Never Alone! (the important stuff post)

Hello lovelies,
So today, I have another video for your viewing pleasures. Denise Jaden, the author of Never Enough, has put together a video for the release of her book. I think this video can be an encouragement for young and old and I wanted to share it with you!  
Inspiring isn't it? To know you're never alone, and that you are worth something more than what your "bad days self" tells you you do.
Maybe you've seen this post before but I'm going to share it anyway. 

I think, sometimes, we all need that reminder. 

Hope everyone has a wonderful Friday and weekend! 

Much love, 

Valia 

P.S. If you want to find out more about Denise or her book visit http://denisejaden.blogspot.ca/ 

Staying Motivated

Writing has always been what I love most.  In my lifetime of flux, writing is the one thing I can honestly say has never wavered.  This doesn't mean I have always lived the life of a writer who is determined to make it big in the publishing world.  And, even though I love it, grown up life gets in the way and I lose motivation to sit all alone and peck keys on a keyboard. After a hard day I want to be social or active.  Often, I want to read about everyone else and their day on Facebook or Twitter.

Whenever someone (a non-writer) finds out I am writing a book, the first thing they say is, "I could never do that.  I wouldn't have the patience to sit and write all of that."  To be honest, I used to think the same thing.  I loved writing stories, but stuck to poetry because I didn't think I was a "distance writer."  I have since learned the secret.  

Authors work together!  That's how they get it done.  The support structure that Twitter and Facebook, Skype and others, offer to authors is incredible.  With these tools, writers can teach each other their strategies, offer emotional support and encouragement, celebrate together and even virtually work together.

Tonight, in fact, Nova Lovette and I wrote in 30 minute sprints together.  Her from her house and me from mine.  She would set the timer and tell me when to start via Facebook or Twitter.  Then she would tell me when to stop.  We shared our word counts with one another and even brainstormed our way through some sticky plot points in between our sprints.  Several times I wanted to quit, but knowing I was reporting to her and that she wasn't quitting, kept me honest and motivated.  By the end, she exceeded her goal of 2000 words and I had over 2500 words to show for it.  Plus, we built a closer friendship.  No loss there.

I'm so glad I stuck it out.  I worked through a scene that I have been stuck on for a month.  I've clarified some of my plot and character actions.  Without one another, Nova and I may not have been as successful as we were tonight.  Follow us on Twitter or Facebook if you want to join us on some writing sprints sometime.  As of right now, they aren't at scheduled times (hard to do in the summer months), but if you catch us in a sprint, you can always join in.

Don't think writing a novel has to be done in some wooded cabin, isolated from all distractions.  All you need is a writing partner who is as determined as you are, but honest about their motivation--and maybe some caffeine, cheese balls and a kick-butt playlist.  Good Luck and Happy Writing.

#StayGroovy  

Guest Post: Perseverance by Robin Mellom

There were several times I wanted to give up in my path to publication, but it was the advice from other writers, agents and editors that kept me going.

I remember being a conference once and an author said, “If you’re getting good feedback on your writing, do the work and then wait in line for your turn.”

I really think that’s true. While we’re waiting for our turn, we have to do the work. Write the book. And then write another one. And then…yes…write another one. 

My first book that sold, DITCHED, was actually the sixth book I’d written. And I don’t regret writing those other books for one moment. They helped me develop my skills, find my voice and develop the confidence to take a concept like the one I came up with for DITCHED and do it in the way it deserved. I wasn’t ready to write that novel ten years ago. 

However, the gravy for this story? The very first book I wrote  (yep, ten years ago!)  is now being re-imagined and will be published as THE CLASSROOM in June. So you never know if something sitting in that drawer might season up nicely for the future. 

Robin Mellom wrote this post for my own blog but I felt like I should share it here again. Perseverance is something that we often overlook as writers. When people ask us what we do as writers they forget that it takes hard work. But the greatest thing ever is that we're not alone. There are others out there, working side by side with us, making a world a better place. That's right, writers do! Remember that!

Much love, 

Valia 

On Getting Involved

*Boo!* 

Sorry, had to get that out of the way. 

Writers are solitary creatures. There are not many careers out there that allow you to spend your days in pj’s, if need be, away from all the crazy that is outside of your house. We like solitude. We like to be able to live in our own little worlds. After all, our worlds are rockin! 

But on the other side of this solitude is the loneliness. I know we have talked about that here before, but loneliness is just as much a part of a writers life as breathing. We all get in the ruts of self doubt, procrastination, and various other depressing words that you can enter here. However, what I’ve discovered in the past year was that writers are also one big family. 

This is nothing new either. If you’ve been writing for any length of time you have discovered this for yourself. We band together to keep each other encouraged and motivated. So this is where the core of my post lies.

This year, I’ve decided that I would be more involved. On my personal blog, I write a lot of book reviews. I just adore the privilege to let others know about a particular author and their book. But what I’ve decided to do is to get the authors themselves a little more involved. On top of the reviews, I want to have a Q&A, or a sneak peak, or just some kind of a visit from the authors themselves. Like this Interview & Giveaway I have on my blog right now (Click here).  I want my readers to discover the authors and their work in the best light possible. Truth be told, it is a bit intimidating to reach out to those who have “made it” while I’m still searching for an agent *wipes brow* (but that is a topic for another day). However, the family that is us is a lot more open and receptive than I could’ve ever imagined. The people that take time to talk to me are the ones who encourage me to keep going and that is why I want to get involved. I want to give a little of it back. I encourage you, my friends, to give something back as well. Get involved in your writing communities. Drop a sweet note into an authors mailbox. Comment on a blog post *hint hint* We appreciate it more than words can express. 

Now I leave you with a questions: what authors would you like me to have featured on the blog? 

Go forth and do something nice for somebody today! 

(Even though its Friday the 13th)

Much love, 

Valia