The New Writer's CREED 2015

A writer is not a lone solder, mucking it up among words, phrases, and paragraphs. No, a writer is never alone with his/her work. Each writer is only one thread in the tapestry of communication and creative escape our world desperately needs.
WE are community. 
Three years ago, when I released my first Writer's Rebel CREED, my intentions were simply to give myself a method of self-encouragement and accountability. Being a visual person, I needed to SEE it everyday. After creating it, I decided others might benefit from it too. 
The writing community shares a plethora of strengths and weaknesses. We experience similar creative frustrations that slowly gnaw away our motivation. One writer's grammar sense pales in comparison to another's. Creative ideas seem to ooze from some writer's brains, yet others struggle to come up with that next scene. Despite one's strengths and another's weakness, writers never pin those against each other. Instead, we lend our knowledge and experience out in hopes of aiding each other - a community of generosity.  
This year's creed shares similar messages from the last two, but I've added a few new elements I hope you'll be excited about.
1. Any writer who pledges the creed will be added to a Twitter list, which I will share with all creed members. Using hashtag #writercreed, members can share encouragement, good news, needs, and anything else with all members any time they want. There is no set date or time. My hope is that members will take advantage of this easy way to keep in touch and keep the creed alive throughout 2015. 
2. In conjunction with the hashtag #writercreed, members can also tweet #BR or #CP, indicating you are in need of a beta reader or critique partner.
3. I will also be choosing a writing quote at the beginning of each month for members to retweet on Twitter. If members don't have a Twitter account, feel free to share anything via Facebook using the hashtag. 
4. Finally - and my favorite (thanks Robyn) - in conjunction with our hashtag #writercreed, members can also request a #wordsprint - challenging any other member to write nonstop for at least an hour and then report back to each other. Yay! How fun and productive! This writing method is super worthy to produce lots of wordage from you. I've done these before, but they always seem to fade out. I wanted to create an easy way to organize it and keep word sprints alive. Hope you take advantage of it. I know I will. 
Here is this year's creed:

I would be honored for you to join me in committing to this CREED. 

• Simply add your name & Twitter tag (ex: mine is @SA_Larsen) to the linky list below. (Required)
• Add your blog/site link.
• Copy the CREED Badge and paste it on your site, encouraging others to join us. I've included a smaller size for your convenience. (Not required)

I will continue to share this post via social media outlets now and again, hoping to encourage others to join us. The commitment is virtually effortless, but the gains will surely be great. It's be wonderful if you'd share away too. 
This is my last post of 2014. It's been a tougher year for me and my family than in previous years. We've been presented by many challenges, most of which forced me to cut my already blogging time and posts in half. Most of those challenges I've yet to share with you, but do plan to in the near future. 

I look to 2015 with hope and a positive attitude that all is looking up. I wish you all the same. Thank you for allowing me to be part of your lives and for blessing me with you in mine.
Have a wonderful and safe holiday! Until the new year, Alleywalkers ...

VITAMINS AND DEATH ~ a YA Giveaway!

Check out this new book blast. I've been fortunate enough to receive an eCopy from Medeia. I began reading this story the other night and can't wait to share my thoughts with you. Honestly, if you have a young adult on your holiday list who's interested in true-to-life tales, this book would make a great gift..

VITAMINS AND DEATH by Medeia Sharif 

Publisher: Prizm Books/Torquere Press

Release date: December 10, 2014

Purchase from Prizm, Amazon – Vendor sites will be updated on the author’s site.

Description: Deidra Battle wants nothing more than to be invisible. After her mother, a public school teacher, engages in an embarrassing teacher-student affair at Lincoln High, they relocate to a different neighborhood and school. Being her mother's briefcase, Deidra joins her mother at her new workplace, Hodge High. Since her mother has reverted to her maiden name and changed her appearance, she thinks no one will figure out they're the Battles from recent news and that they're safe. Neither of them is. Hodge brings a fresh set of bullies who discover details about the scandal that changed Deidra's life. Feeling trapped at home with an emotionally abusive, pill-addicted mother and at school with hostile classmates who attempt to assault and blackmail her, Deidra yearns for freedom, even if she has to act out of character and hurt others in the process. Freedom comes at a price.

Find Medeia – YA and MG Author

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SPLAT ALERT! Stay tuned next week, when I'll be revealing the Writer's Rebel Creed 2015! Signups will be available then. Sooooo looking forward to committing to another writerly year with you. 
Have you ever read a story where the premise actually happened in your own town?