My New Wall Art: Puzzles, Books, & Friends

I love putting together puzzles every Christmas. It's become a tradition in our family. Recently, someone I met through the Southern Magic Readers Luncheon and online wanted to meet me in person. She had a present for me that she thought I'd appreciate.

I couldn't meet Carol empty handed, so I brought her a gift as well.

I put together an author tote bag with a personalized author post it note pad. She'll be getting a copy of THE MAVERICK'S RED HOT REUNION when it debuts in June 2014 from Entangled Publishing.

Carol Bibb sent me a little picture of her gift. A puzzle that she'd glued together and framed. It has all kinds of cool titles on it. More about that later. The Physicist and I drove down to Birmingham a couple of weeks ago so I could attend the meeting and visit with my chapter mates. We stopped just outside of Birmingham to meet Carol and her husband at a McDonald's parking lot.

Carol Bibb and me at the McDonald's parking lot. Isn't that picture super cool?

We had such a lovely meeting. I smiled all day. Carol is a wonderful, beautiful person. I'm glad we got to visit .

Sometimes people do special things and they don't even realize how much they impact other people's lives. I lost a dear friend on March 4th and I was heartbroken. But meeting Carol and her husband just outside of Birmingham brought me such joy. I truly appreciated this gift, not just the puzzle picture, but the person who took the time to think of me and give my spirits a lift. 

I put the puzzle picture smack dab in the center of my Happy Wall. Every morning when I sit down to write, I look at this and smile all over again.

Acts of kindness and generosity can make a difference in people's lives. This one sure did make one on me and reminded me about what is important in life. Bring joy to others and you will be given the same in turn.

How do you bring joy to other people? Did anyone ever surprise you with a random act of kindness on a day that you really needed to be reminded about what is good in this world?

Tips to Stay BICHOK: Butt in Chair, Hands on Keyboard

There are days that I don't want to write. I never know when they're going to happen or why. But they do happen and I have to force myself to sit down and write instead of acting on my impulse to run away to the hills and play with my friends. Here are some ways I stay BICHOK which might help you as you struggle with writing on the dark days or the sunny days or the "gee I really don't feel like writing" days.

1. Set a timer. Oh, what a love-hate relationship I have with my microwave timer. Still, it works. Like a charm. I set my timer for one hour. I am not allowed to leave the chair during that time unless a tornado siren blares. Even if all I write is one sentence, I have written it. It works. My daily goal is 3-4 hours of writing/revising/staring at the blank screen and bashing my head against the keyboard. It works. Sometimes it feels like forever until the timer beeps. But sometimes I find the timer's beeping a huge intrusion. Either way, I get words written and the story moves forward.

2. 100x100. This is a great way to generate words on a daily basis if you have a lot of other life factors interfering with your writing. Write 100 words for 100 days. That's a lot of words. That's like almost a story! Right? Write! Try it.

3. A very wise soul once told me that just touching the manuscript counts. In other words, don't walk away for days and expect to come back full throttle with new words. Your head has to be in the game or your characters fade. The story fades. And your enthusiasm fades. We all get stuck. The trick is figuring out how to get unstuck. On bad writing days, I tell myself, just look at the work in progress. Read over it. Revise one piece. Play with a new sentence structure. Brainstorm a scene. Anything to get those creative juices flowing. It's what I have always told the College Kid: think with your pencil in your hand. It makes a difference. Really. Try it!

4. Reward yourself. Anyone who knows me has heard about my typing for quarters which I totally took from Kelly Stone's workshop and embellished. She's awesomeness in the motivation of writing business. I love everything she has taught to me about staying in the chair. Here's the biggest thing: a writer paid herself a quarter per page so she'd meet her writing goals. Me? I take it a step more. Well, honestly, I have run the distance with this one. I pay myself a quarter for every hour I spend in the chair, for working out because a healthy writer is a strong writer, for every goal I check off my writing to-do list be it writing a blog, sending a query letter, pumping up my social media presence (more about that later). Those quarters add up!! I made a pretty tin, got a roll of quarters (I have added to the quarters over time), and every time I make a goal I drop a quarter into the tin. When the quarters are gone, I buy them back with $20 and $10 bills which go into a box in my office (be warned would be thieves-I have an Attack Cat and a security system). I pay for my conference fees and contests and other such writerly stuff with my accrued funds. It works for me! Might work for you. (Just don't tell the Physicist that I raided his change basket once because I thought he owed me a few quarters--make of it what you will).

