Scheduling Writing Time #IWSG #writerslife

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: What steps have you taken to put a schedule in place for your writing and publishing? 

Scheduling my writing has always been challenging. I've written blog posts about this subject many times in an effort try to sort it out. I run a busy household with 4 young children and a husband who has a growing list of hobbies. My writing isn't consider 'important' to my family, so I need to work in my writing time whenever I get a spare moment. Somehow, I manage. I wrote an entire novel in 15 minute increments one summer because I have no one to watch my children while I write.

Now, that my children are getting older, they're getting more supportive. Over the holiday vacation, I managed to get an hour of writing in the morning while my kids watched TV and played. They did their best to keep each other occupied so they little ones wouldn't interrupt me. I sat at the kitchen table while they stayed in the living and dining room, fetching drinks whenever they ventured into the kitchen. I managed to complete a 6500 short story. It's not an ideal situation, but I do what I have to do.

That seems to be the motto of my life...I do what I have to do to get things done.

This year, I'm going to push myself more. My life is in turmoil right now with certain family matters that are out of my control. And I foresee many changes in the future. Writing keeps me sane, so I'm planning to focus as much as my free time on writing as I'm able. That free time might become even more scarce as I'm going to have more responsibilities, but I love writing too much to give it up. And, since I was a teenager, I've wanted to write and publish books. I'm living my dream. Now, its time to make that dream live for me. 

Since we've just welcomed a New Year, I'm re-evaluating my writing life. I'm working on a list of goals. I'll post those next week. I'm also scheduling a calendar of promotion for my books and my blog. I want to help other authors promote their books, too. And, I'm working on a 5-year business plan. I haven't done one of those for a while, so I figure I'm due.

My advice to other writers...

Even if you can only write for 15 minutes a day, do it! Those 15 minutes add up. Whether its in the morning, afternoon, night, during your lunch break at work or maybe while the baby is napping. It doesn't matter. Keep your writing close by at all times so its easy to open a notebook or screen and get right to it. If you have no one to help you find the time, then you have to find the time yourself.

I hope everyone has a Healthy and Prosperous New Year filled with writing and reading!

 

Keep a weather eye open for Pirates: A Boys Behaving Badly anthology.
Coming in February 2018!

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

Where I've Been and Where You Can Find Me #AuthorUpdate

The last several months have been busy for this intrepid writer. But, not with writing related activities. I've taken a break from my hectic writing schedule to tend to my family. This winter has been hard on us. Every week for the last few months I've had at least one child out of four to see the doctor. We've had a wide range of illness this year including the flu, strep throat, bronchitis, croup, and several nasty ear infections to name a few. We've also had our share of injuries. My 2 year-old tripped and fell, biting almost clean through his bottom lip. My 6 year-old got a paper cut on her eyeball! Yes, on her eyeball! And my 11 year-old has developed an enormous chip on his shoulder that I believe might need to be surgically removed. More likely, I'll need to wait it out, but I dread the approaching teen years with this kid!

As Spring blossoms in the air, the children are finished with sick days and back in school struggling to stay focused as the end of the school year approaches. And as much as I looked forward to Spring, I realize that my schedule hasn't gotten quite back on track, yet. Now, my 9 year-old has baseball practices and games nearly every night of the week. There's also Cub Scout and Boy Scout meetings for the boys, with the additional Committee meetings of which I am a member. The kids also have music and art lessons. Camping trips and bowling lessons. And homework! There is an immense amount of homework each night! I feel like I've gone back to school trying to relearn math to help my kids understand it. 

Add to that a bad case of Spring allergies! I'm sneezing my way through edits as we speak.

Never fear! I am nothing if not stubborn. I haven't given up, even if it might seem that I disappear from time to time. I eventually pop back up. Right now, I'm struggling to catch up with edits and emails. Not to mention a host of new calls for submission that have come to my attention which are brewing new story ideas in my brain that I'm eager to write. My toddler is fighting naptimes, now. This is a new development, but I'm hoping it's just a phase. I've tried explaining to him that naptimes are my writing times, but he's not impressed. Instead, he smiles and laughs, then points at the television and says, "Doctor Who."

With that being said, where can you find me these days?

