New Year, New Plan...New You?

So it's the start of a New Year and we all have a lot of plans and hopes and dreams and...well, it's 11 days into 2012 and very likely some of us are already falling behind. Yes, I'm talking to me right there. I'm not so off-course that I'm throwing in the towel on 2012...but I did just go over my goals list and realized...I need to get to work! 

And, hey, we're all in this together so I thought I'd invite a couple of friends over to talk about one way we can all stay on track this year - with a little help from our friends!

Thank you to Kristina and the WordWranglers for allowing us to guest blog today.  I’m excited to talk to you about my favorite writer’s online resource and community – Savvy Authors.  I’m Melinda B. Pierce, the Membership Director for the site, and guest blogging with me is Dawn McClure, the site’s Administrative Assistant.  I brought Dawn along because she is ten times wittier (aka snarkier) than me, and when I start to bore you with stats and details, she’ll bust in and breathe a little bit of life back into the article.  (I can hear the collective sigh of relief.)

Dawn and I decided to take Savvy Authors on the road with guest blogs to give aspiring and published authors the opportunity to learn a little more about what the site has to offer.  First and foremost, we are a community of like-minded authors from all genres who care about the craft of writing and sharing what knowledge we’ve gleaned over the years with aspiring, debut and multi-published authors alike.  The site does this in a variety of ways with writing related blog articles from authors of all genres, hosting weekly live chats in our chatrooms, discussion forums filled with member contributed information and of course what we are most known for is our multitude of craft related workshops.

Snarky?  Moi?  J Like Mel pointed out, our workshops cover a wide range of subjects.  Whether you want to learn more about police procedures, how to write a toe-curling, steamy love scene, or if you need help creating a multi-layered villain, we have a workshop that covers it.  Sharon Pickrel, co-founder of Savvy Authors and workshop wrangler extraordinaire, chooses workshops that interest writers at every level.  Whether you’re new to the business of writing, or a seasoned veteran, there’s always something to learn.

One of my favorite things about the site has to be the annual events.  They wear me out – am I right, Mel? – but I love them.  If you need a serious, swift kick in the pants to get you motivated we have EditPalooza at the beginning of the year, Boot Camp and Revision Hell (yours truly is the drill instructor) in the spring, and the Savvy Authors Summer Symposium.  And in between – because there is always something going on at Savvy Authors – we have our own pitch appointments with editors and agents in a blog format.  You give them a three-line pitch from the comfort of your home and skip the sitting-across-the-desk-deer-in-the-headlights-nightmare. 

Are your fingers itching to click on the link yet?  Good, but what Dawn and I have shared with you so far only scratches the surface.  There are two levels of membership, basic and premium, and while having the basic membership will feed your writing community addiction, the premium membership will get you into our Yahoo! Loop where promotion and buzz about you, your blog and your books is welcomed with happy, supportive, and open arms.  As a premium member you’ll also have access to craft workshops, the Blog Tour Wizard,  Autocritter and the Cliché Finder.

Now, I’m feeling a little bit like a sales person here, and that’s not my sole purpose for all the promo.  I joined Savvy Authors close to when it started two years ago, and after having been a part of a few other writing communities, I can honestly say Savvy Authors is where I have met the most supportive group of writers I’ve ever known.  Through special events and joining in on discussions, I’ve made life-long writer friends and I’ve gained a critique partner or two.  I really believe in the site and what it stands for - Writers Helping Writers.  To quote visionary co-founder Liz Pelletier, “Our hope is we've created a web home for writers that will help navigate that crazy road to publication, and to keep those who have already traveled that road stay on track.” I have to say, mission accomplished.

And that’s really what Savvy is all about.  Writing can be such a solitary endeavor, but it doesn’t have to be.  You can lurk or you can play, but you’ll always feel like part of a writing community that cares. 

Very true, Dawn.  We welcome everyone to stop by and check us out.  I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

Melinda B. Pierce, Membership Director & Moderator Co-Coordinator
Melinda B. Pierce didn’t want to be an author when she grew up. In fact, she wanted to be a Solid Gold dancer, and once the show was taken off the air, she decided being the female counterpart to James Bond would do. Reality set in, as it often does when a child grows up, and after a stint as a Military Police Officer for the United States Army, she transitioned to an Intake Coordinator for a social services office, and finally after obtaining her paralegal degree, settled into being a real estate paralegal at a law firm. While each of these careers were rewarding in their own way, she still felt she was meant to do something more. So, she opened up her laptop and began writing, and some day, she’ll finish that darn manuscript.  She currently resides in sunny Florida with her family.

Dawn McClure, Administrative Assistant and Newsletter Editor
A multi-published author of paranormal romance, Dawn McClure can often be found at her desk plugging away at a WIP or performing her duties as Savvy Authors Administrative Assistant and Newsletter Editor. Either way, she can rock both jobs in her PJs.  She lives in BFE South Dakota with her husband and two PRE-TEEN daughters (had to caps that for emphasis).