If You Give a Writer an Idea

Happy Monday Morning! Just wanna let you know this is my favorite blog post ever! Hope you like!! I thought of Lenny when I wrote it! If you don't follow Lenny, follow him now! He even made me a fun sparkle badge, go check it out!

I was thinking about If You Give A Mouse A Cookie by Laura Joffe Numeroff and it got me thinking. That happens a lot, so I decided to make my own story up, this time about a Writer... so this is what I have!!!

If You Give a Writer an Idea by Jennifer Daiker

THE BEGINNING

If You Give a Writer an Idea.

They're going to ask for a pen.

When you give them a pen, they'll probably ask you for a sheet of paper.

When they have the pen and paper, they'll ask about the characters.

They'll want tons of details, more about the main character, villian, and all the major plot points.

When they begin the story, they'll get stuck.

They'll ask for some help.

When they receive help, they'll begin again.

They'll work through Chapter One and revise some of their ideas.

Once the chapter is completed, they'll move to chapter two.

Half way through they'll become hungry & tired and ask for a snack & nap.

They'll grab a small plate and grab a brownie, make themselves a glass of milk and crawl into bed.

They'll want a story to fall asleep to, they'll read whatever is on top of the TBR pile.

When they begin to read, they realize they aren't as tired as they thought. They'll want to get to work again.

Climbing out of bed, they walk back to the computer. Continuing each chapter. When they finish they'll want to tell the world and treat themselves.

They log onto blogger and sign in, telling the world (also jumping from twitter to facebook) that they completed yet another novel, and now will celebrate with a glass of chardonay (pick your poison).

They'll look back at their manuscript, as proud as can be.

They'll grab the glass of wine and remember the good times they had while writing the story.

They'll see the pen and paper, and when they see the pen and paper chances are they'll ask for a new idea.

THE END

So there you have it!!! I loved this book so much and feel so lucky to have found inspiration to go wild and make up my own story! I hope you enjoyed!!!

PS - I won't be commenting Monday or Tuesday! I still love comment love, and when I get back on Wednesday you'll be hearing from me :) It's the special fun giveaway announcement! Regular posting will take place!

How do you celebrate finishing a novel?

The Real Facts

I met blogger buddy Meredith last night for dinner!!! She is awesome! We are going to the Sophie Jordan book signing on Saturday and we'll have pictures for you then!!!

Last day of the TRIFECTA!!! Make sure to stop by Woohoo!!! It's Thursday!!!! Elana Johnson, Alex Cavanaugh's place for the last installment of this blogging experience!

Today is more about me than anything! How much time I spend blogging, my attitude towards blogging and how I build relationships.

Maybe this information will help you in your blogging experience! At least, I know that's what we are hoping for in the end result!

So how much time do I spend blogging?

Too Much. Next Question. Okay but in all seriousness I do spend a lot of time blogging. Sunday's (or in this case Saturday) I wrapped up two weeks worth of blog posts for myself, so throughout the week I'm able to pay more attention to all of YOU!

Throughout the week I take as many little moments as I can snag and blog. When I wake up I shower, pack my lunch, and blog. Who needs breakfast? Okay so I do, but that doesn't happen until I get to work... I spend about 30-45 minutes in the morning, EACH DAY, visiting as many blogs as I can. I'm unable to blog again until the evening after work, where I spend another 1-2 hours (or if the hubs is gone, A LOT MORE) blogging my butt off.

My attitude towards blogging?

Addiction. That's really the only way to describe it. I'm very addicted to blogger, to the point that it can become stressful. I have to remember that taking a day off is allowed, I started this blog for me, to help establish friends, support and an overall writing voice.

I wish I could comment on everyone's blog, every day, but even if I had no full-time job I wouldn't be able to do that, it's out of my reach... my type-A personality is still learning that lesson. It's a tough one to swallow. However I wouldn't change blogging for the world, I love dropping by everyone's blog to see what they've been up to, where they've been and what they're planning to accomplish. It's amazing, it's like a drug.

Building Relationships.

Commenting, supporting and caring. I comment if you comment (unless I'm swamped, I won't lie, I'm not always on my game), I support your giveaways, your causes and your overall writing ability. If you have a shout-out that needs to be given, I'm your girl. When you're down I want to be there to catch you before you fall, to tell you to put the pen done, leave the delete button alone, and don't put your MS on fire. You'll eventually love your book again, and no one wants to see you've deleted it and can't get back that mistake.

