Susan Hanniford Crowley's Blog: From Nights of Passion Blog, page 206

Writing 20 pages a day?! Crazy…or is it? by Heather Novak

No, I’m not crazy.

Well yes I am, but hear me out.

At last week’s Greater Detroit Romance Writers of America meeting, I had the honor, pleasure, and immense opportunity to meet Candace Havens (Entangled editor and romance author)!!! She did her “Fast Draft” workshop (Starts September 27 online!!), which was all about writing a book in a month.

One book in one month. One full length book in one month.

I’m not joking.

20 pages a day, 2 to 3 hours. It’s amazing.

I work a full time day job with a long commute, so I write at night and typically only 2,000 words at a time. Before I signed up for the class online, I tried the “fast draft” techniques out for three days.

I was 10,000 words in and needed to get that other 10,000 or so to finish the draft. I set the lofty goal of 20 pages a day (5,000 words) and started working.

The first night almost killed me. Three hours, but I got 20 pages.

The second night, I fell asleep at my desk 12 pages in, so I resigned myself to working extra hard day three. Day three, I finished the draft. My brain was mush, but I did it.

So guess what? That 20 pages is totally doable.

Here are my tips:

Meal prep. Make a ton of dinners (and lunches even!) and freeze them. Keep cereal on hand, take out menus, anything fast. I find that I have to do my writing between 6:30pm and 10pm, or else I’m useless. I either fall asleep or I’m so revved up, I can’t sleep.
Make sure someone is holding you accountable. 
Do your laundry and blog posts ahead of time :)
Warn your friends and family. You’ll be so out of it, you’ll not want to answer your phone.
Schedule a massage after. Writing 20 pages a day is killer on your back and wrists. 
Research and prep your materials beforehand. I’m a pantser, so I don’t outline, but I made a graph of where I want my characters to go and major events and stuck it next to my computer.
Believe in yourself. 

It seems daunting. But when you finish that first book after the workshop, it’s a high unlike anything you’ve ever felt. If you can write an entire book and revise it in a month (second class is called Revision Hell), all those impossible doors now open.

I’ve signed up for the class and will be aiming to finish two books. I’m going to work on my third novella for The Lynch Brothers Series and finish a YA contemporary I’m 8,000 words into. That means, when the class ends, I will have written three of my stories in two months.

This is the best, hardest thing I’ve ever done. Hope to see you in the class!

 

September 24 is known for:

National Cherries Jubilee Day

 

Wishing You Laughter & Good Books,

Heather Novak

Bold. Bewitching. Breathtaking. 

Find me at:

Twitter: authorheathern

Facebook: authorheathernovak

Website: Heathernovak.net

Author of Hunting Witch Hazel featured in Falling Hard (A New Adult Anthology).

Hunting Witch Hazel Trailer

Available Now!

Amazon U.S.

http://amzn.to/1G0aCoQ

iBooks

http://apple.co/1Fb1Nrp

Amazon UK

http://amzn.to/1bKvOmc

Kobo

 

 

Filed under: romance

Biggest Regrets

My husband told me about an article he read I Yahoo finance this weekend which referenced several interviews with people over the age of sixty-five. What seemed to resonate the most with my husband and myself was that one of the most common regrets these older individuals had about their lives was they spent far too much time worrying. This is me! And yet, I also try to balance living today and living tomorrow.

One thing I must agree with is that time truly is our most precious resource. Time with our family, time to self develop and grow, time to dedicate to making a difference in our own way. I asked my husband what he would do differently after reading the article and I could tell he was still pondering it. To say that one will worry less and plan for today is easier said than done, especially if you’ve been a the type to worry all your life. Then again, practice does make perfect and what starts out hard today grows easier each day. I personally am going to try to think about shorter term issues more than the distant future. I’m a planner to a fault and often have to have main possibilities thought out before taking a chance to move forward. I do agree that this can be a waste of time as there is so much in life beyond our control. This all being said, I also believe it is important to have some sort of bucket list so when opportunities present themselves we are ready to take the plunge.

Happy writing this week!

Filed under: A writer's life, romance, Toni Kelly

Finished Work. Time to Get Back to Work by Mandy Rosko

On my Gog, let me just wipe the sweat off my brow and heave a heavy sigh. I finally finished the 31k word novella and handed it in for edits. It was due a couple of days ago, with one day to spare :) Now I just have ti complete all edits that come back in time to hand this book in by the 15th of October, but I think I’m golden. This is part of a project involving multiple separate stories set in the same town by a number of different authors, and they will all be self pubbed :D.

