Writing Tips I Picked Up From Classic Movies ~ Guest Post by Allison Foster

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Writing Tips I Picked Up From Classic Movies

I do not know about you but I am a huge fan of classic movies. There is just something so appealing about a great black and white film that cannot compare to the modern films of today. I love when I watch them and am transported back to their day and age. They have so many great lessons to teach us too. Some of those lessons can be applied to our lives, and I have found some classic movies have inspired my writing as well. Here are some things I have picked up from my favorite classic films:

1.     Have great characters – The very first thing that appeals to me about the old classics are the great characters they have. It is not just the film characters themselves but the actors and actresses of that era had lives and characters all their own that brought the on screen versions to life. I want my characters in my writing to be like that. They should have a life all their own. They should be memorable and unforgettable. They should draw the story forward in a way that makes them human and relatable, more than a caricature or cliché. Even though the old films were full of clichés you never felt like they were because of the passion and life the characters gave to the stories.

2.     Feel the passion - Adding passion to your writing should be one of the most important aspects of anything your write. Whether it is poetry, fiction, nonfiction or romance you need to have that real passion behind it to drive it forward. That is what you saw in a lot of old films. That passion was there, even when they talked about mundane things or things that we would have skimmed over in a movie of today. Passion for every aspect of life was present in the old films and should be there in your writing today.

3.     Remember your plot –Another thing the old movies got right was a concentration on plot. How many movies have you watched lately that were plot less. Yes, that works sometimes but most of the time a really great movie or film or book is driven by a great plot. You have to have an idea of where you are going and how you are going to get there. A unified plot line can bring together a diverse group of strong characters and move a story forward. Making it more than just a story but making it a whole, unfitted book that gathers all the characters into one place and really reveals how they are interconnected.

4.     Add a twist –Plots do not have to be simple a to b to c things either. They can be complex and convoluted with a plots and b plots and twists and turns. That is what makes a story really entertaining. Think about the best classic movies you remember. They all had twists. From Rosebud on, there did not seem to be a film written that did not have a particular twist to the climax that kept you guessing how it would end. Readers love to feel a little off balance. They love a real plot twist and a surprise ending. Do not be satisfied with just a simple story, make it more and make it entertaining for readers. Get them hooked and then reel them in.

5.     Keep it clean –One of the most appealing things to me about old movies is that you can watch them with your whole family. You do not have to worry about violence or sex or language or nudity. Instead everyone can sit down and enjoy the film together. Writing should be like that also. To get the widest audience for your story you should strive to keep it clean. That does not mean you have to stifle your personality or story line, but you do not want to pocket yourself as an erotic writer or something like that either. The more specific you get the more your possible audience shrinks. You want to throw the widest net you can, at least at first, so keep it clean.

6.     Make it funny –Everyone loves a bit of humor in their stories. Even a serious story should have something here and there sprinkled in to lighten things up a bit. You can think back to your favorite movies. Even the horror ones all had a bit of humor to lighten things up so you could appreciate the scary things more. Add some fun to your writing and remember that you can vary the tone without losing the meaning of your writing.

7.     Have some romance –Love, romance and relationships are what the world is built on and that has not changed from the olden days until now. There is a reason that romance movies are such a big genre. Everyone likes a little romance story, even in the midst of another plot line. If you can have a couple of your charters dance around some sexual tension or even just feel a mutual friendship attraction that can be a great way to add an element of interest and romance to your story. It does not have to be the center plot line by any means, but it is a great additional element.

8.     Remember the senses –One of the things I enjoy about the old movies is that they gave the audience everything. They sang, they danced, they did jokes and they had the central plot line. While I am not suggesting you write a song for your next book, I do think you should add in other aspects to thrill the senses. Things like sounds, tastes and smells should be included in your descriptions. The more you can get the readers involved with all their senses the more into the story they will get. Your goal is to have the readers enthralled by your story line, your descriptions and your characters so much so that they can’t put it down.

9.     There is nothing wrong with slow –One thing we forget in this fast paced and modern world is that slow is not a bad thing. Unlike the films of today, movies in the old days did not start out with explosion and car chases to grab the audience’s attention right off the bat. Instead they started slow and introduced the back story first. People do not read to run through a story. They read to savor one. It is by necessity a slow path, so savor that with them. Do not rush to get to the climax but instead make the journey there pleasant and as fast or as slow as your plot or desire demands. Your readers will enjoy the calmer pacing and you will get a lot more detail into your writing.

10.  Clichés are there for a reason – As I said earlier, old movies are full of clichés. But clichés are true, that is why they have been around as long as they have. There is nothing wrong with using tried and true ingredients in your stories. In fact, those often work well. Just make sure your whole story is not a cliché or a rip off of something else. Instead make it your own version of the truth. As we all see things differently it should not be hard to give readers your view of the old clichés and make them see it in a whole new light.

These are just a few of the things that old movies have taught me about writing. You can come up with many more I am sure. There is always something to learn from the past. Take some time to think about what you like, what sticks out in your mind, and why it does. It may help you in your own journey to tell your story.

Author Byline:

Allison after graduation combines her two passions, writing and children. She has enjoyed furthering her writing career with www.nannyclassifieds.com .  She can be in touch through e-mail allisonDOTnannyclassifiedsATgmail.

A Passion for Writing ~ Guest Post by Jason Miner

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A Passion for Writing

I have to admit I have always been a writer. Well, maybe not always, but at least from the age of thirteen on I was writing. I loved to read and be read to from birth, though, which is what any writer will probably tell you. There is a visceral connection between reading and writing.

