and sara came tumbling after . . .

Sooooo I just wanted to let you know that I've started a tumblr.

You mean like this?

No, sillies. Not like that.

Like THIS:

clicksies
Also, guess what day I prescheduled this post on? 

Do I know what I'm doing?

I mean, let's be honest... Do I ever?

Well, okay. I do. 

But in this case . . .  

Ummm let's just say I'm learning as I go.

Am I having fun?

Duh. Don't I always?
And also, especially yes now.
Tumblr is fun.

Anyhoo. It's here (http://babblingflow.tumblr.com/) if you want to check it out.

And you should.

Because it's fun. 

And I post pictures that inspire me and songs and other pretty things.

QOTD: Do YOU have a tumbler? 

If so... Gimme your link.
And some tips :) 

Write-Brained

Soooo, I just wanted to give a little shout out today to the Write Brained Network, a free online community for writers.

My pal Ricki Schultz started it a while back (if that name sounds familiar its because Ricki's a YA writer who contributes to Writer's Digest books AND interviews agents for the Guide to Literary Agents blog). She's super awesome :)

The WB* site is absolutely worth checking out!

I'm copying the information straight from the website here, but the site explains its purpose so succinctly, there was no point in rewriting it!

The Write-Brained Network

No matter what your genre, stage, or level of writing, you can connect with other write-minded folks right here, in this social network.

WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU?

* Ask and answer questions on the forum
* Find critique partners
* Brainstorm
* Discuss your work
* Bounce ideas off others
* Journal (in a secure forum, by way of the "Blog" feature) OR link to your existing blog
* Network
* Chat with members who are online when you are
* Join or start satellite chapters in your geographical or writing areas
* Challenge yourself with writing prompts
*Et cetera . . . 

Sounds awesome, right?

So what are you still doing here? Go! Check it out :)

http://www.writebrainednetwork.com/

*The WB = The Write-Brained Network, NOT WB TV Channel... :)

Thanks for stopping by!!
♡Sara

Friday Funny

You've had a long week. You deserve to laugh.

 It's time for the Babbling Flow's Friday Funny!!

Daddy Edition

This was a forward that went around a couple years ago. Every time I watch it, I laugh so hard I cry.



Happy Friday!

Oh yeah! PS--I'm guest blogging over on the super fabulous Sarah Wylie's blog today! Are you a twitter addict? Hop over to Sarah With A Chance to see if you suffer from any of the telltale signs!

♥ me

Friday Funny

Before we get to the funny portion of today's post, I just wanted to remind everyone that it's Twitter Tattoo Avatar Weekend!!  Use a picture of your favorite tattoo (or one you want to get) as your twitter avatar this weekend! And use the hashtag #twittertattoo

Want to see mine? Check it out!  @saramcclung 

Ooooo and remember yesterday? How I mentioned the awesomeness of CJ Redwine's query/synopsis workshops?  (Click here and scroll down for what I wrote; it's highlighted, which is appropriate for CJ--she's the highlighting QUEEN!) Well, she's got a query workshop coming up March 1-12. AND she's giving a spot away for FREE!! (As if her passion for shoes didn't already make her cool enough?)

I'm actually already signed up, so if I win I'm going to give the spot away to a friend (that's SO allowed, btw). And if you enter this contest and don't win? You should sign up anyway. If her query workshop is anything like her synopsis workshop (which I've been told it is) it will be the best $40 you've spent in a while. And make sure to tell her I sent you!

Link to CJ's blog!
Link to CJ's query workshop blog!

And now... 

The Friday Funny! 

Because it's been a long week and you DESERVE to laugh!

This is totally worth watching the entire way through :-)

♥ Happy Friday ♥

♥ me

Cookies and Contests!! And Facebook, too.

SNEAKY SWEET

As you may remember, my pal Cristin Terrill set up an online bakery called Sneaky Sweet.  Well, she sent me some samples and Oh. My. Goodness.

SO GOOD. Every. Single. Cookie.

If you want a treat, I highly recommend checking her site out. And they'd make GREAT gifts for family/parties/etc.

The only downer is that a certain household member were given the job of taking pictures and said certain household member took two measly unartsy pictures and then scarfed half of each pack down before I could stop him certain household member! But maybe that works even better to let you know how delicious everything looked/tasted!! We ate them for dinner when we got home from Miami!

Here are the two measly shots that my husband certain household member took:

Hand Decorated Butterfly Sugar Cookies

Vegan Snickerdoodles

And because we didn't get pictures of the rest, here are the two other types she sent me in samples with photos from her own website:

World's Best (And that AIN'T a joke!) Chocolate Almond Toffee

Vegan/Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies

So you KNOW your mouth is watering right now.  What are you waiting for? Go get you some!  http://www.etsy.com/shop/sneakysweet 

CONTESTS!!

Lots of great contests to get into this week!!

Jenni James is having a contest to promote the pre-order of Northanger Alibi, her modern Gothic remake of Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey, with a nod to Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series. (I see Twilight... I order!  Seriously, I pre-ordered two signed copies!) If you're interested, HURRY UP! The contest ends today!

Don't miss out on Karen Amanda Hooper's Loveapalooza! She's got some sweet lovey-dovey prizes going out. (Ends 2/14)

Lisa Mantchev is having a "What Would You Do for an ARC" contest to win an ARC of Perchance to Dream. (If you haven't read Eyes Like Stars, I don't know why you're reading this blog. Go. Get. A. Copy.) You'll see my entry tomorrow via... VLOG... probably... (Ends 2/12)

Mary Campbell is having a book giveaway in honor of reaching 100 followers. I haven't read any of the books she's giving away and I REALLY want to! (Ends 2/12)

Melissa is also having a 100 followers contest, but she's giving away a $25 Barnes & Noble giftcard!! (Ends 2/12)

Southern Princess's Contest O'Love! (Even a COACH bag included!) (Ends 2/12)


Shannon's giving away a SIGNED copy of Buying, Training and Caring for your Dinosaur! (Ends 2/14)


Falen's $25 Barnes & Noble Giftcard Giveaway for reaching 50 followers! (Ends 2/12)

If I forgot to mention anyone's contest, just let me know!!

