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Sunday, October 31, 2010
Happy Halloween!!!
Happy Halloween, D. D. Scott-ville!!!
From SweetMan and I's home to you & yours...here's to some fun and fabulous Trick or Treating!!!
And yes...y'all asked for it, and you got it...here's SweetMan's and my attempt to "Go Disco"...our favorite costumes of all time...too bad you can't see the beyond fabulous platform GoGo Boots I had on!!! Now those puppies rocked the whole ensemble!!!
Sexy Sassy Smart Halloween Wishes --- D. D. ScottLabels: Holiday Mayhem
Friday, October 29, 2010
MUSE THERAPY: Bitchy Sign Friday!
Ohhh yeahhh! It's here! Another beyond fabulous MUSE THERAPY Bitchy Sign Friday!
So here's the scoop...
The next time someone or something makes you sooo damn mad you're seeing stars, go to stars like this to help you put your angst in perspective:
I've got an entire collection of these priceless, gem-colored stars all over my office, and here's how they got there...
Several years ago I met the beyond fabulous writing instructor Margie Lawson of http://www.MargieLawson.com .
After taking several of her online classes as well as participating in two of her live workshops, I learned a fabulous tool for continuing to rein in and reign over my creative divas.
In her live workshops as well as in the Goody Rooms of all the conferences she attends, Margie gives away these fabulous, little colored stars with beyond wonderful motivational quotes printed on each one.
For the last couple years, I’ve collected these stars and have them all over my office. Then, when I’m down, down deeper than the bottom rung on my next ladder to success, I hone-in on those puppies and often say the words aloud...almost in mantra form.
So to kick-off our weekend on the perfect Smart Ass note, I’m sharing my Hemingway Shock-Proof Shit-Detector star to encourage you to always continue to reach for both your personal and career aspirations, despite the shit piling-up in your path.
For a peek at a few more of my Margie Lawson stars, head-on over to http://chicklitwriters.com/2010/10/20/tude-torial-3/ - It's all in the stars, Baby!!!
Sexy Sassy Smart Shock-Proof Shit Detector Wishes --- D. D. ScottLabels: All-Things-Muses, Bitchy Signs, Muse Therapy
Thursday, October 28, 2010
E-Book Country Experiment Starts Next Week!!!
Ohhh yeahhh...it's almost the weekend!
And what that means today in D. D. Scott-ville is that it's time to fill y'all in on the first ever E-Book Country Experiment that's kicking-off right here next week!
Here's the scoop...
Many of you know by now that one of my goals is to do for the Romance and Cozy Mystery Genres what the beyond genius JA Konrath (http://www.jakonrath.com) has done for the Mystery and Thriller Genres as well as what he'll do soon for the Sci-Fi World too!
And that is...give you all the super-cool stats, facts, and marketing strategies that can take a relatively obscure new book and/or author from the bottom of Amazon's sales to the top of their bestselling charts!
So...to that end...
Next week, to start-off November with a Gobble of Fun and Thanksgiving-style feasts and celebrations, I'm doing a Call-Out For DARC Queens & Kings !!!
Not sure what a DARC is?
DARC = a Digital Advanced Reader Copy
So what does that mean here in D. D. Scott-ville?
Well...it means it's your chance to feast first on my Book Two in The Bootscootin' Books Series - STOMPIN' ON STETSONS - which will be released on Amazon Kindle & Smashwords during Thanksgiving Week!
That's right...not only will I reveal the fabulous STOMPIN' ON STETSONS cover next week, but I'm going to give y'all a chance to celebrate it's release month by giving you the chance to get your DARC ahead of the release date plus get it for FREE!!!
I'm saying Thank You to my Bootscootin' Books fans during our Thanksgiving Holiday Season by giving you the chance to get a FREE copy of Book Two STOMPIN' ON STETSONS!!!
I'll give you all the details early next week!!!
For a hint at what's in store for you, check out JA Konrath's blog at http://jakonrath.blogspot.com/ ...
Sexy Sassy Smart E-Book Country DARC Experiment Wishes --- D. D. Scott
P.S. And here's the link to The Bootscootin' Books - Book One - BOOTSCOOTIN' BLAHNIKS - in case you want to read it first before getting your FREE copy of Book Two - STOMPIN' ON STETSONS:
http://www.amazon.com/Bootscootin-Blahniks-Books-ebook/dp/B003ZDO30W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&s=books&qid=1288290286&sr=8-1Labels: Behind and Beyond My Books, Book Covers, E-Book Country, E-Book Country Experiments, Stompin' On Stetsons
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
MUSE THERAPY: How To Write Thru Anything...And I Mean Anything!!!
Good morning, Creative Divas and Dan!
Happy Hump Day!
And yesss...some of life's humps are much bigger than other...so Buckle-Up!
Oh...and also grab your Waffle Iron & Fluffy Heated Towels.
Why waffle irons & fluffy heated towels...as today's new Muse Arsenal Tools?
I'll give you the scoop today in my Hump Day Goddess Blog at
http://thenakedhero.com
Then I'll shore-up your 'Tude as in Attitude at
http://chicklitwriters.com/blog/
Today, I'm showing you - MUSE THERAPY-style - how to write thru anything...and I mean Anything!!!
