S.M. Bjarnson's Blog, page 7
June 16, 2014
Writing Around the Muse: 7 Author Quotes, Vanessa B. Bernard
Writing Around the Muse: 7 Author Quotes
Ever wonder how some authors write around the muse, avoid writer's block and craft great stories? Check out these 7 quotes by bestselling authors to find out how.
1. “One reason I don’t suffer writer’s block is that I don’t wait on the muse, I summon it at need” - Piers Anthony, Xanth Series.
2. “Writing is total grunt work. A lot of people think it's all about sitting and waiting for the muse. I don't buy that. It's a job. There are days when I really want to write, days when I don't. Every day I sit down and write.” Jodi Picoult, The Storyteller
3. "This is the other secret that real artists know and wannabe writers don’t. When we sit down each day and do our work, power concentrates around us. The Muse takes note of our dedication. She approves. We have earned favor in her sight. When we sit down and work, we become like a magnetized rod that attracts iron filings. Ideas come. Insights accrete.” - Steven Pressfield, The War of Art: Break Through the Block & Win Your Inner Creative Battles
4. “I learned to produce whether I wanted to or not. It would be easy to say oh, I have writer’s block, oh, I have to wait for my muse. I don’t. Chain that muse to your desk and get the job done.” - Barbara Kingsolver – The Poisonwood Bible and Animal, Vegetable Miracle
5. “The biggest mistake you can make is assuming that creativity will hit you all at once and the muse will carry you to the end of the book on feather wings while “Foster the People” plays gently in the background. Storytelling is work. Pleasurable work, usually, but it is work.” – Maggie Stiefvater, The Scorpio Races & The Raven Boys
6. “What I try to do is write. I may write for two weeks ‘the cat sat on the mat, that is that, not a rat,’.... And it might be just the most boring and awful stuff. But I try. When I’m writing, I write. And then it’s as if the muse is convinced that I’m serious and says, ‘Okay. Okay. I’ll come.” - Maya Angelou, I Know why the Caged Bird Sings
7. “Don't wait for the muse. As I've said, he's a hardheaded guy who's not susceptible to a lot of creative fluttering. This isn't the Ouija board or the spirit-world we're talking about here, but just another job like laying pipe or driving long-haul trucks. Your job is to make sure the muse knows where you're going to be every day from nine 'til noon. or seven 'til three. If he does know, I assure you that sooner or later he'll start showing up.” - Stephen King, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft
Please join me for next week's blog post: Writing Lessons from Art School.
Till then, good luck & happy writing!
http://vbbernardbooks.blogspot.com/2014/05/writing-around-muse-7-author-quotes.html
Genius! Pure Genius! The best selling authors (obviously) know what makes a good writer write; pure determination! This had such an impact on me because there I was still sort of believing that fairy dust would be sprinkled and I would find myself with the next great novel in my hands. Negative! You sit down and actually have to force your muse to work with you! I love and agree with all these author quotes! :) How happy I am to share them with you! :) yay! For the storytelling experience of others who have not only came before us as authors, but who have came before us and succeeded! Onward to the writing process, it's our job you know! -S.M. Bjarnson
Ever wonder how some authors write around the muse, avoid writer's block and craft great stories? Check out these 7 quotes by bestselling authors to find out how.
1. “One reason I don’t suffer writer’s block is that I don’t wait on the muse, I summon it at need” - Piers Anthony, Xanth Series.
