Contest....Contest....Contest.....

Um, really, do I need to say more than that?

While I work on updating with today's resource and whatever else I find to post, check out the requirements for my January contest



--------------------------->>> OVER THERE!

I've gotten a handful entries thus far--you all really blow me away with the quality of your 100-word stories. I've written sentences longer than 100 words so being able to say a lot in a little bit of time is a real talent I admire.

The book up for grabs--Eric Maisel's "The Van Gogh Blues" is a very insightful read. I somehow ended up with two copies and know every writer should check it out--here's your chance for free! (not to mention Eric will be visiting us here on Saturday on his Van Gogh Blues virtual book tour...)

Get in while the gettin' is good!

What are you waiting for? Start writing....

Sunday Update

Apologies for not posting a resource today. I've been knee-deep (maybe even elbow-deep) in writing as I'm slightly behind deadline (and have 30 new pages and a hand cramp to prove it).

However, I do have some *cool* news to share. This coming Saturday, I'll be hosting my first visitor to the WIP blog--and I'm very excited!

Eric Maisel, Ph.D., and author of the newly released "The Van Gogh Blues: The Creative Person's Path Through Depression" will be stopping by on Saturday, January 19th as part of his virtual book tour promoting his text. I've read the book (a MUST for ANY creative-minded person; I'll be reviewing the book in a few weeks) and have asked Eric a few questions about the text that I think apply to all writers. Saturday I'll post his responses on Saturday for your reading enjoyment.

I hope you'll visit us to hear Eric's insight. Valuable stuff.

Tomorrow I'll be posting a resource as you've come to expect. Back to writing!

why is it....

Can someone explain this writerly phenomenon to me? I know I'm not the only person it happens to, so there has to be some explanation (I can almost hear Leonard Nimoy's "In Search Of..." voice introducing the topic).

Why, when I sit to write with nothing in my head--no topic, no preference for genre, just one of those sessions when I want to write and am dying to scratch something out with my fountain pen--do I end up unable to write anything? In those moments I'd sell my soul for a muse's voice but end up with a bunch of doodles in the margin.

However, when I'm writing something, and this almost always happens on a deadline (which interestingly was yesterday and I had to ask for my first extension EVER as writer--not a good feeling), every idea in the universe comes to me, begging for attention.

I'm now up to chapter 9 and finding that creating a business marketing plan is a little more exciting writing than chapter 8, human resources. I have about 6K words to finish by Monday (that's why I'm blogging...LOL) and took one quick break to check for an email from the editor. As always, a Yahoo headline caught my eye. I clicked on the page link and before it could load, I had an idea for a series of books based on the title. These are good books, too--all nonfiction, all stuff I know about, all salable topics and have that little gimmick factor built in. I quickly grabbed the fountain pen and scribbled my heart out in a brainstorming session.

What stinks is that I can't even begin to let the idea simmer in the old noggin. I have to stay focused on this book and get it done. I'm over the "I hate this book and what would it matter if I didn't finish writing it?" phase (you writers know what I mean), and coming near the end of the tunnel (chapter 11, here I come...), but still--I have lots to do and no time for anything new.

Actually, I think I know the answer. It's the universe's way of pranking the creative writer. Hmmm...maybe I should do a little research on that topic....

January 12: Laying the Foundation by Stella Cameron

Another helpful craft article housed at the RT (Romantic Times Magazine) website.

Most readers know Stella; all writers should. She's a success at what she does and shares advice built on a solid career.

Laying the Foundation by Stella Cameron

Happy Foundation-laying,
Beth

January 11: Choosing Your Story by Stephen J. Cannell

Screenwriters, poets, novelists, freelancers..we're all the same. Stephen J. Cannell has some sage advice on how to pick a writing project (replace "story" with "project", you writing but non-storywriting folks). Straight up advice from a guy who knows what he's doing...

This is a part of a lecture series--check the rest out from the links on the bottom of his page

Choosing Your Story by Stephen J. Cannell

Happy choosing (the funnest part of writing!)