I wrote that novella while also writing and handing in another novella for Siren, and am currently 35k words into the next novella that I have to finish. But whatever, with this story finished, it is the last of the colloboration projects for self pulishing that I had to do this year. There were three of them. Four originally, but one was cancelled. I’d finished it before it was cancelled, so I guess that means I finished four separate novellas for the year, on top of my 110k word bad boy Billionaire book, The Arrangement.

I feel like a powerhouse right now. With the side projects out of the way, I can get The Arrangement ready for editing and get the ARC copies set up in October, and maybe relax a tad bit now. I might even be able to do some more Youtube videos. Those have been getting ignored thanks to work overload and major sniffles. Yeah, apparently I’m allergic to everything in the August/September time.

Anyway, I needed to get that off my chest and boast about how awesome it feels to finish up so much this year. The only thing really left is to stop reading mangas and get onto reading more books for my Goodreads challenge. I’ll finish it all no matter what it takes! >:D

Man, good thing I don’t have kids. I’d be a super neglectful parent at this point O.o

Also, big thank you to everyone who read the rough draft of The Arrangement for free on Wattpad. Seeing the number of views go up makes my ego purr. I’ll be leaving it up even after it’s edited as a cool freebie for anyone interested once the proper version comes out on Amazon and print. And another thank you for everyone who picked up their pre-order of Taming the Monster, 99 cent alpha anthology. You guys rock ;)

I’m gonna go and pass out for the night now. This has been another edge of sleep, rambling post…

Cheers!

~Mandy

Filed under: romance

Harvest Eclipse Paranormal-Scope

041027-N-9500T-001
Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash. (Oct. 27, 2004) – The moon turns red and orange during a total lunar eclipse. With the Earth passing between the sun and the moon, the only light hitting the full moon was from the home planet’s sunrises and sunsets, resulting in the orange and red hue. The next total lunar eclipse won’t be till March 2007. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Scott Taylor (RELEASED) (Public Domain)

On Sunday, September 27th, there will be a lunar eclipse of the Harvest Moon. Visit http://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/in/usa/new-york for Northeastern USA viewing. Otherwise put “lunar eclipse” and your closest large city in Google to find your local times.

While I am not qualified in any way to read neither stars nor planets, I am intimately linked to the paranormal in the world in many ways. So are you.

The paranormal-scope is for entertainment purposes only and is not meant to guide your life by.

The week for:

Aries:

Aliens don’t really follow a trail of candy. Leave tacos instead. Nourish your guests.

Taurus:

Moonbeams were meant for dancing. Plan a party with friends. Bring out the Elven magic in everyone.

Gemini:

Dragons bathe in the eclipse. It’s relaxing and freeing. Relax more and you’ll feel better.

Cancer:

Vampires love an eclipse. Time to find new friends and strengthen old relationships.

Leo:

What’s a little Pixie dust. Spend your valuable time with friends or on a hobby.

Virgo:

Shapeshifters know that the moon means change. Stay focused at work and don’t get distracted.

Libra:

Goblins like to count gold as the moon shines. Time to re-evaluate your finances.

Scorpio:

Mermaids are drawn to moonbeams on the waves.  Plan a trip where you can enjoy the moonbeams.

Sagittarius:

Werewolves are howling happy. Good luck has come your way.

Capricorn:

Zombies are passing you by, so someone is watching over you. Stay focused on your goal. Success is coming your way.

Aquarius:

Faeries collect moonbeams. Time to add to your collection too.

Pisces:

Gnomes love to travel, but this is not the time. Unexpected company may be headed your way.

-Susan

Susan Hanniford Crowley, Amazon Kindle Bestselling Author of Vampire Romance

www.susanhannifordcrowley.com

Where love burns eternal and whispers in the dark!

Vampire King of New York available at Amazon Kindle and print, Barnes and Noble Nook and print and in Kobo

A Vampire for Christmas in Kindle

Filed under: A Vampire for Christmas, Max Vander Meer, Norse, paranormal, paranormal romance, romance, romance novels, Susan Hanniford Crowley, The Stormy Love Life of Laura Cordelais, vampire books, Vampire David Hilliard, Vampire King of New York, Vampire King of New York In Print, Vampire Maximillion Vander Meer, vampires, Viking, Weekly Paranormal-Scope, Yule

Cover Story by Jenna Jaxon

Never judge a book by its cover, right?

