What is Your Writing Kryptonite?

What keeps you from your writing? What is your biggest distraction?

Mine is probably the internet. I tell myself that I’m only going to look up one thing, and then the next thing I know, I’m looking at dog videos, cute alpaca memes, and recipes that I’ll never make. It is often easy to get distracted from your writing or revising tasks. Here are some things that help me stay focused.

• When I feel tired or restless, I get up and walk around for 5-10 minutes. There are lots of desk exercises that you can do to get the blood flowing back to your brain. During the plague, I bought a desk bike to pedal while I’m sitting. It helps to get the endorphins going again.

• Resist the urge to research everything while you are writing. Mark it and come back to it later, so you don’t break your momentum. The great Brad Parks calls this “killing his X’s.” When he gets to a spot that needs some research, he types, “XXX” and moves on. When he’s in editing mode, he goes through his document, searches for the “X’s,” and fills in the missing information.

• Try to keep to a writing schedule. Routines help you be consistent. Even if it’s only 30 minutes a day, you know that that is your writing time.

• Treat your writing like a business. There are things that you have to do to keep your business thriving. If it is always the last thing on your list, it will never get done.

• Schedule your writing time. You schedule other important events. Make sure you book time to create.

• When you are in writing mode, don’t edit. Just keep writing. You can revise the whole thing when you have a draft.

• I do an outline for each novel (that I use for the synopsis later). This helps me from getting bogged down or off track in the middle of the book.

• Figure out what daily word count works for you. If I finish early, then I go do something fun. You will see progress quickly with daily goals.

• Reward yourself for victories, even little ones.

What helps you stay focused? Happy writing, y’all!

#ThisorThatThursday Interview with Jennifer Lieberman

I’d like to welcome the talented Jennifer Lieberman to the blog for #ThisorThatThursday!

A few of your favorite things: Some of my favourite things are Elton John, Tennessee Williams plays, my scrapbook of photos and programs from all my theatre productions.

Things you need to throw out: I need to toss some Old Concert T Shirts, Old Lip Gloss

Things you need for your writing sessions: My essentials for writing are as follows: A Pen, A Notebook, A Laptop, Sunshine

Things that hamper your writing: The two major things I don’t like to deal with when writing are Clutter, Darkness or a dark space.

Things you love about writing: I love writing about Relationships, Romance, Comedy

Things you hate about writing: Politics and Horror are not my thing.

Hardest thing about being a writer: The hardest thing about being a writer sometimes ins keeping all with all the ideas.

Easiest thing about being a writer: The easiest thing about being a writer is all the ideas!

Things you never want to run out of: I would be so pleased with an unlimited supply of Coconut Water, Family Time, Pomegranates and Lip Gloss.

Things you wish you’d never bought: Purchase regrets are The Facia Blaster, the regret over this purchase overshadows the memory of any other previous regret.

Words that describe you: I’m totally wacky, mildly cooky, sometimes aggressive, always upfront.

Words that describe you, but you wish they didn’t: Responsible, ugh…

Favorite foods: Anything my Tunisian grandmother made was my favourite from couscous, to stews to sweets, I’m also a pastry snob since I grew up in my family bakery.

Things that make you want to gag: Animals, as I’ve explained to my niece and nephew, I don’t eat my friends.

Favorite music or song: Rock ’n Roll! I’m a total rocker chick and love live shows. I’d say Arctic Monkeys “I Bet You’d Look Good On The Dance Floor” is one of my fav songs, but that’s like an impossible question.

Music that drives you crazy: Most pop music isn’t my thing, I’m stuck between the 1970s-1990’s where music is concerned.

Something you’re really good at: I’m really good at being in charge, delegating and leading a team.

Something you’re really bad at: I’m a terrible singer, like absolutely awful.

The last thing you ordered online: The last thing I ordered online was my friend Paul Bahou’s book “Sunset Distortion: The Pyramid at the End of the World.”

The last thing you regret buying: The last purchase I regret was buying a compact mirror, I found the one I thought I lost so I returned the new one.

Things you’d walk a mile for: I’d walk quite far for a really good Vegan cappuccino.

Things that make you want to run screaming from the room: Cats, I’m super allergic to cats.

