Do you write when you're not in the mood?

 

Maybe a more direct question would be: Do you write when you don't feel like it? 

If only there was a direct answer to that question...

I would have to say: Yes and No.

The key to completing a writing project is to plan for time to write each day or week. However, what if you are sick or going through a difficult time in your life? Do you write anyway, regardless of your circumstances?

Well...sometimes I do and sometimes I don't.
I find that if I am feeling icky, as in not feeling 100% in my physical body, I can still write and write well.
I have also found that if I'm REALLY sick, I can not by any means put the words together to write at all!

In addition, if I have something really heavy weighing on my mind, I have a hard time writing. If I have minor things on my mind, I have no problem setting them aside to write and sometimes, just sometimes, writing will help me get through the circumstances and I will feel better as a result.

Only you truly know if you are capable of writing according to how you are feeling. What is right for me may not be right for you. You may find that writing will help you feel better no matter what you are going through in your life.

The only way to know for sure is to give it a try.

Tips:

• Always stick to your writing schedule.
• If you are unable to write because of sickness, rest and try again tomorrow.
• If you are dealing with an emotional issue, try to write. It may help you through.  

 

Let's discuss outlining books 

Book release: The Ultimate Guide To Cookies 

Family history and traditions with Author Deanna Martinez-Bey 

Book review: Point Of View

Family History and traditions with Author Deanna Martinez-Bey

Baking sweets has always been a big part of my life. Thinking back to when I was a child...baking with my mom and family provides happy memories for me. I do not remember most of my childhood from the age of 4 until I was 12, BUT, I do recall Christmas Eve gatherings with my family and all of the cooking and baking we did together.

I always say that baking soothes my soul and brings peace to my spirit. Since the happy memories I have as a child revolve around food, I can understand why baking makes me feel this way.

Those happy memories and family traditions are always present in my mind. Each time I bake with my daughter, who is 6 years old, and every time all 4 of us (myself, my husband, my son, and my daughter) have a cookie decorating night for each Holiday, I am reminded that I am creating happy, peaceful, and fun memories for my children.

My mom passed away when I was nineteen years old. Thankfully, mom taught me how to bake up a mean cheesecake when she was here with us. Mom made her cheesecake without a crust. It was a thick, rich, creamy, New York-style cheesecake. I was born and raised in New Jersey, and let me tell you, northern, Italian women know how to cook and bake! Mom fit right into that mold. Her teachings inspired me to write my book, The Ultimate Guide To Cheesecakes.

Because of the skills my mom and my Aunt (her sister) taught me, I entered into a Taste of Italy contest with Taste of Home Magazine several years ago, with my, Mascarpone Cheesecake recipe, and I won 2nd place! Thanks, mom and Aunt Jeannie!

The love of food has brought me where I am today. I have a food blog, home bakery, and I just wrote another cookbook, The Ultimate Guide To Cookies! 

I have been featured in several Gooseberry Patch cookbooks, Taste of Home Best Of cookbooks, Taste of Home Magazines, and online with Womansday.com.
I have written 3 novels and in the back of each one, I share recipes that were made in the book (that are all my personal recipes).
I am the administrator of several pages and groups on Facebook: all food-related!

• Comfort Foods, Family Recipes & More with The Fiery Whisk
• Food Blogger and Foodies Sharing Recipes and Posts
• The Fiery Whisk Bakery
• Easy Dessert Recipes
• Easy Recipes
• Christmas & Holiday Baking
• Thanksgiving, Halloween, Autumn Recipes & More
• Cookie and Cake Recipes
• Coffee: All Things Coffee
• Alcoholic Drinks
• The COVID-19 Baking Project
• Recipes: Christmas Cookies & Sweet Treats

Do you agree with me when I say that I have a passion for writing, food, and recipes?

You can also find all of my books here:

Amazon Author Page: Deanna Martinez-Bey

Author Deanna Martinez-Bey on TicTok

 

 

Having kept a photography channel on TicTok, I decided to start an author channel too! I have to say, it has been fairly successful so far.

Here is a link to my channel, I would love to have you follow me there (I will follow you back):

Author Deanna Martinez-Bey

I found a Facebook page specifically for authors on TicTok and have found a great deal of support there:

Authors of TicTok 

Between the Facebook group and the apps algorithms, it has not been difficult to find other authors to support. The writing/reading community on social media is one of the most supportive I have found! 

Picture This book review: On Janine's Cool Cats and Reviews

Author interview with GKJ Publishing  

Resolutions Vs. Goals

Picture This book review on Janine's Cool Cats and Reviews

 

 

 I am happy to share an honest review of my latest novella, Picture This.

