The Spouse's Guide to NaNoWriMo: Juggling Life and Writing in November

By Thomas Hardy

JH: Here's some advice on how the non-writers in your life can help you manage NaNo.

Ah, November. The thrill of Halloween is fading. A chill is in the air. Autumn leaves are putting on their best displays of the year. Pumpkin spice is in the air. And every writer I know is suddenly offline, uncommunicative and hard to find.

Yes folks, it’s NaNo time. National Novel Writing Month is here and the Starbucks gatherings sound like a herd of mice in tap shoes.

I’m married to an author. NaNo has been part of our holiday cycle for a lot of years now. It’s a period where she is doing her best to focus and make it the most productive 30 days of the year. That takes a big commitment from her and as hard as it is, it can be just as tough on a spouse. So here are a few thoughts to help you get through it together.

5 Ways to Restart Your Writing After a Break

By Janice Hardy, @Janice_Hardy

Finding momentum after a writing break isn't easy, but there are tricks to ease yourself back into it. 

Writing breaks happen for many reasons—from life getting in the way, to a lull in creativity, to being busy with other writing things that aren’t putting words to paper. For the lucky writers, returning to writing takes little to no time and the muse picks up where she left off.

For the rest of us… [repeated sound of forehead hitting the keyboard]

I haven't written a word in months due to a family medical issue, but unlike my previous breaks, getting back to work is harder this time. My focus is off, I'm easily distracted, and I run out of energy far to quickly. I suspect it'll be a while before I'm able to do any real quality writing. 

In the past, this would have frustrated me to no end. This time, though, I know why it's so hard (just stress, and that's not changing any time soon), and I just have to take it a step at a time. Whatever I can do, I'll do, and when I need to stop, I will.

Lessons Learned from a Decade in Publishing

By Janice Hardy, @Janice_Hardy

Looking back on ten years as an author—and what I’d have done differently if I could have.

This week marks the tenth anniversary of the release of my debut novel, The Shifter. The cliche is to say, “Wow, I can’t believe it’s been ten whole years!”, but I have no trouble at all believing that. A lot has happened since I published my first novel.

Although no two writers have exactly the same experience, we do have experiences in common. This gives both a unique perspective and a shared common ground about being an author and a writer.

If I had the opportunity to do it all over again, here are some things I’d do differently.

And yes, I know some of these contradict each other, but that’s just life. Being an author is difficult at times, and part of the challenge is identifying when we need to do X instead of Y and not let Z distract us. Also knowing when we need to ignore that and do Y anyway. Or maybe Z.

Introversion 101: Survival Tips for Writers Who Would Rather Hide

By Jillian Boehme, @Jillian Boehme

Part of The Writer’s Life Series

JH: Being an introvert can be challenging for writers when it comes to promotion. The idea of putting themselves out there is a real and paralyzing fear. Jillian Boehme takes the podium today, to share tips on not letting an introvert nature hold you back.

Jillian is known to the online writing community as Authoress, hostess of Miss Snark’s First Victim, a blog for aspiring authors. In real life, she holds a degree in Music Education, sings with the Nashville Symphony Chorus, and homeschools her remaining youngster-at-home. She’s still crazy in love with her husband of more than thirty years and is happy to be surrounded by family and friends amid the rolling knolls of Middle Tennessee.

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Newsletter

Take it away Jillian…

6 Rules to Pump Up Your Writing

By Laurence MacNaughton, @LMacNaughton

Part of the How They Do It Series

JH: Being an author is a difficult job at times, and some days are harder than others. Rejections, self doubt, fear, and countless frustrations can make a writer wonder, "Why the heck am I doing this?" Laurence MacNaughton returns to the lecture hall today to share tips on getting through the hard days of being a writer.

When considering who gives out the best writing advice in the world, the first name that pops up might not be Arnold Schwarzenegger. But a decade ago, Schwarzenegger presented his “6 Rules of Success” in a now-famous commencement speech at the University of Southern California. And these rules just might hold the key to your success as a writer.

What Matters More? Story Execution or the Idea?

By Janice Hardy, @Janice_Hardy

The age-old quandary--is a well-written novel novel better than a great idea?

