This writer’s Thanksgiving

Having worked in public relations, communications and television I feel most thankful now to be a full-time writer. I really have always loved every job I have had but I really love what I am doing today and anytime someone can say that, they should give thanks.

I love the flexibility. The opportunity to explore new worlds through the eyes of my characters and to meet new characters, both good and bad. On the non-fiction front, I love to meet people that I probably wouldn’t meet if it wasn’t for some of the topics I cover. I love the chance to educate others on ideas and subjects that are important to me and that deserve to be shared. I love possibilities. I love walking into a bookstore and walking through the rows thinking that someday the book I’m writing now will be among those bestsellers.

I’m most thankful for the community I’ve met in the writing world. First I joined Romance Writer’s of America (even though I don’t write romance) and later I became part of the great publishing family at Who Dares Win Publishing when I published my first book, ‘Caring for Your Special Needs Dog’. It is wonderful to have found such a great resource and support in both communities.

I have wonderful friends and a support group in my critique partners and beta readers for my fiction work. You know who you are. But I’m most thankful for my family. They are the ones that understand and support my writing career the most and help me make it all work even with an active toddler and dog who often is more trouble then our daughter!

If you’re a writer, what/who are you giving thanks for on this holiday?

Announcements:

The 2012 Write-It-Forward Workshop schedule is up. Take a look at the fantastic line-up including back by popular demand, Writing Moms (March 2012) and the new Time Management for the Busy Writer (October 2012) in time for NANOWRIMO both by Natalie C. Markey.
A percentage of the profits from Markey’s ‘Caring for Your Special Needs Dog’ go to The Texas A&M Foundation to the benefit of the Neurology Section, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinarian Medicine.

The benefit of beta readers

Are you doing everything that you can for your writing? My answer until recently was no. I recently asked some of my best friends to read my work. They are not writers so they are not reading for the same things that my critique partner reads for but they are avid readers and care about my success.

They have picked up on inconsistencies that I dropped during my many drafts but more importantly they let me know how much they love my story. It is so important to have cheerleaders other than your family. You don’t have to be published in fiction to have fans. Let your friends fall in love with your characters and know what you spend countless hours on.

Let your friends be your beta readers and give them an opportunity to read a great story for free! How did you find your beta readers? Do you have friends that love to read the genre you write in as well?

Blog Mash-up:

Story Climax: The Whole Point- Guest: Victoria Mixon at author Jami Gold’s blog

Structure Part 7: Genre Matters by author Kristen Lamb

# Nanowrimo Why do you write by author Bob Mayer

Announcements:

The 2012 Write-It-Forward Workshop schedule is up. Take a look at the fantastic line-up including back by popular demand, Writing Moms (March 2012) and the new Time Management for the Busy Writer (October 2012) in time for NANOWRIMO both by Natalie C. Markey.

A percentage of the profits from Markey’s ‘Caring for Your Special Needs Dog’ go to The Texas A&M Foundation to the benefit of the Neurology Section, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinarian Medicine.

Do the Nano!

It could totally be a dance move! Or….. National Novel Writing Month

NaNoWriMo. It may be an odd and funny bunch of words but the meaning stands for something powerful. Every November is celebrated as NaNoWriMo where writers get together virtually at www.nanowrimo.org and sometimes in person with writing groups and support one another through the grueling process of writing a full-length novel in one month. Yes, it is somewhat fitting that this occasion falls just after Halloween because it is torture.

However, difficult it may sound this task is not impossible. The goal is the write a full-length novel in a month not a perfected ready to send off to your favorite agent or publisher in a month. Don’t forget that part and don’t get overwhelmed by feeling that the novel must be perfect. It can be horrible! The point is to write and allow yourself to be creative. Here are some numbers that may put anyone who might be shaking with NaNoWriMo fear at ease. My completed young adult fantasy manuscript is 94,438 words. For easy figuring lets say I wrote a pretty 95,000 words. When I divide that by 30 days in a month (that is how many days are in November) I would have had to write 3,167 words a day in the month of November to write that manuscript in a month. 95,000 words sounds like a lot but when it is broken down to just a little over 3K that isn’t bad.

NaNoWriMo is sometimes just the kick-start that many writers need. It’s that motivation. The get up and go. That instant community to help you find your feet. One word of caution; don’t get so caught up in the social factor that you become the cheerleader and forget you are the writer. Believe me I love to help others (remember I teach Write It Forward Workshops) and make friends but you need to take care of YOU.

Also, don’t get too caught up in the numbers. If your goal is to finish or “win” NaNoWriMo then of course give it your all but don’t make yourself sick over it. Honestly if you spend so much time focusing on the numbers then that is that much less time that you will be spending on your WIP. Don’t forget that you have options. You can participate in NaNoWriMo for various types of experiences.

Last year I dove in for the full experience. I was miss NaNo! Seriously. I spoke to my family in advance and told them they probably wouldn’t see me for a month except for Thanksgiving. I found that, like most things, it had its pros and cons and it all depends on the person. For me, I don’t like feeling rushed and I honestly feel now as an author with my non-fiction and now working from home full-time every month for me is NaNoWriMo. There is no month or time when I’m not writing at an intense level. That is just my job and life now. As for putting that much stress to complete a first draft in a month I only found that it made my revision process a nightmare. HOWEVER, (and yes I’m capitalizing this because it is huge) in my middle grade that I wrote during last year’s Nano I had a minor character pop out of nowhere thanks to a pure creative flow one night. Now that character is responsible for really driving the main character in his arc. Though the revision process has taken a year because it was a disaster there were several gems that came out of creative moments that I had during Nano that I may have never thought of otherwise. Without such moment this may be a completely different story.

