A to Z Blogging Challenge: Z

I can't believe it's the last day of the A to Z Blogging Challenge. Don't forget to revisit the list and find some time to check out a lot of wonderful blogs. This is my last post on the many ways I'm going to try and improve as a writer after I retire.

Z: Zzzzzz. I know it's not a word but I'm going to use it as one. During my early days as a writer when my kids were small and still needed me every minute of the day, I did most of my writing late at night. I sacrificed sleep to write books. I like staying up late. I like the quiet of the house after every one but me and the cat are in bed. Many nights I wasn't getting more than five hours of sleep.

Again research shows that not getting enough sleep contributes to all kinds of health issues like weight gain, increased stress levels and a lower job efficiency. Like my running, I've been making more of an effort to behave in a healthier manner. I'm trying to get no less than seven hours of sleep per night. Once I retire, I'm going to up that number to eight hours every night. That means sleeping in to around 8am in the morning. I want to do it. Being better rested, I'm going to be a better writer.

How much sleep do you get? Does your writing cost you sleep? Did you survive A to Z? And a great big thank you to the organizers of A to Z and those of you who kindly visited me here.

A to Z Blogging Challenge: Y

Do you see the light at the end of the tunnel for the A to Z Blogging Challenge? Check the list and see how many blogs you can pick from the visit. I had to think long and hard to find the right word for today's post on how I will improve as a writer and author when my June retirement comes around.

Y: Yearn. I've sold nine books to publishers and self pubbed a few on my own. I feel like a moderately successful author even though I'm not getting any where near to rich. A fear I have is that I'll settle into complacency. I'll start to be happy to stay right where I am. I hope that I always yearn for more.

I yearn for a big book contract where the publisher will do loads of promotion for me. I yearn for some movie maker to want my book to make into a feature film. (I do have a list of actors who should be in that movie). I yearn to see my bank account make tax day extremely painful, even more so than it is now with my teaching salary.  I yearn for so many contracts coming into my inbox that I need to change the ink cartridge after I print them all out. And I hope I never stop yearning for more.

Do you ever fear your drive to do or be more is lagging? What do you yearn for as a writer right now? Are you yearning for A to Z to be over?

A to Z Blogging Challenge: X

Hey all you, A to Zer's, thanks for stopping by. Please check out the rest of this year's Challenge bloggers on this list. I've nearly wrapped up my list for my theme of ways I'm going to make sure my full time career as a writer is successful.

X: eXercise: And what, you might ask does that have to do with writing? It's so much easier to work at you job, no matter what it is, if you feel good. Every study ever done shows that exercise is good for you in numerous ways. The major health risks in my country are all less for people who exercise. I'm talking the big ones, cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, back injuries and every stress-related illness there is.

Sometimes when I get really involved in my writing, especially when I get to the last chapters I'm writing on a new book, I want to spend every minute at the keyboard. I'm always thinking I should skip just one or two days or maybe a week until I finish my latest project. I have to remind myself that I'll concentrate better if I go out for my daily run.

I used to run a lot. Usually around five miles per day at seven minutes per mile. When I really got my writing career rolling, I started skipping my running. Then we moved to the country where every direction means running up a hill. I was tired and feeling guilty about it. I knew I was making a bad decision but I rationalized that my writing needed all my attention. But then as you might expect, I started to add some bad weight. Finally last year, I started running on a regular basis again. And I feel great and my writing is going fine. My concentration is better and my mind sharper. Also I've worked out a lot of plot sticking points while I forcing myself up those hills.

Do you exercise on a regular basis? What is your torture of choice? Do you think it helps your mental health as well as your physical health?

A to Z Blogging Challenge: W

It's nearly the weekend and we're nearly done with the A to Z Blogging Challenge. I bet you can find lots of blogs on the master list that would be fun to visit the first time or to check out again. My theme is a list of all the thinks I intend to do or do better once I become a full time writer in June.

W: Widen My Interests. I write a lot of epic fantasy and scifi romance. But I read almost any type of fiction. But I'll have time this summer to read some things I not only like, but that will help me in my writing.

I love reading science magazines. I have a minor in biology to go along with my health and physical education degree but I also took quite a few chemistry classes in college. I never studies astronomy but I love reading it. In high school and college I never cared for history. How did they make it so boring and tedious when it's so interesting?

