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.

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

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.

A dare for something different

Do you hate it when you watch a horror film and you can guess who will die next? I do. I hate it when movies and books are predictable. Just like you should write what you know and what you love, you should also not do the things you hate. That can be easier said then done. I sometimes notice myself falling into the world of predictable scenes. A great way to prevent this is to do something different and unique.

When I’m stuck on a scene, I write out the options available for my character. Don’t go with the obvious. Of course it is important to be consistent with your character’s arc but I don’t think everything has to be obvious. It is the same way in life. I hate flying. I have no reason to, I just never have liked it. So, did it surprise my family when I chose to go up on a floatplane ride this past week at the lake house? Oh, yes it did!

And better yet…I’m alive to tell you about the thrilling experience. As you come in to land on water in floatplane it all seems to cut it a little close, but the landing was smooth. Sometimes the best thing for our plot is a little unpredictability. It also is good for us out in the real world away from pages of the make believe.

Announcements:

If you have been following me on Twitter, then you know my growing excitement for Shark Week. Yes, it is an addiction. As a lead up, Discovery Channel has a live web cam in the World’s largest shark tank. You watch sharks 24/7 and it is a great writing break. Enjoy it, if you dare!

If you’ve read my book ‘Caring for Your Special Needs Dog,’ then you know that I love to include a lot of different dog owner’s experiences in my books. I am gearing up for research for my next dog non-fiction. The topic will focus on intergrading your dog with a young child and how to make the relationship work for both of them. If you feel that you might have something to add to my research, then I’d love to speak with you. Email me at NatalieCMarkey@gmail.com

Business cards, memory tricks and how the working mother can benefit from them

After a conference (any conference) you are met at home with seemingly endless loads of, and not just yours, I speak of the baby’s laundry that your husband failed to do. You also find all those welcoming emails that you fear will take over your computer, a revised to do list based off of your new improved conference knowledge and then there is are those groceries that need to be bought. Welcome to the life of the working mother.

Now, in such a scenario it would be easy to avoid and forget all the business cards that you traded. Trust me, I understand. I recently, returned from my old home of New York City to my current home of Arkansas and let me tell you, I now appreciate the phrase, “culture shock.” It was fun to see old colleagues, memorable landmarks and shop for my daughter at FAO Swartz. But once I returned home my old days of living the single dream in the Big Apple, quickly were replaced by burp rags and dirty diapers. I love my life as a full-time working from home mother/author but if you are a mother, then you will understand the importance of priorities.

Speaking of priorities, what happened to that stack of business cards you collected at various conferences? Are you ignoring them? One of those business cards could be what is keeping you from your dream or even better what is keeping that dream from finding you.

Never neglect a good business card. Someone paid good money for that piece of paper! Take the business cards and take a few minutes each day to send an email out to those contacts. Let them grow. You never know who knows whom.

The goal is to never let those stack of business cards get too high. Chip away at them and build your network. I loved some advice that I read in Bob Mayer and Jennifer Talty’s ‘Writer Conference Guide.’ They recommended separating business cards out in envelops and label each envelop with the name of the conference of convention. This is a great way to keep all that information straight. You should also take a second or two and write down something about that person on the back of your card when receiving it.

There is so much to keep straight. Do what you can to make things easy. As a working mother, you’re going to need whether you are a writer or whatever business you are in.

What memory tricks have you learned and used over the years? Share you wisdom in a comment below.

Announcements:

Oscar, the inspiration for my book, ‘Caring for Your Special Needs Dog’ is in the pet hospital. He is dealing with a sudden increase in his seizures. Please keep him in your thoughts and don’t forget to check out the book he inspired. He is a very special dog. I love you my Muffin, even though you are 75 pounds and not a lap dog in any stretch of the term.