Vivian Lee Mahoney Consider Yourself Warned: I Write Books About Rebels
Write-a-Scene Writing Prompts
Day 20: Mapping Out Writing Time: Offering an Olive Branch
Thanks, Everyone, for your comments on last week’s post. Man, it was a tough few days, trying to keep Spy Girl from obsessing over her hurt. But, as we all knew would happen, Spy Girl survived feeling left out. Nothing like just turning 11 and feeling like your world is turned upside down. However, a [...]
Day 19: Mapping Out Writing Time: Celebrate in Style
Spy Girl had her birthday party over the weekend. Fifteen friends stopped by to help her celebrate. Her birthday theme…a Rockin’ Movie Party. The Jonas Brothers greeted the girls when they came into the house. Let me tell you, the one thing I neglected to purchase were ear plugs, which I should have worn, along [...]
Day 18: Mapping Out Writing Time: Making a Good Impression
Let’s face it. Good impressions are important. Some people may claim it’s superficial and unfair. Isn’t it what’s inside that counts anyway? For the most part, absolutely. But to get to the inner core, there has to be a certain something that makes someone want to take a second look. I hate to say it, [...]
Day 17: Mapping Out Writing Time: Not Fitting In
Today is a half-day of school and it figures I will be without Sophie, my ten-year-old car. Sophie has been working hard to keep us safe. It’s time to bring her in to get some work done. Spy Girl isn’t too happy Sophie won’t be with us. A bunch of 5th grade girls made plans [...]
Day 16:Mapping Out Writing Time: Look Fear in the Eye
Only when we are no longer afraid do we begin to live. – Dorothy Thompson You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do. – Eleanor Roosevelt Be not afraid of life. Believe [...]
Day 15: Mapping Out Writing Time: Pay It Forward
We went apple picking today. I almost had a heart attack when I saw the entrance fee. If you need a better view, click on the photo. This is a haven for little kids. There’s a huge play area–complete with moonbounce, petting zoo, jungle gyms, climbing walls, a maze, haystack climbing stack, etc. But, I [...]
Day 14: Mapping Out Writing Time: The I Want It Now Blues
Remember Veruca Salt in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory? This spoiled young girl wanted everything–a golden ticket, an Oompa Loompa, a golden geese, the golden egg–ALL Right NOW! Not everyone knows what they want. Sometimes it’s wrapped up in immediate gratification or based on current trends. Or maybe it’s reflected in the mood of [...]
Day 13: Mapping Out Writing Time: On Gratitude
I started this blog over 2 1/2 years ago because of a dare. My sister insisted that if I really wanted to become a published author, I’d better conquer my fear of having people read my work. Her solution? A blog. “Get yourself out there,” she said. “Blogging allows people to read what you’ve written. [...]
Day 12: Mapping Out Writing Time: The Hero’s Journey
Here’s a video of Christopher Vogler, creator of The Writer’s Journey for screenwriters, describing The Hero’s Journey for the movie, The Matrix. Watch this video for a quick synopsis of The Hero’s Journey. Write-a-Scene Writing Prompt: Watch this video carefully and map out The Hero’s Journey for your protagonist. If you dare, write a scene/chapter [...]
Day 11:Mapping Out Writing Time: Unexpected Surprises
If you didn’t have a chance to stop by the readergirlz chat with Kristin Cashore last night, you can still go over and read the transcript. Kristin was awesome, GRACELING much loved, the conversation delightful, and I’m going to go all fangirl here–not only were we lucky to have Kristin who wrote my favorite kick-butt [...]
Day 10: Mapping Out Writing Time: Triumph
It’s all about TRIUMPH this month at readergirlz. If you haven’t stopped by the readergirlz blog yet, what are you waiting for? Kristin Cashore will be there tonight, for a Live Chat, 6pm Pacific Time/9pm Eastern Time! Yes, the Kristin Cashore who wrote GRACELING, which I thought, hands down, was the best kick-butt girl book [...]
