Burn out

This weekend happened to be my old rugby teams third annual Alumni game (or is it for the boys) so catching up with old college friends took priority over working on writing. Yes, I say my old team even though it's a mens club. Quick explanation...when the team was originally founded while I was in school there wasn't enough men or women to have separate teams so we were co-ed. That's right. I learned to play rugby side by side with the men. Us girls who stuck it out were pretty bad ass. We loved playing the sport and being held to the standards that the guys had only made up better players when we split off to play with the girls. Still we practiced with the boys then. This doesn't happen any more since both teams have enough players. So I still call them my team even though it's all men. lol. For the first time in a couple of months I set my writing a side while I'm still at home and decided that I need to not worry about the RWA conference coming up and getting my writing ready for my first conference and agent pitches. I admit only a few times did I get twitchy about putting pen to paper, but I'm starting to realize that you really do need to find a way to balance out the work with the play. Working a full time day job takes a lot of energy out of you, but when you put on top pursuing a writing career it takes even more time. Especially when you are serious about it. I know that it will take years to get to my goals and I'm trying to start good habits that I'd want to have when I'm able to write full time. That means writing every day. Or at least setting a schedule and sticking to it. Unfortunately with my stubborn determination I've become a bit of a hermit. Ok, maybe a bit more than a hermit. While my roommates and friends go out on weekdays I'm home working and trying to get a good nights sleep so that I can function properly while at the day job the next. Lack of sleep and working with numbers don't really mix. Add in being grumpy on top of that and it doesn't make for a good day. As for weekends well I'm in the more low key nights, where my roommates have different ideas of what to do. That being the case I usually decide to stay home and you guessed it work or read a good book. Which I guess you can say is a form of work (but is it still work if you enjoy what you are doing?). Upside it means that I'm also saving money so that I an afford a car that isn't as old as I am. So, with this weekend, being full of friends in town as well as a book sale at the Center for Sex & Culture with my sister, there would be little time to work on edits or a new manuscript. Now I'm sitting here feeling poorer from going out, but refreshed. It was amazing seeing my old group of friends that we would hang out practically every weekend at my old apartment. Though I now remember why I don't drink so much and that rugby players can definitely hold the mass quantities of booze that they drink. Realization had struck that if I keep up this pace of hermithood then I'm going to end up burning out. And my writing career is only just starting. I don't want to end up hating something that I love doing. No matter how long and hard it might be at times, I love every second of it. Writing is a labor of love that us writers get to share with the rest of the world. With that realization that some times it's good to walk away and take a break, I've decided to start doing that more often. Plus watching rugby had me missing it like crazy and once again confirm that I need to get my butt back in shape. That being said I'm making a belated new years resolution. Find a balance of work and play. So on weekends I'm allowed to go out and have fun. Just means that I'm going to start waking up early to work out and write. What better way to start the day by getting the blood pumping while clearing your head to create worlds for people to enjoy. Not sure yet how I'm going to balance this during the work week yet, but weekends are for fun, working out and in the down time writing. It's possible to do it all! I know it is. Just have to do some trial and error to find out what will work best for me. And with that I'm off to make some more edits. Feels like that's all I'm doing, but in the end the edits is where the book takes shape. The rough draft is just the foundation. I'm going to take all the time I need to get my work, not perfect, but feeling right. As of right now Mackenzie Falls is starting more and more to feel right. That means it's almost done. Till next time! And get to writing! I know I am.

Step 2: Following Through

So, you've done step one in doing what you want. You've set your goals. Let's just say that it's to be published, seeing as that is one of my goals in life.

Now what?

Well you actually have to follow through with all the work that it takes to get to that final goal. You can rarely go from A to Z without going through the rest of the alphabet first.

This is what I do. Break down all the steps it will take get to that final goal. In a way each step is a different goal with in itself. What? You're telling me is that I went from one bullet point on my to do list to like a hundred? Ugh your killing me here.

That is exactly what I'm telling you. Yet I'm also giving you a path you can take where you actually get to cross things off that dreaded to do list. Just so that you don't feel a lone in the length of your long list here is mine that I've come up with working on Mackenzie Falls.

