Fabulous Author Edie Ramer–and a chance to win Cattitude! Back to Blog
Congratulations to Edie’s winner…Viki!!
Today it is my pleasure to have my friend (and very talented author) Edie Ramer as my guest. Edie and I met online several years ago, and I had the pleasure to finally meet her in person at the RWA Convention in Orlando. She’s a great writers, a truly fab lady, and a woman who has some advice to give today! (She will also be giving away a free download of her new release, CATTITUDE, to one commenter–very cool!)
How to keep your brains from melting
First, I want to thank Cynthia for having me as her guest. I admire her so much. She has a child and a husband, she writes multiple books a year, plus she has copy edits and a zillion other things that come with the job. Yet she does guest blogs and interviews and goes to conferences. And when I go on Facebook and Twitter, I see her many comments and retweets, etc., much more than I do.
And she does all of this without her head spinning off. Or exploding. Or melting into a puddle on her office floor, screaming, “No more! I can’t do any more!” (Not her head or her body melting; just her brains.)
That’s the point where I am now, one task away from my brains melting. I’m writing this on Friday, and by the time the post is up I should have my energy back. I’m burned out and had to take the evening off, though I haven’t accomplished more than a fraction of what I’d planned. So what I’m going to do is get tough with myself.
Someone’s got to do it. I used to write first thing in the morning, but somehow my email and blog reading became more important. Assigning myself pages doesn’t work, because I cheat. When I get stuck, I start peeking at the internet, telling myself “just this one email” or “just this one blog post.” Which of course leads to another email and another post and another cute cat video.
Taking a break is sometimes valid, because in the past I’ve plowed through scenes even when they weren’t working, which put me on the wrong track and ended in a lot of deleting and teeth gnashing and whining.
Other times I have computer brain, aka rabbit brain. It’s become the norm for me to hop back and forth on blogs and emails and other places. My mind isn’t used to focusing for too long, and after a short time of serious writing, I have a hard time concentrating. No wonder I’ve thought lately that I might have adult ADD.
I’ve decided to set a time limit instead of a page limit. Every weekday morning, I’ll work on writing new pages or revisions or whatever needs to be done before I open up my email. No excuses! Not even glancing at my email to see if anything important came in overnight.
I’ll do this for one hour. One lousy hour. Or one FABULOUS hour.
Later in the day, I’ll do another hour. Once I get into the internet, it’s like opening up Pandora’s Box, and all the “must write, must revise” tasks become less important than the latest news on Twitter and J.A. Konrath’s latest blog. But I’ll figure out a way to do it, because writing and revising and finishing my books are more important than any of that.
I’m making it my priority. I have to. I’m afraid if I don’t my brains will melt.
What are your priorities?
Edie Ramer
http://edieramer.com
http://twitter.com/edieramer
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=747112424
And don’t forget to check out Edie’s new release, CATTITUDE!
It’s all in the CATTITUDE . . .
After Belle the cat switches bodies with a psychic on the run from a murderer, she wants her perfect cat body back instead of this furless human one. But she doesn’t count on falling in love with her former owner. Or that a CEO and a beauty queen want to use up her nine lives. Now is her chance to prove anything a human can do, a cat can do better.
I like the excerpt of your book. Priorities: getting up and ready for bed; then at the end of work, getting home and supper for the family; after that my time is my own.
Edie, I think you are absolutely amazing! And I am so excited about the release of Cattitude–congratulations!
Wow your day is busy. I always get sidetracked(as I call it)too. I try to come home go through my emails and oh look someone posted a cool link. LOL. Takes me forever. I am very organized at work but; at home it’s hard. LOL. Your book sounds wonderful. Cute cover too.
katsrus(at)gmail(dot)com
Diane, isn’t it great when dinner is over and you can sit and do what you want? I watched Castle last night. Why did they have to put it on at the same time as Hawaii Five 0?
I’m glad you like the excerpt!
The one thing I do know is that I’m a morning person. My methods have changed over the years depending on my job. When I worked at 5 AM, I’d get up in enough time to write from 4 AM to 4:45 AM. Now, I get up, feed the citters, read email, play my computer games, feed the family and walk the kidlet to school. Then I settle down from about 9:30-12 to write–of course, this is when I’m in creativity mode. After the kidlet comes home, all bets are off. My brain has retired for the night. 🙂
Cynthia, thank you again for inviting me. And calling me fabulous — I’m happy.
I try and get a bunch done in the morning, but mostly, it’s after work. Cook a quick dinner, then sit down for about 3 hours and power write. I can always edit later, just need to get those thoughts down or my brain’ll melt too! 🙂
Great post. Thanks!
Hi Edie,
Don’t forget – it’s easier to get that one hour done if you have someone to report to. Tell us on GIAM/CHATZY or send me an email that you’re starting, then report in when you’re done. Last week I did something similar with Martie over at Blameitonethemuse.com in order to get the word count I needed. It’s an issue that ultimately is yours – but you don’t have to do it alone!
Love ya! Priorities – kids, make enough money to cover the bills and then writing!
Sue, I like the word “sidetracked.” It is hard to ignore the cool links. This morning I watched a 4 min. 40 sec. montage of dancing from movies. But I restrained myself from hitting replay.
And I see you like cats. My kind of person, though I have dogs, too. They’re napping in my office now, waiting for me to take them for a walk.
