Why write when you can clean bathrooms?

Posted by: Jessa Slade

Currently working on: Finding friends on Facebook
Mood: Scattered

OMG! You're reading this when you should be out Christmas shopping?!? Or deboning the turkey to roast it down for soup? Or cleaning the bathroom?

And you call yourself a writer?!?

For me, there's always something more important/urgent/interesting to do than write since I'm one of those annoying angsty writers. {Insert swoon here} We all have different reasons, many of them listed in this month's earlier posts, for writing in the face of endless potential distractions. Dreams... Determination... Contractual obligations... Rabid wolves threatening to rend & devour us if our word counts aren't met...

Wait, what? You aren't beset by wolves? Well, aren't you lucky.

Then here're a few other things I use to get me "in the mood" to BICHOK:

1. Read somebody else's stuff. Yes, I know this LOOKS like procrastination. But I am often inspired by the words of other. Either they got a 6 figure advance and totally suck and I'm, like, heck, I could've written that -- who cares if I've never circumnavigated the globe in an inflatable dinghy... backwards? Better yet, I read an awesome story that challenges me to rise above. Right now, that book is Night Keepers from Jessica Andersen. I'm only 100 pages in because I'm rewarding myself with chapters, but so far I'm thoroughly enjoying it.

2. Listen to the right music. Since I'm easily distracted, I am sometimes helped by a guide into the creative zone. I found a weird CD called Hypnotic Om (the link takes you to some interesting articles by the guy who made the CD) that uses a slowing click track to lead you into theta waves, the place of dreams and The Zone. Don't know if I believe in any of this stuff -- hey, I write paranormals but I'm not crazy. Still, back to whatever works...

3. And finally, because I am a micro-achiever, I maintain an Excel spreadsheet. I'm still refining it since I recently learned I should be struggling toward scene goals, not word goals, but if anybody's interested in getting a copy contact me through my website. (And maybe somebody can tell me how to post a file on the interwebs so that anybody can access it.) I update my output every... well, pretty much every paragraph. These aren't baby steps, people, these are zygote steps. But again, whatever works...

And finally finally, just because this made me laugh (and remember not to take myself too seriously, which is one of the ways I ease myself into filling up that scarily blank page):

Hope y'all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. And I was kidding about the turkey bones. The bathrooms are your call.

BICHOK--OR NOT?

Posted by: Genene Valleau

Current project: Preparing for the December 12 release of 

FEATHERS ON THE FLOOR

Mood: Excited!

Please join me for a special Twelve Days of Christmas event

from December 1-12 for spotlights on guest authors, 

free downloads, daily prizes and the grand prize of

a fully decorated Christmas tree!

How do I keep my butt in the chair? Sometimes it's by getting up and walking away.

I can hear the gasp of outrage at my dared blasphemy. We're writers, has been the hew and cry. We have to put our butts in the chair, hands on the keyboard (the hallowed BICHOK) and write every day.

This sounds good.

However, what happens if we don't BICHOK every day? We've had some discussion on the loop recently about this, so this cycle may sound familiar: We feel guilty. We beat ourselves up. We sit in the chair with our hands on the keyboard, feeling miserable and wondering where our creativity went.

Perhaps we chased it away.

Before you protest, take a look at that cycle:
--"We feel guilty." That doesn't feel good.
--"We beat ourselves up." That doesn't feel good.
--"We sit in the chair...feeling miserable." That doesn't feel good.

How can our creativity thrive when we don't feel good about ourselves or what we're doing?

I'm at a point in my life where I look for lessons in every experience, then reinforce the joy and positive feelings from those experiences. If something feels difficult or "blocked," that's a signal to me that I need to step back and look at things from a different perspective.

Or, as we do with the characters in our stories, perhaps it's time to dig deeper into the reasons/excuses for not meeting goals. Is this what I really want? Am I afraid of failure--or am I afraid of success? Do I just need a break (from family, friends, pets, a full-time job to pay the bills, and a myriad other commitments) to find myself again, to play or to refill the creativity well?

