How Do You Keep Writing? Write Crap

What do you do if you run out ideas?

How do you keep writing? Something inside you says you're a writer. I can do this. I will make it. I know I have something to say that readers will value. I know it. I feel it in my bones.

Is that you? Is that what you've said to yourself? But we stop writing. We stop. When we stop, who is stopping our dream of writing for a mass audience? Simple. We are. Better yet. Insert "I" into the statement.

"I stopped my writing."

Take responsibility. Then, write. Write crap. Write crap today, tomorrow, next week, next month. Write crap for a year... until you don't write crap. Just write. Write, write, write. Let the crap out.

Truth be told, some of what's published is.... wait for it.... crap.

Mall Demons Journal In The Works

How would you react if an angel appeared to you in the middle of the night telling you that the fate of the world depended on you?

That is what my protagonist must face in the Mall Demons Urban Fantasy Series I'm currently writing. Daniel is his name. He's a Mexican-American Teen living in the Washington DC area. Now he is all that stands in the way of a Hell on Earth.

Can you say STRESS!

Fortunately, Daniel is a journaling type of guy. So, all those thoughts, all those fears are what he puts down in his personal journal. That journal will soon be available online. Daniel needs to write down what he goes through as it's happening. It helps him think through situations. Soon, you'll be able to read his thoughts as he fights the demons determined to create a Hell on Earth.

Creative Cooking

Five minutes ago I completed the evening dinner for my family of seven. Because I can't help but be creative, I decided to do something different.

My wife came home feeling ill. So, dinner was up to me. I decided to make it simple: two cans of beef stew from the pantry over a bed of rice. But... I was feeling creative. 

Rice in a star shape with carmelized onions and
sliced garlicky french toast.

I carmelized some onions. We had half a loaf of french bread left from yesterday. I whipped up a custard and soaked bread slices - like french toast - but made it savory. Translation: Garlicky french toast. 

Before plating, I decided to send a message to my kids: You're all superstars. I used a cookie cutter shape to form the rice in a star. They were super excited with the result. 

Good times.