The Weekend is Mine, all Mine!

09/13/201309/09/2013 | Casey Wyatt

Yay Friday! I hope your week went well.

Recently, I had an attitude adjustment. Every blog about writing or by writers, eventually, touches on the topic of professionalism and treating writing as a job.

I am not going to dispute that wisdom. If you’re in it for the long haul and you want to be published (or stay published), then you have to realize that writing isn’t sitting around waiting to be struck by genius. There comes a time in every writer’s day, month, year (take your pick) when you have to do the deed. You know, sit at your computer and write stuff – whether you feel like it or not.

Kind of like being an employee at a day job. I have a full time job. I also consider writing a job and when I am actively working on a story, I do it after the paid job.

Which brings me to the attitude adjustment. For the last few weeks, I’ve written my 2,000 – 3,000 words a day from Monday – Friday (after my day job ends) and I’ve taken the weekends off!

And by off, I mean, I don’t even turn my laptop on. For the last several years, my trusty laptop has been on 364 days of the year. The only day it got off was Christmas day because family comes over.

So far, it’s been therapeutic. I don’t feel all – “Ugh, I have to write today.” I admit, I’ve been getting a little grouchy about writing. Like it was a ball and chain. Until I realized that even with my day job, I take time off and I sure don’t feel guilty about it. Why should writing be different than any other profession?

That doesn’t mean I won’t write on the weekend. I will. But it’s also nice to know that I don’t have to feel guilty for taking a day trip with my family or grocery shopping so we can eat all week. Or read a book. Or just veg and pet my cat.

BTW- Mystic Hero is over the 55,000 words mark, well on it’s way to first draft completion in the next week or two. Yay!

See? It’s all about attitude. If you find yourself in a rut or so stressed out you can’t think straight it might be time for an adjustment!

Anyone else feel the need to take time away? How do you veg?

Why Write Romance & Dangerous Curves Ahead!

08/30/201308/29/2013 | Casey Wyatt

We all have different reasons for writing what we do and for choosing our genres. Fellow paranormal romance writer Juli D. Revezzo shares her answer at the 7 Scribes today – Why Write Romance? Stop by and say hello!

Speaking of writing. It’s be slow going, but progress has been made. I’ve finally crossed the 46,000 word threshold for Mystic Hero. Yay!

Lachlan’s Curse is around 23,000 words, where it will probably stay until I finish Devlin’s book.

And more importantly, I want to say Congratulations to my friend and fellow Scribe Sugar Jamison. Her debt novel was published this week – Dangerous Curves Ahead. It is a fabulous book!! Don’t believe me? Try it for yourself.

Ellis Garrett is dumping her critical boyfriend, opening a plus-size clothing store, and starting a blog—all to spread the word that fashion shouldn’t require a size-two body, and happiness should allow for the occasional cupcake. Or two. But is indulging fantasies about her sister’s long-ago ex, the still-hunky Michael Edwards, biting off more than she can chew?

Mike must be losing his detective’s touch. He doesn’t recognize Ellis when he bumps into her at Size Me Up, and he certainly doesn’t remember his ex-girlfriend’s outspoken sister being so irresistible. Her curves are indeed dangerous—and so is her wit. Could it be that Ellis is his Perfect Fit? One thing’s for sure: Mike will make it his sworn duty to find out…

Why Books are Like Babies

08/02/201307/26/2013 | Casey Wyatt

First off, can you believe it’s already August? Where has the summer gone? There’s something about this time of year (and around Thanksgiving) where I feel like I’m on time’s roller coaster ride.

One minute it’s May and then suddenly August is here and I feel like the whole summer has flown by. I suspect the school calendar plays a part in this phenomenon because younger son would always start whining about having to go back to school (the infamous countdown would begin).

Well, not this year. Steady readers of this blog, may recall he graduated in June (my baby, my baby!). This year he and his older brother will be attending college together. So while they are still going to school, there is no complaining involved (well, except for the ridiculous cost of college texts).

All this thinking about time, combined with the recent birth of the royal baby (HRH Prince George) got me to thinking about how books are born in my brain. While pursuing two books at once (Mystic Hero is pulling to the lead, so by the time you read this, it might be the only book I’m writing), I’ve noticed that the story is often born while I’m writing it.

What?!? But what about all that talk of plotting and planning?

Oh, those things still happen. But like any story, I leave room for new ideas to hatch. I also rely on the characters to dictate how they react to the barriers I toss out. There is no way I can script every waking moment of the story. I decide on the big events and let the rest fill itself in.

So like a baby, sometimes a book can take forever (Mystic Storm – almost ten months) and others are done in less time (Misfortune Cookie – two months). The Undead Space Initiative poured out of my brain like there was a big hole in it and I could barely keep up! (Note: this is writing time. Not the time it took for me to plot and plan.)

And like babies, nature can’t be rushed. Some characters, like Zephyr, in Mystic Storm, gave me nothing but trouble. I think it may be because of the whole “cursed to be a woman by day” thing (which I am not apologizing for!).

Not to be too graphic, but any woman who has gone through labor knows that babies don’t just come out in one easy push. And neither does my writing. I can have a week of super productivity and then another week where I have to flog myself to sit down and write. However, I will add a caveat. I did have younger son in my bathroom (in under a half hour of going into labor). He was apparently so eager to enter the world, he couldn’t wait!

Just goes to show – you never know!!

