Suzan Colon's Blog

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A page from the journal I kept during a trip to Paris. Tough to do on an iPad.

I love my iPad. It’s small, it’s cute, it’s light, it fits in my purse. When I first got the ‘Pad, we were inseparable. I read books on it with my Kindle app, I tried writing a novel on it (successfully!), and then I started keeping my morning pages on it.

Morning pages are part of The Artist’s Way, the course in creative stimulation that I swear by. The author, Julia Cameron, can’t overstate the value of writing out daily pages of what others might call journaling or keeping a diary. She insists that for maximum effectiveness, the pages be written every morning–by hand.

I’ve been keeping diaries since I was a teenager. When I became an adult, I referred to them as journals, because that sounded more mature, and then when I started doing The Artist’s Way these became morning pages. As a result, I’ve had several great creative breakthroughs, logged my life, and amassed hundreds of notebooks.

These things take up a lot of space. That’s what Le Hubbins observed when we were cleaning out the basement. “Is that WHOLE trunk filled with NOTEBOOKS?” he asked, or exclaimed, or blurted out in horrified shock.

All this led me to try to keep my diaries/journals/morning pages on my iPad. This made perfect sense to me; no more trunks full of notebooks, no more questions about what to do with these notebooks piling up.

Only problem? Doesn’t work.

Yeah, I got my angst n’ stuff out in those electronic pages. But it isn’t the same as being able to draw in the margins, or experience the pleasant itch-being-scratched sensation in my brain that I have when my mind, my hand, and a pen are connected. There’s actual science behind this, too. Click around Sunni Brown’s site and you’ll see how doodling integrates different parts of the brain to increase comprehension and retention.

Even if you don’t draw while writing, you have to admit there’s something increasingly romantic about paper as e-books and tablets take over the world. It’s not just nostalgia; it’s tactile fabulousness. Big-time sensuality, as Bjork would say. A friend recently interviewed a family famous for making pencils, and they said the big rage these days is fancy journals bought by people who want to write by hand.

I still love my iPad, and I love reading on my iTouch when I’m traveling and don’t want to knock my shoulder out by lugging around a big heavy book. But paper, to write on, to read, to feel . . . Mmmmmm. This love affair has [pun alert] been rekindled.

Attention, paper lovers in NY: The New York Art Book fair is this weekend, September 28-30. Info here.

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My BEACH GLASS vision board.

The phrase “vision board” may sound a little new age-y, but I believe in the power of positive visuals. Wherever my eyes go my mind goes, so I when I look up from my computer screen, I need to see things that uplift me, inspire me, and remind me of what I’m trying to do here.

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Because I’m heading into revisions on my upcoming novel BEACH GLASS, my vision board this month features themes of surfing and yoga, both of which figure into the novel. (I’ll give you the plot in an upcoming post.) To keep my composure during these revisions so I don’t do the freak-and-freeze thing, I’ve added some Buddhas.

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On the other side of the board are some good reminders to myself: a tiny “Do a Little Yoga” card, another great postcard from artist Anna Oneglia, and photos of me and Le Hubbins. He’s a constant source of inspiration to me–he’s extremely supportive of my writing habit, and most everything I do, I do for him. Ah, love…

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Good to remember.

And, in the center of it all: “Consider yourself a success.” Okay!

Do you have a vision board? Send me a photo.

xx,

S

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Most of the time, I’m pretty confident about what I’m doing–bucking conventional so-called wisdom, finding my own path. On a random Thursday, though, I may find myself not quite so sure. Am I doing this right? What am I doing, anyway? Do I have a right to do whatever it is I’m doing? As best-selling author Sherrilyn Kenyon said at RWA Nationals 2011, “The only obstacle is me, and most days I don’t think enough of myself to be an obstacle.” I hear you, sister.

At times of doubt like these, I ask for signs that I’m on the right track. I think the Universe has a good sense of humor, because sometimes I get a literal sign. Today, as I was wondering what I was doing and if I should keep doing it, I saw the sign, above, at Satya Jewelry. “When the tides change, Be Fearless.” Message received and understood!

