Writing tip handouts

Nanowrimo Checklist

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30 Prompts for Nanowrimo prep.

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My writing WHY worksheet

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Author Goals Worksheet

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Simple Story Creation Worksheet

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National Novel Writing MonthAKA: NaNoWriMo

This isn't a conference but it is a huge writing event that takes place every November where the whole goal is to get you writing! You should totally check it out. I've been a participant since 2015 and I love how it helps me finish books and how it gets me writing everyday.
www.nanowrimo.org
​Writing while pregnant: 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 with a Newborn: 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!
Writing with Young Kids: When you have zero kids, you can basically write whenever, while juggling normal life and a job. Add the kids and the main thing you have to do is adjust your time. You might become a night owl, and work on your writing then. You might become a morning person and find your writing time before the kids wake up. Seems easy enough, but remember just like when you finally figure out your babies sleep schedule, it changes, your perfect little schedule you will figure out will change too. As they grow their schedule will change, and yours will need to change too. So this time adjustment thing never goes away. To make both work you need to be willing to always be tweaking how you do things.
TIPS:
1. Let them help feed your motivation by telling them what you're working on! I love it when my kids ask me what book I'm writing.
2. Write during nap time or when they are in school.
3. Get things started in the house. A load of laundry done, a load of dishes, then sit down to write. When they need switched out you probably need  a break anyway.
4. Let them help choose character names. Kids love this!
5. Request your books that you need to read so that when you take your kids to the Library you can simply pick up your stack and focus on helping them find books of their own.
6. Play hard with them for 30+ minutes so that they are more willing to play nicely together while you get a little work done.
​7. When they are watching their favorite show that you can't stand anymore, bring your writing out and work right next to them.
8. Ask if they think this plan or that plan would be better for your character. This works for any genre but they will be the most excited if it is kid lit. But no matter the genre they will love being involved. 
9. Ask your partner to take the kids on an adventure and leave you at home. An hour or more is best. I recommend two to three if possible. Then switch with your spouse so they can work on their own dream. Then you can have some fun one on one time with the kids. This is good for everyone!
10. Make family trips research trips. Take pictures of your hike and think if you could use the setting in a story. Observe a city and think about how any details might help in your writing. If you want to place your next book at the grand canyon then plan a family trip. Fun and research all in one!
11. BONUS!!! Let them scribble all over the pages you are revising. It makes them happy and you might get some cute keepsakes in your manuscripts pages.

YOU can do it! I believe in you!!
​Muse? Do you need one?6/29/2020 
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“YOU CAN’T WAIT FOR INSPIRATION, YOU HAVE TO GO AFTER IT WITH A CLUB.” -JACK LONDON

