THE ROSS GELLER SYNDROME

Say hello to Ross Geller. He has been married three times, has had two children by two different women and has a divorce attorney on retainer. Some would say that Ross has a problem committing and others that he commits too easily. Either way - we all know. There is something wrong with Ross.

Or is there? Be honest with yourself. You, dear friend, are just like Dr. Geller. Yes. Try to deny it as much as you like, but we all know. You know. You either commit to easily and get out, or you cannot commit at all. If not now, then then, and if not then, then sometime in the future. And I'm not talking about women or men. I'm talking about them: shiny new ideas.

We all have them. We love them. They're like a writer's fountain of eternal youth. But sometimes, we jump in too fast (example: Emily. Two weeks, Ross? TWO WEEKS?!). Then we end up writing down another story's name in the outline and things just spin out of control. The first story is irreconcilable and your relationship falls apart and everything is just terrible. 

Or, the story isn't exactly what we thought it was (example: Carol). This is easier to deal with, because usually the problem is remediable. Even if the remedy is another story. Because, really, can you wallow in self pity, giving 'hi's' that make Joey want to shoot himself? Can you? 

And then of course, a story refuses to cooperate, you go on a break and you start something new. The original story is heart broken, angry, and can't look at you. Drama ensues. You might be able to repair the damage. Maybe. After seven years. (Rachel). 

So the lesson? Think. Mull. Consider. Make informed decisions. Don't be Ross. Please don't be Ross. Because as much as we love Ross, we all know, there is something wrong with him. Or his karma.

A WORD FROM MONICA

Who is this lady that is not you? you all may ask. That is Monica Geller. And she has a message for all you college writers that are returning to school. She knows that you have your time cut out for you. You're probably taking four (or five, if you're really insane) classes. You might have a job that sucks ten hours out of your week. If you're really cool, you probably have to go to the gym at least once a week. Then there's friends (please, tell us who invented them?). And papers. And studying. And of course, your highest priority, the writing.

But how do you plan on balancing such a hectic lifestyle. How will you do all of that, sleep, eat and keep a tight grip (or loose, your choice, really) on your sanity.

Monica Geller is here to solve your problems with a simple suggestion. PLAN. Preferably with a color coded schedule that works in bathroom breaks, snack breaks and eating times (sleep is flexible). Because if you do not plan, at least a little, you will never have time to do anything of value or merit. Your life will be one huge mess after another  and you will never get anywhere.

So Monica Geller implores you to plan. Schedule. Have a vague idea of what your day is going to be like. Or all is lost. Really.

Now I want to remind of The Raven Desk's first contest ever! Head here to check it out and enter. My good friend Race is hosting a book giveaway of Jennifer Hubbard's The Secret Year. Go here to check it out. And finally, my other good friend (I have lots of good friends) Lia is accepting submissions for The Hatbox here. It's super cool, so check it out.

On Wednesday I'm posting the first of my interview series. Look forward to it, because I know some pretty cool writers that will be BIG one day. For serious. Until then! :)

THROUGH 2009 AND WHAT I FOUND THERE

I cannot believe tomorrow will be 2010 (in fact I'm that for some people around the world, it is 2010). 2009 has flown by so ridiculously fast. Stuff has happened. More interesting stuff has happened. I've met amazing people, writers, more people and writers. I wrote a book (OMGLAIJSDFLJAKLFDAS!!!!), started a second book, lost it and started it again. I learned, I loved, I learned more and loved more.

So! Awesome things that happened in 2009.
1) Started The Pawn: Technically, I started The Pawn in 2008, but it didn't really kick off until 2009. Writing it was one of the best experiences of my entire life. I wrote nearly 100k of the story between June and August (THREE MONTHS!). Almost every night I stayed up until one or two o'clock in the morning chatting with the amazing people from Absolute Write here and here. I blasted music, sat in a chair or on the ground and made what had lived in my head for almost a year, appear in the real world. On paper. Do you have any idea how awesome that is?!

2) Finished The Pawn: It wrapped up at about 150,000 words. But still. It finished! It was a coherent (albeit really long) piece of fiction that had a beginning, middle and end in that order! It also is the reason I'm now an English major - it helped me decide what I want to do, for serious, for the rest of my life. I want to do this - make ideas real, type on a computer, consort with super awesome writerly types.

3) Found Absolute Write: If you haven't hit Absolute Write, you really should. Right. Now. I found some of the most amazing people - friends, really - who are not only so sweet you could make yummy cakes out of them, they also are amazingly talented and are going places. Fast. They also know, really, really know, what it means to be a writer. They understand the doubt, the process, the hardship and laughter and smiles and tears that all come with the job. It's not just a hobby and they get it. They really do. So to all my AW peeps (both OPWFTRS and TWIFTIES alike) thank you, thank you, thank you!

4) Made amazing friends in RL: I'm not a loner (most of the time) so yeah, I have friends in real life (I do. Really. Please believe me! :D). I started out the year, kind of a loner, freshman at college, and different. I ended the year being friends with some of the most amazing people you will ever meet in your entire life. Seriously. We're going to take over the world together. You'll see!

5) Realized (yet again) how Blessed I am: 2008 was hard. I started a new school, my father passed away; I just had a lot of crap to deal with. But with hardship comes ease. 2009 showed me that. I kept getting hit in the face over and over again with how amazing my family was. I have supportive, strong sisters. I have an empowering mother who doesn't let anything get in her, or our, way. I have cousins and aunts and uncles who believe in me, us and themselves. I have friends that care about and love me. So yes, a lot of crappy things happened that I may never recover from. But, a lot of amazing things happened, too. The most amazing of all is that I'm conscious enough to know that I'm and enjoy being Blessed.

Wow. That was way way longer than I intended. O.O Anyway - thank you all for making 2009 so spectacularly fabulous. See you in 2010!