November is Writing Time: NaBloPoMo Here I Come!

Maybe it's the weather getting colder (did I mention I saw little chunky pellets of ice/snow/yuck today?) or the fact that so many cool writing events take place in November-- whatever it is, always makes me want to write more, and more often. Of course, this is a good thing-- I have several books in various stages of completion, and my goal is to have three of them published by year-end. While that may seem like pie-in-the-sky, the fact is that I am pretty close with all of them and just need to buckle it down and "get 'er done" as Larry the Cable Guy says.

This might seem counter-intutive, but I also joined NaBloPoMo for this month as well. For someone with adult ADHD like myself (I linked to my book about how I deal with it, naturally, in case anyone needs that help) structure is paramount. So, the fact that I have to sit down and write a blog post each and every day is a big. flippin. deal. for me! It's not that I am lazy, but I get distracted....you know, squirrel! Seriously, once I start working, I am a machine...but I can honestly say that I work best with a deadline approaching...under pressure. So this actually helps!  

NaBloPoMo is a takeoff of national novel writing month (Nanowrimo) and means National Blog Post Month. If you have a blog yourself, you can join as well. If you don't have a blog, start one-- seriously. If you ask me nice, I will probably help you set it up. There are also prizes-- you can win tickets to BlogHer Pro '14 Conference in San Francisco! Click here to sign up for NaBloPoMo and be eligible for prizes.

This is my (short) blog post for today. I have spent most of the day getting WordPress set up locally so that I can work on multiple websites "behind the scenes." I can tell you that I got a crash course in mySQL, PHP, WAMP, MAMP, XAMPP, and AMPPS today--- and finally found the proper combination to get things functioning exactly the way I need them. But my head is aching and I am ready to watch my Buckeyes finish
off Illinois!  

Author Blog Hop

As I mentioned yesterday, I am thrilled to be part of a blog hop with two other awesome authors-- Sheila Kell and J. Nichole Parkins. Each of us answered four tough questions about our writing, our process, and where we are headed. Here is a little about each of them, and links to their blogs and their responses. Please visit them both and give them lots of love and support! 

Scroll further down for more info about me and my interview! 

Sheila Kell’s bio

Sheila is a disabled veteran who has been an avid reader since she was a teenager reading Nancy Drew mysteries. She’s currently writing the H.I.S. series about the super-hot Hamilton brothers. When she’s not writing, she’s drinking coffee or diet coke, eating chocolate and rescuing cats. No, she’s the not the crazy cat lady yet but give her time. Sheila’s interview is on her blog at http://sheilakell.blogspot.com. You can also connect with her on any of the links below.

Sheila’s website         Sheila on Facebook              Sheila on Pinterest

J Nichole Parkins’ bio

J. Nichole Parkins writes new adult and urban fantasy. She is currently working on Burned, the first of an urban fantasy trilogy of the same name. Wife, mother of three, and constant daydreamer, she is never without a story floating around in her head or a book or two in her purse. A Florida transplant, she can often be found writing poolside with a cup of Chai Tea or reading her Kindle way after bedtime. Nichole's interview can be found on her blog at J. Nichole Parkins 

You can connect with her via facebook, twitter, her website, or email.

Denise Gabbard Interview 

What am I working on? What am I NOT working on would be a better question! Hence, the reason that my first published book was about my adult ADHD. (It is often available on Amazon for free, and I actually wrote it as a freelance assignment. See—I need many kicks in the butt to finish things.) I have four books in various stages of non-completion...there is a real-life romance novel, one is a nostalgic look at growing up in the 70s, another is a no-nonsense book for writers to earn money with their craft (while they are working on their first novel, of course), and the final one is a marketing book for small businesses.

I am using this opportunity to put my goals for my books in writing. My birthday is in July, so I intend to have my writing book completed and published by then. That 70s Book will be next, and I am going to shoot for September with it and the marketing book, which is close to complete. My first novel I have tentatively titled Real Simple Romance-- and it will be finished and published before the fireworks on the beach for New Year's Eve!

How does my work differ from others of its genre? With the novel that I am writing, the difference is that it shows real and passionate love in everyday life. I think a lot of us (myself included) read some romance books and wonder why our husband, and our life, is not so romantic. Reality can be a bummer, until you realize how much love you do have all around you. My writing and marketing books will be very straightforward, with advice that novices can easily follow, but with tips that will also help seasoned writers and business owners.

Why do I write what I do? Haha! Why not? The writing book is a natural extension of my Writeand Get Paid blog, which I started in 2008 and just finally jumped to self-hosting on WordPress this year. I started the blog after I began earning a living as a freelancer the year before; there are so many things to learn for freelancers, and many pitfalls to avoid—so passing along what I had learned made sense. That 70s Book is probably my yearning for those simpler times, and my way of engrossing myself in it all---and I know that so many people my age feel the same way. Real Simple Romance is my guilty pleasure --some taken from my real simple life, some from friends, and some totally fiction, but all fun!

How does your writing process work? Process? What process? I force myself to sit in my chair and type. I have to shut off the internet while I'm writing most times or ---SQUIRREL! So many distractions...so little time! Seriously, I use what I learned in my sixth grade advanced English class ...decide basically what I want to write about, jot down an outline, and get busy! (That last bit is the part where I need the kick in the pants, generally! Please wish me luck, and KICK ME! You can reach me at any of the online links below. See 'ya in cyberspace!)

Denise Gabbard

Pinterest

Twitter

Facebook

Instagram

Writing Blog

Simple Lifestyle Blog

Freelance Portfolio

Google+

Author Blog Hop Tomorrow!

Win $100 and an Awesome New Book-- FREE Entry!

 I am happy to be involved in helping market this book for Phillip Michael Cash with this giveaway. Not only can you win a copy of his latest, but you can win $100 in PayPal instant cash! You cannot beat that-- and it costs you nothing to enter!

On the planet Darracia, an ever-widening social gap between its inhabitants is causing turmoil that is fracturing a once peaceful world. Struggling with his identity, nineteen year old Prince V'sair must harness the power of the elusive Fireblade, the secret to a warrior's heart, in order to overcome his uncle Staf Nuen's lust for supremacy. Will the energy of the Elements guide the young prince to his true destiny or will Staf Nuen conquer Darracia?