Gail Harris--an inspiration

I'm extremely proud to know Gail Harris. She's an inspiration to me and countless other people. Gail doesn't know the meaning of can't. She's a visionary, a warrior with heart, and a humanitarian. Please check out this video:

Guest Post: Writing Uninspired by Ken Myers

Most writers have had the experience of writer's block: the words don't flow, the story is stuck, you stare at the page, do almost anything to procrastinate. Waiting for the muse to move you is not the answer--especially if you've got a deadline.

Writer Ken Myers has some great tips to jump-start your writing when you hit a wall.

  

Writing Uninspired

What do you do when you don’t feel like writing? When you stare and stare at a page, hoping something will come to mind but nothing does? What do you do when inspiration does not seem to poke, not to mention strike? I am having one of those days today. It just seems like I have spent most of today staring at the blank screen, hoping for something to hit me upside the head and make me start writing. Well, here are some of the ways that I get writing anyway, even without inspiration:

1.      

      1. Just start – I find that if I just start writing (like I have today) I will get into the flow and actually accomplish something. Now this does not always work. Sometimes all I get out of it is a bunch of gobbled gook, but most of the time it works out okay for me. Just try not to force your brain into something it does not want to write about. Instead, let your fingers do the talking and write what comes.

2.       

     2. Edit later – A bad habit I have is when I am tired or uninspired I tend to pick at things. Maybe it is that zit on my face or that misspelled word, either way it will waste my time and just make things worse. Instead of editing as you write when you are barely inspired, wait until you finish to get rid of all those pesky red lines. If you stop now you will completely lose what flow you had and be even worse off than before.

3.      

         3. Get off social media – I admit, I do this a lot. When I don’t feel like writing I waste my time like crazy. I hang out on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. Nothing like a few billion photos to waste some time, right? Well, stop it! Shut down the social media and get back to your writing. You are in control of it, so use some will power and get back to work.

4.       

     4. Crank up the tunes – To inspire myself to write I often put on my favorite tunes and crank it up loud. It blocks out the defeatist vibes and gest me in a better frame of mind to write. Once I get going, however, I switch to instrumental or nature sounds to keep my attention on my work. Keep in mind not to waste your time with a playlist either. Have it ready to go and just keep writing.

5.       

     5. Shut off distractions – The phone is ringing, the texts are coming in, kids are screaming, coworkers want to chat and you have work to do. Turn it off! No one will have a hernia if your phone is off for an hour or two. Instead of chatting it up, tell them you are busy. No is a valid response.

6.      

         6. Have writing time – If I do not set aside writing time I get caught up in other junk. It is just as simple as that. Like saving money, you have to save time. Make writing a part of your schedule, like eating or bathing. If everyone knows it is writing time then they are more likely to leave you alone. Also your brain will get used to cranking things out at that time, making it easier to get into writing mode when it comes time.

7.       

     7. Keep an inspiration notebook – I am not inspired by my computer screen or my desk. I see that every day. Instead I am inspired by things I see when I am out and about and people I talk to. That is why I have started carrying a notebook with me to write down inspiration. Then when I get back to my desk I can sit down, open my notebook, and have tons of inspiration ready to go.

8.     

        8. Write stream of conscious – Instead of censoring yourself and trying to make your writing fit some kind of mould, why not just write. Some of the best things I have ever written were written fast and without thinking. I then look back on it and think how impressive it is that all that was inside of me. Don’t think. Just write.

9.       

     9. Take a nap – Sometimes you are just too tired to think clearly. Take a nap. Yes, I know you are not three years old or ninety, but that does not mean naptime is out. Curl up in your car, take a snooze on the couch or just find a quiet corner and rest your eyes. Even if you don’t sleep your brain will still get a much needed break. After all, how much quiet time do you really get to unwind and process your thinking?

     10. Take a break – Beyond just a nap, sometimes I am anxious. Not sleepy at all, a nap would send me to the moon. Instead I go for a walk; gets the blood pumping and my eyes focused on something beyond the end of my nose. A brisk walk, a jaunt down the stairs or even a few jumping jacks will get your blood to your brain and make you feel like you can sit and get things on paper.

