Shiny New Ideas For a Shiny New Year

It's almost time to start the year! So what better time to pay attention to some of those shiny new ideas that have been floating around in your head like willow the wisps? You know the ones. The ones that you brush away like flies because you're trying to focus on revisions. 

Once in a while one of those lovely little wisps grows bright and shiny and demands your focus, despite your attempts otherwise. It might even wake you in the middle of the night because it's so bright. 

My advice? Pay attention. Get up and write what demands to be written. Jot down those characters and problems and first pages (that probably won't be first pages forever) and whatever else you need to. Start a file for it. Give in. Because there's nothing like that joy in discovering something new that was inside of you all along. 

Do you have to let it take over? No. You can - and probably should - finish what you need to. But you might as well take a break on occasion when the muse strikes. Because it'll refresh you and remind you what you love about this work. Yes, even if you enjoy revisions. :D 

So happy new ideas to you all!!!

Twelve Days of Writing

(I'll skip to the last refrain as that's the most entertaining). 

On the twelfth day of Writing my true muse gave to me:

Twelve revisions finished,

Eleven read through passes,

ten queries pending,

nine craft books open,

eight passive verbs cut,

seven critique partners,

six books to read now,

five chocolate truffles,

four full requests,

three new rejections, 

two blogposts pending,

and a new idea in my head.

Have a merry holiday for those who celebrate!! Isn't that partridge cute? 

The Missing Piece

This time of year is good for reflection. I remember well TBW. The Time Before Writing. I felt like something was missing despite all that I was fortunate enough to have in my life. Obviously that missing piece was writing, which I've been doing ever since I realized that. 

There have been times when life has gotten crazy. Distractions exist, both good and bad, big and small, but through everything I know that if I'm not writing, I'm not complete. 

I suspect it's the same for most of you. Whether you've been living with this conclusion for years or just learning it to be true, you probably have that same driving need inside of you. It's nice to know there's company!

There will be times - and I promise you this - that you'll get distracted by the glitzy lights and colorful wrapping (yes I'm using a metaphor here), when you get frustrated by rejection when you thought this was it, or you become overwhelmed with marketing, etc. But please remember to take a breath, close your eyes, focus on the story inside, and remember. Remember the moment you realized what the missing piece was. 

Because it all comes down to that. Don't cheat yourself. Be true to you and keep working toward your goal, whatever that is. Mostly, keep working on being better at expressing yourself on paper. You can enjoy the lights and gifts too, but it's the warm fuzzies inside that fuel the soul. 

Sorry if this was a little sappy for me. I guess I'm in that kind of mood. :D 

Happy Holidays whatever you celebrate!! 

How Writing a Book is Like Holiday Shopping

It's that time of year again. Everyone's busy running around and grabbing gifts for others. Sort of like writing a book, right? Let's take a look…

1. Making a list. Do you plan it out ahead of time or do you go by the seat of your pants and hope that perfect gift will strike you as you stroll through the mall (sit at the keyboard)?
2. That feeling when you know you got it right! You found the exact right thing for Aunt Mabel and it was on sale too (you're on a roll and it's working).
3. What if they hate it? Well, I guess this one's kind of self-explanatory. 
4. Dealing with crowds. Sometimes you have to fight for the last one or stand in line for hours. Is it worth it? If the gift is that great, it is. Same with a story. Agents and editors and even readers sift through many choices, but when someone picks yours out it's all worth it. 
5. Making a chocolate or coffee stop when it gets hectic. Yeah, self-explanatory again.
6. Just when you thought you were done you remember your sister's husband's golf buddy. Time for revision!
7. Wrapping everything. And more revision…
8. You've searched and searched and you still have no idea what to get your nephew. You're about to throw the computer at the wall because you can't solve this one plot issue.
9. Inspiration strikes. You figure it out.
10. The smiles on your friends and family's faces when they open their perfect gifts. The feeling when you are ready to send it on submission/to your agent/to your editor/publish for others to read and enjoy. 

So, what do you think? Did I miss anything? Happy Holidays!!!

We're All Winners!

Thank you all for indulging me last week while I thanked just a few of the very special peeps in my life. And thank you for suggesting so many worthy people. Here is a list of those we are honoring and who mentioned them! 

1. Morgan Shamy (nominated by Johanna Garth and Julie Musil)
2. Jaybird (nominated by Johanna Garth)
3. Tanya Reimer (nominated by Vicki Tremper)
4. Michele Shaw (nominated by Julie Musil)
5. Barbara Watson (nominated by Akossiwa)
6. Jan Lewis (nominated by Martina Boone)
7. Natalie Aguirre (nominated by C. Lee McKenzie)

If your name is listed next to a number above you win your choice of 

1. A five page critique via yours truly
2. A Kindle copy of THE BINDING STONE
3. An ecopy of THE EMOTION THESAURUS (or positive or negative trait thesaurus) by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi
4. A $5 Amazon gift card

Please just email me at lisagailgreen at gmail dot com to let me know your preference and give me your email so I can reward you. 

Thank you all for bringing joy to others!