Serious Wednesday: Writing with a Time Limit

You, authors, who love deadlines and can peel off book after book living such a life---how do you do it and still keep your sanity? I mean, don't you have other responsibilities? Demands from a family you love? Activities that are either required, enjoyed or good for you? 

Now, I've already shared about keeping a schedule for most days that helps me a lot, but that doesn't stop the unexpected from hitting me high and low. Like last week and this one. It was like a meteor shower with constant something coming up or interrupting my time. I managed to get most necessary things done, but when it came to writing these two weeks, I failed. Not nearly enough words were written. So...

Why have a schedule? 

Because things will eventually calm down. 

Life will flow evenly again. 

Inspiration will hit, and I'll get those words written. 

So the days that seem futile (in my writing) or wasted, really aren't. Right now, I choose to look at them as a time of resting, refreshing my spirit and mind, thinking, plotting and getting ready to write several more thousand words and quite a few more chapters. 

So, the deadline I've set for this book is real, but I do believe I've got this, in spite of the interruptions.

 I will finish this novel!!!

Serious Wednesday: Reaching Your Goal

 Don't kid yourself. Writing is hard work. But, oh my, when you've reached your goal for the day--
the week--or finished that goal! What a feeling. 

Relief. Relaxation. Happiness. 

But...you can't reach that relief, relaxation, happiness stage until you get there. Tips on getting there?

Here goes:

1. Whatever you're writing, you need to plan ahead of time. Whether you're a by-the-seat writer or a plotter, you have to have some idea, form, or outline--at least in your head--for how you're going to proceed. What's your story or article about? Where are you headed? What will be the problem for your character? How will he/she handle the situation? How will the problem be solved? What genre are you writing in? How long will your book be? 
2. Research is a big part of writing fiction (or nonfiction for that matter). Do it with due justice. Make sure you know what you're writing about. Sometimes on certain things, you will have to do extensive research. Other times a quick check on google will give you the answer you need. Don't skim on this one. Research is important. 
3. Who are your characters? Jot down all the information about these people you might need to remember throughout your writing. That includes major and minor characters. Their coloring--eyes, hair, skin, etc. Where they work--if they work. What they enjoy doing--their hobbies, food tastes, habits etc. Who are they? Their personalities. their employment--even if they work. 
4. What is the problem in the book? How must the protagonists overcome it? How are the antagonists causing the problem, and why? Jealousy? Anger? Greed? Love? Money? 
5. How will the problem be resolved satisfactorily? Writers end their books in different ways. Most have a good, happy ending. Some leave the reader with a question, some with a teaser for more coming. Make sure you know what you want to do to give your characters--and your readers--that feeling of satisfaction! 

Whatever you do, don't try to get around these areas of importance. Embrace these thoughts, make them a part of your writing. And enjoy your journey! You'll be glad you did when your readers can't wait for the next book! 

Wednesday Question: 

What are some hints you use in your writing? 

Enjoy your writing! 

Serious Wednesday: Time to Move On!

I took a break during the Christmas season. I hated to. I really did. But it was either that or lose my sanity. Lol. 

Do I regret it? Sort of. But most of all, I realize that at times a person has to do what they have to do. Why?

• Bodies get tired and overworked. When that happens the physical needs to rest or at least prioritize what's the most important. 
• Bodies and mind get stressed. When this happens both mind and body need to choose what is the most important and what they can and can't handle. 

But now, all that is behind me. I'm looking ahead, focusing on the items I didn't get finished and making plans to attend to these. One of these is finishing the novel I started this fall. 

• I accept that I may not get it completely finished in 2020 seeing I have only 3 more days to work on it, seeing I have only three more days to work on it. BUT...
• If I can knock out another thousand or two, then that will give me the spurt I need to head into 2021 to finish it. 
• My editor is expecting it shortly, so I KNOW I have to get it finished. 
• I want to finish it--badly! :)  
  
• And one good thing that's come out of THIS book-writing is that I've gotten quite a few ideas of how I will write the next and final book in the Appleton series. Good news, yes! 

I am moving on, excited and enthused to finally have the time I need to focus on writing this fifth Appleton book! 

Carry on, writing friends! 

Sunday Morning Sunshine: Obstacles

Obstacles

Obstacles are those frightful things you see

when you take your eyes off your goal.

--Hannah Moore

Moving On...