How many of us can say they don’t? I know I do. I’ve even started a weekly post on my blog dedicated to romance novel covers. So I wanted to explore the idea of cover art for romance novels and what readers really want.

I’ve found I have a preference for what is called “clinch” covers, where there is a man and woman, usually locked in an embrace or kissing passionately. These covers are just plain sexy to me and are what will catch my eye in a bookstore, grocery store, Walmart, or if I’m browsing on Amazon. In fact, cover art is what will sell me on a book by an author I don’t know faster than anything else. Mind you, once my attention is snagged, then the blurb on the back will have to “reel me in” so to speak, but that initial look is what authors and cover artists strive for. Getting the reader to pick that book up is the first and biggest hurdle.

Romance Writers of America did a survey that I find interesting. According to two different surveys they consulted, 53% of readers prefer abstract or romantic covers (I’m assuming romantic covers are the same as “clinch” covers). Another 35% of readers say they prefer a sedate and abstract cover and only 12% seek out solely romantic covers. Abstract covers, I assume also, are those with an object such as a flower, a sword, a horse, etc. on the front. I find these covers pretty, however, I probably wouldn’t pick them up if the author was unknown to me, unless there was a catchy or intriguing title.

According to Written Word Media’s article “How to Create a Bestselling Cover,” trends in romance novel covers currently include kissing couples, a prominent author name, and bright colors. If your taste runs to erotic romance, trends include the colors black, white, and red. However, the article’s prime advice, which I will echo because it is sound is “readers make snap decisions about whether to buy your book simply by looking at the cover. Spend time, care, and money on your book cover.”

Filed under: Cover Art, Jenna Jaxon, Marketing

Fall Into Reading Blog Hop and also Upcoming Events!

Hi Everyone, Right now I’m really excited! I’m proud to have Vampire King of New York spotlighted on Books N Pearls Fall Into Reading Blog Hop. Please, enjoy the article and on that page, there’s lots about other authors and their books too. http://booksnpearls.blogspot.com/2015/09/susan-hanniford-crowley-spotlight.html

For your further enjoyment, here is the list of other authors in the blog hop:

Alice K. Wayne⇔Pukah Works: http://wp.me/p4Uq5a-Ei

Ashlynne Laynne⇔Deal Sharing Aunt http://bit.ly/1QLtVVL

Brenda Tetreault⇔Warrior Woman Winmill http://bit.ly/1QLu37A

Carole Anne Moleti⇔ A Bookaholic’s Fix: Feeding the Addiction http://bit.ly/1QLwLKm

Dahlia Donovan⇔STANDARD ISHUE–Katie http://bit.ly/1QLwszj

Demelza Carlton⇔ L.D. Rose http://bit.ly/1QLwdEp

Felicity Kates⇔Love Knows No Bounds (Louisa Bacio) http://bit.ly/1QLw4kp

Jena Baxter⇔Haley Whitehall http://bit.ly/1Km8kPa

JC Stockli⇔Books N Pearls blogspot http://bit.ly/1Km7sdq

Kacey Hammell⇔Ebook Addicts http://bit.ly/1QLuiQc

Kris Hack⇔Carole Ann Moleti http://bit.ly/1QLuPl7

Krystal White⇔http://bit.ly/1Km8Cpr

L. Bachman⇔Paranormal Romance and Beyond http://bit.ly/1QLwirx

Laila Raimes⇔Paranormaly Yours http://bit.ly/1QLuW04

L.D. Rose⇔Making it Happen http://bit.ly/1QLvDXd

Louisa Bacio⇔The Ultimate Fan Blog http://bit.ly/1QLxJGH

Margaret Madigan⇔Angel’s Guilty Pleasures http://bit.ly/1QLyqj0

Michelle Rabe⇔http://bit.ly/1YkyOtR

Missy Lynn Ryan⇔The Phantom Paragrapher http://bit.ly/1OCNOPJ

Renea Mason⇔http://bit.ly/1Ykz6B8

Rissa Blakeley⇔SSP http://bit.ly/1QLADLt

Rosanna Leo⇔L. Bachman http://bit.ly/1QLvPFW

What else is happening?  Nights of Passion is having the 7 Days of Halloween, 7 days of treats for our readers. The giveaways will be wonderful and fun.

I will also be on The Romance Studio Spookapalooza and doing a Giveaway!

Ah, the planning. Autumn is spectacular in lots of ways!

Next week I will reveal a secret!

