2012 - the year brought to you by the letter W

Wow. 2012 has arrived. Already it's in double figures. January has that effect on me. It's one of those months that you look forward to and boom! you blink and it's gone before you know it. I never feel like I've had the calendar turned onto January for the full 31 days. Weird but true.

So. 2012. At last we meet. Sure, there's been heaps of talk of an apocalypse being the big feature for you at the end of the year but for me so much will happen before that...well, I may need an apocalypse to catch my breath. You are going to be a year of new phases and lifestyles. Why yes. Plural.

My son is off to university to pursue a career in physics and moving in with his dad. I will have gone from school-mum (or mom for those who prefer) to empty-nester in the space of three short months. I don't have time however to actually navel gaze this life transition. I'm too busy preparing for another one.

My wedding (the 1st of the letter "W"s). It is under five weeks away and I like to think of it as being caught in The Wedding Vortex. There shall be some traditional things (we do say vows, sign paper & then break bread after all) but there are many things that may not be seen as traditional (though what goes for traditional these days?).

In amidst all this I am also this year no longer in a day-job (well, at least until August or September). So, my new "day job" is writing. I'm finally able to spend my time on my words (the other "W" in my life). I shall continue to develop the Elemental series as well as get on with writing my Vestal Virgin centric story.

I'm looking forward to these changes. As the only constant in life is change. Saying that, I will however be continuing my reading challenges. They help keep me focused. I'm keeping records of them over on Goodreads I'm again using the challenges set up by Book Chick City (who I found via the wonderful Eleni).

My choice this year shall be -

I'm always wanting to expand my exploration of authors and genres so this fits beautifully. I'm going with 25 as the goal. Should be do-able.

How did November & a post about Joss Whedon get here?

So, this month it appears I've gone and written a post about Joss Whedon and storytelling for the Darksiders Blog. You can learn how Joss brought me into the world of emotion, stories and dinosaur betrayal.

The rest of my life has been very busy on the parenting front. My son is now officially a high school graduate which means we are all free of the school regime. So excited about it on many fronts, one of which is no more early morning starts. Well, except tomorrow which shall be an OMG-o'clock start due to assessing night shift workers. It's so rare, I don't mind. Too much.

The lead up to silly, crazy, hot season this year also absorbs waiting for university offers for son and realising it's now under three months until I get married.

Dark Side Down Under

Writing of time flying, it has been brought to my attention the Dark Side DownUnder blog I'm a member of is about to turn 1.....

There are some awesome prizes on offer with book giveaways from Keri Arthur, Rowena Cory Daniells, Tracey O'Hara and Erica Hayes to name a few of many.

All you have to do is come along, make a comment and answer a question on Monday, October 31.

Creativity, Life & Time

As I look at the calendar I'm slightly stunned how near the end of October we are. I knew at the start of this year it would be a rough year for me to balance my desire to write with my parent hat (we won't discuss wedding planning, I'll keep myself in denial on that front).

It's taken most of the year, but I've given myself permission to ride out the remainder of the school year (er, with 3 weeks to go) where getting words not down is okay. My son is wrapping up school and viewing life post school and all that entails - university applications, scholarships, choices, life without the school regime. In a way, so glad it's him not me (remember being 17??).  I have no doubt he will find and land on his feet, however it can be hard to watch the rollercoaster being so close to the action.

Meanwhile, there have been a lot of blogs appearing in my Google Reader about creativity, the need to keep going, burn out, balancing the creative with the practical side of one's life and it has me thinking.

So, while that blog post is percolating in my mind I'd like to direct you over to a blog by Deborah Biancotti (who is currently playing over at World Fantasy Convention) about creative exhaustion. It is something that happens to everyone in many different and varied ways. I know I've certainly enjoyed reading all the various responses Deb has received and it shows how no matter what way we travel to and reach the end product everyone has these thoughts. It's how we learn to handle them that counts.

Mysterious paper sculptures - Central Station Blog post

The internet can be a time suck it's true. But sometimes you come across things (I love facebook and twitter for this very reason)....like this. Go on. Have a scroll through. I think they are all beautiful, awesome achievements.

Mysterious paper sculptures - Central Station Blog post

I know I've been remiss in posting since the music. Real Life has been keeping me out of mischief. However, I have plans. They are somewhere round here, mixed in my ones for world domination.