The IWSG... Finally

Today is one of the days I enjoy about the first of the month. The first Wednesday of each month is the Insecure Writers' Support Group created by the great Ninja Captain Alex Cavanaugh. Go link up and join this band of amazing writers and make a few friends along the way.

My topic for the IWSG is your real support group. Do you have those people that cheer you on in your writing? Do you have those that tell you the truth? Do you have someone who loves you no matter what? Surround yourself with people who encourage your creativity, inspire, give constructive criticism, and make you a better you.

There will always be those that try to tear you down. The only way they can is if you allow them. You are only the best you possible when YOU believe in YOU.

I stopped writing for a long time when I asked for one opinion. One person shot me down, and I allowed that negativity to destroy the flow of words. It's one opinion. I am a writer. I write my life. There is no greater joy than to share my work with others. But, I write for me. Writing is like breathing.

Take a deep breath fellow writer. Take a long look to the road ahead, and get ready. The blank page awaits.

Oh Look! I'm Back!

I miss blogging. Life gets busy, and things get sacrificed. Writing should not be one of those things. And yes, I keep saying I'm going to get my blog up and running again, but I think this time is the right time. It's the busiest, craziest, most out of control time of the year...... but I see it as a time to reinvent ourselves.

My fabulous four and I will be starting a new school year. The summer has flown by, don't you think? My challenge to those that might read this..... embrace the small moments and make as many memories as possible. It's going to be a grand few months ahead.

We may not have it all together but we are together and that's all that matters. Have a great end of the summer everyone! Just so you know.... at our house my sweet son has declared from now on every Monday be Chocolate Mondays! This is how we are celebrating..... Chocolate Birthday Bark.

Go.... celebrate.... enjoy! 

A to Z Challenge.... Letter D

Welcome A to Z friends! Tell me about a new blog you've found along your a to z journey. Lots of great blogs out there just waiting for you, and that's why this year I'm spotlighting blogs or people to follow. 

Today was easy... D... and who best to fill the "D" spotlight than Doreen McGettigan. Doreen and I became friends with the publication of our first books. She's a fabulous lady with a giant heart. Visiting her blog is a must, and you'll discover you'll find a new friend in Doreen. Hop over and like her on facebook and follow her on twitter.

 

My rhyming picture book for the letter D is...... Do Pirates Take Baths? by Kathy Tucker

Enjoy the fun! 

Do you have a favorite blog to follow? Share in the comments. I love new places to visit. Have a favorite rhyming book from your childhood? Let us know! Happy A to Z everyone! 

A to Z Challenge.... Letter C

Oh how I love cookie monster. I think I live with 4 of those. 

I hope everyone is off enjoying the A to Z blogging challenge and making friends along the way. Today is the letter C, and I'm spotlighting the blog Coming Down the Mountain. Hop on over and visit with Karen. Enjoy her journey and don't forget to say hello! 

My rhyming picture book for today is Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. 

Happy A to Z hopping everyone! Looking forward to visiting with you! 

A to Z Challenge... Letter B

Yes, I'm behind one whole day, but today is my catch up day. It's the A to Z challenge, and I'm glad you stopped by. I'm doing something a little different this year. I'm spotlighting someone I think you should follow and since I'm a part of RhyPiBoMo this month I'm adding a rhyming picture book you need to read. Rhyming books are my favorite books to read to children. I teach a two year old preschool class, and they absolutely love rhyming books. We can make anything silly and fun, but rhyming books just make reading fun! 

Today, the spotlight "B" goes to Becca Boucher, a fellow author at Write More Publications. 

Check out her blog, My Life With Books and Boys. Hop over to amazon and pick up a copy of her book, 

Hunting the Moon (The Moon Series) [Kindle Edition]

One of my favorite rhyming book for the letter "B" is BARN DANCE by Bill Martin Jr. 

Of course, how could I end my day devoted to the letter "B" without giving a shout out to Beth! :) Everyone say hi to Beth.... we've known each other since the fourth grade. 

A to Z Challenge. Letter A... and so it begins.

Yes my friends, it's that time again! It's hard to believe April is here, so let's have some fun! The A to Z challenge has become astronomical. I can't wait to visit around with all of you. There's so much fun out in the blogosphere. I deliberated over a theme for a while now, and I've come up with the perfect journey from A to Z! It's you!!! I want to include one of you so when someone visits here it takes them to you! I'm affiliated with another April challenge so I'm posting about rhyming books for the RhyPiBoMo. I'm working on a children's picture book manuscript, and I can't wait to share it with you! And I'm getting back in shape... finally. It's my gift to myself so I'm posting exercises I'm trying or doing. Have a great April! 

Let's start with the man who is responsible for bringing us all together. The man who started it all! Mr. Tossing it Out himself...... Arlee Bird. 

