Saturday, December 31, 2011

Happy New Years from Missy Lyons!

Happy New Year's everyone!

It's time to end the year 2011, whether we are ready or not--and I am ready!!

I am finding myself looking back over the year and evaluating what I did well and what didn't work. I think 2011 kicked my butt and then turned around and did it again. My husband lost his eye this year and my babygirl underwent a her first surgery. My priorities changed and I began to deal with what was most important to me--family. I stopped writing for the first half of the year and then took it up again in Summer and Fall and I think my word count for the year ended up being around 80,000 words. Not bad for putting my writing on a back burner. It's been quite a ride. Now I can't wait for this year to end so I can take the reins back to my life and get this horse and pony show started. lol

In 2012 I already have two releases scheduled and plans to use my time more wisely. I have a few friends that have already written down a list of the books they plan to write. Me? I'm not so organized, but I will be writing.

What are your plans for the New Year?

Lots of love to you all and I hope all your hopes and dreams come true for 2012! Happy New Years!

Missy Lyons www.missylyons.com

Tonight I plan to break out the bubbly and celebrate until I can't party anymore and then I'll be sleeping it off tomorrow just like this guy. lol Enjoy your New Year's y'all!

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

So you want to be a writer?

I think everyone has a story in their heart. Something they may have waited all their life to find the time to get down on paper. I've talked to many of these people at conferences and events like my booksignings where they ask my advice. It's the same every time and I have to wonder why they choose not to just sit down and do it.

My advice is the same every time. I have three simple rules to becoming a writer.

1. Read.

Don't think it comes easy. You need to study the books you read. The plot, the grammar, the spelling, and the style it's written in, but not just the obvious things. Look at the best sellers and try to figure out why people are hooked on those books. You need to understand what people want to read and study other books in the genre you wish to write.

2. Write--but more importantly Re-write.

Your book will never get written if you don't sit down and write it. Make time to pound on the keyboard and try to keep your writing time sacred, but when you finally finish that story don't stop there. Now the hard part is editing and rewriting your story to make it a great story.

3. Look for opportunities to publish what you write.

It does you no good to write and then bury your work in a closet. You need to try to put your work out where the general public can see it. Whether you get paid for what you write or not is not important (yet). This will enable you to get feedback and see what you need to improve to begin living your dream.

Being paid as a professional writer.


So, that's my basic advice. Whether you choose to follow it or not is another story, but becoming a writer is simple. You can do it too.

Lots of Love,
Missy Lyons
Author of Magic, Seduction, and Fantasy
www.missylyons.com

Author of ONE ONE TOUCH ONE GLANCE at Freya's Bower

Available at:

http://www.freyasbower.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=19&products_id=265