Everybody Has a But by Sally Shupe

This past week I worked on transitioning to working from home, BUT it was a lot harder than I thought it would be. (I am so thankful I still have my job, but I miss my office-a whole lot more than I thought I would!) No more quiet office space. No more office. No more space. My office is now the side of the dining room table.

Have you come across any BUTS? I’d be rich, BUT. I’d run a marathon, BUT. I’d be a writer, BUT. What do those BUTS do to us? They discourage us; they hinder us; if we let them, they’ll determine our future before we even get started!

What BUT is holding you back? Can’t get that first paragraph going? Can’t finish the first draft? Why not? I’d start working on that paragraph, BUT? I’d finish the story I’m writing, BUT? But what? I’d clean my refrigerator, BUT? The first thing that pops in my mind is: I don’t know where to start. Let me help with that.

Pick up your sponge and cleaner. Pick up a pen and paper. Or log onto your computer, open a blank document, and put your fingers on the keyboard. Ready? Now go! Give yourself 5 minutes. 30 minutes. Whatever you want to start with. Just start. That’s all it takes. You’ll be amazed at the progress you make. You can have a clean refrigerator. You can have all the laundry washed and dried. Maybe not put away, but it can be clean lol. Until the next pile starts. But that’s okay. If just one load gets done, that’s one more than you had done. If you only get one paragraph written, that’s okay. You’re one paragraph closer to finishing your book. Just get started. If you run for 20 minutes, you’re on your way to running a marathon. Look at you go. Nothing can stop you now!

Everybody’s timeline is different. Don’t compare yourself to others. If it takes all day to get one thing done, that’s fine. You did it. Or got started. Because we all know as soon as you sit down to do something, something else will happen. Be kind to yourself. Decide what you want to accomplish, and go for it.

This week, let’s kick those BUTS to the curb. Let’s do this thing, whether it’s cleaning house, that one thing you don’t want to start, getting that first draft finished, entering that contest. We can do this. There are no more BUTS!

Share what your one thing is and let’s support each other in getting that one thing done! My one thing: Finishing this story I started. It’s about halfway done. Let’s get started!

Sally Shupe lives in southwest Virginia with her husband, two grown kids-a daughter still at home and a son nearby, and a whole bunch of pets: five dogs, three cats, a rabbit, and birds at the birdfeeder (and the mandatory snowman when the snow cooperates). She writes contemporary Christian romance, with two completed manuscripts and three more in progress. They are part of a series located in small town Virginia.

When Sally’s not writing or working full-time, she is a freelance editor for several authors who write fiction and nonfiction; students working on dissertation papers; a copy editor for Desert Breeze; a content editor for Prism (became part of Pelican); performs beta reading for various authors; publishes book reviews on her blog and with Valley Business FRONT’s monthly magazine; is a member of ACFW and a PRO member of RWA; loves genealogy, running, and crocheting.

Sally uses her love of words to write about God’s amazing love.

Connect with
Sally:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sallyshupewritings/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SallyShupe1
Blog: http://sallyshupe.blogspot.com/
Email: sallyshupe1@gmail.com
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/sallyshupe1/
Website: http://sallyshupeseditingservice.weebly.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sally-schreiner-shupe-8217a639?trk=hp-identity-name

HELLO TO HELPFUL HABITS by Patti Jo Moore

Happy New Year, my friends! 😊 I will confess I began what is now this blog post as a reminder to myself. Sure, I can comment to my family and friends that I plan to_______ (fill in the blank---exercise more, drink more water instead of cokes, be more organized, etc.etc.) in the new year. And they will smile politely, likely thinking they’ve heard me say those exact words before. Every January.😉

This year, instead of simply commenting about my plans, or even making a list that gets tucked away in a random notebook, I decided to not only write my plans, but write them and post the list where I can’t miss seeing them. For me, that would be on my desk next to my computer. Yes, I know this is common-sense, but if you’re like me, sometimes we need those common-sense reminders. 😉