    When I was little I used to hear about this thing from writers and artists called a MUSE. The way people talked about it, it felt like some kind of mystical thing, like a sparkly ghost that flew into your brain and shook inspiration into your brain, like pixie dust. It was a fickle creature who showed up when it wanted and people were always wishing for its magic power to visit them. At first I thought I had to wait for this mystical creature but then I decided I didn't want to wait for a muse I wanted to write.
     What is a Muse?
     I turned to the usual sources to find out. A quick google search came up with this definition. A muse is in Greek or Roman one of the 9 goddesses that presides over art or science.
     Okay that's pretty cool. But it didn't match what I'd heard since I was small. So I looked again. This time I just looked for a definition of muse in google. This is what turned up; Muse is a spirit or source that inspires an artist.
     Now we are talking. It is something that inspires people. I liked that, but I wasn't sure how much I wanted to trust a google definition, so I turned to my favorite dictionary. Merriam-Webster. www.merriam-webster.com
     As usual in dictionaries there wasn't just one simple definition but three. The first under muse was; to become absorbed in thought. (verb) The next was if it was used as a noun.1. A state of deep thought or dreamy abstraction. The next there were also nouns 1.capitalized : any of the nine sister goddesses in Greek mythology presiding over song and poetry and the arts and sciences 2.a source of inspiration 3. A poet
     What I gathered from my quick research was that a Muse wasn't a mystical ghost like creature full of pixie dust. People talked about it like they would a fairy or a dragon or a mystical goddess. What I learned is when people are talking about their muse they are talking more about inspiration. When I first started writing I thought I had to wait for this mystical Muse to show up and bless my life with it's magical dust, but later on I learned if I wanted to write I just had to sit down and do it. If you want to write you can't wait around you have as it says in the quote, go after it! Fight for it. 
     Sometimes inspiration will hit in the funnest of moments, in the shower, while mowing the lawn, while doing the dishes, or driving your car, from a dream, or from reading other peoples work. Those moments are fantastic, they are special they are amazing but if we only write when those special moments come then we will find it harder to get things done. 
     If you are someone who needs their muse, or who feels like they must have things set in order to feel inspired to write then make sure you set that up. For some it is a certain kind of music, for others it is quiet. We are all different when it comes to how we like to write and what will help our words flow.
Ways to feel inspired to write without waiting for your muse:
1. Go get some exercise that will get your endorphin going. I know I love to think about backstory while walking or on a treadmill. I will also problem solve when I am moving. I find that for me it really helps.
2. Turn on some music, see if it can help you get in the zone. I know that I have a power song that can help me get moving when I feel sluggish.
3. Do chores that don't require a lot of thought. You can brainstorm while mopping the floor, hand washing dishes or mowing the lawn. It's a great use of your time.
4. Do a 5 minute writing sprint to warm up. You can write about your story or use a random prompt but this is like  reaving your engine and getting you ready to write.
5. Read something that inspires you.
6. Watch something that inspires you.
7. Read a motivational quote, that makes you feel like you can do it.
8. Get your favorite snack and a comfy chair, set the feeling you need to write.
9. Challenge yourself. You can't do X until you write X amount of words... etc.
10. Try a writing prompt.
11. Spend some time interviewing one of your characters.
12. If you already have a cover for your book, print it out and post it above your writing space. Make it a goal to see pages under that cover and give yourself a deadline.
13. Read a book about writing. This never fails for me. I get story idea after story idea when I read a writing book.
14. Spend some time on Pinterest finding pictures of your setting or clothing to help you get excited and ready to write. Just don't get lost here and forget to get your words down.
15. Talk on the phone with someone you trust about your story idea. Chances are you'll feel resaved up and ready to write after that kind of conversation.

The tall and short of it is guys is that sometimes we have magical moments where the muse hits us (aka inspiration) and sometimes we have to set the stage ourselves and fight a bit to get the words coming. One way or another you can write. Don't wait around for the time to come to you, make the time to write yourself.

​Happy Writing!
Top 7 reasons Writing conferences are a good thing!
1. There is always something to learn about writing and publishing no matter where you are in your writing journey.
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 with your writing 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.They boost creativity and motivation.
6. You might learn something you never thought to learn before.
7. Networking with agents, editors and writing pros.
Writing Conferences I love!
Romance Writers of America Check it out
Storymakers (held in Utah) Check it out
American Night Writers Association (ANWA) Check it out
Kanab Writers Conference Check it out 
Writing and Illustrating for Young Readers Check it out
The Writing Gal's Check it out
​SMIAH Writer's Conference Check it out

Me at several different writing conferences! 

My books for writers like you!

Just like in any other job, writers get burnt out. Being creative is the way our brain works but sometimes we  hit the bottom of our creative barrel and we need to recharge. Sometimes we hit what writers like to call writers block. Ah this is so stressful!!! Especially when we want to move forward with our story and we are feeling like we have nothing to write other than. I hate this, or what are words? First of all don't feel like you are a bad writer if this happens to you. It happens to us all. Secondly don't give up. Remember, "Tomorrow is always fresh, with no mistakes in it!" ~Anne of Green Gables~  You might feel like hitting your head against your laptop or notebook today, but that doesn't mean it's time to quit all together.

