Write on, writers!

 

HAPPY NOVEMBER. This is a BIG month for the word nerd herd.

Have you heard of NaNoWriMo?

From the organization's website:

So, what is NaNoWriMo?

NaNoWriMo is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides tools, structure, community, and encouragement to help people find their voices, achieve creative goals, and build new worlds — on and off the page.

NaNoWriMo believes in the transformational power of creativity. We provide the structure, community, and encouragement to help people find their voices, achieve creative goals, and build new worlds—on and off the page.

Back to Jody now:) Writers often start projects in November because the community provides prompts, support, and group momentum. Visit the website and explore what the organization offers.

​https://nanowrimo.org/​

Create a personal challenge for the next few weeks. Why not? I mean, you aren't busy, right? My husband, a.k.a., Tall Child, says my personality changes after Halloween. I tell him that I'm not a seasonal witch, but I am overwhelmed with domestic and holiday pressures during the fourth quarter of the year. Plus, my clients often want their books perfected, published, and shipped by Christmas Day. All that said, no matter how busy we are, it's crucial that we feed our creative souls.

The food? TIME and focus on your writing.

You are not selfish for making time to do what you love. As a matter of fact, if I neglect my own creative projects, I actually LOSE energy for my clients' work.

My NaNoWriMo personal challenge is to finish (yikes) the first ROUGH draft of an exciting co-writing project. I have the transcripts, which means my co-writer has done her part. Now I just need to, well, find that blessed time. I'm thinking Friday mornings will do just fine. Clients come first, Monday-Thursday.

WRITING TIP: Use the five senses to brainstorm. Consider your topic. What do you see, hear, taste, smell, and feel? Brainstorming is the perfect way to start a project. NOTHING is off limits, you don't need to self-edit, ideas open up like crazy, and you can use paper. Tree-killers are welcomed in November. Do what you have to do to get started.

Need inspiration? Call or email me for encouragement, but just not before noon on Fridays. I'l lbe NaNoWriting!

xoxoxoxo

Jody

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WRITERS - DON'T GET SPOOKED!

 Hello from Crippled Beagle Publishing and Happy Rainy (East Tennessee) Friday,

The word spooky just came to mind. Obviously, Sunday is Halloween, so the concept is timely. On top of that, I had a conversation with a fellow creative today that rang true. As I coached her, I wished I could go back in time, find a writing and publishing mentor, and ask her to coach ME. I published my first book in 2013. Since then, I've made every marketing mistake possible. The first was NOT building an email list. There were plenty of mistakes after that, which, in many ways, makes me an expert these days! Pay attention to what I share with you, because I can save you a load of time, heartache, and money.

Writers panic. We get spooked. That is N.O.R.M.A.L. My client is a superb storyteller with a beautiful message to share. While her target audience is young and specific, the lessons have broad appeal and her book has enormous potential. She's a gifted, hard-working artist, and a GOOD writer. She simply needs to keep moving forward. And she will. She's done much harder things.

Often, writers (you know the type) have enormous goals, unclear pathways, and personal concerns. The trick is to WRITE, EDIT, PUBLISH, AND MARKET! Drop the doubts and persevere. (And ask for help when you need it.)

Often, clients and prospects ask the following questions (in bold). My answers are below each question:)

Will anyone want to read my book?

YES.

Will people thing I'm an egomaniac?

YES. WHO CARES? MAYBE NOT. WHO CARES?

Am I a decent writer?

YES! I don't work with bad writers.

How many copies can I actually sell?

As many as you like. Marketing is imperative, but you can do it on your schedule and budget.

Here's the good news. Those are big questions, but they can all be answered in time. I can help you. You can do research. Most importantly, you can ACT, WRITE, PUBLISH, BEGIN marketing, and learn on the job. DON'T GET SPOOKED and stop. KEEP WRITING and learning.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN, TOO!

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