FINDING MY NITCH

I'm the type of person who really doesn't want people to think I'm unhappy.  For the most part, I'm the one making sure everybody is laughing and having a good time. I've been accused of being very goofy at times, but hey... if the shoe fits, I'll wear it.  Being the class clown is a big responsibility and once you've been dubbed... you better deliver. Nothing drives people crazier than a sad clown!

I dream of the day I will swing my leg over the iron saddle again, but in the meantime... I've been giving some serious consideration to my writing. I enjoyed creative writing in high school, so I decided the way I was going to kick the sad clown to the curb was to get busy!

As I mentioned in a previous post, I started following fellow blogger, Donna over at 2 Taking a 5th.  She posted about a fiction writing contest on Indies Unlimited, a blog comprised of independent authors. I entered my first writing competition a couple weeks ago and just posted my second this past Saturday.  I would like to invite you to take a look at the entries, as some of them are quite good.  We all like a good short story, right?  This is a great way to enjoy a good read and show your support to some very talented writers that just want to get their words out there. Like me!

Please follow the link below and vote for who you think has the best story.  Poll closes on Thursday at 5:00 PM MST.. Thanks!

Writing Exercise Competition Week 7 Voting: Remorse

 
Giving up my motorcycle has not been the easiest thing to adjust to, and in spite of remaining committed to my decision not to ride without Harley, it has not been without intermittent episodes of my own remorse.  However, I've been looking back on this blog and discovered that I missed telling stories.  Stories about places and life on two wheels, with words of passion and poetry.

It took a bit of time, but I realized one thing.  The subject material may change, but the joy of writing doesn't have to stop.  I have new dreams and new goals and I'm excited about something again.

I'm excited about writing...
     it makes me happy.

I'm excited about finding my nitch...
     the class clown is back.

Lady R and Dianna
(...see? I don't even know which one I am!)

THE LADY BEHIND THE WORDS

Four years ago, I started this blog because I wanted a creative outlet for sharing my thoughts and experiences as a woman rider.  It's been a hell of a ride since, and actually, I'm surprised I'm still here.  In the beginning, I was advised by many to keep my privacy in check and write under a pen name or other fictitious alter ego. I realize that keeping ourselves protected from the evildoers of the net, needs to be on the forefront of all our minds, so there I was, trying figure out what I was going to call myself.  After much thoughtful consideration, it dawned on me, that when I moved from the pillion position to riding my own, I couldn't get enough road time, hence the birth of my blog name... Lady Ridesalot. 

I enjoyed being Lady R and it was fun creating nicknames for the all characters in my life while sharing my stories and adventures.  If you're a regular reader to my blog, you also know that I have been going through many changes lately.  While some doors are closing, there are new ones opening up, and for the sake of credibility, it's time for the cloak of secrecy to come off.

In the interest of reality and real life, I would like to introduce myself...  
 
"Hi! My name is Dianna. It's nice to officially meet you." 

I'm sure I'll still post some stuff as Lady R, but I wanted to quit hiding behind her, and join the party as me for a while.  I know... kind of scary, huh?

Now... moving on...
As I posted Sunday, I entered in a fiction Writer's Contest through Indies Unlimited.  It was a fun little exercise and I hope I can learn from it.  My goal is to hone and perfect my writing skills so it can escort me down this new path I have chosen for myself.

There are several really good entries in this contest, and I invite you to go and take a look for yourself.  I'm sure the other authors are like myself, and just want to see their words enjoyed by others. So... if you would be so kind to follow the link below and vote for the one you feel is the best, it would be greatly appreciated.  Sorry for the late posting, but the poll closes today (Thursday) at 5:00 MST. 


Writing Exercise Competition Week 5 Voting: The Rendezvous

Thanks for your support and I look forward to bringing you more!


Dianna aka Lady R

INDIES UNLIMITED WRITING COMPETITION

Indies Unlimited

I've been contemplating my writing skills lately and what I can do to improve and entertain with my words. I've posted some interesting stories and exciting experiences during my four years of blogging, but lately I feel like I'm missing a key element to good writing... and that's passion. It was easy for me to come home and write about a day's ride, or share a road trip I've experienced, because I felt so passionately about riding and loved it so much. Not to mention how much fun I was having. Putting to words my innermost thoughts, just seemed to flow out naturally.

Now... take away the motorcycle. Not only am I missing something I loved to do, I have nothing to write about. Have I lost my passion to write? Yeah... kind of.  It took some time, but after a while I realized that my writing passion didn't go anywhere... I just had to find it again.  For me, writing was, and is about memories and as long as I'm healthy minded, I'll have some great memories.

I came across an interesting website for folks who like to write, and now I'm hooked.  Actually, Donna's blog, 2 Taking a 5th, is where I stumbled upon it, and I'm so glad I did. She has been writing fiction for a while now and whether she knows it or not, she has been an inspiration to me to get my thoughts and ideas on paper.  Or, as we say now days... in Microsoft Word.

Indies Unlimited is comprised of a team of successful authors who wanted to break down the barriers for writers of all skill levels and provide exposure as well as inspiration, thoughts and ideas. They hold writing competitions and provide great information to authors new to the business of getting published.  I've been lurking around over there for a while now, and decided to enter one of their contests.  See here.

The Contest...

A picture is posted.

Photo by K.S. Brooks

Instructions: Your character waits beneath the streetlight as per the arrangements. The hour grows near for the meeting. Is the rendezvous with a lover, a blackmailer, or perhaps an informant? In 250 words or less, tell me a story incorporating the elements in the picture.
*Voting is open to the public on Wednesday morning.

For what it's worth, here's my entry:

Katy tilted her head and looked up at the light.  The dusky sky behind it was beginning to brighten as she dropped her gaze and peered down the street again, looking for Max.  Where was he?  She tried to keep herself from feeling anxious, but today wasn’t the day to be running late. 

Her heart skipped a beat as thoughts of her test crept into her mind. Having spent the last two days on the tarmac, she imagined herself back out on the course. Her instructor’s voice was a calm reminder in her mind, guiding her through the exercises. Eyes up… look into your turn… watch your mirrors.

The sounds of sputtering and clacking valves interrupted her thoughts as she turned to notice two dim and yellowing headlights bouncing toward her.  "Finally",she thought.  Checking her watch, she told herself she had plenty of time, but she would need to hurry.

As the rickety old truck came to a stop under Katy’s street light, Max shouted his greeting, “Sorry I’m late Katy, but this old gal just didn’t want to get rolling this morning.”

As Katy climbed on the bumper to get her bundle of papers out of the back, she answered, “That’s okay Max, I’m going to make it, but I don’t have time to chat today!” 

Max smiled knowingly.  He was proud of his young carrier.  Not many fifteen year olds can boast of earning a motorcycle endorsement while saving their newspaper money to buy their first motorcycle.  ~ DS

I realize using Max the "newspaper guy" as an informant is stretching, but I still had fun with this exercise. I invite you to go and peruse through the other entries, and if your so inclined to vote... I would appreciate yours!

Fiction writer in training...
Lady R