5. Plan for a break. Tell yourself that you can take one day off a week to rejuvenate your mind and soul. Play. Have fun. Talk about real life stuff and not the people in your head. Meet new people. Go to a movie. Read a great book. Call a friend. Just give yourself permission to relax.

These tips work for me. Maybe they might work for you. Do you have any other ways to add to my "Bichok" advice? Leave a comment and share!

CP Shenanigans: Pam Mantovani in the House!

I would not be where I am today as a writer if it weren't for my incredible relationship with Pam Mantovani. She's more than a critique partner, she's a friend dear to my heart. I've got other amazing writing friends and readers, but Pam is my primary partner in writing crime.

We met through the Georgia Romance Writers of America Moonlight & Magnolias Maggie Contest, which she chaired in 2009. I called to ask for help with their first ever online form and the rest is history. One Maggie final and five years later and we're sharing an incredible writing partnership.

Pam arrives today for one of our super charged critique partner weekends. We'll write, brainstorm, muddle our way through understanding technology together, and do it all over again. Three days to work together and encourage each other is a gift of time that I cherish. I only wish we could meet more often.

The key to a great critique partnership isn't just ability or talent, it's TRUST. I trust Pam Mantovani with my stories, the heart that I pour into them, and with ME. All of my vulnerabilities, highs and lows as a writer are entrusted to her.

This is where being a writer has been such a blessing to me. The friendships I've made with other like-minded souls. And Pam is one in a million.

Best of all, we get to share the "we sold" dream together. Pam Mantovani's debut novel COWBOY ON HER DOORSTEP releases from Belle Books in July 2014. If you love cowboys and romance, you'll love her story. Trust me. I've read it.

Are you in a critique partnership? If you're not a writer, who would you consider your best partner in fun and crime?

:)

From My Pinterest Recipe Board: Tried It and Liked It

I love Pinterest. It's like scrapbooking without all the stickers and hole punches (but I still love to think about scrapbooking). My hero and heroine and romance boards give me plenty of inspiration for my stories. Sometimes when I'm stuck during a first draft issue, I go to my story boards and that helps unglue the plot mess and get me pumped to go forward.

But sometimes I just get deliciously lost in the amazing recipes that I find on Pinterest. I have a recipe board and I'm determined to make more of the recipes this year. If I try it and I like it, I'll share it with you!

Here's this month's selection from My Pinterest Recipe Board:

Roasted Garlic Lemony Broccoli

Ingredients:

2 heads broccoli, separated into florets

2 tsp. extra virgin oil (I probably used a tad more)

1 tsp. sea salt/coarse salt

1/2 tsp. ground pepper

1 clove garlic minced

grated parmesan cheese (not the fine kind--this is a combination of two recipes so do with it what you will)

freshly squeezed lemon juice (about half to one lemon depending on how much broccoli you have)

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C)

2. In a large bowl, toss broccoli florets, olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper till coated.

3. Bake on cookie sheet (I cover mine with foil and spray with Olive Oil cooking spray first) until florets are tender enough to pierce stems with a fork, about 20 minutes. Remove and transfer to a serving bowl (or not--I don't). Squeeze lemon juice liberally over the broccoli and sprinkle with parmesan) then serve.

This is really good stuff. I've made it many times for the Physicist and the College Kid. I consider this  a "Company's Coming to Dinner" dish.

Try it. You might like it.

And follow me on Pinterest to see who I think makes the perfect hero!

http://www.pinterest.com/cjglover63/

The Career-Focused Writer

The February edition of the RWA Romance Writer’s Report’s Presidential message by Terry McLaughlin stated a renewed emphasis on “focusing on the fundamentals, building the cornerstone of our organization: the career focused writer.” She went on to ask the following question: “Do your romance writing efforts qualify as a career or a hobby?” Why? Because as she emphasized, you may be asked to prove to the IRS that you are career-focused and actively seeking to make a profit from your endeavors.

That’s great if you’re already published and making an income as a published author, but how do you go about proving you’re a career-focused writer if you’re still unpublished, or PRO, or published but still haven’t earned PAN status? More importantly, how do YOU prove to YOURSELF that you are a career-focused writer?

Easy. You behave like you’re already published.

That’s right. Behave like you’re already published and making an income from your writing efforts.

