RT #MondayBlogs #AuthorsRunTheirMouths @shannonihayes #CreeNations

S.I. Hayes Presents

Authors Running Their Mouths is the creative brain child of Author S.I. Hayes Join her as she asks other Authors to let loose and Run their mouths!

Welcome Author Cree Nations.  

Cree is an action/romance author. 

Let's see what she's got to say!

Why do you Write?

I write because it's part of breathing for me. I don't remember a time in my life that I haven't written. I started writing short poems at the age of six and I am 71 now so you do the math.  I wrote a short book in tenth grade on the Ancient History of Rome and made an A+ on it. My history teacher used it in her classes until she retired twenty years later. Believe it or not my ex husband is the one that encouraged me to write that first book in 1992 - the one I tried without success to have published the traditional way.

With those rejections I continued to write and would just pack the manuscripts away in boxes.  The thought to quit never entered my mind. My poetry was published or is published I should say and has been for fifteen years. My daughter in law introduced me to Facebook in 1989 and I did the social media thing. Then one day (on Facebook) I met an amazing author by the name of Liberty Parker who said you are going to write that book and self publish it. That was in 2015 and I wrote Malakai Stone Texas Heat Book 1 and it went live in 2016. Without Liberty's encouragement and guidance I would not have made it. I now have six more books published, and have sponsored or hosted four Anthologies.  

I do get discouraged, I think that's only natural for writers. And I procrastinate on a regular basis. I have at least ten works in progress and never seem to have enough time to write. My next book Is His Mark and it's due to go live later this month. I hope to have four more books out by the end of this year. I have many that inspire me on a daily basis, my family of course and other authors like Leah Negron, Sharon Johnson, London Michelle, Elias Raven, Steven Evans, Mitch Workman, Darlene Tallman, Vera Quinn, and of course the amazing Liberty Parker. I've gotten many great reviews, and it blows me away each time and humbles me greatly.  

I've received two 1 star reviews - the first one was given honestly and I learned a great deal from it. The second was given in spite and angered me. I got over it. I have an amazing Assistant Tania Gray who is always there to hold me up when I stumble. I have Shanna Blanton PA who is a great voice of reason for me. And there is one who that I turn to and he is ever present. This community that we are privileged to be part of is amazing.

Of course there is ugly and there is beauty the bad does come with the good. And the blessing is that the good is so much better than the bad. I hope I've written what you needed. It is never easy for me to write about me.    I am a Texas Woman - a blend of tangy, salty, sweet sass. Yep that's me Cree.

Bio:

I am the mother of two sons and Ninny to six grandones. I am the Mommie to three cats, and one dog. Don't tell anyone but it's Milo my 14 year old catgirl that rules this house. Her meow is my command. I should be retired, or so society says but nope I'm working full time and write when I can. I love the written word, and read voraciously. I write poetry, and action adventure romance with erotica blended in to the story. I've written a Dark Romance, and loved writing it. I write a series called Texas Heat with hot alpha males, and females that know how to handle them. I worked as a Counselor for victims of Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault & Human Trafficking and my stories have that in them - based on fact but written in fiction in hopes I can bring attention to the horrible fact that human trafficking is the second in the world highest money making industry there is. The public sees it on the news and then it is gone, but maybe reading about it they'll see that wow this is happening in real life TODAY. I hope my readers enjoy my stories and recommend me to their friends.

Socil Links:

Facebook

Book Links: 

Amazon

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Authors Run Your Mouth Form

RT #MondayBlogs #AuthorsRunYourMouths @ChildrenofStone @Shannonihayes

S.I. Hayes Presents

Authors Running Their Mouths is the creative brain child of Author S.I. Hayes Join her as she asks other Authors to let loose and Run their mouths!

Welcome Author Mary R. Woldering.  

Mary is a Genre: Historical-Urban Fantasy author. 

Let's see what she's got to say!

Why do you Write?

I have written all my life.  I still write because I must put all the stories down for posterity. I am a chronicler of the unknown and of other realms in which my soul may have traveled. I took it upon myself to be the one who wrote about the unrealities I experienced in my live while I still could do so. I don't really have an inspiration for writing except for random muses and the crazy things I'm told. I haven't thought of quitting lately, even though my sales are just about non-existent. I'm guessing my two adult children keep me going more than anyone does. My first review was a 5 star, but it was a friend review so I almost guess it shouldn't count. It was my daughter, who had also been a beta reader. She loves the stories anyway. Shortly after that I received a 1-star was a rating rather than a review from a group on Goodreads. It wasn't fair or honest. I received it two days after I submitted it, and knew it just isn't possible to read a book that quickly. The writer of it addressed me in the group and told me to quickly unpublish my book and take it away because it was an insult to the craft of writing.

