 | 6 Oct 08 |
Definitely a loaded question! When it was posed to me, it led to an invitation to join this awesome blog, so I confess I have a fondness for it.
Now the answer: In real life, I was trained to kill people for the military. In my books, my characters always do what it takes to get the job done. Regardless of genre (or pseudonym), someone (or something) is usually getting killed in my books. Which is why I’m now blogging with you all. How cool is that? Murder can be good.
So here I am, writing my first Murder She Writes blog post, which goes up the same day the new site design does. No pressure, right? *gulp* But maybe that works to my benefit. Maybe you’ll be distracted by the gorgeous web design and not notice that I’m just a little bit afraid of being the first newbie to blog among a group of such wonderfully talented, brilliant, and beautiful women.
Fear. It’s a natural thing to discuss on a blog based on murder, intrigue, and suspense. We’re all afraid of something. I have fears — fear of public speaking and fear of heights come quickly to mind. Sometimes my fear of missing out on something fun, unique, or once-in-a-lifetime can override the others, but sometimes it doesn’t.
Another big fear of mine is that I might run out of stories to tell. I know some author friends who have more ideas than they could ever possibly use. They have file folders filled with notes and premises; tales they hope to tackle one day when the time is right.
My ideas come to me one at time. Out of the blue. Just snippets. Maybe a tiny bit of dialogue, maybe not even that much. When asked to give interviews, I usually say, “I’d love to. Just please don’t ask me where I get my ideas, or how I came up with the story.” I’m amazed at the answers some authors are able to give to such questions. They know precisely what sparked the idea and how it blossomed. The most I can tell you about the genesis of my present series-in-progress is that I was washing my hair in the shower and thought, “What would it be like for a kick-ass, demon-hunting heroine to be torn between Cain and Abel?”
WTH? Where does something like that come from? There was nothing I’d seen/heard/done that day that would ignite such an idea. And when you don’t know where something came from, how do you find it again? There’s part of me that always wonders if the book I’m writing now will be the last one in me. That scares the beejesus out of me, because writing is like breathing to me. I’d certainly die if I stopped.
So… what about you? Care to share your fear(s)? Is there anyone else out there with fears like mine?
What do you think of the new digs? Do you love it as much as we do? 
Read of the week: My Big Fat Supernatural Honeymoon
Song of the week: Love Remains the Same by Gavin Rossdale
© 2008 – 2009 Sylvia Day. All rights reserved.
Sylvia Day is the national bestselling, award-winning author of seventeen novels. A wife and mother of two, she is a former Russian linguist for the U.S. Army Military Intelligence. In addition to her novels, she’s written numerous novellas and short stories for both print and electronic-original release. Sylvia’s work has been called “wonderful and passionate” by WNBC.com and “wickedly entertaining” by Booklist. Her stories have been translated into Russian, Japanese, Portuguese, German, Czech, and Thai. She’s been honored with the Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award, the EPPIE award, the National Readers' Choice Award, and multiple finalist nominations for Romance Writers of America’s prestigious RITA® Award of Excellence.
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Yay! Syl, I am soo happy you joined us. Tra la la la la! Love the new look, the new goils and the coolness of it all.
As far as fear goes?
I’m afraid of the boogeyman.
by Karin October 6th, 2008 at 1:08 amAbsolutely LOVE the new look! As for fears, the most insidious one is that something bad will happen to my children.
by Michelle October 6th, 2008 at 2:38 am[...] filled with notes and premises; tales they hope to tackle one day when the time is right… Read More » Share and [...]
by Do You Kill People? | S.J. DAY • Urban Fantasy Novelist • Official Website October 6th, 2008 at 3:08 amGood morning, Sylvia! Welcome home!
by Margaret A. Golla October 6th, 2008 at 4:27 amAwesome new look, gang. I can’t wait to read everyone’s blog.
Greatest fear: Drowning
Good morning!
As fears go, I have claustrophobia, fear of small spaces and a fear of heights.
by elianara October 6th, 2008 at 5:02 amLove the new decor, ladies, and welcome to the blog, Ms. Day.
Everything looks mahvelous.
I’m afraid of moths and grasshoppers. (How silly is that?) And suffocation – which means all bedding must be away from my face before I can sleep.
by B.E. Sanderson October 6th, 2008 at 5:51 amGorgeous new site!! Terrific to have you on the blog, SJ.
I have that fear of the story well drying up. I used to be terrified of driving over bridges when I had three kids in carseats, because I never knew what I’d do if my vehicle ended up in the river. Now they are older and can swim, but I still drive in the lane furthest from the rail.
by Kendra October 6th, 2008 at 6:26 amWelcome Sylvia.
I’m afraid of drowning in water.
by Dru October 6th, 2008 at 6:29 amoops…love the new site design.
by Dru October 6th, 2008 at 6:29 amFears – there are a few, the biggest one for me is driving over bridges – mostly big bridges but even on small ones I cant drive over them if I am right next to the guardrail.
