Rechelle's Diary: 2/16/11 - A Long Time Coming

Image: Writingdesksonline.com

I am so excited that I have created a space, both in my home and on the web, where I can actively pursue long held dreams of becoming a published best-selling author. I remember days of recording what now seem like such insignificant happenings in my "journal". Writing provided me with the means to constructively release my bottled up emotions and was very therapeutic. It wasn't until I was in high school that my imagination really kicked into overdrive and I began crafting spell binding tales of intrigue and suspense. Unfortunately, most of my stories were locked inside my head and never managed to get transferred to paper. There was the occasional short-story that I had to write for English class, which seemed to impress my English teacher very much, but I was not in a place at that time where I had very much self esteem or faith in my own talents and abilities. It was much safer to keep the stories floating around in my imagination critique and ridicule free. Teenagers can be so unforgiving and insensitive.Throughout the years, I continued to journal my random thoughts and kept thinking to myself, "You should really write a book." Self-doubt and the fear of failure and rejection kept rearing their ugly heads however, and although I would start a manuscript, I could never seem to get past the first couple of chapters. I would talk myself out of the entire process by convincing myself that I was not lucky enough or talented enough to get anything published. This cycle of starting enthusiastically then quickly giving up became a routine for me.
 I did manage to author several blogs over the years, however, these were also short lived as I circumstances forced me to work multiple jobs in order to sufficiently support myself and my son. Let me be the first to tell you that law enforcement officers are so very underpaid, especially in comparison to the level of danger that we experience each and every day. The hours are long and the job is a thankless one that breeds indifference and threatens to eat away at the officer's spirit and humanity. Burn out is high in this profession and it's not hard to see why. I have been burnt out for years and the job no longer satisfies me the way it once did. So I think the universe sort of steered me towards the road I am on today, seeking a different career path, something rewarding  and fulfilling. I need that in my life.
Fortunately, through all these years, my mother always had faith in me and my writing talents and never stopped encouraging me to pursue a career a writing career. Thanks so much mom! I love you for that and for always seeing the possibilities and talents in me that I sometimes didn't recognize in myself.
It has taken a lot of soul searching and quite a few years (a couple of decades actually) to get to the point where I finally feel ready to become, and to live as, a writer. I have finally managed to put aside all of the insecurities of the past and devote myself to the pursuit of this revived dream. So, I have pulled out all those unfinished chapters and am seriously committed to turning those forgotten pages into tomorrow's best-sellers because I am a writer!

Rechelle's Diary: 2/11/11 - Finishing Touches

Well, I have spent another long day tweaking my blog, twitter, and facebook pages. I would just like to say thanks to all of you aspiring and published authors who have already visited and left feedback about the site and for the wonderful reception and encouragement that I have been shown so far by the RWA community.
I must confess, however, that I did take a rather long break this evening to curl up on the couch and watch two of my favorite movies (based on two of my favorite books of course), "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen, and "Gone with the Wind" by Margaret Mitchell.

Image: cinemasource.com

And aaahhh, Mr. Darcy....swoon, the absolute perfect romantic lead. He is stubborn, and a bit arrogant, yet still tender and vulnerable when it matters most.

Image: backseatcuddler.com

I think my favorite part of the entire movie (2005 version with Keira Knightley & Matthew McFadyen) is the scene depicted above towards the end of the movie. After Lady Catherine's visit Lizzie is standing outside in a field and then sees the sillouetted Mr. Darcy sauntering towards her out of the morning mist. There is just something so sexy and alluring about that scene. You can just feel your heart in your throat as you can see the trepidation and hope in Mr. Darcy's face.
And let's not leave out the crass Rhett Butler. It is fitting that only a fiery, independent, and determined woman like Scarlett O'Hara could capture his heart. He saw beyond her  haughty "Southern Belle" facade and identified with the real woman that lied underneath despite her many flaws. And in true romantic fervor, he was willing to go the distance in order to claim her affections. 

Image: Charlenefilmblog.com

I think tommorrow I will have to delve into the psyche of these two men a little deeper after I've actually slept and had time to reflect more on exactly what it is about each of these men that make them such attractive characters, and how I can incorporate some of these traits into my hero. For now though, I'm off to bed.

Blog Under Construction

Image: stampthat.com

I'm so glad that you found your way here. As a blogger, writer and aspiring author, I needed a place where I could share my thoughts and ideas as I embark on the journey towards fulfilling my life-long dream of becoming a best-selling author. It all begins here and I want to share it with you.
Please bear with me as I am still developing my site and will be making changes to the look, feel, and design of the site as this project progresses. I will be posting here regularly, so please pardon the mess while the site is undergoing its final constuction phase.
Ready...Set....Go!

.50 Picture Frame Makeover with Vintage Script

It has been impossible to go outside to spray paint with all the extremely cold weather, wind and snow. Since I have neither a garage or basement, I must impatiently wait for warmer weather to do any big projects.

However, winter is a perfect time to take advantage of being snowed in to complete a few smaller scale projects.

One of the smaller projects I worked on this week is a small angel picture frame I found at Goodwill for only .50 cents. It had a wrinkled piece of plastic inside the frame instead of glass. I simply removed it. 

I painted the frame a soft off-white and instead of putting a picture inside the frame, I placed a piece of scrapbooking paper that I had stamped with words in a beautiful French calligraphy script and cut to size.

 I WAS VERY PLEASED WITH THE FINISHED PRODUCT.

Snow Again! Asheville becomes a Winter Wonderland!

Here it is the first of March and we already have another snow, seven inches this time!!  Here are a couple of shots of my front yard.
The snow turned Asheville into a beautiful winter wonderland. Although it is cold, there is no wind, so it has been very tempting to go outside and enjoy the scenery with everything coated under a beautiful blanket of white.





Shabby Chic Decorating

BH&G and Country Living magazines have many beautiful pictures of Shabby Chic decor.

Shabby Chic is a comfortable and casual decorating style that uses vintage accessories, pastels, comfortable furniture, lace, soft floral fabrics, sheer curtains and white painted furniture.

Paint is an easy and expensive way to update outdated, dark and mismatched items into an unified fresh look.

But you don't have to stop there, old picture frames, mirror frames, lamps, vases and baskets can also be transformed into beautiful accessories with a little white paint. Just choose your favorite hues, which can range from a snow white to a darker creamy white color, and you will have a totally shabby chic look in no time!

There is no limit to what you can do with this decorating style, some paint and a little creative imagination. Go for it! Let's see what we can do!

Winter Photo

It has been so cold and windy with temperatures way below normal and snow every week, definitely not normal for spring in western N.C.  To pass the time indoors, I found myself playing around with my digital camera and I found I can add sepia tones to my pictures right on the camera! I also figured out how to add frames around them too! The best part is that I did all by my lonesome which is a major accomplishment as I am very technologically challenged. I guess there is hope for me after all...Ha Ha!
So this is what I came up with. Well it's a start anyway.