8 Things To Know About Me!

I got tagged by Jen Nipps, from Creatif to carry on this post in the blogsphere.

http://jensorganizedwriter.wordpress.com/2007/09/24/bonus-post-8-things-about-me/

What can I tell you about myself and my writing that won’t bore you to tears.

1. I recently joined Pump Up Your Book Promotion Public Relations Agency. This is an online agency that promotes authors and their books with virtual book tours. In the short time that I’ve been with this company it has been great. I’ve been learning the ropes and let me just say that the PR business is a very fast moving and exhilirating environment to work in. If you’re an author and are interested in taking a virtual book tour check out Pump Up here; http://pumpupyourbookpromotion.com

2. It has always been a dream of mine to have a writing career that would financially and emotionally support me. Recently, I have moved that dream into the goal category and have begun to make an action plan and timeline for it.

3. When the time comes that I can see my writing as being a succesfull paid venture then I can leave the Corporate Business world behind. Hip, Hip, Hooray!

4. I have always loved the written word and how the great literary authors can just make the words sound effortless.

5.  I’ve had two short stories published in two anthology e-books, they’re available here at this site. Love is in the Air, A Valentine’s Day free e-book. My short story, Dad’s Tips on Love and Marriage, (5 Answers to Those Questions a Woman Asks in Marriage).   My previous short story was in the Christmas 2006 anthology, The 12 Days Of Writersville, and is a twist on a familiar old tune.

6.  I write and drive at the same time and while they haven’t outlawed this yet, I wouldn’t advise trying it unless you’re really good at writing blindly. Place the notebook on your lap and with your eyes on the road, scribble your thoughts on the page before you without looking down at it. The deciphering part of what you scribbled is the fun part. 

7.   I would be love to meet Nora Roberts or actually her imagination. With over 100 books in print she must have a very vivid one.

8.  I am overly ambitious person and a I possess a drive to accomplish all that I can. I have this quote posted on my computer screen. “Either you decide to stay in the shallow end of the pool or you go out in the ocean.” Christopher Reeve, Actor (may he rest in peace).

Now, I have to tag 8 other writers to carry on this post;

eavesdrop writer,  http://eavesdropwriter.blogspot.com

Rock Stories, http://www.rockstories.blogspot.com

Helen Ginger, www.helenginger.com

Victorya Chase Goes To Therapy, http://victoryachasegoestotherapy.blogspot.com

Terrence Culkin on Writing, Poetry, New York, http://www.terrenceculkin.com

Into the Inkpot, http://www.intotheinkpot.com

Word Strumpet, http://www.wordstrumpet.typepad.com/word_strumpet

To Live and Write in L.A., http://360.yahoo.com/rebecca.camarena

Don’t Break The Chain, Happy Posting!
 

Word of the Day – interminable

interminable – (adj) boringly protracted, <an interminable lecture>

Writer’s Block

Have you ever been a victim of writers block?

In the Freelance Writer’s Bible, Your Guide to a Profitable Writing Career within One Year by David Trottier a single chapter is devoted to discussing writers block. I’ll list a few of them here, but you just have to read the book to find out the entire list.

At the end of this chapter my reaction was, “Is that all that’s wrong with me.” Once I was able to identify what has kept me from writing it didn’t seem to be such a big monster after all. Since coming to terms with all those little nagging reasons not to write, now the ideas seem to flow much easier. No longer is it a struggle for me to make the time to write.

David Trottier’s 10 of his 17 Reasons for Writers Block

1.  Procrastination or scribaphobia (fear of writing)
2.  Comparing yourself to Hemingway
3.  Museheimer’s Disease (refusing to write until your muse arrives)
4.  Fear of not being as good as you hoped
5.  Fear of wasting time
6.  Exaggerating fears and problems
7.  Fear of Success
8.  Self-Defeating attitudes (my work is God’s work or my art is more valuable than money)
9.  Chronic Ambivalence Syndrome (not knowing what to write, where to start, or what to write next)
10. Stuckitis (this is an advanced case of Chronic Ambivalence Syndrome where you have lapsed into a stuckitis coma.)

The book is divided up into 4 sections, labeled book 1 through 4 and covers your creative vision, writing with freedom and confidence, Sell to 17 key writing markets, and creating your strategic marketing plan. He articulates each section with confidence, experience and appreciation for the craft of writing. He has created action plans, support and resources, personal challenges and writing opportunities.

If you only read one book this year and if you want to have a freeleance career in writing I highly recommend reading this funny, but truely honest book.

Happy Reading!

A Social Network for Book Lovers

 

As a writer I am also an avid reader, but as my book collection continues to grow I needed a way to keep them at my fingertips for easy reference. Making that wish come true is LibraryThing. This is an online library catalog where I can keep track of all my books and share them with my readers. LibraryThing allows you to catalog up to 200 of your books for free.

 

You register (easy) put in your personal books (very easy) catalog (or tag) and review them as you see fit, take a look at your graphic bookshelf and see who shares your interests. You can also;

• Check your bookshelf quickly and easily from your mobile phone
• Post you own book reviews and share in group discussions
• View your library as a list or with book covers
• Link to your blog and share your library with all your friends
• Updates your blog and website when entering new books
• Author gallery shows you pictures of book authors

If you can’t resist sneaking a look at your friend’s bookshelves then this site is for you. Joining is as easy as giving yourself a user name and password. More features not listed above are available at the site. Try it, www.librarything.com and see how fast you can build your book shelf.