I recently thought about reasons I haven’t been getting more writing done on a daily basis, and the glaring, obvious truth couldn’t be ignored. Facebook and emails. Sure, I love reading my friends’ posts on Facebook, and who doesn’t love receiving a newsy email from a friend, but I’ve gotten into the (bad) habit of checking those first, after my Bible time and as soon as I start my computer each morning. Before I realize, the clock is showing it’s almost noon, and I’m still scrolling through Facebook posts (“Just one more, and then I’ll log out and open my WIP”). Truthfully, I do like to check for prayer requests, and consider it an honor to pray for my friends, but with so many photos, funny memes, etc. on Facebook, it’s too easy to get distracted. *Sigh*

If you are a naturally disciplined person, I applaud you. But for those of us who easily get sidetracked, we might need a visual reminder. So I’ve got a sheet of bright yellow paper, a permanent marker that’s a bold shade of pink, and I’m ready to list my plans. The goal is for these to become daily habits, keeping me on track so I can be more productive with my writing—and my days in general. Because when I’m productive, that gives me a happy feeling, which in turn makes for a better overall day. 😊

Let all things be done decently and in order. 1 Corinthians 14:40

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Sadie's Dream

In a coastal Georgia town in 1900, a young woman prepares to serve as a missionary in Africa.

After being jilted the previous year, she's certain she's meant to remain single.

When she meets a handsome businessman from Savannah, she begins struggling with doubts.

Over time she learns that the Lord's plans are best, and dreams really can come true.

Patti Jo Moore is a retired kindergarten teacher and lifelong Georgia girl. She loves Jesus, her family, cats, and coffee, and is blessed to be published with Forget-Me-Not Romances. When she’s not spending time with her family (including her sweet grandbaby) or writing her “Sweet, Southern Stories” Patti Jo can be found feeding cats—her own six and local strays.

She loves connecting with readers and other writers, and can be found on Facebook at Author Patti Jo Moore or her personal blog at http://catmomscorner.blogspot.com

Procrastination vs. Discipline by Jan Drexler

Writing is hard.

No. Wait. Let me start over.

Disciplining myself to write is hard.

I love to write. I love to revise and edit. I love the feeling when God gives me the exact word I need to make a sentence sing.

BUT… Some days I’ll do just about anything else other than write. Do you have that same problem?

Some days the discipline of writing escapes me. It’s a battle. I stare at the computer screen. I answer emails. I scroll through Facebook. I answer more emails.

I procrastinate.

Procrastination is the antithesis of Discipline. Procrastination tells me I have plenty of time. Procrastination convinces me that cleaning the bathroom is much more important than putting words down on paper.

Procrastination tells me that today isn’t important.

 

But we have a way to win this battle!

Discipline is the armor of a writer. Discipline has its own set of weapons, and when I open that box, Procrastination flees!

What are the weapons of Discipline?

1) Routine. Make a schedule and keep it. When I plan a time to write, I’m more likely to stick to that plan. If my schedule says that my writing time is from 8:30 until noon every morning, then I know I’ll stick my bottom in my chair and put my hands on the keyboard.

2) Know your strengths and use them. I know there are two times in the day when I am most successful at writing, when my brain is most creative, so that’s when I schedule my writing time.

I also know I write more easily when I’ve done my homework: research, character development, and plotting. So, I make sure I have those things checked off the list when I sit down to write.

3) Treat your writing as a job. I learned this trick when I was a homeschooling mom. When a person works outside the home, their time is naturally divided into “work” and “non-work” hours. For those of us who work at home – whether it’s our primary occupation or not – we need to set aside our work time as sacred. Tell your friends not to call or stop by during those times. Don’t answer the phone. Turn off your social media notifications. Minimize interruptions where you can.

4) And that leads me to my final weapon: Be flexible. Life happens. The dog gets sick. Your child has a volleyball game. Your mom comes to visit for a week. If you can’t adjust for planned and unplanned life events, then Discipline will suffer. One unplanned dishwasher leak can throw off my schedule for days. So, when the interruption happens, take the needed time off without guilt – but then get back into your routine as soon as possible!

