Category Archives: writing

Productivity – How to Get More Words on the Page

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DeskIMG_0389(To follow my blog, click on the ‘Follow’ button in the lower right)

Like anyone else who writes novels, I sometimes have trouble making progress on my manuscript. ‘Sometimes’ might not be the right word, often is more apropos. (I have a need to be honest here.)

There are interruptions. I have a job, and it’s important to me, given it’s a business that I am part owner of and have invested rather heavily in. (I know, that sentence ended in a preposition. Forgive me.)

Other interruptions include family – what are they thinking? That I want to spend time with them? Well, actually, I do.

Then there are health issues that can come at me suddenly, like a thief in the night, robbing me of my equilibrium and concentration.

Nonetheless, I need to write. What to do?

There are lots of ideas out there

  • get your seat in the chair
  • put on the timer and write till it tells you to stop
  • get a software programme that counts your words and measures your output
  • wear noise muffling earphones
  • move into the trailer or the barn in the yard until the MS is finished
  • set a deadline

There are more ideas. Check out this blog  http://novelexperience.info/improved-writing-productivity-100/   for some good ideas on increasing your productivity.

And yet, when it comes right down to it, sometimes you have to cut yourself some slack. Maybe it’s okay to pour a cup of tea and sit out on the patio, watching the plants push up through the dirt, signalling spring is on the way. I’ll settle for that today.

Book release – “The Lies He Told Me”

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LiesHeToldMe_CVR_XSML-1Just released on Kindle (to follow my blog, click on the Follow button to the lower right)

When Chloe Bowman woke to find her husband gone, never did she imagine it would take so long to find him, or that in the midst of the search she’d discover she didn’t really know this man at all. She soon realizes she has been left alone with her young son and a time bomb on her hands. Then the earthquake throws everything into question. Lurking in the shadows is the mysterious Rainman who travels under an unknown name.

Police Detective Ross Cullen was already investigating Chloe’s husband when he disappeared. Although he’s powerfully drawn to Chloe, Ross also knows that when one member of a family disappears, the first place to look for the suspect is among those closest to him. No one is closer than Chloe.

But the deeper Ross digs the less he knows, and the more he’s attracted to the young wife as she struggles to put her life back together. Can Ross break through the Rainman’s disguises to solve the case so he can be with Chloe?

Cover release for new book – The Lies He Told Me

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LiesHeToldMe_CVR_XSML-1 To be released soon – Follow website to receive notice of new releases, click ‘Follow’ button on lower right.

When Chloe Bowman woke to find her husband gone, never did she imagine it would take so long to find him, or that in the midst of the search she’d discover she didn’t really know this man at all. As she struggles to put her life back together, she realizes she has been left alone with her young son and a time bomb on her hands.

Police Detective Ross Cullen was already investigating Chloe’s husband when he disappeared. Did the guy realize the police were onto him? Although Ross is drawn to the grieving woman, he also knows that when one member of a family disappears, the first place to look for the suspect is among those closest to him. No one is closer than Chloe.

Lurking in the shadows is the mysterious Rainman who travels under an unknown name. But the deeper Ross digs the less he knows, and the more he’s attracted to the young wife who fascinates him. Can Ross break through the Rainman’s disguises to solve the case so he can be with Chloe?

Comma – commonsense use?

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Commas have come under heavy fire of late. Many writers feel they need to leave them out entirely, or use them only when absolutely necessary.

But we still have need of commas. They serve a very important function that allows us to quickly understand what we are reading without going back over and over the words again, trying to decipher where the emphasis should lie.

Here is an example from Author Marketing Experts:

  • Let’s eat Grandma.
  • Let’s eat, Grandma.

Did you laugh when you read that? I did. It’s a simple example of why I’m sometimes very confused when I read some authors’ work.

Another example is this:

  • Listen, you dumb computer—I’ve had it with you.
  • I will give you a biscuit, Fido, if you sit.
  • Hey, everyone, hurry up!

Again, it illustrates why the use of the comma to designate the person/object that is being addressed just makes sense. To see the whole article, go to http://www.livewritethrive.com/ and scroll down to ‘Let’s Not Eat Grandma’. Tongue in cheek, of course.