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To my readers, I'm verifying my blog.  Don't pay attention to this post.

As I've struggled the past few weeks with the second book in my Gypsy Fairy Tale series, I have come to the conclusion that there should be a twelve step program of some type for writers.

Any way that you look at it, writers are an odd bunch.  We fiction writers especially.  After all, we tell lies for a living and do our best to make it believable.  Actually, a very general definition of psychosis fits...

Psychosis (from the Greek ψυχή "psyche", for mind/soul, and -ωσις "-osis", for abnormal condition or derangement) refers to an abnormal condition of the mind, and is a generic psychiatric term for a mental state often described as involving a "loss of contact with reality".

Yep...That would be us writers.  Of course, I have to add hearing one character's voice when another is supposed to be talking.  See?  To "normal" people that sounds odd, but to other writers that is a real and frustrating occurrence. 

So anyway, here is my version of a 12 step program for writers.  If you complete all of these steps, you are truly a writer and can join the rest of us in our shared psychosis.  I would love to get some suggestions from other writers out there on how to make it better.

1.  Admit that we are powerless over our creative process.  It will take hold of us at any time and consume our lives.
2.  Believe that a greater power, known as the reader experience, will restore our claim of sanity.
3.  Made a conscious decision to turn our will and our lives over to our characters.
4.  Made an honest and fearless inventory of our commitment to our craft.
5.  Admitted to ourselves, our family, and our friends that sometimes the made up people have to come first.
6.  Accepted that once we give in to our creativity, there is no turning back.
7.  Accept that we will never be Nora Roberts, Stephen King, or JK Rowling, but that we will be the best writer that we can be.
8.  To be aware, always, of those that have supported us and encouraged us on this journey.
9.  To thank those that have supported us and encouraged us on this journey.
10.  To always be willing to edit, revise, and accept that sometimes we must kill our darlings.
11.  To strive to be aware of what our readers want and expect, making it our goal to always deliver more than what the reader anticipated.
12.  Having completed all of these steps, and now being a true writer, and share the love.  Write a review or buy a fellow authors book.

It has been a rough couple of weeks as far as writing goes.  It seemed no matter how hard I tried, I just wasn't able to get excited about the second book in my Gypsy Fairy Tale series.  To a writer....That is the ultimate frustration, ranking right up there with the dreaded writer's block.

I think part of it is that I get overwhelmed with all of the "Have To's" that make up my day.  While being an indie author is incredibly rewarding, it is exhausting!  There is all this advice out there about things that you should do every single day to promote your work and when you're struggling with your current project as well....It can get to be too much!

Here is a look at my "Have To" List:

1. First thing in the morning, I glance over all the blogs that I'm subscribed to (You never know, there might be some new task that I just "Have To" do in order to stay afloat).
2. Next comes my own blog post.  This usually has to wait until about my fourth cup of coffee.  I just can't seem to be witty or insightful until my fourth cup of coffee.
3. Now comes pinging my blog post and commenting on the blog posts I read earlier.
4. Next is scheduling some of my social media posts for the rest of the day.
5. Then a brief read-through of what I wrote yesterday, adding a few colorful post-its here and there where some changes need to be made.
6. Then I'm off to crank out a minimum of 2500 words (although for the past two weeks, it's been a collective 400).
7. Then there's research for upcoming scenes.
8. Then of course, I have to take time to brainstorm and plan marketing tasks for my current project.

Now of course this is just the writing part of my day.  I still have all my normal mom stuff to do and a house and yard to take care of just like everyone else.  I raise my glass to those indie authors that have full time jobs, kids, and manage to squeeze in time to write!  Wow!

So, it is so easy to get overwhelmed by all of the "have to's" and to feel like you're doing nothing but spinning in circles....Then IT happens.  Every writer knows what I'm referring to.  That moment when an idea hits you and takes that project that you've been struggling with to a new place and everything suddenly makes sense. 

In that moment, I forget all about the "have to's" and enjoy that magic of being a writer and creating a story that I'm passionate about.

So tell me, what's on your "Have To" list?

Wow! Now wonder I'm having such a hard time focusing on my new book with June being so full of important dates for my Spiritus Series characters!  Yesterday was Becca and Alastor's aniiversary, and on this day in 1863 Becca wrote to Alastor while he was off fighting with the Union army during the American Civil War.