Sexy Sassy Smart Write Thru Anything Wishes...Even Life's Rather Big-Ass Dismal Moments --- D. D. Scott
P.S. My Naked Hero Hump-Day Goddess Blog is up now...The Chick Lit 'Tude-torial usually takes a bit longer to show-up so use that one for your Lunch Break pick-me-up!!! My treats to you and your muses too!!!Labels: All-Things-Muses, Being a Gutsy Girl, Being a Gutsy Romance Writer Girl, Guest Blogging Today, Muse Therapy
Monday, October 25, 2010
E-Book Country: Kindle Nation Daily, Stephen Windwalker & D. D. Scott
Now this is one beyond fabulous Monday in D. D. Scott-ville!
I've got some amazing news!!!
Yesterday, I had the one-of-a-kind opportunity to speak with the Go-To-Kindle-Guy himself...yes...as in Stephen Windwalker, the Editor of Kindle Nation Daily!!!
http://kindlehomepage.blogspot.com/
I know...I think I'm still in a delicious shock!!!
Anyhoo...here's the scoop...
My goal is to do for the Romance & Cozy Mystery Genre what JA Konrath has done for the Thriller Genre!
Why?
Because I'm tired of seeing my author friends and myself included screwed-over by Traditional Pubs when it comes to our E-Book rights and royalties.
So how did I connect with the super-cool Stephen Windwalker? And what does that connection mean for D. D. Scott-ville?
Well...I'll fill you in on my journey to Stephen...
I've followed JA Konrath's fabulous blog for awhile now. And I'm lucky. Very Very Lucky to have found such an incredible, factual source of publishing's "real numbers" - real in regards to sales, royalties, advances, marketing dollars, etc.
If you're not following JA Konrath, you should be...that is, if you want to begin treating your writing-for-publication career as a business then make the super smart and sound, but tough, business-sense decisions to begin to making a living, and possibly a beyond wonderful living, as a full-time writer.
Here's the link to Joe's (JA's first name is Joe) blog:
http://jakonrath.blogspot.com/
Joe constantly refers to Stephen Windwalker of the fabulous Kindle Nation Daily as the Go-To-Guy on All-Things-Kindle.
Kindle Nation Daily is a blog as well as a virtual newspaper of sorts regarding All-Things-Kindle that is "pushed" on a subscription basis - for only .99/month - to Kindle owners plus also available in a free, online version too.
Stephen has also become my Go-To-Guy on what fabulous new books are available on Kindle. And, he's the King when it comes to helping authors find an audience on Kindle!!!
What an honor it is to announce that Stephen and I are working on partnering for some MUSE THERAPY as well as Romance Genre and Cozy Mystery Genre adventures!!!
I can't wait to share more with you in the near future!!!
In the mean time, buckle up 'cause I'm goin' deep into the heart of E-Book Country - JA Konrath-style - and the figures and stats will shock you into taking back the control of your writing-for-publication career!
In addition, we'll be exploring some fabulous Techno Tips for all you Techno Dunces out there like me who need all the help we can get...and speaking of which, Stephen has a great tip for you today on working with Page Numbers on Kindle and Kindle Apps...check it out at http://kindlehomepage.blogspot.com/search/label/page%20numbers.
Sexy Sassy Smart MUSE THERAPY & Kindle Nation Daily Wishes --- D. D. ScottLabels: All-Things-Kindle, E-Book Country, Kindle Nation Daily, Stephen Windwalker
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Meet The Muses: Melissa Bourbon/Misa Ramirez - style
Happy Weekend, D. D. Scott-ville!
I've got a beyond fabulous treat to kick-off our weekend with tons of gusto and super sweet inspiration...and her name is Melissa Bourbon - aka Misa Ramirez, one of my favorite authors and new BFFs.
Here's the scoop on Melissa/Misa:
Melissa Bourbon, who sometimes answers to her Latina-by-marriage name Misa Ramirez, gave up teaching middle and high school kids in Northern California to write full-time amidst horses and Longhorns in North Texas. She fantasizes about spending summers writing in quaint, cozy locales, has a love/hate relationship with yoga and chocolate, is devoted to her family, and can’t believe she’s lucky enough to be living the life of her dreams.
And here are her fabulous books (the first four all available now at Amazon):
***I'm a huge Lola Cruz Mystery fan, and am getting ready to dive into these next two books...
And boy-oh-boy, I can't wait for this new series in 2011...
So now you've met the amazing and talented Melissa - aka Misa - and for more interesting tidbits on her and her books, visit her website http://misaramirez.com as well as her wayyy cool Community of Readers Under One Roof
http://booksonthehouse.com
And how 'bout Misa's muses?
It's time to Meet the Muses, Melissa Bourbon/Misa Ramirez-style:
It wasn’t until recently when I was writing the first book in a new cozy mystery series that I began to think of my muse, or muses as the case may be, as something really tangible that I could summon at will, or that would betray me by being absent when I needed her/them most. In fact, I can’t say that I thought about my muses --because as I’m writing this, I’ve had an epiphany and do believe that I have more than one-- much at all.
But they’ve shown their true colors. I’d begun to think of them as fickle girls, but I’ve changed my tune. I’ll never look at them in quite the same way or take for granted the beauty of having them on the job, fully engaged in my creative process, or the power of their insight.
I have new respect for my muses and what they offer through song, practice, and memory.
It often takes a big shake up and the absence of something to really appreciate what you have. That’s how it happened for me. You know what they say about absence making the heart grow fonder and all that? It worked. They left, I was melancholy, and they returned with a new light for me to follow.
