Good tips on getting back to writing. I just cleaned a bathroom to avoid getting back to having the computer do a final "read aloud" on the first book of my Africa trilogy. Then I checked out my email and visited this blog to see what you were talking about today. Now, I shall get back to my novel! Thanks for the push. Pat Spencer, author of Story of a Stolen Girl.
I love this!!!: "My writing would get farther with a cup of coffee and a keyboard than just the coffee." haha! Oh, isn't that so true. And then the ending about reading this newsletter instead of writing.
And then, oh my goodness, I won something?! Amazing!! I was reading along and then was like, "Whoa, this newsletter is really personalized. That's my name! Oh! That's why it's my name!" Cut me some slack, it's early still, okay? ;) Thanks and congrats to the wonderful Jacqui Murray!
LOL! Thanks for visiting today, Betsy. You know, if it weren't for Jacqui, we wouldn't have connected. You might need to split the $15 card with her! Happy shopping!
I suppose putting humor in difficult circumstances is a survival skill, Jacqui. :P
And you may be one of the few people who would stick with me if you'd only come along since I've started martial arts. Other of my old readers may just be "grandfathered in." One such has pseudo-complained that she misses when I would just write about my kids.
Hi Jacqui. Congrats on all your publications and thanks for the reference to "83 excuses for not writing." At the end of the blog post, the author suggests the best time for writing is early in the morning because “Your brain won’t be awake enough to feel fear or process excuses.”
This is in line with a thought I had yesterday. I was out walking when I came across a funny quote in a window. I don’t even remember exactly what it said. My brain interpreted it as “If you’re too smart, you overthink everything, which gets in the way of your spontaneous creativity.” So I said to myself, that’s my problem as a writer, I’m just too darn smart! I made myself laugh and I thought, wow, another excuse to add to my ever-growing box of excuses! But I have to admit, this is a pretty good one because it allows me to procrastinate while feeding my ego at the same time! Really enjoyed reading your post.
Thank you, Jacqui, for the great "excuses vs writing" tips you have included along with introduction (to me) about book 2 of The Dawn of Humanity Trilogy! I usually am not into apocalyptic books, but your approach intrigues me. Thank you! Cheryl A.
At least you know the ending is good, at least for this portion of man's history. That was my approach to the movie, Titanic. I knew how it ended so could concentrate on less stressful plot pieces than the sinking ship!
"Natural Selection" sounds like a wonderful book and one I would really enjoy having the opportunity to read. Always love being connected to a new to me author. Already liked on Amazon and Twitter.
Hi Kay! Thanks for visiting and commenting. I'm not terribly familiar with substack but it has gotten increasing buzz lately. I'm going to check out your posts.
The writing tips resonate with me. I like that the reasons for writing outnumber the excuses. I'm with Jan. If I go to my manuscript first thing and let the blog comments and email messages wait, I am fresher and get more done. However, I feel the push-pull of wanting to engage with my friends online but know doing so siphons off fresh energy I need for my manuscript, now in the line-editing stage.
Thanks, Jill, for sharing and all my best to Jacqui, both of you role models extraordinaire.
Thank you, Marian. There are a lot of challenges in writing--a few I didn't include (is it ever boring? maybe). But in the end, it is gratifying and satisfying. Thanks for visiting!
It so easy to drown in marketing and blogging and never get a new word written. I struggle with a routine that I can stick to, Jacqui. I'm OCD about visiting blogs answering comments and clearing out email first thing in the morning. But sometimes that consumes more than just the morning. I've tried ignoring it and writing first, but alas, it always fails. Great topic to share. I'm open to any suggestions. Thank you, Jill for sharing this and best wishes to Jacqui!
I know exactly what you mean. I'm reveling in the research for the new trilogy right now because I don't have to stay on task with the writing. I can get distracted, explore interesting tangential topics, and not feel like I let my writing self down!
BTW, I started Saddled Hearts yesterday. Consider it a serious distraction from my writing! Oh my what an excellent read. I'll have more to say later.
It's great to see Jacqui's latest release featured today! I would add to her list of strategies to get back to writing the Audrey Driscoll one-page-a-day method. It really works!
Congrats to the winner. And how wonderful to see Jacqui here. Thank you for hosting, Jill. Jacqui, great tips. Getting back into writing does seem to require a shift in one’s thinking, doesn’t it? My question to you is how do you know a story idea you’re working on will pan out? I’ve worked at some stories that didn’t really go anywhere. Do you ever start stories that just seem to fall flat? What do you do when that happens?
