Snark Bites: 2 Easy Twitter Tips

At a glance, Twitter seems really darn simple. Type 140 characters. Hit send. However, the longer I use it, the more I've come to realize how powerful the software is, and also that there are hidden features just waiting to be discovered.

Here are 2 useful tips for utilizing Twitter more effectively.

1.  Tweets can be embedded in blog posts. To obtain the HTML code, click on the Three-Dots symbol on the bottom of the tweet, like so:

BLOCKED!: Powering Through Writer's Block by Sydney St. Claire #TWRP #erotic fairy tales

As a writer, I’ve dealt with that horrible thing called Writer’s Block. For me, though, if I can’t move forward in a book, it’s usually because something is not right with what I have written. This is especially true when I first start a book. In the past, I’ve been stalled while my subconscious mind works out what is wrong, where it’s wrong, and how to fix things.

Or maybe I don’t know where I’m going. Sure, I have outlines and a synopsis but perhaps I’m not sure how to get from point A to point B. Again, my mind needs to percolate on the story. Eventually it hits like a bolt of lightning and I’m off and writing again.

The trouble with the two above scenarios for me is a lack of production and efficiency in my writing. Writing is a business and I hate that the “creative juices” overtake the “business manager.” I’ve been known to be stalled for weeks while waiting for my mind to figure out what the heck it needs to move forward.

A year ago, I came upon the solution. It’s called Power Writing and it has powered my writing through what I think of as my diva writer’s tantrums. I no longer accept or put up with my mind’s desire to “percolate” or “let the solutions just come to me” habit.

I have a group of writer friends who were doing what they called Power Hour writing and I was invited to join. They write for one hour. A conference call is made, everyone states their current word count or if they are in edit mode, state their page count (no chatter). Then we hang up and write for one hour. No interruptions, no social media, no research. This hour is to write and rack up those word or page counts.

Here’s what Power Writing is involves:

The rules are simple: write for one hour.

Write down your current word count (scene/chapter/document).

No interruptions allowed.

No stopping to research allowed.

No going on the internet to check facts allowed.

No distractions period.

No checking email, Facebook, twitter, or other social media allowed.

No phone calls allowed.

Write. Write. Write. THIS IS SO SIMPLE.

Warn your family that you are taking an hour—JUST ONE HOUR—to write.

If you write with other writers, at the start of the hour, conference in everyone and state your current word count for your chapter or document. Those in edit mode state page goals.

NO CHATTER ALLOWED IF YOU DO THIS WITH OTHERS. SHARE CURRENT WORD COUNT OR PAGE COUNT GOALS ONLY.

The idea is to empower your mind and just write.

My first session I was just starting a new book and thought I’d have to outline my book or at least plan it out a bit. Didn’t even have a synopsis. I only knew the heroine’s name. She’d been a traumatized child in an earlier book and I knew she had a grandfather who might look for her. But I reminded myself that the purpose was to write so I took the plunge. Pulled the hero’s name from thin air and wrote a scene between him and the heroine’s grandfather. To my shock, I got six hundred words in that hour and I never had to change what I wrote. It was a solid start to the book!

I’ve been doing this for a year now and cannot believe the results. I have not had a single bit of downtime. The tantrums are gone; the Diva has been put in her place. Of course, there are times when I don’t feel like writing or times when I’m too tired physically or mentally, but no writer’s block or that equally scary “what the hell am I doing. I don’t need days or weeks to figure out what comes next. I am able to power my way though. That book I started, a 90k word book, was finished in in eight weeks!

It’s almost as though my mind already knows what it needs to know and when you demand that it sit and produce for that hour, it does so. As I take breaks between these power hours, my mind is subconsciously already working out the next scene and the next chapter so when I sit to write, we are off and running.

The other great benefit is my production is way up! This is ultimately a business and career and there is no downtime to pander to the creative me. The CEO is in charge! Here is what I’ve accomplished in a year:

July/August wrote White Christmas approx. 90k words. Starting last December, I began writing erotica novellas (30k words each). Dec. to present end of July) I’ve written 8 novellas. That’s like 2 2/3’s full-length books in seven months! I don’t know about you, but that is a huge jump in my writing output. If my schedule goes as planned, by the end of December I will have written an additional 7-8 novellas, my contracted books, and the work for hire I’ve been doing to earn money now! Yes, that’s almost two a month for the remainder of the year (5 months)

I could never have done this without the discovery of Power Writing.

(Note: To read my original post on Power Writing, go to my Sydney St. Claire blog.)

Title: Cinderella & Prince Dom

Publisher:  Wild Rose Press: Wilder Roses

Date Published: September 12 2014

Genre: Erotica

Word Count: 28,000

 

Jaimie Newberry is jobless, her rent is due, and her cat just died. On top of that, she was accused of embezzling before she was fired. When her friend invites her for a weekend of kinky fairytale role-playing, she agrees to go as Cinderella. What has she got to lose when sex with a handsome prince is involved? 