I have been working with Janine since my first book release in 2011! We have a string of emails over 80 long! She always takes the time to read my books and give an honest review. THANK YOU, Janine! 

Here is the direct link to my book review on her blog:

Janine's Cool Cats and Reviews

Janine also gave me an awesome review on BookBub and Amazon!

Thank you, Janine! 

 

COVID-19 writing

 

I have a question...have any writers found that they have been more productive through the pandemic? 

I for one, have definitely found myself writing and creating more. I am up earlier in the morning and find myself staying up later at night. Which may or may not require more coffee. I often wonder if coffee sales have skyrocketed through this thing! 

I have published 3 new books and started writing 2 more. 

Picture This, is my new novella, The Ultimate Guide to Cheesecakes, is my new cookbook, and Step Out and Invite Them Anyway, is a guide to hospitality. 

In addition, I have been blogging with a dash of podcasting thrown into the mix.

I would say, I am staying productive with my writing. All this in addition to having a family and 2 home businesses! I offer social media management and copy editing for authors. I have just put together a photography we4bsite as well, where I am selling digital photos for authors to use on their projects. I love doing all I can to help fellow authors!

I have a home bakery as well and have been taking orders, orders, and more orders! 

Just like you, I have a lot on my plate...but, I am thankful for it all!

New release: Picture This 

Writers Corner: Fall writing tips  

What is the first draft?

Funny Farm: Why do I love this movie?

Have you ever seen, Funny Farm? It stars Chevy Chase and Madolyn Smith and was released in 1988.

Basically, it is about a couple who moves to "the country" so that the husband can write a novel. They have a variety of strange events that occur and make them second guess their decision of moving from the city to the country. The move pushes them apart and then ultimately pulls them back together.

I said all this to say, that for some odd reason, this movie encourages me as a writer. I'm sure we all have certain music, movies, and books that encourage us to do what we do and this is my movie of encouragement.

One of my friends on Instagram proposed a question yesterday, "What songs do you listen to when you write?" To her question, I responded that I will often have, Funny Farm playing in the background, but I prefer to write in silence.

Now it is out...I'm apparently a quirky writer. But aren't we all?

You may be wondering right now... What is the purpose of this post? And to you I say... I have no idea!

Author organization tip: Writing down your ideas 

Christmas Organizing book 

Author Organization Tips: Writing Down Your Book Ideas

Writing down ideas, what is that? I know most of us rely on electronics to keep up with our ideas, schedules, contacts, basically our lives.

Call me old fashioned, but there is something about writing down ideas that help me stay organized. I always have a little notebook that I carry with me so that I can write down any ideas I have while I am out and about, pertaining to the book I am writing or project I am working on.
You never know when an idea will come to you. If you don’t have a notebook handy, by all means, make a note on your phone. But, be sure to transfer the info to your notebook later. Having all of your book information together in one place will benefit you in the long run. You can refer back to it or add on to it as needed.

I buy a new notebook and a colorful pen each time I start writing a new book. Anything I think of relating to that book goes in that notebook. As I stated, it helps me stay organized and keeps me from having to remember all the details. I don’t know about you, but my brain doesn’t always remember all the details! Some days it is all I can do to remember to wear socks that match!

Tips for writing down ideas and staying organized:

• Purchase a notebook (colorful pen optional)
• Carry the notebook with you
• Keep all of your book information in one place
• Keep a special notebook for each book you are writing

This is an article about writing down your book ideas, but as you can see, organization is also important for a writer. They go hand in hand.
Write down your ideas and stay organized!

Christmas organizing book 

Organizing your books

Book organizer: Wordy Writer

Set reasonable writing goals

Always remember to set reasonable goals for yourself. The keyword in that sentence is,
you guessed it: Reasonable!
Writing a two hundred and fifty to a three hundred page novel is going to take you more
than a week to write.

It is good to have goals, but make sure they are suitable for your life. If after looking at
your calendar you feel that you will be able to dedicate three hours a week to writing, set
your goals accordingly.

For some, writing every day is a reasonable goal. If this is a possibility for you, decide if
you are able to dedicate 30 minutes a day to writing your book or 3 hours a day. Always
remember that something is better than nothing. So, 20 minutes a day or every couple of
days is better than going 2 weeks without writing at all.

For others, every other day or twice a week may be attainable.
Sit down and take a few minutes to write out your daily schedule. Then, decide when you
can fit in time to write.

It is really that simple.
After you set your writing goals, strive to attain them. But, do not beat yourself up if
sometimes you do not reach the goals you have set for yourself. Just decide to start back
up tomorrow and try again.

To print off a free daily calendar that you can design yourself, click here
http://www.worksheetworks.com/miscellanea/calendars/hour.html

Fiction writing: Nature settings

COVI-19 Decluttering: Organizing your books

Fiction writing: Nature settings

Think about the climate of where our story is going to be set. Do you have a clear image in your mind? Is it sweltering or frigid, do you see cactus or snow piled mountains? Is it raining cats and dogs or is the sun shining bright in the sky without a cloud in sight?

These facts are more important than you may think when writing your novel. Why? Because the reader has to be transformed to where your story is being told.

Before you begin describing the natural aspects of your setting, decide on the geographical location. By doing this, it will make the details of describing much easier.

If you have never been to the geographical location of your story, be sure you do plenty of research before you begin writing about it. You have to know enough about the climate and visuals in order to take the reader away to that place.

Questions to ask yourself about the climate of your story location:

1. Is it hot or cold
2. What will people wear (coats or bathing suits)
3. Is everything green and lush or brown and barren
4. Will there be high rises and apartments or white houses with picket fences
5. Concrete patios or miles of grassy land
6. Rain, snow, sunshine, tornadoes, hurricanes, avalanches 

I think I proposed enough questions to get you thinking about the natural details.

Tip: Be sure to transport your reader to the setting of your story.

Writing and editing tips: Keeping your body comfortable

How to start your fiction writing career

Easy book writing tips

COVID 19 decluttering: Organize your books

Are you sitting home bored out of your mind with nothing to do? Even if you're not, chances are you do have more time on your hands.

Let's make the most of being home by purging and organizing!

Let's talk about all those books we've accumulated over the past several years. Now is a perfect time to go through and let some go and get the rest organized. 

I ask for books for my birthday and any Holiday that encourages giving gifts; from anniversaries to Christmas,  books, books, books. So, I have a few! 

What books should I get rid of?

1. Cookbooks with difficult recipes

You know, the ones you bought, but NEVER use. Yes, those. Time to lighten the load.

2. Books you read and wouldn't rate with 4+ stars 

You know you won't read them again, so pass them on.

3. Old textbooks 

You've held onto these in the event you need to refer back to clarify what you once learned.  But, all they do is collect dust and take up space. Pass that learning forward.

• You can donate these books to a local library or thrift store. 
• You can also sell them on an online marketplace. 
• Offer them to family and friends who need or want them.

Fun idea:

Organize a virtual book exchange! Use social media or your contact list to get a list of people who are interested in taking part. 

Post the books you have available and have them picked up from your front porch. Social distancing...check!

More from author/copy editor Deanna Martinez: 

Writing and editing tips: Keep your body comfortable

How to start your fiction writing career 

Wordy Writer: Workbook review

Spreading cheer and encouragement during COVID-19

Hello, world! So many of us are struggling right now with either sickness, financial hardships,  depression, or maybe even all three.

I am using this blog as a platform to share some happiness! If you are sitting home with extra time on your hands, use this time to focus on things that make you happy.

I have a food blog you might enjoy...as food brings joy to many of us: www.thefierywhisk.com 

And if you are a writer or have always wanted to be, I have written several articles that will help you on your journey:

Prepare your writing environment 

One of the best writing tips around: Set reasonable goals for yourself

How to stay accountable to your writing: Don't make excuses and share your project

What is the first draft and what do I do after I write it?

Writing a novel: How to come up with story ideas and plot twists

Organization tips for writers: Writing down ideas

To the lady who handed me her dirty tissue...

free Adobe images

Oh, the joys of working at a fitness center! In addition to writing books, copy editing and social media management, I also work part-time at a local gym. It's an easy job, scanning membership tags, doing laundry and some easy data entry. But, the customer service aspect of this job gets me in some way, shape, or form every day.

Take today for example...

When someone walks up to the counter, I automatically extend my hand to take from them either their key tag, car keys or locker key. It is a natural reaction for me to reach out as someone approaches the counter.

I was busy chatting with a colleague as a lady approached. I stopped talking and reached my hand over the counter and this lady proceeded to hand me her dirty tissue! I can't even make this stuff up. First of all, why? Second of all, with all the worry over the big, "virus" going around, why? Thirdly, why?

I realized what was happening just before I touched her snot rag and pulled my hand away with the quickness of Spiderman. I looked at her like she had three heads and her response was, "I didn't see a trash can."

I pointed in the direction of the trash can, which was all of three feet away. I was disgusted! What if I would have touched it?

To the lady who handed me her dirty tissue: Why?

