Finding the time to write when life gets busy

 What do you do when unexpected company shows up for a week long visit? Doctors appointments, scheduled car maintenance, and family obligations, are swallowing up your days. You promise yourself that you'll squeeze in a couple of hours of writing when the lights go out and the world is asleep. Unfortunately, while you're waiting for the laptop to fire up, you realize you're just too tired to write. Tomorrow is another day.

Tomorrow, the sun set and you were just as busy as yesterday? 

There are plenty of blog posts and websites with suggestions on how to find a bit of time in your busy day to write. Not all will work for everyone. However, it's well-worth looking at some of the advice. If even one suggestion resonates and opens up a little bit of writing time, it's worth a try.

Vicki Millar from NZ is a multi-talented woman. Vicki shares ways to gain writing time on her Facebook page. Look her up to read many more tips.

Here's a good one from Vicki. Set time limits for tasks. If you give yourself only one hour to clean the house, you'll move faster and finish sooner. What may have taken longer last week, may take much less time to finish when on a time limit. This one works for me. I never thought to use it to free up writing time. I've done it for other reasons. Like when I wanted to get a snack during a commercial. It's funny how quickly we can make up a snack tray during commercials! 😀 Why not speed up for writing time.

Vicki advises staying focused. Don't get side-tracked. I need to be thoughtful on this issue with so many things in my life volleying for attention.

Vicki suggests investing a little money to save time. For example: try online grocery shopping and or pay a little money for the groceries to be delivered. Brilliant! I spend at least an hour or two when I shop for the family. Never thought to take those two hours and sit down at my laptop and write. 😃

One way that I have stolen some writing time is taking my laptop with me when I go to doctor appointments. I am transportation for some people who cannot drive. Doctors are getting busier and busier causing wait times to be longer and longer. While I'm sitting in waiting rooms, I now open my laptop and write or do research for a writing project. I'm amazed by how much time I've taken back.

Self-care is no longer a simple pleasure. It's become a necessity. Writing brings me joy. When I'm imagining and creating, I escape the demands of real life. When I close my laptop I feel happy and fulfilled. Writing is my favorite self-care activity. If writing brings you joy too, then carry on and take care of yourself.

Keep Writing, Keep Submitting, and Keep Smiling!. 

  

Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Advice that Changed my Life

 

I am thrilled to announce this book officially went on sale March 2023. 

My contribution is titled Assertive vs Aggressive.

It is wonderful being welcomed into the Chicken Soup for the Soul family. All of the contributors in this book were invited to a ZOOM party. 30+ writers from all across these great United States and Canada had the pleasure of meeting the wonderful Amy Newmark, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher, D'ette Corona, VP Associate Publisher, Shelby Janner, Chief Publicity Officer Zilker Media, Barbara LoMonaco, book distribution, Maureen Peltier, head of marketing, and the rest of the staff who turn these book ideas into reality.

This was my second invitation to attend a Contributors Zoom party. It is such a treat to put faces to the names we see at the end of each great story. Thank you, Chicken Soup for the Soul!

There are new books in production all year round. I would love to hear that you've decided to write a story for CSS and took the leap and submit. To learn more about CSS and the submission guidelines visit www.chickensoup.com

Chicken Soup for the Soul books are available in retail stores like Books-a-Million, Walmart, Barnes and Noble, etc. They are available online where books are sold. 

Keep Writing, Keep Submitting, and Keep Smiling!

Update for Chicken Soup for the Soul Too Funny

😀😁😂😃😄

I'm excited to report that after almost four months on the shelf, Chicken Soup for the Soul: Too Funny - the book continues to land in the top 10 of the Bookscan Adult, Humor, trade paperback Bestsellers list!

How very exciting! Congratulations to Chicken Soup for the Soul and all of the contributors.

If  you'd like to enjoy the funny stories or share them as Christmas presents, they'd make a welcome gift.

And don't forget to look for my contribution, The Name Game.

Keep Writing, Keep Submitting, and Keep Smiling!

 

I Placed in the Florida Writers Association 2022 Collections #14 Contest! Book Title Thrills and Chills

 What GREAT cover art! It absolutely entices lovers of  spooky stories. Won't you support writers helping writers, purchase a book, and experience the thrills and chills.