Do you find it hard to discipline yourself to write? What methods (or weapons!) have you found to be most effective?

~~~~~~

Jan Drexler’s ancestors were among the first Amish immigrants in the 1700s, and their experiences are the inspiration for her stories. Jan lives in the Black Hills of South Dakota with her husband and growing extended family. She writes historical Amish fiction and is published by Revell and Love Inspired.

Website: www.JanDrexler.com
Seekerville!: www.seekerville.blogspot.com
Fun blog: yankeebellecafe.blogspot.com
Twitter: @JanDrexler
Facebook: Jan Drexler, Author


The Sound of Distant Thunder
Katie Stuckey and Jonas Weaver are both romantics. Seventeen-year-old Katie is starry-eyed, in love with the idea of being in love, and does not want to wait to marry Jonas until she is eighteen, despite her parents' insistence. So much can happen in a year. Twenty-year-old Jonas is taken in by the romance of soldiering, especially in defense of anti-slavery, even though he knows war is at odds with the teachings of the church. When his married brother's name comes up in the draft list, he volunteers to take his brother's place. But can the commitment Katie and Jonas have made to each other survive the separation?

From the talented pen of Jan Drexler comes this brand new Amish series set against the backdrop of the Civil War. She puts her characters to the test as they struggle to reconcile their convictions and desires while the national conflict threatens to undermine and engulf their community.

The Discipline of Writing and the Fear of Failure by Olivia Rae

One of the toughest things about becoming a writer is discipline. We all know a book doesn’t write itself and no matter how much praying we do, the words don’t always come. I have been writing a long time…well, sort of. I spent the first five years of my writing career talking about writing, researching, taking classes, attending conferences, perfecting my first three chapters and a synopsis, but I never finished a book.

I used to blame my lack of productivity on my day job, my family, my dog, the neighbor’s dog, anyone and anything, instead of myself. Slowly, but surely all the writers in my critique group became published authors, while I kept on pretending that someday I would write a great book. Even after publishing six books and having four other manuscripts looking for a publisher, I still struggle with sitting down to write.

Often what keeps me back from writing is fear of failure. I’m a sensitive sort and every time someone gives me a bad review or a rejection letter lands in my inbox, I crawl in my closet (literally) with my favorite candy (right now it’s black jelly beans), but the key is: I always crawl back out. And that’s the answer. God says in the Bible we should not fear anything. Not everybody is going to love me or embrace what I write, but that’s okay. If you put yourself out there you will be rewarded. Maybe it’s becoming a contest finalist, an email from a fan, a publishing contract or a hug from your hubby or kids. Whatever it is, remember your talent is a gift from God. So use it!

Tips on how to finish a book:

1. Keep a log of how many words or pages you write each day.

2. Set a goal and tell someone who can hold you to it. (i.e. I will finish this book or these many pages by…)

3. Carve out a writing time each day and stick to it. (Start with a half hour and work from there.)

4. Exercise (Yes, taking a walk or doing a few sit ups gets the blood flowing and the brain working.)

5. Remember, writing time is not plotting, research or marketing time. You can plot a new book when you have finished this one.

So stop reading this post and go write!

P.S. I’d love to hear your favorite writing strategy, email me at Oliviarae.books@gmail.com

~~~~~~

Olivia Rae is an award-winning author of historical and contemporary inspirational romance. She spent her school days dreaming of knights, princesses and far away kingdoms; it made those long, boring days in the classroom go by much faster. Nobody was more shocked than her when she decided to become a teacher. Besides getting her Master’s degree, marrying her own prince, and raising a couple of kids, Olivia decided to breathe a little more life into her childhood stories by adding in what she’s learned as an adult living in a small town on the edge of a big city. When not writing, she loves to travel, dragging her family to old castles and forts all across the world.

