Blisscraft Life With Christina Katz

I noticed the book, Hot (Sweaty) Mamas mentioned by Kate Hopper in a giveaway post on her blog and thought, That sounds like a book I sure need. So I decided to invite Kara and Laurie to come on over and give away a book here. They were kind enough to oblige. Please help me welcome these two hot, sweaty mamas!

Kara Douglass Thom was a runner and triathlete long before she became a mom and finds her multisport training skills apply to mothering her four young children, 7-year-old twin girls, a 6-year-old daughter and 2-year-old son. She is the author of two other books, “Becoming an Ironman: First Encounters with the Ultimate Endurance Event,” and the children’s book, “See Mom Run.” She writes about health, fitness and parenting for numerous publications and blogs about finding fitness in the chaos of motherhood at Mama Sweat.

A veteran endurance athlete, Laurie Lethert Kocanda has completed over 35 marathons, two Ironman triathlons, and two ultramarathons… so far. Motherhood has made her tougher—she’s conquered more miles and covered them faster as a mom than she did before. Laurie is an ACE certified group fitness instructor and has been revving up group cycling classes for over ten years. As the former editor of two regional sports magazines and a freelance writer for local and national publications, Laurie’s writing focuses on fitness, family, women’s issues, and pregnancy. She has two daughters, who are 9 and 5.

Hot (Sweaty) Mamas: Five Secrets to Life as a Fit Mom goes beyond “getting your pre-baby body back.” It’s about how to make fitness a priority and protect that priority as ruthlessly as you would your children. Authors Kara Thom and Laurie Kocanda offer advice on how to fold fitness into a busy mom’s life and address the realities fit moms face (sleepless nights and clingy toddlers among them). Raising fit kids is important to fit moms, too. Hot (Sweaty) Mamas includes ways to workout with kids in tow and why this fitness mentoring will help kids grow up to be active. More about the book at www.hotsweatymamas.com.

From the authors:

1. How has writing (either just the act of writing or writing this book or both) impacted your self-confidence?

When we first set out to write the book the first agent we approached didn’t like the original idea, which was an essay book about how fit moms were making it work. She thought a how-to book was in order. At the time we had toddlers and were learning the ropes of fit motherhood and it was hard to comprehend ourselves as experts. Now, almost five years and six kids between us, we feel we have a lot to offer in the way of expertise! Still we’re not “know it alls,” and we think that tone is reflected in the book. We’re on this fit-motherhood journey together and this like-minded community has a lot to share with each other. Our Facebook page is certainly a reflection of that.

2. What are three words that describe your creative book-writing process?

For two busy work-from-home-mom co-authors: Back And Forth!

3. What good has your book created in the world?

As we all know motherhood can often be an isolating endeavor. What we experienced the moment we reached out for input for the book is how important the “sweaty sisterhood” is for fit moms. We know Hot (Sweaty) Mamas is helping connect this community and share ideas for fitness. The #1 reason moms in our survey said they exercise is for their “sanity”so in this way we are keeping each other physically and mentally healthy!

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What do you do for your combined physical and mental health? Is there more you’d like to do? Describe your perfect hot, sweaty, writer mama workout. 🙂

How about you? Are you committed to your creative projects no matter what? Can you tap your great determination and use it to tackle the writing projects that matter most to you? Tell us what great determination means to you.

Answer in the comments in 50-200 words (no less and no more to qualify to win one of today’s books). Please read the complete rules at least once!

Thanks for participating in the Writer Mama Every-Day-In-May Book Giveaway! Thanks for spreading the word!

I made an exception for Anne Zimmerman to participate in the giveaway because her new biography, An Extravagant Hunger: The Passionate Years of M.F.K. Fisher, is about an author mama. I was pleased to meet Anne at the recent Terroir Creative Writing Festival when we were scheduled to give a reading together. Please help me welcome her!

Anne Zimmerman was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah. She attended Linfield College in McMinnville, Oregon, and received a Master’s degree from San Diego State University. She has written about food and drink for Culinate, The Kitchn, Tasting Table, Diner’s Journal, and Zester Daily and taught the art of biography writing in Stanford University’s Online Writer’s Studio. An Extravagant Hunger: The Passionate Years of M.F.K. Fisher is her first book.

