Smitten. Enamored. In Love. Taken With... Blogging

Can I say I AM SO SO SO SO EVER SO HAPPY TO BE BLOGGING AGAIN? Oh, I just did, or rather typed it. Well, I'm going to say it out loud right now. I don't want you to think I'm lying and don't live up to my word. Seriously, I just said it out loud. I cracked a smile too, and I'm still grinning as I type. Man, I just giggled too. Oh, how I am easily entertained.

Lava Lamp

Blogging helps me to be a part of something big. I mean something HUMONGOUS, something truly special, that being the writing community. The group of people I am honored to associate with via blogging and social networking are truly magnificent. They, YOU, are such examples and powerhouses of pure energy that keep me going. I love it!

I took some time off from blogging and it was way hard to decide to get back into it. Once I dived back in, it took me some time to get back into the swing of things, really enjoying it. I'm pretty much smitten with my blog again. Now, that is an exhilarating feeling.

Being smitten is a good place to be and oh, what an amazing word. I looked up the word and there were some synonyms that caught my attention: enamored, in love, and taken with. I am definitely all of the above with my blog.

The only problem is I'm not quite back to that point with my writing. I struggle with having the courage to open up the file of my work in progress because I feel ever so inadequate. My confidence is lacking at the moment. But I am loving blogging again and this gives me the hope I need to fall head over heels in love with creating stories again. It will happen and it will!

I have written over half of my posts for the Blogging From A to Z April Challenge. Can you say over achiever? haha When I signed up for the challenge, I freaked out about needing to write so many posts. However, I did it so I could fall back in love with blogging. And you know what? It worked! Writing so many posts so far has brought the spirited fire of blogging back into my bones. Yes!

Are you smitten with your blog? Have you ever struggled to feel fully devoted to your blog or writing? Are you participating in the Blogging From A to Z April Challenge?

Writing Jewels

The Outernet vs The Internet

I saw this the other day and thought it was hilarious.

Source

Those were the good old days when we had to use all of those "outernet" sources to complete tasks that take us minutes to do on the internet. I remember them... Yes, I remember researching for a paper at the library. Does that mean I'm old? haha

Anyway, I couldn't help but think about social networking as I laughed at this picture. I have met soooooo many great people while using Twitter and my blog. I swear, I wouldn't be where I'm at right now in in my writing journey if it weren't for social networking. The support I've found here is mind-boggling. I've found critique partners and betas on the internet. And I've actually only met one of them. Props to Morgan Shamy. I can't tell you how grateful I am for social networking. It has pulled me from having no idea what I'm doing to, uh well, knowing what I'm doing writing-wise.

If you've been following me long enough, you'll know I'm an advocate for using social networking during the writing process. It. Is. Priceless. How will people know you from the girl next door if you don't get your name out there? And the best part of social networking is you make amazing friendships along the way.

Back before the internet, I wonder how people actually got published. It is AMAZING to me. I bow in their glory. Seriously.

Anyway, did you laugh up a storm when you saw the Outernet picture? Have you found a lot of support from social networking? Have you found your CP's and betas from it? What are your thoughts on social networking? 

Writing. Jewels.

You and only YOU!

I received some valuable advice a while ago that has stuck with me. It is . . .

The only person who can sell your book is you!

I’ve taken that suggestion very seriously. If I want be published, then I’VE got to put in the effort. No one else can do it. Of course an agent and/or publisher are helpful. But, even then I plan on working my butt off.

Here are some tips I thought of that might help you sell your book:

Write it. How much more plain can it be. Yep, you gotta put in the time, if you wanna make the dime. Ok, lame rhyme, I know.

Edit, edit some more, then edit a whole lot more. Your book has to shine, and revisions are the way to achieve that lofty goal. This also includes having critique partners and beta writers. They definitely will catch things that you didn’t—that will make it tons better. Writing a story takes a lot of time, but it’s worth it.

I’ve said this multiple times, but I’m going to say it again. Social network. It will get your name out there, especially if you aren’t published yet. I use Twitter and my blog. I’ve found much success using these platforms.

Have a great network of supportive writing friends. Writing and querying can take a toll on an author. Keep in touch with these people. They’re going through the same rollercoaster ride as you are. They can empathize with you. And likewise, you will help them.

Take time away from your manuscript. Some detachment can result in fresh eyes. I’ve found that distancing myself away from my book has helped me notice typos or parts that can be fixed, things I didn’t see before. This is a great tool.

Keep on querying. Don’t let the rejections overcome your desire to have a published book—your book. Yes, you can own the gloomy feelings for a while, but then pick yourself up. I’ve spent many an evening laying on the couch super depressed, not wanting to do anything else but watch T.V. But I got over it. Remember: rejections are a part of the journey to sell your book.

I hope these tips have been helpful. The only person who can sell your book is definitely YOU!

