30 Minute Productivity

With the abundance of information available on the internet, Facebook, Twitter, Good Reads, blogs, You Tube, Linked In, books, webinars, television, email... it feels as if there's always something else you have to look at, have to learn. So you spend all day reading and watching and commenting and socializing, and then wonder where the day has gone.

Or you work diligently and hard all day on your writing. You finish a blog post, work on your novel, edit your short story, communicate with a potential client, complete necessary research, AND socialize. But your to-do list only seems to accumulate. You focus on what you HAVEN'T finished yet, and punish yourself for being unproductive.

Your brain is fried. You can't imagine having to sit down and work more. You're exhausted. So you go to bed feeling guilty of what you haven't accomplished. Closing your eyes, you try to feel the comfort of your pillow, allow yourself to rest, but your brain is screaming fragmented thoughts that you need to complete - Clean your room! Email this person! Schedule this appointment! Write the chapter!

 

This is bad. But it happens. We writers love our work so much that it's hard for us to separate our work and our lives, and end up working all the time, because it's fun, right?

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Boot Camp in a Book - From Written to Published

Have you ever had trouble coming up with ideas for your writing? Are you having trouble creating an effective writing schedule? Do you have difficulties creating compelling characters? Or is it the plot that’s holding you back? Maybe, you have gotten past all the writing troubles, but do you know where to publish it?

The Wonder of Writing can help you through all these problems and more. This boot camp in a book will take you through brainstorming the first ideas all the way to choosing how and where to publish. The Wonder of Writing will help you go from written to published.

The Wonder of Writing is for aspiring and veteran writers, as well as any others interested in the written word. The information included will help take a vague concept to a fully published book. By discussing the writing practice as well as publishing in today’s evolving literary industry, the text provides you with information on how to write, and how to decide which publishing avenue is the best for you as it applies to our technologically advanced society. Information is abundant, and delivered in a quick and efficient manor.

You can also apply these techniques hands-on with The Wonder of Writing Workbook. The workbook compliments the text and allows you to bring the tasks to your own life in practice. By working through both, you will be on the right track to writing and publishing your work.

What's included?

• How to Design a Productive Writing Schedule
• How to Brainstorm Ideas
• How to Set Realistic Goals
• How to Create Compelling Characters
• How to Revise the Right Way
• How to Write an Successful Query Letter
• How to Determine the Best Publishing Outlet for Your Story
• Detailed Information About Today's Publishing Avenues

If you are just beginning to write, or you're looking to sharpen up your skills, The Wonder of Writing can help!


Click HERE to Pre-Order Your Copy Today!

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Revise Right - Worksheet

Need to edit?

Wondering what will be in The Wonder of Writing Workbook?

Do you want your revision to be quick and easy? Step by Step?

Look no further! I've uploaded The Wonder of Writing Worbook's Revise Right worksheet for your convienence. Enjoy!

You may save it, you may print it, you may love it!

If you like it and want more helpful worksheets to guide you through your writing, go pledge over at the Kickstarter page! Then the workbook can be in your hands as quick as possible. Have $90 pledged so far. Help me reach $2,000 pretty pretty please.

Here you go! Enjoy!

1 Get Revise Right
2 Get Revise Right

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G is for Ghosts

G is for Ghosts

I'm a believer in the after life. I'm a believer in souls and spirits. I'm a believer in ghosts. Despite the fact that there is no scientific evidence to prove this, I still believe.

I'm a sucker for all the pictures that claim to have captured ghosts on camera. I even believe I've captured orbs on camera. Yeah, they were faint and I had to play with the coloring to see them, but they were there.

 {Geez, I'm going through and trying to find the best picture for you and I'm finding stuff I hadn't even noticed before! Now I'm finding insane things in these pictures and I'm getting all worked up and excited...}

Observe. This is one is the easiest to see because the orbs are well rounded. It's also clear and not just smokey looking.

