicator of your potential. Focus on your career and your success. Period.

STEP FIVE: Read and learn from other genres. If you only study romance you risk becoming a one-note writer. Not good. Want to learn how to write great action scenes? Study thrillers. Want to learn how to plot better? Read a good mystery. Want to know how to use language well? Read a literary novel. You can learn a lot about craft by studying other published novels. Like I said before, don’t stick to one genre. Your writing will benefit.

STEP SIX: Turn off the internal editor. Make this your new motto: DON’T GET IT right GET IT written. You can always go back and revise, but you can’t revise a blank page.

STEP SEVEN: Live your life. Turn off that television and get out of the house. I know this seems like a basic step, but it’s so important. How can you write about people if you aren’t interacting with, well, people? Study mannerisms, study speech patterns, study how strangers interact with one another. Airports are a great place for this. You’ll be surprised what you can learn by mingling with the real world.

STEP EIGHT: SUBMIT, SUBMIT, SUBMIT. You can’t get feedback if you aren’t submitting. You can’t make a sale if you aren’t submitting. Need I say more?

STEP NINE: Hone your craft! My personal favorite and the one step we writers can completely control on our own. Successful authors share one common trait: they never adopt the attitude that “they have arrived”. Each book is an open challenge to take their writing to the next level. They are constantly learning new techniques. Are you? Make a commitment to find out where your writing is out of balance (and, yes, everyone’s writing has areas that need honing). Commit to improving the weakest part of your writing.

STEP TEN: Finish manuscripts. You can’t sell a blank page. You can’t hone your craft by merely attending a workshop. You must practice, practice, practice. When that editor comes knocking don’t you want more than one manuscript available for sale?

There you have it. Ten steps you can control, whether you’re a published author or an aspiring one or suffering somewhere in between.

Are their any different steps you can think of? Which step are you at right now?

I'm giving away three autographed copies of my February release, THE MARSHALL TAKES A BRIDE throughout the day so stick around to see if I draw out your name!

Renee Ryan writes for the Steeple Hill line Love Inspired Historical. Her fabulous editor is Melissa Endlich of Steeple Hill. Her first book in the Charity House series, The Marshall Takes a Bride is a current February 2009 release. Her next book in the Charity House series, Hannah’s Beau hits the shelves July 2009. For further information check out www.reneeryan.com

70 comments:

limecello said...

Hi?

Unknown said...

WTG limecello! Darn your hard to beat getting that rooster!

Unknown said...

Hi Renee, I love your ten steps they sound like they could really help a writer. I am not a writer but a reader but I still enjoyed your post. I sounds like you have really got you stuff together now! Keep up the good work. You have found you nitch!

limecello said...

Hi Renee,

What a great post - and definitely useful steps. I think step 3 is important to remember in all things. And I think it's also important to also allow that everyone has their own opinion.

Thanks for visiting with us today!

Natalie Hatch said...

Great post Renee.

jo robertson said...

Whooo hoooo,Renee, welcome to the Lair. That is the best, succinct advice on the writing journey I've ever read! Just what I need. Thank you so much.

Limecello, are you on a run with the rooster? I'm actually glad to have him out of my hair after today. He was just plain wild with 5 of my grandchildren today!

Renee, tell us something about your books. Also, what genre was the first book? How did you decide that inspirational was your niche? Was there anything particularly challenging about writing for this line?

Helen said...

Congrats limcello enjoy your day with him

Hi Renee
What a great post and wonderful advice for authors. I am a reader and I love learning about new authors because my motto is you can never have too many books they are the bestest friends you can have when I need a break from all the things happening around me.
I was lucky enough to win a copy of The Marshal Takes A bride on another blog and am really looking forward to reading it.

Thanks Joanie for inviting Renee to the lair thanks for the great post Renee and congrats for the positive thinking that has kept you writing and getting more books published.

Have Fun
Helen

Anna Campbell said...

Limecello, again? You'll have to build him a chookhouse at this rate!

Renee, what a fabulous post and what wonderful advice! Welcome to the lair and thank you so much for visiting us.

I loved your story. In hindsight, was there any reason you can see for that first book being on its own like that? Was it a change in the market or do you think you weren't writing what came from the deepest part of your heart?

And congratulations on the release of your new Love Inspired!

cheryl c said...

I am not a writer, but I think that a lot of your steps can apply to anyone working to achieve a goal. Congrats on your success, especially your new book. I love reading historical romances.

Cheryl/Cheri

Tawny said...

Welcome to the Lair, Renee. Thanks so much for visiting and for sharing your wisdom.

I love step seven. Its the easiest one for me to forget as I happily hole up in my hermity writing mode, and one of the most crucial to writing a real story.

Wonderful advice- thank you!!

Joan said...

Limecello...your pursuit of the chook is...inspirational.

Renee, I know your first book Extreme Measures was set in the West as is your Charity House series. What's the draw to that time period?

Also, are you interested in any others? Oh, say...WW II? :-)

Renee will be here in a bit.

As to myself, I'm off to a work meeting ON MY DAY OFF....I know...it isn't right... will pop in later

Maureen said...

What a great story you told. I think many of your steps can be applied to so many situations. Congratulations on your well deserved success.

Renee Ryan said...

Hi to all the Bandits and friends! I'm so excited to be here! I'm sitting in the oral surgeon's office while my daughter gets her wisdom teeth out. SCARY. So, anyway, I'll do my best to keep up with you.

Virginia, glad to see you here. Thank you for your kind words. You know, I've found these steps to be useful in a lot areas in life. I think the bottom line during any hardship is to keep focused on what we can control, not what we can't!

Limecello, you're so right. After all, we face rejection daily. Learning to face it with strength rather than weakness is the key -- well, that's my story and I'm sticking to it!

Renee Ryan said...

Hi Natalie!

Hi Jo,

The Marshal Takes a Bride is the first in my Charity House series. The series is set around Charity House which is a unique orphanage for prostitutes' mistakes. Believe it or not, I started writing Inspirational romance because I could address tougher issues. I know most think it would be the opposite, but the Inspirational market is far more open to different time periods, settings and the hard issues we humans face. I get to explore the type of deep flaws we all have and then heal them by way of their faith.

Okay, I know, long answer. Sheesh.

Renee Ryan said...

Oh, Jo, one more thing. My first published novel was a historical romance pulished by Leisure Books.

Helen! Waving frantically! Good to see you again. By the way, the book is in the mail. You should be receiving it any day, if you haven't already. No, really, it's true!

Renee Ryan said...

Anna,

EXCELLENT question. I think there were a lot of reasons for my first attempt at publishing success fizzling out. I sold the book two months after 9/11. Like the country, the industry was shell shocked. All the publishers pulled slightly back and began reevaluating. Chick Lit was exploding on the scene, Westerns were "dead" and finally, I believe God had some work to do in me. I needed to focus on my family, my life, "why" I wanted to be a writer -- stuff like that.

FWIW, I don't regret the dry spell. I'm better writer because of it. AND a better person, stronger and more balanced.

Renee Ryan said...

Cheri,

Ah, a kindred spirit. I love historical fiction. I admit, I'm a voracious reader, too. When I'm on deadline I have to remind myself to focus on my writing, not my reading!

Hi Tawny,

Oh, yeah, step seven is a tough one for me, too. Writing can be such a solitary life. It's a real struggle to get out and mingle. I think writers with jobs outside the home have an advantage over us who don't. Isn't that right, Joan??? ;-)

Renee Ryan said...

Maureen,

Great to see you here. Thank you for your compliments.

JOAN! My Kentucky buddy. I have a confession to make to the rest of you, I've had the priviledge of watching Joan grow throughout her writing career. It's been a huge delight! I'll be screaming the loudest when you sell, my friend. Well, the loudest after you. ;-)

I think I love the Old West because of the heroes. It was a time when people in this country were taking a chance on the frontier. That took guts!

