Lisa M. Collins's Blog, page 8

Dreaming of Your Writing Career?

There are two camps of thought in the prevailing winds about writing and writers. #1 says if you think you want to be a writer you probably aren’t going to be very good at it, because if you have to ���think��� about writing as a career then you have already missed the point. #2 says that if you can string words together into passable sentences then our MFA Program, Writer���s Workshop, $99 Critique group can turn you into a writer.

Honestly you can find a thousand articles on the Internet to back up either of the above ideas. The thing is, neither are right and most of what they espouse is wrong. It is the same kind of thinking that keeps politics so juvenile. The Far Right vs the Far Left mentality has led to more hardship in government than all the graft and pork combined.

Now what does that have to do with writing? It is the same type of argument either you MUST be a natural talent who could have penned a Pulitzer at age 10, or you are an UNeducated idiot who shouldn’t be allowed to so much a publish a Facebook post. Really? Perhaps I drank the Kool Aid at my public school. I believe that you can pull yourself up by your bootstraps and become whatever you desire to be. If that is a writer, then by all means do so.

Let���s talk straight with one another. The two camps aren’t TOTALLY wrong. ��The main thing the first camp comes up with is you should be naturally talented. Talent is nice if you have it from the git go. But I have found that those with talent to spare can���t handle failure. The talented people of this world think all the doors should open for them before they even reach for the handle. When the world, who can be a cold mistress, kicks them in the teeth they just quit. Talent can never beat hard work.

The main thing the second camp wants to sell you on is that of superiority. That you can earn superiority over others. Education will make you a superior writer, editor, poet…whatever. All the education and classes in the world can’t make you a successful writer. They might make you a successful teacher of writing. They might even help you get read faster than a non-graduate at a journal. Yet you’ll still get sent to the round file if your writing sucks. Is that really what all that money, time, and dedication should earn you? No probably not, but those are the breaks kids.

If you really want to be a writer in today���s globally connected world all you have to do is write and publish. NOW settle down back there! I didn’t say you should publish. Really writing is easy and fortunately or unfortunately (depends on who you talk to) publishing your work is easy too.

So what���s the nitty gritty? Both camps and the moderates, like me, can all agree on this one thing. You have to WRITE to be a writer. All the hoping, outlining, and lofty dreams of mint juleps on the porch with Faulkner won���t make you a writer.

Write every single stinking day. Write when you feel like crap. Write when you are over the moon happy. Write something. Every. Single. Day. Take classes on craft. Classes can only make you better. Do you have to use every tip or trick you learn about, heck no. You’re a smart cookie and you know that you will either live and breathe the snowflake method or (like myself) would rather die in a snowstorm than put yourself through that kind of misery. You become a writer the same way you become any other type of professional. You take hard work and mix it with your own brand a awesome. From there the sky’s the limit.

Interview with Jax Resto — Too Much to Remember

Jax has been a performer all of her life from her days in school to her college years majoring in dance performance at Queens College. This lead to her years with Ringling Brothers Circus as a dancer and as an aerialist. Following her circus career, Jax became a wife and mother, a rock drummer, a songwriter and a novelist. Her multimedia book,��Too Much to Remember is the first book of a series about the Kovak family. The characters are so addictive that after a few chapters you will feel like you know them personally. The music will hook you, and leave you craving the next chapter.




Interview with Spoken Word Artist
and Author Jax Resto��
author of Too Much to Remember.
01/8/2015

��

What is your current release and (without spoilers) tell us about the new book or series.

My Book series is Too Much… The first of the series is Too Much to Remember, published as a multimedia ebook with music written by (BudaRest) myself and my music partner Bud Buckley. I also adapted it to Radio Theater, with a cast of mainly local high school students. It currently airs Wednesdays at 8PM EST and Saturday 10AM at��www.kdwradio.com.

What is the usual process for your writing? Are you a plotter or a pantser?

