The Perfect Writer’s Accessory: A JORD Wood Watch

The Perfect Writer’s Accessory: A JORD Wood Watch

“I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo.
"So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

I have found it, my friends. The perfect accessory for writers! No, this is not a pen or a computer or even a notebook, it’s a wood watch! Least you think I’m over exaggerating, I’m going to give you three reasons why you should consider getting a Jord Wood Watch or gifting one to your favorite writer.

Three Reasons A Writer Needs A Jord Wood Watch 

 

1. Style

This should probably go without saying, but Jord Wood Watches are oozing with style! I know when I first visited their website (click here to check it out) I had to pick my jaw up off the floor because I thought: “Woozah these wood watches are stunning!” Now, having my very own Jord Wood Watch, I can see (and feel) the quality and style of these amazing watches.

One of the things I like best about their wood watches is the fact that they are made with “natural, and largely re-claimed materials”! Plus, they look simply amazing. The natural wood adds a lot when it comes to style, and can be paired with rustic outfits but looks equally amazing with something chic too.

2. Usefulness

This reason is not mind-blowing, but it’s true. A writer needs a watch to tell time. What? I know, crazy, right? In all seriousness, I’ve begun to realize that the more I rely on my phone, the more connected I am to everything, and the less I get accomplished. I’ve started to turn my phone to ‘do not disturb’ or leave it in another room to make sure that I’m accomplishing my goals. I’ve found it’s too tempting to look down at it and get distracted by updates and messages.

The same is true for in-person meetings. Have you been there? Sitting at a table with a friend chatting over coffee when all of the sudden you wonder what time it is? Then you look at your phone and BAM, you’re hit with all the messages you missed while you were talking. What happens next? You apologize and then start to answer them. To me, this means the conversation time is over because that connection has been broken.

A simple solution to this is a watch. No matter if you’re meeting with a friend, a date, or a potential book agent or editor, there’s no need to disrupt your conversation to find the time if you’ve got a watch on. All the better if it’s a stylish watch too, right?

3. Confidence

If you’ve followed my story, and this blog, for a while now, you know that I’m a conference photographer. One of the things I now realize I’ve been missing is a stylish watch to accompany me to the conference. You can bet that I’ll be wearing my Jord Wood Watch to the conferences I’m attending this year.

On this note, my third reason you need a Jord watch is the simple fact that a quality accessory like a unique and stylish wood watch can go a long way to adding confidence. I fully believe confidence is built inside and overflows to the outside.

If you’re wondering how simply adding a watch to your ensemble can be a confidence booster, let me explain with a personal story. My first time going to a large writers conference (we’re talking 600+ people) I was terrified. I was going to be there for five days and didn’t know anyone. Plus, it was in a city I’d never been in. Part of the confidence I gained came from planning and doing research on what would happen at the conference, but the rest came from an unexpected source. My wardrobe!

I know, it may sound silly, but it’s the truth. I didn’t spend a ton of money, but I did take myself shopping and switched my mindset to professionalism. It might be hard to believe, but when I got to the conference and put on my first outfit (one I’d picked out weeks ahead of time) I felt so confident. That confidence was built inside—in knowing that I was there for a reason and knew what I was doing—but it was fortified by how I felt about myself and how I looked. I felt good!

Something as simple as an elegant, stylish, and useful watch may just be exactly what you need to help build your confidence. Perhaps you have a conference to attend this year and maybe you’re pitching to an agent in person, consider what you wear and the accessories you include as part of your preparation.

Can I add a 4th reason? Oh good, glad you said yes!

So, my #4 reason that this watch is great for a writer is the fact that almost all Jord Wood Watches can be engraved. Words are important to a writer! So, whether this is a gift and you’re picking out the perfect thing to say, or if it’s a purchase for yourself and you want to include something on it that will encourage you, Jord can help with that.

So there you have it, my three (okay, four) reasons why I think every writer should have a Jord Wood Watch.

What do you think? Do you wear a watch? Which one of these reasons sticks out to you the most? Let me know in the comments below!

G I V E A W A Y

Don’t have a Jord Wood Watch yet? Enter to win $100 off any Jord Wood Watch by following this link: www.jordwatches.com/g/eahendryx And, just in case you weren’t sure if you wanted to enter, anyone who enters will also be emailed a consolation 10% off gift code!!!




