I think sometimes the biggest struggle in this art form/business is to not take things too seriously. Not take yourself or your story too seriously. Not take problems or bumps in the road too seriously. But especially not the story, because that way lies inhibition and that deer in the headlights freeze when you come to the blank page.

Which is why I go play the exploding Diet Coke and Mentos videos. Or listen to the Village People. It’s all about lightening up, not taking it too seriously. Get into a playful and relaxed frame of mind and then you can work.

If you can’t unfreeze your brain with mental stimulation, try physical. Physical activity helps loosen up muscles and then the mind, too. Move, stretch, feel the mental kinks unwind and ideas start to flow. If all else fails, do the YMCA. It’s not possible to do that and take yourself seriously at the same time.

I read unserious books, listen to unserious music, especially kid music. The small people love to sing “if you’re happy and you know it” with lots of clapping. Play time with pets is good, too.

When I loosen up and lighten up, I can think creatively. I can see creative solutions and connections that eluded me in a tight, tunnel-vision, tense frame of mind. And when all else fails, I chant my mantra: “I can fix it in edits.” Whenever I worry that I’ve gone too far, I remind myself that it’s easy to tone something down in rewrites. But it’s really hard to fix timid writing, the mistakes that come from holding back and pulling your punches.

Today when I go to write, I want to relax. Seriously. Oh, and this helps, too! (Oh, how I love Vash the Stampede. And the Gung Ho Guns.)

I had to be told that I was a finalist, because I didn’t go look. (Thank you, Jen!) Dangerous Games is a finalist for the 2006 Science Fiction, Fantasy and Paranormal Romance Fantasm Awards! Woohoo! Lots of friends out there, congrats to Jacki, Lauren, Bianca, Jaci, Summer, etc. etc. For those so inclined, go vote!

This is one of the baby’s current sayings. “Cookie me!” Said in this sad, desperate voice, as if her world will end if she doesn’t get a cookie. Naturally, she gets a cookie every time.

We were trying to figure out how many words are in her vocabulary now and it’s pretty extensive. She’s using very simple sentences (”hold you” “cookie me”) and mostly one word at a time, but she knows a lot of them. And it seems like there are new words every day.

It’s kind of funny to go through the grocery store with her in the backpack shouting, “Flowers! Flowers!” and pointing at all the spring decorations. Meanwhile, the toddler is helping us find all the items on the list and put them into the cart. Not so long ago she was in the backpack.

It really hit me how fast they’re growing when I saw that the toddler’s head came above the handle on the grocery cart. She’s that tall? Already? What happened to the little 18 month old who would stand in front of the cupboard where the cookies where kept and point until I got her a cookie?

Fortunately, they don’t outgrow cookies. At least, I haven’t. *g*

Spent yesterday plotting. Plot, plot, plot. I got one, or at least an overview, a spine. Rewrote my synopsis so now it’s bigger and stronger. More specific. Getting a story to this stage terrific progress, where it’s developed and thought out and ready to roll. Also picked a new title, which I like and think works.

Over at I Heart Presents, Jane Porter talks about the power of romance and passion. Great stuff.

And because I borrowed from them shamelessly while rewriting my synopsis, here are two terrific online resources:

Vivian Beck’s 5 Steps to Writing a Synopsis

Lisa Gardner’s Conquering the Dreaded Synopsis

Took walks. Saturday we got really wet, but we walked. Sunday the sun was shining. Ahhh. Took two walks on Sunday.

Watched movies. Casino Royale, which is now my favorite Bond movie, ever, and Daniel Craig is my new favorite Bond. And Bedazzled, because I love the tone, the humor, the message, the over-the-top look at the nature of “evil”. And hey, do you need a reason to watch Brandon Frasier?

Baked cookies. Chocolate chip. Yum.

Read through Lawrence Block’s writing books, which reminded me that when you grind to a halt, it’s usually because deep down you know there’s a problem. That “halt” signal is there to save you time and effort in rewriting.

Read Seven Steps on the Writer’s Path, which reminded me that feeling rotten is a stage in the creative process. No, really. If you’re content, you don’t want to change anything. A desire for something different will propel you forward. (I call this “divine discontent.”) I also saw that I’m not where I thought I was in the process, but that’s okay.

Played with kids. Read to kids. We’d taken them to the library on Friday so the toddler has new books to read. Enjoyed talking to kids and picking up the baby every time she held up her arms and said, “hold you” (which she says instead of “hold me”) because a year from now, she won’t do that anymore and we’ll miss it.

Rooted for the husband, who had a CounterStrike match. Yes, the husband is a gamer and his server is going pro. They started scrimming, then having actual ladder matches. The team who challenged them for last night forfeited, then they scrimmed with another team they’ll have to play for real soon and won.

I haven’t deliberately taken time off in, um, I don’t know how long. I’ve had involuntary non-writing days, but they weren’t planned or chosen. This was a deliberate rest break because a. my project wasn’t moving forward and b. it looked like gibberish every time I opened the file, which told me my mind needed a rest. So I gave it one, and it was the right decision.

I did the math and this book will be done by deadline if I continue my daily minimum set for the year of 5 pages a day. So if I don’t manage to Fast Draft it and get it done early, it’s not a big deal. It just won’t be done early. I’m staying with Fast Draft because I think now that I’ve identified the problem and taken a rest, I’ll shoot forward again. But it takes the pressure off to know if I just plod along I’ll be fine. I don’t have to push. (5 pages a day may not seem like plodding, but everybody has their own pace.)

And now that the rain’s stopped, the rivers are going back down and the water has drained away from our yard and we can walk outside without wading. Life is good. I’m ready for Monday now.

Lawrence Block’s long out of print Write for Your Life is back! Ebook only. Go forth and download! I’m so freaking happy to see this. I’ve been stalking his website for years waiting for news on a reprint edition. Because I didn’t want to shell out $100 on ebay.

Jaci Burton sent me an ARC of Wild, Wicked and Wanton and you will want to go pre-order that puppy now to chase away any remaining vestige of winter chill that might be lingering in your spring. HOT HOT HOT HOT! And I love how the stories interconnect but are all so different. A very enjoyable read. For those who like it really hot. Don’t say I didn’t warn you about the hot. Okay? Okay.

Currently reading: in print, Vivi Anna’s Blood Secrets (Fabulous! Fabulous!) and in ebook, Lauren Dane’s Chased.

I’m shocked because the inch plus daily deluge and the standing water in the yard totally didn’t clue me in. *blink blink*

I’m just wondering how much longer it’ll take the Bogachiel to flood and close 101 at the bridge.

So, flood watch through Sunday evening for a giant chunk of western Washington, including us. Seattle’s already upgraded to flood warning. Keep an eye on it here, those in the area.

That’s the kind of weekend I’m having! Will nevertheless attempt to make my page counts.