1. Come up with a solid idea - Check Done
2. Come up with a background for my characters, so that I know why they are making the choices they do or will make, and what made the the way that they are - Check Done
3. Come up with a story arch that has the main character grow - Check Done
4. Start writing the actual story till I feel that I've got a good ending, while keeping up a list of new characters that I didn't know would pop up - Check Done
5. Editing. Editing. Editing. Oh wait more editing. (This is where the story really comes to life. It's here that you can clean up the story, the characters and the setting. The things you thought worked once really don't. This is the time that the story really comes to life.) - Not done. Still working on. No matter how frustrating it gets at times. Yes I do want so scream at the computer screen "Why can't you be finished yet!" Well, it's not done yet cause you're not done with it yet. Editing takes time and not over thinking things too much. Yes there is such thing as over editing.
6. Writing the summery to send out with queries to Lit Agents and Editors. What's this? I just finished writing 300 pages now you want me rewrite it in one page? Yup I do. - I've not quite gotten to this yet.
7. Researching Literary Agents that rep the genre you write. See what they require for submissions and make a query for each rep, making sure to include everything they request so that you don't get thrown out because of being lazy. - I'm currently in the process of doing this. I have to say it's fun to research the authors you enjoy to see what agents they work with, and what is out there.
8. Sending out your queries to the agents that fit with what you are looking for. - Not there yet, but getting closer every day.
9. The waiting game. This is where you are waiting to hear if you get represented. This isn't the time to twiddle your thumbs in boredom. This is where you can keep sending your work to more agents, while working on your next idea. Always, always, always, keep working on your next idea as soon as you finish the first. That way you have more stuff to get your name out there to sell once you do get representation. Waiting and getting rejections isn't the most fun, but it's a learning experience. Don't get down on yourself if people say no. Just find out ways to become a better writer.
10. You find an agent that want to rep you. - One day I will get this happy phone call. It's just a matter of putting in the hard work.
11. You get the phone call from your agent. They sold your book! You are getting published! Your big goal is now accomplished. Now it's time to do it all again. Though now that you have an agent you get to skip a few steps. Whoooo! - This is my big goal and it will happen. Time people. It just takes time and determination. I'm willing to put the work in to make this happen. If it takes then years. Then it takes ten years. If it happens over night? Well...I just might be a little skeptical of that to be honest.


See I have a long list to do too. Now don't get me wrong, I'm still learning about how to make myself a better writer, and about the publishing world. This just happens to be the steps that I'm taking. If you're in the publishing world, and know Im wrong, well please tell me. I want to learn from those that have the experience that I don't have.

Take the time to break down all the steps you need to take to reach your goals to make it easier to see that you are following through. It might be a long ways away till you get there, but if you follow through with each step one at a time, then you will get to your big goal. At times where you get discouraged take a moment to look at all the things you were able to cross of your list.

See all those crossed out? Your that much closer than you were before. Take a deep breath and keep taking those baby steps.

It's easier concurring the smaller goals than just a huge one. But all of the sudden you realize...I did it. I followed through on one of the biggest goals you've made.

Now go out and follow through on all your goals whatever they might be. Good luck and keep up the hard work. You're not alone in your journey to reaching your far off goals. I'm right there with you.

No Regrets

One of the many resolutions this year is to really give it a go in the publishing world. Meaning that I wouldn't just write for me. But to really do research on what it takes to get published as well as finding a way to get a job working with in a literary agency. So no regrets this year. I'm going to put myself and my writing out there. If not now then when?

Yes there is always the fear that my writing isn't good enough and that no one is going to like it. Then again who I don't think I will fully get over that insecurity. That being said I took my first real leap into the world of no regrets. I have registered for the Romance Writers of America conference this year. This is going to be the first time that I get to interact with people who are established in the publishing world. It's also a place where I will have a chance to pitch with an agent.

Yup im super excited and scared shitless. But a good scared. Now I have a deadline to get my finished manuscript clean, pitches figured out, summaries made and time to calm myself for this big step.

No regrets people! Take the risk when it comes to moving forward in the career that you want. If you don't take any chances there is no way to know if or when you can make your dreams come true. It might take time to make your goals become a reality, but don't let your insecurities hold you back. Take a deep breath and jump in.

Three months till RWA and I'm super stoked. Follow my lead and have no regrets. Go for after your dream. I know I am! Good luck all and rooting for you the whole time.

I don't understand...

"We don't understand what you are doing, but we support you."

This is what my roommates said to me last night as we sat talking about life, love and everything in-between. Just a normal girls night at home. I knew that my roommates don't quite understand what I am doing in my pursuing a career as a writer, and I still don't quite understand what they don't get. Why I don't go out during the week? Why I spend all my free time at my computer or with a notebook constantly on me? Why I am going to a conference that will dry up my savings. Why I spend so much time reading?

As much as I tried to get out what exactly they don't understand, I got nothing back. Then again, when you are chatting with a few cocktails in you things don't always make sense. But hey I tried. Then again they are on a different place in life. I've found my passion and they are still in search of theirs in life.

So here is my attempt to explain the why's for all those who aren't writers and just don't understand.

