What Happens When You Get off Track with Your Writing?

I try to write each day, but sometimes, life gets in the way. What happens when you get off track? Here are some tips and ideas to get you going again:

1. I find when I get off track that I need to make time and just write. It's easy to get off schedule.  And the more that I stay away, the harder it is to back into the rhythm.

2. Blogging keeps me on a schedule. I've committed to at least one post a week, so I know I have a weekly deadline. I also post regularly with several other groups of writers. Those deadlines help too.

3. I joined a critique group. We have a monthly deadline for our short stories and WIPs (Works in Progress). This gives me another deadline to work towards.

4. If I get stuck and that leads to procrastination, I write blog posts or find a writing prompt and do a writing exercise or two. That usually gets me back in writer mode.

5. I count editing, proofreading, and revising as writing time. Rewrites and tweaks take time. I probably spend more time editing and rewriting than I do putting the first draft together.

6. I also bounce between projects. Sometimes, I'm working on my mystery series. I also write short stories. I like writing both. The short stories are compact with fewer characters, and I can experiment with different locations and themes.

7. Don't be too hard on yourself if you don't write regularly. Sometimes, you need a short break. But make sure that it's short and you're back to being productive. Make sure that you don't miss deadlines or commitments.

8. I tend to get involved in marketing, book signings, writing groups, and social media works, and that cuts into my writing time. I have to make sure that writing gets its fair share of time. It's all work that needs to be done, but you need time to write your next work.

Writers, Don't Forget the Social Part...

Sometimes, writers get so wrapped up in their WIPs (works in progress) or their marketing that they forget the social part of social media. It takes some time and effort to grow and keep your audiences. As you plan your writing time, you need to block some time for the care and feeding of your social media sites.

1. Make sure that your photos and bios are current. Check your links and verify that your contact information is correct. You want to make sure you receive messages from others.

2. Make sure that your content is fresh. You'll lose folks if the content isn't new, or you haven't posted in a while. I try to post at least one thing a day. It's hard some days. You may want to look at scheduling posts. It does save time.

3. Share others' content. It can't be all about you and your book.

4. Comment on others'  posts. Likes are nice, but comments usually start conversations and build activity.

5. Use your social media site to build relationships. I create lists of groups that I follow, so that I can quickly access and share their content.

6. My Facebook posts are set to post automatically to Twitter. I have two different audiences on the two sites, but that ensures that I have fresh tweets throughout the day.

7. Make sure that you thank those who help you, share your material, or review your books.

8. Recognize others. It's nice to cite others' accomplishments.

9. Make sure that you're responsive to comments and conversations. It's not much of a conversation if you don't answer.

Social media platforms are powerful tools for rapidly spreading your message. You'll have much more success if you're part of the conversation and an active participant, rather than just someone who announces his/her next book or sale.

Best wishes with your posts. Let's connect on social media.

Ways to Recharge Your Creativity

Are you stuck in a writing rut? Do you need to recharge your creativity? Here are some ways to jar you out of the mundane...

1. Exercise - Take a long walk, dance, run, or stretch. It gets the blood flowing and the endorphins flying.

2. Try another creative project like cooking, baking, painting, crafting, gardening, or sewing. It causes you to think differently.

3. Find some writing prompts and write for 10-15 minutes a day. There are a lot of books and free online sites with great ideas. You may be surprised at what you discover. This will also help you with your "write every day" goal.

4. Go on a photography adventure. Take lots of pictures. Make it a day trip and share it with someone. I use a lot of these photos in my blog or on social media.

5. Read a book. Pick one in another genre and read for fun.

6. Go on a writing retreat. There are low cost ways to make it happen. Combine this with a vacation or go camping. Or plan your own writer's retreat at home. Find a new, quiet place and write. Coffee shops and libraries also work for a change of scenery.

7. Mix up your writing location for a day. Go outside or change rooms. Go somewhere different.

8. Go somewhere and people-watch. Take notes on what you observe. Write down snippets of dialogue. You never know what'll be useful in a future story.

9. Take a class. Learn something new. Many colleges, libraries, and art centers offer low-cost courses. Our local school system offers a variety of technical and fun courses. There are also many free or low-cost online courses.

10. Volunteer.  There are a lot of worthwhile groups that need assistance. You have skills and talents they can use.

Who are Your Favorite Detectives and Sleuths?

I have loved mysteries since Scooby Doo, Josie and the Pussy Cats, Jabber Jaw, Speed Buggy, Hong Kong Phooey, and the Funky Phantom. Seventies cartoons were full of sleuths and capers. In elementary school, I started reading the classic Nancy Drews and raced to finish the Hardy Boys. Then I moved on to Agatha Christie, Alfred Hitchcock, and One-minute Mysteries. Now, I read anything from cozy to thriller.

Here are my top detectives...

• C. Auguste Dupin
• Cagney and Lacey
• Dick Tracy
• Elvis Cole
• Frank and Joe Hardy
• Hercule Poirot
• Jim Rockford
• Mike Hammer
• Miss Marple
• Nancy Drew
• Nero Wolfe
• Philip Marlowe
• Quincy
• Sam Spade
• Sherlock Holmes (in all forms)
• Steve McGarrett
• Thomas Magnum
• And of course, Scooby Doo!

Who would you add to the list?

The Best Advice I've Received about Writing

I am so fortunate to be a part of several writing groups, anthologies, and a critique group. The other writers are so supportive and willing to share what does and doesn't work for them. Here are the best pieces of advice that I've received over the years.