I email and answer questions when given. I support upcoming novels for those who are brand new to the writing world, and other authors I just adore. I find that building relationships is the easiest for me, I just wish I had more time to devote to all of you.

Final Thoughts.

So that is my blogging experience. Some days are good, some days are bad, but know that I always love the experience and what it's already taught me. I've never met a better group of people to be involved with and I thank Elana, Alex and ALL OF YOU for supporting me in my blogging and writing life, you are all an inspiration.

A Little Extra:
I hope each of you takes away a little something. Just remember that what Elana, Alex and I have written is just about OUR experiences, it doesn't mean it works for everyone, but if you can take a little something extra then you should!

Don't blog crap

Woohoo!!! It's Thursday!!!!

Be sure to check out my Gossip Giveaway!!

Elana Johnson, Alex Cavanaugh and I are at it again!!! Check out their point of views on WHAT TO BLOG ABOUT!

(Alex will post about this and our next topic tomorrow!!!)

Ever have that day where you wake up and you don't have ANYTHING to talk about?

Yeah, don't worry, we all have those days!!!

That's when I tap into my idea bucket. That's right, what I like to call my idea bucket, it's where I jot down things that I COULD blog about when I run out of things to say.

Right now in my bucket I have about 4 ideas sitting there. I write all my blogs on Sunday so that means throughout the week when I have ideas I don't use them, I house them just incase on Sunday I'm not full of ideas! It's good to have something to always fall back on!

However just incase you don't have an idea bucket like me (which I think you should strongly consider) here are some tips to help you get through your blogging schedule!

1. Fun ideas - Seriously... I cannot talk enough about FUN! I have a blogging schedule I go by when I run out of things... This is a guide for me when I've lost all blogging ability. It looks like this:
Writings on the wall - An experiment where I write standing up and share what I wrote.
Tuesday Twist - I find three books I'm interested in, share the synopsis with you and ask which one you would read WITHOUT knowing the title. At the end I reveal the title and author and see your response on what you thought.
Wednesday Writing - A post related to writing or inspiration, characters, outlining, quotes, anything I want.
Truth Thursdays - Sharing five things about myself that can sometimes be insanely weird.
Friday - Misc. day... talk about giveaways, life, writing, the world is my playground.
2. Look Out - Scope out what bloggers are talking about. It helps you gauge what's on people's mind and could give you some awesome inspiration from someone else's blog idea. Make sure if you steal their idea that you give them credit for it!
3. Writing - There are several processes to follow when writing a book, depending on what phase your end you can talk about it. Talk about your favorite process of writing. I love character collages so there are times I'll share pictures with you to show off what I've been working on!
4. Life & Love - Sometimes we need a break from writing, reading or talking about both. Share some interesting and fun facts about yourself... or if they're not interesting make them that way.

FOR INSTANCE: Right now I'm watching the Rachel Zoe project. That statement is not very fun at the moment... however I can jazz it up...

Currently I'm watching Rachel Zoe going giddy over Kate Hudson in London, while I'm dreaming of getting off my bum to take a shower and follow by making myself a full stack of pancakes. Still dreaming since I'm still blogging... will remain hungry for time being.

(SEE, I just jazzed it up!)

So when you think you're all blogged out, remember there is always something that you can make interesting, always a structure you can fall back on to make yourself an easy week, if not, start stalking the blogs for inspiration!

Gossip Giveaway

Happy Freakin' Wednesday Folks!

Few things!
Crystal Cook is doing an amazing art giveaway! Her own work, you must see it!!!
Melissa is having a very fun Harry Potter Giveaway!
Talli Roland is having a spectacular blogsplash! Be sure to join!
Kim (my sister) took some fun "engagement" photos of me and my husband! Check them out and give her some blog love and support!!!

OKAY WE'RE BACK!

We've taken a break from the teaching's of things to know in the blogging world for a super awesome review & giveaway! Don't worry Elana, Alex will be back tomorrow & friday for more blogging advice!

It's going to be a Sunshiny Day... wanna know why?

Cause I'm sharing about Rose Cooper's debut novel Gossip From The Girl's Room!!!

Here's a synopsis:
Gossip from the Girls’ Room fills readers in on all there is to learn about middle school life at Middlebrooke, where Sofia has her very own blog and discusses all the juicy gossip that comes out of the Girls’ room; read along to find out just what happens when class is not in session.


In Sofia's words . . .
Mia St. Claire is only the most popular girl in all of Middlebrooke Middle School. For three very obvious reasons:
1. She's very rich.
2. She has tons of money.
3. She can buy anything and everything she wants. And she does.
I'm sure people like her for other reasons too, but none of those reasons are obvious enough for me to really know. Or care about, for that matter.