I'm honored to say my story, The Final Waltz has won a place in this book.

I'm also excited to say another member of my writers group, John Hagen, has won a spot in this book for his amazing poem. Congratulations John!

Running concurrently with the FWA Collections book #14 contest, the FWA hosts the Royal Palm Literary Association contest. I'm thrilled to say two members of our writers group have made the semi-finals! We are wishing authors Nina Ward and John Hagen the best of luck!

I'm a judge in the 2022 RPLA contest, and I've had the honor of reading many entries. (Of course not in the categories entered by Nina or John.) This is my second year judging RPLA contest entries and I enjoy the process so much! Good luck to all of the entrants. I can't wait to hear the results.

To all writers keep writing, keep submitting, and keep smiling!

Holiday Fun! If I can do it, You can too

 

Lining up the red balls ... I can do it!

It takes a steady hand ... I can do it!

                                                          

I've got this ... YES!

KEEP WRITING, KEEP SUBMITTING, AND KEEP SMILING!

CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL - MY CLEVER, CURIOUS, CARING CAT - Official Launch date is September 14, 2021

 My short story Learning to Be Sassy appears in this book! 

I'm very excited to have my story chosen by the Chicken Soup for the Soul team. All stories selected for books in the Chicken Soup for the Soul anthologies are true. This book sends profits to the American Humane  

The 250+ Chicken Soup for the Soul books cover a multitude of subjects. The submitting process is easy and I recommend all my writer friends to go to the website  https://www.chickensoup.com and take a look at the various topics currently open to submissions. I look forward to seeing your work there!

This book is full of wonderful cat stories. The two cats starring in my story are shown below. Although they are both now romping around in Cat Heaven, they are always in our hearts.

 Sassy is the star and Pumpkin her loyal co-star who practically steals the show.

 Pumpkin was forever crushing on Sassy and Sassy did her best to live up to her name. Deep down, I know she loved him.

Keep Writing, Keep Submitting, and Keep Smiling!

A New Book! Imagine Your Story Flash Fiction 2020

 Last Year, before Covid19 hit the U.S.A. our local library system advertised their annual Flash Fiction contest. The guidelines said to take something ordinary and reimagine it.

I was looking through some pictures of my late fiance'. I'd taken a picture of the Survivor Bell during a tour of MUSC hospital after an appointment with the amazing Organ Transplant Team. That was our goal; Randy would one day, ring that bell.

Seeing this picture again, brought back memories of conversations we'd had late at night while Randy waited and contemplated all that receiving an organ transplant meant.  

 I wrote a short piece titled, Ring That Bell, in his memory. I entered it into this contest and it was selected to be in the book.

This book is not for sale. It is a Lending Library Book Only. I love the idea of writing a story for my community. The book is available for lending from the Land O Lakes Library. I also donated money so two copies would be put in the Centennial Library as well. These are libraries in the Pasco County Library System. 

I am also excited to announce that another story I submitted was chosen as well. The title of that story is The Tip. This is a story that came straight out of my vivid imagination and does not relate to anyone or anything in my life. I enjoyed writing it.

As you can see in these pictures, the book cover says "2020". With all that has occurred over the past year and a half with Covid19, and people leaving jobs, etc. It has taken much longer than originally thought for this book to come to fruition. It is finally here! 

If you happen to be perusing the library, I hope you'll read them and enjoy. The photographs in this book are gorgeous. 

Putting your work out there for others to read is rewarding, whether the readership is huge or available to only a community. So, Keep Writing, Keep Submitting, and Keep Smiling!

Something Wonderful Will Happen!

 I am a proud member of the Florida Writers Association. FWA

Each year the organization offers two writing contests. The Royal Palm Literary Awards (RPLA) is a prestigious writing competition for adults members and provides written assessments to all entrants. I entered the 2021 contest. The contestants won't know the results for a while yet.

The other contest is Florida Writers Association Collection. For the 2021 contest adult and youth entrants wrote to the theme Footprints. The winning submissions are published in an anthology. I entered this contest too and my entry, One legged Seagull-My Story, is a winner! My entry will appear  in the book! Here is a sneak peak at the cover. The release date is in October 2021. 

