Author Inspiration and This Week’s Writing Links

Just freaking do it, already.

Ciao, amici. Well, I started this week with the best of intentions, then I was derailed almost immediately.

I’d like to thank the Arkansas DMV for mastering quantum physics. I didn’t think it would ever happen, but I stand corrected. If you want to know where time ceases to advance and experience the sixteenth circle of hell, I invite you to walk through their doors.

I got hit with a bunch of editing projects I wasn’t expecting, and I have a few more on my schedule down the road that I’m growing anxious about, so of course I wrote even faster than usual, cognizant of losing drafting time to these current and future projects.

If you believe that, I have some land in Florida I’d like to sell you.

For some reason, the words wouldn’t come this week. I’m on book two of a five-book series, and I just introduced the character I’ve been dying to write since I conceived my overarching plot. Then I sat there, watching the cursor blink. And again. And again. Ad nauseam.

Finally, I mangled a popular slogan by a well known shoe manufacturer as I screamed to myself:

Just freaking do it, already.

But I didn’t. I mean, I did a little. I finished her scene, then I moved to a scene in the POV of a character I hate. And the words flowed.

Makes me wonder what the heck is wrong with me.

In the meantime, I’m determined to have a better week next week. It’ll be a busy one, for sure. But I know it will be an improvement over this one. And I’m wishing you a good one, too.

But what about you this week? How did your writing go? Any breakthroughs? Any problems? Let’s talk about it.

And now, this week’s writing links:

Posts by me, about my work, or at sites I contribute to:

Me

Story Empire

Posts by others in the industry:

To make you smile:

And when you’re done with these links, don’t forget to check out the sidebar, where you’ll find more links to some of my favorite sites.

Have a great week! Arrivederci!

54 thoughts on “Author Inspiration and This Week’s Writing Links”

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  1. Staci, you pos-i-lutely slayed me about the DMV. No wonder you weren’t able to write that scene — everything got sucked out and into the DMV void. I feel for you though, having been trapped with the blinking cursor so many times. Thanks for the wonderful links. Mega hugs.

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  2. Love your description of the DMV! Fortunately I haven’t had that wonderful experience with our DMV in MN, unless you count waiting for 6 months for a new license due to ongoing MNLARS issues (new software having issues. Go figure!)

    Hope this week is going better for you! And OMG, Caturday!!!

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  4. Reblogged this on The Write Stuff and commented:

    I’m late sharing Staci’s wonderful Author Inspiration and This Week’s Links post, I know, but better late than never. (I made that up. No, really. I did. 😀 ) Seriously, do check out this fantastic post and explore the wonderful links Staci has included. You’ll be glad you did. (And of course, don’t forget to share.) THANKS, and thanks to Staci for sharing so much with us. 🙂

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  5. Pingback: Facebook Ads, #AmWriting, and #Supernatural – Books and Such

  7. LOL. Loved your description of the DMV. I’m working on chapters for Muddy River Two while I’m trying to plot out Jazzi 5. Plotting beginnings never goes any faster for me than making my first chapter perfect–so slow progress there. But that doesn’t surprise me. Hope yours and Mae’s go smoother soon!

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    1. Oh, man. If I poured my emotions from DMV Day (yes, I’m now marking the experience as a whole day—because it freaking took that long) into my characters, they’d all be raving homicidal lunatics.

      Then again, that could make for an interesting cast. Now you’ve given me something to consider, Jacquie. Thanks.

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  9. I think you came up with the perfect description of DMV and why I keep putting off getting my license updated for traveling:) Sorry your writing week didn’t go well. I know what you mean about wanting to write through a character you are excited about but can’t and another one comes so easily. They do have minds of their own as I found out again when the middle of my book became the end. That threw me…lol. Have a great weekend Staci:)

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    1. The middle became the end? That is a massive change! You’d think these characters would want their stories told and would work with us. Not so, more often than not.

      I gathered all my materials for round two of my updated license. Now I just need to muster the will to go back. I hope, when you finally decide to go, you have a better time of it than I did.

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      1. It did throw me, but now I realize I need to go back and fish out more of the little stories within. I think this was the biggest surprise I’ve had writing so far.

        Best of luck with DMV. A friend told me I would need my marriage cert. which I had no idea, but I knew about bringing the bills and other things. I always have my passport if I don’t get it done:) Hope to hear it was a simple process the second round for you.

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      2. I had my passport with me, which would have worked in lieu of my marriage certificate, but the darn thing just expired. Now I need to deal with that, too. Sigh.

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  11. There’s got to be some deep psychological revelation in that, Staci. 🙂 Unable to write about a character you love and write like crazy about a character you hate. That would bet psychologists heads spinning! 🙂 It’s been a good week. I finished a short story for a contest and it’s ready for the second draft. I wrote it in first person POV and now another writer is telling me that I can’t write in first person POV past tense without making it clear that the character is either telling someone else the story or writing in a journal. I disagree. Any thoughts?

