A Few Excellent Writing Blog Posts

Lately I've run across some really great blog posts I thought I'd share:

How to Return to Writing After a Long Break by Nathan Bransford (Oh yes, this one was obviously very useful to me!)

Thank you for (not) asking by Bria Quinlan (Fantastic blog post I wish every writer would read)

Math For Authors by Deryn Collier

Deadlines: Why Do Some Motivate & Others Don't?

I'm a horrible blogger. At least at this blog. It's kind of my red-headed stepchild that is the first thing that I let slide when real life gets busy or my writing stops.

And lately that's been the main issue. I haven't been writing for the past 3 weeks because we have company coming to stay with us and suddenly we thought that was a great way to get all our little DIY projects around the house done. Like a countdown clock would inspire us to get the house finished.

And in truth? It's totally working. I'm amazed at what we've accomplished in 3 weeks. I know I said "little" projects, but some of them are rather large. Like rip out carpeting, paint ceilings, tile floors large. And we've been DIY rock stars!

But the writing...what writing. It's been on total hold. And that left me thinking lately...

Why doesn't setting a deadline for my WIP have as great an impact on my production as this deadline for our house repairs has? Why is this taking precedent over my world and home when my writing never seems to even when I set very hard deadlines and the hubby agrees to support me?

I'm a visual person, so I thought maybe at first it was because the house projects I can see and admire everyday and that's added incentive to keep going. But isn't seeing my page count go up the same thing. I look at that count and record it every time I write. So why isn't see the "progress" there propelling me to write faster, longer, etc?

I'm just starting to swirl this around in my noggin, and I'll post again when I figure out exactly what it is, but what do you think?

Is it because the hubby and I do it together and there's a 3rd party that will be witness to it? It is the visual cues of projects getting done? Maybe it's that I'm blocked in my story and this is an excuse to step away for a bit? Or could it be all of the above?

Not Going to Nationals?

If you're like me and not able to make it to Nationals this year (for those of you who don't know what Nationals is, it's the Romance Writers of America's Yearly National Conference) you're probably feeling pretty down about it. I know I am. :(

One thing I've done for years that I've found very helpful is to head over to the RWA.org site and check out the workshops section of the conference. In an amazing show of support and sharing with authors who can't attend, many workshop presenters have their workshop handouts available for download online.

Now, some of these handouts don't make much sense without hearing the session that goes with them (which you can order the recording of after the conference) but most of them are actually extremely helpful!

You can get some of the benefit of the conference workshops without actually being there.

So, head over to this page and see what workshops you are interested in that offer their handouts already. I'll think you'l find at least a few that will give you some new insight into your writing or writing career. (Make sure to check out that updated SHOW ME THE MONEY handout for a real look at authors make on books at some publishing houses)

Are you one of the lucky few heading to Nationals? If so, what workshops are you most excited about? Or if workshops aren't your thing, what are you most looking forward to. If you aren't going then are you doing anything special to pump up your writing during that time?

Make sure to take advantage of writing during the time everyone else is at conference . You'll feel better about not being there and it may even inspire you to push yourself.

Now Go Write The Damn Book!

Sabrina Shields