 

     11. Drink water – Dehydration is a big deal. I know it sounds silly, but when I start getting that tired headache feeling I chug a glass or two of water. Sometimes that is all it takes to get me back on track. A little lubrication for the brain, right?

     12. Talk to someone – When I am really stuck for ideas it helps to talk it out. Now I am not a big talker. I’d rather write a letter any day, but talking is sometimes what it takes. Find a friend, find a pet, or heck talk to yourself. Just get the words out and your ideas flowing and you’ll be sure to find inspiration.

     13. Write outside your style – If you are still stick try thinking outside of the box. If you write fiction write nonfiction and vice versa. Try poetry or metered verse. Sometimes changing up your writing style can open your eyes to new ideas and get you inspired once again.

     14. Make an outline – The opposite of uninspired is sometimes just as hard to deal with. Have you ever had so many ideas that you didn’t know what to do first, so nothing came out? Yeah, we have all had those days. Instead of keeping that all trapped in your head write it down. Make an outline of what you want to write. A list works well too. Do not worry about order right now. Just get it out and then organize yourself later.

     15. Set time limits – When I am short of ideas and want to really motivate myself I set a timer. I give myself a few minutes or maybe an hour to get x amount of words written. I tell you, that is a great way to stress yourself out but it also helps me to get things done. Setting goals and limits helps to keep you on track even if they are just self-imposed.

These are just a few of the ways I get over writing uninspired. Not that inspiration always comes after all this, but at least I get something accomplished. Take it one step at a time and don’t worry about writing something worthy of Shakespeare. Instead, be thankful for what you get out and wait until you are in a better frame of mind to decide if it is good or not. Good luck and happy writing!

Author Bio:

Ken Myers is the founder of  http://www.longhornleads.com/ & has learned over the years the importance of focusing on what the customer is looking for and literally serving it to them. He doesn’t try to create a need, instead he tries to satisfy the existing demand for information on products and services.

A Writers' Journal: psyching myself into the next book

My days of procrastination are almost over. The holidays are in past tense, and my job at the airport drops to part-time on Monday--so I have no more excuses: It's time to sit down and write. Time to get onto a schedule. Time to stop watching back-to-back episodes of Cake Boss.

I wake up thinking/dreaming about how I will begin Priestess. That's a good sign. 

Another good sign: I've been reading novels. Reading stirs my imagination and makes me want to write. For months, I've been so busy at work that I can hardly think, and I've had no time to allow my imagination to wander. 

Even though I may have to scrimp, I'm looking forward to having time to write, to create the story, steep my mind in the minds of my characters, lose myself in another time and place. Time to dream is mandatory...but I can no longer procrastinate.

IMAGINATIONby `archanN

  

 

Writing is Lonely. Publishing Takes a Village!

Writing a novel requires endless hours spent alone in front of my computer. When things go well, the time speeds by. When I'm stuck, I can spend hours procrastinating: getting another cup of coffee, checking Facebook, streaming yet another episode of Cake Boss. For me, writing is rewriting. I rarely speed through writing chapters and keep going. I write forwards and then go backwards; sometimes I jump ahead.

Publishing is a different story. I'm not a techno-geek, so I can't do it all myself. When the book is finished, writing becomes a collaborative effort. 

I usually work with an editor who can help me spot plot holes and who will offer advice to strengthen then story. After another rewrite or two, I ask fellow writers and readers to read the manuscript--usually I print it out, because I find reading on a printed page helps to spot typos. After I get feedback and make corrections, I may send it to a copy editor for proofing. It constantly amazes me that ten people can read a book, and typos still slip past.

Meanwhile, I send the manuscript to my cover artist, Jeroen ten Berge, so he can start getting ideas. Covers are extremely important, and Jeroen always does a great job. Making a cover work in thumbprint size is a challenge. Initially, Jeroen came up with a cover that you can see on this blog, but after receiving feedback from fellow writers like Blake Crouch (he told me the cover had to feature a dancer), Jeroen went back to the drawing board and came up with the current gem.