This picture was taken July 27, 2010 while on a ghost tour in Key West, Florida. The little blueish whitish circles are the orbs, which is a collection of energy. Basically a ghost in an small concentrated form instead of appearing physical. This happens if their energy isn't strong enough or they don't have a purpose to be in an apparant physical form.The only editing I did to this picture was brightening shadows because I didn't use a flash. Promise.

Okay, you got me. I'm a ghost-loving nerd. But I can't help it!

Do you believe?

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Kickstarter Project Launched!

So I just launched my Kickstarter project, and I'm super excited! Now it's up to you to pledge and help me reach my goal!

Don't know what I'm talking about? I've detailed for you in simple questions below. Or you can go visit the page and see for yourself!

Disclaimer: The video on the page proves that writers are much better at writing speeches than giving them! (:


What is Kickstarter?

Kickstarter is a website designed so individuals can fundraise for their creative projects. A person with a specific goal in mind can create a project and list a given amount of money needed to complete that project. Then it's up to backers to pledge how much money they would like to spend to help fund this project. But it's not just asking people to give and give because they feel like it. Rewards are given with specific prices as assigned by the creator. If the project is successfully funded - as in the funds goal reached or surpassed - then the money is paid and rewards are given accordingly. If the goal is not successfully funded, no money is paid and no rewards are given out. So you either reach your goal, get the money, and complete your project, or you don't reach your goal, don't get any money, and hope for a different avenue to find funds for the project.

What is your Kickstarter project?
I'm striving to raise $2,000 to self-publish many copies of my book, The Wonder of Writing, its correlating workbook, and turn it into an e-Book so it can reach a wide audience as quick as possible. I'm looking for backers to pledge and help me turn my dreams into a reality.

What do you mean, pledge?
By backing a project and pledging that you will pay a certain amount of money if the project is successfully funded, you are not charged at the time. You are only charged if and when the project is funded.

How much do I have to pay?
The choice to back a project is entirely up to you. Minimum donation for my project is only one dollar. The rewards start at five dollars.

What do I get out of this?
Well for starters, you are helping a young aspiring author encourage writing and publishing within other authors by publishing these books. You will feel the warm goodness in your heart of being a great person and supporting a valuable and unique production.

Depending on your level of pledge, you will receive a certain reward as well.

For a $5 pledge, you will receive a handwritten postcard with the cover of the book on one side.
For a $35 pledge, you will receive both the book and the workbook.
For a $100 pledge, you will receive a consultation about your work-in-progress, signed copy of LIMITED EDITION book which is only available through this project, the workbook, and the e-book.
For a $1,500 pledge, you will receive the Gold Level of Supporting Young Authors Award. Your name published in the preface of the limited edition book with your level of support. Limited edition will include an exclusive section devoted to creating the plan for marketing your book. A consultation, general review, and full edit of your work-in-progress. Signed copies of the books and workbook, the e-book. And an exclusive one-on-one creative planning and workshop in your area for your school class or writing group. (What an offer! Not sure if anyone will go for this, but it's available!)

For a list of all the rewards, check out the Kickstarter Project page.

Can I start my own project?
Of course! Request an idea through the Kickstarter start-up page and get going! I'll tell ya what. You support my project, and I'll definitely support yours! (:


My Kickstarter project started today and will run till April 30. That's a little over three and a half weeks long. This is a truly unique way to help out a fellow writer who is trying to help other fellow writers. Please support if you're interested in purchasing a book, sometime, ever! This is a way to help me get off the ground and go big with my book. So pledge now! And thank you!

Click here to check out the project and pledge!

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E is for Eminem

E is for Eminem

So, I was toying with so many ideas for today's "E" post. E is such an Easy letter! But I decided on Eminem because I've been meaning to mention these thoughts for some time now - and hopefully my post will be different than everybody else's!

Eminem is a genius. Music and literary industry. End of discussion.

And I'm not the only one who thinks this! Check out The Eminem Guide to Becoming a Writing and Marketing Machine to see how he can help you with your writing! Can't beat that.

Aside from being a music phenomenon, he is also well versed in the literary realm. Take apart any of his songs and you'll see what I mean. His words are delicately phrased to compose lyrical rhymes. They elicit an emotional response within listeners allowing them to feel such strong energy from him. He's powerful, relatable, amazing.



