My Baby Boy

9 March 2013 I found out I was pregnant and couldn't have been happier.  It was something I had wanted for a really long time.  I was blessed with an easy pregnancy and a beautiful bump.  I gave birth to my son on 14 November 2013.  He is perfect, a healthy 8 pounds 12 ounces.  Since he's come into my life, he has kept me very busy and I can't figure out how people cope with more than one child.  I love him so much and can't get enough of him.  

Newborn

Tiny little fingers & tiny little toes

Tiny little ears & a little button nose

How can something so tiny

So little and so small

Fill my heart with so much love

I've never felt so full

This video shows photographs of me at 36 weeks pregnant and my son at 7 days old.  

Groupon - Write Story Books for Children

A groupon for an online writing course came up.  The voucher only cost £12.  If I paid for the course in full it would normally cost £249.  That's a whopping £237 saving!

I've always wanted to do a writing course but what has put me off ins the past is the price and I'm unsure whether I would have the time.  Twelve pounds is a much easier amount to afford and not such a huge waste of money if I discover that it is not suitable for me.

The Write Story Books for Children online course had the following 12 modules:

1. Introduction to writing children's story books
2. Age groups and story types
3. Choosing and developing your setting
4. Developing credible characters
5. Writing dialogue
6. Plotting, storyline and theme
7. Writing for the under sevens
8. Writing for seven to twelve year olds
9. Writing for teenagers
10. Writing fantasy and science fiction
11. Writing non-fiction
12. Writing drama and screenplays

The course is very flexible.  You can start when you like and work at your own pace.  I'm hoping to find time to do at least one module a month.  The website is easy to log in and navigate.  You can even download an app for the iPad (if you have one).

Course Review - Only completed module 1 so far!
I wasn't sure what to expect when I gave module one a go.  It was much more in depth than I expected.  A lot of what I read were things I already knew.  Still, it was good to refresh my memory and build on my knowledge.

At the end of the module, I had to take a short multiple choice test.  I was disappointed that I only scored 80%.  It was still a pass but this is my passion so I had been striving for perfection.  However, I must admit I hadn't been making notes or taking it that seriously. I was just bumbling a long to get a feel for the course.  I will put more effort into the other units as I now realise that this isn't a flyby course.  I was able to review my wrong answers which was enlightening.

After passing the module, I was excited to progress onto the next module but decided it was best to wait until another day to dedicate more time to it.  Fingers crossed, if I do it properly I can achieve a perfect score next time.   In addition, as I've thought it over I have been compelled to re-read module one, more than once.  There is just so much information to think about.

There is also more reading resources available to students too that are separate from the course.  The wealth of information available on the site it extensive.

If you see a groupon for this course it is worth so much more than the cost.  The first module covered so much content that it alone was worth the money paid.  If someone was delivering that one module locally as one day course, I suspect they'd charge a lot more than £12.  I feel so lucky that I got this groupon.

The biggest challenge will be finding the time.  I've already learnt so much and can't wait to start module 2.  I am so pleased I treated myself to this course.

http://www.groupon.co.uk/
http://www.writestorybooksforchildren.com/

Dead Man's Hand

Please come back in September to see my interview with Luke Murphy on his journey to publication.  He is the first author I have featured on my blog.

If you are a published author and willing to share your experience, then please let me know.  I would love to hear from you.

In the meantime, please go check out Luke's début novel... 

Dead Man's Hand

What happens when the deck is stacked against you…

From NFL rising-star prospect to wanted fugitive, Calvin Watters is a sadistic African-American Las Vegas debt-collector framed by a murderer who, like the Vegas Police, finds him to be the perfect fall-guy.

…and the cards don't fall your way?

When the brutal slaying of a prominent casino owner is followed by the murder of a well-known bookie, Detective Dale Dayton is thrown into the middle of a highly political case and leads the largest homicide investigation in Vegas in the last twelve years.

What if you're dealt a Dead Man's Hand?

