Bet I Know What's On Your Bucket List

Up until recently I was too busy raising kids to worry about a bucket list.  Maybe I was too young (I can only hope) thinking I had plenty of time to do all those things that would make my someday list.  

But time does march on, my kids are almost grown so... I made the list.

The Bucket List was made popular by the movie starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman. Loved the movie!  The idea of dying and hurrying to do all the things on my list - not loving so much. 

But the thing that got me writing down an actual bucket list was my latest attempts to embrace minimalism, which if you knew me is almost laughable, but... I do want to acquire less stuff.  Getting rid of stuff, still not so easy.  So I decided instead of my husband and children buying me more stuff for my birthday, mother’s day, anniversaries I thought why not cross things off my bucket list.

So how did I make my bucket list?  With the help of The Amazing Race of course. Love that show. Seeing the world and doing all those zany things and with a partner. My partner in crime would have to be my husband, probably the only one who would put up with my controlling, emotional nature, although I don’t think I would be as bad as Rachel (aka Big Brother chick) from last season, at least I hope not.  

But I soon realized my chances of getting on The Amazing Race, and my real desire to do so (can you say jet lag, lugging around that back pack, running...) was dropping to nil. Still... I really wanted to partake in some of those cool events. My bucket list was born.

A lot of people have travel to exotic locales on their bucket list but for me it was the adventurous stunts that peaked my excitement.  So...

On my Wedding anniversary we went parasailing.

On my Birthday we went zip lining.

On Mother’s Day we enjoyed a helicopter ride.

Another Anniversary we tried Aqua Chi (no dare devil stunt there - it is a foot soak)

Still on my bucket list:

Jet skiing -  White Water Rafting - Horseback Riding on the Beach

Bungee jumping - this freaks me out somewhat, I would only do this over water

Sky Diving - maybe

Even though you may not see anything on my list that appeals to you I bet there is one item most of us share.

Writing a Novel  

And then of course having our novel published.

Some of you have accomplished this and big congrats, others of us still working our way to crossing this one off.

But whether your bucket list is tame or adventurous here’s to continuously adding to your list because when I cross off all my items... then what -- death?

So feel free to comment on your novel, your bucket list or anything else.

5 Tips to Jumpstart that Fickle Friend - Creative Inspiration

I’d like to welcome to my blog Melanie Slaugh.   

A fellow writer, she is enthusiastic about the growing prospects and opportunities of various industries and writing articles on various consumer goods and services as a freelance writer. She is here today to share 5 tips to help you access that ever elusive creative inspiration.

We all strive to create the kind of writing that lures readers in and pulls at their heartstrings, the kind that grips people and makes them feel as though they’re a part of the story that is unfolding, the kind of writing that is born from inspiration. 

Anyone can put words on a page but not just anyone can write in a way that compels people to keep reading and makes them feel that they are as much a part of the story as the characters themselves. 

However inspiration has a way of coming and going in random intervals, which can be frustrating to writers who are looking at a looming deadline or are desperately wanting to wrap up a piece, start a piece or get through a sagging middle. What do you do when your inspiration seems to be hibernating? 

1. Get out of the house – Writer’s tend to become enslaved to their computers without even realizing it, logging hours upon hours behind the screen. If you’ve reached a standstill in your writing it might be time to get some fresh air and take a walk. Enjoy the scenery; breathe in the beauty of nature, and let inspiration unfold before you. 
2. Write something else – If you’re working on a freelance article or trying to finish up a book chapter you might need to take a break and do some personal writing. Pen a poem or update your blog, write for you instead of for your deadline. Take a break from the pressure and write for the joy of writing. It can be just the revitalize you need to get back to the grind and finish up what was previously stalling you.
   
3. Cross something off your bucket list – Feeling uninspired could be the result of a lack of inspiring events in your everyday life. Maybe it’s time to finally try out that kickboxing class you’ve been eyeing or to go skydiving for the first time. Do something you’ve always wanted to do but been scared to pursue. Breaking free from a personal barrier may be just the push you need to break free from your inspiration barrier. 
4. Take the day off – Blow off work for a day and take a personal day. Go to the beach, take yourself on a picnic, or hike a new trail. Sometimes the stress of life can get to be too much and can start to hinder your productivity. Take a breather and let yourself relax. Of course, you can’t do this every time you’re feeling uninspired, but every few months it’s OK to take a day and focus on you.
   