About Jennifer:

Jennifer Lieberman is from Maple, Ontario, Canada and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from York University in Toronto. Jennifer has appeared in over thirty stage productions in Toronto, New York City, Los Angeles, Europe and Australia; including her Award- Winning Solo Show "Year of the Slut", which her novel “Year Of The What?" was adapted from. In addition to her performance career, she has penned a number of screen and stage plays including the wacky web-series "Dumpwater Divas" and the short films “Leash" and “Details" which both screened at the Festival De Cannes’ Court Métrage among other international film festivals. "Year of the What?" is Lieberman’s first novel and is a #1 Amazon Best Seller.  Other books by Jennifer include “Make Your Own Break: How To Master Your Virtual Meeting in Seven Simple Steps” and “Make Your Own Break: How To Record & Publish Your Audiobook In Seven Simple Steps.”

Let’s Be Social:

WEBSITE: www.JenniferLiebermanActor.com 

BOOK: www.YearOfTheWhat.com 

www.facebook.com/iamjenlieberman

www.instagram.com/iamjenlieberman

www.twitter.com/iamjenlieberman 

Find the Writing Routine That Works for You

It’s NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), the time when authors commit to writing each day with the goal of completing a good chunk of their novel by the end of the month. Anyone participating this year?

I think daily writing goals are good. For a long time, I resisted. There was too much going on in my life to commit to being able to write every day. (And it took almost five years to finish my first novel.) I have picked up speed over the years, and that includes daily writing.

You need to find the routine that works for you and your schedule. This one is mine. I still have a day gig that starts at 7:30 AM, so I get up and write at 5:00 AM. I have always been a morning person, and I usually stick to my routine on weekends. I write during my lunch, and if I didn’t hit my word count for the day, then I come back after dinner to finish. On days that I work, my goal is 1,000 words. On weekends and days off, my goal is 3,000 words. I can usually finish a cozy mystery draft in about two to two and a half months. I have my major research completed and a pretty good outline of the mystery before I start. When I’m not writing a book, I use the time to network, market my current books, and update my social media platforms.

Here’s what I learned about having a routine:

• Do your best to keep to your schedule. Figure out how much time you have and be realistic about your plans.

• If you miss a day or so, don’t beat yourself up. Life happens. Try to get back on track. The longer you are away from your WIP (work in progress), the harder it is to find where you left off.

• Just write when you are in first draft mode. Make notes of things you need to research later. Don’t go back and edit or revise. Just write.

• If you’re finding it hard to carve out time, look at your daily schedule. Where can you find 30-60 minutes each day? What can you exchange for some writing time?

• When we worked from home during the pandemic and lockdown, I committed my commuting time to writing. I was way more prolific than I’ve ever been. To me, it proved that daily writing time works.

• Celebrate your victories. I keep a little sheet of paper with my daily word totals. You’ll be surprised how quickly it adds up.

Let me know what works for you. Happy Writing!

#ThisorThatThursday Author Interview with Nicole Fanning

I’d like to welcome author Nicole Fanning to the blog for #ThisorThatThursday!

A few of your favorite things: Benji, Rocky and Loki-my fur children!

Things you need to throw out: Sentimental clothing that I will never wear again, and nearly every old phone I have every owned.

Hardest thing about being a writer: Knowing exactly what is going to happen, but not being able to share it with anxious readers because you don’t want to spoil the story!

Easiest thing about being a writer: Knowing exactly what is going to happen!

Favorite foods: Pizza, Ice Cream

Things that make you want to gag: Wasabi, Pickled Herring, Brussel Sprouts

Favorite music or song: Everything but twangy country

Music that drives you crazy: Twangy Country

Favorite beverage: TEA
Something that gives you a sour face: Sports Drinks

Favorite smell: Apple Cinnamon
Something that makes you hold your nose: Fish

Something you’re really good at: Overthinking
Something you’re really bad at: Relaxing

Something you wish you could do: Wrap Presents

Something you wish you’d never learned to do: Sailing

The last thing you ordered online: My new Ducky Keyboard

The last thing you regret buying: A five-pound bag of flaxseed. Oops.

Things you’d walk a mile for: Any canine I could cuddle.

Things that make you want to run screaming from the room: Spiders

Things you always put in your books: Easter eggs. ;)
Things you never put in your books: Pet deaths.

Best thing you’ve ever done: Marrying my husband.
Biggest mistake: Dying my hair platinum blonde. “That was a lot of damage.”

About Nicole:

Nicole Fanning is a smitten wife and super proud dog mom to three rambunctious rescue dogs.

She’s an old school romantic and documentary enthusiast, with a proclivity for a little mischief. She also has small obsession with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and obscure boardgames.

Her debut novel, Catalyst, is the first incendiary installment of the Heart of the Inferno Series which follows the romantic entanglement of deadly billionaire mafia don, Jaxon Pace, and his unexpected paramour, Natalie Tyler.