Against his superiors and better judgment, Dayton is willing to give Calvin one last chance. To redeem himself, Calvin must prove his innocence by finding the real killer, while avoiding the LVMPD, as well as protect the woman he loves from a professional assassin hired to silence them.

Short Bio:

Luke Murphy lives in Shawville, Quebec with his wife, three daughters and pug.

He played six years of professional hockey before retiring in 2006. Since then, he’s held a number of jobs, from sports columnist to radio journalist, before earning his Bachelor of Education degree (Magna Cum Laude).

Murphy`s debut novel, Dead Man`s Hand, was released by Imajin Books on October 20, 2012.

For more information on Luke and his books, visit: www.authorlukemurphy.com, ‘like’ his Facebook page www.facebook.com/#!/AuthorLukeMurphy and follow him on Twitter www.twitter.com/#!/AuthorLMurphy

 

Review Blurbs:

"You may want to give it the whole night, just to see how it turns out."

—William Martin, New York Times bestselling author of The Lincoln Letter

"Dead Man's Hand is a pleasure, a debut novel that doesn't read like one,

but still presents original characters and a fresh new voice."

—Thomas Perry, New York Times bestselling author of Poison Flower

"Part police procedural, part crime fiction, Dead Man's Hand is a fast, gritty ride."

—Anne Frasier, USA Today bestselling author of Hush

Interview with Luke Murphy

Author Luke Murphy was kind enough to let me interview him about his debut novel Dead Man's Hand to give an insight into his experience trying to get published:

• What inspired you to write Dead Man's Hand?

I never thought much about writing when Iwas growing up but I was always an avid reader, which Iowe to my mother. She was a librarian, and although I lost her when I wasyoung, I will always remember a stack of Danielle Steele books on her bedsidetable, and a lot of books lying around the house at my disposal.

My first chapter books were the Hardy Boystitles, so they are the reason I love mysteries. As an adult, some of myfavorite authors are Harlan Coben, Michael Connelly and Greg Iles, so naturallyI write what I love to read – mystery/suspense novels. DEAD MAN`S HAND has beencompared to James Patterson books, which to me is an honour. Maybe in style(short chapters, a quick read), as I have read many of his books.

Plot: I get my ideas from stories I hearabout, whether through reading (newspapers, magazines, etc.), what I hear(radio) or what I see (TV, movies, internet, etc.). The plot is completelyfictional. I wouldn't say that one thing or person influences my writing, but avariety of my life experiences all have led to my passion in the written word.There is not a single moment in time when this idea came to be, butcircumstances over the years that led to this story: my hockey injuries,frequent visits to Las Vegas, my love of football, crime books and movies. DeadMan’s Hand became real from mixing these events, taking advantage of experts intheir field, and adding my wild imagination. The internet also provides awealth of information, available at our fingertips with a click of the mouse.

Setting: I usually set my stories in citiesI`ve visited and fell in love with. Las Vegas was the perfect backdrop for thisstory, glitz and glamour as well as an untapped underground.

Characters: I have never been involved in ahomicide investigation, LOL. Although I am not a 6’5”, 220 poundAfrican-American, I’ve used much of my athletic background when creating myprotagonist Calvin Watters. Watters past as an athlete, and his emotionalroller coaster brought on by injuries were drawn from my experiences. His motherdied of cancer when he was young, as mine was. There are certainly elements ofmyself in Calvin, but overall, this is a work of fiction. I did not base thecharacters or plot on any real people or events. Any familiarities are strictlycoincidence.

I’ve always been a self-motivated person,and my harshest critic. Whether it was in school, hockey or writing, I’ve beenthe one to put the most pressure on myself to succeed, to be the best ineverything I try.

• What was the most difficult part in trying to get published?

Every step of the way, through the wholepublishing journey, is a challenge.

Step one: writing that great novel. Manypeople have actually started writing novels, but very few finish. So congratulateyourself, you have done something that most people only think about doing. Toactually have the patience, persistence and determination to complete amanuscript is a huge accomplishment. It’s time consuming and sometimes justplain discouraging. Kudos.

