Procrastination - Insecure Writer's Support Group post for March #IWSG

This is my fourth monthly Insecure Writer's Support Group post. The IWSG is hosted by Alex J. Cavanaugh. The purpose of the IWSG is:

 "to share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!"

Procrastination. It is the bane of my writing life. And it's entirely my fault that it is. I think fear plays a little bit into the reasons for why I procrastinate - fear that I won't be good enough when all is said and done, that my writing will be lacking. But truthfully, I think plain laziness also takes part in why I procrastinate. I love writing, and when I am on a roll, I will write a lot. But once the writing is done, I would much rather start a new writing project than go through the mind-numbingly boring task of editing my story and making it as perfect as is possible.

So, at this rate, I will have about twenty novels written by the end of the year and zero that are worth publishing. Not very good numbers to be looking at.

My husband and I were discussing this fact last night. He asked me, "Where exactly do you want to be five years from now? Do you want to be a published writer? Do you want to be teaching writing? What is it that you want?" To be honest, I want to do both, five years from now. But that means I have to start taking my writing seriously, again. I thought I was taking it seriously when I started writing in earnest a couple of years ago. And I was taking it more seriously. But to be really serious about this as my career, then I need to put forth the effort to make sure that the words I am writing will someday be seen and will be worth being seen. And that means I have to spend time perfecting my words, making the stories I write become more than just interesting; they have to sparkle.

On another topic, there is still time to sign up for the Chapter Book Challenge if you think that spending the month of March writing an early reader, chapter book, middle grade book or YA book might be the thing for you. It's a really informal challenge, but if you sign up for it, you are automatically entered in the Kindle giveaway. And there is a great line up of guest posts from published authors and agents and many prizes being given away throughout the month. There are just two days left to comment on the guest post from Angela Ackerman in order to be entered to win a copy of her co-authored book "The Emotion Thesaurus" (as long as you are also signed up for the challenge). You can also get some great ChaBooCha web badges for your blog or website. There's a ChaBooCha Facebook page, a ChaBooCha Facebook group and a ChaBooCha Twitter page, and we post about the challenge using the hashtag #ChaBooCha. We have over 80 people signed up for the challenge so far.

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Doubt - Insecure Writer's Support Group post for February #IWSG

This is my third monthly Insecure Writer's Support Group post. The IWSG is hosted by Alex J. Cavanaugh. The purpose of the IWSG is:

 "to share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!"

Doubt. It's one of those things that every writer lives with on a constant basis. All of us. Whether we are published or brand new at this writing stuff. And I am not any different from the rest. I'd like to believe that my doubts and fears are somehow bigger than everyone else's, but I know that's not true. The difference is that some people work past their doubt, or they work in spite of their doubt. And some people let the doubt eat away at their resolve; they let it convince them to give up. I refuse to give up.

It might take me longer than other writers, but I will succeed. I believe in dreaming big, and I don't intend to let any excuses stop me from working towards my dream, and that includes that plaguing self-doubt that keeps trying to creep in and convince me I'm not good enough to keep trying. (It's been trying very hard lately to convince me to give up.)

Anything worth dreaming about is also worth effort and work. It's worth giving it our hearts.

What about your dreams? You're not going to let a little self-doubt stop you, are you?


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What Are Your 18 Things? Blogfest - My 18 Things Bucket List

Jamie Ayres is hosting the What Are Your 18 Things Blogfest in celebration of the release of her book 18 Things. 

This was what Jamie said about the blogfest:

All you have to do is blog about things on your bucket list.  If you don’t have a bucket list, you should, and now is the perfect time to start! If you’re not sure what a bucket list is (blasphemy!), it’s something completely personal that each person should do (IMHO). It’s a great reminder that gives an extra boost to live life to the fullest and keep us looking forward, even when life wants to drag us down sometimes. Finish a marathon? Read the top 100 books?  I’m looking for fun, heart-pumping, poignant, or inspirational things that you want to want to do, or maybe already crossed off your list. And it doesn’t have to be 18 Things . . . it can be anywhere from 1-18 things (I just needed my title to get out there. Marketing trolls said so!)

