I’ve never enjoyed giving a speech.  The thought of being up there alone, and as myself, doesn’t paint a very interesting picture in my mind.  Let me recite a monologue as a fabulous literary character from a great work of fiction, and that excites me.

So how was I going to interest these young minds in two areas that many admitted they didn’t really enjoy doing:  reading and writing.

Instead of giving a speech and trying to figure out how to make them listen to me ramble on about my thoughts on being a writer, I turned the tables to them and started my presentation by asking them some questions:

1.    What makes a book interesting enough for you to want to read it?

2.    What types of characters do you enjoy?

3.    What kinds of stories interest you?

4.    What turns you off in a book?

The enthusiastic hand waving instantly got us talking.  Even those kids who said they really didn’t like to read much had comments on what types of stories they would prefer if they did have to read a book.

Next, I presented them with this question:

Have you ever read a story and wished you could have changed it?

This engaged even more enthusiasm as student after student offered their imaginative ways to improve upon stories they’d read.  They got excited when I told them that being a writer meant that they could make the story be whatever they wanted.  The characters would be designed by their imaginations.  Eager hands raised and creative ideas flowed as students, guest writer and teacher all engaged in the excitement of the writing process.

Finally, I offered a way to prompt them on starting a story.  I asked them all to close their eyes and ask themselves this question…What if? 

What if when I went to sleep tonight…
What if my lunch box was filled with…
What if the teacher could…
What if the stairs at school turned into jello…
What if I could draw something and it would come to life and…

Now the students were really excited and wanted to write their own *what if* story.

I also showed them some of the magazines, anthologies and market books I’ve had work published in and talked to them a little about what it takes to write an entire book and the process required to get it published.  They seemed most impressed with the fact that something that they could create could actually earn them some money as a career someday.

I hope that my visit helped convince many of them to enter the writing contest being held in our city next month.  I do know that I definitely helped them get a jump-start on tapping into their own creative ideas.

But the best part of the visit was watching them get excited about reading and writing. 

As a writer, what do you do to inspire those around you?

One of the things I most enjoy about checking my email every day is finding a copy of one of the many *free* ezines that I subscribe to in my inbox.  It’s amazing how much free info. is there for the taking, offered up by some of today’s most respected individuals in the business. 

I’d like to share some of my favorites with my readers.  Most simply require a sign-up with your email address and that’s it.  No spamming…just access to great information.  Enjoy!  

http://www.fundsforwriters.com/FFWnewsletters.htm

http://www.writersweekly.com

http://www.writersdigest.com/subscribe/free-weekly-newsletter

http://www.writersmarket.com   (fill in sign-up box for FREE newsletter)

http://www.write4kids.com   (ezine link at very bottom of webpage)

http://www.writing-world.com/newsletter/index.shtml

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/freebiesforwriters/

I would have to say that the first four links are my all-time favorites, but any of the above ezines can provide excellent insight into this biz we call writing.

December can be a tricky month for anyone who celebrates the holidays.  There are gifts to buy, baking to do, cleaning for company and extra social events to attend.  When’s a writer supposed to find time to write?

I’ve been beating myself up about not getting any writing done since Nano ended on November 30th.  But as it turns out, it really wasn’t a bad thing after all.  I only wish I hadn’t allowed myself to stress out about it so much!

Now that the Christmas tree and decorations are all back in storage in the basement and the last remnants of holiday treats have been eaten, I find myself experiencing a new-found energy and creativity.  I’m reading writing blogs, ezines and books.  I’m plotting and planning.  But most of all – I’m writing again.

As it turns out, sometimes you need to step away to Recharge.

How did you fare as a writer celebrating the holidays?  Did you stay on track, or let things fall a bit by the wayside like I did?

January 10, 2012 – recharged and ready for writing!

Well it’s been nearly a week since Nanowrimo (the national novel writing month) ended and participation in the event has given many writers a rough draft of a new book or at least several thousand words toward such a project.

Did I win by writing 50,000 words?  Nope!  But I still won by participating.

Nanowrimo forced me to get back to working on my sequel suspense novel and because of the discipline of having to write something every day in November, I now have some 17,000 more words added to my book and a much clearer understanding of not only my ending, but also the areas I will now revise and rewrite to make the book its best.

Did I participate in Nano this year in hopes of finally winning with 50,000?  A part of me would have liked to have achieved such a lofty goal.