How? Well, I’m not an IRS expert and I’ve only recently signed a publishing contract with an e-publisher so you can bet the only money I’m earning right now is a quarter per goal met. The quarters add up, but they really don’t constitute an income.

However, the quarters do constitute A COMMITMENT TO PROFESSIONALISM.

Yup, you read it right. LONG before I signed a contract, I made a commitment to treat myself as a professional and to treat my writing as a job. Period. Here is a list of some of the things I did BEFORE I signed the dotted line with my publisher.

1. I had a writing schedule.

2. I committed to writing 6 days a week every week except for scheduled vacations.

3. I joined the RWA, local chapters and attended RWA meetings.

4. I took online writing workshops as well as career-oriented workshops.

5. I attended regional and national writing conferences.

6. I set clear and defined goals: daily, weekly, yearly, and more.

7. I entered writing contests, which gave me clear deadlines.

8. I queried.

9. I pitched at conferences.

10. I followed up on all requested materials.

11. I kept a spreadsheet of all my queried responses, targeted agencies and publishing           houses.

12. I volunteered for my local chapters but ONLY IF THAT TIME DID NOT     INTERFERE WITH MY WRITING TIME. This is important. Writing must come first.

13. I networked with authors and agents and editors, etc.

14. I tracked my business expenses.

15. I had professional business cards and used them at all events where applicable.

This is a short list of what I did to prove to the government that I was and always will be a career-focused writer. And guess what I’m going to do now that I have a publishing contract?

All of the above with minor changes based on where I am in my career as a writer. Are you still not published, floundering on Facebook and Twitter with your writing friends, and making writing the last thing you plan for instead of the first thing you plan to do? Then I issue a challenge to you. Take your writing career seriously in 2014 and make it a priority because you are a CAREER-FOCUSED WRITER.

What are some of the things you do as an unpublished writer to remain focused on attaining your goals?

New Year & New Goals for 2014

Happy New Year! Time to create a new set of goals. Once again, I've written another ambitious list and one that I'm sure will morph over the year as new demands pop up that will require my time. As always, I believe in setting the bar super high. And so far that method of operation has been successful. The higher I aim, the farther I will fly. I've got a 1 year, 5 year, 10 year and 20 year goal plan in place as well. I also will break down my goals by month over the next few days. Next week Monday, January 6, I should be ready to hit the ground running with a solid plan in place. 

Writing Goals for 2014

*clean and organize office to get ready for the new year

*Revise MT and retitle it.

*Revise MINO & retitle it.

*finish sequel and deliver to Editor/Finish first draft by end of January

*revise sequel in February

*meet with CP at least 3x during year

*understand more about Street Teams and develop one when the time comes

*maintain brand name with social media presence with blog, facebook, twitter, pinterest and web site

*update website quarterly or as needed

*market debut release

*brainstorm 3 new books for 2014 (2 category and 1 novella)

*review self-publishing notes and determine hybrid self-publishing/digi pub.  career launch for 2014/2015

*revise Tycoon

*build query list for books

*go to both readers’ luncheons and participate with Debut author basket

*write 2 new category books

*Attend Moonlight & Magnolias

*Assist at M&M during editor/agent appointments

*PRO liaison job maintained/ongoing commitment to programming committee

*build name bible of all names I've used in my books

*get a publishing contract

*continue building professional mentor relationships

*continue to streamline writing and business of writing with proper schedule

*Review digital and e-publishers for submissions

*take at least two master classes in craft

*set up my first workshop to run in tandem with the book release in fall 2014

*judge at least two writing contests

*set Top 5 Priority List and review every quarter

*read for fun

*continue to analyze published books in my genre

*continue learning and growing in my craft with online courses and craft books

*attend chapter meetings which aid in my professional development and in my goal for achieving publication

*build my critique partnership

*be courageous, strong, and focused in pursuing my dreams and goals

I hope that 2014 is a wonderful year for all of you. And I hope you set positive, attainable and high reaching goals for yourself. You'll be amazed at how much you accomplish simply by writing it down.

