Do you have a fantasy? In mine, I'm a prolific, successful writer, sitting calmly and confidently in front of the computer screen; making, reaching, and celebrating my goals (and receiving hefty royalty checks).

Then I wake up. In reality, I'm overworked, anxious, self critical and WAY BEHIND any goal I dare to make. Pondering this lately (while looking at the blank screen), I came up with a list of things that get between me and my writing goals.

1. I don't have enough time. I'll write when this crisis is over. Which crisis? Looking back at life from my advanced age, there's the new relationship, the ending relationship, buying the house, selling the house. There's finishing school,the wedding, finishing the floor, having the baby, raising the baby. There's soccer games, the kids' homework, mom's surgery, family vacation. 'There's sick relatives, aging parents, teens' college applications, and the joys of menopause. The list could go on, but I'm depressing myself. For busy, connected, exciting people, there is ALWAYS a crisis. The point is, we all have 24 hours in the day. It's OUR day. We can love, and we can care, but ultimately, it's OUR day. If we put off using our creative gift, we are selling ourselves short. There's time. Somewhere. Even if we write one page a day, we'd have a book in a year. And a sense of being true to ourselves. I am going to make the time for success, and write through the crisis.

2. Fear of failure. Writing is tough business. We put our hearts in our words, then we submit our manuscripts, putting them out there like a bull's eye, vulnerable to editors and agents shooting us down. And often they do. I have to remind myself of Thomas Edison, Ben Franklin, Walt Disney, and the stories of all the failures they endured before finding amazing creative success. I'm in good company. I'm going to risk the failure, and keep writing. Having books stockpiled in the drawer is not a bad thing.

3. Fear of MORE failure. Even when published, writing is tough business. There's the risk of bad reviews, criticism, bad sales, and the horrible pressure of writer's block with a contract deadline on the horizon. Believe me, there's editor rejection AFTER being published too. Am I tough enough for this? I'm going to say yes, and keep writing (and be glad of those unsold books stockpiled in the drawer!)

4. Fear of success. Does this sound like a stupid hurdle? It is very real. My brain has asked questions like this: What if I get a three book contract? How will I ever fulfill it? What if my publisher sends me on a cross country book tour? What will my family do? What if I make a boatload of money and my husband/boyfriend feels jealous and/or inadequate? What are people going to think of me when they read these sex scenes? What if I have to go on Oprah BEFORE I'm thin? It COULD happen. But I think you get the gist. What are the odds??? These are what we call GOOD problems. Good problems can cause change, but there are answers. If, by the luck of the universe (and an extremely good book, of course), such things come to pass, there are absolute solutions to the mayhem they cause. I'm going to stop thinking about this stupid stuff.

5. Negativity. Some people just exude negative energy. They see the down side of everything, and are sure to point it out. Sometimes it is out of jealousy or envy. Sometimes it's out of fear that we'll succeed and leave them behind. Sometimes it's just about their own issues. I'm learning that I simply need to keep away from people who want to tell me how I'll fail. It's not mean. It's practical and honest to take care of myself and my spirit. And I'm also committed to remaining positive around my creative friends, to avoid being the voice of negativity myself. There is enough inspirational joy to go around. We just have to stay close to it.

6. Discouragement. This is different than the feel of failure, or the pall of negativity. This is the hurdle where our confidence wains, where we just get plain tired of fighting the uphill battle and wonder if there ever will be light at the end of the tunnel. We all have days like this. To get over this hurdle, we need understanding friends, committed writing groups, conferences, newsletters, and family support (and chocolate helps!). We have to reach out and affirm each other. There is a magic when writers get together. Energy, hope and inspiration are reenergized, and positive energy multiplies, and we can face the next blank page.

The writing life is one with some of the biggest challenges, but also with some of the biggest rewards. If we take the time to see what's holding us back, and honestly face the issue, we can get over these hurdles and make our goals. May you have a good writing day today!

Christine Bush

Christine is the author of 8 mystery and romance novels with Avalon Books. Her newest, "Love, Julie", is an August 2006 release. She'd love to hear from you at ChristineABush@aol.com

Let's say you just got your first bad review. Man, it was a doozy. As a matter of fact, it was horrid. What can you do about it? You'd like to defend your title against the person ripping it, right? Well, hope isn't all lost. I'll tell you how to turn a bad review into your favor.

I know that some reviewers can be harsh with reviews. They have the right to do so as honest reviewers. First you'll have to accept that. If you didn't want a bad review, you shouldn't have put your title to the public. Reviews are supposed to be for the readers, but they can affect an author. Having said that, the article shall continue.

I've read quite a few bad reviews in my time. I've seen some that appeared to be doomed and there's no saving it; but there is! Almost all of the bad reviews will say something postive about the book in aroundabout way. An example would be, "This book is the worst piece of junk ever! The story had a good premise, and it looked promising. It lacked a good plot, and it was just terrible! I'm extemely disappointed."

Okay, some of you see the good part already. I'm glad that you're seeing it. Let's take the part about it having a good premise and it looked promising. Now, let's take and do what the movie studios do. They only take the good parts to advertise their product. You could take the "good premise" and "looked promising" and post it on your website. The reviewer won't like it, because it would defeat their whole purpose. If a reviewer posts something terrible, turn it into your favor. If by chance there is nothing good they've said about the book, just leave it alone. You'll eventually get a good one to balance it out. Don't try to add to reviews, but you can shorten them to get the blurb you need.

The bad review will still be on B&N or Amazon or wherever it may be. The reviewer still has that to speak out against the book they didn't like. On the other side of the token, you have just turned the bad review into something that you could use. It's a wise idea to never bring attention to a bad review. You'll always want to praise and promote the good ones.

