Goals, Dreams and Deadlines #writetoday

A goal is a dream with a deadline.
Napoleon Hill

My weekend writing view off the bow of our boat.

 Writing for fun is a completely different animal than writing for publication - and anyone that tells you otherwise is full of crap.

Writing for publication, whether it's for a traditional publisher or if you are going it alone as an indie, is a JOB. It's a BUSINESS. You cannot only write when you're inspired or when you "have the time."

You have to make time, you have to write through good days and bad, kids screaming and anything else life tosses at you.

We all start with the dreams of seeing our names on covers and touching people with our stories and characters. To get there takes planning, lots of hours at the keyboard and it requires some serious goal setting.

This year we became boaters - which means a good chunk of my weekends will be spent on the water, soaking up the sunshine, being inspired by the beauty of the water - but also seriously cutting chunks out of my normal writing routine.

In order to make my deadlines, I'm going to need to learn to write while bobbing on the sea.

Here's a few tried and true tips to add some writing time to your day:

* Become an early riser. I find I am most creative in the morning and when the house is quiet I get more done.

* Become a night owl. Some people find writing at night works best for them. Some find a great way to reduce the stress of the day by letting their creative juices run wild.

* Always carry a pad and pen or learn to record your voice on your phone. You never know when you might have a few minutes to get an idea down.

* Set the timer for 15 minute writing sprints. No internet, no distractions...everyone can find a few 15 minute time slots in their day somewhere.

*Find a writing buddy to hound support you. Cheer each other on with texts, emails, messaging, etc. 
 


How do you adjust to a changing schedule over the summer to meet your deadlines?

Word Wednesday: Abolish

Today I'm starting a new blog feature for Wednesday...Word Wednesday.

So, today I'm starting at the beginning of the alphabet with the word

ABOLISH

v. to do away with

Over the past few months I've become more aware of my inner stress and emotions. I was introduced the art of mediation by another writing friend of mine and I can't tell you the difference it's made in my life.

I feel calm and more focused.

I'm learning how to ABOLISH negative thoughts and stress, the natural way - and it's been freeing.

Today I hope you read the word and think of a way to apply it to your life this week...what can you abolish to make your life just a little bit better?

And now it's time for me to abolish thoughts of procrastination and hit the WIP!

See ya later gators :)

A Writer and Her Keyboard

This is what I wanted for Valentine's Day...and my husband delivered.

Still not sure it was a good choice.

First it was on sale the week before Valentine's Day (I guess a keyboard isn't considered a romantic gift to most people...unless you happen to be married to a writer!)

Hubby, of course, pulled it from the box and had it operational on my desk within minutes. I sat down and gave it a try. After 5 minutes I removed it from my desk and put the old one back in its place.

Being on a Valentine's Day deadline, my excuse was, "I don't have time for weird."

My deadline has come and gone and I'm still not sure I'm ready for "weird!"

The keyboard is supposed to be ergonomic and wrist-friendly...probably something that a writer would love and welcome...me? not so sure.

I'm a touch typist. I learned in High School (a long time ago!) and my fingers can fly across a Kwerty keyboard pretty quickly without once glancing at the keys. Split my keyboard in half and give it an odd curve...YIKES! Add in my acrylic nails and I've resorted to the "hunt and peck" method. (My daily word count has noticed a considerable decline and yes, I will blame the keyboard!)

It has a removable, magnetic base that raises or lowers the angle the keyboard - some days the base is attached (shown above) and some days the base gets tossed against my refrigerator where it taunts me.

I'm not ready to give up it yet, and let's face it, this keyboard is far from being the weirdest thing in my house - so there is a good possibility this will eventually work for me.

Have you tried one of these ergonomic keyboards? Love it, hate it, tossed it in the "closet of weird things?"

It's Pumpkin Season!

 The temperature is getting cooler, the leaves are beginning to change to their glorious colors of fall and PUMPKIN is everywhere! I love this time of year.

Nothing screams fall in my house more than waking up to a hot cup of pumpkin spice coffee...Yum. Then I finish off the day with a little pumpkin spiced Irish cream - and whatever happens in between fades away.

 New in writing: I expect this month to be a crazy month of new writing, edits an revisions.

Surrender to the Sheriff is in edits right now with my editor and I expect the release date to be late November!

