Susan Hanniford Crowley

The Conversant Writer Presents… A Writers Workshop This Sunday, March 25, 2012

For more information about the guest speakers: Anna James, Susan Hanniford Crowley, and Jennifer Fusco, or about the event itself, visit: http://annajames1.wordpress.com/2012/01/21/the-conversant-writer-presents-a-writers-workshop/

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

On August 27th, I'm doing a one day mini-workshop on blogging called "Put Heart into Your Blog" at  Savvy Authors.  For more information, click on the logo below.

So many times we must expand our goals.  My exercise goal during the two hot days were either shadowboxing or nothing at all.  My writing goal also suffered.  200 words one day 800 the next.

But yesterday I decided that if I couldn't go walking, I would write like the wind and wrote 1800 words. 

Today was a partial day for me.  I needed to have an MRI today.  My past history with MRIs had been failure.  The only one I ever passed was with an open MRI.  Since it was for my shoulder, they let me see out and I had harp music drowning out the horrible sound that usually causes migraines and physical illness.  I ended up migraining for two days afterward. 

This time, my doctor gave me a pill, then they waited until I felt fuzzy. They put this thing over my face which included a mirror that allowed me to see out the tube by my feet.  I didn't feel sick in the machine.  My migraine which was starting remained where it was and did not progress.  I concentrated on the soundtrack of Fantasia in the headphones on my head and the sight (courtesy of the mirror) of the technician in the booth talking to people and running the board.

So I have finally achieved an old goal--the ability to get an MRI. 

I did have a mild migraine when I got home and took a pill.  I ended up sleeping most of the day away.  But I'm happy.  I'm on the computer taking with you.  Now back to writing.

--Susan

Sometimes life rearranges your goals.  That's why I'm writing now rather than later.  I went out to walk and only got so far when a family of skunks (very adorable) came out of the driveway of a neighbor.  I turned around and ran home.  Okay, we met our exercise goal partially by running instead. LOL

Satuday I worked on promotions for Nights of Passion blog, where our guests always get first class treatment.  I fell a little short of my writing goal.  Shadow boxed.  I think I learned all of Muay Thai combo 2.  

Sunday was a wash.  I wrote about 200 words,but that's okay.  I went to two great birthday parties and watched True Blood.  My daughter, Sarah, who received great gifts gave me a present to celebrate the return of True Blood--two adorable crocheted dolls of Sookie and Vampire Bill.  I've

emailed the doll artist about being interviewed for Nights of Passion.  I'll keep you posted.  They both came with heart beads with tiny vampire bites so I tied them on.

Monday, actually after helping the family and doing errands, I've managed to almost reach my 1000 writing goal. 

I think the point of all this to always redirect yourself to the goal and don't forget enjoy life.

--Susan