-Susan

Susan Hanniford Crowley, Amazon Kindle Bestselling Author of Vampire Romance

www.susanhannifordcrowley.com

Where love burns eternal and whispers in the dark!

Vampire King of New York available at Amazon Kindle and print, Barnes and Noble Nook and print and in Kobo

A Vampire for Christmas in Kindle

Filed under: A Vampire for Christmas, blog party, Contests, Guest Blog, Norse, paranormal, paranormal romance, party, romance, romance novels, Susan Hanniford Crowley, the romance of life, vampire books, Vampire King of New York, Vampire King of New York In Print, Vampire Maximillion Vander Meer, vampires, Viking, When Love Survives, Yule

Cover Reveal by Stacy Hoff

One of the most fun things about being an author is seeing the cover art for the first time. This time the cover art for the latest anthology I’m in, HOT SEDUCTION, SIX SIZZLING TALES, was designed by Leia Shaw. Leia is not only one of the authors, but the woman who put our anthology together. Leia asked me and four other authors to come up with full length “new adult” stories that sizzled. And then designed the above cover to visually “sum up” what our stories are about.

Read the book blurbs below and tell me if you think the cover fits the stories. (And then read next Friday all about my attempts to come up with the perfect blurb.)

BLURBS:

Kick by Holly Roberts – Gorgeous brothers, Van and Joel Stelson, own, manage, and play for The Slam, a professional U.S. rugby team. They both have a thing for a certain hot reporter sent to cover their drive to the championship. Who will be the first to win her heart? Remember in rugby… 80 Minutes, 15 Positions, No Protection, Lets Ruck!

Art and Seduction by Stacy Hoff – College senior Bette Williams has always been “the good girl.” But when her sexy, young, and very wealthy art professor, Jon Hunter, asks her to model for their figure painting class—nude—her nice, comfortable world is thrown upside-down. But that’s only the beginning of what the professor will ask.

Sing to Me by Theresa Hissong – As a child, I’d dreamed of singing, but a tragic attack left me without a voice. When my best friend takes me to meet the number one rock band in recent history, I find myself falling for Glory Days front man, Ash Martin. His desire to make me sing again is almost shot down when my past reminds me that I am nothing but Mary Montclair, freelance photographer.

Truth Reveals by Jamie K. Schmidt – When Maryanne is given a scholarship to spend the summer after high school painting in the French countryside, she tries to reinvent herself from the foster kid whose parents loved meth more than they did her. But when Henri, the French caretaker of the chateau she’s staying at, treats her like a spoiled rich girl, she’s determined to make him sorry and seduces him–only it backfires and she’s the one enthralled. Taken aback by the dark passion and the intense lovemaking, Maryanne feels forced to keep up the lie when a gossipy neighbor tells her that Henri is looking for an heiress to save the chateau from creditors.

Boy Meets Nerd by Leia Shaw – MIT graduate turned hacker, Emerson True, investigates cheating boyfriends and relationship secrets while she waits for the perfect job. When musician, Levi, hires her to look into the girl he’s fallen in love with online, Em figures it’ll end how all internet scams do — in tears. But she doesn’t expect have so much in common with him, or that he might be the one person to bypass the firewall she built around her heart.

A Gypsy’s Kiss by Susan Griscom – Hawk’s hard body and skill have earned him a starting position on the Pioneer’s college hockey team. But it’s not his talent with a hockey stick that’s the most remarkable. A mix of women and ice hockey consume most of Hawk’s time until his attraction for Breena, the rumored campus gypsy, has his head spinning in a different direction once a single touch of her hand reveals something utterly strange and tantalizing.

 

PREORDER LINK

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B014RQX8GU?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B014RQX8GU&linkCode=xm2&tag=stacyhoffcom-20

WEBSITE & SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS FOR STACY HOFF: http://www.facebook.com/authorStacyHoff Twitter: twitter.com/authorStacyHoff Web: http://www.stacyhoff.com https://www.pinterest.com/authorstacyhoff/

AMAZON LINK FOR LAWFULLY YOURS:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00U7U2WCC?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B00U7U2WCC&linkCode=xm2&tag=stacyhoffcom-20

AMAZON LINK FOR DESIRE IN THE EVERGLADES:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NFSMCYG?creativeASIN=B00NFSMCYG&linkCode=w00&linkId=6PCZIZBWKBWUSNHI&ref_=as_sl_pc_qf_sp_asin_til&tag=stacyhoffcom-20

AMAZON LINK FOR SEASON OF LOVE:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00X3ZAR3E?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B00X3ZAR3E&linkCode=xm2&tag=stacyhoffcom-20

Filed under: Cover Art, Cover Reveal, Leia Shaw, romance, Six Sizzling, Stacy Hoff

A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes by Heather Novak

 

My awesome “glass slipper” sweater! (Lauren Conrad)

It’s time to talk about the 2015 live-action Cinderella – A film major’s nerdgasm!