To add to that bit of wonderful news, I was then asked to be a judge for the 2021 RPLA contest. I began judging after completing the application process.

I'm enjoying the process very much. I won't be judging the category I am entered in.

So you never know what opportunities will come to you from submitting. So finish up those stories and take the leap.

Keep Writing, Keep Submitting, and Keep Smiling!

Waiting to hear about a submission is like waiting for the fisherman to return!

Sometimes news of the catch is good and sometimes not so much, but always worth the anticipation.

Comparing the wait for news of a submission's status with pelicans waiting for fishing boats to come in is a stretch; but isn't it fun!

I mentioned in an earlier post, that two of my contest flash fiction stories were chosen for publication in a local authors 2020 anthology, sponsored by our public library system. Unfortunately, the latest news from the library reported delays, (I'm guessing Pandemic delays), and the book publication date is on hold. I checked in a second time, and the news was possible publication in December 2020. It didn't happen at that time. As of this post, it's been a year. I decided to submit the work in two other flash fiction contests with WOW-Women on Writing. I was excited when both pieces made it through first phase judging. They didn't win prizes, but I received great feedback from an editor/judge. Although I didn't catch the big fish prize, I do feel like I received the smaller bait fish, just as nourishing from encouraging feedback.

Another story I submitted to Chicken Soup for the Soul has made it through the first phase of consideration and I was sent a contract to read, sign, and return. I was told the story has to go through one more person before it's a sure thing. I was told most pieces that make it this far do make it into the book. I was as happy as the pelican who is tossed an even bigger fish. I'll keep you posted when I receive the final update. 

I have two more stories submitted for consideration to Chicken Soup for the Soul future books. No word yet. Submission periods are still open.

I've submitted two short story pieces for the 2021 contest through the FWA, (Florida Writers Association), the prestigious RPLA awards, and a poem for the annual FWA themed anthology contest. The guidelines for these two contests are strict and I was thrilled to receive an email saying the submissions qualified and moved on to judging. Although I've been a member for three years, I've never entered due to being intimidated by the many rules. Fortunately, this year, the guidelines were reviewed and cut by 50%. Qualifying for this particular contest may seem to be a small fish to some, but to me it was a wonderful accomplishment.

Please note: Always, Always, Always, read the guidelines for every contest and submission. Follow the guidelines or risk being disqualified. You've worked hard on your piece and you want it read. Many guidelines will state, if you get disqualified, you lose your contest submission fee.

The RPLA contest will send feedback either way. Always appreciate professional feedback. It's important to accept the feedback graciously and to give it serious consideration. 

I had a few pieces that didn't toss me any fish at all. Like fisherman, we have to take the bad days with the good. But every new day brings a new opportunity to put yourself out there, submit, and work hard for the great catch of your life!

I'd love to read how your submissions are going. Leave me a comment.

Keep Writing, Keep Submitting, and Keep Smiling!   

Have you been writing your heart out? It's time to submit those stories!

People are spending more time in the house during this pandemic and looking for ways to be entertained.  More people have taken up writing. Some write for publication, some as stress relief, some to document this historic time around the world. Whatever your reasons are, I hope you will consider submitting your work. There are more opportunities to enter contests than I've ever seen.

I put down my novel in progress and took a break to write for contests. Not only was I ready for a break and needing to put some distance between my novel characters and myself, I was ready for some fun. Everyone needs some fun during these rough times. 

I loved the flash fiction and flash nonfiction contests as well as short story opportunities. There are so many online right now. Some have themes or prompts and some are open to most genres.

So I brushed the dust from some old pieces of writing to edit/update and wrote a few new pieces. (In case you didn't know, I love the challenge of a word count as well as finding short story writing to be fun.) I guess I entered four flash fiction contests and a short story contest. I also wrote and submitted a short story for consideration of an upcoming 2021 Chicken Soup for the Soul book. It'll be awhile before I know if it is selected or not.

One contest, WOW-Women on Writing, offered a written critique of the entry pieces for an additional nominal fee of $10. How amazing to have a professional editor critique your piece for $10?!  I took advantage of that with two

of my pieces.  I'm happy to report, the critiques were worth every penny. They not only told me where the pieces went wrong, but also where the pieces went right, which is just as important.