This year I’m participating in NaNoWriMo but without the pressure. I’m supporting fellow writers and I will work on a new project but I have no plans of finishing it this month. I’m currently on deadline with my upcoming non-fiction. I’m finishing my middle grade project that already has interest and I still have freelance obligations. However, it is always fun to play with something new. I do have a new idea that I may write a few scenes for in the spirit of Nano!

You can even drag out your own Nano deadline or delay your start. I knew some writing friends last year that postponed their own “NaNoWriMo” until February. Do whatever you need to do to write.

That is the point and mission of NaNoWriMo to get writers together and writing in a community. If you need to make your own to make that happen or simply write by yourself you can do it. You can do it!

Announcements:

The 2012 Write-It-Forward Workshop schedule is up. Take a look at the fantastic line-up including back by popular demand, Writing Moms (March 2012) and the new Time Management for the Busy Writer (October 2012) in time for NANOWRIMO both by Natalie C. Markey.

A percentage of the profits from Markey’s ‘Caring for Your Special Needs Dog’ go to The Texas A&M Foundation to the benefit of the Neurology Section, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinarian Medicine.

When stuck on a scene start Christmas shopping!

This past week I got stuck on a scene and instead of the usual walk away from my computer to do dishes, laundry, etc. I went began my Christmas shopping list. This was so much fun and I even had to stop myself before I quickly found a new addiction and new distraction keeping me from my writing. Just the idea that we are under two months away from Christmas is enough to make me giddy!

Christmas shopping or creating a shopping list for those you love and care about is a great way to break up your writing. When you need a break or if you are struggling with a scene get into the holiday spirit and have some fun. I had a lot of fun off and on this week planning out a shopping list for my almost two-year-old daughter. She is always so much fun to shop for. By the time I found a few great deals on line I had figured out the problem with my troublesome scene all while saving money!

The joys of being a writing mom! What are some of the fun things you do when tackling a troublesome scene?

Announcements:

The 2012 Write-It-Forward Workshop schedule is up. Take a look at the fantastic line-up including back by popular demand, Writing Moms (March 2012) and the new Time Management for the Busy Writer (October 2012) in time for NANOWRIMO both by Natalie C. Markey.

A percentage of the profits from Markey’s ‘Caring for Your Special Needs Dog’ go to The Texas A&M Foundation to the benefit of the Neurology Section, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinarian Medicine.

The energy you crave may be easier found from your children then your coffee cup

The other day when I was playing with my daughter I thought again what every parent thinks all the time, “how can I can bottle that endless energy?” She has so much of it and is so full of life. Just think how easy writing would be if I had THAT much energy. Then something amazing happened. After crawling around in her princess tent and finally putting her down for a nap I returned to my office to find that I did have more energy. Her energy is, in a way contagious!

Have you found this too? I do find that through actively playing with my daughter and really enjoying her laughs that I too become more active and energetic. The energy is contagious and I can use it to help along my writing. Plus, what great parenting!

Lately I’ve been revising my current manuscript by storyboarding it through Alexandra Sokoloff’s process from her book “Screenwriting Tricks for Authors.” I did a version of a storyboard before writing my novel but find that this is also a great way to double check the plot and character arcs. It is also fun to crawl around on the floor and of course I’m getting a lot of help from my toddler and dog. I just have to watch my manuscript closely or my “all goes to hell” scene may end up during a “romantic” scene by way of sticky fingers or paw!

Bottom line, if you are a writing mom the energy you crave may be easier found from your children than your coffee cup. They also crave your attention. Go spend time with them and see the benefits in your manuscript.

Happy Friday and Happy Writing!!

Announcements:

The 2012 Write-It-Forward Workshop schedule is up. Take a look at the fantastic line-up including back by popular demand, Writing Moms (March 2012) and the new Time Management for the Busy Writer (October 2012) in time for NANOWRIMO both by Natalie C. Markey.

A percentage of the profits from Markey’s ‘Caring for Your Special Needs Dog’ go to The Texas A&M Foundation to the benefit of the Neurology Section, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinarian Medicine.

How movies help us write

This past weekend I attended the North Houston Romance Writers of America Writer’s Conference where author/screenwriter Alexandra Sokoloff taught her acclaimed workshop of screenwriting tricks for author. I’ve read her book, “Screenwriting Tricks for Authors” and absolutely loved it. I’m a huge fan of outlining and I personally feel that storyboarding is the best way to go. That may be because I’m a very visual person. I wrote my first YA manuscript as a panster and it became a disaster in the revision process when I kept finding plot holes and major character flaws.

Now I storyboard. I learned from Sokoloff that some of our best writing tools are movies. In her book and workshop she suggests listing 10 movies that are similar to what you write. From there you have something to analyze based on the criteria that she teaches. There really is a formula to the craft and it isn’t rocket science to follow it.

An area that I’ve been struggling with is how to wrap up my sub plots in my current WIP. I love books that have strong sub plots that compliment and add to the overall theme of the plot. I love how these elements can add beautiful layers to a well-written story. She suggested focusing on movies that do this well and modeling my structure after that. I found this to be great advice and now I’m making a list of movies with strong sub plots.

Overall, it was a wonderful conference and weekend. I got to meet some fantastic literary agents, see some of my writing friends and baby got to see family. If it wasn’t for the car breaking down on the drive down from Arkansas the weekend would have been a complete success!

You can learn more about Alexandra Sokoloff at her website. I highly recommend her book “Screenwriting Tricks for Authors.” How have used movie viewing to help your writing skills?

Announcements:

The 2012 Write-It-Forward Workshop schedule is up. Take a look at the fantastic line-up including back by popular demand, Writing Moms (March 2012) and the new Time Management for the Busy Writer (October 2012) in time for NANOWRIMO both by Natalie C. Markey.

A percentage of the profits from Markey’s ‘Caring for Your Special Needs Dog’ go to The Texas A&M Foundation to the benefit of the Neurology Section, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinarian Medicine.

