Romanticizing Reality

When I first started writing I was so green that besides grammar rules, I knew NOTHING of writing rules, which means when I started learning about the craft of writing and just how many rules were actually involved in writing a novel (I was in the process of writing Prayers to Russell ), I was completely overwhelmed and even put my writing on hold for a while because I felt they constricted my "voice." I mean, who would have ever thought that rules like "no adverbs" existed? And I can't say "she murmured?" I have to always she "she said?" And what's this "show vs. tell?" There are many more where these come from. I read so many posts on forums and agents' blogs (and even learned in a webinar) how big of a deal these rules are, and got the impression that, basically, anyone who thought they were good enough to "break" the rules, was a rookie who didn't know her/his stuff. That totally turned me off from the publ...

I know it's been a while since I've updated anything on here and it's because I still don't have any updates. With everything going on lately, especially the baby coming, I think I've come to the unsteady conclusion that I will take a break from pursuing a writing career for the time being. After realizing just how much work and effort it is once you get published (and I'm holding to the positive notion that I will eventually if I keep submitting), it just seems in my family's best interest that I should wait so that I actually have time for them. I don't know how, while still having kids and nursing, that I will be able to hit up all the events I'd have to be present for if I was published, etc., and still be the mom/wife I need to be. If and when I get published, I want to be able to actually devote time and attention to it. So though I will not stop writing and writing some more (because let's face it--I can't stop), until I know I am past...