Keeping Track of Time

Some wonder why this is important.  It's important to me because I need to know where my time goes, plus by keeping a log of time, I can prove to anyone this isn't a hobby but a job.  

It also helps you as a writer to see are you spending too much time researching than writing?  Or at least where your time goes.

What do I keep track of?

I keep track of:

Research time

Writing time

Reading time

Blogging

Conference time (attending or giving)

Workshop time (attending or giving)

Professional meetings

Anything related to my writing.

I also keep track on a daily basis what I do, so sometimes my typical day looks like this:

online - 1 hour

My blog - 30 minutes

Doctor appt.

Laundry

WIP - 2 hours

This way when I look back at a week when I have missed my weekly goal (it happens) I can see that I had a doctor appointment and laundry which wasn't expected.  I'll even put down when there's a family emergency so I know what happened.

Overkill?  Maybe, but six months to a year from now I may not remember why there are four blank days on my calendar, just have the words family emergency, reminds me.  

Also this helps me when planning out my schedule for writing the next month or even year, because I can see a pattern to where things happen and plan for them.

Next week: Write

Writing Goals

Goals are important to any professional, but especially to writers.  I know when I had the dreaded day job, I hated it when my boss asked what my goals were.  When I was fresh into the company I could tell the boss, but when I was within a few years of retiring, my goal was to retire.

With writing, there is so much more to it.  One has to be realistic about their goals, but that doesn't mean we can't reach for the stars.  We sometimes want to reach higher than we think we can.

The main thing about goals to remember is they need to be SMART goals.

Specific

Measurable

Attainable

Realistic

Time-bound

Specific goal - write 5 pages a day, 6 days a week

Measurable - the number of pages per day or week

Attainable - can I write 5 pages a day, 6 days a week?  If yes, then it's attainable, if not, then need to change the goal

Realistic - look at what a typical week looks like, is it realistic for me to write 5 pages a day, 6 days a week

Time-bound - 1 week

This is pretty simplistic but this is what I do.  I have daily goals, weekly goals, monthly goals and yearly goals.  I also have 5 year and 10 year plans/goals.  The reason for this is to track where I am, plus the IRS (in the US) can ask for your 5 year and 10 year plans if they think you're not doing this as a business.

It's amazing on how things change which is why you do re-evaluate your goals. I always look at my monthly goals to see how I progressed and change the next month if needed.  On the yearly goals, I look at them once a year at the end of the year to see how I did and make the next years plan accordingly.

The 5 and 10 year goals, I do look at maybe once a year or every other year.  

If you're not making a weekly goal, take a look at your daily goals and see what happened that week and then adjust.

This isn't written in stone, but it gives you a benchmark.

Just remember goals don't make you a professional, but they make do make you look better when asked what your goals are.

Next week: Keeping Track of Time

Writing is a Business

The next eight weeks, I'm going to discuss writing as a business.

I think it still amazes me on how many people don't think writing is a business.  I just want to shout "get with it people."

Of the past few months I've run into writers who are totally professional who think of writing as a business, then there is those who are at a mid-point, they think of writing as a business, but one they can do when they want, and lastly there are those who don't even think about it as a business.

If you want your writing to be taken seriously, then you have to take your writing seriously.

That means, being professional, listening and constantly learning about the business.

Writing is hard, many people think its easy, but it's not.  Writing romance is not easy, but the genre is the most put down poplar genre fiction.  I think it is because mainly women write romance (there are a few men), and other don't view writing romance as "legitimate" as writing other genre fiction.

It comes down to, writing is a business, you need to know how to run your business.

Next blog: Professional Writing Goals

Have a great week.

Marie

Conference Weekend

This last weekend I attended the Emerald City Writers Conferece.  It was fun and great to see old friends and make new ones.

I always forget how exhausing conferences can be mainly because you want to squeeze everything you can into the hours you have at the conference.  Sometimes it means giving up sleep and other times it means giving up a workshop or two.