Blog Mash-ups:

Nanowrimo: Narrative Structure Cheat Sheet by Author and Screenwriter Alexandra Sokoloff

Tips on Marketing Your Novel by Literary Agent Natalie M. Lakosil

The out-of-town-writing-mom

It is inevitable. Working moms sometimes have to travel and sometimes we are lucky enough to include our little ones along on such a trip. I am not using the word “lucky” sarcastically because I am a huge fan of merging business and family.

This weekend I am from Arkansas to Houston with my husband, daughter and of course my dog, Oscar. For work I will be going to the North Houston RWA Lone Star Writers Conference on Saturday where I will get to hear screenwriter Alexandra Sokoloff speak and meet with some agents.

On Sunday I will be attending The Texas Renaissance Festival with my family and reviewing it for Examiner.com. But on Friday and the evenings I will get to spend time and visit family. Eager grandparents will get to see my daughter and I will have no problem cranking out some extra pages while an aunt or uncle chases after my running toddler.

Mixing out-of-town-work with family fun will not only get you closer to your goal but it can also show your dedication to your family. Share your story with them. Let them in on those exciting plot twists. Let them feel part of this amazing journey that you are part of.

Being a writing mom is a challenge. When visiting family, let them play with your baby. They will be happy to play with a baby they rarely see and you will be happy to finally finish that scene.

A percentage of the profits from Markey’s ‘Caring for Your Special Needs Dog’ go to The Texas A&M Foundation to the benefit of the Neurology Section, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinarian Medicine.

Dressing for writing success

When I was in high school and then in college I had this silly little ritual that I would dress nice whenever I had a test or presentation. I found that when I did I would perform better on the test. Looking back on it, I wasn’t being silly at all. There is nothing silly about boosting my self-confidence and that is what I was doing.

Today as a working-from-home writing mom it is easy to want to stay in my morning yoga outfit or even my pajamas. But normally I step it up just a little to some comfortable pants and a Baylor shirt. I don’t “dress up” anymore like I did for tests or presentations. Instead I wear shirts that mean something and make me happy. I loved college and especially around football season I show a lot of team spirit (Go Bears!) so by wearing my team colors it makes me happy and this shines through to my writing, And the comfortable pants, well it’s always smart to be comfortable when planning to sit at your computer for long hours.

So, like I’ve spoken before about the importance of your workspace and outline, what you wear even can play a role in your writing success. Take a moment and think, does what you wear help or hurt your writing? The most important thing though is that you write even if it is with a burp rag draped across your shoulder!

What is your writing attire?

A percentage of the profits from Markey’s ‘Caring for Your Special Needs Dog’ go to The Texas A&M Foundation to the benefit of the Neurology Section, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinarian Medicine.

Blog Mash-ups:

And My Day Disappears by author Jill Kemerer

Structure Part 2- Plot Problem- Falcor the Luck Dragon & the Purple Tornado by author Kristen Lamb

Connecting the dots: What do you see?

This week the world lost Steve Jobs, a pioneer in business, technology and philosophy. Most people probably think of Apple at the mention of his name, I know that I did. I mean, without him we wouldn’t have the iPhone, iPod, Mac, iPad, Pixar and much more in the form that they exist today. However, after watching his commencement speech that he delivered to the Stanford graduating class of 2005 I learned that Mr. Jobs was more then the technologically savvy genius and entrepreneur master that he was. There was even more to him then that (I know, was he Tony Stark in disguise?) Steve Jobs was a motivator even before he could motivate others. He motivated himself to become someone and make something special.

The news channels and morning shows have been frequently airing the attached speech. It is only fifteen minutes long and if you haven’t seen it I highly recommend it. I loved what he had to say about connecting the dots and connecting them looking backwards. If you would have asked me five years ago that I would be working from home. That I would have turned my once on-the-side freelance writing business on the side and that I was published in non-fiction, lecturing and working towards being published in fiction, I would have laughed. But now connecting my dot backwards everything in my life fits to bring me right where I am today. Everything makes perfect sense. From the classes I took in college to every job I’ve held. My time in high school of dancing professionally and teaching even fits into where I am today, I just thought it was fun and paid for my computer at the time. But it was that computer that I began writing on and won my first writing contest with a short story written on its keys. Now my current WIP is based off that Scholastic award-wining story.

As Jobs said, “connect the dots looking backwards.” It’s amazing how so many aspects of my life have led me to writing and I couldn’t be happier to be sitting at my desk in my at-home-office in an Arkansas forest. When I was in high school, my “five year plan” would have been to be working for a prestigious public relations firm in New York City after college. I did that. I interned for Rubenstein and Associates and loved my experience but I wouldn’t change the opportunity that I have now to work on being the author I will be while raising my beautiful baby girl with my wonderful husband.

My 15-month-old loves my iPhone and my Mac Book Pro. She Skypes her Grandfather in Saudi Arabia and her other Grandparents in Texas through my laptop. Technology made possible (the Mac Book not Skype) thanks to Steve Jobs. Mr. Jobs also greatly understood writers and their unique computer needs and desires, for this I am personally grateful. My thoughts go out to his family, friends and the entire Apple corporate family as well.

What do you see when you connect the dots looking backwards?

For books, upcoming classes and speaking engagements visit www.NatalieCMarkey.com

A percentage of the profits from Markey’s ‘Caring for Your Special Needs Dog’ go to The Texas A&M Foundation to the benefit of the Neurology Section, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinarian Medicine.

Blog Mash-up:

How Life Changes our Outlining Approach by author Natalie C. Markey- I’m guest blogging at Elizabeth Sogard’s blog

Are Writers Entrepreneurs? By author Jami Gold

The Right Way, The Wrong Way, The Smart Way by author Kristen Lamb

Time clears beginners’ clutter: revisiting that first novel

Recently I went back and revisited the beginning of my first fiction manuscript. It is a young adult fantasy. It has received three rejections and I was planning to go back and look at the story again before sending out another round but lately I’ve been so caught up in my current WIP, a dystopian middle grade and other aspects of my writing career that it has taken a back burner.