In An Extravagant Hunger: The Passionate Years of M.F.K. Fisher, Anne Zimmerman seeks to illuminate the most colorful years of famed food writer and gastronome M.F.K. Fisher’s life. Relying on unpublished letters and journals, Zimmerman explores Fisher’s time in Europe with her first husband, her re-marriage, her second husband’s suicide, and the pleasures of cooking and table that made Fishers’ life transcendent. An Extravagant Hunger reveals the personal story behind some of M.F.K. Fisher’s most beloved gastronomical writings: Serve it Forth, Consider the Oyster, How to Cook a Wolf, and The Gastronomical Me.

1. How has writing (either just the act of writing or writing this book or both) impacted your self-confidence?

I left a career in PR and marketing to write my biography of the food writer An Extravagant Hunger: The Passionate Years of M.F.K. Fisher, and the transition was occasionally daunting. Working from home as a writer can knock your self-esteem around a bit: I’m constantly comparing myself to other writers/ creatives and wishing I was more creative, productive, etc. Thus, what writing has really inspired is determination — the idea that I’m committed to my creative projects, no matter what.

2. What are three words that describe your creative book-writing process?

For me, much of writing happens in my head before I ever put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard). I’m inspired by daily tasks: cooking, walks in my neighborhood, pretty vignettes of blooming flowers, stacks of books, the perfect cup of coffee. Seeing all this inspires my thinking and writing process which I would describe as: manic (it can be thoughtful and frenzied all at the same time), confused (I always write multiple drafts), and exhausting (sounds like fun, huh?).

3. What good has your book created in the world?

I hope my book, An Extravagant Hunger: The Passionate Years of M.F.K. Fisher has taught readers more about a remarkable writer and woman who’s work helped create the genre of food writing. I also hope my book inspires creativity, travel, and encourages readers to really live each exquisite moment of life.

• • •

Anne has brought up one of my favorite topics about writing, the great determination you need to have to succeed in this crazy publishing business. Anne says, “Thus, what writing has really inspired is determination — the idea that I’m committed to my creative projects, no matter what.”

How about you? Are you committed to your creative projects no matter what? Can you tap your great determination and use it to tackle the writing projects that matter most to you? Tell us what great determination means to you.

Answer in the comments in 50-200 words (no less and no more to qualify to win one of today’s books). Please read the complete rules at least once!

Thanks for participating in the Writer Mama Every-Day-In-May Book Giveaway! Thanks for spreading the word!

[Please note, this post is from March 2010, so it includes mentions of Simon and Ellen. I am reposting it in honor of tonight’s American Idol finalé. Go, Lauren!]

I know some writers prefer not to watch American Idol. Others may think that reality TV is mindless fluff for small minds. Some may find the show offensive and potentially harmful, especially to children.

And then there are those of us who watch it and find it to be a relaxing form of entertainment. At least I do. So I thought I’d share a few reflections on what I think writers can learn about success from watching American Idol.

Regardless of where you stand on the show, I think you’ll be surprised by how many ideas I got out of it that also apply to writers. And I’m just getting warmed up…

1. Make the most of an incredible opportunity but don’t be a prima donna (viewers can spot one a mile away)
2. Know yourself and be yourself – that’s why people watch – let your uniqueness shine through
3. Figure out who your fans really are and dedicate yourself to them, they are going to be the ones who go the distance for you, tell others about you, and cheer you forward
4. Take in and learn from the critiques, they come with the territory
5. Push yourself to keep growing, nothing else inspires others more
6. Fill the stage – be a star not a mouse
7. Look into the camera, connect with  people (but don’t get all schmaltzy while doing it)
8. Respond to criticism thoughtfully, action speaks louder than words
9. Don’t just sing, feel the music, pull us in, take us with you
10. Remember: this is a competition, don’t dink around: WIN
11. Don’t let somebody else’s idea of who you are mess you completely up (see number 2)
12. Give each performance everything you’ve got & leave everything on the stage, all of it
13. Try not to be self-conscious, it’s just not compelling
14. Watch the show back and see for yourself how well you did, learn from your mistakes
15. Care about your friends but don’t caretake them (see number 10)
16. Craft a compelling story about yourself but don’t get carried away, if you try to manipulate the audience they will abandon you
17. Be gracious, friendly, and if at all possible, funny
18. Never whine or make excuses, millions of people are watching
19. Own your choices, all of them
20. Speaking of, it’s never too late to make a comeback, even if you get voted off
21. When necessary, calmly speak up for yourself, especially to Simon
22. Be respectful of the judges because they know stuff, even Ellen
23. Be respectful of the public because they are telling you how you are coming across
24. Accept that being simultaneously loved and not liked at all means you are pretty darn successful
25. Enjoy the ride!

