Kerri Carpenter

19 Sep 2012 26 Comments

How Blogging Changed My Life

by Kerri Carpenter in Kerri Carpenter

Mermaids, meet PNN. PNN Bloggers, allow me to introduce you to the Waterworld Mermaids.

Before I was a Waterworld Mermaid, I was the Question Lady. For over two years, I blogged on a site called the Personal News Network (PNN), asking a daily Question of the Day. I wrote a short story, asked a question and read all of the comments that came in. 

Besides my Question, the blogs on PNN spanned many interests: healthy eating, marriage, travel, friendship, poetry etc.  We had a book club, contests, did a monthly Girls Night Out via chat board and most importantly read, commented and supported each other. 

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07 Sep 2012 15 Comments

Passion, Wigs & Double Stuffed Oreos with Avery Flynn

by Kerri Carpenter in Avery Flynn, Interview, Kerri Carpenter, mermaids

The Waterworld Mermaids are thrilled to have one of our own back in the lagoon today. Welcome, Avery Flynn!

Avery has just released her third book, Passion Creek. She was kind enough (or crazy enough) to chat with me on Facebook about this hot and steamy thriller. Let’s get right to it…. 

 

Kerri:I think we have to start out with the REALLY big thing everyone is talking about…

We’ve noticed your hair has changed. Care to comment?

Avery: The color of my underwear?

Kerri: Oh this chat is gonna be good!

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20 Aug 2012 34 Comments

Dirty Little Remedies

by Kerri Carpenter in Kerri Carpenter, Motivation, Writing

A couple weeks ago I shared My Dirty Little Secret. Due to personal and professional setbacks I haven’t been able to write in months. I felt ashamed and frustrated.

Well, I was overwhelmed at the number of comments, both on this website and sent to me privately. I realized that while my reasons for not writing may be unique to me, the stifling act of not-writing (or doing something you love in general) happens to many. I got so much wonderful advice that I thought I would share some of my favorites. It was tough to pick just a few…. 

01 Aug 2012 43 Comments

My Dirty Little Secret

by Kerri Carpenter in Kerri Carpenter, Motivation

 Not to worry. I’m not going to reveal some Fifty Shades of Grey-type secret here.

But I have been keeping something to myself lately and holding it in is starting to feel unhealthy. My dirty little secret? I haven’t written since the beginning of May. Not a word. No fiction. No blog posts. Even getting this post together was brutal.

Why am I sharing this?

I feel a lot of shame about not writing. Writing always came very easy to me. I never had to think about it.

But now? I sit in front of the computer and … nada!

I’ve read so many blog posts and articles about how if you are a “real” writer you should devote time to your craft every single day. Butt in the chair, write all the time, you know the drill. So what happens when you can’t do that? What happens when life gets so crazy and gives you so much to deal…
Read the Rest…

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31 May 2012 33 Comments

Graduation, Friends, Titanic & Change

by Kerri Carpenter in Kerri Carpenter, mermaids

It’s graduation season, a time I remember very well. Boring speeches, fun parties, talk of the past, hopes for the future, and friends. I still get choked up thinking about my high school graduation. I grew up in a teeny, tiny town where the people I graduated with were also in my nursery school class. I truly knew nothing but those people and that world.

So that final summer was interesting. On the one hand, you’re so excited to leave. Off to college, life is going to begin, it’s exciting. But there’s that part of you that isn’t quite one hundred percent positive that this is going to turn out okay. I’d go to a party and have fun thinking about how it was going to be one of our last night’s together but I’d also get sad thinking how it might be one of our last night’s together.

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26 Apr 2012 35 Comments

Ten Things Every Writer Should Do Before They Publish

by Kerri Carpenter in Kerri Carpenter, Writing

I am not published … yet. But I will be. Until then, I like to pretend I am and think about what kind of speech I would give at a writer’s conference or the type of post I would write for a guest blog spot that is booked through my PR person.

With my imaginary life in mind, here is a little gem I’ve come up with. It’s a list – one of my favorite things. I wonder if it will change when I’m finally published???

Ten Things Every Writer Should Do Before They Publish +one extra

02 Apr 2012 30 Comments

Excuses, Excuses

by Kerri Carpenter in Kerri Carpenter, Motivation, Writing

The other day at the gym I told my trainer I couldn’t do a certain leg exercise because my rotator cuff was hurting. I pointed to my leg and made a sad face and everything. He sighed. “Kerri, your rotator cuff is in your shoulder, not your leg. Do the exercise.”

Oops.

We’ve all done it. Made excuses. Sometimes they are better than others. But hey, in my defense, I was an English major not a doctor! Note to self: must do more research for lies excuses. 

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06 Mar 2012 39 Comments

What’s in a Name?

by Kerri Carpenter in Kerri Carpenter, Writing

What’s in a name? A whole lot when you write fiction. Finding the perfect name is a big step in the creative process.

Take your heroine Mildred and rename her Roxy. Viola! A whole different persona.

But how to pick a decent name for your character? And of even more importance, how NOT to pick a name. Here are some things to consider.

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13 Feb 2012 21 Comments

Happy Valentine’s Week – Day One

by Kerri Carpenter in Avery Flynn, Kerri Carpenter, Loni Lynne, mermaids

Happy Valentine’s Week from the Waterworld Mermaids!!!

Here in our lovely mermaid lagoon, we are all abuzz with the holiday of love. And because we’re in such a happy mood, we wanted to share some stories and memories from mermaid-pasts. Best of all, we’re celebrating all week long! We hope you enjoy!

Today’s stories beckon us back to the past. Super romantic gestures, crushes and kisses aren’t solely reserved for adults. Many spectacular things happen throughout our lives. Here are some examples….

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01 Feb 2012 19 Comments

What Plantar Fasciitis is Teaching Me about Writing

by Kerri Carpenter in Kerri Carpenter, Motivation, Writing

I have plantar fasciitis, a condition in my foot that is extremely painful. It’s an inflammation of the plantar fascia (a band of tissue) that runs underneath your foot and basically feels like someone is stabbing you repeatedly with a really hot machete. A lot of people have this condition, especially runners.

My usual way of dealing with health issues involves a lot of crying, whining and then ignoring the problem altogether. However, when I trip getting out of bed because my damn foot is so sore, even I have to admit it’s time to deal.

Interestingly, I’m finding I have similar stubbornness where my writing is concerned. What’s that? My first pass at a manuscript is NOT perfect as is? It won’t win any awards? WHAT! Break out the crying, whining and procrastination. Luckily, I have figured out some ways to deal with both my foot issue and manuscript woes.

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