A Malkuth of Me,  Magick,  religion,  reviews,  rituals,  S. Connolly

Day 6: Bathin Offering & Prayers #domagick

I woke at 7, fed the cats, then went into the temple to leave offerings and prayers to Bathin. Today, in offering, I just burnt incense of frankincense and sandalwood. I said a quick prayer. I won’t lie and say it was a long one, it wasn’t. I simply asked for guidance on how to stop self-sabotage. The response I got was one word. Discipline. I’ve been seriously lacking the discipline I need in the past nine months. That discipline is essential in catapulting me toward the Sorath work, and ending this endless cycle of self-sabotage.

Things I noticed today – I didn’t have as many negative thoughts about my abilities and self-worth. Unlike Saturday when I caught myself thinking that my writing sucked, at which point I reminded myself that everyone’s first drafts suck. That’s what editing and revision are for. Gotta get the words out, then make them pretty. That’s such an important lesson for ANY writer. So if you write – remember that. Not to mention, what’s good in the world of fiction is totally subjective. Funny how you can 35 reviews saying people loved your work, and then one or two bad ones where readers think a book blows – and the minority of shitty reviews are what the writer mind focuses on. Even though the majority of the reviews are pretty good. Go figure.

Today’s Card: Seven of Pentacles

It’s time for me to stand back and re-evaluate everything. I need to look back and find out what worked and what didn’t and adjust my priorities and schedule based on past successes and how those successes put me on the path to meeting goals. I decided to make a list.

  • Writing – everyday. At least 1500 words minimum. 2500 is better.
  • Write faster, even if it means more editing and revision. Get the words out.
  • Write to market!!! Abandon projects that I’m not passionate about. This also means either completing or dumping series’ work that people aren’t interested in. I’ve already started doing this. I am finished ETG this year. I think I may abandon the contemporary romance. I’m just not passionate about it.
  • Work toward a goal of putting out 4 novels a year (on top of the novellas and shorter work I’m doing). I am already at 2 novels a year.
  • Focus on pen-names that people are interested in. That means allowing S. J. Reisner some time to simmer for awhile.

Steph is an award winning and bestselling author of thrilling steamy and paranormal romances, dark urban fantasy, occult horror-thrillers, cozy mysteries, contemporary romance, sword and sorcery fantasy, and books about the esoteric and Daemonolatry. A Daemonolatress and forever a resident of Smelt Isle, she is happily married and cat-mom to three pampered house cats. Her muse is a demanding sadistic Dom who often keeps her up into the wee hours of the morning. You can contact her at swordarkeereon@gmail.com

One Comment

  • Stephanie

    HI Steph,
    I want to say I think your writing is inspiration, it is to me. I’m really new to magick & daemonolatry. I think I have read every book you have published, they are wonderfully writing. Since I am new and nothing In my life has ever made so much sense to me then daemonolatry. I feel like its something I have been looking/ longing for my entire life. I have deep love and respect for the practice, on that note I am having some issues I don’t know if it’s just me or if I’m doing something wrong. As of late I’ve had car accident, my work has suffered and I have some health issues. I’m tirying to keep positive but I feel everything is back firing. I have no way of knowing if I’ve done this to myself or I’ve done something wrong and no one to ask or talk to about it. I’m married & my husband knows nothing of this yet, I do plan on telling when I get in a better head space. I need some guidence, I’m wonder if you have any suggestions or know anybody in my area that I could speak to or that would apprentice me, I know you dont know me from a hole in the ground, but I am very serious about the practice. I am 47 been married for 21 yrs I have no kids and like you I have 4 cats 2 rescue and 2 MaineCoons (my kids) I live in Salt Lake City Ut I have a great job and we are comfortable. That doesn’t mean I’m not off but I thought if I explain normal you’d be less likely to think I’m a staker. Im on FB you are more than welcome to look at my page to see I am normal. I love animals and love to laugh and have fun. My friend on FB are like me. Love to laugh love animals. My name is Stephanie Carter Holland. If you don’t know of anybody in my area or you are not comfortable at all I understand I won’t say another word about it. If you do it would be completely on their terms. If you don’t maybe some suggestions for me? I would enjoy very much to take classes like the ones over the Internet but I don’t have a computer that’s all mine and I don’t know how I would explain things to my husband, when the only computer we have, we share and it’s in his home work office. Sorry to keep going on and on… I’ve taken up enough of your time. Any suggestions or any advice you can give I would be very grateful.
    Thank you for letting me take up your precious time.

    Much love and respect!
    Stephanie

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