This week’s topic is:

What is your number one writing tool and number one writing resource you utilize as a writer/author (besides our writing accountability/goals group)?

My top 3 writing tools (and we can name up to three):

1. Write or Die – It helps with writing challenges and getting the words out without worrying about the internal editor.

2. My Beta Readers – They help me with giving me their views on the story, any thing they notice that is out of place, that draws them out of the story and even any grammar hiccup I may miss.

3. One Note – An invaluable tool for creating world bibles and keeping track of things, especially for series. And it’s great for logging research notes too. And especially in creating characters

My top 2 writing resources:

1. Romance Divas – I have talked about how great RD is before on the blog. It has been one of the most valuable resources in terms of support and information that I have found.

2. My thesaurus – Cause sometimes you can’t think of another word for scream (for whatever reason) and you just need an alternative cause you’ve already used the word (or a word) once (or twice) on the page.

If you want to check out how a few of my writing friends write:

* Alexia Reed * Danie Ford * Emma G. Delaney * Kimberly Farris *Kristen Koster *

The question is: How do you plot? If you plot. If you pants it, do you do it straight through or do you jump around from scene to scene then sew them together? How do you know when your story is ready to send out?

I’ve said before I’m a plotter. I usually do a synopsis before hand and a blurb about the story. Usually that’s enough to get me going and keep me going in a story. It’s structured enough I know what’s going to happen but loose enough that I don’t feel like I’ve already written the story.

If I’m stuck or stalled or it’s one of the more involved or complex stories then I’ll do a world bible (usually in one note), plot outline (either phase outline or a brief paragraph for each chapter or a scene by scene outline in excel).

And I think the story is ready to send out after a few round of edits and a round of two from my beta readers. This is how it goes usually – Write. Deep Edit. Send out for Crit/Beta. Edit/Tweak. Beta/Crit. Finally run through. Query/Synopsis/Submit.

 

If you want to check out how a few of my writing friends write:

* Alexia Reed * Danie Ford * Emma G. Delaney * Kimberly Farris *Kristen Koster *

So my muse seems to have gone on vacation.

So I decided to bribe her with some shiny new  books as an extra push towards finishing one of my major writing goals before the end of the year.

It seems to have worked because I have a nice stack of books by the computer and some new ones loaded on the Nook that I won’t be reading until I get to the end.

Let’s hope I can hold out because there are a few books I’m itching to get started on.

Here’s hoping it works.

Do you bribe your muse? If so, how?

So where am I with my writing? That’s a good question.

I am trudging along. I haven’t written as much as I would like lately in terms of erotica or erotic romance. I’ve been focusing more on my women’s fic and young adult stories.

And I think I can honestly say that I have improved in my writing. Even though I haven’t been writing a lot, school and real life has been creeping in (thankfully school is done). I have been taking workshops, classes and reading. So it’s a matter of balance. Balancing real life responsibilities such as the day job, my side business (catering) as well as taking care of mom with my writing.

The good news is that I am writing every day. I plan to have a story finished by the end of the year so I can edit, polish and start subbing by the end of January.

But where am I with my writing in terms of three or five years ago? I can definitely see the improvement. I have read some old stories and all I’m going to say is “WOW!”. What a difference some workshops and studying the craft of writing makes.

I think my goals now are more concrete. Such as write 2500 words a day or write 5K a day as opposed to before. Or write 2 90K novels and 2 25K novellas next year instead of write 4 stories next year. My goals are more focused.

And while I haven’t published in a while and I’m not as prolific as I would like to be it is slow and steady. I am making progress and improving. And I think that’s important too.

If you want to check out how a few of my writing friends write:

* Alexia Reed * Danie Ford * Emma G. Delaney * Kimberly Farris *Kristen Koster *

Music is the biggest factor in how I write. Or rather, how I can block out the noise and just write.

The other is location. If I’m having trouble focusing then I will change location. I will move to the living room or even the kitchen. Or change completely and go to the library to write.

Or I will write with write or die. Or even pull out a notebook and write. Switch to my netbook (especially if I’m being distracted by the lure of the internet) or alphasmart.

But if music isn’t working for me I’ll cut the t.v. on, turn to one of my go to channels and write.

I find that I can tune out the t.v. and focus in on my writing and just write.

So for me, it depends. But I will say my number 1 go to resource is music.

