Silencing the Negative Voice: Why You MUST (IWSG)

How often do you hear that inner voice telling you you're not good enough, not smart enough, not talented enough, not awesome?

THAT'S BULL.

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It's easy to get caught in a mental rut. And yes, picture a rut. The brain is like a series of ruts in the mud that we reinforce by running the same track again and again. It can be difficult initially to get over the ridge of those ruts to brave new paths, especially if we've been on them a long time, but YOU MUST.

So how do you go about doing that?

Start each day with a stern talking to--no I'm serious. Stand in front of the mirror and recite:

I am beautiful/strong/powerful.

I will succeed today.

I am awesome.

Success starts with believing in yourself. Greater physical health results from a positive mental dialog, and who doesn't need some of that?

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When negative thoughts begin to intrude, KICK THEM OUT. That's right. Don't carry that kind of weight with you. Replace those messages by counting your successes.

Along that vein, the IWSG group proposed a question today:

What is the best thing someone has said about your writing?

I have a hard time believing the words of praise I hear. I keep listening to the inner dialog with excuses like, "They only said that because they know you." "They didn't really like it, but saying otherwise would be rude, so..." BUT, I'm listening to my own advice today and focusing on the positive.

I've heard so many wonderful things throughout the years, so I'll pull up just a couple short snatches:

"Enthralling."

"The most entrancing thing I've ever read." 

"I fell head over heels for the characters."

"I fell off my chair with jealousy over your writing."

"Crystal Collier is a genius of a wordsmith."

Huge thanks to all the amazing people who have built me up, and more importantly, supported my writing through beta reading, reviews, book purchases, and word of mouth. You are amazing. You've made my career. I LOVE YOU TO CHEESE AND BACK!

Are you stuck in the mud? What mental rut are you working to overcome?

And speaking of great writing, time to give some away, eh?

Last week Melanie Schultz shared two truths and one lie. The winners were entered to win their choice of eBook: THE NEWSTEAD PROJECT, ERRON, 2084, or BLACKBIRD.

The game:

1. I am a concert pianist.

2. My husband used to drive a race car.


3. I have three dairy sheep: Daisy-May, Lucy-Lu, and Sunshine that I plan to milk and make homemade cheese with.

The lie: #1. Melanie says she has musical talent whatsoever. So yes, she really does make cheese from 3 dairy sheep! Is she awesome or what?

Way to guess everyone! And the winner is:

...DRUM ROLL...

Nicola!

Congrats, woman!

And now for today's giveaway: 

“First, do no harm.” Blake Ryan swore that oath to become a doctor. Ironic, given that he spent most of his thousand year life sucking souls out of other immortals. 

Things are different now. Using regular shots of morphine to keep his inner monster at bay, Ryan has led a quiet life since the Second World War. His thrills now come from saving lives, not taking them. 

Until a plane crash brings Aleria into his hospital. Her life is vibrant. Crack to predators like him. She’s the exact sort of person they would hunt, and thanks to a severe case of amnesia, she’s all but defenseless. 

Leaving Aleria vulnerable isn’t an option, but protecting her means unleashing his own inner monster. Which is a problem, because his inner monster wants her dead most of all.

Get Your Copy HERE.

Today I'm giving back a little of that writerly love I've received. I had the opportunity to review Misha's book, and this is what I had to say:

Secret societies. Battles and alliances. Unique powers and humanity’s survival in the balance… This story has it all. Follow three characters whose immortal histories are intertwined and will only become more so.

Read the full review HERE:

Ready to meet the author?

Misha Gerrick lives near Cape Town, South Africa, and can usually be found staring at her surroundings while figuring out her next book. Her favorite cheese is haloumi.

If you’d like to see what Misha’s up to at the moment, you can find her on these social networks:

Tumblr | Twitter | Google Plus | Writing Blog

Misha gave me two truths and one lie to test your "lie detector" skills. Those who figure out the lie will go into my magic hat for the chance to win an eBook of ENDLESS. (Open internationally.)

You have until Tuesday, July 19 at 2 p.m. EDT to guess. Be sure to come back for the answers on July 20, 8 a.m. EDT.

TRUTH OR LIE

1. I'm currently wearing my hair the shortest I've ever worn it. 
2. Mashed potatoes is my ultimate comfort food.
3. I've recently resumed my classical vocal lessons.

So sleuths, which is the lie? Are you stuck in the mud? What mental message are you going to overcome?

How to Find Happiness A-Z: H

Photo courtesy of Stuck in Alabama2012 via flickr

Life is hilarious.

"I've always wanted to try my hand at chicken farming," says Bob.

"Really?" his farmer friend asks. "Tell you what, I'll give you 50 chickens to start you out." 

A month later Bob reports sadly, "They're all dead."

Attributing this to bad luck, the farmer decides to give Bob another 50 chickens. A month later Bob admits the chickens are all dead, again.

"You must be having some terrible luck," the farmer says. "Tell you what, I'll give you 50 more chickens." --Because no one could fail completely three times in a row. But at the end of the month, the chickens are dead. The farmer scratches his head. "What are you doing wrong?"

Bob shrugs. "I'm either planting them too deep or close together."

H is for Humor. 

I'm sorry, there are just way too many stupid or funny things that happen in life. I believe one major key to happiness is being able to laugh--at ourselves, at situations, at things that are just plain funny--and even some things that may not be so funny. What does laughing do?

• Lowers blood pressure
• Increases blood flow and oxygen in the blood
• Exercises various muscles (diaphragm, abdominal, respiratory, face, leg and back)
• Decreases stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline
• Quickens immune response cells (ones that fight against tumors)
• Aids in learning--according to a study at John Hopkins University Medical School
• Engages your whole brain, heightening creativity

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So eat some cheese and chuckle a little too loudly. --It's for your health.

And believe it or not, it's why I married my husband.

And now for fun... Do you have a favorite blonde or knock-knock joke? 

Channel the Rage: Exploding Tomatoes

At the best family reunion ever, we learned how to make homemade explosives.

The little kids adopted tomatoes. They painted faces on them, gave them cute personalities, even named them. Then we cracked open their craniums, filled them with modified fireworks, and blew them to bits. Sadistic? Perhaps. Entertaining? To no end.

Why do I bring this up? My head feels a bit like one of those tomatoes right now, and I have to wonder if someone in the cosmos is giggling while they watch the fuse burn. Rather than shaking my fists at the  heavens or madly digging at the inevitable tragedy, I find myself scribbling like a lunatic through the insomniatic hours of the night. (See exhibit A: the time stamp on this post.)

I suppose the point is, we choose our reaction to the things we can't control (like having our heads blown up). For me at the moment, that includes the inability to sleep, a sinus infection, and the ever-sounding doubts about my writing talent/worth--you know, the ones threaten to keep me awake for the rest of all time?

Every pain is manageable if we can figure out how to use it for our gain, so rather than exploding, I'm learning to channel the rage. I'm finding:

1. I've never appreciated a full night's sleep more than in the last several months. (Even when raising infants.)

2. While battling with chronic sinusitis (thank you allergies), I've come to treasure the moments when I have enough energy to do the things I desire. I'll never take good health for granted again.

3. Instead of breaking down at every rejection/negative word, I've discovered fuel for a megalomaniac writing fiend. Each query rejection has turned into a new scene, charged by these overwhelming emotions. Every subtle "you suck," (especially the ones in my own head,) have led to knuckle cracking and coiled muscles. I'm ready to fight. Bring on the punching bag, er, page!

What's keeping you up at night?