Charity Marie Blogs!

#959377

May 21, 2019 at 8:39am

I'm struggling with a writing dilemma. I'm working on my three book series, Angel Deveron, and struggling to find my starting point. I've written a number of possibilities but they feel very slow. So do I start with the inciting event, in which a child dies, or do I build up to it first with some mundane but conflict-filled events? I'm torn and unsure which way is best. If I don't set up the characters, will the rest make sense? But if I do it the other way, will people care?... [Read more]

#956480

April 13, 2019 at 8:58am

So I started classes and then I realized something today. Why am I going back to school? I'm already a Realtor, a published author, and a certified paralegal. What's the point? I'm in real estate and have the education I need for that. Why am I throwing more money at my education? Not to mention, right now might not be the best time for it. I'm not able to really focus on it like I should be. I'd much rather use the time for writing or... here's a thought, relaxing after ... [Read more]

#954521

March 18, 2019 at 8:04am

The thought entered my mind early this morning. More like appeared fully formed. Where will I be when I'm 50? What a thought, huh? I still feel 25 so suddenly I doubled in age. Whoa! Commence mind trip... I will have published at least 6 - 10 books in that time. Both of my children will turn 18 when I'm 45 so by then they'll be 20. Grown children but we plan for them to live near us or with us indefinitely as both are disabled. My husband will be nearing 60 at that point but I'... [Read more]

#953945

March 8, 2019 at 7:48am

Do you believe things are better or worse for writers today versus ten years ago? Does it matter if you use a pseudonym versus your real name to be authentic to your craft? I like to think things are a little better for writers today. Certainly, we have more access and opportunities than ever before. The publishing revolution was long overdue and it's happening. There's still a long way to go because there's not a great way to spotlight good writing and bring it national atte... [Read more]

#953944

March 9, 2019 at 7:26am

Two decades of blogging. You'd think a person would run out of things to say. But I haven't, as evidenced by my two blogs, which are regularly updated. I used to blog every day but now I just find as long as I blog weekly I'm happy. And I find my blog posts are always better if I have a topic in mind when I start. Blogging just to blog is not my style. I only blog when I have something worthwhile or important to say. Many thanks to for the great prompt and for the shout out fr... [Read more]

#953676

March 4, 2019 at 6:48am

I don't know the wisdom of posting this mainly because I'm trying to figure out how I feel about it all. But also it's a controversial topic that has alienated people in the past, specifically my sister who absolutely vilified me for even questioning the legitimacy of the accusations. I have done a ridiculous amount of research on this over the years, reading book after book of stories. Unlike with the Harvey Weinstein scandals and the Bill Cosby scandals, the stories about Michael... [Read more]

#953463

March 9, 2019 at 7:26am

I've been doing a lot of submissions this year in an effort to get more updated publication credits and to generate income from my writing. For the first time, I'm focused on both fiction and nonfiction. So far the list of pieces I have either submitted or am submitted are as follows: Stop the World (Essay) Shadows of Darkness Liberty (Essay) Deuces Blue Lost Heritage Gone Nuts Metamorphosis of a Mom (Essay) Protecting Your Child's Mental Health (Essay)... [Read more]

#953421

March 9, 2019 at 7:27am

I talked with Hubby and we determined this vacay is a bust. Fortunately my tickets to Lexington and the aquarium are good until the end of March so I'll make a day trip once I feel better. On top of it, I may end up not being able to see Libby for her birthday. We back tracked and think I possibly caught the nasty bug in HEB pharmacy when I went to pick up my RX for my anti-depressant (and if that's not an irony I don't know what is). So it's likely I would have gotten sick tha... [Read more]

#953326

March 9, 2019 at 7:27am

“Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living, it’s a way of looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope.” -Dr. Seuss Oh, the fantasy world! I learned about it years ago when reading The Black Stallion. Not a fantasy book but still fictional, I was quickly consumed and obsessive about the stories. I wrote book reports about each book in the series, unable to stop reading. I spent countless hours reading them, seeking a respite from the brutal realities of my own world. And for... [Read more]

#953324

February 27, 2019 at 8:44pm

Today would have seen me back home but the universe had other plans. I arrived on Monday and for some reason, was instantly sick. I thought it was allergies, initially. Then I thought maybe it was black mold in an AC unit. On Tuesday, when I developed a fever, I knew it was serious and headed to the local ER. Considering I was close to delirious from a 104 fever, it's no surprise my first attempt at an ER failed. Somehow, I wound up at a day surgery ER. I didn't even know there was a dif... [Read more]

#953185

February 25, 2019 at 11:10pm

Today was an interesting day. I woke early, about 5:30, to pack for my trip to Corpus Christi. I was on the road by 6:30, and at the hotel at 11:30. I was eating lunch by 12:30 and 3:30 saw me on my way to the beach. To say I was unimpressed might be an understatement. Corpus Christi is an ugly, dirty, industrial port city that has been repeatedly battered by hurricanes. You can tell it in the chipped concrete and potholes, the buildings with new roofs but lacking a fresh paint job. I'm ... [Read more]

#952957

February 23, 2019 at 12:40pm

At the suggestion of , (thank you sweet friend for the idea!) I decided to take a little trip and get away. We're broke but thanks to selling our truck this past Sunday, I have a little money available to do this. I'm hopeful it will give my mind, spirit, and soul the desperate break it needs to get right again. So here's my get away plan! I'm headed to Corpus Christi on February 25-27th. I will spend two nights in a modest hotel that costs $59 a night. Included in this packa... [Read more]

