The Benefits Of Leaving A Writing Project Temporarily On The Backburner

Sometimes when we are writing we may experience a feeling that we cannot proceed any further with a project, and this could be attributed to various factors. Maybe we have been working on the story for so long we begin to find fault with it, thinking that we may possibly have writer’s block, or, that it’s just not worth pursuing. Maybe the speed of life itself makes us think that we will never find the time to complete the project, and, in a sense, we may effectively ‘give up’ on the story. Whatever the reason, I believe that, in the majority of cases, there is a remedy for this, and, it is more simple than we realise.

The best thing I have found from my experience is that when I leave a work by putting it temporarily to the side, this gives me more perspective on the project, and, having some distance from it can make me more objective in the long run. Having something else to work on in between is also another great way to take one’s mind off the project, and onto something else. For example, at the present moment, I am drafting a project whilst doing the final editing for another. I find that this works as I can alternate from one to the other, and it keeps things fresh for me. In addition to this, new ideas for the stories may emerge which may not have been possible if there was a tight focus on just one story.

It’s basically one of those things where what works for one writer may not work for another; everyone has different ways of carrying out their writing projects. It could also be boiled down to the fact that maybe we need a little break from writing, which could do the trick, in order to return to it refreshed and creatively revitalised. Whatever it is, and whatever works for us, we should pursue this totally, and never feel guilty if we require some time out from writing. We know ourselves, and how we feel, and should listen to our inner voice in this respect. We will know when the time arrives for us to return to writing; our sixth sense will tell us, for sure. Now it is over to you, for your thoughts on the benefits of leaving a writing project temporarily on the back-burner.

Happy Mother’s Day 2013!

Wishing everyone a very Happy Mother’s Day, and all the best in recognition of Mothers the world over – today is a special day, and there is much to be celebrated, I am sure you will agree with me. Happy Mother’s Day.

Bouquet of Flowers

Mother’s Day Gift

My ebooks are now available on the Kobo Bookstore for readers

I hope that everyone has been having a lovely week so far. Just letting you know that my books THE GREAT HIGH SCHOOL LOVE GAME, THE ADVENTURES OF MRS BROWNING, and LOOKING BACK, are now available on the Kobo Bookstore for readers. To access each book, just click on the individual book covers below, and they will direct you to the book’s entry on the website. Thank you, and wishing you an enjoyable Wednesday.

Marcia

The Importance For Authors of Keeping a List

The habit of maintaining a list of items to be addressed is something which I feel has helped me tremendously in keeping, and staying, organized in my writing. As there are always many things to do in our writing endeavors, such as ideas for new stories, posts for blogs, interviews with authors, to name but a few examples, it is good to be able to keep a record of future ideas, and tasks, someplace which we can refer back to at any time.

In my case, I have a little notepad near my computer on which I have a numbered list of things which I wish to do over time, and which I consequently mark off once I have completed. Once the majority of the items have been addressed, I dispose of this page, and complete a fresh page of tasks. Each writer works differently, and other people may, for example, employ the use of an Excel spreadsheet, or some other such method – whatever works for each writer in their individual way.

I have found that without this, I am a little, as the saying goes, ‘out at sea’, as I may miss out on doing things which might be important in the overall scheme of things at some stage. And now, as I have provided my thoughts on this subject, the discussion is over to you, for your opinion, on the importance of keeping a list for authors.

Interview with author Jane Carroll

Today I have the pleasure of interviewing Jane Carroll, author of the motivational self-help book BERTHA-SIZE YOUR LIFE!, and welcome her to my blog.

Jane Carroll, Author Photograph

Welcome Jane!

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Q: Have any life experiences inspired you to write your book?

A: Marcia, first of all thank you so much for having me on your blog, it’s a delight to be here. Now to answer your question…actually everything in my life inspires my writing. I’ll see something or hear something and it just takes on a deeper meaning for life. They say that a writer never wastes an experience. I know it’s certainly true for me as I generally take the mundane and turn it into life lessons…with the help of Bertha of course. Now…all that said…every experience in Bertha did not happen to me personally. Some of it was inspired by others asking for advice and from coaching clients. I have to say that because my mother got really upset when she read some of the stories because she thought I’d been depressed and she didn’t realize it.

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Q: For how long have you been writing?

A: For about ten years now although I’ve always enjoyed expressing myself in writing.

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Q: Each writer works in different ways with reference to writing. Do you have a writing program/schedule which works for you?

A: I normally write better in the morning so that’s when I write my blog. Since I work fulltime as a school nurse, by the time I’ve done that I don’t have time to work on anything else so that usually comes on the weekend or holidays. I would love to be one of those regimented writers who has a word count planned for the day but it just doesn’t work for me.

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Q: Do you have any favorite book genres which you love to read?