I stayed out of Goodreads groups and away from most review groups after that.

I didn't quit and likely won't for the sheer love of telling a story!

Bio:

Mary R. Woldering is a  Retired, Granny of 4. She is the mystical, stubborn, spouse of Dr. Jackie Woldering. She is an artisan, and teller of tales.

Socil Links:

Facebook: Twiter: Website

Book Links: 

Amazon

Thank you for joining me today!!

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Authors Run Your Mouth Form

RT #MondayBlogs #AuthorsRunYourMouths @WriterAngel @Shannonihayes

S.I. Hayes Presents

Authors Running Their Mouths is the creative brain child of Author S.I. Hayes Join her as she asks other Authors to let loose and Run their mouths!

Welcome Author Chrissy Moon.  

Chrisy is a Genre: Women's fiction; horror (in short stories); and poetry author. Let's see what she's got to say!

Who holds you up when you want to quit?

I have a great support system! Sisters, best friends, and children are instrumental to keeping my encouragement afloat, as well as my friends in the industry.

Honestly however, at least at this point in time, the person who really keeps me going is my partner, Chris. It’s really funny, too, because I don’t exactly make it easy for him. Although I am saccharine sweet to friends and people I’m just getting to know, once someone is in a serious relationship with me, I turn into this psycho. I don’t know why—if I didn’t want to hold myself accountable, I suppose I could blame my Venus in Aries.

Okay, I guess I’m exaggerating. A little bit. Maybe I don’t turn crazy exactly, but I know I’m not an easy person to be in a relationship with. I’m aware of it as I’m giving him a hard time. 

Yet I would say for the most part, he knows me fairly well, and this is vital to helping me through a “I-want-to-quit-writing” funk. He can pull out the memories in his brain about anything that’ll help me, anything from glowing book reviews to previous times when I felt discouraged but overcame it. It always leads back to the same path in my mind: to a place sunny and happy, where my creativity lies. 

I don’t want to say that he’s the only reason why I go on writing, though. That’s not fair to either of us. I’m a completed person without anybody else, and because of this, I tend to put a lot of pressure on myself regarding any project that I take on. I take things personally. I get emotional. It shows. Everyone can see it, but it’s also why I write about feelings so well. 

The in-between stuff in a novel is what gets me—the plot organization and continuity. I have to make a lot of charts and notes so I don’t get lost, and they have to be on paper in front of me and not on a screen. I tape them up on my wall. I analyze words better the old-fashioned way. 

I love stories in all forms, so watching TV shows, reading other people’s books, and listening to music keeps me going as well. Art is probably one of the best things about the human race, so it’s easy to feel inspired after listening to a great song or watching a well-made movie. I also have to step away from writing every once in a while, but this often backfires on me because I’ll get too complacent and just be happy Netflixing and chilling. 

And again we get back to Chris. To say he’s an extremely busy person would be putting it lightly, so as he’s running around with his hectic schedule, my idleness is emphasized and I’m forced to get back on my feet and get back to what I do best, which is writing about my feelings. Only in this industry, I have to convert those feelings into something consumable for the masses, something many people can relate to and be entertained by.

I’m still trying to find that perfect balance between storytelling and self-expression, and my support group is with me every step of the way.

Bio:

Chrissy suffers from road rage, would like to own a movie theater-sized popcorn popper one day, and enjoys country music.

She has two sons (one adult and one young), is a Power Ranger nerd, and would like to call herself a linguist by hobby, even though she's still learning her native English. (Who isn't?)

She enjoys writing about strong women and wants to inspire and amuse the world with her words.

Socil Links:

Facebook: Twiter: G+ Profile

Website

Book Links: 

Amazon

Thank you for joining me today!!

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Authors Run Your Mouth Form

#MondayBlogs #FindingTheFocus #WritersRunningTheirMouths Vol.6 @aliwinters_ @shanonihayes

S.I. Hayes Presents

Authors Running Their Mouths is the creative brain child of Author S.I. Hayes Join her as she asks other Authors to let loose and Run their mouths!

Welcome Author Ali Winters.  Let's see what she's got to say!

Finding the Focus

Publishing is a long, long, long, process. I wish it was as simple as waking up in the morning with a bright and shiny new idea bouncing around in my head. Pounding away at the keyboard until it was all out on "paper" and then hitting publish.

