Author Interview with Donna L.H. Smith

Hi, everyone!

A dear friend of mine, without whom my book would be in total limbo, has just released her debut novel Meghan’s Choice. So of course I had to interview her and get an excerpt of her fantastic work to share! At the bottom of the article you’ll find links to all her pages as well as where to find the book. I am NOT getting anything back for this interview, I’m just truly excited for my talented friend. Without further ado, I give you my interview with Donna L.H Smith!

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Happy 3’rd Anniversary!!

Hi, everyone!

Since today is a special day, I thought I might check in and update y’all on what have turned out to be a very interesting last couple of weeks.

As you all know, my writing hit the proverbial brick wall. I had pudding for brains every time I went to write, so I elected to take some timely advice given to me by one of my amazing readers and set aside my keyboard for a bit. I read some here and there, visited with out-of-town family, and all around chilled out beyond the day-to-day usual tasks.

The Friday before last I Skyped with a dear friend of mine, a wonderful fiction writer herself. Inevitably our conversation turned to writing. I asked how her current work-in-progress was going and then froze when the question was eventually turned back on me. Isn’t it funny how we’re so willing to ask questions we’d love to run from answering ourselves? In all honesty, my only answer was to scrunch up my face like I’d eaten a lemon. This, of course, only spurred on my dear friend to prod some actual words from my vocabulary.

“I’m stuck,” I said, and filled her in on my blogging break.

“Well, that’s probably for the best. You need to put your energy toward your novel.”

At this I hemmed and hawed. (Literally. I’m not good at actual words when I’m flustered.)

“What about that editor you found? The one you liked so much.”

Funds. It always boils down to money. While the editor is AMAZING, she is also pricey. I told her my family was trying to fit it into the budget. What happened next is a moment I will never forget, and one reason I will forever be floored by the people God sometimes brings into our lives. She offered me a “scholarship” she called it, to help make my dreams come true. I had no words. I sat there gaping like a fish until tears began to race down my cheeks and all I could say was “Thank you,” and “You don’t have to do this.” She insisted though, so now, through the grace of God and a friend I will never deserve, I have about half of what I need to have my book edited.

Today we talked again to get a game-plan together to move my book forward so that’s most likely where my energy will be going.  While I’m not there yet, this reminded me that God has ways of doing things I could never begin to fathom. I’ll be sure to keep everyone updated and drop in a short story here and there as ideas come to me.

Your ’till the ink runs dry,

Justina

Your MIA Writer

Hi, everyone! 

This post was supposed to have happened a week or so ago… I’m not quite sure what happened. 

As you all know I’ve been having a problem getting my imaginary friends to talk to me and I had (when this post was supposed to have happened) recently asked for ideas to get into their good graces again. One of the ideas was to walk away from writing altogether for a bit and read read read, or do some other creative thing. So, this is what I’ve been doing, however I didn’t mean to leave y’all out of the loop! 

This does NOT mean I’m shutting down my blog in any way, shape, or form, just that I won’t be posting often, and most of posts will probably be behind the curtains rather than story ideas. 

For anyone who doesn’t want to stick with me, I understand and I thank you for the time you’ve spent in my imagination. For those of you still with me when my friends decide to start talking again, though, I look forward to the stories we have yet to share. 

Asking for Help

Hi, everyone.

Your usual post is on the way, but I need a little help. For a while I’ve found myself rundown, brain blocked, lacking words, without enthusiasm, and so on. (As I’ve probably mentioned too many times.) And any other writers or creative people in general know, this makes it very difficult to create art. Each word is like yanking a tooth! Recently I started another project to see if I could restart my brain and it’s working in spurts and spasms, but not smoothly yet.  And not efficiently enough to un-dredge this week’s post from the mud that is my imagination at the moment. I know creating never “easy” so to speak, but I haven’t ever had this much difficulty either. I’m telling y’all, this muck has to be about six feet deep and I’m not that tall. So, my question to anyone who might have an idea is this, how do you get past a creative block? How do you regain the passion for your art once more? How do you find your muse? In my mind, I can see the images for my stories as clearly as if a movie was playing before my very eyes, but when it comes to writing I literally feel like I have cotton for brains… or maybe cement. Seriously, I can actually feel pressure in my head when I’m trying to write and it’s the oddest thing! I love writing and being an author is my dream and what I want to do with my life. I am not giving up, nor do I want to, but I know when I need to ask for hep. So, please, HELP!

Clean Cut: Part II

Photo by krosseel at morguefile.com

***Attention!!!*** Find Part I of this story here.   Thank you, everyone for being so patient! I’m sorry this post was so terribly late. I do sincerely hope you all find it worth the wait. Now, on with the story!

I scurry up to the front to meet Mrs. Haffsted before she has a chance to say too much within earshot of Mindy and her two-second fuse.

“You’re not the stylist I reserved,” she says, her nose tipping into the air. “I need the best.”

In the two seconds I flounder for an answer I see Pam trace the client sheet to confirm the request.

“Sorry, boss, I didn’t catch that.”

“Pam, get Mrs. Haffsted some red wine, on the house.” I smile gesturing for Mrs. H to follow me and barely catching her brown faux fur coat as she flings it at me. Quickly, I usher the gold yoga pant and purple tank top clad, silver washed brunette back before she can change her mind. “So,” I take a deep breath once she’s settled into my chair, far away from explosive ears, “what brings you in today?”

“I need to look hot.”

I bite my lip to hold back the urge to snort. Mrs. H, in case you don’t know, is fifty-five if she’s a day and hot is not a word I’ve ever come out of her mouth. Too vulgar, she says. “Any specific occasion in mind?”

Her eyes shift from one direction to the other before she leans toward me, motioning me forward with one finger.

My readers are amazing.

Hi, everyone. 

You post is on the way, I promise but as is the norm lately it will be delayed a bit. Hopefully not more than a half day or so. I don’t quite know what’s up with me, but I’ve been in a bit of a funk for a while. Y’all know that, though. I’ve mentioned it. Am I a complete baby for admitting to it again? I certainly feel like one. I feel like I should just be able to power through this. Like I’m just being a sloth for not being better, but I know whatever this is it too will pass. I’m not giving up.

I thank you all for your patience and support although I’m far from deserving it. My readers are simply the best and y’all have no idea how much I appreciate each and every one of you.

Clean Cut: Part I

Photo by krosseel at morguefile.com

“Good morning, Pam!” I wave, pushing my newly purple bangs out of my face with the other hand.

After a hot second, she finally looks up from her phone her forehead creasing. “Emma, you’re late.”

“Just wanted to give you a few extra minutes with your dating app. Goodness knows you haven’t had a date in a month.”

“Keep your voice down!” She hisses.

I laugh her off and unlock the door to the salon, my salon, I should say. The one year anniversary of opening the Harry Mary was coming up in a week and I still hadn’t figured out how to celebrate. I need to get to it while the getting is still good. Who knows? One anniversary might be the only one I get.