2. “Writing is total grunt work. A lot of people think it's all about sitting and waiting for the muse. I don't buy that. It's a job. There are days when I really want to write, days when I don't. Every day I sit down and write.” Jodi Picoult, The Storyteller
3. "This is the other secret that real artists know and wannabe writers don’t. When we sit down each day and do our work, power concentrates around us. The Muse takes note of our dedication. She approves. We have earned favor in her sight. When we sit down and work, we become like a magnetized rod that attracts iron filings. Ideas come. Insights accrete.” - Steven Pressfield, The War of Art: Break Through the Block & Win Your Inner Creative Battles
4. “I learned to produce whether I wanted to or not. It would be easy to say oh, I have writer’s block, oh, I have to wait for my muse. I don’t. Chain that muse to your desk and get the job done.” - Barbara Kingsolver – The Poisonwood Bible and Animal, Vegetable Miracle
5. “The biggest mistake you can make is assuming that creativity will hit you all at once and the muse will carry you to the end of the book on feather wings while “Foster the People” plays gently in the background. Storytelling is work. Pleasurable work, usually, but it is work.” – Maggie Stiefvater, The Scorpio Races & The Raven Boys
6. “What I try to do is write. I may write for two weeks ‘the cat sat on the mat, that is that, not a rat,’.... And it might be just the most boring and awful stuff. But I try. When I’m writing, I write. And then it’s as if the muse is convinced that I’m serious and says, ‘Okay. Okay. I’ll come.” - Maya Angelou, I Know why the Caged Bird Sings
7. “Don't wait for the muse. As I've said, he's a hardheaded guy who's not susceptible to a lot of creative fluttering. This isn't the Ouija board or the spirit-world we're talking about here, but just another job like laying pipe or driving long-haul trucks. Your job is to make sure the muse knows where you're going to be every day from nine 'til noon. or seven 'til three. If he does know, I assure you that sooner or later he'll start showing up.” - Stephen King, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft
Please join me for next week's blog post: Writing Lessons from Art School.
Till then, good luck & happy writing!
http://vbbernardbooks.blogspot.com/2014/05/writing-around-muse-7-author-quotes.html
Genius! Pure Genius! The best selling authors (obviously) know what makes a good writer write; pure determination! This had such an impact on me because there I was still sort of believing that fairy dust would be sprinkled and I would find myself with the next great novel in my hands. Negative! You sit down and actually have to force your muse to work with you! I love and agree with all these author quotes! :) How happy I am to share them with you! :) yay! For the storytelling experience of others who have not only came before us as authors, but who have came before us and succeeded! Onward to the writing process, it's our job you know! -S.M. Bjarnson
June 15, 2014
June 14, 2014
Sneak Peek: A Children's Christmas Story: KJ & Constance
There was once a small town that sat on the edge of Glacier Lake, and on the other side of Iceberg Canyon. The white snowflakes seemed to drop down every moment of every day. A place where Christmas Eve glowed every night and Christmas Day was born again every morning. Where piles of wishes appeared on the imprints of snowflakes.Snowy Harbor was just down the road from the North Pole. It was South of the North and North of the East. If you didn’t have your magic compass boy did you get lost! Santa’s workshop spilled out all the faulty toys into the village, a refuge if you will of the toys who needed a little extra believing in.
On the rooftop of Snowflake Manor sat a young boy named KJ. At the edge of town his father Frosty Jingle had built Snowflake Manor when he was just a young idea in his mother Sparkle’s memory. The town was divided down the middle; believers to the right non-believers to the left. The believers eventually hoping we drift off into the canyon, never to be heard from again.
On the rooftop of Snowflake Manor sat a young boy named KJ. At the edge of town his father Frosty Jingle had built Snowflake Manor when he was just a young idea in his mother Sparkle’s memory. The town was divided down the middle; believers to the right non-believers to the left. The believers eventually hoping we drift off into the canyon, never to be heard from again.
June 13, 2014
"Morning bliss" Antoine Renault
"Morning bliss"Antoine Renault
http://www.saatchiart.com/art/Painting-Morning-bliss/387474/2024473/view
#antoinerenault #morningbliss #saatchiart
http://www.saatchiart.com/art/Painting-Morning-bliss/387474/2024473/view#antoinerenault #morningbliss #saatchiart
June 11, 2014
Seven Tips on Getting Book Reviews. http://www.patchofearth.com/how-to-ge...