And, YES, I looooove the WWII era. That's another time period of great heroics and strength and guts. I just sold a WWII romantic thriller to my Steeple Hill editor. Again, this shows how open the Inspirational market is to "taboo" time periods!

;-)

Sherrinda Ketchersid said...

Wow! What a fantastic, encouraging list and just what I needed.
#5 really stood out to me, as I tend to read the same genre, because...well...that is what I like! Great advice!

Keira Soleore said...

Limecello, good going. You've been stalking him and just missing him.

Renee, welcome to the The Lair. I'm so impressed that you kept faith in yourself as a writer and in your books for those seven years. I loved your ten steps. On Tuesday I attended our chapter meeting where writers Gerri Russell and Gina Robinson were talking about how to stay positive despite rejections. They advice like yours can be applied to many areas of life in addition to writing. So thank you so much for that.

Keira Soleore said...

Fo wrote, "Limecello, again? You'll have to build him a chookhouse at this rate!"

I rather think she has and included a cozy bed for him with a side table stocked with the bubbly and bon-bons. (C'mon. 'Fess up, Limecello, I'm right, aren't I?) It isn't so much as she nabs the chook as he jumps into her arms.

Louisa Cornell said...

Hello, Renee. Great list and it is definitely going on the board over my writing desk! Seven years? Talk about persistence! I am in awe! I do read in other genres, but I never really thought about the influence they have on what I write (Regency historicals.)

I can completely understand the "Am I a one book wonder" feeling as that is exactly how I felt about my first manuscript. It did well in contests and was a Golden Heart finalist. I was thrilled, but I also thought "What if this is all I have in me?"

Did you ever compare your subsequent books that didn't make it to the one that did? Did you tear those subsequent books down because they weren't like that first book? I have a dear friend who wrote a great first book that did well on the contest circuit and was requested by editors, but never sold. Now I think she is stuck because no matter how hard she tries she can't finish that second book. She talks about how easily the first book came to her and because the second is not coming easily she thinks she's not a writer. Any advice for her?

I have the opposite problem. I can write the second and third books, but getting them on paper when I work full-time is frustrating!!Any time management tips?

Terri Osburn said...

So I'm on a mission today to find words of wisdom to cover the bare pegboard over my new comp at home. I do believe I've found the entire left side of the board!

I'm still very early on in this writing journey, and I haven't been the best, most pro-active traveler. Thank you for this blog. You have no idea how much it means. (Or maybe you do *g* )

Beth Andrews said...

Welcome to the lair, Renee! Your post was so inspiring - thank you *g*

Like Sherrinda, step 5 is my greatest hurdle but my new goal is to expand my reading horizons :-)

Your Charity House series sounds fabulous. What's your favorite part about writing for Steeple Hill?

Best of luck to your daughter!

Vicki said...

My favorite is #6. I used to let myself get bogged down with a opening chapter, scene, paragraph, or even a line. Not anymore.

Don't get me wrong, I work hard at getting it right, but I've also learned to go on and write the next chapter, scene, paragraph or line. So many times, what's wrong with the other stuff comes to me as I continue writing.

Vicki said...

limecello, so where are you and the rooster going today???

Renee Ryan said...

Okay, we're back from the oral surgeon's office. The poor kid is miserable. :(

Anyway...

Sherrinda, reading outside your genre really will help your writing, especially if you study what works for you and what doesn't. And why!

Keira,

Thanks for the welcome! And, yes, staying positive is always the key. There's always valleys in our lives and careers. It's important to see past the circumstances. That's where my faith really helps!

Louisa,

Oh, you better believe I dissected every unsold manuscript and scoured every rejection for insight. In the end, I've discovered a lot about publishing success is getting the right manuscript in front of the right editor at the right time. It's really that simple, and that complicated.

As far as advice for what I call the second-book-freeze, sounds like your friend is overthinking. She's probably starting to learn all the "rules" and is letting her internal editor guide her words. The best trick to overcome this is to give herself permission to write badly. Words can be fixed! Plot can be fixed! A blank page cannot be fixed.

