Studying?...at my age?

They say you're never too old to learn something new...I'm not sure who 'They' is but it's probably true. I am, however, having to learn how to study and learn again. It's been 18 years since I've been in school so my study muscles have gotten a bit lazy.

What am I studying, you ask? Well, I've decided that I need to study the art of writing. I'm obviously not getting very far on my own so I'm leaning on the knowledge of those who have actually gotten published in hopes of learning where I've gotten off track so I can finish this book and submit it.

Right now I'm reading the book "Writing Romance" by Vanessa Grant and thus far it's been very helpful. I've learned a few things about what editors and publishers want to see in a romance novel, how to get started and some great ideas about plotting. Publishing is a tremendously competetive marketplace and not just anyone can make it. I'm hoping that I can be one of the ones who can. I watch my dear friend Jane Porter: http://www.janeporter.com/ release book after wonderful book and travel the world on book tours and I'm so anxious to have a little bit of that for myself...but Jane has something I don't have- drive! She is sooo amazingly driven and so talented. Her books grab her readers and hang on tight but she has to work to make that happen. Writing isn't all play and no work, it's hard and it takes weeks and sometimes months to come up with an idea and see it from 'Chapter One' to 'The End'.

The point of this week's blog entry is that you truely are never too old to learn something new. Keep your mind challenged and active and it will see you through a long and wonderous life. Study things you don't understand, master a new skill, and for the love of Pete...READ!!!