Do You Have The Time . . .

To do anything?

Seriously.

My life is always busy, seven kids, house, husband, a full time writing career and deadlines. Yeah I could be the poster child for the whole "burning your candle at both ends".

We started the summer with our six year old being lifeflighted to the local children's hospital with a skull fracture. I had emergency surgery and now chicken pox is going through our family one child at a time.

Someone commented to me this week that they hoped their kid also didn't get the chicken pox from my kid because they didn't HAVE time for a sick kid. While I blew off the comment, how was I supposed to know he was sick when he was completely spot free and not acting sick? What they said bugged me for days.

The whole HAVE time thing.

I don't have time to do anything. Time is that elusive thing that slips through my day like trying to hold water in your hand. I could spend my entire day just putting out fires that two year old's make, answering the phone, running errands etc etc etc. I'm sure you get the idea. I could spend the whole day swimming upstream. thinking I don't HAVE time.

Same goes for writing.

Do I have time to write? Of course not.

Let's think about this for a minute. The way we approach anything can have a profound impact on how we actually follow through.

While someone might not HAVE time for sick kids or writing, there's a simple answer.

I MAKE time.

Yep. I make my family, my home, my writing a priority.

I let the phone go unanswered, I get off facebook, I either turn on the computer or turn it off depending on my focus for that period of time. I let my older kids load the dishwasher and mop the kitchen floor.

I make time to write. I make time to edit, market, communicate with editors, publishers etc. I make it a priority because its important to me.

How do you make time to do those things that are important to you?

Update on my writing

Just a quick note. Walnut Springs Press and I have amicably parted ways. It was a mutual decision and were both happy with it. I need a wider realm of distribution for my books that the small publisher just can't provide.

Meanwhile Emergence is still with WSP and is on Amazon and other forms of distribution. I am actively searching for a new publisher. Everything is good.

Need that little nudge to make your book great?

I am happy to announce my newest project.

Metamorphosis Author Services

I've been toying with the idea for a little while now. But I am now getting requests to help authors with their plots and stories. I am now accepting clients for plot and story consulting as well as other services. If you want to see what I can do to help you e-mail me at michelle@cmichellejefferies.com

Services Available

Plot analysis and consult: $ 100.00 (aprox time, 3-5 hours)
This is where you send your synopsis and structure for your book to Mrs. Jefferies and she helps shape and mold the story into something great.

Whole Book Analysis: Starts at $ 300.00 (aprox. 15 hours)

Mrs. Jefferies takes a look at the whole book, including plot and character as well as subplots and gives you a more intense look at your work in progress. This is intended for finished manuscripts and an author who is willing to go back and revise and rewrite.

Author Mentoring: $ 100.00 for 4 weeks.

This opportunity is for writers to meet with Mrs. Jefferies in email, chat and live meeting where possible and work on perfecting your skills as an author especially dealing with plot and character arc.

6 Day Intensive Online Bootcamp: $ 200.00 This intensive online course takes you through 6 days of assignments and coaching from a Marine Corps Wife. Be prepared to drop and give her twenty pages.

Structure or Master Chapter Outline (SM) Online Class: $ 35.00 You receive a disk with the Power Point presentation, a recording of the class being presented, and the notes and worksheets included in the class.

The Writing Book: $ 5.00 The ultimate book for planning your novel. Especially once you learn Structure and Master Chapter Outline (SM).

Writers block attack: $ 10.00 for 30 minutes. Online or on the phone. I can brainstorm with you and get rid of the nasty block in no time.

Lunch with Michelle: $ 200.00 We eat, we plot, we analyze, we brainstorm and eat dessert.