Last year, I made it a point to join NaNoWriMo for the first time. And, although I didn’t end up finishing my novel, I’m happy to say that I continued to work on one of those that I started. Yes, I started about three during that month! Eeeps. Anyway, I still love those stories that I started and I hope that I’ll get to write and finish them one day.

But yeah, I think part of the problem was that I entered NaNoWriMo last year without planning. I didn’t have a story. I didn’t have any idea about what I was going to do. So, I got lost in the process.

This year, I wanted to try to join again. However, as I was plotting and planning, I ended up starting to write my current novel about two weeks ago. So, I think that pretty much ruled out NaNo this year. Probably just as well, as I’d be going away for a holiday overseas by the end of November anyway.

At least, I can now say that YES, I AM WRITING! Really writing. It has been a while since I last worked on a novel every single day from start of the idea. So, I’m really glad that I finally found a story that I’m busting to write. So much so that I’m actually dreaming inside my novel some nights. Heh.

Anyway, I’ve been so excited about working on this project so much that I decided to revamp eWriteLife once again to reflect a new phase of my writing life. For one thing, I wanted to have a place where I can share my writing goals and progress. Although I do have a personal blog, it doesn’t seem right to turn it in to a full writing blog (especially since I have eWriteLife!). And instead of starting yet another blog, I thought I might as well use this site. So, yes, even though I do feel a bit scared about the whole idea of sharing my ongoing writing work, I thought it might be a good way for me to stay motivated and accountable. So, other than making this formal announcement in this blog post, I also added a “Scribometer” on this blog’s sidebar. There, I hope to share my fiction writing progress. Plus, I’m also hoping I can write about where I am in the process of creating this novel on a regular basis. We’ll see how it goes!  

I guess, that’s one of the strengths of doing NaNoWriMo. When you have an actual goal, and you make this goal public, and you know you have other people working with you on the same thing, you become more motivated.

And I suppose, even though I’m not able to join NaNo this year, I’m still hoping to have a similar motivation through eWriteLife.

Oh, and since I’ve been doing a lot of research and I’m keeping a closer watch on the writing and publishing industry again, I started to collect more and more interesting resources again. So, I plan to share those things on a more regular basis with you too. Even just in short posts. I’ll start to share snippets of writing prompts again too, whenever possible. Just like I used to.

So, what about you? Are you taking part in NaNoWriMo this year? Are you already working on your book?

Do you have a home office where you do all your writing? What tools do you own for your writing craft?

This article, 10 Essential Items in a Telecommuting Home, is not specifically geared for writers. But, the ideas shared in it can be used by a writer looking in to setting up a home office.

If you:

• Are a published author with at least one book currently for sale on Amazon.com
• Have previously unpublished short-form literature that you wish to sell exclusively at Amazon.com
• Want to maintain a more direct and frequent communication with your readers, as well as promote your backlist
• Access a powerful marketing tool in a new and meaningful way
• Maintain your visibility between published projects

Then, you might consider taking part in the Amazon Shorts programme.

The writing life can be really strange. Some days, you feel as though the well is so full, you just overflow with words and ideas. You can’t stop. You just have to keep going. You let it all flow.

Some days, you feel like the well is so dry, you can’t make yourself come out with anything. Not a sliver of imagination nor a snippet of fantasy can bring out the letters, words, phrases, sentences, paragraphs…

But, the good news is: If you’ve ever felt the need to write once, you will feel it again. And again. And again.

When that happens, you just keep writing.

It’s been a while since I last wrote here as I’ve been quite ill. Thankfully, I’m now in “recovery mode” – so I’m able to write and blog again bit by bit.

I’ll be continuing the ABCDEs of Writing Series as soon as possible.

If you’re a fiction writer – be it in the form of short stories, novellas, or novels – then you might want to check out our Story Planning Worksheet and Character Planning Worksheet.

You can get these Writing Worksheets via BitPass.

(Format: PDF)
(Cost: AU$0.35 or US$0.26)

(Format: PDF)
(Cost: AU$0.35 or US$0.26)

You will be given 50 visits for 30 days upon payment. But, don’t worry. You just need to make sure that you click on ‘Save a Copy’ in order to save a copy of the worksheet/s to your computer.

To purchase via BitPass, you need to have a BitPass Buyer Account. It’s free to sign-up and open an account. To add funds to your account (so that you can use the money to purchase other goods from hundreds of BitPass merchants), you can use your credit card or your PayPal account. If you only plan on using BitPass occassionally, you can avoid the hassle of pre-funding your Buyer Account by enabling “PayThru” – which links your BitPass Buyer account to your PayPal account. So, you can just pay-as-you-go.