Am I disappointed that I didn’t cross the perverbial finish line so to speak?  Absolutely not!

All writers know that writing is a solitary job.  Having the discipline to stick with a long project like a book manuscript requires isolation from others (both online and off) and a real commitment to sitting down and fleshing out the story.  With all of life’s distractions, getting ample time to finish such a project can be extremely difficult.  Nanowrimo provides just the push that I need, especially at a time of year when life is busier with the impending holiday celebrations.

Thanks Nanowrimo for another great year!  You kick-started my first novel which definitely helped me on the road to having it published.  Hopefully, my sequel won’t be far behind.

My publisher posted this information a while back and I finally had the chance to check it out.

If you have an ebook and want to be able to autograph it for your readers, you can do just that if your book is offered on Amazon. It’s called a Kindlegraph.

Here’s the link to my book, “When Love Won’t Die”:
http://kindlegraph.com/authors/dramaquill

To find out more about Kindlegraph, check out this link:
http://kindlegraph.com/about

Note:  Right now, this autograph only works if you have a Kindle e-reader.

November is Nanowrimo month – a time where published and aspiring novelists vow to write approximately 1600 words/day for the entire month of November.

What’s the payoff?

Fifty-thousand words in a month’s time. This can be a great start to a new novel or the chance to complete a book that’s already been started.

I fell a little short of my goals yesterday with 1,163 words on my suspense novel, Amorous Obsession, but I did a lot of planning/plotting so I’m still happy with my progress.

And…I also wrote a few more pages on my pirate musical (sadly they don’t count in my Nano total LOL)

To participate in all the action:
http://www.nanowrimo.org

Happy writing!

Since I write in the suspense genre, and really enjoy scary villains, I’ve decided to host a Hallowe’en contest.
The rules are simple…
1. Create a villain
2. Describe him/her in 100 words or less.
3. Make me cringe
4. Type villain’s description into comment section of
this post along with you first name and your email

I will choose my favorite villain by midnight on Oct. 31st and the winner will receive a free download of my suspense novel, When Love Won’t Die.

Also, if your villain really inspires me, I will use him/her in one of my future suspense novels (with your permission).

I can’t believe it’s that time of year again – Nanowrimo time.

November is Nanowrimo month – a time for writers to dedicate themselves to writing 50,000 words on a new novel or WIP, with the help of the *free* Nanowrimo organization. Check out the website, sign up, find your region to connect with other writers and prepare to write and write and write.

My first novel, published in September 2010, was a direct result of the Nanowrimo process.

What are you waiting for? Go sign up…now!

http://www.nanowrimo.org/

Every author wants feedback, but getting book reviews can be time consuming and challenging. 

Here’s where I think that having an ebook provides a real advantage.

According to statistics, over two billion people use the internet on a regular basis.  That’s two billion potential customers for your ebook and the potential for tons of feedback.

So how do you go about getting the word out to reviewers?

Well, in my case, I submitted my book to an actual publisher (not a vanity press) so that I’d have the clout of my publishing company to help publicize my book.  My publisher submits all their books to many different review sites so they’ve already done a big chunk of the work for me.

But don’t despair if you did decide to self publish.  You can google “ebook reviewers” and get lots of results from blogs (where the owner has already compiled lists for you) to other sites that list ebook review sites.  Here are a few to get you started:

http://www.ebookcrossroads.com/ebook-reviewers.html

http://www.tinahunter.ca/links/ebook-reviewers/

http://www.twilighttimes.com/practical_tips4.html  (scroll down the page to find reviewers)

Getting reviews not only hooks potential new customers into buying your ebook but having numerous reviews also means that your ebook’s title will show up with more results with search engines. 

My suspense novel has been reviewed on amazon.com, the Pen and Muse, Coffee Time Romance and most recently on Pulist http://www.pulist.net/when-love-wont-die.html

It may take some time but keep contacting reviewers online.  All it costs is a free download of your ebook.  And don’t forget to encourage everyone who’s read your book to go and post a review wherever it’s available.

Don’t be discouraged if you submit to review sites and don’t get a review.  Just make sure you submit.

You’ve written a play and wonder what to do next? Getting a production is great. If you can find a local group willing to do your play, that’s probably the easiest. If you can’t, you can always try entering contests where often there’s prize money alongside getting a production. WomenArts is a great newsletter filled with opportunities for playwrights and screenwriters.