For one I write because it's a release. Yes, I do have a bit of an overactive imagination and these characters become a bit of like an imaginary friends. They bug and bug you till you put them down on paper. Being able to put down your dreams and stories down on paper is therapeutic, in more ways than one. We all have issues and for me I'm able to work through some with the use of my characters.

Once you get a little peak of these characters, like real people, you become interested in wanting to know more. Wanting to know their back story. Wanting to know what is going to happen next. Why do they make the choices the way that they do. And so as a writer, I go on these journeys with them to share them with others.

Can't forget that they like to bug the living daylights out of me till I pay attention enough to them to put it down on paper. Sounds like a crazy person right? Well I guess all of us creative types are a bit off. But then who isn't.

Not to mention I love books. I love reading the genre's I write. I've always fallen deep into novels and movies since I was a child. Its not surprising that I'd still be in love with them as an adult. Coming up with stories now, isn't that surprising. I've even went to school to get my degree in film, because I wanted to be involved in creating worlds that others can fall into the I did growing up. Getting into writing just happened to be a detour of what I had originally thought I would go.

Producing, and literary agents, I place in a same category in my mind. They find these amazing stories and authors and champion them till they are alive for the rest of the world to enjoy as much as I do. And I want to be apart of that. I want to be apart of the process of bring something that started out as a little spark of an idea to become a novel or a movie. The fact that I started to write was just a bit of good luck on my part.

Taking a screenwriting class in hopes to understand writing more and become a better producer, I realized as an adult I love writing. Screenwriting I'm not so great at, but creative writing...that is where I can really lose myself. That is where I can work through things and create something that I think isn't out there yet. Something that I want to read.

Finding a new adventure is thrilling through the whole process. No matter how long I might work on it.

This is why I do it. It is something that I've discovered I love doing. Some people love working in an office. Writing computer code or working with animals. I love creating new worlds that people can enjoy as much as I had writing them. Weaving around the story and these characters lives and thoughts to create something.

Being able to explain why is so much harder than one might think. But to be able to do something I love, wither I get paid or not doesn't matter. I do it cause I enjoy it. Some people play video games to escape reality. I create a world on paper.

One day I hope to be able to make it a career, but for now I will spend my free time writing what I love.

For those non writers out there I do hope that this helps. For those newbie writers out there. I'm with you on people not quite understand, but your not alone. Keep writing and don't give up.

Ahhhh My Brain!

Have you ever had times when you feel like you can't function cause your mind is running a thousand miles a second with fifty thousand different things? Or that you have this constant nagging of characters, a piece of dialogue, or the hint of something that is just laying a waiting for when you don't have the time to work on it.

Well ladies and gents I get this alot. It's one of the many downfalls of having ADD and an active creative mind. It get so many things going on in the real life on top of chasing my dream of being a literary agent and writer, that my brain feels like it will spontaneously explode at any second and I will lose every idea that I've been waiting and wanting to work on for who knows how long.

How do I deal with all these crazy brain chaos? Well if you hadn't figured it out by now... I write. It doesn't have to be good writing at first. It just has to make sense to me when I go back to edit. It's in the editing where the real work comes in. What I have to make my writing be not only readable but make it so that people can actually understand everything that I'm trying to say? Say what? Yup I know its a crazy thought right?

Well, it's not. The whole point of writing a novel is that so people will read it. I guess you could write a novel for yourself only, but I'm not one of those people. As nerve racking as it is to have people read my work, I want to get it out there. I want to be able to transport people in to another world that I've created for them.

Back to the brain so full that it's going to explode. So yes, I write to drain all this excess activity so that I can function properly, but that doesn't mean that I have time to sit down at my computer to properly write. Nope Iam a huge fan of notebooks. I pretty much have one notebook per idea, and a general one that I keep with me at all times. That way if I get a pestering idea that wont leave me alone, I can flush it out on to the page when I'm on the bus, on lunch or whenever I have two seconds to spair. It is later at home that I can transfer and expand that nagging piece of information in to the proper notebook so that I can go back when I need to look at the references, when editing or working on the actual novel.

Sounds chaotic and more work than what is needed right? Well, yes I guess it can be. But in the end I'm working full time in an office an hour away from home and can't always get the time at a computer. Plus I always know which notebook goes for what and I rather have a notebook of notes that I can have fun with later putting the pieces together. Kind of like a puzzle. My brain is a little weird, and that is what makes me so lovable. Or so I like to tell myself. But in the end if I'm able to flush my brain of its over activity, I am then able to work on the things that are on the top of the priority list.

One day though I'm hoping that my writing will be able to take top of this list, but alas being a newbie in the industry, I still have to work full time in an office to be able to keep a roof over my head and food on the table. But I'm not going to let that stand in my way with my overactive imagination.