Here are my 18 things, some achieved and some still to be done (and some are just big dreams. What's the point of dreaming if we can't dream big, right?):

1 - Lose weight and remain at a healthy BMI. (I achieved this when I lost over 145 lbs a few years ago and kept it off.)

2 - Complete and publish my children's chapter book.

3 - Complete and publish all three of my urban fantasy novels.

4 - Get my three picture books published.

5 - Write and publish my Skinny Dreaming book.

6 - Finish my flash fiction anthology and publish it.

7 - Finish and publish my YA novel.

8 - Write a writing guide.

9 - Have a house built the way my husband and I have always wanted.

10 - Go skydiving.

11 - Go bungee cord jumping (over water).

12 - Go to a writer's conference.

13 - Be interviewed on national television. (This was already done twice; once on Daybreak (a morning show in the UK) and once on Sky News (UK) when they interviewed me about my weight loss.)

14.Write a regular feature for a magazine. (This was done when I wrote for a magazine in California for over a year - articles about keeping kids healthy.)

15 - Write over 100,000 words, completing my novel in one month. (I achieved this during the 2012 NaNoWriMo, writing 100,163 words in 30 days. Before that, I'd  managed to write 50,000 words in 14 days the previous year.) 

16 -  Go to a country I have never been to before. (I've already been to the US, Mexico, England, Wales and Scotland.)

17 - Run writing workshops for kids. (I used to run a writing club for kids from home that my kids and their friends joined, but I want to do this on a larger scale. It makes me sad that very few schools today do not encourage or teach children to use their imagination and write stories, instead focusing solely on grammar, spelling and reading skills.)

18 -  Start my own publishing company.

What are your 18 things?

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Are You a Writing Rebel?

I have decided to join in with the Rebel Writer's Creed 2013 hosted by Writer's Alley. Those of joining can look in on each other throughout the year to see how well we are doing in keeping the creed.  (Besides, isn't the above graphic pretty?)

I've always been a huge advocate of dreaming bigger. What big dreams are you going to make come true this year?

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Kirsten Lamb's Tips for Productivity

"The world doesn’t reward perfectionist; it rewards finishers." ~Kirsten Lamb

I came across a blog post by Kirsten Lamb that I had to share with you for two reasons. 1 - It is an awesome blog post on productivity; it's both funny and informative. And 2 - I want to win a critique of my novel's first 20 pages from her and mentioning the post here gets me an extra entry. 

We all struggle with productivity from time to time. I know that, for me, Facebook, my e-mail,. Twitter and other social media sites can be a real time suck for me. And I often don't feel like sitting down to concentrate on writing or editing even when it is exactly what I need to be doing.  Kirsten's post give some advice for remaining productive despite any ADD tendencies.



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Dionne Lister's "Shadows of the Realm" - on sale January 8th!

My friend Dionne Lister's book Shadows of the Realm is going on sale!

Epic Fantasy Saga, Shadows of the Realm, on Sale Jan 8-22!

Shadows of the Realm is an epic fantasy for teens and adults. Join Bronwyn and Blayke, two young realmists, and their animal companions, as they are forced to leave the only home they’ve every known to undertake a dangerous journey towards Vellonia, city of the dragons.

The gormons are invading, slipping through the corridors between realms, and they want blood, lots of Talian blood. Will the young realmists learn enough of the Second Realm magic to prevail, or will everything they love be destroyed?

The first book in The Circle of Talia series is on sale from the 8^th to the 22^nd of January for the bargain price of $1.99 on Smashwords and Amazon. Grab it now and escape into an original and enchanting world filled with mystery, danger, dragons and adventure.

 Sounds like a fun read; doesn't it?


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Insecure Writer's Support Group Post #IWSG - January 2013 - The Evil Inner Voice

This is my second monthly Insecure Writer's Support Group post. The IWSG is hosted by Alex J. Cavanaugh. The purpose of the IWSG is:

 "to share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!"