Step two: finding that agent who will sellyour book. Talk about a long process. Query letter after query letter, rejection after rejection, it seems like there is no light at the end of thetunnel. But you have to stay positive and truly believe that there is someoneout there who will fall in love with your book and writing. The key is toresearch which agent is looking for what, and be at the right place at the righttime. To be honest, there is some luck involved.

Step three: finding a publisher to printyour book. If you were lucky enough to find an agent to represent your work,way to go, you’re halfway home. Signing an agent doesn’t guarantee youpublication, but it sure makes life easier. Now you just have to wait it out,and trust me, this can be agonizing. Let your agent do the work, just startwriting that next book.

The main thing is to be patient. It can betough. You’re excited about your book and you want to see it in print, but itall takes time. I started writing DEAD MAN’S HAND in 2005, and it was releasedin October 2012. That’s seven years of waiting, but man, has it been worth it.

So if you think that one month you’ve beenwaiting since sending out query letters is a long wait, just think of my sevenyear publishing journey.

Nowadays, for me, the most difficult thingabout writing has nothing to do with actual writing (ideas, flow, writer`sblock, etc.), but it`s finding the time.

Between teaching and tutoring, with threesmall children and a wife at home, finding the time to sit down at a computerand have serious, quality writing time is almost impossible.

But I love my girls and spending qualitytime with them is a great feeling. I wouldn’t give up my games ofring-around-the-rosie and duck-duck-goose for anything in the world. It justputs writing my next novel behind a bit.

• Obviously, playing for theNational Hockey League helped with writing the weekly sports column.  Do you feel that playing for the NHL hasgifted you with experiences that have benefited your fiction writing?

The term “practice makes perfect” canbasically relate to anything you do. Hockey and writing are no different.  Many people might not see a connectionbetween writing and hockey, but there are many similarities in not only yourpreparation, but “musts” once you’re there.

In both hockey and writing, you need threethings: patience, persistence and thick skin.

My transition from professional hockeyplayer to published author was surprisingly smooth.  They have have many things in common.  For both, it takes hard work and practice.There are many critics, and you need to be thick-skinned. Both the hockey andwriting worlds are small communities, filled with people who want to help yousucceed. In order to find success, in both you need to be persistent andconfident.

•       Your website says that yourtrue love is fiction.  Would you say thatwriting for your local newspaper helped you get recognised by agents/publishersas a professional writer?

I don’t think my column helped me getnoticed by agents and publishers, but it probably added to the credibility ofmy writing. I wrote for a very small, rural newspaper with a small circulation,so I don’t think the “big boys” in NYC saw it. But it did give me the chance towrite every day, which has certainly benefited my writing, allowing me thetime and practice to hone my craft.

• You are clearly an ambitiousperson who never gives up on their dreams. Have you got any tips to helpwriters battling the slush pile and getting rejections?

Get a part-time job to pay the bills(ha ha). Just kidding. Honestly, for anyone who wants to be a writer, you needto have three things: patience, determination and thick skin. You can`t letanyone or anything get in the way of your ultimate goal. You will hear a lot of“no`s”, but it only takes one “yes”. The writing industry is a slow-movingmachine, and you need to wait it out. Never quit or give up on your dreams.

•  Holding qualifications inmarketing and education, you seem to be in a suitable position to teach us howto promote our writing.  What lessons wouldyou like to share?

A platform is crucial for a writer thesedays. I hate to say it, but sometimes your platform is more important than thequality of your writing. Just look at how many celebrities are having bookspublished.

Once my publishing contract was signed,then the real work began, building my “platform”. I knew that when I signed onwith a smaller publisher that the bulk of the promotion load would fall on myshoulders, and I accepted that.

I did four things quickly: created my ownwebsite, started a blog, and opened a Facebook page and Twitter account.

