Check Your Stinge at the Door

Quotes about writing being a solitary effort abound.

I both agree and disagree with that assumption.

Yes, actually typing and plotting is all about me, myself, and I. But being a solitary writer is both lonely and selfish. The writing community is bursting with awesome people looking to help one another. Looking to commiserate over that rejection letter? Need a free beta reader to look at your book? Want some advice on what to say to an agent?

SEE THE WRITING COMMUNITY. Twitter, Facebook, Google, etc. are FULL of writers helping out writers. Critique Circle is a great example--and a site I'm trying to make a comeback on.

But don't just participate one-sided. Build relationships, offer your own critique services and advice. When you get published, you won't find yourself standing alone, but backed by a network of friends who will provide that ever-so-helpful-yet-evasive word of mouth that tells people "Buy So-And-So's book! It's amazing!"

Build relationships, guys. Don't write solo.

Stay tuned for an exciting announcement on August 3rd-- or just take a gander to the right sidebar. That's right--a CONTEST is coming, a CONTEST is coming!

I Can Write About This Later

This past weekend I accomplished another item on my Summer Bucket List. (I'm moving pretty fast, huh?!)

The weather was absolutely amazing for a beach day, and I loved it. Though I didn't set foot in the water.

Why, you ask?

Last year I had to be rescued by a lifeguard. At the best of times I'm not a strong--if even decent--swimmer, and the water was rough. Credit to my dad who was on his way to rescue me when the lifeguard intervened (I know you're reading this!).

Still, the event was internally traumatizing. Then and there I vowed I'd never venture into the ocean deeper than my ankles.

On the plus side, my lifeguard rescue led to the birth of THESE WICKED WATERS. Of course, I didn't start penning TWW until February when it was cold and dreary and very un-island-resorty.

But still. Being back at the beach last weekend reminded me of how the idea for water-wing-wearing Annie was sparked. It's amazing how scary moments in life serve a purpose, even if only a plot idea for a book.

Ever wonder how beach lifeguards rescue people? Feel free to ask! While being rescued I basically memorized everything. Somehow I knew I'd need the information for later ;)

Oh, and by the end of my book? Annie is a very awesome swimmer.

Vlog #14: "Inside Out" Criticism Reaction

DC in a Deluge

Item #5 on my Summer Bucket List is now complete. I came, I went, and I visited DC.

With my two other adventurers.

Getting to DC and parking was a whole adventure in itself. The friend who was going to do the driving canceled, so that left me behind the wheel. Have I ever mentioned how much I dislike driving? But I was determined! So at 6:30 AM, off we went. Suffice it to say, there were a lot of road closures--but we made it to Union Station Parking Garage.

Then the real adventure began.

We took the metro to get us closer to the Jefferson Monument (less walking the better!). I've never been to the Jefferson Monument and it was well worth the walk. Quiet, peaceful, and right on the Tidal Basin. If you've never been, I highly recommend it. Bring a book and a snack. GREAT place to hide away and read.

Minutes after we left the Monument, the sky let loose a rainstorm. Silly optimistic me left my umbrella in the car. Hello, walk in the rain! Thankfully the sun came out afterward and we were able to dry off before we entered the Air and Space Museum. Though my hair never quite recovered.

We didn't stay in Air and Space for too long. One because I'm not the most avid exhibit visitor/reader (though my friends are!). And two because of this...

The highlight of the trip, for me, was definitely the Library of Congress. The architecture was amazing--the very feeling in the place was amazing. If you love books, go. You will be inspired beyond anything! Found a sentence in the ceiling that made me smile--only because it's so true!

The chief glory of every people arises from its authors.

What do you guys think? ;)

Some more pictures of the Library of Congress, because it's that fantastic.

Overall, the trip to DC was a success! Lots more left to do before the summer's out :)

Books, books, books!

Announcement to Hogwarts, Panem, Narnia, and Middle Earth!

I've gone through my long-forgotten Goodreads To-Read list. Anyone who hasn't done this, I highly recommend doing so. After a book slump (an embarrassingly long book slump), I finally have things to read.

LOTS of things.

In fact, I just requested seven books from the library. My level of excitement competes with ten-year-old Emily going to see the first LOTR movie with her dad in theaters. And that was quite a bit of excitement, let me assure you.

Not only will I have glorious books, but I will also get some inspiration for Bucket List Item #14. Which means I also have to complete #13... I'm not a fan of painting furniture, okay? I tend to procrastinate. A lot.