When I come to a point in the story plotting that seems to go nowhere, I usually return to the research. Something about the detail of what they're doing always seems to get me back on track.
Though I will say, in my thriller series, Rowe-Delamagente, I wrote my characters into a corner I've been searching for an escape from from several years. Darn! I really like that story!
Hi Jill, this is an interesting post. I don't get that much time for writing so for me, it is more about writing when I should be doing other things and getting resentful when work overtakes evenings and weekends and I can't write. Writing is a mental release for me and I don't do well without it.
Hi Robbie, our situations are quite similar. Thank you for taking the time to visit and share your thoughts. Let's hope we are able to make more time for writing in 2023. I hope Michael is doing better. xo
Thank you for hosting me on your newsletter, Jill! It's always a lot of fun mixing it up with your community. I love the way you headlined it--"newsletter takeover"!
Always there to support Jacqui!
Yay! Same here, Pat!
Pat's in my critique group. She's quite a writer. You'll see her on the shelves one day soon.
Good tips on getting back to writing. I just cleaned a bathroom to avoid getting back to having the computer do a final "read aloud" on the first book of my Africa trilogy. Then I checked out my email and visited this blog to see what you were talking about today. Now, I shall get back to my novel! Thanks for the push. Pat Spencer, author of Story of a Stolen Girl.
You sound like me, Pat. I don't do bathrooms, but I go in search of dust bunnies. Thanks for stopping by to support our friend, Jacqui!
I think I would have listened to the read-through before cleaning anything! Kudos to you, Pat!
That's what I should do. I'm stalling trying to figure out what to do about publishing Sticks in a Bundle.
I love this!!!: "My writing would get farther with a cup of coffee and a keyboard than just the coffee." haha! Oh, isn't that so true. And then the ending about reading this newsletter instead of writing.
And then, oh my goodness, I won something?! Amazing!! I was reading along and then was like, "Whoa, this newsletter is really personalized. That's my name! Oh! That's why it's my name!" Cut me some slack, it's early still, okay? ;) Thanks and congrats to the wonderful Jacqui Murray!
Hehee! I can always count on you for a laugh, Betsy. You are the best!
Haha. Thanks, Jacqui. I do what I can. ;)
LOL! Thanks for visiting today, Betsy. You know, if it weren't for Jacqui, we wouldn't have connected. You might need to split the $15 card with her! Happy shopping!
Oh, for real? Did we connect via Jacqui? I can never remember the "origin story" of how I meet blog buddies. But, that's cool!
Yes! She recommended your hilarious blog to me! :)
I can always rely on Betsy to put humor in difficult circumstances. And she loves the martial arts--which I do, too, albeit vicariously!
She's awesome...thanks for the introduction! :)
I suppose putting humor in difficult circumstances is a survival skill, Jacqui. :P
And you may be one of the few people who would stick with me if you'd only come along since I've started martial arts. Other of my old readers may just be "grandfathered in." One such has pseudo-complained that she misses when I would just write about my kids.
Shrug.
Thanks for being cool, JM! :)
It's easy being cool with your posts, Betsy. I keep relating them to what my kids did and what I wish I'd done!
Awwh! Flattered!
:)
Hi Jacqui. Congrats on all your publications and thanks for the reference to "83 excuses for not writing." At the end of the blog post, the author suggests the best time for writing is early in the morning because “Your brain won’t be awake enough to feel fear or process excuses.”
This is in line with a thought I had yesterday. I was out walking when I came across a funny quote in a window. I don’t even remember exactly what it said. My brain interpreted it as “If you’re too smart, you overthink everything, which gets in the way of your spontaneous creativity.” So I said to myself, that’s my problem as a writer, I’m just too darn smart! I made myself laugh and I thought, wow, another excuse to add to my ever-growing box of excuses! But I have to admit, this is a pretty good one because it allows me to procrastinate while feeding my ego at the same time! Really enjoyed reading your post.
LOL! That was good, Roslyn! Thanks for stopping by today. I hope you're making good progress with your book.
I like that one! Unfortunately, there's a whole lot of evidence disproving that! Thanks for visiting.
Thank you, Jacqui, for the great "excuses vs writing" tips you have included along with introduction (to me) about book 2 of The Dawn of Humanity Trilogy! I usually am not into apocalyptic books, but your approach intrigues me. Thank you! Cheryl A.
teddi1961 at arcemont dot com
Thank you for stopping by the celebrate with Jacqui, Cheryl. When it comes to research, Jacqui is a machine!
