Happy Halloween!

November and NaNo are almost upon us, but first it's time for tricks, treats, scary props, & costumes!  I wanted to take this chance to remind you of a very special Trick or Treat combo that's in your hands: 

I'm somewhat amazed, but Scripting Change has somehow managed to find an even easier way to support their project!   

The Treat:  It takes less than 30 seconds to join this Thunderclap campaign, and yet those 30 seconds and 3ish clicks will still help them positively impact the world.  Joining means one single tweet and/or Facebook post will go up from your account on their behalf on November 4th. 

The Trick: If the campaign doesn't reach its goal of 100 supporters, none of the pledged posts happen.

So please consider treating Scripting Change to your support!

9 Tips for #NaNoWriMo

So, I'll be honest, the title for this post preceded the post itself. In writing it, I had no idea whether I'll make it to 9 tips, but it seemed like a fun number to go with, so when I reached 9, I stopped.  Please feel free to contribute your own tips in the comments!

• Tip #1: Get some sleep!
• Okay, granted, I'm sorely lacking in this department lately, which is probably the reason this is my first tip. At the same time, NaNo word count goals will either keep you up late or have you setting an extra early alarm, so it's a good idea to rest up before November starts.  It's also important to take advantage of days when your writing miraculously flow from your fingers, both to get ahead on your word count and to rest up for bouts of writer's block.
• Tip #2: Get involved in your region
• Many writers are solitary creatures, true, but networking is important, both for encouragement along the NaNo path and in the future, when we try to break into the publishing world.  So make sure to look up your region and attend at least one write-in (virtual or not).
If none are scheduled at convenient times for you, offer to organize one yourself! All that means is that you choose a time & place, commit to being there for a couple hours, and get some writing done, surrounded by some other local writers trying this crazy thing.

Flash! Friday: Prompt #47

It's Friday! It's also almost the end of October which is absolutely crazy. November 1st, aka the start of NaNoWriMo, is only a week away!

While that craziness hasn't yet caught up with us, there's still time for this week's Flash! Friday prompt: 200 words +/- 5 on the photo below.  So, folks, let's write!

Why Twitter Is a Must for Aspiring Authors

Okay, I admit, back when I started this blog, and my Facebook page, I was not planning on getting a Twitter account.  I thought it was a self-serving, largely vapid (I just had a delicious sandwich! Tell me how lucky I am!), inconsequential waste of time, or something along those lines.  Luckily for me, a friend who himself isn't even on Twitter suggested that I sign up specifically for the sake of my writing.  Little did he know how right he was!

Though Twitter can be overwhelming to start, especially if we feel the need to amass followers quickly or to read every Tweet in our feed, it offers us as aspiring authors membership in a widespread, supportive, active, and engaged community that simply isn't as present on other social media sites.  The benefits of participating in this community are immense.

Flash! Friday: Prompt #46

My goodness, it has been quite a whirlwind week, with #AdPit, preparing for Trick or Treat with Agents, and starting to gear up for this year's NaNoWriMo! I did, however, make time for a Flash! Friday post, getting it in just under the wire.  As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Rules: 250 words, +/- 10, on this photo: 

Ice Cube Aurora. Photo by Carlos Pobes

Scripting Change Seeks Bloggers!

Scripting Change has set a publication date! Both Donna L. Sadd and I will have pieces included, which is incredibly exciting.  Now, Scripting Change is asking for the blogger community as a whole to lend a hand in sharing the news by participating in a release-day blast on November 4th!

I've written about this project before, because I think it is such a wonderful cause – bringing together writers in support of nonprofits.  We contribute our words, the organizers contribute their time, and 100% of the proceeds go to the nonprofit associated with each specific collection.  This year's nonprofit is the MSTR Scholarship Foundation.  From Scripting Change's website: 

"The MSTR Scholarship Foundation aims to help those students affected by chronic illness, who nevertheless have the passion, drive, and determination to seek or continue their educations, by providing financial scholarships in recognition and support of their perseverance."

So please consider donating space on your blog or website to spread the word about this wonderful project!  Email the project (Scripting.Change AT gmail) or get in touch through their website to lend your support.

Flash! Friday: Prompt #45

Some intriguing news accompanies this week's Flash! Friday prompt: the opportunity to judge is being opened to everyone! (Even you!)  Anyone who feels comfortable evaluating others' writing is encouraged to fill out the application, which includes a sample judging of 5 stories.  So what do you say, will you go for it? Should I? 

Meanwhile, here is this week's prompt: 200 words (+/- 10) on the photo below.

The Ripple Effect Romance Novella Series

Check out this exciting new series of clean novellas by six critically acclaimed authors.

"Like a pebble tossed into calm water, a simple act can ripple outward and have a far-reaching effect on those we meet, perhaps setting a life on a different course—one filled with excitement, adventure, and sometimes even love."

Book 1: Home Matters by Julie N. Ford

Book 2: Silver Linings by Kaylee Baldwin

Book 3: Righting A Wrong by Rachael Anderson

Book 4: Lost and Found by Karey White

Book 5: Second Chances 101 by Donna K. Weaver

Book 6: Immersed in Love by Jennifer Griffith

Drafted!

When I began writing the re-envisioned version of Muse, I expected it to be at least as long as my first novel, perhaps even longer, given the paranormal element.  I realized as I approached the resolution that I couldn't have been more wrong. So, I altered my word count goal, from 75,000 to only 60,000.  The first draft hasn't even reached that mark.  On the plus side, however, it is done!

Despite being significantly shorter than expected and with everything else that has been doing on, this draft still took longer than I had hoped to write.  Particularly in the face of the recent rejections of my first novel, finishing the draft of this one is exhilarating, even knowing the inevitable revisions (and rejections) that await it.  

On a side note, through this process I am now more convinced than ever that it is the story that should define its word count, rather than the attempts of the author to match any kinds of standards. Technically, as it stands, this book is a novella.  And that's okay.

Flash! Friday: Prompt #44

In case you missed it, check out my 60 Seconds Interview from last week's Flash! Friday win.  I must say, wonderful as winning is, there is a certain amount of additional pressure this week after the reception of last week's story.  I have yet to write this week's, and yet I urge readers not to judge it too harshly, as each prompt inevitably inspires in its own way.  

That being said, here is this week's prompt: 150 words exactly on the photo below.