I want to dance like Uma Thurman

C'mon, do it with me. The parted-fingers-across-your-eyes dance. Yep, feeling it. And, you'll be feelin' it, too, if you win a $15 Starbucks Card. Details below.

(Quick side Note: I wrote this post after listening to Fall Out Boy's new hit song.)

Septem-bah

"Bah" as in back-to-school, back-to packing lunches, back-to soccer/dance/scouts not to mention "Parent Night" filling up every free gem of my time. Bah! Someone buy me a pumpkin latte!

Who named her kid, Apple?

Trivia Time! No, it wasn't Uma Thurman, but none other than Gwyneth Paltrow.

Check out my miniature apple trees:

Two years ago, as I was finishing writing SECRETS, LIES AND APPLE PIES, I was flipping through a garden catalog (probably at somebody's soccer practice) and Whoa-Nelly, I came across a listing for two trees with the same apple-y names as the characters in my novel. Chills, right?

This year my little Braeburn and Gala trees have a few apples on them! I'm so excited I'm working the Uma Thurman dance one more time.

Time to bake a pie?

I'll need a few more apples. In the meantime, I'm baking some fun, exciting chances-to-win. Want in? Of course, you do!

Here's Septem-bah's Super Easy, You're Goin' Love Me For It - I just know it, Chance-To-Win:

 One lucky reader can dance like Uma Thurman with one hand and sip her free pumpkin latte in the other! You could score a $15 Starbucks Card simply by liking and sharing a Facebook post. See, super easy. I told ya you're gonna love me for it.

Gimme the details ...

Go to Audry Fryer, Author on Facebook and "like" my page (if you haven't already). There you'll see a post about the chance-to-win/Secrets, Lies and Apple Pies post. Like it, SHARE IT and you're in! The winner will announced on September 23rd (which just happens to be the first day of Autumn around these parts.)

EASY and YOU'LL LOOK SUPER-SMART TO ALL YOUR FRIENDS! I mean, you're sharing one delicious read. (Take a bite, I mean a look: on KINDLE or on NOOK) And you're among the first to discover it before it becomes a bestseller and then a movie starring Uma Thurman or Gyneth Paltrow or someone like that. And (let's just assume you won), you'll be the envy of everyone in line at Starbucks who has to pay for their cup of steaming serenity. And I'll be forever grateful for your kind act of sharing my work, so you'll score karma points from the universe (if you're into that sort of thing.)

Did someone say, "FREE"? 

Everyone deserves a test drive. And here's the keys: click here!
Yep! Enjoy the first chapter of SECRETS, LIES AND APPLE PIES for .... FREE! Sweeeeet!
(Psst - it's under one of the top tabs. Bonus, there's one for Going Barefoot in Greener Grass, too.)

Why can't we be friends?
We can! We can be like ... like "pen pals". Remember those?
Check out my website: www.audryfryer.com and *sign-up!
The next chance-to-win is awesome! Ooo, but it's a secret. To be revealed in my next newsletter ...

(*I promise I won't clog your e-mail box with desperate pleas to buy my books or share your address or throw a virtual pie in your face.  - that last one's more funny after you read the book. Nope. None of that. Only a newsletter, from time to time, to let you know the awesome ways I plan to entertain you with page-turning stories and fabulous freebies, giveaways and chances to win!)

Thanks Friends! Now, go to Audry Fryer, Author & share with wild abandon like these two!

How This Procrastinator Spent Her Summer

Oh crap, it's September! Thus ending my procrastination vacation.

June
It seems like only yesterday, my kids and I were picking strawberries. Of course, that was when the days were lost in endless rays of sunshine and I was celebrating finishing my third novel by deciding to take a break before jumping into the editing process. (Ah, sweet memories of strawberry shortcake and whipped cream.)


July
I thought about starting my fourth novel. I actually came up with a story idea. But then, there were movies to see: Inside Out and Minions. Plus, it seemed like it was everybody's birthday including my twin's ninth birthday which meant a trip to the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia.

August
I opened and promptly closed the file for How Lucy Got Lucky. How could I edit when we when heading to the Delaware Seashore for the week?

Never too late to procrastinate.
All the other days seem to be a blur between swimming in our temporary, waist-high, bought at Wal-Mart pool and evening campfires.

 

Do I regret my procrastination vacation?
Not one bit. Spending quality time with my family made it all worth it. Plus, it gave my mind time to breathe and rejuvenate. Now, as it's time to get back to chasing my big author dreams, I'm tempted to skip the return flight home. I figure fear of promoting my work and risking rejection may be the culprit. Better pack my bags and head to the motivation station. (See what I did there? Ha!)

