Today, I’m at fellow Crescent Moon Press author, Katie O’Sullivan’s, blog. She’s hosting a giveaway for a paperback copy of Fairyproof and I’m talking about the doors that books open.
Please head over to her blog (link above) and check it out.
What I Read: Write It Down Make It Happen
October 21, 2011 by
This book was recommended to me by MVRWA chapter-mate, Jill Kemerer at our annual brainstorming event. I’ve heard the principle before and have to admit being skeptical that writing something down actually encourages it to happen for you.
But that was because I didn’t really understand the principal.
When people tried to explain the concept to me before it was represented as sending a wish out to the universe, and then waiting for something mystical to wave a magic wand and grant it. That doesn’t quiet jive with me, though.
I believe in working hard for what you want.
But when I began reading the book, I learned about the science behind it. The author talks about how the act of writing down your deepest wishes, plants those ideas a little deeper in your brain. It makes the concept something more tangible. The book promised you will find yourself thinking about those goals you wrote down, and you will subconsciously begin doing everything you can to make them come true.
I was just too intrigued to not give it a try.
It’s a bit too soon to see if my two test goals will be achieved yet, but I have noticed a change in my attitude.In those rare occasions that I have quiet moments, my mind wanders to those written goals. When I try to clear away the clutter in my mind, what’s left is what I can do next to get a step closer to my dream.
The promise that writing it down, would make it more real to me was fulfilled.
I pass this book on to my readers here with the same enthusiasm that it was recommended to me.
Thanks, Jill.
The Art Fuels Creativity
July 11, 2011 by
It isn’t new advice. Those of us who write hear it all the time. Everyone from the masters, like Stephen King, to the person sitting next to us in a craft workshop repeat it constantly: Writers need to read.
While at RWA’s National Conference in NYC a couple of weeks ago, I attended a workshop that theorized that you can also gleen insight to the craft by watching tv. (Not that all tv sets a standard that we should reach for…but that you could learn about the craft from dissecting the format and the writing).
I would add the same applies to movies. I know that when I sit in a theater, I spend just as much time studying the format as I do the story.
The all-too-common problem becomes making the time to attend to our every day responsibilities, chase the dream by keeping out butt in a chair and writing AND finding the time to study or craft.
To that end, I’m giving myself an accountability check point via this blog. Tune in on Fridays, beginning this week for a new (hopefully not limited) feature Entitled What I Read/Watched. It will highlight a particular passage from a book or a scene from a TV show or movie that not only entertained, but taught me something about the craft.
Until then…
Maumee Valley RWA’s Annual Book Lover’s Event
March 22, 2011 by
Maumee Valley Romance Writers
Presents our
Spring Book Lover’s Event.
Location: Toledo Public Library, Sanger Branch
3030 West Central Ave.
Toledo, OH 43606
Experience the different types of romances available as local authors give readings from their newest releases.
Scheduled to be present: Tori Carrington, Elizabeth Vaughan, Shay Lacy, Tracy Madison, Deanna Wadsworth, Rue Allyn, Wendy Burke
Learn about a career in Romance Writing from those who are doing it.
Bring a friend and enjoy snacks and laughter with fellow book lovers.
Free Books! 3 large Raffle prizes (Free to enter)!
Grown Up Snow Day
February 2, 2011 by
Here in Northwest Ohio we’re on day two of a major snow event. Call it a snowpocalypse or a snowageden of any of the other media friendly terms local and national news have adopted, it all comes down to the same thing. We get to stay home!
Much of our area is under a level three snow emergency today, which means unless your “essential” (Doctor, nurse, police, fire) it’s illegal for you to be on the road. Many businesses are closed and all the the area schools (including most of the colleges) have closed their doors for the day.
I remember when I was a kid, we looked forward to these days so that we could bundle up in our snow gear and go outside. We’d build snowman, have snow ball fights, make snow angels and not come back inside until frostbite was a real concern. Then we’d drink hot chocolate, watch TV, and play video games (Just remember in my day that consisted of Atari and games like Pong, not WoW or HALO.)
And while that may be how my kids plan to spend the day (Not the playing in the snow, they’ve passed the age where that is fun.), I have my own set of plans for the day.
*A never ending-cup of coffee — check
*A fire in the fireplace — check
On all other fronts, it’s a catch up day. Catch up on laundry. Catch up on my editing. Catch up on my writing. And spend the afternoon and early evening catching up on movies I haven’t seen yet. I might even catch up on some reading too.
Sounds like the perfect grown-up way to spend a snow day. (Well…at least all the details I can post here and keep this blog safe for all eyes.)
What is your favorite way to spend a snow day?
Something to Believe In
January 28, 2011 by
Today I’m blogging over the shiny, new MVRWA Blog about why reading romance is important to me. Here’s an excerpt, but you have to head over there to read the whole post.
It didn’t take me too long, however, to realize I had a connection to this stranger that went beyond the early morning workout. We were both more interested in starting our day with a smile than letting the bad news of the day set the tone. I’m not saying I turn a blind eye to what’s going on in this big world, but I do choose to not let it affect my mood. And sometimes that means turning it off. (Continue Reading)
In the same vein: Here’s a Friday “song of the day.”
Something to Believe In – Poison
Remembering the Joy of Reading
August 25, 2010 by
Not too long ago I shared some writing advice from Stephen King, and that tidbit was something he shared in his book, On Writing. Writers must read.
Boy, this one is hard to follow when you’re a wife and a mother with a part-time pseudo-job. It’s a struggle to spin your tales in whatever free moments arise. However, as I came away from RWA National conference last month, it really hit me hard how little I’ve read this past year.
Okay — let me rephrase that…how few published novels I’d read this year.
I have two critique partners who give me the most wonderful work to read. I try to get through my writing craft magazines that come each month. I also try to make the time to read books on the craft. While all of that is good, and counts, there is a special joy that comes from reading for pleasure. I made a promise to myself to read the books I brought home from conference and also sat down and loaded all of the paranormal Rita finalists I hadn’t yet read onto my Sony e-reader. A month passed, and I hate to admit I hadn’t read a single page.
But then something changed last week. My kids returned to school.
My eldest daughter is taking two classes at the university post secondary. (A high school senior taking the classes for both HS and college credit). She has to be 20 miles south in the morning, and 5 miles north in the afternoon. Even with a driving reprieve from my son–who also has an 8 am college class two of the 4 mornings she goes down–I’m still doing a lot of picking up here and driving there until we can get her a car of her own.
Now, I’m the type of person who is habitually early. It’s just my genetic makeup. When I have to be in a certain place at a given time, I calculate how far it is to my destination and how long it will take driving the speed limit to get there. I usually then add 5 minutes for unforeseen traffic and 10 minutes for unforeseen natural disaster. (Yes, I always allow for a natural disaster that will only slow me down by ten minutes <g>)
End result: I often spend 15 minutes waiting.
That is why you will always find 2 items with me in the car 1) a notebook and a pen and 2) either a book or my e-reader.
Between yesterday and today I’ve been stealing 10 minutes here and there to begin reading J.R. Ward’s Covet and have to say the absolute joy of reading has rushed back to me. And dare I say I’ve learned a thing or two too.
