A Writer's Life

Entering a contest is a good way to meet a dead line, polish something to get it ready to publish and to send it out.    No matter what genre you write, there are contests out there. I just wrote a short story yesterday for The Writer's Digest Writing Competition Deaddline May 2. 2011. http://www.writersdigest.com/ I also entered another contest last year, called Short Short Story. You need to have a goal, see the finish line and complete your story and a contest is a good way to do it. Check out my other blog: http://iamwalkingwithgod.blogspot.com/ Write Something Today

No matter what genre you write, there are contests out there.  I know that if you are a romance writer, there are contests out there throughout the year. I am going to enter the Writer's Digest Contest.... 80th Annual Writer's Digest Writing Competition http://www.writersdigest.com/ I wrote 15 pages yesterday of a short story that I am going to enter.  Why not.  You will never know if you don't enter. The deadline is May 2, 2011 so I have time to rewrite and edit it.  I don't like to wait till the last minute.  So don't be afraid to enter a contest, it will help you meet a deadline and get something polished and sent it out. Writer's Digest

Are you writing for yourself or just to get published? Is writing making you happy? I feel that you need to write for yourself and everything else will fall into place.  If you are just writing for money that will not make you happy. I would love to make money with my writing and I am doing my best to see that happen, but I am writing for myself. My characters are screaming for their stories to be told and I am going to see that they get there happily ever after So when you are writing, are you enjoying it?  You should. Write for yourself, first.  Be Happy Check out my other blog: http://iamwalkingwithgod.blogspot.com/   Write Something Today

I admit that I got off track this month.  I judged for the Romance Writers of America  Golden Heart Contest.  I was a Beta Reader and then I had a bad tooth and had to go to the dentist.  I know these are not excuses, but I wasn't working on my novel. Friday I wrote 12 pages Sat I wrote 6 pages Plan to write 5 pages before I go to work.  I am not focused on my novel and am moving forward. So don't beat yourself up if life gets in the way.  Life Happens. Keep your writing close by, so you can work on it when you can and take notes.  Never give up on your writing, or it will never get written. Check out my other blog: http://iamwalkingwithgod.blogspot.com/ http://50lovingit.blogspot.com/ Write Something Today

25 words or less to tell your story in a nutshell.  It is harder than you think.  You need to narrow down your story, so you can pitch yur story in one or two sentences.  I don't have a pitch for the story I am working on and I need to work on my pitch.  If you are planning on going to a writer's conference this year, you need to have your pitch memorized and ready to say it, anytime someone asks...What is your book about? Does not what genre you write for.  You also can put your pitch in your query letter, and synopsis. Let someone hear your pitch and listen to their response and rewrite it and get it right before you go to the conference or send it off to an editor or agent. So narrow your story to 25 words or less.  I am willing to read your pitch.  Leave your pitch in the comments and let others see what you are doing and I will also read them. You are not alone.  We are writers and can do this together. check out my other Blogs: http://sharonleejohnson.blogsp

How often do you think about your characters?  How often do you think about your story? My characters are with me 24/7  They live with me.  They follow me to work and whisper things to me, while I am trying to work. One day I left one of my characters in the rain and they kept yelling at me to get them out of the rain.  or they will ask me. Why am I still locked in the attic?  Did you forget me? Does this happen to you.  My Characters want their story told.  They want me to finish thier story so the other character's story can be told. So I need to write so my characters can get on with their lives.  My characters are real, they are alive and want to find their happy ending.  So that is what I am trying to do. I love my characters and I do hope my readers will also. I already wrote 7 pages today, so I feel good about that.  I need to write more and get the story written. Don't ignore your characters.  They are real and alive and just want their story told. Lis

How careful are you with your computer and hard copies of your writing? Last year when my hot water heater exploded while I was at work, my lap top was on the floor.  Why was it on the floor?  I have no idea.  It was ruined and was not covered with my insurance.  So this is a lesson that I want to share with you all.  Keep your computer where it is safe, from floods or where someone can spill something on it.  I also print out a hardcopy of everything I write.  Yes I have a lot of paper stacking up but if my computer acts up I know that I have a copy. Maybe I am to careful, but the thought of losing my computer again is not a good thing. Do you drink or eat in front of the computer?  Might want to think about that before you spill your coffee or drink on the keyboards.  All I am saying is that you might want to be more careful around your computer or learn the hard way.  Something to think about.  Do you have any stories of what happened to your computer?  Leave a comment a