The first thing I can really remember writing, outside of school projects and things, was a play. Why a play? To this day I still do not understand it. I had never even read or seen a play before outside of the bits and pieces of Shakespeare that I had been exposed to in elementary literature books. The play was also strange in that it was inspired by an old television show, made way before my time. Called Hogan’s Heroes, the show was a humorous account of a German prisoner of war camp during World War Two. Yes, that idea seems like a great one for a young writer to start out on, right? But, believe it or not, that is just what I did.

I remember scribbling furiously in my little journal, carefully numbering the pages as I wrote and going back to add in a note or two in the margins. You see, this was in the Stone Age- before every child or teen had a computer of their own. I spent a great deal of time reading and rereading every bit of text, carefully looking up how to spell the big words, and using my very best handwriting. To even write something legible was quite an accomplishment for me any day, so you can imagine how much hard labor went into creating an entire play that was clear and spelled mostly correctly.

At the end of the play I sketched the faces of the men I had just brought to life. Serious and sad, laughing and happy, messily dying or running or fighting: to say I lacked artistic talent is an understatement, but still I sketched.  There was just something about it that I could not let go.

When the tome was complete I felt satisfied. I had accomplished something of great value, if only for myself. You see, I had no idea there was an entire group of writers out there doing the same thing I did. In fact it was not until I was in my twenties that I discovered what I had written was called fan fiction. By then I had written many more stories, though none were plays. That particular type of writing seemed too stifling to me. There was not enough room to add in all the little details that I loved to read about.

How, for example, did you give insight into a character’s mindset in a play? How did you describe the setting or the clothes they wore? How did you convey body movements and facial expressions? All those great things that mean as much, or more than, words.

Thus I left plays behind me and moved into short stories. These stories were typically packed full of action with minimal dialogue. Usually they were focused on one character as he made his way through the world. In fact, it was more a character study work then a short story, but that was okay with me too. As I said, I was always writing for myself fist. No one else read my work, nor was it edited by anyone. It was just me, my characters, and my passion.

I think that is the most important part of being a writer. The passion. You have to be driven from within to really want to write day in and day out. There has to be something inside you that prompts you to write down your feels, to express your thoughts, to create all these mythical people that live, forever, within your own mind.

For some writers, and even for myself at times, it is not so much a passion to write as it is a necessity. I feel like I would go insane or explode if I did not write. Most often that is due to the fact that writers have trouble expressing their thoughts, feelings and emotions verbally. I know I certainly do. There is just something terrifying about speaking words that can never be taken back or edited out. Something so final: like turning in your first rough draft without ever being able to look it over for spelling mistakes or grammar blunders.

Maybe it is more about control then I realize. Because you know that writers are control freaks. Though our lives and our offices and even our brains may be messy, our books are not. They are carefully crafted worlds where everything works just the way we want it to. Even when bad things happen we know the extent and length of the damage is fully under our control.

The thing that I have realized through my years of writing, though, is that the best stories come when we give up control. When we set loose the reigns of our imagination and let the characters write their own story. That is when the most magnificent, unplanned, and unregulated accidents happen. Those parts of us that are hidden deep inside come forth and show themselves in the words upon the page, revealing things we had never consciously thought about or considered writing down.

It is those moments that make writing a true passion. Because with a true passion it is all about letting go of control and allowing the unconscious free reign. It is about expressing feelings and thoughts that typically get squashed and compressed due to the boundaries of morals or society’s regulations. Thoseinstances where a writer truly becomes free to write makes for the best and most compelling writing of all.

I am not saying that all writing is some kind of mediation or spiritual experience. Quite frankly a lot of it is just typing down words to get them out of your head. But sometimes, every once in a while, writing becomes more than that. And that is when writing really feels like it is worth your while.

Having a passion for writing is not the mark of a writer. The mark of a writer is the inability to stop writing. Passion is a fleeting thing that comes and goes on its own whims, but the underlying fire that it kindles in the heart of a writer is what is important. It is what lasts through the log droughts between passionate explosions of productivity.

Being a writer means lots of hard work and endless hours typing when you would rather be doing almost anything else. It means collating your thoughts and imaginations into a form that others can understand, regardless of the fact that it loses something in the translation. Being a writer is like being a painter or a photographer. There is always something just off. Just off camera or just out of reach of your talents that you are striving for. That is why most writers never feel satisfied with their work. Because, to them, it is never really complete. There is only so much that words alone can capture, but it is the way you wield those words that matter.

Bring passion back into your writing. Set your mind free and allow your characters to write through you. Even if it is just a narrator without a name, still there is someone inside of you that longs to get out. That longs to express himself or herself. It is up to you to set them free and experience the passion and vitality that your mind holds within its recesses. All those thoughts and feelings that you never allowed yourself to dwell on can now be expressing though the eyes of another. That is what passionate writing is all about.

Author Bio:

Jason Miner, an expert freelance writer, loves writing articles on different categories. He is approaching different bloggers to recognize each other's efforts through “www.blogcarnival.com”.

What to Write on Slow Days ~ Guest Post by Paul Taylor

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What to Write on Slow Days ~ Guest Post by Paul Taylor

We all have slow days. Sometimes there just seems to be nothing new to write about on our blogs. Whenever I have those days they seem never ending. I just sit there, staring at the computer screen and demanding that an idea appear. It doesn’t even matter what idea, as long as I can just start writing! However, doing anything is not the point. The point is to spend your time and effort doing something worthwhile. With that in mind, here are some ideas to get you writing again.

