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Sunday, February 25, 2018

Think like a Pro: Turning Dreams into Reality

Over at Writers Ink Books,  the publishing cooperative that's my tribe, we're promoting a little writing manual called Think like a Pro, by M.A. Lee.

In that little book are Seven Lessons designed to turn a hobbyist mindset into a professional mindset.

Chapter One: Set Deadlines turned into four blogs:

  • the introductory blog for the chapter, 
  • 3 Tricks for Working with Deadlines, 
  • M.A. Lee's successful journey in working through the Seven Lessons, 
  • and a "Knowing Where to Start and How to Start: Turning Dreams into Reality" blog that talks about the Three Sevens:  7 Characters, Plot 7, and 7 Work Procedures.
I'm a pantster who tries to be a plotter.  Truly, I would rather plot--at least I tell myself that.  Then I find myself launching into a new book with little more than a few ideas.  Or I plot out where I want my story to go then abandon the outline.

Maybe the outline helps me write.

I don't know.  When life interferes with writing, I'm never very sure what's going on.

The flu, a new diet that puts my brain in a fog--Hello, Keto!--opportunities for day-tripping, and January passed and we reached mid-February with very little done.

But I have PLANS!

As if saying it makes it real.

As if saying it puts words on the page.

I have an outline for the book.  A few sketched scenes.  I know my characters.  Maybe I need to get a progress meter.

I'll probably ignore the outline, abandon the sketched scenes, and change the characters a bit.  That always happens.

Coming later this year may be Out of the Green Wood, with Little John of Robin Hood fame, leaving Sherwood Forest and becoming John Little.  A little murder mystery will add to the story.

After that--who knows?  I've got ideas for two different books sketched out, fantasies.  Right now, one idea is called Desora while the other is called Changeling 3 in 1.  Those titles will change, of course.  Right now, they don't sound very interesting, do they?  Plus, an Into the Green Wood with Much of Muchness.  (I have to wonder how he got that nickname, don't you?)

Maybe those books are next.  Who knows?

Who knows what life holds?

If you've always dreamed of being a published writer, then visit www.writersinkbooks.com to read the blogs.  Before you know it, you will be writing and considering your writing.  And before very long, you can become an Indie Writer publishing e-books for everyone's enjoyment.

~~We're madder over here.  Contact us at winkbooks@aol.com.

Check out THINK LIKE A PRO at this link.