Are your files backed up??  Is it saved on a disk?  Printed out?  Back up copy?? I know you have heard all this before I am sure, but one day I was typing on the computer and ten pages later, my word processor locked up and I lost all my ten pages.  I didn't save while I was writing, I was in the mode and kept writing till it locked up and wasted all that time and ideas. Now I save every other page or when I remember.  Save on a disk.  Save Save Save. I print everything out also.  I know that is a lot of ink, but I feel better when I have a hard  copy of the 100 pages that I just wrote.  Don't care if some think I am wasting ink.  So when you are having a good day writing, don't forget to back up/ check out my other blog: http://iamwalkingwithgod.blogspot.com/ Write Something Today

I have started a new blog http://50lovingit.blogspot.com/ http://iamwalkingwithgod.blogspot.com/ You are not alone, follow me on my struggle as I try to write, live write and grow older.  If you don't want to do this alone, follow me and together we can make it through to another day

I just watched the movie The Social Network.  I found that movie very interesting.  The guy that created Facebook lived and breathed facebook.  He didn't watch tv.  He was not out at the collge parties or hooking up with women.  It was all about Facebook.  As I watched the movie, I was like, that is what I need to do with my writing.  He was always thinking about Facebook.  I need to think about writing all the time. How often are you thinking of your writing?  Are you thinking about your writing while you are at work?  Driving to work?  Hanging out with friends? I know that I probably saw something in that movie that most people didn't.  That guy was smart, but he saw something that no one else did and now we have facebook.  That movie was interesting. So if you are not focused in your writing and working on it, remember that someone is out there, writing and not watching tv.  Not hanging out at the bar.  They are getting the book written, while you are watching a movie

When you have an idea for a story, are you thinking series or just the story??? Something to think about/ I think Series or Trilogy.  I don't think just one story.  I have written a screenplay and have two other ideas written down, three in all. I am now writing a series.  The first in the series that has been rejected about 20 times, I am rewritting and will get in published even if I have to do it myself and I have about 4 other books in the series.  I like this series.  I have another series that is written in long hand and that has about 5 other ideas also. So if you are working on one book, look at the other characters and see if they can have their own story. If your readers like the story, they might want to read more about the characters.  I think that is to your advantage, especially if your editor or agent asks, what else do you have??/ That way there is no excuse for writer's block, cause you will have so many ideas. I think that writer's block is an

I wrote 5 pages in long hand today, and feel that I am on track and have been thinking about the story.  It is cold and snowy out, so it is the perfect time to write and regroup. Everyone has done town in their writing and there is nothing wrong with that, but there is a time to regroup and start writing.  So things are going in ther right direction. So I am going back to my goal to write 1,000 words in long hand or on the computer.  whatever works for me. So whatever works for you, you need to do it.  The important thing is to write and get that story written. I do have to admit that that I had a coupon and I bought 6 2 count packages of  Sharpies.  I had a coupon and had to buy them.  I bought as much as I could with one coupon and then I found another coupon and went back the next day.  I have an obession with Sharpies and ink pens.  I have have 12 new Sharpies and I am quite happy with my pens and now I need to buy some paper to go with my pens.  It is the life of a write

I am going on the Twinkie Diet. When I get hungry I am going to have a Twinkie and wash it down with a Pepsi. Surely there has to be something good in a Twinkie.  That is just my radom thought for the moment. What is your favorite junk food? Do you eat healthy while you are sitting in front of the computer while writing????? Do you eat junk food while your write? I choose junk food Check out my other blog: http://iamwalkingwithgod.blogspot.com/ Write Something Today

I know that it is a new year and the first month is almost over and I am off track.  I broke a tooth and had to go to the Denist and that was not fun. I was a Judge for The Golden Heart Contest by Romance Writer's Conference   http://www.rwanational.org/    Their Writer's Conference is in New York City this year.  Check it out.   I read another authors manuscript and e-mailed her on my thoughts.  I have been busy, but not with my own  writing and I need to get busy and on track.  It is not always easy when I have to work for a living, and pay the bills.  So if you are not meeting your goals, you are not alone.  Don't give up, and quit, just get organized and start writing.  I have paper and notes all over the floor and couch, so I need to get organized and get back on track.  I will never give up. I wanted to do something to help other writers.  I think that is a good thing,  Get out of my comfort zone and see what others are doing.     I am now going to write b

