How To Run Your Writing Career on an iPad
This past Christmas I got an iPad from my husband (as if I needed more reasons to love him). It wasn’t completely out of the blue because we’d been looking for a new computer I could use for my writing. I’d been working on a Dell laptop but after only three years, the thing was already ancient, running so slow I couldn’t accomplish anything and generally driving me insane. I needed an update badly. I don’t want to start a PC vs Mac debate here but I will say...
Read MorePerformance Pressure and the Diamond in the Manuscript
Originally posted on Hugs & Chocolate Have you ever finished writing a manuscript, and after months of blood, sweat, and tears, you realize that even after all that work, your story doesn’t look at all like you imagined it in your head? In fact, after a second glance, you’re sure a toddler temporarily overtook your brain and scribbled 400 pages of crayon doodles? Of course you have…you’re a writer. You’ve probably felt that way about everything you’ve...
Read More2013 Writing Progress Spreadsheet
NOTE: This post is repeated from 2011 and 2012 but the spreadsheets have been updated for 2013. Enjoy! It’s the start of the new year and, of course, that means the updated writing progress spreadsheet. For those of you who are new to using it, find the description and instructions below. For those of you who are spreadsheet veterans, skip right to the bottom and download the new files for this year! The first thing you’ll notice (for 2007 users) is that there are multiple...
Read MoreWhy I Heart Scrivener for Outlining
As I prepared for National Novel Writing Month and completing the rewrite of my novel, I finally had to force myself to organize my thoughts. I had ideas littered throughout two drafts, three outlines, four notebooks, on a white board, in a couple of Scrivener files, and in emails I’d sent to myself…as well as the other random thoughts swimming in my head that I hadn’t yet had a chance to write down. Clearly this novel has changed (and hopefully grown) many times since I...
Read MoreHow to NaNoWriMo During Thanksgiving
Here in the US, Thanksgiving is celebrated on November 22nd this year–right as National Novel Writing Month participants are rounding the corner to the finish line. Thanksgiving may very well be one of the most demanding holidays of the year between the cooking, visiting families (many times, more than one!), turkey comas, and festivities that can last an entire four day weekend. For some “Wrimos” this is the point where they give up the goal and resolve to do better next...
Read MoreNaNoWriMo = Draft Zero
Originally posted at Hugs & Chocolate November is just around the corner and after four years of participating in National Novel Writing Month, even the change in weather has my nerves buzzing with anticipation, like my internal editor is well-prepared for her yearly vacation. In my excitement, I can’t help asking every writer I know if he or she is participating. Misery loves company. I’m getting a lot of mixed responses–some are die hards like me who are raring to...
Read MoreIt Takes a Village
Originally posted on Hugs & Chocolate Back when storytelling first began, it took a community to write a tale. One person started it and told it to another, to groups over a fire. It got passed on to friends and family members, generation after generation. Each time the story met new ears, the telling got smoother. Each person augmented it with their own knowledge, improved it with their own experiences. And now, those timeless stories are the flawless fairytales and legends we know...
Read MoreInstruction Manual for a Full-Time Writer?
Originally posted on Hugs & Chocolate One day a couple of months ago, I had an awesome day. I worked on my novel, wrote two blogs and was a social media ninja. When my husband came home, I said (with a slightly elevated volume and enthusiastic hand gestures) I should be a full time writer because I own this biz. I believe he followed my exclamation with a roll of the eyes and left the room. Today, that dream has come true. When I left my home business behind in my last town, I decided to...
Read MoreSetting a Yearly Writing Craft Goal
A few weeks ago, Shonna Slayton of Routines for Writers posted a blog to review her yearly writing goals for 2011. Happily, she met a lot of her writing goals, which is more than I can say for myself. Looking back at my 2011 goals, the one thing I notice more than anything else is that my goals changed pretty quickly out of the gate. I feel like approaching this year a little differently. The way I’ve set goals in the past has been to break down my writing projects, figure out where I...
Read MoreThe Day I Decided to Quit Writing
Earlier this week, I decided to quit writing. Things in my personal life had come to a breaking point and trying to find time to write only seemed to be making it worse. A couple of my writing friends blogged about how negative people can be to one another, bringing up those old fears of publishing. And, worst of all, my story was falling apart. Have you ever gotten to that point when everything you thought you knew about your novel seemed completely wrong? I’m sure everyone who has...
Read MoreJamie Raintree
I write Women's Fiction, or what I like to call everyday fairytale love stories, appreciating the seemingly mundane moments in life that are truly magical. I am currently working on completing my first novel and until then, I post original fiction online. I live in Northern Colorado with my husband and two young daughters.
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