Olivia is the winner of the New England Readers’ Choice Award, Illumination Award Bronze medalist, Buyer Best Book Award Finalist, a Kindle Book Award Semi-Finalist, I Heart Indie Award Finalist, and Grab Me Award Finalist. She is currently hard at work on her next novel.

Contact Olivia at Oliviarae.books@gmail.com

For news and sneak peeks of upcoming novels visit:

Website: Oliviaraebooks.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/oliviaraebooks
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oliviaraeauthor
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/olivia-rae
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2yn4lnH

Catching Your Dream By Andrea Boeshaar

When it comes to writing, what is your dream and how do you plan to go about achieving it? Author Andrea Boeshaar knows the value of those dreams. Today, she's providing three tips for catching yours. (I need to practice the second one.) -- Sandy

Andrea: Do you have a dream, a goal, and a vision for your life? Does it seem to be just short of your grasp? I know the feeling.

For those who don’t know me, I’m an author of Christian fiction and nonfiction. My latest novel, a historical Civil War romance, is called A Thousand Shall Fall. It’s the first book in my Shenandoah Valley series. Truly, it was a dream of mine to see this book in print. God worked in the hearts of the folks at Kregel Publications, and my book will release November 28, 2015. Here are 3 ideas that have encouraged me and they might help you catch your dream – and, perhaps, even change your life.

1) Pray about your dream-goal. If you’re like me, then you have lots of ideas. Not everyone is worthy of your time – or is God’s will for your life. 

We can get busied up in all kinds of meaningless things. So begin a journal and write down all the things you’re involved in. Pray over each one and ask God which to eliminate so you’ll have the time to journey down the God-given path for your life.

2) Practice “planned abandonment.”

In her book Jesus Life Coach, Laurie Beth Jones writes: “Planned abandonment doesn’t mean walking away from something that is difficult or isn’t working anymore. Planned abandonment means choosing between good and great, between better and best. Planned abandonment means that you are able to say no to all that glitters and discern what truly shines.”

Search out all the EWs in your life. EWs are “energy wasters” and we’ve all got them. They’re those things that crowd in on us when we least expect. They can be the meaningless ideas I previously mentioned and they can be people who suck your time, perhaps wanting advice but unwilling to change their behavior or step out in faith. An EW, for example, might be that neighbor who comes over every night to sit on the couch and…bloviate. As you begin to eliminate EWs in your life, that neighbor may have to find himself another roosting place.

3) Participate in your own life. Don’t just talk about all things you want to do someday – do them!

I recently watched the movie The Music Man and near the end of the motion picture, Professor Harold Hill tells Marian the librarian something quite profound, I think. He says something like, “If you keep putting everything off until tomorrow, all you’ll have is a collection of empty yesterdays.” How true that is!

And just remember, Tomorrow and Someday are days of the week on a planet that doesn’t exist! So quit procrastinating (and I’m pointing one finger at myself too!). Turn off the “boob tube,” as my father used to call the TV, and take steps toward accomplishing your personal goals. It doesn’t have to be a leap of faith. Only baby steps.

Dare to dream – and imagine yourself a part of that vision. It’s attainable! If you’re a believer in Christ Jesus, He has put that power within you. And remember: With God all things are possible!

