Day Job Can Make You a Better Writer: Villains

It is a truth universally known that a good-girl in possession of a Day Job must be the target of senseless bulling. No matter what stage of life or career there will always be a villain or two lurking in the shadows, plotting your destruction. Like this guy who haunted me during my turn at McD's:




Even if you have a cush DJ at a grocery store you never know when an evil panda might strike, like this:




Most of us don’t have to look far at any Day Job to find pricks, gangsters, and goons. Sometimes you only need to look in the mirror.

Whether your DJ villain is your boss, your know-it-all coworker, or yourself, conflict drives every plot forward. Heck, we wouldn't use conflict to propel our character arcs forward if it didn't ring true-to-life.




So get inspired by real life – even the frustratingly ugly parts. Take it on the chin and then get to work. Whether you slay the dragon in real life or on in your next novel is up to you. As writers, we can use our DJ villain as fodder for the next WIP. We get revenge with pen and paper. Use your DJ angst to fuel your writer-fire. It's a hell of a lot cheaper than professional therapy.




Have you ever based a Protag off of a real life villain? Have you ever used a work conflict in a WIP?

Need more on how our Day Jobs can make us better writers?

Check out this post about taking criticism.

Or this post on Stability and Creativity.

Or this post on Discipline - you gotta have it.

Day Job Can Make You a Stronger Writer: Stability

Day Jobs can be a burden, let's be honest. They can flat out suck. But there are many reasons why a DJ can make you a better, stronger, writer. Whether it's world building or skin-thickening the DJ has it's purpose.

Most recently, I'm happy to report that the DJ is helping me become a better writer because it provides something so simple, so necessary, that it's probably overlooked. STABILITY.

Or as Mel Gibson might say: Freeeeeeeeeedoooooooooooom!





Many writers have said it before me: The DJ is the platform that allows you to write. Most recently, my DJ provided me the opportunity to pay off a great deal of debt. And when I say 'great deal' I don't mean like I got these shoes for a steal at Macy's. No. I mean huge. Stinking. Piles. of debt. School debt, car debt, credit card debt, and the list goes on and on. And it' my DJ that is slowly enabling my family to get one step closer to financial freedom.

So let's raise a glass huge-freaking-goblet of wine and toast to the DJ for the relentless way it kicks us in the ass, pushing us ever forward. Don't know how? Just follow the example set by these two mustachioed gentlemen. *Cheers*





What reasons do you have to be thankful for your Day Job? How has your Day Job helped you become a better writer?

8 Awesome Writers You Should Follow

I recently had the pleasure of taking a LitReactor class about Writing and Selling YA. The class was lead by none other than Mandy Hubbard. If this sounds like a once in a lifetime experience, you'd be right. I was very lucky to have this opportunity. Not just because Mandy Hubbard is a famous author and agent. I was lucky because the people in class were amazingly talented aspiring writers. Here are 8 writers from that class you should follow:





1. Kat, aka @ekatwrites - She's a writer . teacher . She ♥'s YA & hopes to publish her novel. A member of #scbwi. She has an exceptional voice and her work will definitely be in print some day soon.

2. Ellie Moreton, aka @ByEllieMoreton - She write YA Epic Fantasy, devours books and downs coffee. Follow her blog for more fun and insight into her writing journey.

3.Courtney Duff, aka @courtneysthird - She's a writer and head editor at @parable_press. She's fun if not a bit surly. Her fun tweets will keep a smile on your face.

4. Cherylanne, aka @CA_Corneille - She's a YA Writer, lover of Travel, a runner, an a Geek with a capital G. Originally from the wild west she's now living in sunny Florida where she tweets about her writerly exploits.

5. Colleen M Albert, aka @colleenmalbert - Her name is near and dear to my heart. There aren't many of us Colleen's in the wild. CM Albert is a YA & children's book writer who loves a good villain & is a sucker for everlasting love. She's a Grammar Babe and is very active on Twitter. You can also follow her blog for more fun.

6. JA Ward, aka @JAWardWrites - She's a lover of good books, grilled cheese & anything cat-related. Music connoisseur. YA author seeking an agent soul mate. Contributor to @writerdiaries

7. Steph, aka @pictorialpoet - She's a YA fantasy writer but that's not all. She's a photographer, designer, and code monkey.

8.Megan Peterson, aka @season141 - She's a writer, reader, wife, sister, daughter, and friend; addicted to coffee and pizza. In other words, she's just like you and me.

There are many more classmates who have been a joy. I hope to post them soon.

Do you follow anyone who shares helpful information?