Lydia Michaels's Blog, page 10
February 17, 2015
Tueasday’s Tip: Top 7 Writing Distractions
Something shiny!
Squirrel!!
Last week we talked about scheduling and the discipline it takes to write a novel. This week I’m doing a countdown of the top 7 distractions I have to avoid at all costs when trying to write and tips on how that’s done.
7. People.
They must realize the fictional people in our heads have the floor right now and we can’t stop to entertain real people. That would be rude and offensive to our characters.
His picture is literally on my office door.
This is fairly manageable. You simply tell the people, “Thanks for stopping by, but I’m writing right now and I have a deadline” (As an entrepreneur you have self imposed deadlines. It’s a fair word to use.) They usually take the hint, but then you have the ones that are a little…thick. They linger and say they won’t stay long. Meanwhile all those characters are running around in your head like bunch of wild lab monkeys that found the keys to freedom. It’s going to be a disaster when you get back to work and the longer you’re distracted the messier it will be. This is when I snap and ‘Go Jack Nicholson’. You’ll hear me use that term a lot. My cousin coined it years ago when she compared my writing personality to that of Jack Nicholson’s in As Good As It Gets. His character’s an author and after being disturbed too many times he delivers a nasty speech to the person on the other side of the door. Yes, I’ve Jack Nicholsoned a few people in my day. After enough polite warnings, don’t be afraid to let your Jack out. You’ve got work to do!
6. Television
I’m not a big TV person. I used to be, but then I discovered books and just sort of put television in the “meh” category. My husband, however, loves his TV time. He’s a total whore for Netflix. I’m often writing beside him on the couch, which usually works out because I’m not into a lot of the shows and movies he chooses. However, once in a while I struggle to focus when the TV’s on. There are 3 options here. 1. Get up and relocate to a quiet place in the house. 2. Ask him to turn the volume down a little. 3. Shut the laptop and call it a day. It’s time for some quality time with the hubs. (The 4th option would be if you’re alone to just shut it off, but why would you have the TV on when you’re trying to work?) It all depends on what time of day, the day of the week, and how productive I’ve been.
5. Exhaustion
I laugh when people assume writing a book is an easy job anyone can do. Sure, anyone can write pages and pages and call it a book, but I try to write good stories and that takes effort, brains, creativity, research, good plotting, and a ton of know how. It’s having a pulse on the market, knowing what readers want, and being able to twist words into a sculpture of entertainment that’s just right. Sure, that’s not hard at all. There are days those word simply won’t twist the way you want them to and after hours of determined attempts, you realize you have to chuck it and start over. It’s exhausting! It’s also, for me, a vendetta. I want to nail it and I don’t want to walk away until I’ve done so, but sometimes that just isn’t possible because I’m delirious and in desperate need of sleep. At that point I have to call it what it is and go to bed. Tomorrow’s another day.
4. Life
A mother’s job is never done.
There are times we just have to stop. Laundry needs to be folded, children need to be picked up, husbands need to be fed… There really is no stopping life. This is why when I have a set aside chunk of uninterrupted time I take it very seriously, because sooner or later, life is going to happen.
3. Research.This one’s a necessary evil. An author’s search history is an interesting and telling thing. In the past few years I’ve researched tree climbing, DIY tile cutting, kidnapping laws in Virginia, car statistics, autism strategies, towns in Ireland, policies at homeless shelters, and more. Don’t forget I write erotic romance…there is a lot of researching. But, it all makes for a better book. The best thing to do is recognize that research is time consuming and necessary. It’s a part of your job as an author so make room for it.
2. The Phone.
Texts, calls, apps, games, reminders, tweets, etc… It’s a vibrating, whistling, singing nightmare of distractions! You must tell yourself, if something’s wrong they will call and call again. I turn my phone on low (I have to hear it in case my daughter’s school calls) and put it in the other room. That way, I don’t hear the Tweets and texts, but I’ll hear it ring. If it’s next to me, I trust myself to screen. Unless it’s the school calling I hit the button and let them leave a message.
1. Social Networks!!!
I don’t have to name any names. You know what and who they are! They suck you in and don’t let go! You can minimize your screens, but those pings draw you back and rip you from your thought process. Step 1 is muting the computer. But what’s that? A tiny number on the tab to my internet. Maybe just a peek…NO! You close the internet! That’s step 2. Your phone should already in the other room so no cheating there with those tempting push notifications. You can have your social time later, but not until you’ve finished something. I don’t know what it is about social media, but once you’re in it, you’re hog wild deep and nothing will pull you out. Fight the temptation and save it for the end of the day. A two second peek can turn into a four hour distraction you’ll regret.