5. Fit in a workout – Go for a run or hit the gym for a spin class. Get your heart pumping and blood flowing. When you have a healthy body you have a healthy mind, and doing something positive for yourself can help you clear the cobwebs out of your head and leave you rejuvenated and revived. 

Sometimes all we need to do is change up one thing in our daily routine to find inspiration where it was otherwise lacking. People are creatures of habit, but following the same routine day in and day out can mean we end up stuck in a rut, feeling uninspired and unproductive.   

                            Change, even if it’s minor, sparks creativity, so embrace it. 

I personally have used all of these tips.  I’d love to hear any other ways you find inspiration so                                          Feel free to comment.

Thank you Melanie for this inspirational post.  Melanie Slaugh writes extensively for internet service providers and also topics related to internet providers in my area for presenting the consumers, the information they need to choose the right Internet package for them. She can be reached at slaugh.slaugh907 @ gmail.com.

Help! I need OA (but it's not what you think)

I am in need of support group!  Not Overeaters Anonymous (although on this blog I’ve talked about the similarities I’ve encountered on my weight loss journey and my writing journey several times) but in this case I am in need of the wisdom and courage of my fellow writers, and a place where we can share.  

Do any of you know where there is a meeting of Over-Editing Anonymous?

Some will hate me when I say this, but I love to revise. As long as I have words on the page, I can usually sit my butt down and work -- sometimes for hours.  I think this has to do with my fixer personality.  I am a problem-solver.  Give me something to work with and my brain spins into gear.  

Give me the blank page, or the need to complete a first draft and... well, it’s not a pretty picture.

You may not think this is a problem, but as with any obsession habit, it certainly can be.  For instance, I recently have taken to writing shorts and children’s picture books just so it’s easier for me to revise.  Every sentence, phrase and even word -- sometimes multiple times.  And then, I still have trouble stopping. 

Every day I learn some nugget of wisdom on blogs, newsletters, chats and workshops regarding the craft of writing.   I am constantly learning, which is a good thing, but then I feel the need to apply this new nugget.  I am not necessarily looking for perfection but rather reading more work and saying, it could be better.  That’s likely another piece of my personality, the never-quite-good-enough piece. How many revision are enough?  When do you call it quits and submit?

I started a revision of my first manuscript, a 100,000 word novel and I knew going in that I wanted to edit and rewrite, applying much of the wisdom I’ve learned since writing this story.  Some scenes are turning out better, but yesterday, after spending several hours on a rewrite the day before, I read the original scene and realized it was better than the new scene, needing only minor tweaking. 

So you see it can be a big problem.  I need OA.  Or at the very least a workshop geared to knowing when to quit revising and submit. 

For now, I’ve found deadlines are my coping mechanism tool.  Real ones, like a contest deadline, or my own imaginary deadlines.  I call it  -  The Suck it Up, and Submit, even though it’s only been through 14 revisions. Or another favorite self-imposed deadline -  Step Away From the Keyboard and Send it Already.

Another strategy I’ve learned but don’t apply enough is printing out the draft, revising on paper.  Part of this is the waste of ink and paper, but seriously I need to tell myself, that’s better than the more precious commodity, my work hours and possibly my sanity. Reading from paper, helps me to step back and look at the words at a distance -- more objectively.  If I simply open the document on the computer I start to revise and revise and revise without reading the whole scene, or chapter or piece.

So for now, I’ll keep working my program toward recovery.

Maybe some of you have other wiser ideas or advise on how to deal with the over-editing dilemma.  I am all ears and ready to try almost anything.  Feel free to comment.

Romance Writers Summer Camp

I haven't posted in a while and my last post was a recipe which means either I was stuck or like a few weeks ago sick.  But then things in my household really went to hell.  I hung on but blog posts were the last thing on my mind.