Idea or execution. Two directions many writers struggle with. Should they write the technically perfect book and not worry about the idea, or find the perfect story and not worry about the writing?

The reality is that each takes precedence at different points of a writer's career. Sometimes you'll want to worry about the technical aspects of writing, and later, the storytelling is what matters more. By the end of your path, both become vital for success.

But you don't have to hit that end goal first, and focusing on the wrong aspect at the wrong time can even hurt you. I've seen plenty of first-time writers worry so much over finding the perfect idea that it keeps them from writing at all. I've also seen many long-term writers who were so sure of their ideas that they didn't bother to edit after a first draft.

Both types of writers struggled much more than than needed to.

For those of you heading down the writing path and wondering which matters more--idea or execution--consider where you are on your journey before you decide where to put your creative energy.

To Join or Not to Join a Professional Writers Organization: That is the Question.

By Anne Armistead, @ArmisteadAnne

Part of The Writer’s Life Series

JH: Deciding to join a professional writers’ organization isn’t always an easy choice. Anne Armistead takes to the podium today to share thoughts on making that decision.

Anne Armistead earned her English degree from the University of Georgia and her MFA in Creative Writing from Spalding University. She is a member of the Romance Writers of America (RWA) and the Georgia Writers of Romance (GRW), along with the National and Georgia Sisters in Crime (SinC) organization and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). She writes historical fiction children’s stories for Highlights Magazine under Sandra Havriluk. Dangerous Conjurings is her debut historical romance. Under the title Treacherous Hearts, it was the winner of the 2014 YA Fab 5 Wisconsin Romance Contest. Sandra has placed as a finalist the GRW’s Maggies contest, as well as in the RWA Daphne Contest and the YARWA Rosemary contest. Sandra has presented on panels at the 2018 Milton Literary Festival and will present at the October 2019 GRW conference Moonlight and Magnolia on the topic “Turning a Nugget of History into a Novel.” Her latest historical romance With Kisses from Cécile will be released early summer 2019.

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Take it away Anne…

How to Get an Extra Novel Written in a Year

By Janice Hardy, @Janice_Hardy

Getting more books written is the goal of many writers, but finding the time to write more can be challenging.

Like many writers, I have a list of book ideas I want to write. Some are nothing more than basic premises, while others have decent outlines and are just about ready to go. The problem with this well of ideas, is that I don’t have time to write them all—even when I love the idea and want to write it.

Over the last several years I’ve spoken of a middle grade fantasy I've wanted to work on. I’ve had other obligations and other books in the works, and this project kept getting pushed back. But a few months ago, I got an opportunity to “sneak” this project into my writing schedule.

I joined a critique group.

3 Good Reasons Not to Quit Your Night Job

By Maggie Wells, @MaggieWells1

Part of The Writer’s Life Series

JH: Finding time to write is an issue nearly every writer faces, no matter where they are in their writing journey. Maggie Wells visits the lecture hall today to share some thoughts on managing a writing life, and tips to balance work, life, and writing.

Maggie Wells is a deep-down dirty girl with a weakness for hot heroes and happy endings. By day she is buried in spreadsheets, but at night she pens tales of people tangling up the sheets. The product of a charming rogue and a shameless flirt, this mild-mannered married lady has a naughty streak a mile wide.

Fueled by supertankers of Diet Coke, Maggie juggles fictional romance and the real deal by keeping her slow-talking Southern gentleman constantly amused and their two grown children mildly embarrassed. The author of over forty published works, she believes in love without limits.

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Take it away Maggie…

Vicarious Trauma: A Danger Writers Need to Be Aware of

By Bonnie Randall

Part of the How They Do It Series (Monthly Contributor)

Acclaimed YA author Chris Crutcher said “Once a thing is known, it can’t be unknown.”

As a writer, and as a social worker, I tend to be exposed to, and research, a variety of extraordinarily dark topics. It is the nature of my job to know these things, and the genre of fiction I craft frequently dives into forbidden, life-altering places.

