Worth 1k Words

Whether you're a blogger or not, sometimes you need a great picture. This is tough if you're a less-than-amateur photographer, or don't even happen to know where your camera currently is (as in my case). So...what to do?

Well, there's the ol' photobooth on your laptop, though it does look silly when you lug out your computer to take a photo.

You could use a drawing program and sketch some kind of illustration. I was never really good with an Etch-A-Sketch, though, so it's better for me to just round up a preschooler than to try to use one of those kinds of computer dealios.

The best option, and the one I use most often, is to visit a royalty-free website and swipe someone else's photo (with their permission, of course). Next time you're in the market for a free photo to use for a blog, an invitation, or merely for a cool bit of art to hang on your wall, check out these free image sites.

Morguefile

Free Photos Bank

Clickr

Photo Rogue

Free Media GOO

Free Digital Photos

Is There a Masseuse in the House?

Whoever is not experiencing any stress in their lives, please raise your hand. Uh-huh. Exactly as I thought. And it's not just writers who don't have their fingers in the air. But who's got spare cash to go get a massage these days?

So today I'll do us all a favor and brainstorm some ways to take the hiss out of stress (and make sure to tune in on Fun Friday when I'll break the news on why I'm freaking out today).

You may not be able to contort your body into giving yourself a back rub, but most of us can reach our tootsies. Grab some moisturizer and work it into your feet. All over. Press hard. Ahh. Not as great as a pedicure but it'll do in a pinch.

Take a magazine break. Toodle over to the library and check out some periodicals. I'm not talking high-tech intricate reads. Go for the picture-licious copies. Then take your stash home, make a cup of tea, and park your behind on the couch. There's something eerily soothing about mindlessly looking at all the pretty colors.

This time of year (namely frigid in my parts) a long soak in a hot tub is a guaranteed win. As a bonus, make it a detox bath. Here are some recipes.


If the sun is shining, stand in it. Yes, you can stand just inside a window and not out in the frozen tundra. Close your eyes and lift your face to the sun, soaking in the golden rays. This is especially necessary if you are in my neck of the woods. Cloudy days are the norm, so when the sun does finally peek out, I make a run for it.

Shake it off, as in go for a walk. Normally I'm not the athletic type, but sometimes getting outside, alone, even if my nose hairs are freezing, whacks my thinking back into shape.

Kick the dog. Oops. Did my fingers type that? Yeah. More on this on Fun Friday.

So...what are some of your favorite ways to de-stress?

Woo-hoo! I won!

No, not the Pulitzer or even the Publisher's Clearing House, but hey...an award's an award and I'll take any that come my way. One of my writerly buddies, Yvonne Anderson (whom I affectionately call Y and sometimes Freak), nominated Writer Off the Leash for the Liebster Award. What the heck is that? Great question, and in fact, the same question I asked her.

“Liebster” is a German word for favorite, and the Liebster Blog Award is given to bloggers deserving wider recognition, and who have less than 200 followers. The purpose of the Liebster Blog Award is to spread the word about these folks and their fine work.

The rules are:

1. Tell 11 things about yourself.
2. Answer 11 questions from the blogger who nominated you.
3. Nominate 11 bloggers who have less than 200 followers.
4. Post 11 questions for those who will be nominated by you.
5. Get in contact with those 11 bloggers in order to inform them that you nominated them.

Now then, let's roll with the ol' get to know you...

Except for apples, I hate fruit.
If I have to break a sweat, rollerblading is my exercise of choice.
The Count of Monte Cristo is my all-time favorite movie. Ever.
I like my jammies to be matchy-matchy.
If I could live anywhere in the world, it would be England.
My dad's name was Epaphras. Not even kidding.
Boxers are my favorite breed and I don't men of undah-pants.
I've recently started liking brussel sprouts. Go figure.
Hobby Lobby is may all-time favorite store.
While I like all chocolate, I prefer dark over milk.
I like to cook.

And here are The 11 Questions I was asked...

1. Why did you start blogging?
I was told I needed a platform and a tribe. Since I began this adventure a year and a half ago, I haven't attracted any natives dancing the hulu-hulu and I'm still afraid of heights. I suspect Writer Off the Leash isn't working as intended but I'm having a great time at whatever it is that I'm doing.

2. What is your favorite genre to read?
Whoa. Tough. I love a LOT of genres. Currently I love historical fiction but my first love was and still is sci fi.

3. What fictional character do you most wish were real?
At the risk of sounding egocentric, I'm going to go with Ragnar (the hero from my latest release, Undercurrent). Of all the characters I've written, he captured me mind and soul.

4. Describe your dream office for writing.
In the turret of a castle, with a full suit of armor for inspiration, a sweet sound system to play background inspirational music, and of course, a case of chocolate next to my desk. Oh yeah, and don't forget an espresso machine.

