Writing Mixtape - Your Writing Space - Here's Mine...

/

Writers need a space. I work at home several days a week for the day gig, so I wanted a place to write and edit as well as to have online meetings.

I also needed desk space. I tend to spread out. On any given day, there are items to edit and proofread along with my laptop, computer, and thousands of sticky notes and pens. When I’m writing, there are always piles of stuff. And there are at least two or three dog toys underneath because Cooper needs space, too. I have a white board on the back wall, and that’s perfect for me to keep track of this week’s to-dos and to plot the next story.

I found an L-shaped desk that allows me to stand up. I end up sitting too much, so it’s helpful to make me get up and move around. Plus, I love to look out the window at all the birds and squirrels.

Writers need a space where they can concentrate, be inspired, and can work. Your own room is fabulous, but if you don’t have that, you can create your workspace in an existing room. I know some writers who don’t want to be confined to one place, and they take their laptop and travel. Whatever you decide is best for you, remember writing is a business, and you need to treat yours like that.

5 Things That Writers Should Stop Doing

/

I’m often asked at presentations and writers conferences what should writers stop doing. What are things that may not be as helpful to one’s writing journey? So, here’s my list.

  1. Stop procrastinating. Sit down and write the book. You can edit a bad or sad draft. You can’t edit a blank page. Talking about writing a book is not writing a book.

  2. Stop comparing yourself to others. We are all on a writing journey, and we’re at different stages. Plus, something that works for one person, may not work for another. Be you. That’s what makes your writing unique.

  3. Stop listening to that negative voice in your head. (Not the one that is warning you about danger…the one that is making you feel bad.) The writing journey is a rollercoaster and imposter syndrome is real. But if you really want to write and publish a book. You need to make up your mind to try. Sit down and write.

  4. Stop wallowing. When you get bad news (we all do), have your own pity party. Do what it takes to get over it…exercise, scream, eat chocolate, cry, rant to your dog, and then see what you can learn from the experience and move on. Those that spend weeks, months, and years wallowing, waste all their creative energy on something they probably can’t change.

  5. Stop playing at writing. Writing is a business. If you want to be a published author, then treat your writing as such. Learn your craft, learn how to market, learn the business side of it, and network with other authors. Build your social media presence and put yourself out there. Do your research, do your homework, and write.

What else would you add to my list?

The Long and Short of It...

/

I primarily write cozy mystery novels, but I started my writing career in the short story world. My first traditionally published work was “Washed up” in the first Virginia is for Mysteries anthology. I just finished a crime story that was a little darker for an upcoming musically themed anthology. I’m at the point in the writing process that includes a hundred revisions and edits before I send that one to the editor.

I like both formats. If you’ve never considered writing a short story, here are some things to think about…

  • Since I write cozy mysteries that have expectations about characters, violence, and language, I get to experiment more with the short stories. Mine tend to be a little darker than my novels.

  • You’re writing in a smaller space, so it takes less time to write than a book. You see a first draft much sooner.

  • You’re writing in a smaller space, and that means every word counts. Most short stories range in the 4k to 6k word count limits. There can’t be extra explanations, a ton of characters, or long sections of dialog.

  • You need to be able to tell your story with a shorter timetable. I think sometimes, it’s harder to write a complete story in a compacted space.

  • Short story anthologies have gained in popularity in the mystery community, and there are quite a few outlets for publishing opportunities. Check out the Short Mystery Fiction Society. It’s a great group of short story writers who put out lots of calls for short stories.

  • If you’re on the East Coast, check out ShortCon. The next one is in June. It’s a great opportunity to network with other writers and attend amazing panels and workshops.

If you’re looking for a new outlet or you’re interested in trying your hand at a mystery, consider a short story.

Some Behind the Scenes Secrets...

/

I love finding Easter eggs (surprises hidden by the developers) in software and bloopers in films. Here are a few secrets from my mysteries that you may not have known about…

In the Delanie Fitzgerald Mysteries, I often named police, waiters, EMTs, lawyers, and other minor characters after some of my favorite pop culture folks. You’ll see some 80s rockers and 70s TV characters serving some amazing dishes or keeping law and order.

