Tithing Peanuts

In celebration of Peanuts 60th Birthday I thought I would share my favorite Christian themed strips. As a child I never noticed the religious topics discussed. But as a mother, who now shares Peanuts with my child I’m amused by it. I wanted to amuse you this Monday, but then something surprising, not as comical, happened.

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Using Microsoft Note to Outline my Novel In a Snap

Today I began brainstorming Book 2 of my series* tonight.  Unlike my first book, whereby I had all the time in the world to build a book, I have a deadline July 15 to turn in an outline. So how do a newbie published author transition from hobbyist to professional writer? er um… how do you write under a deadline?

For me, all I need is One Note. Microsoft’s One Note.

Here I can house all the jots and doodles about my novel in one place. It’s like a corkboard without the cork and board just the white space. I love it.

If you squint you’ll see that i have my book sectioned by tabs, a synopsis section and marketing plan. i’ve dropped in some pics of the scene and the muse, Jason Momoa for my main character.  i can even drop in my soundtrack for the book in there. (yeah I use music to help me write these stories.) I can even drop in videos. I have a hilarious youtube of a wedding gown grab down that has helped me write the opening scene.

I plotted Part 1(the first 75 pages in a few hours.) Tomorrow I’ll roughly write the opening scene. Guess what you can pop in a Todo that syncs to Outlook inside this. Isn’t that cool.

I can even drop my whole scene in this section as a Microsoft Doc. Kewler!!

Now I have a question for you. How do you keep up with all your story building tools?

#MondayMotivation: Celebrate Your Crazy to Reach Your WriteGoal

This morning I woke up to find Blue Thunder, my car wouldn’t work. Usually I would unleash The Crazy, because of course I have to take girlee to school and I have Weight Watcher’s Weigh In on Mondays. More importantly, I have been replacing parts here and there for the past year on old girl. It’s not a newsflash that I am oftentimes between blessings and fluctuate between high poverty and lower middle class. So the cost of repairing Blue Thunder right now should definitely release The Crazy. But…guess what? I’m good.

Call it growing up, being prayed up, or living with a new kind of Crazy. I’m not going to let Blue Thunder’s forced benching ruin my day or my writegoal for today.

One thing I know for sure—some of you know I can personally attest to this fact—you can’t control the unlikely, but you can definitely control The Crazy.

Here’s a little MusicMonday sparkly to get you through the day.

Want to know behind the scenes info about my book sign up for Miranda Parker’s Stake Out Here. It’s free. It is an exclusive email to the first 100 responders. I will share the drama, my road to publishing, writer’s calls from my publisher and others, answers to your questions on writing, and, of course, The Crazy.

Monday Motivation: Holiday Cards to American Soldiers Campaign

Thanks To Author Rhonda McKnight for sending out this great holiday card idea. I thought I would use it as a Monday Motivator to keep your eyes on the prize.

Hey Y'all,

I saw this on one of my email updates and thought it was a great idea:

When doing your Holiday Cards, take one card and send it to this address. If we pass this on and everyone sends one card, think of how many cards these wonderful special people who have sacrificed so much would get.

A Recovering American Soldier

c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center

6900 Georgia Avenue,NW

Washington , D.C. 20307-5001

Please pass it on.

I think this is a great email to go viral. For all those who read this post, send one greeting card to the above address and the email message to at least 10 people you know and advise them to do the same.  Let's see what happens!

 

Merry Christmas!!

Rhonda

Motivation Monday: It's Not Over

Happy Monday.

I have so many things to do today. I have a client's book proposal to begin, another client's book to edit, to complete my own ebook, to decide on the top ten for the month, and to get Dee's Goody Mail together.

And I have to congratulate my dear friend, Rhonda McKnight. Her debut novel, Secrets & Lies is at a bookstore and book seller near you nationwide as of last week.

I am so excited for her. I watched her put this story together, read and re-read many rewrites, gain a book deal. answer some of her book promotion questions and prayed with her, as she always pray for me.

It is an exciting time to witness your friends and family members dreams come true. It is thrilling. Your heart expands, but won't burst. It grows with pride and blessings to God. It is a good thing.

Before I get back to my many tasks I want to leave you with some Monday Motivation. Even when it seems like no one wants your book or likes your book or you can't finish your book...It's not over until God says that it is over. Listen to this song. Let it motivate you through the week.

I hope you stop by the blog this month. I plan to chop it up with Rhonda. Tomorrow I have an announcement for you guys. I hope you also be apart of that announcement.

Remember if you have a Christian novel that was published this year, email me your title as I compile Christian Fiction 2009 Best of....

Be blessed,

Dee

Motivation Monday: Believe

Happy Monday.

in just a few minutes i leave my home to pick up Selah, because of early release day at school. i thank God that I can go and pick her up. i bless those parents who are challenged by early release days. although my life isn't where i would like it to be--certainly my finances-- God has still given me this little luxury, to be able to see about my child on my own terms.

many of you are seeking to become published or seeking to bolster consistent enough sales for a better book deal, so that you can call have more autonomy in your own life.

i feel ya.

today i present B. David's Believe to you. Take a listen or watch him perform. He's also a member of Destiny Praise. I'm a big fan of CCM music. Hope you get lifted by it.

Keep on writing to see what the end's gone be!

Dee

Don't forget to sign up for 31 Days to Build a Better Book Blog. You can also find me today at both The Master's Artist and the SORMAG Online Literary Conference. Or meet me in person tomorrow at The Phillips Arena, Atlanta, GA.