FAQ - Keep on Track
Welcome back to another FAQ. For those of you just joining us, I polled new writers and got their most asked questions and then asked my fellow writer's these questions. Below you'll find one of those questions and answers from each author. The author's Bios and links to their website/Amazon page etc. will be after all the answers. Check them out for some awesome reads!
Here is the second of the new author FAQs. Keep on the look out for more in the coming months.
Question 2 - How do you keep yourself on track in order to complete your work in progresses?
Azalea - I try to give myself deadlines that I have to keep. Plus, it's a constant reminder that I'll not only be letting down myself but also my fans if I don't complete the work in the time I promised.
Tiffanie - I am bad at staying on track… some days I work a lot and write page after page after page, other days I don’t write at all. I am currently trying to keep a writing schedule and write so many words a day. It helps a little, but not always.
Jane - I am actually not very good at staying on track. I used to have an excel file. But accountability has been a struggle recently. Mostly because I ghostwrite and that comes first.But, I do try to keep a regular writing schedule.
Kayla - Get a writing buddy. Someone who can hold you accountable. For instance, either you set aside designated times each week to write together (we’re going to TOTALLY write at least an hour this week, etc.) Or, you can set word counts. Basically, give yourself a goal and someone to make you stick to it. It’s like dieting, but with words.
Mart - Um… Well, I believe in happy accidents, so I keep track…. Loosely. I have a list of things to write, and I cross those things off when I haven written them. Then, when I shove those scenes in, I find I have another list.
Ravyn - Honestly, my best stories are written when I have an editor, beta reader, or even a publisher who says “you must submit by X.” It has to be an undeniable deadline, as I have poor self-control.
Sidney - I am so very blessed to have Kira Shay and Megan Vaughn has my author sisters, beta readers, and best friends! For years now, we meet each Wednesday for Writers Meet, which is our designated time to write, discuss the craft of writing, beta read, and cheer each other on.
We purposefully keep each other on task to. Our final meeting topic is always: What did you get done this week and what is your goal by next Writers Meet? Our meeting note taker logs our progress and future goal and we touch base the next week.
If one of us seems to be falling behind in our goals, the other two will start a text message convo with encouraging jokes, 'You should be writing' memes or just a quick touch base to remind us of our goal and the deadline. We also know that life can so very easily get in the way; so we're always there to help with whatever the task may be so our team member can have writing time to meet their goal.
I've admitted this before, but it bears repeating: I would have never finished my first manuscript if it wasn't for my author sisters. A good support group is essential to your progress.
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Author Bio's
Azalea - I'm Azalea Fox, a contemporary and erotic romance author. I love reading and writing about regular women and the awesome men who absolutely dote on them. Growing up, my favorite author was Nora Roberts and I used to spend my days indoors reading her books. Now, my favorite things are days by the sea and hanging out with my husband and daughter. When I'm not writing, I'm doing art, reading, or watching movies.
Tiffanie - Tiffanie lives in Michigan. She has her degree in Mental Health, specializing in Child Development and a minor in Early Childhood Education. She puts her degrees to work in her young adult and new adult fantasy writings. Though she has been known to venture off into other genres from time to time, she has been published in the anthology Out of the Green and is currently working on the first novel in her new series, Bound in Blood and Shadows. The first novel, Double-Edged War, was published earlier this year.
Find her at her Website
Jane - Jane has been obsessed with all things books since 2nd grade. She lives in Ohio with her twin daughters.
Find her at her Website or her Youtube Channel
Kayla - I write under two pen names. The first, Kaylie Lanshaw, is a collaboration between myself and another author (Tiffanie Shaw). We are currently writing a New Adult Post-Collapse series set in the year 2044, after a civil war has left the United States of America floundering. Drowning in debt, the country resorts to selling off states to revive the economy. When one of these states is bought by the King of the previously-hidden Vampires, the nation is left uncertain. It comes down to the Prince of the Vampires and a foster kid named Kaelin to prove that inter-species peace is possible. I also write under the pen name Kady Ellis, though these books are still in progress. The first book, which will be out hopefully by the end of 2019, is titled En Pointe, and is a M/M romantic suspense.
Find her at her Website.
Mart - Martha J Allard is a writer of contemporary & dark fantasy. Her short fiction has appeared in magazines like "Talebones" and "Not One of Us." Her story "Dust" won an honorable mention in "Year's Best Science Fiction," 19th edition, edited by Gardener Dozois and her story, "Phase" was nominated for a British Science Fiction Award. Her nonfiction has appeared in Lend the Eye a Terrible Aspect and Deaths Garden. Her novel, Black Light, is a tale of love, sacrifice, and rock & roll in the 1980's. Martha is a life-long resident of Flint where she found magic between the cracks of broken concrete. She joined Flint Area Writers at the age of sixteen, and credits the group with teaching her how to write.
Find her at her Website.
Ravyn - Ravyn Crescent is a survivor; living in a desert and dreaming of a better world. She lived through physical, mental, and sexual abuse and spent years focusing on helping others escape similar situations before realizing that constantly reliving those traumatic moments were tearing her down. She writes paranormal fiction, fantasy, and spends far too much time writing and researching about serial killers. In her spare time, she makes pet collars and works to educate people about pet nutrition, in whatever time she has left she does freelance editing. She has her own company, Crescent Canines.
Find her on Facebook.
Sidney - Sidney Reetz: “That red-headed Devil woman.” Born and residing in Phoenix, Arizona, the caffeine dependent life form known as Sidney started writing in the fourth grade for her own enjoyment. The stories penned back then were during her high fantasy period and involved a lot of dragons, elves and magic. She was ten years old. Needless to say, they were horrible and will never see the light of day – but were fun to write and taught her a lot about discipline. In elementary school she entered the ‘short story’ competition and baffled the organizers when she dropped off a 150-some-odd page manuscript. They must have liked it; she won second place.When not transcribing the Devil’s words, Sidney is an avid crafter and all around nerd. She likes listening to true crime podcast and making themed playlist far too much.
Find her at her Website.
