Do you know the write you?

And yes I misused "write" on purpose to get my message across. This past month I've been talking about dog training on my Special Needs Dog Care Examiner column as a part of National Dog Training month. And now today I've been prepping my lesson plans for my upcoming Writing Moms Workshop and it occurred to me that writing, dogs and parenting has one major thing in common- do you know yourself?

This is an area that every professional no matter what you do can grow in. I'm currently rereading "Emotional Intelligence" while reading "The Brain and Emotional Intelligence: New Insights" both by author Daniel Goleman. i normally wait to talk about books, if I'm going to, after reading them but both of these books really take the concept of knowing yourself to a common sense level. I really believe in understanding your emotions, environment and desires and incorporating all of them into discovering the best routine for you.

Such understanding can be applied to all area of your life. Yes, even dog training because if you don't know yourself how can you control a dog?

For writers though, knowing yourself can really help you develop a pattern of when to do various tasks. For example, I know that I write better in the morning so that is when I work on my WIP's. The rest of my day is divided among various tasks along with chasing my very active toddler. I use the evening hours to work of revisions, social media and prep for the next day.

What have you done or read lately that has helped you better know yourself? How did you apply this to make you a better writer, parent, or person?

Announcements:

My Writing Moms Workshop starts this Monday, March 5. Registration is still open.

I had some great opportunities to guest blog for some great author’s and friends last month.

The ever-changing writing process at author Colin Falconer’s blog

Finding Inspiration from Unlikely Sources at author Kristen Lamb’s blog

Being a flexibly, trained writer at author Rachel Harris’ blog

Woof Wednesday: Doggy assistant, excuse or both? At author Amy Shojai’s blog.

Who Dares Wins Publishing offers fantastic writing craft and industry Write it Forward Workshops. Be sure and check them all out here.

Writer Training: Setting the right pattern

The end of this week I will start teaching my second workshop of Writing Moms: How to do it all without losing your mind with Write It Forward Workshops. It's true that there are many different time management techniques for busy writing moms but in truth it comes down to one thing, training.

One of many many hats that I wear is my non-fiction dog writer. This month I've been thinking a lot about training since it is National Dog Training Month (and here I insert my shameless promotion for my Special Needs Dog Care column.) Really training goes hand and hand with structure and time management. Are you setting the correct pattern?

The first step is to get your butt into the chair, on the couch, in bed--wherever you chose to write. Are you doing that? After I had my daughter, it was difficult to get back into the routine but you will see that if you JUST DO IT the words will start to flow and then you will find that rythym again.

It is difficult to find motivation sometimes as a writer, especially if you are a writing mom. Everyone has something better or else that they would rather be doing than writing words that may never see the light of day. Push through those insecurities and keep at it! Keeping to the pattern, finding your pattern is what leads to greatness.

So, how are you setting and finding the right pattern for you? I'm giving away a spot this week to my March workshop of Writing Moms. Just comment on my blog for a chance to enter. To sign-up for the workshop and for more information click here.

Announcements:

I had some great opportunities to guest blog for some great author’s and friends this month.

The ever-changing writing process at author Colin Falconer’s blog

Finding Inspiration from Unlikely Sources at author Kristen Lamb’s blog

Being a flexibly, trained writer at author Rachel Harris’ blog

February is National Dog Training Month. For helpful tips on training the furry friends in your life follow my Examiner column, Special Needs Dog Care.

Who Dares Wins Publishing offers fantastic writing craft and industry Write it Forward Workshops. Be sure and check them all out here.

Making the most of your writing space

Earlier this week I wrote about locations and how they can impact your writing (or work.) They can help you stay focused, organized, inspired or create chaos and career destruction. But you can prevent such catastrophe by knowing what works best for you and making it work. The same thing can be applied to what goes around your workspace.

I write from home while caring for my toddler and dog. As her nap times become shorter I must get creative with my office space. I’ve created an office/playroom environment that even accommodates Oscar, my dog’s needs.

In this picture you can see the corner of my desk with toys across from it. Sometimes the books on the lower shelf of my bookcase become great toys too. And yes, that is a ball pool. My house is like a slice of Chuck E. Cheese fun! And then you may be able to see a piece of Oscar’s velvet, memory foam stuffed bed under my desk. It is good to be a baby in our house (and yes I’m calling my dog a baby too!)

But you don’t need to have children or demanding pets to custom your workspace to your needs. What helps you focus? What makes you happy when you are stressed? What distracts you? These are just some questions to get you started in creating a productive work environment. In addition to my playground of toys I have white erase boards and story boards up on walls. I have inspirational quotes and pictures that make me happy.

It’s your work zone and you can create it to make it perfect for you. How have you made your work space a better working environment for you?

I’m giving away a free “seat” to my upcoming Writing Moms Workshop. Leave a comment and you will be entered in a drawing to win!

Announcements:

I had the great opportunity of guest blogging on author Colin Falconer’s blog. Learn about the ever-changing writing process.

February is National Dog Training Month. For helpful tips on training the furry friends in your life follow my Examiner column, Special Needs Dog Care.

I will be teaching another class of my Writing Moms: How to do it all without losing your mind Write It Forward Workshop this March. It is a month long workshop focused on busy writing moms, something I know a lot about. Click here for more information.

Who Dares Wins Publishing offers fantastic writing craft and industry Write it Forward Workshops. Be sure and check them all out here.

My book, Caring for Your Special Needs Dog is out and a percentage of the profits go to The Texas A&M Foundation to the benefit of the Neurology Section, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinarian Medicine.