My holiday novella, Muffins & Mistletoe, is being written and edited and I expect it to be released by November 1st - in time for some holiday fun reading! The adorable cover will be revealed in my October newsletter - so if you want to see it first, sign up for the newsletter! There will also be a holiday themed giveaway inspired by the story. :)

Toby is excited about Fall too - so after his last bath we dressed him up in Halloween bandana. :) Isn't he cute!

(Okay, admit it - you dress up your dog for holiday too...right?)


How do you welcome Fall in your house?

Pets and Writing

 Let's just start this post with my admission to having a huge soft spot for anything with fur, feathers or gills. Yes, I am a pet lover. There are more animals in my house than humans...and I kinda like it that way!

If you come to my house you must be prepared to be greeted by my two friendly cats, my hyper puppy and you'll probably be cursed out by my sulfur-crested cockatoo! The lizard and the fish won't bother you, so just ignore them.

But, I love them all and after a hard day at the day job when I sit down write, it's a wonderful feeling when one of the cats curls up in my lap...like Rocky over here!

Or when my little YorkiPoo Toby sits at my feet.

They listen to my keyboard and sleep. The don't comment as I run dialogue out loud or if I complain...

Sweet faces, quiet and attentive love (unless they're hungry!) who could ask for a better writing companion?

Tell me about your favorite fur-covered writing buddy!

Writing Life - LIRW Luncheon & Pitching

Part of being a writer is actually leaving the computer and mingling with other writers.

And agents and editors.

Which means talking about YOU and what YOU WRITE.

For the most part, I'm a social girl. I love a good party and if there's a chance for a tote bag, anything chocolate and something alcoholic...I'll sign up.

The nice thing about the LIRW Luncheon is always the relaxed atmosphere, guaranteed to put people at ease. Friendly, summer business casual and wonderful attendance, makes this at the top of my list of "must-do" events every year.

But...like a lot of writers I know, ask me to talk about myself and my current WIP and I might suddenly develop amnesia. Which is why for weeks before an event like the annual LIRW Luncheon - it's good to actually start memorizing your pitch.

That is, if you've decided to pitch.

Let's be honest, the industry has changed over the last few years - and I think it's a change in the author's favor (and the reader for that matter!)

I write time travels which is often put in the category of a "tough sell."

I know this. I don't care. This is what I love and what I write and I make no apologies for it.

Just a few short years ago being confident in your own work wasn't enough, and yes, I got hives talking about my books to any industry professional - even at a casual event.

Now?

Not so much. Because I've had success with a time-travel novella, I'm much more confident in the fact that I have options and if my book isn't right for one house, one editor or one agent...it's not the only game in town and I can take my ball to a new field.

So, yes I did practice my pitch and I'm excited about any opportunity that could present itself during a 4-hour event with 26 agents and editors mingling around. But, it's not often I get to wear something a little dressy and a little fun, so I'm definitely just as excited to be wearing this animal print dress! (Does that make me incredibly shallow?)

And toss in some chocolate and I'm a happy girl.

Do the new roads to publishing leave you just a little less stressed over pitching?

Deadlines, Dreams and A Purring Cat

"Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world."
~ Harriet Tubman

Dreamer? Yes, that's me.

Strength, patience and passion? Absolutely!

Organized and able to wing it to stay on program? Ahhh, not so much.

Over the past few years (yes, I said years!) I've tried calendars, pocket agendas, online task lists that send me reminders...and I still keep looking.

Now that I've put myself in the drivers seat of my own writing career, it's more important than ever to figure out how to turn my dreams into reality and that's only going to happen if I hit my deadlines.

Yesterday I tried out a new (FREE!) app on my phone - Any.do and it worked great for me! I love the "plan your day" feature.

As for the dream...

Surrender to the Sheriff is with my editor, but you can read the blurb and a short excerpt on my website

I'll have a cover soon too!

Want more of a sneak peak with more excerpts and maybe even a contest before the book is released in July? Sign up for my newsletter!

Rocky has been spending more time curled in my lap these days, his purring and the clicking of my keyboard are music to my ears in the early morning hours or late at night.


How do you stay organized with all the "to-dos" on your list? Do you find the old-fashioned paper works best or do you like the reminders on your phone?






Happy travels, my friends!