However, I was amazed at the power of about five months. That is how long it has been since I have sat down and read the first 7,000 words of my YA. I entered it in The Emily contest and like any good writer I scrutinized every word the weekend before the contest’s deadline. As I read through my scenes my rejections made perfect sense. I did give away too much backstory. I DID info dump. I was guilty of being unclear if the story was purely fantasy or urban fantasy.

Reading my words was like seeing my story for the first time with fresh and wiser eyes. I may be a seasoned writer but until I sought out help and guidance with my fiction I was just an aspiring fiction author with a far out dream. Now I have purpose, strategy, a growing knowledge and most of all a will to not quit. So I thought I’d spend a few hours of a Sunday proofing those pages. I ended up pulling an all-nighter and now I have a much stronger beginning to my young adult story.

As beginners we are excited and we think we are awesome. I did. Especially since I’m not accustomed to failing at well, anything. I have multiple degrees in writing so that means I can write fiction, right? WRONG! My rose colored glasses have been torn off, probably by my toddler when I was trying to make her actually wear clothes. I’m working hard towards my writing goals and I’m not quitting but gosh it’s sure easier not that some of that clutter is clearing up!

Blog Mash-ups:

As a lead up to my Writing Moms workshop Diane Holmes, the founder of Pitch University and I had some fun with creating titles. See what we learned. 10 Things We Learned About Creating GREAT Titles.

“Structure Part 1- Anatomy of a Best-Selling Novel- Structure Matters” by author and social media guru Kristen Lamb

“How to Avoid the Publishing Kool-Aid” by author Jami Gold

To Nanowrimo or not to Nanowrimo

With October knocking on our doors the time has come for writers to decide, will you Nano or not? The month of November is National Novel Writing Month where writers commit to writing a full-length novel in a month. Crazy? Insane? Probably. But this exercise does have its Pros and Cons. The truth is finding deciding if it’s right for you and if this year is the right time for you.

I participated last year and I will say that finishing such an accomplishment was really satisfying. By finishing Nano I finished my third manuscript and I felt really accomplished. However, when I went back and revised that Nano manuscript I found that it was horrible. In fact, it was a disaster

But I did learn something very valuable from my experience with last year’s National Novel Writing Month. Grammar may not flow in a hurried stream of rushing words but creativity really does. I’m currently reworking my middle grade project that I wrote during last year’s Nano. It had some plot gaps and needed a lot of work but overall it was a stronger story and had an important minor character that I originally never planned to write. This particular character has turned out to really compliment my main character. Without her the main character wouldn’t have the character arc that he now has and this all happened because of Nano.

Nano is not for perfection. It is for finding your creative muse and strengths. Unbox the creative you. Put away your excuses. I’m a writing mom so believe me excuses are easy to find! That is one reason I’m teaching Writing Moms: How to do it all without losing your mind, a Write It Forward Workshop next month. My goal is through simple self-study techniques, to help fellow writing moms find their groove and way to meeting their writing goals while being the mom they want to be. This way anyone can participate in Nano. Click here for more information on my Writing Moms class.

Will you Nano? What benefits have your experienced or hope to experience? Share them below in a comment.

Goal List vs. To Do List

Anytime I write “versus” I hear the Rocky song in my head, but maybe that’s just me. Anyway, I use to be a HUGE fan of the to do list. If it wasn’t on my list, it didn’t get done. I’m even embarrassed to say that I wrote down personal notes to call and catch up with friends (maybe I'm lucky and they aren't reading my writing blog.)

For me, the to do list method work beautifully and for some writing moms this technique may still be a fine strategy. After only a few weeks I found it terribly depressing. Part of it may have been that I wrote EVERYTHING down. I had to find a compromise and I have to give credit to NY Times Best Selling author Bob Mayer in helping me find my way back to breathing normally when all I could see were my unchecked lists growing longer like some horror movie monster! I read Bob’s book ‘Write It Forward: From Writer to Successful Author’ and loved it. One of the things he suggested was making two columns, a to-do list and a completed list. This way at the end of the day when you see the things you didn’t get done you still see everything you accomplished.

I loved that idea and use it but I took it a step further to help me as a writing mom, especially with a 14-month-old. Instead of a traditional "to do list" I use a goal list. This way my lists are never too long or overwhelming looking. It doesn't mean I don't get done all that other stuff that I need to get done, it just means that I use my "goals for focus" list to keep on track with what I NEED to do to keep to my personal writing plan. For example, here is my "goal for focus" list for today.

Goals for Focus:

Middle Grade (I always start on my fiction writing goal first)

Finish non-fiction outline

Revise/practice Webinar Power Point

Promote Writing Moms class/ revise lesson plans

Review column schedule for next week

That order follows and keeps my work in line with my goals that fit my strategic career goal. Those are not my only tasks for the day. I’ll fit social media in and email follow-ups around as needed but I will keep that list in front of me to stay on task.

Also, by working from a goal list vs. a to do list, especially as a working mom everything just seems more manageable. I have to admit though that I still do write EVERY little thing I accomplish whether it is following up with an email or re-posting my blog on my author Facebook page on that “completed” list. It makes me happy seeing that list grow and grow and when I’m tired after a long day with baby and writing it’s amazing how good one list can make me feel!

But how do I do all this with a toddler and manage to do normal housework and have a life? I must compliment my husband for his support and I do use a nanny for a few hours a week but I do not have her tomorrow and my husband has a demanding job of his own. I’ve simply learned through self-study tactics what works for me and my baby.

It’s simple things like how to really make the most of some of your least expecting mommy moments and knowing how to divide your goals into the best day parts for you. I’ll discuss it all during my month long Writing Moms: How to do it all without losing you mind workshop this October. There are still seats available for only $20.