Christmas is over. The shopping and planning and most get-togethers are finished for now. The
stress of what to buy, of spending what you don't have is done with...for now.

So what's next?

Next, for me, is taking stock. I'm facing, with God's blessing, a new year. Brand new and sparkling white and clean. So how to take advantage of it in the best possible way?

Take stock. Figure out where I am and where I want to be this time next year. 

1. In my writing, decide reasonable goals on what I want to accomplish. How many books will I be putting out there this year? One? Two? More? Then I must be diligent. Remind myself often that goals cannot be met without constant work. Every day get something written, and if I have to miss a day, there had better be a good reason!
2. In our ministry work:  how can I be a better helper to my husband? When I need to take initiative, can I do with it humbleness and wisdom? Is there someone I want to focus on in winning them to the Lord? What about encouragement? Who is God placing on my heart? 
3. In my own personal life?  Am I allowing laziness or negligence to contribute to missed devotional times with my God? How can I be more diligent in pursuing time alone with Him? What can I do to eliminate hindrances that prevent this? 
4. With my body? Yes, I need to lose a few pounds. Yes, I give way to eating unhealthy foods when I know I should refrain. How can I tighten up these faults? What can I do that will help me gain momentum in this area?

Enough? Of course. If I can attain these goals, I will have improved. Can I do it? I hope so. I'm going to try hard. 

What is one goal you're hoping to accomplish this year? 

Blessings and wishes for a wonderful New Year!

Sunday Morning Peace

If God  Chose

If God sought for men of strength,

Look at Samson standing there,

As poor Lazarus, sick and trembling,

crawls away in sad despair!

If God only sought the worthy,

Perhaps--Timothy--who can tell?

But this takes all hope away

From the woman at the well.

If God  chose just the tall and handsome,

Saul he'd choose, we all agree.

But poor Zachaeus, short and homely,

Would be left up in that tree.

If God chose just the wealthy,

Joseph He could surely use,

But the lad with loaves and fishes,

I'm afraid that He'd refuse.

If God looked for those with wisdom,

Solomon could pass the test,

While the man possessed with devils

Is refused his deep request.

But his call to men is always:

"Come ye, whosoever will,

From the least unto the greatest,

Come to me, I love you still!"

Moral of the poem?

God loves us and wants us to use the talents he's given us! 

Blessings!

Seven Things I Plan to Accomplish

What's in store for me this 2013?
I don't know but I do know I've set a few goals I hope to gain.
Here they are:

1.  Come up with a super marketing plan; something never tried before but guaranteed to sweep my book into the NY Times Best Selling ranks.

If that doesn't work, then come down out of the clouds and work hard at what's been tried and proven.

2.  Come as close to finishing as I possibly can at least two books I'm working on now. It'll take dogged determination. Do I have it?

3. Do all the edits coming up this year in a reasonable but speedy amount of time. A must!

4. Do some serious research on a novel I hope to begin soon. I've been putting this off even though I normally love research. It might help if it was a topic I wanted to study.

5. Check out publishers for our children's books series. Another seemingly endless tunnel. Gotta be done.

6. Improve my blog in looks and content. Since I'm technically challenged this is harder than it looks.

7. Work on increasing my faith in God. Just saying the words doesn't get the job done. Active prayer, Bible reading, and action on my part is required. And sometimes that action is just being quiet and listening.


That's enough for now and quite a list if even half can be reached.

What's your thoughts and goals for this year?
Want to share?

Happy New Year!
Blessings

Things to Do

I'm a list maker. If I don't I can't remember what I need to get done. I don't always get everything on my list done, but generally, I get three-fourths done. That's progress. For me.

Here's a few things I'd like to get done this fall. That means before Thanksgiving. Will I reach my goal? Maybe. Probably some of them will get done. Not all.

• Lose weight. (LOL)
• Finish this romantic suspense that keeps growing and growing.
• Finish the cozy that's been on my literary shelf for several months while I've been trying to finish the suspense.
• Work some more on hubby & my suspense collaboration.

• Finish a journal for hubby's work
• Begin a personal journal on certain things that I've wanted to start forever.
• Clean up my gardens before it gets too cold.
• Do research for hubby.
• Think about Christmas.

That's a partial list. How about you? What's your subconscious goals? Do you make lists?

Have a great day!

Quote:
Anywhere is walking distance if you have the time. --Steven Wright


Blessings