Stop! I'm Writing

Some days I have to wonder when I have time to write.  Really, since it is a second career there are days that the world just conspires to keep me from writing.  Today is one of those ... Or should I say it was a few of those days now.  I started this blog a few days ago.  Since then I have helped pack and move one of my children across the country to start out on his new adventures in work and college.  I am also helping the other on move from one college house share to another.  Not a happy move at that.  So now you can see that writing has taken the back seat to all the rest of the worlds troubles.  As the dust begins to settle, if only for a moment, I can get back to rambling on here.  Writers do a lot of there work at home and in-between life's moments.  How do you handle the unexpected interruption?

Next to Nothing

Okay... I've been really bad at this.  What with everything going on, change of job, kids moving and a little vacationing on top of that I just really haven't gotten back to this.  Not to say I haven't thought about this blog.  Late at night I sometimes write a fab blog post in my head as I drift off to sleep only to forget the entire thing by morning.  Now, I can't be the only one who does this? I have to admit to telling myself stories at the end of the day to go to sleep.  Maybe this is a habit started long ago when my mother used to tell me stories, or cemented when I used to read stories to my two sons.  However it happened, it happened.  Some of my best story ideas been in the times between sleep and wake.  The hard part if to remember it when you wake.

Finding Reviewers!

I found this article and thought it might be worth a read for more of us so I reposted it here. It is originally from: Helping Writers Become Authors

15 Places to Find Your Next Beta Reader

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Where can I find a beta reader or critique partner?Without doubt, that’s the secondmost frequent question I receive from writers (right after where do I find a good editor?).

This can be a tough question to answer for the simple reason that a beta reader or critique partner isn’t someone you simply vet and hire, like you would a freelance editor. Rather, this is (ideally) a relationship you build, just as you would build any important friendship.

7 Things to Look for in a Beta Reader

There are several keys to finding the right beta reader (and it is important to find the right one). You want someone who:

1. Enjoys your genre.

2. Understands your intentions for your stories.

3. Likes your stories, in general.

4. Isn’t afraid to tell you what isn’t working.

5. Is an experienced reader and/or writer (both bring important insights to the table).

6. Is reliable and trustworthy.

7. You like–and who likes you in return.

In short, when you’re looking for beta readers, what you’re really looking for is “your kind of people.”

How to Find a Great Beta Reader

Where do you look for these peeps? Local writing groups sometimes offer possibilities. But the Internet is by far your greatest beta reader resource.

Honestly, my best advice is to simply go where writers go (Twitter, Facebook, writing blogs, writing forums) and start making connections. When you find someone who you feel will be a good fit, offer to trade critiques. Eventually, the right person or people will rise to the top (and when they do, make sure you treat them right).

Still, that’s not the kind of answer most writers want. It is, after all, kinda vague–and there’s a lot of time and a little bit of luck involved. So I decided to take this whole game up a notch. I conducted an informal poll (via my daily Writing Question of the Day–#WQOTD–on Facebook and Twitter)

Time Oh Time Where Did You Go

I sat down to write this post and discovered two days later that I had written nothing.  I mean literally nothing.  I hadn't written a blog post, I hadn't written a twitter or Facebook post, and most importantly I hadn't written anything in any book.  I find the worst part of any day is to try and find the time to write.  If you are like me then you have to have a job to pay the bills even though you may be a writer.  I can write a bunch of things but nothing pays the bills better than a regular nine to five job, or in my case, seven to five.
I have written during my lunch time as well as late at night when my kids went to bed.  I think that carving out the time to write is important.  I would like to know how you find time to write.  Where do you carve out the time?  Is it in the middle of the night when most people are asleep?  Is it when the kids are at soccer, baseball, or some other sports practice?  Let all of us in on your secrets.  Leave a quick message and share what you do!

All I Need To Know Is In A Book

The most important things in life are found in books.  

Take a few moments to find them for yourself.

It's All In The Depth

When I think of the difference between the two I see this picture.  What is your favorite book that has been turned into a movie?  

What Makes a Writer

The picture says it all don't you thiink!!  Well no, maybe I just need one more.....