I intend to do some traveling, get in some horseback riding that I haven't done in years. I'm going to go cross-country skiing again. I'm going to try out some of those recipes I've found on Pinterest and try my hand at some decorating ideas. I'm going to widen my hobby interests and my reading interests.

Do you have hobbies that help with your writing? What kind of magazines do you read? What hobby would you add if you had more time?

A to Z Blogging Challenge: V

Welcome to another post in the 2013 A to Z Blogging Challenge. Meet lots of interesting bloggers on the complete list here. I'm made so many new friends as I throw out another piece of the long list of steps I plan to take after my retirement from teaching to become a full time writer that will propel me into fame and fortune. Well, at least advance my career in some way.

V: Video. Like so many of my generation, I'm not at the top of the class when it comes to technology and all the wonderful ways it can be used to promote my books. Some people are much better and display their talent by creating beautiful, engaging book trailers. This summer I'm going to make one of those videos. Or two or three or perhaps ten. I already have ideas and lots of notes and web addresses of how to do this. Wish me luck.

Have you made a video to promote your book? Do you think them a good way to promote a book?

A to Z Blogging Challenge: U

I'm sure most of us have found challenges in keeping up with the A to Z and its long list of survivors. I've been picking up lots of ideas for the vow I'm making below as my next item on my agenda of becoming a more successful writer.

U: Update. Update everything and often. Update all my online profiles. Update all the pages on my blog. Update this blog in so many ways. I'm going to update my author's page on Amazon. I'm going to update some promotional items languishing in my desk. Changing things around on this blog may help bring readers back time and time again.

I'm going to update my friends list on Facebook. Early on I accepted just about any friends. I need to whittle that list down. I'm going to post more on Twitter more even though I'm not a fan. As I told you on letter E, I'm also going to update the equipment I use to write with. Don't worry, you all will be some of the first to know when I get a new computer. I'm going to update my list of online review sites. The list could go on and on but my point is there are tons of updates I can be constantly doing but I put them off for a day when I have more time. That time will come in June.

How often do you update your blog(I don't mean new posts) or website? Do you keep all those different profiles you have online somewhere up to date?

A to Z Blogging Challenge: T

Can't believe we're nearing the end of the alphabet already in the 2013 A to Z Blogging Challenge. Find all the master list here. Are you ready to hear about another thing from my plans to be a better writing upon my retirement.

T: Thanks. Yes, I'm going to use my blog and other social media to thank people. There are so many. The first publisher who took a chance on me. My newest publisher and editor. Members of writing groups and my very first critique partner. The online friends who shout out my new book releases. The people who are loyal commenters on my blog. The family members who support my efforts and all my sisters who buy and read my books. The online community, like this one, that has given me advice and guidance.

But the little paragraph above isn't what I mean by giving thanks to and for this people. I'm going to name names. I'm going to publicly proclaim these people as kind and good and smart. I have lists that keep getting longer and longer. You could be on it.

Do you use your blog to thank people? Are there some people you should be thanking? Has someone surprised you by thanking you publicly when you weren't expecting it?

A to Z Blogging Challenge: S

Here we are starting the last full week of the 2013 A to Z blogging Challenge. Find the full list of participants here and visit a few. Continuing my long list of ways I'll be working harder at being a writer when I dive into it as a full time career in June I have another short post below.

S: Short Stories. I love reading and writing long fiction pieces. Though fantasy is my first love for reading and writing, I also read lots of other fiction including some long historical fiction. But over and over again, I hear and read the advice that writing short stories and posting them to places like Goodreads, is a good way to draw in new readers and get my name out there. I have one short story up on Goodreads and another started, but I'm not enthusiastic about writing them so it's going slow.

But I'm going to do more. Writing short stories can be good practice for me and if they're interesting enough to draw in readers, then I haven't wasted my time. But I'm worried I can't write short, arresting fiction. But I'm going to try?

Do you think writing short stories is helpful to novelists? Do you write short stories? Do you like reading short stories or novels?

A to Z Blogging Challenge: R

We made it through another week of The A to Z Blogging Challenge. I'll be using Sunday again to try and catch up on some of the many blogs I didn't get a chance to visit during the week. Still many more to go. I'm following along with my theme of things I'll be working harder at once I'm retired in June.

