What Are the REAL Odds of Being a Successful Author?

If your thinking about writing a book or getting published, you should definitely read this post by Kristen Lamb! It’s very encouraging and the video was great too! Thanks Kristen!

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Image via Flikr Creative Commons Hakan Dalstrom Image via Flikr Creative Commons Hakan Dalstrom

I didn’t even consider becoming a writer until 1999 after my father passed away suddenly. Funny how death can make us take a hard look at life, right? Anyway, I recall feeling soooo overwhelmed. I mean my odds of even getting published were about as good as winning the lottery. And the odds of becoming a best-selling author? Well, mathematically speaking, I had a slightly greater chance of being mauled by a black bear and polar bear on the same day.

It was all I could do not to give up before I began.

But, after over 14 years doing this “writer thing,” I have a new perspective. Often it feels like we are the victims of fate, at the mercy of the universe, when actually it is pretty shocking how much of our own destiny we control. The good news is that…

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NaNoWriMo Winner 2014

I haven’t blogged in a while, because I’ve been a very busy girl. I participated in National Novel Writing Month…50,000 words in 30 days.

And I did it…Yay!

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And I actually finished four days early.

Just before midnight on November 26, I validated my word count at National Novel Writing Month – http://www.nanowrimo.org with 52, 617 words. When I started, I really didn’t think I’d finish…at all!!!

I was just hoping it would motivate me to write, because I was being a huge procrastinator. Always putting everything before my writing, always telling myself, when I finish this…I’ll write, or when I finish that…I’ll do some writing, but it would never happen. By the end of the night, I’d be exhausted and then tell myself…I’ll do it tomorrow.

I’ve learned a lot, during this experience. Not only about writing, but about myself too. I started out doing really well, but then I hit a slump in the middle of the month. I lost steam…energy, lost focus, and then I got lost! I had no idea where I was going.

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Usually, when I’m lost…it makes me stop writing. I don’t like not knowing where I’m going, which is kind of weird considering I’m a pantser…who’s trying to be a plotter. But this time I didn’t stop. I kept going with the help of my husband, my family, my friends, my FB friends and my FB writing group 10 Minute Novelists, who cheered me on and encouraged me to keep going.

Somewhere along this journey…I realized that I could actually do it. Something inside me kicked in, and gave me the power and the strength to finish this race.

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It wasn’t easy!

I dragged myself through the mud, and crawled to the finish line.

I wasn’t going to give up, no matter what!

so tired

By the end of National Novel Writing Month, I was totally exhausted! My brain needed a vacation. I was hoping for a little rest, but orders were coming in from my Etsy Shop.

 http://www.ravenhillpottery.etsy.com

So, I had to start processing and shipping orders. No rest for me yet!

My NaNoWriMo Emergency Survival Kit

This is my very first #NaNoWriMo

National Novel Writing Month

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So, I’ve made an emergency survival kit.

And the very first thing in my kit is…

 Chocolate

I absolutely love chocolate! I started eating endangered species chocolate, shortly after finding out I had celiac disease. I had to find some chocolate that I could eat. That was one thing I wasn’t willing to give up. I love the dark chocolate with cranberries & almonds.

It’s certified GF and NON GMO Verified.

Not only does chocolate make me happy, it actually has a lot of health benefits. It’s nutrient dense, it supports mental performance (I’m going to need that), and it reduces stress and anxiety (I need that too!) I think I’ll be eating a lot of chocolate this month.

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Pistachios

Pistachios have lots of health benefits, one of them is a high content of vitamin B6, which helps in increasing the hemoglobin count in your blood. This oxygen rich blood is then supplied to the brain making it even more active. I’m going to need that!

GF bars and water

Water

Water boosts productivity and ramps up brain power!

GF Snack Bars

I love Van’s chocolate chip whole grain snack bars and cranberry almond whole grain snack bars. It’s hard to believe they’re gluten-free, they taste really good.

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Paper, Index Cards and Post-it Notes

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Pens and Markers

I have plenty of pens and markers, if I need them. I’ll be doing most of my writing on my computer, but sometimes I like to sit in my recliner and write old school style, with a legal pad and my favorite pens.

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My Favorite Writing Books

And the last thing in my #NaNoWriMo Emergency Survival Kit is my favorite writing books. These are just some of them. I buy books like most women buy shoes, so I have a lot of books.

I think I’m ready!

NaNoWriMo 2014

I’m participating in this years #NaNoWriMo

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National Novel Writing Month

It starts on November 1st, my favorite month by the way.

Because it’s my birthday month!

I have 30 days ~ to write 50,000 words

That means I have to write 1,666 words everyday…Holy Cow!

 OMG…What have I gotten myself into?

So, the pressure is on! I’m going to try not to panic and freak out…Yikes!

On the other hand…this might be just what I need!

Wish me luck!

Inspiration Board #6 – part three

Images, make my story come to life!

They inspire me, they help me see my characters, where they go, what kind of trouble they get into, and sets the mood of the story. That’s why most of the images are dark and moody…with a little touch of color here and there. Just like my story!

Images are such a useful tool for me, especially since I’m an artist/designer/potter/photographer and writer. They help me design my story world. I can visualize my story in my mind, but seeing images related to my story takes it a step further!

That’s why I make these inspiration boards.

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Are you coming with me!

Inspiration Board 6 – part two

Images, make my story come to life!

They inspire me, they help me see my characters, where they go, what kind of trouble they get into, and sets the mood of the story. That’s why most of the images are dark and moody…with a little touch of color here and there. Just like my story!

Images are such a useful tool for me, especially since I’m an artist/designer/potter/photographer and writer. They help me design my story world. I can visualize my story in my mind, but seeing images related to my story takes it a step further!

That’s why I make these inspiration boards.

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Raven Hill

Come on in…if you dare!

Inspiration Board 6 – part one

Images, make my story come to life!

They inspire me, they help me see my characters, where they go, what kind of trouble they get into, and sets the mood of the story. That’s why most of the images are dark and moody…with a little touch of color here and there. Just like my story!

Images are such a useful tool for me, especially since I’m an artist/designer/potter/photographer and writer. They help me design my story world. I can visualize my story in my mind, but seeing images related to my story takes it a step further!

That’s why I make these inspiration boards.

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Raven Hill!

Top 200 boys names from 1900 – 1909

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I’ve decided to post baby names, for character development. I want to have a list of names at my fingers tips. I don’t want to surf the internet every time I need a name for one of my characters. This way, I will have instant access to names anytime I want, and so will you. Especially once I pin it to one of my boards on http://www.pinterest.com

Here’s the top 200 most popular names for male babies born during 1900 – 1909, according to http://www.ssa.gov ~ The Official Social Security Website. The names are listed by popularity and was taken from 1,467,487 male births.

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 How cute are these vintage photos!

Hope this is helpful…It certainly will be helpful for me!

I’ll be posting names from the 1930’s next, so stop by and check!

Vintage Girl Names from 1900 – 1909

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I’m doing a blog series on character names.

 I’d like to have a list of names at my fingers tips, and not have to surf the internet every time I need a name for one of my characters. This way, I’ll have instant access to names anytime I want, and so will you. I’ve made the list of names Pinterest friendly, so you can save them to one of your Pinterest boards.

Here’s a list of the most popular names for female babies born during 1900 – 1909, according to http://www.ssa.gov ~ The Official Social Security Website.

The names were taken from 3,106,369 female births.

How cute are these vintage photos!

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Thanks for stopping by!