1.     Check out the news – Even if your blog has nothing to do with current events, news stories can make you think of ideas you would have normally never come up with. Whether it is the crisis in the Middle East or the latest celebrity scoop, you would be surprised by how many great ideas come from random news articles.

2.     Surf social media – Checking out what is hot on Twitter and Facebook is often a great way to see what people are interested in reading about. Maybe you have a new thought or even just a different perspective from the rest. Whatever the case, social media affords a wonderful opportunity to get ideas that will interest readers.

3.     Look at pictures – Images are great. Like the old saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words. Oftentimes a great picture can make me think of something I would like to write about. Even if you just check out a photo site like Flicker or Pinterest, you are sure to run across something that speaks to you. Do not forget that readers like images too, so the more pictures you can include in your writing the better off you will probably be.

4.     Talk to people – I know actual communication is somewhat of a lost art, but the people around you are full of great ideas. Even though most do not know that. Just by having conversations with your coworkers, family members or friends, you can get great ideas on what to write. Ask questions like what they would be interested in reading or what is important to them at the moment. You might be surprised at how insightful and inspiring the answers you get are.

These are just a few ideas that can help get you writing again on slow days. The more you worry about what you are going to write, the more stressed you get and the less likely you are to have a great idea. Relax, take some time to look around you, and have fun with it. Remember that your attitude comes across in your writing, so like what you write!

Author Bio:

Paul and his wife Julie both spend quite a bit of time coming up with ideas, blogging, and researching all things related to childcare through “babysittingjobs.com/”.

5 Ways to Cure Writer's Block ~ Guest Post by Ken Myers

Please welcome Ken Myers to guest post Friday at the Cyber-bistro.  Ken is editor in chief and frequent contributor of  http://www.gonannies.com/.
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5 Ways to Cure Writer's Block

Writer's block can be a crippling problem for even the most prolific writers, especially when faced with a deadline. The inability to process ideas at your normal pace only adds to the stress of looming projects. Luckily, there are several things you can do to combat this problem and reduce stress.

Keep Writing

Whenever possible, try to get your juices flowing by writing on an unrelated subject. Hopefully, you can find something you truly enjoy without the pressure of a deadline. Writing for a purpose unrelated to work should help you regain your focus.

Read for Pleasure

While this may sound counterintuitive at first, the idea is to read something written by an author you enjoy. Whether that's your favorite book or poem, something well written will help you find the inspiration you need.

Stream of Consciousness

When struggling to come up with an idea, part of the problem is sometimes writers are being too critical of themselves. To combat this, allow yourself to write whatever comes to mind for a period of ten minutes without editing or second-guessing yourself. You can then evaluate what you've written and hopefully pick a few of the ideas to use in your project.

Reward Yourself

When you do finish your project (or a section of it), reward yourself with something you enjoy. You may find this extra motivation gives you an added incentive to finish those pesky projects you've been struggling with. Your reward can include anything from a night out with your friends or any activity you enjoy. Whatever it takes to keep you motivated.

Take a Break

If you find yourself simply too stressed to focus on anything related to reading or writing, consider taking a short break and looking at the assignment later with a fresh set of eyes. Exercise is a great way to accomplish this in addition to the physical benefits.

When you're struggling with writer's block, it's important to remember your past success. Think back to the times where you've met your deadlines and remember that your difficulties are temporary and not a reflection of your ability as a writer. Everyone struggles on occasion with this problem. The key is how quickly they are able to come out of it.

Author Byline:

Ken Myers the editor in chief is a frequent contributor of http://www.gonannies.com/ Ken helps acquiring knowledge on the duties & responsibilities of nannies to society. You can reach him at kmyers.ceo@gmail.com.

Juggling Writing and Kids ~ Guest Post from Sara Dawkins

Please welcome freelance writer and nanny, Sara Dawkins, to Guest Post Friday at Caveman Reflections Cyber-bistro...

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Juggling Writing and Kids

As a nanny, I often find myself entangled in sticky fingers and knotted shoelaces. Whenever I think I might have a break, someone cries, needs a new diaper, or wants a snack. It seems like a never-ending battle to get all the kids settled down long enough to even sit down for a moment, not to mention write something coherent! There have been some things I have been able to come up with, however, to make sure they get the care they need and I get the writing done that I need:

1.    Set aside time – If you never make sure you have time to write then you will never get any writing done. Whether it is kids, chores, or friends, you need to set strict boundaries and make sure writing time is writing time and nothing else. The more you do that the easier it will get, so keep it up.

2.     Work smart – Did you ever hear the saying work smarter, not harder. Well, it is true. The more organized and scheduled you can keep your writing the better. You do not want to spend half your time searching for a paper or trying to figure out what you have to do next. Make a plan and go with it.

3.     Short bursts –There is not always time to spend hours in front of the computer, so plan on writing in short bursts. Get to the point where you can write for a few moments and then move on. I know you want to keep going when you are in the flow, but if you make a practice of writing a little at a time you will be better off.

4.     Quiet time – Involving the kids in writing is something that is often overlooked. They need to work on their skills too! If you can get them quiet and thinking, then both you and they can accomplish something. Creating their own story books is a great way to get them interested in writing, and they can always illustrate their work when they get done writing it!