Cinderella was the first romance I fell in love with, and now I get to love it all over again! But this time, through the eyes of a filmmaker and romance writer. SO FUN!

On Tuesday, one of my favorite movies of all time arrived on DVD at my front door. I’m talking about Cinderella. Now, why in the world is a woman who’s been around for several decades excited about a Disney movie?

I’ll give you ten good (and super nerdy) reasons why.
Click here to watch the trailer!!

Reason 1: IT IS SHOT ON REAL FILM! Real film, folks. Old school, anamorphic widescreen on actual celluloid. (Excuse me, I need a moment to gather myself. Someone get the smelling salts!) As a film major, this had me geeking out SO HARD.

Shooting on film allows for a depth and texture that digital cannot recreate. If you don’t believe me, go watch old films and get back to me.

Reason 2: Kenneth (freaking) Branagh directed the film. I repeat. Kenneth. Branagh.

Don’t even tell me you don’t know who he is, I’ll cry. HE DIRECTED THOR, a ridiculous amount of amazing Shakespeare plays, and was even in one of the Harry Potters. Here are his .

Reason 3: Real sets!

Yes. Real sets. The ballroom scene? That’s not green screen or CGI. That ballroom (50 yards long, 35 yards wide and 30 feet high) was built on the largest soundstage in Europe (Pinewood’s 007 Soundstage).  Those are thousands of real candles in the chandeliers and six hundred extras. 

The gardens were filmed at Blenheim Palace, and even the clock that tolls midnight is a real piece of history belonging to Cliveden House, Taplow, northeast of Maidenhead on the B476 Hedsor Road in Buckinghamshire. (Information kindly provided by www.movie-locations.com)

Reason 4: The costumes! designs were absolutely amazing. 

Let’s get the blue dress talk about of the way. Holy smokes, I’d trade five years of my life for that dress. Here are the details from DailyMail.UK.com:

3 Miles of thread in the hems
250 Metres of fabric in each dress
4,000 Hours it took to make eight different versions of the gown
10,000 Swarovski crystals hand-applied to the dresses
20 Minutes it took to get the dress on
One dress was shortened by 4 inches to help Lily flee the ball at midnight


Creator Sandy Powell says outrage over Lily’s slender waist was misplaced. It’s actually an optical illusion – her waist looks tiny because the skirt is so huge. 
The top layer of the gown is silk crepeline, a very lightweight, fine silk. The layers underneath are made up of a synthetic called yumissima, an incredibly light (and very expensive, about £150 a metre) material which floats when thrown in the air. 
Lily always went to the loo before being stitched into the outfit… but if nature called again, a mini camping portable loo was slipped under her dress. 
The designer and her team are sworn to silence about the cost, although some estimates have put it at about £11,000 per dress. But you can buy a similar design on the High Street for £100 – about 100 times less. 

Lily James as Cinderella | Credit: Jonathan Olley

Cinderella | Credit: Sandy Powell

 

I also need to mention how amazing Cate Blanchett’s costumes are! They’re a throwback to the 1940’s, giving her such a brilliant look.

Reason 5: The cast. Seriously, the cast.

If that’s not enough to sway you, I’m not sure what is.

Reason 6: Cinderella isn’t just a doormat when it comes to the prince.

This spoiler-free interview with Richard Madden talks about how Cinderella and Prince Charming are equal and it’s absolutely brilliant.

Reason 7: The music by Patrick Doyle.

HEAVENS, THE MUSIC! Okay, so sad face time — this isn’t a musical. But, Lily James sings “A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes” on the soundtrack, and it’s absolutely wonderful. 

Reason 8: The gasp.

Reason 9: Because I truly believe in the tagline “Have Courage and Be Kind” is really a great motto. 

Reason 10: The interviews are fabulous!

Exclusive interview with Lily James & Richard Madden

Hilarious interview about the first dance

Cate Blanchett’s moving interview

If you need more reasons to give this movie a try, just let me know. It’s definitely on my favorite movies of 2015 list! Sit back and watch the ballgowns twirl :)

My non-evil stepmom and me on a date to see Cinderella opening night! I’m wearing my LC Cinderella skirt.