Nope me and my 'Oh my god, my brain is going to explode if I don't get this down on paper soon,' will be working our collective butts off till we make it. Just will take longer than we'd might like, but I'm patient and determined.

So if you ever have a brain that feels like its going to explode....write what's going on down. Don't think about what you want to write or where you want it to go. Just flush it all out on to the paper. Once your relaxed and back to normal can you go back and make the gibberish into legible genus that everyone will be dying to read. Though I do have to admit, that editing grammer is my major weakness. Being Dislexic doesn't help. No matter how hard I look at something, I just can't see it. That's what good friends and professional editors are for right? Well yes, but still you have to make it so that people can stand reading it even if there are a few annoying errors.

Keep up the creativity and get it down on paper. If you don't write it, it will never get done. And I want to read your work. Good luck all and happy adventures!

Marketing

Sorry it's been a while, but like everything else, life gets in the way of getting work done. Ok real life as in my day job as an accounting clerk gets in the way of everything that I want to get done, ie editing my novel Mackenzie Falls and getting this blog written.

So back to what I was wanting to write about.

Marketing.

The dreaded thing that has to be done to be able to get not only your work noticed, but you noticed as well. No matter how wonderful your project is done without the right marketing and talk no one is going to know that you are there.

Don't have a marketing team or budget to get anything done? Don't be discouraged there are so many things that can be done with the wonders of the internet that are free. You just have to take the time and effort and do it yourself. Ahhh one more thing to add to your plate? You just want to write you say? Well put on your big boy/girl pants and suck it up. Marketing on the internet really isn't as scary as you think it might be.

No I don't have a degree in marketing, but I have helped my sister with her start up company as well as a friend with writing and keeping up social networks, for TALImag. Needless to say that with the endeavors of trying to figure out what to do, you learn quite a bit. Plus follow the people/companies that are similar to you. Learn from them. See what works and what doesn't work for you and then do it.

Simple as that? Yeah pretty much.

Free social networks that you can use to your advantage. Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Linkedin and more are easy to use to your advantage. Like, follow, or whatever the network calls and gather a group people who are in the same business or genre of writing that you do.

Now that you have your accounts set up and a good list of people that you are following, it's time to start posting.

What me post stuff? Yes, you. No one else is going to do it for you. What do I post? Well personally post a little bit of everything. Talk about what you are working on. The process, the different stages you are at, the problems that arise, the successes. DO NOT! I say DO NOT. Start talking about how wonderful you are and how great your project is. And that it's a shock that no one has already published you and your works. Everyone thinks that they are wonderful and that there work is the next best seller. That goes without saying. Also DO NOT, just ask people to follow you and then get angry when they don't. That is one of the first things that get me to not follow someone, let alone want to learn more about them.

Be smart when it comes to your post. This is going to be the first impression that people, potential agents or publishers, have to you when you are a newbie to the business. If you are annoying on a social network then they won't take you serious, let alone ask you for pages. So don't be an ass and turn people away. Win them over with your personality and seek peaks into your work. This is how you will win followers and maybe even get your foot in the door with great networking into the industry.

Also you learn a hell of a lot if you follow agents that work in your genres. They actually post things that will help you! What? Free looks into there world and what they like and don't like? AMAZING! I know. So follow them. Learn from then. And then when it comes to sending in your submissions, then you will know what not to do to turn them a way. You might even have a fun hook from a story you can relate with from their social networking. Thus catching their attention.

But please DONT be a stocker. That is just plain creepy and will immediately turn potential people who will help you get published away. We don't want that now do we.

Aren't we supposed to push our work on people to get them to read us? Well yes. To a point. Remember, we are new in the industry. No one knows who you are and to be honest don't really care. You need to find the balance of give and take when it comes to your marketing on social networking. This is a great place to have people see who the writer is. If someone likes the writer then they will at least buy your work eventually when it's published. When you come off as unlikeable, it doesn't matter how amazing your work is. No one is going to read it. Easy as that.

Sure you can ask questions to fellow writers or agents on these sites, but at the same time don't get upset if they don't respond quickly or even at all. They are busy busy people. They also have hundreds other new writers asking questions.

Once again you have to find the balance of give and take. There are times when you really need to push and then know when to back off. Don't piss people off. Everyone talks to each other. You don't want to have a reputation of a hard person to work with let alone a hard person to be around.

Now that you have to social networking marketing aspect down, now there is one more thing that you can add to your list of marketing techniques. Yup, a blog.

