Care Giving and the Writer's Life

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TIME is precious. Days pass in the blink of an eye and suddenly you realize the days have turned into months.

Finding time to write becomes last on your list of priorities. However, if writing brings you joy, and if you're reading this blogpost, I suspect it does, then we must write.

I have been in this place. I'd missed my critique group meetings. When I did manage to attend, I had nothing to share. My wonderfully supportive members understood, but encouraged me to write. They know how much writing means to me.

Some caregivers may find that writing down their feelings is cathartic. If this helps to relieve stress or heartache, please do it. 

For me, writing is a wonderful form of escapism. Losing myself in a world of silly, simple, and happy stories helps me to let go of the feelings that tug on my heart throughout the day. As I get lost in my make believe world, I feel my mood lift and my shoulders relax.

Now, I'm getting back into the groove. I take a little time at night, when the day is done to write. I print out my short stories and do some edits while sitting in the doctor's waiting room. Any time I can sneak in a bit of writing or spend time mentally creating, I take it. And it's happening! I've submitted a short story to Chicken Soup for the Soul and I've made the short list. I'm hoping to get the final notice any day now.

I'm finishing the final edits on a little children's story and a YA entry for a contest. Wish me Luck! 🤞

As an added bonus, I'm sharing my stories with my ill Dad and he's loving it!

Big Hugs to all of the caregivers out there 😍

Keep Writing, Keep Smiling, and Keep Submitting

 

 

Hung in there and found NANOWRIMO SUCCESS!

 

National Novel Writing Month is held every November. Participants do their best to write a 50,000 word novel draft in 30 days, throughout the month of November.

People from all over the world participate. I marvel at the thought of thousands and thousands of creatives writing at the same time. Published and unpublished authors creating and hopefully one day sharing their stories with the world. It's amazing.

Once registered, you have the opportunity to connect with other writers to make friends and cheer each other on to the finish. This event includes a Young Writers Program. These are only a few of the fun opportunities offered, but the encouragement throughout the journey including earning colorful badges as you reach milestones, online and in person write-ins, helpful and informational craft articles, etc. keep writers engaged. However, I was busy trying to stay on track and didn't take advantage of many of these opportunities. I did however make two lovely writing friends.

I must admit that if you miss even one day of writing or hit a writers block, it is very difficult to make the time up. But it can be done! Regardless of whether a participant reaches the 50,000 word count by November 30th, participation is a huge accomplishment. You may think it is easy for me to make that comment because I "made" the word count. Yes, this year I did. However, this is my third attempt. I was successful reaching the goal in my first try. I did not meet the goal in my second attempt. I didn't participate for a few years, but 2023, I met the goal. My 50,000 words are a rough, rough, and did I say, rough Draft? The trick to making the word count in 30 days, is to do absolutely no editing. It's imperative to turn off your inner editor during the 30 day challenge. If you are typing and you know you just made a spelling error, don't correct it, just keep typing. If you type a paragraph and feel it's not good and you will absolutely be chopping it, do not go back and delete it or try to correct it. Just keep going. If a scene idea pops into your head but it belongs in the middle of your story and you're only a quarter of the way in, type it anyway. Type it now. (I put asterisks in front of those scene ideas to alert me after the deadline to put that scene where it belongs.) It's important to get it on the page while the idea is fresh in your mind.) There will be plenty of time after November 30th to edit the good and the bad. Anything and everything that pops into your creative mind is worthy of the page. It's all about the word count. The point is to get that story idea out of your head and onto the page.

The holidays 🎅🎉💖🍀 have kept me busy and I did very little editing of my nanowrimo first draft. It's still a mess. I've recently begun sharing first draft chapters with my critique group.

Until next time, Keep Writing, Keep Submitting, and Keep Smiling!   

Update for Chicken Soup for the Soul Too Funny

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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!

Announcing the release of Chicken Soup for the Soul Too Funny! and I'm one of the contributors!

 Everyday should include laughter! Laugh with me (and at me) as I share my story The Name Game in   Chicken Soup for the Soul's new release, Too Funny!

                                        Check it out Chicken Soup for the Soul Too Funny!

My story is an early childhood memory of how nicknames confused me. My own nickname caused me to panic on my first day of school. A heart to heart chat with my mother and a comparison to someone very special, helped me to finally understand!

There are 101 stories in this book to brighten your day. This Chicken Soup for the Soul book released in retail stores and online April 19, 2022.

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!

Learning the Craft of Writing without a Budget

 Hello Fellow Writers,

I've been attending ProWritingAid's Romance Writers' Week. It is a week of live webinars beginning in the morning and ending in the evening. There are hour breaks in between sessions. The amazing thing is that all of these sessions are FREE. The presenters have a wealth of knowledge and they are generous in sharing.

Now you may say, "I don't write romance, so this doesn't apply to me."  I'd like to challenge that. The authors and professionals talk about so much more. They discuss topics that apply to writers of all genres and at any level in their/your careers. 

Yes, there are published romance authors speaking about the romance genre, but they also share their journey to publication, writing schedules, and how they stay motivated. They discuss whether they outline or pansters and so much more.

I just finished a session on marketing your romance novel. Everything discussed applies to marketing any book. This evening we'll hear the Indie Author's guide to Indie Editors. I'm confident this will apply to all genres.

Many of the free webinars do add in a sales pitch for a product or an author's book, etc. Why shouldn't they since they're offering free education? There is no shame in not being able to buy at the time of the webinar. Maybe one day you may buy the product, and if not, pay-it-forward one day by offering your knowledge to other writers.

There are also endless Youtube videos on the craft of writing. Libraries loan books relevant to learning the craft of writing. Some public libraries host writing critique groups that are open to the public for free.

 There are many ways to continue to educate yourself with little or no budget. The next time you're in-between novels or are feeling stuck with your work in progress, consider looking into some of these options. You may find that the

stimulation will spark your creativity and help you get back on track.

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!