Seven Tips on Getting Book Reviews1. Remember that Reviews Are Subjective2. Search Out Like-Minded Reviewers3. Don’t Focus on Getting Reviews from National Publications4. Don’t Ask for a Five-Star Review5. Think Long-Term6. Be Thankful7. Do Your Homework.People take a lot of time to read our books and review them. If someone writes a positive or even semi-positive review, thank them. If the review is negative, don’t get into a public debate about it with them; it can get nasty and will use up energy that you could be channeling into your work. 7. Do Your Homework.There are so many review sites out there, so this is just a starting point:Goodreads – A web site for people that love books. Goodreads also includes reader communities (like book clubs) that are targeted at specific genres. Make sure to check which folder you should post your self-promotional review request. If you put it in general discussion, it may get moved or deleted.Google Plus – There are tons of fantastic book clubs here as well, some focused solely on discussing and reviewing books. You can find ones just for ebooks, romances, mysteries, whatever. Set up a Google+ account and do some exploring in the button under the Communities menu (it’s on the pull-down menu on the left of your screen).The reviewer list on the Midwest Book Review – Wow! There are dozens listed here.Book Lovers Central – Lists of reviewers, organized geographically. The Book Spot – Book reviewers at national and regional publications like CNN Books, Salon, and Slate, to name a fewNet Galley – This membership-based site is where many of the big publishing companies post galleys of book in advance, so reviewers, booksellers, book bloggers, and librarians can take a look before the publication date. It’s not cheap and publishers, not reviewers, pay (as of today, it costs about $400 to list one book on it for six months). I’ve read articles by authors saying it was a great way to get reviews.The Indie Book Reviewers List - Registration is free for authors. Many reviewers listed.The Kindle Book Review - You can choose which reviewer to submit to, based on their short bios.WEBSITE CREDIT: http://www.patchofearth.com/how-to-get-book-reviews/
Please click on the link for the entire postings and ideas! I hope this helps you authors and writers wanting reviews! :) Very good bit of information to keep handy! :) Yay! Let me know how it goes for you! And I will surely tell you the progress of reviews for me! -S.M. Bjarnson
Please click on the link for the entire postings and ideas! I hope this helps you authors and writers wanting reviews! :) Very good bit of information to keep handy! :) Yay! Let me know how it goes for you! And I will surely tell you the progress of reviews for me! -S.M. Bjarnson
June 10, 2014
Introvert Awakening, Part 2, S.M. Bjarnson
"What is there to be said about nature that the wind has not said before? What needs explaining about lovemaking that the Greeks have not displayed? Long lines drawn upon the indents in my palm. I awake and there are no strings to tie me down, no words to ramble off the obedient tongue. I am speechless, because I was born that way, without words disrupting my mind, clouding the judgments I cease to make in an everyday gamble over rich or poor, life or death, happiness or sad, latest friend or foe. Mostly ending my sentences in a friendly foe. I’ll die and I promise myself the pain or bent up angst will end. I promise myself an end will come to the things we live for, to the things we love. For we live in a mortal world, unaffected by the presence of eternity." S.M.B
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&docid=wdlYX-VsaigXwM&tbnid=jexC4-Bj1Hb6GM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.digitalartistdaily.com%2Fimage%2F14039%2Ffields_of_gold&ei=jsuMU7DbEsT2oASY-YG4Cw&bvm=bv.68191837,d.cGU&psig=AFQjCNHrq2KrkteI7t632vhyAkgmS1KkNw&ust=1401822426124647
June 9, 2014
NEVER GIVE UP, NEVER!!! - +KayCee K
Today'a motivation lecture, inspiration is from my good friend KayCee K. She has written this lovely article to help us keep going in the writing world! Please read and share so her words and many other words may be shared to those in need of them! Thanks, KayCee! :)
Motivation, when looking it up it basically says 'reason for acting'. Having a reason for having feelings, passion and the will to never give up; to me that is what makes up motivation. Now, that you know what motivation means to me I want to talk about writing.