What else? Did I miss any?

Having a book published is always a momentous and exhausting occasion. So it’s nice to see Gigi Rosenberg relishing every moment. Please help me give Gigi a warm welcome and feel free to congratulate her.

Gigi Rosenberg is a writer, speaker and author of The Artist’s Guide to Grant Writing: How to Find Funds and Write Foolproof Proposals for the Visual, Literary, and Performing Artist. This book grew out of her professional development workshops taught in Portland, Chicago, New York, and throughout the Pacific Northwest. Her writing has been published by Seal Press, The Oregonian, Jewish Review, and Parenting, performed at Seattle’s On the Boards, and broadcast on Oregon Public Radio. For the latest, visit gigirosenberg.com.

The Artist’s Guide To Grant Writing: How to Find Funds and Write Foolproof Proposals for the Visual, Literary, and Performing Artist empowers artists and writers by teaching them to write winning proposals and fundraise for their artistic endeavors. Written in an engaging and down-to-earth tone, Gigi Rosenberg’s book is a survival guide for navigating the competitive world of funding for individual artists.

1. How has writing (either just the act of writing or writing this book or both) impacted your self-confidence?

Writing a book is like getting a PhD. Of course you’re an expert on the topic to begin with or you couldn’t sell the book idea but the years you put into the research, writing and promotion require you to leave no stone unturned. I’ve been in and under every nook and cranny of this topic by now — this is a confidence-building experience!

2. What are three words that describe your creative book-writing process?

Unnerving, exciting, empowering.

3. What good has your book created in the world?

The book is helping artists and writers unsnarl the daunting world of grants and it’s tough love too. It’s teaching artists how much they gain by doing the hard work of articulating their idea and asking for what they want.

• • •

Gigi came and spoke at the Northwest Author Series. One of the topics she discussed that jumped out at me was the idea of believing that your work has enough value in the world to feel that it deserves funding. Generally speaking, do you feel that your writing is worthy of outside funding? There are no right answers here. This is just something that is interesting to consider if you never asked yourself the question before.

Answer in the comments in 50-200 words (no less and no more to qualify to win one of today’s books). Please read the complete rules at least once!

Thanks for participating in the Writer Mama Every-Day-In-May Book Giveaway! Thanks for spreading the word!

With great pleasure I’d like to introduce Therese Walsh. Therese is not only a fantastic novelist, she is also the co-founder of Writer Unboxed, a terrific resource for writers. And just think, if it wasn’t for the Internet and online networking, I might never have met Therese. Three cheers for the Internet! Please help me welcome a true encourager of writers.

Therese Walsh is the author of The Last Will of Moira Leahy (Crown, Random House), and is the co-founder of Writer Unboxed, a blog for writers about the craft and business of fiction. She is the writer-mama of two writer-kiddos and more four-legged critters than she cares to admit. (Oh, okay, four.) Learn more at her website.

Maeve Leahy is a busy professor of languages with no time for memories of her lost twin, Moira, or of her many lost opportunities. Until a childhood relic and a series of anonymous notes changes everything—resurrects her long-dead dreams, a lost language, her most painful recollections, and prompts her to cross an ocean in search of ancient history. There, Maeve will learn new truths about her past,  and come face to face with the one thing she truly fears. Only then can she choose between the safe yet lonely life she’s built for herself and one of risk, with bonds she knows can be both heart-breakingly delicate and more enduring than time.

1. How has writing (either just the act of writing or writing this book or both) impacted your self-confidence?

I began writing The Last Will of Moira Leahy in 2002 with little creative writing experience. (I was a science major in college.) As I wrote, I studied my craft; and as I learned, my writing improved significantly. I came to understand that writers direct a great deal of their own evolution and ultimate success. If writing were a sport, it would be running: It’s all you–your willpower, the conditioning you demand of yourself, and your fight. And when you climb hill after hill, then look back to realize how far you’ve come–when you look back at your earliest pages and can clearly see your improvement as a writer–it’s an incredible confidence booster.

2. What are three words that describe your creative book-writing process?

Unpredictable. Surprising. Evolving.

3. What good has your book created in the world?

There are two stories I’ve heard about The Last Will of Moira Leahy that make me feel especially gratified. The first is that the novel literally saved the life of a woman who was low-down and read it, and felt lifted out of her dark place. The second is that a dying woman read the book–after months of not being able to finish anything–and loved it. It was the last book she read before she died.