How very poetic, I know.
I’m not a metaphysical girl. My feet are firmly planted on the ground. Let me be clear, I don’t, like, sit around thinking about cliches and how they apply to my life. But cliches are cliches because there is truth in them and sometimes that truth is more palatable when taken in a pithy dose. The absence of my muses is what helped me recognize them in the first place. It also helped me appreciate the creative energy they bring into the my writing equation.
They deserted me several times while I was writing Pleating for Mercy, but it was through that desertion that I came to appreciate what they are to me and what they do. I can pinpoint exactly when they left, almost down to the very minute. My creativity had dried up. I had writer’s block. I was panicking, thinking I’d never finish this book, and if I did, it would suck.
But I can also look back and see when them returning--after I’d taken much needed time away from my project, had recharged, and had allowed my mind to open up, let fresh idea in, and see things in a new way.
What I realized was that those clever girls didn’t abandon me,. I’d temporarily shut them out. I was on overload and completely unable to feel their creative energy flow into me. And so they stepped aside and led me away from my writing and back into reality where I could and did regain perspective on my characters and plot by doing the opposite of what I always think I should do. I always think I should keep going, push through the writing pain, persevere and give myself permission to write crap and revise later (which I do whether I give myself permission or not). I never think that stopping and taking precious time away from my writing is the answer.
But it is! I’ve completely changed my thought process on this idea and it’s been so freeing. If only I’d listened to the girls in my head sooner I might have staved off some gray hairs and wrinkles and the divot in my forehead from banging it against the wall.
Better late than never, right?
So my muses, yet to be named (though Lola and Harlow come to mind), are alive and well, ever-present, and an important part of my creativity. Thank God I realized it!
Sounds like the MUSE THERAPY lesson here is that you must always be open to the epiphanies your muses are ready to nourish and bless you with...right?
So Misa's wondering...and I am too...
How about you? Have you ever felt that your muse(s) has abandoned you? Did you have an epiphany like I/she did?
Sexy Sassy Smart Meet the Muses Bourbon Ramirez-Style Wishes --- D. D. Scott
P.S. You can also connect with Misa by visiting her and the other Naked Hero Goddesses at http://thenakedhero.com !!!Labels: All-Things-Muses, Muse Therapy, Muse Therapy Guest Bloggers
Friday, October 22, 2010
MUSE THERAPY: More Bitchy Quotes Plus a Meet The Muses Preview
TGIF, D. D. Scott-ville Divas and Dans!!!
You know what TGIF means...more Bitchy Signs and/or Quotes and Anecdotes!!!
And boy do I have a beyond fabulous little jewel to kick-off our weekend!
Plus, I'm gonna give ya a Sneak Peek at the beyond fabulous Meet-the-Muses Guest Blogger I'm hosting tomorrow right here in D. D. Scott-ville.
So Buckle-Up...we're goin' Bird Watching...well figuratively speaking...
Anyhoo...
Thru-out my MUSE THERAPY Online Classes and Live Workshops, I always invite class and workshop participants to share their favorite Bitchy Signs, Quotes and Anecdotes. What a hoot! And this next one - compliments of Sia, one of our Naked Hero (http://thenakedhero.com) commenters, is a real beauty.
So no more need to
frown along your writing-for-publication journey...
just look to the birds for support
and no, not these birds
this bird...
"It takes 42 muscles to frown and only four to extend my middle finger and tell you to bite me." --- Sia
Miss Sia also told us another of her go-to favorite bitchy quotes:
"I don't need your attitude, I have one of my own."
So there! Since the birds are now busy migrating, salute them, by flying your own birds proudly...and often!!!
And tomorrow, I'm thrilled to give you another Meet the Muses example of how one of my favorite authors and new BFFs Melissa Bourbon - aka Misa Ramirez - keeps flying in the midst of all her fears and doubts.
Here's some fabulous Sneak Peek Scoop on Melissa:
Melissa Bourbon, who sometimes answers to her Latina-by-marriage name Misa Ramirez, gave up teaching middle and high school kids in Northern California to write full-time amidst horses and Longhorns in North Texas. She fantasizes about spending summers writing in quaint, cozy locales, has a love/hate relationship with yoga and chocolate, is devoted to her family, and can’t believe she’s lucky enough to be living the life of her dreams.
To tide you over 'til tomorrow, you can find out more about the super fabulous Melissa Bourbon/Misa Ramirez at http://misaramirez.com/ !!!
Sexy Sassy Smart Bitchy Quotes Plus Meet the Muses Wishes --- D. D. ScottLabels: All-Things-Muses, Bitchy Signs, Muse Therapy, Muse Therapy Guest Bloggers, Writing Quotes and Anecdotes
Thursday, October 21, 2010
MUSE THERAPY Extra Tips & Tidbits: Sensory-Rich Bliss
Happy Thursday, D. D. Scott-ville!
With the magnificent aurora of colors showcasing now in all Autumn splendor...
I thought today was the perfect time to share my MUSE THERAPY Extra Tips & Tidbit special on what I call Sensory-Rich Bliss.
So here's a little something to keep in mind as you're getting to know your
muses...
In MUSE THERAPY: UNLEASHING YOUR INNER SYBIL, we focus a ton on what we "SEE" that inspires us, but don't leave out all your other senses.