Hmm, I don’t know what a pantser is, but since I’m not really a plotter when it comes to my stories, I guess I must be the other thing.

Once you have an idea that sparks your imagination do you research your idea or do any world-building exercises, or do you just begin to write and see where the Muse takes you?

I begin writing and see where the characters take me, actually. I think one of the best exercises every writer should try is National Novel Writing Month, as it forces you to not edit yourself and just write with reckless abandon. I was truly amazed both times I participated at how much non crap I was able to write in such a short time.

Are you a full time writer? If so when did you make the decision and what factors led to the decision. If you are not a full time writer���Is your plan to one day become a full time writer?

I don’t know if I’m a full time writer. It sure feels like it at times, though I don’t make a living at it…yet. Still it consumes more of my time than anything else I do. Since I am so busy, I find I do a lot of my initial ���writing��� in my head ��� while I’m doing other things. It is my primary focus ��� perhaps even at times it shouldn’t be, lol.

What is your daily writing time like?

I don’t have scheduled daily writing time. The very earliest draft of Too Much ��to Remember was initially written while I was traveling with Ringling Brothers Circus. I wrote chapters first in my head…sometimes 30 ft in the air, lol (one of those times when writing should NOT have been my primary focus). Then, in between shows and numbers. I think I finished one of the original drafts on the road from Ohio to Florida. I wasn’t driving.

Can you tell us about your publishing experience?

Publishing the multi media book had its challenges since Amazon Kindle doesn’t support the format. We had to publish on iTunes, so generating sales has not been as easy. The radio show came about as a means of promoting, but quickly became an entity in itself, and much more enjoyable than I could have imagined. The kids are extraordinary. A bit elusive at times. Who’d have thought it would be so hard to get a bunch of teens who attend the same school in the same room at the same time for one hour? Not me. But, all in all, I feel very fortunate to work with them, as well as my co-producer Bud Buckley.

Are you Indie, Traditional, or do a bit of both?

Indie

Everyone likes to know where an author gets their ideas from, but what I want to know is what is the strangest thing to inspire one of your stories?

Hm, maybe the fact that I write all my stories as a young male for no other reason than that is how the stories come. Even when I try to write a bit more autobiographical, the stories have a mind of their own. The one I wrote about the circus is in first person, and the main character is a young male. The other Nano novel I wrote about my experiences in an all-female (sort of) band, ended up being about extraterrestrials. And though I believe the main character is female, she kind of sounds like Captain Kirk.

Can you tell us about some of your other writing (fiction or nonfiction) and any appearances or signings that you have planned?

No book signings planned yet, as I am busy with directing and co-producing the radio dramedy. But I guess, that is the best promo. The show should run through the end of April, then we will use the audio clips to produce an audio book. I am also in the process of adapting it to a stage play, and will also be publishing the sequel, Too Much to Forget soon, probably first in just literary form on Amazon Kindle. Then eventually, I hope to also adapt it to Radio Theater.

As an author what inspiration or advice would you give to a writer who is working to make the transition to Author?

Don’t hoard your writing. You need to be willing to share and put yourself out there. Develop a thick skin, and don’t trust yourself to do your own editing. You need fresh eyes, and someone to let you know if your story sounds convoluted. Be willing to make changes and let stuff go. One of the best ways to do that I’ve found, is to edit other authors’ work. It helps you eventually learn to step outside your own work…at least it helped me.

One of Jax’s books for Children…A childrens book about learning how to cope with scary dreams.

Who is your favorite author?

I don’t really have a favorite author. I used to read a lot of legal thrillers (Sanford, Grisham, Martini, Patterson, etc., but for a long time now, especially since I started hosting a radio talk show, I have been reading less famous authors and enjoying it. I end up reading genres I wouldn’t normally read. But, I enjoy supporting other authors. Most of the time I am pleasantly surprised to find myself enjoying the read. Occasionally, not so much. But, even that is helpful.

