Monday, 3 December 2012

Welcome to My Guest Author: Jennifer St. George

Today I welcome Author Jennifer St. George to my blog!  

Jennifer is giving away a Kindle copy of The Convenient Bride to one lucky commenter here today!  So over to Jennifer...


Staying Motivated – Tricks to Keeping Those Fingers on the Keyboard

Let’s face it, it can be hard work to hammer out a novel, especially if you are yet to be published and there’s no deadline. I’ve only been writing seriously for about four years but I realised very quickly that I had to be disciplined for words to appear on a page.  After all, there wasn’t an editor cracking the whip waiting for the manuscript.

I’ve found three things really helped pump out the words.

Competitions Create Deadlines

There were certainly times when I would be up at the crack of dawn writing and wondering if this would ever be worthwhile. I can distinctly remember doing so early one New Year’s Day, having had nothing to drink the night before, because I had a deadline looming for the Romance Writers of Australia 5DI program (the five-day intensive writing retreat).

So how do you keep motivated?  I found writing competitions a great source of stimulus.  If you follow the Romance Writers of Australia competition schedule it helps enormously.  The High Five competition gets those first pages polished.  The Selling Synopsis competition forces out that dreaded précis and you actually have to finish the book to enter the Emerald Award.  If RWA had a ‘cover letter’ writing comp, you would have an entire submission package ready by the time RWA competition season finished. 

I used RWA (Aust), RWA (USA) and Romance Writers of NZ competitions (especially the Clendon) to ensure I had solid deadlines through the year.  I also made a New Years resolution in 2010 to enter every RWA competition with the maximum number entries allowed – that adds up to thousands of words (you have to be in it to win it!)

Daily Word Goals

If I don’t fix a daily word goal, I’m definitely less efficient.  If I don’t have this written in stone before I sit down for the day, it’s amazing what can distract me.  I loathe ironing more than almost anything, but it’s amazing how that overflowing basket can beckon when the words aren’t flowing. But if I have that goal in my head, I don’t sleep until I reach it.

Make More Time

My house is generally a mad house!  Always lots going on. In the beginning, I wondered how I would ever find the time and space to write a novel. So, I created more time. I began getting up an hour and half earlier (and I’m am soooo not a morning person). Now I nail most of my word count before anything in the day ahead can distract me. 
 
Visit Jennifer Around The Web:
 
Website
Twitter
Author Page







Blurb - The Convenient Bride:

Jennifer's debut book released by Destiny Romance.

Sienna De Luca will do anything to save her family's hotel, and ruthless Italian businessman Antonio Moretti knows it. With problems of his own, he proposes a marriage of convenience and plans to use Sienna to secure his next business deal. But things don't go quite according to plan.

In keeping with her part of the bargain, Sienna travels to Venice to be with Antonio, who introduces her to a life of great luxury and opulence. As befits the fiancée of the famous Antonio Moretti, Sienna is given a new wardrobe of designer gowns and outfits and instructed exactly how to behave when out in public. But after thinking he can manipulate her at will, Antonio begins to realize he has seriously underestimated Sienna, her intelligence, her skills, her courage – and her beauty. Unexpectedly, Sienna gets too close and when she discovers his dark secret, Antonio's perfectly planned life begins to unravel.
 
Buy Links:
 
Destiny Romance
Amazon
iTunes




    
    


 

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29 comments:

  1. Margaret M3 December 2012 at 15:55

    Hi Jennifer,

    Thanks for sharing your motivational ideas, always great to hear how other writers work.

    And congratulation on the release of The Convenient Bride.

    Cheers,
    Margaret

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jennifer St George3 December 2012 at 16:57

      Thanks Margaret. I enjoy reading about how other writers work too. Always inspired by something.

      Delete
    2. Serena Tatti Story Editor4 December 2012 at 02:33

      Hi Margaret,
      I always find it interesting to learn what works for different writers, too.

      Thanks for dropping in.

      Delete
  2. Anonymous3 December 2012 at 15:56

    Oooh, I wonder what Antonio's deep, dark secret is?? I do love a bit of mystery, especially when it involves a gorgeous Italian :D

    Wishing you all the best with The Convenient Bride, Jenn. It looks like an awesome read!And thanks for the great writing tips too. My house is like Grand Central Station most of the time, so I write when everyone has gone to bed or very early in the morning before all hell breaks loose!

    Great post, thanks ladies (waving hi to Serena)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jennifer St George3 December 2012 at 17:00

      Antonio has a pretty heart wrenching secret, Juanita.

      I wish I could work at night but I just find my creative juices are all depleted by the time the sun goes down.

      Delete
    2. Serena Tatti Story Editor4 December 2012 at 02:35

      Hi Juanita,

      I'm curious to find out what Antonio's secret is too. But don't tell me! I have it here on my TBR pile (on my Kindle) which is ever-growing!

      Thanks for coming in.

      Delete
  3. Louise Reynolds3 December 2012 at 15:58

    Hi Jennifer,
    You are a shining example of what commitment to a goal can accomplish. Having had the pleasure of reading some of 'The Convenient Bride' as a work in progress and now having read it, I can see why it won and finalled in so many prestigious awards. It's a fabulous read and congratulations.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jennifer St George3 December 2012 at 17:02

      Thanks Lou!! All your comments about the draft manuscript certainly helped!!!