 10 Tips to beat Writers Block!
1. Do a task that requires a minimal part of your brain, and think through the spot of your story that you are stuck at. Something like hand washing dishes, mowing the lawn or taking a shower work great.
2. Refill your writers bucket by reading a book that is NOT the same Genre you are writing but you still enjoy a lot. It can be a novel you love or a new book or even a book you are beta reading for another author.
3. Refill your writers bucket by reading a book that IS in your Genre. Pay attention to the story beats and see if it can clue you into what you might need to do next.
​4. Take a trusted friend out to lunch and hash out the part of the story you are stuck on. A phone call also works, but it's less fun.
​5. Spend a hour on pintrest looking up clothes your character would wear, the environment they are in, the costume or ball gown, or weapon they need soon. Use the time to build excitement for writing not as an excuse for why you're not writing.
6. Watch one of your favorite T.V. shows. Laugh, relax and then think about why you love it. Can you use that element in your story? Spend a few minutes writing about that.
7. Play the What If... game (also fun with a friend) Think of the silliest, craziest, scariest, funnest things that could happen next. Not only is it fun but you'll probably find your answer.
8. Do a timed write exercise. Set your timer for 20 to 30 minutes and write about whats wrong, where you need to get too and all the ways you could force your characters in that direction. If that feels to long 10 minutes is absolutely acceptable too!
9. Make your favorite desert. Something that when sitting there is super hard to resist. Then reward yourself for writing a chapter or a certain large word count by earning some of the desert. #motivation
​10. TAKE a bubble bath and relax. Ask yourself questions about your characters background and why they are the way they are now. Two good things comes from this. More knowledge about your characters and sometimes something you learn about them will help you with where you are feeling stuck
***BONUS: Search for a song that represents your book or character and play it before you sit down to write
***BONUS 2: Let the stress of the block fade into the back ground. Go to bed. Wake up, exercise, eat something filling, drink a large glass of water, stretch then sit down to write with your favorite music. Get yourself feeling good, with endorphins pumping thorough you and go for it!

I hope you find these helpful.
Good luck and happy writing!
READ, READ, READ and READ some more!As a writer reading is very important. I used to think that I couldn't read and write at the same time and so I was usually only doing one or the other for an extended amount of time. I have since learned that I need to make sure I am trying to do both. For one I miss the other when I am working on one. For two; how can I create books without reading them? Reading and writing go hand in hand. Below are the reasons why you should always Read, even while writing.
WHY READ? Because it will help you grow as a writer!
In your Genre:
Every Genre has different rules, and story beats that readers expect. Without reading in your genre it will be hard for you to know all of those beats and structure that readers expect for that specific genre. Also you can learn what kind of stories are already out there. Sometime a book can help you figure out where you are stuck in your story. And its fun to read the genre that you love so much! I am a multi genre author and I used to think that all stories were created equal, that a suspense, a fantasy and a romance were all created the same way. Then I started learning about story beats and wow there is a difference my friends. 
Out of your Genre:
These books can help increase your story sense. They can build your idea of story worlds and open your eyes to new genre's you never thought you would love! I used to only read fantasy and fairy tale, but then I read some paranormal, Regency romance and then contemporary romance. I would never have tried these genre's in the past but now I have learned how much I love all of these different kinds of stories. This broden's your horizons, opens up new possibilities, and opens new stories worlds for you to venture into. You can also learn what you don't like and why.
Writing books:
 There is always so much more to learn. After reading many writing books you will discover that a lot of them say the same thing but usually there is always something new in each one. It is great review for the things they say the same and they all have great ah ha moments for the new stuff. I am trying hard to read a bunch this year. I have 5 under my belt since January but I would like to get a few more. Learning and growing your skill is invaluable and sooooo important.
New books:
It is important to know what is being published right now. The demand for certain books ebbs and flows like a title wave. The demand for certain books grows until the market is saturated and then publishers and readers are looking for the next best thing. If you are ready to send out a book to an agent or publisher it would be wise to see what is coming out right now or on the coming out soon lists.
Old books:
Read the classic's. We don't write books like they used to and that is mostly a good thing, we don't like pages and pages of description but try to figure out why the classic's are still read today. What makes them lasting, and how can you translate that aspect into your own writing. I know when I decided that I wanted to write a book with vampires that I had to read Dracula, its just one of those things that have to be done. Still working on that book but hopefully it won't be to long before I can get it written the way I want it.
Read to your kids:
Kids love it when parents read to them. You can totally count a novel read to them as a book read on your own goals. I am loving reading , Ella Enchanted to my oldest girl. We can only read a chapter or s scene a night but its awesome one on one time and the time might be shortchanged but it totally counts.
Your own writing:
After writing your manuscript make sure to try and read it at least once as a reader. See if you are board anywhere or if there is a part that makes you swoon or laugh or cry. Pay attention to how it reads and if it feels like the books that you enjoy so much. If so you are on the right track. 

