Monday, November 11, 2013

Odds & Ends

Hey, guys! I'm going to make this quick, because I know a lot of you are busy with NaNoWriMess (myself included):

1. I'm over at NA Alley today with a quick survey on New Adult and its readership. If you read or write in the category, please take a minute to fill it out. You'll get a 50% off coupon for Courage on Smashwords, at the end!

http://www.naalley.com/2013/11/new-adult-survey.html


2. The Goodread giveaway to win a signed paperback of Courage (Mark of Nexus #2) ends this week. Last call for entries!

Goodreads Book Giveaway


Courage by Carrie Butler

Courage

by Carrie Butler


Giveaway ends November 15, 2013.

See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.

Enter to win




3. I don't have a third point, but my OCD likes odd numbers...

Oh! I know. Here's a NaNoWriMo tip for you: If you use MS Word and get stuck on a scene, try temporarily changing the page color. It works the occasional wonder for me. ;)




Question of the Week:
NaNo or not, do you have any tips for getting unstuck?

Have a good one! ♥

37 comments:

Natalie Aguirre said...

Interesting tip. I usually like to go back and read a few pages I already read and edit. I love editing more than the first draft writing.

JeffO said...

You know, it's funny you have that 'change the color of the screen' tip--I find that moving, or switching from computer to pen-and-paper is often enough to get me going again. Good deal on the NaNo!

Melissa said...

The 2:45 pm alarm I have set on my phone (that reminds me the kids are about to start coming home) usually does it for me. xD

Lydia Kang said...

Ooh, I like that color change idea for writer's block!

ilima said...

I'll have to try that changing color thing.

Carrie-Anne said...

I never knew page colors could be changed. I'd probably find that extremely distracting, as I've been typing on white pages for as long as I can remember. If I weren't so bonded to Palatino, I might consider changing (temporarily) my typeface if I got stuck.

Carrie Butler said...

I'm the same way, Natalie! It helps me get re-acclimated. :)

Carrie Butler said...

I'm so envious of people who can write with pen and paper! I always get a page in before I start chanting, "Hand cramp, hand cramp, hand cramp..." LOL

Carrie Butler said...

LOL Now that is motivation!

Carrie Butler said...

Thanks, Lydia! :)

Carrie Butler said...

You should! It's fun. :)

Carrie Butler said...

Oh, you'd hate my MS. Right now, it's black and Book Antiqua. Tomorrow, it'll probably be green and Constantia! ;)

Melissa said...

I changed mine to Cambria, and I love it!
I might have to play around with the colors, too. ;)

Patrick Stahl said...

I've never tried changing the page color, but changing the lighting in the room sometimes helps me.

Natasha Hanova said...

I've actually used your tip for getting unstuck. My current WiP has a green background which easily denotes it from previous versions.

Heading over to check out survey now!

David T List said...

The funny thing about your point # 3 is that I've been back and forth, trying to decide if my Kickstarter is going to be 29 or 31 days... 30 just seem so boring.

Crystal Collier said...

Woot, woot! Write like a maniac, Carrie. =) I think the only real way to get over being stuck is epic music.

Sheena-kay Graham said...

Sadly I'm currently stuck in Nano, so I have to work that out. Took the survey.

Anonymous said...

When I'm stuck, I take the dog for a walk around the block. Some fresh air does the Muse good :-)

H. R. Sinclair said...

I'll try that tip! I'll go take that survey.

Elizabeth Seckman said...

I didn't know you could change page colors!! How did you get to be so smart? Signed up for Goodreads. Headed over to take survey!

Carrie Butler said...

Oo, I haven't given much thought to lighting, but that's a good one!

Carrie Butler said...

You know what they say about great minds, Natasha! ;)

Carrie Butler said...

I vote for 31, but I'm a weirdo... :)

Carrie Butler said...

It shouldn't be too hard. I do most things like a maniac... LOL

Yes! Music definitely helps.

Carrie Butler said...

I feel your pain, Sheena-kay! I hope it works itself out soon. :)

Thank you!

Carrie Butler said...

That sounds fun! I might have to borrow your dog. :D

Carrie Butler said...

Thanks, Southpaw! :D

Carrie Butler said...

Thank you, Elizabeth! I usually just happen across these features... ;)

Mark Koopmans said...

I had never, ever heard the page color-changer tip, but I will definitely try it next time.

Will stay away from hot pink though, as my ManCard may explode :)

Liz Blocker said...

NaNoWriMess - LOL! Yep. Sounds about right.

It never occurred to me to change the page color. I'm going to have to do it just for fun... ;)

Morgan said...

LOL to the OCD comment... and color? Really? Whoa! How interesting! I've never thought of that!

Nick Wilford said...

It doesn't have anything to do with this post, but I wanted to stop by and say thank you for designing a beautiful blog balloon for Andrew. It was such a touching surprise to see it on Mark's blog. :)

Carrie Butler said...

You are so, so welcome, my friend. I honestly wish I could do more. I'll definitely be praying for your family!

Carrie Butler said...

We wouldn't want that, Koopmans! Stick with a manly blue. Haha :)

Carrie Butler said...

You should! It helps liven things up a bit. :D

Carrie Butler said...

Totally! :D