Pulling myself out of the debris, I got ready for a guest post that was lined up for today.  But the way things have been going I should have known.  So instead of a guest author post here are some testimonials regarding the upcoming Marketing for Romance Writers Summer Camp.


Opportunity Knocks at Marketing For Romance Writers Summer Camp. Open the door to: SEEK, TEACH, LEARN, SHARE, SUCCEED...and discover MFRW'S MOTTO of Achievement

For those of you looking to learn any kind of marketing for your romance writing stop by their site, join their free summer camp, read these testimonials from satisfied authors.

Testimonials for Marketing For Romance Writers:


Authors, if you want a site that will give you USEFUL information, from how to make a movie trailer to promoting your book at the local library, join MFRW (Marketing for Romance Writers). There is no promo allowed on this site, so you won't have to wade through endless chatter to get a bit of useful information. Other writers post, leave comments, and share their wealth of information. I'm so pleased to have found this group! Naomi Bellina  http://www.naomibellina.com/

MFRW (Marketing for Romance Writers)  helped me discover new and unique ways to market my work and my brand to my readers. Savannah Chase http://savannahchase.com/

I think this group is so fantastic I recommend it regular to every new writer I meet when they ask me about being a writer. After producing a book, the next biggest task is marketing it and this group overflows with ideas, contacts, and support. I was first published five years ago and I'm still learning every day. Andrea Jackson http://www.pbdiva.com/

MFRW (Marketing for Romance Writers) Twitter Workshop. Romance Junkies made it again this year in the Writer's Digest 101 best websites for writers and one of the categories they list for us is “On twitter” If it wasn’t for your workshop on twitter RJ would not be tweeting ;-) So thanks again for the great twitter workshop! 

Cat Brown  http://www.romancejunkies.com

When I first published and learned I had to market on the internet, I was totally lost. Fortunately, I was directed to Marketing For Romance Writers as a place to go for advice and to learn the ropes. It’s the best advice I’ve received in my writing career. Everyone at MFRW has been helpful and sharing, and I am so grateful to have found this valuable resource and these wonderful people. R. Ann Siracusa, author of romantic suspense series http://www.rannsiracusa.com/books

Join FREE- http://is.gd/mfrwgroup FREE MFRW Summer Camp July 14-15

Feel free to comment on anything, it's that kind of week.

Tasty Tuesday

Quick and tasty Southwest Corn Chowder

I am down and out with the flu, but the blogs and the mom must go on so here is an easy recipe that I can prepare even when my head is swimming and every inch of me aches. The most difficult thing will be opening the cans.  Anyway, enough boo-hooing.

I have had so many positive comments on this tasty dish, that I now dare to bring it to events.

So if you are working through April’s Bootcamp, a Fast Draft, or Editing in a Month, or are just plain busy, throw this all in the crock pot and surprise your family that it isn’t pizza again tonight.

Recipe:

2 square packages of V8 Southwest Corn Chowder (tetra packs) in the soup aisle

1 can Rotel diced tomatoes, you pick the heat, I use mild (don’t drain) 

   or 1 cup salsa

1 can creamed corn, (don’t drain)

1 cup frozen corn, or a can of corn - drained

1 cup of nacho cheese sauce or queso, canned or jar

Put it all in a crockpot, give it a stir and set on high if you need it in a couple hours, low if you have longer.

We like our soup thick, but if you prefer it a thinner consistency you can add some canned broth - chicken or vegetable.

I have even added cooked and cut up chicken, or a large can of chunked white meat chicken, to add more protein.

Serve with tortilla chips and a dollop of sour cream and/or guacamole.  Enjoy.

Feel free to comment and add your simple recipes or cures for the flu.

How Do You Critique?

Seriously.  I’m asking.  

Next week, I am taking a giant leap in my writing journey and joining a critique group.       

And I am scared to death. 

This is not an online critique group.  Did I mention I’m an introvert?  

This is a meet-in-person, local group. Did I mention I have less than stellar self-esteem?  