I am a bundle of insecurities when it comes to my writing. In yesterday's post, I wrote that "believe" is my word for the year and that I am going to believe in myself. Well, that belief is still a work in process.

It seems like every time I read some really great writing by someone else, that nasty little inner voice pipes up in my head, saying things like, "You'll never write as cleverly as he does," and "Your writing will never grip people the way that her writing does." I have told myself over and over that the nasty little voice in my head LIES, but sometimes, I still let that voice get to me.

I'm working on it though. I am editing my manuscripts and getting them ready for publication, and hopefully, when I start sending them out to my critique partners, I will find out that my manuscripts are not as bad as I fear.



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No KISS Blogfest - with a "no kiss" scene from my 2012 NaNoWriMo novel

I am joining in with the No KISS Blogfest this year, run by Frankie Diane Mallis.  It sounds like a fun blogfest to join!

Here's what the site says about the blogfest:
 

"The 4th Annual NO KISS Blogfest!

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What: The No Kiss Blogfest! This is when you get to write a scene or post one from of your favorite books, movies, or TV shows that show the almost kiss-- the rising, crushing, excruciating, longing, tension that comes  when two characters get oh-so-close to kissing that you can just feel it, want it, NEED it....and then...they don't!"

These are the rules of the No Kiss Blogfest:

No Kiss Blogfest Jan 2, 2013! 

Things You Should Do To Prepare For The Ultimate Non-Kissage Festivities!

1) Sometime between now and Jan 2, 2013 write a post about the No Kiss Blogfest to let everyone know you are participating and that they should too. Why? Because it's awesome! (Please link back)

2) Sign up for the No Kiss Blogfest by filling in the Mr. Linky on the No KISS Blogfest site. 

3)Tweet about No Kiss Blogfest, using the hash tag: #nokissblogfest because #hashtagsareawesome

4) After you've recovered from New Years Eve, write a blog sharing your Almost Kiss, No Kiss Blogfest entry (either one from your WIP, one you just wrote, one from a book, movie or tv show, or even a really hot almost-kiss picture)and post on January 2, 2013!!! Because reading your posts are awesome! (Don't forget to link back)

 photo source: the Supernatural TV series

And here is my entry, taken from my this year's NaNoWriMo novel:

“Look at me, Marie.” His voice was soft and enticing. He gently lifted my face and our eyes locked. “I’m pretty sure we both saw the same thing. I’ve been wanting to hold you like that since the moment we first met. You came out there, brave and feisty, determined to help us despite the danger, and I was lost. And everything I have learned about you since just makes me want you more.”

He leaned down, his lips just inches from mine. All I had to do was turn my head just that one space closer and his lips would be on mine. I could feel his breath, hot against my face. I lifted my hands to his bare chest and felt the heat coming off his body under my fingers. In the space of one sigh, despite the desire pooling deep inside, I pulled away.

“We can’t,” I whispered, my voice hoarse and raspy. “I can’t.”

I was running from the room when I heard him asking, “Why not?” Because it won’t last, I screamed inside. It’s not meant to be.

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2013 - the Year to BELIEVE

A friend of mine (Joanna Marple) was asking what my "word for the year" was going to be. She had decided that hers was going to be "centered," and she encouraged me to take risks this year. I hadn't really thought about what my word for the year would be before she asked. I took my time thinking about it. In 2010, my word for the year was "courage." In 2011, although I didn't specifically pick a word, it would have been "dream," and in 2012, due to all of the challenges I participated in and goals I challenged myself to complete, it would have been "challenge."

This year's word is "BELIEVE." I believe that good things are going to happen this year. I believe that 2013 is going to be the year I reach several of my goals. And most of all, I believe in myself and in my ability to reach my goals.

What's your word for 2013? Think about it and then post it in the comments below.

And here are my writing goals for 2013:

-Submitting one piece of writing to either competitions or anthologies or book publishers every month.
-Editing my urban fantasy novel and getting it ready for either submission to agents/publishers or self-publishing.
-Editing my urban fantasy YA novella and getting it ready for either submission to agents/publishers or self-publishing.
-Editing my children's chapter book and getting it ready for either submission to agents/publishers or self-publishing.
-Writing a new chapter book (first draft) during the month of March for the Chapter Book Challenge.
-Writing enough short stories and flash fiction pieces (added to the ones I have already written) to put together my own anthology.
-Writing at least three fully edited and ready for submission children's picture books (out of the 12 first drafts I will be writing for the 12 x 12 challenge).

I have other writing goals, but I will leave the ones written down to the ones above, lest I overwhelm myself.

Happy New Year! May your 2013 be full of success, happiness, health and magic!


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Happy Birthday, Erik! - Ask the Castle Guard

To start at the beginning of the story go HERE.


Ask the castle guard:


The most likely guard to ask would be the one guarding the drawbridge. He would have seen anyone who had entered or left the castle.

Erik headed for the huge wooden door and the drawbridge. As he approached, the guard drew his sword. It was uncomfortably long and pointy-looking. “Halt! Who goes there? Friend or foe?”

“Friend. You know I live here. Don’t you remember me?”

The guard squinted at him.  "Well, now you mention it, you do look vaguely familiar.  Lucky for you I have a mind like a steel trap. I remember everyone who comes in and everyone who goes out, and everyone who lands in the moat.”

“I’m looking for someone who came in, and may have gone out as well,” Erik said.

“Ask me anything. I know everything that goes on in this castle and then some,” said the guard, puffing out his chest to make him seem more important than ever.

“Good. My birthday present box was empty, and I need to find the person that took the present. Have you seen any suspicious characters around?” Erik crossed his fingers behind his back, hoping the guard could tell him right away where his present was.

“I see suspicious characters every day of my life. You look a little suspicious, yourself. Are you sure you didn’t just hide your present in hopes of getting another one as well?” The guard looked at him through narrowed eyes.

Erik rolled his eyes. “Of course I didn’t! I just want to find my one real present! It’s missing, I tell you.”

“Well, if you say so. But I haven’t seen any loose presents walk by. You need to ask the cook. She has a finger in every pot that goes in or out. She cooks things up in all sorts of ways. She will know what you need to know.” The guard turned from Erik and began to march back and forth in front of the big wooden door.

If Erik heads for the castle kitchen to ask the cook, go HERE.

If Erik asks a different guard, go HERE. 


(organized by Susanna Leonard Hill)

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Eve Hallows Blog Tour Stop & Author Interview

 I've been invited to be a part of the Eve Hallows Blog Tour Stop, hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer.
 Eve Hallows and the Book of Shrieks and the other books in the Nightmare series are written by Robert Gray. He kindly offered to answer a few questions for me to share with you.

What made you decide to be a writer?

I've always been the type that when I like something I need to understand how that something works. I love books, and I love the connection between the mind and the written word. In order to understand that connection better, I started writing.  And the deeper I dug around, the more I wanted to write. 

 

Where did the idea for the Eve Hallows books come from?

The basic premise, that of a human girl raised by monsters and living in a monster world, came from my childhood love of monsters.   

 

Are there plans for more books in the series?

Yes, I'm currently working on the third book in the Nightmare Series, which is called Eve Hallows and the Book of Shivers.  It'll be available summer 2013.  

 

What is your favorite part about being a published author?

The writing. It's what matters to me most. Everything else, the good and the bad, is secondary.

I must admit that I haven't read this book yet so I can't tell you what I think of it yet. It sounds great though and I am looking forward to reading it! If you haven't already, pop on over to the Eve Hallows Book Blast and 450 Giveaway post.


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A Family Christmas

My friend Susanna Hill is running the 2nd Annual Holiday Contest.