It's wise for an author to never study the reviews they receive. The good ones will make you feel good, but if you get a couple of bad ones you'll start doubting yourself. I've had so many reviews now, the bad ones don't bother me anymore. I wanted to share this insight for those who may be having a hard time getting over their first bomber. Just relax and stay postive!

Jeffery S. Miller is the controversial author of the Higgins Series. You can learn more about him and his titles at his website. Jeffery S. Miller is quickly making a name for himself in the literary world. Feel free to visit at www.freewebs.com/jefferysmiller

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeffery_S._Miller

Mommymentors.com has embarked on a new mission to create a book from the very essence of our souls. Its goal is two-fold: First, we at mommymentors.com believe that every woman has something to share; something that makes her unique, and that that something can be shared in a letter. Second, we will publish these letters and make them available to women around the world as a source of inspiration, hope and renewed faith.

Strangely enough, Mother Teresa wrote nothing for publication, yet in the course of her life she spoke in over one hundred countries on countless occasions. Imagine if we had a written book that contained her thoughts, stories and memoirs. What a great source of strength, love and unity it would have been. Of course, there are books written about Mother Teresa; however, she was the topic not the author.

Letters by their nature are intensely emotional, honest and heartfelt. This is what The Mommy Mentor Project wants: Letters from YOU relating your life's battles, dramas, pains and joys. We are asking that you look at life in an entirely new way when writing these letters. Share your moments and cherished memories and show us your true self.

Share with us your heartfelt emotions. Tell us of your hope, pride, fear, enthusiasm, love, how you overcame defeat. Share your stories from the heart. Those stories told courageously, boldly and without fear will be published in the pages of our book entitled "Letters to Our Younger Selves."

Please take a few moments to really sit down and reflect on your life. We are positive there are stories that you have that only you can share. Stories that may help someone else say, "Oh I see. Why didn't I think of that?" What we hope is that through these stories, sons, daughters, wives, husbands, mothers, fathers, uncles, aunts and friends will see the world in a way they have not seen it before.

These letters bring to the reader a special knowledge of what has occurred in the lives of their peers. As women from all over the world, from all walks of life, share their hearts with us, we find UNITY and from UNITY comes STRENGTH and from STRENGTH comes COURAGE and from COURAGE comes FAITH, HOPE and CHARITY, and with these, we are well on our way. Mommy Mentors founder, Barbara Theodosiou, has dreamed of "Letters to Our Younger Selves" for years. She knows that this project goes way beyond statistics or self help. It encourages women to share their thoughts and feelings, and to inspire each other with their deeds.

Please won't you help? No money, no donation. Just a story; a story about you..

Kindly go to the Mommy Mentor Project at MommyMentors.com to see our guidelines and topics. We are depending on you, please give it a try. You make a difference because you are special. You really, really are!

Barbara Theodosiou is the founder of Mommy Mentors. Mommy Mentors goal is to encourage and assist every woman to share her inspirations, hopes and dreams with other women throughout the world. We know that by sharing our weaknesses we can build strength, and by sharing our strengths we can become stronger. To learn more visit MommyMentors

In June, we asked you to write a birth announcement for a fictitious celebrity couple.

Stella Myers submitted this winning entry:

Twin daughters were born to rock singer Magenta Greene and her manager-boyfriend Michael Dubois today. The girls were born three minutes apart and are identical. The parents, wanting to set each of them apart, so they may grow up with their own identities, gave them the names of:Forrest Glade Dubois Greene and Mars Barr Greene Dubois. The switching of the last names gives each parent a child with their last name. Magenta will resume her tour of Europe. She will be taking the girls with her. Michael will go back to Hollywood to take care of the business.

I received the following link in an email and thought it was worth sharing. It's the 30 books every adult should read before they die. This link doesn't take you directly to the 30 books, so please follow these instructions...sorry about this.

1. Go to: http://wordwing.com/content/view/55/88/_

2. Scroll down and click on Readers Want...

3. Then click on Reader Surveys

4. Then click on: Read it before you die

If you can make it to NJ in October, the NJRW is holding their annual Put Your Heart in a Book Conference. Please visit them at NJRW for information.

Christine Cristiano's book, Obsessed: Diary of a Freelance Writer is being offered at $9.99 Check it out at: Obsessed: Diary of a Freelance Writer

Be sure to check out Christine's web site The Obsessed Writers Group. Christine's site has articles, markets, directories, contest listings and more!

Check out the official site of Chicki Brown. Chicki's site has articles as well as fun stuff to read, so check it out!

I came across this site through Craigslist and thought it may be of some interest: RainTiger. This site is for Writers, Poets & Visual Artists.

Bobbie Christmas is the "Book Doctor" and Author of Write In Style, a triple-award-winning textbook for writers of fiction and nonfiction, available wherever books are sold.

Bobbie loves to receive questions from writers and offer her expert advice. If you have any questions you need answered, please e-mail her at: Bobbie@zebraeditor.com

You can also sign up for her Free newsletter for writers to get tips, answers, marketing information and news of interest to writers. Go to http://www.zebraeditor.com and click on "Free Newsletter"

Please go to Ask the Book Doctor to check out the latest Q&A from Bobbie on the CS4W site.

If you have any announcements, please email them to: Sandy@CoolStuff4Writers.com

Please feel free to email me with any questions or suggestions. I always enjoy hearing from you!

Thank you!

email: sandy@coolstuff4writers.com

phone: 732-364-3993

web: http://www.coolstuff4writers.com