Do Not Annoy the Writer - They May Put You in a Book #MFRWAuthor #writing

Blogging is an opportunity for authors to connect with readers. Despite being writers, blogging is an entirely different style of writing and often stumps us. To help our authors blog consistently, thoughtfully and with purpose, Marketing for Romance Writers is announcing the 2018 Blog Challenge. Each week, authors use our writing prompt to create a meaningful blog post. We'll be posting every Friday... join us as often as possible.

Week 16: "Family, Friends, and Pets I've written into my books"

Well, this is a fun topic! I've had the pleasure of writing a few characters that were heavily inspired by the people surrounding me. I am a people watcher. I've written down things that people say or do in my notebooks sure that one day I might use that tidbit in a story. Sometimes, I'll warn them about it. Other times...not so much.

When I was a kid, my brother's pet turtle inspired a children's book that I wrote about a turtle detective living in a forest near my grandmother's house. I wrote a series for that one that I used to read to my brother for laughs and giggles. I also write a story about four people who were on a space mission adventure. Those four characters were inspired by my brother and our neighbors whom we had many adventures with every summer when we were kids.

When I was a teenager, I wrote a short fantasy story about a woman named Reva, after my dog. She even had the same color hair as my dog's black and tan fur.

More recently, I wrote a gothic romance novel for my first NaNoWriMo a few years ago. The aunt of the heroine was inspired by my mother-in-law. Unfortunately, she passed away before I could tell her that I wrote about her.

I do have some other stories planned to write. I have an excellent story inspired by my ex that I'm eager to see written one day. And I'm pretty sure my sister-in-law will make it into one of my books.

 Be sure to visit the posts for the MFRW's Blog Challenge!

I write sensual paranormal and historical romances. Interested in learning more about my stories? Sign-up for my newsletter where you'll learn about my new book releases, updates on my works-in-progress, writing tips, book reviews, contests, and other fun book-related info!

Happy Writing!

Tricia

When the Writing Gets Tough #IWSG #writinglife

The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day.

The Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

IWSG Asks: When your writing life is a bit cloudy or filled with rain, what do you do to dig down and keep on writing?

This happens to all writers at one time or another, doesn't it? You get stuck on a scene in your work-in-progress, you get a not-so-great review on your new book, or maybe the number of book sales has dropped. Creative people are often sensitive in nature and prone to depression, anxiety and low self-esteem. This often effects our writing life at some point. Of course, I encourage you to speak with your doctor if you suffer from any medical conditions. Besides that, I have some tips and tricks that I use to get out of my writing funk and back to the page.

• Take a walk. Exercise is an excellent way of super-charging your brain by getting all that blood pumping through your body. And you can think through your story while your walking. Sometimes if your stuck on a scene, this might help you sort it out. 
• Take a long, hot shower or a nice scented bath. You need to relax. Unwind. Writers often put too much pressure on themselves to keep producing. Stress like that can block your creative well.

• Take a long drive. Escape. Go somewhere to get your mind off of your story. You need a break? Take it. You'll come back to your story refreshed and ready to get back to writing!
• Read something. A novel. A short-story collection. Read for fun. Enjoy reading. Sometimes you need to dive back into reading to remember what made you fall in love with writing in the first place. 
• Read something inspirational. Something that inspires you to write. It could be a book or a magazine. Book reviews or articles about writing and marketing. For me, I used to read Romantic Times magazine (RT Book Reviews). I simply loved their magazine and I dreamed of one day seeing a review of my book in their glossy pages! Reading reviews of other books often inspires me to get back to writing. After all, my book won't be reviewed if its not finished.   

Be sure to visit the other writers in the 

Insecure Writer's Support Group!

I write sensual paranormal and historical romances. Interested in learning more about my stories? Become a VIP Reader by signing-up for my newsletter where you'll learn about my new book releases, updates on my works-in-progress, writing tips, book reviews, contests, and other fun book-related info!

Happy Writing!

Tricia