1. Keep writing. If you're marketing or querying a book, make sure that you're also working on your next book.

2. Don't give up. You're going to get a lot of feedback and negative comments. Make sure you learn what you can from the feedback. Then keep going. Don't let bad reviews paralyze you.

3. You can't expect to sell one hundred books at every signing. If you get to meet readers, booksellers, and librarians, then it was a good signing. Relationships and contacts are important too.

4. When you do appearances or signings, make sure you're well stocked with pens, bookmarks, giveaways, and candy. Always bring good candy. Chocolate is a hands-down favorite.

5. Know what your budget is for marketing your book and stick to it.

6. Use your new book to create interest in your earlier works.

7. Know what your budget is for conferences, memberships, and writing workshops. Work on your craft, but remember your primary job is to write your next book.

8. Social media and other marketing are key for authors. It's expected these days that the author has a key role in this. Just make sure that you balance this with your writing time.

9. Invest in your headshot/author photo. And make sure to update it as years pass.

10. If you're not able to create and maintain your website, invest in someone who can. You are your brand, and your graphics, website, business card, and marketing materials should look professional and branded.

A Playlist for SECRET LIVES AND PRIVATE EYES

I love music. I have playlists for reading, writing, and revising. Music is always on at home or work. Listening to my 80s Favs this morning made me think about the characters in my debut novel, Secret Lives and Private Eyes (June 20, 2016).

Business has been slow for Private Investigator, Delanie Fitzgerald, but her luck seems to change when a tell-all author hires her to find rock star, Johnny Velvet. Could the singer whose career purportedly ended in a fiery crash almost 30 years ago still be alive?

And as though sifting through dead ends in a cold case isn't bad enough, Chaz Wellington Smith, III, a loud-mouthed strip club owner, also hires her to uncover information about the mayor's secret life. When the mayor is murdered, Chaz is the key suspect. Now Delanie must clear his name and figure out why landscaper, Tripp Payne, keeps popping up in her other investigation. Can the PI find the connection between her two cases before another murder - possibly her own - takes place?

So here's my playlist for Secret Lives and Private Eyes.

1. Adam Ant's "Goody Two Shoes"
2. A-Ha's "Take on Me"
3. Cyndi Lauper's "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun"
4. Robbin Thompson's "Sweet Virginia Breeze"
5. Wilson Pickett's "Mustang Sally"
6. Modern English's "I Melt with You"
7. Icicle Works' "Birds Fly" (Whisper to a Scream)
8. Van Halen's "Why Can't This Be Love"
9. The Beach Boys' "Fun, Fun, Fun"
10. Bruce Springsteen's "Dancing in the Dark"
11. Bon Jovi's "Wanted Dead or Alive"
12. Rachel Platten's "Fight Song"
13. Mark Wills' "Nineteen Something"
14. And of Course, Hall and Oates' "Private Eyes"

What's in Your TBR Pile?

Disney Dog and One of My TBR Piles

My "To Be Read" (TBR) pile is huge. Actually, I have two - one in the den, and one on my nightstand. When I die, there will probably still be a stack of unread books. When we moved to this house, we didn't have a lot of furniture, but we had boxes and boxes of books. Just about every room as at least one bookshelf.

My grandparents and parents started my love for books and reading a long time ago. Someone asked me recently if I read differently as a writer. I'm not sure if it's because I'm a writer or whether it's because of a busy schedule. But I do notice differences in my reading habits lately.

I used to feel obligated to finish every book I started. Now I give myself permission to quit if the book doesn't grab me. If novels are riddled with typographical or grammatical errors, I usually put them down. Since I do a lot of writing and revising, typos and stylistic errors jump out at me and scream. I like plots that move. I get annoyed with mysteries that I can figure out in the first half of the book.

My free time is limited. I work full-time, do volunteer work, and write. I tend to be more selective in what I read. I read what I like, and I don't follow best-seller or popular book lists like I used to. My favorite genres are mysteries, histories, and biographies.

I read ebooks on my iPad. I love the convenience of downloading anywhere and taking a library with me. But I still like the feel of paper.

What's in your TBR pile? Have your reading habits changed?

How to Conquer Writer's Doubt

Self-doubt - It rears up and can take over.  It's those thoughts that creep in and make you question what you're doing. Am I wasting my time on my writing? Will I ever get published? Will my books sell? What if I get bad reviews?

It's good to review and assess what you're doing periodically. That's how you improve. But those thoughts shouldn't consume you or stop you in your tracks.

You have to be persistent. If you give up, you will never be published. If something isn't working for you, switch it up and try something else.

You need to acknowledge that writing is work. It is very rare that someone has a perfect first (or fourth) draft. Going to critique group, polishing the manuscript, revising, editing, and proofreading take time. To do it right, you have to put in the time.

As a writer, you will be required to market yourself and your book. It takes money, time, and energy. To keep fans interested in your social media sites, you need to post good content regularly and interact with people. But you need to balance this with your writing time.

You are going to get rejections and negative comments. Deal with them in your own way and then move on. Exercise is always a good way to work out the anger. Don't get obsessed about your number of followers, your sales numbers, or the reviews. Check on them occasionally, but don't let them take over.

Your job is to write your next book. Don't be paralyzed by the worries and doubts. There are always going to be challenges. If writing is worth it to you, you've got to commit to it and learn how to control that little doubting voice in your head. Work to improve your craft and write your next piece.