CEO Bryce Langston needs to know if Jamie is innocent of embezzlement or just very clever. He arranges for her to be his weekend sub but soon realizes the pretty scullery maid is naïve to the BDSM lifestyle. As her prince and her Dom, he intends to not only learn the truth but to make sure she has a fantasy come true.

Cinderella & Prince Dom will be available worldwide at sites including Amazon Kindle, Barnes & Noble Nook, and Wild Rose Press-Erotica line (Wilderroses.com)

Excerpt:

Bryce spotted Cinderella entering the parlor below. The ruffles of her skirt swirled playfully around slender thighs, and the low cut of her simple top revealed a nice swell of breasts. Deep inside, anticipation hummed. Annie had been gone five years now, and while he hadn’t been celibate during those long years, he hadn’t participated in the games he hosted either. This would be his first.

And only because he needed to know the truth.

Jaimie had uncovered an embezzling ring in one of his accounting firms. Her boss implicated her, but as he’d found out, the man himself had proved to be a liar, and the leader in the group of employees caught.

Lucy, his personal assistant, swore Jaimie was innocent. The fact Jaimie had blown the whistle lent her story credence, as did the files she gave Lucy to give to him. He’d hired auditors. Everyone believed she was innocent. But he wouldn’t know until he spoke to her. A study of her employment files indicated the woman was smart. She could easily have done what she did to make herself look innocent and then gotten out before being caught.

 “Does it matter if she is as guilty as the others?”

Bryce nodded. “Yes. No one steals from me.” Determining Jaimie’s level of involvement was unfinished business. Was his Cinderella truly innocent, or had she been framed? He needed to know for sure.

Glorie laughed low in her throat. “My, your little playmate looks ready to bolt, and it’s not even midnight.”

Bryce narrowed his eyes. Glorie was right. Jaimie was staring at some of the costumes with mouth agape. He couldn’t see her eyes but imagined they were wide with shock. Even from where he stood, he could see her face was flushed with embarrassment. She took a big gulp of her champagne then grabbed Lucy by the arm. Though he couldn’t hear the conversation, it was clear his sub was having serious doubts.

Rocking back on his heels, he grinned. From the questionnaire, he knew Jaimie was new to this world, and he was looking looked forward to introducing her to some light BDSM.

Author Bio:

Sydney St. Claire is the pseudonym of Susan Edwards, author of 14 Historical Native American/Western/Paranormal romances and the author of the popular “White” Series.

Sydney loves writing and sharing stories of love, happiness and dreams come true with her readers. She credits her mother for her writing success. Encouraged to read as a child, she always preferred happy endings which meant romances were her favorite genre. Sydney takes her readers into the world of erotica romance where her characters come together in explosive passion as they solve life’s problems and find true love along with the best sex our hero and heroine have ever experienced.

Sydney’s office is quite crowded with three dogs at her feet and five cats to keep her company while she writes. Three cats always insist on beds on her desk, barely leaving enough room for her monitor and keyboard. Life gets fun when all five insist on supervising…

When not writing, she enjoys crafts of all sorts including quilting, sewing, cross-stitch, and knitting. She and her husband of 30 + years are avid gardeners. He takes care of the veggies, and Susan is in charge of the ‘pretties’. Her medicine wheel garden is in a contact state of war: flowers vs. weeds. Sadly, right now the weeds are wining…

While writing, she listens to a wide variety of music. Her current favorites are Blackmore’s Night and David Lanz.

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Cinderella & Prince Dom is book one in my new Once Upon a Dom series. Book two, Red & The Big Bad Dom will be out in November followed by Snow & Her Huntsman early 2015. Beauty, Rapunzel and Wendy will make their appearances in 2015. 

BLOCKED!: Writing Through the Wall by Tricia Schneider || The WITCH'S THIEF @TriciaSchneider @WildRosePress

 

The dreaded writer’s block. It happens to many writers. And I’m one of them. I've researched and experimented with different ways of working around or through or over the wall that seems to spring up squarely in my path that blocks my writing. Here are some of my methods:

1.      Take a break. Sometimes you need to walk away from your story. Not forever. Just a small break. Take a relaxing walk. Go for a long scenic drive. Or my favorite: take a nice hot shower. Even washing dishes or folding laundry can give your brain that little bit of rest it needs to get back to work. Just don't stay away from your story for too long, otherwise you'll have a sparkling clean house, but no words for your story. (Yes, I've done this.)

2.      Read. Isn't reading what started your love of writing in the first place? Read a novel by one of your favorite authors. Or read a nonfiction book that's connected to your story for inspiration. One of my favorite methods is reading monthly book review magazines. All those brand new books being released makes me want to see one of my books listed there, too. Usually, that'll get my brain back in writing-mode. Pure determination to succeed!