This isn't to say that he doesn't curse excessively or reference dark situations. Yet, his tone and message behind it are what makes it successful. He has such a strong and definite personality that it carries through beautifully. He is able to help people understand these sorrows through three minute songs.

One thing that gives listeners comfort and understanding is the stories his lyrics create. Eminem tells stories of loss, loss and growth. His brutal honesty is what may frighten potential listeners away, but the harsh reality that his words and correlating emotions display is what makes him so strong.

Rapping about having the most expensive car on the block or being decorated in diamonds has become cliched in the industry. Eminem hasn't bragged about these things, even though he could. He raps about life. And that's how it should be. That's what I love.

As a writer, you can learn much from him. By using his practices of honesty, clarity, and specific wording, your pieces will become much tighter and much more powerful. The biggest lesson to be taken from Eminem is to make every word count in a short amount of time.

Another quick fact of the day about Eminem: His name is practically the only rapper's name that makes any sense. If you sound "Eminem" out, it's "M n M." But this isn't referencing the candy. Eminem's real name is Marshall Mathers, m [and] m. It's his initials spelled in a unique way. How creative is that? I would have never guessed... 

 And a special surprise:

I am NOT at all a poet. I never have been, and I doubt I ever will be. I like stories. But it's National Poetry Month and what not, so I think I shall be a little spirited and share a poem with you.

For my creative writing class a few months ago, we had to write a few poems. The prompt of one of them was to take a character, real or imaginary, and write a poem from their perspective. I chose Eminem, because I am so very fond of him.

I included lyrics from three of his songs, "Beautiful," "Superman," and "No Love," and interweaved them with my own words of how he could potentially feel. I believe Eminem strives to be a real person with an honest attitude rather than a "know-it-all."

Disclaimer: This may or may not be how Eminem feels. This is my ATTEMPT at poetry. I know it's not great, I'm not claiming it is.

Here it goes:

Eminem

“I’m alive again,

More alive than I have been in

my whole entire life

I can

See these people’s ears perk up

As I begin”

They look up to me

And what do they see?

A hope of guidance

An idol

But I’m not liable

I’m “just plain old Marshall”

I’ve been walkin’ through the gates of

hell

Locked in my own mental cell

Wonderin’ if this song will even sell

But I’m really just a person

I don’t know why you think that

“I’m here to rescue you,”

Cause that ain’t true

Everybody’s gotta have their own life plan

And “I can’t be your superman”

You can’t be mine, and that’s just fine

I’m not any different from you

“I guess we would have to

Walk a mile in each other’s shoes

at least

What size you wear? I wear 10s

Let’s see if you can fit your feet”

About the A to Z Challenge: A challenge to write 26 blog posts in 26 days using all 26 letters of the alphabet. This accounts for every day of the month of April excluding Sundays. It's designed to encourage blogging, increase blog posting, and create friendships with fellow bloggers. Begins April 1st and ends April 30th. Join the friendly community of bloggers attempting this challenge, today!

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D is for Dare to Draft

D is for Dare to Draft

You might classify me as a perfectionist when trying to write my novel, which sounds potentially good, as then the story would turn out amazing! But put bluntly, it's not.

Sometimes I feel fearful of starting that first draft. I become become afraid of imperfection. I am terrified of finishing, feeling successful, but hating my story. Or maybe I adore it, but it others don't think it has the potential that I see in it. This has happened. And this will continue to happen. 

And that's okay. A draft is a draft. It's meant for mess-ups and terrible writing peppered with cliches. It's supposed to have plot holes and way too many adverbs. Anne Lamott calls it in her book Bird by Bird, a "shitty first draft." You need the "shit" because without it you'll never be able to find it's true beauty.

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Ghostwriting Services

Pricing varies on a case-by-case basis. Request via email to get started!  

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Freelance Writing Services

Pricing varies on a case-by-case basis. Request via email to get started!  

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Being, Breathing, Believing the Life of a Writer

 

Today's Letter is B!