In the Jules Keene Glamping Mysteries, Jules themes the vintage trailers and the tiny houses. Her special décor ties in with the camper like the 1947 Robin Hood Trailer that is decked out in honor of its namesake, the 1959 Sunliner Caravan that sported a posh pink Barbie fashion design in honor of the year that the camper and the doll debuted, and the 1953 Redman New Moon, decorated in honor of Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball’s movie from the same year, The Long, Long Trailer. The tiny houses all have a book or author themes and fun amenities like a revolving bookcase or a reading nook for the guests to enjoy. These are named for Beatrix Potter, Bram Stoker, A. A. Milne, and L. Frank Baum. (And I may have been watching The Tiger King at the beginning of the pandemic when I wrote Christmas Lights and Cat Fights.)

I am a huge 80s pop culture fan. Jules is named for Demi Moore’s character in St. Elmo’s Fire. Her last name is a tribute to all the women who wrote the Nancy Drew mysteries under the pseudonym of Carolyn Keene. Jake is named for Jake Ryan from Sixteen Candles.

In the Pearly Girls Mysteries (May 2024), the bigger-than-life Chihuahua (at least in his own mind) is named for the one and only Elvis. The four “Golden Girls” who help Cassidy with her event planning business (and her love life) are named for my grandmothers, great-grandmother, and my grandmother’s best friend. And the handsome new bartender in town is named after Austin Butler (who recently played Elvis). I know, there’s a pattern here.

Don't Be That Author!

/

I will always remember the story the HR Director at my first job told me about why people should always be professional. One day, he came back from lunch, and a young woman cut him off and slid into his parking space. Then to add insult to injury, she flipped him off when he honked his horn. The pair would meet again inside the building, and I would have loved to have seen her face when she discovered that he was conducting her job interview.

We all know the divas, the complainers, the control freaks, and the hangers-on. They are in every group. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard from so many different people that they treasure authors who are easy to get along with.

Here are some things to remember, so you don’t turn into that author.

  • Always be professional. People talk, and you don’t want to get a reputation for all the wrong reasons.

  • Pick your battles and stand up for yourself, but do it in a way that doesn’t burn bridges. I always ask myself how big a deal something is. Sometimes, things are nonnegotiable, and other times, they really don’t matter. I try to save my energy for the important things.

  • Make sure you read your contracts and know all of your deadlines and obligations. Figure out the best way for you to manage your calendar and your time. You don’t want to be the unreliable one.

  • If you volunteer for something, do your best to meet the commitment. Put the date/time/location on your calendar as soon as it is confirmed.

  • Learn how to say no. It’s hard. You want to be included and don’t want to disappoint people, but you can’t do everything.

  • Make sure you’re a contributor. We all know the lurker who reaps all the benefits, but never puts in any effort or takes on any of the work.

  • If you find out you can’t make a deadline for some reason, reach out and communicate as early as possible. Sometimes, you can reschedule.

  • Remember that the administrators of many Facebook groups, book reviewers, bloggers, and bookstagrammers are usually volunteers, and this isn’t their day job. You may need to extend some grace if your email isn’t answered as quickly as you would like.

One of the Writing Secrets

/

One of the writing secrets isn’t really a secret at all. This is how you become a productive writer — BICFOK. I learned this from the great Alan Orloff. It’s Butt in Chair; Fingers on Keyboard.

It’s true. If you want to be a writer, you need to write. And you need to limit the distractions. Here are some ideas that may help you along your journey.

  1. Find the best place for you to write. Figure out what works for you. I am fortunate to have an office with a door that closes. And when that doesn’t work, my noise-cancelling headphones do.

  2. Figure out what time of day works best for you and your life. I am a morning person (a really early morning person). I like to write when the house is quiet, and this is when I’m most productive. I have found that if I start early, I can usually have my word count done before I have to go to the day gig.

  3. When you are writing, don’t stop to do additional research. Make a note and keep writing. Do all of your research or lookups later. When I stop to check on something, I end up watching cute dog videos.

  4. Set your writing goal and/or word count for each day and try to meet it. If you have busy days ahead, make sure you adjust your goals for that day (or plan to skip a day). If I know something is coming up that will affect my writing time, I try to write more on the days leading up to it to bank some extra for a skip day.

  5. You will see progress if you write regularly. The longer you are away from a project, the more time you spend trying to get back to where you were.

