What a character…

March 18, 2015March 18, 2015 ~ sharon ~ Leave a comment

I love finding articles that describe types of people. It’s like finding a character waiting to be dropped into a situation. It may or may not be a main character, but lesser characters need some depth, too. Here’s an example that offers counterposed characters — good boss and bad boss. Could also be good or bad roomie, good or bad sibling. Consider the possibilities.

10 Signs Your Managers Are Controllers But Not Leaders
http://www.lifehack.org/articles/work/10-signs-your-managers-are-controllers-but-not-leaders.html?ref=tp&n=1

Place it

March 17, 2015March 17, 2015 ~ sharon ~ Leave a comment

In one of my book clubs, our theme this year is authors and stories of the Pacific Northwest. We started with a talk about the “Missoula (Montana) Mafia” from a member who lived there. Nevermind that we were liberal in our interpretation of the geography, we wanted an array of authors and topics. The project described in the LA Times is also place-based. I can imagine doing one about any region.
More than that, I wonder about the role of place in a book. How many stories had to happen where they did? When does setting become another character?

Rediscovering the lost writers of the Plains – LA Times
http://www.latimes.com/books/jacketcopy/la-et-jc-rediscovering-the-lost-writers-of-the-plains-20150317-story.html

Indie or traditional?

March 16, 2015March 16, 2015 ~ sharon ~ 1 Comment

You’ve thought about it before, but now you’re ready to make the decision. Here are seven questions from Nathan Bransford to consider when it’s time to publish your book.

Nathan Bransford, Author: Should you self-publish or traditionally publish? 7 questions to ask yourself
http://blog.nathanbransford.com/2015/03/should-you-self-publish-or.html?m=1

Survive writer’s block

March 15, 2015March 15, 2015 ~ sharon ~ Leave a comment

When you feel stuck on a project, sometimes writing something else can loosen your brain. Here is a list of last survivors that could serve as prompts.

15 Last Survivors of Famous Events
http://m.mentalfloss.com/article.php?id=62219

How do you schedule?

March 14, 2015March 14, 2015 ~ sharon ~ Leave a comment

How often have you heard, “Write every day. Schedule your writing time”? I love going to the store to buy planners and organizing tools. But I’ve always had trouble using them consistently, at least when it comes to activities outside of work. Work activities seem to schedule themselves. I plan to take this quiz later today — my morning’s already booked — to see if I can identify my planning style.

Daily Planner Guide | Any.do Blog
http://blog.any.do/2014/12/quiz-whats-productivity-style-daily-planner-guide/