Now, I have been fortunate to have had manyjobs in my life, jobs that have created interest in not only myself, but what Ido.

Here are some things I did next:

• Iscribed a letter to all of my email contacts (2500) and all of my FB friends(2500).
• Iscribed a letter for all of the media outlets (radio, TV, print) in the citieswhere I played hockey, or have contacts. One of the benefits of playingprofessional hockey was that I went through a lot of interviews withpersonalities in all forms of media.
• Ipicked out the site for my launch party and spoke with the owner about it.
• Iplayed hockey for teams and leagues all over North America, creating a fan basein a variety of cities, and also worked in hockey camps, so I already had somefollowers that I contacted.
• Iwas a reporter on the radio for a couple of years after retiring from hockey,and my radio reporting was a presence on the web as well as in radio.
• Mysports column (2006-2009), Overtime, which was a main feature in The PontiacEquity, not only had a following but helped in writing concise and excitingprose.
• Icomposed a list of local stores for potential book signings
• Icompiled a list of local stores to sell my book
• I started creating relationships on theinternet through Facebook and Twitter. I met not only authors, but fans of thegenres I write.  

When my book was released in October, 2012,I felt I had a solid foundation to stand on, but I still had a long way to go.

I contacted media for interviews, held booksignings, joined shows and blog toured. I contacted anyone who wrote a blog andasked about being a guest. I joined Pinterest, Linkedin, and Google +, as wellas sites created to support Indie authors. I did anything I could to get myname out there and get my book in front of readers.

My publisher set up special promotionswhere my book was FREE on Amazon for certain periods of time. All of this wasdone to increase my following, and expand the awareness of my book on aworldwide scale. This will hopefully lead to future sales with not only mydébut novel, but subsequent books if I’ve fortunate enough to write more.

I’ve been happy with the result thus far,but I don’t have anything to compare it to. I feel that the more books I write,the more success I will have. The more I get out there, the more excitement andinterest is garnered.

It’s a marathon, not a sprint. J

• Have you got any advice on whatpotential authors should do or should look out for?

Times are changing. Guilty as charged,okay, I admit it, I don’t have an ereader. There is just something aboutholding a book in my hands, the smell and the feel. I can’t explain it but forme I love holding an actual book. That being said, I sell a ton more ebooksthan I do paperback, so I appreciate where society is taking us into apaperless future. As for publishing, I’ve always been a traditional kind ofguy, but I realize times have changed, and more writers are gaining anopportunity, exposure and a chance to get their books in front of readersthough self-publishing and PODs. I think I just enjoy the challenge of beingevaluated by my peers, and I think that it is more fulfilling when you realizethat a publisher wants to take a chance on your work, rather than you paying tohave it done. But I have heard very positive things about self-publishing. It’sdifferent for everyone.

• Spoiler alert!  What can we hope to see from you in thefuture?

I’m currently working on my second novel,another crime-thriller, following the career of rookie, female LAPD detectiveCharlene Taylor.

I would love to write another book. Rightnow, I have a full time job (teaching), a part-time tutoring job, and threesmall children (all girls, YIKES!!).

I don`t have much time to write, but when Iget a chance, I do all I can. It could take some time, but eventually I wouldlove to write a series of novels featuring Calvin Watters. But I will not limitmy novels to Calvin Watters, as I would like to write a variety of novels, allin the crime-thriller genres.

For more information on Luke and his books,visit: www.authorlukemurphy.com,‘like’ his Facebook page www.facebook.com/#!/AuthorLukeMurphyand follow him on Twitter www.twitter.com/#!/AuthorLMurphy

Modelgateway.net

Feb to April, I was very busy moving house.  During this time I also discovered I was pregnant.  It's been a very exciting 6 months, my mind has been all over the place and writing has taken a back seat - I never thought I'd say that.  Keeping my blog up-to-date... well, there has been no time for that either.