Announcements:

I will be hosting a FREE live webinar on September 26 6:30-8 PDT with Farm Dogs USA titled ‘Caring for Special Needs Dogs.’ My lecture will be based off my book, ‘Caring for Your Special Needs Dog’ along with new research. Click here for more information.

Listen to Nike and Just Do It- Just Write!

Nike got it right with their marketing slogan, Just Do It. Writer’s can learn a lot from those cushioned and sometimes air-pumped shoes. Lately I’ve felt that sometimes I spend too much time on the planning of my writing that I find it is easy to lose that overall joy of the craft. The reason of why I do this often, tortuous job that I do.

Let’s face it, the hours and many words that we write knowing that they will probably never be seen, isn’t really the most uplifting or healthy career choice. Nor is it is always profitable, especially in the early years. It is crucial. No, it is IMPERATIVE to not lose that reason as to why you are doing this. Why are you writing? Don’t let that spark vanish!

Mine has been fading so to stop myself from crashing, I’m falling back on my old PR crisis management days. I’m going into proactive mode. I’m focusing less on my long outlines and focusing more on the short ones. This means that I’m working only a few scenes out from where I am with my writing. This keeps me on the right path without letting my “control freakish” tendencies to take over. I’m relying more on my creative side and letting myself just enjoy the writing process.

I’m also making myself work further ahead on the business aspect of my writing, such as blogs and articles. By not allowing these things to pile up, it will allow more time for me to actually write and enjoy the creative process.

Sometimes too much planning can even be a bad thing, as my teaching assistant Erine demonstrates in the video below. Yes, at my house these days “Sesame Street” is frequently on. If we put all our energy into planning, then sometimes our actions are not showing our best efforts.

As Nike says, Just Do It. Go out there and Just Write. Write the story you want to write and write it well. Don’t get caught up in the feeling that you must do this and that to make it in the writing industry. The bottom line is that to make it we all have to write GREAT stories. Write it. Write it well. And submit it. Now I’m off to follow my own advice.

Happy writing!

Announcements:

I am giving away a FREE "seat" to my class to someone who leaves a comment AND tweets about my class to their Twitter following. You must 1. Leave a comment below and 2. Include me @NatalieCMarkey in your Tweet so that I will know that you sent the Tweet. I will enter you name in a drawing to win a free entry to the class. GOOD LUCK!

I will be hosting a live webinar on September 26 6:30-8 PDT with Farm Dogs USA titled ‘Caring for Special Needs Dogs.’ My lecture will be based off my book, ‘Caring for Your Special Needs Dog’ along with new research. Click here for more information.

I’m teaching a Write It Forward Workshop titled, ‘Writing Moms: How to do it all without losing your mind’ online in October. Click here for more information and to sign-up.

If you are a writing mom I encourage you to visit the #WriteMom community of Twitter. Share your joys, successes and stress with others writing moms. Learn more here.

What do you look for in a writing class?

Something I love about being a writer, is I’m always learning. This is true about all fields but after working in several industries, I find that it is very strong in the writing industry. And we make it easy for ourselves.

The writing community is very supportive and quick to help one another. Through networking, associations and lists among the writing community it is easy to learn about the many writing classes out there, including inexpensive and convenient online courses. I’m preparing to teach my first online workshop the Writing Mom: How to do it all without losing your mind. As I finalize my lesson plans I’ve been thinking back over some of my favorite classes that I’ve taken. Why did I love them? What made me take some of them again? What made me recommend them to other writers?

The first online writing class I took was Plot via Motivation by best selling author and renowned instructor Laurie Schnebly Campbell. I since then have taken several of her courses and I plan to retake this same course this year with new plot idea. I loved her teaching style, worksheets and feedback. The interaction within my class was also great and I made friends there as well. One of my fellow students from that first class is now my critique partner today.

I also have taken several online courses from best selling author Bob Mayer. He also offers detailed lectures with fantastic feedback. I’ve been known to ask him questions month after a class and he has responded to me, which shows you how dedicated he is to helping upcoming fiction authors. I’m currently taking one right now that he is teaching on the kernel idea, you know that original idea that inspires you to write the story. He’s discussing some really great stuff.

Kristen Lamb, author of the best selling books, ‘We Are Not Alone: The Writers Guide to Social Media’ and ‘Are You There Blog? It’s Me, Writer’ is offering a two month online course in October and November that will walk writers through building their brands. Now, I’ve never taken one of her courses but I have read both of her books and they are great. This is a MUST take!

Who Dares Wins Publishing offers great writing workshops. Coming up in November, we have author Jennifer Talty discussing the different publishing options, which is a very hot topic right now.

Tell me about some of you favorite writing workshops. What do you like in a writing class? Is it a great lecture? A useful worksheet? A great discussion among the class?

Announcements:

I am giving away a FREE "seat" to my class to someone who leaves a comment AND tweets about my class to their Twitter following. You must 1. Leave a comment below and 2. Include me @NatalieCMarkey in your Tweet so that I will know that you sent the Tweet. I will enter you name in a drawing to win a free entry to the class. GOOD LUCK!

I will be hosting a live webinar on September 26 6:30-8 PDT with Farm Dogs USA titled ‘Caring for Special Needs Dogs.’ My lecture will be based off my book, ‘Caring for Your Special Needs Dog’ along with new research. Click here for more information.

I’m teaching a Write It Forward Workshop titled, ‘Writing Moms: How to do it all without losing your mind’ online in October. Click here for more information and to sign-up.

If you are a writing mom I encourage you to visit the #WriteMom community of Twitter. Share your joys, successes and stress with others writing moms. Learn more here.

