My Top Five Tips

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Big news! Our anthology, Journey's of Wonder is now available as a print book for only $4.99!


Ahem. Sorry, got a little excited there.


My apologies for not visiting so many of you last week, I was on vacation with the family. I'm back now and here they are! What tips did I miss that you would add in? 


5.  DON'T BE A LONER. Very few writers don't need critique partners. Mine are there for me through thick and thin to cheer me on and help me see where I can improve. Without all of you online, this would be a very lonely and difficult uphill battle. For me, it's enjoyable just working on it because of the friendships I've made.
4.  BE OPEN TO CRITICISM. It's tough to hear that our perfect babies aren't all that we thought. It's human nature to take the negative comments and internalize them. Instead, see them for what they are, a way to take what you have and make it better. Consider all comments and let them stew before you make a rash decision. 
3.  WRITE. Um, yeah. With all the other stuff we do, sometimes we get in a rut. But BIC (Butt in chair) is an acronym to live by. If we don't write it, we aren't writers. Force it out if you have to, eventually it will flow again.
2.  TRY. It seems obvious, but if you don't put yourself/your work out there, it can never happen. If you've worked hard and done your best, don't be afraid to query the appropriate agents. If you are polite and follow common practice, you have nothing to lose. Just remember to put out your best work and research to find the RIGHT agents to try. 


*Drum roll* AND the top writing tip I have?


1.  PERSEVERE. Don't give up. If you've been at it for years, but you know it's what you love. If you're sure your work must suck because everyone else seems to be getting "the deal". If you are tired and feel dejected and are thinking about selling used cars. DON'T. Hang in there. Because the ONE thing all successful writers have in common? They persevered through the hard times. 

A Pocket Full of Tips

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My readers are all over the place as far as the journey goes. Some of you have been at it for years, others are just starting out. Some of you are published, some agented, and some hoping to query your first manuscript. I'm really glad to have all of you with me, I couldn't ask for a better support group, so I try to put out posts that could appeal across the board. So I was thinking, what are the simplest, but best tips I can pass on? Here's the first half of my personal top ten list. I'll put up the other five next Monday. 


10. PUT IT AWAY. Give yourself that extra time to gain some perspective and come at it new. The book I just sent to my Beta readers? I put it away for almost 7 months before pulling it out for a couple of more pass throughs. It was just what that book needed. 
9. THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK. If you say it online, it stays online. And people LOVE to latch on to inappropriate comments and plaster them everywhere. If you think a message you write to one agent won't ever be seen by other eyes? Guess what - we are part of a smallish community overall and agents talk to each other. They want the best work they can get, but they also want people they can work with. 
8. DO WHAT YOU LOVE. If you're in this because you think you'll make a quick buck, fagettaboutit. We only torture ourselves because we can't NOT write. Likewise if you can't stand romance - don't write it. Write what truly excites you or it won't be your best work, and let's face it, it's hard enough to sell our best!
7. WRITE WHAT SCARES YOU. These words have meant the most to me. I was afraid to go where it was tough and where I'd never ventured craft wise before. But by doing it, I forced myself to expand and grow as a writer. 
6. NOTHING IS WRITTEN IN STONE. Published authors have said many times that they still want to change things, even when it's on the shelf. Don't be afraid to change and revise. Cut and chop and add. That's what makes a good book great. 

Note on the pic above - How could I NOT use this? But the source looks like it has some valid tips as well if you want to click on the credit link.

The Zombies Are Coming!

Occasionally I have to take a break from writing related posts to bring you something terribly entertaining. This is "Paranormal Point of View" after all. So when I saw this on The Colbert Report I HAD to share it with all of you.

The Colbert Report
Get More: Colbert Report Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,Video Archive

I've been busy promoting and enjoying my new anthology JOURNEYS OF WONDER. I appreciate all the support you've given. You are all amazing! If you haven't read my interview on the process, I'd love you to check out Julie Musil's post when you get a chance.

I Have a New Anthology!!

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Not my usual blogging day BUT Speaking of taking all opportunities... When my friend and critique partner, Ian Kezsbom suggested we (including our other crit partner and buddy a lot of you may know, Leslie Rose) try something new, I jumped on board. And I couldn't be happier with the results! With the help of a talented copy editor (Deborah Pasachoff) and another great editorial eye (Sarah Lynn), we successfully published our own anthology of genre fiction. I'd give away a copy, but it's FREE to borrow on Kindle for Amazon prime members and only $.99 for anyone to buy on Kindle. So if you're curious about my short stories, take a look! One word of caution - it is intended for an adult audience, though many of the stories could be considered cross over YA. 

Also - PLEASE let us know what you think! Don't you LOVE the cover though? Promotion and links are always welcome of course. ;D Here are the detes:

JOURNEYS of WONDER

A new Anthology of Genre Fiction

Journeys of Wonder is a new anthology of genre fiction. We've assembled three talented writers to bring you five chilling tales that are guaranteed to keep you up at night - or at least make you turn on the lights.
Featured in Volume 1, June 2012:
1. The Door by Ian Kezsbom: Six people are stuck in a room with no memory of how they got there while a fear of the unknown keeps them from opening the only exit they have.
2. Blackout by Lisa Gail Green: A terrifying tale of a young woman whose memory is shattered and a creepy neighbor who is not all that he seems.
3. Infinity by Ian Kezsbom: Two brothers, forced to travel through time to save the world from an unspeakable evil, have little idea of what they have actually gotten themselves into.
4. Eye of the Wolf by Lisa Gail Green: A young girl struggles against the power of the full moon as she tries to hide her deadly secret from her family.
5. Afterdeath by Leslie S. Rose: In a future where our journey beyond death is no longer a mystery, the promise of eternal love waits, unless you break the rules.
On sale only at Amazon.com now! $.99 or free through the Amazon Prime lending library!
Visit us at: www.journeysofwonder.com

If You See Opportunity - Take It!

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Sometimes opportunities come along and we are too quick to dismiss them. "I'm too busy working on my rough draft." Or "I really want to get this revision done." These are great goals, but if something comes up, don't be afraid to take a short break to give something new a try. Here are some great examples of things you might be on the lookout for:

1. Calls for short stories and poetry for magazines, ezines, and anthologies. It feels good to get a few publications under your belt, and it's great practice working with editors and submitting professionally. 
2. Contests that you mean to enter or hear about but don't get around to. You never know! It's practice following guidelines and exercising your writing muscles. That never hurts. 
3. Agents sometimes advertise that they are open for queries, but only for a limited time, or if you partake in a certain conference or blog. Conferences are ALWAYS great opportunities to hone your skills, learn new and current info and trends, and network with great industry pros. Check your local SCBWI if you are a children's writer for some upcoming opportunities. 

Have you ever passed up an opportunity that you later regretted? Or are you glad you tried something? Share!