Luckily, I live in a town called Niceville, so I’m hopeful the other members remember this, and all play nice.  Did I mention I have never met any them, or even had any kind of email contact other than this past week?  What was I thinking?

Most successful writers, editors and even publishers recommend having a good critique group to help edit your work. So I jumped.  And two of my new critique group members have already emailed me their pages. (I’m still working up to sending mine.) 

So I have their pages.  Now what?  

I have no idea what kind of critique they are looking for.  Maybe they just want reassurance.  A  pat on the back.  A “Great work. Keep going.” comment. For me, (remember, scared-to-death) I’d be happy with giving and getting that.

But mentally, I’m ready for more.  Emotionally, I’m not so sure. 

So this week I began compiling a checklist.  Did I mention my love of lists? 

And if I happen to crash and burn, as a result of this leap, at least I’ll have a useful checklist.

Anyway, here it is, so far.  

Questions to ask, and answer when reading the first 10 pages of my work, my critique member’s work, and even when reading published works.

1.     Was I hooked and why or why not?
2.     Is it clear who the protagonist is?
3.     Do I care about this protagonist?
4.     Are the other characters interesting?
5.     Is the action clear?  Easy to follow?  Does it move too quickly, or too slowly?
6.     Is the action mostly shown.  Is the balance of showing vs telling okay?
7.     Is the POV clear and consistent?
8.     Is the genre clear?
9.     What is the tone?  The mood?
10.   Is the setting clear?
11.   Are there enough grounding details.  A variety of senses used?
12.   Is the dialogue clear as to who’s speaking.  Enough action with dialogue? 
13.   Too much dialogue?
14.   Is there too much backstory?
15.   Is a theme hinted at?
16.   Is the author’s voice clear?
17.   Does the plot so far seem original?
18.   Does it feel like the story is starting in the right place?
19.   Is there enough introspection and connection with the protagonist?  Too much?
20.   Is the language appropriate for the intended audience age group?

And finally, 

     21.  Do I wish I had more pages?

Maybe you found this list useful.   And if you have any other suggestions, or additions to the list, feel free to comment.

Let's Get Productive

More, and more, writers are having to produce.  I mean really produce.  Lots, and lots, and lots, of words all strung together in meaningful, emotional, marketable sentences, paragraphs, chapters, all culminating into the next must-read book, in the next must-read series.

Agent Rachelle Gardner’s Blog last week How to Make a Living as a Writer, Part One was all about Volume.  And I quote,

"The writers who are doing it full time are able to do it because they have a large volume of product out there..."

So more than ever we must sit our butts in the chair and produce.  

                                          

                                      Here are 16  tips to help you do just that.  

Many you probably know, but here there once again, as a reminder to get those words down.

1. Set goals.  Not just the once year goals, or monthly but every day identify want it is you want to accomplish today.  Write it down and stick to it.   
2. Time yourself.  Decide on a specific time for yourself to sit and write, say 30 minutes and set a timer and off you go.  After the set time rest a bit. Then set the timer again and go.
3. Don’t check email during work times.  It pulls you into a non-action mood.
4. Turn off the social networks - Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, everything and focus on the page.
5. Get a motivation buddy.  Some one who is on your side spurring you on to make your goals a reality.
6. Track yourself, either by crossing off your daily goals, charts of time spent writing, etc.
7. Make yourself accountable to someone else, your motivation buddy, your writing or critique group and post it each day to your buddy or group.
8. Get up and move.  Get the blood circulating and pumping to your brain. Stretch. Jog in place.  Do push ups. Downward facing dog.
9. Create everyday.
10. Wake up early.
11. Realize it will never be perfect.  But it can be great.
12. Identify and face any fears that may be getting in the way.
13. Become mindful especially of time wasters.
14. Give yourself a break.
15. Then just do it.
16. And finally Reward yourself. Have a list of fun-to-you rewards. Not just big ones for when the book sells, but little ones for tasks accomplished weekly, monthly whatever you need.  After all when the book sells then we’ll party! 

                     Feel Free comment and/or post any other productivity enhancing ideas.