 

I suppose one could do that, but many of us are perfectionists and want to put the best versions of our books out there for readers.

 

There's so much more to the process than most would think from the outside. There are the multiple rounds of edits, proofing, formatting, etc. For self published authors, and let's face it, even many traditionally published authors, there's also connecting with fans, promoting, setting up ads, beta readers, cover design, and so on and so forth.

 

So, who doesn't dream of being as productive as possible? I mean we all have deadlines, whether they are contractual or self-imposed. And I don't know about you, but I hate missing deadlines.

 

A problem that I have struggled with over and over was lack of focus. Either I never get around to sitting down, or I sit down and do everything under the sun except write. Or, I start and then the smallest thing can derail me. 

It's taken me a while and a lot of trial and error to find something that works. 

 

It's my hope that something in this blog post helps you out. If not, don't give up. Keep searching for the thing you need. Take stock of what's worked for you in the past and what hasn't. Maybe you'll end up creating a whole new way of focusing that could help many others like you.

 

So here are a few tips and tricks that have helped me be more productive with my time. Perhaps you'll find one that helps you.

 Create a ritual. 

 

No, nothing crazy like sacrificing books, pens, or your archnemesis to the writing gods. But set a routine that is the same every time you sit down to write.

 

Drink the same drink, tea, coffee, whatever your taste buds want, listen to the same music, sit in the same spot, light a candle. You get the point. Just do the same thing every time you mean to write.

No, it won't become habit the first time, or the second, or the third. But give it two weeks, a month. Test it out. But keep at it, and whatever you do - don't alter it. At least not any time soon. If it works for you, then keep at it. If you want to alter it, do so slowly over time. Nothing big, or you will lose that routine.

Create a schedule.

This has always been something that was hard. I'd go through dozens of different scheduled and stick to them for an hour. But once I wrote it down, everything changed. My productivity went through the roof.

It was still hard to stick to at first, but it helped endlessly and it allowed me to add in much needed self care without guilt that I wasn't sitting at the keyboard typing like mad.
I have a planner and every week I have a set number of main goals that I spread out through the week. Then each morning I write my goals for the day. Big and small. And when I’ve completed one, I put a check mark next to it. At first I would have the unfortunate habit of giving myself more to do in a day then was realistic. So I started bumping things to the next day. Every once in a while that still happens because something’s take longer than expected. 

Sprinting.

 Don't panic! Not like... running or anything. 

Timed writing sprints. 

For me doing 20 minute sprints with 10 minute breaks or 25 minute sprints with 5 minute breaks have worked the best. It's enough time to get words on the page, but not so much that I feel like it's never ending. It makes the hard days easier. And on the easy days, it reminds me to breathe and take a break. 

 

Try them out. See which works for you.

Make Music

Create a play list. Either one that you listen to for every book you write or a new one for every, series, or for every book to get you in the mood for that story. It could be an entire play list or just one song that fits the mood of the book or chapter you’re writing and have it on repeat. The sound can both put you in the mood of the book while also functioning as white noise to cancel out other noises that might pull you away from your writing.

I do all of the above. Depending on my need for new music. I have an overall play list just to write to, but I'll make a play list for every book. Those in the same series are also combined. I tend to pick a song that fits the chapter or scene that I'm writing and have it on repeat until I'm finished with it. Then I'll move on to the next song that fits the next scene or chapter.

Bio:

Ali Winters is the USA Today bestselling and award winning author of The Hunted series, as well as an amazon and international bestselling author. She was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest where she developed her love of nature, animals, and all things green.
For as long as she can remember, she’s been mesmerized by the extraordinary world of books and fantasy. There has never been a time when stories were not begging to be told, either by drawing, photography, or writing. With encouragement from one of her favorite authors, she jumped in head first, to pursue the career that had been calling to her since the day she opened her first book. She has a deep love for coffee, tea, warm blankets, dogs, creating art in any medium she can get her hands on, and family.

Socil Links:

Website Facebook: www.facebook.com/authoraliwinters Twiter: @aliwinters_

Instagram: www.instagram.com/authoraliwinters

Book Links: 

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/author/aliwinters

Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/authoraliwinters

Bookbub: www.bookbub.com/authors/ali-winters

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Authors Run Your Mouth Form

#MondayBlogs 7 Things that #Inspire @shannonihayes @reginapaul

S.I. Hayes Presents

Authors Running Their Mouths is the creative brain child of Author S.I. Hayes Join her as she asks other Authors to let loose and Run their mouths!