#952733

February 22, 2019 at 8:35am

Aren't those three of the most delightful words? I think they are, especially after winning round five of the Second Time Around contest for on WDC. I'm totally thrilled and grateful for the honor. Now I have a beautiful awardicon on Blue and I'm preparing to submit it for publication. Fingers crossed and wish me luck as I send it out near and far! I'm hoping it'll get somewhere between $250 - $1,000 for publishing. Need a review? Submit a bitem link to Need somethi... [Read more]

#952197

February 17, 2019 at 8:53am

I received some fabulous feedback the last few days on my writing. I reworked the opening paragraph for to make it more powerful and really love the changes I made. Then I received feedback that Deuces could do well expanded and I thought, "Hmmm... novella?" and liked that idea. So now I'm working to expand it. I'm not sure exactly how yet but I'm working on it. So that brings me to two novellas, plus my short story series for Jazz Macintosh and eight novels. Ugh, I have go... [Read more]

#951899

February 15, 2019 at 9:24am

I prayed this morning. It's not something I do often. It was more of a silent plea to the universe and anyone who might be listening. I'm not a big believer in the modern day versions of God. Humans get it wrong, that much I know. Our brains cannot comprehend God. The word God isn't even sufficient to explain it. I've read the bible cover to cover more than a dozen times. I've copied it word for word more times than I can count, thanks to my father's belief that writing s... [Read more]

#951841

February 12, 2019 at 6:46pm

I debated seriously whether to post about this or not. Part of it was I didn't want people to worry or feel sorry for me. Crazy right? If anyone should be felt sorry for, I probably fall into that pool of candidates. But don't feel sorry for me. We'll get through because we always do. I won't have it any other way. It's probably the only thing I have left to cling to - that stubborn refusal to quit, give up, or admit defeat. I woke up this morning to our cell phones being ... [Read more]

#951563

February 9, 2019 at 11:18am

Research genetic testing as it relates to the mental illness of your choice and share information you find helpful/interesting. Tell us your thoughts about mental illness and genetic testing. Genetic testing is a pretty exciting part of medical science right now. I remember when scientists mastered DNA sequencing and how exciting it was. It seemed like humanity now held the keys to so many puzzles and the future would be brighter because of it. DNA sequencing definitely changed the criminal... [Read more]

#951538

February 9, 2019 at 9:31pm

Life has many ways of testing a person’s will, either by having nothing happen at all or by having everything happen all at once.”~ —Paulo Coelho That's the description of my life in a nutshell. For the last three years, it's been one crisis after another. I feel like I'm living life as a character in a novel and the author is tormenting me. I'm on a first name basis with most of the staff at our local ER. Directors shudder at the sound of my name at multiple mental ... [Read more]

#951284

February 6, 2019 at 1:31am

I have proof that crazy people do not only live in America. Apparently, there's some pretty nutty people in Australia too, or at least one, as evidenced by a dating list she created and posted online. Among the list of criteria for the next man in her life was, "(I want) someone in good physical and mental health. I’m not your therapist. The relationship quickly becomes unsexy.” Oh, so many issues! It's very clear she has zero understanding of mental health. But what's e... [Read more]

#951059

February 3, 2019 at 10:45am

Be a positive influence today. Make a difference. In what way did you or someone else accomplish this? Lately it's been really tough to be positive. A week ago I admitted my daughter again for mental health treatment (see here for updates on that ) which is something that never gets easier, no matter how many times I do it (13 so far). So for about five days I was in an ugly head-space full of anger, frustration, fear, despair, grief, and depression. It's taken days to get my head ... [Read more]

#951030

February 2, 2019 at 11:29pm

Task 4: Do you think or notice that getting older has an affect on mental illness? I've never really thought about this before but I would say there's an affect. As I get older, and the pressures of life accumulate, it gets harder and harder to bounce back from things. Being under the constant pressure of having four disabled people (yes, I'm one due to PTSD) under one roof wears on my resilience and inner strength. Five years ago I had none of that. I also notice as my husban... [Read more]

#950997

February 3, 2019 at 11:56am

Task 2: Research online support group(s} that deal with one or more of your issues. Have you ever used an online support group before (aside from MHWA, of course)? For over a year now, I've been a member of Schizophrenia.com (http://www.schizophrenia.com), which deals with both family and caregivers and individuals with schizophrenia. I'm also a member of a Facebook group called Parents of Children with Schizophrenia (you'll have to search because it's private. Or send m... [Read more]

#950994

February 2, 2019 at 2:47pm

How do you feel about crimes committed by the mentally ill? Do you blame them personally or feel sorry for them? When I was a younger woman, before I became a mother, the world was very black and white. Because I couldn't imagine committing a crime myself, I had little sympathy for criminals. But then I began experiencing chronic homelessness and the despair that goes with it. I began to be exposed to circumstances that would test my view and my morals in ways I never imagined. I... [Read more]

#950928

February 1, 2019 at 7:35pm

Family (other than romantic relationships or parenting) This is a zero for me. I have no family, having disowned them years ago due to abuse, neglect, and abandonment. If they were a part of my life they would just harass me, tear me down, use me or create drama. No thanks. Romantic relationships (marriage, life partners, dating and so on) 10 - my husband is my rock and by best friend. If not for him, I don't know where I'd be in life right now. There's no one else... [Read more]

#950836

January 31, 2019 at 11:34am

I had a therapy session today and it was very helpful. We talked about the responses I had to Libby's re-hospitalization. It really set me back in ways I never expected. We discussed how I essentially shut down for a couple days and how that's not the unhealthy response I thought it was. I just needed a couple days to recover and get my head straight. My therapist said after extreme stress that's natural and it may even take longer than that. Each hospitalization is different. ... [Read more]