What do you suggest doing in regards to this subject?

A Shameless Plug. Not That It's Needed.

I attended a writing workshop last Saturday with a writing buddy (Morgan Shamy) who I met on Twitter. Basically we all critiqued the first 15 pages of each member of the group's manuscript. The writers were seated at separate tables according to genre and were headed by a local editor. I received some amazing feedback, and had an enjoyable time meeting new people and thriving off of their passion to write. 

As I talked with my group of writers, one of them wanted to become a part of a writing group or find people to critique her book. I commented that I found my close-knit group of critique buddies through social media--mainly Twitter. 

Without social networking, I know I wouldn't be where I am now. It's crazy to think that at this time last year I pretty much knew nothing about the writing industry, I had no critique partners, and I was a nameless writer in the midst of thousands of authors. 

Now I know so much more than I would have otherwise. I shamelessly plug Twitter for a moment; it's the reason for my success (at least the little bit I have so far). It's my little (well, humongous) writing forum. Twitter initiated me into the world of writing more than anything. Ever. And now I have a lot more writing buddies than I could ever have wished for, and, I'm sure, more to come. 

If you're not using Twitter or social networking, start now. It's a fine way to immerse yourself into a group of people who are supportive and friendly. You will learn so much from them and them from you. I love my writers! I love you all! 

What is your favorite social networking tool and why?

I'm pretty sure you all have seen the following social networking video, but I share it anyway. It's cool and gets my point across very well. Enjoy!

What I’ve Learned Wednesday: The Many Hats of Writing

December 2009. I had a dream. Dream turned into a plot. Plot turned into a manuscript. Manuscript turned into an endless string of edits. Endless string of edits turned into me pulling my hair out. Pulled out hair eventually will turn into a published work! Published work will lead to wearing more hats than I do now. Wearing more hats than I do now will be really cool.

In December 2009, I had absolutely no idea what industry I was getting myself into. The writing industry is way more than just plucking away at your laptop. Being an author requires many hats. I haven’t even put on all of the hats, but still am way excited to wear them all.

I attended a writing conference last year. Brandon Mull, author of the Fablehaven series, The Candy Shop War, Pingo, and The Beyonders (released 3/15/11), was the keynote speaker. He spoke about all the hats that authors get to wear. “Get to” cause it’s way fun! He said a few things, among many, that left an impression on me.

You get to be a speaker, marketer, small business owner, and reading advocate. I hope to be an author who gets to go around speaking to people about writing and other related topics. I’m already marketing my name, my book. I’ve got a social networking business up and booming. I wouldn’t call it a business, though cause I have way too much fun with it. And I get to be an advocate for reading. Seriously, what an awesome job it is to be an author.

Being an author has lots of other aspects other than the writing part. The writing part is the most important, but you have to remember that there are other parts to this industry, especially if you want to be published. I’ve found that during my writing/editing stages, social networking has been king. I have to get my name out there, my brand, Writing Jewels. I really enjoy blogging and have to admit that I’m obsessed with Twitter.

Which authoring hats to you love to wear? Are you just as giddy about all these pretty, fun hats as I am? Were you surprised at all the other things you’d have to do in order to get published? Or were you pleasantly surprised?

What I've Learned Wednesday Begins!

Over the past year, I’ve learned loads about writing and the publishing industry. I would like to hand off a bit of my “tip of the iceberg” knowledge to you. Plus, writing and the publishing industry are fascinating to me, so why not blab on about something I love, right?

Today, for the first “What I’ve Learned Wednesday”, I want to share about the infamous phenomena called “Social Networking.” I started writing my novel in December 2009. It wasn’t until the summer of 2010 that I became obsessed with getting it published. With talking to a few people, they told me a piece of WAY important advice. Social Network. Social NETWORK. SOCIAL NETWORK. Being an aspiring author, no one knows you at all—at least in the publishing industry. Even though I don't have a finished manuscript yet, I can be doing something incredibly important to get my name out there, right now and not later. Therefore when I have a finished manuscript, more people will know who I am than would have otherwise.

I already had a blog that I randomly posted on about my book, but was not consistent with posting. I decided then and there that my book is important enough to take on social networking. I WANT people to read my story, and NEED it to be published, therefore I had to place myself into the industry. I started blogging on a consistent basis, loving every minute of it. I found myself thinking of new things I could post—funny stuff, writing related stuff, etc. Be prepared because you’ll become obsessed with it.

In the process of social networking, you’ll eventually fall into a routine and be thinking of new ways to attract people to your blog. I share my posts on Facebook, Twitter, Google Buzz, and via email. You’ll find yourself revamping your blog to make it attractive and user-friendly. Make sure it screams YOU! You are selling yourself, so be yourself.

But. The key to my social networking absolutely was joining Twitter (emphasis added to express major I-can’t-control-myself enthusiasm). Twitter developed into a writing forum for me. Within a short period of time, I was chatting with people I didn’t even know. We discussed our love of writing and reading, even stuff not related to writing. At the beginning, I was given some valuable advice from one of my “Tweeps.” She said, “Don’t just talk to people, talk with people.” I have tried to implement that advice into my networking, especially on Twitter. Start a conversation, open up dialogue, and be yourself in the process.

If there is one piece of advice I can offer any aspiring author, it is to social network. NOW! Don’t wait. It takes some time to get into the swing of things. You may not have many people follow your blog at first. I am still working on a consistent following. You may not have people commenting on your posts, but keep going! Be persistent. Have patience. And be consistent. If you are consistent, people will wonder what you are going to post next on your blog, or say on Twitter. They’ll be expecting it. Once you have a following, you owe it to them to post, to tweet, and—in the end, have a book people want to read. Social networking has pushed me to get to the point that I’m at now—almost having a finished manuscript in hand.

Last tid-bit of advice from me to you is: Follow. Other. People’s. Blogs. You will learn an amazing amount of knowledge from them about writing and how to present your blog. Make sure that you comment on their posts. This will get your name out to people who follow the blogs you comment on. Comment on other people’s tweets as well.

Social Networking is the way I hope to get my baby—my novel—published, and it’s way fun too!

PS: This can be useful for other things you are trying to promote. It’s not just for writers.

Writing Your Voice

I’ve been thinking about writing voice lately. Voice is something that’s important to developing your characters. You’re writing what they’d really sound like if they were talking. This makes them real—practically human or inhuman depending on your genre. (Yah, for supernatural books. Love the vamps and warewolves - just not Jacob) Anyway, voice is also important to blogging and other forms of social networking. The voice you portray is who you are, how you sound, or how you want people to think you sound. Probably don’t put up a façade though. Keep it real.

An example of a writer who is A-FREAKING-MAZING at voice is Carrie Harris. Her voice brings a humongous grin on my face. I’ll admit her voice is delicious. You just want to eat more and more of it, like chocolate. Sounds, creepy, but she does write zombie books. Hehe. Carrie is probably the cleverest of bloggers I’ve come across; and I’ve read a lot lately. The way she writes her posts makes me ache to read her book “Bad Taste in Boys.” It comes out next year. I can’t wait any longer for the zombierific book to reach bookstores. I’m dying for it—literally. Just kidding, but you know that already. Right? (I hope so)

Check her blog out at http://carrieharrisbooks.blogspot.com/

Anyway, what’s my voice? I can’t really peg it down, but I think my voice should be diagnosed with multiple personality disorder. I’d say I’m a conglomerate of silly, serious, angsty, and evasive. It will forever be named SANGSTIVE. Yes, I just created a new word. Shakespeare can’t be the only person to make up words. It should be in the dictionary. Like. Right. Now. I stamp my foot. See there’s my silliness coming out. Actually, I like the word silly so maybe that’s why silly is one side of my voice.
With all this thought about writing voice, I’ve decided I need to write more like I speak. It’s just cooler that way. It could get confusing though, cuz sometimes I don’t finish my sentences, and on rare occasions I stutter. But I like my voice—just not the recorded version of it. Who does though?

What kind of voice do you have? Do tell!

Tweet Tweet Tweet Away

So, I joined Twitter yesterday. It is somewhat of an odd feeling to be a tweeter now. This is one thing that I simply vowed never, ever in a million years to do. Well, I did vow never to go back to school but I am in a French class now. Guess that I shouldn’t vow not to do things anymore. ☺ Hehe! It was a cool experience to not be near a computer today and send a tweet through my cell phone. I felt all giddy inside, like I am really into the social networking grove now. Just now I logged onto twitter and there the tweet be in all its glory. Anyway, this is just another step to progressing to becoming a published author. Hallelujah for social networking. Well, now I get to tweet away and feel excited every time that I do. If you are on Twitter, lets follow each other. @writingjewels1 or http://twitter.com/WritingJewels1 is where you can find me.

For some reason, whenever I think of Twitter, Tweety Bird pops into my head. Does that happen to you, or am I just weird?

Writing Conference - Book Academy

For anyone interested in attending a writing conference, visit this site...

http://www.uvu.edu/ce/cw/bookacademy.

A favorite author of mine will be the keynote speaker; Brandon Mull, author of the Fablehaven series, The Candy Shop War, and Pingo. He had a new series coming out in March 2011 called the Beyonders.

Above is a photo from a book signing where I met him and got all of my books signed. It was fabulous. There is another one to your right too.

I am super excited to attend the conference. This will be my first writing conference. I hope that I can learn a lot and do some major networking. I mean MAJOR!

If you want to go with me then let me know!