IWSG All About Me

(Make sure you check out the IWSG website and founder of this group, Alex J Cavanaugh.)So, I already had my post written out and then I just saw I was supposed to introduce myself. But that's okay, I'll have two posts today. To see the other post, click here.

And onto some stuff about me:

I'm a mother and a writer. I also am basically a personal assistant for my mom. Plus I run errands for my dad and I work at the gym (where my kids do dance and gymnastics) twice a week.

My kids are (recently) online homeschooled and both of them are in gymnastics and hip-hop. I don't really have a life outside of my kids and parents. Aside from when I stay up late and find time to do things I want to do (mostly online games, writing, and blogging).

This year is the first year that my youngest will be competing in gymnastics so I'll be adding gymnastics meets to my schedule which should be interesting. Most of them are going to be on Sundays though so that's not too bad.

I spent a lot of last year not blogging enough and my visiting was even worse, but I'm going to do better this year. I also tend to write too much on my blog posts and struggle to write enough in my books.

And that's about it, but if you're curious about anything else, feel free to ask. :)

Happy 2015 IWSG

(Yay! First Insecure Writer's Support Group post of the new year. And I'm on time! Before we get into this you must take time to meet the awesome Alex J Cavanaugh. Plus, go check out the IWSG website. While you're at both of those sites please take a few moments to browse, they're both great places to hang. But, don't forget to stop by each of the wonderful co-hosts blogs as well: Elizabeth Seckman, Lisa Buie-Collard, Chrys Fey, and Michelle Wallace.)

Since I haven't done anything, I'm really not secure or insecure about writing at the moment. I have no advice to give other than, write. If you wrote last year, maybe make a goal to write more. If you wrote a ton last year, make a goal to take the pace down a notch this time. And if you wrote at a good pace and you'd like to just keep at it, do whatever worked for you last year. And make sure you don't fear your insecurities either. You need them.

I feared once upon a time, actually I think I wondered it most in 2014, that writers wouldn't be as necessary. Everyone is a writer. Anyone can write anything they want. Things get published left and right, so people who needed writers don't anymore. Scripts, novels, plays, everyhting and anything you need-anyone can write it for you.

'Everyone' is not and can not be a writer. Writing is hard, it takes guts, time, effort, patience, love, understanding, caring, a bit(or maybe a lot) of crazy, and so much heart. Writers don't write because it's something people need, writers write because it's something they need. We all need to write out what's playing constantly through our minds or we'll all go crazier than we already are.

All those people who think it's easy, anyone can do it, they let anyone do it-they're wrong and honestly, not that bright. Writing isn't something that just comes naturally. Period. I don't care how fast someone can spit out a best selling novel, it doesn't mean it was easy. And those who say it's easy, aren't really writers. Not only does it take everything I said-it takes insecurities. So, make sure you open yourself up to those this year. Don't worry when you're feeling insecure, enjoy it and know that you're a writer and if you get too secure, your work won't shine as bright. Cocky writers don't always make great writers(but it's okay to be secure too).

What are your writing plans for this year? Are you writing, editing, publishing? Are you taking a break from writing all together? Or are you going to shoot out books that make it look easy? ;p

Sorry I didn't keep this one short enough, I'll try harder next time.

Have a great week and I'll see y'all next time. :)

Following Blogs

In all my brainstorming, I wandered into another thought I've been meaning to get input on...

How do you see blogs you follow? I mean, I know I follow people and I (used) to try and visit anyone who commented on my blog, but I also know there are blog rolls and whatnot. Or at least I was thinking there are.

So, this post is a short one today. I'd like to be able to have a list that is right in my face of blogs I follow so that I can remember to go check them out every time there's a new post. Is there a way I can do that? Do you have some sort of system for making sure you check blogs you follow? Any pointers, ideas, links, sites, suggestions, anything at all, pass it to me if you will please.

Thanks for taking the time for this short and simple, yet possibly a little not so simple post. Have a great Monday and I'll see you Wednesday for the first Insecure Writer's Support Group post of the year. :)

Blog Scheduling...

I've decided one things I would like to do is remodel my blog. I've got no clue how I want to do it though. I wish I knew how to make it a little fancy. Maybe I could get someone I know to do some sort of artwork for me and then I can figure out how to make it into a blog cover and button or something. Idk, it's just something I want to do. Maybe it'll be the thing that helps get my ass in gear.

Something else I want to have at the top of my list is setting a blog schedule. I know many of you post MWF, and some post T/Th, and others post daily and some just once a week...I'm not sure what will be my plan by the end of the year, but I think I'll start the year off posting on days I'm not swamped with children activities. So, that leaves...Tuesday and Friday unless they have make-up dance and/or a gymnastics meet. So, really I can only gaurantee no day that ends in a y I think. So...

Just kidding. I'm going to have to make a point to get some posts done during the day when they're doing schoolwork that doesn't require too much of my assistance. So, I'll aim for Monday and Wednesday to start. That will give me enough days of non-posting to get my posts thought out and ready to go live. Once I'm more organized and being a better blogger, I'll most likely move around my schedule.

Now, if only I can figure out what I'll post. Next week will be more ponderings though, still don't quite have it all planned out.

What kind of poster are you? Did you have a different (easier or more complicated) posting schedule when you first started blogging? Is there a particular schedule you think is best? If so, why?

See you Monday. Have a great weekend! :)

Happy 2015! :D

Okay, here we are, it's a new year, it's a better year, things are going to happen, feel the positive energy...

No really, here's the deal. I've got things I need to do and I really need to get my crap together this year. It's going to happen. I'm going to get shit rolling.

And here's what's happening:

• Figure direction of blog
• Get a blog schedule going
• Get a chore list going for kids(and make them follow it)(also, stick to it)
• Catch up on all 9 books checked out from the library (as of 1/1/15)
• Make a list of all series' and get caught up on that reading
• Finish two first drafts
• Edit two MSs
• Figure out what my publishing goal is and get going on that
• Get house organized better
• Get bedroom/storage room/attic decluttered
•  Participate in and complete NaNoWriMo
• 
  

That extra dot is because I know I have more and I'm planning to add to that list as I think of things I need to do this year. This year is going to be better, I'm going to make it better. I messed up last year and I'm not going that route again. I hate where I ended the year and I don't want that again.

How about you. Any resolutions? Massive or tiny to-do lists? Did you accomplish things in 2014 that you were hoping to? Let me know in the comments. Happy New Year! Have a great Thursday. (See you tomorrow for another post. I know, I know, my blog is probably going to crash from all this posting. :P )