Beth

January 10: How to Build a Novel Notebook by Vicki Hinze

I love Vicki Hinze! And I'm not afraid to admit it! If you're at any stage of writing, particularly fiction, particularly romance, you need to get your hands on anything Vicki puts together. She knows the writer's mind and challenges we face as fiction creators--and has valuable advice to help in lots of ways.

This article is a good one to check out before you get started on a new fiction project, or if you've already started, some things you might want to think about as your story comes to life.

While you're there, check out all the other great resources and articles for writers at Writer2Writer. We'll feature Cheryl, the owner, later in the year, but there's tons of good readin' to read now!

How to Build a Novel Notebook by Vicki Hinze

January 9: Any Way That Works For You by Tess Gerritsen

I could hug Tess Gerritsen for this blog post!

One of my author soapboxes is that every writer has a different process. For too many years I wasted precious time and mental space worrying because I didn't write like everyone else.

My author friends are all different: Rosemary is a definite pantser, JC used to write three chapters, revise, then go on, Steph is a pantser, Donna...well, I'm not sure, but as a CPA, I think she probably plots a *little*...and me...originally a pantser, then a plotter, now a pantser in fiction, plotter in nonfiction.

My point is that we all write differently based on a combination of factors. And reading that Tess recognizes and shares that with writers is fantastic. If we just worried more about writing and not how we write, the world would be a happier place...(with a lot more stories!)

Any Way That Works for You by Tess Gerritsen

January 8: The Creative Process by Roland Fishman

Part psychology, part motivation, part insight, Roland Fishman's article is a fascinating study in the creative mind. Pour a cup of coffee and spend a little time thinking about the creative life:

The Creative Process by Roland Fishman

Happy Creative Processing,
Beth

January 7: The Ins and Outs of Outlining

I know, I know...I see you pantsers rolling your eyes...but while you don't need to sit down and physically plot out where you're going in your story or novel, it's still helpful to think through (or just about) your next scene before it hits the page.

Darci Pattison is a children's author and has some valuable insight into the elements of outlining we can all learn from:

The Ins and Oust of Outlining by Darci Pattison

January 6: Prep that Book! by Gaelen Foley

I didn't anticipate using two articles by the same author in one week, but Gaelen has another great article to get us thinking while we're in the creating/brainstorming/beginning phase of writing.

She shares with us ways to think about our story in-depth and cull those details that will hopefully keep us going when our internal obstacles mount. Good stuff!

Prep that Book! by Gaelen Foley

Happy prepping,
Beth

January 5: No Experience Necessary (Enthusiasm Required) by Melanie George

I love articles (and blog posts) that make a point, teach a lesson or make you think--all while using a real-world example. So often, the writer's life is a solitary one and knowing other writers face the same issues, insecurities and aggrivations (talking characters, stubborn plots, time-crunched lives) that I do makes me feel so much better.

Melanie George's article at Romantic Times (Great site for authors...) is a beautiful reminder that we all question ourselves, our writing and our stories...and the only thing that sets writers apart from that conflict is....the act of writing.

No Experience Necessary (Enthusiasm Required) by Melanie George

Happy relating,
Beth

Already made my year!

Sometimes the completely unexpeceted can just blow your mind!

I got some news earlier this week--out of the blue--about a piece of writing I did over a year ago that completely made my year--on January 2nd. Yeah, it was THAT good.

But I can't share it...just yet. I could, but I prefer to wait for a picture...since that's what this is all about...

Mysteriously yours,
Beth

January 4: Suggestions to Get You Started by Gaelen Foley

While this article might be a bit rudimentary for those of us with writing experience under our belts, there are some good ideas for books to read if you're interested in brushing up or going deeper into the craft.

If you're a beginning writer, romance in particular--get over and check it out now!

Suggestions to Get You Started by Gaelen Foley

Check out Gaelen's other great articles for writers while you're there.

Happy Getting Started,
Beth

January 3: The Magic of Goals

Goals, goals, and more goals....you can never be too prepared to go on a journey.

Holly Lisle offers some great suggestions for creating meaningful goals to guide your writing career. She's got tons of other great reading, so pour a mug of coffee and pull up a chair....

How to Get There From Here: The Magic Goals by Holly Lisle

another insightful goal-related article

Yeah, I should be writing--outlining, to be exact--but I'm wasting time online...it's part of the writing process!

