2013 Resolutions: Jenna Bayley-Burke and the Literary Life

Resolve 2013 : Creating a Literary Life

Welcome Jenna Bayley-Burke, author of Drive Me Crazy. What are your thoughts on my New Year’s resolution to Create a Literary Life? 

It sounds wonderful…can I be in it?

I’m still mired in the small-children-rule-my-world life, and will be for another decade and a half. I have grand dreams of a literary life. Attending readings, signings, book clubs, conventions. I’ll wear long cardigans and flowing skirts and sip tea all day long. I’ll write in quaint, local cafes where I’ll be known by the staff and regulars and ‘the writer’. 

I’ll read as much as an agent, a story a day at least, three on a good day. And I’ll know the authors, drop them quirky notes about how I loved their latest and recognized parts of the trip they took to Spain a few years back. I’ll read on a hammock, or a fainting couch. Preferably with bonbons.

*tires squealing* 

What the heck are bonbons anyway? I mean, really. When I am ready I don’t want anything that could dirty my fingers and get on the pages of the book or mar my e-reader case. This is why true readers covet m&m’s. And while I can hear the folksy guitar scoring that life, I’ve always been more of an uptempo, dance mix kind of girl. 

My literary life takes place online. Mostly on Twitter (the break room) or Facebook (the reception area). A few times a year I’m on the ball enough to arrange the kids’ and husband’s schedules so they can do without me for a bit. Conferences and brainstorming sessions leave me energized to write and create, but unfortunately I come home to the chaos created by my absence and… I don’t feel at all literary as I decode what transpired by laundry stains and what’s missing from the pantry.

 Alas, I’m not sure I’m much help on this one, Linda. So sorry. Ask me in again in a decade and a half. 

Find Jenna : Website | GoodReads | Facebook | Twitter | Blog| Pinterest  

Keep the party rolling!

Maggie Jaimeson - Take a Vacation

Jessa Slade - Get Organized

Paty Jager - Volunteerism

Linda Mercury - Creating a Literary (or Creative) Life

Jenna Bayley-Burke - Eat Healthier

Cassiel Knight - No More Procrastination

Cathryn Cade - Take Time for those OTHER Creative Passions

Su Lute - Reduce Stress: Find and Follow Your Bliss

Jamie Brazil - Shrink My Closet

2013 Resolutions: Cassiel Knight and the Literary Life

Resolve 2013:  Creating a Literary (or Creative) Life

Cassiel Knight

Hit Me With Your Best Shot

This one was a difficult resolution for me. First, I wasn’t quite sure what Linda meant by this. I’m also surprised because I think Linda is one of the few that have what I think as a literary life. She’s very dedicated to her writing and is published with eKensington. Sounds pretty good, eh?

So, I thought about this one a bit. Actually looked online to see what other’s thought about creating a literary or creative life and for me, it seems to boil down to how we hold ourselves out to others.

We have to figure out what our creative life should look like and that is something only we can do. I know mine means quitting my day job so what I’m doing now and planning for the future involves creating my literary life around making enough money to quit the day job, keep myself (and my dogs) in the life style to which we’ve become used to and indulge in my passions of writing, editing and promotion. And I have a plan to get there in the next two years. It’s a slow plan but I love knowing what’s waiting for me when I succeed.

My literary life won’t be everyone’s. How I get there also won’t be the same but I think what is the same is how we present ourselves to others. To start: Do you like to tell people you write books? Do you like to tell them what type of book you write? When people ask me what I do, I tell them I’m a writer and when they ask what I write, I proudly tell them action/adventure romance. If you can’t do that, figure out what’s preventing you. 

There are other things around how you are perceived by others in your goal to create a literary life but ultimately, being comfortable telling others you are a writer and not shying from telling them you write romance, erotic, young adult or science fiction and fantasy should be your first step. Take pride in what you do.

Have a fantastic 2013!

Cassiel Knight resides in the beautiful, and evergreen, state of Oregon with her husband of over 20 years and two female Shih Tzus, which are her children in every sense of the word. When she isn't editing, writing or reading (and that is most of the time), she can be found playing with her Shih Tzus, gardening (when the weather permits and sometimes when it doesn't) and cooking fancy meals as long as someone else does the dishes. She writes paranormal romances with kick-assitude that blend archeology and mythology—just a few of her favorite things—for Samhain Publishing, Lyrical Press and Champagne Book Group.

You can find me at these places:

Website

Blog

Goodreads

Facebook

Twitter

Continue the blog party!

Maggie Jaimeson - Take a Vacation

Jessa Slade - Get Organized

Paty Jager - Volunteerism

Linda Mercury - Creating a Literary (or Creative) Life

Jenna Bayley-Burke - Eat Healthier

Cassiel Knight - No More Procrastination

Cathryn Cade - Take Time for those OTHER Creative Passions

Su Lute - Reduce Stress: Find and Follow Your Bliss

Jamie Brazil - Shrink My Closet