Are you asking for a sign? Have you seen a good one? Send it to me and I’ll post it.

xx,

S

Book lover? I’m past that; “book junkie” is more accurate. Paper or digital makes no difference. I’ll take my tomes straight up new, borrowed with a twist, in an ARC, second-hand, Kindled, folded, spindled . . . I just want to read. My favorite and most anguish-inducing episode of The Twilight Zone is “Time Enough At Last,” where Burgess Meredith (Batman’s nemesis The Penguin) just wants time to read. After an apocalypse leaves him all alone, he has all the reading time and solitude he wants! Until . . . If you’ve seen it, you know the ending that makes every book-lover cringe. If you haven’t, try to see it. Or just watch the spoiler, here.

I digress slightly, but there’s a point to my tangent. Time: that’s all any book lover needs. Summer gives us an advantage–Fridays are a dead zone, vacations and three-day weekends and Jitneys to the Hamptons all conspire in our favor, giving us time to read. And I need time, because I’ve got a long reading list–some of it for work, some of it for pleasure. Here’s my list; please send me yours.

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TWICE LOVED

LaVyrle Spencer

In addition to having one of the best first names of any romance author ever, LaVyrle opens with a rather killer first chapter. Rye Dalton returns from a five-year whaling mission to Nantucket, and to his beloved wife Laura. Who thought he was dead because his ship went down with all hands. Except for Rye, who got smallpox along the way and was left at a port to recover and eventually sail with another ship. Rye wrote to Laura to tell her this, only she didn’t get any of his letters, and–oopsy–she married Rye’s bestie, Dan. Talk about a love triangle. Did I mention that their son thinks Dan’s his daddy?

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WRITING YOGA

Bruce Black

I bought this without even really knowing what the book was about; it had my two loves in the title–writing and yoga–which, to me, is like a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup in book form.

Upon further investigation (meaning, I started reading it), I found out that the book is about keeping a journal of the deep thoughts that occur during and after the meditative process of doing yoga. It’s also about writers finding their authentic voices, which leads to more honesty in life, on and off the mat. I particularly like Black’s discussion of fear of inversions, which I share. Though maybe this journaling thing will help me tackle that. If you like paper and pens and yoga, you’ll like this book.

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THE FULFILLMENT

LaVyrle Spencer

Another historical, when I’m not a fan of historicals? Yes, because it’s another of LaVyrle’s tricky two-hero setups. In this one, Jonathan and his wife Mary can’t have children because he’s . . . Well, let’s just say that childhood battle with the mumps left his unhitched brother, Aaron, a little more able to father kids. Yeah, you can see where this is going.

Just started this, and I’m loving the unusual subject matter–male infertility!–and waiting to see how LaVyrle lets Mary and Aaron get over their shocked turn-of-the-century selves and consider Jonathan’s indecent proposal.

(Note: I’m also reading this because it’s homework given to me by my editor at Belle Books. My novel, Beach Glass, is also a two-hero deal, and LaVyrle is an expert love triangulator I can learn from!)

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THE UPANISHADS

Translated by Eknath Easwaran

Right now, you may be thinking: Okay, she’s reading about cuckolded whalers and infertile farmers all caught in bizarre love triangles, and yogic spiritual texts . . . Yep, that’s pretty SOP for me and my book list. I like going between romantic fiction to the kind of deeply spiritual text that takes ancient stories and makes them relevant, and helpful, to my life and my yoga students. For that, there’s no one better than Eknath Easwaran. Even if you’re not into yoga, Eknath’s book Take Your Time is one of the best for showing you how to do less, and get more done, that I’ve ever read. It’s kind of like the Single Habit of Highly Successful Yogis.

There are more books on my list–Gone Girl, A Discovery of Witches–but I’ll blog about them another time. Otherwise, I won’t have time to read!

xx,

S

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You know I’m a fan of double-exclamation points, but this has been a triple-exclamation point week.

If you’ve visited my Facebook page lately, then you know that my novel BEACH GLASS (I’m not shouting; the solid caps thing is what book publishing types do with titles) is officially coming out on Belle Books in February, 2014. That’s a looooooong way away, but I’ll be working hard on it this fall. For details on the novel, visit the Facebook page, and please click “Like” while you’re there!

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Surf's up!

This is just part of the happy news for me, though. For a long time, I’ve been leading a double life–most people know I’m a writer and author, but for a long time I’ve also had a secret identity as a yoga instructor. I’m certified (my Dad likes to say, “Certifiable”), and I teach on a volunteer basis at yoga studio that was the first to offer yoga for HIV positive people, war veterans, the unemployed, and Spanish speakers. I’m proud to be part of that very spiritual, community service-oriented organization.