2013 Goals in Review

Every year I sit down and reflect upon my goals for the year to see what I have accomplished and to figure out where I am going. This year has been pretty momentous in loads of ways. I've had to redo my goals at the mid-point due to signing my first contract. As always goals are flexible. They should be flexible because life happens, different roads become available to trod upon, and if we are too rigid in our thinking, then we won't be able to see the opportunities that are available to us. With that in mind here are my checkpoints at the beginning of 2013:

 

Writing Goals for 2013

*clean and organize office to get ready for the new year CHECK

*finish first draft LHD by end of January CHECK

*revise MINO by mid February. HALF-CHECK: partial is complete, but full was put aside. Will revisit in 2014

*check in with editor by Feb. 1 regarding MINO CHECK

*revise first three chapters of LHD and be ready to query to editor by mid February CHECK

*March: revise and query MAVERICK CHECK

*April: revise and query HPOL DID NOT DO THIS DUE TO OTHER EVENTS

*May: revise and query TYCOO: DID NOT DO THIS DUE TO OTHER EVENTS

*build query list for above three books: CHECK

*go to both readers’ luncheons and participate with Digging Out of Distraction basket CHECK

*brainstorm 2 new category books with CP CHECK

*write 2 new category books CHECK plus wrote one Novella

*Attend the RWA National Conference in Atlanta CHECK

*Attend Moonlight & Magnolias CHECK

*Pitch at both conferences if necessary NOT NECESSARY

*build name bible of all names I've used in my books STILL WORKING ON THIS

*maintain personal blog KIND OF LET THIS SLIDE AFTER SEPTEMBER 14

*add new feature to blog for recipe rut DIDN'T DO IT

*continue to build my brand name via social media, web page, professional presence in writing world CHECK

*coordinate the Linda Howard Award of Excellence for 2013 CHECK

*get a publishing contract CHECK

*continue building professional mentor relationships CHECK

*continue to streamline writing and business of writing with proper schedule STILL FIGURING ALL THIS OUT

*Review digital and e-publishers for submissions ONGOING

*take at least two master classes in craft; one with Margie Lawson CHECK

*judge at least two writing contests CHECK

*set Top 5 Priority List and review every quarter CHECK

*read for fun CHECK: READING AN AVERAGE OF 3-4 BOOKS A WEEK

*continue to analyze published books in my genre CHECK

*continue learning and growing in my craft with online courses and craft books CHECK

*attend chapter meetings which aid in my professional development and in my goal for achieving publication CHECK; AM PRO LIAISON FOR ONE, NOMINATING COMMITTEE FOR ANOTHER ONE

*build my new critique partnership: DID NOT GO FORWARD AS PLANNED. HAVE ONE MAIN CP AND THAT WORKS BEST FOR ME

*be courageous, strong, and focused in pursuing my dreams and goals CHECK

In addition to the goals that I had at the beginning of the year, I also added new goals at the mid-point of the year to reflect the sale of THE MAVERICK'S RED HOT REUNION. 

*Write and complete my first novella CHECK; SENT IT IN NOVEMBER
*Brainstorm sequel with CP: CHECK; BLURB AND SYNOPSIS WITH EDITOR AND WAITING FOR FEEDBACK.
*Quarterly check on Website: CHECK; AM GEARING UP FOR SOME MAJOR CHANGES TO THE SITE.
*Continue building CP relationship: CHECK PLUS: CP HAS SOLD!!

I'm pleased with all that I have accomplished this year. Many wonderful things happened and I'm thrilled that I've sold. That shifted a lot of my focus and energy into a new direction. And, looking ahead to 2014, I will have to incorporate what I've learned about myself into building my career as well as managing my time more efficiently. 

What goals did you set this year? Did you accomplish them? Did you veer in a different direction? Do you even set goals? If not, why not?

On the Outside Looking In

My heroine has always been a team player and well-liked. But right now she's hurting physically and emotionally. She's on the outside looking in and she's having a difficult time moving past the pain and guilt. And if she can't figure out out a way to let the events that brought her to this point go, then she won't have the future she deserves.

Enter the hero. He's alpha all the way, but he's a good man. An honorable man. And a man who doesn't want to be tied down. He's had a huge responsibility since he was a child and he's finally free. Also, his world is miles away from the heroine's world. Still, he's drawn to her and he wants to help her let go of her wounds so she can have a future filled with happiness and love.

Foolish hero believes this future will not include him. Heroine foolishly believes this as well.

But this is a romance novel. They may think they're engaging in a holiday fling with no strings attached, but eventually they'll realize that they're each other's perfect match.

And my heroine will no longer be on the outside looking in. She'll be free, liberated, and transformed by this relationship.

Birth Order: First, Middle, Last, One, or One of Many?

