A Little Self-Deprecation Goes a Long Way

1) Last Sunday I was so happy with my hair. The natural curl behaved. It pinned back just the way I like. I felt put-together, maybe a little classy. Until after church, when I went into the bathroom, into the really good light, and a forest of gray hairs waved from up top. Like this. I.am.not.joking.

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2) Every writer knows one never leaves the house without a notebook. Ever. But I like to keep mine stacked next to my desk.
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3) I have to keep my snort-laugh in check, because my daughter likes to tell people about it. (This probably means I should work harder to be discreet when I'm gassy...)
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4) Look at this word right here: typewriter. It was brought to my attention two weeks ago that I pronounce it typ-eh-writer. What's up with that?

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5) I asked my husband for help, to tell me something quirky I could share with you. He said, "You drool and snore while you sleep. At the same time." If that's not endearing, I don't know what is.
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6) Every once in a while, I love me a 45-cent Banquet beef pot pie.
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7) It takes talent to trip over something tee eensy weensy and wind up on the floor or against the wall. I ooze that talent.
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8) I cannot type possibilities correctly until I've made at least three typo-filled attempts. Can you?
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9) I've rewritten the words to Adele's Chasing Pavements to be a parody on writing. I'm building nerve, and when the timing's right, I'll record myself singing it and share the video. Someday.

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10) Sometimes, my ideas for stories are so very big, I have to pull out my so very big pencil to get them down. Talk about writer's cramp, though.

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These things were brought to you by the letter Q, Banquet beef pot pies, and Roz Morris, who gifted me with the Sugar Doll blogger award. (Thanks, Roz!) Accepting the award meant I agreed to share ten somethings about myself. I had more fun with it than was necessary, really.
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You guys know I don't usually forward awards here. Not because I'm stingy, or because I don't support other bloggers and networking, but because it's difficult to highlight just a handful of people and their blogs when I value so many.
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Still... I want to pass this award on to one person, as a means to introduce you. Her name is Deb, and she can be found over at Catbird Scout. Deb is a gentle spirit and honest memoirist who looks for the truth in every space. She's open with her life journey, as well as its past. I'm forever inspired by her words, and I think everyone needs to know her.

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Here's to you, Deb. And thanks again, Roz!

Nail Your Novel

Author and blogger Roz Morris, she of Dirty White Candy, has a lot of experience. Not only have several (almost a dozen) of her novels been published, she freelances for a huge critiquing firm in London, too.

Me thinks she knows what she's doing. And now she wants to help others do it!


Roz graciously says:

I'm giving away FREE copies of the pdf of my book, Nail Your Novel.

Many writers fail to complete their novels because they don't know how to organise the work or solve the inevitable problems they encounter. Nail Your Novel tackles this problem head on. It's a complete methodology for writing a novel. It's aimed at any writer, experienced or not, who would like a coach to take them from the blank page to finished manuscript with submission documents. At around 100 pages, it's about half the length of other writing books - for effective writing advice without the waffle. Readers are telling me it's helped them battle through with manuscripts they thought they would have to abandon.

In theory the process should be simplicity itself - no registration, no need to give any email addresses or personal details - just download, save the file and start to enjoy! (If you try it and find otherwise, do tell me - and that includes the enjoyment part too...)

Sounds great, right?

To take Roz up on this fantastic offer, or learn more about her, visit her Nail Your Novel site. (Peruse her sidebar to find out why Dirty White Candy.) You can also see warm and informative advice from Roz, here, where she talks about writing, revising, and going on submission.

Thank you, Roz! You're great.