My issue was that I never really knew how to blend my two lives–really, my two loves–together. When I worked at O, the Oprah Magazine, I heard Oprah and other experts talk a lot about the importance of living an authentic life. A life that’s true, real, honest. And in yoga, there is a great deal of importance put on truthfulness. To me, splitting my two life loves didn’t feel terribly authentic to me.

Finally, I’ve found a way to blend writing and yoga! BEACH GLASS (I swear I’m not using “shouty capitals,” as EL James wrote in Fifty Shades of Grey) has a little yoga theme running through it, as well as a surfing theme. I’m also working on a big project that marries yoga, writing, and technology, though I can’t talk about that yet. Soon.

My point is, you’ll be seeing more about yoga on this blog in the future, and now you’ll know why. You’ll also be seeing some great travel porn as I feature cool yoga retreats, beautiful beaches, and whatever I can share with you about what I know about writing.

I hope you’ll visit again soon, because that, to me, is the happiest news of all.

xx,

S

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My Mexican Yoga Retreat Frozen Hot Xocolat Smoothie.

The Hubbins and I have been on a few yoga retreats, being big matheads and all, and one of our favorites was in Maya Tulum in Mexico. (They’ve changed the name since we went, so when I find it, I’ll list it here.) Aside from being really beautiful and having some amazing yoga with the lithe and lovely Shiva Rea, the food was incredible. One of my favorite parts was the custom smoothie bar–you could get all sorts of delicious things thrown into a blender. Swoon!

I brought that idea back with me, and on super-hot days like this, I bust out the blender and whip up something cold, creamy, and sanity-inducing. Here’s my recipe for a Mexican yoga retreat frozen hot xocolat (Aztec for “chocolate”) concoction.

1 cup soymilk or regular low-fat milk

1 frozen banana

2 ice cubes

1 Tablespoon instant decaf coffee

1 Tablespoon blackstrap molasses

1 Tablespoon cocoa powder

1 shake cinnamon powder

Put all ingredients in a blender and set on “stun.” (Or just “blend.”) Let ‘er rip for a good 3 minutes or you’ll be chewing on chunks of frozen banana. Not the worst feeling in the world on a hot day, but I don’t like chunks in my smoothies. Otherwise they’d be called “chunkies.”

Pour concoction into an insulated cup to keep cool. Drink, feel serenity returning.

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Click here to view video: Yogi Cameron on practice and finding your true purpose

I really like this brief, very inspiring speech given by Yogi Cameron at this year’s Tadasana Festival. YC is one of my Integral Yoga brothers, a fellow teacher as well as an author and now reality show host. Despite his fame as yoga instructor and Ayurvedic therapist to Ellen DeGeneres, Portia DeRossi, and other celebs, as well as being the first male supermodel and star of Madonna’s “Express Yourself” video, YC very humbly talked about the path that led him to serve, with love, as a yoga teacher.

You don’t have to be into yoga to be inspired by this clip. I think YC’s message about practice leading to one’s true purpose works for any path–writing, being creative, doing any job with the best attitude possible. I’ve thought about it often while devising a new venture that marries my true purposes into one. I’m looking forward to sharing the news about it with you soon, but until then, I’ll let Yogi Cameron inspire you to new paths!

xx,

S

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The best rule of writing.

“Ass in the chair.”–Nora Roberts, on the secret to her success

Above is Nora Roberts’ simple, one-step process to writing. She should know; she’s currently working on her 204th book right now. (She’ll probably be done with it before you finish reading this blog.) Best-selling authors Stephen King, Haruki Murakami, and Walter Mosely do it, too. Probably a lot of really successful authors use the same method: They sit down, hopefully on something comfortable because they know they’re going to be in that spot for quite some time, and they write.

That, apparently, is how books get written.

I may not be as famous as these authors, but having written a few books myself, I concur. When I wrote the Smallville novels, I didn’t do much else but write them. When I was writing Cherries in Winter, my agent put me on lockdown. (One day I was just out getting food and she called me. “I hear traffic in the background,” she said. “What are you doing outside?!”) And when I wrote my novel Beach Glass, I don’t think I moved from my desk for the eight weeks it took to get the novel’s first draft done.

There are two big potholes to this seemingly simple method of getting your writing done. One, actually doing it; and two, finding the time if you have a job to do and a family to take care of.

