Being a Flexibly, Trained Writer with Natalie C. Markey

Happy Friday Y'all!

Two quick things to shout out: First, you can still *Sign Up* to be a part of my COVER REVEAL happening (3/12/12). Click the link to find out all about it. Also, if you missed my guest post at Adventures in Children's Publishing Wednesday, you may want to hop over and check it out. I actually GIVE YOU PERMISSION TO BE STUBBORN. Yep, you heard me. This post is for anyone who's ever struggled to find the balance between being open to critique and suggestion while still holding tight to the core of your story. Or if you just want to come show me some love =)

Speaking of guest posts, I have one here for you today. Natalie C. Markey is a complete doll that I've known for almost a year and a half now. She is a master juggler--no, not the circus kind, but a variety of writing projects along with her Mommy hat. She  has an EXCELLENT online class she teaches . . . but I'll let her tell you about it.

Have a great weekend everyone . . . Natalie, take it away!

Why you should be a flexibly, trained writer

By Author Natalie C. Markey

            No one ever said that being a writer was easy. If someone told you that, then I’m willing to bet they aren’t a writer or they aren’t anymore. It takes unresolved discipline, a large serving of want and a great amount of will power. The only way to manage this life is to constantly keep training and stay flexible.

            That may sound like a recipe for marathon training but writing is very similar to a marathon. Discipline, want, will power, training and flexibility.  Writing has them all. Now add a job and family into that mix and you get chaos.  We all have busy lives and it’s easy to say, “Oh I can write that chapter tomorrow.” This is where your training and flexibility will come into play.

            After some years in the publications and communications fields, I now write from home working on freelance contracts, non-fiction and fiction books. I do this all while caring for my 19-month-old daughter and making sure a healthy meal is on the table each night when my husband comes home from work. I then have to fit in my workout time and carve out some fun for myself. I will say that my “fun” is normally brainstorming new projects. Yep, I’m a writing nerd and proud of it! But I manage this by constantly training and staying flexible.

            My writing is training. Reading a craft book is training. Understanding that you can always grow and get better is training. Joining a writing group is training. There are many ways you can fine-tune your craft. Being a mom to a very active toddler is always training me in the act of patience.

            Now I mentioned that it’s easy to want to put writing off. I mean it’s not like you’re at an office with a boss looking over your work. If you have deadlines, your agent/publisher is not standing there watching you. It’s tempting to slack and get caught up in life. Your training can help conquer such temptation but then this is also where that flexibility comes in. You need to know when it’s OK to not write that planned one thousand words.

            I’m talking about more than taking care of a family crisis. I’ve seen how easy it is to fall behind when a loved one is sick but we are human and to me at least— family comes first. I will say my iPAD made it possible to write from the hospital more so than I would’ve…but back to my point! There are times when writers should be flexible to take a break. It’s OK to breathe. Avoid burnout. For me, my breaks usually involve an hour or two of playing with Little People animal play sets with my daughter. Her energy always revives me when I feel drained. It also reminds me of why I write.

            I’ve wanted to be a writer ever since I used to sit in my closet (in a basket of stuffed animals) as a child in hopes of going to Narnia. Unfortunately I didn’t have a wardrobe. But once I learned that a writer created Narnia, I knew that I wanted to take other readers on journeys to incredible worlds.

            I do write fiction. I have built worlds and I’m revising and making them better. Though I am a seasoned freelance writer and a published non-fiction author I know that through my training I will get there. I will remain flexible as to take care of me and avoid the dreaded writer’s burnout. And most of all I will maintain my passion and always remember why I write.

            A special thanks to Rachel for having me as a guest. She is one woman that I know must be disciplined and flexible to accomplish what she does. You go girl!

            Part of training and maintaining flexibility is taking time to be a student. Sign up for an online writing class. If you are a writing mom like, whether you work from home or work long into the night after your day job, then my workshop next month might help you in your training. Back by popular demand is Writing Moms: You can have it all without losing your mind, presented by Who Dares Wins Publishing Write It Forward Workshops. Learn more here.

Natalie C. Markey is a seasoned freelance writer including popular columns like The Mortal Instruments Examiner and Special Needs Dog Care Examiner. She is the author of “Caring for Your Special Needs Dogs.” Follow her on Twitter, Pen to Publish blog, and her website.

Writing Communities Outside the Box (Guest Post by Natalie C. Markey)

Last week, I wrote on Writing Communities and asked for anyone with a success story on how the writing community at large has helped, encouraged, or inspired them, to let me know. One of my good writing buds, Natalie C. Markey answered the call. Keep reading to hear how Natalie reached outside the box to find a great support system and network.

Take it away, girl!

Finding Writing Communities Outside the Box

Recently Rachel Harris wrote about writing communities. Like Rachel, I’ve been amazed by the support and user-friendly attitude of writing communities. Though I share some of the same writing communities with Rachel (YA Sisterhood, Houston YA/MG, #MyWANA) I challenge her readers to think outside the box, as I did in finding more valued communities.

When I was in the early stages of writing my book, I knew that I needed to join some kind of writing group in order to learn about the industry and seek publication guidance. I thought, who better to ask than an author? So, I went to a book signing of one of my favorite authors, Kimberly Frost. I asked her about writing groups and she suggested that I join the local chapter (at the time I lived in Houston) of West Houston Romance Writers of America. My hesitation was that I didn’t write traditional romance. Yes, my YA has a romantic element to it but it is nothing that a reader will find in the romance section of their bookstore.

When I pointed this out to Kimberly she informed me that many writers in the group write in genres other than romance. The fact is that writing fiction is writing fiction. Whether I’m drafting a query letter for a YA or a romance, the elements are very much the same. The fact is that RWA is one of the most active writing organizations in the world. Members have access to so many valuable resources. I would have never thought about joining this group on my own and I’m so glad that I did!

Joining RWA not only has given me great resources but it also is responsible for the publication of my non-fiction novel. It was at a West Houston RWA meeting that I met NY Times best-selling author and co-founder of Who Dares Wins Publishing Bob Mayer. My book, “Caring for Your Special Needs Dog” published by Who Dares Wins in now available.

Another writing community that I advise writers to take advantage of is through your literary agency or publisher, once you have one. I love the helpful and team-like environment that the authors with Who Dares Wins Publishing have. We bounce ideas off of each other and help promote each other’s books.

Writers need community. After long hours of sitting alone in front of our computer and notes we need other people who understand us. The writing industry is full of resources and communities to take advantage of. Find the communities that fit you and you’ll further enrich your writing experience.

Natalie C. Markey is a nine-year seasoned freelance journalist. She writes for several local and National publications. After a professional career in PR and Communications, she now writes non-fiction and fiction full time from a forest in Arkansas. She lives with her supportive husband, daughter and dog. Follow Natalie’s blog Pen to Publish and on Twitter @NatalieCMarkey