One site that I’ve found through my search for stock images is Photo Xpress. There are a lot of good paid sites out there. Photo Xpress succeeds in two ways:

• Free accounts give you some free premium downloads
• The price is right–and they will beat it, if not

I recently purchased a pic for my e-book. I was ecstatic to find an locale-appropriate image. That was the biggest challenge I faced. When you write a book or e-book, you want high-resolution images and ones that appropriate for your subject matter. I had found a great public domain image that was truly beautiful. Unfortunately, the resolution was less than what was required for a decent print image.

To find that perfect image, you need to trust your gut. What is the image that you picture in your head when you think of what you wrote? Once you have a fix on it, don’t let it go. Search to find your image. It is imperative because your mind’s image is the personification of your writing. And don’t worry about paying for it.

You learn quickly that good images are worth paying for.  Above all, keep a separate folder for originals so you can you go back and make new variations from a clean copy. It all begins with finding the right image for the job.

Beginnings–A Story Starts with a Picture is a post from: Mysterious Issues

Basically, the idea is this. At the beginning of the week, think about some ideas you’d like to explore. A news story may have caught your eye. Perhaps, you learned a valuable lesson. The next task is to add it to your calendar for your week’s posts or other assignments. You can use an online calendar, such as Zoho Calendar. 

You can create a calendar for your blog. Then, add all-day events with your topics. Doing it this way will keep the event at the top of your day so you can easily see it when you open your calendar. You can create additional calendars for other blogs you have or other sites that you write for. Make sure and choose a different color for each calendar for easy viewing. 

Alternatively, you can use the Editorial Calendar plug-in for WordPress for standalone blogs. The good thing about this set-up is that it is right there with your posts. You can plan posts in the calendar and create the draft posts in your Posts section. Another helpful feature is the ability to move things around in the calendar view, in case another pressing topic comes up.

When using either method, be sure and add a few brief notes to remind yourself why you put it there in the first place. If it was a piece you came across on the Internet, add the URL so you can re-visit your facts. With a little planning, you’ll never be at a loss for words.

Beginnings–Editorial Calendar for the New Week is a post from: Mysterious Issues

I’ve wanted to devote more time to my blogs. Saying you want something and actually doing it are two different things. That’s where NaBloPoMo came in. For me, the drive to keep current with the posts came from joining NaBloPoMo. I wanted to do this. I wanted the sense of accomplishment.

The thing with writing is that you must stay in practice. It takes time to develop your voice, to start auto-correcting your own mistakes. A goal like NaBloPoMo can be the beginning of a good habit to keep you motivated. If motivation is a problem, perhaps finding a drive like this can help you get in the writing habit.

After all, the more you write, the more comfortable you become while you write. Don’t fret about the grammar and spelling. You can let spell check do the job or get a tool like After the Deadline to take care of that part. Let your words flow and feel your motivation take hold.

Beginnings–Harnessing Motivation is a post from: Mysterious Issues

Writing Software

One thing that I’ve found very useful is using writing software to flesh out a character. I use WriteWayPro to write my fiction works. The basic set-up includes the kind of things you need to consider when developing characters, such as age and physical characteristics. It also adds other important things like greatest fear, secret talent and core needs.

The best part is the ability to add an image. I need the visual to help me brainstorm. I act out scenes in my head countless times. I like knowing what the person speaking looks like and he may look with other characters.

Observation

As I work on a novel, I turn on my observation skills and start watching and listening to people. Having grown up in a household with only sisters, I don’t have that firsthand experience of how guys talk among themselves. When we’re out and about, I especially try to listen how men talk to each other so my dialogue can be more realistic.

Names

Dickens spent a lot of time considering names. In some cases, the names have surpassed the book. A name shapes character. So, as part of my character development, I listen for names. For this next book, I have four or five names already. I’m not sure where everyone is going to fit in, but it’s a beginning.

Beginnings–Character Development for a New Novel is a post from: Mysterious Issues

My next mystery uses my same protagonist, but in a different setting. The site happens to be an area I know well, one which I have visited for over 20 years. That’s where a program like Creawriter comes in handy.

Creawriter bills itself as a distraction-free word processor. It is a full-screen application, to hide all those pesky applications out of sight. It also allows you to use the background of your choice. I chose one of my favorite pictures to inspire my writing.

You can also have the application play an audio file of your choice for a complete sensory experience. If keeping focused on your work is problematic, these features will make this program useful.

The best part of it is that Creawriter is free. Download the application and begin your next work with inspiration all around you.

Download Creawriter

Writing Tip–Setting the Stage for Writing is a post from: Mysterious Issues

One of the ways I love to give my mind a needed rest is to watch sports. Whether it is Time Warner sports or Cox sports, it doesn’t matter. I just need to do something other than writing. Since I don’t watch it all of the time, it always seems to feel like I’ve entered another world. Stats and contracts of a different sort matter.

I’m not a fanatic sports fan. I do enjoy the energy of a bar filled with screaming fans. You can’t help but get caught up in the Sunday ticket games. It makes for the best people watching. People do funny things when they get caught up in sports action. I watch sports to do something that is about as far removed from my work as possible.

The fact is that it works. I come back to the computer feeling recharged, refreshed, and creative. I’m ready to begin writing again. I may have even happened upon some great material for my writing. So, grab a beer and become a better writer.

Writing Tip: Take a Total Break is a post from: Mysterious Issues

I’m a visual person. Seeing items ticked off of a to-do list boosts my productivity. This time, I had a deadline which while not tough, was looming in front of me. Recently, I made the decision to try embracing the barefoot walking lifestyle. The idea is simply this; we evolved getting around on our bare feet. It stands to reason that it is the best way for us to walk or run.

So much of our physiology reflects a lifestyle we no longer lead if you look closely at our fight-or-flight responses. Why not walking? Anyway, I decided that I wanted to give it a try with a pair of Vibram Five Finger shoes. So, for reaching my deadline, buying these shoes became my reward.

I usually associated rewards with exercising. Accumulate enough points, then get a reward. Now, I use them as a motivator for my writing goals. What a great way to get immediate satisfaction with completing goals!

Writing Tip: Using Rewards as Motivators is a post from: Mysterious Issues

However, the Muse is liking the idea already. I’m trying to stay focused on my current work to wrap it up, yet the Muse wants to talk about the new mystery. Today’s writing tip is to not to fight it. When she wants to talk, pull up a chair. Grab a cup of coffee. Enjoy a good chat.

Ideas are a precious commodity. As many of you know, you don’t have control always when happen along. The Muse sets her own schedule. That is why you should always carry a notebook with you. Never rely totally on your memory. Trust me: it doesn’t work.

When she starts talking, listen. Take good notes if the timing isn’t the best. You need just enough to help you recall the idea. The time ruminating in your subconscious can help flesh it out.

Once you have developed a relationship with the Muse, cultivate it. Respect it. Above all, listen to it.

Writing Tip – Don’t Fight the Muse is a post from: Mysterious Issues