Catch a Tiger by the Tale Blog Tour
TT | 07 | 2K13 | 01
Welcome to the first blog post of the Catch a Tiger by the Tale Blog Tour, celebrating the release on Tuesday, July 23rd, of our second book the Chicagoland Shifters series, TIGER TIGER. We're excited about the chance to continue the series and we wanted to take this opportunity to thank all of our readers and writing friends for the support and guidance during the process of brining this book to completion.
One of the hardest things about writing a novel, I've found, is sustaining the creative output for the long haul. It's a little like weight loss or, I've heard, training for a marathon (I've participated in weight loss efforts but haven't run a marathon). Each day brings its challenges in the form of one's day job, family responsibilities, and plain and simple exhaustion. Time management skills that one learned in school suddenly become all-important because without it, we can lose entire weeks watching television or farting around on the internet with no word count to show for it.
If I were to pick one of my favorite tools, it would be the "30/30" method. Here's how it works:
You need a digital timer, ideally. If you don't have one, you can purchase one at retailers like Target in the kitchen section. If you have a smart phone, you can use the alarm function on it.
Set the timer for 30 minutes and, during that time, brainstorm all the things that you want to get done - whether or not they'll fit into your day, regardless of whether you want to do them - just get everything in one place to start. And don't worry - you can add and delete stuff on this master task list as you need to.
When the timer dings, or rings, or sings at you, or buzzes, or any of a hundred other alerts, stop. Step back and get yourself some coffee, tea, or ice water and relax. Set the timer for another 30 minutes and this is your "Off" time - time for you to fart around online or play video games or whatever other relaxing task you enjoy (try knitting).
When the timer dings, focus on one thing on your list. The idea here is to pick the most important - "important" as in, time-sensitive or something you don't get to focus on or, worse, procrastinate over (i.e., your writing). Don't worry about doing more than 30 minutes. All we're after right now is a focused 30 minutes - that's easy, right? You don't have to write the whole novel in one sitting; just write what will fit in 30 minutes.
Ding! Turn the timer off and relax for 30. Have a snack. Read a book. Do something rewarding. In this way, you can while away an entire weekend day and at the end of it, have a lot to show for it!
What's your favorite productivity tool?
And, so you're not dying with suspense, here is the blurb for TIGER TIGER for you to enjoy. We hope you like reading it as much as we did writing it!
One of the hardest things about writing a novel, I've found, is sustaining the creative output for the long haul. It's a little like weight loss or, I've heard, training for a marathon (I've participated in weight loss efforts but haven't run a marathon). Each day brings its challenges in the form of one's day job, family responsibilities, and plain and simple exhaustion. Time management skills that one learned in school suddenly become all-important because without it, we can lose entire weeks watching television or farting around on the internet with no word count to show for it.
If I were to pick one of my favorite tools, it would be the "30/30" method. Here's how it works:
You need a digital timer, ideally. If you don't have one, you can purchase one at retailers like Target in the kitchen section. If you have a smart phone, you can use the alarm function on it.
Set the timer for 30 minutes and, during that time, brainstorm all the things that you want to get done - whether or not they'll fit into your day, regardless of whether you want to do them - just get everything in one place to start. And don't worry - you can add and delete stuff on this master task list as you need to.
When the timer dings, or rings, or sings at you, or buzzes, or any of a hundred other alerts, stop. Step back and get yourself some coffee, tea, or ice water and relax. Set the timer for another 30 minutes and this is your "Off" time - time for you to fart around online or play video games or whatever other relaxing task you enjoy (try knitting).
When the timer dings, focus on one thing on your list. The idea here is to pick the most important - "important" as in, time-sensitive or something you don't get to focus on or, worse, procrastinate over (i.e., your writing). Don't worry about doing more than 30 minutes. All we're after right now is a focused 30 minutes - that's easy, right? You don't have to write the whole novel in one sitting; just write what will fit in 30 minutes.
Ding! Turn the timer off and relax for 30. Have a snack. Read a book. Do something rewarding. In this way, you can while away an entire weekend day and at the end of it, have a lot to show for it!
What's your favorite productivity tool?
And, so you're not dying with suspense, here is the blurb for TIGER TIGER for you to enjoy. We hope you like reading it as much as we did writing it!
Chicagoland Shifters,
Book 2
Veterinary trauma surgeon and animal empath Sasha Soskoff
has found everything he ever wanted with his new partners Neal, Steve and
Carlos. Life feels as safe and secure as it can be among a group of ex-Marine
tiger shifters. Until a homeless man is found, gruesomely mauled and murdered,
near Neal’s BDSM club.
When it’s determined a rogue tiger did the deed, the
jaguars’ accusing eyes turn toward Sasha’s lovers. The precarious balance of
peace tips dangerously toward war.
Neal knows damned well none of his tigers committed the
crime. Someone must be in Chicago without his knowledge or permission, and they’d
better find him fast before uncertainty and conflict rip the tight-knit band apart
from the inside.
As Sasha struggles to heal the stress fractures forming
among his tiger family, he begins to wonder if his dreams of a home, and love,
were too good to be true. And it’s precisely that moment the killer strikes at
the heart of the tiger clan—Sasha himself.
TIGER TIGER, available from Samhain Publishing July 23rd.
4 comments:
Interesting method, Noonie. I've done short-term brainstorming before, and it's surprising how productive that can be.
Best of luck to you and Rachel on the new release!
I've done timed writing stints with you and completely amazed myself at how much I got done. Very cool.
Hey, maybe I should try it with house work since that stuff never seems to get done.
Congrats on your upcoming release!
Thanks, Jean! I'm glad you liked it. I find it useful because of how the brain works. Lots of fun.
I'm so pleased you had fun, Kimberley! We have to do it again. I'm planning a virtual write-in for later this month; I'll let yo know when I get it working. I have the space and technology, now I just need the time slot. :)
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