Susan Hanniford Crowley

If you've visited Nights of Passion blog recently, you already know that I've been plagued with a serious bout of block.  The overwhelming stresses and various crises in the family put writing far from me.  I had to surrender and had started to write again albeit a little at a time.

I love my RWA chapter (CTRWA), because they never fail to inspire me.  They had Hillary Rettig as a guest speaker talking about "Overcoming Procrastination, Perfectionism, and Writer's Block."  I found her tremendously helpful. 

One of the things Iearned had to do with resources and gathering the best ones you can.  I went home and realized that I had all my project in too many places.  I put everything on one computer and then backed up on Dropbox and also a portable hard drive.  And a flash drive.  Okay, I'm obessive.  But the great thing about Dropbox is that it will synch all your computers and/or devices.  

Also while Hillary was talking I realized I was stuck on the idea of working on one project at a time until it was finished.  Somewhere during the workshop, it became okay to work on one project until I got as much out as I could and then switch to another project.  So I will be switching between projects now.  I feel inner peace and not as much pressure as I did before.

To find Hillary Rettig:  http://hillaryrettig.com/

I recently was reading the ProfHacker and he talked about a website called 750words.com.  The premise behind the site is to create a private place to increase writing.  I went to http://www.750words.com  and have started the grand experiment to write more and consistently.

I'll let you know how that turns out.

As for the walking experiment, I found out I really don't care for walking.  But my hand has recovered and I have my doc's permission to return to the dojo and punch the daylights out of the bags.  <evil smile>
I am also starting to eat salads and Greek yogurt.  Things can only look up.  YAY!!!

How are you doing?

--Susan

This has been a busy time for me.  I injured myself and have been healing and going through physical therapy.  I miss the dojo, and yes, my injury has impacted my writing speed.  Unfortunately, I will not be recovered by Arisia 2012, so I won't be able to go.  I love Arisia, so that makes me sad but I'm determined to be there in 2013.

I have numerous projects in the works.  Some more vampire tales. Some new concepts even for me.

All my books are now up on Kindle.  Be sure to type in Susan Hanniford Crowley!  YAY!

Coming up:  I'll be on the 12 Days of Christmas (Dec. 26-Jan. 6) on Nights of Passion.  I don't know which day I'll be on yet, but it will be 12 days of visiting authors and giveaways.

I am also co-founding Nights of Passion-YA with romance writer Gerri Brousseau.  It will be only on Saturdays and based on YA literature with a special preference for romance.

I hoping for some lovely surprises next year.

May you enjoy a happy and safe holiday. Wishing you all the best.

--Susan

Sometimes I just think I'm crazy.  I'm completely busy and I'm going to the midnight show of Breaking Dawn, Part 1.  This is a planned thing with daughters and friends.  I'm working during the day.  I should plan a nap.  Oh, my, I'm already tired. 

Then the next day, I have to prepare my stuff for the booksigning from 4-5 pm on Saturday, Nov. 19th at the Holiday Inn in North Haven, CT.  If you're in the area, be sure to come and say, "Hi."  I'd love to see you.  I will have with me THE STORMY LOVE LIFE OF LAURA CORDELAIS (vampire/supernatural romance), POSEIDON'S CATCH (mythology romance) and MRS. BRIGHT'S TEA ROOM (steampunk romance).

Before that I'll be at Laurie Schnebly Campbell's workshop on The Psychology of Creating Characters at the Holiday Inn in North Haven from 8:30 to 4.  If you're interested in this too, go to http://toniandrews.com/LaurieCampbell_000.htm

And I'm writing.  Some new stuff--new territory for me.  Expanding an old world of vampires with new characters and mayhem and love.  I'm doing so much. 

Being tired is good is your having a great time.

--Susan

Visit http://nightsofpassion.wordpress.com from Today until Halloween for fun, stories, articles, recipes, games, and contests.

Come over and join us.  To enter the contests, you have to comment in the comment box over there.

--Susan
Photo is of the snow storm at my house on my car from my bedroom window.

In celebration of Halloween,  I'm running a series of contest throughout out October.  A special welcome to the readers of Dark Gothic Resurrected Magazine.  When you enter, please, read the directions and say which contest you are entering.

Contest 1:  I'm giving away a A VAMPIRE FOR CHRISTMAS hat.  To enter, say  "I want a vampire for Christmas"  and "contest 1" in the comment box.  This contest is for US and Canadian residents only. 

