Author Inspiration and This Week’s Writing Links

/ Staci Troilo

Ciao, amici! How was your week? Mine was a hodgepodge of work and family activities. No two days were the same. I kind of like that (although not when it involves loved ones having surgery—my dog on Tuesday and my dad today). But in general, I think variety makes my mind sharper.

I believe it makes things better, too. Felix Mendelssohn said it best:

The essence of the beautiful
is in unity of variety.

If I need a doctor for something, I absolutely want a specialist. But if we’re talking art (like writing) or even everyday life, I want variety. Melody and harmony. Warm colors and cool. Sweet and savory.

Research and outlining and writing and editing.

It’s the combination of different aspects that takes the tedious and mundane and elevates it to something wonderful.

Every day this week I had a different task to complete, and I think they all went better because I didn’t have time to get bored (and therefore careless) with them.

How was your week? The same thing every day, or was variety the spice of your life? And which do you prefer? 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!

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

  2. Variety is the spice of life! 🙂 I left on Friday with my oldest daughter and three grandsons for a trip to the NASA Space Center in Houston, then a couple of days visiting with my brother in Houston, then on to the beach before returning home. I’m SOOOOO far behind on everything. But, I wouldn’t trade the time spent with family for anything!

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  10. Great list of links–as usual! Hope things went well for your dad, and you with your back. Yes, getting old sucks. I feel fortunate that I haven’t run into any serious issues (unless I sleep in a weird position, then my hip is sore the next day). Hope you are feeling better!

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    • Thanks. I’m getting there. I managed to get into the pool yesterday, which helped my back a little, but now I have water stuck in my ear. It went from stuffy yesterday to painful today. I don’t often say this, but I’m looking forward to Monday.

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      • A surprising tip for getting water out of your ear: just drop a few drops of alcohol (say, rubbing alcohol) into your ear. As it evaporates (the alcohol, not your ear), it will remove the water as well. You’ll be rid of any water within seconds!

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      • I tried that. I also tried the blowdryer trick. Neither worked. I went from uncomfortable yesterday to in a bit of pain today. I’m really hoping for a better week next week. Thanks for the tip, though.

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  12. I see Casey is doing well from the comments (yay!) and hope your dad does just as well with his operation. My week has been stressful. I hurt my back a while ago, and it isn’t healing, then a couple of days ago Mom fell and the ambulance had to come help her up. She’s okay, thank goodness, but it was a timely reminder to treasure each day.
    Have a nice weekend, my friend {{hugs}}

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    • I’m laid up with a back problem, too. I was in bed for two days with the heating pad and a bottle of Advil. Today I’m back in the main part of the house, but I’m still walking bent over like a hag. The pleasures of growing older.

      I hope you find relief soon. You’ve been dealing with that for too long. I’m glad your mother is okay, though. That had to be scary for both of you.

      Thanks for the kind wishes about Casey and Dad. He’s still in surgery (they took him late because, of course, they were running behind). Hopefully I get good news soon.

      {hugs} ❤

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  14. I hope all of the surgeries went well. I switch back and forth between wanting routine and NOT wanting routine. Once in a while, I crave two weeks of nothing out of the ordinary, time to just focus with no outside distractions. But then, I need stimulus and go looking for it, especially in warm weather. I’d have a horrible time being good and sitting at my computer if I lived where the outdoors was too enticing:)

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    • Just got news from my sister… they didn’t even take my dad back yet. It’s going to be a terribly long day. But thanks for your concern.

      Warm weather is a beacon. When the temperature turns crisp in the fall, I always welcome it, but long before winter’s over, I’m deep in doldrums. I know my productivity is always lowest in January and February. Even spending time outside in the summer, I manage to write more and better in those months. Winter kills me.

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  15. I tend to get bored easily, fortunately my day job is loaded with variety. This week that included a trip to an old student home and taking on a new job responsibility. I’m a sponge when it comes to learning something new. A friend and I did happy hour last night and hubs and I are going to spend this afternoon roaming around. No new writing for me, but plenty of editing.

    I am so glad that Casey is doing well. Praying all goes well for your father today. I know you want to be there.

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    • Casey is doing well and I know Dad will come through with flying colors. Thanks.

      Sounds like you’re having a fun weekend. Happy hour, roaming… maybe you’ll even get some pool time.

      Good luck with the edits.

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  16. Reblogged this on The Write Stuff and commented:

    As usual, Staci Troilo’s “Author Inspiration and This Week’s Writing Links” is chock-full of both. Another inspiring quote and insightful message, plus a ton of great links. Check it out, and pass it along so others can do the same. Thanks! And thanks to Staci for providing an easy way to keep up with so many good things! 🙂 ❤

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  17. Best wishes on your dad and Casey’s recovery. A big worry for sure. My week has been filled with gutter and landscaping folks. Estimates for sprinkling systems etc. Thank you for sharing Twigg’s angst this week. I hope your weekend is filled with melody and harmony, Traci.

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  18. With book 3 still with the beta, I worked on rewrites (as you know), marketing, IG images, etc. I also reached out to some authors about doing blurbs, so I had some variety this week. Glad Casey is on the mend, and prayers for your dad, Staci!

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    • Variety is good, isn’t it? I love switching to graphics-mode. It lets me be creative without thinking too hard, so it feels more fun than taxing. (When I can make the graphic do what I want, anyway.) I’m glad you’re making progress, although I know you want those beta reads back.

      Thanks for the prayers. Dad’s had this done before; I just wish I was there for him and Mom. And Casey is doing very well.

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  20. I too like variety, and I’ve certainly had a varied week. Hubby and I did Friday night early and had it on Thursday instead, lol. But this morning I’m all out of sync! I’m glad Casey is recovering well, and am sending good wishes for your dad and you all. Have a good weekend 🙂

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  21. I’m a little the same when it comes to variety. I love routine and same, same… until I get bored and crave excitement… until I get overwhelmed and crave routine. And so it goes….

    Hope things worked out for your dad, and Casey’s recovering – it’s hard when loved ones are unwell. Have a great weekend 🤗

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    • That’s really interesting, Jess. When I think about it, maybe I have a bit of that cyclic tendency, too. I know I do well with variety, but when I’m writing and really get into it, I hate to stop and can’t wait to start again the next day. Those times, I get frustrated if I have to put my WIP aside to work on something else. That’s a really good point.

      Thanks for the kind wishes. It does make focusing on work difficult when our hearts and heads are with our loved ones instead of on our projects. But I have every faith Dad will come through just fine. And Casey’s doing really well.

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  22. I hope your dad and dog are recovering nicely. I rarely have a calm.normal week, but its true you never get bored that way. I was on vacation, well technically still am, so there was no writing involved. I’m hoping for a couple of predictable days next week to catch up.

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    • I can’t believe you took time from vacation to visit here. Thanks! Now go pour yourself a drink and sit by the pool. (Or whatever you’re supposed to be doing on your time off.) Enjoy yourself! Your writing will be better for the break you took to rejuvenate.

      Thanks for the kind wishes. Dad’s surgery is supposed to be a four-hour procedure, from pre-op to out-of-recovery, and I know he’ll sail through it. And Casey is itchy but otherwise seems to be pain free. Both of them just need time. And love. And they have no shortage of either. 🙂

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