But don't stop--or get stuck--digging into the reasons. If writing is what you want, there's a treasury of advice available from others (adapted to meet your own needs, of course!) on how they actually meet their goals. Here are a few suggestions:
--As Lisa so eloquently said in her recent blog, "fix our vision firmly" in our minds and go for it!
--Barb takes a deep breath, knowing things other than writing are sometimes unavoidable, but also acknowledging she is making progress toward her writing goals.
--Thousands of writers use NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) to kick-start or meet their goals.
--Many writers take a break between projects to let ideas simmer or just relax.
--Other writers toss the "rules" aside and write, rediscovering the joy they felt when they first started writing.
--I am learning to treat myself gently, which includes self-hugs and positive reinforcement.

Those of us who belong to RWA are also very fortunate to have the support of fellow writers. That's high on my gratitude list this Thanksgiving Day!

And, yes, there comes a time to just do it! So, with my attitude adjusted and creativity ready to pour out on the page, BICHOK can be truly effective. Ready, set, butt in chair, hands on keyboard, and write!

Please visit me at www.genenevalleau.com for more details 

on my special Twelve Days of Christmas event starting Dec. 1!

The X Factor

Post by:  Lisa Hendrix

Promoting: IMMORTAL WARRIOR

Just Finished: IMMORTAL OUTLAW (June 2009)

Currently:  Pre-writing (i.e. noodling around) in preparation for beginning IMMORTAL CHAMPION

Mood: Relaxed for the first time in 3 months

Yep, I finished IMMORTAL OUTLAW at last, so no more excuses for not writing a real blog post--although I could claim topic depletion, since I've been blogging all over the 'Net on my virtual book tour (if you're curious, you can find info on my stops at my personal blog).  

So, we're talking about keeping the butt in the chair.  I've been keeping mine in the chair so much in the last 8 weeks, both it and the chair have gone flat.  My legs ache from sitting too much, my clicking thumb hurts from too many clicks, and my walking shoes have gathered dust. And yet I'm happy, partly because yet another book is done (which means on acceptance money is coming soon) and partly because I really love accomplishing another part of my dream. 

And of course, BICHOK is how I accomplished it -- but not why. When I'm nudging writer friends, what I say is:

Butt in chair, hands to keyboard, heart to dream.

The heart to dream part is critical. Without the dream, there's no reason to sit down in the first place. I just did a big post over at Plot Monkeys titled Persistence of Vision, in which I discussed getting from that initial "I'm going to write a book" to actually doing it, i.e. turning the dream real. The dream is the motivator.

Oh, yeah, sometimes there are other motivators, for sure.  I'm a big external motivation person myself--nothing like a deadline to make me get the job done.  But I had to have the dream in the first place, or there would never have been enough book written to get that deadline. I had to have the dream to put my butt in the chair that first time. And I have to keep that dream in my heart, or the temptation to just say, "Oh, what the heck,"  and give the money back would sometimes be too great. At 3 am after only 4 hours sleep the night before, it's the dream that keeps me awake and punching at the keys.

And after the hellacious month I've had finishing Outlaw, it's the dream that made me start a file the very next day named Immortal Champion, and open a Word doc to start brainstorming the plot. Not the dream of finishing that book, but the dream of being a WRITER when I grow up.

What do you dream of doing? What are you willing to do to make your dream come true?

BONUS BICHOK TOOL:  Freedom (Mac only).  Disables your wifi and ethernet connections for an amount of time you choose, 5-360 minutes, then re-enables it when the time is up. You literally cannot bypass it during the specified time, short of rebooting your computer.  Solves that email/web-surfing problem.

The backside in the chair IS my business

By: Delilah Marvelle
Mood: Over the moon, although I thought I'd come back just to post!
Currently working on: My new series, Once Upon a Scandal.

So what gets my backside into the chair? Guilt. And it works every time! Ehm. But seriously...guilt DOES play a part of my writing. Allow me to break down the percentages of what gets my backside into the chair.

Guilt - 20%
The Schedule I set - 50%
Inspiration - 30%
Determination to succeed - 100%

Now as you can see by the breakdown of percentages, I always try to put in 200% into everything I do. A writer cannot possibly find a happily ever after for themselves or their characters without placing said backside into said chair. End of story. (Pun intended).

So let me explain my percentages. Guilt reminds me that I have a story to write and ensures that in one form or another, I will write it. Which is very important. The Schedule I set is critical. I need at least 6 straight hours of writing time every time. I can't do the whole 1 or 2 hour session thing. Mostly because 1 to 2 hours is what it usually takes just to get my brain warmed up. Inspiration includes the world around me. Books, movies, my writer friends, my family, the food I eat (oh yeah, especially the food I eat...), the places I travel to, and the music I listen to. Without taking the time for myself to discover inspiration, the backside will merely sit in the chair and nothing will happen. And last, but not least, the determination to succeed. Without determination, what is the point? And when I mean the determination to succeed, I'm not talking about selling the next book (well, I am..), hitting the NYT bestseller list (though that would be nice), I'm talking about the determination to succeed in actually finishing the book. The book that won't let me lead a normal life until it's written. So I would say, many things get my backside into the chair, but the bottom line is, the only thing that truly gets a writer in the chair is the writer itself. End of story. Really.
Cheers and until next time,
Delilah Marvelle

Raw Writing~ blend and drink by Suzanne Macpherson

Mood: Windy

THINGS are HAPPENING. Oh yes, things are happening. Sometimes after a very long dry spell the wind comes and pushes you right off your chair and up into the air, and then you are flying.

Repeat after me: THINGS ARE HAPPENING--GOOD THINGS--CREATIVE THINGS! PASSIONATE THINGS!

November is wild. Edward Hopper is at the Seattle Art Museum. I'm out flying. When I land I'll tell you all about it.

November is GRATITUDE for being in the zone.

November is a strawberry mango smoothie and raw words blended together.

oh and for... new writing companions who will rustle up the papers and change the energy in the office. Two new kittens. I'll post their picture tomorrow after we pick them up-- post post.

MEOW.... suz

BICHOK

Heather Hiestand/Anh Leod

Currently: Just got home, very sleepy.

Mood: Is sleepy a mood?

So this is Butt in Chair, Hands on Keyboard topic month?

The only thing that's ever kept me writing steadily is enthusiasm. For a while I thought what kept me writing was getting paid to do so, but that doesn't seem to be it. I've always written double the daily page count when I was actually enjoying a story, versus writing exactly to the market. That's not to say there aren't points in just about every book where I want to give up, but some books just make me happy to write them. My book One Juror Down, for instance, wrote itself over a summer. And when I wrote the sequel, Two on the Hunt, I was happy the entire time, remembering my research trips with friend Carol to the marina where the book was set (fictionalized first of course, because of those pesky kidnappers, murderers and vampire wannabes running around).

When I'm not getting any writing done, my secret technique is to go to Starbucks with a friend and write. Usually I go with Delle Jacobs, who has much more sitting at Starbucks tolerance than I do. We bring our laptops or Alphasmarts or other fancy devices and write. The baristas even know us now. Usually that carries through to at least a few days of productivity before we need to go again. Give it a try!

Fooling Myself

JENNA BAYLEY-BURKE

Currently: I'm wiping noses...and reworking the partial of the lawyers book...and finishing up the erotica story...and eating too much Halloween candy...

Mood: Snarkilicious...boogers have that effect on me

--~--~--~--~--~--~--~--~--~--~--~--~--~--~--~--~

This month we're s'posed to be rambling about how we keep our butt in the chair. If you've seen my butt lately, you know it's roughly the shape of a recliner, so that's not a problem for me. Actually working, now see...that's an issue.

As soon as I turn on my computer, I think I have a few moments to do something while it boots up. So I'll read a bit in whatever book is next to me. This probably loses me about 3 minutes since the computer is always ready before I am at a bookmark worthly place in the book.

Email beckons, and I must say it's the worlds best time waster, masked as a productivity device. After all, I passed notes with a bookseller and a conference organizer this morning...plus my editor, CP, brother-in-law, his girlfriend, my neighbor...and there was a wicked sale on at Gymboree...

Eventually I might actually open up the story I promised myself would be finished before NaNoWriMo started. But it seems teh story fairies have left it at the same stuck place it was at when I closed it at midnight last night...hmmm. Spider Solitaire anyone?

Of course as soon as I win a game, giving me the confidence I need to push my characters into the hotel...the baby wakes up. Or the school bus arrives. Or my mother calls. Not to mention the full sized dust bunnies that are talking about unionizing in my hallway...