3.      Change up your writing process. If you're a panster, try plotting. If you plot the dickens out of your story, try tossing your plans out the window and write by the seat of your pants. Or maybe you need a different method for plotting. Google 'how to plot a novel' and you'll find several methods you can try. Sometimes you just need to change things around to keep moving forward.

4.      Change where you write. If you have an office or a space in your house dedicated to writing, try going out to write. I know writing in a coffee shop seems to be the popular choice, but it’s not the only place to go. Your local library is sure to have plenty of room where you can spend the afternoon surrounded by other book lover's. Or you could try writing outside on your back patio or maybe a short drive to the nearest park. Find a bench. Listen to nature. And lose yourself in your story.

5.      Listen to music. Daydream your way out of a block with some music. Put on your earphones, relax on a comfy sofa and close your eyes while you listen to the music of your choice. I enjoy listening to movie soundtracks. Then I daydream about my story. Once I have the images in my mind, it makes writing them down so much easier. Even songs with lyrics can inspire me to take my novel in a new direction. And despite what others in your household might think, no, you're not sleeping. You're working. My husband still doesn't believe me, but honestly, I’m not sleeping. 

6.      And sometimes you just need to write through it. Ugh! I know. It's not the advice you want to hear. I don't either. I wish there was a magical method to tear down that wall that keeps blocking you. But when it comes down to it, writing is a great way to get on the other side of whatever is holding you back. Okay, maybe you don't need to actually write the story that you're stuck on. Try free-writing. Write your thoughts in a journal. Write a grocery list. Or write a list of things that might have built that wall you're trying to get around. Sometimes I get stuck on a story because I just don't know what's going to happen next. (Yes, I have panster tendencies.) To work through that, I'll make a list of possible scenarios that might occur in my story. Mind mapping is a great method for this type of block. Sometimes it's just the act of writing itself that gets those ideas flowing again.

 

Whatever method you try, just remember that you're not alone. Many of us have had to cope with writer's block at one time or another. Even on those days when you feel that you'll never write another word again just remember that it’s temporary. You'll break through that wall and find your words.

Title: The Witch’s Thief

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Date Published: October 2013

Genre: Regency Paranormal Romance

Word Count: 47,000

To save her sister’s life, Julia Grey seeks a spell hidden somewhere within Merriweather Manor. Her position as a lady's companion affords her the freedom to search the house. But time is running out. The necromancer she's bargained with is growing impatient. And an unexpected appearance of a man from her past makes matters worse in an already complicated situation.

Basil Merriweather returns to England after ten years abroad to discover his childhood sweetheart living in his home. But, he's no longer the carefree man of his youth and she's hiding something--deadly secrets Basil vows to uncover even as he hides a dark secret of his own.
While neither Basil nor Julia will trust in the other, their hearts speak a truer language.  In a grand attempt to save Julia's sister and Basil's life, the two must finally confess sinister truths. Will their admissions help or hinder any future they may have together? Or will the necromancer destroy all in a vile attempt at revenge.

Buy links:

The Wild Rose Press

Amazon

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Excerpt:

“What are you doing?”

He ignored her frantic questioning. Instead, he blocked out the sound of her voice and raised his arms into the air at his sides, his fingers splayed out as he extended his senses to scan the area. His power eased out, like extensions of his fingertips, stretching into the corners of the room, seeking, searching for the source of the magic he sensed.

It was here. Somewhere.

He had sensed it earlier on his arrival, but being that his aunt and siblings practiced magic on a regular basis he’d never given it a second thought.

This room, however, stank with it. He smelled the odor, something strangely like sulfur...

“A spell has been cast in this room,” he muttered. A strange spell. Odd. A spell he’d never sensed before, something new. It felt off in some way he couldn’t explain. Who would be working new magic of this kind in his home? And, in this room in particular. Aunt Petunia worked her spells in the privacy of her rooms upstairs, or sometimes in the gardens, but never in this room. And his siblings each practiced in their own private settings, places where they could concentrate without the threat of being disturbed.

He took a step closer to the center of the room where he sensed a surge of power. He shivered as coldness seeped into his skin. It wrapped around his arm, sinking into his flesh, right down to the bone.

The magic in his house was always full of warmth and gentleness. Goodness and love. This magic chilled him to the bone. His heart skipped a beat. There was fear, terror, pain.

This spell was full of darkness.

Author Bio:

Tricia Schneider is an author of paranormal and gothic romance. Before the supernatural took possession of her pen, she worked for several years in a Waldenbooks store as Assistant Manager and bookseller. Since the closing of the store, she now writes full-time while raising her 3 young children. She lives with her musician husband and 2 neurotic cats in the coal country of Pennsylvania.

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