I enjoyed workshops by Sabrina York, Bob Mayer and Jen Talty along with key note speeches by Maya Banks and Robyn Carr.

Writing conferences usually give me the boost I need to get my butt in chair and write again, and this one is no different. I've learned new techniques from Sabrina York, Bob Mayer and Jen Talty.  I've been inspired by Maya Banks and Robyn Carr.

It was a great weekend, but now it's back to my desk, to my writing, because I have books to write.  And next year it will be fun to catch up with everyone again and see what we've all accomplished.

Guest: MacKenzie Crowne

Today I have a guest, MacKenzie Crowne

Tell us a little about yourself:

I’m a wife, mother and really young grandmother. Together with my high school sweet heart husband, a neurotic Pomeranian and a blind cat, I call Arizona home because the southwest feeds my soul. My love of books, specifically the romance genre, has been a lifelong affair, both as a reader and a writer. A bout with breast cancer sharpened my resolve to see my stories shared with others. Today, I’m a five-year survivor, living the dream. Raised on the concept that a stranger is just one conversation away from being a friend, I love meeting new people.

My friends call me Mac. I hope you will too.

Okay, Mac.  What do like the most and the least about writing?

As a pantser, when I sit down to write a story, I have a general concept in mind, beginning – middle – end. The details, however, are a little murky. I love how both major elements and minor details unfold before my eyes. Like some kind of romance stenographer, I’m thrilled and excited when my characters slip me new insights into their psyches or deliver a bombshell I wasn’t expecting. On the flip side of being a pantser, however, is the danger of writer’s block. Since I’m not the one driving the story, I’m occasionally left sitting at my computer with nothing but crickets to keep me company. Hate that!

Oh how I understand the character silence.  Give us a peek into your latest published work?

A SONG FOR SOPHIE is a lighthearted contemporary romance and part of The Honky Tonk Hearts series from The Wild Rose Press. It’s currently available exclusively at Amazon and will be FREE to download 10/15 through 10/19.

Blurb: Jobless, practically homeless, and tired of being manless, Sophie Taylor jumps at the chance to be Beaumont Walker's personal assistant. Six weeks on the road with country music's bad boy--and, more importantly, his all-male crew--is the perfect opportunity to change her life.

Beau Walker doesn't need any more distractions. Sophie, with her butt-ugly suits and balls-to-the-wall attitude, shouldn't be one, but she proves to be distracting and more--even, surprisingly, a friend. So when he discovers her plan to snag a man from his worldly wise crew, he's determined to protect her from herself.

When Sophie realizes Beau is behind her failure to attract even one member of his crew, the last place she expects to find herself is in his bed. But will one night of passion convince her she's woman enough for him? Or will it destroy their friendship and his budding belief in true love?

That sounds like a good, fun book.  What's next on the writing horizon for you?

Though it’s not my usual genre, I’m hoping to announce some very exciting news about my new romantic suspense, IRRESISTIBLE DECEPTIONS, sometime later this week. Details to come… In the meantime, several of my lighthearted contemporaries are hitting the digital shelves. THAT DATING THING is available now and CARA O’SHEA’S RETURN, a prequel to THE BILLIONAIRE’S CON will be released on 10/28.

Here's an excerpt of A Song for Sophie:

Here’s a little taste of “Sophie”. Enjoy!

“Don’t you have something you’re supposed to be doing? I assume we’re paying you. Go earn your paycheck.”

“Oh, you’re paying me.” She allowed the secret smile to curl her lips in an actual one. “And I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing.”

“What’s that? Boring me to death?”

She dropped her oversized purse to the floor and took the chair next to him. It was a very comfortable recliner, and large enough that her arm didn’t reach the handle to lift the footrest. Feeling around blindly, she sat forward, and hanging half way over the arm, grasped the control. A quick tug and the footrest snapped up, and the back of the chair fell into the recline position, making her squeak.

Beau shook his head.

She tugged at the hem of her skirt to make sure it didn’t ride up, squirming until she’d settled herself. With her ankles crossed, she plopped her hands and forearms on the cushioned arms of the chair and looked at him.