5. Name one thing you couldn't live without.
God's amazing grace.

6. If you could keep only one book, what would it be?
The Bible.

7. If you could magically transport yourself into a book, which one would you choose and what character would you be?
I'd pick Jane Eyre and star as Jane.

8. Do you have any phobias?
Centipedes.

9. What is your biggest pet peeve?
Someone chewing with their lips open...especially gum.

10. Describe yourself in 5 words.
Quirky, blunt, cheerful, freaky, dependable.

11. Who is your favorite well-known author and your favorite rising star author?
Wow. This is a tough one. Who can name just one? Just off the top of my head, I'd say John Steinbeck and Jill Williamson.

The 11 bloggers I'm passing the award onto (and don't forget to check out their blogs)...

1. Jennifer Major at Tales From the Redhead

2. Terri Thompson at The Christian Naturalist

3. Shannon McNear at Shenandoah's Eclectic Musings

4. Jessie Gunderson at Blog Schmog

5. Mariah Griep at Mariah's World

6. TC Avey at Wisdom of a Fool

7. Ashley Wall at Life in the house of A. Wall

8. Teresa Morgan at Simple Faith in a Complicated World

9. Brandi Boddi at Penning Praises

10. Chawna Shroeder at Imagination Investigation

11. Christine Lindsay at Writer of Fiction That Matters

idiosyncrasies of the English Language

Don't panic. I'm not going all-out academic on you. Today's post is simply about the quirks of the American English language (as opposed to British). More to the point: what is said vs. what is meant.

When I say:
Wow, that garbage can is full.
It means:
Get off your butt and lug out that Hefty bag, would ya?

When my husband says:
Can I help with dinner?
It means:
Have you been on Pinterest all day or what? Why isn't the food on the table yet?

When the sales clerk says:
Have a nice day.
It means:
I don't care a rat's behind what kind of day you have as long as you fill out the survey on the bottom of the receipt and make me look good.

When words are spoken face to face, it's easier to decipher because of body language. But when the written word is your medium of choice, it's all the harder to convey what a character actually means. On the up side, this can be used to an author's advantage by choosing words that convey characterization via dialogue.

Or it can leave your reader scratching their head with your book firmly shut on the nightstand beside them.

What to do?

The best way to make each of your character's say what they really mean (and not give the reader a different expectation) is to really know your character well before they even speak. This requires some groundwork before you begin a new manuscript. Yes, this takes time, but in the long run it will pay off.

Know your characters. Know them well. Then use the words that flow out of their mouths to solidify who they are in your reader's mind. Those are the kind of characters that stick with a reader long after they've closed the book...and not just left it to rot on a bedside table but given that book a place of honor on their living room shelves.

The Call

It never hurts to practice for a big event.

Will Write For Cash

Tying in to yesterday's post, what if you're one of those writers who decides to ditch the artsy-fartsy aura of writing and instead want to charge ahead with writing for money? I mean, it's not like book contracts are being handed out like candy nowadays. How in the world can you make a little moolah while waiting for Tyndale or Random House to pick up your manuscript?

Never fear. Have I got a site for you.

Check out Writing for DOLLARS! This site focuses on the business side of writing. Translation: making money. You can find out current markets that pay, how to market what you write, and tips for entering high paying markets. There are even interviews with successful writing professionals.

If you want to become a pen for hire, this just might be a great place to start.

Write to the Market or What's on Your Heart?

freedigitalphotos.net

What if a story is burning inside you, you write it down, and everyone rolls their eyes at it, mocks you, tells you what a piece of garbage that story is...but one single reader is so moved by that tale, it draws them closer to God.

Would you still write it? Should you?

Question: Why is publication by a major publisher the accepted validation badge over one changed soul?

Answer: In a perfect world, it shouldn't be.

Too bad we don't live in a perfect world.

So here we are, with the same old quandary. Should an author write what the market will buy or pen the story that's captured their heart? It's wonderful when those two coincide...and also rare. What to do?

There are the usual options:

• write what's selling until you get your foot in the door, then write what you want
• self publish
• write the book of your heart, and if it doesn't sell, shelve it until that topic/genre is trendy

I don't think you can decide which route to go until you figure out what's at the core of your writing soul. Why do you write? Is it to make money or to make art? There's a difference.

Seth Godin says:

"Do your art. But don't wreck your art if it doesn't lend itself to paying the bills. That would be a tragedy."

I understand that in this economy making money is more important than ever...but that doesn't mean writing must be your sole cash cow, especially if the money-making side of writing is sucking the joy out of the experience.

I'll leave you with two words to mull over, swish around in your mouth, and see what kind of taste they leave. Only you can decide which writing road you should take.

Stay true.