Which of these tips do you need to practice most? Do you have other ideas to help writers catch their dream?

~~~~~

ANDREA BOESHAAR has been married for nearly 40 years. She and her husband have 3 wonderful sons, 1 beautiful daughter-in-law, and 5 precious grandchildren. Andrea’s publishing career began in 1994. Since then, 31 of her books have gone to press. Additionally, Andrea cofounded ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) and served on its Advisory Board for a number of years. In 2007, Andrea earned her certification in Christian Life Coaching and now owns and operates Steeple View Coaching and The Writer’s ER (divisions of Pink Ink, Inc.). For more information, log onto her website: www.andreaboeshaar.com

LIKE her Facebook: www.facebook.com/Andrea.Boeshaar

Follow her on Twitter: @AndreaBoeshaar.

Give Thanks by Terri Weldon

Terri Weldon

The Bible tell us, “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His faithful love continues forever.” While I believe this is something God intends for us to do daily, this time of year as our minds turn to Thanksgiving in the United States we become more focused on the blessings the Lord has given us. Oh, I’m not saying nothing ever goes wrong in life or that there aren’t many things we wish we’d done differently. I know there are countless decisions that if I had to do them over again I would change, but guess what? There is no rewind button in life. Not in our family life, not in our day jobs, and not in our writing life.

Procrastination is a horrible problem for me. Not only in writing, but in everything. Earlier this week I ordered movie tickets and I had to choose a date an entire week later than I planned. Know why? Yep, the big PROCRASTINATION. I let the email telling me about ordering advance tickets sit in my inbox for way too long before acting on it. What’s worse, I had read it. I just waited to follow through. Now obviously that’s a movie so nothing horrible in life is going to happen. Still I can give thanks because I purchased great seats closer to Christmas and it can be holiday fun.

What if that had been a book? Hmm, ramifications would have been a bit worse. I might have missed the window of opportunity all together. Know what’s worse? I’ve done that. Even as I type this, I’m behind where I want to be and should be on some revisions. Anything to give thanks for there? You bet. I was asked for revisions, so the editor saw something in my writing she liked. Also, if I’ll heed my own advice here I can work like a madwoman (don’t knock it until you’ve tried it) and crank these revisions out on my own self-imposed deadline.

Still the thing I’m most thankful for this year is that my sister had a serious surgery and came out just fine and dandy. Now that may seem off topic, but I believe it is a matter of remembering our priorities. Writing, especially writing for the Lord, is a wonderful thing to do. But when all is said and done there is nothing as important as our relationship with our Creator and our families.

So this year when I gather around the table with my family and give thanks for my blessings, writing won’t be my number one priority. Not even my number two. Think what you want about that, but to me the opportunity to spend a day with my best friend and sister tops that hands down. And that is what I’ll be thanking God for.

What about you? What do you plan on giving thanks for on Thanksgiving Day? I hope you’ll share with me. Whatever it is, I pray you and your family will have a blessed day.

****

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Misty Winslow is determined to find her prince, and she meets the man of her dreams through an Internet dating service. Or is he, because the new dentist in town also sets her heart aflutter.

It's love at first sight for Tyler Davenport, but before he can finish his first root canal, Misty is involved in an exclusive online romance with Wes99—Tyler’s online persona. How can he tell her he’s the man she’s been waiting to meet, and how rational is it for him to be jealous of Wes99! Soon Tyler's pulling out all the stops to woo Misty.

As Christmas approaches, Wes99 and Tyler both ask her to meet them under the mistletoe. Which man will she choose?

Terri is a lead analyst by day and an author by night. She enjoys gardening, reading, and playing in the hand bell choir. One of her favorite pastimes is volunteering as the librarian at her church. It allows her to shop for books and spend someone else’s money! Plus, she has the great joy of introducing people to Christian fiction.

She lives with her family in Oklahoma. Terri has three dogs – a lovable mutt and two adorable Westies.


Terri is a member of ACFW and OCFW, a local chapter of ACFW. Her dream of becoming a published novelist came true in November 2013 when Mistletoe Magic released from White Rose Publishing. To learn more about Terri visit her website at www.TerriWeldon.com.

Writer's Avoidance, Part 2 by Jerusha Agen

Last week, we looked at the symptoms to diagnose Writer’s Avoidance in ourselves. If you missed them, check out last week’s post here.

Though you may not go as crazy for chocolate as I do, I’m guessing I’m not alone in some of the avoidance symptoms or in my tendency to do anything but write when the going gets tough. I’m actually in the throes of an avoidance phase like this right now (guess I should’ve added writing blog posts to the list of symptoms). I’d like to think that my case isn’t hopeless, and that I might be able to find a way to end this unproductive cycle. In an effort to find a solution, I’ve started to examine why I fall into this avoidance. The reason isn’t pretty.

In my Bible reading lately, I’ve been working my way through Exodus. Pretty sad how much I have in common with the Israelites. Yep, they were avoiders, too. After God saved them and provided for them in miraculous ways time and time again, they reached the Promised Land and discovered that the inhabitants there were awfully big. And scary. So what did they do? They rejected God’s gift to them, choosing instead to avoid potential danger.

Our situation as writers isn’t much different. God gives us stories to tell and promises great results when we follow His call and write for Him. But as soon as I come to some big and scary obstacles, I start avoiding my God-given task. Why? Because I don’t want to feel the failure and frustration that goes with trying to write and not succeeding at the pace I think I should. That’s the key, though, isn’t it? My fear of the failure and frustration come from my preconceived notions about the rate and course that the progression of my novel should take.

Yet, I tell people all the time that God gives me the ability, ideas, and words to write. I say that I’m writing for His glory alone. If that’s truly the case, then why should I care when God has a different deadline in mind than I do for finishing my plot outline? Shouldn’t I want to write my novels in His time and His way? God promised His people, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11).

I want His future and His hope for my writing and life. So when I wrap up this blog post, I think I’ll put on the Armor of God and face the looming giant of my yet-to-be-plotted novel. By His grace, I’ll face my setbacks and difficulties with trust and patience as I watch His perfect timing unfold. As long as I’m doing my best to work with excellence on the task He’s given me, then the roadblocks He intends to slow me down or show me a different route aren’t worries at all.

But I think I’ll still bring some chocolate along for the journey.

What keeps you from writing your novel? Do you have a favorite verse that you lean into before you write? Share your thoughts with us below.

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Writer's Avoidance: when I start avoiding my God-given task.
Frustration comes from my ideas of how long it takes to write a novel.
Still taking chocolate along for the journey.

Jerusha Agen is a lifelong lover of story--a passion that has led her to a B.A. in English and a highly varied career. A member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Jerusha is the author of the Sisters Redeemed Series, which includes the titles This Dance, This Shadow, and This Redeemer. Jerusha co-authored the e-books A Ruby Christmas and A Dozen Apologies from Write Integrity Press. Jerusha is also a screenwriter, and several of her original scripts have been produced as films. In addition, Jerusha is a film critic, with reviews featured at the website, www.RedeemerReviews.com

LINKS:

Website: www.SDGwords.com

Twitter (@SDGwords): https://twitter.com/sdgwords 

Facebook (Jerusha Agen - SDG Words): https://www.facebook.com/JerushaAgenSdgWords 

To Buy: http://www.amazon.com/This-Redeemer-Jerusha-Agen/dp/1938092562/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1404751823&sr=1-1&keywords=this+redeemer

Not all prisons have bars. Charlotte Davis should know—she’s lived in one for years. She can handle getting slapped around by her boyfriend, Tommy, and even being forced to do things she would never choose, but when Tommy turns on her 10-year-old daughter, Charlotte must try to escape. With nowhere else to turn, Charlotte runs to the stranger her dying mother believed would help her. Looking only for shelter or cash, Charlotte finds a family she longs to call her own and a gentle man she could learn to love. But if Tommy catches up with Charlotte, these strangers could discover the truth about her. 

Will they send her back to Tommy? Or can a Father’s love set her free?

Writer's Avoidance, Part 1 by Jerusha Agen

Writer’s block. Everyone’s heard of it—the ultimate enemy of the writer. Or is it? With my own writing efforts (notice the word choice there), I’ve come to realize that my “writer’s block” is a lot closer to writer’s impatience and that neither is really the biggest obstacle to my writing. My nastiest nemesis is—deep breath as I admit this—avoidance. Let’s call it Writer’s Avoidance (gives it so much more dignity, don’t you think?).

