If I could write a letter to my novel, it would go something like this:

Dear EROTP,

It sure has been a long road, hasn’t it? I tell you, there were some times that I thought we’d never make it here. A few times, I thought you’d be the end of me and other times I thought of tossing you into the fireplace. But through it all...here we are.

Remember how I changed the opening scene four times? That was traumatic for us both. Or how about edit #4—the longest edit of my life, but we both made it out on the other side. I’ll never forget the time, I lost my flash drive and all the progress I’d made during that two weeks had just disappeared. Then, a week into re-doing everything—I found it. Crazy times.

My fondest memory of our time together was when I wrote the words, THE END on the very last page. It was exhilarating to have come all that way and stamp it as done. From zero to 120K words. One of the most trying parts of our time together was when I changed the relationship status of two of the main characters—remember that? Fixing that change took ages. Just when I thought we had it all worked out—I’d find another reference to the old.

It has been quite a journey, one that will stay with me for as long as I live and one that has taught me as much about myself, as it has about my craft. One of the reasons I am writing this letter is because I want to thank you for the memories and share you with the world.

With love,

Jeannie Rae

Oh, how I long for the day that writing becomes my nine to five… But alas, it is not at this point. I do have a nine to five, an amazing husband and a wonderful daughter that I spend my life with, three fun dogs and I’m blessed with a large network of extended family and friends. All of these fabulous aspects of my life, fill it.

With so many demands on my time, (no matter how fulfilling & completely worth it) how do I find time to write? That’s a great question—I only wish I knew how to answer it. All kidding aside, it’s difficult. In fact, I would say that for me, it is the most difficult part about writing.

Most occasions, after work, I sock away a block of time when the hubs and the kiddo are busy watching their favorite show or chatting on the phone. Other times I sneak away to the computer when they head to the store. Often times I stay up late. While they take their trips on the train to Snoozeville, I stay up and write. Most weekends I’ll dedicate the early morning hours and late night hours to writing as well—freeing myself up for family activities and get togethers during the day.

It isn’t easy though, there is a fine line between getting my writing done and neglecting my responsibilities as a member of my family. But thankfully, my family will offer my gentle reminders, if I’ve been chained to the computer for too long.

It may take my books slightly longer in writing in this fashion, but until writing becomes my full time job, it’ll do. Besides, this way I continue doing what I love without neglecting who I love and letting my life pass me by.

Are you a writer that has a nine to five? How do you find time to write? Share your tips in the comments below.

Staring at a blank page with the cursor antagonistically blinking at you. You have a plan though, you know what your next scene is about from your outline. So why can’t you begin? You’re blocked. And now that you know you’re blocked—there isn’t a word in the world that has a place before that dreaded cursor.

Writer’s block visits each writer from time to time. Some bouts with this nemesis are short lived, while others consist of long stretches of nothingness—lasting hours, days, or even longer. It can be brought about when a writer has a loose outline or none at all and is uncertain of where they want the scene to go. But having a plan in place and a rock-solid outline will not make a writer immune to writer’s block. Disruptions, stress, and sometimes nothing at all can cause your creativity to come to a grinding halt.

I think of writer’s block like the hiccups—sometimes they just come on at the strangest moments and the more you try to get rid of them, the longer they last.

Whatever the reason for your mind drawing a blank, the trick is to move past it as painlessly as possible. Below is my Top 5 list of ways to get around that wall preventing you from continuing or beginning your writing.

5.    Take a break: Step away from the computer or the tablet. Head outside for a walk to clear your mind or do something entirely different. As little as fifteen minutes away from the cursor of doom, could be just the thing to reset your mind so to say.

4.    Pick up a book: Take up the next chapter of the novel you are reading now, or begin a new one. I find reading profoundly inspirational. My mind is able to drift away from the work at hand and glide effortlessly into another world. This could be just the refresh needed to ignite the keyboard.

3.    Go back to your outline: Rechecking your outline can help reaffirm the goals of your next chapter. This kind of reminder can set you on your way. As much as we memorize our writing and outlines, there could very well be an overlooked detail that can be just the inspiration. If you don’t have an outline, sketch one out for this portion of the book. The act of jotting it down in pen, could very well set you on your way to getting words to paper.

2.    Reread the last chapter: Going back and reliving that last scene has a very real chance of moving you forward. Where did you leave off? When is the next scene taking place? Are they in the same location? In asking yourself these questions, you may find that your answers are the start of your next scene.

1.    Use Dialogue: Dialogue is my number pick here because it is my go-to when it comes to being blocked. Remember, this is your first draft, it doesn’t need to be perfect. Think about what your characters would say next & write it. The simple act of getting the words on paper and placing yourself in the shoes of these characters can help you through it. Once your conversation has unfolded, go back and add tone and descriptions. You can cut some of the dialogue if needed. Even if the scene evolves into something entirely different from how you started the scene—it’s fine, but it got you writing at least something.

These are my methods to get around the wall of writer’s block and they have worked for me thus far. (fingers crossed that it doesn’t change) What are some of the ways you overcome writer’s block? Share in the comments below.

Variations on this question are asked of me regularly. Why do you write about zombies? What about zombies fascinates you? Zombies—what are you thinking?