Oh hey, guess what? My anthology, Falling Hard, is up for a Reader’s Choice award from TRR! Please take a second and vote if you think I’m hilarious and deserve an awesome birthday present :)

Vote here.


September 16th is known for 

American Legion Day!

Wishing You Laughter & Good Books,

Heather Novak

Bold. Bewitching. Breathtaking. 

Find me at:

Twitter: authorheathern

Facebook: authorheathernovak

Website: Heathernovak.net

Author of Hunting Witch Hazel featured in Falling Hard (A New Adult Anthology).

Hunting Witch Hazel Trailer

Available Now!

Amazon U.S.

http://amzn.to/1G0aCoQ

iBooks

http://apple.co/1Fb1Nrp

Amazon UK

http://amzn.to/1bKvOmc

Kobo

 

Filed under: romance

Failure is Okay

I listened to a Planet Money podcast this week called The Scariest Thing in Hollywood and it was soooo interesting. I love Planet Money but even more so I love the surprises they bring every week. This latest podcast really centered around failure (which I didn’t really get from the title) and pretty much the treasure we can find in embracing failure. I don’t want to spoil the podcast for you so I’m going to leave it at that and encourage you to listen to it.

This year has been all about failure for me, both professionally and personally. I’ve questioned what I want to do, why I want to do it, how to do it. I’ve pondered over possible failure in the workplace (some of which I’ve experienced) and possible failure as a mother. I know my thoughts aren’t new and I know the questions I ask myself are the same that many ask themselves each and every day. Still, I have to say what has truly made this year great is not so much the failure I’ve experienced or felt but more so the fact that I’ve embraced it and learned from it and come to new terms in my life. I’ve also realized that I’d much rather be failing and learning than remaining stagnant in life. Why? Because it adds more meaning and connects it to something I can truly invest in.

One of the perks of my company is health coaching. I, like many, want to be healthier, want to lose weight, want to feel good. When my health coach asked me why it took me a while to think about it. Nobody had ever asked me why I wanted this. Instantly, I thought of being able to keep up with my kids not simply now but in the future. I realized I want to be strong and confident and feel good about myself. I started connecting this to other things in my life. Why do I think about moving back east? Why do I want to write? Why do we continue to always want so much?

I don’t know all the answers but I will say I’m committed to spending more time thinking about why I want what I want and deciding what is truly important. I’m also okay with failing along the way as long as I continue growing and learning.

Happy writing this week!

Filed under: A writer's life, Toni Kelly

Finding Time to Work and Play by Mandy Rosko

Okay, with deadlines coming up, and with art sessions started as of this morning, I figured it was time to come back here and ask readers how you balance out all the stuff you want to do.

People who work from home have to make up schedules, and either keep to them, or hate themselves that night when they have to play catch up, but I figured the same had to be true for people who didn’t write or draw or make music or whatever for a living. I’m a writer and I love writing romance, and I also love reading paranormal romances, teen, mangas, m/m, occasionally sci-fi, all sorts of stuff, but if I want to get all the stuff done that I want to do, it seems like it gets harder to find time to do those things.

This has to be true for people who hold day jobs, or have day jobs and are aspiring work at home artists, or have day jobs while also working to become work at home artists while also having kids.

@_@ that latter one scares the hell out of me, but anyway, just something I was thinking about since I’m making a serious consideration of going back to school. Basically I’m just doing side classes for now at the community center for practice, but I remember school as being seriously hard, time consuming work, and as much as I want to go, and have pretty much made up my mind to go, it also scares the hell out of me.

Anyone else deal with this as they’re trying to juggle kids and jobs and other extra curricular child activities? I mean, I haven’t even had the chance to add any books to my Goodreads challenge this month. I’ve basically been supplementing manags, and since I don’t know if that’s cheating, I’m not putting up all the mangas I am reading.

I’d love to hear from anyone else who struggles with this, and what you might be doing to keep yourself on track for your goals :)

Before I go, bug thank you to everyone who picked up their Pre-order of Taming The Monster :D I’m super stoked to be in this box set with a bunch of Bestselling Authors who are about a thousand times more talented than I am, and want it to do well. I loved writing my alpha male werewolf story for this one, and just wanted to share it as much as possible, so here’s my weekly shameless plug ;)

Cheers!

~Mandy Rosko

Filed under: romance