The rules are:

Write a children's holiday story beginning with any version of "Dashing through the snow in a one horse open sleigh."  You may use that actual opening, or you may change it to any similar version "[Verb of your choice]ing through the [any substance you choose] in a [conveyance of any kind]."  For example, "Dashing through the sand in a two-wheeled donkey cart" or "Sloshing through the swamp in a green and white canoe" or "Flying through the air in a striped hot air balloon..."  You get the idea, I'm sure :)  But "Dashing through the snow in a one horse open sleigh" is completely acceptable too - whatever works for you :)  Your story may be poetry or prose, silly or serious or sweet,  religious or not, based on Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or whatever you celebrate, but is not to exceed 350 words.

 Here is my entry (to the tune of "Jingle Bells"). (My beginning was about someone on foot.)

A Family Christmas

Sliding through the ice, as I try and run so fast,

Slipping to and fro', like a real blast from the past.

Because when I was a child, I loved to play in ice and snow

But in California, mostly sun would show.

Now I'm in England, with snow and frequent rain.

And my search for sun, is usually in vain.

But right now I have to go, to fetch my kids from school.

We're off to the town center,shopping for Yule.

We may stop for a while, to visit Santa Claus.

And give to the Giving Tree, which is a real great cause.

Then we'll catch a very big bus, to travel back to our home.

Where it's warm and safe to be; no more will we roam.

We'll decorate the house, with tinsel and Christmas lights.

Those twinkling colored lights, look really great during nights.

We'll cuddle with our cat, and he'll knead us with his paws.

We'll watch "It's a wonderful Life," and end it with applause.

We'll set out cookies and milk, to give to St. Nicholas,

We'll sing Christmas songs, feeling felicitous.

Then the kids will go to bed, so Santa Claus can come

Sliding down the chimney, and landing on his bum.

On Christmas morning, all will wake and rise

To see what Santa brought, with their very own eyes.

We'll spend the day together, as a loving family,

Because that's the important bit, of how Christmas ought to be.

Oh

Christmas comes, once a year

And brings us lots of love

Kindness, giving and good cheer

And other gifts from above.

268 words

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"Blood Will Flow Today" by Robert Fyfe

My friend Susanna Hill is running her 2nd Annual Holiday Contest. The rules are:

"Write a children's holiday story beginning with any version of "Dashing through the snow in a one horse open sleigh."  You may use that actual opening, or you may change it to any similar version "[Verb of your choice]ing through the [any substance you choose] in a [conveyance of any kind]."  For example, "Dashing through the sand in a two-wheeled donkey cart" or "Sloshing through the swamp in a green and white canoe" or "Flying through the air in a striped hot air balloon..."  You get the idea, I'm sure :)  But "Dashing through the snow in a one horse open sleigh" is completely acceptable too - whatever works for you :)  Your story may be poetry or prose, silly or serious or sweet,  religious or not, based on Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or whatever you celebrate, but is not to exceed 350 words."

My husband Robert Fyfe, creator of Fairy Magic Photos and Family Harmony Comics, created this entry. It is to the tune of "Jingle Bells," but he wrote it tongue-in-cheek, not really intending to win anything. He just thought it was funny to write a horror version of the song. And yes, I know that he sometimes has a sick sense of humor, and I'm okay with that.

Blood Will Flow Today

Dashing through the snow
it's late in to the day
fearful of the night
this isn’t time to play

Sparkle light sparkle bright
sparkle all the way
wings are stretched and teeth are bared
for blood will flow today

Watching the moon rise
listening for a sound
fear strikes every one
as hearts begin to pound

Sparkle light sparkle bright
sparkle all the way
wings are stretched and teeth are bared
for blood will flow today

From up above a shape
flutters into view
then shoots like a rocket
your numbers growing few

Sparkle light sparkle bright
sparkle all the way
wings are stretched and teeth are bared
for blood will flow today

Your standing now alone
no one now left to share
they're standing motion less
with a hypnotic cold dead stare

Sparkle light sparkle bright
sparkle all the way
wings are stretched and teeth are bared
for blood will flow today

153 words

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"Oblivion Storm" Book Launch & Review

I've been given a copy of Oblivion Storm for review. Take a look at this cover! Isn't it gorgeous?

Oblivion Storm is written by author R.A. Smith and published with Xchyler Publishing.

