10 Ways to Beat Writer's Block

The blank page is an ominous thing for almost any writer. Writer's block is one of the great obstacles that we must overcome to finish the story that has been plaguing our soul for weeks, months or even years. As an experienced writer and author, I have developed a few ways to beat writer's block that I would like to share with you.

Take a break from your writing to try out one or two ideas listed below.

1) Go to the mall or local cafe'. People watch. Look for the way people move, interact, what type of clothes they have on. The sky's the limit.

2) Rent a movie in the genre that you're writing and study the storyline, characters, setting and any other ways to pick it apart and break it down.

3) Exercise! Take a walk, go to the gym, check out a yoga class. Do anything to get the blood moving and clear your mind.

4) Throw your characters into a weird scenario. Pretend one of them is an alien or a robot, send them on a ghost hunt, give one of them a sordid past. Be silly for a while.

5) Spend time on another story idea. Do you have an idea for a character or separate story that has been bugging you? Use this time to jot down notes on the idea. Sometimes a "change of scenery" is all you need to get a fresh look at your original story.

6) Play with your kids or your significant other.

7) Try some free thinking. Pick a starting word and then write down anything that pops into your head related or unrelated to that word.

Example: starting word: detective:
Case, private eye, murder, mystery, intrigue, suspense, scared, shadows, ghosts, being hunted, Sherlock Holmes, England, carriages, castles

8) Write what you do know. It doesn't have to be final draft ready or even coherent sentences. Just jot down what you want the reader to know and move on to the next part of the story.

9) Create an outline. If you're not sure where your story is going or how to get from point A to point B then create a basic outline. Write down the different scenes that you want to incorporate into the final story and arrange them from beginning to end.

10) Look at pictures or people from magazines, movies, books or even the internet. Try to find out what is special about these things. No. Don't do research. Use your imagination.

I won something!!

I entered a contest on another blog for a $25 gas card and I WON!! SO cool. Hee hee. It doesn't take much to make me happy. Maybe I should do a contest on one of my blogs. Hmmm, something to think about.

New writing schedule

I finally sat down and wrote out a schedule for all of my blogs, websites, and writing projects. I also signed up with squidoo.com and eHow.com. Let the article writing begin. The trick is to work around nap time.

I'll probably end up doing most of the work in the middle of the night. Which would be great if I didn't have to get the older kids off to school by 7:15AM.

So wish me luck! I've posted the links to my squidoo articles and eHow articles on the sidebar. Check them out if you get a chance.

Balancing

I have devised a plan to balance to work at home and being at home thing. It's a rather intense schedule but once I get the hang of it it should be sort of fun. It leaves plenty of play time with the kids and a little me time. But I think having time set aside to write everyday will actually be considered me time. I have to quit aimlessly surfing the net and get to gettin' as Jeff Foxworthy would say. Nothing will be accomplished if I don't put forth the effort and all of the planning in the world doesn't do any good without the action. "Faith without works is dead" I can't get the blessings if I don't do the work. As Dr.Phil would say "it ain't about you" as in I have to stop being selfish and start doing what needs to be done in order to be TRULY happy.
Perhaps I should rent "The Pursuit of Happyness" again. If you haven't seen it then it is a must for those of us that suck at motivation.
The outline of the second book is helping me to finish it. I'm still discovering things about my characters that I didn't realize were there. That may sound insane, but if you're a writer you'll get it. The story is growing more and more through each day. I am very excited. More soon. (I hope)

Moving Right Along

I sold six books on Saturday. Not bad, but not what I expected. But hey, some is better than none.
So today my three oldest are off on the first day of school. It's the VERY first day of school ever for my four year old. I'm excited and scared for her. She wants to make lots of new friends but with two older siblings and one younger one, she's hardly ever alone, even with mommy and daddy.
I'm hoping she eats. She's kinda picky, but the pre k teachers want all the kids to buy their lunch the first few days because sometimes kids will eat something just because the other kids are eating. I agree with that. My 6 year old started eating bagels and cream cheese because they had it at school one day.
So I sit on pins and needles a bit until they get off the bus at 3:00. (Only three hours to go-UGH)
I'm going to make sure they have juice and snacks ready when they get home. I hope to have most of the housework done so we can sit and chat about their day.
well off to work, while the baby's napping.

It's a go

SO the book signing was okay. I made some good contacts though. I am officially doing a signing at Founder's Day. There are normally like 3000 people that show up. And most all of them are ready to spend money in the craft area. I am sooo excited.