Five ways to free the muse

My Purple Priestess of Words

"You can't wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club." 

 ~ Jack London

That Jack London...he knew a little about writing.

He also knew that if we sit around waiting for the muse to show up for work, we'd never get our books done.

While not every writer has a muse, almost every writer I know has a routine that sets them on their own writing road. Here are just a few of the ways to get some words on the page and feel a little less stressed in the process.

1. Put the muse on the clock. Try putting yourself on a schedule. Sit down with your pad or at your computer with your ms open at the same time everyday. Whether your writing fairy is in the mood or not...your brain knows it's time to work and you might get more words than you think.

2. Give her a deadline. Oh, that ticking bomb we love to use to up the suspense in our novels...works on your muse too! Turn over the hourglass, set the kitchen timer or the alarm on your phone for a short amount of time and GO! Don't edit. Don't stress...just write.

3. Bribe the bitch. Want 100 words before coffee? 200 words before you get the kids on the bus? 300 words while the water boils for the pasta your making for dinner? A small reward can be just the ticket. Whether it's allowing yourself 15 minutes on your favorite game, time to surf the web or for a few of your favorite Jelly Belly's...sometimes we need the bribe and it's not wrong!

4. Set the mood. I personally can't write to music with lyrics - but I know plenty of authors who produce a complete soundtrack to their WIP. If this works for you and loosens up the tight lips of your muse...go for it.

5. Let her sleep in while you free write. This is a technique that works for a lot of people. Some people call it "morning pages" others call it just "free writing." It doesn't matter what you call it, it matters that you do it. You simply sit down and write. Not on your WIP, but whatever starts to flow...let your mind wander through the cobwebs of your imagination. No editing allowed, indulge yourself! Just a page or two, whatever you need to warm up the fingers and get the brain firing on all cylinders.

And when the muse figures out you don't need her at all...she might show up with something to prove! Now, go get those words on the page!

What is your favorite way to coax the words onto the page everyday?

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What are you doing with your time?

Hourglass

One day.
24 hours.
1440 minutes in a day.

Time doesn't discriminate based on your gender, your height, your color or your economic status.

We all get the same amount of time - every day.

It's what we do with it that counts!

I think we're all guilty of saying and thinking there just aren't enough hours in the day to get everything done. And while many of us DO have more on our schedules than we have the time to accomplish...sometimes it's about priorities and not wasting the time we have.

You say you don't have time to write? How many words could you have added to your manuscript in the time it takes to read this blog post? (Not that I don't want you to come and visit me, I'm just making a point.)

This week I loaded The Productive Writer by Sage Cohen to my Nook because I admit I often let too many minutes of my day go by without capturing them in a productive way. I realized I need some help in figuring out a plan to get more done.

Author Sage Cohen suggests we keep track our our day to see where those free moments can be turned into something more productive.

She also suggests stepping out our comfort zones. You think you need absolute quiet and six hour block of uninterrupted time to write - but is that really the case?

Maybe you think you can only be creative at the crack of dawn, drinking coffee and listening to Mozart.

Are you a night owl and think you do your best work after midnight with a glass of wine at your side?

These rituals may be comforting and you very well may do your best work under your own ideal circumstances...but being a productive writer means sometimes we HAVE to write when there isn't a full moon and the stars haven't aligned.

The question today is...what are you doing with your time? Can you write in a notebook or on a pad for fifteen minutes of your lunch break? Can you dictate a scene into your phone's voice recorder on the way home from work? Can you sneak in fifteen minutes to write instead of playing Farmville?

I think we can!

For the next few days why not pay attention to the moments that click by - the free minutes you might be missing to be a little more productive towards your dream of reaching The End. I think you might be surprised where you CAN find the time you thought you didn't have.

I know I did!

Good luck and happy writing!

** Because I love my readers and am grateful you choose to spend some time with me each week, all comments from March 1 to March 31 are automatically entered into my monthly drawing for a 3 pack of mini travel-sized handmade soaps. Details and the scents for the month can be found on the "contest rules" page.

Plotting, Post-it Notes and Persistence

When I find something I like...It's usually pretty obvious.

Yes, these post-it notes are a good sampling of what you'll find on my desk, in my drawers and stashed away in the office supply cabinet of my house. (Don't judge me, I can't help myself. It's a sickness. I wonder if there's a 12-step program to cure an addiction to post-it notes?)