Cliche? Maybe. But in this wonderful land, you have the opportunity to get some writing samples out there. Don't just post your story in chunks. That's just stupid. Now giving maybe a sliver here or there, then awesome. Let the teaser draw in more readers. Get them interested in your characters.

What exactly do you write in your blog? Well that is up to you. This place has no character limit. You can rant about your frustrations of being a newbie writer. Or you can talk about the things that you are researching and are super excited about. That you can't hold in any more and have to tell someone.

A blog is just another place to let people see in to your world as a writer. Remember you can give your opinion here on anything and everything, but remember don't piss people off too much. That is just going to ruin your reputation before you even have put your foot in to the publishing worlds door.

No you aren't going to be discovered overnight. Things don't happen that way. People work years and years before they turn in to an overnight success.

Use every opportunity you have to build the reputations and credentials you have and use them in these great free ways to market yourself. You never know maybe an agent or publisher is reading your blog or twitter post and says, "Hmmm. This person is interesting. I want to know more." And then life goes from there.

Be smart in your marketing posts. Let people see you the writer as well as your writing projects. It gets boring after a while reading the same post every other day, week, month and year.

Oh and can't forget this one other important thing when it comes to marketing and posting on your blog. Be consistent. Make a schedule and keep to it. Don't have all the time in the world? Fine. One post a day. One post a week. Whatever you can fit in keep to it. You don't want to disappear for too long. Stay on people's mind. Make them want to check up on all your pages, and see what you are up to, how your project is going, or how your pet is feeling since they were sick last week.

Consistency is key to any business. Especially marketing. Keeping up the high standards that you set will put you a part from so many others. You want to stand out for all the good reasons. Use that to your advantage while you can.

Now get going and start marketing yourself, while you are getting pages done. There is no better way to get yourself out there then right now. Get people asking when you have a completed manuscript cause they are so anxious to read it.

Well?

What are you waiting for?

Oh...good luck! You're not alone in your adventure of writing and finding the right home for your work. You might not see me but I'm by your side cheering you on, going through all the same ups and downs as you.

Research

So you have an idea for a story, but there are still parts that you aren't quite parts that you are positive on. What do you do? You do research. Let it be on a specific time period, a location, on occupation, etc. You want things to be as realistic to the reader as possible and that means that you have to know about what you are writing on.

So where do you start? Now that you know what you are looking for.

Well there are so many different ways of going about it now days, with this new fangled thing called the internet. First off I suggest heading off to the library. Yeah I said it go old school. Go digging around in the reference section of the dusty no mans land that people rarely go to any more. You can pretty much find anything in the wonderful free library. Yes digging through the reference books can be tedious at times but in the end it can be worth it.

Still looking for more details? Or just couldn't find enough information yet? Then head to the internet!

There are a multitude of wonderful search engines that can help you find what you are looking for, but be forewarnded that you will have to be weary of just how accurate some sites are. Wikipedia is a great place for short breakdown (though some things say might not be 100% accurate but its a good place to start), then there is always google, and bing, along with a few other places you can look. The internet is a place you can get lost in and find things that you never even thought was possible. Remember to stay focused or you might get distracted by plenty of schinanagains.

And lastly but surely not least....there surely is a person who is an expert in the subject you are researching. So find that person and get in contact with them! See if they are willing to take the time out of there surely busy day to answer all the questions you have that couldn't be done from all the reading that you have done.

Please please please... let me say it one more time...please make sure you go to them knowing the basics of there subject. You don't want to look like a fool when you are talking to them. And please don't pretend you are an expert of the subject either. You don't want to burn a bridge to someone that can help you out on accurace. Ask intelligent questions and remember that people love talking about what they do. Being able to hold up your end of the conversation will also show that you are actually intersted in what they are talking about.

I know all these sound like the most basic of things but you will be amazed what people will do without being well informed. And for goodness sakes if someone says that they don't have the time or that because you might not be a published author or might not be able to sure about it, then don't take it personal. As a new writer we get enough rejections, but it comes with the trade. So get used to it! Roll with the punches and find someone else.

Hopefully this will help you in the hunt to become a better writer. I know that sometime doing the research can be the most dreaded and yet exciting part of starting a new story idea. Some times you find out some many new things about the thing that had sparked your idea. Other times you find that what you had in mind doesn't comepletely work out. So your story evolves with what you learned. Or at times the story gets trashed, yet the history or whatever topic you were searching, completely changes everything, but you have a new beginning.

Good luck in your research and hunt for an expert in the subject. I know that it's hard, expecially finding or talking to an expert, but you can do it. Take a deep breath and jump in. The only person stopping you from creating a new world is you. Keep up the great work and soon enough you will have a finished polished product that everyone can enjoy!