Maryanne Barsotti

Like most people, I have the best of intentions.  I get these great, awesome, fabulous blog posts ideas but I suck at follow through.

I mean I really suck.

Here it is the dawning of 2018 and, I’m embarrassed to admit, my last blog post was June of 2015.

2015!!

I would love to claim that I will resolve to post at least weekly this year, but let’s be honest.  My track record proves that’s not likely to happen.

But I promise to try.

More like obsessed

I saw a cute pattern for Amigurumi bunnies online before Christmas and just had to make them for my great-nieces. Now I’m hooked on them (yes, pun intended).

Then I made a giraffe for my daughter. She showed it to a friend who wanted to BUY one for a gift.

Seriously.

For real money.

When my sister saw it, she ordered a giraffe and bear for baby shower gifts. She also suggested I make some to sell at her yoga studio.

And people bought them.

Again, for real money.

I’ve been scouring Pinterest (another obsession) for more patterns. They are sooo many cute ones out there. In addition to the giraffe and bear, I’ve made penguins, cats, mouse toys for cats, more bunnies, and an elephant. Oh and duckies for Easter.

Not everything’s been for sale. One of the penguins was for my MIL’s Mother’s Day gift.

My little hobby won’t replace the day job, or make me rich, but I’m having a blast and making a little pocket change.

I’ve got plans for more elephants and maybe a pig or two. And penguins.

And purses. Did I mention the purses?

Hello again.

Here’s a snippet from Love at First Second Sight for the Weekend Writing Warriors’ 8 Sentence Sunday.

Instead of using the napkin she held out, Leo leaned in and removed the ice cream with the tip of his tongue.  It’d been a while but she was pretty sure he was making a move.  At least she hoped so, because the good night kisses they’d shared so far had left her wanting more.

He pulled back. “Fran, I-”

“Missed a spot? Definitely.”  She grasped a fist full of his collar in each hand and pulled him down until their lips met again.   It had been a long time since she’d been kissed like this, but she had a vague memory of  how it went.

You can find a more sentences from other authors at www.wewriwa.com

Hey everyone, this week I’m participating in 8 Sentence Sunday over at Weekend Writing Warriors where authors have a chance to promote their work and support each other.  Click on the link at the end of this post to check out all the other authors.  Below is a sampling from My Snowy Valentine

She shoved her things back into her purse then looked up at him with sky blue eyes. “Thanks.  I can’t tell you how much I appreciate what you’ve done tonight.  Not many people would have stopped to help a stranger, let alone take them home.”

Wes could feel the blood begin to rush to his ears again.  “Yeah, well, we’ll see how thankful you are in the morning after I make breakfast.  Good night.”

Wes looked back into the room at the same moment Jessie stripped off her sweatpants and crawled under the covers.  He ducked back out, but not before he caught a glimpse of black lace panties and long slender legs.

www.wewriwa.com

Me?  How am I doing on my 2014 goals?

Let’s see.  My short term goal was to write everyday in January.  I don’t have an exact count, but so far I’ve missed one day because of head a cold and several others from sheer laziness.  The smart thing would be to keep a writing journal so I can hold myself accountable.  This is where the laziness issue comes into play again.

And then there’s the damn cable.  Yes, I could (read, should) get up and walk away from the boob tube.  But I’ve just discovered Dr. Who.  And have you seen Tom Mison Sleepy Hollow?  Ugh, I have no will power.  And my kids are no help.  “Mom, come on.  You’re gonna miss Major Crimes!”

Still, I’ve gotten in more writing this month than I did in December, and January isn’t even over yet.  So I’m not feeling too bad.

So now let’s talk about my 2 long range goals:  Finishing 4 books in 2014 and blogging regularly.

Notice I didn’t say “get 4 books published in 2014”.  That would be, like, insane.  Come on.  But I feel taking 4 wips in various stages of completed-ness and getting them ready to send out, or even send, out is doable.  That is if I can find a method of story structure/writing process that works for me (see my previous post).  Once I get it down pat with the current wip, I’ll be able to apply it to the others and zip right through them.

At least that’s the plan.

And as for blogging, I’m going to have dig out the agenda I bought from the dollar store and start using it.  No ifs, ands, or buts.  If I’m gonna commit myself, I mean, be committed to producing certain things on certain days, then I damn well better get myself organized.  Right?