What TASTES (for me it's dark chocolate and martinis...LOL!),
SMELLS (how about candles, anyone? Me and The Carrie Squad love our candles - cinnamon apple and cranberry plum right now),
SOUNDS (many of you have mentioned music...I often like nature sounds and whatever genre suites my characters' worlds for the book I'm working-on...plus I love silence!),
**Check out Jeff Buckley's rendition of "Hallelujah" today at http://thenakedhero.com --- Talk about a wow moment...great stuff there!!!
and TEXTURES/TOUCH (remember how I love art glass? Well...I love to feel the smooth, cold surface as well as look at the gorgeous colors and shapes. I also love the LOOK and FEEL of fabulous fashion jewelry and baubles and beads of all sizes, shapes, colors and textures - I'm such a Rachel Zoe Accessory Queen - we're talking all-things-jewelry/belts/shoes/glasses/scarves/you get the picture.)
http://www.rachelzoe.com/
So what sensory-rich items get your muses on the path to producing more ideas
and pages?
By exploring all your senses, you can build a complete world in which to pamper
yourself and your muses. You're creating a very real escape to enjoy spending
time in while you're cranking out pages at a totally new and exciting production
level!
Sexy Sassy Smart MUSE THERAPY Sensory-Rich Bliss Wishes --- D. D. Scott
P.S. For a ton more fun and fabulous MUSE THERAPY Extra Tips & Tidbits, check out my #1 Bestselling Amazon Book MUSE THERAPY: UNLEASHING YOUR INNER SYBIL. Here's the link:
http://www.amazon.com/Muse-Therapy-Unleashing-Inner-ebook/dp/B004774LN4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&s=digital-text&qid=1287665473&sr=8-1Labels: All-Things-Muses, Muse Therapy, Muse Therapy Extra Tips and Tidbits
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
MUSE THERAPY Hits #1 on Two of Amazon's Bestseller Lists!!!
The Big 'Ole Happy Dance continues here in D. D. Scott-ville!!!
Yesterday, around 2:30 pm Central Time, MUSE THERAPY:UNLEASHING YOUR INNER SYBIL hit #1 on two of Amazon's Bestseller Lists and #2 on a third Amazon Bestseller List!!!
And drumroll here...those #1 rankings and #2 spot remain this morning!!!
Here's the Amazon link:
http://www.amazon.com/Muse-Therapy-Unleashing-Inner-ebook/dp/B004774LN4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&s=digital-text&qid=1287485252&sr=8-1
I'm also tickled to note that it's also the #1 Hot New Release in Amazon's entire collection of Writing Books!!!
Sexy Sassy Smart Doin' the MUSE THERAPY Happy Dance All Day Long Wishes --- D. D. Scott
P.S. And again...thank y'all sooo very much for making my dreams a reality!!!Labels: All-Things-Muses, Bestseller Lists, Muse Therapy
Monday, October 18, 2010
Thank U For Making MUSE THERAPY Hit Amazon's Bestseller Lists!!!
Happy Monday Again, All!!!
Boy are we doin' a big 'ole Happy Dance in D. D. Scott-ville today!
I was just notified that MUSE THERAPY made Amazon's Bestseller List in 3 categories - I'm #11, #12 and #19!!! Can't wait to see if I can make it to #1!!! (And the book has only been out since Friday 10/15!!!)
Thanks to all of you who've already bought your copy and continue to support and cheer on my writing success!!!
Here's the Amazon link so you can check it out if you haven't yet...
http://www.amazon.com/Muse-Therapy-Unleashing-Inner-ebook/dp/B004774LN4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&s=digital-text&qid=1287416331&sr=8-1
Sexy Sassy Smart MUSE THERAPY Wishes --- D. D. Scott
-------
D. D. Scott
Romantic Comedies w/a chick-lit, gone-country twist
And a Writer's Go-to-Gal for Muse Therapy
BOOTSCOOTIN' BLAHNIKS (Aug. 2010 Kindle & Smashwords release)
MUSE THERAPY: UNLEASHING YOUR INNER SYBIL (Oct. 2010 Kindle & Smashwords release)
http://www.ddscott.com
http://twitter.com/ddscottromcom
http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/profile.php?id=100001238957002Labels: All-Things-Muses, Bestseller Lists, Muse Therapy
MUSE THERAPY Extra Tips & Tidbits: UnderDog To The Rescue!
Happy Monday, Creative Divas and Dans!
For the next adventure on our Behind & Beyond My Books, I'm sharing with you a few of the fabulous MUSE THERAPY Extra Tips & Tidbits you'll find thru-out MUSE THERAPY: UNLEASHING YOUR INNER SYBIL.
MUSE THERAPY begins with an exercise I call Name That Muse.
And here's a fabulous example of why Naming Your Muse(s) is sooo important to shoring-up your courage to stay on your Yellow Brick Road to Publishing Oz...
-------
Today's Tip & Tidbit is all about how Naming Your Muses is step numero uno in
beating the big bad doubt demons packing debilitating punches on your
writing-for-publication journeys.
How familiar does this writer's Name That Muse-woes sound?