There was a point in time early in my writing that I was asked this so much, that I was almost gun-shy at the mere mention of the topic. But it didn’t take me long to get over it, because like it or not—I love me some zombies.

I am more of a dark reader, and by that I mean that I generally read more on the strange side. Don’t get me wrong, I read all sorts of books – but I generally gravitate toward the dark side. And zombies usually have their far share of dark.

Zombies are our fellow citizens transformed into ravenous cannibals, wearing the bodies of the living and stopping at nothing to get what they desire, flesh. Dark enough for me, how ‘bout you?

I think what I like most about this genre, is the risk. The risk factor for the characters is elevated. Not only do they have to face real world problems and ruthless enemies, but zombies as well. When writing about the undead, I sometimes feel like I’m running from mobsters—trying to take me out of commission at any moment—during a hurricane. It’s a roller coaster track, that grows legs and walks around the park, while the ride is in motion.

Even if you’re not an avid horror reader, most of us are at least a little intrigued by the things that go bump in the night. Zombies are awesome in the monster world. But if there were to be a monster apocalypse, wouldn’t you rather it be zombies? I mean, traditional vampires, werewolves, and demons—spell game over humans.  At least we could have a chance with the walking dead. Customarily, the others are far stronger and faster than us, and far surpass reanimated corpses when it comes to intelligence. We would have little to no chance in defending ourselves. And where’s the fun in that?

I’m on team zombie, which makes them fun for me to write about. Plus, I am scared of zombies, so having a stellar cast of characters overcome the odds, helps to put my mind at ease.

It’s not a question I frequently encounter from others, but it is one that I ask myself from time to time—usually out of frustration.

I suppose that others don’t ask me this because I’m passionate about writing and I believe that it shows. It shows in the time and dedication that I have for my writing and in the way that I discuss it with others. And while there is no easy answer to this question that can be written in blog form, I will give my best attempt to explain it.

Writing has a special place in my heart as I would imagine one’s favorite sports team or TV programming would have in theirs. It incites excitement and happiness from within me.

Writing is very much like reading. It permits me to travel to distant places or even to some that only exist in my imagination. It allows me to step into someone else’s shoes and meet new and extraordinary people and creatures. One of the fundamental differences in writing from reading is that I can affect the outcome of the story. Make it my own, like nothing I’ve ever read.

Notice that I say, I can affect the outcome of the story and not generate it. I say this because it’s not only my story to tell. In creating the characters, they begin to take on a life of their own. While sure, in my outline—I may have noted that specific action should occur in the second act. But during the course of developing the story and the characters, that particular scene may not be the organic course for that character. So I adjust to the story, to the characters and their world. My characters are in my head—but I also have to be in theirs.

Although it may sound cheesy, for me, writing is an adventure into the unknown. Character relationships and values are built up during the process, that sometimes make planned scenes impossible, but it also opens the door to new and unexpected ones that add a value to the story that could not have been foreseen. I take this phenomenal journey in a world so different from my own with characters that I have grown to love and some I’ve come to love to hate.

Bare bones of it all, I write because it’s fun for me. But it’s my desire to share that journey with readers, that motivates me to see it all the way through.

When I first made the decision to make my writing venture into a novel, it seemed like an organic evolution of the project. Little did I know what I was in for...

This had been the first time I’d written anything on this magnitude—involving so many characters and different settings. The outlining alone, took weeks and weeks to do. My first draft was laughable to say the least, and a measly 40K words. Bleck!

At that point, I contemplated sticking it in a file and shoving it into a drawer—not to be discovered again for three or four years. But alas, I did not do this. I strapped in, held on tight and decided to take this ride. I spent the next year battling with myself and my manuscript. It felt like I would have flashes of genius, followed by eternal pauses. At times, I felt like the manuscript was really on the move. Other times, it seemed as though the universe conspired to prevent me from progress. So many days went by when I didn’t even touch the thing. And yes, at that point it was a thing. What I had loved so much in the beginning, and in writing it—had all but dissolved.

I would hit a frustrating impasse and shelf the whole project for weeks at a time. Then, like past lover that one cannot escape, I would reacquaint myself back into its familiar settings and go at it again. It really was a love-hate relationship between me and this manuscript of mine. One day, I looked at my creation and decided that I had to make a choice. It had really become a relationship that I had built with my art, and I needed to look at it that way—either all in or all out.

Once I decided to look at my writing as something that I would nurture and shape into something that could bring entertainment to others, I began to love it again. With each revision, each edit and each proofread—and there were many—my passion grew.

Endemic Rise of the Plague has been years in the making for me. Sending it out into the world for others to enjoy is a great honor, but it has been a bit difficult to let go of. I’m not sure if it is something that each author experiences, but for me it feels a little like dropping my child off at school for the first time. It’s exciting to let it venture out into the world, but also terrifying at the same time—thinking of the hills and valleys that lie ahead.

In all, it has been a roller coaster adventure—like life I suppose. There have been ups and downs, loops and corkscrews, times where I could scream and times when I’ve been wordless. In the end, I’d say that this book has become a part of me. And this adventure is far from over.