Blog - Page 5 of 28 - Bestselling Author Sharon Michaels

Overcoming Creative Slumps

It’s not uncommon to hit a creative slump or writer’s block. What”s important is overcoming the creative slumps in positive ways.
Below are a few tips for overcoming creative slumps and regaining your creativity.

Identify the obstacle

The first step in overcoming any obstacle is to identify what it is. Take a moment to reflect on what’s holding you back. Are you feeling burned out? Is there a particular project that’s causing stress? Identifying the obstacle can help you come up with a plan to overcome it.

Take a break

If you’re feeling burned out, it’s essential to take a break. It’s important to give your mind and body time to relax and recharge. Go for a walk, read a fun book, or do something else enjoyable. When you return to your writing, you’ll likely feel refreshed and ready to create again.

Practice mindfulness

Mindfulness is a great way to calm your mind and improve focus. Take a few minutes each day to practice mindfulness meditation. This can help you stay present and focused, which is essential for creative work.

Change your environment

Sometimes a change of scenery can do wonders for creativity. If you’re feeling stuck, try working in a different location in the house or working from the library or a coffee shop. This can help you break out of a stale routine and get those creative juices flowing again.

Collaborate with others

Collaborating with others can be a great way to overcome mental obstacles to creativity. Working with someone can help gain new perspectives and ideas. It can also help you stay motivated and accountable.

Set a timer

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, it can be helpful to set a timer. A timer can help you stay focused and avoid distractions. It’s a way to break writing into smaller, more manageable tasks. A good place to start is setting a timer for 20-30 minutes. Take a 5-10 minutes for a break. Then, work another 20-30 minutes.

Embrace your mistakes

Mistakes are a natural part of the creative process. Don’t be too hard on yourself when things don’t go as planned. Instead, embrace the mistakes and use them as an opportunity to learn and grow.

Creative slumps are a natural part of the writing process. It’s essential to a successful writing career to identify what’s holding you back and then take the necessary steps to overcome it.

Happy Writing!!!

*****
Amazon Bestselling Author Sharon Michaels has been writing and self-publishing non-fiction and fiction books for over thirty years.

New blog post - Sharon Michaels Author - Writing Words of Wisdom

Amazon bestselling author Sharon Michaels loves writing cozy mysteries filled with suspense, mature characters, smart animals, a bit of paranormal and, later in life romance. Her short reads are sweet, clean, and fun.

You can find fun books to read on this page:
https://sharonmichaelsauthor.com/cozy-fiction

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Bad Guys, Bribery, and Blueberry Muffins

Bad Guys, Bribery, and Blueberry Muffins is Book 4 in the Tabitha Clive Amateur Sleuth Short Read Cozy Mystery series.

Amateur sleuth and baker extraordinaire Tabitha Clive must save Kornville’s new Mayor’s reputation before it is too late.

Your Kindle and Kindle Unlimited copies of
Bad Guys, Bribery, and Blueberry Muffins
Book 4 in the Tabitha Clive Amateur Sleuth short read cozy mystery series
are waiting for you here:

Amazon bestselling author Sharon Michaels loves writing cozy mysteries filled with suspense, fun characters, smart animals, and maybe a bit of paranormal. Her short reads are sweet, clean, and fun.

You can find fun books to read on this page:
https://sharonmichaelsauthor.com/cozy-fiction

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Start a Cozy Mystery Book Club

Are you an avid reader of cozy mystery novels?
Have you thought about starting a cozy mystery book club?

Book clubs offer an excellent way to connect with like-minded readers while discovering new books and authors.
What are some pros and cons of belonging to a book club?

Pros:
* Socializing with like-minded individuals who enjoy cozy mysteries.
* An opportunity to discuss and analyze books in a group setting.
* Learning about new authors and discovering new books.
* An opportunity to share recommendations and get feedback from others.
* It can lead to the formation of new friendships and social connections.

Cons:
* Difficulty in selecting books that everyone in the group will enjoy.
* Scheduling conflicts that may prevent some members from attending meetings.
* The risk of a group becoming cliquey or exclusive.
* Potential for disagreements and conflicts regarding book selections or interpretations.
* Pressure to finish the book before the club meeting may create additional stress for some members.

Here’s my advice: If you cannot find a cozy mystery book club you enjoy, begin your own.

Choose a Fun Name for Your Cozy Mystery Book Club

A memorable name such as “Mysteries & Mochas,” “Whodunit Bookworms,” or “The Coffeehouse Clue Crew” will create recognition by potential members and help instantly brand your club.

Choose a Theme

While cozy mysteries all share a similar genre, you can choose a specific theme to guide your club’s reading choices. For example, you could focus on books set in a particular location like a small town or on a specific subject matter like animals, paranormal, cooking or crafts.

Choose Reading Materials

Once you’ve decided on a theme, it’s time to choose reading materials. Consider choosing books with a variety of formats, such as novels, short stories, and novellas.