Finally, I send the book to my formatter, Terry Roy of TERyvisions. She's the person I torture most, because she has to deal with my nit-picky changes and corrections. Terry is close to a saint...in fact, she may truly be one! And she does a terrific job for eformatting and paper. 

Rosy presented additional challenges, because I decided to name each chapter for a song and link the chapter heading to an MP3 download of that song. First, I contacted Amazon to make sure that was okay. They gave me the green light, but after doing some research, and learning how litigious the music industry can be, I became nervous about being sued. I contacted several lawyers via the internet.

Kirschner Law advised me that lyrics are copyrighted, but song titles are not--they advised me to check each title for trademarks. Todd Mouser of Mouser Law was exceptionally helpful, giving me further advice regarding trademarks--not all of them are easy to determine. Todd advised me not to mention the artists in conjunction with the song titles, because that might be construed as an endorsement. Todd also advised me to delete all lyrics from the text, which I did. If you need advice regarding intellectual property, I highly recommend Todd Mouser. Find him on Facebook, Twitter, and Linked In.

After determining that I would probably not be sued, Terry linked the Chapter Headings, and I downloaded Rosy: A Novel.

Then author, Mel Comley, who'd downloaded the book, was kind enough to let me know about a number of typos she'd discovered! 

So guess what? 

I had to bug Terry Roy again.

Early this morning, I downloaded the new file to Amazon. Hopefully, it will be published in time for the 3 day FREE promotion beginning December 21 (tomorrow) at midnight!

Writing may be a lonely process, but publishing is not!

Many thanks to everyone who's helped me!

Please pick up a copy of Rosy: A Novel. FREE on Amazon, December 21-23.

Free Books from Suzanne Typak

Today is a great day to fill up your new Kindle Fires and iPads with FREE books! Including my new novel, Rosy and my historical, Hetaera--suspense in ancient Athens. Happy Holidays!

Surprise Guest: Thea Atkinson

Please welcome one of my favorite writers: Thea Atkinson

I can't wait to read her new release!

Thea is always full of surprises, and this post is no exception. 
From Thea: 

I'm a history addict--so much so that my hubby has on occasion said to me when I grab the TV remote, "Oh, God, not another Egypt thing."

I'm also a big reader. And I LOVE Suzanne's books. Grabbed and read and LOVED Vestal Virgin and Hetaera. (Did I just write Love twice in one paragraph and cap it both times?)

So imagine my delight when Suzanne invited me to guest post. No. Really.  Imagine it--you wouldn't be far off if you believed I did a little jig--except you'd have to also imagine Elaine on Seinfeld to get it to something accurate. I'm a very poor dancer.

I considered using this opportunity to hock my wares--I have a new novella just released (Theron's Tale) but I thought how cheesy that would be when this gracious writer I admire offers me such a gift. So I'm not going to do that. Instead I'll mention the series that has recently captivated me.

Mankind: The Story of All of Us has production values that are out of this world. More than that, the images feed my habit in ways that speak to me as a writer.

You see, I've always been one to gravitate to odd bits of history. I love the underdog, so much so that I always loved the peculiar pieces of history that didn't get taught in school--or church.

I remember reading the King James Version of story of Judas's betrayal and saying to my mom--a devout Evangelical Christian, mind you--that I couldn't believe God would be so heartless that He'd condemn poor Judas when the poor disciple was obviously just doing his part in 'The Plan." That he was just obeying what the big J told him to do.

Phew. The tongue lashing.

Then about eleven years later I read about the Dead Sea Scrolls and all the Gnostic teachings and got this chilly sense of recognition.

What that has to do with how small bits of images form Mankind feed my writer essence is simple. It's these types of things: flashes of imagery, sound bytes of words that get the psyche-deep synapse-firing effect in me that forces me to narrative. I like to tell myself a story I'd like to read.