      Delete
    2. Serena Tatti Story Editor4 December 2012 at 02:36

      Hi Louise,
      I agree. The snippets I've read have been wonderful. Must find time to read the book!

      lovely to see you here, bella

      Delete
  4. Margaret Tanner3 December 2012 at 16:20

    Hi Jennifer,
    Great blog and some very useful tips there. Congratulations on the release of The Convenient Bride. You have to love those Italian heroes.

    Cheers

    Margaret

    ReplyDelete
  5. Jennifer St George3 December 2012 at 17:03

    Thanks Margaret. Antonio was my first Italian hero and I love him. My next book features an English hero who is equally dreamy but in a totally different way.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Serena Tatti Story Editor4 December 2012 at 02:38

      Hi Margaret,
      I agree, gotta love those dark, mysterious Italian heroes.
      Thanks for stopping by and saying hi

      Delete
  6. S E Gilchrist3 December 2012 at 17:44

    I like the idea of getting up earlier, Jennifer which I find easier to do in the summer. I know if I tell myself, 'yeah, not a problem will do it tonight', some days -- it just doesnt happen!
    Congratulations on your release, hope it goes mega for you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Serena Tatti Story Editor4 December 2012 at 02:40

      Hi Suz,
      If I have work to do, I prefer to get up earlier too. Somehow, once it starts getting late, my concentration can lapse.

      Thanks for visiting :)

      Delete
    2. Jennifer St George5 December 2012 at 18:59

      Thanks Suz. I know, that getting up early is a complete killer, especially in winter. Although, my outlook is over the bush and out to sea, so it is pretty special at that time of day.

      Delete
  7. Unknown3 December 2012 at 17:46

    Hi Jennifer and Serena
    I met the lovely Jennifer at the RWNZ conference this year. I can see why you're a motivated gal, you're so enthusiastic and bubbly. That in itself is motivation.
    I too like to write first thing, often i lie in bed LOL - with the laptop and get my word count done early. However, i have the luck to be able to write all day if i want, but i do find procrastination gets in the way - the laundry needs doing, shopping etc.
    Today's procrastination was putting up the xmas tree.
    I'm now off to write!

    Jane Beckenham

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Serena Tatti Story Editor4 December 2012 at 02:41

      Hi Jane,
      I first met the lovely Jennifer at the Melbourne conference last year. She was working hard on the committee and I was helping out. And I first met you ten (yes, ten!) years ago at the RWNZ conference in Auckland!!!

      Thanks for dropping in.

      Delete
    2. Jennifer St George5 December 2012 at 19:02

      Hi Jane, it was so lovely to meet you over in NZ!! I couldn't write in bed, I'd just roll over and go back to sleep! As far as procrastinations go, putting up the Xmas tree is a pretty good one. Might go and do that myself...now.

      Delete
    3. Jennifer St George5 December 2012 at 19:06

      That conference was great wasn't it, Serena!! Can't wait for Perth!!!

      Delete
    4. Serena Tatti Story Editor5 December 2012 at 20:08

      It was great. SO was this year's at the Gold Coast. I hope to make WA next year too :)

      Delete
  8. Nas4 December 2012 at 00:47

    Hi Jennifer! Hello Serena!

    Thanks for this lovely post Jennifer. My biggest time is taken by social media and I'm not complaining!

    Congratulations on such a lovely debut release THE CONVENIENT BRIDE! It was an awesome story and I loved it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Serena Tatti Story Editor4 December 2012 at 02:43

      Hi Nas,
      Oh, yes, social media can take up a lot of time. But then that's how I *met* so many of my lovely friends, including you. And now we actually work together, editing.

      Thanks for coming in.

      Delete
    2. Jennifer St George5 December 2012 at 19:04

      I'm so glad you enjoyed The Convenient Bride, Nas. Yes, social media can be a BIG distraction!! Always fun to follow your friends and find out what everyone is up to!!

      Delete
  9. Maria4 December 2012 at 10:17

    Hello Jennifer, hello Serena. Great advice, Jennifer. I shall be keeping it in mind.

    I'm looking forward to welcoming Jennifer to my blog next week. This week, I'm interviewing the wonderful Laura O'Connell. So Serena, I hope to see you over at my blog sometime soon....

    Maria x

    ReplyDelete
  10. Serena Tatti Story Editor5 December 2012 at 01:11

    Hi Maria,
    Nice to see another of my work colleagues here.

    Laura was my guest the other week. Another lovely lady. I will go in and say hi to her.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Jennifer St George5 December 2012 at 19:08

    I'm looking forward to heading over your way soon, Maria!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Jennifer St George5 December 2012 at 19:31

    Okay, now for the winner. This has been tough!!! But I think The Convenient Bride has to go to JaneB for her ability to write in bed first thing in the morning. Unless I practically throw myself on the floor each morning, I roll over go to sleep again. Jane, if you wouldn't mind heading to my website - www.jenniferstgeorge.com and filling out the contact form, I arrange for a copy of TCB to wing its way to you.

    Thanks so much Serena for having me on your lovely blog.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Serena Tatti Story Editor5 December 2012 at 20:10

    I'd like to thank Jennifer for being my special guest his week. It's been a real pleasure and I enjoyed reading about your motivation techniques. I should point out that the are still RWAus competitions running at the moment.

    Good luck with the sales of The Convenient Bride!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Serena Tatti Story Editor5 December 2012 at 20:11

    And congratulations to Jane B on winning an e-copy of Jennifer's wonderful book :)

    ReplyDelete

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