Time management is a tough one because it all boils down to discipline. The key is to give yourself page goals, not time goals. "I'll write X page a week." Once you've met your goal you can reward yourself.

Renee Ryan said...

Terrio, I'm so glad my list helped inspire you. You know what they say, if it was easy everybody would be doing it. You're doing it! That puts you directly on the path to success. Woohooo!

Beth, I think the best part about writing for Steeple Hill is the latitude I have for exploring tough issues. I love taking well-meaning characters with flawed thinking through the path of discovery. I always learn something new as I take my characters through their inspirational journey. I looove that!

Vicki, You touched on a key element in the writing process. If we stop focusing on the words and just allow the story to come...well, that's when the magic happens. Excellent point!

jo robertson said...

Tawny, you're so right about #7. I was just thinking the other day that I need to get out of the house and LOOK at stuff, walk the mall, take a drive -- no excuse in our beautiful California weather. It's too easy to become a real hermit when you're a writer.

Renee Ryan said...

First winner!!

Okay, I just drew my first winner for one of the free copies of THE MARSHAL TAKES A BRIDE. The winner is...

Virginia!

Virginia, just send your snail mail address to renee@reneeryan.com and I will put the book in the mail this week.

~Renee~

jo robertson said...

Not a long answer at all, Renee. I'd never thought about the concept that very serious societal issues and deep personal tragedies are often handled through faith in something higher than yourself.

Great answer!

And good luck to your daughter's extractions. As the mother of several teenagers who've had the procedure, I can only say -- at least she gets the good drugs LOL!

jo robertson said...

Hi, Sherrinda! Welcome to the Lair! I'm like you -- I want to stick to the genres I enjoy most -- romantic suspense and historicals. But it's great advice to read outside your genre. I'll give it a better try :-D.

jo robertson said...

Yay, Virginia!!! Doing a happy dance for you, lucky girl. Get that snail addy off to Renee and claim your prize!

Susan Sey said...

Hi, Renee! Welcome to the Lair! And thanks, Joanie, for bringing us a little mood-booster! It's a gray day here in the upper midwest & a positive message was just what I needed.

I love your steps to success, Renee. The one that really resonated with me was turning off the internal editor & giving yourself permission to write badly. As you said, you can fix a bad page. You can't fix a blank page. I'm going to print that out & stick it somewhere prominent as a labor through this latest first draft...

Thanks for the positive energy!

Renee Ryan said...

Hi Susan,

I'm glad my post was uplifting. I'm all about jumping on the positive band wagon. Although, I admit it can often be a struggle to do so. It's way easier to go to the negative. I have to consciously choose the positive.

~Renee~

Joan said...

I have a confession to make to the rest of you, I've had the priviledge of watching Joan grow throughout her writing career. It's been a huge delight!

{blushing} Ah, thanks Renee..but I've had great teachers.

Renee was the first one to EVER read my first mss. (TPD). She read it (I was sweating bullets) looked at it and said "this is very good...but now let me show you how to make it better."

She did and she set the precedent for always learning as I write. She was the rock upon which my career was founded....


I'll be screaming the loudest when you sell, my friend. Well, the loudest after you. ;-)

Um, not that will still be you (and my Bandita buds) who will be screaming loudest....I'll be passed out in a dead faint! :-)

Renee Ryan said...

Well, Joan, this may sound awful...but i say bring on that dead faint already!!!! ;-)

~Renee~

Anna Campbell said...

Renee, it's really strange but I know exactly what you mean about the 'dry' spell being a GOOD thing in the long run. I look at all my time unpublished in that vein now, although it certainly didn't feel like it at the time. I needed to do a lot of maturing and I needed to learn to write!

Renee Ryan said...

Ah, Anna, you make another great point. During the time between contracts it's always a great idea to work honing our craft. It's really the only part of this crazy business we can control completely. I always say, "Once I stop learning I'm done writing." ;-)

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Welcome to the Bandit Lair, Renee!

