Friday Finds #writetips #humor #qotd

/ Staci Troilo

Ciao, amici! How was your week? Mine was a little bumpy, but that seems to be the case for many of my friends. Like my grandma would say, there must be something in the water.

I hope your week was better than mine. My days alternated between scrambling in a hurry and waiting impatiently. I don’t like to do either.

My company gave me my tentative calendar for next year. The good news is they believe in me and think next year will be my break out year. The bad news is they believe in me and have me all over the schedule. Roughly one publication every three weeks. Before your jaw drops (as mine did when I saw the calendar), you have to realize I already have some of these written and they’re just waiting on an edit, a cover, and a formatted layout for the different versions.

But I don’t have all of them done, and that has me working like crazy now to get more in the bank for next year. Which brings me to these wise words by David Allen:

Your mind is for having ideas,
not holding them.

Sage advice. Why be a writer if you’re not going to write? Write and publish? I’ve got a lot of ideas in my head. As I’m working on one story, a few others are usually churning in the background—characters are developing arcs and plots are working out kinks. I had a fabulous idea the other day… something that finally gives me the inciting incident for a plot I’ve been noodling around for at least five years. That’s proof that if you think about something long enough, you’ll work out the problems.

Seems to contradict the quote of the week, huh?

It doesn’t. Sure, I thought about this for a long time. I “held” the idea in my mind. But that’s not where it ends. I’m going to write that book.

But probably not next year because my calendar is full.

What about you? Any ideas you’ve been holding onto instead of writing? A particularly bad or good week you want to share with the rest of us? 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 weekend! Arrivederci!

60 thoughts on “Friday Finds #writetips #humor #qotd”

  1. There are no words … Okay, Wow comes to mind. Man, I wish I could spend that much time writing; I might get some of the ideas percolating in my mind out and about. Soo tempted to put Book 2 on hold so I can work on another project, but that’s probably because I’m struggling w/ Book 2. Or maybe it’s the energy shift with both the kids home before school resumes next week. Maybe I can use that stop-time-to-read machine to stop time so I can write!

    Deep breath and write on, Staci!

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    • Well, writing is my paycheck job, so I definitely have the work hours to write. I find my day job spilling into my personal time, though, so Staci Troilo titles have been put on hold while I’m getting pen name titles written. I fear I won’t get to many Staci Troilo projects in the foreseeable future. And that sucks, because there are a few I really want to write.

      We both need a deep breath. Then your life will calm once the kiddos are gone. I suspect my life is only scratching the surface of the craziness right now. 🙂

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  2. The upside to having a publisher is that you have some supporting and pushing you. The downside of having a publisher is that they decide what you will do and when. Wow! Hang on for the ride! It’s going to be the year of Staci!!!

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    • I wonder if I could get the Chinese calendar people to add me into the mix. The Year of Staci. That’s kind of awesome. Fingers crossed it all works out. You’re right; there are positives and negatives to having a publisher. I’m trying to focus on the positives. 🤞

      Thanks, Jan.

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  3. You’re a publishing dynamo, Staci. What a schedule. I’m at the opposite end of the spectrum right now, but that’s life. Not everything is within our control. I guess the moral of the story is to grab ahold of the reins when you can. Thanks for all the awesome links. So much to browse and read. Have a great week. 😀

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  5. Wow, Staci, that’s a big schedule. I have every faith you’ll succeed though 🤗
    I have 15 books outlined (some on paper, some in my head), but I need to get over this physical and mental hurdle of the debut book before I can contemplate these others. It’s nice knowing there’s plenty of material waiting though.
    I love that quote… oh, and thanks for the shout-out 😁

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  6. that’s a very busy schedule. And five years holding a story? I’d have long forgotten about it. But I do have brief, 1 -2 paragraph ideas saved in a folder here and there for future projects. And Good luck with all those once every 3 week publication! I’m impressed. I can barely squeeze 1 novel a year.

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    • That story has been simmering on a back burner for too long. I couldn’t quite get it to make sense. Now I know how; I just need to find the time to write it!

      Keep that idea folder handy. You never know when you’ll want to add to it.

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  9. The first thing that came to mind when I read that quote is how my mind comes up with ideas, but if I don’t write them down, they disappear, lol. Every 3 weeks! I’d be feeling the stress, but you’re a prolific writer with a lot of ideas, Staci. I have no doubt you can do it.

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    • I have two kinds of ideas: the ones that attach themselves to my soul and the fleeting ones. And I can’t say the permanent ones are better. They just end up in my long-term memory immediately for some reason. No idea why. The others I have to record that second or I lose them. And the ones I lose? I’m always convinced those were the best ones.

      Thanks for the confidence in me, Teri. I hope I can do it!

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    • I’m always happy to share great content, Jacqui. Glad to have included your post.

      Mostly every three weeks. I think there’s a four-week gap a couple of times. And there might be a two-week gap once. I’m not sure. It kind of made my head spin. But roughly, yeah. Cross your fingers (and toes) for me!

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  11. This post speaks to me. I always have ideas scratching at my door. Some of them go away. Some of them, Lisa tosses food out for, and they don’t go away. I have one screaming at me right now, but I have a series to write. I’d almost like to try your schedule. Freed from the 40 hour workplace, I think I could get a lot more stories out there.

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    • It does help that my paycheck job is novel writing. I know I have more time to devote to this body of work than you have to devote to yours. But all this day job writing has bled into my free time, and now I have put “my” books on hold to get this stuff done, which makes me kind of sad. I’m hoping to find a balance soon and be able to get to some of my own projects. But this schedule is going to make that difficult. We’ll see, I suppose.