  6. Figure out a writing calendar that works for your schedule. Stuff happens. Don’t beat yourself up when you get interrupted. If you can plan your writing time around the other stuff, you’ll be more productive. If not, just try to get back to it as soon as you can.

  7. Procrastinating, too much research, or doing anything other than writing keeps you from your goals. You may have to remind yourself to focus on your WIP (work in progress). It may take a few times before it becomes a habit.

  8. I create a fairly detailed outline for each chapter before I start my first draft. I’ve found that that keeps me on track. I don’t get stuck in the middle, and I know where the story is going.

These ideas have helped me be much more productive in a world where work, family, friends, and volunteer projects all vie for my attention.

Detours and Roadblocks in Your Writing Life

/
road closed.png

I drive the back roads through southside Richmond to my day gig in the mornings instead of taking the toll roads. This week, unexpectedly, I hit a roadblock when a downed light pole blocked the main road. I’m familiar with the way that I always get to work, but I was on my own in the dark yesterday in a neighborhood that I wasn’t familiar with (at 6:30 AM). (And if you’ve ever been to RVA, you’ll know that the streets often do not run parallel. They tend to meander.) With the help of GPS, I was able to navigate neighborhood streets and get back on my path.

Our writing life is often like that. We hit roadblocks and detours. It’s inevitable, but I believe you will be more successful along your journey if you can react and navigate around them.

detour.png

A lot of it is attitude. If you hit a disappointment or a pitfall, allow yourself some time to react. Scream, cry, mope, or eat chocolate for a little while. But then figure out how you are going to get around the obstacle. Sulking doesn’t fix the problem. Bad reviews, cancelled contracts, and rejection letters hurt. You can give up, or you can make a new plan.

Always have a plan B. It’s helpful to have a strategy for what you’re going to do if you hit an obstacle. It’s often easier to deal with if you know you have a backup plan.

Get organized. Keep your files straight (and backed up). Know where you put things. If you cut down on the clutter and the junk, and you can work efficiently, you’ll minimize  some of your self-made roadblocks.

If you mess up, own it, apologize, and do your best to fix it.

Other people are going to disappoint you. They’re going to back out of commitments, forget to do things they promised, or say mean things. You need to decide what and who you’re going to spend your time on or with. Figure out what is important to you, and let go of what brings you down.

Make sure you take care of you. Eat right and exercise. You need to have a balanced life. Make sure you have some fun. And hang around people who make you laugh. My day gig is in IT, and it’s often serious. I love that the new PMO manager moved in the office next to me. She is fun, and she laughs a lot. (The crew nicknamed her Giggles.) I love that I can hear the laughter through the walls. It always makes me smile.

It’s almost a new year. And that’s always a great time to make resolutions or plans. I challenge you to make a plan for your writing life in 2020. It’s a new year and a new decade.

2020-b.png

10 Things About the Writing Life

/
write.jpg

When I do interviews or panel discussions, someone always asks what advice I would give to other writers. So I decided to put together my list of 10 things I’d tell someone about writing or the writing life.

  1. Do not give up. If you want to be published, be persistent. Keep writing.

  2. Turn off the TV (or phone or Internet surfing) and write.

  3. Work on your craft. Learn as much as you can about your genre and writing. You need to know about the writing conventions that readers expect.

  4. Learn about the publishing industry and the business of books. (It’s ever-changing.)

  5. Find yourself a writing group. Writing and editing are solitary. You need to be around other writers to share celebrations and disappointments. I learn so much from my writer friends who are generous with their time and advice.

  6. Writing/publishing books is a business. You need to treat it as such. Be professional.

  7. Learn all you can about book marketing and promotion. It’s often harder than writing the book.

  8. If you get stuck, don’t give up. Do something to get your creative energy back.

  9. Don’t be too hard on yourself. Learn from mistakes or from something that didn’t go well and then move on. Don’t get stuck wallowing in self-pity. It’s a mire that’s hard to get out of.

  10. You will doubt yourself and your choices. It happens to everyone. Set goals and look for ways to improve. Don’t get stuck in the pit of self-doubt.

What would you add to my list? I wish I’d known this in my teens and twenties when I started dabbling with writing.