R: Read and Review. I read and read and then read some more, but between writing, promotion and more reading, I don't take the time to review the books I've read on places like Amazon and Goodreads. I don't fill my blog with reviews but I could make more mention when I finish a book and link to the reviews I've done on other sites.

All authors hope to get reviews for their books and I'm going to make sure I do it for more of my peers. It's a good way to give back to the community of writers.

Do you do reviews at Goodreads or Amazon? Do you review every book you read?

A to Z Blogging Challenge: Q

Don't forget to visit more posts in the 2013 A to Z Blogging Challenge as we near the end of the third week of blogging frenzy. Read on to learn one more way I'm going to strive for more success in my writing career as I make it my full time job starting in June.

Q: Question. I have some basic computer skills but I'm far from computer literate. There are so many things I don't know how to do. I won't go into a long list here, because I know some of you experts out there will know and put your answer in the comment. In the hustle and bustle of A to Z, I might not write it down or have the time to try it. Starting in June, I'm going to use my friends to add a little know-how to my blogs.

Online friends have helped me in the past with things such as ways to improve my blog and make it more readable. Another friend helped me when I self-pubbed one of my books. There's more to the list but what I've learned in the past is that this is a community where someone will know the answer to just about any question you have about writing, promotion and publishing. I'm going to be asking more questions on how to do all those things I have no clue about.

What questions have online friends helped you answer? Have you offered any advice or expertise lately?

A to Z Blogging Challenge: P

The 2013 A to Z Blogging Challenge is rolling along. Don't get stressed if you're not keeping up with visits and comments. Just do the best you can. You might not have time to visit everyone on the list. It's okay.  Below is my offering of writing advice and something I feel I already do in my part time career as an author but I will do it even more.

P: Persistence. We do some character education as part of our drug education unit at my school. One of our emphasis is on the characteristics of successful people. Number one is persistence. Successful people don't give up. They try and try, and then try again.

I queried dozens of agents and editors until I found a small press who wanted to publish my first romance novel. After having four romance novels published by small presses, I wrote my first fantasy novel. Again I searched and searched and this time earned a contract with a medium sized publisher. Then that publisher decided they were changing directions after they published my second book. I didn't want to change with them so I took that four book series back from them and self pubbed it. Now I've found another independent press to publish my second fantasy series and have also had three more romance novels published by the wonderful small press who believed in me first. I'm not on the USA today bestsellers list but I'm not giving up. I'll never give up.

Are you persistent? What frustrations have made you want to give up?

A to Z Blogging Challenge: O

Hump day in week #3 in the 2013 A to Z Blogging Challenge. Find all the participants here. I'll be slogging on through my theme of my anticipated career as a full time writer when I retire from teaching in June.

O: Optimize and Organize. I've read things written by other writers of how they use their time be they full time or part time. Some set aside a certain number of hours or minutes for promotion such as blogging, visiting social media sites and for other business related chores like email. Then they have their set hours they work on their writing.

I've already learned to do this to some degree but I haven't gone so far as to make set times. I'm more likely to ignore some parts of the business when I get really busy with another one. I'm also likely to wander away from my desk to do some baking or laundry. I might have two hours in the evening to write, but with all the interruptions I'm lucky to get more than an hour. I feel I need more discipline to use my writing time wisely. I intend to set aside the time of day I check blogs and then get off the Internet and write. I may need to spend some hours out of the house for that. I find when I go to the local coffee shop, my focus stays on my writing and I get a lot done.

How do you organize your time? What things distract you when you should be writing? Do you feel like you optimize your time?

A to Z Blogging Challenge: N

Rolling along and over halfway through the 2013 A to Z Blogging Challenge. Visit all the crazies on the list right here. I'm going with my theme of the big plan of how I'm going to work harder on my career as a writer after I retire from the day job in June.

N: New Authors. I'm have a long list of authors who have published their first books. I've added more than a dozen since April started and expect to add more. Not only am I going to buy and read their books, I'm going to mention them on my blog and ask for their books at the library. I'm going to ask more of them to guest on my blog and shout out their books on Facebook and Twitter.