Here's another good post on setting goals & such, since that's my theme this month:

The #1 Reason Why People Fail at Their Goals at the "I'd Rather Be Writing" Blog

January 2: Write 10,000 Words in One Day!

Sound a little too good to be true? There's nothing wrong with setting your goals high, lofty & ambitious...and in this article you'll get some great tips on things to do PRIOR to sitting down to write that will add time to where you need it most: writing itself.

Visit the Freestylers' Writing Group article at: Write 10,000 Words in One Day!

Happy massive word counts,
Beth

29,871

My words-to-date.

Yeah, I'd hoped for 32K but hey, this gets me back on track (according to my Word Tracker by Kresley Cole--a fun little excel application that keeps me motivated) toward the deadline. I'm only 2K from where I need to be, and now I'm headed in to watch Illinois and USC (come on, Big 10, even if Illinois had the ref throw the game against my Buckeyes, I get tired of hearing the Big 10 bashing every year after the bowl games...)and create worksheets for my first 7 chapters. Maybe I'll get 1k more words....even if not, I just wanna get those worksheets DONE....

Two Skills I've Learned...

I've learned a lot about myself as writer over the month and a half (or so) I've been working on this book.

I have discovered that I'm much more prolific, proficient and efficient at the actual writing when I have a detailed outline to follow.

I've discovered I can write just fine with a football or basketball game on TV in the background but cannot do a single page if Law & Order is on.

I'm discovering that the more I have to do during the day in terms of work or appointments or meetings, I often have higher word-per-day outputs than days when I have no structure (interesting!).

And I've found two amazingly useful tools to use when writing a massive draft (280 page book, for one) to help keep me organized and heads-up: Word's Document Map and a separate Word document for all the worksheets and samples I'm including in my book.

I've played with Document Map before (the little paper-with-a-magnifying-glass icon on your Word toolbar) with one or two of my novels. If you use headers for chapters, Doc Map is a phenomenally easy, fast way to get to places you need to go in your document without having to scroll through 140 pages. It puts a "map" on the left side of your window that makes finding your place as easy as clicking.

And the separate worksheet document...genius. Just started it here in Chapter 8 because I needed to simply list all the things I'm promising in this chapter (HR & hiring) to the reader so I go back and create them. Set up a document using Doc Map with all the chapters and just type the title of the worksheet below the proper chapter, highlight that baby and make it a Heading 2. AWesome. Too bad I didn't think about that for chapters 1-7...ah well...live, write and learn...

Back to the nonfiction. Today's goal is to hit 32,000 words...halfway to 65K...or close enough that I can sleep in tomorrow!

January 1: How to Create Terrific Writing Goals--And Achieve Them

What a great way to start the new year...with an article containing excellent advice on how to set and achieve your writing goals.

Katey Coffing, Ph.D and life coach for women writers, gives solid insight into how to set the goals that will make your career. While you're there, check out her other articles, resources and the fun, interactive Free Goals Report.

Setting SMART Writing Goals: How to Create Terrific Writing Goals--And Achieve Them by Katey Coffing, Ph.D.

Happy Goal Setting,
Beth

Two Roads Diverged in a Wood and I....

....I brought them together in one blog.

One of my goals for the new year was to integrate my two favorite blogs...hence the reason for this post.

Some of you are (former) regular readers of my Fountain Pen Inc blog, where I (attempted) to post daily resources on the web for writers of all genres. I totally love that blog and all the nice emails I got from readers. There are SOOOooooo many resources out there....

And some of you are my Writer-In-Progress readers. For you guys, you'll notice a few changes around the blog, but nothing drastic (..like the time I went blonde once in the 8th grade, no need to EVER worry about that again).... In fact, I'm hoping you'll like the changes.

Just so you (all) know, my resource postings will be added each day & the header will be the date. The regular WIP blog postings will have ..well, whatever my feeble mind comes up with as an appropriate title. Hopefully you'll read 'em all and won't know the difference....

And, if you ever have any resources you think would be great to share with writers, email it to me & I'll post it & give you credit. How's that work?