And the Early Copy of FAST FICTION goes to...

I threw all the names in a hat (well, actually it was a bowl)--every kind soul who tweeted and commented and helped to spread the word about FAST FICTION. I am so thankful to ALL of you. And I can only give one book away (for now), but even if you didn't win, if you'd be interested in a couple of signed bookmarks, send me your mailing address to d(at)denisejaden(dot)com, and I'd love to send you that as a thank you.

But for today, I have one copy of FAST FICTION to give away. And it goes to... (drum roll, please...)

JOLI @ ACTIN' UP WITH BOOKS!

Congratulations, Joli! Send me your mailing address and I'll get that in the mail to you ASAP.

Thanks again, everyone, for helping to spread the word. Bless you all!

Fast Fiction Friday: Love Your Work

I'll be back soon to draw a winner for the Early Copy of Fast Fiction. I've been super-busy, which means that if you haven't entered yet, you still have time!

Just like any other writer on the planet, I definitely go through times where I doubt my ability as a writer. It can be difficult to slog on through a draft or a revision when we're in that state of self-doubt. It can be even harder to write well, since confident writing is difficult to fake!

I keep a Word document file on my computer that's called "Favorite Writing," and it's made up of bits and pieces of writing I've done over the years--a paragraph or a sentence or a metaphor I particularly liked. Every once in a while, I need to open up this document. The truth is, I've trained myself in being disciplined, and I'm going to complete my daily writing no matter what. But looking over this file, remembering some of the writing that I have loved, I truly think it helps me bypass some of that garbage, I'm-a-lousy-writer-and-should-stick-to cleaning-toilets attitude that sometimes comes over me.

Do you ever take moments out to "love your work?" If not, how do you battle your self-doubt seeping into your writing?

Writing Prompt Wednesday: Be a Ninja!

I think we all wish we could be a fly on the wall in certain situations. Maybe we'd like to see how someone close to us acts when we're not around. Maybe we're interested in knowing what groups of the opposite sex really talk about when left to themselves.

Today, give your main character some ninja abilities, so that he or she can stealthily sneak into a situation that he or she has only wished to be able to see. Where would your character love to be a fly on the wall if it were possible? Then write a short scene of what he or she sees and hears. Is it what they expect? How will this information change his or her life?

Fast Fiction Friday: When There Really IS No Time

Sometimes there really isn't any time to write. I get it. I do. I've certainly had those days or weeks, sometimes even months. In fact, I've been feeling a bit swamped lately between promotional prep for FAST FICTION, a few new homeschooling commitments, and just life commitments in general.

My first aim when I get this busy is to keep perspective. The busyness will not last forever. I know that.

Secondly, I TRY to remember to stay sensible in committing to things and prioritizing commitments. Other people will always think your commitments are super-important if it's something that involves them. But, really, I have to ask myself often if commitments are really urgent, or if I'm just taking on someone else's stress.

Once I get those two things out of the way, rather than singing the blues about my lack of writing time, I instead try to flex my brainstorming muscle. I think of ideas while I'm taxiing my son around in the car. Or when I'm running errands or in lineups. I keep an app on my phone where I input any and all ideas I come up with, so even if I'm not doing any actual writing, I still feel like I'm being creative and somewhat productive. Which, in turn, gives me a better attitude.

What do you do when you get too busy? Any tips and tricks? I'd love to hear them!

Early Copy of Fast Fiction #Giveaway!

My author copies of FAST FICTION just arrived on my doorstep! It's still early. The release date isn't until February 18th, but I'm so excited, and they're so beautiful, I can't help but give a copy away!

All you have to do to enter to win is comment on this post, tweet about the contest, or spread the word on Facebook (make sure to tag @denisejaden on Twitter and Denise Jaden on FB so I can count your entries).

Enter in all three places for extra entries. This contest is open internationally. I'll draw a random winner on January 30th.

Here's a little more about the book:

Writers flock to National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) each November because it provides a procrastination-busting deadline. But only a fraction of the participants meet their goal. Denise Jaden was part of that fraction, writing first drafts of her two published young adult novels during NaNoWriMo. In Fast Fiction, she shows other writers how to do what she did, step-by-step, writer to writer. Her process starts with a prep period for thinking through plot, theme, characters, and setting. Then Jaden provides day-by-day coaching for the thirty-day drafting period. Finally, her revision tips help writers turn merely workable drafts into compelling and publishable novels.

A portion of publisher proceeds will be donated to National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo)

All the best with entering! May the force be with you...

Writing Prompt Wednesday: Do-Over!

I love those books and movies that show a character getting a chance at a do-over in some area that he or she has regrets. Even though it seems like a dream come true, more often that not in storytelling, trying to erase regrets usually backfires. The character tries to do better, but actually ends up doing much worse in the process. BEFORE I FALL by Lauren Oliver is a great example of this.

Today give one of your characters a do-over. What does he or she wish they could have a second shot at, beyond anything else? Will it work out like he or she expects? How could this do-over end up making your character's life much, much worse?

Fast Fiction Friday: Text-to-Speech

When it comes to polishing my manuscripts, my biggest help and time saver is a text-to-speech editor--or a little computerized voice that reads me my stories. You see, when I'm reading my own stories, I don't notice many spelling mistakes or garbled wording of sentences. I sound them out in my head the way I think they should sound--if written correctly. But with a computer reading to me, I notice so many problems I can't pick up on my own.

I used to do this on my Kindle, since it has a built-in text-to-speech editor, but just recently I discovered that I can also do this in MS Word! And it's already installed and a much more natural-sounding voice than on my Kindle. (To set this up, go up to the very top left hand corner of your MS Word screen. There are a few little icons there. Click on the far right one, which should read "Customize Quick Access Toolbar" when you mouse over it. Then choose "More Commands". Where it says "Choose Commands From" it will probably say "Popular Commands". Change this to "All Commands" and then scroll down in the commands box below until you find "Speak". Add it to the right hand box, and from then on, a little "Speak" icon will now appear in your Quick Access Toolbar at the top.)

Do you use text-to-speech to help you polish? If so, I'd love to hear what editor you use and how it works for you!