FACEBOOK

Okay, so least importantly for my post today... I just wanted to give an open invitation to facebook friend me!!  Click on the widget below (or the on in my sidebar) and friend me :-)

Sara McClung

Create Your Badge

#amwritingparty

Recently I've been asked a lot of questions about the #amwritingparty hashtag on twitter. And I thought I'd tell you a little bit about it.

Here's how it began:

One night I was really struggling with motivation while working on Shattered. I hopped on twitter and started chatting with other writers on #amwriting. (One of the three best twitter hashtags for writers, in my opinion, along with #yalitchat and #askagent.)

Usually, #amwriting really helps to spark motivation - there are SO many other writers to converse with! But on that particular night, everyone seemed to be struggling the same way that I was. Instead of motivating each other, we all were procrastinating (complaining even).  But you see, I had a self-imposed deadline to meet. I needed to be writing!

So spur of the moment, I suggested we take it up a notch, for the evening, and have an #amwritingparty! And it WORKED! For some reason, the little twist helped me and the others who participated to find our writing grooves.  We gave progress updates every half hour, cheered each other on, and even handed out rounds of ficticious shots. Time flew by - and so did the word counts. It was great!

I only meant for it to be a one night thing - because #amwriting is a fun place to hang out, believe me! But the party kind of took on a mind of its own. The next night it flared up again. And the next. And then the next. And it's been going strong ever since. And it's wonderful! There aren't really any "hosts" per se because people hop on and off as they please, but there are some really fun regulars--so be sure to check it out!

Here's what it's all about:

• #amwritingparty is a place for writers at any part of the writing process. Writing, planning, editing, querying, etc. (even just taking a break!)
• #amwritingparty is a 24/7 party! Though it really picks up in the evenings.
• Sometimes we share lines from our works in progress (WIPs). The other night we played #WIPFire every half hour where you'd scroll randomly to a place in your WIP and share that line. It was fun, and frequently hysterical.
• We have "Internet cocktails" pretty much every night - and Carol even sprinkles sparkly word dust out for writers who need motivation!
• We often make word count pledges (#pledge4k etc) or page edit pledges. Very beneficial to the whole writing process, I promise!
• #amwritingparty is a crew of really, really supportive writers - and anyone is invited to participate at any time!

Any of my blog reading #amwritingparty crew - feel free to add any of the fun things that I've missed!!

Here are a few examples of the fun #amwritingparty comments made in recent days:

@cvaldezmiller: @_rachelsimon Let me offer you some sparkly wordy dust. Will help you write! *sprinkle sprinkle* Happy writing! #amwritingparty

@Danisidhe: Thansk to #amwritingparty I did really well yesterday so I'm committing to you guys that I will do another 1000 words of plot again today :D

@a_shostak: @cvaldezmiller How far are you in your writing goal today? I just finished the 4k ;) #amwritingparty

@lkgg: If I'm watching the antics of #amwritingparty I'm usually laughing my head off.

@WritingAgain: #amwritingparty Drinking is optional (for most people). Fun, however, is not. Call it a writing support group.

@kidswap: So I have a question. Do you edit or go back and edit right away or do you just motor through to the end then start edits? #amwritingparty

@AngelaButts: ain't no party like an #amwritingparty party. Is it just as jumping tonight?

@frankiediane: Thank you! So what are you working on? #amwritingparty I feel like I need to meet everybody. What's everyone writing?

@ThePreyers: @lkgg Nearly 900 when I started the chop-chop! "Thats" I will destroy you! Aaaaaaaa.... #amwritingparty

@lkgg: @ThePreyers "That" is one of my all time pitfalls. While during creation, I let them fall where they may & cut later. #amwritingparty

@jkoyanagi: @cvaldezmiller You can do it! It's going well. Still in the thick of edits. #amwritingparty

Okay - so that's #amwritingparty, in a nutshell! Hope you drop by - but either way... Cheers to happy writing :-)

♥ me

Twitter... Apparently it's NOT Just A Modern Version of AIM

In fact, it's become a rather large catalyst for prolonging (and increasing the frequency of) my novel writing sessions.  Thanks to my newfound appreciation for Twitter, I am more motivated than I've ever been! 

Here's why:

I didn't understand all the fuss about Twitter when it first became popular.  Everyone started jumping on the bandwagon, and I honestly thought it was ridiculous.  Why go to a site just to see what my friends are up to?  Didn't facebook give you that information and a lot more? 

I think I 'tweeted' (yes, every time I use the word tweet, the chorus of Rockin' Robin immediately imbeds itself in my brain) once, when I gave it a try, back in June '09.  Something along the lines of "working on my novel".  Because it was around the time I came up with my vision of Project Jane and was so excited about it that I was ready to shout it from whatever figurative mountaintop I could find.  That was it.  I couldn't remember (be bothered) to check it afterward.  My account sat there, unused, for those few months. 

Then I started this blog which lead me (through searching for other writer-based blogs) to find INKYGIRL's Writer's Guide to Twitter.  It pretty much rocked my world.  Especially the list for 10 Ways Twitter Can Help Writers.   I quickly realized I had a LOT to learn. 

There are other great articles out there about this as well, just do a Google search and you'll find them.  The ways twitter can enhance my writing ability and opportunities that have stuck out to me so far are these: