Is Being a “Good” Girl Hurting Your Career? Why “Bad” Girls Become Best-Sellers

Is Being a “Good” Girl Hurting Your Career? Why “Bad” Girls Become Best-Sellers

 A blog post I read by

Kristen Lamb

I subscribe to her wonderful blog : warriorwriters.wordpress.com by Kristen Lamb,
 in which she gives advice for writers/bloggers.

The title above is a post I just read and loved it. 

It is an empowering post and had me nodding my head plenty of times. 

It got  me thinking about how I feel about my book

I am in the state of waiting for feedback from my beta readers about my book!

A nail biting, consuming of too much chocolate scene!

But:

Does this stop me from feeling that I can't or that i'm not good enough -- Yes!

BUT:

Does this stop me from trying? 

Does this make me think because i'm a mother, wife and everything that comes with that, that I can't write a book?

Answer is -- A big fat - NO!

Just like Kristen says in her blog post 

We can do whatever we set our minds to -- if we desire it.

And just like that coveted new purse or dress you want to get and save for
or if your like me, a chocolate bar and one day meeting Tom Hiddleston 

or 

Ian Sommerhalder 

(which I will be in meeting Ian again in Sept - swoon)

We can do it. 
We can save for that purse etc.
We can meet out fav celebs.

AND

We can start that blog.

We can write that book!

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A New Day, A New Year.

A New Year, brings about new year's resolutions, goals thought of and planned and in some cases, unfulfilled, (yes, even by me) and of course for those who like to have a drink or two; a hangover.

For me, it's more of fall asleep before midnight and waking numerous times thanks to little knees and feet pushing on my back and little hands splayed across my face, those feet and hands, not my hubby's but our little tinker, Carys.

Yet, today is a brand new day and I started it off with two little girls wanting breakfast, then breaking up squabbles between Seren and Carys about who gets the all the playdoh! With that all sorted, I sipped a warm cup of ginger and honey herbal tea. Next on my list of to-do's, WORK ON MY BOOK. 

While the girls busied themselves with the building blocks, I got down to brass tacks and started writing. 

As a rule, I don't make resolutions anymore after many good hearted attempts in which resulted in I'll start tomorrow on repeat, especially where chocolate is concerned Lol but what I am going to do is tackle every NEW and do my best :) 

If that means, only a couple of paragraphs of my book get written due to spending time on my hands and knees playing with the girls and their toys, so be it. I shall not call that being lazy and unproductive. 

If it means, less time making things or blogging on my blog, then so be it. I have to finish my first draft!

 HAVE TO.

 I have a way to go! But I can do it.

If you are in the throngs of writing a book of your own then good for you. 

If you are waiting in the starting block and are nervous, waiting for the gun to sound, don't wait. 

JUST GO for it.

Sitting there staring at a blank screen can and is daunting to say the least, however, don't let that stop you. You have a story to tell, write it. 

Here is a great article from Brian Klems on writing tips for writing true events into Fiction.

Click HERE to read 

And also by Brian Klems, 50 Articles on Writing to help you write

Click HERE to read

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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Chalk Art

I have had this large picture frame for many years.

It was a deep shade of gold, it looked like this other frame I had (below)

All I did was buy a primer and paint combined in an off white.

Gave it a couple of coats and let it dry.

I also gave the glass inserts three coats of black chalkboard paint

 And let that dry in between each coat

Then, I have a friend who is doing a creative writing course along with me

We often bounce ideas off each other to help with our writing process

And one day the topic was Water.

Read his writing HERE

I loved the words he wrote, so I decided I knew exactly where I wanted to

Showcase these thought provoking words.

I quickly drew out a sketch of the words and how I wanted them to look.

Then, with my frame and newly painted chalkboard paint dried. 

I set to sketching out the words on the chalkpaint.

All done!

And I love how it looks.

There is something magical about water.

If you're having trouble figuring out what it says here you go:

Water is magical, especially old water

In overgrown lakes... 

They collect time, history, myths... 

Expectations & Dreams.

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How Much Back Story, Should I Include?

I've been busy the past few weeks, not with making crafts or baking but with writing.

I recently finished the Mastering Dialogue Course via creative-writing-now.com, 

Which, may I add is a wonderful place for budding and even accomplished writers.

I still have a way to go with my novel, however, of late, I have wondered about, backstory and how much and where should I use it my story. Which led me to some wonderful articles on the matter. After reading the articles, they validated what my gut and head said. Less is more and scatter your backstory in small increments within the dialogue, presumably earlier than later in your book. 

Nobody wants major backstory in that last 50-100 pages of your novel. That is where the reader, is wanting all those linger thoughts and presumptions on whether the protagonist falls in love or they die or you end up buying the second in the trilogy to find out what happens.

With that in mind, I am going to crack on with my writing. However, before I dash off, I'd like to share what these Authors had to say on that subject of, backstory.

All of which are enlightening and hopefully will help you with your writing.

The first is by Beth Hill, both writer and editor

How much backstory should I include?

The second is by Rachel Morgan, she is a published Author on Amazon

The Importance of Backstory.

Read more >>

Seven Deadly Sins of Writing.

I subscribe to Writers Digest and I love getting emails that contain wonderful insights and great help on how to become a better writer.

I especially liked a recent email I received  written by a wonderful writer named, Brian A. Klems and I would like to share it with my readers.

How many of the points do you say 'yes'  to? I know I did :)

Seven Deadly Sins of Writing

Click HERE to read the full article

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How to Use Profanity And Other Raw Talk in Your Writing

I subscribe to Writers Digest. The FREE monthly emails I receive from Writers Digest, are full of information, tips and self help on 'how to be a better writer', how to grab the attention of Literary Agents Etc.

The email I received this week, I found to be very informative. As a religious Christian person, I struggle as to whether to use profanity or not in my writing. As of now I don't use any, I try to find another suitable word to describe what I want to say. This article I found enlightening, whether I choose to use profanity at some point  or not ( most likely - not) this article will help you in deciding which way or how to use such words in writing.

Read the full article Here: How to Use Profanity And Other Raw Talk in Your Writing

As for me, I should shake off the gloomy snowy cold blues, and get my fingers to the keys of my laptop, and write. I know, I have slacked ( for shame Helen!) With moving and just settling into a new place, with new people to try and get to know, I just found it a little disconcerting. But after reading the 1st through 2nd books of 'The Mortal Instruments',( 1st book is much better than the movie- in my opinion)  and watching my beloved British Period Tv Shows, 'The Paradise' & Mr Selfrigde', For all of you ladies who love Downtown, (Season 4 starts on Jan 5th) these shows are a must watch!! Oh My, what a delightful time, to lose yourself for an hour or two in two wonderful period dramas.

I am now revived with a new vim and vigor to write. So with that in mind and this article from Writers Digest, It's time to stop procrastinating and start putting thoughts into words, and start typing.

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