I always have a cup of tea beside my laptop. Even as it’s tortuously hot outside, I have some cooled tea in my cup.
I also have dogs at my feet! Guinness the Therapy Dog is usually under the table where I work and rests on top of my feet. Lucy the Wonder Dog likes to stretch out beside my chair-within quick access to her crate where she hides.
I would love to see where you work! Sonja
Send me questions or comments on things you want to know!
You can use this site or my email (sonjadanielson@gmail.com).
I want to hear from you! Sonja
One of my favorite philosophies is: You never know what someone is going through, so be nice.
I also like the idea that “unless you walk in someone else’s shoes, you can’t understand what they’re going through.”
I try to keep those in mind whenever I run across someone. If they’re happy, sad, angry, despondent, etc. it’s important to approach with love.
I can remember how it felt to be judged without that person knowing what was going on in my life, and inside my head.
I remember being the one judging. It makes me cringe and I want to find those people to apologize to them.
I think I’m this retrospective because I’m writing Lady Zepherine’s story. She’s going through a lot that I went through and it can be difficult to open those doors. I’ve been very successful in locking up those memories, especially from high school, and now I am taking a key to those rusty locks.
It’s not as traumatic as other people’s experiences, but it was a lot to handle when I was a young teenager. Wait, aren’t all teenagers the same age? Chronologically, yes. But I was young, emotionally and physically. Which can be difficult when you’re in middle and high school.
I can’t wait for you to read Lady Zepherine’s story! Sonja
Sunflowers are not wallflowers. I mean, look at her! She faces you and demands attention.
As a writer, it’s difficult to do that. We are, by nature, solitary beings but it’s important to seek recognition. Especially when you’re not on the New York Times Best Sellers list…yet.
The hard part is exposing your work. That can be difficult. Good writing shows a soft, mushy part of your psyche, something you may not want to revisit or have anyone else see.
Writing the Fairies of Carlow series is cathartic for me. I can take all those angsty moments of growing up and put them into the story. Then I get to say what I should have said back then, or done what would have made things better. (Such as, standing up to those bullies, or not taking myself too seriously.)
Sometimes, as I’m writing a scene based on something that really happened to me, I cringe at the memories. Once the story’s finished, I feel better about it, but getting there is a slog through the emotional swamp.
In my new Fairies of Carlow book, based upon Lady Zepherine, I’m taking a look at the bullies who made me miserable during middle school and high school. Oh, it’s hard to look back on those people (both male and female) and remember what I had to endure! But there’s plenty of material! Silver lining? Hopefully!
Pressing on that sensitive nerve ending, Sonja
Quote by Michael Jordan
I completely subscribe to this idea. I think you need to push yourself to a level where failure is a huge possibility to really succeed.
Edison succeeded after a lot of failure.
So can you. So can I.
When I was on a ski team, my coach told me that if I didn’t fall sometimes, I was being too careful. I’ve had some spectacular falls! I’ve also found amazing success after those falls.
Don’t be afraid of the bruises! Sonja
Now that the states and countries are starting to open up–to varying degrees– it’s time to look back and assess.
I hope you took the time to care for yourself, deal with your anxieties, and accomplish some goals. It’s okay if you didn’t, too.
Do you see where I’m going? However you dealt with the stay-at-home orders, you did what was best for you. Don’t let anyone judge you differently. They don’t matter. The only judge you need to listen to is yourself.
I’m constantly battling a need to please others. It’s difficult to change. I figure it’s like any habit that’s been ingrained for decades–it will take a lot of time and effort to change it. It’s okay to make mistakes as long as you recover and continue to move forward.
Take the time for yourself. Sonja