Now imagine a whole workshop devoted to plotting (usually my biggest roadblock and cause for hours of time spent staring into space) and that workshop requires POST-IT notes!

Okay, so give me a minute while I jump for joy.

Over the years I've been perfecting (haha) the craft of writing romance fiction, I have been persistent in my attempts to plot before I sit down to write.

I've got a huge white board of destiny with squares that I often stick my sticky notes to where I plot the major events and follow characters through conflicts and resolutions. But no matter how hard I try my method just seems to be lacking something.

This weekend I have a feeling I'm going to find out exactly what I'm doing wrong and how to fix it.

The Long Island Romance Writers are hosting a plotting, layering and texturing workshop with the wonderfully talented New York Times Bestseller, Cherry Adair.

As every writer will tell you, there are a hundred ways to plot (and some of us don't plot at all.) And I am always fascinated to hear the process of another author. But at the end of the day, the thing to remember is that we are all different and our ways of achieving a working and believable plot CAN be as different as the stories we write. Taking all the ideas of others who successful plot time and time again and making it work for you and your style, is what this game is all about.

This weekend I get to play with sticky notes, spend hours plotting my next book and enjoy the company of 50 authors!

Do you get excited about plotting? Do you love post-it notes?

Welcome to the judgement free zone!

Writing With Doubts

Over the last week, the lovely ladies in Passionate Critters Critique Group have had more than our share of tales of writing with doubt.

If you're a writer, you've probably been there too.

"Am I good enough."

"Does my story suck"

"Sometimes I feel like I should give up."

Sound familiar?

Don't we all fight off the doubts on a daily basis?

I know I do. Which is why I surround myself with positive thoughts, inspirational messages and people that believe in the power of dreams.

We have to believe in ourselves, and believe that the words we have inside us are worthwhile. Not so easy, I know.

I truly believe if writing is your calling, is in your soul, then you need to get those words out of your head and release them in to the wild (Or you might go crazy!)

So then, to accomplish that goal, we have to sit at the keyboard or with a pen and paper - every day. Even when the words aren't flowing, even when the devil on your shoulder tells you to give up.

Don't give up.

Rejections, bad reviews, plots that you just can't seem to make work...so many reasons for us to doubt we have what it takes to make it in this crazy business called publishing.

Is there a surefire way to deal with the self-doubt monster living in your head? Gosh, I wish I knew (and if you figure it out...please share it with me!) But I do think he feeds on insecurity and fear. And if that's the case, it's going to be hard for me to keep the beast from growing pretty darn fat, because insecurity and fear are alive in well inside my head whenever I sit down to write.

But, since the only way to be a writer is to WRITE - then we have to ignore the doubt that pokes at our defenses and simply write. We have to show up everyday and keep pressing forward with the dream of creating beautiful stories. Kick that doubt-monster to the curb (even if he finds his way back home every damn morning as you open that WIP!)

I wish it got easier, but with each new book I start, the same doubts pop into my head. I agonize over my characters and the plot - so worried they'll be unlikable or my plot will be seem lame or even worse, predictable and boring. I would love to be so confident that from my magic fingers drip golden words...but I know better. I struggle with those words every day.

So, tell me, how do you get rid of the self-doubt monster living in your head?

The Right Place to Write...

Do you have a favorite writing spot?

Do you have a place you're more comfortable writing, a place the muse seems to like best?

Sitting anywhere for a long period of time trying to pound out a novel can give us back aches and eye strain, so when we find that sweet spot...ain't it a wonderful thing!

This picture is of my laptop at my kitchen table, and this is pretty much where I never write. I don't find it comfortable.  My real desk is on the other side of the room, occupies a nice wall in my kitchen and is a MESS...so I will not be posting a picture of my workspace anytime soon!

(Anyone else have a messy desk - or is that just me?)

Eventually one of three kids will be old enough to move out and donate their room to Mom for her personal writing office, but for now - I'm in the kitchen.

Normally this big, comfy chair is reserved for sleeping watching TV, but if the mood strikes, I will sit here with my laptop and write. But, usually not for very long.

Even though I love the portability of a laptop, I'm not in love with the keyboards (my acrylic nails may have something to do with this problem, don't know) so I don't tend to type on them on my lap for any significant length of time. (At my desk, I have my laptop plugged into a regular keyboard.)