Reading is so important, I hope that you can find time to read even if it is a little bit.  If you are having a hard time finding time check out my tips below. 
TIPS FOR THOSE WHO DON'T HAVE MUCH TIME TO READ!
1. Read on your phone
2. Read while your kids are watching their favorite movie for the 27th time.
3. Always have a book with you for those times when you randomly need to pass the time.
​4. Read in the pick up line, while waiting for the doctor or dentist or other appointments.
5. Go pick up your kids fifteen minutes early so you can get a little reading time.
6. Read while cooking dinner. (I do this all the time! Yes, I have used a hot pad as a bookmark, ha ha)
7. Plan a reading date night with your hubby or boyfriend/girlfriend.
8. Read in the car (if you can handle it. I read and write in the car on longer drives all the time.)
​9. Get audio books and listen while doing other house chores, running, showering, or commuting to work.
10. Make a reading goal for the year on goodreads. It so helps to have a place to keep track of the books you've read and the ones you want to read next. I find having a goal on goodreads keeps me picking up books, I don't like seeing myself behind on my reading goals.
11. Read before you go to sleep at night.
​12. If you write middle-grade, YA, poems, or picture books and they are appropriate for your kids age groups then read them to your kids. It's good time spent with them and you get your reading in too.

PLEASE REVIEW: If you read a book and liked it please write a review on amazon, goodreads, etc. authors need reviews and we would love to have a review from a reader like you!
It can feel intimidating when you know you want to write a book, but have no ideas on how to go about it. Or how to go about it right. I'll tell you there is no perfect answer or perfect formula. Most writers write a little differently, which is why it's creative, its art, not science. 
     There is a lot of information out there about where you are supposed to begin. That can even feel confusing with so many different kinds of advice So take mine or leave mine. If it works for you wonderful if it isn't right then that is totally okay. 
    So, what do you do first? It is something any newbie has to wonder. For me getting started is very simple. 
Step 1 to writing a book: Write down what you know already
    Pull out a pen and paper and jot down everything you know. It can be organized and neat. It can be bullet-pointed. It can be a half-hazard mess. I can be scribbled in marker, pen or crayon. It can be a mind map. It can be on post it notes, 3 by 5 cards, in a notebook, on a word document or even on your notes app on your phone. But before you can build your book you have to have an idea of the pieces are already on the table. Sometimes as you write even more of you idea will form and you'll write more than you think.
     It doesn't matter if you are a plotter, a discovery writer, a nice combo of the two. Just seeing what you already have to work with will help you see what you still need. It will help you know what blanks you need to fill in and if you like to write outlines it will help you get a nice outline written up because most of the info should already be scribbled down in some way. 
     If you are a discovery writer, just seeing what you already know can fuel the creative fire you already have inside. One way or another I have found that writing down what I know as STEP #1 has helped me out a lot and gotten me ready for step 2. Which I won't lie is different for everyone, and sometimes different for every book.

Thanks for reading and happy writing!!