Letter from Rebecca Sinclair to Her Husband Lieutenant Alastor Sinclair of  Indiana 13th Regiment Calvary, Company B

  June 3, 1863

When I received your letter the words leapt off of the page: I Am Alive, have more beautiful words ever been written?          

I was beside myself with worry and grief as I waited for word from you.  I heard of the battle and time stopped until I just now received your letter.  My only thought was that you were alive!

Surely the war cannot last much longer.  Please take care until you can come home to me.  I pray every day that there is no ball or bullet made for you.  I know every wife and mother says this same prayer, but none could mean it more than me.

There are so many things that I should write, but the only thing that is in my mind is be safe, be safe, over and over, again and again.  Be safe until you can come back home to me my love.  I can think of nothing that would be of any importance next to that.

Oh, my darling, you are my life and I shall love you until the end of time.  I need you home with me.  I know that in time I could make you forget the horrors that you have seen.  Come home to me, my love, and I will spend the rest of my life trying to make you forget.

I love you and am anxiously awaiting your next letter.

 Yours Always,

Becca

Here's your chance to read the entire Spiritus Series!

Available for Kindle
Available for Nook

Now available in a single volume, Dana Michelle Burnett's bestselling Spiritus Series has entranced readers.

The collection includes:

Spiritus: When Becca moves into her ancestral home in Corydon, Indiana, her life takes a puzzling and thrilling turn when she meets the ghost haunting the halls. As the seductive spirit lures her closer and closer, she learns about her own past and starts to understand that some mistakes are meant to last. Becca McAllister has always been different from other girls her age. Never part of the "in crowd", Becca never really fit in anywhere. When her mother dies and her father moves them to the small town of Corydon, Indiana, Becca didn't expect things to change. But things do change when Becca accidentally makes contact with a one hundred and sixty year old ghost, Alastor Sinclair, that haunts the halls of her new home. To Becca, Alastor is a seductive spirit that seems to see straight into her soul. To Alastor, Becca is what he has waited a century for--A second chance. But the closer they get, the more Becca realizes that this isn't the first time she and Alastor have known each other. Worse still, is she the one responsible for his death so long ago? And if so, did he come back for love or revenge?

Haunted: Becca has accepted the horrors of her past life, and emerged with her ghostly love Alastor at her side. But her happiness is short lived when she realizes that balancing her past and present won't be easy... Becca has already decided that it's Alastor that she loves, but now, as their uncommon relationship limits Becca's future, Alastor must decide if he's willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for Becca's happiness....And will Becca's sanity survive?

Incarnate: Becca has always known that it was always going to come down to this. The only way that she can truly be happy is if she and Alastor are together. If she doesn't find a way, can she live without him? But is she willing to make the ultimate sacrifice...even if it is the only way that they can be together? Everything for two lifetimes has been leading up to this moment. A future with Alastor is within her grasp--if she's willing to fight for it.

It's been a crazy week of rehearsals and recital shows for my daughter, but I wanted to stop and acknowledge what a special day this is to me.  You see, on this day, in 1862, two of my characters were married.Of course I am referring to Becca and Alastor from my Spiritus Series.  For those that haven't read the series yet (And you're really missing out...if I do say so myself), the series is about a girl moving back to her father's ancestral home.  Becca accidentally wakes the spirit of Alastor, an ancient ghost from the Civil War era, who believes her to be the reincarnation of his long dead wife....the wife that murdered him a century ago.  The romance that follows crosses the boundaries of life and death...

Here is the fictional clipping of the wedding from the Corydon Democrat:

Rebecca McKinley Marries Alastor Sinclair:  Miss Rebecca McKinley and Alastor Sinclair were married on the evening of June second at the home of the groom.  The bride was beautifully gowned in white lace and satin, trimmed with beads.  Several friends were present.  The groom remained with his bride one week before returning to his regiment.  Mrs. Sinclair is expected to make their home at Mr. Sinclair’s Capitol Avenue house.

Anyone that followed the series knows that the wedding is also mentioned in Haunted (Spiritus Series, Book 2) when Becca examines her past life under the power of hypnosis.