Writing is hard. No matter who or what you write. It takes mind, long hours and passion. But doesn't it feel good to be able to tell something that could give the reader a feeling of happiness or sadness. Holding a pen or pushing keys, building a world or telling about a feeling, that is writing.
I've read in so many places that you can't be a 'real' author unless you get published my a 'real' company. It's like say you’re not a real reader unless you read the world’s longest book. Every lines or word written is more stories this world has. Published or not. Being a writer isn’t easy, that's why so many make it their dream because you need to be that will to be able to spill your hears and imagination. Don't let people tell you, you can't, the only person who should have the power to stop you, is you but even then you shouldn't. Go on, no matter how much hate you get, no matter how hard it is, no matter how much you want to quit; something wonderful will come from it. To have the belief is a kind of compelling power that will keep you motivated.
Pushing on is being motivated. Writing is powerful. Look at what so many authors have done to the world, how many of them have changed it and will never be forgotten. The ability to be a part of something that so many love... is magical. Who knows you may just be the next big writer...
Point made and I have to agree wholeheartedly with the entirety of the statements and quotes it all leads to perseverance. If you feel like there is a dead end, look around the corner! -S.M. Bjarnson
Motivation, when looking it up it basically says 'reason for acting'. Having a reason for having feelings, passion and the will to never give up; to me that is what makes up motivation. Now, that you know what motivation means to me I want to talk about writing.
“You can make anything by writing.” ― C.S. Lewis
Writing is hard. No matter who or what you write. It takes mind, long hours and passion. But doesn't it feel good to be able to tell something that could give the reader a feeling of happiness or sadness. Holding a pen or pushing keys, building a world or telling about a feeling, that is writing.
“If you write one story, it may be bad; if you write a hundred, you have the odds in your favor.
- Edgar Rice Burroughs- Edgar Rice Burroughs”
I've read in so many places that you can't be a 'real' author unless you get published my a 'real' company. It's like say you’re not a real reader unless you read the world’s longest book. Every lines or word written is more stories this world has. Published or not. Being a writer isn’t easy, that's why so many make it their dream because you need to be that will to be able to spill your hears and imagination. Don't let people tell you, you can't, the only person who should have the power to stop you, is you but even then you shouldn't. Go on, no matter how much hate you get, no matter how hard it is, no matter how much you want to quit; something wonderful will come from it. To have the belief is a kind of compelling power that will keep you motivated.
Pushing on is being motivated. Writing is powerful. Look at what so many authors have done to the world, how many of them have changed it and will never be forgotten. The ability to be a part of something that so many love... is magical. Who knows you may just be the next big writer...
'Never give up on what you really want to do. The person with big dreams is more powerful than one with all the facts.' - Albert EinsteinKayCee K Blog's: http://kayceeks.wordpress.com/ http://wonderstruck-kcks.blogspot.com/
Point made and I have to agree wholeheartedly with the entirety of the statements and quotes it all leads to perseverance. If you feel like there is a dead end, look around the corner! -S.M. Bjarnson
June 8, 2014
June 7, 2014
Sneak Peek 11: The Circus in Me, S.M. Bjarnson
“My name and place are of no concern to you or the board members, you suppose I should confess my wills too. I am pure in thought and mind. My reputation or report does not fall into your hands. I send all undignified claims to God. You sir, my brother, elder, Ashlee’s padre, claim whatever name fits you best. Are in dire need of editing your remarks on the obligation others have to confide in you, for we are both made from His Divinity.”“No need to raise your tone, young lady. Do realize though physically we are made from similar materials, in spirit quite the opposite of ingredients. I will always float higher.”“You're confessing to me that I am below you as a human? Because you stand behind a desk and have Bishop in front of a calling? Does that make sense? Orate to me that I am lesser in God’s eyes because of a position?” Stricken with benevolent words, all of us equals.“Who are you to question Him?” Standing abruptly slamming down the mug of warm water.“Who are you not to question?” My spoken word soft and confident.
-S.M. BJARNSON
(Today is also my birthday! I wish I was in Las Vegas!) Yay :) HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
