Hello . . . I'm a Pantser and I'm Proud of It.

Up until lately I've kind of reluctantly said, "I'm a pantser" when asked how I write.  I thought I needed everything to be plotted out to the nth degree and became my own worst critic because of my angst.  I lost sleep over trying to plot by worksheets and guidelines I had found that others use until I realized my stories flow in a different direction.

Don't get me wrong, I love the worksheets and stuff I read. There are many valid points and strong materials out there and if you can use them, more power to you. I've highlighted areas in most of the material in which I can use toward my personal writing goals.  Many of the charts help me do a 'rough plot' of my stories but I just can't seem to pin-point every last detail needed.

I'm one of those people who see the story emerge as I write and the more I write the more the story unfolds, which to me makes all the sense in the world!  Then I sit down with the materials to see if I've covered the areas needed to meet the general guidelines for the type of book I'm writing.

But if I don't have the motivation to sit and write, because all I'm doing is agonizing over the details, then it becomes more of a chore and less of my escape and fun from reality.  I need a happy medium between preparing a story and just sitting and letting it flow.  This past month was one of those times in which I lacked the desire to sit and write.  I needed help.

A writer friend of mine started her blog site the other day and she was excited to announce she had accomplished a full year of writing each day.  I thought that was an excellent accomplishment and knew I could learn a thing or two.  She told me about a wonderful group that helped to motivate her and I went to check them out.

WritingGIAM http://www.writinggiam.com/about/ is a great group of writers who support each other in accomplishing their goals of writing.  They are published and non-published writers all there to cheer each other on.  WritingGIAM also has great links to other writing groups and materials to help you focus on setting goals in your writing.

I love their motto, too.  DARE GREATLY!  I think it sums up so many things and can be used in writing or whatever goals we dare to dream.

I didn't know what GIAM stood for though but when I read their logo I knew this place was for me.  GIAM stands for: Goal Setting, Inspiration, Amity and Motivation.

Yep--I think as writers, no matter if you are a Plotter or a Pantser--GIAM is what we all need.

Cheers to having the Motivation to set those Goals, the Inspiration to Dare Greatly, and the Aim to get us there in the right direction.

Hello . . . I'm a Pantser and I'm Proud of It.

Up until lately I've kind of reluctantly said, "I'm a pantser" when asked how I write.  I thought I needed everything to be plotted out to the nth degree and became my own worst critic because of my angst.  I lost sleep over trying to plot by worksheets and guidelines I had found that others use until I realized my stories flow in a different direction.

Don't get me wrong, I love the worksheets and stuff I read. There are many valid points and strong materials out there and if you can use them, more power to you. I've highlighted areas in most of the material in which I can use toward my personal writing goals.  Many of the charts help me do a 'rough plot' of my stories but I just can't seem to pin-point every last detail needed.

I'm one of those people who see the story emerge as I write and the more I write the more the story unfolds, which to me makes all the sense in the world!  Then I sit down with the materials to see if I've covered the areas needed to meet the general guidelines for the type of book I'm writing.

But if I don't have the motivation to sit and write, because all I'm doing is agonizing over the details, then it becomes more of a chore and less of my escape and fun from reality.  I need a happy medium between preparing a story and just sitting and letting it flow.  This past month was one of those times in which I lacked the desire to sit and write.  I needed help.

A writer friend of mine started her blog site the other day and she was excited to announce she had accomplished a full year of writing each day.  I thought that was an excellent accomplishment and knew I could learn a thing or two.  She told me about a wonderful group that helped to motivate her and I went to check them out.

WritingGIAM http://www.writinggiam.com/about/ is a great group of writers who support each other in accomplishing their goals of writing.  They are published and non-published writers all there to cheer each other on.  WritingGIAM also has great links to other writing groups and materials to help you focus on setting goals in your writing.

I love their motto, too.  DARE GREATLY!  I think it sums up so many things and can be used in writing or whatever goals we dare to dream.

I didn't know what GIAM stood for though but when I read their logo I knew this place was for me.  GIAM stands for: Goal Setting, Inspiration, Amity and Motivation.

Yep--I think as writers, no matter if you are a Plotter or a Pantser--GIAM is what we all need.

Cheers to having the Motivation to set those Goals, the Inspiration to Dare Greatly, and the Aim to get us there in the right direction.

Gail Barrett is Swimming with the Mermaids today!

I'm excited to have done my very first blog interview over at Waterworld Mermaids, today.  My good friend Gail Barrett had agreed to an interview when I had asked a few weeks ago.  I was so tickled!

Gail writes Harlequin Romantic Suspense and her latest book in her Stealth Knight series, High-Stakes Affair is out this month.

Interviewing her gave me insight into what it really takes to be an author. Her style of writing, her motivation, even the simplicity of her surroundings when she's working all make for an interesting look into a writer's world. 