And then there is art class and grocery shopping and babysitting the neighbor boy...by then there is dinner and a husband who might be worth talking to...

By the end of the day I am so disgusted with my productivity I do what I should have done at 8 am...I slide the wireless function off on the computer and write a load of crap. Which actually worked into a great scene and with a creative scene break managed to almost finish the story. Finally...maybe if I actually manage to start working tomorrow...

Fifteen Ways to Procrastinate...or...I Don't Feel Like It...Leave me alone!

CURRENTLY WORKING ON: Keenan's Dilemma (Paranormal Erotic Comedy)

MOOD: Dangerously Cracked ~maniacal laugh~

I don't have a problem getting my butt into the chair; it's what I do once I'm there that's the problem. Below are some of my best excuses for not writing (in no particular order). See how many of these you share and then tell me your own personal favorites:

1. I don't feel like it. You can't make me.

2. OMG, I have to redo my website. It's almost perfect...just a couple hundred more tweaks.

3. I'm too busy editing someone else's book and it needs a complete rewrite, so I'll just take it upon myself to do that for him.

4. But it's Monday and there are all these posts to answer...if I don't, everyone will hate me! Not to mention all these emails, opportunities, and free viagra...

5. I'm waiting for inspiration. Hello...hello...is anyone out there? ~the muse laughs wickedly from under the bed~

6. Are you crazy? There's a Ghost Hunters marathon on!

7. My office is a mess.

8. My bedroom is a mess.

9. My brain is a mess.

10. My computer needs another overhaul, even though I did it last week, and the week before, and the week...

11. I have a release coming up. These promos won't get out by themselves, you know.

12. My granddaughter needs me to watch kids' shows with her all day long. God bless Barney.

13. My husband is off work today, so I need to talk to him until he agrees with me.

14. Here's a subject I'm really interested in that has nothing to do with my current project...if I just research this all day, it's bound to come back to what I need, right?

15. The bed is soooooo warm and comfy...just a few more minutes...

There are many, many more.

Whenever anyone asks me how I avoid writer's block (a nice way of saying cerebral constipation), I tell them with absolute aplomb, to just start writing...anything...put your fingers on the buttons and start pushing. I also tell them that writing is not inspiration but dedication...and a lot of discipline. Now, I have to take my own advice, which is too bad since I'm a big fan of "do as I say, not as I do."

What helps me most? An unreal deadline and an editor with a barbed whip. If I could only hire someone to convince me that everything is on deadline. Volunteers? A phone call would do...

So now I'm back to the jumbled keys staring up at me, screaming, "Hit me! Hit me! Hit me!" I think I will oblige them today...

Minnette Meador
www.minnettemeador.com
http://minnettemeador.blogspot.com
2008 Releases:A Cup of Comfort for Single Mothers
Starsight, Vol. I & II
The Centurion & The Queen
The Edge of Honor

The Big D Word

I don't feel like writing today. I didn't feel like it at all yesterday when I was so obsessed with the election I couldn't write ten minutes without going back to check the news. Like I knew there's no news worth reading on election day until the first polls close. I already know there will be lines at the polls, and some of them way too long. I know already there will be a 106 year old woman in a wheelchair somewhere who will be voting for the first, or twentieth, time. I even know there will be some interesting story like the 85 pound dead salmon found in Oregon. Yes, I read that one. Every single word. And my writing tally for the day (email doesn't count) was a whole 576 words.

That is NOT the Big D word.

Today I have finally let some of the euphoria and enthusiasm seep away, and even have channeled it into my story. But that is also not the Big D.

We can say whatever we want about why we're not getting our writing done, but it still comes down to one thing: Discipline. I'm not good at that. When writing's fun, and new, and creative stuff just flows out, it's hard to see that discipline is important. How could anyone not want to keep writing? But writing is not always new, fun, and it's often very hard and frustrating. Easy ways out can be tempting. But if we really are career writers, there's only one path to success. We must write. Whether it's hard or not, we must do it. It's our career. It may be our second career, but it's our career if we choose it.