Pregnancy has meant that my modelling has come to a standstill too.  My really cute bump isn't quite the ethereal look I'm famous for.  However, the agency I worked for has decided to go in a new direction and has become a fashion industry consultancy for models and aspiring models.  Their change of direction meant they were looking for writers for their blog.  This sounded like a perfect opportunity for me and they were willing to give me a try.

Writing for someone else is a brand new challenge.  My writing has always been for myself and my personal enjoyment.  A lot of what I write is never seen by anyone.  I tweet'd the news to share with my followers.  I am followed by a number of writers and models who I thought may be interested in giving it a go too.

I now have written some of my first articles for the blog which have been published:

My first article was on make-up brand Illamasqua.  I love the morals they've built their company on varying from the typical animal friendly products to supporting the charity S.O.P.H.I.E.  Their ideals are aspiring and they embrace the unique beauty of all their customers:  http://www.modelgateway.net/post/54297799068/morals-by-brand-this-is-not-an-advertorial-an

Using my experience from trying to conceive I next wrote a piece on how sex can be used to keep fit.  I've written one based on a different position for each month.  For July I based it on the good old traditional missionary position.  Sexercise:  http://www.modelgateway.net/post/54753578626/sexercise-in-july-by-mg-female-interest-editor

My last entry for July was about the power of getting some shut eye.  A simple beauty secret neglected by many creative geniuses.  We're all guilty of burning the candle at both ends but I thought I'd share how simply going to sleep can make you look more beautiful:
http://www.modelgateway.net/post/55340904895/beauty-sleep-by-mg-female-interest-editor-alison

I have some ideas for my August pieces so be sure to check out modelgateway.net to see more and contributions by other writers.

Hash Tags For Writers

I've had Twitter for a few years but it's only recently that I've really started to work out how to connect with other writers using hash tags.  Using common hash tags will help others find your tweets more easily and identify what your tweet is about.  You can also search twitter using the hash tags to find Twitters who are tweeting about things that are of interest to you.  

• You can make any word or phrase into a hash tag by putting a # before it.  
• upper or lower case is irrelevant in a hash tag and will be read the same regardless (for example:  #HighSchool #highschool #Highschool #highSchool #HiGhScHoOl are all the same hashtag).  
• A hash tag doesn't have any spaces (For example, if I wrote "#High School", only the word "high" would be a hash tag)

Below is a list of the most common tags used by writers and what to use them for:

Hash Tags For Tweeting Writers

Writing Progress

#AmWriting #IAmWriting - used to discuss projects you are currently writing

#AmEditing #NowEditing - used to discuss projects you are currently revising

#WIP - used to refer to your project as a "work in progress"

#WordCount - used to discuss progress towards your project 

#1K1H - to discuss the challenge of writing a thousand words in an hour

#WriteGoal - to share and discuss your writing goals

#Bio - to share information about yourself and your background (biography)

#Blogging - to make followers aware that you are blogging

Writers Social

#WritersLife - used to discuss life as a writer (tea and procrastinating)

#Creativity - used to discuss the creative side of writing

#WritingPrompt - used to give followers a word or phrase prompt write about

#StoryStarter - used to give followers a sentence to start a story with

#FollowFriday #FF - used on a Friday to recommend other Tweeters for your followers to follow

#WroteToday - for seeking or offering encouragement with writing

#WriteQuote - for sharing a quote from a book or another writer

Readers Chat

#Reading - used to discuss reading

#FridayFlash #FridayFlash - to share flash fiction on a Friday

#FridayRead  - used on a Friday to discuss what you are reading over the weekend or to promote a book

#StoryFriday  - used on a Friday to discuss what you are reading over the weekend or to promote a book

#BookFriday  - used on a Friday to discuss what you are reading over the weekend or to promote a book

#FictionFriday - used on a Friday to discuss what you are reading over the weekend or to promote a book 

