This Week’s Quote
Category: Motivation
Becoming–
I am asked frequently how I became a writer. I’m asked also how I come up with my story ideas.
My response is: how do you not have stories constantly running through your head?
I’ve been making up stories for as long as I can remember. A wonderful lady used to tell how I would be going to sleep when we were all camping and they would hear my voice acting out some scene or other. That’s when I was maybe three or four years old.
Everything I see is filed away and it’s fun to take things out and examine them to see if they will fit into my current WIP (work in progress). Sometimes I’ll write a scene and a memory will pop up that I can integrate into the description.
The fun of writing the Guinness the Therapy Dog series is that I have the famous dog right here at my feet. If I want to see how he plays with a ball, I can throw it for him. It’s fun to have my subject ready to watch!
I hope you are living your own story! Sonja
This Week’s Quote
This Week’s Question
February Bucket List
Here is a bucket list for this month:
Read at least two books
Find a new author that you love
Try a new genre
Draw a picture
Walk your dog as many days as possible
Remember all the birthdays this month
Find a new podcast
Improve your sleep by reducing screen time before bed
Cook or bake something using a new recipe
Hug your dog every day (No dog? Hug your neighbor’s dog!)
Enjoy this new month. Sonja
This Week’s Quote
Blogs, and Podcasts, and Articles. Oh, My!!!
Photo by James Tarbotton on Unsplash 
Photo by Jonathan Farber on Unsplash Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash
Lately, I have been trying to keep up on the happenings in the publishing world. What a task! Things happen so fast.
A publishing house that I admired has closed its doors. Agents come and go from agency to agency. Books are published, make lists, and then are gone.
How to keep up?
Blogs, podcasts, and articles!
I’ve also found that some agents write essays on their websites that are full of information and tips
It’s our job as writers to watch the industry and learn what’s going on. There is a lot of information on the web. Go find it.
Local indie bookstores are great sources for info and books. The owners tend to know what’s coming down the publishing pipe and are happy to recommend titles. Just ask! These fascinating and fun stores are the lifeblood of the writing game.
Near where I live, there is a large book festival that attracts approximately 135,000 people. I love attending, showing off my books, and meeting the parents and children that stroll through all the booths and tables. I have found that most want to buy a physical book and aren’t interested in downloading an ebook. I love to see people walking past my table with bags of books.
It makes me optimistic about the future of the book world.
I hope you take the time to read today. Choose the format you like and find a comfy corner. I read printed and ebooks, plus listen to audiobooks in the car. Find what works for you.
Keep reading! Sonja
Bucket List!
About a year-and-a-half ago, I was able to mark a big item off my bucket list. I was able to hike the Inka Trail to Machu Picchu!
I have wanted to see this spectacular area since I learned about it in elementary school. My sister took me there as a gift (great sister, huh?)! The Inka Trail (yes, that’s the correct spelling) was an arduous hike on uneven and slippery rocks. See the photo. That’s what we hiked on for three of the four days. We slept in tents and our porters (best ever!) cooked for us and carried a large percentage of our load.
I couldn’t have made it all the way to Machu Picchu without their help!
When I look through my (thousands) of photos from the trail, I can remember how amazing and how difficult it was to hike on those rocks, with my loaded pack, at that altitude.
It was one of the most difficult, and rewarding, things I have ever done.
I hope you have a chance to challenge yourself and cross something off your bucket list! Sonja
Make a Difference.
Kudos!!!
The reviews for ‘The Voyage’ are in!!!
Read the illustrated easy-to-read book that has been given 5 stars!
“Everyone in the Wing Family should read this book.”
“Nicely written.”
“Has a very nice story and beautiful pictures.”
Click on The Voyage link in the left margin of this web site for the paperback or the ebook.
Leave a review on Amazon.com so I can see what you think! Sonja