Cate Russell-Cole's Blog, page 49
November 20, 2012
A Gratitude Challenge for Every Writer: Spread the Love this Thanksgiving
This thanksgiving, I would dearly love to see Twitter, Facebook and Google Plus flooded with Written Acts of Kindness awardees… especially as many people are struggling with NaNoWriMo. This is the perfect time to deliver a virtual bunch of flowers, encourage them and spur them on to being winners.
My challenge is for every CommuniCATE reader, to write that one extra, quick blog post over the next week and give the award to someone who has encouraged you; is struggling and deserves encouragement; or does something small, but significant within the writing community.
I have over 4000 followers, so let’s start filling up cyberspace with kindness and gratitude. Please use #writtenkindness so the rest of us can find and follow your awardee.
Remember, there is no limit to the number of awards you can give out, just place them in separate blog posts so they don’t lose their sincerity.
If you’ve been following the award posts, you’ll know the rules for passing it on are very simple:
You are welcome to give it out as many times as you like, but it is only to be given to a maximum of one person per blog post. If you wish to give multiple rewards, please space the blog posts, so the sincerity is maintained.
Introduce the person; say how they encourage, help or inspire you; or just why you love them! Then link to their work and/or social media profiles. There may be a specific post you wish to link to which helped you. It’s up to you.
Please publicise your award post to Twitter or Google Plus using the hashtag #writtenkindness so that others can find and follow the award winners.
You can also add your awardee to the “Hall of Fame.” Go to the “Written Acts of Kindness” menu on the top of this page and click on that tab. On the page you’ll see the Linky List to use. Additions are moderated to prevent spam.
Get the Button and Code
Boxed code from “Grab My Button” Code Generator: http://www.mycoolrealm.com/sandbox/gbgen/
Filed under: Awards, Writing Tagged: blog, kindness, Nanowrimo, revolution, Written Acts of Kindness Award
Written Acts of Kindness Award: Alan Tucker
One author who stands out in the pack is Alan Tucker. Alan describes himself as “a dad, a graphic designer and a soccer coach.” Obviously, he is also a science fiction writer and most importantly, a voice for young people.
It’s Alan’s “Your Voice Matters” blog posts and book giveaways for teenagers which have kept him in my mind’s eye. It’s probably best to put his vision in his words. “Teens! Your voice matters and I’m going to show you how. I feel reading and writing are such important skills to have, my goal is to get all of you involved in caring about reading, and, just as importantly, expressing your opinions and beliefs about your reading. You may already be doing this, and if so, congratulations, that’s awesome I love it! So, here’s the thing: I want everyone to read and review books. Period. I don’t care if they’re my books, your uncle’s books, or a world famous author’s books — I just want you to read and express an opinion about them so everyone can see and benefit from it. A book review may not seem like much to you, but they actually mean a lot to people who are looking to buy a book, and especially to the authors of those books. Your voice matters!”
That is using your super powers for good! You can read Alan’s “Your Voice Matters” by going to the category search on his blog: http://motherearthseries.wordpress.com/category/your-voice-matters/
Alan, as we say in Australia, “good on you!” Please keep reaching our to our young people. They need it.
You can read Alan’s blog here his Mother Earth Series web site is here and his Twitter feed is located here.
Alan, please take this badge below and use it as you wish. The rules for passing this Award on are very simple:
You are welcome to give it out as many times as you like, but it is only to be given to a maximum of one person per blog post. If you wish to give multiple rewards, please space the blog posts by at least a week so the sincerity is maintained.
Introduce the person; say how they encourage, help or inspire you; then link to their work and/or social media profiles. There may be a specific post you wish to link to which helped you. It’s up to you.
Please publicise your award post to Twitter or Google Plus using the hashtag #writtenkindness so that others can find and follow the award winners. You are also welcome to add your Award recipient/s to the Hall of Fame which is on this link.