It launches TODAY! This book is now available for purchase. 

I don't normally review a book I haven't finished reading, but I was unusually busy this past week and didn't get around to starting the book until this morning. I have the book in pdf format, and I have only read about 100 pages into it so far, but I will give you my impressions of the novel as far as I have read.

I am loving the story. I am noticing a few errors though, such as the main character's name changing a couple of times (from Rose to Mary) on pages 45 and 49, but I have an ARC copy and am assuming that little errors like that have been changed in the finalized version. When I first began the story, I found it a little bit hard to follow but before long, it all made sense, and I couldn't put the book down. The story really dragged me in and hung on to me. In fact, I didn't really want to put it down to come and write this review, but I wanted to have my review up in time for the book's launch, so here it is.

The first character we are introduced to is Iris who changes her name to Tally when her life changes. I think the change of her name is really not something that needed to be in the book, but it doesn't detract from it. I began to like Tally so much that I was disappointed when we moved to present time and a new character, but, fortunately, that isn't the last we read of Tally's story as Rose, the modern day character and Tally's stories are intertwined. The same evil that Tally fights to protect her family in her time period stalks rose in her own era. Rose dies and returns stronger, with powers over the living and the dead, and Tally gives her a task to perform in order to save everyone.

The story has all of the elements I love in a good paranormal fantasy: magic, supernatural gifts, creatures that are more than human, dark forces, suspense and an element of the epic battle between good verses evil.

SO, while I may not be done reading the book yet, I can already recommend it as a fun read for anyone who likes these kinds of stories.

Here's a shot of the book's cover and the blurb on the back.

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12 x 12 in 2012 Blog Party!

 It's time for the 12 x 12 in 2012 blog party! I can't think of anything fun and witty to write the way that my fellow 12 x 12 blog party compatriots have, but I still wanted to have my say about what a great time I've had participating in the 12 x 12 challenge this year.

If you didn't take part in the challenge, you have missed out. I have gained so many benefits from participating.

1. I learned a ton of things about writing picture books that I didn't know before.  I'm putting this as number one because I really did learn so much, and it has all really helped me to progress on my journey to become a published picture book author.

2. I gained a picture book critique group and had some critiques done on a couple of my picture book manuscripts.

3. I gained contacts with people in the picture book industry: agents, publishers and editors.

4. I met other picture book authors, both published and aspiring, who are willing to cheer me on (while I cheer them on). I ca not stress enough how wonderful and helpful everyone in the 12 x 12 community is with each other.

5. I started the Chapter Book Challenge. Yes, the challenge came to me partially as a result of my doing the 12 x 12 challenge. I love doing the month-long challenge of NaNoWriMo and I really enjoyed doing the year-long challenge of 12 x 12, so I decided that I would like to do something that fit somewhere as a middle-road to the two challenges, and I came up with the Chapter Book Challenge. (It was also a result of my having some ideas for chapter books to write with my children in mind.)

6. I gained helpful links for writers of picture books.

7. I won a free book trailer design by Carter Higgins. And it will last for as long as it takes me to get my book ready. (And she has created some wonderful book trailers for other authors.)

8. I've gained the belief that I can succeed at writing picture books and the courage to keep trying until my book is published.

If you feel the burning need to write picture books and want to learn more about how and what to do with them once you've written them, I highly recommend joining the 12 x 12 challenge in 2013.

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Become a Character in the Last Dulcie O'Neil Book by H. P. Mallory

Some of you will remember when I posted a review and contest for A Tale of Two Goblins by H. P. Mallory. Well, it was my first instance of reading an H. P. Mallory book and I became an instant fan! You can read my brief review of Malice in Wonderland, if your interested.

H. P. Mallory is having a contest on her blog right now! You could possibly win the chance to become a character in the last Dulcie O'Neil book in the series in the book called "For Whom the Spell Tolls." I don't know about you, but I think this is a really fun prize!

You just need to go to her blog and follow the instructions to win entries in the contest.

If you haven't read the previous books in the series, the first one is called To Kill a Warlock.

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