Contest 2: I'm giving away a pdf copy of WHEN LOVE SURVIVES.  To enter, say "It's good to shapeshift" and "contest 2" in the comment box.  This contest is open to worldwide residents. 

Contest 3:  I'm giving away a THE STORMY LOVE LIFE OF LAURA CORDELAIS tote bag.   To enter, say "It's stormy" and "contest 3 in the comment box.  The contest is open to US and Canadian residents only.

There will only be one winner for each contest.  All of these first three contests will close on October 15, 2011 at midnight Eastern Time.  Good luck, everyone!   Be sure to fill to include your email with your entry. 

-Susan

Goals first:  Progress on dieting--awful.  I'm opting for moderation in everything.  Editing--great.  I almost finished with the entire book, but almost only counts in horseshoes, binikis, and hand grenade throwing, so it's back to work for me.

Coming up, an interview with me will be in the October issue of Dark Resurrected Magazine.  As soon as that link is available, I'll put it here and on the home page.  I will be starting a contest on this website starting October 1st, so stay tuned here.

From Oct. 24-31, Nights of Passion Blog (link in the horizontal menu) will be hopping with our Halloween Bash.  We'll have giveaways/contests, games, receipes, stories, and assorted mischief and fun.   Every day there will be two authors posting. 

I love autumn.  The trees are changing colors.

--Susan

I've learned a few things this week.  One is that if you're on a writing deadline, starting a diet probably won't work.  One big thing at a time is enough right now.  Dieting is a big thing, and turning in a book on deadline is also a big thing. 

Sleep is important to writing well. From my reserach, sleeping 7-8 hours a day is also important to losing weight.  Apparently if you don't get enough sleep, you're body thinks you need more food and your appetite increases.  

Sleeping the full eight is tough for me.  I become alive in a huge way writing-wise at night.  Oh well.  I'm working on it.  Back to editiing.

- Susan

After the hurricane, there was a lot to do.  Now I'm back to focusing on my goals.  For the weight, I've resumed kickboxing and am eliminating bread, pasta, rice, and potatoes from my diet.  We'll see how I do.

For my writing, I'm back to doing the edits on my book.  I'm pushing now since I have people waiting for it.  Yes, there are vampires and rare supernaturals.

I also have two different books that will also start series and two novellas.  One started in Philadelphia and I handwrote it by booklight during the storm.  It's a third done, but I know the entire story.

One of my favorite holidays is coming up--Halloween.  So we'll be having great writers and contests all week long.  That requires setup and I'm in the process.

Yes, I'm completely back.  --Susan

When a writer loses power and is editing a book, it's mind numbing.  That's what I've gone through this weekend and week, until the power came back on and more.  When the power is gone, everything is the family.  How do we provide all the basics of life?  We haul water for all the sanitary needs.  We listen glued to the radio for information.  We try to keep everything together.  Cooking, cleaning, living all becomes harder.

The power's back but the difficulty with living has changed.  With all the trees down and roads closed, it takes longer to get to work.  Finding gas is a challenge.  Finding a store that will take a credit card--nearly impossible. 

Be brave, pay attention, and be flexible.  Learn a new way quickly.  That's what it's all about in Post Hurricane Irene Connecticut.  In the blink of a hurricane's eye, we've gone colonial. 

I have to tell you I was ecstatic when I had a cell phone signal I could call on again.  When my Wifi worked, Woo hoo!   Cable returned!  Amazing.

Slowing we're marching into the modern age again.  Perhaps this time, it will be a kinder, more productive age for more people.  There's still a part of me that hopes for a Star Trek Utopia, where creativity is valued and people have their basic needs cared for.

--Susan  

I'm back from Authors After Dark in Philadelphia, and I'm absolutely whipped into the ground.  Hours after hours of bumper to bumper traffic in the pouring rain and fog.  The convention was awesome.  Interesting and fun stuff happened.  I also had laryngitis during the event.  Fortunately when I lost my voice on Friday, I had no panels to speak on.  By Saturday, it was back but scratchy.  The ride home knocked the socks off me. 

As for the goals, I may have lost a little weight not wanting to eat much with my sore throat.  I don't recommend losing weight this way.  Also getting sick hasn't helped with the writing.  I did manage to write the beginning to a new story.  I edited a little.

On the flip side of the author's life is meeting people which is a blast.  I met a lot of people at the convention and booksigning.  More on the happenings later.


--Susan