Day 9: Mapping Out Writing Time: Persistence and a readergirlz Writing Contest
Sometimes, it’s hard to keep moving toward a goal. You’re not feeling well. There are too many things on the To-Do List. The house is a mess. The family needs attention. You don’t know how to say, “No,” when asked to volunteer in yet another role at your kids’ school. People ask when your book [...]
Day 8: Mapping Out Writing Time: Elation, Ruin and Grace
It took less than 50 seconds before Taylor Swift’s big moment over winning MTV’s VMA Top Female Video Award was ruined, right in the middle of her acceptance speech. In one gracious move, during her own winning moment for Video of the Year, Beyonce gave the grateful 19-year-old a second chance. A brilliant move and [...]
Day 7: Mapping Out Writing Time: We Shall Remember
The Prayer by Celine Dion and Andrea Boccelli is simply beautiful and helps fill the need when words of comfort simply can’t lift the pain. I offer you this breathtaking duet of grace and hope on this day. Write-a-Scene Writing Prompt: There are times when your protagonist needs to remember the past and hold it [...]
Day 6: Mapping Out Writing Time: Dangle the Carrot
Sometimes, no matter how good the intentions, you need a little bit of a nudge–a reward–if you will, to get in the right mind set. PB needed a break from me and since for the first time I had NO children around, I finally did what I HATE most to do when surrounded by my [...]
Day 5: Mapping Out Writing Time: Manageable Goals
Have you seen this interview–Kate DiCamillo on writing–by Jenny Brown of Twenty by Jenny? Kate shares her writing process with Jenny and it made me feel like I was on the right track. Newbery Medal winner Kate DiCamillo writes with “manageable, reachable goals” in mind–two pages a day!Thanks to Mitali Perkins for finding this gem! [...]
Day 4: Mapping Out Writing Time: Empowerment
I’ve decided it’s time to change Princess Rock Star’s name, to send her some empowerment juju. It’s time to conquer kindergarten. Going forward, she’ll be Wonder Girl, named for her favorite super heroine, Wonder Woman. Wonder Girl will be turning six this month. She wants a Wonder Woman theme party. Do you know how hard [...]
Day 3: Mapping Out Writing Time: Falling into Research or How I Became My Own Action Hero
Needless to say, drop off for kindergarten did not go well this morning. Princess Rock Star wasn’t herself and wouldn’t stop crying. It proved quite challenging to get her into the classroom. If not for the kindergarten fiasco, I think things would be quite different. However, I’ll never know. I love our school, especially the [...]
Day 2: Mapping Out Writing Time: I Don’t Want To Blues
Spy Girl and Ninja Girl had a great first day of school yesterday. They’re happy about their teachers, thrilled to see their friends, and ready to get to the learning. Of course there is always one who needs to be different…Princess Rock Star. Her first day of school was today. When she woke up this [...]
Day 1: Mapping Out Writing Time: First Day Jitters
Today was tough. I broke down. As much as I couldn’t wait for the girls to go to school today, I also didn’t want to let them go. You know the parent who you roll your eyes at–the one carrying a camera and running after their child, to give one extra hug, as they enter [...]
Mapping Out Writing Time: The Early Bird Gets the Worm
So, rather than start my 30 day writing spree tomorrow, when the kids start school, I thought I’d start today. Remember the deal? 2 hours of straight writing time (though I’ll also include book-related research, NO Internet research) on school days, for 30 days, no time wasting allowed. I am a horrible sleeper, so I [...]
Mapping Out Writing Time: The Countdown Begins…
…2 more days before the kids go back to school. 2 Days! We are ready. New school supplies. Check. New backpacks and lunchboxes. Check. We even survived shopping for new school outfits and shoes, which is not an easy task with three girls. Though, I’ll admit, I should count my blessings. Ninja Girl and Princess [...]
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