I can always take lessons from the 19-year-old.  Her organizational skills amaze me.

So, how are your 2014 goals coming along?

Many thanks to D’Ann Lindun who’s blog post reminded me what day it was and put a fire under my behind.

http://wordwranglers.blogspot.com/

For some ungodly reason I decided to make as my writing goal for 2014 completing 4 wips. I Tweeted it for heavens sake. I’ve really set myself up this year.

In a previous post I highlight several author sites where I’ve found a lot of helpful information. (I’d put a link to it here, but I haven’t learned how yet).  But, as great as all this information has been, I’m still struggling to get my next book finished.

What’s the problem you ask?  Well, for one thing, I’m a procrastinator my nature.  It takes me frigging forever to write a book. Why? Because I lack organizational skills. So it seems flying by the seat of my pants isn’t going to cut it if I want to meet my goal.

While perusing my favorite sites for additional inspiration I came across Larry Brooks’ Storyfix.  His four-part story structure really seemed to resonate with me. I like the idea of breaking things down, learning what needs to be in your story and where to put it to make it flow. A place for everything and everything in its place.

But I realized this method was only a piece of the puzzle.  What I really needed to do was take a little bit of everything and put it together.

So I sat down on the floor with all my printouts spread out around me, a big roll of paper, and a handful of colorful markers and proceeded to build my story.  I drew a big circle (ala the hero’s journey & Dan Harmon’s circular story structure with eight steps http://tinyurl.com/yhcgdku), divided into 4 parts (Larry Brooks’ Storyfix http://tinyurl.com/mqcqt2), added scenes, plot points and pinch points.

I probably should have used pencil, because I kept moving to different parts to find just the right spot they needed to be. Still, it was pretty satisfying seeing everything coming together, meshing, flowing.

It’s not quite finished, but it’s getting there.  I just need to add chapter placement and rearrange a few scenes.

If I keep focused and stick to the plan I should be able to reach my goal.

But cross your fingers for me, just in case.

Maryanne

Yep, that’s me: The Great Procrastinator.  I’ve been that way most of my life.  Look in my basement and you’ll find  several unfinished projects, including a file cabinet drawer full of partial stories/books.  Some of them are pretty dang good if I do say so myself.  So why haven’t I finished them?

Because I don’t suffer from procrastination. it’s fear that’s my biggest nemesis.  Yep, fear of rejection, fear of failure, and yes, fear of success.

Like, oh my god, what happens if I submit and it gets rejected?  Or like, my family and friends finds out and, like, sees what I’ve written? OMG! I could die of embarrassment.

Several years ago I hit a certain age marker and realized I was letting my fears get the best of me.  So what if “people” found out I liked to write?  What’s the worst that could happen?  It might not be their “cup of tea” and tell me so?  Oh horrors.  Or that they liked it and want to know what else I’ve got in the works?  Ack!

I decided enough was enough and got off my rear and finished a book.  And I even submitted it.

It got rejected and I didn’t spontaneously combust.

Huh.

So I tried again.

And lo and Behold that book was purchased.  And wonder of wonders I actually got paid.  Ok, so I only made $15 before that epub closed its doors.  But hey, 15 bucks is 15 bucks.

And I told my family and friends and got a lot of great feed back from them. No horrible death from humiliation or embarassment.

Well waddayaknow.

So I rolled up my sleeves and finished another book and sent it out and it was purchased, too.  A fluke?  God, I hope not.

The rights to the first book have reverted back to me, and I have opted to try my hand and self publishing.  I mean, look at all the other writer folk who’ve done it.  How difficult could it be?  I’ve even got some great how-to info from a writer’s loop I’m on.

So why am I procrastinating on getting it up and running?

It’s that damn fear thing again.

Hello and welcome to my blog!

I’m thrilled to announce  Love at First Second Sight  will be available November 20th from Soul Mate Publishing.

Snowbound will be available on Amazon (as soon as I figure out how).

Over time I’ll be blogging about the writing experience, what not to do when waiting for your book to be published (procrastinate), and sharing some of my favorite things on Five Friday Faves.  I’ll also be sharing writing tips, techniques and info  I may find along my travels in writing.

Come back soon!