"I'm not sure I have a name for my muse yet. Best I can come-up with now is
that little Droopy from old Warner Brothers cartoons. I know it gets depressive
whenever I have submissions out on editors' desks. I'm at the tail-end of my
second round through my agent and every time she sends out my stuff I become
paralyzed in a way. The waiting is rough and then I start questioning
everything. 'Do I keep writing this series? Do I try something else? Will my
agent suddenly decide she made a mistake and my stuff WON"T sell?' When the
'no's' start trickling in it hikes up the tension even more. And if I'm having
trouble mailing down the particulars of the NEXT book (which I seem to be
experiencing now) it's even worse b/c it's very easy to start thinking I'll
NEVER nail down the next book. Once I do finally get into a new project I'm
alright, but until that happens it's no fun. Doesn't help when the day job
keeps me so occupied that I can't really concentrate on a new project."
Okay...Thank God this dog-bitten writer was in Muse Therapy!
I soooo got rid of Droopy Dog.
I "got it" loud and clear that our fabulous writer wasn't empowered by that
particular muse mutt. To the contrary, that dog wasn't doin' her any good or
cuttin' the mustard for her career period!
Drum roll please.
Can you hear the snazzy-sharp snare playin' sweet music?
I'd like to present you with - UnderDog!!!
This was the dog that would always say in his 1970s cartoon 'Have no fear,
UnderDog is here!'
That was the name of the Superman-like cartoon dog with the fabulous cape.
Right?
I had this anxiety-ridden writer get a big picture of UnderDog and tape it up in
her office - somewhere she could see the super mutt all the time. Then, when
all her career crap started piling up, she could say, and repeat after me (and
maybe get a cape for some extra fun drama) 'Have no fear, (insert writer name
here) UnderDog is here!'
Even the message inherent in UnderDog's name reminds our fabulous writer in
distress that yeah, publishing is tough but UnderDogs can be heroes too! But
only if you believe in yourself and your muses and keep going for the gusto!
As their namesake Carrie Bradshaw does with panache, my muses The Carrie Squad
hang tough just like UnderDog. And to reward The Squad's tenacity, I take them
on the Muse Therapy "Trips" I describe in MUSE THERAPY's Chapter One.
In other words, I take them anywhere they like to go and/or would like to go to
make them happy. I treat their creative psyches to both old favorites and new
stimuli to distract them from the hurry-and-wait, pitch-fork-yielding patience
demons.
Give your muses a name then gift them with attitude make-overs!
We want to come at and build our creative kingdoms from a place of pampering our
muses to fabulous production levels rather than forcing them into submission.
So kick 'em in the butt a bit first...you know, kind of a tough-love, love-tap
thing...then win 'em over with whatever makes them tick...as long as it's legal
and humane...LOL!!!
Sexy Sassy Smart Muse Therapy UnderDog Wishes --- D. D. Scott
P.S. Throughout the rest of MUSE THERAPY, I give you brief Meet-and-Greets with
other writer's muses. We can all learn sooo much from what inspires each of us
individually!
http://www.amazon.com/Muse-Therapy-Unleashing-Inner-ebook/dp/B004774LN4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&s=digital-text&qid=1287410270&sr=8-1
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/26920Labels: All-Things-Muses, Behind and Beyond My Books, Muse Therapy, Muse Therapy Extra Tips and Tidbits
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Meet The Muses: A High-Class Hillbilly Writer & Her Muse Lucky Lucy
Today, here in D. D. Scott-ville, y'all are in for a real hoot of a treat!
To celebrate yesterday's release of MUSE THERAPY: UNLEASHING YOUR INNER SYBIL, I'm hosting a Saturday Series of Meet-and-Greet the Muses.
And here to get us going in one heckuva fun way are a couple of my new BFF's, the amazing, High-Class Hillbilly Writer herself Tonya Kappes (http://tonyakappes.com) and her super-sassy muse Lucky Lucy...
So here we go...straight from Tonya and Lucky Lucy's world...
-------
Writing is NOT easy or for the faint at heart. BUT when your muse isn’t cooperating, writing is damn near impossible!
Let me rewind. . .
Three years ago my DH (dear husband) asked, “Can I talk to you?”
With a scowl on my face, I removed my nose from the crease of Jane Porter’s latest novel Odd Mom Out. Carefully I placed this precious piece of work in my lap and softly spoke, “This better be good.”
I noticed a little sweat above his brow and a nervous twitch in the corner of his lip. “I. . ., er, I think you need to write a novel. I know you can do it.”
I laughed, not really, I guffawed! And really almost wet myself. I looked at my watch because I knew it was September, 2007 and I wanted to make sure I haven’t been reading until the following April fool’s day because I have kids to take care of. (At least I pretend to take care of them.)
Needless to say, I went into the kitchen to get a snack because the DH already ruined my concentration and I wanted to check to see if he’d gotten into the liquor cabinet.
I remember it like it was yesterday. I got what I consider my first piece of muse chocolate cake. Quietly I took the cake back into the den, sat in my chair, pulled my quilt back up over my lap, put my cake in my lap, and picked up my book. Only this time it was different. I looked at the book cover, I read the acknowledgements, I read Jane Porter’s bio, and I grabbed my computer and goggled Jane Porter.
So Jane and I aren’t the same, but I can be a writer!! She inspired me. I went through her website and I wrote her. She was so nice. She wrote me back and sent me a lot of goodies in the mail. (She even sent me a Christmas card that year!)
Anyways, I took my DH’s advice and started to write a story, a tall tale with a few familiar traits to people I know—hey they always say you write what you know.
I found that I couldn’t just sit at the laptop and type. What was I going to do?