If you want to check out how a few of my writing friends write:

* Alexia Reed * Danie Ford * Emma G. Delaney * Kimberly Farris *Kristen Koster *

Have you ever paid attention to the trailers and previews for movies? Or the commercials for upcoming shows and series?

Have you ever noticed how they always include some juicy tidbit or morsel that they think will make you tune in?

And I’ve noticed lately that most of the time the movie or t.v. program doesn’t live up to the hype.

And that got me thinking of books.

You know the excerpts, short stories and even novellas that some authors use to whet your appetite before or between stories. And sometimes, rarely, there are some that are better than the novels they come after them.

And if you’re wondering what brought all this up?

The need to update my website. And watching a t.v. show that I was really looking forward to seeing but turned out to be more hype than anything else.

But the question is, how do you choose the excerpt or sample? How do you make sure that the previews and short stories are more than just hype and that they deliver and keep readers wanting more from you?

That, of course, is a complicated couple of questions. And ones that there may be (and probably is) more than one answer too.

So what’s on my bookshelves?

I am a very eclectic reader. So my bookshelves reflect that. So does my e-reader.

You will find books that I study, that I have read over and over again, reference books, photo books and a few knicknacks.

But if you examine the books on my bookcase you can see some authors who have also influenced and inspired me.

Authors whose books I have studied, examined, analyzed, picked apart and devoured. Authors who stories have entranced me and made me feel every emotion that their characters were experiencing. Even books that I did not care for.

I have both older authors and new authors. And there are too many authors to name.

But the main thing you would see if you looked on the shelves of my bookcase is that I love to read, just about anything. The main genres you will find is romance and paranormal and erotic romance. But there is also a healthy dose of non-fiction too.

If you want to check out how a few of my writing friends write:

* Alexia Reed * Danie Ford * Emma G. Delaney * Kimberly Farris *Kristen Koster *

So what do I do when I’m not writing?

I’m either sleeping, reading or watching a movie. But I don’t really consider those hobbies.

So if I had to name a hobby I would say making jewelry or creating book thongs and book marks. I also make soaps and lotions, lip balms and candles.

And with all my crafty and creative items, they usually go as gifts for friends or in a gift basket.

 

If you want to check out how a few of my writing friends write:

* Alexia Reed * Danie Ford * Emma G. Delaney * Kimberly Farris *Kristen Koster *

I think writer’s block is a real thing to some people. For me, it’s more of a life or reality thing.

It’s hard to get immersed in a fantasy or fictional world when real life is rearing it’s ugly head and banging at the door for attention.

When that happens, and believe me it does, then I have to deal with the problem so I can write. Or if it’s simply a matter of time and being busy or over-committed, then I have to re-evaluate my schedule and what’s stopping me.

I ask the dreaded question – why?

Why am I not writing? Is there a reason? Is it the story? Or something else? Why am I over-committing? Why am I not making time for my writing?

And sometimes life happens. Life becomes a priority. But I have to make sure I make writing a priority too. So, for me, it’s about balance.

Sometimes I can only write one page a day. Sometimes it’s only one sentence or one paragraph. And I have to be okay with that. I may not be the most prolific writer, publishing 1 book a month or every other month or whatever. And I have to be okay with that as well.

So writer’s block? Does it exist? Yes. But how you handle it is the key. Look at why you’re blocked and go from there.

 

Some resources on dealing with writer’s block:

Purdue OWL: Writer’s Block

Top 10 Tips for Overcoming Writer’s Block

Overcoming Writer’s Block

How to Overcome Writer’s Block

Writers on Writing: Overcoming Writer’s Block

 

If you want to check out how a few of my writing friends write:

* Alexia Reed * Danie Ford * Emma G. Delaney * Kimberly Farris *Kristen Koster *

What has writing taught me?

1. Patience

2. Perserverance

3. Hope

4. Support & Friendship

5. Happiness

Writing has taught me that it’s okay to go slow and take my time, to never give up and keep trying. It taught me support is important. And that friendship comes in many forms. Also, you can become friends with people that you have never met. And it teaches me that I am happiest when I’m writing.

One of the best things I have learned has been by being a part of two great support networks and communities. One is Romance Divas and the other is my goals group. Both have helped me in tremendous ways. And I have learned so much from both groups.

I could go on about the more technical side that I have learned but I think those deserve separate posts.

If you want to check out how a few of my writing friends write:

* Alexia Reed * Danie Ford * Emma G. Delaney * Kimberly Farris *Kristen Koster *