The Death of the World Part Two

For many heavy days and dark nights the heart must suffer to make sense of the mire encasing it.  For without this toil, there would be no use of the savior who comes to save all hearts from the darkness that clamps its razor teeth into the very crevices of the soul.  The captive spirits struggle to break free from their bondage, but all to no avail.  There is no hope for those valiant warriors who fight so persistently against the darkness.  There is no plot to describe the desperation and hopelessness that grips the only things good on the desecrated planet.  Then, out of the ashes of despair and decay, a hero is born.

Victory Dance and About My Novel

With only a few days before the end of July I (miraculously) finished writing my novel before the deadline.  There were times when I felt like throwing in the towel purely because I couldn't move past my annoying writers block.  I sure am glad I didn't and that I stuck with it.

Many of the people who are in my loop already know what my book is about, but there are others who have been kept in suspense this whole month.  For those who wish to know, I have a synopsis.  It is subject to change since I have yet to write a final draft of the novel, but from what I have now it's pretty consistent.

Jackson has lived alone with his dad ever since his mom walked out on them when he was little. His dad tries hard to be there, but Jackson feels abandoned by both his parents.  He can't find a way to fit in, and he is unable to discover the true feeling of family that he has been searching for his whole life.  Finally, when he joins dance class, this all changes.  

Alexia lives under the shadow of her famous older sister.  She is neglected by her parents because all they can see are her flaws, and they only wish to compare her to her sister.  Her mother is critical and wishes that both of her daughters could be "magazine models."  Her alcoholic father has never been there and doesn't have time to spend on her.  Dancing is the only way for Alexia to escape the abuse and brokenness of her family and be accepted for who she is.

When Jackson meets Alexia through dance class, he expects her to be just like other girls.  What he finds is someone who is very different than everyone else and much more real than anyone he's ever met.  Together, they discover that family comes in many forms and that finding beauty starts on the inside.

The draft is far from being final, and a little ways away from having anyone else read it, but I'm hoping within this year to have a second draft complete so that all of the wonderful people who volunteered to edit can have a go!

Writing Finding Beauty was surprisingly different from how I pictured, but it was worth every second I spent furiously scribbling down words.  Hopefully I have enough motivation to continue editing so I can work towards publication.

Many thanks to all of those who helped me along, especially all of those people who took my family into their homes while we were on vacation.  Without you, I would have been writing in a tent or a shady hotel room!

Ode to Tucson

Dear Tucson,

I’m sorry for all of the abuse you’ve endured

That comes from my mouth

You are under-appreciated

And I don’t often express my gratitude

For your many fine features

I only complain

I love your mountains,

Rocky terrain forming jagged horizons

I love your sunsets,

Your painted colors patterning the brush-stroked sky

I love your wildlife,

Quails, bobcats, javelinas

And the more menacing ones:

Scorpions, rattlesnakes, tarantulas

I love seeing the spear bushes and palm trees

Silhouetted against the setting sun

And the desolate desert landscape

Has its moments of beauty

When the rain comes

I can’t help feeling a sense of joy

That the sun will be obscured

There are times I actually find happiness

While wrapped in you mountainous embrace

Although I miss the things that you can’t offer,

I need to be content with what I’ve got

I don’t know why I never learn

I’ve taken things for granted once before

And I swore I’d never do so again

Now I hope to make amends

You and I can come clean

Start over

Even though I’ll blister in the heat

And curse you once more

At least we’ve come to an understanding

I have to admit I did miss you a little

It’s good to be home

Quotes to Motivate

Since I am feeling unmotivated and stuck in my plot line, here are some quotes I found that are either motivational or wise words to getting things done:

Keep in mind that neither success nor failure is ever final.  Roger Babson

Don't be afraid to take a big step if one is indicated; you can't cross a chasm in two small jumps.  David Lloyd George

All who have accomplished great things have had a great aim, have fixed their gaze on a goal which was high, one which sometimes seemed impossible.  Orison Swett Marden

Every failure, obstacle or hardship is an opportunity in disguise.  Success in many cases is failure turned inside out.  Mary Kay Ash

Shoot for the moon.  Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars.  Les Brown

A dream becomes a goal when action is taken towards its achievement.  Bo Bennett

You can't get much done in life if you only work when you feel good.  Jerry West

Fireworks

I have a panoramic view of the fireworks
Lighting up the sky like wayward fireflies
Exploding lights on every side of me
From every corner of this city
Cascading colors, red blue white
Filling each particle of my sight
Shimmering strands of exuberance
A sporadic chaotic wild dance
And the boom of gunshots firing high
Accompanies the celebration in the sky
Sending vibrations echoing
Like a thundercloud that decides to sing
But not even the rain decides to alight
On this wonderful booming celebration night