I was sending an e-mail and wanted to send an attachment.  I had the file opened and it was saved onto a disk.  When I tried to send it, it said it could not find the file.  I clicked on documents and it wasn't there.  It it is saved on the disk...Does it have to be saved in another drive to send as an attachment??? If anyone out there could tell me how to do this,  I would be gratefull.  I am not computer savvy at all, but I am trying.   Then I had to retype what I wanted to send in an e-mail. As I was saying that I am a Beta Reader and was going to send my comments to her as an attachment, but I couldn;t the computer said, file not found.   So please let me know how to send an attachment when it is saved on a disk  I think it is E drive. Thank you so much

This is new for me.  I have never been a beta reader before, and honestly, I am shocked and surprised that a someone I don't know would trust my opinion.  I take this very sersioulsy and am honored to be asked. Her name is Betty Bolte and her website is  http://www.bettybolte.com/     I have just spent the last four hours reading her book, on the computer.  Something that I have never done before.  I thought it would be hard reading it on the computer,,but to my surprise it was just like reading a book....Learn something new everyyday.  I made notes as I wrote, jotted down the page numbers so she would know what I was talking about.  I need to organize my thoughts and e-mail to her.  She has entered this in the Golden Heart Contest given by Romance Writers of America.  I do wish her the best, cause the story kept my attention and I was looking forward to the seeing how it ended. A Beta reader is one who reads the book first and gives the writer their opinion of the story,

I am a Beta Reader.  I never heard of this till a few months ago.  It is when I writer lets you read her story and you are the first reader.  They want someone's viewpoint of the story.  If it flows right, the character's arc....This is my first time doing it and I am very excited.  I will let you know how it goes.  Who knew that someone would care what I think.... I think that if you reach out...people will embrace your uniqueness.  I know I have different ideas and don't fit in with a lot of people....Being a writer I think we are all a bit different..... The author sent her story by attachment.  See how that works out...... So all of you keep writitng.  I will let you know how being a Beta writer works out Checl out my other Blog: http://iamwalkingwithgod.blogspot.com/ Write Something Today 

Be prepared for people not to be excited about your dream and passion.  There will be people who want you to fail and not succeed.  Could be a family member or even a close friend.  So be careful who you tell your dream and passion to.  If you start to talk about your writing and the person doesn't seem interesting, stop talking to them about your writing.  Even if it is you other half or your best friend. It is like dieting.  Once you start losing wait, there will be people to tempt you to eat things, cause they don't want you to lose weight if they are not. So with your dream, keep it close to your heart and only share it with others who support you.  You will have to develop a thick skin and go on even if people don't share your passion. Something to think about, before telling everyone about your dream and passion Check out my other blog: http://iamwalkingwithgod.blogspot.com/ Write Something Today

I just went to http://www.vistaprint.com/     I purchased 250 business cards for $9.00.  I didn't have to pay for shipping and handling.  I took the slow 21 day delivery and will get them in three weeks. They  do try to sell you other things but I stuck to only the business cards.  Only $9.00  Not sure how long the free shipping and the $9,00 price will last. check it out

You are a writer.  Are you writing what you want and the way you want to write OR are you trying to write like a well known writer or a write in one of your writers group? Think about that??????  You are unique.  You are orginal.  No one can write like you.  No one can write  like Stephen King except Stephen King.  No one can write like Nora Roberts, except Nora Roberts. No one can write like you, except you. Stop trying to be something you are not.  Write like yourself.  It will set you free and it will all work out if you stay true to yourself. People always tell me that I am different and walk to a different drummer.  That is true.  I have different ideas and don't follow all the rules in writing,k but I do write everyday.  I would like to write like other writers but it doesn't work that way.  As you probably noticed that in my time zone it is two in the morning.  I get up early and write when I get up.  I am not a morning person, but working in a bakery I work di

Now is the time to think about taxes. SAVE ALL RECIEPTS This is a new year.  Find a shoebox or an envelope to put the reciepts in.  Stamps, computer paper, business cards are deductable.  Writer's conference and everything that you spend on that trip maybe deductable. If you are planning on selling your book on amazon.com or the kindle store...then you have a business and will have report your earnings.....you will need deductions....So start thinking like a business person.   OR you will be paying more in taxes. Talk to your tax person and find out what you need to do.  The more you prepare now, the better off you will be. You don't want the IRS pounding at your door, so you need to find out what you need to do.  Keep Writing and SAVE those RECIEPTS Check out my other Blog: http://iamwalkingwithgod.blogspot.com/ Write Something Today