So at this late stage in my life, I am re-learning, yet again, that Discipline is my weakness, the hardest thing for me to learn. I forgot that over all those years on the out-of-home job. I did that because that was what had to be done to keep the job flowing. And it really looks a lot different when I am sitting at home and I ask myself, "If I quit right now, would anybody really notice?"

Well, the answer to that question is, "They might notice for now, but pretty soon they wouldn't notice. For there are plenty of other authors and their books who will soon capture their attention and absorb them."

That, though, is not really the question. The question is, "Am I a writer? Or am I just someone who likes fooling around with the keyboard and screen?" If I am a writer, then I must write or I don't deserve to call myself one. And although I know far more than I ever did before how tough a job it is, it is still the job I want most to do. I've earned the right to take on this tough job. I fought for it. I saved for it. I scrimped and will scrimp again because it's also an extremely poorly paying way to make a living. But I chose it because I wanted it.

Discipline. That is what I most need to do the thing I most want to do. So that is my goal. Not to pump myself up with false bravado or enthusiasm. Not to fly on the fuel of inspiration, wonderful though it can be. That doesn't last long enough and it tends to fade the minute a tough spot comes along. It's too easy for the pin prick of self-doubt to deflate the balloon of inspiration. But the more I write and the more I stick with my plan to write every day on schedule, the less self-doubt can inflict itself on me. Writing is my job, and I need on-going discipline to do it because it's the one thing that can carry through, keep me going in good times and hard ones.

My goal is the Big D.

Discipline.

IMMORTAL WARRIOR is on the shelves!

Well, folks,  I'm the designated Featured Author this month, which means I was supposed to post on the 1st of the month, setting the tone for this month's topic, Motivation, i.e., how to get the butt in the chair.

The thing is, I was too busy actually keeping my butt in the chair to look up and notice it was my month to blog early.  Oops.  If you read my post last month, Oblivious, you already know what the problem is.  It's still the problem, now expanded because I'm even closer to the drop-deadline plus have a blog tour ramping up to promote IMMORTAL WARRIOR.  Not a pretty sight.  Do not do this to yourselves.

So since I missed the 1st and found out I missed it on the 3rd, which was Susan's day, I decided to glom onto November 4, which just happens to be the official release date  for IMMORTAL WARRIOR. That's right, today you can run out and buy a copy and help put me on a bestseller list somewhere.

Warrior (see back cover copy over there in the sidebar) is the first book in my new paranormal historical romance series, The Immortal Brotherhood.  I'm as excited as if it were my first book, much the way a new mom is excited about the birth of later kids: it's not so scary, which makes it even more fun. And part of the fun lies in knowing that Ivar, the Immortal Warrior himself, has eight brothers waiting in the wings.  Yep, nine sexy, hunky, cursed, hunky, tragic,hunky, delicious Viking warriors to play with. And did I mention they're all hunky? (gawd, you think this boy's pretty, you just wait 'til you see the guy on the next cover!) You want motivation to keep your butt in the chair?  Try nine Vikings and a contract.

What about you?  What keeps your butt in the chair? Post your best tip in Comments.

* * *

While I go back to work on the last couple of chapters of Immortal Outlaw (Book 2), please come over and wander around my WEBSITE. You'll find an excerpt of IMMORTAL WARRIOR, a fabulous contest for a reproduction Viking amulet like Ivar wears, and more.

BONUS:  I'm looking for Bookspotters.  Between now and Nov 8, if you spot my book on the shelves, just post a comment HERE and you'll be entered to win an ARC of the next book.

How I Keep my Uhmm...Butt In The Chair

by: Susan Lute

Currently Working On: Querying agents on my non-fiction project, and I’m in the beginning stages of a new single title contemporary romance.

Mood: Exhilarated. Cocky. Hopeful.

This is a funny subject. Not ha-ha funny, but oh-s*%&t-how-do-I-make-this-interesting-funny. Hold on a minute while I go make some tea.

Okay, I’m back. I’ll pretend we’re talking about the chair in my office, and not all the other places where I might decided to write for the day. I’m only going to name three things that could keep your butt in the chair. Wait, let me take a picture...of the chair.

That worked out well. You can’t see how really disreputable the office is (I share it with the hubby, who’s never in there except to use it as a dumping place for the things he’s going to “get to” one of these days).