At the time of this writing, two of my pieces were selected to be published in an anthology, which should be out locally some time this month. I also have a flash nonfiction piece that has made it as a Finalist with the winners being announced by December 21st. I will keep you posted. I had 2 pieces that did not place but one received such an encouraging critique, I felt like I'd won.

All in all, I'm doing pretty well and it feels really good. I wish for all writers to feel really good.

So put your writing out there and I wish you smashing success in 2021. 

Drop me a comment and let me know how it goes.

Have a Happy, Healthy, and Blessed Holiday Season 💖

Keep Writing, Keep Submitting, and Keep Smiling! 

       

A Time of Virtual Communities

   Hello to Nancy of Cat & Mouse Press and all of the authors who participated in the Zoom chat, (image above), on May 30, 2020. If you're looking for an escape into the world of a wonderful story, pick up any of the Rehoboth Beach Reads offered through Cat & Mouse Books. These books are collections of short stories written by numerous authors. Each book has an overall theme, but vary in plot, offering all readers the variety we crave.

In these times of social distancing, I am grateful for the technology we have today. We all miss the ability to gather and socialize. Through technology we're enjoying the gifts of seeing and speaking to one another in real time. What a BIG DEAL!

This week authors, contest winners and contributors from various Cat & Mouse beach reads gathered virtually to say hello and enjoy a chat. It was a pleasure to meet everyone. I'm in the upper left corner and Nancy is in the upper right corner. Thank you to everyone for the opportunity.

Earlier in the week, I had great fun virtually attending my great nephew's first birthday, with the help of laptops. The party was in California. It was amazing to see Conor doing so well after a recent battle with the Kawasaki disease. Happy Birthday Conor!

I've also attended a virtual doctor appointment, allowing me to see my doctor, while staying safe in my home.

Yesterday, my writer's group, The Florida Gulf Coast Writers Circle met for our 5th virtual read and critique session. Meeting this way is working out fine for us.

I hope as many of you as possible are taking advantage of the opportunity to meet with others in professional and social virtual ways until we can be together in person.

                How great will that first hug be when we are safe to meet again?!

Life would be more worrisome and lonely without the gift of technology. I'd love to hear how you've been taking advantage of this gift. 
Keep Writing, Keep Submitting, and Keep Smiling! 

Encouragement for Writers at the Five Below Stores

Hello Writers,

 Yesterday, while visiting the Five Below Store, I was surprised to find a large selection of books for writers. They have books on writing prompts, journals, and a game. My curiosity was peaked. I bought the game. It included a book with very good writing information for the new author and a deck of cards with suggestions to encourage and stretch the imagination. I find this to be a testament to the ever-increasing popularity of writing.
I've always considered the Five Below stores to be a young person's shop. (In case you've never been to a Five Below store, everything inside cost five dollars or less. Games, toys, sports equipment, a small selection of clothes, phone accessories, novelty tee-shirts, room decor, books, candy, etc.)

It's a joy to learn more and more young people are interested in the arts and stretching their imaginations through storytelling. I shouldn't be surprised as my teen niece wrote her first short story and submitted it into a contest through school. She "placed" in the contest, winning an award and an interview for the newspaper.
My twelve-year-old granddaughter has also shown a new interest in writing. She's shared with me her opening paragraph of a work in progress for school last week. We also brain-stormed an idea she has for a fiction piece. I'm very proud and excited.

I'm sending a big SHOUT OUT to Five Below for adding books and games to encourage writing, to your stock sitting along-side books on music, painting, crafts, etc.
                           
I can't wait to read what's in the imaginations of our young people!

Keep Writing, Keep Submitting, and Keep Smiling!
 

Congratulations! Beach Fun wins award

Congratulations to Nancy Sakaduski of Cat & Mouse Press for placing 2nd with the anthology Beach Fun, entered in the 2019 Delaware Press Association Communications Contest in the category, Collection of Short Stories Published by Entrant/Multiple Authors

I'm very proud to have my story, Where's Miss Birdie, published in this book.
   Congratulations to all of the authors published in Beach Fun