Invite Members

With your name, theme and reading materials in place, it’s time to invite members to join your book club. You can post on social media or local community pages. You can also ask friends and family members if they’d like to join. Be sure to provide potential members with the relevant information they’ll need to participate in meetings, including the time, date, location, and reading schedule.

Set Meeting Dates

Once you’ve gathered a group of members, it’s time to set meeting dates. Consider meeting once a month to discuss the chosen book. Then choose a specific time and location that works for everyone in the group. Either in-person at a local coffee shop or library branch, or online using a video conferencing platform.

Prepare Discussion Questions

A key part of any book club is discussing the reading material. Be sure to prepare discussion questions ahead of time to keep the conversation flowing and to ensure everyone has an opportunity to share their thoughts and opinions. Discussion questions can focus on key elements of the story, such as the characters, plot, setting, and themes.

Get Creative

In addition to hosting discussions, you can also get creative with your book club. For example, you could host a potluck where members bring a dish mentioned in the book, or you could host a murder mystery party where members solve a mystery game. You could also host a movie or TV show night featuring adaptations of cozy mystery novels.

Have fun!

Starting a book club is a great way to connect with others who share your love of reading and mystery-solving. By following these steps and getting creative with your approach, you’ll be sure to create a cozy and engaging atmosphere for members to enjoy.

Happy Reading!!!

*****
Amazon Bestselling Author Sharon Michaels has been writing and self-publishing non-fiction and fiction books for over thirty years.

Sharon Michaels Author cozy mystery books available on Amazon in Kindle, Kindle Unlimited and Paperback

You can find fun books to read on this page:
https://sharonmichaelsauthor.com/cozy-fiction

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Planes, Prisoners, and Poisoned Pies

Planes, Prisoners, and Poisoned Pies is Book 3 in the Tabitha Clive Amateur Sleuth Short Read Cozy Mystery series.

Amateur sleuth, part-time reporter, and baker extraordinaire, Tabitha Clive is back to make sure justice is served.

Your Kindle and Kindle Unlimited copies of
Planes, Prisoners, and Poisoned Pies
Book 3 in the Tabitha Clive Amateur Sleuth short read cozy mystery series
are waiting for you here:

Amazon bestselling author Sharon Michaels loves writing cozy mysteries filled with suspense, fun characters, smart animals, and maybe a bit of paranormal. Her short reads are sweet, clean, and fun.

You can find fun books to read on this page:
https://sharonmichaelsauthor.com/cozy-fiction

{ 0 comments }

Balancing Writing with Everyday Life

I’ve been writing and self-publishing books for over thirty years. This is the second post in my “writing pearls of wisdom” series. I’m excited to share how I’m balancing my writing with everyday life.

Writing can be a fulfilling and rewarding activity. It can also be challenging when it comes to balancing the many other responsibilities in your life. Whether you are a professional writer or a hobbyist, it can be difficult to find the time and motivation to write while also managing work, family, and other commitments.

Here are my suggestions:

1. Set Realistic Goals

One of the most important things you can do is to set realistic goals for your writing. This means taking a realistic look at how much time you have available for writing each day or week, and then setting a goal you can realistically achieve.

For example, if you only have an hour or two each day to write, it would most likely be unrealistic to set a goal of writing an 80,000 word novel in a month. Instead, set a goal that is achievable in the time you have available, such as writing a chapter or two each week.

2. Prioritize Your Time

Prioritizing time means making writing as important as your other commitments, such as work and family. It may mean making sacrifices in other areas of your life, such as cutting back on TV or social media time. It also means being intentional about how you use your time.

3. Create a Writing Schedule

Creating a writing schedule can also be a helpful tool for balancing writing with everything else going on in your life. This means setting aside dedicated time each day or week for writing. It could be an hour each day before work, or a few hours on a weekend afternoon.

The key is to create a consistent schedule that you can stick to. This will help create a writing habit and ensure that you’re making progress towards your writing goals.

4. Be Flexible

While it’s important to have a writing schedule and stick to it as much as possible, it’s also important to be flexible. There will be times when life happens, and you won’t be able to stick to a schedule. It’s important to be kind to yourself and recognize that it’s okay to miss a writing session or two. Don’t beat yourself up and don’t let it derail your progress. Just get back on track as soon as you can.

5. Join a Writing Group

Writing groups provide accountability and support, as well as opportunities for feedback. They can also help you stay motivated and inspired by connecting you with other writers who share your passion. There are many online writing groups, as well as local groups, that meet in person. Find one that works for you and make it a regular part of your writing routine.

Balancing writing with your everyday life can be challenging, but not impossible. Finding the balance that works for you will make it easier to pursue your writing goals while maintaining a fulfilling life.

Please remember, writing is a journey, and it’s important to appreciate and enjoy the process along the way.

Happy writing!!!