These are just a few ways to get writing done when you have kids hanging around. These tips also work for any work from home parent who has to deal with a lot of distractions. Remember to set up firm boundaries and keep your workplace organized. You will get more done in the long run. Good luck!

Author Bio

Freelance writer, Sara Dawkins, contributes to the Cyber-bistro.

Sara is an active nanny as well as an active freelance writer. She is a frequent contributor of http://www.nannypro.com/.  Learn more about her here.

Wilson Mulligan Returns to the Cyber-bistro

Wilson Mulligan diving in the swimming pool during his vacation in Arizona.

 Guest post by Wilson Mulligan:

It's guest post Friday at the Cyber-bistro and the experts are MIA.  Michael asked me to stand in today and share my thoughts about writing.  I'm really hoping the talented writers volunteer to appear here.  As much as I love meeting Michael's writing friends, I'm only a tennis racket and I'm not really qualified to be your guest host.  I'd like to share something with you today that I am good at -- having fun.  Every writer needs to pay attention to this.  Here are some pointers to help keep you from being too tightly strung:

1. Spend quality time with your loved ones.  Too many writers ignore their families and lock themselves up in order to pursue unrealistic deadlines.
2. Have fun.  The more fun you have the better writer you will be.
3. Participate in a sport.  I recommend tennis because you only need one more person to play.  Experiment and find something you enjoy.  Michael wasn't very good when he first met me but he stuck with it.  He took me with him when he competed in a national competition last year.  
4. Write about your passions.  The more you write about things you like, the more readers you will attract.
5. Spend time with your friends.  Just because you are a writer, you don't have to be a hermit.  Pick up the phone and invite a friend to go out and have fun.  

Would you like to add your ideas about how to have fun?  Don't forget to volunteer a guest post for the Cyber-bistro.  It's a lot of fun, even if you're not a professional writer.

Wilson Covers Writing Pointers

Wilson Mulligan Returns to the Cyber-bistro for guest post Friday.

Hi folks.  It's Wilson Mulligan again to help out on guest post Friday at the Cyber-bistro.  I'm back again to cover a few points about writing.  Michael asked me to help out because he is so busy with his new marketing job that he is sequestered during business hours.  Besides his day job, Michael's wife just added a painting project for their new Iowa home so he is burning the candle at both ends.

I don't know how Michael finds the energy to get out of bed at sunrise every day while I'm snoozing.  The way he approaches his calling to write every day no matter how much is on his plate inspires me to manage my time better.  Here are some writing pointers inspired by observing Michael and his writing buddies:

1. Go to bed on time.  You can't get out of bed early if you stay up too late.
2. Schedule rest breaks.  If you don't, you will burn out long before the day is over.
3. Don't forget to cover the important things.  I'm a racket cover.  My job is to cover my girl, Ramona.
4. Write from your heart.  Michael tells me he will never run out of ideas because his passion for life has no boundaries.
5. Volunteer to write guest posts for others.  If you emailed Michael and offered a story for guest post Friday, I would be able to spend more quality time with Ramona.  I don't mind helping him but I'm not as qualified to be a guest host as you are.  It's important to add some spice to your writing routine and guest posting not only takes you out of your comfort zone, it increases your visibility.  I may not be as famous as my cousin, Wilson, the one who starred in the Tom Hanks movie, Cast Away, but thanks to these guest appearances, people all over the world are discovering me.  Why not volunteer to write a guest post for the Cyber-bistro?

Umbro Shares Guest Post on Writing Goals

Bro and friend, Ramona Wilson, enjoying the view in Utah on a recent road trip with Michael.

My good friend from Pakistan, Umbro, is back for a guest post about writing goals.  He was born to find the goal and I asked him to offer some advice for writers.  Please welcome "Bro" to the Cyber-bistro for a return guest post...

Bro on Writing Goals

I really get a kick out of guest hosting at the Cyber-bistro.  Thanks for inviting me back, Michael.  Yes, it's true, I exist to score goals.  I have a great deal in common with Michael's writing friends.  Without specific daily writing goals, writers would be lost on the field.  Here are some pointers to help you reach your goals:

1. You can't score if you don't have a goal.  Define what you want to write about and give yourself a reasonable time to complete your writing project.  It may be as simple as writing one blog post every day or once a week.  It may be as challenging as writing a full-length novel.  Decide when you will score the goal and shoot for it.
2. Always keep your sights on the goal post.  Never let the goal fade from your view.  Keep the goal in front of you and move forward, toward the goal.
3. When the defense gets in your way and takes the ball away from you, COUNTER-ATTACK.  You must win the ball back when something  or someone gets in your way.
4. Schedule breaks.  If you are on the writing field too long, you will tire and the quality of your work will decline.  You can get so fatigued that you will never hit your writing goals.
5. Keep shooting.  Don't worry if some of your shots are too high or too wide.  The more shots you take at the goal, the more times you will actually score.  A good writer never stops writing.

Michael asked me to remind you about the opportunity to be a guest host on cyber-guest Friday at the bistro.  Some of you may think you're not qualified to share on this writers blog.  Look at me, I'm a soccer ball from a third world country!  If you offer to write a guest blog for the bistro, you will join a group of writers who are willing to share and this bistro will be a better place.  All you need to do is send Michael an email and share three or four paragraphs in a guest blog.  Your experience as a guest host will help you to become a better writer.  Go ahead, take a shot.  Thanks for visiting.

Blogging is Important for Authors ~ Guest Post by Ashley Barron

Ashley Barron, Writer, Self-publisher and Blogger.