Very early in my career, when I was still paying my dues as a child protection investigator, I recall becoming defensive when a member of Joe Public sneered about CPS workers, calling them ‘brain-dead’ and ‘useless’. My rebuttal was fierce: “You have no idea what these workers are exposed to,” I fired back. “Most people only ever hear about kiddie porn. We’re forced to see it.”

The Rhythm & Reality of Treating Your Writing Like a ‘Real’ Job

By Bonnie Randall

Part of the How They Do It Series (Monthly Contributor)

So you’re a hobbyist who is becoming more and more serious about your writing aspirations. Or you’ve already sold some fiction projects yet, like most of us, you also have a day-job.

Which, very likely, you refer to as your ‘real job’.

STEP ONE: Shift your perspective. 

If writing is where your passion is, whereas your day-job is just where your pay-cheque is, then here is the reality: writing IS your ‘real job’. And that means:

How to Write When the Last Thing You Want to Do is Write

By Janice Hardy, @Janice_Hardy

Writing is an activity that requires of a lot of brainpower. We tap into our intellect, or emotions, or sense of empathy, and draw from within to create a story. When life throws us a curve and sends all our brainpower in one “this sucks” direction, writing screeches to a halt.

Last week was a bad week for me. It started out great with the last days of a fantastic conference in Alabama, seeing old friends and making some new ones, then a lot of bad news crashed down on me at once. Just trying to write a post for today was difficult, and I stared at my list of topic ideas knowing I wasn’t going to be able to write a single one.

Hence, this post.

Life gets hard for lots of folks every day, and there’s a good chance many of you are having a rough time right now, too. I’m on deadlines, I have things I need to do, so curling into a ball and ignoring the world for a week or two isn’t an option. It’s even less of an option for writers with kids and jobs and many more obligations than I have.

Things to Consider When Considering Self Publishing

By S.R. Johannes, @srjohannes

Part of the Indie Authors Series

JH: I have a fun new group of indie authors coming in for 2018, so I'm dipping into the archives this week while I get everyone settled in. With the new year, odds are some of you are considering your publishing paths and thinking about indie publishing, so here's another look at things to consider when considering self publishing. It's from 2014, but the questions are still valid for 2018. I've added some comments on things that have changed.

As you guys may (or may not) know, in 2011, I chose to self pub my young adult thriller series (Nature of Grace) after it had some close calls in the traditional world.

I would not change that decision for the life of me – I absolutely love self-pubbing and plan to continue it in some sense. And I love where I am. I have an awesome agent now to help push my traditional work and I have a great foundation and reader base for my self-pubbed books.

Everybody Has a Story

By Sherry Howard, @SherLHoward

Part of the How They Do It Series

JH: No matter the writer, I think we all do it for roughly the same reason--we can't not write. Please welcome Sherry Howard to the lecture hall today to share some thoughts on what makes a writer a writer.

Sherry Howard lives with her children and crazy dogs in Middletown, Kentucky, a stone’s throw from the beautiful horse farms Kentucky is always bragging about. In her previous life Sherry was a teacher, consultant, author, and principal in one of the largest urban/suburban school districts in America. She wrote in the educational field for years, and she’s seen her poems and stories appear in multiple journals and anthologies. After writing endlessly, she finally decided to see about getting things published.

Sherry’s first books for children are coming in 2018. The first, Rock and Roll Woods is a lyrical fiction picture book for children ages 3-8, a rollicking read that embraces the ability to accept change and the value of friendship.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Author Page

Take it away Sherry...

Writers: Your Number One Enemy Is Your Ego

By Victoria Landis, @victorialandis1

Part of the How They Do It Series

JH: Writing can be a very personal endeavor, and because of that, it's not uncommon for us to take everything said about our writing personally. But publishing is a business, so writers also need to be able to separate the personal from the work. Please help me welcome Victoria Landis to the lecture hall today, to share some tips on setting aside your writer's ego.

Victoria Landis is a professional writer and editor—and a veteran member of one of the toughest critique groups to ever grace South Florida. She’s been a member of Mystery Writers of America since 2003 and has served on the board of the Florida Chapter. She has also served as the Co-Chair for FMWA’s SleuthFest writers’ conference for 2015-2018.