I am proud to say I know her and hope when I grow up (as a writer) I can be just like her!

Check out the interview at www.waterworldmermaids.com today and leave a comment to be put in for a drawing for her latest book.

Gail Barrett is Swimming with the Mermaids today!

I'm excited to have done my very first blog interview over at Waterworld Mermaids, today.  My good friend Gail Barrett had agreed to an interview when I had asked a few weeks ago.  I was so tickled!

Gail writes Harlequin Romantic Suspense and her latest book in her Stealth Knight series, High-Stakes Affair is out this month.

Interviewing her gave me insight into what it really takes to be an author. Her style of writing, her motivation, even the simplicity of her surroundings when she's working all make for an interesting look into a writer's world. 

I am proud to say I know her and hope when I grow up (as a writer) I can be just like her!

Check out the interview at www.waterworldmermaids.com today and leave a comment to be put in for a drawing for her latest book.

Bitten by Fate

For those who've seen my previous tag-line--"Romance with a Bite of Humor", I've decided after a few years, it was time for a change.

Yes, there are those who say I have a sense of humor in my writing but as an author/writer I've noticed my books lately all have a certain theme.  Though I had started out writing humorous takes on the whole paranormal genre, my recently finished ghost story is a bit different (no biting but still humorous).  I noticed a trend of how 'Fate' plays a big part in how and why my characters get together.

After analyzing my own life and seeing how nothing went as originally planned (after 20 years I am not the Master Diver in the United States Navy or Navy Chief Journalist I had put down in my goals in my high school, senior year journal) I too started believing in 'Fate'. 

If it wasn't for all the jokes 'Fate' played on me throughout my adult life, I wouldn't have the wonderful husband and daughters I have now.  Enough said--Fate guides us, we do not plan our futures.  We can make plans but something somehow takes us were we are meant to be.

I am trusting 'Fate' to see my characters into their Happily Ever Afters in each story I write.  So without further ado--my new tag line--"Bitten by Fate".

Darn!  Now I have to get Vista Print to re-do my business cards!  :)

Bitten by Fate

For those who've seen my previous tag-line--"Romance with a Bite of Humor", I've decided after a few years, it was time for a change.

Yes, there are those who say I have a sense of humor in my writing but as an author/writer I've noticed my books lately all have a certain theme.  Though I had started out writing humorous takes on the whole paranormal genre, my recently finished ghost story is a bit different (no biting but still humorous).  I noticed a trend of how 'Fate' plays a big part in how and why my characters get together.

After analyzing my own life and seeing how nothing went as originally planned (after 20 years I am not the Master Diver in the United States Navy or Navy Chief Journalist I had put down in my goals in my high school, senior year journal) I too started believing in 'Fate'. 

If it wasn't for all the jokes 'Fate' played on me throughout my adult life, I wouldn't have the wonderful husband and daughters I have now.  Enough said--Fate guides us, we do not plan our futures.  We can make plans but something somehow takes us were we are meant to be.

I am trusting 'Fate' to see my characters into their Happily Ever Afters in each story I write.  So without further ado--my new tag line--"Bitten by Fate".

Darn!  Now I have to get Vista Print to re-do my business cards!  :)

Hey--I'm Beginning to Accomplish Things!

Keeping a journal.  I've been known to do journaling about everything from what I eat to what I do each day . . . boring!  (I guess that describes my eating habits and lifestyle . . . or maybe just mundane?)  Anyway, thought I would give it a go with my writing habits (along with the Ruby Slippered Sisterhood Winter Writing Festival and a couple of other goal setting contests I'm doing).

I'm setting practical limitations--1,000 words a day, working at least twenty minutes on edits/revisions on previous day work (before starting my new word count), and taking at least two hours for anything writing related.

I find if I say 'at least' then I am more likely to see to the 'at least' part if not go over.  Either way, I win.  It's kind of like the little game I play at Walmart--guesstimating the total of my purchase as it is being rung up.  I'm getting pretty good and try for the 'worse case scenario' within reason, if I'm under by $20 I win, if I'm on target--I win and if I'm over by less than $10, I still win--anything over---major fail!

So I'm at least doing the minimum goals set but have been accomplishing either a few more hours in writing, higher word counts or both.  That way, I don't feel so guilty if my daily life tomorrow falls apart--the kids are sick, hubby needs me to run 16 errands, and the car won't start--you know . . . reality!  I have extra slack in my writing time.

I've managed to complete another chapter in my revision of IMMORTAL HEAT and looking to work a bit on  YES SIR, THAT'S MY BABY tonight for my critique group.  I could do another 1k1h before bed--there is no crime and I'm setting my limits. . .

Now, off to make dinner and catch up on TiVo'd shows.