Finding writing advice in life: What my sniffling baby taught me

Every mother knows that a sick baby is not an easy baby and makes for a very unhappy mommy. Now, make that mommy a working mom that is trying to juggle a job in addition to caring for her sniffling child. That is where I’ve been this past week. My baby girl has been battling a nasty case of a runny nose. At times she has found it difficult to breath and nothing could make her remotely happy but me holding her and rocking her. And to make matters worse, this was her first cold. I’ve hated seeing her go through this but I always try to learn from every situation. Even as my daughter is sick, I found some “writerly” wisdom out of those sniffles!

For writer’s, our manuscripts are like our babies. We give them life, we spend so much time with them and put our heart, souls and yes, even tears into them. Just like our real babies, our manuscripts also get sick. We must care for scenes that just don’t fit. We have to rework missing plot points and fix character arcs.

And just like I was proactive with my sniffly little one by keep her inside, away from other germs while her resistance was down. I also am proactive with my manuscripts by outlining and catching plot holes before they become a gaping hole that can destroy the book entirely.
Like a sick baby, writing takes care and patience. Nothing is better when we can release a sigh of relief when our baby is well or when that scene is fixed. It amazes me how much “writerly” advice can be found from everyday life, all around us. What have you learned lately?


Announcements:

I will be hosting a live webinar on September 26 6:30-8 PDT with Farm Dogs USA titled ‘Caring for Special Needs Dogs.’ My lecture will be based off my book, ‘Caring for Your Special Needs Dog’ along with new research. Click here for more information.

I’m teaching a Write It Forward Workshop titled, ‘Writing Moms: How to do it all without losing your mind’ online in October. Click here for more information and to sign-up.

If you are a writing mom I encourage you to visit the #WriteMom community of Twitter. Share your joys, successes and stress with others writing moms. Learn more here.

Why September 11 inspired me to work harder everyday

I was a senior in high school on September 11, 2001. Now that I have a daughter, one of my favorite things in her baby book is a letter that I wrote on that day in my homeroom leadership class. I remember one of my teachers saying that watching the images on the television were more important then anything he could teach that day.

He was right.

I took out a piece of notebook paper and wrote a letter to my future child. I told him/her what I thought it meant to be an American. I talked about the American Dream, how thankful I was for my education, family, safety and then I stopped. I realized that no one really knows how safe they are. The American’s in New York City and Washington and all those that boarded those planes that day, thought they were going to work for a normal day. They thought they were safe.

Now we all hope and pray terrorism is the extreme. But our lives can change in a second. It’s hard to find someone who hasn’t been personally affected by cancer or heart disease. There are so many risks and dangers out there. But the thing that I took away the most from September 11, was the bravery and heroism. The first responders, some of them ordinary people running to help others just so someone could have a chance to live another day. To have just one more ordinary day.

To live on.

Because of that day and that moment when we were all attacked, I never waste one second. That is why now every time I’m exhausted from caring for my beautiful 14-month-old daughter and I want to take a nap when she does, I don’t. I write. I wake up at 5 a.m. so I can get some good productive hours of writing in because I want to live my dream. I don’t want to wait.

It would be easier to write when she’s older and less dependant on me. But I’m not going to do that. I’m constantly moving forward. All those that lost their lives on September 11, 2011 never had a September 12 or the next week, month and so on after that to move forward towards their dreams. The fact is, you just never know. And that is just what I told my future child in that letter I wrote 10 years ago on September 11. I told her to never wait for anything she wants.

I’ve always wanted to be a writer, ever since I won the National Scholastic Writing Competition for a short story in high school. I’ve always kept moving forward with my craft and that is because of how that day affected me personally.

I’ve met some goals. I’m an accomplished freelanced journalist of ten years (yes, I started volunteering for local publications in 2001.) I’m published in non-fiction and working on my second non-fiction book. I’m teaching webinars and online writing courses and everyday striving closer to my goal of being published in fiction.

I will get there.

Are you working on living your dream? Are you moving forward? How did September 11, 2001 change you?

I had the great privilege of interning in New York City with Rubenstein Public Relations firm. It was an incredible experience and I still use what I learned everyday. This past summer I returned to New York City for the annual Romance Writers of America Conference. It was great to be back in the hustle and bustle of the Big Apple but I loved seeing the progress of the World Trade Center Memorial site (pictured here.)

Out of respect of honoring the memory of September 11, I’m not posting announcements this Friday. For purchase information on my book, workshop and upcoming events please visit www.NatalieCMarkey.com

Constructing an influential writing space

This weekend during a writing break I tackled the very needed task of cleaning my office. I know some of us (writers) don’t have an actual office but wherever you work, you should take it as seriously as you take your writing.

Before I had a spare bedroom I use to write from our kitchen table. For the record, I DO NOT recommend this! Every time we ate all of my notes had to be moved and things always got out of order. I spent the most of my time trying to make sense of my stuff. You really need to have a space of your own to devote to your craft.

But this space should not be just about writing. While cleaning this week, I noticed and smiled at the picture of on my desk of my daughter playing on the beach of Lake Michigan. I laughed at the picture of snowflakes on my dog, Oscar’s nose on the very picture that was published in my first book. Now yes, the last picture ended up being career related. I have no intentions of writing about my daughter and the fun we had at Lake Michigan but whenever I hit a snag in a scene it makes me smile and takes some of the stress away when I see her trying to figure out how that sand toy works.

I also incorporate quotes around my office to inspire me like, “I’m convinced fear is at the root of most bad writing,” said by Stephen King. New York Times bestselling author Bob Mayer recently mentioned that quote on his Write It Forward Blog and I loved it.

We are so easily influenced by our surrounding so construct an influential and inspirational workspace for your writing. Incorporate craft, humor and family. What do you have around your writing space that keeps you going during a rough day?

Announcements:

I will be hosting a live webinar on September 26 6:30-8 PDT with Farm Dogs USA titled ‘Caring for Special Needs Dogs.’ My lecture will be based off my book, ‘Caring for Your Special Needs Dog’ along with new research. Click here for more information.

