Showing posts with label writers groups. Show all posts
Showing posts with label writers groups. Show all posts

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Running away from the world to Write!

Although it's great to write from home, there are lots of distractions, people, pets, laundry, and the list goes on. These distractions take us away from the flow of words and ideas and can sometimes even kill the muse. (My muse HATES cleaning and promptly leaves when I must scrub the toilet.)

Tomorrow is the start of our writer's group 2nd annual retreat. Four days and three nights of nothing but writing, writing, writing! Last year was amazing, I was able to read and edit an entire novel (95k words). Not to mention becoming totally inspired and letting that carry me through the next few months. Others were able to pump out their first short stories, near completion on sequels and wrap up niggling ideas into cohesive outlines.

One of the moments at the retreat that took me by surprise was the sheer energy a small group of like minded individuals brought together. More was accomplished within that short period than many had otherwise experienced.

If you go on no other vacation this year and you are a creator of the written word, music, art or any other muse driven craft, I highly recommend finding a few close friends who can go with you, respect your space and watch the creative energy flow!

Thursday, May 12, 2011

Rocking Writers Group

I have the best writers group in the world. No, really, they are all incredible!

And I want to share them with you, or at least as many of them as I can that have blogs, websites or books! We’ve got it all from non-fiction, mystery, romance, fantasy and even YA and a little bit of everything in between.

There’s Jodine Carruthers who is an incredible horse trainer with a gentle touch and a firm hand (seems contradictory but with horses it is necessary) she has one book, The Joy of the Journey: Exploring a Deeper and More Fulfilling Partnership Through the Path of Harmonious Horsemanship - on the shelf and a second in the works, both non-fiction and both applicable to not only those who have horses but our individual journeys as well.

Mr. Jim Miller is our newest debutante when it comes to being published and he has done so with Ravenrock Publishing House. His novel, Mined your Own Business is a mystery (Private Rabbi Hawkins stumbles upon a dead body, a treasure map, and a conspiracy all while trying to stay in the army doing as little work as possible.) and part of a series all with the same detective.

Sandy Hunter is a Speculative Fiction writer who can be found (when not typing away madly in her dimly lit back bedroom creating worlds the rest of us only dream of) working away on her blog, Furore Scribindi (Latin translation is The rage to write.)

Mandy Borelli is our resident Chef who dabbles in historical fiction. At the moment she is putting together a fabulous cook book and recipes will soon be found on her blog, Cooking Up a Cookbook. I will say that her food is nothing short of FABULOUS!

Golf anyone? Or perhaps into screenwriting? Clive Scarff is the man of the hour when it comes to those two topics. A golf pro who has put pen to paper and published Hit Down Dammit! amongst other golfing publications. He can also be tracked down in between the greens on his blog.

Ya Fantasy with a Narnia like twist is CJ Goslings forte. Writing for Brighter Books Publishing house, CJ’s book, The Guardian is the first in a trilogy. Hard at work on books number 2 and 3, CJ is a sweet soul who always has something good to say, whether that be in person or on her blog, Tapping the Muse.

Dr. Kathie Black is one of the founding members of our writing group and has her hands in almost every aspect of the publishing business. A non-fiction author of several books, most recently Need For Heat a book about the benefits of infrared sauna’s, she is also the owner and President of Ravenrock Publishing house. (They are currently taking submissions!)

Mimi Barbour is the queen of romance, and paranormal romance at that! Together Again is the latest in her body jumping souls series, love stories with a definite twist. Mimi can be found on her website and also eyeing up the hunks on the beach . . . but of course that is just research! ;p

Please take the time to check these folks out, they are all fabulous and worth the time. Though this isn’t everyone in my group, as more people get published, develop blogs or get websites I’ll be sure to pass it all on to you as I wouldn’t want you to miss out on them.

Wednesday, April 06, 2011

Rock Bottom and the Growth it brings

Hitting rock bottom sucks. Whether it’s with your job, your marriage, your family, or your writing. Rock bottom in writing can be the rejection letter that is one too many. It can be the editor who doesn’t connect with your work and tells you to quit writing. Or it can be something as simple yet as destructive as writer block.

All of these things have happened to me, made me question my skill, desire and dreams. As many of you probably know, rock bottom isn’t very comfortable. It hurts in so many ways. But when I was in one of my pits, a good friend gave me the best piece of advice.

“The good thing about Rock bottom, is there’s only one way to go and that’s up.”

As a writer it’s easy to get in a funk, harder to get out. My advice? Get a cheering section, people who can give you the pep talk be they friends, family or maybe a writing group like I have

Rock bottom is not fun, but it can also be the driving force behind a new idea, an inspiration or perhaps just the desire to prove that you can do it. Believe in yourself and you’ll see rock bottom in a whole other light. You’ll see that it’s there to burnish off the rough edges of your personality, to get rid of the excess in your life and ultimately will make you a better person and a better writer.

What advice do you have for those that are feeling rocks on their posteriors right now?

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Reasons to Date a Writer. . . Kind of.

I couldn't stop laughing at this post and so thought I would share it with all of you. Even though I'm married, many of these reasons still apply. I have linked back to the original post for any who want to check it out. Enjoy!

