ASK AN EXPERT: A Few Good Resources for Writers

I've recently discovered two professionals who offer their expertise specifically for the writer's use. I'm totally intrigued and want to introduce them to you!

1. THE CHARACTER THERAPIST:  An Online Therapy Service for Fictional Characters  is provided by Jeannie Campbell,  Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.

If you're struggling with your protagonist's (or other character's) behavior, you can make an appointment for him/her to spend time on Jeannie's couch.  There's an intake form which is by no means easy to fill out. But that's a good thing since it forces you to have a decent understanding of the character before wasting the therapist's time!  Based on the info you give, Ms. Campbell addresses your character's emotional makeup in a blog post. She'll also provide more intensive feedback for a fee. I love this concept and have thoroughly enjoyed eavesdropping on Jeannie's counseling sessions! Perhaps I'll even schedule one. If only I could decide which of my characters needs it most!

Ms. Campbell provides lots of other useful info as well, such as insights into mental disorders, Skype consultations, and Therapeutic Editing.  And since laughter is the best medicine she throws in a helping of that as in the NaNoWriMo Stress Reduction Kit which will either make you laugh or give you a headache.

2.  REDWOOD'S MEDICAL EDGE: Medical Fact for Your Fiction provides medical information related to your story line.  

Jordyn Redwood is a novelist and a registered nurse with years of Emergency Room and Intensive Care experience. She accepts your medical questions via email and after spending an hour researching your topic, she blogs the answer.  More intensive input is available for a fee. Redwood provides info on specific diseases and on medical history. She hosts guest bloggers who write on health topics outside her expertise.  

As an author with 3 disease related novels, I have no trouble imagining the need for Redwood's Medical Edge.. In fact, a google search on polio brought me to this 3 Part Guest Post by author Sarah Sundin. I'm eager to explore other topics on Jordyn's site.

BTW - both of these ladies have gorgeous websites.

I'm curious - if you were to offer an online service to help writers with authenticity, what would that service be?

BLUE MONDAY: The Business Side of Writing

Display belongs to Studium Education Resources. Teaching the Story: Fiction Writing in Grades 4-8 is a terrific classroom resource by Carol Baldwin.

Today I take a box of Blue to the UPS store because I messed up last week. I had two school visits in VA and failed to take enough books along. Yes, I sold more than expected. But I also failed to double check my order numbers and then allow for last minute orders on top of that.

Sometimes I feel foolish carrying way more books along than I need but it just doesn't pay to guestimate low!

This means I have to order more books from my publisher today too. Hmmm... with 3 school visits next week I should probably order two cases. I don't love the business part of my job. It's a gamble either way!

I absolutely couldn't do it without the help of my family. (Many thanks to hubby, Chuck and sister, Jeannie who helped me out last week!)

My sister Jeannie went along on my Friday visit. She wanted to observe but willingly let me put her to work handling book sales and keeping track of details. She also chauffered me around on the weekend and facilitated delivery of books to the school that I shorted.

That girl has got herself a head for business!