Have politicians in the USA completely LOST their freaking minds? *shakes head* I really try to stay away from political talk on my blog because it can be so . . . dividing, and at least half of my flist is NOT in the US. But I'm . . . I'm . . . just sick of all of it. I will admit that I am not as involved in this election season as I have been in the past.Part of me is ashamed of that truth. Part of me is not. The moments when my shame wins out, I turn on the news and I am quickly reminded why I'm not listening. I'm sick of all the 5-year-old behavior. I mean...COME ON! Why are congressmen sitting in a meeting and deciding female healthcare issues without female representation at the meeting? When did someone drop me in the 1800's? I mean, really? REALLY? And in an election year? SHAME. ON. YOU! *shakes head* That's like a bunch of women sitting around and discussing the pros and cons of Viagra...or male masturbation. Oh, wait! Congress women are attempting to highlight the stupidity of many of the laws that have passed in state after state that shame and violate women. (Click the link to see the latest response on YahooNews)

What is Congress thinking?

But before someone attempts to answer that question, answer this question, a question that in my opinion is WAY MORE IMPORTANT. Ready? Okay. WHY IN THE HELL IS FEMALE (OR MALE) REPRODUCTION THE MAJOR ISSUE? Don't get me wrong, as a female--a female living in a state that...*shakes head* passed a bill to force women to have a vaginal ultrasound prior to an abortion...a state that passed a bill allowing doctors to withold information regarding a fetus' developement, if the doctor believes telling the mother would lead the mother considering an abortion--as such a female, I am pleased that people get outraged about the continued condescending tone women receive about their bodies. This fact reminds me that I do live in 2012, despite what I see on the news.

All that being said...I don't think it should be the priority at the moment. Unemployment is still...disheartening. Millions of people are underemployed. Businesses are struggling and many are closing. Gas prices are increasing...by the minute. Healthcare is still...let's be honest, crap. Food prices are increasing. Men and women (mothers and fathers) continue to fight and die in war. The world economy is precarious. Oh, I could go on FOREVER. But I won't. I just can't. I just....I just don't get it. No, that's a lie. I get it. All of this name calling, mud slinging, and pissing in the wind, keeps Americans frustrated and distracted. It fuels fear. It causes strife and division. As a result, voters don't pay attention to what our so called "representatives" in Washington are doing. I mean, who can stomach playground behavior 24/7? I can't. So...we unplug. So...I unplug. Then politicians get to ignore the real issues.

I'm on to you, Congress. I see what you're doing...what you've been doing. I'm all for discussing my uterus and my right to make decisions about what happens in it, when YOU start talking about how YOU'RE going to face and fix the issues that impact ALL AMERICANS: the money in my pocket, the food on my table, the gas in my car....Until then,Congress, stay out of my bedroom and my doctor's office!




So is anyone else in the USA fed up with all of this?

“What motivates your character?” Writers get this question a lot. I mean, a lot, a lot! Often times the answer involves what the main character is afraid to lose . . . or risk. Fear is definitely a motivator. In fact, it is often the catalyst for action and change. The problem, however, is that fear often leads to tunnel vision. Tunnel vision leads to survival-mode thinking. Survival-mode thinking leads to decisions that seem . . . wonky at best . . . disastrous at worse. Now, I’m not saying to throw out this approach. What I AM saying is this: to move your character (and the reader) forward, a writer must understand a fundamental element about change. What is this fundamental element? Pull up a chair, sit a spell, and I will tell you.

In order to change a behavior you must know what is gained from the behavior. Another way to think of it is, “What need is being met?” For most of us, and I’d dare say all of us, if there is no potential reward/fulfilled need at the end of an effort, we won’t put forth effort. Before you grumble and start to disagree, just read. I’m not talking about money or an Oscar, or a blue ribbon. A reward can be (and often is): attention or acceptance or love or appreciation or sense of accomplishment or safety. Early life experiences shape our views on how we obtain rewards and meet our needs. If getting in trouble got you attention as a kid…well, guess what you are more likely to do as an adult. If drinking relaxes you so you can talk more freely in social situations . . . guess what. Yep. You will drink.

Now, what does this mean for a writer? For readers to care about your characters, they have to understand your characters. What motivates the main character? Meaning, you have to look beyond what he or she fears. What does he or she ultimately want? What has to change to make that happen? I guarantee you, he or she is getting that need met in a less than desirable way at the beginning of the story and your job as the writer is get that same need met in a healthy (healthier) way.

This Hunger Games trailer makes me VERY happy. (Scroll to the end of the article. I tried to embed it but it wouldn't show up. It's a conspiracy I tell you.)

The weekend has arrived! I am MOVING!!! I’ve seen the new apartment, started moving things in this week. I. CANNOT. WAIT. until all of my stuff is in it. There are lamps and rugs and a NEW bookshelf to buy. More space to clean up to spread out. I almost feel like a real adult. Almost.

 I’m going to a Super Bowl party. Honda’s CR-V (which happens to be the car I am thinking of buying in a few months) commercial is a joy. I LOVED Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.

At the moment, everything is coming up roses. I'm on a rollercoaster that only goes up. (Thank you for that great quote, August Waters of TFIOS.) 