Since 2008, she’s written a monthly humor column for The Parklander magazine. She has two novels out. Blinke It Away, a suspense set on Oahu, was chosen a BookRooster Reviewer’s pick for its consistently high ratings. Alias: Mitzi & Mack is a humorous crime novel that takes place in South Florida. Her latest release is a compendium of humorous essays, A Little Bit Sideways, which elicited the praise, “Victoria Landis is the Erma Bombeck of our times.” She has given seminars at the SleuthFest writers’ conference, and for the Murder on the Beach Summer Authors’ Academy and the Alvin Sherman Library at Nova Southeastern University. She especially enjoys the big picture editing and book doctoring.

Victoria is also an artist. She does graphics—book covers, ads, logos, and web-ready graphics—as well as oils on canvas, murals, and special effects.

Website | Goodreads | Twitter |

Take it away Victoria...

If You Want to Succeed, Define What Success Means to You

By Janice Hardy, @Janice_Hardy

I’d guess most writers want to be successful, but there’s no single measurement for what success is for a writer. “Making it” doesn’t exist, because there’s always the next step, the next book, the next task.

I’ve been thinking about success a lot the last few months. Although I’ve published my own non-fiction since 2014, my fiction was traditionally published by a Big Five publisher (Balzer+Bray/Harper Collins), and I’m about to launch my first indie novel. I’ve published on both sides of the spectrum, and have what many writers would consider a successful career.

The Benefits of Writerly Camaraderie

By Suzanne Purvis

Part of the How They Do It series

Suzanne Purvis is a transplanted Canadian living in the Deep South, where she traded “eh” for “y’all.” An author of long, short, flash fiction for both children and adults, she has won several awards including those sponsored by the University of Toronto, RWA, Bethlehem Writer’s Roundtable, and Women Who Write. You can find her work in print anthologies, magazines, ezines, and ebooks. 

She leads workshops at Lawson Writer’s Academy and for Romance Writers of America, including her popular Sizzling, Scintillating Synopsis and Revision Boot Camp. She also works individually with writers on any aspect of their writing they are looking to improve. Feel free to email her to be added to her mailing list for upcoming classes.

Next Class: Revision Boot Camp or Retreat begins October 1, 2017 at LWA

Website | Facebook | Goodreads

Take it away Suzanne...

The “Real Life” Guide to Writing

By Chris Mentzer, @Chris_Mentzer

Part of the How They Do It Series (Special September Guest Event)

Chris Mentzer’s first publication, The Askinar Towers trilogy was released as e-books in 2014. Since then he has published four short stories, and a blog-inspired novel featuring additional characters from the towers trilogy.

Chris lives in the Valley of the Sun and is currently employed in the retail industry working as a personal shopper. In his spare time, when not writing or stalking the social media streams; Chris watches TV, reads other indie authors, and/or sleeps.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads |

Take it away Chris...

Rebooting Your Writing When You've Stopped for too Long

By Elisabeth Staab, @ElisabethStaab

Part of the How They Do It Series

Elisabeth secretly loved getting sent to her room as a kid so she could devour her pile of Nancy Drew books. To this day she takes something to read everywhere, and the stories with happy endings are her favorite. She writes paranormal and contemporary romance, because vampires and tortured athletes make everything better. Follow her newsletter (where she swears she will send notice the second she spots Matt Bomer in the wild), or socialize with her online when she’s not busy adulting.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads |

Take it away Elizabeth...

Why You Shouldn’t Write Every Day

By Janice Hardy, @Janice_Hardy

Last week, I jotted down the idea for this article about four hours before Jami Gold’s post on not writing every day appeared in my email. Obviously there was something in the air last week that made us both think about this particular piece of advice. I have a slightly different angle on this topic, but if you struggle with this, pop on over and read her thoughts after you’re done here.

As you can probably guess from the title, I’m not a write-every-day-writer. I’ve done it, and I’ll do it again when I’m on deadline or doing NaNoWriMo, but never taking a writing break turns writing into a chore for me. I need time off, and I need to walk away from the keyboard and have some fun.