Tell us what makes this author stand out in your mind, and what book would you recommend to someone new to that author?

What I typically enjoy about an author, such as the ones I mentioned above is the concise writing style, not always being so grammatically correct, but the use of fragments. I like to be drawn in and feel like I’m part of the story. I don’t like or need a lot of description about curtains and scenery. I usually prefer male writers because of that, though I was surprised by how much I enjoyed Stephanie Meyer’s writing. As an author, you must read. It’s even good to read other genres and styles as a learning tool. One of my favorite reads was Stephen King’s On Writing book, which I read years ago.

One of Jax’s Childrens books….A story about learning how to cope with the loss of a loved one.

Admittedly, I also recently read Shatner Rules and enjoyed it, because I like anyone who has a sense of humor about himself. Number one rule in writing, entertainment, life in general — don’t take yourself too seriously.

If you would like more information about Jax Resto��you can find out more about her and her books and music on ReverbNation,��Twitter, Facebook, Buda Rest,��KDW Radio,��and on iTunes.

 

6-Steps to Superhero!

Have you always wished you could be a superhero and save the day? Well let me tell you that unless you have a run in with radioactive particles, beams, spiders or some other type of cosmic anomaly��the world will tell you to rethink that calling…But��do you?

I say you too can be a superhero, and here is how in 6-steps.

#1 You have to learn as much as you can about science. If you understand science��you can bend it to your will and use it for the good of all.

#2 You have to take your physical form and make it the best that you can. This will look different for each of us. If you are perpetually thin and have a hard time gaining weight then all the hard work in the world will not turn you into the Hulk. Just remember Bruce Lee didn’t need hundreds of pounds of brawn��to get the job done, and neither do you.

#3 Devote yourself to a higher purpose. If you need me to explain this, you may be trying too hard. Let me give you a list that might spur you on…Democracy, Justice, God, Truth, Life…I think you can take it from there.

#4 Pick an element of evil to fight with your whole heart. Whether you chose fighting Abuse, Corruption, Slavery, or another form of evil, pick one and always have it in your mind as your main source of gumption. Let it burn in your soul and be��burdened with glorious purpose!

#5 Protect the weak. The weak are not those who are just physically smaller or younger than you. Don’t forget those who have been scarred by circumstance, regardless of their physical stature. Don’t assume someone older than you has the resources they need to overcome the obstacles that confront them. Lastly, but not necessarily exhaustively,

#6 Seek justice for the wronged. Seeking justice is cardinal to being super, and one of the four Cardinal Virtues (Prudence, Justice,��Temperance, and��Courage), and also the most important. You must establish your ethical basis and then be willing to stand on that foundation, no matter what.

So, what are you going to do?

Resolutions, Decisions, and Goals…Oh my!

So each year I plan and scheme and make lists, tinker with my calendar, pin sayings up at my desk and try to better myself. When I look back over the year I see progress, but just not the amount of progress that I was hoping for. That makes me feel unacomplished, and nothing could be further from the truth. I did a lot in 2014 and already my writing schedule for 2015 is swiftly filling up and it is only the 2nd of January.

In *retaliation* to that unacomplished feeling, this year, using the S.M.A.R.T. goal technique, I am RESOLVING to put less things on my “To Do” list, and yet, accomplish more. Now how does that make any sense? Let me tell you.

I plan myself into a corner and overextend myself almost to the breaking point…at which time my truly introverted nature rears its head and I crash and burn. NOT this year. I am working at only planning goals that will move my career forward. Much like the way we editors have to “Kill the darlings.” When a sentence, paragraph, or chapter does not move the story forward…it MUST go.

{cue Eye of the Tiger theme song}

My “Business” Face

Starting with this frame of mind, I am picking only writing tasks that will either create cashflow, community contacts, or please my audience.

All the contests and submissions that didn’t work for me in the past, they are off the table. I am through with wasting my time, talent, and treasure. This year I am taking the reigns of this stagecoach and hauling booty for the closest boom town!