For more information about BitPass Buyer Accounts, please read the BitPass Buyer FAQs.

Did you know that you can receive notification updates from eWriteLife.com via email? Yes! When you check out the site and look at the sidebar, you’ll find a subscription box there. So, just type in your email address and subscribe for free. Once you’re subscribed, you will start receiving notices via email when this blog is updated. Right now, I’ve only set the email updates via Yutter to go out once a week. Let me know what you think of this service!

UPDATE (28/8/06): This has been temporarily disabled, as Yutter’s service is no longer available at this time due to a service outage. I’ll be looking in to a different mailing system shortly.

Meet an Author Series

Read Part I | Read Part II

Interview Part 3:
About Writing

What advice would you give to others who wish to write?

Write your best. Never stop learning. Always believe in yourself. And the most important piece of advice if you wish to publish — remain persistent. Never surrender the dream.

How do you usually find ideas in writing?

Ideas for my books and stories come to me in several ways.

1) I think of a quirky, fun character that I just have to write about.

2) A plot or event stirs my imagination, and I want to write about the situation.

Sometimes, if neither a character nor a situation intrigues me enough to write, then I pick any word and weave a story around it. Some fun stories come to life when I choose a word at random and start writing.

Anything else you’d like to tell our readers?

Please visit my web site to learn more about Harriet’s Horrible Hair Day. You can also read about the illustrator, Michael P. White. If you are interested in learning more about writing, there are articles about how to write and publish. The site contains many links to other interesting areas, too. The web site URL is http://dlstewart.com.

End of Interview. This interview was first published in July 2001.

Meet an Author Series

Read Part I of the Interview

Interview Part 2:
About The Author

What about the author? Tell us something about you. What are your likes and dislikes?

I enjoy animals, especially cats. Two cats let me live with them: Oscar is a Maine Coon Cat, and Sparkle is a mixed breed, though I’m sure she has Siamese in her since she loves to chatter so much. It’s hard for me to choose a dislike . I enjoy so many things.

Have you always wanted to be a writer? Tell us how you became one.

In grade school, a teacher assigned us book reports, and we could read any book we wished. I discovered the joy of visiting other worlds when I read Miss Pickerel Goes to Mars by Ellen MacGregor. My mother says I always enjoyed telling stories. In high school I started to write them. I edited the high school magazine and read everything I could about how to write.

For years I wrote without publishing. Then I submitted a story to a local magazine, and they printed it. I started entering writing contests and winning. I was then asked to write scripts for a local cable television channel and invited to create and moderate an online writing forum. Peachtree Publishers asked to publish Harriet’s Horrible Hair Day — one of the most exciting days of my life.

Are you working on another book? Can you tell us more?

I am always writing. Writing is so much a part of me that I can’t imagine not writing. Currently, I am finishing another picture book for children and also am working on a middle-grade novel.

When you’re not writing, what do you like to do?

I especially enjoy designing web sites. I love computers. I also quilt, read, garden and have fun riding my bicycle.

Part III: About Writing

Meet an Author Series

Meet a Children’s Book Author

Name: Dawn L. Stewart
Book Title: Harriet’s Horrible Hair Day
Illustrated by: Michael White
Publisher: Peachtree Publishers
Recommended Reading Age Group: 4 to 8 years old

Interview Part 1:
On Harriet’s Horrible Hair Day

If you could describe your book, Harriet’s Horrible Hair Day, in one word, what word would it be?

Hilarious

What is the story all about?

Harriet’s Horrible Hair Day begins when a wild, unruly curl pops out of Harriet’s neat braid. Her brother and sister try to straighten the curl with one outrageous plan after another . only to have even more curls appear. By the end of the book, Harriet sports twelve untamed curls and has suffered everything from a mud bath to a hair “treatment” mix of pickle juice, peanut butter, mustard and molasses. A surprise finish proves that even hairy problems can have happy endings.

How did you get the idea for this book?

The idea for Harriet’s Horrible Hair Day started with the thought, “What would a girl do if she suddenly developed one crazy curl and couldn’t get rid of it?” Then I built on the idea: What if her brother and sister tried to straighten the curl? What if Harriet’s hair became more and more curly? Then I had fun thinking of different ways to straighten the rebellious curls.

Who should read this book?

The book is for children ages 4 to 8 years old. I have read the book to children in preschool through grade 5. Younger children enjoy the antics of the cat and dog illustrated throughout the story. Older children laugh at Harriet’s plight and delight me with their ideas for new ways to straighten Harriet’s curls.

Part II: About The Author