I've been thinking about birth order lately because my novella's heroine is a middle child. My Summer 2014 Indulgence release has a heroine who is an only child. And my Margie Lawson Visceral Response manuscript's heroine is the last child in a family of many. Each of these heroines have different personalities and ways of coping with life, adversity, other people, themselves.

I'm one of two children. The oldest. Possibly the bossiest. But my brother grew up and became his own boss, runs his own company and is a take-charge guy in an understated way. So who's the boss now? The Physicist is one of two and the oldest as well. He's a take-charge guy, too. Coincidentally, my brother and my husband are the sign Taurus.

I'm a Capricorn. Locking horns is the name of the game here.

My daughter is an only child. She's got qualities of a first born child and a last born child as part of her personality. Some people think only children fit a stereotypical "spoiled child" picture. That couldn't be more wrong. I've met a lot of people who are only children and without exception each one of them have not behaved in a spoiled way. If anything, they are generous to a fault and very easy to get along with because they're probably used to navigating between two hovering adults. But that's just my theory.

My best friend in the Netherlands is from a family of five and lands smack dab in the middle of the clan. She's a great negotiator, arbitrator and knows how to take care of herself very well. She grew up and has four children; each one of them as unique as the snowflakes that fall in winter.

I'm not sure if birth order impacts personality as much as nature, nurture, life circumstances, and life experiences, but it's interesting to evaluate and understand from a writer's perspective.

So now I'm about to write a story about heroine who has always been stuck in the middle, a good kid with two parents who love her but were busy juggling the demands of running their resort, raising two other children, and loving each other. Sometimes she thought of herself as the "ride along chick." And sometimes being left to her own devices meant she could do what she wanted when she wanted to do it. She also likes being part of group, in the middle of a team and getting things done.

But now she has to face something that has rocked her world, and given her usual spunky optimism a cynical edge. If she doesn't figure out how to redefine herself, she could lose the one man who is perfect for her. Even though he seems completely, totally, out of her league.

I'm curious about your place in the family pecking order. Where did you fall? If you are a middle child or have raised a middle child, I'd love to hear about your experiences.

Take a Breath, Pause, and Remember

So many years have passed since 9/11 impacted our country. Yet, I still remember the day as if it were etched in a mirror. We were living in Fairfax, VA and the Physicist was on his way to work, the College Kid was at school, and I was expecting a love seat to get delivered.

He called. Said turn on the TV. Twin Towers hit.

I listened. I turned on the TV. I watched the second plane hit during a live news report.

I heard the reports about the other planes, called the Physicist, told him to come home. He was on the phone with me when he heard the plane hit the Pentagon, saw the black smoke rising into the blue, oh so blue skies, and I cannot begin to tell you about my terror.

Shortly afterward, my love seat was delivered. The deliverymen, two big strong burly dudes, stood in shock in my living room as we watched the ongoing reports. I may have given them water, coffee, a hug. I don't know. I just remember standing there and feeling numb.

The College Kid was in the second grade. Some parents got their children and brought them home. But I let her stay in school where I knew her teachers and the administration would do everything in their power to protect her. Then I called my church, asked them to pray, and brought out the ironing board.

I ironed and I prayed. I ironed, ironed, ironed. I think I may have ironed my underwear. I know I ironed the linens. Each rhythmic swoosh across the fabric calmed my racing mind as I waited for the Physicist to return home. He did. Then we walked to the school bus stop together to pick up our child.

But so many people didn't come home. So many people didn't get to pick up their children from the school bus stop. And so many people lost someone they loved that day. My throat closes around that memory, the heat of tears prickle behind eyes, the sorrow squeezes my lungs as I write this now.

So now I take a breath, pause, and remember 9/11 by honoring those who were lost, those who responded to that horrific tragedy and were forever changed, and those who continue to serve my country by risking their lives every day for the sweet gift of freedom.

The Road Less Traveled: Sometimes Slower is Better than Faster

Last Saturday the Physicist and I decided to go on a road trip to Birmingham. We had no particular reason other than wanting a nice lunch and a stopover at our favorite grocery store, Whole Foods (why can't Whole Foods come to the Madison/Huntsville area? Again a shameful plea on my part) to get cheapo wine and goodies.