Please welcome today's cyber-guest host, Ashley Barron, to the Caveman Reflections Cyber-bistro.  Ashley attained a Klout score of 50+ in a short period of time and she shares her ideas on how to become a social media expert, something every writer must accomplish in today's ever-evolving world of publishing.  Make sure to check out her new book, Ava, A Priya Novel.  You can reach Ashley using the following links:

Blog: http://blog.thepriyas.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/dcPriya

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AshleyBarron.Author

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_1?_encoding=UTF8&search-alias=digital-text&field-author=Ashley%20Barron

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/ashley-barron?keyword=ashley+barron&store=ebook

Guest Post: Blogging is Important for Authors ~ by Ashley Barron

I've recently added a five-part series on my blog (http://blog.thepriyas.com/2012/03/24/blogging-the-series.aspx) that underscores the idea that actively blogging will change and evolve your writing.

In many respects, an active blogger is constantly practicing his or her plot generation, theme development, writing and editing skills, plus basic technical skills through uploading the posts, links, and images to his or her blogging account.  

An active blogger is also networking, learning, teaching, connecting, and adding to the dialogue of the subjects he or she has designated as the blog's core topics.

An active blogger who is also an author is creating a one-of-a-kind environment which is custom-tailored to his or her own style, and that gives readers an understanding of the voice, writing, philosophies, and chapter construction of his or her novels.

I've been blogging now for ten months, and using Twitter for the last nine months. My very first step was to create a marketing plan. I didn't know much about social media back then, but I put what I knew on paper and shaped it into goals. Every week, I pulled out my plan and added my new knowledge.

The goals evolved over time and the results of have been encouraging.  

For anyone either newly blogging or feeling as though they are not yet where they want to be with an existing blog, I'd be happy to share marketing ideas and to answer questions about what I've experienced during my first year of blogging.

I wish there were more things in life as satisfying as a good brainstorming session!

I hope you'll join in the discussion, ask questions, contribute answers, and put a few fun marketing ideas out there, too.  

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Thanks, Ashley.  Bravo.  Your ideas will be helpful for the other writers who are a part of this writers blog.  The bistro is open for comments and questions directed to Ashley; she will be checking in later today and next week for anyone who would like some advice.  Don't forget to check out her blog for more writing tips.

Bro is Back

Bro enjoying the Colorado River.

Hello.  I'm "Bro," the soccer ball from Pakistan.  Mike asked me to fill in as today's guest host at the bistro.  He's been so busy relocating his family to Iowa that he's been out of touch with the writing experts.  Readers seemed to get a kick out of my last guest appearance, so I'm back again.  I wanted to share my opinion about the importance of relaxation.  Mike says writing can be stressful.  Here's my advice for the writers who visit this blog...

Schedule time for traveling and relaxation.  It's so easy to cut yourself off from the world.  I just completed a seven state tour with Mike and his other travel buddies, Wilson and Ramona.  It was a ball of fun.  Mike let me sit in the windshield and I savored the view.  The air is back in my lungs now.

So, if you're feeling a little deflated, just take a break and get outside with nature.  It will clear your head and allow your creativity to soar.  You will have no trouble completing your writing goals.  Just remember to relax.  Thanks for visiting today.

Guest Post by Umbro from Pakistan

Umbro Olympico at 12,000 ft in Colorado.

Please welcome the Cyber-bistro's first international guest host, Umbro.  The writing experts were all booked, so my travel buddy is on the field for some pointers.

Hello. I'm Umbro Olympico.  My friends call me "Bro." I'm one of Mike's travel buddies and he asked me to share some thoughts with you today.  I'm a size 5 soccer ball, born in Pakistan.  Most of us get kicked around all our lives.  My life is different.  I was purchased as a raffle prize and Mike won me and my identical twin brother.  Both of us were autographed by members of the San Diego Soccers, an elite team that won numerous national championship titles.  I've never been kicked and I had the privilege of a front row seat during Mike's road trip from Ramona, California to Williamsburg, Iowa.  Here are a few ideas I would like to share as today's guest host:

1. Anytime you feel deflated, don't give up hope.  There's always a way to bounce back.
2. It's good to get on a roll.  Begin each day ready fired up and keep rolling.
3. Getting kicked is part of life.  Don't ever take it personally.
4. Surround yourself with positive people who will keep you pumped up.
5. No matter where you are on the field of life, keep your sights on the goal.

That's it for now.  Mike invited me back to fill the void any time he's short on writing experts.  Thanks for giving me the opportunity to be your guest host today.  Write on.

Wilson Mulligan Makes Second Guest-host Appearance

Hi, I'm Wilson Mulligan, Mike's tennis racket cover.  Mike allowed me to appear today because today is one of my most important days of my life.  I traveled with Mike and his family to Iowa in a moving truck and we had to leave the love of my life behind because she wasn't ready to travel.  The local tennis pro, Doug, offered to give her a fresh string job, but Ramona got misplaced and missed the ride to Iowa.

My theme for today's post is relationships.  When you are surrounded by loving people, you have an opportunity feel your best.  And when the one you love with all your heart slips away, you have the opportunity to feel intense emotions of separation anxiety.  Tap into these emotions and use them to write love stories.  The best stories are the ones where two characters are separated, searching for a way to re-connect.

Today, I'm finally seeing my true love for the first time since we left her behind over one month ago.  I may be an inanimate object, but I still have feelings.  I'm so happy to be with Michael on this trip back to California.  Michael will be taking pictures of my reunion with Ramona and he may write some blog stories about our travels.