Yes, he's the founding father of the A to Z challenge and he is a delight to follow. So hop on over and read all about Mr. Arlee. He's got a great story and a fabulous blog. 

My rhyming book for letter "A"......... Dr. Seuss' ABC. Yes I know the title actually starts with a "D"... but in our house it was the ABC book. 

Exercises.... okay, so it's time to work on those ABS!!! Did you know you can work you abdominal muscles daily? You don't have to take a day's rest in between. The abs heal and regenerate tissue fast! What's your favorite ab exercise? Planking sure makes time seems to crawl by... but it WORKS! 

Drop by again, and if you'd like to be one of the featured bloggers, let me know in the comments. Have an amazing day! 

Let's Look Ahead

It's time to rhyme, but rhyme takes time, so come along, make your rhyme shine.

April is coming, it's coming fast, make your plans so the fun can last!

With rhyming daily

 and the A to Z, 

there's plenty of work ahead for me. 

So much to do, great fun ahead, sign up with me and have nothing to dread.

Friends await that you've never met, go ahead, I know you'll have fun, I bet!

Why mention April, when there's talk of snow? No time like the present, this fact I know.

Enjoy your moment to rhyme and write, and to you dear friends, I say goodnight.

Writer's Creed 2014 January Post

 A big shout out to Sheri for the 2014 Writer's CREED. Such a fabulous idea, and a wonderful way to connect with others.

Want to join the fun? Hop over to Sheri's and link up. I have been trying to schedule my writing time and be better about where I post. I miss making connections with my writer friends, and I miss enjoying their success. When I saw Sheri's writer's creed I knew it was time to make a commitment to get back on track with everything writing related. So, I'll see you all on facebook, twitter, goodreads, and here... oh and pinterest since that's where I have my chocolate board. 

This is the year for new things, and while I'm working on my next manuscript I'll be trying my hand at my first love of writing..... children's books. There's a great big year ahead full of hopes and promises of blessings. Keep in touch and let's make this the best year yet! 

The Dark Queen is Coming Soon!

Sometimes I sit here and try to absorb all that is really happening. My newest novel is in the works with Write More Publications. It's cover reveal day for me, and I couldn't wait to share it with you! 

The Dark Queen is coming soon, and you're all invited to the release party. Keep watching for updates!

My short story "Hourglass" was accepted into the LOVE BITES anthology due to release VERY soon!

I can't wait for you to meet Eva and Jonathan. 

My short story "Of Yesterday" is available on amazon for only $0.99, so hop on over and grab a copy. 

It's just one of those days that THIS doesn't seem real.... but I'm so glad to be able to enjoy it with all of you! 

What Works and What Doesn't

It's January 20th and time for the 

hosted by Hosted by Arlee Bird, Yolanda Renee, Jeremy Hawkins, and Alex J. Cavanaugh.

All across the blogosphere we are talking about what marketing ideas have worked and what didn't. Boy, we could stay here all day talking about what didn't work for me, but I have found a few things that have worked. Now these ideas are not just from me, but from friends who I've helped market along the way. 

One group, in particular, was formed simply to market one author. This one woman stepped out of her comfort zone and asked for help. She's been a delight to work with because she has about 30 of us that are faithful to help. She didn't try to run with masses. She take her 30 and they share with 5 or so that are asked to share with as many as possible, who are asked to share, and so on. 

The amazing thing about this type of marketing is that it doesn't fall on just one, and your work isn't lost in the noise of social media. Her work is taken seriously by a group that have grown to love her. Want to know what's great about this lone wolf? She sent us all chocolate, a signed copy of her new release, a book light so we could stay up reading of course, and the joy of friendship. We know her now, not only as an author, but as a friend. 

For myself, I decided to try her tactic and I asked 10 of my friends to see if we could deplete amazon's stock of my book one weekend. We went social media crazy sharing, and do you know, it actually worked! I posted... 10 more copies.. 7 more copies..... one last copy! By the end of the day amazon had sold out of their stock and people were posting my book in the "hard to find" book sites! I was listed on ebay for over a hundred dollars. Funny what causing a little noise will do. 

Looking forward to learning from some people making some noise. Visit our hosts and enjoy making a few friends along the way. 

     

Insecure Writer's Support Group

The first post of the year! I do love new beginnings, don't you? Facing a new year of writing is intimidating, to say the least. 

Things I intend to accomplish this year in my world of writing...... well.... write.

I would love to say I have a brilliant plan for my writing schedule, but I don't. Working 7 days a week seems to take first priority, but taking time to write is like breathing. If I don't do it then I don't feel like me. 

I'm taking some time to focus on where I want to spend time connecting with other writers, and the IWSG just so happens to be my first commitment of the year. So thanks, Alex, for making this possible. You're first on the list of my writing plan. 

Happy writing, everyone! Feel free to share your writing plans for the year.