Rather than take the freeway, we opted to take the scenic route and drove through small towns via Highway 31. The drive was lovely and stress free. Occasionally, we would have to slow down and stop when we entered the small towns that lined the route, but we didn't mind. It was interesting to see how these towns were doing along this route. Eventually we were dumped into the freeway via a forced entry and we were back to going fast, rushing past exit signs to towns that dot the state of Alabama's map.

The drive only added an extra half an hour to our travel time. It also afforded us a chance to look at something different than our backyard and our neighbors. But it also gave me a glimmer of nostalgia. Although I think freeways have made it easier for people to travel great distances, I wonder how this modern convenience has impacted local economies of the small towns we no longer travel through in our hurry to get from Point A to Point B.

The sight of some of the unkempt storefronts saddened me. As did the loss of the local flavor one gets from stopping at a local diner for lunch and being served by someone who isn't wearing a fast food uniform. Sure the fast food restaurants popping up at all the exits bring money to these towns, but I remember eating at many diners and little shops when I was a child. How many personalities have we missed truly meeting because of the anonymity of the Fast Food Uniform.

I'm not advocating going backward, but occasionally it's nice to meander instead of to dash. And I think the fine art of meandering has been lost to many of us in this country. Well, lost to many except for maybe teenagers, but even they are more busy and active in this time than when I was a kid. I guess I am just wistful for the times when we actually broke bread with our neighbors because we wanted to and not because a weather event like the 2011 tornadoes forced us out of our homes and into our lawns where we actually saw each other.

In a way, I think social media is to social lives what the freeway system is to small towns. Faster contacts, sound bites, and flashes of information have taken over sitting down and chatting over a cup of coffee while watching kids play in the backyard or run through sprinklers.

Though I appreciate speed, and I am the first to admit I'm not the most patient person on the planet (though the flip side of that poor character trait coin is that I get things done fast and on time and respond quickly to others -- take the bad with the good I always say), there are times when I just enjoy taking it a little slower. I like taking the road less traveled, picking up the phone and having a long chat with a friend, and taking the time to cook a meal or host a party where people actually come to my home and use my good dishes.

So do we turn back the hands of time and reverse all the modern conveniences of life? No. I would be lost without air conditioning, a car, my trusty laptop, and my many virtual friends in the cyber world. However, I suggest that seeking a balance which includes both worlds might be a good way of living.

So I choose to drive the road less traveled whenever I need a real person, real life, and real experience to recharge my batteries.

How do you recharge your mental and emotional batteries?

Motivation, Manuscripts & Mustard

So I am known to be a self-driven, motivated writer who pushes very hard to get her books written. And, for the most part, I can juggle multiple projects and manage the household without going bonkers. No wait. I fibbed. I do go nuts every once in a while, but I blame the moon in Venus rising or some other tidal wave pattern for the madness.

Here's the thing. I set high bars for myself. I want to reach the bar and exceed my expectations. No one is harder on me than I am. I am a task master who can't be tamed.

But life happens. Like moving the College Kid to College Town, USA. Or housework (which should be outlawed, but it keeps coming back to claim my time). Then there are friends, phone calls, long chats with the CK, other stuff like that and it's hard to get back on track.

Right now my motivation to finish revising a requested manuscript is super low because I've called it my "throwaway book." I don't know why I did that other than I thought one person would want it and wrote it for that person and poof--she wants to send it somewhere else. And double poof, I'm not sure I want it to go there. And triple poof, I have two other books that people want me to write and I'm under a contract to do so and these books are not anything like this current manuscript.

So how do I move on? I add mustard. Mustard spices up my life and my food and my manuscripts. Where do you put mustard in a manuscript? How does it flavor the words? Will the manuscript finally leave a satisfying taste in my mouth with the addition of mustard?

Heck yah! Here's the ticket. I signed up for an in depth course via Margie Lawson which is about Visceral Emotion and powering up your words. I am using this formally-known-as-a-throwaway manuscript to my in-depth homework. (And it's in-depth--ask my editing partners). And you know what? When I rework the manuscript as part of her homework, my writing starts exciting me again. And best of all, I think that it will energize the new books I have to write. I'm learning and writing and testing my writing muscles because it's a great way to bolster my motivation.

I probably won't finish the book by the end of August (which was my intention), but I will have a solid amount of it completed. And while I'm building my small town USA and beginning the process of writing my series of books I can continue to revise this manuscript now known as a potential-to-be-published story as part of my homework.

It's a win-win.

How do you add mustard to your manuscripts?