Click and Go Photography

I have always enjoyed taking pictures, but never had the right camera to do it. My dad, an aviation photographer, recently gave me a Nikon D3000 - a fancy camera like nothing I have ever had before. I love it! And even though I always knew how being able to take my own high-quality photos would enhance my writing, I didn't really know how much photography would ignite my creativity. I've only had the camera for a month, but have I ever enjoyed playing with it! There's a saying: creativity begets creativity. How true that is! And as with anything, learning and improving is never-ending. I hope to take a photography course, and I look forward to learning the countless ways of tying photography and writing together. My dad and my two sisters both enjoy photography; for fabulous nature and life-stills, stop by www.tmill760.wix.com/photographers-portfo and if you're into aviation, be sure to visit www.ranger02.wix.com/myphotography

I started a photography site showcasing my photos - I hope you'll stop by!



www.lisalange8.wix.com/clickandgo

Busy times....

Been busy the last bit, writing-wise and personally. I am busy juggling motherhood, the day job and my new passion of archery. LOVING IT! Great to hone skills of focus, determination, concentration and consistency - all needed for so many things in life, like writing (at least for me).

I have sent out my previously published novella "Newbie Nick" to a publisher for consideration, so we'll see what happens. In the meantime I am working on a full-length young/young adult novel (character is in grade 9 and age 14), and he has major issues with trusting his own inner power to get what he wants in life.

Added to that, I cut off about 6 inches of my hair. To many this is no big deal, but to me it is. I wrote about 'change' on my other blog at www.lisamcmanuslange.blogspot.com. Hope you'll stop by!

Thanks for visiting,

Lisa

PiBoIdMo - Picture Book Idea Month 2014

What a year – what a month!

The year is almost up as I write this, and for me it’s been a whirlwind, busy, exciting year of writing. Not only was my young adult ebook ‘Newbie Nick’ released by Lycaon Press, but I’ve had many publications with Chicken Soup for the Soul (find out more at www.lisamcmanuslange.blogspot.com) and I have been busy, busy, busy writing….

While waiting to hear back from a publisher on two children’s/young adult books, I have been working on another book for teens – about a boy and his genie. When I’m working on a book, I am in deep thinking/planning/plotting mode and I find it hard to focus on anything else. I have to stay ‘in the book.’

However, sometimes I have to force myself to take a break from it, to let things germinate and ripen. I never stray too far from it, though – doing so can be catastrophic as too much/too long time away can slow down my flow in the story.

But recently a little side project came up – not a ‘project’ but a ‘creativity-builder.’ Fellow young adult author, Jenny Watson, author of ‘Prove it Josh’ (Sono Nis Press), told me about a month-long creativity group. PiBoIdMo – Picture Book Idea Month – was established back in 2009 by Tara Lazar, and it’s continued every year.

The concept is to come up with an idea (or more) a day for the month of November. ‘Registering’ via their website holds you accountable – once you’ve ‘told’ someone about it, you’re kind of committed. And it’s simple – you’re not writing a story – you’re just jotting down an idea (or more) a day, and at the end of the month, guess what? You have 30, or more, ideas to work with! One idea fosters another, and then another, and then another. The PiBoIdMo is fabulous, and the Facebook support page is even better – everyone shares ideas and experiences to inspire and encourage other writers.

For me, given we are ¾ of the way through the month as I write this, I have found participating in this event more rewarding than I had ever imagined. I have come up with at least 5 or 6 ideas a day, whether it’s simply jotting down a book title, a concept, or a sentence – it’s something – and creativity begets creativity and all that.

So mark your calendars for next year and register for the idea-building month. Or better yet, start your own Picture Book Idea Month – stay committed and get writing!