Ahem.

Want to know my reading plans? Of course the little Goodreads widget to your right will keep you up to date, but in case you're looking for books of your own, here's a few examples of what I'll be feasting on (literally, haha. Get it?) for the next few days (click pictures to go to the goodreads page):

Happy reading!

10 Reasons TO Date a Writer

In my last post, I warned potential "significant others" what to expect when dating a writer. Basically, I told them to stay away. Far away. (See post here)

Well, today I'm turning the tables. Now I'm telling you to come closer. In fact, don't settle for someone who doesn't like to write (or at least read!).

10 Reasons TO Date a Writer

1. You will never be bored. Writers can take the most humdrum activity (grocery shopping, per say) and turn it into a hunt through the wild jungles of ShopRite.

2. Chatting with us online? You won't have to wait forever for a reply. We're super fast typers. It comes with the territory. Want us to type up something for you? That might take some bribing, but if we really like you, the odds are in your favor.

3. We'll understand what you're thinking, even if you don't say it out loud. Our job requires us to get inside our character's heads. And they're imaginary (to some of us). A real person? It's a cinch.

4. If we argue over something, the fight won't last long. We're used to looking at different sides. We don't write antagonists and protagonists for nothing, you know!

5. Rarely, if ever, do we suffer from communication problems (spending 50,000+ words communicating with a reader!). Instead, we reserve that flaw for our characters and their romantic interests.

6. Patience is our middle name. Figuratively. The writing/publishing process takes years. That "patience" muscle has been strengthened quite a bit by now.

7. With us, you'll learn new words every day. You'd be astounded by the sheer number of synonyms there are for the word "fingers."

8. Rainy days don't make us grumpy. In fact, we love them. Bring out the tea and books! ...Care to snuggle?

9. The easiest way to sweep us off our feet is to use the phrase, "Can I read your book?" or "Let's go to the bookstore. You can pick anything you want." *SWOON*

10. We love relentlessly. If we can spend years writing and facing rejection with one book and still not give up... It's a guarantee that we'll never give up on you.

So do yourself a favor. Date a writer. You won't regret it. As long as you can handle the 10 Reasons NOT to date us. Which really aren't deal breakers anyway!

10 Reasons NOT to Date a Writer

After all the Elite Daily articles devouring my Facebook newsfeed about reasons why you should love a "Complicated Girl" and an "Open-Hearted Girl," I'm doing my own version.

With a twist.

Keep in mind, this post is just for fun. Don't ruin it and get offended.

10 Reasons NOT to Date a Writer

1. You'll never measure up to fictional men. Much less the men we create.

2. We get very frustrated when we can't figure out what to write/plot next. Stay away.

3. If you are dumb enough to interrupt us while writing/plotting, be prepared for us to ignore you. Or yell at you. Or throw a book at you. RESPECT THE MUSE! She's very stingy.

4. Expect middle-of-the-night phone calls or texts. Because we've just come up with a pivotal plot idea and need someone to talk to about it.

5. We suffer from bi-polar self-esteem. If you can't come up with encouraging phrases when we're depressed or aren't ready to join our spur-of-the-moment jumping-up-and-down party when we're excited... Step aside.

6. You'll have to read. A lot.

7. And you'll mostly be reading our books for critiquing purposes. Even if you craft your criticism in the best way possible, we still might not talk to you for a few hours. Flowers and food will speed up this process.

8. Speaking of food, we need a steady supply while pounding out a story. Hope you like grocery store runs!

9. On a date, we might be staring at you intently as you speak, but we're not actually listening. We just came up with (and are thinking through) a new novel idea involving spaghetti, meatballs, and murder.

10. When our query letters go out, we will pay our email inbox much more attention than you. Sorry.

It's tough loving a writer. But stay tuned. Up next: 10 Reasons TO Date a Writer. Talk about confusing, huh? ;)

Vlog #13: Blind-Sided Book Review, "Wanted" by Sara Shepard

Idea to Pages: The Inspiration & Jewelry

Kicking off a new blog series called Idea to Pages! You get to witness my novel-writing process, first hand! Each post won't be in sequential order, mostly because the process takes some time, and I'll be blogging as I accomplish each task.

Without further to do: The Inspiration & Jewelry.

To be honest, I have no idea where I came up with the idea for my next book. It might have been when I was half-asleep (I get a lot of ideas then, not all good). Or when I was driving to work and listening to music.

