I had the awesome amazing opportunity this last weekend to attend an event. I love author events. I have loved them for years. Going to book signings, and writing conferences are a blast. Spring into books happens to be both of those combined. I loved every second of this event. It was so much fun creating book marks, ordering in a bunch of my books, talking to my neighboring authors, watching my brother and hubby step in to watch over my table while I taught, meeting readers and other writers. I was there for over five hours but it felt like two. I suppose book signings could be boring but I truly had a ball. Readers, we authors love to see you and authors if you are considering doing an event like this just do it! You'll be happy you did. See below for my 10 tips for a book signing event after these two fun photos!

Not only did I get to sit at a table of my own, but my class proposal was accepted. I love teaching about writing. My passion is truly in making magic with words and I wanted nothing more than to share that with others. The class I taught was called, 10 fun ways to create story ideas. I am including my handout. Not quite as good as attending the class but I still hope you find it helpful if you ever find yourself searching for story ideas. Teaching a class was fun and I am so glad that I chose to submit an idea. I hope I can teach another writing class soon!

Author events are so much fun, If you are wondering if writing conferences or book signings or combos of both are worth it, they really are. You learn so much! Meet great people, and readers too. I cannot wait for my next one!
Thanks for reading and have fun writing!
​Cassie

Once upon a time, I thought that to be an author you had to have a special magical place to write. A place where if you sat there words and stories would come to you magically. That the space you wrote at was the key to success. Then I became a mom. Guess what, I have a desk and it is extra special writing time if I get to sit there, but if I waited until I could sit at my desk to write, I would't ever get any writing done. I can't be picky about where I sit if I want to hit realistic goals. I can't balance my writing life and my mom life. So if you are struggling for time, for the perfect environment I would ask you one thing. How much does it really matter to you where you write? For some it might be huge, and they will have to make it a priority, for others it might not matter as much as you think it does. That was my case. As a mom I have to write in what ever kind of environment I can get, while balancing my 5 kids and their schedules. That might mean sometimes I will write outside, in the car, in the living room, in the kitchen, in the bathroom, in my kids bedroom. Seriously I write everywhere. I cannot rely on that magical place. I have to make every place magical. And guess what you can too.
10 Tips to making any space your magical writing space:
1. Bring only what you need. Balancing extra stuff will get annoying quick.
2. Set your kids up with whatever activity they will be doing, and then get to work. Advanced preparation here is key.
3. Headphones and writing music is great as long as you don't need your ears for anything else. Its great to keep your writing mood and drown out some of the background noise.
4. Bring something to drink. Seriously I always get thirsty when I am writing. Same with any writing snacks you love.
​5. Try to have internet access for quick research or the use of a thesaurus or dictionary. 
6. Accept that you will get interrupted, and learn to be okay with that. There will be some distractions when you aren't sitting at your desk but are out in the world.
7. Make good use of your time. Turn off all the distractions that you can choose to get lost in, and make your writing time as effective as you can. Hint hint, Social Media.
8. Be flexible!
9. Have back up pens if you are editing with a hard copy.
​10. If you scoot your chair back in the car your lap becomes a great desk.
BONUS: Not planning on writing but the opportunity comes up. ALWAYS keep a small notebook and pen with you. Then you can sneak in some writing when the unexpected time presents itself. I always have writing stuff in my car, for when I end up waiting for my husband or kids for longer than I expect. Your google doc app on your phone is also good, if you don't mind working on your story with your tiny phone keyboard. 
BONUS #2: Use a recording app or get one of those recorders for lectures so that you can talk the book and type it up later. Could be useful if you can't really use your hands like on a long drive, where you are the driver. Just pay attention to the road. :D

One last thing. Forgive yourself if you don't get a lot done. That is normal and fine. Just celebrate what you do accomplish, even if it is only two sentences, Or one page edited. That is still more then you would have gotten if you didn't take the spare moment. 

Happy Writing! 

I have been pregnant and writing for 5 pregnancies. The fist thing I can say is, it is hard. Especially if you have other kids who keep you busy and help use your limited energy, because by the time you get to sit down to write, a debate begins. Do I spend time writing…. or do I take a nap. Honestly the nap wins a lot. Pregnancy can take a lot out of you especially in your third trimester. But just because you are pregnant doesn’t mean that you have to give up your writing all together. Here are some tips to help you do both.
10 TIPS:

1. Make smaller goals. (ex: if you usually write for an hour, cut it back to half hour and then at that point decide if you can work longer or if that is about all you can handle that day.)
2. If you know you have for example about an hour and a half, and are debating on writing or napping. Choose to do one or the other first and split the time.
3. Be kind to yourself. If you don’t reach your goal because you were more nauseous that week, remind yourself that you are growing a human and it is okay.
4. Be realistic about the goals you can set during this time. You know that you might be nauseous, you know you will be more tired, you know that you will be preparing for a new baby, so keep those things in mind while figuring out your writing goals.
5. Try for healthier writing snacks. Instead of chocolate try nuts. Instead of hot cocoa or soda, try flavored Ice water.
6. Move your writing space. If you usually sit at a desk but find it uncomfortable. Move to your bed and create a pillow desk for yourself.  (I do this all the time)
7. If you find yourself feeling sickish and your writing mojo so isn’t there, maybe spend more time studying writing instead. Do a genre study, read a writing book, read a book in and outside of your genre If watching a movie look for story structure, look for character arc and what worked or didn't work and why…etc.
8. Use the second trimester wisely (weeks 13-27). You usually have more energy and feel best during the second trimester. So use that time to get more of your writing goals done.
9. Feel like your mind is more blank then usual but want to still get some word count for the day, write about your baby and your pregnancy. It could be in a journal or a baby book or where ever you write the random stuff.
10. Do some prenatal exercise to help wake up your brain. Your body will be less sore because of the exercise and your brain will be more wide awake to help come up with those awesome plots, characters or dialogue.
11. BONUS! FORGIVE YOURSELF! If you don’t write as much or find you can’t. Its okay. Forgive yourself and try another day when you feel like you can.

You can do it!! Keep writing, and enjoy those little nudges in your belly, before you know it that baby will be born and you get to figure out how to be a writer with a newborn. See the next section below!

Writing when you have a super new baby is a hard thing to do. But when you are a writer, you still want to do it. You still have that urge and that need. And if you have a deadline then you really need to be able to do it.  Here are a few things to keep in mind when writing with a newborn.
TIPS:

1. Make smaller goals for the month your baby is due and the next two months after.
2. You can easily read books about writing or in your genre while you feed the baby.
3. Write a little bit after baby goes to sleep, then take a nap too. If you are exhausted its hard to be creative.
4. Maybe do more research then writing during this time.
5. Try typing one handed.
6. Use a pen and notebook instead
7. Try using a microphone on your computer or phone and have your voice do the typing.
8. Give Daddy extra snuggle time with baby so you can sneak in a little writing time.
9. Maybe plan on doing more world building and Character sketches or outlining during this time.
10. Your baby loves to hear your voice. Talk your story out with baby. They make great What if… partners,

ADVICE:

1. FORGIVE YOURSELF!! You will be tired, you will be healing and adjusting to life with your new little one. If you can’t get done what you wanted too, let it go! It’s okay. Snuggle your baby and let yourself try to fit your writing time in another day. Tomorrow might be easier you never know!
2. Know that instead of writing for a nice long sitting its okay to write in little segments of  time. Might not be how you are used to working, but if you can adjust then it will be easier to do both.
3. Keep an eye out for signs of postpartum depression. Depression can make it hard to not only take care of your home and family, but also make it hard to work on your writing. Get some good sunlight, exercise, eat well and get the best rest you can! Writing can wait a few days, take care of you and your new baby first!

I got super lucky and was able to attend a SCBWI writing conference in my little hometown. It was so much fun!! I learned a lot. It was nearly 24 hours all about writing. And I got a few of my books signed. Couldn't have been better! It was one of those conferences where every single class I learned something. Every single one got me thinking and rethinking. I am so glad that I went. Guys seriously if you want to be a writer. make going to conferences a thing! It might cost a little bit but it is so worth it!!!

Top 5 reasons Writing conferences are a good thing!
1. There is always something to learn about writing and publishing
2. Meeting others who have done it not only gives you a good positive vibe but they can also chat with you about your situation and hopefully have some good advice.
3. Writers need writer friends. 
4. Often there is a book signing. So you can purchase books and get them signed by the amazing presenters
5.Boosts creativity and motivation

So I always publish my books on amazon, in both ebook and paperback options. I have kept it just simple like that for a while now. But recently I decided that I needed to make my books more widely abatable for those who liked to use other ebook devices, like nook or iBooks. So I am happy to announce that it has finally happened.
THE ROYAL SPY, LADY A and LOOKING FOR A BUMBLEBEE are all available on amazon as well as on: iBooks, Kobo, Barns and Noble, inktera, scribd, and Tolino. YAY!! Hoping to reach new readers soon.

So Last month inn May I got to got to The Storymakers writing conference in provo Utah. It was so fantastic. I loved it all even if it was quite overwhelming. Just a lot of info crammed into three days. I got to meet some amazing writers, got some amazing books signed, and even got a new good luck charm. A tiny dragon named Pike. Let me tell you, if you want to write and are thinking about going to a writers conference do it. It's worth it.