In this case, structure is the thing all authors, famous or not, agree on. However much or little time you have to write, you have to make that time, carve it into your schedule, and then DO IT. Even if you only write for an hour a day before everyone else in the house has woken up or after they’ve gone to sleep, you must stick to that schedule. Otherwise, you’re not writing, and if you’re not writing, your novel or nonfiction work won’t get done.

This applies to anything you want to do, not just writing. My Hubbins has no plans to become a professional photographer, but he loves taking pictures, so he spends all of his free time focused on refining his skills. (Fortunately the pair of us are fairly obsessive, so we sit together in our home office, he focused on his computer, me focused on mine. Occasionally, we lift our heads, blow a kiss, ask for feedback, and get right back to it. Ah, love!)

If your heart is burning to do something, whether it’s writing or photography or playing the ukulele or whatever, look at your schedule. Find at least an hour a day. If you can find more time without loved ones going hungry or wilting from neglect, devote more time. This is what I did: I put my ass in the chair. So far, one novel sold, and now a second one with the beloved agent.

I think Nora would approve.

Photo of “Ass in Chair” ring from Susan Vallee. You’ll have to ask her where to get the ring.

[image error]Every four seconds, a romance novel is sold somewhere in the world. Every four seconds. And they (who are “they” anyway?) say publishing is dead.

Romance novels, the people who read them, and the authors who write them are the subject of what looks like a totally delightful documentary called “Guilty Pleasures,” which airs tomorrow night on PBS. Check the link for your local listings.

Also, authors, check out the sidebar to the left of that main page for advice on writing your first romance novel from Roger Sanderson (who has written 49 romances as “Gill Sanderson”) and tips on getting published.

Can’t wait to see this!

[image error]“Life doesn’t happen behind a computer screen,” said my friend Sherri Rifkin, the novelist. This was the kind of proclamation that was destined to become a quote, and not the vague, new age-y kind you see stitched on needlepoint throw pillows. This one actually resonated.

As a writer, I have a tendency to never leave the house. I took Nora Roberts’s single rule of writing–”Ass in chair”–to heart. I love writing. I love my characters and the worlds I create. And I sometimes forget to be in the world I live in.

Writing is fed by stuff that happens outside of the act of writing. Here are some important things that fills the creative well–a well that sometimes runs dry when a writer thinks she’s running hot.

Eat. Not at your desk; get up–yes, leave the desk!–and go make yourself some real food. Don’t bring it back to where you’re working. Don’t read while you’re eating. Eat at the table and taste the food. Not only will you be surprised at the potency of this experience, but one of your characters may become nicely descriptive about the slightly tart sweetness of a summer peach’s flesh. If you don’t taste that peach, how can your character describe it?

Take a walk. Once again, I–a writer–am telling you, another writer, to get away from your writing. Seems so counterintuitive, possibly even counterproductive… And yet it’s just so necessary. Not only is your blood pooling in your legs after six hours of writing (yes, that’s why your feet are numb), but in order to get some color for your story, you need to go outside and see that color. People and their interesting haircuts, the shape of their noses, the odd noises they make when they chew. There’s rich stuff out there, some of it even stranger than your mind can imagine.

Exercise. Not the same as taking a walk, above, unless you’re power-walking. Which, if you’re observing people, you’re not. So you need to get some exercise. Me, I like yoga and walking. You may like running or cycling or luge or curling, where you sweep the ice and make that heavy thing move slowly… Whatever you do, you must do it. The writer’s life is not the healthiest. We sit for hours and frown at a computer screen. This is not known for doing anything but producing books and swollen legs.

Talk to people. Yes, real live people, not your characters.

Go away. Whether it’s to another neighborhood or another country, go see something new. Every time I go someplace I haven’t been, I get an idea for a story or a novel. I don’t always act on it, but I always, always get an idea. One time The Hubbins and I spent a weekend at the Jersey Shore (not that Jersey Shore), and I came home with an idea for a novel. Eight weeks later, I had the draft for my novel BEACH GLASS, which will be published by Belle Books in February 2014. Just sayin’…

Walk your supercute pooch (above). She’s probably suffering from bladder failure by now. If you take her outside, you can accomplish a whole bunch of the above. Plus you get some unconditional doggie love, about which entire books have been written…

If you have other ideas for things you can do for your writing that seem to have nothing to do with your writing, tell me about them in a comment!

xx,

S