I just wanted to share one lesson about relationships.  Don't take them for granted.  Stay close to the ones you love.  I got the opportunity to appear as a guest host today by default.  Usually, Michael asks writing experts to appear, however, he is really busy helping me to get reunited with Ramona and he doesn't get to spend much time at the bistro this week.  If you would like to offer your expertise here, please send Michael an email and he will schedule you for a future guest post Friday.  Thanks for stopping by today.

- Wilson Mulligan

My Aunt Marcie is Today's Guest Host at the Cyber-bistro

Please welcome guest host, Marcie Rupcich, to the Cyber-bistro.  She wrote and self-published a family memoir last year and I asked her to share how she penned her story.  Thanks, Aunt Marcie, for sharing your thoughts about writing...

First of all, thank you for your invitation to submit to your Cyber-bistro.  You have quite a laundry list of questions on how I came to write my memoir.  It was something I had been thinking about for years as I was getting older and all our children not only moved out of the house but out of state.  The farther they moved, the more difficult it was to communicate over the phone all the precious memories of the past, so I thought perhaps I had better start writing them down.
 

Over the past few years, I found myself journaling more and more as I participated in bible studies and in reading books on history and self-improvement.  Many of the reflections seem to be introspective, not only on my own past history, but on how I felt and dealt with issues.  Then one day it just came to me that I could summarize it all by journaling a memoir and what better time to do it as my approaching 60th birthday.  As for the title, The Four Seasons of My Life, A Memoir of a Woman Pushing 60, that was a no-brainer.  It just seemed that in each segment of my life I had become a different person.   But just as the seasons give way to the beauty of what each has to offer, my life too brought in cherished abilities and characters that seemed to follow a natural progression of transformation.  The text was written, believe it or not, mostly in the waning hours of the night when I would wake up with ideas and quickly get them on the computer before I truly woke up and forgot all that had come into my head from those inspirational dreams.  It was not until I had completely written the text that I decided I needed to get the memoir into a more presentable form so that I could share it with our family.
 

As easily as the seasons were divided I concluded that my life was divided as well.  So I structured my memoir to follow the seasons.  I decided not only to tell a story about my life, but also include some biblical versus and prayers that were most meaningful to me.  The memoir was to be a treasure for my children to have long after I was gone from this earth.  I wanted them to not only know the story of my life but also realize what was most important  to me, my life being one of faith and service to God.  Perhaps the words on the pages may or may not have meaning to them now, but in the years to come when I wasn't around to ask questions to I felt like the memoir could be helpful in dealing with all that life threw at them.  Maybe the words would mean more to them then.  Maybe they could better relate when they too crossed the same paths.
 

After the text was written, my first thought was to contact my daughter who was a professional designer.  Her reaction was invigorating as she said that of course she would help.  Putting into print ideas and text is what she did for a living.  So I forwarded the document to her with some cover ideas.  But, of course, my ideas were nothing compared to hers.  She surprised me with a cover and chapter design that I could have never come up with myself.  I am grateful for her expertise.  Some things are best left to the professionals.  She also had ideas as to what web sites to use as I wanted the memoir to be self edited, self published and for personal use only.  
 

Expecting to have to deal out big bucks to get a proof and copies was trumped by astonishingly reasonable rates, as the web has numerous self publishing sites for the amateur these days.  It's amazing what can be done from the convenience of your own home and ordering over the web.  Anyone can write, experiment on-line, and have print copies of their own made.  All it takes is to get started, experiment with the on-line options, get a little help from your friends (a second set of eyes is always good, along with spell check) and let the juices flow!
 

Here is the link to Lulu publishing.  Click here.

Developing a Writer's Strategy in a Social Tech Maze

Today's guest post is by Christy McFerren.  Follow her on Twitter, @ChristyMcFerren.

Christy McFerren

Life as a writer in these social-tech-maze times can have your mind pinging like a frenetic tennis match, shifting back and forth from your next creative piece to wondering whether you are marketing it, your work or yourself properly. Should you hide in your hole and write your next chapter, or should you be spending the time that others are awake (and the conversation is happening) posting to your blog, Tweeting, Facebooking, Google Plussing, Pinteresting, reading others blogs and commenting, etc., etc., etc., to build your brand and awareness? Or maybe you need to write your next eBook to make some money for now, or pitch a magazine or newspaper or… Wow… when's the time to research? And, it's only getting more chaotic with the invention of even newer social toys like Cowbird, Spotus, Storify, and Bookshout, which are all social layers built on top of the core networks and targeted specifically to writers and authors.

To sort through the mire, you almost need prophetic vision to know what it is thou shouldest be doing at any given moment of any given day.

What you need is a friend to help you through. I'm here to help, at least just for today. Your real, long-term friend is going to be a strategy you develop, and then faithfully execute until that strategy plateaus, and then you revise.

The strategy you need will accomplish the following objectives that nearly everyone in the writing space should share:

1. Write. Write, write, write. WRITE. WRITE A LOT.

2. Build a community, tribe, following, whatever you want to call it, which basically translates to situating yourself as a friend among equals in the marketplace who share interest in your areas of writing.

3. Have short term income strategies.

4. Have long term income strategies, so you can do what you came to earth to do, which is write. (WRITE.)

Notice how the end goal is the same as the first goal? Right, that's right, it's to write. You don't wind up as a writer without writing. From the start. Social media, websites, all the buzz is all fuzz, next to writing, which is the point. With those goals in mind, here are some guidelines to help you establish your writer's strategy.