What’s your biggest distraction and how do you manage it?
February 9, 2015
Tuesday’s Tip: An Author’s Schedule
The Author’s Schedule
So you’ve decided you’re no longer playing at a hobby and you’ve finally claimed the title of Author.
Good for you! It’s about time! Anyone who needs to write, sweats words onto paper, spends hours mutilating sentence after sentence until each little letter sings and you’ve made every word bleed emotion…well, yeah, that sort of obsessive behavior is more than a hobby–it’s called being a writer.
Now that you’ve identified the compulsion to write and labeled it as something acceptable and possibly profitable, it’s time to take it seriously and map out a schedule.
I’m going to warn you now, the “I think I might write tomorrow” mumble only gets respect for so long. People that don’t write don’t understand that when we’re working, we are lost, in our heads, gone, off to a place we don’t want anyone to reach us, and it takes a long time to get there and an even longer time to find our ways back to reality. They don’t hear from us for a while and start to worry. First there’s the text (I now only reply with, “writing”). Then comes
What is your greatest obstacle when it comes to finding time to write?
February 4, 2015
We Have Lift Off!
As of February 2015, LydiaMichaels.org will be relocating to
The
will be moving to this site and getting a brand new look! Please bear with us as we iron out the kinks and get things rolling. If you find a snag in the site, don’t be afraid to let us know! Our goal is to not just provide information, but also a place for readers to connect with Lydia. We have lots of surprises in store. Keep your eyes open for announcements concerning 
The Lounge© is a great virtual hang out for readers and authors to discuss upcoming releases, events, and behind the plot secrets!
As always, HAPPY READING!
Your favorite fangirl stalkers,
When visiting an author’s webpage, what do you hope to see? What drives you crazy?
December 11, 2014
Win a SIGNED copy of The Surrender Trilogy!
Who's been NAUGHTY and who's been nice?
I have something extra sweet to stuff in your stocking this year...a SIGNED COPY of Falling InBreaking OutCOMING HOME!
That's right! The ENTIRE SURRENDER TRILOGY signed to you or someone who's been extra naughty and deserves something very nice this holiday season!
How to play:1. Make this photo your Facebook cover photo between now and Christmas. 2. Update your Facebook status to: "All I want for Christmas is Lucian Patras. I've been naughty, Lydia Michaels!" (Make sure you tag me in the post)3. I add you to Lucian Patras' Naughty List and you could be the big winner!!!(Only 1 person on Lucian's naughty list will be selected at random on December 22, 2014.)
Go!!!
November 10, 2014
As Tears Go By {McCullough Mountain 6}
Sometimes love speaks without a word and throws the world into color.
Blurb:
Braydon McCullough has spent his life searching for the perfect woman. When a shy beauty propositions him, he assumes he’s found her. Blindsided by their chemistry, his life takes a bewildering turn when she vanishes as quickly as she appeared.
Becca Stevens can’t afford to take risks, but when persuaded by friends to commemorate her divorce by approaching a gorgeous stranger in a bar, common sense abandons her. After an unforgettable night of passion, she panics, running back to her methodical life, promising never to be so reckless again. That is until her Braydon unexpectedly tracks her down.
Braydon’s unwelcome persistence is a complication to Becca’s already challenging life. As a single mother of a son living with autism, she has no room for personal affairs. Braydon’s determination tempts to show Becca how vibrant life can be if she’d only dare to dream again.