And public speaking – its not so bad if its mostly people I don’t know, but when there are lots of people I know and care for it makes it about a million times harder.
Love the new site…and cant wait to everyone’s blogs!
by Tiffany October 6th, 2008 at 6:30 amGreat new design! I know fear every time one of my teenagers is out, especially when it’s in a car.
by Maureen October 6th, 2008 at 6:33 amGreat opening for our new blog, Syl! I agree, the site looks stunning, and I’m so proud to be part of it!
Fear? I think I have fear of fear, as I was raised by a woman who was a little afraid of everything. So my biggest fear is that I’ll let fears stop me from doing something – like flying (hate it).
I used to be absolutely terrified of dogs (also inherited from my mother) and saw my son developing this same trait, so I went against everything I thought was *me* and got a dog. Not only did my fear disappear, I know love them all and realize how much I missed by not having one as a pet for so much of my life.
by Roxanne St. Claire October 6th, 2008 at 7:42 amWow, the new design is awesome.
Welcome to MSW. I think each one of you are wonderful additions to our fabulous original MSW ladies.
Your blog was great. On the first page of my current wip, the scene opens w/ my female PI killing a bad guy.
I’m terrified about my children’s safety. I’m also afraid of drowing or being buried alive.
by HollyD October 6th, 2008 at 7:44 amHi, Sylvia! Very nice place here, and great company!
As for fears, like others have mentioned, fear for my kids is first. I’ve also got the ol’ heights and public speaking. And the fear of failure and other public humiliations 
Trying to be bolder about trying some things at least, so that my kids aren’t afraid because they see me being that way. (For instance, my son wanted to ride the Ferris wheel at the fair–I HATE Ferris wheels but I rode it with him, trying to act all nonchalant as the seat swayed… blargh! What actors being parents makes us!)
by Fedora October 6th, 2008 at 7:55 amAs far as fear goes, I used to be afraid of many things; Flying, closed spaces, heights, helicopters ( it’s just unatural to go straight up in the air) and little ones ,too.
When I moved west after a divorce, I decided to conquer my fears. I still get a quivver walking over high bridges and I still hate those high-rise elevators to express to the top of a building, but i live in colorado so gettting over many of these was a necessity to enjoy our gorgeous state. I even took flying lessons!
this is an awesome blog site. I look forward to many hours of reading what you all have to say.
wild wave to Rocki!!!!
hugs kathi h
by kathi h October 6th, 2008 at 7:56 amHey Sylvia–my Monday Partner in Crime! I’m always afraid I won’t have the next idea. And while I’m writing a book, I fear the idea isn’t working on every level imaginable. I do my best to ignore that fear.
Everyone knows I’m afraid of snakes…but another (weird) fear is that I don’t get out enough and will start becoming a hermit. If I start collecting cats, you all know it’s time for an Intervention!
by Jen October 6th, 2008 at 8:43 amWow, I’m gone for two weeks and you guys paint the place. Great look. Welcome to all the new writers and commenters.
Everyone knows I fear Snakes!
by Cele October 6th, 2008 at 9:04 amKarin — Thank you for inviting me! ((hugs)) And the bogeyman? Seriously? With Gary and Will in the house? *arches brow*
Michelle — I can totally relate to that fear. When I’m out with my kids, they never leave my line of sight. No idea what I’ll do when they get older. Go stark raving mad, I suppose.
Margaret – Thank you for the welcome! Do you still manage to go swimming, though? Or not at all?
Elianara — Good morning back atcha!
B.E. — I had a praying mantis jump me from behind once and now the sight of the things gives me the willies. That darn bug was HEAVY! *shudder*
Kendra — Thank you for the welcome! Hate to say it, but I’m glad I’m not the only one with the dry well fear. I envy the authors with a gazillion ideas.
Dru — *waving*
Tiffany — I’d never heard of the fear of bridges until you and Kendra mentioned it. I’ll have to use it in a book!
Maureen — I dread the teenage years…
Rocki — You do seem fearless to me! It’s one of the many things I admire about you. ((hugs)) I love dogs. I can’t say enough about my pets (a chihuahua mix and a caique parrot). I’m totally an animal lover.
HollyD — Thanks for the welcome! I’m excited to be here! I’m glad you liked the blog. I wrote two, I was so nervous. *g*
Fedora — *applauding* Good for you for getting on that Ferris wheel!! And I agree, the women here at MSW are phenomenal company. I’m honored to be among them.
Kathi — You rock for taking flying lessons! I made a certificate for my son last week for conquering a fear of his. I was so proud of him and he was so proud of that certificate.
Jen — I’m so thrilled to swap Mondays with you! I worried about becoming a hermit, too, so my New Year’s resolution was to spend less time emailing and more time on the phone. It’s one of the best resolutions I’ve ever made. Acquaintances became friends, and friends became really close friends.