Do you make Character Charts?   Do you make lists of their likes and dislikes?  Childhood? I do.  I want to make sure that I have their hair color and color right.  I like to make sure that I don't have all my characters blonde or brown hair.   I think they are a good idea but I don't delve deep into their past, unless it will be good for the story. Whatever works for you is a good thing.  What I think is a good idea is to give your character a fear or phobia. Fear of spiders or heights is a good thing, but too common.  I try to to go one step further....If your character is afraid of heights, make her afraid of standing on a chair or coffee table,, that is even to far up.  It would work if you are writing a romantic comedy.  or if you are writing a parnormal,,,have your character have a fear of water, but take it one step further make him fear of mud puddles, cause as a child he stepped in a mud puddle and saw the future and it wasn't good, so he avoid mud puddle

Are you to tired to write?  To tired to turn the computer on?  Somthing on tv your want to watch, or just want to eat chips and dip? There are no excuses, you must write sometime during the day, even if it is writing two words.  I just read the entries for the Golden Heart contest.  These women have finished a manuscript and I am in competation with these women, so if I am making excuses I will never be in the running.  Excuses won't get you published.  It won't get your book done. I write everyday, but maybe not as much as I would like, but I do write something. So think about it/    Are you making excuses or are you writing? So get busy writing cause when you are not writing, know that someone is writing and you are behind in the race of publication.    check out my other blog: http://iamwalkingwithgod.blogspot.com/    Write Something Today

Do you feel like a writer?  Do you tell others that you write?  Do you write in secret? You need to come out of the closet and admit to others and yourself that you are a writer.  It will make you feel better and you will be able to write more and write amywhere, just not when you are alone.  When I started dating, it was hard to write in front of him, I thought he would think I was stupid or wasting my time.  To my suprise, he is very supportive, and now I write whenever Iwant wherever I want. You need to accept that you are a writer and embrace it.  I have so many ideas that some days I think that my head is going to explode.  So I write down the ideas.  Free yourself and let yourself write. Check out my other blog: http://iamwalkingwithgod.blogspot.com/    Write Something Today

No one cares if you write.  No one cares if you quilt.  No one cares about your passion except you.  No one cares if you get up early or stay up late to write.  No one understands when you get a new issue of your writer's magazine.  So it is up to you. I write cause that is who I am.  I blog cause that is what I want to do.  No one cares if I blog.  I do.  I have people who check out my blog and that is what keeps me blogging.  I write cause I want others to read my work.  Have I gotten paid for my writing?  No.  That doesn't matter.  I have never stopped writing.  Even if it was writing in my journal or writing notes So write because you need to.  Write cause that is who you are and it will all work out in the end.  This is a new year.  If you write one page a day you will have 365 pages  by the end of the year.  Think about that. If you write one page a day....You will find yourself writing 3-5 pages everyday and that book witll be done sooner Never stop writing.

I have written 45 pages, and the first 3 chapters.  Now I have the tv off and will reread what I have written and take notes.  I have plotted out the first five chapters and will continue to write.  I feel good when I see my pages piling up. I know that it iscold outside and the snow is meesing with everyone's lives, but that is a good time to write.  Write down your feelings, your trouble with the snow, who knows, it might just make a good story one day. Get a cup of hot tea or hot chocolate and curl up in a chair, by the heater and start writing.  It is going to snow and nothing you can do about it, except write. Stay warm and safe. Checkout my other blog:// http://iamwalkingwithgod.blogspot.com/    Write Something Today

I am a member of RWA  Romance Writer's of America.  http://www.rwa.org/    Every year they have a contest, called The Golden Heart Contest I signed up to be a judge.    I think it is a good idea to be involved, though I admit that I am not involved as I should be.  Being a judge gives me the oppernunity to see what other writers are doing as see different writing styles. So if you are a memeber of a writer's group, think about getting involved.  You will get alot out of it. Check out my other blog: http://iamwalkingwithgod.blogspot.com/   Write Something Today

Have you ever realized that one idea leads to another and soon the ideas don't stop?  That happenes to me.  I think that it keeps your brain active. I never run out of ideas.  I have a notebook that I write my ideas down.  If I don't write them down, I forget them.  In order to keep the ideas flowing you need to write everyday,even if it is just writing down ideas.  So far I have made my 1,000 word quota daily.  Hope everyone stays warm this weekend.  The  snow and cold is here...I am waiting for spring. Have a Great Weekend check out my other blog: http://iamwalkingwithgod.blogspot.com/    Write Something Today