B is for Being, Breathing, Believing - the Life of a Writer.

What makes a writer? What are the rules of a writer, and the rules for those that admire a writer? What does being a writer mean to you? I found some great articles of writers describing their writing characteristics, and I made my own list. But the final question is, what is your definition?

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A is for April Anticipation

It's April 1st. April is the month of decisions, the month of growing up, the month of planning for new exciting and courageous events. April is the month of Anticipation.

This month alone, is a giant stepping stone for my future. The amount of value it holds will spring me from the depths of murky beginning waters to dry land of accomplishment. After this month, I'll be ready to take on the future, and even begin to see a bit of where I'm going.

Hopefully I'll be going somewhere wonderful.

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Name My Owl and Short Story Contests!

Write Wonder and Win Wondrous Prizes!

To celebrate my up and coming book, website, and freelance writing and editing business, I'm hosting two contests with extraordinary prizes. Enter one, enter both! Enter them multiple times! Details are below. Get excited, get creative, get submitting, and enjoy!

Name My Owl Contest:

If you have not yet seen the newest member of the Writing Wonder world, here he is!

Cute little fellow, isn't he? Well, he might be a she, as he/she/it doesn't have a name yet. But we can't have a nameless owl!  Submit your choice of this owl's name along with a reason why you chose it. I will select the top 3 choices by April 18, and then YOU will vote for the final decision. The winner will name the owl of their choice. This is a one-time contest; once he's named, that's it. Help decide the name of my owl now, as you'll never get another chance.

Rules:

• Post your entry in the comments
• You must submit your entry between now and April 15 at 9 pm EST
• You may vote on the top 3 names from April 18-April 30 at 9 pm EST
• You must be following the blog
• Must submit a name and a reason why
• You may enter multiple names if you choose

Prizes:

• Title of Official Namer of the Owl
• Ownership of the Owl's Name, forever
• Exclusive winner's badge for your website (see below!)
• Option to be a guest blogger for May and June
• FREE copy of my book, The Wonder of Writing
• FREE edit of your choice on your current work-in-progress

The Lovely Winner's Badge - exclusive to ONE winner ONE time:

 

But wait, there's more! Another contest you can enter!

I told you this was a celebration...

April Short Story Contest: Bring a Ghost Story to Life

Write a ghost story - whether it be well-known, or completely of your own design - from the scene of the crime. Write what happened prior, during, and/or after. Show the ghost in existence somehow. It can be from when the ghost died and his/her perspective of life, or someone investigating a ghost myth. Just show the ghost in a creative way.

This is a topic near and dear to my heart. Although I've never seen a ghost, I believe in they do exist and I love to unravel their backgrounds. I'm currently working on a short story derived from a myth near my home town. It's been proven false, but I adore the idea of it. I still wish it could possibly be true.

So bring on the ghosts!

Rules:

• Post your entry in the comments or email to me at rachelgiesel@hotmail.com
• You must submit your entry between now and April 15 at 9 pm EST
• You must be following the blog
• You may enter more than once if you choose
• Story must be 2000 words or less
• Story must revolve around the prompt: bringing a ghost story to life
• Story must be entertaining, well-written, and creative
• Story must include a ghost in some way

Prizes:

• Story featured on the blog
• Winner's badge for your website (see below!)
• Option
• FREE edit of your choice on your current work-in-progress
• FREE copy of my book, The Wonder of Writing
to be a guest blogger for May and June

The Lovely Winner's Badge:

Oh, you're interested now, aren't you? Get writing! And win while you can!

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6 Secret Steps to a Successful Blog [Step 1 - Why?]

6 Secret Steps to a Successful Blog is a series of posts helping you transform your blog into wonder for yourself and your viewers. Whether you have a blog or not, following these short steps will help you create one optimized for productivity. Check back regularly for more in this series!

Step 1: Why?

What if my work doesn't need a blog? What if I don't have anything to say? What if I don't have enough time?

Why should I create a blog?

Whether you think so or not, a blog is necessary in today's society. We are constantly moving towards a more technologically dependent setting, and that isn't going to change.

