#Writers Gone Wild!

It's summer!
As a teacher, I have more time to write and blog in the summer - yay me! At least I think I will, then my days seem to get filled by appointments, summer events, running kids around, and the chores I've been putting off because I'll have more time to do them this summer... Anyone else feel this?

But at least I've had my quiet mornings =)
So my Insecure Writers Support Group post this month is about having so much on my plate I want to get done! Here's my
Summer Writing To Do List:

• Finish typing up WINDY HOLLOW, so close I can smell the edit gnomes! they're stinky buggers - and unlike shoe elves who do the work for you while you sleep, edit gnomes nag you to get the job done, very motivating
• Polishing DISPOSAL (Pop Travel #3) - comes out in NOVEMBER! Woohoo!
• Publish Unconventional Princesses novella #2, TWO PRINCESSES - been waiting ages on the cover. So long that I am about ready to...
• Publish Unconventional Princesses novella #3, PRINCESS B - have to beef it up and get some illustrations...
• Then there's my latest obsession lurking and stalking me, very eager to be fleshed out - MAGIC STORM - Twins in London find ancient talisman and race against evil descendant to bring magic back to earth - debating to make it into a graphic novel, or submit to a publication as a monthly series... so many possibilities!
• I also would like to write the Christmas short story - A Harried Holiday, where Cooper takes Geri home to meet the family and solves a local mystery - gotta write this stuff months before the season for submission!
• And finally, I have not one, but two new novels to outline - the next Pop Travel #4 CONDUCTION and a new Christian YA novel FARTHER ALONG

Sorry for the rambling, but writing this all out really helped me organize my madness! 

Now, for the results of the latest Writer's Life Survey #7 - Time Mgmt - I so enjoy collecting this data and reading the answers!

Do you write every day?

Do you have a day job?

How do you make time to write?

• I just make the decision, block off a couple hours, and do it.
• I just sneak it in whenever I get a few minutes. Extended writing time is rare for me.
• I just ignore my to-do list.
• I try to force myself when I have the time. Doesn't happen very well.
• I have a lot of "down time" in my life, so whenever I'm inspired, it's easy to find time to write.
• I take a journal with my everywhere. If I can, I take my laptop, too.
• I gave up on sleep.
• Getting up early on my days off & making sure I don't turn on the TV :P
• I have a house to myself during the day, so I just have to be smart and not waste time. 
• Shut down everything and go somewhere quiet.
• while the kid is at school
• I've set a word goal of at least 650 a day. 500 is almost assured, so I upped it a little to challenge me, but not overwhelm myself.
• I stay at my desk during lunch and write instead of enjoying my meal elsewhere.
• I have a set time every night.
• Setting aside a certain time each day works, as well as going to a library or other place without distractions.
• I literally have to wrench it free.

Do you meet your daily writing goals?

Do you have any creative ways to save time you could pass along?

• Blog from work! Then it's like you're getting paid for blogging.
• Be ready to write at all times, so when that ten minute slot of free time opens up, you can take advantage of it.
• Write while the microwave is heating something up for lunch, write in the car (not while driving), and write before/after appointments in a waiting area. Saving time: um, cutting out commercials or anything commercial-like in my life. Use this time to socialize, do chores, or exercise.
• Set a timer for social media and just walk away when time is up. 
• Clump your chores into a block of time. Do email all at one time and not throughout the day, for example
• Hire a nanny?
• Making a list and checking things off.
• Shut off WiFi while writing, while keeping open any windows you need for research.
• Several came up with wishful ways…
• Hire a virtual assistant.
• Clone myself... ;)
• Don't do housework?

Great responses! I can totally relate to these. I was surprised at 50% with the jobs - I need to delve into that one! What about you? Can you relate?

This month, I'll be asking "lightning round" style questions for quick responses. Look for it mid June!

Lastly, I wanted to share about my school presentation... It went very well! I had it filmed so I could critique myself and I'll share a snippet of it with you... 

The kids did a great job! And I made notes on how to improve for next time - looking forward to it!

So what have you all got going on??? And I love to give you a shout out, just let me know what you need. HAPPY SUMMER KICK OFF!

**Also wanted to express my condolences and concern with all the hate spreading through the world lately - praying for solutions, safety, and peace.**

#WritersLife Survey 7 - How do writers make TIME?

I guess it was time I made a badge for my surveys, eh? This is my desk - it says, "Have fun, but get your work done!"

Well, over in my neck of the galaxy, we only have a couple weeks left of school. This past week, I really enjoyed my temporary classes, and I was able to do my own lesson for some new kids. It was a refreshing change of pace. I love seeing students light up with discovery and letting their own abilities shine through, connecting learning to life.

My regular kids come back Monday. Over this long journey, we've had some good days, some bad days, and some really bad days where I didn't know if I wanted to go back. But I always do. I won't let them get the better of me. Instead, I take these tough times and figure out how to make the next day better. I ask myself, What can I do to help a child who has a rough home life behave better? How can I inspire them to feel good about themselves? And I always PRAY! Sometimes it's not about the schoolwork. Kids won't listen or learn if they need attention or affection. They need to feel safe and important first. They need to know teachers care about them.

Moving on! Though it's been a worthwhile experience and given me many ideas, working so much has really taken a bite out of my writing time. Only two more weeks and I get to ramp it up in the summer! Woo hoo!

Which brings me to this month's survey. How do writers make TIME?



PS - HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY! My boys took me to see GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY for Mother's Day - I'm a happy Momma!

#WritersLife Survey 6 Results & Trying new things

Teens are clueless, reckless, and thoughtless. I ought to know, I'm an 8th grade teacher and I live with 3 teens myself! But they can't help it. Their brains don't get enough exercise because their bodies are going through so much change. So I try to cut them some slack.

Teens are also great to write about because of all the turmoil - they're dramatic, unpredictable, and funny!

But teens aren't the best audience. They're very judgy, relentless teasers, and hard to impress. And most of them don't like to read. So it's going to be tough doing a presentation for them next week... Wish me luck!

Well, that's my IWSG post for this month. I'm facing a daunting group of traumatizing teens. It's going to be worth it as it should lead to more presentations and more books sold!

I hope you are trying new things too!

Thanks to Alex and his Crew for giving us insecure writers this supportive venue.

And now for the results from Writer's Life Survey #6 - Inside a Writer's Head

Which of these describes you?

Do you keep a journal?

How do you deal with writer's block?

With which character do you identify most?

• Specifically, can't think of one, but any that suffer great loss, are feel isolated or alone can hit triggers. Loved Harry Dresden, Harry Potter, Dallas J.D. Robb.
• Pippin from LOTR
• Anyone who's bookish and quiet
• Alanna the Lioness (from a quartet of books by Tamora Pierce)
• geeky heroes
• Hmm. I never thought about that. I tend to write characters who can be what I'm not.

How did you know you wanted to be a writer?

I don't know that I thought it I have just always done it. I did think maybe I want to be a professional writer and began the journey to learn what it takes in 2011--was already deep into learning and taking writing craft courses and reading about since the in high school, writing since age 9 stories.

Didn't ... it happened late in life

It's my earliest childhood desire

When I picked up a new book called The White Dragon, it hit me - I want to be an author.

I've been doing it since age four. It's just something I've always done.

I wanted to be the one making the magical things on the shelves that I loved.

I've been writing stories since before I was five! I didn't want to be a writer, I have always been one.

I like writing stories...

Just always have.

Awesome responses! I enjoyed hearing what makes my author friends tick. I hope you did too! Join me in a couple of weeks when I put out the next Writer's Life Survey - Dealing with TIME!

Can't believe it's May!