Beth Overmyer's Blog: The Blog of Beth Overmyer, page 21

How to Help Your OCD Writer Friend

I have OCD. No, not in that cutesy “Oh, she’s so organized!” sort of way. I mean, if you took one look at my desk, you would know this. (Don’t look at my desk, please. Disaster area. This is where the OCD organizers go to lose hope.) I’m a perfectionist, granted, but I’m also an all-or-nothing sort of person. Read: If I can’t get everything looking perfect, I don’t bother. But I digress.

My type of OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) revolves around germs—and that’s simplifying it—and rituals...

Things I Like About Autumn

In all the seasons, there is something to be enjoyed. Summer means no school (yay–for the kids at least.) There are picnics and beach trips and swimming. Spring is the time of renewal, of rain and beautiful growth and pastels. Winter brings Christmas and the New Year, plus sledding and ice-skating and hunkering down until it’s over (the introvert in me rejoices.) But there is something special about autumn. It’s the tail to spring’s head: everything is winding down, getting ready to sleep, bu...

9 Reasons for Libraries

Some people believe that the public library is obsolete, or at least headed in that direction. They see it as a waste of tax dollars, because, frankly, they don’t need it, so no one must. Can’t people just buy an e-book or paperback from Amazon?

[image error] Random but obligatory Mr. Crabby shot, just ’cause

Here is a list of some reasons why I believe the local public library is a boon to society:

9. Not everyone can afford an e-book or paper copy.

Libraries are a free resource that allows those with a l...

My Book is in SFX Magazine

In issue 316 of SFX Magazine, Flame Tree Press took out a one-page ad and…The Goblets Immortal happened to display prominently. I was so excited, I ran out to Barnes and Noble and scoured the shelves until I found it. When I did, I nearly screamed. I almost humiliated my mom by stopping passersby and saying, “Hey, this is my book!”

[image error]

Okay, so I indulged a little. At the check-out, I asked the salesperson how she was doing. She responded in kind, and I told her, “I’m doing GREAT. My book is in...

3 Things Fantasy Novels Taught Me About Time Management

There are many morals to be gleaned from fantasy. From the consequences of coveting to the danger of spilling secrets, the genre is a treasure trove. Today I’d like to talk about time management and what fantasy has taught me about the beast. These are simple lessons, but when taken seriously, I believe they can have an impact on one’s quality of life.

“All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”– J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

Lesso...

What are We Reading?

There’s a song that starts out “What are you wearing? (Who are you wearing?)” Pfft. I’m no fashionista. What I care about is “What are you reading? (Who are you reading?)” Seriously. Some people judge other people for what they wear. While I don’t judge people by what they wear or read, I am a curious lil’ Question Otter.*

These are the books I’m reading at the moment (and, for the most part, enjoying):

by Maureen Johnson, which seems to be a paranor...

Fantastical Things I’m Excited About

Happy first day of summer! The year is more than half-over…can you believe it? And so many shiny things around the bend for fantasy lovers. Here are a few fantastical things that I am looking forward to.

The Grishaverse books are being adapted into a TV series for Netflix.

The show will follow the events of Shadow and Bone, Siege and Storm, Ruin and Rising, Six of Crows, and Crooked Kingdom. I didn’t realize that the Six of Crows heist story line runs parallel to events in the Shadow and Bone...

Good and Bad Habits: What to Do?

There was a “fact” circulating that it takes approximately twenty-one days to form a habit and a much shorter amount of time to break one. Well, it’s coming out that the amount is more like several months to form a habit. I’m not sure about how long it takes to break any everyday GOOD habit, but I digress.

I have a bad habit. Okay, maybe half a dozen or more. For starters…
I, Beth Overmyer, am a serial web-surfer. If this was about catching some waves and getting some sun, maybe this would be...

What I Wanted to Be When I Grew up

There were a handful of things I believed I wanted to be when I grew up. For a while, I thought I might be an artist. Then I thought, hmm, maybe a teaching or doctoring animals is my calling. The shortest-lived idea I had was a vocal artist—and for those of you who have watched my YouTube videos, you know why. Before realizing, “Ooh! I’m an author. Okay.”, I stumbled through thinking I was a poet, a dramaturg, director, theater teacher, and an actress.

I’d had a little experience on the stage...

Creative Stereotypes

When it comes to writing there are many stereotypes that are mostly ridiculous, like there’s a one size fits all for every author on earth. There might be a few that ring somewhat true for a large group, but no two people are 100% alike.

Stereotypes for writers often include the following:

The starving artist

This stereotype can have a few different implications, such as “If you’re a writer, you’re not going to make enough money to support yourself” or “If you make money to support yourself...