 Let’s Be Social:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicole.fanning.1

Instagram: AuthorNicoleFanning

Twitter: AuthorNicoleFanning

Website: nherownwords.com

Some Characters You May Want to Avoid

Writing is a business, and authors need to treat their writing life that way. You want to be known as you build your platform and your readership, but you don’t want to be remembered for the wrong traits. Here are some characters you may not want associated with for your brand.

This is the character who always has to be THE center of attention. He or she has complaints or snarky feedback about everything. Nothing meets his or her expectations or is ever up to snuff. He or she has to be in all the pictures, invited to everything, and have top billing. He or she should have the best seat at the the head table and given all the starring roles.

The Bore is the character who makes every conversation or email about him or herself. He or she takes full advantage of any audience and holds them captive with long recitations about themselves, their books, and their lives. He or she will hog the the mic and the spotlight at every opportunity. He or she always tops whatever anyone mentions, and his/her experiences are always better than whatever anyone else on the planet has ever done.

This character is a terror. He or she reacts in the moment, often without much thought, and demands to be heard all the time. He or she is loud, forceful, and burns bridges wherever he or she goes without regard to others’ feelings. People run and hide or give in to make this person go away.

The Leech looks for every opportunity to steer any conversation to him or herself. This is the person who comments on your promotional posts and adds a link to his/her book. He or she jumps on every bandwagon and pushes his/her way to center stage (even if he or she is not involved).

The goal is to get your name out there and to promote your books. But you also want to be known as the author who is easy to work with.

#ThisorThatThursday Author Interview with Sasscer Hill

I’d like to welcome Sasscer Hill to the blog this week for #ThisorThatThursday!

A few of your favorite things: Horses, dogs, cats, and people with a sense of humor.

Things you need to throw out: Clothes I haven’t worn for at least three years but am foolishly reluctant to throw away.

Things you need for your writing sessions: Quiet and no interruptions.

Things that hamper your writing: My cat sitting on my keyboard.

Hardest thing about being a writer: Writing the first chapter of a new book.

Easiest thing about being a writer: Writing the exciting conclusion. It lights me up!

Words that describe you: A lover of fine bourbon, clothes and colors like purple, lavender, teal, blue, turquoise, black, red, and gold. Intelligent, animal lover, thankful for the things I have.

Words that describe you, but you wish they didn’t: Not knowing when to keep my mouth shut.

Favorite foods: Steak, roast lamb, spinach, fresh fruit like pineapple. Dark chocolate.

Things that make you want to gag: Escargot, raw oysters, and Sushi.

Favorite beverage: Fine Bourbon

Something that gives you a sour face: Cheap bourbon

Things you always put in your books: Chasing the dream, fighting the odds, and helping the helpless.

Things you never put in your books: Serial killers. I find serial killer novels boring. The killer is always very smart, very arrogant, always wants to antagonize the cop who is on their trail and is usually a white male around thirty years old. The emphasis and description of how they kill and terrorize their victims is something I prefer not to read.

Things to say to an author: Keep going. Truly loved your last book! Your characters speak to me.

Things to say to an author if you want to be fictionally killed off in their next book: Your dialog is stilted and doesn’t carry the plot forward.

Favorite books (or genre): Mystery-thrillers

Books you wouldn’t buy: Serial killer novels

Things that make you happy: Meeting with friends, walking my dog, finishing a chapter I wrote that I believe is a winner.

Things that drive you crazy: People who hold forth with great authority on a subject when they have no idea what they are talking about.

Best thing you’ve ever done: Ride and win a two-mile steeplechase race over four-foot solid board fences

Biggest mistake: Selling my two-year-old racehorse in training for $22,000 who won his new owners $418,000 in purse money.

It's Okay to Be Picky - Tips for Authors

I am a picky eater, but that’s a whole ‘nother story. This is about being choosy about your promotions. Writers, your time, money, and sanity are valuable, and it’s okay not to do every conference, book signing, and event that comes your way. It’s hard. You want to be a part of things and to sell books, but life obligations and writing your next book are important, too.

When we started out with the anthologies, we did just about every promotional event that came along. One year, I had something bookish to do every weekend, and a lot of them included travel. There were some weekends where there were multiple events in the same day. I love to meet readers and talk about books, but I have two series now, a day gig, and everything else that life throws at me.

Events

• I try to choose events where my readers are. I did some ComiCons early on. They were so much fun, but the audience wasn’t really for cozy, mystery readers.