Has anyone else had this experience? Do you have some books that just take forever to come out of your head?

ConnectiCon 2013 Rocked!!

07/19/2013 | Casey Wyatt

(I’m cheating today. This is the same post over at the 7 Scribes. It’s going to be a scorching 99 here today. Stay cool everyone!)

Welcome to another Friday! Casey here.

I’m happy to report that I crossed an item off my bucket list. It all started with a Kindle Daily Deal and a book called Theft of Swords by Michael J. Sullivan. Every day, since I purchased a Kindle Fire, I check Amazon’s Kindle Daily Deals (very much like a junkie looking for a fix).

This particular day, Theft of Swords was the fantasy offering. I downloaded a sample, was hooked by the first page and immediately purchased it. And, because I happened to be in Goodreads that day, I sent a friend request to the author.

Long story short, in addition to accepting my request the author sent me a note and we started a conversation that ended with him agreeing to be my guest, here at the Scribes, on August 9th (Yay!). While researching his various social media sites, it turned out

he’d been invited to ConnectiCon as a literary guest, along with Brandon Sanderson.

Now, my hubby and I have discussed going to this convention for as many years as it’s been going on. Each year, it has gotten progressively bigger and more exciting. When Michael suggested we meet up at the conference, I was happy to accept.

I’ve been to the Connecticut Convention Center before for other events, but none of them come close to the size and scale of ConnectiCon. There was so

much to do: panels, Q&A sessions, book signings, gaming, vendors, and parties. So much that we barely scratched the surface. Check here for more information.

The best parts for me aside from meeting Michael and his wife, were the costumes (more on those in a

moment) and encountering artist Dan Dos Santos. His artwork has graced the covers of Patricia Brigg’s Mercy Thomas books and Diana Rowland’s white trash zombie series (among many others). Super nice man and very gracious. While we were chatting, Brandon Sanderson came up to the table (squee!).

Now, those costumes – fabulous, fantastic, well-made, top-notch. What more can I say? The variety was mind-boggling. And for the amount of people attending, everyone was polite and relaxed.

Overall, it was a great experience for me. Hubby was a bit overwhelmed by the sheer geekiness but there were plenty of comic book and movie characters. On the drive home, he was speculating what kind of costume he could make for next year.

So, if you live in the New England area (and even if you don’t) and if you love comics, anime, role-playing, manga, gaming, etc. don’t miss a chance to attend this con!

What Cons have you attended? What are your favorites? And if you haven’t ever attended one, would you consider it?

Head to the Cloud!

07/12/2013 | Casey Wyatt

Happy Friday everyone!

Has this ever happened to you? One day your computer works fine, then the next – nothing! Or maybe you’ve dropped it or spilled coffee on the keyboard.

Today over at the 7 Scribes, I’m talking about the importance of storing your data –To the Cloud!

On the writing front, I’m still working on two books. To date, each book is about 15,000 plus words. So, I’ve managed to complete 30,000 words, just not with a single book. I have vacation coming up later in the month and by then I want to choose one story and run with it!

Until next week, be happy!

#amwriting Two Books at Once!

07/05/2013 | Casey Wyatt

I’m trying a little experiment – writing two different books at the same time. This way, I have no excuse not to finish something in the next few weeks.

So far my word count to date (as of 7/3):

Mystic Hero (Devlin’s book): 8,563

Lachlan’s Curse (new paranormal world): 13,537

At some point very soon, I expect to run with one book then come back to the other. Right now, the front runner appears to be Lachlan’s Curse. But we’ll see, Devlin might just pull an upset.

For my thoughts on my “experiment”, please come visit me today at the 7 Scribes – The First Thirty Thousand.

Enjoy the day!

Misfortune Cookie – SOLD!

06/28/2013 | Casey Wyatt

After a whirlwind week: younger son’s graduation, younger son obtaining his driver’s license, life is finally almost back to normal.

I’m happy to report some very good news – Misfortune Cookie is sold!! Soul Mate Publishing will be releasing it sometime in early 2014.

I’m also discussing the title of the book (and how it’s not so unique anymore) over at the 7 Scribes – How Many Misfortunate Cookies Can There Be?. Stop by and leave a comment! I’d love to hear from you.

Are you Savvy?

06/21/201310/29/2014 | Casey Wyatt

I’m thrilled to have Riley Darkes as my guest today over at the 7 Scribes – Why I Love Savvy Authors by Riley Darkes. She is sharing her experience with joining a writing community.

In other news, almost no writing has taken place this week. My youngest son will be graduating from high school shortly (my baby!!) and year end activities have been eating up my time. I hope to be on track shortly.

Don’t Skate Through Life!

06/14/201306/14/2013 | Casey Wyatt

So it’s Friday again. Yay! Too bad it’s raining like crazy here. Again. It may be good for the flowers but it’s starting to drive me batty!

Today at the 7 Scribes – another lesson on plotting and wisdom from Wayne Gretzky A Hockey Lesson by Casey Wyatt.

I’m happy to report, I’m working on two books right now. Mystic Hero – Devlin Ward’s book and another paranormal romance – Lachlan’s Curse. I’ve been alternating between the two (like every other day). I’m not sure how long I’ll be able to do that. At some point, I’ll have to choose one for my full attention. Not sure which one it will be.

I leave you now, with my super adorable girl. How can I be expected to get any work done in the presence of so much cuteness? Have a wonderful day!