Well. . .I went to the bookstore and decided to look around, NOT buy - this would be the first time - and just like the sky parted and angels started to sing. There it was. Exactly what I needed. A journal!
I don’t know why this leather journal made me feel good, but it did. I can’t explain it. I wrote quotes about writing, favorite writing websites, favorite authors, and all things favorite! I even wrote the first 20k words of my first novel in that book.
I have no idea what happened, but the beautiful leather book stopped working and I couldn’t get motivated to continue to write. I’d just sit and doodle, play pogo on the laptop, watch TV or just sleep.
My ever so favorite author, Jane, continued to put out more books and ONE was going to become a Lifetime movie? How did she do it?
I googled and googled some more. Until I saw the word MUSE. It jumped out at me like a ton of bricks had hit me.
My muse had died. Been stabbed, killed!! I was depressed because I had no idea how to get my muse back to me.
I was babysitting my sister’s dog around this time and she needed to be walked. I took Lucy for a walk and mentally went over what I could do to restart my muse. I don’t know if it was the walk or my mental pep talk, but my muse was talking to me. She was talking loud and clear! She just wanted to be a little pampered. A little “me muse time.” I grabbed Lucy, the dog, and kissed her square on the dog lips! And Lucky Lucy was born!
Only she was harder to keep happy. A couple years and two more novels under my belt. I was tired begging Lazy Lucy to show up so I went searching again for some help. And there it was, “Get your muse in check with Muse Therapy.”
Muse Therapy?
Okay. I’ll bite! I’m glad I did. I met D.D. Scott and she showed me how to make Lazy Lucy, Lucky Lucy all the time!
Yes! D.D. even sent me this cool therapy holder that I keep in my office (former den) so every day I remind Lucy that if she doesn’t show up, I’ll call D. D.
Six novels later, I’ve had to come up with all sorts of solutions to make Lucky Lucy stay lucky instead of Lazy Lucy. We’ve been to the spa, beach, coffee shop, Kmart! You name it and I will take Lucky Lucy anywhere as long as she performs.
With the help of D. D Scott and her muse therapy, Lucky Lucy has helped me sell two novels that will hit book stores next year!
Oh, by the way. . .my favorite author Jane Porter is now my friend and she’s coming in town next month and staying with MEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Now how's that for a bit of Meet The Muse fabulous-ness?!
Thank you, Tonya and Lucky Lucy!!!
You both are such an inspiration to writers the world over!
And that's the heart of MUSE THERAPY - writers helping and inspiring other writers along their Yellow Brick Roads to Publishing Oz.
Sexy Sassy Smart MUSE THERAPY Wishes --- D. D. ScottLabels: All-Things-Muses, Muse Therapy, Muse Therapy Guest Bloggers
Friday, October 15, 2010
MUSE THERAPY - Links To Buy Now In!!!
More TGIF Wishes comin' atchya as well as the promised To Buy-Links for MUSE THERAPY: UNLEASHING YOUR INNER SYBIL!
So here they are:
Amazon Kindle (or your PC, Laptop, or Smart Phone):
http://www.amazon.com/Muse-Therapy-Unleashing-Inner-ebook/dp/B004774LN4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&s=digital-text&qid=1287168470&sr=8-1
Smashwords (for your PC, Laptop, Smart Phone or your Sony E-Reader, nook, iPad, or Kobo):
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/26920
Here's to wishing you and your muses too one heckuva fabulous weekend of pampering and creative fun!!!
Sexy Sassy Smart MUSE THERAPY Wishes --- D. D. Scott
P.S. And don't forget tomorrow we'll meet High-Class Hillbilly Writer Tonya Kappes (http://tonyakappes.com) and her muse Lucky Lucy!!!Labels: E-Book Country, Muse Therapy
MUSE THERAPY: UNLEASHING YOUR INNER SYBIL Is Here!!!
Pop-out the corks on your favorite bottles of wine!!!
Oh, and my preference would be Oliver Wine - http://www.oliverwinery.com/ - (the Sweet Red kind)!
Or better yet, how ‘bout a fabulously warm and smooth Black Russian?
It’s a big ‘ole huge TGIF Toast-Time in D. D. Scott-ville’s Muse Who-ville!!!
MUSE THERAPY: UNLEASHING YOUR INNER SYBIL (the book) is here!!!
http://www.amazon.com/Muse-Therapy-Unleashing-Inner-ebook/dp/B004774LN4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&s=digital-text&qid=1287130501&sr=8-1
Today is the official Release Day for my MUSE THERAPY book and the official Release Day for the pampering of muses the world over!!!
No longer will your creative divas be boo-hooing and pouting like naughty children.
Well...they’ll still be naughty and a wee bit child-like too. And probably on the nutty side of life as well...but in a fabulous, sparkly nuthouse where they’re about to be crowned the Kings and Queens of Your Creative Kingdoms!
Here’s the scoop...
MUSE THERAPY – the book version of my wildly successful Muse Therapy Online Classes and Live Workshops - utilizes fun and fabulous tools to inject life into writers’ tired and/or stressed out muses. By showing you how to analyze your muses’ funks, rein in your creative divas and ultimately up your page counts, I’ve created a writer’s go-to-manual for “muse disorders”. I’ll help you dig deep then deeper still into your writer psyche.
Why am I helping writers the world over?
I’ll tell y’all why...