Yes, of course, not everyone agrees with the technological advances. I have friends who refuse to use e-readers and even iPods, and that's fine. Not everyone will agree; it's impossible on any given topic.

But you have to look at the majority. Most people lean towards the growing technology, blogging included. This is only going to grow. It's a fact. If you don't have a blog yet, you need one.

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Deep and Honest Evaluation of my Writing

Tuesday of the Five Things You Can Do This Week to Become a Better Writer says to complete an honest evaluation of your own writing in order to determine your greatest strengths and weaknesses. The idea is to view yourself objectively and then fix the points you need to work on.

Strengths: I'm quite good at descriptions. I love to write poetic, drawn-out, well-crafted sentences that vividly whisk the reader to the scene. My language flows naturally and gracefully. Adjectives trickle through the prose like a gentle rain. I'm typically good with constructing compelling characters - except in my difficult WIP but that's a different situation. People have told me quite often that it's easy to slip into love with my characters. I do pretty well with first person point of view and putting myself in the role of the main character. I am fabulous at designing new worlds and settings. This goes along with descriptions I suppose. Pacing is terribly fun for me, perhaps I exaggerate it a bit too much, but I love it. I know exactly how to speed a scene up, as well as slow it down and make it drag along.

Weaknesses: I excessively enjoy adverbs. I know that it's proper, and sounds much better, when they are not included in the text - or at least as many as I naturally do. But I can't help peppering my sentences with them. I also adore using other more descriptive words than "said" when writing dialogue, but I understand the reasoning by requiring "said" only and have been faithful to it lately. This has helped my dialogue tremendously, yet, that too could use some work. I feel as if my dialogue is not as necessary as it should be. I'm not terrible, but I could use some more practice in third person point of view. I've heard that this is the easiest way to write, however I find it much easier to speak in first. Is this odd?

Averages: Plot and action creation. I'm not extraordinary, but it's not quite a weakness either. The action that is in my stories could use some work, as always, but not as drastically as the others could.

I'll have to find some good exercises to improve these weaknesses. Once I find something amazing, I will definitely share!

My tip: Do this exercise. It doesn't take that long at all, but it really is helpful. It'll also be nice to reference it when editing to know exactly what you're looking to fix.

Are you completing the Five Things You Can Do This Week to Become a Better Writer? If not, DO IT! It's only Tuesday, but I already enjoy it quite a lot. And it's pretty easy. I wish it were 30 days, 90 days, or something longer...

Anyways... What are your strengths and weaknesses? Please share with me and we can help each other.

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Play

Do you remember Bop-it?

In AP British and World Literature, we were discussing Alice in Wonderland, but more importantly the use of play - our types of play as children, what made playing effective and enjoyable, when playing stopped and why it stopped. I found it quite interesting.

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Wordle

Wordle creates word clouds for you using the text you imput, or a URL. So cool and creative!

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Storm Your Brain

Every writer has been at that point where the idea of what to actually write just isn’t coming to them. Writer’s block, you could say. The ideas just run out sometimes, and a writer is at loss of what to do.

But there are so many ideas surrounding you, the possibilities are amazing. You’d be surprised.

To get these ideas down on paper, brainstorming is necessary. There are a variety of ways on how to do this. Do whatever works for you, but do brainstorm to get the best ideas you can think of.

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Writing Prompt #5

Construct a villian, the most cruel of all evil. What are they like? How do they think? What do they do? Why? Write a short narrative from this character's perspective.

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Hook Your Book With That Query

When you're finally done with your piece and you're ready to send it off with the hopes of publishing, the first thing to do is to send out queries.

DO NOT send the whole manuscript out; it will get rejected instantly.

A query letter is basically a letter to the agent or publisher that you are submitting to telling them what you're story is about and why they should pay attention. It's sort of like asking permission to send them you're manuscript.

Without a good query letter, you'll never get the chance to send out your manuscript. The query is the first time you get to sell your work and hook your chance of being published.

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Writing Prompt #4

Write a short story using these three things:

1. a rusty shower
2. a match
3. a crying little girl

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