Some of you have heard me say that, and it’s funny, but it’s also a curse. It’s a sign of obsessive-compulsive behavior, which I have, but fortunately, I have learned to control—to some degree.
Of course, my father recognized this trait in me first. He saw that I would rearrange my room, throw edible desserts away, and crumble up pages upon pages of notebook paper until I expressed my thoughts clearly.
He very lovingly reprimanded me by saying, “A perfectionist will never be perfect.”
Wow, it was a hard lesson to learn, and I don’t think I’ll ever master it, but I’ve learned to just let go, to not expect perfection in my house, my work, or my writing. I’m not perfect, and I never will be, but I will strive for a comfortable area where I do not have to work fifteen hours a day.
Please remember, I said, ‘try’. I am a perfectionist, so I will strive for that elusive perfect anything to grasp on to. But when I don’t meet it, please give me a break; tell me softly, so I don’t agonize over my next step.
Until next time, happy reading!
Carmen
Until next time, happy reading!
Carmen
A little about what I write:
A writer of modern-day
fairytales, my stories overflow with romance, mystery, suspense, and of course,
tragedy. After all, what would a fairytale be without a tragic event setting
the stage? All of my novels are sensual, but not erotic, gripping but not graphic
and will make you cry, laugh, love, and hope.
My first two novels, She Belongs to Me and Land of the Noonday Sun, have reached bestseller
status right alongside Nicholas Sparks, J.D. Robb, and other great authors. My new
releases, Entangled Dreams and When Noonday Ends are now available.
My novels are all
standalones; however, I do link each of my stories with a little surprise. If
you read out of order, you'll never notice. But if you read in order, it's
fun.
Romantic-Suspense
Novels
First release - December 2011:
After secrets and a mysterious background leave a wife’s life
hanging by a thread, a husband must look for answers in the only place he
knows—the past.
Second Release - May 2012
Book I of the Nantahala Series
When two strangers have nothing left but their dreams, they must
forge a relationship in Nantahala, North Carolina, a small town known as Land
of the Noonday Sun.
Third Release - September 2012
When Alexandra’s choices dissolve into Entangled Dreams, pushing
her down a dark and dismal path, she must trust her instincts to escape danger,
but be able to surrender all to find her happily ever after. Knowing how to
decipher the difference, will be her toughest challenge.
Fourth Release – December 2012
When a new attorney accepts a case of a woman accused of attempted
murder, he finds himself entwined in age-old secrets and a family who will stop
at nothing to conceal them—even murder.
Series of Mini-Mysteries with a
Paranormal Edge
First
Short Story — October 2012
When
what seems like a normal pit stop turns to more than just gas and food, a lost
couple finds themselves searching for the truth of a twenty-year-old mystery
that may cost them their life.
Second
Short Story — January 2013
They say The Depot is haunted. But in all the years homicide detective Mark
Waters has visited the old train station turned restaurant, he’s never seen
proof. Until now.
Find in print and eBook formats:
Until
next time, happy reading, friends!
I
love talking about all things books, so please connect with me via one of the
links below.
I can relate! I still aim for perfect. It makes me think of this saying:
ReplyDeleteWho aims at excellence will be above mediocrity; who aims at mediocrity will be far short of it.
-- Burmese Saying
Perfection is something I know I'll never reach, but I do the best I can and can see how I have improved. So have you! I remember when we met on Twitter last year, you were agonizing over which publisher to choose, and now months later, your pubbed, have hit the Amazon Best Seller list with your first book, and are about to have your second book released! You are my inspiration! Keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteLike Carolyn, I too can relate and like MJ, you inspire me. As writers, trying to attain perfection is the bane of our existence. Maybe we can be perfectly happy in our imperfections? LOL!! Great post Carmen!
ReplyDeleteYep -- that's me! In fact, after my editor and I have gone back 3-4 times on things and I know I'm at the point where I"m just changing and tweaking little, less-significant stuff, I tell her to proof it and DO NOT send it back to me again. That's sooooo hard!
ReplyDeleteSo true...but, I can't say that I'm there yet. My publisher looks over my work and makes suggestions, but I don't have a proofreader, and I have in my contract that I must have the final look, but then, the bad part, I have no one to blame but myself.
DeleteThanks for saying it... and thanks to your father.
ReplyDeleteAhhh...a fellow perfectionist. And I'm guessing you caught my comment to go easy on me. ;)
DeleteCarmen
ReplyDeleteHave to say, you may see yourself as obsessive-compulsive, and maybe your are, but when I read your work what I hear is a high-energy, determined woman.
Happy writing
Jo-Ann
Thank you, Jo-Ann. It's amazing how many people think a book just happens, when in fact it's a 24-hour a day, typically for over a year work, and then even after it is finished, the amount of work to get it bought and sold is a 15-hour a day job. Driven is correct, as you know, we write because we love to write, not because it is easy. Thank you for commenting and understanding.
Delete