• • •

I like this part of what Therese said, “…writers direct a great deal of their own evolution and ultimate success.” How are you taking the reins of your writing career and steering it towards success, whatever that means for you?

Answer in the comments in 50-200 words (no less and no more to qualify to win one of today’s books). Please read the complete rules at least once!

Thanks for participating in the Writer Mama Every-Day-In-May Book Giveaway! Thanks for spreading the word!

I’d like to thank the weather for being so crummy this spring, so that I could stay on task and not get lured outside prematurely. And now that summer is almost here, here’s what’s coming up!

The Writer Mama Every-Day-In-May Book Giveaway

I am so happy that I revived this book giveaway (even if it is something of an administrative monstrosity). Nothing could be more worthwhile, for me, than celebrating hard-working author mamas. I have been so inspired by the stories of everyone who has participated. And the inspiration continues because May isn’t over yet. So I hope you will come by and join in, if you haven’t already.

What does it take to become an author mama? If you are an aspiring author mama, you might be interested in checking out my e-book on the topic, Author Mama, How I Became A Published Author & How You Can Too.

Stick around until the end of the giveaway on May 31st—there are nine drawings left!

• • •

PacNW Authors: Apply Now For Season Five of the Northwest Author Series

Eric M. Witchey did a great job wrapping up NAS season four to very full house last weekend. I want to thank Pat Duke, Malia Laughton, Burton Haun, Alyssa MacPartland, Jane Friedman, Andi Erickson, the Friends of the Wilsonville Public Library, Writer’s Digest, Wilsonville Starbucks, and Lamb’s Thriftway for all of their help and contributions to season four. I think everyone agrees that it was our best season yet. (Not that our prior seasons were too shabby.) If you are a Pacific Northwest Author with at least one recently published traditionally published book, then you qualify to apply for one of our eight available spots for season five. Full details on the application process are available here.

• • •

Register Now For Classes That Begin In August With Myself Or Abigail Green

This fall Abby and I are both updating and enriching our classes. My classes will be more comprehensive, more chock-full of resources, and will contain more examples from experienced writer mamas than they ever have before. Our classes already turn out tons of published writers, but my goal is to make sure that every writer who takes any of my classes has every possible resource I can provide to help her get published and all in one focused, structured, manageable six-week experience. I’m looking forward to launching my updated classes in August.

Register by August 16 for classes that begin August 24:

Writing & Publishing the Short Stuff

Pitching Practice: Write Six Queries In Six Weeks

Micro-publishing for Mom Writers

Personal Essays That Get Published

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Fall Dream Teams For Former Students Begin August 1st

I have three levels of dream teams, and the next round launches in just a short few months! My Dream Teams are a context that creates “pod-pressure” — just the right amount of support, encouragement, and accountability to help you get from wherever you are now to where you’d like to be. Participants enjoy sharing resources and cheering each other on, while still staying on course with individual goals. If you are a mom who has worked with me in the past, you can sign up for a dream team and you will be placed in one of the following groups:

1. Writing & Publishing the Short Stuff Article-writing Dream Team
2. Advanced Article-writing /Beginning Platform-building Dream Team
3. Advanced Article-writing & Advanced Platform-building Dream Team (Invitation Only)

Learn more here.

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Mark Your Calendar For The Global Launch Party of The Writer’s Workout

The Writer’s Workout, 366 Tips, Tricks & Techniques From Your Writing Career Coach from Writer’s Digest Books is coming down the publishing track. Please mark your calendar for the all-day global publication party on Tuesday, December 6, 2011.

Need help growing and nurturing your writing career? How about tending your career over time in a world driven by distraction, stress, and superficiality?

The Writer’s Workout contains 366 ideas for expanding your craft, sales, self-promotion, and professional development process, without repeating all the same old advice.

If you think you will need a party reminder, please subscribe to my The Prosperous Writer e-zine or to my blog.

If you are a really big fan of my work, feel free to go ahead and pre-order your copy of The Writer’s Workout now.

You can now pre-order The Writer’s Workout on Amazon at a deeper-than-usual discount. To grease the pre-order wheels, I will enter the first 50 writers who pre-order the book via Amazon into a drawing for a free one-hour phone coaching consultation in December 2011 (either before or after you read the book, your choice).

I will select three winners from those who turn in their receipts. You can start turning in your receipts by e-mail to “katz christina at comcast dot net” — I will hold onto them until  the December drawing.

Thanks for being among the first to order The Writer’s Workout!

Happy spring into summer (finally)!