The best way to sell books, I've heard, is by word of mouth. I'm going help pass the word on for other authors just starting out like many people did for me and continue to do for me. I'm going to pick up books by new authors and support them any way I can.

How many new authors have you read lately? Have you discovered a lot of books you want to read from participating in A to Z?

A to Z Blogging Challenge: M

Can it possibly be the start of the third week of the A to Z Blogging Challenge. I hope you're finding the time to visit lots of new and old blogging friends. I'm continuing with my theme of all the things I plan to do or do better to advance my career as a full time writer when I retire from teaching in June.

M: Memory. I've always had a little vanity about my memory. In my first high school chemistry class on the day before a big test, our chemistry teacher told us he would give a bonus point for every element we memorized on the Periodic Table along with its atomic number. I memorized the entire thing that night and still managed a 100% on my chem test.

BUT ... now thirty years later I've learned to not trust everything to memory. I make lists of things I need to do for my writing, for the yard work, for the grocery shopping, for my upcoming retirement ... you get the picture. I no longer trust my memory. This is even more true in writing. I write books in series which means long time lines. I make lots of notes and keep a calendar of what is happening when in my invented worlds. And going back to my A to Z theme, I have an ever growing list of things I'm going to be doing come June.  Thanks to some wonderful feedback in comments, I'm continually adding to that list.

So how is your memory doing? What do you make lists for or are you gifted enough to not need any? What method do you use to keep the days and months straight in your writing?

A to Z Blogging Challenge: L

I'm sure lots of you are looking forward to a day off tomorrow even if you're really enjoying the challenge. I'm be using the day to catch up on more blogs I haven't visited yet from THE LIST for the A to Z Blogging Challenge. My continuing theme is a rendition of all the ways I'm going to advance my career as a full time writer after my retirement. (See countdown on right)

L: Library.  My county has a library system composed of a number of libraries joined together in one big organization. I can go on the website and find a book and request to have it delivered to the small branch library in my small town. Our little library is actually nearly brand new. Our town and surrounding community raised nearly two million dollars to have it built. It's friendly, peaceful and has some comfortable little nooks for reading or writing.

The library is a great resource for writers and readers. It's also a place that will host writers on panels and for book talks. When I enter my full time writing career, I'm going to find ways to make more use of my library and also ways to support the wonderful place. I'm also going to work to have them purchase the books of my writer friends for on their shelves. They do have my first fantasy book, The Keepers of Sulbreth, on their shelves. I need to get a picture of that.

Do you frequent your local library? What are some ways the library can help you as a writer?

A to Z Blogging Challenge: K

I love Fridays and here we are at the second one for the 2013 A to Z blogging challenge. Check out the list of other bloggers here. My theme this year is connected to my upcoming retirement from teaching. I have an entire list of ways I hope to advance my career as a full time writer starting in June. Most of the time I will be asking for advice and I've already received some useful stuff.

K: Kindness. The world in general needs more kindness. One of the things I've noticed about the writing and artistic community is the generosity and kindness shared between people who know each other only through online communities. People do things for each other. Ask a question and receive lots of free, expert advice. Need to get word out about a book release, ask and your shall receive lots of virtual ink. And hopefully we all pay it forward.

Another thing on my list once I retire is to do more pay backs. I've been blessed by the assistance of so many people since I started writing, I have a long list of debts. And today I'm receiving the gift of having Michael Di Gesu highlighting my book, The Keepers of Sulbreth, as his 'K' offering for the challenge. Michael is featuring a different book on his blog for every letter this month, giving lots of writers a boost. It also makes him the perfect fit for kindness day here and I hope you'll visit him at ... In Time.  Thank you, Michael!

What kindness have you received from a fellow blogger? Do you know Michael? How have you payed it forward?

A to Z Blogging Challenge: J

Over the hump in week two of the 2013 A to Z Blogging Challenge. Some warm weather is finally arriving but I'm might wait until after dark to visit some of these other great blogs found on THE list.

J: Journal. For quite a while I used to carry a spiral journal with me nearly where ever I went. I kept it at my side when I was reading or watching a movie. I would jot down word usages that caught my hear or perhaps interesting names of people and places. Things on the news that seemed like a story waiting to be created. Whenever I watched the history channel or one of the science channels, I would see some things that I thought might add to a story one day.

