Writing is the Spice of Life.... #RB4U @melissa_keir

Howdy friends! Hold onto your saddle, we are heading out today in a search for answers about writing. I'm Melissa Keir, your tour guide, each and every month on this date, as we take a peek into some strange events happening on my side of the world.

Some of you are probably wondering about my mental health. I can assure you that I'm perfectly fine, just a little tired. Recently, I went back to teaching full time as a long term guest teacher in my former classroom. With less sleep, I have hit a wall...a writing wall.

Yes, the dreaded "missing muse", the "I'd rather be sleeping than writing", and the "nothing sounds good when I do write". Has this happened to you? I'm sure you are nodding your heads, right now. 

But let me share with you what I've done to help myself. It's rather brilliant! I went back to the old staple of pen and paper. I'm now using a secretary's pad and writing out my ideas, longhand. I'm filling pages and pages of my story. So far about 6,000 words. 

It started one day while I was teaching. The students had a "read-in" day where they laid on the gym floor with a blanket, pillow, and a pile of books to read for an hour or so. I had to watch them but reading wasn't going to be an option for me. After all, someone had to remind them to read and not talk, or play with their stuffed animals. Luckily, I brought my pad and two pencils. Quickly, during that hour, the images flowed on to the page. Words flew from my fingers. It was a miracle. I didn't have to edit... (side bar- when I type, I HAVE to edit what I'm typing but with writing, I just crossed off and kept going.)

Now when I'm stuck, I pull my pad out and go to town. Yes, it is more work to put the written words back into the computer but that's easy and something I can do when I'm free (or not catching up on some ZZZZ's). 

If you don't believe me, just try it next time you are stuck! Grab your paper and a writing tool... find the freedom of letting go!

Please let us know if you have any tips for when you are stuck, at least tips that don't involve hitting your head against the wall!

Don't forget to check out my pre-order Protecting Her Pigg available in the Summer Heat Box Set for only $0.99!!

     We exited the front door, and I ran into a brick wall. Tilting my head back, I stared into the smoldering eyes of Lucas Pigg.

     “What’s this about your lipstick?” His gaze dipped to my lips. “I don’t know why you women think you need it.”

     Breathless, yet not wanting to show how he’d affected me, I took a step back. “Don’t you know, Pigg, women want attention drawn to ourselves?” I tried to keep the teasing in my voice. Treat him just like one of the guys. Talk like you would to Leary.

     “Without the makeup, women would be like this….” Leary tugged on his face, making it a hideous caricature of a Botox patient. Both men laughed.

     “I can’t see Lily looking hideous without makeup. Maybe this way.” Lucas yanked on his eyes and lips, making another face.

     The boys were joining in male bonding. A little twinge of anger flew into my stomach. But I realized it was just boys being boys. And if you can’t beat them, join ’em.

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How Not to be a Prolific Writer with Guest Author, Trevann Rogers #RB4U #WritingTips

            I recently had the pleasure of listening to a presentation by a well-known mystery author. I write too, so I was excited to glean any words of wisdom she might have. She talked about her office, her writing schedule, her road to becoming a bestselling author. She showed us a lovely scene of a writer seated at a large, orderly desk situated at a window that offered a view of a serene meadow. She indicated she enters this peaceful setting and doesn’t leave until she has reached her daily word quota. She estimated that this took her about four hours.

            As she spoke, I felt the tips of my ears turning green with envy. My day is nothing like hers. Case in point--this morning.

            It's sunny but snowing here in the Northeast. I decide it’s a good day to sit in front of the bay window, watch the snow, and write. My dogs, Molly and Chloe, sleep on a rug in front of the fireplace. I pour a mug of hazelnut coffee, and gather my writing gear.

            Most days I write to music. Sometimes I listen to songs on my iPod. At other times, I play a DVD with a soundtrack that compliments what I am writing. Today I pop Pacific Rim into the DVD player. I’m all set.

            Then I remember I need to throw in a load of laundry, make the bed, clean the bathroom, and empty the dishwasher. Whew. Now I can sit and write. Restart Pacific Rim.

            The phone rings. It's my vet. Ring. Then my doctor. Ring. This time I chat with a friend in imaginary crisis. Talk her off the imaginary ledge. An hour gone. Heat up the coffee. Restart Pacific Rim.

            The laundry needs to be moved to the dryer. I think I’ll have a bite of lunch. Tuna melt. Yum. A fresh cup of coffee. Restart Pacific Rim.

            The girls want to go play in the snow. I come back in, change my wet clothes, and start the second round on the scene, adding a few details. Restart Pacific Rim.

             Four hours later I have a rough draft of a blog post and typed in the dialog of my next scene. I’ve scribbled notes about Act 3 and played with my plotting board. I’ve told myself I only have 20,000 more words to write. I am not amused.

            My writing world is not even in the same universe as the one mystery writer lives in. I am nowhere near as prolific as she is. But that's okay—I write too.

Bio

Trevann Rogers writes urban fantasy and LGBT paranormal romances and is the author of House of the Rising Son, Living After Midnight Book 1. Her stories incorporate an unquenchable addition to music and her love for vampires, Weres, incubi and rock stars. Like these elusive creatures, Trevann learned long ago that sometimes being yourself means Living After Midnight.

House of the Rising Son

Living After Midnight, Book 1

Sex. Rebellion. Rock and roll.

Cheyenne is a half-human incubus whose star is on the rise in the Unakite City rock scene. His father, the leader of the supernatural races, would prefer he keep a “low profile”, but screw that. Cheyenne has as much music in his veins as royal incubi blood.

Alexander's future is all set—finish law school, join the family firm, and marry someone who'd be good for business. Not that he has a say in any of it. He's barely met the woman his father expects him to marry.

As Cheyenne's musical career takes off, his carefully constructed life begins to unravel, exacerbated by an ex-lover who can't let go, a crotchety barkeeper with a dirty mind and a pure heart, a drag queen who moonlights as a nanny, and Alexander—who's not sure if he's falling for the incubus or the rocker.

Cheyenne denies who he is, while Alexander hides what he wants. Together, they learn that getting what they truly want means being who they truly are.  

www.trevannrogers.com

www.facebook.com/trevannr

www.pinterest.com/trevannr

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