Writers Write.....Always!: Come On, I Promise This Part Won't Hurt!

Writers Write.....Always!: Come On, I Promise This Part Won't Hurt!: Okay, so here we are. My 1st Friday, starting anew! I've decided to do this the same way I do my personal writing- journals. It's ...

Come On, I Promise This Part Won't Hurt!

Okay, so here we are. My 1st Friday, starting anew!

I've decided to do this the same way I do my personal writing- journals. It's very effective, keeps me on my toes, too. The only difference is, I try to journal daily. With this blog, I'm shooting for Monday, and Friday.

So, today, I thought I'd start out by asking: WHEN DID I KNOW THAT I WANTED TO WRITE PROFESSIONALLY?

Major question.

Our youngest child was starting kindergarten, and what that meant to me was - Alone Time. But seriously, that's as far as I got, besides sleeping in later.

So the hubby, noticed that I had started writing lately, and asked the question, that changed my life forever. "Have you ever thought about trying to get your stories published?"

 
Now I knew how much I loved the written word, but it honestly never dawned on me to take it to the next level. So I started thinking - well why not? What can it hurt?

Next, I grabbed an unused notebook and a nice pen and started editing what I had already written. Little did I know that my horse was before my carriage. I had to back track and make a trip to Barnes & Noble and purchase my very first writing reference.

On Monday, come back to see which one I choose and what I got out of it!

T.T.F.N.!

Carmen

Starting Over ..... Are You Serious?

Starting over, is NOT one of the easiest things to do!

It means that you have to admit that you've made a mistake. It may not be grave, but it is a mistake nonetheless.

And that brings me to the present. I could not understand why this site that I had worked so hard on, was not generating any sort of traffic. I knew that it had nothing to do with people's lack of reading, rather it was or is, lack of interest.

I was so excited to begin a blog, that I had not done enough homework, to see how to properly construct one up. What all it takes to keep interest.

So, I did the smart thing. I researched!

Yes, I did. Lots and lots of popular, and frequented author's blogs/websites. This helped me tremendously! When I look back at my prior blogs, I noticed how much they lacked, in humour, insightful information, and engaging topics. I needed to fix all of that.

And so, I came up with a game-plan that will hopefully shoot me in the right direction in achieving my goals.

I plan to blog about things that have helped me with my writing. How-To's, Blogging, Platforming , the Stress of Finding the Time to Write, Querying, Rejection slips, Making other writer/author friends, and anything else that I can think of, that I as a writer would find very beneficial.

I'm as always, open to helpful suggestions, not only in my writing, but in building a web presence, tips and tricks on writing ..... you name it.

I'm looking at trying to blog every Monday to start. And on Fridays to close.

T.T.F.N.!
Carmen P. Early

For the Writers: staring Anne Rice

Well, today as I went about checking my e-mail, I stumbled across a video that was created by one of my favorite writers: Anne Rice.

 

While the video was created last year, I still found the content most helpful and timely. In her video she not only answered a lot of common questions that she receives from writers such as myself looking for tips and such as to how to break into the writing industry..., but wonderful and inspiring advice as well.

 

I took notes and plan to use that video to come back to often as a reminder for when I have a bad writing day. But most importantly, something that struck my heart was something she said: THE ONLY THING STANDING BETWEEN ME AND REALIZING MY DREAMS IS: USUALLY MYSELF! I needed that kick in the pants!

Smelling The Roses

Today, I did something very important concerning my writing career. I learned some new tricks. First, I met a very helpful woman on Twitter who gave me some very helpful advice about my writing. She noticed that I had several spelling and punctuational errors. I intend to heed her advice. I have been focusing more so on getting my words out, that I failed to follow one of the most basic of writing rules, when trying to build a writer's platform: checking my spelling. Secondly, I signed up for a free writing course with Lisa Tener (Author/Book Coach). Today, was my first day of the 7-Day course. The lesson for today was: Make Time For Your Writing. So before I am allowed to press forward, I had to actually schedule some time for writing, nothing else. Not checking e-mails, Facebook, Twitter or any other social site. Actual writing. And so I did. I plan on starting no later that 11am-1pm. Now with my kids out for the summer, that schedule will be altered at times. But I will do my utmost to stay on task! Just accomplishing that little bit, has given me hope that I can actually focus more and do what I plan - write and finish a book.

P.S. I just used my spellcheck for the first time. And found errors. :)

Lakeside Retreat a True Treat!

Over this past weekend, my family and I were invited out with another family to their family's lakehouse. Although, I was extremely excited about going, this made our second family vacation-ever, I was also not sure how to handle seperation from my laptop. Ever since I received my laptop back in April, we have been inseperable. How was I to handle, not being able to practice-write or revise a story idea? But then it dawned on me, how many wonderful ideas would come to me going to the lakehouse? So , I decided to bring along a new journal and several pens. I took over 100 pictures and had the time of my life. I became so busy that I had almost completely forgotten to jot down ideas. Once, I did, I couldn't stop! The traquility of the water, the trees, and the scenery was priceless. I wrote, and wrote, and wrote. Soon I was so at ease with my surroundings, that when it came time to leave, I realized that I couldn't wait to get back. If I get the chance, I would love to get our family our own lakehouse ...... for fun, and my own personal writing retreat.

Family support for my career as a writer, a must!

A few days ago, I decided to do my very first self-published children's pic book, "Red Hot Pepper". All four of my children love art and and pretty good at it, like my husband who is a graphic design artist by trade. Ever since I stated that I was striving to become a published author, they all wanted to jump on the band-wagon and assist me. I even had to explain to them that while I am constructing stories I am considered a writer. However, when the day comes that I become published, then and only then will I be able to adorn the name author. So my first project is with my 10-year-old daughter being my illustartor. My children may be doing it for fun, but they may never ever realize how their support of my career is to me. I am very grateful to them. One thing I learned coming into this profession is that receiving the right kind of support is vital to one's success.