#BookGiveaway  - used to alert people to a book being given away 

#MustRead - used to make recommend books to your followers

Types of Writers

#RomanceWriter - used to identify a romance writer

#RWA - used to identify a romance writer of America

#ACFW - used to identify a American Christina Fiction Writers

#YAWriter - used to identify a writer of Young Adult fiction

#MGWriter - used to identify a writer of Middle Grade fiction

#FantasyWriter - used to identify a romance writer

#HorrorWriter - used to identify a romance writer

#ThrillerWriter - used to identify a romance writer

#Screenwriter - used to identify a writer for movies or television

Types of Writing

#Poem #Poetry - used to identify or discuss poetry

#SciFi -used to identify and discuss science fiction writing 

#ChildrensBook - used to identify or discuss children's books

#KidLit #Kidsbooks - used to discuss children's literature (including YA)

#YA  #YoungAdult - used to discuss Young Adult literature o

#MG #MiddleGrade - used to discuss Middle Grade Literature

#Edubk - used to identify topics on books for education

#PBLit - used to identify topics on picture books 

#VSS - used to identify a very short story

#WebFic #WebLit - used to identify web fiction or literature

Industry Advice

#StoryCraft - used to share and discuss the craft of story writing

#WritingTip #WriteTip - used to share a tip or advice on writing

#PubTip #GetPublished - used to share a tip or advice on getting published

#PromoTip - used to share a tip or advice on promoting your work

#AskAuthor - used by authors to invite writers to ask questions

#AskAgent - used by agents to invite writers to ask questions

#AskEditor - used by editors to invite writers to ask questions

#AskPub #DearPublisher - used by publishers to invite writers to ask questions

General Tags

#Publishing #ePub- used to discuss publishing news

#SelfPublishing #SelfPub - used to discuss self-publishing news

#IndiePub #IndiePublishing #Indie - used to discuss indie-publishing news

#BookMarketing - used to discuss marketing of books and offer services

#Writing - used to discuss writing (from own projects to tips)

#Editing - used to discuss editing (from own projects to tips)

#Literacy - used to discuss literacy

#EPrdCtn - used to identify tweets about electronic book production (design, formatting, etc)

#Ebook #Novel #Book  - used to discuss a novels or books (releases and news)

#Ebooks #Novels #Books  - used to discuss many novels or books (releases and news)

#Writer #Writers - used to identify writers looking to get published

#Author #Authors - used to identify authors (usually ones that that are traditionally published)

#IndieAuthor #IndieAuthors - used to identify indie authors (self published)

#IndieWriter - used to identify writers looking to self publish

#Reader #Readers - used to identify readers

#Novelist #Novelists - used to identify novelists

#Poet #Poets - used to identify poets

#Kids - used to identify child related topic

Orginisations

#SCBWI - used to mention Society of Children's Books Writers and Illustrators

#NaNoWriMo - used to mention National Novel Writing Month (November)

#CampNaNoWriMo - used to discuss Camp NaNoWriMo

#BookSellers #BookSelling - used to attract the attention of book sellers

#Librarians - used to target this group
#TitleTalk - used by librarians to discuss book titles

Applications

#App #Apps - used to recommend applications (not necessary just for writing)

#BookApp #BookApps - used to recommend book applications

#KidsApps #KidApp - used to recommend applications for children

Hash Tags for Chatty Writers

Twitter can be used to host live chats.  These chats are scheduled to take place at a specific time.  The only list I could find of when these take place was last updated in 2012, therefore, some of the suggested chats may no longer be running or you may discover new chats taking place: 

#WritingParty - a tag used to identify that a writing chat is being organised (a little get together)  

Writers Chat (Monday)

#JournChat - PST: 5-8 pm MST: 6-9 pm CST: 7-10 pm EST: 8-11 pm

#LitChat - PST: 1-2 pm MST: 2-3 pm CST: 3-4 pm EST: 4-5 pm

#PbLitChat - PST: 7 pm MST: 8 pm CST: 9 pm EST: 10 pm

Writers Chat (Tuesday)

#FaithLitChat - 6-7pm PST (9-10pm EST)

#KidLitChat - PST: 6 pm MST: 7 pm CST: 8 pm EST: 9 pm

#PoetTues - Usually begins around 10 am EST.