For whatever reason, I stopped carrying that journal. It's sitting idle on my desk. Look at that retirement countdown on the right hand side of my blog. During my retirement, I'm going to use that journal more often. I going to collect those ideas and words so that I might use them someday.

Do you keep a notebook or journal handy to jot down ideas? Do you sometimes see things on the news or an educational show that gives you ideas?

A to Z Blogging Challenge: I

Rolling along with the A to Z Blogging Challenge and still lots of stops to make and new friends to meet. Check out the list and you'll be sure to find a blog you want to follow.

I: Independents. The world of publishing is undergoing rapid change. I think one of the best things that has happened for writers in the number of small publishers, staffed by professionals, that are willing to look at our work. Often the small independent publishers will take a chance on a new author that the bigger houses wouldn't consider. They'll work with new writers and help them develop their careers.

I'm fortunate to work with a number of different small publishers. My romance publisher, New Concepts Publishing has been in a business for a long time and was one of the first successful ebook publishers. I can't say enough things about them. They did an excellent job on my most recent release on the cover. Like many small pubs, they have a quick turnaround from signing that contract to getting the edits done and then publishing the book. And they pay on time, every time. They're always open for submission.

Crescent Moon Press is my newest independent publisher that I'm working with on edits. I can't wait to see my cover for my upcoming epic fantasy.

As an author contracted by independent publishers, I also believe in supporting them by purchasing lots of books produced by different small houses. And I'll be doing more of it when I retire and have more time to read.

Do you buy books published by small presses? Have you ever submitted to an independent publisher?

A to Z Blogging Challenge: H

Welcome to another day of A to Z Blogging Challenge. Here's the list of participants if you have about 100 hours to visit them all or take a few minutes and visit a couple of them.

H: Host. When I retire and have more time to spend on my blogging, I intend to make an effort to host other authors and some writing experts on my blog. Maybe even some experts in things other than writing. I have had a few guests here in the past but not as many as I could have. Other bloggers have been generous enough to host me. I'm going to do more of it.

Have you hosted other people on your blog? Have you been a guest on another blog? What kind of things have you posted about on other blogs?

A to Z Blogging Challenge: G

Here we are already kicking off the second week of the 2013 A to Z Blogging Challenge. Hope we're all still having fun. Find nearly 1700 bloggers with a little bit to say everyday in April.

G: In keeping with my theme of things I intend to expand on or improve on doing in my soon to be full time writing career, I thought of lots of words fitting this letter. I'm going to stick with two.

Goodreads is going to get more of my attention very soon. I'm going to keep all my lists updated and do more reviews. I also going to do some promotions of my own. I'm much rather spend my time there then on Facebook.

The other thing I'm going to figure out in how to better use Google+. I'm not even going to ask for advice on this yet but I will  be. I know many of you are already use G+ but I'm only thrashing around like a tired swimmer on there.

Are you active on Goodreads? Are you a member of Google+? How many blogs used 'goals' as their G word today? I was trying to be different.

A to Z Blogging Challenge: F

I can't believe the first week of the A to Z Blogging is nearly over. I hope you made lots of new friends. I'll be using Sunday to visit more blogs rather than take the day off.

F: Finish. Many people say they plan to write a book today and even start it. But lots of people never finish that book they start. It seems a silly piece of advice but it's important. Finish the durn book. I used to belong to the local chapter of RWA and that was a continuing theme. Finish the book!

Finish the short story. Finish the editing. Finish setting up your website or blog. Get to it and finish. How's that for a short piece of advice on a Saturday? What are you trying to finish? Ever have trouble reaching your goal and finishing? Do you know someone who vows to write a book but never quite gets started or starts and never finishes?

A to Z Challenge: E

Jump right in and join us in the A to Z Blogging Challenge for 2013. 2013 is the year of my retirement from teaching and my theme for the challenge is all about the plans I have to advance my writing career once I can call myself a full time writer.

E: Equipment. Between sending four children to college and buying them computers for their higher education endeavours, I haven't updated my own computer for a long time. I have an old desktop Dell that I retired last week and a really cheap laptop that I've had for over six years. I'm promising myself a new laptop as a retirement gift.

