8 ways to get into the mood (to write)

Artists, especially writers, talk about "finding the muse" which means finding the inspiration or motivation to create something from nothing.

Someone recently told me they were having troubles starting their daily writing, like for the first 10 minutes or so.  They wanted some advice.  Now, I gave it to them, and I want to expand on that notion here.

Here is a list of things you can do to help get the juices flowing:

1) just write - even if it's crap, sitting down to write anything is better than nothing

2) go for a walk

3) go for a drive

4) read the last few pages you had written the previous day, to get a feel for where the story is going

5) drink a cup of coffee (or tea)

6) meditate

7) take a cold shower

8) exercise

This list is by no means complete--lists typically never are.  This is just what I could come up with off the top of my head.

Feel free to comment on how you get the creative juice flowing.

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If Walls Could Talk: A Terrifying Short Story Collection is published today!

If Walls Could Talk: A Terrifying Short Story Collection is published today!  (And for those who pre-ordered it, a huge thank you!)

"An epidemic in the Minnesota northwoods breeds an unspeakable horror. A golfer’s nasty slice uncovers the mysteries surrounding a childhood terror. A mother, fed up with an abusive, controlling marriage, gives her child the one gift she’s been asking for—and frees herself in the process.

From the barren Mars landscape to the northwoods of America.

Seven terrifying tales.

One collection."

It's currently listed for $1.99 at several ebook markets: Amazon Kindle, Smashwords, Barnes and Noble Nook store, Apple iBooks store, and Kobo Books, just to name a few.

Here's a link that will take you to my site, where it lists BUY buttons for several ebook retailers.

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Happenings In The Outhouse 12-Sept-2014 / Getting children to read ebooks

A few nights ago, I asked my youngest daughter (she's eight), "Have you ever read a book on the Kindle?"

She looked up at me and shook her head.

Now, she plays games and watches Netflix on the Kindle all the time.  So why not read ebooks?  We have a number of children's ebooks from Bookbub, so I opened one up for her.

It didn't take long before she read an entire ebook.  She had some troubles swiping to turn the pages, but once she was halfway through the ebook, she was turning it with a bit more finesse.

Children can read ebooks.  We just have to open up the world for them and let them give it a shot.

I'm currently at the 10,000 word count on the next novel in the Central Division Series.  Straight Razor is coming along nicely, even after a brief hiatus to publish Killzone and my short story collection If Walls Could Talk.  I'm shooting for publication by the end of the year--a bold, ambitious move, but one I have to make nonetheless.

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Find my books on Scribd.com

Do you have a Scribd.com account?

If you do, you're in luck.  A number of my books can be found there.

Scribd.com is a subscription-based site, almost like a Netflix for books.  Currently, it appears the monthly subscription is $8.99.

Here's a link to my books on Scribd.com

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New short story collection, If Walls Could Talk, is available for pre-order

On September 15th, my new short story collection If Walls Could Talk: A Terrifying Short Story Collection, will be published.

And right now it is available for pre-order.

Here is a link to the book page on my marksrpeterson.com website, which has links to where it's available.

What it's about: "An epidemic in the Minnesota northwoods breeds an unspeakable horror. A golfer’s nasty slice uncovers the mysteries surrounding a childhood terror. A mother, fed up with an abusive, controlling marriage, gives her child the one gift she’s been asking for—and frees herself in the process.

From the barren Mars landscape to the northwoods of America. Seven terrifying tales. One collection."

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Happenings In The Outhouse 05-Sept-2014 / testing the pre-order waters

Beholder's Eye is currently in a $0.99 Kindle Countdown deal - if you haven't picked it up yet, now is your chance.

My latest short story collection is complete.  Early next week, I'll share links to where it can be purchased for pre-order.

The publication date is set for September 15th.

I'll be publishing on all platforms, from Amazon to Smashwords to Kobo.  Through Smashwords, I'll get into the iBooks store, etc.

Here's a sneak preview of the cover for the short story collection If Walls Could Talk:

I had to go through a few artists to get the cover I wanted.

Which brings me to a point when it comes to cover artists.  It's a good idea to have more than one.  Unless your cover artist is a complete rock star at what he or she does, it's wise to juggle between a few.

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Laboring on Labor Day

That's right.  I'm laboring on Labor Day.

As an artist setting the course of our own destiny, we need to take each day as it comes and make the best of it.

Even if it is a holiday.

Stephen King writes 365 days a year, including on Christmas and his birthday.

You should too.