I'm not going to have my pirate book in time for Founder's Day but I am forging ahead. Especially to have at least three to four books to sell in time for Christmas.

Will keep you posted.

Book signing

Official book signing on Friday, July 18, 2008 at 11AM at Bowdon Library in Bowdon, GA
I was interviewed for the local paper and the article (complete with picture) appeared on the front page. How cool is that?
I am inquiring as to setting up a book signing booth at the local Founder's Day party/craft show. Waiting to hear back from the lady in charge.
Once the kids are back in school I am looking forward to setting up some book signings in other towns.
I am currently reformatting my pirate adventure story and I would love to have a preview copy to sell by Founder's Day. Depending on how long it ends up being, I may be able to order some from my printer before the big day. Once again, very cool.

It's Officially Here

Okay it's been here for a few months. My first book is printed and ready for all to read. If you would like to read an excerpt and order a copy go to www.casteelpublishing.com .

New Book is coming along

Still waiting for my book from the printers. However I am very inspired with the second book in the series. It will be called 'Cursed'. I can't wait to see where the characters will take me.

First Book Release

My first book will be arriving by the end of January! I am sooo excited!! Already working on book 2.
Gotta go write some more.

It's all about The Secret

I've just watched the movie The Secret and am reading the book. It is amazing how the whole Law of Attraction thing works. It's not instant and at first it takes focus. Especially if you're a pessimist trying to change her ways (Like me). It is definately worth a look. And it's got me back on track with my writing. I am currently outlining my next novel so that it will be finished and released in the next six months. The excitement is back!

New Topics

I have decided to narrow this blog down to my adventures in writing. It will be my ups and downs of being a stay at home mom who is trying to get her writing career off the ground and juggle mommyhood at the same time.
Fellow stay at home moms and aspiring writers unite!!
More soon.

Whirlwind Weekend

So I finished the Christmas shopping this weekend and it took me several days to recover. I think I'm still going to need therapy after dealing with the crazy shoppers. Here's a great gift idea that you can make without hitting the department stores.
Spiced Tea Mix:
2 cups Tang
1 cup instant tea
2 cups sugar
1 envelope (kool-aid) lemonade powder
2 tablespoons cinnamon
1/2 cloves

Family Friday

This Christmas start a new tradition with your kids. Make it something that only your immediate family does together. Perhaps you go to a Christmas Tree farm and cut down a tree. Or maybe just go to pick up an already cut tree. Make a day of it. Pick out the tree, bring it home, put on some Christmas music and decorate together. Maybe you have a favorite Christmas movie. Pop some popcorn, turn the lights out and snuggle together on the sofa.
Make cookies together-from a mix or from scratch. Then settle in with some hot chocolate and decorate the cookies.
There are any number of things you can do that can be your tradition. Pick one that you and your children will look forward to every year. I don't remember any traditions I had growing up-except for what days we visited family to exchange presents. I wish that there had been more. So I vow to start them with my own children. Perhaps we can change our thinking about Christmas as the time for presents and more about the time for family and experiences.

All Things New

I declare today the start of Wacky Wednesdays. Every Wednesday I'll have something off the wall to post about. Today it's all about the the frustration when dealing with kids. Do you have those moments when you 're kids say something that just throws you for a loop? You're all good and mad and ready to spit nails then comes their take on the situation.
When my oldest was 3 years old she was in her, "I'll do it myself" stage. So I'm trying to get somewhere and we're late as usual. I finally get her buckled into her seatbelt (after much tugging and pulling-that's me trying to get her out the door) I get in the driver's seat and in complete frustration say "A, Why must you push all my buttons?"
In childlike innocence comes her voice from the backseat. "But mommy how can I push your buttons? I'm back here."
Hope it makes you smile. Check back tomorrow for our new Thirsty Thursday.