My right arm aches.  I know that I don't sit right, and I don't have the proper desk area.  I write in bed, I write on the floor.  I write on the couch, and now my arm hurts. I would advise you to make your writing area, more body friendly.  I know I should, but I don't and I am paying the price.  I sit at the computer and drink Pepsi and eat chips.  Not very healthy.  I don't exercise.  I am not a good example of a healthy person.  something to think about.  This is a new year and a new beginning, but I do like my Pepsi and that is one thing I will not give up. So I do hope that you have better ideas for being healthy and pain free, cause I don't. Please post your comment and let me know what you do to stay healthy.  How's your work area is it writer friendly? Check out my other Blog: http://iamwalkingwithgod.blogspot.com/   Write Something Today

I write for me.  I have always written.  I have written in journals since I was about 12.  I wrote short stories in gradeschool.  Wish I had those stories today.  No one has ever paid any attention to my writing.  I write, cause it helps me stay focus.  I know that I have good ideas.  that is a fact.  I write cause that is the gift that God gave me and I can not write. Why do you write?  For fame or your personal satafacation: Sure it would  be great to get published and make a lot of money, but if that doesn't happen I will survive.  I will never stop writing.  It is who I am and I will strive to get published.      Whatever the reason is you write, the important thing is that you write, write for fun.  Write for yourself.  Write for publication.  Write for money.  The important thing is to write. Check out my other blog: http://iamwalkingwithgod.blogspot.com/   Write Something Today.

Is your writing a hobby or a career????  Have you ever thought about that question????  Have you ever wondered how someone can write 9 books a year and still work a full time job??? I do.  I want to be published.  I want people to read my work, I just am in awe of people who can produce three or more books a year. When I do my rewriting it seems that my story goes off into a different direction and then the whole story changes....I know....That is why you plot it out and stick to it.   So I am doing my best.  I wrote about ten pages yesterday. I need to stay focus.  There is nothing wrong with writing for a hobby or a career.  It is all good...Writing is a good thing. Check out my osther blog: http://iamwalkingwithgod.blogspot.com/    Write something Today

I didn't feel good the last two days.  I slept a lot, but I was still thinking about my writing.  I did sit on the couch with my laptop and did some writing, though that I know that I need to do rewrite, but I did write.  Today I feel better and hopefully I will get more pages into the computer.  I started the rewrite of a novel that has been rejected 20 times and I will get it back on the market. So that I it.  I am going to start writing and get this done. What are you working on??? This is a new year.....New Beginning. Let us follow our dream together check out my other blog: http://iamwalkingwithgod.blogspot.com/ Write Something Today

Do you have a story in your heart?  A story that over time, is still with you, still nagging you to write that story? I do.  I wrote this story about ten years ago.  I submitted it and recieved about 20 rejection letters......I now realize that I didn't have enough conflict in the story and that is why it was rejected... So I found my notes and I am going to rework the story and get it out there.  I scratched my short story that I was working on....It was going in ten different directions and had no idea where it was going... I am a mess.....all over the place....I need to focus and get busy.   So that is what is going on with me.............. What are you working on??? Check out my other blog: http://iamwalkingwithgod.blogspot.com/ Write Something Today

I was writing yesterday and the story went in a total direction.  I kept writing till it got out of my system.  I knew where I was going, but I didn't want to go in that firection.  So I wrote about ten pages till I got it out of my system and then went back on track. Not sure if that makes any sense but if it is in my head I need to get it out of my head and to move on.  I know that some people write in the morning to clear their head before they get serious about what they are working on. Whatever you do you need to let your thoughts flow and see where it goes and then go back and get on track.  If you think you have writier's block, just let your thoughts flow and you will get unblocked. Check out my other blog: http://iamwalkingwithgod.blogspot.com/   Write Something Today

Has this happened to you????  You are writing, your story is plotted out and then wham, the characters took over and now the story is all over the place. That just happened to me.  Now my story is a mess and will never work.  I was at work,  made notes, got home, started a new beginning and now I am going to scratch and stick with my orginal idea. I need to take control of my story and characters, they will take over it I don't watch them. That is why I plot before hand or I would never get anything done. What do you do when your Characters take over????/ Check out my other blog: http://iamwalkingwithgod.blogspot.com/ Write Something Today