Hang on. I’ll download the pics onto my computer while I continue to write.

Okay, it’s downloading. So, back to our subject. How do I keep my butt in my chair? I wish I had a good answer to that. First, I think you have to LOVE the project you’re working on. One of my projects, I’ve been working on for seven years. I REALLY LOVE that one. Currently, I’m waiting to hear back from an editor on the revised proposal...

Hold that thought. Transfer complete.

Alright. Pics found. We’ll see at the end of this challenging writing assignment if I can attach them to the completed blog. I’m always so envious of authors who can write AND add pictures to their cyber dialogues.

Where was I? Yes, you have to love the project you’re working on. Otherwise, I don’t know how you can talk your butt into staying in the chair for more than three minutes.

It’s absolutely imperative you have many goals in mind. Your daily writing goal. Your weekly goal. Your monthly goal. A three month goal. A six month goal. And, a yearly goal. Maybe, you should write it down and tape it to your computer...or even better, onto the seat of your chair. Otherwise, how can you convince yourself to write in the first place? Wait the phone is ringing!

Okay, false alarm. The ringing stopped after two rings. It was probably someone from one of the political campaigns.

I’m going to write the third reason to keep your butt in the chair really fast, because now I’m starting to get very curious about how I’m going to download those pics. I figure that’s going to take way longer than it’s taken me to write this blog :)

You have to have determination. You have to be like a horse heading to the barn. Single minded, with only one thing on your mind. Telling your story. You have to want to finish telling that story...or writing your blog...more than you want to sleep, more than you want to go out with your friends, more than you want to go shopping for that fabulous new bag. You have to want it more than you want your Bailey’s and Cream on the rocks tonight before you go to bed.

And, there you go. I've finished :)

Ciao!

Upcoming Events

November 8 ::

RCRW chapter meeting
Kristin Hannah and Megan Chance
Ten Things I Wish I'd Known and Five Things I've Learned along the Way

RCRW booksigning, PCC Sylvania
Jenna Bayley-Burke – For Kicks
Kristin Hannah – Magic Hour (paperback), Firefly Lane (hardback)
Megan Chance - The Spiritualist: A Novel
Minnette Meador - Starsight II

Booksigning, IMMORTAL WARRIOR by Lisa Hendrix
1-3pm, Barnes & Noble, Medford
Joint signing with Dr. Robin Miller (KOBI-TV personality) and Steve Carlson (former GH actor)

November 9 ::

Wordstock
November 7th – 9th, 2008
Oregon Convention Center in Portland, Oregon
1500 SW 12th Ave.
Portland, OR 97201
http://www.wordstockfestival.com/

Megan Clark and Delilah Marvelle will be sharing a book booth Come visit us, and check out all the other local authors!

Terri Brown is giving a workshop at Portland signature literary event
Latest Trends in Young Adult Fiction
Sunday, 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
What is fresh and hot in young adult literature beyond Harry Potter? This workshop will discuss the latest trends and how to break into the YA market. You’ll also touch upon voice, dialogue, and research, as well as investigate which agents are actively looking for young adult authors.

November 15 ::

Southern Oregon Book and Author Fair
10am - 4 pm, Ashland Springs Hotel
Featured Author Lisa Hendrix, signing IMMORTAL WARRIOR and other past books

Dangerous Women Book Signing
Featuring RCRW authors Delilah Marvelle (author of Mistress of Pleasure) and Megan Clark (author of Seduce Me)
Boas and beeds welcome!
In Other Words, Saturday, November 15, 4:00 PM

November 21 ::

Powells Beaverton Book Signing
Delilah Marvelle (author of Mistress of Pleasure)

November 22 ::

Doernbecher's Children's Hospital booksigning fundraiser

Help raise money for the Doernbecher Children's Hospital and get some great books, too! 30% of all proceeds will go to this wonderful charity. If you live in the Portland area, please show your support and join us Saturday, November 22nd, from 1 - 5 p.m. on the lower level, JCPenney Court, at Clackamas Town Center Mall. Clackamas, Oregon. RCRW's Minnette Meador and Genene Valleau will be participating http://www.seedsofcivilization.com/signing/flyer_Authors.pdf