 1. Since writing is the foundation, write when you're at your best. This is the always-sacred-cow that never moves. Set aside all the time that you *realistically* can be productive, no more, no less. It's different for everyone, some people 2 hours, some people 7 or 8. Whatever it is for you, this is the core of your universe and all else revolves around it, the sun around which all your social media planets rotate. Don't set aside too much time or you will feel void and like a failure when you have nothing left to say. Don't set aside too little time or you will shoot yourself in the foot, wasting time doing things that don't get you to your goal as quickly. In short, always, if you CAN be writing, DO be writing. No new-fangled technology should rob you away from this, and if it has, take back that ground.  

2. Build a community. There are so many ways to say and do this. Here are a few must-haves (and where my 13 years in web technology background is to your advantage):

      a. Have a website that doesn't suck. Spending all your time on social media when you don't have a good website that communicates your message is like inviting people to a dinner party and not having a home to host it in. There are volumes that could be written on having a good website presence, but in short, it needs to clearly communicate your message (why you write), well-designed (pretty and easy to navigate), connected to social media (don't make me work to share things from your site), and search engine optimized so it can be found. If this is not your reality, fix that, and fix it first, after you write, but before you social medialize. Realize this - that the more you write, as you're faithful to step 1, the more you're going to need to place this writing in front of people, and your blog/website is where that needs to happen. So be sure to do it well.

     b. Once you have a website, find your voice with social media. If you don't know where to start, start with Twitter. Facebook is mainly for friends and family, and if you do have a fan page, it's much harder to start conversation there than it is on Twitter. Basically, they already love you on Facebook. Twitter is where you make new friends, grow your audience. Learn to run Twitter searches and start speaking into streams of conversation. Don't market yourself. Just chat. Ask questions. Social media. Not sales media. Don't confuse the two. Every now and then, just invite someone over for a read at your website, but don't push yourself. It's gross.

     When you've got Twitter down, take a day off, or a weekend, and spend all the time you need wrapping your head around the next social network. Maybe Pinterest, or Cowbird. Just take your time, don't hurry through it, and don't get overwhelmed. Slow and steady wins the race, as you work your way through engaging the social media world.

     Plan your year around methodically building your community. Set a goal of building/refining your website for the first two-four months of the year. Then set a goal of working on your Twitter presence for a month until you've got a manageable routine over there. Then learn what Pinterest, Cowbird, Storify can do for you. Set monthly goals and knock these platforms out. It's a huge key to building your platform but it's not more important than writing. Don't forget that part. So space it out, and take your time.

3. A little less talk, a little more action, you say? Or so says your bank account. Develop some short term income strategies. Write for papers, for magazines, for other blogs who pay for your work, and/or write eBooks that you can sell as downloadable PDF's on your website, Facebook page, or Amazon. Short and quick sales, $5, $4, $.99 sales, repeating, over time, do wonders for that electric bill. It's also nice to get slightly off topic in your writing now and then. Like a palate cleanser, writing about something fresh is a nice creative reset and adds to your perspective. Also, if you've done step 2, step 3 finds you with an audience, and more sales.

4. Alas, you've kept the golden rule, point number 1, and you've been writing when you're supposed to be writing. Turns out that step 1 is your step 4. Writing faithfully until you make something of it is your long term income strategy. Here's the part where the community building and all that writing begin to pay off, as you launch your first, second, third books. This four-point strategy can be wrapped around your day and implemented in any form you choose. The important key here is to integrate into your writing a cycle of learning new technologies, social networks, and getting your hands on devices that change the game for authors (like the iPad). Don't do it the other way around. Don't integrate your writing into a crazed cycle of embracing new technologies and networks, or you'll never get the important stuff done. The other thing to remember in the fast changing world of author-relevant technology and ideas: No one knows it all, or has all the answers. Trust your instincts. If it seems of interest to you, you should probably pursue it. If you want a teacher, hire any given college kid to spend three hours with you teaching you how Twitter works. You have to, need to, MUST… get integrated with these technologies, but don't get in a hurry and don't get overwhelmed, and never let it be more important to you than writing.

Writing Therapy ~ Guest Post by Kari Scare

Guest Post by Kari Scare.  You can follow Kari on Twitter, @KariScare, or click here to link to her blog, "Struggle to Victory."

Excerpt from Kari's blog about her... "deliberate, intentional and curious, by pursuing simplicity and balance, and by striving to age gracefully, struggle will lead to victory."




Writing Therapy

Life is busy. Kids sports schedules. Work. Volunteer activities. Dinner. Add in the processing of these events and the relationships that make them worthwhile and complicated at the same time. How are my kids doing in school? Who are their friends? Am I a good leader? Am I productive? How can I be more productive and a better leader? Are our diets healthy? Do we get enough exercise? Am I spending enough time with the people who matter most to me? Then there’s the inner critic and the part that cares too much about what others think. Oh yeah, there are dreams and goals to consider too.

Endless thoughts to process. Infinite ideas to explore. Our minds get overloaded and busy so easily. They fill up with choices to make and details to remember leaving little to no room for new thoughts and ideas. The result? Often, almost total shutdown. A desire to escape. Make the noise stop. Somehow. Prevention exists as the only real antidote to overwhelming busyness and overload.