Annnnnd that brings us to ...
September. It's like an unofficial new year. I've already started making resolutions. Have I started doing them? Sure, right after I'm done buying school supplies. Oh, and Riley needs a treat!

Look deep into those puppy dog eyes.

They're begging you to visit

www.audryfryer.com

Don't Procrastinate! Go now!

Check out SECRETS, LIES AND APPLE PIES

A novel of delicious deceptions

Writing Around a Day Job, Guest Post by Jennifer Roland

              

Welcome Jennifer Roland, author of Ten Takes on Writing, with a guest post on tips about finding time in your hectic schedule to write. (Something I know a just a teeny-weeny about!)

How to Write around a Day Job

by Jennifer Roland

When I was a kid dreaming about being a writer, most of my visions involved a dedicated writing space, all the time in the world to devote to writing, and frequent visits by the muse. Picture Jo March in modern garb and sitting in front of a computer rather than a typewriter.

Well, the computer’s there. But not much else lived up to my fantasy.

For the past eight years, I’ve been writing around a day job in marketing.

Yes, that means I spend my days writing direct mail sales letters, newsletter copy, social media posts, and whatever else my employer needs from me. When I get home, I shift to freelance writing work and personal projects, as well as family responsibilities. Dogs must be fed and kiddo must be bathed, after all.

To make it all work, I’ve had to adjust my image of what it means to be a writer.

Schedule Everything

I have specific times of day I can do specific things.

I schedule interviews before work or during my lunch hour. This means 90% of my interviews are done in my car. I take advantage of my Bluetooth connection with my smartphone and take copious notes.

When I get home from work, it’s dinner, bonding time with my son, feeding the dogs, bath time for my son, and then back to work. There is a lot more coffee and energy drinks involved in my writing then I thought there would be!

On weekends, morning time is for writing and client work, and afternoon is for family. Then, just like a student, I finish up projects and get prepped for the week on Sunday nights before bed.

Use a Portable Writer’s Kit

I have been using a portable writer’s kit for years, and it is the absolute key to getting anything done.

Mine includes:

·       A purse that is designed to hold a laptop

·       My laptop or tablet, depending on what I need to get done

·       A Circa notebook

·       A spiral notebook and pen

·       My smartphone

This allows me to do work on my lunch break when I need to, and to do those interviews I mentioned earlier. My Circa notebook is for taking to-do lists and notes about all my grand plans, and the spiral notebooks are for interview notes and notes during client calls.

Learn to Write Anywhere

I have written entire articles on my lunch break in a parking lot in my car. (I may or may not have used McDonald’s free wifi to send it to my editor. And I’ll never tell which article it was.)

I’ve gone to coffee shops on PTO days to get stuff done, and at night, I’m working on the couch with the dogs and occasional interruptions when my son needs goldfish. Apparently, only mommy can get those.

Practice writing in all different situations so you can get the words flowing no matter where you are, how uncomfortable it is, and how many distractions are around you.

Ask for Help

After bath time, my son hangs out with my husband so that I can focus. When I’m doing interviews at home, my mom makes sure my son (and the dogs) are quiet. I would simply not be able to get things done in the short amount of time available around my day job.

Are you writing around a day job? Tell us what keeps you going in the comments below.

*Thank you, Jennifer Roland, for your helpful tips. I do schedule time to write and attempt to write on the go. I'd love to hear from my readers with their clever ways to find time to write.

*Also, much appreciation to WOW - Women On Writing for providing this stop on Jennifer Roland's Blog Tour.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jennifer Roland is a freelance and marketing writer with more than 20 years experience in newspaper, magazine, and marketing environments. Jennifer also works as a virtual assistant to writers, helping them build their online presence and connect with readers so they can focus on what they love — writing.

She loves fiction and writes that under the name Jennifer C. Rodland. She hopes to put all of the lessons she learned writing this book into getting more of that published.

Jennifer can be found online at:

http://10takesonwriting.com

http://twitter.com/jenroland

http://instagram.com/thejenroland

BOOK SUMMARY:

Ten Takes on Writing summary: From novelists to poets to playwrights, Jennifer Roland interviews a variety of authors who have one thing in common — they have all chosen to make the Pacific Northwest their home. Covering a diversity of disciplines — from comics, fantasy, and detective novels to long-form poetry and illustrated children's series — 10 distinguished authors provide unique perspectives about their craft, provide helpful writing advice and tips for success, and share their passion for living and writing in the Pacific Northwest.

BUY LINK: http://shar858.wix.com/gladeyepress

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Blog Hostess, Audry Fryer,

Please visit www.audryfryer.com