Is this thing on? *taps microphone*

Due to an over abundance of procrastination, a double dose of life altering stress, and an unflinching desire to do better, this author is making her first attempt in a while to bring her journal back to life. Someone grab the defibrillator! Stat!

Seriously though, I've fallen victim to that ever present threat that the world often calls real life. Granted I know this is an affliction that every human being is infected with, but I have a horrible habit if allowing it to distract me from the things I need (have) to get done. The most recent necessity being the need to finish Stacey's and my book collaboration, which is in its finale stages. I'm not going to lie, I've dropped the ball in a major way while Stacey has picked up the slack and done an incredible job of taking my dropped ball and keeping it rolling. She's is one badass b**** who knows how to get things done. And both of us are ready for this book to be finished and sent out for one final, lay it all out there, set of submissions.

I think we're both looking forward to working on some new stuff. I have Olivia's Ghost that needs desperately to be finished and Stacey has her Reapers book that is, in my opinion, the best and most original thing she's ever written. Plus we both have several slutty new novels that are scratching around in our brains.

Honestly, the number of S.N.N.'s in my brain have risen exponentially after this past weekend when Stacey, Tina, and I attended  the annual Bowling Green book convention. We always find ourselves overflowing with inspiration after we attend. Being surrounded by people who are just as obsessed with the literary world as we are, is a good conductor for creativity. It's also that kick in the butt that I needed to juice up my previously drained motivation and get back in gear.

Today alone, I signed up for a Secret Agent competition, began the process of revamping my website, and posted on the blog. Yay, me! *stands up and cheers* Too bad there's so much more to do. *sits back down and sighs*

So, hopefully this week I'll take the time to update a bit more. Stacey is trying to build up her social platform, which is a fantastic idea. I think I'm going to try and follow her lead. Wish me luck!

Save the Cat Spreadsheet!

http://lizwritesbooks.com/savethecat/

 

Go to this website for one of the best plotting worksheets available to writers.

VLOG: Kentucky Writer's Conference: Session One with David Bell

This is a VLOG from the Kentucky Writer's Conference that I attended today, April 19th. This is part one of four.  The remainder of the sessions will be posted through out the week. Have a great day and Enjoy!

Savvy Authors - Pitch Your Book To Jill Marsal of Marsal Lyon Literary

Visit: Savvy Authors - Pitch Your Book To Jill Marsal of Marsal Lyon Literary

Trying to catch the eye of an editor? Well, now's your chance! Jill Marsal of Marsal Lyon Literary will be reading pitches today. SUBMISSIONS REQUESTED: Jill is interested in all types of women's fiction, commercial fiction, mystery, thriller, cozy, and suspense, all types of romance, including contemporary, romantic suspense, historical, and category romance and urban fantasy/sci-fi. She also would like to see non-fiction projects, including business, history, current events, relationships/advice, parenting, self-help, health, science, and narrative non-fiction.

Members will have an opportunity to post their 3-line pitch or a short blurb as a comment to this post. Results will be posted within two weeks. Check back to see if you've scored a request! Who can enter?Contest is open to all registered members of Savvy Authors. Not a member? JOIN TODAY! Basic membership is FREE! All entries must be from registered members.

Entries posted anonymously (by non-members) will be removed. If anyone has any questions, please contact Riley Darkes.

The rules are simple:
1.Post your 3-line pitch or a short blurb in the comments section of this article after logging into the website, include at the top the Title, Genre, Sub-genre & Word Count.
2.Make sure your manuscript falls within the genres listed above!
3.Only post if your manuscript is ready now!
4.Check back to see who our Editor/Agent picked! Results posted within two weeks. (Minimum of one, no maximum!)
5.Limit two pitches per member.
6.Be sure to include your name, title, genre and word count of your manuscript. Please note, all pitches that do not follow the directions chance being removed without notice.

This includes posting more than two pitches and pitches that are longer than requested. Jill Marsal is a partner at the Marsal Lyon Literary Agency. She has been in the publishing industry almost 15 years, previously working as a Literary Agent with the Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency and at Dorchester Publishing, editing women's fiction, romance, and suspense/thrillers. On the fiction front, Jill looks for all types of romance (contemporary, romantic suspense, histo rical, and category), women's fiction and family stories, cozy mysteries, suspense, and thrillers.

She is also looking for general commercial fiction and welcomes a dramatic storyline and compelling characters in interesting situations or relationships. On the non-fiction side, Jill's areas of interest include business, current events, health, self-help/advice, relationships, psychology, humor, how-to, parenting, and narrative non-fiction.

Jill enjoys working with both new and experienced authors. For more information visit the agency web site at www.MarsalLyonLiteraryAgency.com.

The Marsal Lyon Literary Agency is dedicated to helping authors successfully place their work. Our members have many years of experience in the publishing industry and possess a diverse and unique skill set. We have worked with many bestselling and award-winning authors, as well as first-time authors, and look forward to continuing to bring exceptional projects to the market.

Savvy Authors - Savvy Authors Weekly News April 15, 2013

Savvy Authors - Savvy Authors Weekly News April 15, 2013

Miss Snark's First Victim: April Secret Agent Early Info

Miss Snark's First Victim: April Secret Agent Early Info: Please note: This is NOT the call for submissions! The contest will open next Monday, April 22. SUBMISSION GUIDELINES (please read carefu...

Savvy Authors - April Pitch Perfect schedule is here!

Savvy Authors - April Pitch Perfect schedule is here!

Savvy Authors - Pitch results are flowing in - check here to see if you scored a request!

Savvy Authors - Pitch results are flowing in - check here to see if you scored a request!

Meeting my Idol- Heather Graham

In March of 2012, my best friend Stacey Hays (and contributor to this blog) who lives in Bowling Green, Kentucky sent me a text that author Heather Graham was going to be at the Bowling Green Writers Conference in April. I immediately text back, asking what the dates were so I could check my calendar. As soon as she told me the weekend and I saw that I was free, I got on Southwest’s website. I could book a flight on Friday morning and come back on Sunday afternoon in time to pick up my son from his dad’s.

So before I got confirmation from Stacey that she was able to drive to Nashville to pick me up at the airport on that Friday morning, I bought my plane ticket.  That was $200 well worth it!

I got to meet my idol Heather Graham, it was surreal. Heather gave a lecture at the conference. We made sure that we were front and center in the auditorium. I came 500 miles to see her! I couldn’t wait to hear about her writing experience and her books. I fell in love with her as an author with her historical romance novels. Her trilogy set during the Civil War is still one of my favorites that I have read over and over again.  

After the lecture she was doing a book signing. I was ecstatic to meet her in person. I couldn’t wait to tell her how much I loved her novels and how much joy I got through her books, not just her historical romance novels. She was so humble, nice, down to earth, and genuinely happy to meet her fans.

She gave great advice as well. After learning that I was an aspiring author she encouraged to keep writing and she recommended that I join the RWA. She gave me her personal e-mail address so that we could correspond and I could keep her informed on the progress of my writing journey. I have written her a few times and she even wrote me back!

After coming back from the Kentucky Writer’s Conference, I had a renewed drive to continue with my writing. The year before had been hard on me personally, but I needed and wanted to get back to something that I loved to do, which is writing.

Thank you, Heather Graham for helping to get me back on track with my writing.

One year later, I am unable to make it to the KY writers conferences, but I am still working on my writing. I have taken some time off here and there…but I am back at it.