Epiphany/Turning Over A New Leaf

I had a humbling experience during this Thanksgiving. We visited my hubby's extended family, which we do about once every five years or so. When getting directions to the home that we would be visiting, I had a hard time listening to the twangy accent of our would-be host. Do I sound like that? I thought to myself.
Now on a side note, I know that my dh makes quite a bit more money than the owners of the home we visited. So when we arrived I was a little taken aback at what a nice home they had. Not hugh, but nice. Once inside I looked around and discovered it was all white interior and white furniture. Granted, they no longer have kids, but they do have three grandkids close to my two middle children. It was very clean. There weren't marks on the floors or clutter in the corner. Everything had a place. The kitchen was technically smaller than mine, but we probably had the same counter space and maybe the same cabinet space. Her counters were clear and her sink was empty.
When the three kids arrived they behaved as normal kids did, but they didn't yell. They never yelled. When it was time to eat, they sat at the table, ate somewhat quietly, cleaned their space and went to play. The almost 2 yr old even drank from a regular cup without spilling it. My almost 4 yr old was ecstatic because she drank out of a 'grown up' cup.
So my epiphany became clearer and clearer. My children should behave this way. My home could look this way. I can have this peace. It's up to me. I am the keeper of my home.
I'm sure that I'll need God's help. I won't be able to retrain my children without some supernatural help. So I will start my day with prayer and end my day with prayer. I'll work out all the stuff in the middle with God's help.

What's Your Happy?

Last night my hubby and I watched The Pursuit of Happyness. For those of you that haven't seen it I highly recommend that you do. If you have ever quit something or thought of quitting then this movie will make you think twice. The man goes through Hell and back to make a better life for him and his son. And not just a 'better' life than what they had but his goal is to become a successful stock broker with Dean Witter.
It left a big impact on me. How many times have I thought "it's just too hard" or "I can't take anymore". How many times have I felt things were hopeless? This man had to spend the night in the subway bathroom because he had no money and no place to live. He had to work twice as hard as the other interns that wanted the one job that was being offered. When life slammed into him, he pushed back. (This movie is based on a true story.)
At the end of the movie he says "This is my happy." So today I was thinking, what is my happy? I have small, daily happies. But I'm not sure what my big happy is. I believe that it would be a happy, healthy family and financial freedom. My goal is to reach financial freedom over the next two years. Over the course of those years I plan on working on making my family healthy and happy.
Today my happy is: my 9 month old laughing hysterically. Something about a baby's laugh that just makes you smile.

What's your happy?

A Turtle Can Move Faster

I got the grocery shopping done today. That's it. I got nothing else done today. Oh wait, I made breakfast and dinner.
Is that insane or what? I'm not sure where the time went, one minute I was jumping in the shower and the next thing I knew it was time to go to the grocery store so that I could be back before my oldest two got out of school. Then I had to race the clock to get through the grocery store-with my 3 yr old and infant in tow. Yeah like that was gonna happen. First it was "Mommy I want to get in the cart" then a few rows later it was "I want down". Meanwhile baby decides he is just not happy in the carrier seat any more and he wants out NOW. I then proceed to beg the preschooler to help me reach items on the bottom shelf as I try to keep the list away from the baby who insists that he has to eat the paper. All the while trying to keep my eye on the clock, double check my coupons, look for the best bargains by doing the math in my head because the 3 year old wants to use the calculator as a cell phone. "Hello, grandma? What do you want us to buy you at the grocery store?"
If it's not a cell phone then it's the babies chew toy. Don't you love the taste of plastic?
Now the rest of the house is quiet except for the laundry monster and crusty dishes calling my name to be washed. Oh and let's not forget baby and his nightly 'snack'.
Gotta go. The chaos wins the day, but I will win the war. Or at least I'll die trying.

All the balls are in the air

So I started this juggling act and I have all my balls in the air at one time. Now what? The problem I'm having is that everything is only half done. The dishes are half done, the laundry is half done, the cleaning is half done. So once again I'm standing around waiting to drop one of the balls.
I have to admit, I'm still moving forward. Probably not as fast as I could/should be. But it is forward motion. Yeah me!
My husband helped me tackle the boys' room last weekend. It is officially the boys' room as we have now moved the baby into the room with his big brother. Whoopee! Now I can actually get to my side of the bed without running into the playyard/bassinet. My hips are saved.
On another note, I decided that my blog was quickly going to become cluttered if I included every facet of my life that I'm trying to fix. So as of today, this blog is for the household stuff. The getting organized and the cleaning progress, or lack there of. Keep an eye out and I will link to my other blogs that will deal with the many other personality issues that I intend to deal with.

getting organized

So after being sick I'm still trying to play catch up with the whole house thing. Plus I'm implementing a new discipline thing. Trying to get things in order. Chaos with four kids becomes insanity. Insanity is not a good thing when you're balancing so much at one time. I am conducting a plan and I am determined to succeed if it kills me. The whole 'what doesn't kill us makes us stronger'. Well I'm going to be able to benchpress like 400 lbs when I pull this organization, cleaning, discipline bing off. But I am going to be a much better mommy and wife. Actually I'll be a much better person when I'm done.