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.