Tuesday, June 23, 2015

The Need for Positive Energy

Positive Energy by Uribaani

Anyone else out there tired of seeing horror stories, doom and gloom blazoned across the media? Has anyone ever thought "What if the news showed more positive stories than harrowing stories?" "What if the news shifted its focus and put the emphasis on hope in humanity instead of disasters and terror?"

Of course we need to stay informed. People need to be aware of events and natural disasters and world community. But what if media shifted the focus and put those stories on the back page? What if news spent 20 minutes on mission works and charities and things that ordinary people do for ordinary people? Sandwich the terror, doom, gloom and war in the middle of hope. We all know the terror is out there, but we need examples of hope, we need things to emulate that aren't violent, aren't based in anger and frustration. We need to be taught by the media that it's NOT ok to take out your frustrations on a church full of people. Because face it, we are TAUGHT by the media, we are taught by example. We see things being given attention that are horrifying and if we want attention, maybe we should do something horrifying. 

Quotation-isms
*sigh* This is one of my most devastatingly painful convictions. I stopped watching the news and reading newspapers and internet headlines years ago. I stay informed, don't get me wrong, but I don't need details. We are tuned in to be negative. Sure there are positive stories of hope and goodwill out there, many many stories. But how many times are they given the back page, or made into memes to chuckle over, or tucked away as some kind of fantasy that isn't achievable by the ordinary person? Doom, gloom, terror, violence toward our fellow man, that's what shapes the overall reality of society through the media. IF you pay attention to that. If you are one of the people who seeks out the positive and digs it up and uses it to bolster your hope in humanity, I salute you! If you're like me and must limit all media to a bare minimum or suffer deep depression over the state of the world, then hear me out. There needs to be a balance. 

I'm a writer. I write mysteries, and I fight with my conviction over writing the types of things that happen in mysteries. I'm an unashamed mystery junkie. How can I promote those things in my books when I don't want that kind of focus in the media? How can I read mysteries? But I don't write "Thrillers". I don't write current events. You will never see me dabble in real politics. My subjects are fairy tales dotted with bad things that good people triumph over. At least that's what I strive for. The triumph is the key. Not triumph through violence. Not triumph of an eye for an eye. Triumph over solving a puzzle, giving the needy the edge, and show that the bullies aren't the ones getting attention. Or something like that.

Let's face it, bad things happen. The key is balance. The key is knowing how to get positive attention, and knowing positive ways to get what you need emotionally, physically, and spiritually. There is a huge deficit in this balance. The weights are on the negative side. We are losing our ability as a world community to feel like The Good is even possible; that everyone has the right to have their needs fulfilled in non-violent, humanity promoting ways.

One phenomenal author who I aspire to emulate and have failed, is Nancy Atherton
If you are looking for good puzzle mystery mayhem without the murder, I recommend all of her superb books. 
We need to band together to promote positive energy, positive stories, stories of real heroes, real stories we want our children to go to bed with at night. There is a need for some level of awareness, and there is a need for children to feel like they can conquer the world and fight back, but we don't give our kids the proper tools. We give the violence toward our fellow man attention. We give our lurid sides and our vices attention. How is anyone supposed to learn that getting attention through those means is bad, if it's what we are giving our attention? We all want attention. Social media is the backlash born of that need, and even that has been a field for attackers. Please, people. Stop the bullying. Everywhere. One way to stop it, is to shift the focus. Rewrite those stories to show people doing good, even if there are bad things happening in the story. Give the power to the good.

beliefnet
Let's give our attention to our families, our friends, our loved ones. Let's show how humanity can give attention to love. Love of everyone. Tolerance of everyone. People are who we have to live with. We don't all agree, but we all have a right to live and be happy. (I am not getting into judging crime or politics. That's not my point. My point is going to the core, so the power goes back to what is really good.) And if anyone is overwhelmed by the thought of taking on the media, like I am, focus on your families. 

Love your people! Show them by your example and explain that what the world lens focuses on, is not how it has to be.

Rant over. 
Live simply that others may simply live. 
Show a person how to hug and say, Hello Beautiful. 
Be kind. Find peace. Give love.
(I encourage readers to check out the links under the graphics I put in this post.)


Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Raindrops on Roses

I'm going offline (unofficially) for awhile in order to focus on the world on the other side of the screen.

I decided to leave any interested readers with a few of my favorite things. I got an amazing compliment on my blog the other day, and it inspired me and reminded me that I need to pay homage to the nicest and most creative people I know.

Without further adieu, I encourage you to explore.

Valerie Baber Designs ©


Valerie Baber Designs  One of the most gifted fiber artists I know. She inspires me every day with her new designs and she's incredibly prolific. If you ever need just the right unique accessory to go with your new outfit, her shop is the one to go to. The scarf in the photo is one of her gorgeous designs. Thank you again, Valerie, for the compliment on my blog.

Susanna Kearsley  My favorite author and an inspiration to my wayward attempts at getting my author feet off the ground. She writes timeless suspenseful stories that you will lose yourself in and not want to return from. I've read each of her books so many times, I've lost count, and they never lose their impact.

Deanna Raybourn  My other favorite author and truly another inspiration to me. She writes delightful mysteries and novels that take you back in time and also keep you in worlds from which you never want to return. Her characters take up residence in your favorite reading nook and never leave. Her website and blog are also delicious and will make you crave tea and crumpets.

Victoria Laurie  Yet another of my favorite authors. Her characters inspire my characters and I strive to emulate her charming wit. I can devour her M.J. Holiday ghost hunting books in a day, which always leaves me craving the next book.


Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries ©

Phryne Fisher  This one is a combination of a favorite TV series, and a new favorite author, Kerry Greenwood. I adore Phryne as a character in both, and the duo that created the TV series did an amazing job. These are mysteries that take place in the late 1920s in Australia. I've never wanted to visit Melbourne so much in my life. I'd trail in the glamorous Phryne's wake any time. The first link goes to the author's page, which is set up for Phryne. The TV series is aired by Acorn TV, and is available on Netflix.




Film Noir  I love the look and feel of the film noir style. I'm not as big of a fan of the depressing stories. I prefer the mystery/private detective versions. My blog is based on an attempt to capture the style and mystery of film noir without the depressing character flaws and crushing consequences of misguided decisions. However, film noir is a fantastic character study genre, and I endeavor to explore all its avenues in order to add depth to my own writing. I also enjoy how film noir, despite its origins, can be applied to any time period.

Shana Logic  Another site for unique gifts by independent artists. I turn to this shop first when looking for something to cheer me up or a gift for my eclectic friends.

May not be raindrops on roses, but I wanted to share my favorites with you while I take some time off from social media. I hope you enjoy exploring and perhaps find some new favorites of your own!

Cheers!

Shanah





Tuesday, March 17, 2015

The Silent Treatment

Writers' block feels like a dozen or more pens and pencils are poking through my skull in all directions but never breaking skin.

I know I'm not supposed use writers' block as an excuse not to write, but I can't seem to get a single satisfactory idea out of my head. I've got piles of blurbs. I've got a couple of finished draft manuscripts that need editing and aren't drawing my attention.

The block might as well be a literal piece of wood or concrete to beat my head against. The silent treatment, a form of subtle torment not unlike Chinese water torture. My muse seems to be an expert. I know the things that have been said about not waiting for inspiration to come, and that I'm supposed to go out and get it. I have tried to plot and jot. I've only managed to clot the blood flow from the figurative beatings.

I feel a little like I'm doing everything wrong. The whole thing is starting to feel a bit surreal. Maybe my muse is starving, but lately, when I should be getting encouragement from my all time favorite and incredible authors, I'm feeling discouraged instead. I certainly get lost in their stories and enjoy my time reading (I've read some truly fantastic books lately), but there's that left over feeling of why can't I write like that? Why am I not going out and grabbing research by the horns and writing something so awesome? What is wrong with me? That's a rhetorical question.

So, I am lurking about, waiting for that spark to jostle my muse out of the brooding silent treatment. I know, not supposed to wait for the spark either. Go out and find it.

Where? (Another rhetorical question...)

Is it too much to ask for an explosion? A really pretty one?


As I write this out, it has become a therapeutic exercise. You've all been partial to my writer's struggle and I thank you for your wandering eyes and patience!

Happy St. Patrick's Day