Woven Tale Press--A to Z Blog Challenge Issue is Out!

I'm thrilled to be included in the A to Z blog challenge issue of Woven Tale Press! You'll find me at B. I'm excited to have this blog entry chosen because it's the opening of my novel. Hopefully this is a little thumbs up for heading off in the right direction.

Look at H as well. What a small world that my writing partner and super-good (yeah I'm 41 and I said super-good) girlfriend, Samantha Redstreake Geary had a blog entry chosen as well.

Take a look at this issue. You'll be glad you did. There's good writing, art, insight and much more! Fun stuff!

Thanks for choosing me, Woven Tale Press!

First Drafts and Diving Back In

I'm about a good afternoon's work from getting the first draft of my newest novel, Sparrow, finished. I'm at just under 90,000 words already--which for me is a LONG first draft. I'm hoping that means that I've got less fleshing out to do than usual and more toning and honing.

I've got about 6 weeks till baby number 4 is here, so I'm trying to get as much done now as possible, as I'll be taking a break (haha yeah) for a little bit. But not long. I've got a great support system in my husband and other kids and they'll be just as eager for me to get back to work as I will.

I'd love to see what folks think about what I have so far, so I might post some rough sections in a few days.

Have a Happy Memorial Day and weekend!

A to Z post chosen for Woven Tale Press

Even though the A to Z Blog Challenge ended in April it's still buzzing online. Woven Tale Press decided to do a special issue featuring posts from the challenge that were submitted by the authors and chosen by the Woven Tale Press crew.

I'm super flattered to have my "B" (Box of Tissues, Bottle of Wine, and Bird Wings) post chosen. I'm especially happy to have this post picked as it's the opening of my novel The Lemonade Year. You have to get the opening right if you want people to keep reading, so perhaps I've done a decent job of that. I sure hope so.

I can't wait to see the issue and will let you know when it's out. In the meantime, check out this issue of Woven Tale Press. Pretty darn impressive, if you ask me.

What comes after A to Z

Last month I did the A to Z blog challenge. It was daily (except for Sunday) posting following the ABC's. Not only that, but it was a chance to visit other blogs and see what's going on in the world around me. Pretty cool stuff out there.

But what to do now? A friend of mine, Samantha Jones (you may know her from writerlysam - if you don't visit her!) were just talking about the balance between writing and blogging and all things in between.

It's so tempting to let the hours unwind around you as you visit, comment, post, search--all the everything that's out there in the world. Too easy.

I struggle with needing and wanting more of an Internet presence than I have, but not wanting to get lost in networking and neglect writing. There are only so many hours in the day, after all. And what will all the networking be for if I have no product at the end of the day?

So I'd love to hear from some of you who have good ideas for time management on this issue. Post and let me know what works for you and I'll highlight some of the best advice.

Also, what are some good sites you've found for writing info and networking that are easy in and out and don't end up being time vampires!