In the summer, I take the laptop outside and will sit at the table in my courtyard or on my swing.

I do find the change of location or scenery a good thing. It sometimes sparks an idea or a sensory description perfect for the scene I'm writing.

But, I am mostly a creature of habit and type in the same place at the same time everyday. Maybe it's just that's where I feel the most comfortable or maybe it's just where the muse is conditioned to punch in every morning.

Having the right chair for back support, being the right distance and angle from the laptop screen for my neck and aging eyes, are all important to me. I also must have a convenient place for my coffee, my chocolate and my notes! (And don't get me started on all the colored sticky notes...)

Can you write anywhere or have you carved out your own little sacred writing space that suits you and your muse?  

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Writing Groups, Coffee & Belonging

Ten years ago, my wonderfully supportive husband set me up in the basement of our old house with a computer so I could finally stop talking about writing a book and actually sit down and right one.

Two years later with pages and pages of beginnings and no endings, I found my way online to the EHarlequin site, made a few online friends, discovered yahoo groups and the RWA.

Within a few short months, I was a card-carrying member of the national group and had found my way to a local Long Island chapter, the LIRW.

Before the year was out, I was secretary of the local chapter and I'd met two wonderful ladies online (Jennifer Shirk and Cynthia Selwyn) and together we formed an online critique group, The Passionate Critters.

 For a girl who didn't join a single club in high school, I'd somehow become a joiner! And loved it!

Over the years I've been a member of many online chapters of the RWA, groups either specific to my genre or simply online groups that offered interaction for a stay-at-home mom bursting to talk "shop" with everyone and anyone. (After all, no one understands a writer, like a writer!)

As my local friendships grew, so did my time away from home. Monthly meetings, weekend conferences, brainstorming sessions over coffee at the local Starbucks! I can't count the number of times we say, "let's have coffee and talk about that plot!" Or work out dialogue. Or straighten out a query letter...My Keurig at home gets a workout too when the ladies crash at my house for a night of twitter lessons or website basics!

I've been on committees, I've chaired committees. I've served on the board of my local chapter. I've helped create and grow a thriving online critique group that I'm thankful for everyday!

So, this year with finances in my house not in the best shape...I considered giving up the writing group memberships.
Groups that have been a lifeline for my writing persona for the last 8 years. I think I cried more than a few nights anticipating the void.

Although many of the friendships I have made over the years have transcended the memberships and the actual groups - those groups still pull me in. They offer shoulders, cheers and advice. The meetings and workshops always teach me something new I can use to create fresh work. They inspire me on a continuous basis to write and fight off the demons sitting on my shoulder telling me I'm no good!

I am fortunate, I have a VERY supportive family. But, no one understands a writer like another writer!

Over the last few weeks this girl who's become quite the joiner over the last 8 years, just couldn't quite kick the habit. I'm happy to say that even with finances being tight, I renewed and all my groups will be putting up with me for another year!

How about you? Are you a joiner?

It's Conference Weekend Time!

Writing is a solitary profession. Sure I love to skip all around the internet entertaining myself (and hopefully a few of you!) along the way on Twitter and Facebook - but when I'm working on my books, it's just me and the words on the page.

At least once a year I try to attend a writing conference. Sometimes on a grand and overwhelming scale, like RWA National or sometimes on a smaller, regional and much more intimate scale, like the NJRW Conference. And New Jersey is where I'm headed today!

My favorite things about a conference:

* Meeting up with old friends and making new ones.

* Putting faces to names I see online.

* The networking.

* The brainstorming.

* The workshops.

* The celebrations of success and the consolations of some of our defeats.

Even if just for the weekend, a conference has a way of filling my writer's well with hope, vision and renewed determination to get the books done. There's nothing like being in a hotel full of romance writers to pump up the motivation and redirect my focus. I always come home inspired by the keynote speeches and from the success of my friends.

One of my favorite quotes of all time is, "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take" ~ Wayne Gretsky

Which is my world translates to, "Oprah can never recommend my book if I don't sit my ass down and write it!"

All the energy of a writing conference is part of my job, it's part of my motivation and I'm looking forward to all the little tidbits of information I will gathering this weekend.

Have a great weekend my friends!