I'm sorry you had to go through the seven year drought, but what a great inspiration of ideas you've given us because of it!

I think my favorite one is always do not compare yourself to others. In this competitive world and the writing world, it's easy to do that. Heck, half of us get started because we read a book and think, "Gee, I could write that so much better." Then reality sets in and we realize just how much hard work there is in the process!

Genella deGrey said...

Awesome post, Renee!
Thank you!

I'd like to paint your ten steps on the wall of my office.

:)
G.

limecello said...

lol - the chook and I have a grand time. It's a busy day, but he helped out with tinkering on the piano ;)

Christie Kelley said...

Hi Renee, welcome to the lair.

I enjoyed reading your 10 steps. I'm currently in step 10 - Finish the manuscript. That is why I haven't been here much this week. My deadline is quickly approaching so I must go finish!

Good luck with your books!

Christie Kelley said...

Renee, sorry about your daughter's teeth. Wisdom tooth removal is never fun. I still have one in my mouth that my dentist keeps bugging me about. Someday I'll have it removed.

Hope she has a speedy recovery.

Renee Ryan said...

Suzanne, so true. Writing is hard work. There's a saying I love: Easy reading is hard writing. AMEN!

Genella, you have no idea how many times I STILL have to remind myself of these steps. The good thing about the seven year drought is that I don't take a single contract for granted anymore. I consider each one a blessing from God!

Karin said...

Renee, I love your post. Those ten steps are great and are definitely good advice to all writers. Some of them are things that aren't necessarily thought about often but can have a huge impact. Thanks for posting them! :)

Renee Ryan said...

Hi Christie,

My daughter is knocked out on percocet right now -- she's already complaining about the pain. Poor thing.

Now, about finishing your manuscript. I'm right there with you. Three more scenes and five days to deadline. As I've been chanting in my own head, Go, Renee, go, I'll say it for you, too. GO, CHRISTIE, GO! You can do it! ;-)

~Renee~

Renee Ryan said...

Karin, you're so right. I think we can get bogged down in the hard aspects of life and forget to focus on the positive. That's why I sat down and wrote these ten steps, to remind myself of the things I can do when I get overwhelmed! Or at least, to figure out where I'm feeling overwhelmed. Sometimes the hardest part is figuring that part out.

~Renee~

Gillian Layne said...

Renee, I am so sorry about your daughter, and sending hugs her way. I went through a root canal and tooth removal with my 8 year old last year. She's so brave--I'm a coward.

Thanks for the inspirational post. I've heard lots of wonderful things about The Marshal Takes a Bride--and the cover is beautiful! :)

Anonymous said...

This looks like a great read. I can't wait to read it.
Love the ten steps.

Joan said...

My daughter is knocked out on percocet right now --

Poor baby! Hilary is the spitting image of her beautiful Mom. She and I "bonded" when she was ?8 years old? On a trip from Renee's old hometown, Lincoln, Nebraska to Des Moine, IA. We sat in the back of the vehicle and watched "Legally Blonde" together.

We had fun!

Give her a gentle (but big) hug and some cyber ice cream.

Anna Campbell said...

Renee, I sometimes wonder if that's one of the things that keeps me writing - the fact that there is always a challenge to it. Nobody masters everything, do they? Well, maybe Jane Austen did, but she didn't have to write naughty bits ;-)

Renee Ryan said...

Gillian, thanks for your sweet words about my cover. Steeple Hill has done a fabulous job with the covers for the LIH line. It's been a great launch! By the way, I'm a coward, too. ISH!

Kimmyl, welcome! Good to see you here.

Joan, Hillary still remembers that trip with lots of affection. Next time, she'll drive and we'll watch the movie together.

Anna, Jane Austen was/still is in a class of her own. I'm reading Sense and Sensibility again. The way she put words together is so delicious!

Anna Campbell said...

Renee, I love your cover too. I think some of the inspirational historicals have the prettiest covers of all. Some of them are just breathtakingly romantic and SOOOO pretty.