Once upon a time my muses weren’t ticking. They were ticked off. Why? Because they were too damn tired and stressed out trying to find their way on the Yellow Brick Road to Publishing Oz. Screw the Happily Ever After. My creative divas couldn’t produce past page one.
Saying that writing-for-publication is tough is the bolder-than-bold-faced understatement of the new millennium. Writing-for-publication is a bitch! There’s just no sweeter-than-raw-sugar way to say it. And with today’s huge economic and technological changes, it ain’t gettin’ any easier.
But once I show you how to recognize, acknowledge and accept your muses’ afflictions and teach you my tricks, tips and “trips” to treat the word witches of your writing world, you and your muses will be cranking out pages with gusto.
Here’s the secret MUSE THERAPY reveals...and thus why we’re all about popping corks today in D. D. Scott-ville...
Upping page counts isn’t done by hurling nasty insults at your muses. Oh no. When writing-for-publication, you must wine and dine those divas. Whether it’s with coffee, chocolate, fabulous finds in some chic boutique, or with what I call Muse Therapy Trips, it’s all about pampering those chicks and chucks ‘til you get out of them exactly what you want...and then some.
With MUSE THERAPY, you’ll have a terrific, LOL time conquering your creative divas and taking back the crown of your personal Muse-ville kingdoms.
So if alcohol and/or liquor aren’t your thing, then flip-on your
Or
Sink your teeth into a
Or
Shop ‘til you drop
Then
Sit your ass in your comfy-est chair and put-up your feet
You’re ready to embark on your first of many MUSE THERAPY Sessions.
Welcome to “therapy”...MUSE THERAPY that is.
Here is the Amazon link to get you going (I'll also post the Smashwords link as soon as I have it.):
http://www.amazon.com/Muse-Therapy-Unleashing-Inner-ebook/dp/B004774LN4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&s=digital-text&qid=1287130501&sr=8-1
I can’t wait to Meet-and Greet Your Muses!!!
Sexy Sassy Smart MUSE THERAPY Wishes --- D. D. Scott
P.S. And to help y’all out in your MUSE THERAPY journey, beginning tomorrow (Saturday, October 16th), I’m going to be hosting some of the fabulous writers/authors and their muses too that I’ve met while bringing MUSE THERAPY to life!
P.S.S. To kick-off our D. D. Scott-ville Meet The Muses Mayhem, I’m welcoming High-Class Hillbilly Writer Tonya Kappes (http://tonyakappes.com) and her feather boa-d muse Lucky Lucy! You won’t want to miss our hillbilly mayhem tomorrow!!!
P.S.S. To tide you over 'til then, since it is TGIF Bitchy Sign, Quotes & Anecdotes Day in D. D. Scott-ville, I'm leaving you with the Queen of All Bitchy Signs that will treat you thru-out MUSE THERAPY. This little gem will be your life-line on your writing-for-publication journey...
 Labels: All-Things-Muses, Behind and Beyond My Books, Bitchy Signs, Muse Therapy, Muse Therapy Guest Bloggers
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Behind & Beyond My Books: So Just How Long Will MUSE THERAPY Pamper You & Your Muses Too?
MUSE THERAPY Launch-Month Mayhem (Day 14):
So you've just got one more day to wait 'til you and your muses will be FOREVER pampered by my MUSE THERAPY techniques!!!
FOREVER?!
That's right...FOREVER!!!
Don’t fool yourself into thinking once you’re done with MUSE THERAPY: UNLEASHING YOUR INNER SYBIL - the book version of my Muse Therapy Online Classes and Live Workshops - the first time, you’re good to go.
Writers are WIPs (Works In Progress) just like the WIPs they write.
Our muses can always use a tune-up. And MUSE THERAPY FOR WRITERS: UNLEASHING YOUR INNER SYBIL is the right mechanic as verified by the following bestselling authors:
"Had a blast doing this. Love your idea, and hope you have a terrific time with it!" - Jennifer Greene aka Alison Hart
"Sounds like fun, and I'm sure will help people." - Eloisa James
"Love your subtitles :)" - Allison Brennan
"All the best! I have to find a time...I'll be home long enough to take the whole course!" – Nancy Haddock
"I really REALLY appreciate your asking for my input. I’m so excited... and know it’s going to be amazing. I’ll send people your way!!" – Tawny Weber
"Thanks so much for asking me to participate! This was fun. :)" - Cynthia Eden
"Thanks so much for including me in your workshop quotes! I really like your "voice" and humor. Let me know if there is anything else I can do." - Marcia James
So get back on that couch of yours and put up your feet.
You’re ready to embark on your first of many MUSE THERAPY sessions.
MUSE THERAPY: UNLEASHING YOUR INNER SYBIL releases tomorrow - Friday, October 15th - on Amazon's Kindle and Smashwords too!!! (I'll post the links tomorrow as soon as I have 'em!!!)
In the mean time, here's a little trick for you to try while reading MUSE THERAPY the first time:
Take note of the creative exercises I teach "in therapy" that really make your muses dance like nobody’s watching. You’ll return to these fun and fabulous tools whenever your creative divas need another kick in the pants.
Sexy Sassy Smart MUSE THERAPY Pamper Yourself and Your Muses Too Forever Wishes --- D. D. ScottLabels: All-Things-Muses, Behind and Beyond My Books, Muse Therapy
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Behind & Beyond My Books: How To Pack For Your MUSE THERAPY Adventure
MUSE THERAPY Launch-Month Mayhem (Day 13):
It's almost time to get started on your MUSE THERAPY Adventure - in just two days to be exact!!!
