B is for...

Well, Blogging for one.

I'm new at this blogging thing, though old hat at writing in one form or another. Previous to this, I've had two blogs. The first was called "NotATestTubeBaby." It was through a site that paid for parenting blogs, and mine was about my son, who was conceived through IVF (in-vitro fertilization). It was just goofy stories about him, basically, with some about my experiences with infertility. It seems my brain was plenty fertile, but maybe not the rest of me.

My second was simply a private blog to keep family and friends apprised of the goings on within our family. Basically, I posted news, pictures and stories about the kids. Nothing fascinating (except to me, of course). So, while these were actually blogs, they were just a mom chatting about her kids. What mom has trouble doing that?? They were also fairly short-lived.

I've been perusing other participating blogs in this A to Z Challenge (you can, too, by clicking on the A to Z icon on the right side of my blog). I have spent far too much time doing that today! But it is wonderful to see all the different blogs out there that I didn't know about before, as well as how they have spun this A to Z Challenge. Several have put me to shame based on the creativity of their themes, especially considering I didn't theme this (other than the already existing theme of this blog). Some have made me laugh. Some have made me nod in earnest. Some have simply made me think.

I've said it before, but surrounding yourself with like-minded people can really help the creative juices flow. That's why I love the writing groups, the meetings, the conferences. Being around other writers gets me jazzed. It makes me want to achieve what they've achieved, to prove myself, to release my Warrior Muse.

Why do we blog? I started this one to keep myself accountable. I figured if I put myself out there and started talking about what needed to be done and what I was doing, I'd feel like other people knowing meant I had to get it done. It does sort of work that way.

I also wanted to do this blog to help other people in the same place. I've found such great resources in the guise of other authors, writing groups and such. I want to pass along what I can and help where I can. The world of writing is boundless, and there's so much to learn, so many secrets and methods and things you simply shouldn't mess up. And if I help educate others, maybe they will do the same in return for me.

B is also for...

Brainstorming!

How much of that do we do, fellow writers? Sometimes my brain just keeps going and going, like the Energizer Bunny, and it simply won't shut off. I spend many sleepless nights alternating between getting completely engrossed in where my brain is taking me and trying to shut. it. up! Shhhhh! Let me sleep! Can't you do this in the morning? Oh wait, what am I asking for? Sometimes I wake up in the morning, maybe with a full bladder, ahem, and if one stray thought drifts through my brain, the cycle begins again and I am up. My husband knows not to talk to me in the morning unless he absolutely has to, because once I have engaged the ol' mental facilities, I absolutely cannot shut my mind off.

This is also partially a mommy-driven engine. And, I imagine, simply female, as well. We can't shut it off. Lists, to-do's, worries. We are preoccupied. Add a writer's brain to all this and one just doesn't stand a chance. Doomed, I say! Doomed!!

I swear my brain works best at night, though. Come about 7PM, I finally start waking up all the way. I'm not saying I can't function during the day--I do an excellent job of pretending to function and even making it so--but night time is the right time for my synapses to be firing. It's like a drive-by synapsing in my brain. Snap-snap, snap-snap, snap, snap, snap, pop! Shhhhhhhhhhh!

Insomniacs everywhere are nodding. I can hear their brains rattling. There's something about climbing into those warm, comfy covers in a darkened room that screams, "Wake up, brain! We have work to do! Now is the time! No cooking, no cleaning, no screwing around on the computer, no dressing kids, conversing with a three-year old who loves to talk, doing spelling words with a six-year old, packing backpacks, paying bills, building with Zoobs or Legos, doing laundry. It's time to PLAY!"

Shhhhhhhh...

I try to keep some manner of paper and writing utensil close at hand throughout the house, and even became adept at keeping a composition book and pen on me at all times during my novel-writing. People just had to adjust to me gasping and scribbling something down randomly. They know I'm a writer. They also know I'm not quite sane.

With that, this post still ended up far too long, despite the fact that I vetoed several other "B's," so it's time to zip it.

Happy Writing!

P.S. When does your brain fire best? And why do you blog?