Jessica Bayliss's Blog

Guest Blog: How to Power Your Writer Profile on Social Media by Daniela McVicker

Hello Wonderful Writers,

I'm still working on the next post in the Writers Block Series, so that will be coming soon, most likely early November. But, in the meantime, I have a guest post to share from writer, blogger, and social media expert, Daniela McVicker. She and I have also been chatting about doing a follow-up post that dives a little bit deeper. That's not 100% certain yet, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed. What does that mean for you?

If you have any questions based o.../>If

Inspiration for BROKEN CHORDS: The dark, the musical, and the festive

In honor of the re-release of BROKEN CHORDS, I wanted to share some of my inspiration for the book. This post will definitely appeal to music lovers out there. Anyone play the fiddle or mandolin? Cello? Anyone sing? Then stay tuned. But, my very first inspiration for this book started elsewhere. I’ll start at the beginning.

BROKEN CHORDS was born because I had to pee in the middle of the night while camping on Martha’s Vineyard with my husband. Literally.

If you’ve ever gone camping, you know t...

Fall Book Events 2019

Hello! I cant believe summer is over. Fall means sweater weather, all things pumpkin, and a new series of fun events.

Here's what I have on my line-up as of today, but there could be another addition or two, and I'll update this post if that happens.

In the meantime, I'd LOVE to see you at one of these events. OCTOBER 12: Indie Author Day
Norwalk Public Library, Norwalk CT, 8:30AM-5PM
Join me and a whole SLEW of authors at the Norwalk Public Library for their third annual Indie...

Pitch Wars Blog Hop 2019

Welcome 2019 Pitch Wars mentee hopefuls! I’m thrilled to be back for the third year mentoring MG. In 2017 I mentored MG, but I took a left turn into YA-Land in 2018. I loved it over there, but I’m glad to be back.

But, the chance to maybe sign with an agent is only one of the pros of PW. To me, the best part, is the personalized mentoring experience. Every author that gets selected, regardless of the final outcome, will come out of the experience a stronger writer. They’ll learn valuable skill...

It's a Writer Thing - Writers Block Series Part 5

Welcome, Wonderful Writers. Whether you’re here for the first time or a repeat reader, I’m sure you’ll find something helpful here. And if this IS your first time, be sure to check out my past It's a Writer Thing posts, including this series on writer’s block, my mini-series on receiving feedback, and my other posts on writing-related motivation and productivity. To those of you who’ve been here before: thank you for returning! I LOVED getting your messages and comments on my blog. Know...

It's a Writer Thing - Writer's Block Series Part 4

Hello, Wonderful Writers and welcome back to It’s a Writer thing! This is post 4 in my Writer’s Block mini-series. So far, we covered the importance of generating the WHYS of writing, how to generate ENTHUSIASM when the fire is dwindling, and how to generate JOY. (You can read all the past posts by clicking HERE.)

As promised, this time around, I’ll be discussing a visual imaging process.

Visual imagery has been recognized as a useful tool for decades. Psychotherapists teach visual imager...

Summer Book Events - 2019

Happy Summer! I'm thrilled to be taking part in several Connecticut-based author  events starting in August. Below, you will find a list of events with links for more details. I'd love to see you there! August 22nd: Scotland Public Library, Scotland, CT. 6:30 PM
Join me for a discussion and reading followed by a book signing as part of the Connecticut Author Trail series.  You can learn more here.
September 18th: Connecticut Author Trail Finale, The Cabaret Theater at Mohega...

It's a Writer Thing: Writer's Block Part 3 - JOY

Hello, Wonderful Writers. Welcome back to It’s a Writer Thing! Here we are in Post 3 of my Writer’s Block series. Last time, I focused on those situations where the excitement to work on a WIP has fizzled and how to re-ignite enthusiasm ; and we covered the importance of gaining clarity as to WHY you write in the first post.

Today, as promised, I’m going to tackle how to generate JOY for your writing.  “Joy is what happens to us when we allow ourselves to recognize...

It's a Writer Thing: Writer's Block Series - part 2 supplement

Hello, Wonderful Writers. If you’re here, that means you read the second blog post I wrote in my It’s a Writer Thing Writer’s Block Mini Series. (If not, this post will make a LOT more sense if you read that one first. You can do that RIGHT HERE .)

If you DID read that post, you may be asking, how on earth will those action steps help me get going with my work in progress? Perhaps you’re thinking that those steps are all well and good in the abstract but still wondering ho...

It's a Writer Thing Post 24: Writer's Block Series - part 2, Generate Enthusiasm

Hello, Wonderful Writers. Welcome back to Post 2 of It’s a Writer Thing: Writer’s Block Series! This is a long one, so grab your drink of choice, a snack, maybe a blanket, and cozy up.

Last time, I defined the dreaded WB as the inability to make progress on a WIP (which anyone can experience if they’re struggling to make progress in an area of work or life). I shared my viewpoint that WB comes from one or more of any number of basic challenges in MOTIVATION, CONFIDENCE, and/or CLARITY. 

L...