Deleting The Blinking Cursor

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Did you ever want to change the furniture or the décor of a room in your home and feel lost? Writers feel like this sometime while working on a story. We’ll be chugging along, working on our new story, the story that had burnt our every thought until we sat down and started to write it, and BAM, we lose our way. It’s like we walk into that room and just know we need to change something, but what?

Can we go out and hire someone to write the book for us. No. But, we can grab another writer and start tossing some ideas around. But what if you really want to work this problem out by yourself or just have to? Well, there are a number of things I do when I hit the wall or read back on the chapter I’ve written and just know it’s not right. You know like putting the couch facing the fireplace with its back to the TV. It might work for some, but not for everyone, and definitely not for the most important person in your life, the hubby- also known as the World’s Greatest Sport’s Fan.

What do I do? I take a break, and perhaps grab a few of my keeper books off the shelves and just read a few chapters. These books remind me what I inspired to write. Or, I might review a contest entry I’ve judged and really analyst it-wondering what I, as a reader, was looking for and the author had missed or had hit the mark.

I might try doing a creative project other than writing. I find while working outside the box helps me think different on my project. And then, sometimes all it takes is for me to make a list of twenty what if questions or a flow chart.
Or, I could interview my characters. I’ve changed direction and upped the stakes many times by doing this.

I’ve learned not to sit and stare at a blinking cursor. It does me no good and wastes valuable time. WINK

So how do you change your furniture(words) around?


FYI: This Friday's Friend is Darynda Jones. We'll be talking about her new realease, First Grave On The Right, which has the publishing world humming. Please stop by.

Why Are you Waiting?

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Why are you waiting?

Life can change in the passing of a second.

If there is something you truly long to do, why are you waiting? For a better time?

Here is an old adage. There is no time like the present. It’s so true.

Here’s another. Time waits for no man. Also true.

Are you waiting because of financial reasons?

Understandable, but do you have a plan and are you taking steps to do the thing that your heart longs to do?

If yes, great. If not, why not?

Could it be because want you thought you wanted more than anything else in the world really isn’t want you desire? Recognizing that is important because to know your real desire you must clear away all the fluff clouding your vision.

Answer this question. If tomorrow was your day of passing and you looked back on your life, how would you complete this sentence? If only I had__________.

Did you answer without thought?

Only you can know your heart.

So why are you waiting?

WIN A NOOK!

The Long and the Short of It is celebrating its third anniversary in style -- by giving away THREE Nook 3G eBook Readers that come with $50 BN.com gift certificates and are already pre-loaded with dozens of romance and juvenile fiction eBooks.

We're having a scavenger hunt that runs from August 2 - August 29. For directions on how to earn entries to win the Nooks, go to http://www.longandshortreviews.com/promo.htm.

The anniversary party culminates in a two day chat that final weekend in our Yahoo groups (links are below), during which every post earns an entry AND we'll be announcing the winners in the final hour.

Little secret. I'm one of the authors. Visit www.autumnjordon.com to find the widget. And, I'll be hosting one of the chats on August 29 9am-10am EST and giving away prizes.

Now get to it the month is half over. Win the nook, then you can read EVIL'S WITNESS and OBSESSED BY WILDFIRE on the run.