Writer's REBEL Creed 2014 Needs Your Help!!

Writers inspire, encourage, and push people to think, feel, and/or see bits and pieces of life that tend to be ignored. It's a great job, really. But, at times, even the thriftiest of writers experience the wear and tear of creating other worlds and characters. We sometimes get down over the mental aptitude of outlining or writing a synopsis. Even research can feel tedious.  
So writers need reminders, every now and then. Here's where the Writer's REBEL Creed comes in. Two years ago, I offered up the First Creed, which drew 18 members from our writing community to take the pledge and post the badge on their sites. Last year's CREED had 99 members sign up and keep tabs on each other throughout the year. That was a massive increase! I felt so blessed. But both years I created the five promises for the creed, such as Believe In Yourself or Balance Social Media. 
Here's my design for this years CREED badge. But, as I'm sure you've noticed, it's blank. This is where you come in.

This year, I'd like to include all of you in coming up with our 5 CREED promises. Leave ONE writing promise in the comments below that you'll try to work on this coming new year. It can be about any aspect of the writing life from social media, to platform building or writing while caring for family. Whatever is important to you.
Over the next two weeks, I'll collect all the responses and tally them. The 5 most popular writing promises will be added to the badge above. 

I'll officially release the CREED and the sign up sheet during the first week of January! 

Thanks so much for sharing yourself with all of us. Our community RAWKS! (Oh, and PLEASE spread the word!)

Rebel Writer's Pledge for 2012

The Rebel Writer's Pledge is all about reflecting on successes and failures of last year, and then forging ahead and recommitting to life and writing goals with a new verve. 

Today, each participant is posting their goals for the year 2012 and highlighting at least one general goal to add to our pledge. I'll compile each highlighted goal into a list, linking back to this post. We'll leave the badge on our sites throughout 2012, reminding and encouraging us about our pledge.

Devising goals, whether out-right action goals or ones to develop a new mindset, will bring success.

• Be easier on myself
• Take healthy writing breaks for family and pleasure
• Finalize edits on YA novel and sub
• Finish a different YA novel, my MG series already started, & work on more picture books.
• Continue to market myself and build my platform/more hands-on work, raising awareness for Apraxia of Speech, and the importance of reading, with an emphasis on writing in children
• Publish more community interest stories, short fiction stories, and seek out more anthologies
• Improve my craft by reading, studying, and taking at least two classes or workshops

There are my goals for 2012. I've highlighted the one I'm going to add to the official Rebel Writer's Pledge 2012.

Visit the other participants and see what inspiration they have for you!!
Samantha Verant
Kris Yankee
April Plummer
Carolyn V
Heather McCorkle
Shannon O'Donnell
Susan Oloier
Sharon Mayhew
Leigh Moore
Melissa Sugar
Sophia Chang
DL Hammons
Rebekah
Kelly Hashway
Margay
Stephen Tremp
PK Hrezo
Yelena Casale

ALLEYWALKERS Galore & More!!

Cyber space is a great way to shout out loud. And I haven't given some somein' some to my blogging mates in a while.

So here's a few SHOUT-OUTS for you.

~ The NUMBER 1 'BLAH' I must mention is a long-overdue GRAFFITI welcome to our newest Alleywalkers!! Seriously, over 140 of you have joined the Alleyway over the last three weeks, alone. Whoa!! I am humbled you've chosen to join us. So many new authors to splatter the graffiti wall with their stories and advice. Don't forget to just ask me if you want an interview. I'd love it!!

I hope you visit often, and that I can keep you informed and entertained. You all RAWK!! During the month of March, I plan on hosting a book giveaway just for my current followers. Yes. You are that special. AND wait 'til you see the hardcover I have for you.

Heart U!!

~ I've chatted about platforms before. Even gave you a nifty picture.

REMEMBER THESE?????

Well, Rachel over on Rach Writes has come up with a pretty sweet way to hone that author platform from the foundation up!

She hosted her first Writer Platform-Building Crusade last year and has decided to host a second Crusade.

It's simple to participate and doesn't take much effort on your part. All you do is visit her post about the SECOND WRITERS PLATFORM-BUILDING CRUSADE and fill out the form. Basically, it's a great way to mingle with other writers and bloggers creating those all important stepping stones and base.




~ AND for another announcement: have you checked out BOOKRUSHED, yet?? Whoa. If not, go HERE now!! I'll wait.

You came back. Thanks!! Aren't they fabulous!? They are just a ton of fun, hosting contests and giveaways, and then there's their amazing book reviews! Yeah, and I'm all hearts over their logo.


~ I also wanted to bring your attention over to my sidebar. 

In passing, I've mentioned that I am in cahoots with 4 other writers. We've been dubbed ~ The Oasis Sisters. Pretty cool. And seeing how I highlighted the blog this past Friday as we hosted the That's YAmore blogfest--which was a fangtabulous success because of some of you--I figured I should do a pluggie for us. I would love it if you'd copy our badge and show us some love with a post, a highlight, or even a follow. The gals are amazing, and we have a set writing schedule. It's all about you.


Merci!! AND have a safe weekend, everyone!!

The REBEL WRITER'S PLEDGE 2011

I'm a rebel at heart. Yeah, a closet rebel for most of my first XYZ years--didn't think I was going to tell you my true age now, did ya?--but none the less, a rebel.

REBEL - when used as a noun (according to Dictionary.com.)
1. a person who refuses allegiance to, resists, or rises in arms against the government or ruler of his/her country. 2. a person who resists any authority, control, or tradition.


When I see myself now, I see a person (Mom, writer, wife...) who respects authority & tradition but wants to forge her own path--her way.


Last Monday while surfing the web, I read a ton of posts declaring this year to be 'The Year'. Or lists upon lists of goals that 'I may or may not meet'. 


I've decided to approach the New Year of 2011 a little differently. Hope you'll join me.

~The REBEL Writer's Pledge~ 

I pledge: 

1~ to be ME in all that I write during this new year, to be true to myself, and write from that hidden place within me, scourging the pages with a blazing prism of light. 

2~ to write for ME and know the market will be there, my agent and book deal are there in the wings just waiting to jump on my rails and take this journey with me.

3~ to help others, reading and line editing and encouraging. ~ What is given is always repaid ten fold ~ I will be that truth.

4~ to blog earnestly and post with passion, addressing everyday aspects of writing and the publishing world. 

5~ to include all of you.

6~ lastly, to be a writer who leaves his/her mark wherever she goes, touching the lives of those who choose to read my written words. I will feel their blessing and pass it on.

YOU may be wondering why the RED DRESS? Firstly, everyone knows the little black dress is a must for any lady's wardrobe. So I have a red one. *winky-see rebel* The other three photos represent: 

- the spiral - the adversity and hurdles we'll each go through this year. 

- the glass - how we reflect ourselves and our individual lives in our writing. It's also a reminder to remain 'true to ourselves'.  

- bottles of champaign - to celebrate each of our successes for 2011!

Are you ready to take this pledge? I know you're ready. I believe in you. 

I've resized that photo for your convenience. If you want to take this pledge with me, cut and past the badge to your website, linking it to this post. (You could even post about it. That would be great.) Come December of this year. I will post a new blogfest where we'll share how we lived out our pledge. You don't have to keep track of anything. This photo is to connect us all and remind you, everyday, that you DO have what it takes no matter what road you decide to travel. 

Looking forward to hearing all of your successes this coming year!! 

Remember...I believe in you!