Category Archives: #creativity

Finding Balance: The Writer’s Dilemma

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I’m exhausted by noon most days, just like my cat, Panda, pictured above.

By noon most days, I’ve been on my bike to the nearby cafe, checked the news (briefly), posted on social media promoting Under The Autumn Moon and then settled in to work on my next book (which was actually drafted before I ever thought of Under The Autumn Moon).

This pattern actually worked very well with Autumn Moon and the book flowed easily.

It’s not flowing as well with this story and it’s because I feel I’m on the hamster wheel of marketing/promoting, marketing/promoting…

The energy is completely different. I’m not living with my characters, I’m watching them. I’m thinking how they will be attractive to readers rather than just capturing their story. I’ve apologized to these “people”multiple times. They have trusted me with their tale and I keep saying, “But what about if I do this and change that.”

Tori (my son’s beloved) told me I need to find a cabin in the woods and sequester myself. A sleep, eat, walk, write pattern sounds appealing, but I’m not confident I would stick to it. A strange doubt because I’m very goal oriented and driven to meet deadlines.

As I write this, I keep glancing at the clock as it ticks toward 3 PM and I think how I haven’t done any exercise today, just a couple of short walks which don’t count as exercise, just movement.

I’m still thrilled to have published a book now, along with some previous poems and short fiction.

I just want to cloak myself in my writer’s world again.

Where to Find Betheny Lynn Reid’s Under the Autumn Moon

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under the autumn moo_audiobook

So excited my first novel officially arrives on October 21st. Find it at bookstores (you may have to have them order) or on Amazon and Kindle.

Please search using Betheny Lynn Reid. I also show up as bethenylreid or bethenylreid, writer.

There is a poet with my name only she uses an “a” in the first name.

Please help me elevate my name in searches by using Betheny Lynn Reid and bethenylreid.

Thank you.

Trailblazers, still

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The rock stars of the 60′, 70’s and beyond are still blazing new trails .

They defied expectations of what it means to be a “certain age” when they were teenagers exploding on the music scene, some still attending school, and, now in their 80’s.

They defied expectations of music creating new evolutions of sound. The Beatles, the Stones, Led Zeppelin, Patti Smith.

They defied expectations of fashion. The Beatles with the hair; Jagger with eye liner, scarves, paisley shirts; Jimmy Page with his dragon suit; Patti Smith with combat boots and t-shirts.

They defied expectations of lifestyle. Paul putting Linda in the band so they could keep the family together; blended families; shared loves; steady, devoted marriage with two children like Patti Smith and “Sonic” Smith.

They blended art into their world with album covers and stage performances.

They continue defying expectations.

Mick just appeared at the Oscars after touring with his new music last year.

Patti Smith just read her poetry at the Milan fashion week and is launching her already sold out year long tour.

So I ask myself, what trail and I blazing today?

Becoming Led Zeppelin

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If you’re a Zeppelin fan, this doc is essential viewing

If you “sometimes like” their music, you’ll have many “I didn’t know that” moments

If you think “Stairway to Heaven” is their one song, you’ll say, “I had NO IDEA”

If you like seeing creative masters working, you’ll be mesmerized.

Jimmy Page certainly was the jet fuel for this rocket but he knew how to pick his stellar crew: John Paul Jones, Robert Plant and John Bonham.

Contests: Pitching for Profile

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Looking at my Instagram feed before settling in to write this morning, I saw a post from someone’s “Auntie.” She posts videos of herself using household items to sing to 1970’s rock songs. Today, it’s Joe Walsh, “Life in the Fast Lane.” In less than three months she’s acquired 2+ million followers.

I’ve been sending queries for my novel for about three months. Agents want to know how many followers I have on social media. They don’t ask directly, but they ask for my sites.

So, this morning I’m “pitching for an increased profile” by submitting to contests for writers. I’ll still use social media and I’ll still write everyday.

I joke that “writing is the easy part. Publishing not so much.”

Onward.