Carrie Bailey Allen's Blog, page 6

MLOW: Minimalist Logical Organization for Writers

MLOW is not a new concept, but it can revolutionize your productivity as a writer. Never since the
time of Diogenes has minialism been so trendy. And you know why.

Too many choices today. Time wasted. Too much information to research. Let's get straight to the point, what is MLOW? It's Minimalist Logical Organization for Writers. I just made it up, but I'm pretty sure it's a great idea.

Why I am writing about it? I was recently asked how I organized. To other people, I seem to achieve so much w...

Indie Release: The Ishim Underground But, Why Indie?

I've been working on The Ishim Underground for years. It's part of a series I plan to be writing for a long long long long long ... long long long time.

Everything I need to write fits in this series. So, it shouldn't come as a surprise that it took me a few years to release the first book. Had to get the world just right. 
And here it is:https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/539893
What's next?
Formatting. Make a word file. Put it on Smashwords so people can download in different formats. U...

Indie Release: The Ishim Underground But, Why?

I've been working on The Ishim Underground for years. It's part of a series I plan to be writing for a long long long long long ... long long long time.

Everything I need to write fits in this series. So, it shouldn't come as a surprise that it took me a few years to release the first book. Had to get the world just right. 
And here it is:https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/539893
What's next?
Formatting. Make a word file. Put it on Smashwords so people can download in different formats. U...

Writers in Their 20s

Until you've survived it, culture shock might sound like a myth. There are two simple lines of
reasoning that we use to protect ourselves:

1. We already know that people have different cultures
2. There are many things all people have in common regardless of culture (so it doesn't really matter)

And then we travel and live in other places or maybe we just spend time where others are drastically different, different ages, different backgrounds, different beliefs.

No matter where I live or work, I...

20 Steps I Took to Write a Book

Me, early in the book writing process...Giddy.

I am feeling capable of anything right now, because I have just finished a novel. I even suspect I could have a coffee at 9 PM and sleep by 10:30 PM with the sheer force of my own awesomeness.

But, I won't. Instead, I want to explain why it took about five years. This is not an apology.

I've been writing steadily since I decided I wanted to be a novelist until today when I just revised the last paragraph of my 100,000 word science fiction story. I j...

50 Shades of Not Amused

We are not amusedI didn't watch the movie.
I didn't read the book.

For the same reason I don't enjoy erotica or porn. Personal choice. I don't want to hear about things other people do with their genitals or see it. What you do on the toilet or in the bed room is okay and good, but do you have to share? No, no you don't. It's your choice if you do, but it's my choice if I don't want to see it.

So, people on social media. Please. Stop. You're gross. I just can't delete and block people fast enoug...

7 FACTS About This Apparently Inspiring Blogger

Most people don't realize that I have a virtual butler. Yep, he serves excellent pictures of coffee via twitter and he's great writer, too.

Andy Livingstone is the author of Hero Born available March 2015 and a contributor to The Handbook of the Writer Secret Society. And today he tagged me with the Very Inspiring Blogger Award. If you're a fan of epic fantasy, I recommend following him on twitter: @Markethaven.


I now get to share seven facts about myself and award a few other inspiring blogge...

How Does A Non-Romantic Write A Love Scene?

The first time I was called an ice queen, I knew the title fit.

We are all born romantic, in the same way that we're born artists, and then slowly, creative and romantic urges are beaten out of us, usually starting with our parents. Or not.

I was encouraged to draw and paint. My father was an artist. But, my need for affection was starved, because my stepfather, who I lived with while growing up, resented my artist father for proudly and willfully being a deadbeat as a judgement and punishment...

How the Craziest Landlady of 2014 Helped Craft My Antagonist

Does your chicken always taste so bleachy?
Actual quote from my landlady while I was trying to move last year, "The other boarder isn't here! There are no witnesses so I can do anything I want!"

The boarding fees were fully paid. The advance notice was given. The room was clean.

And she still blocked me - physically- from moving my stuff, because feels like a mother to me and had a few things to say about ungrateful I was. My ride could wait. He doesn't need go to his job. No, better than that....

On a Twitterquest to Friend Someone From Every Country

After linking to TweepsMap earlier today, I realized that there are countries where I have not connected to anyone with my Twitter account. I was surprised to see someone from Mauritius, but sadden I knew no one from Kyrgzstan. I had neighbors from Kygzstan, but on Twitter? No one.

So, I've made a list and I'm on quest to find and meet people. If you are from one of these countries, tweet me and let's be friends! I will keep following you as long as you follow me.

If you are not from one of the...