Get the Button and Code
Filed under: Awards Tagged: Written Acts of Kindness Award
November 19, 2012
Conquering the Stresses of the Writer’s Life
In early October, I set myself six weeks to complete two books as a NaNoWriMo Rebel and with great relief, have just completed the last one and my final major project for the year! Phoenix Rising: Conquering the Stresses of the Writer’s Life, has just been launched on Amazon Kindle.
I’ve worked with writers both as an autobiography teacher and as a mentor. In 2011 I began this blog project to equip, encourage and share resources with writers of all genres. By necessity, it’s expanded to address the challenges and frustrations of writers in the digital age. I wanted to compile the best of these articles which have helped **CommuniCATE readers, so other writers could benefit. Phoenix Rising has been written for all genres of writers and all forms of publication.
The book is available from Amazon in Kindle format; priced at $2.99 U.S.
Chapters Include:
Measuring the Value of Your Work in a Digital Age
Healing Creative Injuries
Creative Dark Matter: Clear Out What’s Holding You Down
Bomb Proofing Your Writer’s Ego
Handling Criticism
Moving Ahead in Small Steps: Why Revolutions Rarely Work
Fat Free, Guilt Free Blogging Goals
Escaping Mental Quicksand: Your “Time of Readiness”
Is Your Writing Life Stuck Under Your Mouse?
Balancing the Blogging Load
Writers and Depression: Debunking the Stereotypes
Writers Should Be Bathed in Blue: Boosting Your Productivity
Which Wins? Creative Pleasure or Word Count?
Petwrification: A Health Warning for All Writers
I chose the image and title of the phoenix rising from the ashes in response to the battles writers face. I personally relate to the need to choose to rise upwards: away from the fire and into a clear sky to start again. If your creative energy is low, your word count flagging or the downsides of being a writer are taking away your joy, I hope this book will give you new strength and hope with which to spread your wings and find new freedom.
**Please note, many of the chapters above have been on this blog previously, but are now removed.
This article / blog post and the e-book contents and outline are Copyright Cate Russell-Cole 2012. All rights are reserved Internationally. You may not reproduce it in any form, in part of whole, without Cate’s prior written permission. That includes usage in forms such as print, audio and digital imaging including pdf, jpg, png etc. Link sharing and Pinterest pins are most welcome as long as Cate is the attributed Author.
No images on this blog may be copied, captured, or altered for your own purpose without the consent of the originating owner. Where images are marked as being iStockphoto.com images, they are paid for and licenced to Cate for use on this blog. If you take them, iStockphoto.com has the right to take legal action against you for Copyright Infringement.
Filed under: Writing Tagged: Amazon, author, blogging, conquering stress, creativity, ebook, encouragement, fiction, goals, growth, ideas, Kindle, launch, motivation, Phoenix Rising, problem solving, resource, strategies, stress, stress management, support, survival, writer, writing
November 18, 2012
Being Scared
My brain is still recovering from the grant process this week (and YES, I finished EARLY), so I wanted to pass you on to a video I saw on Youtube by this adorable British guy who talks very frankly about fear and creativity.
I think there’s a lot here that we can all relate to as creative individuals–stuff we don’t talk about but that’s absolutely out there.
I don't usually reblog, and my apologies if two in a day is too much, but Charlie has so much to say on his experience of creativity that so many of us will relate to, I had to pass this on.
Those of you with a Youtube account, please go over and give him a virtual hug.
This is what creativity often feels like at ground level. You can grow past this place, but it's easy to slip back into. Knowing it's just a bump in the road will help you move forward.
A cautionary tale
Reblogged from Elizabeth Anne Mitchell:
Red Pen by Cellar Door FIlms from WANA Commons
Please scroll down for my ROW80 check-in.
Earlier this week, I was pointed to a funny, true, and far-too-self-revelatory comic by The Oatmeal on creativity. (Thank you, Kristen Lamb). I heard from fellow writers that The Oatmeal is well-known, although not to me.
