Quote #12

“It is better to arm and strengthen your hero, than to disarm and enfeeble your foe.”
— Anne Brontë

I Added a New Page!

... instead of working.  Yikes!

Check out what I've been reading lately!

Ways To Say... Mad

(as in angry, not crazy)

Image from here

Angry
Enraged
Furious
Vexed
Displeased
Outraged
Miffed
Pissed [off]
Ticked [off]
Galled
Irritated
Fuming
Incensed
Infuriated
Heated
Irate
Cross
Ferocious
Riled
Wrathful

... There were more words, but I thought I'd stop at 20.  Different words express different levels of anger. Someone who is miffed does not seem to be as angry as someone who is enraged.  This is just my opinion, of course.

Anyone have a favourite (or over-used) "MAD" word?

Quote #11

“You have to write the book that wants to be written. And if the book will be too difficult for grown-ups, then you write it for children.”
― Madeleine L'Engle

One Link I Couldn't Resist Sharing

Even though I'm super busy today.  Please enjoy.

Elmore Leonard's 10 Rules of Writing - Mashable.com
http://mashable.com/2013/08/20/elmore-leonard-rules-of-writing/

Quote #10

Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart. 

- Confucius

You Are A Writer (So Start Acting Like One)

I'm not sure what I think of Jeff Goins book, You Are A Writer (So Start Acting Like One). There are two reasons I read this short book. One, I wanted to feel a little more writerly. I've been busy at my new day job and I don't want it to take over. I thought a book about being a writer might help. Two, when I downloaded it, it was free. A free book about writing I couldn't resist.

It's well written. Goins can turn a phrase. There's an energy to his words, so I never found You Are A Writer boring. It was an easy read, though I stopped part way to read something else. It was a bit repetitive. If you're a writer, you write. Yes. Okay. I get it. I'll write. Can we talk about something else? No? Ok. I'll write.

Though Goins continually emphasized that the most important thing a writer can do is write, he also wrote about all the other things writers have to do. Like building a platform.....  So I found some of it contradictory, but I also found some of it encouraging. What I took out of the book is the need to find balance. You of course need to write to be a writer, but you also need to create your own platform and brand.  I liked his advise for branding, using a recognizable photo and fonts. He also really encouraged blogging, which I appreciate, since I love my blogs.

I think You Are A Writer is worth reading. Once I was in the second half of the book, I found it informative. I'll be checking out Jeff Goins' website and social media.

http://youareawriter.com/

What Am I Linking Today?

Just a couple quick links today.  More personal related items than writing tips.  Enjoy!

The Personal Challenges of Being A Writer - Heroines with Hearts
http://heroineswithhearts.blogspot.ca/2014/01/the-personal-challenges-of-being-writer.html

Mantra For the Novelist - Writer Unboxed

http://writerunboxed.com/2014/01/06/mantra-for-the-novelist/

Quote #9

I thought this was a good quote to start off the new year...

Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none.
- William Shakespeare

Random Thought #3

How many people keep their New Year's Resolutions?  Seriously.  Have you already broken yours?

I don't make them anymore.  Not really.  They usually had to do with writing, but something always happened and I didn't finish whichever project I "resolved" to complete.  I often make reading resolutions too, a list of books I've been wanting to read, but haven't, and I "resolve" to read them before the year is up. I didn't finish my resolution reading list from 2013.  So, I'm not making one this year, though I'm still thinking about it.

What Am I Linking?

I'm hoping by the end of today, my energy level will be up.  I don't like being sick.  At least this post is going up.... :)

What I’ve Written In - Whatever
http://whatever.scalzi.com/2013/12/14/what-ive-written-in/

The Death of the Blog, Again, Again - Whatever
http://whatever.scalzi.com/2013/12/19/the-death-of-the-blog-again-again/

10 NECESSARY ELEMENTS OF AN AUTHOR WEBSITE - I Believe in Story
http://www.ibelieveinstory.com/2014/01/authorwebsitechecklist.html

A Note About My Winter Break

I was sick.  I AM sick.  Since about the 19th or 20th of December.  I thought I had a really bad cold and I tried to push through it.  That made all the Holiday dinners a little rough.  I went through the last couple weeks with a filter on between me and the world (I still have it on).  I'm exhausted from not sleeping properly.  It all makes me a little sad, because I didn't get to fully enjoy all the Holiday craziness like I normally do.  I did eventually go to the doctor.  I always take my children to the doctor when they're sick, but me...  I got some antibiotics and other things to make this go away.  But it's still here.  It'll probably be a week before I'm back.  

Not only was I unable to fully partake in the Holiday fun, but I also didn't read.  I didn't write.  I didn't blog.  I didn't play any of the awesome games I now have in my house.  I barely moved.  There was me, the couch and a fuzzy blanket.  I can't believe I came to work today.  At least I'm not busy.  I miss the couch, though.  I'm not even sure what I'm typing here makes sense.  It's taking a lot of effort.  There's so much I want to do, but the urge to lay down and sleep is taking over.  The end of the work day can't some soon enough.

Did you get any time off?  How was it?