Welcome Author

Regina is a Speculitive Fiction Writer. Let's see what she's got to say!

7 Things that Inspire This Writer

I’ve been telling stories for as long as I can remember and spinning a yarn is one of my most favorite things to do. As I’m sure is true of most writers, I get my inspiration from a lot of different things, and they aren’t necessarily the things you would think of. 

Here are 7 things that inspire this writer:

Dreams.

The nighttime ones. My book Alien Deceptions was created from a dream I had one night that made me ask what might be the reason for alien abduction, assuming it is real. I dreamed the basis for that book that very night, and while the book took me five years to write and has been through two different editions with the next one coming soon to Leap of Faith Publishing, LLC, it is still one of my most favorite stories. I had a blast creating this universe, and I can’t wait to write more books in this series.

Photos. 

I love to cruise the stock photo sites and look at photos. That old saying about a picture being worth a thousand words is so true, and I love to look at photos including very old ones from the days when photography was just getting its start. Once I find a really interesting photograph, I love to start playing the “what if?” game with myself. I’ve gotten some of my best story ideas from playing this game using my imagination.

Books. 

Like most authors, I absolutely adore reading. I have over 3,000 e-books on my Kindle and I’ve read the majority of them both non-fiction and fiction. What is fun for me as an author is when I read it sparks my imagination in other directions. For example, I especially love LGBT romance, gay romance in particular. And for no particular reason other than that I was inspired by a book where one of the main characters was a guy hiding from a mobster who had murdered his best friend. Said guy was in the witness protection program and was presenting himself as a woman when he meets and falls in love with his neighbor who is a gay guy. Needless to say after reading that book, my imagination took off in another direction. What would it be like for a woman to find herself in a male body? And thus The Last Jumper my gender bending scifi romance was born. 

Book Covers. 

Another favorite past time of mine is looking at book covers. The ones I like the best are the ones that don’t look like everyone else’s. It’s not uncommon to find me surfing google images for scifi romance covers, or fantasy romance covers, really any type of book cover for inspiration. Now one key thing about doing this is that I do not read the blurb for said book covers. I’m just looking at the cover and seeing if it triggers my imagination and they usually do! I purposefully don’t read the blurbs because I don’t want any story ideas I might come up with from the cover to be influenced too much by what another author wrote. I want my imagination to cook up something completely different, and as long as I don’t read the blurbs this works just fine for me, and has given me completely new story lines and ideas. 

Art. 

Another favorite of mine is visiting museums though I don’t get to do this as often as I might like. Of course you can also find all kinds of cool art on the internet and I’ve been known to look at it there too. The idea is the same as with photos or book covers, I look at the art and see what story it is telling me and then come up with a story line or idea and run with it.

Daydreams. 

Yes, I admit it, I have a very overactive imagination! Daydreaming is another favorite activity of mine. Laying out in a field of flowers, staring at the sky, or even laying on the floor in my home office and letting my imagination run while with daydreaming has brought about some of my most fun story lines and ideas to write about. 

Intuition. 

I’ve always relied pretty heavily on my intuition for story ideas as well. This usually goes along the line of I’m sitting quietly in meditation when a picture or an idea will just pop into my mind out of seemingly nowhere and abracadabra a new story idea is born!

These are by no means all the things that inspire this writer, but they’re certainly some of the top things. Of course I’m always looking for more things to inspire me! What inspires you whether it be in writing, or art, or whatever?

Thank you so much S.I. for having me here on your lovely blog today! 

Bio:

Regina Paul lives in Seattle, WA with her husband of twenty-seven years. A long time resident of the Pacific Northwest, she cannot imagine living anywhere else, although she would love to see more of the world, particularly Hawaii, Greece, Australia, and New Zealand, not necessarily in that order. 

Regina has several books available which include Alien Deceptions (out of print but will be back soon), No Place to Run, A Gift From Home, Lilly's Choice, Lilly's Christmas Surprise, Destiny's Choices, Destiny's Holiday, Through a Dark Mirror, Frost, Flame and Flower, and The Last Jumper. Regina calls her writing speculative romance because she writes across genres and heat levels depending on her mood.

When Regina is not writing, she enjoys spending time with her husband, reading m/m and paranormal romance, which are her all time favorites, writing, painting, creating Native American beadwork and  3D art.  

Regina loves to hear from readers, so please feel free to e-mail her anytime. 

Facebook:   Website   Twitter

Buy Link: Amazon.



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Authors Run Your Mouth Form