“I’m keeping you busy.”

“Huh?”

“I’m keeping you busy. You asked what I was supposed to be doing. That’s what I’m supposed to be doing.”

“Well, quit it. You’re pissing me off.”

“Oh, yeah,” she drawled, “like that’s hard to do.”

“Have I fired you yet today?”

“No.”

“You’re fired.”

He really was funny when he was trying to look menacing. She laughed and held his glare. “Geez, you’re cranky.”

Thanks for being here today, Mac

Guest: Barbara Edwards

Today, my guest is fellow Wild Rose Press Author Barbara Edwards.

Welcome Barbara.

What can I tell you to snag your interest? 

I’m Barbara Edwards and I’m an author. Not a world shattering surprise since I have a new release, Journey of the Magi, available on kindle http://amzn.com/B00ES5DZEQ

The big difference is that it’s a sweet holiday romance and very different from my edgy, paranormal romances or historical romances.

Marie was nice and sent me some interesting questions.  Thanks, Marie,  for being my hostess today.

The thing I like least about writing is the amount of patience it takes to get a book published. Writing the basic book, editing, rewriting and then submitting can take up to a year. Then you wait for acceptance or rejection, or suggestions for changes to make it acceptable. The more edits from the editor. Sometimes this process takes another year. Then comes the big day! Boom! It’s over, someone likes it. Where’s the next book?

What do I like most about writing? When someone likes my work.

Here’s a bit about my Christmas story.

Blurb for Journey of the Magi:

Widow Noel Martin never breaks promises, and she promised her kids they’d have Christmas at her childhood home in Connecticut. But driving across country takes money. Noel is broke when a snowstorm blows them into a tiny Minnesota café owned by a man who can change her mind. She accepts his offer of a job. Despite her attraction to him, she makes it clear she is only temporary help.

Dan Longstreet isn’t adopting any more strays, but he needs a waitress. Dan works so hard to make his café a success, he doesn't have time for love. Though Noel’s slender blonde beauty stuns him and her two adorable children tug at his heart, he denies how they threaten to change his life.

When tragedy strikes, their new-found love is the first victim. Noel can't stay and Dan can't leave. Will their journey be the gift that reunites them? 

What’s next? I’d like to write another holiday romance, but already have the next book in my paranormal series, Ancient Dark, well underway. It’s about a man who’s bloodlines are werewolf but he never changed.

I set my series in New England since that’s where I was raised. The atmosphere can be spooky or full of eerie history, a nice bucket to dip ideas from. 

Here’s an excerpt from Journey of the Magi

“Is that job still open?”

“I need a waitress.” His rich voice woke tingles of awareness that she’d forgotten, or maybe never knew.

“Is that a yes or a no?” she asked impatiently. These unfamiliar feelings were scary and unwelcome. She was

too tired to be diplomatic and this job was too important.

“What are you going to do with them?” He jutted his chin toward her children.

“I, I d-d-don’t know,” Noel stammered before sheslumped onto the nearest stool. Leaning forward onto

her elbows, she looked at her clasped hands. “I didn’t plan that far.”

“Humph!”

Noel watched his long, strong fingers dexterously polish another glass. His wide palms held the heavy

restaurant-ware like fine china. He had nice hands, a gentle touch. Instinct murmured he’d be as careful with

a woman.

“I guess I should move on. I…”

“Could keep the kids next to the kitchen, there’s a place there. Then if they needed you, you’d be right

close.” His deep voice was like an angel’s song.

Journey of the Magi is available here: http://amzn.com/B00ES5DZEQ

Please follow, friend or like me. I love to hear from my readers.

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It was great having you here today, Barbara.

Guest: Rachel Leigh

Today I welcome Rachel Leigh to my blog.  Rachel is published with The Wild Rose Press and bring her own unique voice to her books.

Tell us a little about yourself.