• Evaluate the cost (including travel and your time) for events that charge. Sometimes, there is value by gaining newsletter subscribers, networking, or the opportunity to talk to readers. It may not always be book sales.

• Be creative. We’ve had some really good book sales at “non-book” events (e.g. an art festival at a winery, a happy hour at a museum, a table at a beach-themed store, a table outside a card shop ahead of Mother’s Day weekend). Try new things and learn what works for your readership.

• Know where you will be at the event. I sunburn easily, so if it’s outside in the heat, I need shelter or a tent. Will you be expected to bring a tent, chairs, and a table? We did an outside event in January once and almost froze to death. I always have a box of books in the trunk of my car, too. I can’t tell you how many times we’ve sold out or the book order didn’t arrive at the venue on time.

• Be prepared. I pack an event bag with swag, giveaways, a tent card, table cloths, extra pens, tape, painter’s tape, scissors, and seasonal things like sunscreen and sunglasses. I also pack a little cooler with drinks and snacks.

It’ Okay to Say No, But Be Professional

• Sometimes, we take on too much because we don’t want to or can’t say no. Give yourself permission to be choosy and don’t feel guilty about it.

• Be gracious and professional when you decline an invitation. Don’t burn bridges in case you may want to participate at another time.

• If you accept an invitation, try not to back out unless it really is an emergency. Think about the event planner. It is often difficult to get last-minute replacements.

• Be on time and be prepared.

• It’s okay to stand up for yourself and to push back when there are issues. Just be professional. Tirades and outbursts on social media make you feel better for a moment, but they can damage your reputation for a long time. You are your brand.

• Don’t be a diva. A lot of events and conferences are staffed by volunteers. Many bloggers, bookstagrammers, and podcasters don’t get paid for their efforts either. Demanding authors get a negative reputation pretty quickly and word spreads.

#ThisorThatThursday Author Interview with Jocie McKade

I’d like to welcome author, Jocie McKade to the blog this week for #ThisorThatThursday! Happy Vetrans’ Day!

Words that describe you:

Honest, warped sense of humor, loves her family.

I can sometimes be honest to a fault, but I mean well. I have a super snarky sense of humor that usually explodes at the most inappropriate times. My family is first in my life, always. I am so grateful for a loving family.

Words that describe you, but you wish they didn’t:

Snarky sense of humor, klutz, procrastinator

See above why that sense of humor gets me in trouble. I am a born klutz, I can walk across the living room and trip over the socks I’m wearing! The odd thing is, I used to do gymnastics and rarely ever fell, I mean I was like a cat on the balance beam, yet couldn’t walk across the gym. Go Figure! And I tend to procrastinate with my writing….is that the best word I could use? Or, should I write something else? Or, oh look, the deer I feed is in the back field!

 Favorite foods:

I love to cook, and I love country cooking. A child of Southern parents, that means anything with butter! LOL I do love a baked ham, with mashed potatoes, green beans, and homemade biscuits. Then again, I can go for a good pizza, love lasagna, anything Mexican, and I’ve been trying a lot of Middle Eastern recipes lately. Yup, I love food!

Things that make you want to gag: 

Raw oysters, escargot, and mushrooms.

Favorite music or song:

I love most all types of music, country, rock, jazz, blues, instrumental. When I writing, I tend to go for instrumental, I often listen to Adrian Von Ziegler, a young composer from Europe. He writes the most beautiful Celtic music. I stumbled on his Youtube page quite by accident and I’ve become a fan. I also love Native American music, it soothes my soul, especially flutes.

If I’m working on my Mayson-Dickson series I flip between country music when writing about southern twin Emme Mayson, to more jazz ballads when penning lines about Jackie Dickson, the Boston sister.

Music that drives you crazy:

While I respect the talent it takes to perform opera, listening to it annoys me. Maybe I haven’t found the right opera yet, but it’s a no listen genre for me.

Favorite beverage:

My daily go to is tea. I raise herbs and blend many of my own teas. I tend to experiment with the blends as I write a tea leaf reader mystery series and I need to know how the tea tastes!

On a relaxing evening….I’m a whisky or bourbon girl. Kentucky bourbon or Tennessee whiskey!

Something that gives you a sour face:

Scotch, I have no idea how anyone drinks that libation. Maybe that’s why I tend to make all the bad guys in my books scotch drinkers??? Hmmm.

Favorite smell:

I’m a country girl and live on Dust Bunny Farm, so to me the smell of fresh cut hay is my favorite smell in the world. I can stand in the barn and just close my eyes and take in the scent of fresh hay just laid up in the loft.