At least you know the ending is good, at least for this portion of man's history. That was my approach to the movie, Titanic. I knew how it ended so could concentrate on less stressful plot pieces than the sinking ship!
"Natural Selection" sounds like a wonderful book and one I would really enjoy having the opportunity to read. Always love being connected to a new to me author. Already liked on Amazon and Twitter.
2clowns at arkansas dot net
Thanks for popping by today, Kay! You and Jacqui have a lot in common when it comes to research. I know you'd enjoy her books. Thanks for the shares!
Hi Kay! Thanks for visiting and commenting. I'm not terribly familiar with substack but it has gotten increasing buzz lately. I'm going to check out your posts.
The writing tips resonate with me. I like that the reasons for writing outnumber the excuses. I'm with Jan. If I go to my manuscript first thing and let the blog comments and email messages wait, I am fresher and get more done. However, I feel the push-pull of wanting to engage with my friends online but know doing so siphons off fresh energy I need for my manuscript, now in the line-editing stage.
Thanks, Jill, for sharing and all my best to Jacqui, both of you role models extraordinaire.
Thanks for stopping by to celebrate with Jacqui, Marian. I have a feeling she's going to be adding to her list!
Thank you, Marian. There are a lot of challenges in writing--a few I didn't include (is it ever boring? maybe). But in the end, it is gratifying and satisfying. Thanks for visiting!
It so easy to drown in marketing and blogging and never get a new word written. I struggle with a routine that I can stick to, Jacqui. I'm OCD about visiting blogs answering comments and clearing out email first thing in the morning. But sometimes that consumes more than just the morning. I've tried ignoring it and writing first, but alas, it always fails. Great topic to share. I'm open to any suggestions. Thank you, Jill for sharing this and best wishes to Jacqui!
It's my pleasure, Jan! I know you're busy with your blog tour, so I appreciate you stopping over. I can't wait to start your book!
I know exactly what you mean. I'm reveling in the research for the new trilogy right now because I don't have to stay on task with the writing. I can get distracted, explore interesting tangential topics, and not feel like I let my writing self down!
BTW, I started Saddled Hearts yesterday. Consider it a serious distraction from my writing! Oh my what an excellent read. I'll have more to say later.
Oh my goodness, Jacqui!! I am doing a happy dance.
It's great to see Jacqui's latest release featured today! I would add to her list of strategies to get back to writing the Audrey Driscoll one-page-a-day method. It really works!
Thanks for the addition, Liz! That's a good one! I appreciate you stopping over today.
You're welcome, Jill!
That is good to hear, Liz. That doesn't sound hard!
That's why it works so well!
Makes perfect sense!
Another great newsletter, Jill, thank you for sharing. ❤️ I'm happy to see Jacqui basking in the spotlight. Hugs to you both.
Thanks, Gwen! I appreciate your visit today! xo
Thank you, Gwen! Having fellow writers host my new books always gives me a great kickstart! I appreciate you visiting.
Congrats to the winner. And how wonderful to see Jacqui here. Thank you for hosting, Jill. Jacqui, great tips. Getting back into writing does seem to require a shift in one’s thinking, doesn’t it? My question to you is how do you know a story idea you’re working on will pan out? I’ve worked at some stories that didn’t really go anywhere. Do you ever start stories that just seem to fall flat? What do you do when that happens?
It's my pleasure, Linda. Thanks for stopping over to celebrate and for your great questions!
When I come to a point in the story plotting that seems to go nowhere, I usually return to the research. Something about the detail of what they're doing always seems to get me back on track.
Though I will say, in my thriller series, Rowe-Delamagente, I wrote my characters into a corner I've been searching for an escape from from several years. Darn! I really like that story!
Good luck with your new series, and thank you for the tips, Jacqui.
Thanks for stopping by, Merril!
Thanks, Merril. I'm glad you found value in the tips!
Hi Jill, this is an interesting post. I don't get that much time for writing so for me, it is more about writing when I should be doing other things and getting resentful when work overtakes evenings and weekends and I can't write. Writing is a mental release for me and I don't do well without it.
Hi Robbie, our situations are quite similar. Thank you for taking the time to visit and share your thoughts. Let's hope we are able to make more time for writing in 2023. I hope Michael is doing better. xo
Thanks 😊
Thank you for hosting me on your newsletter, Jill! It's always a lot of fun mixing it up with your community. I love the way you headlined it--"newsletter takeover"!
It's my pleasure, Jacqui! Thank you for allowing me to share in the celebration!