Apologies, Tangled & Inspiration

Okay, I owe you all an apology. I've been really terrible at this blogging thing for the past few weeks, and for that I'm truly sorry. I missed a week of The YA Spill, as well, but I promise to have it back up and running next week. There are several reasons for my absence, including stomach viruses from hell and interstate traveling, but I won't bore you with all the details. The important thing is I'm back and there's lots of great things going on.

First, if you haven't already heard, Tangled Up In Words is having a HUGE segment featuring many awesome authors who are all talking about why they write. They're sharing their stories and deepest reasons for why they just can't and don't want to stop writing.

Here are links to the four authors who've already shared their guest posts. There are plenty more to come so be sure to stay tuned.

Michelle Krys (THE WITCH HUNTER'S BIBLE, Delacorte/Random House, Spring 2014)

 Aimee Agresti (ILLUMINATE, Harcourt, March 2012)

Melissa West (GRAVITY, Entangled Publishing, October 16, 2012)

Tiffany Schmidt (SEND ME A SIGN, Walker/Bloomsbury, October 2, 2012)

It's all kinds of awesome, so you should definitely check it out. Oh...and there's also a gigantic giveaway. Like ENORMOUS. Seriously, go check it out!

And now, how about a little inspiration? Writing is one of those things that can have so giddy happy and high that you feel like you'll never come down...and then you can have rock bottoms that make you feel like you'll never be good enough. It's a crazy roller coaster of emotions that are completely unpredictable and certainly not always fun to experience.

Even with my amazing critique partners and family's encouragement, I have days where I just don't know how I'll ever finish another book. The struggles aren't easy, and maybe they aren't meant to be. Maybe it's the struggles that make us stronger and want to fight harder. Maybe we're supposed to sink so low that when we look up, all we see is the bright spot. Because there is always a bright spot. Even in those difficult days/weeks/months, there are bright spots. You just have to want to see them.

Sometimes those bright spots come in the form of new ideas, sometimes they're a good cry with a friend, and sometimes they're just good old-fashioned inspirational words from someone who's been in your shoes.

Today, I offer you two posts by two incredible authors who have inspired me in the last week with their words. One of my lovely crit partners brought these to my attention. I needed to hear them, so maybe you do too.

The Writer's Life is Full of Second Chances by Robin LaFevers

Embrace That You Are Doing Something Hard by Natalie Whipple

Whether you're a writer or a reader, or just someone who happens to stop by this blog and see this post, I hope you have found some inspiration today.