 

I'm still checking in at my old haunts at Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads. Pinterest has helped keep me sane this winter with some great ideas for knitting and crocheting crafts while I sat with my sick kids during those days we binged on Supernatural. I'm planning to post some of my completed craft projects soon. I'm roasting marshmallows with the campers at Camp Nano to complete a short story for a possible anthology. I've joined Reading Alley where my new book, The Pirate's Lady, is available for review. Other than that, you can subscribe to my newsletter to keep updated with my new projects, contests and events. And, of course, I'll be posting more on my blog again, so I hope to see you here, too!

                                    

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!

Here's wishing all is well with you!

Happy Spring!

Tricia

#BookReview: Confessions of a 3-Day Novelist by Laura Roberts #nonfiction #amwriting #NaNoWriMo

Confessions of a 3-Day Novelist by Laura  Roberts

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Want to write your books faster? Learn the tricks that bestselling authors use to succeed!

In 2011 author Laura Roberts wrote an entire book in just 72 hours, as part of the 3-Day Novel Contest. Upon completing the challenge successfully, she knew she'd found a great new way to write books quickly, and wanted to share her secrets with the world.

In this book you'll learn:
* How to write an entire book, from start to finish, in just three days;
* How to outline your story to achieve success;
* What you'll need to write your book in just 72 hours;

Plus plenty of tricks and tips for writing faster, smarter, and harder.

Use the methods that bestselling authors have used to achieve their success. Learn how to finish your books quickly to get them delivered to readers and build your fan base.

What are you waiting for? Grab a copy to start writing faster today. (less)

ebook, 31 pages

Published November 13th 2014 by Buttontapper Press

My Review:

I've been writing for years and years, but I still enjoy reading the how-to books for writing. In this book, the author claims you can learn to write a novel in 3 days. I believe it. I wrote a novel in a week when I was 15, then again just last year. Three days would be quite a record, and I am definitely up for that challenge!

In this short book, you'll find a list of things you need to accomplish writing a novel in 3 days. The author includes her method as well as some tips and suggestions. For a new writer, this is a very informative book that will aid you in achieving your goal. The method she uses is an excellent way to get that first draft written quickly. I especially liked her ideas for outlining and the caretaker. For a more advanced writer, one who has studied the craft and read many books on the subject, there's really not anything new. However, I did enjoy reading it anyway. Ms. Roberts has an engaging voice and a clear sense of humor which made the book a quick and entertaining read.




View all my reviews

Back to School = Back to Writing

I can't believe it's that time of year again. My kids are back in school. And not just 2 of them this year. My daughter joins the school age kids leaving me home with my 4 month-old son. Puddin' started school this week. Although she's super excited, I was reluctant to see her go. Even though my house becomes a Toy Story nightmare and my writing often suffers from constant interruptions, I like when my kids are home. Having the 3 of them at school left the house eerily quiet. Especially with the baby taking a nice long nap without having any screaming or fighting to wake him, which I'm sure he appreciated. It'll take some getting used to.

And now that school has begun, I'm hoping to get back into a writing routine. I didn't have much luck with a schedule of any kind this summer. Taking care of my family and a brand new baby took priority over everything else, so although I did scribble some words down every now and again I didn't get much accomplished on any of my major writing projects.

I did manage to get some reading done which was nice. I put a small dent into the massive TBR pile that I have awaiting me. You can see that list on Goodreads. I'll be posting some book reviews in the next few weeks. I'm doing my best to review the books that I read since I know how much authors rely on them to help sell their books. As a former bookseller, I believe I can offer some advice to readers in this area. Plus, I'm thinking about going through my boxes of favorites and writing some reviews for those books as well.

As for my future WIPs, I'm already putting together a few notes and ideas in preparation for NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) in November. Is anyone else getting ready for NaNo? I skipped last year, but I think I might have a go this year. I have many story ideas in my idea folder, but it's always so tough to pick out which one I want to write next. They all seem to call to me at once!

Here on some links I found with interesting articles about writing schedules:

• Learn from the Greats: 7 Writing Habits of Amazing Writers 

• The Daily Routines of Great Writers

• 6 Simple Ways to Reboot Your Writing Routine

• How to Stick to a Writing Schedule 

Do you have any tips on getting back into a writing routine?

                        ~Tricia