So what are you, truly, resolving to do in 2015?

Talent is just the beginning…Work is the magic element

I recently said this to a friend: “The effort, extra classes, and training, none of that matters without some gifting, BUT without hard unceasing work there is nothing to read…no matter the inborn talent that may lie in the soul of a person.”

Now here comes my confession: I am terrible at commitment to a project.

That dig down deep and slog out the word count each day freaks the heck out of my muse…but I’m here to tell you that my muse and I are starting 2015 with a change of diet and workout! Muse and I are not going into that long dark night of sloth and misguided ennui. Oh no! I will not hide the gifting and learning that I have, and neither should you!

COME WITH ME! Come on a journey of vim and vigor, be hot to trot, dole out your word count with audacity! This is your year! This is my year!

Will there be moments of disheartenment? Will we be facing the odds from the outside? Will we want to give in and falter? Yes. We will, but I have faith we will overcome.

What is my plan? I am so glad you asked. First, I got out some old skool tools, pencil and paper. Pencil is important as you will probably need to erase and reorganize your goals and priorities as you go. Second, I started a list of projects that I want to finally complete in the New Year. These are not new ideas. All of the things on this list are projects that I have already started writing or they are the sequels to things already completed. Don’t worry, we will have time to make a list for new items on your agenda.

I sort of went at this list making like your would a business meeting, Old business, New business and Announcements. I’ve explained above what the Old is but now we need to get down to the nitty gritty on how to make goals out of all that mess. Now we will use a tool that I have a love hate relationship with– S.M.A.R.T. Goals.

These Goals are not your wishlist, your dream journal, nor any type of flights of fancy. They are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound. You see the difference right away from the usual goal lists that people tend to make for “New Year’s Resolutions” don’t you? This type of goal setting requires actual work.

You have to plan FOR EACH GOAL: Use one sheet of paper for each goal. You have to unearth what you really want to accomplish. How are you going to measure your success? (This one is the hardest for a dreamer like myself) What is actually attainable? Does your goal have relevance to your project? What is the actual time (in a hard date) when this goal will be completed?

This is not the idle speculation of clouds and unicorns; this is the hard work of getting things accomplished, so that the things on your goal list in 2015 aren’t the same things that that will top the list for 2016.

Now for the work: Make as many S.M.A.R.T. Goals as you can. Make them so specific that you cannot help but see the way forward for each one. YES, you may find that the timetable for a goal might be longer than this one year time frame, and that is OKAY! Just keep making your relevant goals. When you are done you will organize them into goals based on time. Goals that are shorter go at the front and longer term goals to the back. You might want to put these into a binder or a folder with braids. At this point add these time based goals to your work calendar, either paper or electronic will work. From here you will have learned how to make goals that will move you forward. Make goals for new projects as well. Don’t get overwhelmed. You have a plan, and you can do it!

I will leave you with this one piece of advice, and a quote. In learning to make S.M.A.R.T. Goals I had to let go of the idea that goals are dreams. Yes I still dream and love the idea of a bright shining future full of prosperity and fun. You may think that learning how to make real goals has killed my dreamer instincts, but nothing could be further from the truth. Now I know I will reach my ultimate reward because I have relevant goals that will march me toward my dreams. This type of goal setting is like learning to run uphill, you have to start slow but eventually skill and speed sneaks up on you. Come with me and by 2016 this bumpy start will seem like a mole hill. :)

Merry Christmas! May you have Faith, Hope, and Love in the New Year.

5 Recipe Series Available Worldwide for the Holidays!

The first two books in the 5 Recipes series are ready to help you through the holidays. Find everything you need to keep your guests and family well fed and happy! Available for Kindle, Worldwide at Amazon.com.

Five Recipes Every Southern Cook Should Master: Armed with the basic five recipes and their variations you will impress your family, even the mother-in-law, prepare foods that are easy on the budget yet tasty, be prepared for any Southern event.

