How to prevent a writer's block

Have you ever had a writer's block that may have lasted for a few painful weeks before you were finally able to work your way back into the swing of things? This type of situation happens all too often to many writers from time to time. A writer's block can be very stressful and may even last a few weeks or more. It can be very discouraging too, and can cause a writer's career to plummet into a long slump.

I have a plan to help prevent writer's block, or at least a plan to successfully fight against it. The next time any of you should get a writer's block, here are some good suggestions for you to do. Of course there is the obvious, as many have said before; exercise, and start in the middle of your work or work backwards. My suggestions are:
1- Make an outline of your writing project before you get started on it. I know that you've probably heard this before also, but I am convienced that the outline is essential. It will help you get from point a to point b. and should keep the flow of your work progressing nicely. You can always change the outline as it suits you.
2- Do a decent amount of research before you start your writing project. Make sure you have all the facts. A good writer will do this automatically. These days it is very easy to do via google...it will give you the answers to everything you want.
3-Are you passionate about what you are writing? Without the passion, sometimes your writing efforts will be fruitless. When you are passionate about what you are writing, your work will show it.
4-your writing time should be uninterrupted and should be without distractions. This will lead to less mistakes and a far better finished product.

I hope these few suggestions will help you the next time you are faced with a writer's block. Actually, being passionate about what you are writing about is the answer to preventing a writer's block from ever coming to the surface in the first place.
Enjoy.

Six Ways to Manage Time More Effectively

Are you sometimes so overwhelmed with things you need to do that you find yourself a little too stressed out sometimes? No matter what your situation is, getting too stressed out is never a good thing. What would happen to that wonderful project you have in your head when you get too stressed out? You may continue to work on it when you get the time, but with a mountain of things you need to do, you may find yourself putting your project on the back burner. Or even worse, the job you do on it will probably not reach your maximum potential. I've been there. Perhaps we've all been there at some point. A lot of you may still be struggeling with this. So I would like to share with you my 5 ways to manage time more effectively which should prevent a lot of stress from mounting.
1) Keep a daily log of your "to do list".
2) Make the most difficult task on the list your number one thing to do,the second most difficult thing, your number two, and preceed accordingly.
3) When you check your emails, highlight the ones you may want to take a closser look at, and delete the others. Don't spend too much time with the emails because it can get you sidetracked.
4)Answer the important emails right away in addition to answering all of your import phone calls.
5) Multitask when possible. For example, you may be able to make copies of somethings you need, and clear off your desk while the printer is making your copies.
6) Make the last thing you were working on at the end of the day, your first thing on your to do list for the next day unless something comes up more important.

Well those are the tactics I use to manage time effectively, and cut down on stress. I hope I've been of some help to you.

End of National Poetry Month

Well the month is at an end today and unfortunately I was only able to read my poetry at 5 different locations around my home town area. I have to admit I had a lot of fun and am looking forward to my next reading.

Anyone else attended poetry readings this month?

Poetry Readings

I was happy to take part in several poetry readings lately. Of course I happen to love poetry, and would be happy to read my poems at any given time, but I've been having a lot of fun with my poetry reading this month especially, probably due to National Poetry Month. I hosted an event last Saturday, and another one yesterday that were both very gratifying. Thankfully there were several poetry lovers that showed up who all seemed to be appreciative of the motivating poems I selected to read.

I have other poetry readings scheduled this month and expect to have a lot of fun doing poetry readings before this month has ended.
You too can participate in National Poetry Month by reading your favorite poem at your neighborhood poetry reading club, the library, or anywhere else poetry lovers are gathered to exchange poetry.
And of course you can always visit my website and take a look at a couple of my poems from my book:Motivating Poems for Spiritual Growth, Weight Loss and Everyday Use Go to: www.motivationalpoetry.webs.com
Enjoy

Poetry Readings

In celebration of National Poetry Month, Caroline Kennedy will be giving readings from her new book, She Walks In Beauty: A Woman's Journey Through Poems. Readings will be held at selected Barnes and Noble book stores through out major cities.

I will be giving reading from my new book,Motivational Poetry for Weight Loss, Spiritual Growth and Everyday Use Readings will take place at several of the libraries around the South Florida area, in addition to a few colleges and universities.
If anyone would like to read a few poems that are in the book, you can do so by visiting my website: motivationalpoetry.webs.com
Enjoy>

Richard Peck's Ten Rules of Writing

Just watched Richard Peck on youtube give his ten rules of writing while he appeared to be in an informal setting with other writers.

Let me explain to you who Richard Peck is just in case some of you may not know. Richard Peck is an award winning author who writes for middle school age children and young adult readers. He writes mostly mysteries and coming of age stories. He is very knowledgable with a vast of helpful information for inspiring authors. Here is the link:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=XREqT69hvDc&feature=related

You can see a sample of my writing if you visit my page on the author's den at: www.authorsden.com/carolysands
To read my motivational poetry please visit my website at:
www.motivationalpoetry.webs.com

Enjoy.

Non fiction writing

I am writing a non fiction book for 10 to 12 year olds. This is the first time I've undertaken such a project. Mostly I write cute short stories for 10 to 14 year olds. To my surprise, this non fiction project has given me much more material than what I realized. I am forced to take this project into a different direction. I will combine all of the information I've collected into several nice books, instead of trying to jam it all in one big book. From the one topic I am writing about, I have at least five different related subjects to explore. Hence, five new book posibilities which I will be following up on.

I happen to love the creative/fictional writing I do for my niche group but I feel just as good about the non fiction writing. The non fictional writing will make my work more diverse of course, and will give it a broader subject selection. I know I've blogged about non fiction writing in the past, as it was always an interest to me. But now I am finally officially doing the work needed to add a non fiction book to offer my niche group.