More from Author Deanna Martinez: 

Easy book writing tips

How to stay accountable to writing

My interview: The Average Joe podcast

The tornado at Panera Bread: February 6, 2020

I have a little story to tell...

On Thursday, February 6, 2020, I had a 1:30 pm meeting at Panera in Raleigh, NC. Specifically, the one on Colonnade Drive off Six Forks Road.

I arrived early so I could work on novel number four before my meeting started. Yey, me! I took my obligatory photo of my computer and my coffee as you see below...

My meeting partner texted me that they were running late...the text said 1:44 pm. No problem, I just kept working on my book.

After their arrival we started talking and about 10 or 15 minutes into our conversation, I felt the pressure in my ears change and I immediately got light headed. I said, "Oh, man, my ears." My friend said, "You felt that too?" And as soon as the words slid from their mouth, the clouds broke loose and rain started pelting sideways and the wind started blowing so hard that the outside tables and umbrellas were blowing everywhere. Yes, we were sitting inside of the restaurant, where at this point the power went out.

My friend ran up to the front doors and peered out and then came running back, while screaming, "Everybody take cover. Get into the bathrooms!" And we all got up and ran to the bathroom area. I wound up in the men's room with many others, both male and female. We all stayed in there for a good 10 minutes...everyone was texting their family and friends. It was a scary 10 minutes for sure. My hands were shaking so badly, I could hardly text.

We all emerged unscathed, and went about our way. As I stepped outside to go to my car...my NEW car, by the way, I saw in the parking lot, a tree that was broken in half that had gone THROUGH someones car! It was awful. (Picture featured above)

Having lived through a tornado before, (In April 2011, I had half a pine tree go through my house), these were all typical signs of a tornado and tornado damage. Plus, I felt it in my ears and in my head, just as I did in 2011.

My family was home safely. They endured extreme hail and brutal thunder and lightening. I saw several baseball sized hail as I approached my home. We, our cars, home and property were safe...thankfully!

And that's my story!

My Car :) 

More from Author Deanna Martinez:

My Interview: The Average Joe podcast

Weekend in Snowshoe: The things I saw...

Using owned media as an author

Weekend in Snowshoe, West Virginia: The things I did and saw...

My long weekend in Snowshoe...

It has been an enjoyable weekend of writing for me. I have been warm and cozied up in the condo, which happens to reside on top of a mountain. It has snowed and has been below freezing, but I have gotten thousands of words written for novel number four!

On the way, I observed:

A rooster coup? There were at least fifty roosters, and each had their own little house. Something I have never seen before.

A man, riding a bike, talking on his cell phone, riding the wrong way down the highway. This was also a first for this New Jersey girl.

And last, but certainly not least... as we were driving literally THROUGH a mountain, this psycho in a compact Chevy car, rode our bumper so closely we could not see his headlights in our rear-view mirror! I kid you not. We drive a Jeep and were taking the curves pretty nicely, but it wasn't fast enough for this guy. Talk about stress. Finally he passed us and we then enjoyed the windy roads once again.

Talk about a jam packed weekend!





More from Author Deanna Martinez:

Using owned media as an author

Social Media course reveal

Social media course reveal...

Hello, everyone! I have some exciting news to share...

Guess who wrote an online social media course? This girl. It took me months to write it and complete all the videos. However, it took YEARS of research to obtain all the information I share in the course.

As a published author, I had to learn how to successfully network myself online. The course is written, NOT just for authors, but for everyone who needs to network themselves, their business or their brand online.

All you have to do, is email me: book.writer.deanna@gmail.com and I will send you pricing and details about the course. I can tell you this: the course contains videos, PDF documents and on screen tutorials...everything you need to network!

Check out this video I made on Facebook live when I revealed my course:

More from Author Deanna Martinez:

Should you follow your heart when writing?

To outline or not to outline...

Coming up with new story ideas

What is the first draft?

Preparing your writing environment 

Preparing your writing environment

Something I do each night before I head to bed is clean my kitchen! My mom always used to say, “If the kitchen is clean, the whole house looks clean”. Depending on the layout of your house, this can ring true. I have an open concept in my house, meaning the kitchen is open to the dining room and the living room. So, if my kitchen is clean, it really does make the rest of my downstairs look clean too!

Why have I gone on this clean kitchen tangent you may ask; it is also true when it comes to our writing environment. If we have a special routine we create when it comes to writing it will help us look forward to it and feel comfortable and at ease when we do it.
Just as waking up to a clean house can make you feel good, creating a special place to write can make you feel good too!