How do we prevent overload? By taking out before putting more in. By freeing space to allow room for processing life in an orderly and sane way instead of simply reacting constantly to what’s happening to us.

Writing therapy is an ideal method for freeing the mind and helping manage overload because it forces us to process thoughts as well as keeps records for future reference. There are 5 methods of writing therapy I regularly employ. These 5 methods were my path back to sanity and are a big part of my preventative maintenance plan.

    1.)    Journaling. I prefer a blank journal, and the majority of my journaling is praying. In other words, my journal entries tend to be my side of a conversation with God. I do throw in what I call a guided journal from time to time. Guided journals provide writing prompts, sometimes just a quote and sometimes a longer writing such as a devotion or other reflection.
    2.)    Lists. Lists provide a quick and easy way to clear the mind. Blog post ideas. House cleaning tasks. Errands. Books to read. Gift ideas. No topic is off limits. Related to lists are outlines, which are really just detailed lists. If you’re in a hurry, lists provide a quick way to focus. Once created, they also provide reminders for future references.
    3.)    Typing Dump. Sometimes writing by hand fails to keep pace with the flow of thoughts and ideas. A typing dump allows me to get a ton of ideas out quickly. When I am in the throes of a typing dump, my fingers and my subconscious connect and seem to bypass conscious thought. Often, I don’t even remember what I type. While journaling (hand writing) forces my conscious and subconscious to connect, a typing dump allows my subconscious free reign to let out its concerns.
    4.)    Email Vent. Some days, my thoughts need to go to a real person living and breathing in the world. Because I work at home alone, an email vent provides a great way to “talk” to other people and feel less alone. Sometimes, I share something that strikes me as funny, or I simply seek sympathy or advice from a trusted friend. Remember though, email is a permanent record not in your control once you send it to someone else. Choose recipients carefully.
   5.)    Idea Book. My idea book keeps random thoughts in one location. These thoughts don’t fit with my journaling, they aren’t something I’m ready to converse about, and they don’t really lend themselves to a list format. I also sometimes tape clippings from magazines in my idea book. My idea book provides thoughts I usually return to at some point for writing blog posts, devotionals and lessons. (I also use my idea book for making lists sometimes.)

Writing therapy must be absent of any guidelines or requirements. It’s all about just writing. As such, it leads the mind to clearer thinking. Writing therapy frees the mind to think and process because details no longer demand attention since they now have a permanent place on paper. As a result, balance replaces overload. If that sounds like a freeing feeling, know that this is exactly what it is, and writing therapy truly can lead you to that place.

On a final note, be consistent. That just means using some form of writing therapy daily to prevent thoughts from piling up and becoming overwhelming. Doing so also accomplishes the first step for any writer to become, well, a real writer, and that’s simply to write every day.

Authors Kathi Macias and Stacey Rudge Join Forces at Bistro on Cyber-Guest Friday

Stacey Rudge makes her second appearance on cyber-guest Friday to review the Freedom Series by award-winning author, Kathi Macias, also a member of the Cyber-bistro.  Thank you, ladies, for your efforts to stop human trafficking.

Kathi Macias

Stacey Rudge

                                                                      

Authors Kathi Macias & Stacey Rudge join forces in their all-out war against human trafficking.

I am so pleased to have met Stacey Rudge and to be able to partner with her in ministry to survivors of human trafficking, as well as to work side by side to see this horrific crime stopped, once and for all. Her courageous spirit is an inspiration to many, including myself, and I look forward to seeing her powerfully written stories in print.

              

Deliver Me From Evil          

by Kathi Macias

A Survivor’s Review

of Book #1 the Freedom Series...

I’ll admit, at first I was skeptical;

I mean how could she possibly know. . .

Imagine my delightful surprise when midnight struck that first night

and I, a grace-card-carrying survivor, was unable to put the book down.

Kathi Macias has the unique ability to weave a hometown issue into the

once-impermeable universal tapestry of human trafficking.

Deliver Me From Evil follows the stories of several different characters in the U.S. and abroad. The author’s riveting separation of characters is mind-boggling. Through each one God’s plan is revealed; raw courage emerges and hope springs up so powerful, it can surpass physical borders and rip apart the ignorant lie that until recently kept us all silent.

Although fiction, Macias’ superb introduction to the tragedy of modern-day slavery is surprisingly accurate. She’s a true pioneer in the abolition of sexual slavery.

After reading Deliver Me From Evil, you will no longer be able to close your eyes and say, “This kind of thing doesn’t happen in America.”

She features a realistic approach to everyone’s biggest question regarding human trafficking.

What can I do?

The Freedom Series can be used as an appropriate ministry tool to inspire teens, parents and individuals who simply want to understand the issues or feel led to become part of the solution.

                                                              

Now that book two in the series, Special Delivery, has also released, I have one question: When can readers get their hands on book three?

The final book of the Freedom Series, The Deliverer, releases in Fall 2012. Don’t miss it!

  http://www.amazon.com/Deliver-Evil-Freedom-Kathi-Macias/dp/1596693061/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1331742133&sr=1-1

                                    

http://www.amazon.com/Special-Delivery-Freedom-Kathi-Macias/dp/159669307X/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1331742133&sr=1-4

www.kathimacias.com

Human Trafficking

If you or someone you care about is involved in trafficking and sexual exploitation and wants out of the life, there is a safe place to go for help. Just don’t give up! Hope is real. Recovery and freedom are still options.

http://www.generatehope.org/                                    http://www.gems-girls.org/