This is what they don’t tell you about becoming a writer.

It’s damn hard and scary as hell.

 Equipment?

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That brand new, super fast laptop with all the bells and whistles doesn’t a writer make. Although the salesman swore your book would almost write itself. But you do find it easier to waste time as you are sucked into more and more social media websites. Those dancing cats are funny.

 A room to work?

You work like a dog clean out that tiny room the one with the ugly chair and lamp, a years worth of old magazines, tax files and unpacked boxes. Yeah, that room. Now that the old desk shines like new and is free of dust and clutter writing should be a breeze.

 Accessories

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A small printer sits on the edge, filled with paper at the ready. On the right is a mug from your husband. Writer at work.  His idea of being supportive.

A muddled brain…

Late last night your eyes refused to close, your brain refused to quiet and sleep was nowhere to be found. You had enough story ideas for several breakout best-selling novels. Not to mention all the blog posts you could write. Now, as you sit in your new ergonomic chair, your mind goes blank. As blank as the white unlined paper stacked in the printer on your left.

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The only thoughts filling your mind now are nagging doubts.

What works for me?

Continue reading “This is what they don’t tell you about becoming a writer.”

Read for Free, well sort of…

I love to get something free and although Kindle Unlimited is $9.99 monthly the number of books borrowed makes the membership a bargain.

I’ve read a lot of wonderful books by Indie and established writers. Of course, also a few not so wonderful but I’m not going to go there. When I download one not to my taste, I just return the book after a few pages. No harm no foul.

Kindle Unlimited is beneficial to readers and writers. Molly Greene, author and blogger gives a great break down on Kindle Unlimited payouts. Although she contends it’s not a lot of dough, I’m impressed and glad to know I’m contributing to the success of writers when I read for free. You can read her blog post here.

I also wanted to share some great reads I’ve found through Kindle Unlimited.

And I rated with 5 stars5gold-star3

Continue reading “Read for Free, well sort of…”

Smelled Like Death and Cheap Perfume

The scent was overpowering, smelled like death and cheap perfume. I stepped over books and clothes, careful not to fall. Candy wrappers and trash littered corners. A pizza box teetered on top of the dresser.

I set down the Pinesol, snapped open the large plastic garbage bag, slipped on a pair of heavy-duty rubber gloves, and wished I’d brought a gas mask. Piece by piece I dropped everything into the trash bag.

Exhausted, but relieved glad I’d found nothing dead or squeaking.

“Mom, what’ve you done?”

“Cleaned your room.”

“But my stuff… .”

“Gone,” I said and left my daughter, stunned, standing in her empty bedroom.

100 Word Challenge for Grown Ups – Week#170

the prompt this week and it is :

…the scent was overpowering…

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Do you start stories with a nutgraf?

Nut what?

Sunday afternoon and I’m breezing through my emails. I need to pay bills, after all, it’s the first of the month. However, my inbox is overflowing. But we all know it’s more fun to read emails, than pay bills. Click, delete, click, read a little, click, read a good story, click… whoa.

Nut what? I continued reading IMITATION IS PART OF BEING A WRITER, by Jane Friedman. So intrigued, I clicked on the links she provided and kept right on reading. Love it when I discover new information that makes me a better writer. Thanks, Jane.

Nut…

Nutgraf is slang for the editorial heart of a story.
It tells the reader what the story is about and why the reader should care.

Next link I learned from Theo Pauline Nestor, who explains on her blog WRITING IS MY DRINK, not only what a nutgraf is but how to use a nutgraf “trick”. (Also spelled Nut Graf or Nut Graph).

Maybe you’re shaking your head, thinking, Jean, you didn’t know what a nutgraf was? Nope, I didn’t, but I do now and I’m excited to practice.

Do you want to know?

Head on over to and read NUTGRAFS FOR MEMOIRS AND PERSONAL ESSAYS to begin your quest.

Happy writing!

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