Cele — I’m so glad you like the new look! Thank you for the welcome.
by S.J. Day October 6th, 2008 at 9:17 amWelcome. It’s so nice to finally meet the new bloggers here.
Me? I’m afraid of becoming agoraphobic again. At one point, back in the 1980s, I was almost completely housebound for nearly a year. While I managed to work myself out of that hole a step at a time (literally), if I have a day or two when I don’t happen to have to go out, I find myself starting to look for reasons not to go out at all, and when I do go out after even a day in, I sometimes find myself feeling like I’m going to be overwhelmed by anxiety again, even though I’ve mostly mastered the anxiety attacks that precipitated the agoraphobia in the first place.
As far as the new decor…I like it.
by Elaine October 6th, 2008 at 10:42 amWelcome Sylvia! Love having you here
. . . I wrote about fear yesterday at Murderati, LOL — the fear of WRITING a speech. Not speaking, that I have no problem with, but WRITING one of those dang things is giving me fits . . .
As far as ideas, I don’t mind talking about where they come from, but that doesn’t mean anyone is going to understand how I got to the story. Like for THE PREY I had read an article about a man who killed his entire family, then himself, and the comments from his neighbors was, “I can’t believe it. He was so nice.” Everyone was in shock. Then I thought, what if one of the kids survived? She became my heroine.
by Allison Brennan October 6th, 2008 at 12:26 pmSylvia, great blog! It’s such a blast to get to be a part of this amazing group of women and all of the fantastic backbloggers.
Fear? Crowds bother me, though I don’t have a problem standing in front of them and talking or performing. Just being lost in one where I know no one or it feels like a crush of people. Takes me a while to work up my courage for conventions!
I love flying, but would never willingly jump out of a perfectly useful airplane, so the whole “parachuting” thing boggles my mind. (I mean, hello, ground? rushing at me? there is nothing down there that I have to get to *that* fast.) And I’m like you — I don’t have a lot of ideas, just one or two and I have no clue sometimes how they showed up, so it worries me a little that the next one might be the last, but so far, they have appeared when I needed one!
by toni mcgee causey October 6th, 2008 at 12:56 pmLove the new look – a great blog has gotten even better
Congrats to all of you!
by Lori G. Armstrong October 6th, 2008 at 1:06 pmGet new look, ladies! Love it.
Welcome Sylvia! As well as the other newbies. Cool place to hang out
by ArkansasCyndi October 6th, 2008 at 3:28 pmLove the new look. I’m afraid of heights, but I think it’s more of an inner ear inbalance. But I can’t blame my inner ear for my fear of public speaking. That’s a real fear.
by Edie October 6th, 2008 at 4:37 pmElaine — so you conquer your fear every day! I admire you.
Allison — I’m stoked to be here! Thank you for the invite.
And I love your story about how you came up with the idea for THE PREY.
Toni – I have trouble with crowds, too. I’m okay if I’m anonymous, but if I’m there as an author and people are looking for me in that capacity… not so much. In a group of friends, I’m the loud one. In a group of strangers, I’m the quiet one hiding behind the others.
Lori — Thank you!
Cyndi – *waving*
Edie — Do you get seasick, too?
by S.J. Day October 6th, 2008 at 4:58 pmWow, this just looks SO cool I can’t stand it. What fun! Great intro, Sylvia, and let me just say that you are a great addition to our blog. I LOVE it!
Now, fear…. My kids. No, I’m not afraid of them, I’m afraid of losing them. That terrifies me more than heights, snakes, or spiders, all of which I do not like.
by Natalie October 6th, 2008 at 4:59 pmI’m terrified of spiders. I haven’t even, so far, been able to bring myself to write a scene in a book with spiders.
Uh huh. I may have to conquer this one day in the writing, at least.
P.S.
I kill people in writing. It’s just not as much fun, otherwise.
by S.Roit October 6th, 2008 at 6:18 pmI’m afraid of bridges collapsing, heights, and having another presidency like the one we currently do…seriously.
I’m also terrified that I’ll never accomplish things that are important to me, that make me happy, and not just the things I know I NEED to do in my life.
by Courtney October 7th, 2008 at 5:08 amNatalie — Thank you for the invite! I’m so happy to be here.
S. Roit — I don’t mind Daddy Long Leg spiders, but fat and juicy arachnids freak me out. *shudder*
by S.J. Day October 7th, 2008 at 9:33 amHey Syl! The blog looks great.
I have a really bad fear of dying.
A couple of years ago, I had a fear of going to sleep and dying. That lasted about 7 months. Let’s just say I was really really tired. I’d get maybe 3 or 4 hours of interrupted sleep. I’d go to sleep and wake myself up every hour or half hour just to make sure I was still breathing…LOL
Not sure I got past it, but I did. It definitely gave me a few good story ideas though…
by Vivi Anna October 14th, 2008 at 1:22 pm