Here's my thoughts:
Sofia Becker is looking to be super popular with the best.blog.ever! To get there she must find out things that other people don't know, and there is only one place to find that... the girls room.

She learns things uber-popular Mia, who she secretly despises, and later tries to befriend. Along with a few other secrets she finds she begins posting them to make her way to the top of the food chain.

Of course we all know that where you are at in Middle School and High School is where you'll stay, but Sofia's climb to the top is funny and sweet. Your typical Middle Schooler misplacing notebooks, losing & making up with friends, and working her hardest to be popular, you can't help but love this read!!!

In the end sometimes gossip will get you in trouble. Must read to see!

With fun words like Sunturday and awesome illustrations you'll be swept of your feet in awesomeness as this book takes you on one wild ride in Sofia's Middle School days.

So what better way then to have a giveaway! Up for grabs a Pre-ordered copy of Gossip From The Girls Room!

Here is how you enter:
Follow Me & Rose
Sidebar Us
Blog About Us
Comment - Now these are super special comments. You must leave one for both Rose and I. They must be SUPER creative and about the opposite person you post on. For Rose's blog the rumor must be more about me, and for My blog the rumor must be about Rose.

Example:
Rose's blog: Jen won Prom Queen after saving a cat from a burning building, but her boyfriend Billy broke up with her and decided to date Rose instead because he hated cats.

Jen's blog: Rose was invited to a pool party at Jimmy Parker's place but Jen stole all her clothes & bathing suit from the bathroom and Rose had to wear an ugly brown one piece instead.

Make sense?! So hop to it, comment on my blog and run over to Rose's and comment there. THIS IS MANDATORY, if you don't GOSSIP you won't be ENTERED.

How awful is that? I'm giving you permission to gossip about Rose and I... why wouldn't that be fun?

Love's Comments and Sparkles

Day Two of this fabulous Trifecta! Make sure to stop by Elana Johnson, Alex Cavanaugh blogs for their point of views!!! (Alex will post tomorrow)

Today's topic...

Comments, and how to get them.

Whether you are new to the blogging world, or have been around for quite sometime, we all love comments.

You know that special time of day, you open up your inbox, ready for a Squee worthy moment, the sun radiating off the page, it hurts your eyes, you shy away (for just a moment) ready to celebrate the number of comments you received for that day, and when you finally adjust your eyes you see that trusty, oh.so.special number...

ZERO.

YOU.HAVE.NO.COMMENTS

Wait, what?? What did I do wrong? Am I not good enough? Do they not like me? Did my mom forget to make her special brownies again?

Okay, okay, so this isn't ALL of you, some of you get several comments, some of you are perfectly happy with the number you receive, but just incase you're a little low for the liking I'll give you the best tips I know on how to snag those extra few comments.

1. Active Blogging - Structure is important in the blogging world. Your followers need to know when you'll stop by. If you only blog M-W-F then you want to let your followers know. Create a button that says how often you blog. I'm an every day (M-F) blogger (for those who are unsure!)
2. Fun & Interesting (with questions) - People don't always know what to say so it's easier to keep the conversation light but also leave a question so they have something to comment on. Unless you are a fan of "That's a great post" then keep doing what you're doing.
4. Comment - If you don't comment on their's, they won't visit. Make sure they are meaningful and heartfelt, the shorter and more universal, the less likely they'll believe you actually read their blog post.
5. Be Nice - both on your blog and on those you take time to comment. If you're rude no one will want to visit. Even while critiquing one's work, be respectful.
6. A little extra - For me personally I like when I can have people comment on my blog and in return I can send them a response back via email, to ensure they got it. Not everyone who comments on my blog has an email attached. That is just a little extra of mine, it's a nicer way to connect with someone and in the end they could become your follower. Something to think about it. I know it helps me know who to follow!

PS, after you've been blogging for awhile you'll realize the more comments you have the more overwhelmed you feel. Not everyday can I reach all of those who comment on my blog, but they're the first place I go to, it's important that they know I was there, I read and I enjoyed! I do my best not to feel guilty, some days it's just to big to conquer.

And there are a few of you who take a different approach, for instance Candyland has her blog drugged (no, seriously) there is something in her blog that makes you drawn to it. I personally prefer a more legal approach, I leave sparkle dust on all my comments and it brings you back to me :) Muahahaha!!!

Let's hope the next time you see your inbox it's filled with more love!!!