At first when I started to see the symptoms of avoidance, I attributed it to the difficulties peculiar to whatever manuscript I was working on at the time. “This one’s just more challenging,” I’d say. “It’s an adaptation instead of a new story.” Or, “It’s a new genre for me, a new length for me.” The list went on until recently, when I started another manuscript in a familiar genre, and the same thing happened.

For me, the avoidance kicks in when I’m in the plotting stage. (You seat-of-the-pants writers out there may not reach the avoidance stage until later on when you lose your grip on those pants and, in a weak moment, wish you’d planned out the ride.) I’m so excited about the prospect of starting a fresh story, but when I sit down to put the plot on paper, I don’t get far before I stall. The reasons are varied, but my response is always the same: I start to avoid working on the novel. After all, I only experience feelings of failure, frustration, or downright panic when I try to make progress, so isn’t it natural to stay away? The avoidance is subconscious at first, and I take a while to admit that avoidance is what I’m actually doing.

I may be the only person who has this impractical tendency. If I am, I give you leave to laugh at my idiosyncrasies, but in case there are other creative, crazy types like me out there, I’m going to give you a checklist of symptoms so you can figure out if you’ve fallen prey to Writer’s Avoidance. (Disclaimer: People with Writer’s Avoidance may not experience all of these symptoms or the symptoms may manifest themselves in alternate ways.)

1. You start eating a lot more chocolate and taking more snack breaks when you’re working on your manuscript.
2. Your house begins to look like a Better Homes and Gardens feature thanks to compulsive cleaning sprees.
3. You keep checking the clock for the approach of the nearest mealtime.
4. Those piles of papers and old mail disappear and get organized. (How could you ever be expected to write in such a chaotic environment? Organizing really could be considered necessary to facilitate your writing.)
5. You eat more chocolate.
6. Facebook and Twitter (or Pinterest) become your new best friends. (You’re only on there to market your books. It’s not a waste of time when you’re furthering your career, right?)
7. You take up walking in the middle of your usual writing time. (You’ll feel more creative if you’re healthier!)
8. You eat more chocolate.
9. You check your phone every ten minutes. (Your agent could be trying to reach you or your smartphone could be trying to tell you about some essential writing-related tweet that you must retweet to your followers.)
10. Yeah. More chocolate.

Any of these symptoms sound familiar? Please share! And join me next Tuesday to find out how we can end avoidance.

Angie here - what do YOU do to avoid writing? Is one of the above your favorite (like the ones involving chocolate)? Leave a comment below and join the conversation.

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Have you fallen prey to Writer’s Avoidance? We have Jerusha Agen's checklist. 

I sit down to put the plot on paper, I don’t get far before I stall. 

Forget writer's block. My nastiest nemesis is writer's avoidance.

Jerusha Agen is a lifelong lover of story--a passion that has led her to a B.A. in English and a highly varied career. A member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Jerusha is the author of the Sisters Redeemed Series, which includes the titles This Dance, This Shadow, and This Redeemer. Jerusha co-authored the e-books A Ruby Christmas and A Dozen Apologies from Write Integrity Press. Jerusha is also a screenwriter, and several of her original scripts have been produced as films. In addition, Jerusha is a film critic, with reviews featured at the website, www.RedeemerReviews.com

LINKS:

Website: www.SDGwords.com

Twitter (@SDGwords): https://twitter.com/sdgwords 

Facebook (Jerusha Agen - SDG Words): https://www.facebook.com/JerushaAgenSdgWords 

To Buy: http://www.amazon.com/This-Redeemer-Jerusha-Agen/dp/1938092562/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1404751823&sr=1-1&keywords=this+redeemer

Not all prisons have bars. Charlotte Davis should know—she’s lived in one for years. She can handle getting slapped around by her boyfriend, Tommy, and even being forced to do things she would never choose, but when Tommy turns on her 10-year-old daughter, Charlotte must try to escape. With nowhere else to turn, Charlotte runs to the stranger her dying mother believed would help her. Looking only for shelter or cash, Charlotte finds a family she longs to call her own and a gentle man she could learn to love. But if Tommy catches up with Charlotte, these strangers could discover the truth about her. 

Will they send her back to Tommy? Or can a Father’s love set her free?