Sep 25, 2017 |
by Molly Jo Realy @MollyJoRealy
I know, y’all just had an update not too long ago. Thing is, things are getting good. They’re getting done. They’re getting, well, you know. Out there.
So, earlier today I had a tiny emo moment on the FB NOLA Swarm Group page. It went something like this:
“Feeling a bit stressed as I sit to write today. Wrenched my back earlier which makes sitting . . . or standing . . . or walking . . . or breathing . . . uncomfortable. It’s the third time in a month this has happened, so I know today isn’t debilitating. But it surely is distracting.
I’ve been taking my mind off things by watching my NOLA-based shows: Nightwatch, NCIS, Double Jeopardy, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. (Big surprise on that last one, right?). I’ve been thinking about my proposal and the compare/contrast section. Been thinking about my new day job and the budget and traveling to see family and friends next year.
Does it even make sense to anyone-ANYONE-that right now I want to box NOLA up and tuck it into a dark corner of the farthest away closet I can find?
What if it’s not as good as I think it is? What if I didn’t just miss the mark, but missed the entire target? What if the end doesn’t justify the means?
What if all this soul bleeding means nothing in the end except over five years of wasted time and attention and energy?
So I hope you understand when I say as wonderful as this is, being so close to finished, today I just want to crawl back into bed and cry. Getting ready to say goodbye to my baby is so hard.
But here’s the thing about writing: I can’t *not* do it. I can’t have NOLA sit around, going nowhere. Do I want it to stop? No. But there’s another journey for NOLA when the first draft is done. I call it the firefly aspect. It’s where I let my little larvae grow wings and glow its way to my alpha readers, my editor, and my agent; then, hopefully, into the hearts of others like you and so many more.
And then I’ll talk all y’all with me to CENTRAL, where you’ll meet Nick and Serenity. And then to KEYS with Anastasia and Littleman. And then FLINT, and HI, and PORT, and STRIP, and TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES. And more.
But know this: no matter how much I write, how many cities are in this series, NOLA will always be my first, and greatest love.
And, I hope, yours too.
I love you all for being on this journey with me and keeping me grounded.
With much adoration and appreciation,
~Molly Jo”
But after that, I hunkered down, said a few prayers, and started. I took my little Post-It notes, my little scraps of paper, and I processed. Every. Single. One.
And I closed out the day with 2,131 new words. I have less than 8,000 to go to my desired word goal. And I have a plan.
In addition to writing end material, I’ve been adding clues throughout. Hints of this and that. Why does this character do these things? If it’s important, they need to do it often. If not, they need to do it less. What about the weather? Yes, I’m from California. The desert, no less. But really. If you’re reading a book set in New Orleans, how often can I mention the humidity before y’all are rolling your eyes and saying, “Okay, we get it!”?
And I’m keeping notes. On the manuscript. On paper. Because I’m also writing what comes next. I can’t wait to write those two words when it’s finished. Nope, I’m not even gonna write them here. Because when I’m ready, like really ready, I want them to be authentic. Official. Not practiced, not sampled, not automatic.
Those two final words at the end of the first draft . . . They’re coming, my friend.
Stay tuned.
Oh, and here’s a new meme to get all y’all’s attention.
NOLA by Molly Jo Realy
TWEET THIS: #NOLA Update: September 25, 2017. @RealMojo68 #amwriting
With a finish line and a finishing line,
Happy Reading!
~Molly Jo
And Frankly, My Dear . . . That’s all she wrote!
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Sep 24, 2017 |
by Molly Jo Realy @MollyJoRealy
Frankly, On Faith.
I’m gonna keep this short.
You’re here for a purpose.
Not only that, but you’re where you are for a purpose.
Will you stay there? Probably not, and that’s okay. Because life is always full of movement. Just like a body in motion tends to stay in motion.
But know this: If you’re breathing, there’s a reason.
You have a purpose.
“But our bodies have many parts,
and God has put each part just where he wants it.”
~1 Corinthians 12:18 NLT
You’re not meant to be an ostrich, or a closet shelf, or a candle hidden under a basket. Those things are buried, empty, fruitless.
You have a purpose. Even if you don’t know it yet.
Frankly, On Faith . . . : Many Parts, One Body
He knows.
And He’ll keep growing you until you’re ready to blossom. Now and then you’ll be pruned (no fun), but rest assured the Heavenly Gardener is using only the best fertilizer and tools to make sure you are tended to properly. There will (hopefully) be runoff that will trickle over to the other seeds you and He have planted. He’ll use you to shelter, He’ll use others to shelter you.
All you need to do is open up and ask Him to feed you.
And just like the rest of His garden, He’ll tend to you perfectly. If you let Him. Your job is just to share what He’s done for you with the rest of your world.
TWEET THIS: You have a purpose. Even if you don’t know it yet. @RealMojo68 #franklymydear #faith
And Frankly, My Dear . . . That’s all she wrote!
Sep 23, 2017 |
by Molly Jo Realy
Twitter: @MollyJoRealy
Instagram: @MollyJoRealy
Photos can’t replace words for informational learning, but let’s be real: Visuals are a big part of our world today. Our attention spans are shorter. If you want someone’s attention you need to grab it immediately and a photo can do that ohsomuch quicker than text.
Recognition comes before cognition. This means our brains will say, “Wait a sec. That looks familiar.” And then our eyes read the words that follow for more. It can be a photo of someone we know, food we like, or a place we’ve been researching online. Or we see something completely unexpected. Something beautiful, gross, shocking, lovely . . . you get the, uh, picture.
Frankly, My Dear . . . : NOLA research
This is why logos are so important to brands.
We “know” who a popular company is without thinking about it.
Whether you’re a writer, a painter, a home improvement DIY-er, visual postings will increase your followers.
I mean, I can tell y’all about my Lizzie Cat. But unless you’ve seen her photo, you don’t really know how beautiful she was. Am I right?
Frankly, My Dear . . . Lizzie Cat
Photos are great on a sidebar, as a Tweet, on Instagram, and of course, Pinterest. Look at Facebook: How many posts do you scroll through that don’t have a photo? Not too many any more.
You don’t need to be a pro-photographer, but you do need to know a few basics.
Here’s a few tips I learned through trial and error:
- If you’re posting to your professional or public sites, make sure it’s something your audience cares about
- Take a few photos and post the best one: clear, in focus, good display
- Use photos to enhance your story, not tell it for you
- Don’t drown your viewers in twenty photos of the same scene
- DO share multiple views that capture the enormity of your surroundings
- Before-and-After posts are great for home and yard clean ups, holiday decor, parties, and announcements
- Coffee and foodie photos are always da best.
- And cats. Always, always, always cats.
Frankly, My Dear . . . : Berry Sunshine enjoying the last licks
Depending on which media site you’re posting to, hashtags are also useful in describing and enhancing your visuals.
How do you use photos to draw an audience?
TWEET THIS: When Your Photo is Worth a Thousand Words @RealMojo68 #socialmediasaturday
With a smart phone camera and a watchful eye,
Happy seeing!
~Molly Jo
And Frankly, My Dear . . . That’s all she wrote!
