When Everything Falls Perfectly Into Place!

Don’t you love when you put a plan into action, and it unfolds just as you hoped? Even the smallest accomplishments in life can be satisfying. At least they are to me. As an optimist, I believe the small achievements give way to the major ones.

I have been writing full time for six months now. Which has always been a desire of mine! The ability to do what I’m most passionate about for a living. When I started virtual assisting, I thought most of my work would come from social media marketing and management with a splash of writing tasks. In the past, it did, but as of lately the majority of contract work has been writing content for websites, articles, and research. I’m not complaining, in fact, I am excited!

Two Drops of Ink adds to my excitement! For those of you who do not follow Two Drops of Ink, first I say… “shame on you!!!” Just kidding, to each their own but you don’t know what you’re missing! I have noticed many of my followers here, and on Instagram and Twitter are now regulars on the site. The literary site has grown tremendously, conquering many obstacles. The move from Blogger to WordPress! The move due to growth served up a hit to it’s following, but Two Drops of Ink overcame it by leaps and bounds. When people love something so much, they will do everything possible to keep it a part of their lives. Along the way the site has earned many awards and is on its way to becoming the best literary site for writers. It’s already in the top 50 best writing blogs that achievement is huge!!! All the new features are a great addition to the site. The Book Shelf is for authors to promote their novels. Wall of Poets debuts the work of seasoned and upcoming poets. Hump Day Humor gives us writers something to laugh about so if you have a funny story or memoir piece submit it. Sunday Spotlight highlights contributors to the site. The site is excellent! I remember coming on board right after the transition. The growth I have seen along the way has been incredible. I also credit my growth as a writer to the site. The camaraderie of the team is like no other. I am ecstatic to be in the company of such great writers. As we speak, I’m working on my next three pieces for Two Drops, and I hope to read a post from you in the future as well.

I will continue to Live, Love, Share!!! This blog is my baby, and yes she has been a little neglected, but I have a strategy. I can function on less sleep!!! LOL!!! For my love of writing and my future literary career, I’m willing to give up a lot!!! So my friends, until next time…soon, have an awesome week and may the power of the pen be with you!!!

 

Qimono on Pixabay

Two Drops Of Ink Literary Blog

 

 

🎉🎉Happy NaNoWriMo🎉🎉

This month is a time to celebrate for all of us writer geeks. NaNoWriMo motivates writers to “Just Write”! Many writers strive to complete the novels they always wanted to write or what we have started writing months ago. I have decided to join in on the festivities of this month and attempt to complete my book. In my attempt to find useful tools to assist me, I came across nanowrimo.org.

Why use the #NaNoWriMo site?

Who does not like a little support? Maybe you are like me, an organization junkie who likes a step by step plan of action. National Writing Month website fulfills those needs for free with the following features.

Dashboard– Allows you to track of your novel. You cannot write your book on the site, but you can include the title, synopsis and an excerpt.

Profile– Create a profile and connect with fellow writers.

Badges– I love receiving nifty little prizes and awards for my accomplishments. The more you participate on the website, the more badges you earn.

 

A Source of Inspiration

My personal 📣cheer-leading📣 section of published authors to advise and throw me a pep rally when the ugly doubt monster comes to visit. That is awesomeness!

 

NaNoWriMo Young Writers Program

#NaNoWriMo is not only for adults; the website encourages young writers👦👧 to hone in on their creative side. I don’t have children, but I had to take a look see. The beta version is kid friendly and designed to get their juices flowing. It is important that we encourage kids K-12 to read and write more than they indulge in video games and mindless television shows.

The World Needs Your Novel!

There are many readers out there waiting and anxious to read our stories. You have been waiting for the perfect time to complete your masterpiece. Well, now is a perfect time! Let’s hit the ground 🏃running, after all, we are three days behind. Time to play catch up!

Images courtesy of NaNoWriMo website and pixabay.com

 

 

Does FB Sell Books & Do Writers Need a Facebook Fan Page?

Trying to sell your book? Awesome post on Kristen Lambs blog for authors. Check it out!!!

Kristen Lamb's Blog

Social media is powerful for connecting us (our books) with the very people we wrote them for to begin with. But, we are wise to appreciate that creating a brand and cultivating genuine and passionate fans is not going to happen overnight. The deeper the roots, the stronger the brand and the platform.

Why that is important is if we keep chasing the newest shiny, we fail to ever gain compounding results. We are chasing fad after fad. Thus a saner approach is to build places that are the most stable.

***Yes, we can build on Instagram and SnapChat and the like, but that will come with more risk and possibly devour time we need to write more books.

The blog is still the strongest and most resilient form of social media. Blogs have been around since the 90s and unless the Internet goes down? Blogs will remain.