Margaret, my mind is sharper in the morning too, but I write at night sometimes, because it might be the only chance I get. Writing from 9:30am to noon sounds wonderful! I’m jealous.
Lynn, sometimes you have make time, even when it’s not the most convenient. Good for you!
Dale, I’ll do that next time. Today I’m so busy, I’m already breaking my intention. And I woke up late. (blushing with shame) But I did write yesterday first thing. It felt good.
Social Media is like the writer’s version of “SQUIRREL!” (Did everyone see UP?) I’m trying to master it, but finding a way for it not to swamp my day is still a challenge. Of course, I’m in the midst of a website remodel. But I remind myself that all the marketing in the world won’t help me if I don’t WRITE another BOOK. That’s the priority. Well, that and cats…
Amy, I loved UP! And, yes, “squirrel” is exactly what it is. Yesterday I did manage quite a bit of writing, but I also spent time looking up reviewers and emailing five. Today, I’m going to join Goodreads. These are all things I need to do. But first I need to write! And take care of my cat. lol
Hi Edie –
Love your post!
I haven’t read you yet but CATTITUDE has intrigued me for a while now. I will be reading it soon. I am SO a cat person so this will be fun.
I like how you’ve gone to a time limit. Different things work for different people. My priority is my workout. For over 20 years I have scheduled everything around my workout. I also have a time limit. Some people go on miles or calories burned – me – it’s 56 minutes on the ellipse come hell or high water ;).
Good post, Edie. My priority for now is really about tutoring and the preps, since it means immediate money.Must get back on track!!!!!!!!
I can handle an hour a day, of course I can, but it would morph into longer and that would be a good thing.
Oh my, the internet is indeed a Pandora’s Box.
My internet time is usually in the early evening.
The rest of my time is for family, work, cross stitching and reading. Wish there were 24 hours in a day!!!
I allow myself certain TV programs each week. Tonight it’s the Tudors!! Love it!!!
And anyway, most of the partying on the net is while I am sleeping, I’m in Germany you see, so I’m usually sleeping while everyone is having fun!!!
Valerie
Priorities… watching my nephew all day. I get little breaks here and there to do some stuff for myself. Once my sister arrives then I concentrate on other things.
Viki, I admire you for sticking to your workouts for so long. I used to do that. Sniff. And like you, I had a time limit.
You’ll probably see your cat in Cattitude. That was the most fun book I’ve written.
Mary, on the GIAM loop I mentioned Jennifer Crusie’s saying: “Protect the work.” That’s what the hour (or more) is all about, protecting the work.
Valerie, you’re so restrained. And smart!
My CP, Michelle Diener, has a fabulous book, ILLUMINATIONS, set in Henry VIII’s court, that will be out in spring 2011. Even non-Tudor fans will love it. She’s brilliant!
Colleen, with a child all day, it is hard to do much. Except answer emails and comment on blogs. LOL It’s important to have some social outlet. I do love that part of the Internet.
First off I want to say: If you have not read CATTITUDE you are missing something very special! Go buy it!
Secondly, Hi, Cynthia and Edie!
Thirdly: priority number one every morning: Coffee!
Karin, big SMOOCH! For me, it’s tea. Must have my tea.
Coffee! Without it, I’m zombified. I like tea as well, but coffee has more caffeine.
I like your “squirrel mind” reference. I’m mostly heard of “monkey mind” but squirrels are more prevalent in North America.
Cories, Amy Atwell had the squirrel mind. Mine was rabbit, and they both bit, but monkey might be even closer to a lot of people I know.
*Waving to Cynthia!*
Edie, I’ve only had a chance to read the opening chapters of Cattitude so far, but I *loved* them! It was hilarious and I simply adore Belle. Congrats on a wonderful new release!! 🙂
And LOL about the things to do to “keep your brain from melting”! I’m afraid I lost that battle myself sometime last year…but, with whatever brain cells I have left, I keep them strong with large doses of chocolate. xo
Marilyn, I need more chocolate! LOL Actually, I overdosed on chocolate this weekend, and it didn’t help.
Thanks for saying the nice things about Cattitude. I managed to get some work done on my next book today.
Cattitude sounds like my kind of book. I have a tendency to send too much time online. I really need to exercise more and limit my time online, but I don’t want to.
Oh, I will look out for Michelle’s book. I love reading about the Tudors too.
Valerie
in Germany
Cynthia – thank you for hosting Edie. Yes, she *is* fabulous.
Great post, Edie!
Since I’m a day late, I’m eager to hear how you did with your time limits. 😉
As for my priorities…work the day job, write, and get ready for Publication Day–not necessarily in that order, since we’re talking two weeks. (Yikes! Definitely a brain melt coming on!!!)
Barbara
Marlene, you and me both. I’m still going through my emails for the day. It’s never ending.
Valerie, she’s such a good writer. I’m expecting her to be a big seller. 🙂
Barbara, well, I did good yesterday. Today I had to chase around. I stopped off at 6 different places. 😯 Then I had to do 3 loads of clothes. I have a load in my dryer right now.
I did revise for an hour, but that’s it. Some days are like that, and I’m not going to beat myself up over it. Tomorrow I’ll do better.
Edie! Thanks for the pitch to Valerie of ILLUMINATIONS 🙂 . And I’m in the coffee camp, and I also love Good News Week, which is a political and news satire show with stand-up comics on Monday nights in Australia. The one show I won’t miss.
Michelle, I’ll check out that show on YouTube.