Where I write best.

Hey guys,

Hope all had allotting in some reading time, because today is the release of Journey Revealed Conclusion of Journey Series. It can be found at Amazon and Smashword. Soon as it’s available on other sites, I’ll let you guys know. Now onto this week’s time management post. We’ve only got a couple more on this series.

Creative ideas can hit at anytime. Most common places and time for an idea to spring up is while in bed, bathing or riding. Basically, when we are relaxed and able to enjoy the world around us. I get loads of ideas after I lay down. Most time it don’t’ bother me. I gather my tablet, or a pad of paper and jot it down. There are the times when I only want to roll over and go to sleep. Problem with doing that is the idea keeps me awake. Heck, I’ve even had my story idea turn into nightmares because I didn’t get the idea out of my head. This never ceases to amaze me.

Sometimes the places are stranger. Here are a couple examples of writers and where some of their stories came to life at.

-       Mark Twain wrote on a typewriter in a gazebo

-       Barbra Kingsolver wrote her 1^st best seller late at night, in a closet while pregnant.

I challenge each of us to write down where our ideas hit, rather they are writing ideas or simply an idea of a fun.

Hope all has a great upcoming week and enjoy reading.

Let Imagination Soar

Write and Read With Creativity

Julia Matthews

Workable and Specific Goals (Another Managing Time Post)

Hey guys,

This weeks' post continues on with the Managing Time Posts. There's a few more in this series.

Goals makes thing go smoother, in my opinion. One way to help them out is by making specific and workable goals. How do you do that? I’ve been told there are four things to consider when setting a goal. (These four things can be found in the Write-A-Thon by Rochelle Melander)

1  1.)    Make them challenging and specific. In other words don’t let the goal exceed what you are capable of doing. Make it one that can be defined in writing. (Ex. Write 15/day. Write a novel in 30 days.)

2  2.)    Make them be measurable. This gives us a sense of progress. I know if I can see progress I’m more likely going to stick with what seems to be working. If not, then I tend to get fed-up and drop whatever it is.

3  3.)    Created goals that come from passion and desire. Ones that you (and I stress that you) want, not others.

4  4.)    Your goals can’t conflict with one another. They have to work together in order to reach your ultimate goal.

Basically we need goals that makes us stay accountable. Figure out which ways is best for you to stay accountable for reaching your goals.

Have a great week.

Let Imagination Soar

Write and Read With Creativity

Julia Matthews

How does a book grow into a series?

Series come to each person differently. Like with the Journey Series. Book 1, Journey To A Mate, was co-written with Vickie Matthews. While we wrote that story, ideas sprang to life in my mind how to further expand areas we had written. I jotted those ideas down, created a short layout of each story. From that point we decided I would continue on the series.

So, with Journey To A Mate there had been no inkling of idea of a series, till we had gotten that book started. Now, some of my ideas that have hit, I automatically knew had to be a series. Not just because they were loads of stuff going on, but to emphasize what I want to get across. (none of these are yet published) So, like with most writing, series grow in different ways to each writer.

Some knows from get go. Sometimes a book starts out and turned into two, three, or more books. You can even write the middle book of a series before the first one. Of course, starting at the end, and working backwards can be fun as well.

No matter the case, each series has it’s own growth pattern and needs to be nourished like a child.  

Hope all has an amazing week.

Don't forget to keep an eye out for the back cover description of Claiming My Mate, Book 3 of Journey Series. 

Julia Matthews

How I avoid burning out.

Hey all, 

Figured since I'm on a short, and mean very short break from editing, Claiming My Mate, Book 3 of the Journey Series, which releases November 22, 2013, that it would be a good time to talk about burn outs.

It’s easy, and I do mean easy to burn out on anything you love to do. Not only are their many kinds, but many reasons. One of the most common ways I burn out is when I get on a roll in my writing process. When this happens, I’ve been known to go a couple of days without sleep before I even realize it. It’s not healthy for anyone around me or myself. I end up grouchy, and have ended up with parts of a story that was nothing but a jumbled up mess. When that starts happening, I know it’s time for me to take a day and do anything but write.

What do I to avoid burning out like this? Odd as it sounds, I read. (No, my life doesn’t revolve just around stories.) In my case, my burn out is usually due to being over stressed. Only way I know to combat stress is to relax. Best way for me, is to curl up with a book, and let it take me away from the everyday grind.

Burning out can also mean, or at least in my opinion, that I’ve worked to hard and long on a particular project that is going nowhere. That frustrates me to the point that I threaten to never write again. Once again, it is simply stress. What I have done is allowed myself to either write myself into a corner on the story I’m working on, or I’ve lost the flare for this particular story.

When I get like that, I take myself to see a movie. I make sure no one else is with me. I find the show that I think the least amount of people will come to see. It has to be one that will keep me interested. Then find me a seat in the dead center of the theater. If I’m lucky no one will sit anywhere near me. Allowing me to relax enough that the stress flows right out of me. Most of the time, by the beginning of the movie, whatever had caused the burn out, is a million miles away. If luck remains with me, by the end of the movie I’ve found a way to write myself out of the corner or a complete new idea.

These are only two ways I spot an upcoming burn out. Knowing them allows me to take a break before I get to my wits end. My suggestion is if you feel like you are burning out in whatever you may be doing in your life, take a break from it. Change things up, do something you’ve not done in awhile. Guess you could also describe it as letting your hair down and having a bit of fun. Fun is definitely a way to release stress, and stress rather good or bad, can cause anyone to burn out, even if it’s in something they love to do.

Hope all has a great week,

Julia Matthews