What? You wanted to know about Whispers? Uh . . . What’s that? Oh…that book that I have had NO time to write on this week. Patience, Grasshopper…I will return to it…after next week. Promise. I already know what the next scene will be.

Hugs & Encouragement & DFTBA! 

Although my Austin, Texas Tour de Nerdfighting adventure belongs to last week, I couldn't resist the impulse to include it on this Friday Five. I mean, a little bit of nostalgia never hurt anyone. There were 1,100 people at the signing.

Hank sang some songs.

John read part of a chapter from a The Fault In Our Stars.

We got our books signed.

The indie bookstore hosting the event, Book People, was beautiful. I bought an autographed Sarah Dessen book. The rest of my crew purchased an autographed book also.

So…what else could I possibly talk about for this week?
Two inmates I see just about every week told me I'm helping them. (Of course they could be pulling my leg. But hey, they're not getting in trouble. That's always a good thing.) And a number of inmates appear to be excited about the groups I want to start.  

I almost have everything packed. I will do more packing on Sunday and then it is just waiting to get the final word on if I can move in before the projected date. Fingers crossed that I can.

I am running a book give away. Read about it here.

We have book club Saturday. We read Back of Bones by Stephen King. I’m just not sure what to say about the book. I guess that’s a good thing because I don’t want to spill the beans before I meet with the Book End Babes. I will say this, it required me to put on my Big Girl Panties to finish the book. And I did a lot of checking the locks and jumping into my bed so the creatures under my bed couldn't pull me under.

I added close to 2000 words to Whispers. Yep, that means I have about 42,000 words. I believe two scenes made up that wordage.

Hugs and Encouragement and DFTBA!

In honor of Wednesday being all about psychology on my blog, I’m giving away a book. What? No, it’s not a stuffy-ole-psychology text book. It’s contemporary…YA…and soooo not boring or stuffy. You know how much a loathe books that get psychology wrong? Well, the ones that get it right…well, I want to shout my joy from the tree tops. And when shouting isn’t enough, I just have to shove the book in your hand. That’s what I’m doing. I had the honor of reading the book Try Not to Breathe by Jennifer Hubbard before it became what you see below.



I was asked to use my psychological expertise on it. Make no mistake, this book was up to par before my white glove and eye of scrutiny fell upon it. It is a lovely story…No, that's an understatement. For some of you older folk on my flist, do you remember the movie, Ordinary People?

No!? Well, it is one of my favorite movies. The main character attempts suicide after his brother dies, and the movie shows how the family members deal with grief. It is a beautiful story that makes you cry and think and laugh. Try Not to Breathe reminded me of that movie. Don’t get me wrong, it is different. But the relationship dynamics, the story, the characters…it all lingers. In a good way.

So, here is the Good Reads blurb:

Learning to live is more than choosing not to die, as sixteen-year-old Ryan discovers, in the year following his suicide attempt. Despite his mother’s anxious hovering and the rumors at school, he’s trying to forget the darkness from which he escaped. But it doesn’t help that he’s still hiding guilty secrets, or that he longs for a girl that may not return his feelings. Then he befriends Nicki, who is using psychics to make contact with her dead father. This unlikely friendship thaws Ryan to the point where he can face the worst of himself. He and Nicki confide in one another the things they never thought they’d tell anyone—but their confessions are trickier than they seem, and the fallout tests the bounds of friendship and forgiveness.

And this is how you can be entered to win a copy:

1. Live in the US
2. Leave a comment that answers one (or both for two entries) of these questions:
   1. Would you go to a psychic? If yes, what would you ask?
   2. If you think someone is thinking of suicide, what can you do or say to get them to reconsider.
3. If you are not LJ, please leave contact email
4. Tweet or Facebook about the contest, tell me you did, and get another entry for each pass along.
5. Do all of this by 11:59 PM CST, January 31, 2012.

I am so Over-The-Moon-Happy that two people asked me about Bipolar Disorder (formally known as Manic Depression). I believe this disorder is one of the hardest to diagnose AND is on my list of Top Ten Misdiagnosed. In a nutshell, persons who live with bipolar disorder experience a cycle (mania and depression) in their mood. This is not to be confused with moodiness. This is not to be confused with Seasonal Affective Disorder (triggered by winter months). This is not to be confused with a person with a “short fuse.” Here’s the thing, most of us have a baseline mood. The best analogy I’ve heard to capture mood is in regards to weather. Most places have a typical climate. Let’s use Texas…it has a warm climate. Now, based on wind and air pressure and a bunch of other stuff that I don’t fully understand but trust meteorologists to understand, some days are hot, some days are cold. But I know that most days are warm and sunny. Period. Now, on sunny days when a rain storm blows through…that is analogous to our affect. Affect? You know, when your happy mood is usurped by a distracted driver who almost runs you off the road, leaving you feeling . . . angry or shook up? That change in your feelings is your affect. It's temporary. (Hopefully.) Got it? I hope so. It is important that you understand mood, because when psychologists talk about bipolar they are referring to a person’s MOOD. 

Before I get too far ahead of myself, let’s look at the symptoms. Look carefully. Most people assume they know ALL the symptoms and they do not.