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    1. You’re absolutely right to disagree. That’s not a rule (not that there really are rules). That’s not even a suggestion I’ve ever heard of. I’ve both written and edited every tense and POV you can think of (including writing in second, if you can believe that). The story dictates what you need. Why would this writer think you need to explain your vehicle? Or even have one?

      Write what the story demands, Jan. I have every faith it’s fabulous as it is.

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  12. Always cheering you on, Staci! Your DMV reference cracked me up. Florida? How fantastic. lol. Thanks so much for including my post alongside so many awesome features. You’re the best. Best wishes for a fabulous weekend and week ahead. 🙂

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  13. I think you chose your route just for me this week. It’s exactly what I needed to hear. I’m freaking making plot changes yet again to this freaking WIP that is going freaking nowhere. First chapter is done, wrote part of chapter two and now none of two is usable. The killer just changed identities, a new character surfaced, and the line from A to B took a detour through C and D. ARRGGH! I need to just freaking do it, already!

    Your reference to the DMV was hysterical. Sorry you had such an awful time, but it was highly entertaining for your readers. I wish you productive writing.

    And thanks for the Caturday funnies! 🙂

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    1. When I saw the Caturday post, I immediately thought of you and Joan. Glad you liked it.

      Your writing journey this week clearly has you irritated. I’m sorry, but your description of it had me laughing. I have no doubt that you’ll wrangle all the characters and get your plot straightened. (Should I suggest an outline? Don’t throw anything at me! I rescind the comment.) Beginnings are the hardest for me, especially series beginnings, so I get it. If I can help, let me know.

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  14. Sorry to hear the words didn’t pour out. I ran into the opposite problem this week. My middle is now 8000 words TOO BLOATED with a B story. I’m trying to be optimistic, though. Having words to cut is better than trying to fill in blanks with word fodder.

    Heehee, funny about the DMV-time thing.:-)

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    1. I guess we look at things differently. I’d take the 8K words/B story and blow it up to make it a bigger plot. (But I much prefer adding over subtracting.) Either way, I hope you wrangle it into what you want it to be. Rooting for you!

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    1. They do have a certain feeling about them that seems to extend to every state and city, don’t they? I’ve lived in PA, OH, MI, and AR, and every office is interchangeable. The worst part? I have to go back. Because of a recent change to licenses, I need to bring in my marriage certificate. I didn’t have the will do make the trip twice in one day, so I renewed my “regular” license and will go back another time to get the upgraded federal one.

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      2. Bring every form of ID you have. And thirty different utility bills. And your birth certificate and SS card. And maybe a note from your doctor. It’s crazy. I already feel bad for you, and you have months before you have to go.

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  16. I did a chapter rewrite – feeling very proud of myself, things moving right along – then it just seemed to fizzle out. I’m trying to push through it. Hope next week is better for you, Staci – have a great weekend!

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  18. My week wasn’t as productive as I would have liked. Didn’t get a lot of words written last Saturday (my dedicated writing day) and during the week, I came home tired and kept falling asleep. But in the words of Scarlett O’Hara, “After all tomorrow is another day.”

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  20. Aw snap, honey! My week = your week 😁
    I’m hoping to make up for it on the weekend, and just hope the words flow a bit better. Wishing you the same hope!
    Kudos to you for using cognizant in a post – ripper of a word 😉

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  22. Oh, Staci. I feel for you. Had me laughing aloud on the ‘land in florida’ bit! I hope next week goes better and you have a good weekend. My week has been busy, but in a good way. Wedding make-up trial on Wednesday, hair trial later today, and 2nd wedding dress fitting tomorrow. I also sorted out a friend with stuff yesterday, which took up about 3 hours and wasn’t expected. I knew I would get both busy and stressed this month, so I’ve kept work light and am pleased I have a low daily word count to reach at the moment. Am doing my best to just take each day as it comes right now, lol. Thanks for the links and the laugh 🙂

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    1. I remember how stressed I was leading up to my wedding. I had started a new job so I didn’t want to ask for time off. There were days my boss let me come in at 4:30 in the morning so I could be done around lunchtime then make afternoon appointments at places that didn’t have night or weekend hours. Craziness. But so much fun! I am so excited for you. Hair and makeup and dress fittings. Flowers and menus and cakes. This is such a happy time, hectic schedule aside. I’m so glad you kept your workload light and can just enjoy the approach of your big day. ❤

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    1. Geez. You’d think something was in the water, but I’m hearing craziness from all over the globe. I guess bad days were reaching pandemic-levels this week. But your outlook is spot-on. We made it to Friday, so that’s a win. Wishing you a great weekend and a better week next week!

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