      I love that Lisa is helping nurture your ideas. She’s one useful robot girl!

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  12. I divided 52 by three and came up with 17 items. My goodness, Staci. It sounds like you are enjoying the mayhem so more power to you. Nothing fast-paced here. Just a steady pace of 1000 words a day. Thank you for the Twiggy and Lucy mention. They love to see their name in lights.

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    • Lucy and Twiggy should have their own show. I’d be their number one fan.

      Mayhem is the right word, I think. And for the most part, I am enjoying it. But I’m not going to lie—there are days the stress catches up to me. Chatting with everyone here helps keep me sane. (Or as sane as I am, anyway.)

      Your steady pace is impressive, John. Do you have any idea how many people are “writing” a book but never actually write? I don’t have the actual number, but I know it’s a huge one. Your backlist is impressive, and you’re still going strong. That’s quite an accomplishment.

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      • What a lovely thing to say, Staci. Sometimes I feel like a buffalo standing on the prairie watching the antelope go by. I guess steady is the word. I know how it feels to chat the stress away. I guess that’s why I post seven days a week. It keeps me grounded and not prone to panic attacks. And as we all know, there are ample reasons for panic. 😁

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      • If you think about it, you’re writing a lot more than 1,000 words a day because you are blogging seven days a week. That in and of itself is an accomplishment most of us never achieve.

        I’d remind you of the tortoise and the hare, but you’re faster than the tortoise is. (And my schedule for next year is reminding me of the hare, and I really don’t want to be the hare.)

        Our blog spaces are great places to chat and unwind. And help us avoid panic. (And you’re so right—there are ample reasons to panic!)

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  13. I know several of our SE group had a bumpy week, as I recall there was even a particular day in the week where we were all scrambling like chickens without heads. At least, I was.

    Your schedule sounds exhausting, but if anyone can pull it off, you can. And you have a publisher who believes in you which implies they will be there to help too.

    I’ve mentioned by Franken novel a couple of times. The one with ideas that has been kicking around since I was in my 20s. I keep cobbling thoughts onto it, and detracting from it like adding and taking away body parts. Well, the amputation isn’t that bad, but sometimes the sewing on part results in a mess. Hopefully, one of these years I will actually write the beast!

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    • I was headless right along with you. And the rest of our colleagues. LOL

      I can’t wait for you to work on your Franken-novel. I’m so intrigued! I think I might be opposite of you. Amputation is difficult for me, but I’m forever sewing on other parts. (You’ve heard me complain about adding scenes to already-developed outlines. Sigh.)

      Thanks, Mae,

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  14. That’s it! Something in the water. Had to be since several of us had “interesting” things happen. Yes, I’ve had ideas that have mulled around in my head for years before I could formulate a plot. And at times, I’ve lagged while writing a book (couldn’t do that with your scheduled). Yet I know the book would have been much different (and probably not as good) had I finished it earlier. Great post today and enjoy your weekend.

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    • My grandmother is wise. At 101, she’s experienced a lot. We should all listen to her.

      Isn’t it funny how things just pop into our heads? I’ve seriously been futzing with this idea since I was halfway through my first novel. The premise was intriguing, but I had no logical way to get into the story. So glad I do now.

      I’m on the fence about writing pace. If I let a WIP sit (one that’s already started, not a developing idea), I find it hard to get back to. Sometimes my interest lags (because I’m thinking about another project), but I have to push through that. Sometimes because of my schedule (okay, a lot of the times because of my schedule), but sometimes because I know it’s a good story and needs to be told and I’m resisting for another reason.

      Your case is a little different, as your deadlines are a little fluid. You can avoid rushing, get in the right mood. That almost guarantees you a success (which your novels are). I think if I set my own deadlines, I’d tinker and tinker and never publish a word!

      Thanks for sharing your process, Joan. Happy weekend!

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  15. Yes, my jaw did drop at the “every three weeks” part! That’s pretty cool.

    I jot down story ideas in my writing notebook so I won’t forget them. The good thing is with a list like that I don’t seem to ever run out of ideas.

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    • I keep a list in the Notes app on my phone (which I can also access from my laptop). And I’m forever adding to it. I used to think I’d never get to it all, but with my new publishing schedule, maybe I will!

      Wishing you a constantly-growing notebook of ideas, Priscilla.

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  20. I too, am having one hell of a week. Recovering from eye surgery, I am not allowed to do anything much, which is just as well as my vision s all over the place. Really looking forward to next week, when normality should make a welcome reappearance. I hope!
    Your schedule for next year sounds wonderfully crazy!

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  22. As you know, I’ve had a bumpy week too, lol. I’ll try and make sure I get your name right on this comment, LMAO. I love this week’s quote. My mind isn’t holding onto anything right now!! tee he hee. As for ideas, I have tons now in my ‘story ideas’ folder, and I need to get to them at some point. But after finishing FALLOUT, a trilogy leapt out of my brain and I’m busy writing that (almost finished book 1). You could say The Colony Series jumped the whole queue. Thanks for the links. Have a good weekend, Staci. And I’m sure you’ll knock next year right out of the ball park 🙂

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    • You’ve almost finished Colony 1? Dang; you’re on fire! That’s great, Harmony.

      Yeah, we all had a few mindless moments this week. At least we can laugh about them (now).

      Thanks for the positive wishes for next year. You know you’ll be hearing all about the bumps and bruises I suffer along the way. (My apologies for whining in advance.)

      Happy weekend!

      Liked by 1 person

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