But other…

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“Keep It Simple!” A short book that just might change your life! —

WOW! In the spirit of this book, that could be the whole review! But, I feel compelled to add some thoughts––without losing my focus! My dear friend and mentor Joe Calloway punches clean with “Keep It Simple.” This very short, very powerful book teaches you how to engage and improve your focus. This is not […]

via “Keep It Simple!” A short book that just might change your life! —

The Problem with Pen Names

Do you plan to use a pen name? It was my plan until I read this blog post. Very interesting and informative.

Kristen Lamb's Blog

When I first became a writer, one of my favorite activities was dreaming what my pen name would be. I’d even practice signing it so that, you know, I didn’t accidentally scribble Kristen Lamb in my runaway best-selling book at my glamorous book signing.

Don’t judge me. Y’all did it too 😛 .

Before anyone gets in a fluff, understand two things. First, I’m on your side. If you want or need a pen name? Rock on! If you already have one? Keep it! If a sexy exotic name makes you write better stories? Go for it!

This is only a decision the author can make. My only goal here is to make sure y’all are making educated business decisions. Thus, I won’t stop anyone from having a pen name, but about 95% of the time? They’re unnecessary.

The modern author already has to take on far more than…

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A news quickie: Noticeable trends in what Literary Agents are looking for in today`s market

The newest trends of the publishing industry explained by Scott Biddulph of “Two Drops of Ink” . To stay up to date on the literary community subscribe to “Two Drops of Ink ” Blog. Submissions are also welcomed!!!

Literary Agent News: May 2016

Are you an author seeking a literary agent? Here is May 2016 Literary Agent News for all genres. Scott Biddulph editor of “Two Drops of Ink” always post the most up to date literary information for authors.

The Etiquette of Editors

Writer and Editors… Read this blog post from Two Drops of Ink. Share your story on Two Drops of Ink blog and on the NEW Facebook page.

Writing… What Will It Do for You?

“It’s hell writing and it’s hell not writing. The only tolerable state is having just written.”
― Robert Hass

My literary muse arises most when I’m passionate about a subject or an event. The ability to provide information, to entertain, or share some great epiphany I may have had. All of which motivates me to get out of bed in the morning, enjoy each day whether good or bad. Life and all of its occurrences gives me something to write about later.

A day ago I was on “Two Drops of Ink” blog, reading and commenting on articles. I read a post by writer and editor Peter B. Giblett, entitled “Do You Ever Promote Your Older Articles”.  In his piece he writes about the benefits of promoting your older articles. I was thoroughly educated by it and I encourage you to read it for yourself.

Persuaded to revisit past work online, in notebooks, stored on thumb drives and disks. As I reviewed these pieces, I found myself on a trip down memory lane. I noticed how my writing changed over the years and during different stages of my life. Being the hoarder that I am of notebooks, journals and various storage devices, I was surprised that I was only able to go back ten years. Although, those ten years seemed like an eternity.

As I embarked on the journey down memory lane, I felt as if I was intruding on the private thoughts and life of a stranger. Observing the knowledge, wisdom, love, sentiment as well as the trials of this seemingly unknown woman. With every written reflection, article or blog post, I noticed her evolution and growth. I do admit, I have a long road ahead to get to who I truly want to be. It’s amazing how writing can foster change, not only in the style of writing, but in life as well. After turning 39 a few weeks ago, I’m anxious to see where my writing will take me this year.

Writing itself is a process and like other skills and routines the longer we do it the better we become. We get better at the art, but we also work out the things that haunt us as well. A tool to inspire thought, writing brings about ideas, emotions to life and educate our peers. Allowing us to come to a resolution as if it was some sort of complex equation.

My ability to write developed from my love of books. I longed to be as eloquent and creative as the authors I read. There are many reasons to write and ways to develop your writing. To build or advertise a business, reflecting on life, spiritual growth and nurture relationships.

As I looked through all of my past work, it became clear that subconsciously a part of me was writing for life. Life Writing is the recording of selves, memories and experiences, whether one’s own or another’s. Applying to many genres and practices under which can be found autobiography, biography, memoir, diary, letters, testimonies, personal essays and more recently, digital forms such as blogs and email. My past worked contained most of these!

Most people don’t write as much as a grocery list. They aimlessly wander down grocers’ aisles hoping to remember what they needed. Jotting a thank you letter is not a life changing experience nor will it win you a Pulitzer Prize. Adding writing to your lifestyle can be helpful in many ways. I challenge you to read the article by Peter Giblett and with an open mind look over your past works to take inventory to see how writing has helped you. If you are not a writer…. Write something today, even if it’s just a simple thought. Most great things began as a simple thought!

 

Do You Ever Promote Your Older Articles by Peter Giblett

https://goo.gl/Fizaay

Wikipedia: Life Writing

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life_writing

Word Cloud Image

http://worditout.com/

 

Article: 80 Books Every Person Should Read

There are quite a few books I would not mind owning.