Donna MacMeans said...

Renee -

What fabulous advice! And so very, very true. Your post is coming at a time that I need to see it. Surrounded as I am with tax returns, I need that reminder to make sure I incorporate time to write. Love your cover!

Renee Ryan said...

Okay, drum roll please...

The winner of the next copy of The Marshal Takes a Bride is Cheryl/Cheri (Cheri2628)

So...Cheri, send your snail mail address to renee@reneeryan.com and I'll put your book in the mail.

Renee Ryan said...

Hi Donna,

So good to see you here. By the way, I loved your novel, The Education of Mrs. Brimley. It's on my keeper shelf. ;-) And, um, ick on the tax returns. I'm shoving mine off until I finish my WIP.

~Renee~

Christine Wells said...

Hi Renee, congratulations on building a successful career despite a major setback. I can't imagine what it would have been like to have sold a book and then not sell again. When you sell, you automatically think you've made it, but this business is so chancey, isn't it? I admire you for sticking with it and really regrouping and thinking about what you wanted to do. Every writer should print out your steps and stick them on her wall!

Renee Ryan said...

Hi Christine,

Yep, I was one of those authors who really thought I'd made it once I sold a book. I thought I was rejection-proof. But one of the lessons I've learned is that most authors struggle through downtimes. But it doesn't have to be permanent. ;-)

~Renee~

Pat Cochran said...

Thanks for sharing your list with
us today. The ten hints seem to work
for all of us, readers (me) as well
as writers! We all can use guidance
no matter what we do in our lifetime.
Even if it's just trying to snag the
golden rooster - persist, persist,
persist!!!

Pat Cochran

Renee Ryan said...

Okay, I've drawn the winner of the final copy of The Marshal Takes a Bride.

The winner is...

Kimmyl...

All you have to do is send your snail mail address to renee@reneeryan.com and I'll get that puppy in the mail!

Joan said...

Even if it's just trying to snag the
golden rooster - persist, persist,
persist!!!


LOL, Pat. We may need to have some type of competition to determine hosting of the golden one.

What are you good at? Checkers? Monopoly? Horseshoes?

Joan said...

I'll get that puppy in the mail!


Wow, Kimmyl! You get a puppy!

:-)

Puppy, golden rooster, puppy, golden rooster...hmmmmm

Renee Ryan said...

Joan, and all the bandits, THANK YOU for having me here today. I'm going to focus on my little chipmunk, er... daughter for the rest of the evening.

It's been a BLAST! You Romance Bandits ROCK. I need to stop by here more often!

~Renee~

Anna Campbell said...

Renee, you've been a wonderful guest. Good luck with the Marshall Takes a Bride. Not that you'll need it. It sounds fabulous! And come back and see us!

Karin said...

Renee, I hope your daughter gets better soon. I remember how I felt when I got my wisdoms out and it was no fun.

Cassondra said...

Renee, welcome to the lair!

So sorry to be late to the party. Today was the dreaded day job. IT's great to see you here. You won't remember me, but I had the pleasure of attending a workshop you did in Eastern Kentucky a few years ago. I still talk about your method of character development and the tools you taught us to arc the character across the book. It was fantastic.

And I'm so pleased to see your continued success! These books look wonderful, and I love the stuff you've shared. You've remained so positive about a tough journey and I truly admire that.

It's easy to let the slow forward motion get you down, and I do have to smack myself upside the head sometimes and tell myself to snap out of the negative mindset. I've found my friendship and association with the other Banditas to be the most powerful "anti-negativity treatment" in the world. If I start whining, they grab me by the ears and say "Eat a piece of chocolate and get back to the keyboard!"

Joan said...

I need to stop by here more often!

Yes. Yes you do.

Thanks for being with us my friend. The Banditas and BB's appreciate your preserverance because it gave us The Marshall Takes A Bride!

Joan said...

"Eat a piece of chocolate and get back to the keyboard!"

What you said...

;-)

hrdwrkdmom aka Dianna said...
This comment has been removed by the author.