I sent the link to my husband, who, as it happens, follows law blogs and copyright law.
This is food for thought for any blogger. Thank you Elizabeth for sharing this post so we are all able to benefit from this experience.
November 15, 2012
Author, Elizabeth Berg Speaks on Writing
Elizabeth is quite a character! If you go to the source video at Youtube and start from the beginning, she will even tell you where she got her handbag from. She is enjoyable to watch.
From her web site: “I’ve loved books and reading from the time my mother began reading to me, and I’ve loved writing ever since I could hold a pencil. I submitted my first poem to American Girl magazine when I was nine years old. It was rejected, and it took twenty-five years before I submitted anything again. Then, I entered a contest in a magazine and won. I wrote for magazines for ten years, then moved into novels and haven’t stopped yet. I usually do a book a year. But I have to tell you, the prospect of retiring is beginning to sound better and better. I really want to live on a hobby farm with lots of animals, including a chicken, I’m dying for a chicken.”
“Before I became a writer, I was a registered nurse for ten years, and that was my “school” for writing—taking care of patients taught me a lot about human nature, about hope and fear and love and loss and regret and triumph and especially about relationships–all things that I tend to focus on in my work. I worked as a waitress, which is also good training for a writer, and I sang in a rock band which was not good for anything except the money I made. I was a dramatic and dreamy child, given to living more inside my head than outside, something that persists up to today and makes me a terrible dining partner.”
“Elizabeth Berg has been on the New York Times Bestseller list multiple times. Durable Goods and Joy School were both selected as one of the American Library Association’s Best Books of the Year. Talk Before Sleep was shortlisted for the Abby (American Bookseller’s Book of the Year). Open Housewas an Oprah’s Book Club Selection. In 1997, Elizabeth won the New England Booksellers Award for her body of work. She was made a “literary light” by the Boston Public Library, has been honored by the Chicago Public Library, and was given the AMC Cancer Research Center’s Illuminator Award for shedding light on breast cancer resulting in increased public awareness and concern. She adapated her novel The Pull of the Mooninto a play which has twice been performed in Chicago to sold-out audiences. Her article on a cooking school in Positano, Italy, which appeared in National Geographic Traveler magazine, won a NATJA award (North American Travel Journalists Association) and has been nominated for a Lowell Thomas award, results pending. She has been translated into 27 languages.”
Filed under: "Dose of Inspiration" Video Tagged: author, books, creativity, Elizabeth Berg, fiction, ideas, inspiration, novel, writer, writing
November 14, 2012
10 Tips To Help You Finish Your Novel and/or 'Win' NaNoWriMo
Reblogged from Jenny Hansen's Blog:
November 13-20th is World Kindness Week, an entire week dedicated to spreading kindness around the world. I encourage you to celebrate and commit at least one act of kindness each day this week.
Here’s a link if you need ideas…
I recommend participating in the November 14th Donation Day at the NaNo site – this program runs entirely on donation day and I’ve been saving my giving till now to help my region.
There is no way I can say this better than Jenny has. Please check out her blog and please, give to NaNoWriMo. A lot of behind the scenes work and expenses go into it and somehow, bills have to be paid so we can have the benefits. Cheers Jenny!
November 12, 2012
Written Acts of Kindness Award: Svenja Liv
When I was preparing for NaNoWriMo, I noticed that a lot of blogs were showing these dull, grey word count meter buttons. While functional, they didn’t appeal to me, so I did an open search and found gorgeous, free buttons on the blog of Svenja Liv. I blogged about them, and as a result, I’ve had the pleasure of seeing Svenja’s beautiful widgets popping up all over the place.
Not only has Svenja provided these gorgeous buttons for writers, but she has also put in, what I know is a massive amount of work, on providing attractive spreadsheets for counting your progress through the year and tracking your NaNoWriMo status. The artwork behind them is stunning.