Regardless. I got an idea. And the idea came with a title (as they usually so helpfully do): SECOND-HAND SCAVENGERS.

I'd love to tell you guys the ins-and-outs of the soon-to-be book, but I don't want to give any spoilers. Yet.

So, I've been inspired with an idea. What next? The characters shove their way into my brain. At the moment I've got four characters solidified: Dimitri Protea, Elle, Jane Grey Laselle, and Glitch. More will follow. In the mean time, I've made a Pinterest Board to keep all my inspiration in one place as my ideas develop.

Then comes the jewelry! With every book I write, I buy a necklace that represents the story. I wear the necklace throughout the Idea to Pages process. It makes me feel more connected to the book and characters.

Well, I've already bought SECOND-HAND SCAVENGERS necklace--it's beautiful, let me just say! In fact, I'm so excited about this book, I bought myself a ring too.

Though it might seem like the jewelry isn't a huge step in the Idea to Pages process, it is! Buying a necklace is a monetary form of committment. SECOND-HAND SCAVENGERS is going to be written. No. Matter. What.

Up next is Prepping My Muse!

Lessons in the Outdoors

Summer Bucket List item number two officially gets a line through it!

On July 2nd, I pitched my tent, grabbed the junk food, picked up the scary library books, and wrangled my sisters. Then we camped out.

We did the whole shebang: hot dogs roasted over a fire (then marshmallows!), scary stories, even the midnight trip to the bathroom.

Throughout the whole process I relearned a very important lesson: I hate camping.

It's not that I don't love the outdoors or being huddled in a tent while crickets chirp outside and lightning bugs dance. Those things were major pluses of the evening. More like I dislike being cold and having my sleeping bag stolen by an over-snuggly miniature poodle. I also happen to scare easily. So maybe those scary library books weren't in the best taste.

Still. The first item on my bucket list is finished! Since this is the first "adventure" accomplished this summer, I decided to dedicate a blog post to it. Make sure you periodically visit my Summer Bucket List page to keep up with the others!

Summer 2015 is going to be amazing, guys. I can just feel it.

Guest Blogger Renezmai Talks Writing

As a blogger, I get asked often if you have to be a really great writer to write for a blog, and the honest answer is no. Personally, I am a terrible editor. I write really well, and can make things flow and have intense detail, but my problem is editing. As you read this you might be thinking that that can't be true--after all, there are no errors here. There are no errors, not because of me, but because of my hubby. He edits everything for our blog, and everything I write, including what you are reading now.

The truth is that there is no way to be a perfect writer; all we can do is work hard to get better at it. So to help you all become better writers, I have written out my top 5 writing tips.

Don't go off on a side note

It's easy to get distracted, especially when writing, so it's important to remember to focus on your subject. If you're writing an article about the best makeup removal methods, you don't want to start talking about the dishwasher you own, because it obviously has no place in that article. Staying on topic is hard, but extremely important.

Make sure things flow

You don't want to sound like a robot, so it's important to have flowing sentences. This is an art though--it's not something you can focus on while writing and it automatically works. This is something you have to practice at and have someone else read to tell you if it flows. Practice makes perfect, especially when it comes to flowing sentences.

Details details details

Leave nothing to the reader's imagination! You need to describe everything wonderfully so that the reader sees exactly what you see. You want to really paint a picture with your writing. This keeps your readers focused, as well as entertained. The more details you add, the better.

Have a fantastic editor/edit great!

Lucky for me, I have a wonderful editor who fixes all my little mistakes. If you are good at editing yourself, don't ever skip this step in writing. It's the part that really makes your writing great. What use is being a fantastic writer if the readers can't get through a single sentence? So get an editor to help you out or be your own editor;you won't regret it.

Write write write, as much as you can!

Practice makes perfect, even in the writing world. The more you write, the more experience you get. When you write a story and read it over, you can find your weak points and build on them--you can expand as a writer and become better. I recommend you write for at least 10 minutes a day. This can be something as simple as a diary entry, blog post, poem, or short story. The important thing is that you write.

Writing is a wonderful skill to have. Anyone can become a great writer, even if at first you are terrible. Remember that at one point, even the best writer didn't know how to write at all.

About the author

Renezmai is a blogger on http://www.renereviews.com reviewing movies, books, video games and TV shows, as well as interviewing interesting people. You can get in touch with her on twitter.