A few things to try:

• Create a clean work space
• Make it comfortable by using a comfortable chair
• Decorate with pictures and items that bring you joy
• Keep it clutter free
• Make a space separate from other spaces in your home

Resolutions Vs. Goals: Let's make 2020 our year!

It's time for my annual "Resolutions vs. Goals" post. Because I appreciate when encouragement is offered to me, I enjoy offering encouragement to others..which is why I choose to share this post every year. 

 

Let's make 2020 the year we move forward with creating the life we truly desire.  Let's leave the past were it belongs...in the past, and create for ourselves a joyful, prosperous, healthy new year!

Resolution: A promise we make to ourselves and declare to others that we are going to make a positive change for the new year.

Goals: A plan we put into place to move forward towards a better life.

Do you see the difference? A resolution is a promise, but a goal is a plan. Let’s set goals for ourselves this year. Make a plan, write a list of steps to get you to where you want to be: financially, physically, emotionally, relationally. Set reasonable goals. Take baby steps towards your new future, your new life.

Let’s turn our dreams into reality for 2020! 

Meditate on your goals and the changes you want to make, see yourself living the life that you desire. Talk about your dreams and goals with people who will build you up and encourage you. Make your plan and work towards it each day, little by little, taking baby steps. Don't give up!

They say, "Rome wasn't built in a day". How true that is! Let's make the changes within ourselves to become the people we want to be this year. It can be done and WE are the only ones who can make it happen; join a gym, write a book, start a business, change the things we don't like about ourselves/our lives. Let's make this our year! 

Lilac Sand by Tara Cignarella: Book review

Here is Tara's synopsis of her book, Lilac Sand:

1995 is bound to be a very exciting year for Morgan Evans. One night at a crowded party she heads outside for solitude, but she will not be alone for long. Frederick Rhoades, lead singer of a world famous New Jersey band sits beside her. A chance meeting brought on by her need to get away from people leads to her finding the one person she always wants to be with.
Morgan meets Frederick under an overgrown lilac tree. The purple lilac symbolizes the first emotions of love. Will the fate of such a random meeting turn into everlasting love, or will they become star-crossed lovers? New adventures and heartbreaking situations await Morgan as fantasy becomes reality, but will it be the reality she craves? The difficult decisions she makes trying to stay true to herself will test her in ways she never knew she could be tested.



Let me begin by saying that I, myself, am a Jersey girl...Born and raised. Lilac Sand takes place in Jersey and that in itself made me want to read this book!

Lilac Sand is a love story. For me, it was a different kind of love story than I am used to reading. But, even with its dark undertones, I was completely sucked in! I do not want to say too much and give away any secrets that this book holds, but I will say.... Buy it, buy it, buy it!

The way that Tara writes speaks to me. Her writing makes me feel as if I am going through the emotional roller coaster with Morgan. I feel her joy, her desires, her sadness and her conflict right along with her. Bravo, Tara on a well written and constructed novel!

I am not one to throw out random book reviews for the hell of it. I was not paid to read this book or write this review. I have chosen to do it on my own free will because I truly enjoyed this novel.

To purchase your copy of Lilac Sand, Click here.

I believe in uplifting others. I believe in being an encouragement. I believe in Tara and want to see her do well!

New approach to writing a plot and creating a protagonist

See my toesies? 

Novel #4

I have decided to take a slightly new approach when creating my plot and main character for this book.

What is different is how I am specifically creating my plot prior to my character development. In the past I would create my characters first and then put together the story line. For novel #4, I have created my story line before the characters! It is a different approach for sure, but it seems to be working smoothly.

In addition to this change, I have decided to create my main character to be the complete opposite of me. I would often take a little part of me to create my main character. I would then elaborate to make her fictional. This time around, I am trying something different...which also seems to be working!

I am having fun writing, isn't that what it is all about?

Here's hoping for a successful and fun filled 2019!

Baking cookies and writing a plot

Changes coming for 2019

Interview with Chef Duff

Photo taken from Food Network (click pic for link)

I remember it clearly...back in 2009, I spoke with Duff Goldman over the phone for nearly an hour. He was the kindest, most down to earth celebrity!

I wrote an article about him and published it to Examiner.com, where I was writing at the time. The site closed down and gave us very short notice to get our articles saved before they were gone for good.

One of the articles I failed to save was the one I wrote about Chef Duff. How sad, right? So, 2 nights ago, I decided to reach out to him again and ask if I can rewrite the article.

I am happy to announce, I have been given permission to do so! I will be publishing it very soon. Squeeee.... (probably not even a word, but it is my happy emotion)

More articles:

My trip to Colorado

Started novel #4

Self publishing...yey or nah?