From her bio: “Svenja is a self-taught artist, German by birth but living in Ireland. Having completed her M.A. in anthropology, she now works as a freelance artist and writer. Her work includes mainly portraits and fantasy-themed pieces, and her main media are pencils and digital work.”
24368 / 50000
(48.74%)
On behalf of all of us who are proudly displaying and using your beautiful work, Svenja, thank you! You can follow Svenja’s blog here; follow her on Facebook (check out her Johnny Depp work, it’s better looking than he is); or visit her portfolio website.
Svenja, please take this badge below and use it as you wish. The rules for passing this Award on are very simple:
You are welcome to give it out as many times as you like, but it is only to be given to a maximum of one person per blog post. If you wish to give multiple rewards, please space the blog posts by at least a week so the sincerity is maintained.
Introduce the person; say how they encourage, help or inspire you; then link to their work and/or social media profiles. There may be a specific post you wish to link to which helped you. It’s up to you.
Please publicise your award post to Twitter or Google Plus using the hashtag #writtenkindness so that others can find and follow the award winners. You are also welcome to add your Award recipient/s to the Hall of Fame which is on this link.
Get the Button and Code
Filed under: Awards Tagged: Nanowrimo, Written Acts of Kindness Award
NaNoWriMo Edition, Written Acts of Kindness Award: Svenja Liv
When I was preparing for NaNoWriMo, I noticed that a lot of blogs were showing these dull, grey word count meter buttons. While functional, they didn’t appeal to me, so I did an open search and found gorgeous, free buttons on the blog of Svenja Liv. I blogged about them, and as a result, I’ve had the pleasure of seeing Svenja’s beautiful widgets popping up all over the place.
Not only has Svenja provided these gorgeous buttons for writers, but she has also put in, what I know is a massive amount of work, on providing attractive spreadsheets for counting your progress through the year and tracking your NaNoWriMo status. The artwork behind them is stunning.
From her bio: “Svenja is a self-taught artist, German by birth but living in Ireland. Having completed her M.A. in anthropology, she now works as a freelance artist and writer. Her work includes mainly portraits and fantasy-themed pieces, and her main media are pencils and digital work.”
24368 / 50000
(48.74%)
On behalf of all of us who are proudly displaying and using your beautiful work, Svenja, thank you! You can follow Svenja’s blog here; follow her on Facebook (check out her Johnny Depp work, it’s better looking than he is); or visit her portfolio website.
Svenja, please take this badge below and use it as you wish. The rules for passing this Award on are very simple:
You are welcome to give it out as many times as you like, but it is only to be given to a maximum of one person per blog post. If you wish to give multiple rewards, please space the blog posts by at least a week so the sincerity is maintained.
Introduce the person; say how they encourage, help or inspire you; then link to their work and/or social media profiles. There may be a specific post you wish to link to which helped you. It’s up to you.
Please publicise your award post to Twitter or Google Plus using the hashtag #writtenkindness so that others can find and follow the award winners. You are also welcome to add your Award recipient/s to the Hall of Fame which is on this link.
Get the Button and Code
Filed under: Awards Tagged: Nanowrimo, Written Acts of Kindness Award
NaNoWriMo Mid Stream Encouragement
We’re a smidgen off half-way through November and I am hearing mixed reports on how everyone is going with their goals. Oddly enough, one line keeps going through my head when I think of how I’m doing with my own NaNo goals: “Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming.”
I looked up the quote, which comes from Dory in the movie Finding Nemo, and it’s more pertinent that I realised.
Dory: Hey there, Mr. Grumpy Gills. When life gets you down do you wanna know what you’ve gotta do?
Marlin: No I don’t wanna know.
Dory: [singing] Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming. What do we do? We swim, swim.
So just keep swimming, swimming, swimming!
Filed under: Writing Tagged: encouragement, Nanowrimo, perseverance, writer, writing