Excerpt:
“Have mercy. I love watching your mouth work.”Dropping her chin and tossing the plate on her desk, she scowled. “That lasted all of two seconds.”“Well, that’s not what any man wants to hear. Go on. Finish eating. I’ll behave.”“Will you?”“I suppose. But it won’t be easy. I should be rewarded for my efforts.”“I’ll be sure to pass along my praise to your boss.”“Oh, I wouldn’t do that. We just broke up.”Her mouth paused mid-bite. “You dated your boss?”He shrugged and dug through the box of takeout. “Dated isn’t the right term. We…satisfied each other for a time.”The sudden jealousy snaking through her was completely inappropriate and uncalled for. “Like…she was your booty call?”He unwrapped another eggroll. “More like I was hers.”“What’s the difference?” What kind of man sleeps with the boss? One, it was unethical. Two, the woman was about twenty years older than Braydon—weren’t men supposed to be superficial about that sort of thing? And three, the idea of Braydon with that beautiful, dark skinned, willowy CEO made Becca really covetous and insecure about her own shortcomings. Not characteristically territorial, her bitterness was unsettling.“The difference is, she called the shots.”Becca frowned. “You mean you only came over when she suggested it?”“No. More along the lines of I only came when she permitted it.”“What?” She hadn’t meant to rudely blurt her shock, but… What?This was the same man that had dominated her body the other night, owned the boardroom the other morning. She simply couldn’t imagine him acting subservient in any way, even to an impressive woman like Miranda.Braydon shrugged. “We had a different sort of relationship, but it worked…for a while. When it no longer suited both our needs, it ended. We’re still friends.”Her mind went over everything she knew about Braydon. He wasn’t a softy. He definitely had an intimidating presence, nothing short of capable. As a matter of fact, he had a distinct air of authority about him, something a man didn’t acquire, but was born with. Imagining him being bossed around by a woman like Miranda Robinson simply didn’t make sense.“To each his own, I guess.” And if he was the sort of guy who only entertained a relationship “when it suited”, all the more reason to steer clear of him.Braydon paused and cocked his head to the side. “Really? I didn’t expect judgment from a woman who had sex as infrequently as cicadas over the past decade.”Her mouth snapped shut. The humiliating truth of his words stung even if he was only teasing. She resented his knowledge regarding her personal past. “That’s not nice. And for your information, I had sex more than once every seven years and I’d appreciate it if you’d butt out of my personal business.”He chuckled and went back to eating. “You know,” he said, almost contemplatively. “I have no problem with taking control. The dynamic Miranda and I shared was unique. I liked pleasing her and she enjoyed asserting herself. You shouldn’t knock it until you’ve tried it.”Tried what? Bossing him around or allowing him to take control? Both were unlikely. She already had enough people to decide for and whenever people tried to tell her how to live her life she tended to get uppity. With no time for dating she had even less time to contemplate fetish dynamics. All she’d hoped for in life was a typical marriage and family. Captain Kinky over there was again proving way out of her league.She really didn’t need to think about this. “I don’t think so.”“Could be fun.” Unwelcome memories of their encounter flooded her mind. He was probably right, it could be fun, but she couldn’t allow things to go that far—no matter how much her body wanted it. Shifting her weight, her legs crossed in an attempt to relieve some of the unexpected tension building inside of her. Flutters of excitement teased her lower belly as pressure built.She needed to focus. Finished with her pizza, she dropped the crust on the plate and wiped her mouth with a napkin, making sure there wasn’t any grease on her chin.When she looked at Braydon, his easy manner evaporated. “What the hell happened to your face?”“What?” Her hand fluttered to her jaw.“Did somebody hit you?” He stood and rounded her desk, not giving her a chance to brace for his nearness.Crap. She must have accidentally wiped away her concealer. Quickly reaching for her purse, she said, “It’s nothing. I bumped—”Her words cut off as he gently cupped her jaw and turned her face. His eyes were hard as he scowled at the bruise. “How did this happen?”“I told you. I bumped—”“You said you had to see your ex yesterday. Did that son of a bitch do this to your face?”Fury radiated from him, completely contradicting the gentle way he held her chin as he examined her. “No. Kevin would never hit me. It’s nothing. Really. Just drop it.”Braydon’s gaze roamed over her body. His strong hand picked up her wrist and turned her arm. “What are these marks from?”Feeling cornered, she snatched her arm back. “Look, I appreciate your concern, but I assure you it’s misplaced.” She grabbed her purse and stood, hating how exposed he made her feel. “I have an appointment. Thanks for lunch. I’ll send the paperwork over to Mr. Dillard’s assistant when I get back. You should have it by Thursday at the latest.”He didn’t look pleased, but that wasn’t her problem. Taking the long way to the door so she didn’t have to get close to him again, she fled her office. She held her breath as she raced to the elevators and didn’t exhale until she was safely tucked inside and rushing toward the ground.
October 11, 2014
October 2, 2014
FALLING IN {The Surrender Trilogy} In Stores October 7th!
IN STORES
Tuesday, October 7th!
September 25, 2014
Vote for Lucian!
It seems *blushes* that FALLING IN has been nominated for *clears throat* S&M’s Book Obsessions' Lady Boner Award!
Thank you so much S&M and all the readers out there!
~Lydia
LINK TO VOTE:
http://smbookobsessions.com/lady-boner-awards-3/
August 28, 2014
Lydia will be in Belmar, New Jersey!
Everyone is welcome to this FREE event!So come by and say hi!Details on BelmarBookCon can be found here:http://www.belmarbookcon.com/
June 19, 2014
SACRED WATERS is FREE Again!!!
Thursday 19 - Monday 23