I’m teaching a Write It Forward Workshop titled, ‘Writing Moms: How to do it all without losing your mind’ online in October. Click here for more information and to sign-up.

If you are a writing mom I encourage you to visit the #WriteMom community of Twitter. Share your joys, successes and stress with others writing moms. Learn more here.

Writers: How do you view Labor Day? Work or Play?

I typically blog on Wednesdays and Fridays, but I feel strongly on this topic so this is a special blog post. I hope that you will share your opinions in comment.

Writing is not a job it’s a vocation. It’s a passion. It’s a way of life and who someone is. That is why writers don’t take off holidays like Labor Day. I see and recognize the value. I’ve even worked ahead on my work so that I can devote some extra time to my family today, but I can assure you that today, I will still write. Even if it’s not the normal daily word count, I keep moving forwards.

Bob Mayer says in his book ‘Write It Forward: From Writer to Successful Author’ (formally titled ‘Warrior Writer.’) that writing is a marathon, not a sprint and he couldn’t be closer to the truth. I have to constantly keep reminding myself of this. In fact, I keep this quote in bold type taped to my white erase board in my office. I’m not a patient person but I love to write—it’s part of who I am and I will stick with it. I’ve already beaten the odds. I’ve finished two fiction manuscripts and published one non-fiction book with another in the works.

So, to me Labor Day doesn’t mean to take a day off and recognize the hard work that I’ve done, it means to take a little time off and recharge before diving into more hard word on the very holiday.

Today, my husband and I are taking our daughter to an indoor water activity park in the morning. She loves the water and it’s just too hot to play outside. This will be fun and successfully tire her out for a great afternoon of naptime. Then my husband can do yard work while I work. See what a planner I am? J

What are you doing on this Labor Day? Are you writing today?

Announcements:

My new website is up and running www.NatalieCMarkey.com I recently added some new speaking engagements and courses. I invite you to take a look around.

I will be hosting a live webinar on September 26 6:30-8 PDT with Farm Dogs USA titled ‘Caring for Special Needs Dogs.’ My lecture will be based off my book, ‘Caring for Your Special Needs Dog’ along with new research. Click here for more information.

I’m teaching a Write It Forward Workshop titled, ‘Writing Moms: How to do it all without losing your mind’ online in October. Click here for more information and to sign-up.

If you are a writing mom I encourage you to visit the #WriteMom community of Twitter. Share your joys, successes and stress with others writing moms. Learn more here.

How family meddling can help your writing

Being a writer doesn’t just have to be about you. Get your family involved. Your family should be your best supporters. They should respect your time but they need to know why. Let them know how important this is to you. Discuss your ideas with them and let them read your work.

My husband is a geologist. I had him read my YA fantasy thinking that he would only be able to catch typos and whatnot. Oh no. He found that I went against the laws of physics at one point. In my book, my heroine floods an underwater palace but the way she does could never happen in real life. I love it. I real life! It is a fantasy! However, all fiction should maintain a level of realism and my husband was right to point out such an era. So now, in this particular scene the palace floods exactly how an underwater palace would flood if one would today.

You never know in what way you family may help you. Personally, nothing makes me more proud or more turned on when my husband reads my work. I love how much he supports me and then to have him praise my writing and really enjoy reading it—it doesn’t get much better then that.

So, include your family in your writing process. As a writer this is a huge part of your life. Don’t shut out those you love. Let them join this journey with you and let them enjoy your success along the way. How do you include your family in your writing process?

Announcements:

My new website is up and running www.NatalieCMarkey.com I recently added some new speaking engagements and courses. I invite you to take a look around.

I will be hosting a live webinar on September 26 6:30-8 PDT with Farm Dogs USA titled ‘Caring for Special Needs Dogs.’ My lecture will be based off my book, ‘Caring for Your Special Needs Dog’ along with new research. Click here for more information.

I’m teaching a Write It Forward Workshop titled, ‘Writing Moms: How to do it all without losing your mind’ online in October. Click here for more information and to sign-up.

If you are a writing mom I encourage you to visit the #WriteMom community of Twitter. Share your joys, successes and stress with others writing moms. Learn more here.

Blog Mash-up:

By author Kristen Lamb ‘The Secret to Selling Books Part 1- Let’s Get Sticky’

By author Jennifer Hale ‘Behold the Power of a Nap’

By author P.W Creighton ‘Narrative Arcology’

Making good use of great distractions

I’m use to distractions. Being a writing mom, it comes with the territory. Normally my distractions come in the form of my adorable daughter, handsome husband, troublesome dog and nagging housework. This week something glorious has happened. I’ve been dreaming in book scenes. Perfect, beautiful book scenes. So, why is this a distraction? These scenes have nothing to do with my current WIP.

Ugh!! I know, right—HUGE DISTRACTION.

So, like a good author, after each dream I wake to say the following phrase, “I will not write this amazing new story….yet.” Then I proceed to grab the trustee pen and paper on my nightstand and jot down as many notes and things I can remember. Throughout the day I keep that pad with me and continue to keep notes on this new developing project but I will not start writing it until my current fiction project is complete.

I have a rule that I stand by. I will not write more than one fiction and one non-fiction project at a time. Working on those two simultaneously is fine but I will not take on more. For me, I like being able to switch back and forth between a fiction and a non-fiction project. As I’ve said before, it is the cure to all writer’s block.

So, this is how I’m handling my big writing distraction at the moment. And it is serving as a great sense of motivation for me to move along on my current project. I do love my current project but these dreams really make me excited to finish and dive into some new work. I was discussing this very topic over on the #WeWrite community this week with author Anna DeStefano and I love something that she said. I often agree with what she says, but in this case she said that dreaming about a new story is THE BEST place in a story’s journey. This is so true. So, until I’m able to get to work on this new and exciting project I’m going to enjoy this part of the journey. I’m going to enjoy and record the dreams.

