Writing and sleep

Published on October 2, 2019October 2, 2019 by Noreen LaceLeave a comment

Four a.m. is my haunted time. The first rays of light creeping through the window, the cat sitting next to the bed, details of the next story weigh on my mind. And I wonder – do I get up and write?

No doubt, we’re fresher when we sleep. But, writers seem to sleep better when we write. Has anyone else noticed this?

If I haven’t written in a few days, I have trouble falling sleep and I wake in the middle of the night. I feel like I have too many stories on my mind, too many details that I must put on paper.

Most experts agree journaling helps people sleep, but that’s to lift worries. I’m not worried about anything except that I haven’t written.

Write.

Then Sleep.

Book Signing!

Published on September 25, 2019September 23, 2019 by Noreen LaceLeave a comment

I love autumn. I love October. I love Halloween. And this October 19th at 4pm, I’ll be signing How to Throw a Psychic a Surprise Party and Eddy at the $10.00 Books in Northridge, California.

This bookstore is one of my favorites. They mix classics, used, and publisher buyouts for a unique collection of books. AND they happen to be between TWO COFFEE SHOPS! Both of which serve bomb pastries.

This book signing will feature our own psychic! She’ll be reading your fortune using the Tarot.

Plus other surprises!

More Info to follow!

Procrastination

Published on September 11, 2019September 10, 2019 by Noreen LaceLeave a comment

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The Unintended Consequences of Story

Published on September 4, 2019September 2, 2019 by Noreen LaceLeave a comment

I heard from a woman who asked me to share a story with young people. The story was my own, The Healer’s Daughter, from How to Throw a Psychic a Surprise Party.

She said the story was valuable and every young person who has ever bullied or been bullied needs to read it.

Bullying is a part of the story, and for the little girl in the story, it’s a very big part – as it was for any and all of us who were on the wrong side of the mean kids.

She felt, I believe, it would also help bullies to gain some sort of understanding. Maybe, maybe not. But I appreciated her feedback on what some people feel is a minor part of the story.

I appreciate the feedback and that my story touched her so much she feels the need to share it.

Much appreciated.

Our stories have power. And they have unintended consequences. I’m happy that mine leaned toward positive.

I write to stop myself from punching people in the face…

Published on August 28, 2019August 23, 2019 by Noreen LaceLeave a comment

My next story will have violence.

Unless, of course, I’m in jail.

Nothing angers or offends me more than men telling me to offer myself. “Flirt,” they say, “for a discount,” “to get out of a ticket,” “to get a good deal,” etc and so on!

Someone said this, again, recently. He was drunk (not an acceptable excuse) and offering unsolicited advice. I sincerely wanted to kick him in the knee caps.

None of my lady friends have EVER said suggested this, nor done it to the best of my knowledge.

NO, THANK YOU!

I’d rather PAY!

How many of you write about what angers you?

Would they tell their wives to flirt? Their sisters? Their mothers?

I AM NOT A COMMODITY!

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I do not trade myself for anyone or anything.

I do, however, write books. They are a commodity that can be bought, sold, traded.

Prepare to die, asshole.

In my next story, that is.

Writer’s Fight Club

Published on August 21, 2019August 19, 2019 by Noreen LaceLeave a comment

I’ve been worked over by a story all summer. I feel like we’ve been beating each other up and down and neither of us is winning.

At this point, I hate this story. But, no, not true. I love it. I love the characters and want them to have a voice, a say in their life.

But, gosh darn it – speak!

Maybe I have not been giving the story it’s due, it’s time. The main character, Bella, came simply enough and her father did too. This is the primary relationship and the source of conflict in the story, but then there are a whole bunch of secrets. Aren’t there always?

I wrote the first draft and showed it to my writing partner who said the story had merit and I should keep at it. So, here I am, months later, keeping at it! Frustrated.

Writers understand this. Sometimes stories do this to us. The story wants/needs to be told, but it’s so hard in coming.

I need to do it. I need to force it. I need – I don’t know. Maybe it’s the story’s needs I should think about. It needs some time maybe, more thought; it needs to be brought to life for whatever reason it was given to me to write.

Writing about Healing

Published on August 7, 2019August 6, 2019 by Noreen LaceLeave a comment

There’s more than a few stories in this new book, How To Throw a Psychic a Surprise Party, about Healing.

In the last few years, I’ve learned about the many different modalities of healing, physical and metaphysical. I joined empathy groups and spoke to massage artists. It was a revealing and fulfilling education.

I included these in the stories. In The Healer’s Daughter, both mother and daughter engage in different modalities to help others, but theirs are more special.

Check out the story in How to Throw a Psychic a Surprise Party.

Out of Print Books

Published on July 31, 2019July 26, 2019 by Noreen LaceLeave a comment

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A few of my books are officially “out of print.” I saw this one Amazon. In some ways, I hope no one pays that much. A few weeks ago, I thought there were 2 available – and they were about 600.-00 each. So did someone buy one?

What’s a Review got to do with it?

Published on July 10, 2019July 8, 2019 by Noreen LaceLeave a comment

Reviews are so important to writers; it helps other readers make more informed decisions. I’m always grateful for a review and even more grateful for a good review!

My first review for the new book of short fiction! Thank you! See it on Amazon!