#TuesdaySerial 

#IBCChat - 4:30pm PST (starts Tue Oct 12, 2010) 

Writers Chat (Wednesday)

#LitChat - PST: 1-2 pm MST: 2-3 pm CST: 3-4 pm EST: 4-5 pm

#MemoirChat - Every other Wednesday at 8 p.m. EST.

#ThrillerChat - PST: 5 pm MST: 6 pm CST: 7 pm EST: 8 pm

#WNW - PST: 5-8 pm MST: 6-9 pm CST: 7-10 pm EST: 8-11 pm 

#YALitChat - PST: 6 pm MST: 7 pm CST: 8 pm EST: 9 pm

Writers Chat (Wednesday)

#LitChat - PST: 1-2 pm MST: 2-3 pm CST: 3-4 pm EST: 4-5 pm

#MemoirChat - Every other Wednesday at 8 p.m. EST.

#ThrillerChat - PST: 5 pm MST: 6 pm CST: 7 pm EST: 8 pm

#WNW - PST: 5-8 pm MST: 6-9 pm CST: 7-10 pm EST: 8-11 pm 

#YALitChat - PST: 6 pm MST: 7 pm CST: 8 pm EST: 9 pm

Writers Chat (Thursday)

#BookMarket - PST: 11-12 am MST: 12-1 pm CST: 1-2 pm EST: 2-3 pm

#JournalChat - PST: 11am -12 pm MST: 12-1 pm CST: 1-2 pm EST: 2-3 pm

#KidLitArt - PST: 6-7 pm MST: 7-8 pm CST: 8-9 pm EST: 9-10 pm

#Poetry - Thursdays - PST: 6-7 pm MST: 7-8 pm CST: 8-9 pm EST: 9-10 pm

#ScribeChat - PST: 6-7 pm MST: 7-8 pm CST: 8-9 pm EST: 9-10 pm

#MGLitChat - PST: 6-7 pm MST: 7-8 pm CST: 8-9 pm EST: 9-10 pm

Writers Chat (Thursday)

#FollowReader - PST: 1-2 pm MST: 2-3 pm CST: 3-4 pm EST: 4-5 pm

#FridayFlash -

#LitChat - PST: 1-2 pm MST: 2-3 pm CST: 3-4 pm EST: 4-5 pm

#PlatformChat - PST: 11-12 am MST: 12-1 pm CST: 1-2 pm EST: 2-3 pm

#SciFiChat - PST: 11-2 pm MST: 12-2 pm CST: 1-3 pm EST: 2-4 pm

#StoryFriday

Writers Chat (Saturday)

#FLitChat - 7-7:30pm (CST)

#ScreenWritingSaturday -

#UFChat - PST: 3pm MST: 4pm CST: 6 pm EST: 6pm

Writers Chat (Sunday)

#ScriptChat - Sundays - PST: 5 pm MST: 6 pm CST: 7 pm EST: 8 pm

#StoryCraft -PST: 3 pm MST: 4 pm CST: 5 pm EST: 6 pm

#WriteChat - PST: 12-3 pm MST: 1-4 pm CST: 2-5 pm EST: 3-6 pm

Define a Hash Tags

If you've found a hash tag and you don't know what it means or how to use it, you can use the online dictionary for hash tags to define it:  http://www.hashtags.org

Links

I got most of the above from just using and exploring twitter and reading the following websites:

http://www.authormedia.com/2012/01/24/44-essential-twitter-hashtags-every-author-should-know/

http://www.dailywritingtips.com/40-twitter-hashtags-for-writers/

http://www.publishingtalk.eu/social-media/twitter/10-twitter-hashtags-for-writers/

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/15-twitter-hashtags-writer/

http://inkygirl.com/weekview/

http://www.dailywritingtips.com/40-twitter-hashtags-for-writers/