And I always fail.

Nothing I write ever comes close to the visceral response I get to the possibility of a story. It falls woefully short of the drive and potential I foresee. I get this sense of magnitude and emotion and satisfaction even before I've put pen to digital paper. It's when the potential is at its fullest bloat and I sense the power of the escape I want to create.

If only my talent and skill matched that quivering swell. Oh. The story I could tell.

And that's why I love Suzanne's work. It promises and delivers. You wouldn't be here reading my paltry words if you weren't too a fan. So I'd like to thank you for letting me have some of that time you would normally have reserved for her; I appreciate it more than you can know.

You could try out my work, I suppose, if you like. Some is plain and some is edgy. Depends on where the images or words took me. Just remember if you do that you'll find odd things in there everywhere, because nothing speaks to me quite so much as peculiar.

my blog
http://theaatkinson.wordpress.com/

my web
http://theaexcerpts.wix.com/theaatkinsonauthor#!home/mainPage

book links
amazon
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AG5N240
kobo
http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Therons-Tale/book-L--7TfJB2ki5flZdgR65-w/page1.html?s=MiXwddot50aDdntd1XT4Sw&r=8
smashwords
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/260503

Check for my latest books at Amazon
http://amazon.com/author/theaatkinson

see what I'm up to at wordpress
http://theaatkinson.wordpress.com

 

The Next Big Thing

Author, Hunter Gross, invited me to post in The Next Big Thing blog go-round. The idea is cool--I post about my next project, then tag other writers at the end. They'll post on their blogs next Wednesday and tag other writers! So keep following us so you'll be privy to The Next Big Thing!

 The Ten Questions:

1) What is the working title of your next book? 

I just released a new book. The working title was Rosy's Dream, but upon publishing, it got changed to Rosy with the subtitle Dreams Can Become Nightmares. After the holidays, I'll continue working on Priestess, part two of the Agathon's Daughter Trilogy.

2) Where did the idea come from for the book?

Rosy demanded that it be written. The first draft poured out of me almost fifteen years ago, but the story required a long germination. It takes place in New York City in the late 1970s--a crazy time. I did a lot of first-hand research.

3) What genre does your book fall under?

It's dark coming-of-age and has been compared to Wally Lamb's, She's Come Undone. The story contains a romantic suspense element as well. Gotta love that sex and violence.

4) What actors would you chose to play the characters in a movie rendition?

Unknown, quirky actors. Sarah/Rosy requires offbeat beauty and a sense of humor. Robin needs a rock star quality--a guy like Jim Sturgess.

5) What is the one sentence synopsis of your book?

Small town girl, Sarah, dreams of finding love and fame in New York City, but following her dreams leads to a downward slide into the insanity of the late 1970s: nightclubs, sex, drugs, and violence.

6) Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

Self-published. I'm too impatient to wait for traditional publishing. I did send a copy to my agent--just in case something opens up in other areas.

7) How did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?

I wrote the first draft quickly, about fifteen years ago. Since then I've cut a lot and done several major rewrites.

8) What other books would you compare this story to within its genre?

As I mentioned, She's Come Undone. And the movie, Magic Mike. The story doesn't shy away from darkness. I consider Sarah an unreliable narrator, and I thought of Catcher in the Rye while I wrote parts of it.

9) Who or what inspired you to write this book?

Life inspired me. I lived in New York City in the late 1970s. I was a dancer, an actress, and generally a fool. Years later, I wrote the story (in part) to sort out my experiences.

10) What else about the book might pique the reader's interest?

Anyone who has dealt with abuse will probably resonate with the story. Anyone who has struggled to pursue a dream will probably relate to Sarah. And music buffs may enjoy that each chapter is named for a song. The chapter headings are linked to MP3 samples of each song on Amazon. (When I bring the book out on iBooks the links will go to iTunes.)

This was fun!

Next week check out The Next Big Thing by these fantastic writers:

Cheryl Bradshaw
Elle Chardou
Tory Hartmann
Chrystalla Thoma