Friday, December 30, 2016

Class Flash: Listings of Great Writing Courses From Laurie Campbell


Laurie is one of my all favorite writing teachers.

online: PROMOTION & PERSONALITY
(Jan. 9-20, 2017 for Open Sisters in Crime Guppies only )sinc-guppies.org/   There are so many ways for writers to promote their books, nobody should have to do something that feels uncomfortable for the kind of person they are. Looking at the nine personality types, three subtypes, and five birth-order positions shows which best reflects you — and which kinds of promotion will come more naturally, so you won't have to dread all the activity that comes with releasing a new title or building a brand.

online:
 CREATING YOUR HERO'S FATAL FLAW
(Jan. 31-Feb. 24, 2017
 open to all
http://sincne.org/events/online-workshop-creating-your-heros-fatal-flaw-laurie-schnebly.   Giving likable, plausible characters a compelling conflict is easier with Enneagrams. Counselors and HR managers use this tool to identify the nine personality types: Reformer, Nurturer, Achiever, Romantic, Observer, Guardian, Adventurer, Leader and Peacemaker. Each one has its own uniquely heroic and distinctive traits, plus a troublesome flaw, that naturally bring them into conflict with other people...and with themselves.


onlinePLOTTING VIA MOTIVATION
(March 6-31 for any kind of fiction writers)
writeruniv.wordpress.com/classes   Any of us could write a book in which characters get shipwrecked on an uncharted desert isle. We've seen what seven such characters would do…over and over and over again. But what would YOURS do? If you nail down any character's motivation, it doesn't matter whether the ship capsizes or lands safely three hours laterYour characters will create a plot from whatEVER happens, because you've got their motivation built in from the very beginning. Here's how to do it.


live in Tucson, AZTHE DOUBLE D'S: DIALOGUE & DESCRIPTION(March 1111:30-12:30tucsonfestivalofbooks.org
   Which D is your strength, and which needs work? Here's what to do.


online: FROM PLOT TO FINISH
(April 3-14 for any kind of fiction writers)
writeruniv.wordpress.com/classes   A continuation of the March process open solely to people who've taken PVM online or in person at some point, this no-more-than-30-people group gets you plotting a brand new or already-begun book (using your completed 14-point worksheet) from start to finish. No need to prepare a new story idea, character bios, goal charts or anything else, because you'll see how to plot an entire book -- and actually have it ready to type -- by the end of this hands-on workshop.

blog: WHY FATAL FLAWS RARELY ARE(April 18seekerville.blogspot.com
   How will your characters overcome weakness for a happy ending?

live in Atlanta, GA
ALL-DAY WORKSHOP(April 22georgiaromancewriters.org
   Not yet sure what this day will include, but will know by April 21!

Wednesday, December 28, 2016

This Could Be The Most Important Post of The Year #writing

My Annual Reminder

Nope, it's not a writing tip, it's a career saving tip. 


Several years ago, I read a post by Syndee Rogers-Nuckles about the importance of multiple or redundant backup systems. 

She was kind enough to let me reprint this, with a few additions of my own. 


Take it away Sydney....

Have you ever had your heart sink? Feel the sting of tears streaming down your face as you realized all your files had disappeared?

I have. In a total panic I searched my computer looking for any sign of hope, I shook my head trying to awaken out of what had to be a nightmare.

Does any of this sound familiar to anyone reading this, other than LA, her buddy and me? 

Or were you one of the few lucky ones that had backups of all your files on another EHD (external hard drive) or DVD's? 

Or perhaps it's just been another thing on your ‘to do’ list? 

I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to backup your files, but it can be so time-consuming and overwhelming. Like so many of you I am stretched to the limits of available time so after trying at least a dozen different strategies for backing up I finally hit upon something that really works for me.


Now, I use the ‘triple threat’, not just having a single backup copy but two so that you have three copies of all your important files. 


For instance, I have the following:

1- Original files: all my business files like documents are kept on my computer's built-in hard drive. My original design files are kept on my main External Hard Drive.

2- Backup 1: I try to make copies of all my important files as I create them to a second EHD that I keep hooked up to my computer. I try to back this up at least once a week.

3- Backup 2: This is where the online backup service comes in. I LOVE this! I use Backblaze which just runs in the background whenever my computer is on saving all my files for me! My files are backed up to a secure offsite server so if something were to happen to my computer I can still get to my files from another computer!

Online Backup Services

Backblaze
http://www.backblaze.com/

This service was easy to install and was backing up my files in minutes! One of the best things about this company is that it features unlimited storage. I was using Mozy before and they changed their pricing structure so much that it priced them right out of my budget. have been so happy with this service, I totally forget it’s running on my computer!


(LA) This is what I use. It took over 45 days to get all my data uploaded and that was several years ago, but it was done every day behind the scenes, I really didn't notice it at all. 2016 note. I also can back up my second hard drive in my tower, just by adding it. No additional cost or difficulty doing so.

Carbonite
http://www.carbonite.com/

I have heard good things about Carbonite. The biggest drawback is that they do not offer backups of your EHD’s, which is something I can’t live without. But if you are not using any EHD’s they are worth looking in to. 

Mozy
www.mozy.com

I had trouble installing Mozy on my Mac when I switched over from a PC, and when I contacted customer support and followed the instructions they gave me it still did not work. It was around the same time they changed the pricing structure so I canceled my account and signed up with Backblaze.

(LA) I have friends who swear by Mozy, so check them out.  Things change all the time :)

Keep in mind that these online backup services are not meant to be an addition storage system, if you delete the files off your computer these companies will delete those same files after 30 days. 

Thank you Syndee for your research!!

An additional note by yours truly
Good Sync
https://www.goodsync.com

This is a lifesaver for me. It allows me to sync my drives to my externals and either do a back up, a one or two sync.  I love this.  There is a slight learning curve, but it's a free program until you get too many files, I think it's 25, then there is a fee, but it's a purchase, not monthly.  

Back up your career, and have a wonderful and hopefully now, a worry free Holiday Season.

If you know of other companies, feel free to post them in the comments section.

Ciao and Happy 2017
~LA