I've been writing for about eight years now under Rachel Leigh and a pseudonym, as well as being wife to my wonderful husband and mum to our two daughters. I live in England but write for the US market which is kind of strange seeing as I've never even been to the US! I endeavored to get published here, but it seems I'm more American than British, lol :D

What do like the most and the least about writing?

Most: Each time I write chapter 1 - I just love starting a new story! I plan a short outline and character sketches and then dive in. I love letting my characters take me where they want to go, with lots of surprises of who they are as individuals as well as the naughtiness they get up to along the way…

Least: The middle! I suffer from terrible 'sagging middle' syndrome and when I reach the 15,000 mark (my novellas range from 25,000 to 40,000 words), I hit a brick wall. The only way to get through it is to keep writing. I write, and then worry about cleaning it up in the following drafts.

Give us a peek into your latest published work? 

Caroline James wants to be the best investigative journalist London has ever seen. But until she has the money to leave the small town of Fayre Mead, she's stuck and her resentment is building. So when she’s assigned to cover the Lakeland Horse Trials and meets sexy, dark-haired, and astoundingly fit horse trainer, Michael Canton, she is happy to vent some sexual and emotional frustration…and write the story of her career. But after getting personal with Michael, can she remain impersonal with the article?

Michael Canton will do anything in his power to silence his tyrannical father once and for all. Under extreme pressure to compete in the countries show jumper trials and prove his worth, Michael’s fiery emotions are running high. Caroline’s beauty and sexual confidence stokes an inner strength and determination he never knew he had. But can he trust her to know the difference between fact and fiction? Together, they are a formidable team…but will their burning ambitions ultimately blow them apart?

What’s next on the writing horizon for you?

I'm extremely busy with other writing commitments right now, but as soon as I'm done, I'm planning my first venture into erotic historical romance. I want to write a trilogy based around three orphaned sisters running their own clothes store in the early 1900s. I'm so excited to get started!

Is there anything you want to tell readers?

Yes! Please join me on my blog where I have regular guest authors who more often than not offer so great giveaways. 

Also, follow me on my FB page (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rachel-Leigh/266044849655?fref=ts) 

and Twitter (https://twitter.com/rachelwriter) for all my latest news. I love to chat!

Here's an excerpt from Rachel's Current release:

Still sitting in his lap, she reached behind her and lowered the zipper of her dress. It fell down over her shoulders, revealing naked breasts. His erection ached at the sight of her creamy white, perfect tits with nipples big and dark. He licked his lips and moved forward to suck one hard tip into his mouth. Her gasp sounded above him.

Her skin smelled of something sweet and sexy, innocence mixed with danger. He inhaled deeply as he grazed her pebbled nipple with his teeth before reclaiming her mouth. Her tongue was rigid and demanding against his as they fought for supremacy.

Rolling her over, he shimmied the dress down her body and tossed it to the floor. Naked, but for tiny satin panties, darkened by juices at her clit, Michael didn’t think he had ever seen a woman look more beautiful. He drank in every inch of her, knowing deep inside that this might be the only moment he’d ever see her like this. The only chance to take her, to watch her enjoy unadulterated pleasure. God, he wanted to give her pleasure.

“Michael…”

He snapped his gaze to hers. She watched him. Her eyes were heavy lidded, screaming for him, wanting him. Male pride surged like a fireball behind his ribcage. He crawled up beside her and kissed her, his fingers trailing over her breasts, lower over her torso before diving into her panties.

She was wet. Soaking wet.

His hand glided over her narrow strip of pubic hair to her rigid clit. He circled, stretched, and teased, then moved lower until his fingers found her slit, his blood roaring in his ears. He felt alive, masculine and powerful. Her legs opened and he thrust two fingers deep inside. 

Wow, hot excerpt.

You can view Teach To Ride on http://www.amazon.com/Teach-Me-To-Ride-ebook/dp/B00EPQPNMU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1377966674&sr=8-1&keywords=teach+me+to+ride

And for an extra, here's the cover of Rachel's previous release.

I think Rachel has heated up our Labor Day (here in the US) quite well.

Thanks for being here today Rachel.