Excerpt from Haunted:

"Becca?" I asked. "Can you hear me?"

"Yes," she whispered, so softly that I had to strain to hear her.

"So, where are you? When was the happiest time of your life?"

Even with her eyes closed, Becca’s face lit up and her lips curved into a smile. "June 2, 1862. My wedding day."

I stiffened in my chair, "What?"

"The day that I married Alastor Sinclair," she mumbled.

That was not the answer I was expecting.

I broke out in goose bumps and my skin went clammy. I couldn't believe that this was happening. It just wasn't possible. What could I possibly say or do after that?

Of course I had read studies about past life regression during hypnosis, but I never really believed that it was possible. It was one thing to entertain the notion of life after death, but even I had never taken the past life portion of this case seriously.

Was it possible that Becca was that engrossed with this delusion? Was she remembering a memory that she herself created? If I questioned her further, would it all fall apart once and for all? Would that be the thing that cured her or the thing that would send her over the edge?

"Tell me what you see," I requested.

"I see the flowers in my hand, white and damp. My mother cut them from the garden this morning," she whispered. "And they still smell of sunshine."

Becca smiled, almost glowing, "I see Alastor, and he is so handsome in his uniform. He's looking at me and I can see it in his face that I am beautiful."

"Alastor is alive?" I asked.

"Of course," she said. "Alastor has my hand and the minister is talking, but I'm not listening, I'm looking at Alastor and the way the sun coming through the windows shines in his eyes."

I was amazed by her level of detail, but I needed to separate her from the fantasy.

"Is your father there?" I asked.

Her brow furrowed, "Yes, and my mother as well."

I was stunned by the latest twist. In her fantasy, her mother was alive? How could that even be?

"Your mother?" I asked.

"Yes," Becca said with a smile. "She's crying, but I know that she's happy. She always wanted me to marry a good man like Alastor. I'm going to miss them when they leave."

"Your parents are leaving?” I asked, curious where her delusion was heading. “Where are they going?"

"Further north," Becca mumbled. "The war makes them nervous. They want me to go as well, but I want to be near Alastor while he's fighting."

As intriguing as this glimpse into her fantasy was, it provided no promise of a cure. I was still amazed by her level of detail, but it wasn’t getting us anywhere.

Spiritus (Spiritus Series Book 1)
The Kindle Best Selling Paranormal Romance Series
A love that refuses to die...

"As I watched him vanish into a soft mist that faded away, I knew that he was no ordinary spirit...I knew that he was a dangerous entity that could be in some corner of another realm planning his revenge, but I also knew that I was hopelessly in love with him."

When Becca moves into her ancestral home in Corydon, Indiana, her life takes a puzzling and thrilling turn when she meets the ghost haunting the halls. As the seductive spirit lures her closer and closer, she learns about her own past and starts to understand that some mistakes are meant to last.

Becca McAllister has always been different from other girls her age. Never part of the "in crowd", Becca never really fit in anywhere. When her mother dies and her father moves them to the small town of Corydon, Indiana, Becca didn't expect things to change.

But things do change when Becca accidentally makes contact with a one hundred and sixty year old ghost, Alastor Sinclair, that haunts the halls of her new home.

To Becca, Alastor is a seductive spirit that seems to see straight into her soul. To Alastor, Becca is what he has waited a century for--A second chance.

But the closer they get, the more Becca realizes that this isn't the first time she and Alastor have known each other. Worse still, is she the one responsible for his death so long ago? And if so, did he come back for love or revenge?

Haunted (Spiritus Series, Book Two)

Alastor came at me then, forcing me back against the wall. He was so solid that I could feel his weight against me. I could feel his frozen breath on my face....He ran his hand up my arm, over my shoulder, and rested at the base of my throat. His blue eyes glittered dangerously.

Becca has accepted the horrors of her past life, and emerged with her ghostly love Alastor at her side.  But her happiness is short lived when she realizes that balancing her past and present won't be easy...

Becca has already decided that it's Alastor that she loves, but now, as their uncommon relationship limits Becca's future, Alastor must decide if he's willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for Becca's happiness....And will Becca's sanity survive?

Incarnate (Spiritus Series, Book Three)