My Storykeeper Odyssey, Vol 1: An Introduction

As you know, I’ve dedicated 2013 to writing all of my memories and my life story. I want to get all of my memories down on the page. I want to leave my trace on this world. I want my life to be remembered—as a life dedicated to journaling—and encouraging others to do the same. It is important to me.

I have decided to start over with the writing of my memoir. Earlier this week I made this decision and I am glad to have made it because it’s already taken on a life of its own. The title of my memoir is:

THE STORYKEEPER ODYSSEY, VOL. 1

It’s my story about my writing and journalkeeping.

I have lived—and God has me here, at this time, for a purpose. It is my life story and is my life’s purpose. God wants me to journal first, teach others to journal second, and write my life story third. Every day has a reason and an opportunity for me to live my God-given destiny. I can live a life fulfilled or one that is not. This is the how I will bring God maximum glory (and I will bear much fruit).

I will share some of the memoir here on this blog. But, some is far too personal, so I am going to share it in book format in its unedited, rough draft version at my store on Smashwords. So, check it out next week.

WHY SHOULD YOU READ MY MEMOIR?

Do you like to hear other people’s stories?

Do you want to get the most from and your of your life story?

Have you ever had a dream?

Do you want to know and live your life’s purpose—your big dream?

Have you had obstacles get in the way of you living your big dream and your life’s purpose?

Do you journal?

Do you want to write a book?

If you answered “yes” to any of the previous questions, this memoir, blog post series, and book are for you.

WHAT IS MY MEMOIR ABOUT EXACTLY?

It’s my journaling about my life as a writer and as a journalkeeper. It’s the story of my odyssey as I journal and write, and all of the obstacles that have tried to hinder me from doing either. It’s my story of how I’ve overcome. 

~ Stacy Duplease

Journalkeeper & Memoir Writer

A safe haven: Your journal

Your journal is a safe haven. It welcomes you, all of you, warts and all. Your journal will offer you unconditional acceptance and will not judge. It could care less if you are ugly at times, have poor penmanship or grammar, or if you are too emotional.

Your journal would rather you come to it often, and be all of the above, than not. It values you and your time more than any human being ever could. It offers you a safe haven to be fully you.

Set your imagination free in your journal. It is welcomed. Dream big. Your journal will help all of your dreams come true and will record your journey.

Go to your journal often. It is safe. You are welcomed and accepted as you are, but your journal can also help your wildest imaginations come true.

Come.

-- Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Author

Use your journal to dream

Use your journal to dream. And, dream big. Use your imagination. Anything is possible.

Just journal. 

Stacy Duplease

Journalkeeper & Author

My Storykeeper Odyssey in 2013: Journaling & Memoir

NaNoWriMo Countdown: Do it

NaNoWriMO--National Novel Writing Months starts 01 November 2011.

That's 17 days away!

There is still plenty of time to think of a novel idea, outline, and plan. No worries.

Also, you can be a pantser and not have anything planned and just start writing on, or even after, 01 November.

If you wonder for a heartbeat if you should do NaNoWriMo, do it. Don't let another year go by without pursuing might end up being your dream and your purpose.

Stacy Duplease
Historical Fiction Author
A timeless kind of love... 

My historical fiction blog & latest book information: Check out my new blog

My writing fiction & NaNoWriMo blog: "What's Your Speed": A writing resource

Journaling Chronicle: What is journaling? The simplest response

Finished Editing Owen, CCWC, and Dreams

I just finished editing, again, my book: The Murder of Owen Knight. I'm feeling rather triumphant at the moment and will next move to edit two of my fantasy books. (Refer to www.speclitstoriesbystacy.blogspot.com/) I'm also to the point that I cannot wait for the Colorado Christian Writers Conference (CCWC) in Estes Park.

The CCWC is from 3/13 to 3/16. I'm going up for the early-bird sessions and cannot wait to make the drive from Denver to Estes Park. It's extraordinary. The scenery in Estes Park is out of this world beautiful and means that even though it's a conference, and very busy, it's also a retreat. I went last year for the first time. The two previous years, I went to the Writing for the Soul Conference at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs.

The networking, gaining more friends, the classes, and pitching to publishers makes it all worthwhile and memorable.

Then, after the conference, I'm going on a two week vacation with my husband. So, I'm a rather busy woman at this point.

However, this reminds me of some thoughts about dreams.

Dreams:

I can't help but think of Disney and Jimmy the Cricket and, "When You Wish Upon a Star," when I think about dreams. Dreams are magical--particularly when you have fought for years to make them come true. But, man, do they take hard work, constant dedication, and feeding the fire of the dream to make sure it never dies no matter what adversity comes your way.

What dreams do you have?

Whether it's writing, becoming a mom, getting married, going to college, or anything else of fill in the blank, dreams take work. Lots of it. Hard work. Isn't this the very spice that makes dreams so wonderful when they do come true?

How many dreams have you fought for daily until they finally, after years and years, came true?

Or, have you stopped dreaming because you doubted it and yourself too much or got bored with it? Or, have you grown tired from having to try so hard for so long?

Where are you on your journey?

Fight for them. Strive to make them real. They're worth every sweat bead, every tear, and every cent. Dream big and see how incredible it is when you get to the other side of the fight and start to see the fruits of your labor start to pay off.

You're worth the fight.

Dream. Dream Big. See it through.