Sunday, August 3, 2014

Swapping Blogs with author Dawn Luedecke ~ and a #Giveaway

Today's guest post is by one of my fellow authors at The Wild Rose Press - we swapped blogs for the day, and I'm over at her blog talking about finding inspiration in the everyday.

Dawn is on her BLAZING THE WEST blog tour, and I'm happy to be one of her stops! In addition to writing steamy cowboys, Dawn's a busy mom and thought she'd share some of her writing tips with us. She's also giving away an autographed copy of my upcoming release, MIDNIGHT ROOM, so be sure to leave a comment to be entered into the contest!
 
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Time Saving Tactics, by Dawn Luedecke

One of the most difficult things for a working mother is to find time to work, but for those writers who want to make a career out of writing, it is essential. In fact, while I write this I’m feeding a newborn while my year old takes a nap, and my two older children play outside. All while living in an RV during a move from the East coast to Alaska. To top it off I am going on tour and have a book release.  
 While I certainly don’t claim to be an expert at writing (and let’s face it, with the ever changing rules of fiction writing, no one is), I can definitely claim to be an expert at finding time to write. So, I’ve decided to share my time saving secrets for those word count struggling authors.

1. Invest in a tablet
One thing I have invested in that has been a lifesaver for me is an iPad (any tablet with a writing app would work). I take my iPad with me when I run errands and any chance I get I pull it out and write.

2. Turn off the television or any other distractions
Many times I find myself side tracked by television, internet, and other electronic distractions. I simply turn those diversions off and I can focus better. Although, I have heard of others authors who use the television to set the mood. To each her own.

3. Listen to mood setting music
One of my focus tactics is to put on a headset and listen to music that sets the mood and helps me to focus on my words. This, to me, is not a distraction as the television is.

4. Write between nap time or while children are playing or at school
Naptime, playtime, and school are my favorite times of the day. I try and get all of my chores done early so that when I have those blessed few hours of silence, I can concentrate on writing.

These are a few tactics I use in order to write and keep up with my career as an author. Many authors have different strategies that work for them. The key is to find what helps you out, and use it.

What do you do to help you write? Leave a comment below for a chance to win ~ the prize is an autographed copy of my upcoming release, MIDNIGHT ROOM!

Here is a preview into one of the books I have written using my time saving tactics.

About the Book:
Running from a past of privilege, deceit, and danger, Travis Simms is ready to settle down. What better place to forget all he left behind than the quiet little Montana town of Lolo Hot Springs? His goal is clear — build a hotel and his own destiny without complications —until one of the town’s most troublesome women captures his attention.
Dusty Larson is hell bent on independence, helping her sister run the Triple D Ranch. She can do anything a man can, and do it better, so she certainly doesn’t need one in her life. The only problem is she seems to attract bad luck and danger...and Travis. Can he tame her wild ways and keep his bachelor status intact — or does he risk losing his heart?

Excerpt from To Tame a Montana Heart, by Dawn Luedecke




She watched him with care. “I don’t know if I love you. I like you, a lot, but I don’t have the slightest idea what love feels like.”


Travis’ smile grew slowly across his face. “I understand. I’m not sure if I love you or not, but I also don’t think I could live without you. So you will always have that.” His voice was almost a whisper when he said the last.

“Truly?” Her voice cracked and she had to force herself to breathe easy.

“Truly.”

She inclined her head and took two brisk steps toward him. She leaned over and kissed him with all the fever of a thousand fires. He reached up and intertwined his hand through her hair to hold her still as he plundered her mouth.

She released him with a shaky breath and jumped back to turn on her heels. “Put something nice on. I’ll be back with a preacher man.”

“You know, I heard you only have to say ‘I marry you’ three times and then you’re hitched.”

She threw him a sassy look and slammed the door shut.


About the Author:
A country girl born and bred, Dawn Luedecke has spent most of her life surrounded by horses, country folk, and the wild terrain of Nevada, Idaho and Montana. As a child she would spend many afternoons reading books, watching western classics, and Rogers and Hammerstein movies. When she grew up she decided to leave the quiet country life for a chance to find adventure by serving a successful tour in the United States Coast Guard. During that time she found her soul mate (and alpha male) and started a family and writing career. She enjoys writing historical and paranormal romance and spends as much time as she can working on her current manuscript. For more information visit www.dawnluedecke.com.


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Social media links


Twitter: @d_luedecke





2 comments:

  1. Thank you so much for hosting me! I just got out of bed from the flu, so I missed the deadline. So sorry!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm giving away a $25 amazon gift card. Read the comments on the guest blogs along the way and be the first to answer the question on my website.

    Right now we are at hurricane ridge in Port Angeles, Wa. Not doing anything but relaxing and preping to head up through Canada after my tour.

    ReplyDelete

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