So how should you pack for the trip along your Yellow Brick Road to Publishing Oz? Or, in other words, what do you need for your MUSE THERAPY journey?
Yesterday, I told you to pick your comfy-est chair. Plus, I showed you the exact spot where I get comfy with my muses to let their magic begin...
So grab your comfy couch or your favorite chair and put-up your feet. It's just about time to give your muses a big-time boost of productive power.
Note: I'm serious about putting up your feet. Get comfortable. Whatever form that takes for you.
Now besides a comfy couch or chair, you'll need the following tools on your MUSE THERAPY journey:
1. A Journal or Notebook – one that really makes your muses wake-up and take notice. Something so in line with their tastes that they’re dying to crack open the cover and get to work. For example, I love anything hot pink and chocolate brown in color, and the more sparkles on it the better. So I snatch up those puppies wherever and whenever I find ‘em. And don’t forget the equally fabulous pen or pencil your muses also can’t resist. Oh, and if you’re a techno person, using your PC, laptop or notebook, or smart phone is perfectly fine too. MUSE THERAPY is all about whatever works for you and your muses. Who cares what anyone else thinks of your methods and tools?
Here's a peek at my current go-to MUSE THERAPY sparkly pens and skull-fancy plus Wonder Woman too notebooks...
2. A Reward Box - to fill with slips of paper containing treats for yourself as rewards for reining in your creative divas and upping your page counts. For example, I might jot down that I’d like a mani or pedi or mani/pedi combo – depending on my budget. Or how about an evening at the movie theatre instead of at home with my DVR? And I’d love to have another massage. So I write down all these treats and toss them into my Reward Box. Every so often, after I’ve met another production goal, I pick a slip from the box and treat myself and my muses to something I know ahead of time I’ll beyond love. And as in the above MUSE THERAPY tool, of course it’s okay to put all your rewards on some techno-terrific spreadsheet too!
Okay...so currently my Reward Box is a Sucker Bowl.
And no, not because I'm celebrating that another sucker is born every second. Nice try. Anyhoo...I'm in this Sucker-Mode in which every accomplishment earns me a yummy-yum-yum gourmet lollipop! And I can do this because I'm the boss over my Creative Kingdom so what I say goes. Today's treat is Key Lime Pie-flavored!!!
So what will your rewards be in your Creative Muse Who-villes?
To pamper your muses, you must first pamper yourself.
Whether with Gourmet Lollipops or Mani/Pedi Combo's or whatever else makes you crank out pages with gusto.
In MUSE THERAPY, it’s all about you, Baby! Give yourself permission to be queen of your creative domain and treat yourself accordingly.
Your muses will be glad you did and so will you.
Sexy Sassy Smart MUSE THERAPY Pampering Yourself & Your Muses Too Wishes --- D. D. Scott
P.S. Tomorrow, I'll fill you in on just how long you get to be pampered...Labels: All-Things-Muses, Behind and Beyond My Books, Muse Therapy
Behind & Beyond My Books: How MUSE THERAPY Went From Online Classes & Live Workshops to a Book Too!!!
MUSE THERAPY Launch-Month Mayhem (Day 12):
Good Morning, Creative Divas and Dans!
Can you believe the fabulous list of authors who helped make my MUSE THERAPY: UNLEASHING YOUR INNER SYBIL book a reality?!
If you missed the list, see my blog post from yesterday...
Then do the Snoopy Happy Dance with me!!! 'Cause that Romance Genre Superstar List is sooo worthy of a spin around the dance floor!!!
Believe you me, I was shocked to garner attention from such writing greats!
I conceived MUSE THERAPY: UNLEASHING YOUR INNER SYBIL as an online class that I’d be lucky to attract interest in since, at that time, I was still unpublished.
But I went for the gusto and debuted the idea at RWA’s National Conference in Washington D.C. in July 2009 to beyond gigantic kudos.
I then booked seventeen online classes and live workshops within the next sixty days (including being asked to provide “therapy” for the 2010 RT Convention in Columbus Ohio).
Muses were evidently hurting all over the globe...
And I’d realized the awesome reach of my approach. I’d created a huge hit for writers to heal their partners on the page!
And wow was I completely humbled when Muse Therapy class participants continued to beg me to write a companion book.
Even though I had no clue what the Hell I was doing (just ask my agent), I soon set out on that Yellow Brick Road to Non-Fiction Publishing Oz.
All I had to do, like I’ll show you to do, was rein in my creative divas.
And come this Friday - October 15th - you can read the results when MUSE THERAPY: UNLEASHING YOUR INNER SYBIL is released for E-readers, smart phones, PCs and laptops the world over!!!
So pick out your comfy-est chair...'cause you're about to spend quality time there learning how to pamper your muses all the way to your own Publishing Oz.
Here's my favorite chair...
So what will you need - along with your comfy chair and a copy of MUSE THERAPY - to begin you and your muses' journey along your very own Yellow Brick Road to Publishing Oz?
I'll give you the scoop on that tomorrow...
Sexy Sassy Smart MUSE THERAPY Wishes --- D. D. ScottLabels: All-Things-Muses, Behind and Beyond My Books, Getting My Name and Brand Out There, Muse Therapy
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