I want a lightweight computer that I can carry with comfort to the coffee shop and bookstore cafe but it also needs to fit all my writing needs. I'm sure I can ask at a computer store for advice on what I need but I'd rather ask the experts. What should I get? I've been leaning toward a MAC but I can probably get more computer for less money if I go with a PC. What should I do? Please give me your opinion as a writer or as a blogger.

A to Z Challenge: D

Thanks for stopping by and being part of the A to Z Blogging Challenge. There are loads of blogs to check out here. I'm keeping with my theme of how I'll be advancing my career as a full time writer after I retire from teaching in June.

D: Dream. Since I penned my very first novel in longhand, I dreamed of being a full time writer. Sure I heard the stats of how few writers earn an actual living wage for their efforts. I heard the phrase, 'don't give up your day job,' constantly when I started out. And I didn't but I still dreamed of being able to write full time and envied those who did.

Truth was, most of the people I knew who didn't have a day job and could write full time had a spouse who had a really good job so they didn't need their writing income. But I dreamed and now I'll be living the dream though it's only because I'll have a pension income. I would starve if I tried to live on my writing income. Take note of the countdown on the right. Soon I won't be dreaming and I hope you don't give up your dreams either. They're great motivators.

Do you dream of being a full time writer? Are you close to obtaining a dream of yours even if it isn't writing?

A to Z Challenge: C

Third day already. How many people have you visited on the A to Z Challenge? I hope plenty. I'm continuing with the theme of what I'll be doing to further my career as a full time writer after I retire this June.

C: Conferences. I'm am definitely going to take the time and money to attend at least one if not two writing conferences in the next twelve months. I'm not looking for a publisher or even an agent. I just want to network in person with my fellow writers. Not only is this fun, but I always learn something and come up with lots of ideas for blog posts.

Now today is also Insecure Writer's Post Day and I'm going to relate it to my C. I hope to serve as a presenter at a conference in the near future. I'm entirely comfortable speaking to crowds and have enjoyed serving on author panels. Now I want to do present a session all by myself and not only because it will give me a discount on conference attendance. I want to share whatever I can to help other writers find their way to success. But whenever I think of what session I could present, I worry that I'm not expert enough to be the one speaking. There are so many attendees at conferences with more experience and success than me. Would anyone want to listen to what I have to say? This is my insecurity.

Do you think conferences are worth the money? Do you feel like you're an expert on anything?

A to Z Challenge: B

B: Blog. Blog for all you're worth. I started blogging because my editor and every promotional advice I received said to do it. So I do. And most of the time I really enjoy it. I've learned so much from other blogs. How to format my books, how to use Goodreads, review sites, and even which publishers might like my kind of books.

If I wasn't a writer, I would still follow blogs about fitness, cooking, hiking and reading. When I retire, I'm going to be even more involved in blogging. I'm not going to blog more often, three times per week, but I'm going to visit more blogs. I'm going to be a better follower.

How often do you blog when it's not A to Z? What kind of blogs do you follow? What have you learned from other bloggers? Now go visit more bloggers enjoying the A to Z Challenge.

A to Z Challenge: A

Thanks to so many people who have done so much work to make A to Z Blogging Challenge the biggest blogging event ever. I don't know it that's true but it sounds good. I'm not sure everyone knows, but this challenge was the brainchild of Arlee Bird, one of the kindest, most generous and all around talented writer that I know(through blogging). It's appropriate on the 'A' day to honor him with giving some tribute to Arlee. We can do that best by visiting him today. Hello Arlee and thank you.

 My theme this year is about the steps I'll be taking to advance my career as a full time writer now that I'm retiring from my teaching career. Sometimes I'll be giving advice but lots of times I'll be asking for advice and opinions.

A: Amazon rules the world! Well, the writing world or so it seems. With the latest news of Amazon purchasing Goodreads, the giant expands its grasping reach. Is the purchase a good thing or a bad? Not sure and perhaps only time will tell.

Amazon sells nearly everything not just books. But many writers judge their success on how many books they sell on Amazon. If you self-publish, the process is very quick and relatively painless on Amazon. You can watch your books rank, read your reviews and see what books Amazon compares you to. If you a writer, you need to use Amazon. Agree?

Does Amazon rule the writing world? Is the purchase of Goodreads a good thing for writers? Visit Arlee yet?