All posts by NewEngland_Muse

I'm a traditionally and self published author. I write in the genre of children and YA at the moment but working my way up to adults. I'm a sports loving, photo taking gal who loves to sing/dance to my own enjoyment. I love to laugh even at myself. I am also owned by 8 birds and 2 hamsters, and yes they know it. :)
Hanging out with other writers, The shop talking of writing

Hanging out with fellow writers: Do you?

Leave a comment

Do you ever hang out with people and talk about the craft of writing? I started a new writing group in town and it will be kept it small so we can really dive into writing or talking about writing. I met with member Carl last Thursday to write. However his daycare couldn’t take his daughter in so he brought her along. So instead of writing we talked about it. It was marvelous.

Talking about the craft to my family will only get me so far before they lost interest. I get that. So when the chance arrives to talk about it with someone who is as passionate bout it as me good times ensures. It’s not about our writings or books, it is about plots, cCharacter development, pacing, dialogue, target audience, structure, writer’s block and so much more. This can happen in a one on one interaction, a group setting or conference. Where else can you get this electric vibe being a writer?

If you are not part of a group, form one. Since I started writing I have formed three different groups. The need to be with like-minded people is the driving force. If you can’t start one for whatever reason go online to a writer’s forum.There are enough out there. The exchange of ideas, the excitement of learning something new or finding a way to fix what you are working on is so worth it.

So even if it just one on one to a room full of writers the situation remains the same, talking about writing with another writer is amazing for they get what you are doing, they get what is so exciting about it and they won’t pish posh you.

Branding yourself through business cards, Business cards for writers

Do you have business cards?

2 Comments

Do you have a business card? If not, why? After all if you are a writer that is a business When you start making connections and going to conferences it is a heck of a lot easier to whip out a card then to place your contact information on a scrap of paper to give to someone. Not to mention it is more professional.

There are many places one can get a card whether that is locally or online. My place is Vistaprint since they are forever running sales on their products. When I received my fist box it felt like a confirmation in what I did. Over the years I have added additional designs to my business cards collection, each one changing as I have grown.

But that is all well and good but what do you place on a card? What do you have that others might want or need? I would start with what can you do, offer or basically what do you bring to the table? Even if you are still new you have a lot to offer. You are a writer and if you are part of a writer’s group you can be a critquer or do book reviews. Anything that can help you brand yourself is a good place to start.

The next time someone asks for you card you will be ready instead of searching for a scrap of paper or pen to write your contact information down which has a good chance of being tossed out by accident.

 

 

The motivation to write, What's slowing you down to write?

Do you have the motivation to write?

Leave a comment

20140819_164037_resized

How do you stay motivated to write? There are so many distractions especially if we stay home. You have the fridge, the TV and of course the couch and bed. From the people I know around me they tend to go to a coffee shop or a library where their access to comfort is not within reach. But then we have the lovely smart phone. We convince ourselves we will be on just one minute, I will just check one post or make one comment and before you know it an hour if not more has gone by.

So how do you stay focus to write or do any of the hundreds of things that is involved when you are a writer? I have had two people tell me this year already that I am their inspiration and motivation. To be blunt I keep writing or stick to it in comparison to them Their words.Frankly I was surprised when I heard them tell me this.

How do I do it? I normally write my stories by hand the old fashion way with a notebook and smart pen. But still if I do it in front of the TV that can take my mind off it. I know one thing that helps is the WIPs I have. I love and am excited to see how it unfolds. Perhaps your story has stalled. Perhaps writer’s block has reared its ugly head.

What do you want out of your writing? What do you want to accomplish? Maybe write down your goals and hopes for your story and list what you need to do to get to that point. I give myself deadlines that I do my best to stick to.

Finding motivation for anything is not always easy for life always finds ways to interrupt that. But aren’t your characters crying out to you? Mines do.