The Writing Life, May 12

So, some of you might have noticed that around January, my name changed.  You might have guessed that it was because I got married.  Let me tell you, changing my name across all social media was a huge pain in the ass.  I am still seeing my maiden name popping up in a few places.  Hopefully I’ll have it eradicated soon.

I didn’t think about this decision a lot until I was listening to a podcast from All Indie Writers.  The host, Jennifer Mattern, was talking about branding yourself as a writer, when she mentioned that this name that we knew her by was her maiden name.  She didn’t go by her married name in her public life.

Now, before I go any farther, I am not, in any way saying that that’s a bad thing.  I just realized that it was a choice that she’d made, and it was a choice that I made.

My maiden name was something that I associate with my past.  And my past is not so great.  I’ve got three published pieces under Nicole Ford, and a whole lot of emotional baggage.

Luttrell is a name I chose when I agreed to marry my husband.  It’s his, but now it’s mine, too.  Anything I publish from now on, even down to the posts here on Paper Beats World, will have that name on it.  Nicole Luttrell.  It represents the creation of a family I chose, of a future I chose, and a life I chose.  (Que Let it Go here.)  It represents my present, and my future.  It wasn’t a choice made from some patriarchal guilt.  It is me, declaring myself to be a different person than the one I was years before.  I love that.

So, about the writing, which is what you come here to hear about, after all.

Things That Rocked This Week-

• My blog feed has been blowing up with some great inspirational pieces from some amazing entrepreneurial ladies.  ByRegina, Elle & Co, Tipsy Writer, I’ve been loving them all.  And I’ve got so many new ideas, I’m having a hard time deciding what to work on next.
• I got the opportunity to join in with Tipsy Writer’s weekly twitter chat, and meet some awesome new creative people.  It’s every Tuesday at 8:30, and if you’re not already following her on twitter, go do it now.
• I am pumping out some awesome short fiction, and I am ready to get back in the game.  Glimmer Train’s deadline for the quarter is coming up on May 31, and I think my piece should be ready in time.

Things I’m looking forward to this week-

• This is the week of editing.  I’ve got some pieces I’ve got to take a red pen to, and that’s always satisfying.
• Still plugging away at the fourth draft of Broken Patterns.  But my lovely hubby installed Drop Box on everything we own, so I can share it with him as I’m writing, being my own live in editor as he is.
• I am very close to finishing the prep work for the super fantastic surprise I have for you all in August!  Are you curious yet?  I can not wait to tell you all about it.  It’s like waiting to give my kids their Christmas presents, I swear.
• I’ve got some time put aside this week to work on your special gift this month.  It’s something new, something I’ve never done before, and I’m a little anxious, not gonna lie.

What’s going on in your world this week?  Let me know in the comment section below!