Have any of you experienced this? How have you handled it? Please share in a comment.

Announcements:

My new website is up and running www.NatalieCMarkey.com I recently added some new speaking engagements and courses. I invite you to take a look around.

I will be hosting a live webinar on September 26 6:30-8 PDT with Farm Dogs USA titled ‘Caring for Special Needs Dogs.’ My lecture will be based off my book, ‘Caring for Your Special Needs Dog’ along with new research. Click here for more information.

I’m teaching a Write It Forward Workshop titled, ‘Writing Moms: How to do it all without losing your mind’ online in October. Click here for more information and to sign-up.

If you are a writing mom I encourage you to visit the #WriteMom community of Twitter. Share your joys, successes and stress with others writing moms. Learn more here.

Blog Spotlights:

By author Keli Gwyn ‘How to Get Your Blog Post on Google’s First Page’

By author Susan Bischoff ‘Respect for the Gifts’

By author and publisher Bob Mayer ‘The Changing Landscape of Publishing for Writers’

By author Joy E. Held ‘Getting Lost in Your Own Mind’

The power of #WriteMom

If you haven’t read Kristen Lamb’s book, ‘We Are Not Alone: The Writer’s Guide to Social Media’ then please stop reading this and go read it now. The writing industry in particular is very overwhelming. As Kristen points out in her book, the writing community is alive and well online so use it. Learn from others, network and ask your questions. A fast, easy way to connect is on Twitter through the #MyWANA hashtag. That stands for “My We Are Not Alone” based off Kristen’s book. Here writers meet up and spread the love. Learn more here.

But you have a bubbly toddler and can barely make time for plotting your book during her nap times. How can you make time to chat with some people online? The question is; how can you afford not too?

I’ve been a freelance journalist for ten years. When I decided to add author to my writing credentials I knew that I was going to have to learn a lot. The most important thing I’ve learned in a little over a year is the value of discussion. Of course you must make time to write in order to be an author but you have to also understand what you are doing. Connections are important and it’s those connections that sometimes pull you through that troublesome scene.

You—with the bubbly toddler are not alone. I’m right there by you. I hold multiple National and local freelance contracts, promote my published book, research and write my next non-fiction, submit my young adult, write my middle grade, manage my speaking engagements and online course teaching schedule plus all the other things that come with the job title of “writer” all while caring for my thirteen-month-old daughter. I apologize for the insanely long run-on sentence and that didn’t even include Oscar, my special needs dog that is very high maintenance. The point is we all are busy and juggle a million things regardless what your day is like. As Kristen’s book stresses, you are not alone. This goes for writing moms as well as writers. This is why I’m launching #writemom on Twitter.

When you Tweet, add #writemom to your message. Make sure you do this when you are tweeting about writing progress good and bad. Soon we will have a community of writing moms. We can share the joys of publishing milestones, the stresses of deadlines and the frustrations that being a mom can add to all of this. After having a career in public relations and television prior to writing full-time, I’m convinced that this is the most difficult job. And when you add the pressure and duties of motherhood to your writing role—it can get very overwhelming.

When times are stressful remember that you are not alone. So many writing moms are making it work and look easy everyday. Share your success, advice and stories at #writemom. There is power and strength in community. Use #writemom to celebrate, vent, cry, laugh, rant, etc. Let #writemom refuel you for your next writing sprint and help you reach your goal. I’ll look forward to seeing you in the community. Happy Friday and to the power of #WriteMom!

I’m teaching a Write It Forward Workshop titled, ‘Writing Moms: How to do it all without losing your mind’ online in October. Click here for more information and to sign-up.

I will be hosting a live webinar on September 26 6:30-8 PDT with Farm Dogs USA titled ‘Caring for Special Needs Dogs.’ My lecture will be based off my book, ‘Caring for Your Special Needs Dog’ along with new research. Click here for more information.

I’ve been out of the loop this week. Please share some great blog posts that you’ve seen for this week’s blog mash-up.

Give me a break! And it’s good for my writing!

As a writer I can relate to that constant nagging pull to keep writing and meet that writing goal. However, sometimes the best thing for your writing is to just take a break. As I’ve said before, there is no such thing as writer’s block. When a scene proves to be a challenge, just walk away from it. Even if it is just a little while. Any break, no matter how short it may be can help the quality of your writing and manuscript.

For writing moms, this advice is very easy to follow. When I feel like I’ve hit a dead end or I’m struggling with a scene, I take a break and play with my daughter. This accomplishes two important things. First, I get to play with the most beautiful little girl in the world. Secondly, it gets my mind off that troublesome scene. There is such a thing as working too hard. It’s easy to get so focused in work but really a break can do wonders for your work and for your life.

Rewards are also a great way to celebrate reaching a goal. I love rewards! I rarely go over my writing goal because I don’t want to overwork myself. Instead, I treat myself to an hour of reading a book of my choice.

What do you do for a writing break? Do you give yourself a reward when you’ve reached a goal?

Announcements:

I will be hosting a live webinar on September 26 6:30-8 PDT with Farm Dogs USA titled ‘Caring for Special Needs Dogs.’ My lecture will be based off my book, ‘Caring for Your Special Needs Dog’ along with new research. Click here for more information.

This October I’ll be teaching ‘Writing Moms: How to do it all without losing your mind’ with Who Dares Wins Publishing’s Write It Forward Workshops. Click here to sign up or for more information.

Blog Mash-ups:

Author and social media expert Kristen Lamb’s “The WANA Theory of Book Economics: Why Traditional Marketing Doesn’t Sell Books.”

Pitch University’s Diane Holmes’ “Using Major Turning Points: Pacing Advice By Christopher Vogler” And FYI I’m currently reading his book, “The Writer’s Journey” and loving it!

Some motivation from author Candace Havens off author Anna DeStefano’s blog, How We Write Wednesdays.