Informative/Insipring Links for Saturday!

I've made a list of articles / sites / blog posts that I've found to be very helpful / chalked full of awesome information!  Take a look:

-Need clarification on Genre Definition?  Check out The Big Ol' Genre Glossary @ Jennifer Represents

-Geoff Herbach shares 36 Questions to Ask About Your Characters (aka- Characterization GOLD)

-This article on Indie Recon about seven mistakes that indie authors make is great!

-25 pieces of advice for aspiring writers by Andrew Jack

-Tim C. Gregor @ Ink Spatter discusses how to deal with negative reviews of your book- 

-This site contains a ton of information about being/seeking beta readers.  Definitely check it out!

-Anne R. Allen discusses 12 Social Media Mistakes For Authors To Avoid (a MUST read!  And, a reason why I rarely post pieces of my WIP's on this blog and/if when I do-- I take them down after 2 or 3 days!)

-John Hodgman's Advice to Writers:

(How can you not trust a man who wears those glasses?)

-This TEDtalk from Brene Brown on vulnerability is very entertaining/honest/inspiring.  I'm sharing this because I think writing is one of the most frightening things a person can do-- it takes a strong sense of self and willingness to make yourself vulnerable in order to succeed:

Blogspiration: Writer's WRITE

I decided to participate in today's Blogspiration : this is the *final* posting!

Blogspiration is a new weekly meme hosted by GrowingUpYA and Saz101. The meme was created to help spark inspiration among bloggers, readers and writers alike. An inspirational quote/picture/video  is posted weekly, on the day of the author's choosing, so that it may inspire creativity, conversation or just a little SOMETHING.

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                                                               Source: parentsplaygroundnwa.com via Azia on Pinterest

Most people have an idea for a story... Or they think something in their life could "totally be a best-seller." I can't count how many times I've heard, "I've got an idea for a book! You could write it for me!" when I explain that I am an aspiring author.  (And usually, they also say that I can do all of the writing-- how generous of them!- and they'd let us both take credit for the completed story.)  Um, no thanks.

The point is- anyone can have an idea. It's those who move past the idea and get to work that make headway.  A story will not write itself. A true writer is someone who slaves over each word, who tosses and turns at night because  they can't shut the characters down in their head-- running to their computer/typewriter/notebook and bleeding quickly onto the page in order to carry on with their life. WRITER'S WRITE.  End of story.

So, get to it!  Be someone who isn't just an idea-man-- but a WRITER.  Work on your story/stories-- perfect your craft... Write!

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*Thank you to GrowingUpYA and Saz101 for hosting this weekly blog hop-- it will be missed!*

Finding God in Your Eyes

A Love Poem : Finding God in Your Eyes

Finding God in your eyes seemed like a never-going-to-happen kind of thing
Like the existence of purple four-leaf clovers in the field behind our house
Not there
Never going to be there because they aren't real I decided
Just a myth, a wish that maybe there is more to life
That train wrecks and coincidence are really just a coincidence
Hoping God created us and that there was a reason for it all
God spoke to me through you when I stopped trying to control everything
Each minute of each day hoping to manipulate each feeling that everyone felt
Giving in
I stopped
Stopped driving myself crazy
Stopped
Stopped
Stopped
Do you know how hard it is to stop I was scared
I found God in your eyes-- in my heart
and the field was covered in purple flowers that bloomed inside of the word 'Love'
The fragrant petals covered my body
And God took my body into his hands pushing the petals into my flesh
Like you
You are my flesh
You are my bones
I smell of you and the petals are you and you are God and so am I

----- I wrote this for you, Garrett.  xoxo

The Bitterroot Band

Listen. Love. Share.

IWSG- VLOG- How to choose a TITLE!?

It's  the first Wednesday of the month!  Which means it's time for Alex J. Cavanaugh's project, the:

click the image to check out other participant's entries!

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time. 

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I vlogged for today's post!

A few things before you watch and judge me:
1.) No, I have not showered
2.) No, I have not completed any housework
3.) No, I am not wearing make-up
4.) Yes, I put the block in my mouth
5.) No, I have no idea why I did that

Now that we've cleared that up-- enjoy!

And-- help me-- HOW DO YOU COME UP WITH TITLES?!

Hey Girl, it's Monday

It's Monday.

Rarely am I affected by Monday-- I don't currently (nor will I ever) work the ol' 9 to 5 schedule-- so Monday isn't as big of a deal for me.  That being said, I'm kind of having a MOANday for some reason.

But, then I saw this on Pinterest and got all sorts of giddy:

                                                 Source: ryangoslingftw.tumblr.com via Azia on Pinterest

You're welcome!  I wish I could say that I had more to share than this... But, alas-- I do not.  I'm off to go post random shit on my Tumblr  until I feel inspired enough to write.  Adios amigos.