5 Slow Cooker Recipes Every Southern Cook Should Master: With these slow cooker recipes you will impress your guests and have the time to spend with them. All the recipes are quick to prepare and require little to no supervision. Build your Southern Kitchen Repertoire with these great eats!

Release Day: 5 Slow Cooker Recipes Every Southern Cook Should Master

I am excited to announce the 2nd book in the 5 Recipes Series: 5 Slow Cooker Recipes Every Southern Cook Should Master.

Armed with these slow cooker recipes you will impress your guests and have the time to spend with them. All the recipes are quick to prepare and require little to no supervision.

Build your Southern Kitchen Repertoire with these great eats: Whole Roasted Chicken, Roasted Turkey Breast, Roasted Duck or Goose, Roasted Game Hens, Soul Food Mac-n-Cheese, Debutante’s Gold, Genesis Macaroni and Cheese, Roasted Poblano Mac-n-Cheese, Whole Ham with Seven Glazes, Baby Back Ribs, Country Ribs, Chicken with Round Biscuit Dumplings, Chicken with Flat Dumplings, Potato Dumplings, Matzo and other Cracker Dumplings, Fruit Cobbler, Chocolate Cobbler, Apple Crumble, Pineapple Crisp

Thankful for NaNoWriMo and Friends!

Thank you Cindy Loven for asking me to be apart of the Thankfulness guest posts on your blog. It was an honor to share with your followers. Be sure to check out Cindy’s latests releases: Dianna’s Wings: The Parables of Trevor Turtle & Swept Away: Quilts of Love Series.

 

When Cindy asked me to write a thankfulness post I immediately knew my topic.

Ever since the November of 2008 when the Lord showed me that I had the gift of storytelling and the skills to share that gift with others, I have been most thankful for National Novel Writing Month.

The fall of ’08 was one of the lowest of my life. I had been laid off from one of the best day jobs I had ever had and honestly I was asking the Lord a lot of ‘why me’ questions. It was in that search I found NaNoWriMo on the Internet.  Have you heard of the program?

Every fall writers across the world connect in person and online to do what some have called the impossible…Write a novel (50K words) in the month of November. What do we call this madness? National Novel Writing Month, or for short NaNoWriMo!

The program gave me an outlet for my fears and anger of being let go, and I learned to put all my emotions into words. I wrote an YA epic fantasy set in a future Earth. The trials and tests the main character had to go through to save her world helped renew my faith that God, indeed, has a plan for each of us. He was with me. He was for me, and I was going to be okay.

This year I am doing a paranormal mystery that I have decided to call: Operation Xander.  You can check out the link and follow my progress. Or if you want to join me in the wonder and craziness that is NaNoWriMo add me as a buddy and join a local community of writers. Of course you are welcome to join my local group even if you live on the other side of the planet. We call ourselves the White County NaNo on Facebook.

Lisa’s non-fiction has been published in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and the Dead Mule School of Southern Literature. Her Sci-Fi story, The Tree of Life, is in Holdfast 2014 Anthology. She is currently writing a  web series, Starborne Academy.

Lisa copy edited and researched on Understanding Global Slavery by University of California Press, edits for Metahuman Press, and is an upcoming creative contributor with Pro Se Productions. She is a Sally A. Williams Grant winner for writing from the Arkansas Arts Council.

Her most recent non-fiction endeavor is a series of cookbooks based around five main recipes that can be adapted into other delicious meals. The first book in the series is Five Recipes Every Southern Cook Should Master.

 

 

Originally posted Sunday, November 23, 2014

http://cindylovenwrites.blogspot.com/2014/11/lisa-m-collins-what-is-she-thankful-for.html

Seven Steps to The Perfect Story

Sources: Visual Portrait of a Story, adapted by Ohler, J. (2001) from Dillingham, B. (2001) ________________Also as seen on Content Marketing Association as of 11/20/14.