Something that makes you hold your nose:

Most perfumes and colognes. I suffer from migraines and whoooo, sometimes those perfumes just set my head off. I’ve found a few that are lovely, but very few.

Something you wish you could do:

I wish I could draw. I’d love to be able to draw book scenes that I see in my head. I also have vivid dreams and I wish I could draw the details my sleepy mind sees.

Something you wish you’d never learned to do:

Nothing. Honestly, there are some things I don’t like to do, but I wouldn’t want to ever ‘un-learn’ anything that I’ve been fortunate enough to learn. I find anything I can learn, any skill I can master, any fact I can study is a wonderful thing — Life is learning.

Things you’d walk a mile for:

One more conversation with my mama to tell her I actually got my book published. I’d walk thru fire for this.

Things that make you want to run screaming from the room:

Any room where people put down others. Everyone is important. I have left conversations and friends who gossip or put someone down because of where they were born, their education, or their job.

Things you always put in your books:

Veterans. I’ve written over fifteen books and nearly all of them have a U.S. Veteran in them. I don’t think our service members get the recognition they deserve, particularly those that served during Vietnam. I try to include them in all my books. I only hope my characters make them proud.

Things you never put in your books:

Any harm to a kid. I can have violence in a book, but my soul just won’t let me write anything that would show harm towards children.

Things to say to an author:

Your books made me smile, kept me up all night, made me laugh at inappropriate  moments in the doctors office.

Things to say to an author if you want to be fictionally killed off in their next book:

True story —- “You write ‘that’ stuff? No wonder nobody is in line to buy a book.”

Referring to a cozy mystery…..then she asked where the ladies room was. There is a special moment in fiction for her.

Favorite books (or genre):

I read everything! Hey, I was a librarian for sixteen years, so of course, I had to read many of the books that we ordered. I mean what kind of librarian would I be if I couldn’t recommend good books? LOL I love thrillers. Shhh…..as a kid I wanted to be a secret agent, so thrillers let me indulge my childhood

Books you wouldn’t buy:

Horror….not for me, I’m a coward. I’ve started a couple of horror books through the years, but leaving all the lights on was expensive. Although one of my book series, The Three Baers (a romantic comedy series) was featured as a prop in a horror movie! The movie was actually a fun horror movie, Happy Death Day. It released on my husbands birthday, so guess what movie he got to go to for his birthday?

The nicest thing a reader said to you:

I been blessed with amazing readers. Last year a reader discovered my books and wrote me a heartfelt email of how my books lifted her spirits and gave her sanity throughout the ‘lock-down’. How amazing, and humbling that my words would make someone feel that way!

The craziest thing a reader said to you:

I was at one of my first book signings and a very enthusiastic reader came bounding up to my table and said, “I love your books, and I want an Albert!”

 I was completely stumped. I smiled and nodded as she went on and on about ‘Albert.’ I couldn’t for the life of me place ‘Albert’. My daughter showed up about then, saw my completely confused face, leaned down and whispered, “mom, that’s the grizzly bear in one of your Baer books.”

 I had completely forgotten I’d put the little critter in my book, and totally forgotten I’d named him. LOL Bless readers who love your books so much they remember those little details.

About Jocie:

Jocie worked at several jobs before landing her ideal one as a librarian, a perfect segue to becoming an author. 

 With a soft spot for U.S. Veterans, she chaired her local Veteran's Oral History Project, and her work with the program lead to her speaking before the project committee at the U.S. Library of Congress. 

 She has won several awards for her non-fiction writing on a multitude of subjects. 

 Her fiction writing has received the Author / Ambassador at Library Journal Self-e Authors, Winner Queen of the West Reader Favorite Award, Amazon Bestseller - Historical, Double finalist in the Next Generation Indie Book Awards in the Mystery and Humorous Categories.

 The author of sixteen books of cozy mystery and romantic comedy, Jocie can find humor in most anything. She lives on a farm in the Midwest with her family. When not writing, she grows ArnoldSwartzaWeeds in her garden and RVs whenever the opportunity presents itself.

Let’s Be Social:

WEBSITE

www.jociemckade.com

FACEBOOK

https://www.facebook.com/JocieMcKade7/

PINTEREST

http://www.pinterest.com/jociemckade9/

GOODREADS

https://www.goodreads.com/goodreadscomjociemckade

INSTAGRAM

https://www.instagram.com/jociemckade/?hl=en

BOOKBUB

https://www.bookbub.com/search?search=jocie+mckade

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

https://www.amazon.com/Jocie-McKade/e/B00FQY8WE6