Fan Art

One of the hidden jewels of writing, are the writing communities.  There is, of course, Swoon Reads, which I adore.  I have met some amazing writers there, who give their support via feedback and friendship.

Before there was Swoon Reads, there was Critique Circle.  Another little hidden treasure that will really pack a punch when it comes to feedback.  You'll grow tough skin over there, which is not only necessary, but valuable.

And then, there's Wattpad.  I'm a newbie over there, but LOVING it.  Your skin doesn't have to be so tough, and communication with other writers is incredibly easy.
But the thing that surprised me the most about Wattpad, were its readers.  They.  Are.  Awesome.  So awesome, that one of my readers actually made me my first piece of FAN ART!

Wow!

Thank you, The_Invisible_Reader :)

Music and Writing

Music is a BIG part of my writing.  Recently, a friend posted this incredibly, beautiful, and in a way, visceral, video that tugged at my heart strings in such a way that I just HAD to sit down and write.

Even now, my stomach is in knots over this video.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWZGAExj-es

I've also been putting Mark Petrie on repeat, while writing my second novel.

If you're a writer, or a creator of any sorts, what is it that fuels you musically?

National Novel Writing Month a.k.a. NaNoWriMo

Two years ago today, I began writing, Arden.  But before that, there had been a SEED of an idea - you know, that little spark of a scene or sensation that just won't fade away- that had been bobbing around for days and nights on end.  It went like this: there is a girl, she is going to die, and there is a boy, who will risk it all to save her. 

The SEED planted itself, unbeknownst to me, and grew and grew and grew, until late one night, (when my infant baby boy refused to sleep alone) I sat halfway up on the couch, my baby laid across my chest - and I typed and typed and typed.  Much later that night, I went to bed plotting the next set of events, and eagerly anticipated the next time I'd be able to sit down to write.  

The writing became my sanity in so many ways.  As a stay at home mom, it gave me purpose outside of raising children, if gave me something to look forward to at the end of the day, it gave me escape, it gave me Arden. 

So, in honor of NaNoWriMo, what was your SEED, that sprung you into writing a past, current, or soon-to-be book?  

You can read Arden, right now!  http://www.swoonreads.com/m/arden