OFFENDED BY RANK OBJECTIFICATION OF WRITERS

There is this thing currently going around tumblr about why dating a writer is good. I think it’s nice that this thing is going around, because I like writers, and lots of us could use more dates. As a writer who has dated people, though — including other writers — I would like to offer some correctives to this list.

The items in bold are the alleged reasons to date a writer. I have replaced the original commentary with my bleak corrective, in lightface.

Writers will romance you with words. We probably won’t. We write for ourselves or for money and by the time we’re done we’re sick of it. If we have to write you something there’s a good chance it’ll take us two days and we’ll be really snippy and grumpy about the process.

Writers will write about you. You don’t want this. Trust me.

Writers will take you to interesting events. No. We will not. We are busy writing. Leave us alone about these “interesting events.” I know one person who dates a terrific writer. He goes out alone. She is busy writing.

Writers will remind you that money doesn’t matter so much. Yes. We will do this by borrowing money from you. Constantly.

Writers will acknowledge you and dedicate things to you. A better way to ensure this would be to become an agent. That way you’d actually make money off of talking people through their neuroses.

Writers will offer you an interesting perspective on things. Yes. Constantly. While you’re trying to watch TV or take a shower. You will have to listen to observations all day long, in addition to being asked to read the observations we wrote about when you were at work and unavailable for bothering. It will be almost as annoying as dating a stand-up comedian, except if you don’t find these observations scintillating we will think you’re dumb, instead of uptight.

Writers are smart. The moment you realize this is not true, your relationship with a writer will develop a significant problem.

Writers are really passionate. About writing. Not necessarily about you. Are you writing?

Writers can think through their feelings. So don’t start an argument unless you’re ready for a very, very lengthy explication of our position, our feelings about your position, and what scenes from our recent fiction the whole thing is reminding us of.

Writers enjoy their solitude. So get lost, will you?

Writers are creative. This is why we have such good reasons why you should lend us $300 and/or leave us alone, we’re writing.

Writers wear their hearts on their sleeves. Serious advice: if you meet a writer who’s actually demonstrative, be careful.

Writers will teach you cool new words. This is possibly true! We may also expect you to remember them, correct your grammar, and look pained after reading mundane notes you’ve left for us.

Writers may be able to adjust their schedules for you. Writers may be able to adjust their schedules for writing. Are you writing? Get in line, then.

Writers can find 1000 ways to tell you why they like you. By the 108th you’ll be pretty sure we’re just making them up for fun.

Writers communicate in a bunch of different ways. But mostly writing. Hope you don’t like talking on the phone — that shit is rough.

Writers can work from anywhere. So you might want to pass on that tandem bike rental when you’re on vacation.

Writers are surrounded by interesting people. Every last one of whom is imaginary.

Writers are easy to buy gifts for. This is true. Keep it in mind when your birthday rolls around, okay?

Writers are sexy. No argument. Some people think this about heroin addicts, too.

Alternate solution: it will be pretty much like dating anyone else who likes to do a particular thing, you know?

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Word Count

I know I've past posted about how word count isn't all that, its about moving forward with your WIP. I still believe that, but today I had an amazing word count, one that blew my mind. I had a writers retreat single day with my writing group. We rented a conference room at a local hotel and started writing this morning by 9Am. It is now 9PM as I write this and I have knocked out an impressive (for me) 11, 090 words!

I'm sure that there are a lot of authors who do that and more each day, but it is a personal best for me. But now I have to stop typing as every other word I'm spelling incorrectly. Thanks to all my twitter friends who cheered me on, gave me support through the day and just generally made it that much easier to reach my goal! Hugs to you all!

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Writers Retreat Wrap-Up

Writers Retreat via Mt. Washington was a success, a smashing, fantastic success! I finished ALL my revisions for Gluttony AND I was able to do research for my Untitled ms. These two tasks alone would have taken me a number of weeks at home.

Lots of laughter abounded(when we could drag ourselves away from our work) and lots of familial love. Cause that's what my writing group is becoming, my other family.

A few things I learned while at the retreat and who I learned it from in brackets are as follows

  • Just because you hire an editor, doesn't mean he/she is always right about your work. (Sandy & Kathie)
  • Critiquing isn't painful if its done with a group who actually cares about you and your success. (Kathie, Sandy, Jim, Poul, Charity & Clive)
  • Being away from home DOES mean you can get more work done. (Shannon)
  • Reclusive writer's need friends to turn to that can understand their angst of the moment.(Charity)
  • The hot tub is very hot and should be used with caution. In other words, get out before you pass out. (Shannon)

Three days of nothing but writing, writing discussions, more writing and re-writing left me with only one thought. I can't wait till I get to do this again :)

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Writer's Retreat

I am so looking forward to the next three days. Mt. Washington, fellow writers and nothing but time on my hands to do what I love.

That would be writing, not hanging out in the hot tub.

When I get back, I'm going to do another blog, telling you what I managed to accomplish, what I learned and what I'm going to do about what I learned.

What I'm hoping to accomplish is finishing revisions for Gluttony and 10K words on my Untitled ms. That's a tall order, but I think if I buckle down, I can make it happen. I hope. :S