A: I love to read anything that is uplifting and inspirational. I gravitate to spiritual and self-help books like most people do to fiction.

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Q: Are there any favorite books and authors who have been influential upon you and your writing?

A: Og Mandino has definitely influenced me, especially his book The Greatest Miracle in the World. I love the way he incorporated life lessons into beautiful stories. Although my writing style is nothing like his, I strived to follow in his footsteps.

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Q: BERTHA-SIZE YOUR LIFE! is an entertaining self-help book which covers various topics in a fun, and informative manner. What inspired you to write this book, and create the spirited, and indomitable Bertha?

A: Interestingly, it’s not the book that I started to write. I began writing a book of transformational exercises for women experiencing empty-nest just after my youngest daughter got married. I had completed my life coach training and had always wanted to write so it just seemed like the right time and place in my life to begin. The only problem was that the book was boring. Most of the chapters started out…take some time and get quiet. Then one day a friend left me a voicemail that her daughter had moved out and her nest was empty…what should she do? I tried to call her back and thankfully she didn’t answer so I sent her an email instead. It was flippant and off the cuff to say the least and I told her to name her nest and I named mine Bertha. I thought that was that until a few days later something was bothering me and I decided to just let…Bertha…handle it. I wrote a funny little story in my journal about it…and that as they say was that. Bertha quickly took over that book and turned all those exercises into funny stories. Of course she had the starring role. Many of Bertha’s details are the opposite of me…from the big red hair to the high-heels and spandex…I just didn’t want her to sound like me. She sort of evolved on her own into a persona that most people once they’ve read the book…consider to be a real person in her own right.

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Q: Would you consider writing fiction at some point in the future? If so, are there any genres in which you would like to write?

A: I’ve actually started a fiction piece although it will also be a book of personal transformation and will mirror some aspects of my life. I can’t wait for the summer to really get into it.

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Q: Do you have any favorite TV shows, from either the past, or still on the air?

A: I used to watch a good bit of TV…loved sit-coms, Oprah, Law and Order. Now I watch very little…mostly just something on HGTV if I want to turn the TV on for company.

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Q: Are there any hobbies you like to participate in when you have spare time?

A: I love biking. In fact I had a ride before we started chatting. I wasn’t able to ride for a couple of years due to health issues so I’m really looking forward to getting back on the road this spring and summer. I used to ride between 20 and 40 miles a day and I hope to build back up to that. Today I made ten and I also went to the gym for a weight session. I also love reading and piddling in my yard, although you couldn’t call me a gardener.

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Q: Do you have any other writing projects which you would like to mention?

A: The sequel to Bertha-Size Your Life! is at the publisher as I type, awaiting the editing process. I hope it will be released before the end of the summer. It picks up where Bertha left off and the transformation of the narrator continues with a few fun twists and turns. I’m really pleased with the direction it took. (Hope the publisher agrees.)

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I am certain you will join me in thanking Jane today for her time, and that we look forward to reading more of her works in the future. If you wish to contact Jane, she is available on:

*Twitter: https://twitter.com/janecarroll10

*Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/197223.Jane_Carroll

*Facebook page: https://facebook.com/janecarrollauthor

*Amazon.com: http://amzn.com/B008873ZRM

*Jane’s website is: http://www.janecarrollauthor.com

*Jane’s Blog: http://janecarrollauthor.com/category/life-according-to-jane-blog/

BERTHA-SIZE YOUR LIFE can be accessed by clicking on its cover below:

BERTHA SIZE YOUR LIFE by Jane Carroll

When Writing, Never Procrastinate – Write Your Ideas Down When You Can

I believe that we all, at some point, may have done this while writing – we put it off, thinking that our ideas will stay with us, and are content to just let these stew in our minds; all the while time passes, and, in the process, we have not written anything on the page. The idea may take some shape or form in our minds, but it is just that, in our minds, and, if we allow it, may stay there, forever. This can be an unfortunate thing, as, from personal experience, I have found that once an idea or concept is down on the page, however we are comfortable, be it on the computer screen, or in longhand, there is the scope for it to develop, and, in a manner of speaking, ‘blossom’ for the writer.

Writing ideas down has positive effects which, more often than not, lead to a chain reaction for writers.  A ‘simple’ idea, once written down, as such, may spawn any number of further inspirations for the writer, as, once they begin to play with the idea, other roads open up, taking the idea down paths which the writer never expected. My message to those writers putting off writing, therefore, is that they should never procrastinate, and write their ideas down when they can. You just never know where the ideas could lead you in your writing endeavors – a short story could eventually lead into a longer novel, or a series of books…the sky’s the limit!

Wishes for a Happy Easter!

Happy Easter!

Wishing everyone a Happy Easter with their family and friends, and a safe and joyous time to all!

Marcia