Summer Is Nearly Here!

Summer is on the way.   

I can’t believe the amazing change in the weather over the last few weeks.  It went from brutally cold every night to so hot, that we need to water to keep the vegetables in the garden alive…

Summer storms are coming with increased frequency and it’s hard to get by, already without an air conditioner.  But this also means the lead up to the festive season.  So in honour of that, I made the Christmas cake last weekend.  It’s now sitting in the fridge and in a week or two, it’ll go into an airtight container with a fair dollop of brandy to soak in.  Never say my cakes aren’t horrendously alcoholic. <g>

It also means a short term of school for my girls and Christmas parties, Secret Santa’s and all sorts of “leading up to Christmas fol-de-rol”, ordering presents and house cleaning.  (Not my favourite job)

 

One fun thing though, is I signed up for another Secret Cravings Publishing blog comp.  So in the next few days, you too can go into the running to win a copy of my latest title – Star of the Fleet, featuring Kera and Gustav. 

How do I win that awesome prize I hear you ask…?

Answer my riddle, with the name of where I live…  Leave your answers together with your email address.

I live in the land of the Snowy River (Now there is a massive hint)

In the state that is always sunny and it has a royal connection (Another huge hint)

They tell us the sun is always shining in my state

My town is known for citrus…

So, just where do I live?

Remember, comment in the box with the correct answer , to go in the running.

Rules:

(a)The winner will be announced on the 8^th October, so please remember to leave your email address for me.    Remember to also leave a comment on the blog, to say you have visited. 

(b)Only your first entry will count. You could enter five or six times, but we will only accept your first entry, so think hard before you email your answer J

(c)We are strictly closing entries at 12.00pm (midnight) on 8^th October (EST – that is AU)

(d)Visit www.secretcravingspublishing.blogspot.com for the list of other participants.  Remember, the more blogs you visit, the better your chances of winning prizes… and there are a few of us running blogs.

(e)The winner is the one who either correctly nominates the Town or the town nearest to where I live.  The answer will be chosen at random from correct entries. 

Good Morning World!

Week two of the school holidays and I'm hiding out with the laptop in bed.  Why?

Solitude!  Sweet Solitude is what I am craving right now.  Don't get me wrong, my girls are great company, but after ten years of being at home fulltime, I'm used to silence only interrupted by the sound of my dog snoring while I work...

Today, though, I wanted to consider time management.  I'm terrible at time management.  Why?  Because I flit here and there.  I allow myself to be interested in other things.  See... told you I'm terrible at it...

So today, I wanted to raise some ideas...

1. Write regularly.  How does writing regularly help with time management, you ask?  Simple.  The practice of writing regularly (and for many, that means daily) is like any other muscle being exercised.  The more it is used, the stronger it becomes.  When you write regularly, the flow becomes easier to command.  So, to be more productive, you need to write as often as possible.

2. Take regular breaks.  This is another one of those huh? points.  Taking regular breaks, allows you to look at your work, allow your mind to rest and refresh.  This is a good time to stretch those non-writing muscles, grab a glass of water or some nutritious snacks to feed the activity of the brain.

3.  Set a goal.  How many words/pages/paragraphs you need to achieve it a great way to start your day.  It can motivate if you set realistic word limits for the day.  You say, I need to write 2K today.  At the end of your writing time, you may have 2200 which means you are closer to the end.  You feel positive.  You feel good. 

4.  Have your resources handy.  That might include a dictionary, thesaurus.  Whatever you need to work, without needing to get up, sit down... hunt around.  Not having everything handy can be one of the biggest time wasters out there.

5.  Learn to switch off.  That might mean the radio, the phone or Facebook and Twitter.  Plan your time accordingly.  Let everyone know you will be unavailable within certain hours.  When you are distraction free, you can achieve so much more.

A final note:  Sure, it's important to manage our time.  After all, we are authors, right?  But sometimes you have to also be able to allow yourself to goof off.  To be free.  Rather like a diet.

So remember, plan, organise and prioritise. 

And before I forget... I'm participating in the Where In The World Secret Cravings Blog.  Running from 7 - 9 October (Aussie time).

See you soon
Imogene