**I’ve had the pleasure to partner with Jord Watches for this post. Jord (pronounced Yode) is based in St. Louis, where they are constantly developing new designs. Their watches are “a sophisticated mix of natural, and largely re-claimed materials, combined with quality movements and components.” Follow this link to learn more about Jord and to find your own perfect wood watch!

Preslaysa Williams {Writer Wednesday}

A little bit about Preslaysa...

Preslaysa Williams is an award-winning author and actress. As an actress, she’s co-starred on a Nickelodeon TV series and has appeared on Off Broadway and regional theatre. After graduating from Columbia University, she began writing heartfelt stories of redemption. In her spare time, she enjoys spending way too much time on social media and training for half marathons to force herself to exercise.

Connect with Preslaysa...

Website: www.preslaysa.com
Blog: www.preslaysa.com
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/12017078.Preslaysa_Williams
Facebook: www.facebook.com/preslaysa
Twitter: www.twitter.com/preslaysawrites
Instagram: www.instagram.com/preslaysa

Get to know Preslaysa...

You and Writing

What has kept you writing? 
Pure love. Really. I love it so much that nothing can keep me from NOT writing. It’s part of who I am. I get twitchy if I go for long stretches of time without writing. For me, writing helps answer the big life questions and sort out all the things I mull over in my head. (I’m an overthinker!)

Writing

Are you a Panster or Plotter?
I started out as a Pantser on my first two books, but now I’m definitely a plotter. Plotting saves me so much time!

What does your writing process look like? 
Now that I’m a plotter J I spend a LOT of time interviewing and chatting with my characters even before I start figuring out scenes in the book. For my current work in progress, I spent about two to three months talking to my characters. When the time came to plot and outline, the story itself came naturally because I knew the characters so well.

What is your favorite and least favorite part of the writing process? 
Favorite part of the writing process is when my scene draft is close to polished, and then I’m wordsmithing or strengthening the character’s voice. My least favorite part of writing is writing first drafts because they are usually so stilted and awkward and flat. Rough writing makes me cringe, but it’s also an invitation for me to do my thing as a writer and fix it up.

Do you listen to music when you write? If so, have a favorite artist or playlist to share?
Yes, I do listen to music when I write. When I need extra focus, I listen to non-vocal background noise that’s supposed to stimulate creativity. I go to the Coffitivy website for this; it’s amazing. Right now, my favorite song (with lyrics) that I like listening to while writing is Khalid’s “Location”

Are there any books or resources you could recommend to younger writers looking to grow in their craft?
“Techniques of the Selling Writer” by Dwight Swain and “Scene and Structure” by Jack Bickham

How do you grow in your writing craft? 
I read a lot, and I write a lot. I don’t get writer’s block. I manage to do some form of writing or editing at least six days a week, even if it’s only a page of writing or editing. Those little increments add up!

How do you balance your writing life with “real” life?
Any tips or tricks to share? I used to keep long to-do lists and feel defeated at the end of the day when I didn’t do everything I set out to do. Now, I only have a to-do of 3-5 items. It’s made me more productive and happier!

You

What is one thing you like to do to relax when you aren’t writing?
Read a great book that makes me cry and laugh.

What are you currently reading?
Right now, I’m reading “The Boy in the Black Suit” by Jason Reynolds. It’s a YA book. I’ve been binge reading contemporary YA recently!

Thanks for being my guest Preslaysa! Reader friends, make sure you enter the giveaway below - I know there are some of your out there who love your coffee as much as I do 😉

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A little bit of writer fun

If you're following me on social media (which I hope you are) then you may have seen some of these above items shared recently on my FB pages and Instagram accounts. You may be wondering though...what is all this? 

I wanted to take a moment to introduce you to my Society6 shop! I've titled it E.A. Creative (kind of similar to my "E.A. Creative Photography" business name) and in it you will find all sorts of things!

My hope for the shop is to combine two things I'm passionate about: reading and exploring.

What that looks like is fun prints about reading and adventuring into nature, prints of my travels, and fun sayings that I hope will resonate with other reader/explorers out there.

I know it's a slightly "strange mixture" because there are a lot of shops out there that focus on one or the other: all things reading or all things nature. I aim to be a hybrid.

I have lots of plans for the future, but for now you can find the products like you see here in this post as well as others.

I'd invite you to take a look

Visit my shop {click here}

And to join my shopstagram (ha, made that up). The Instagram account for my shop:

Create. Explore. Read.

Join the fun by using the hashtag: #createexploreread I can't wait to start sharing more images of items from the shop. I've gotten a few myself and love them!

Readers: What's your favorite thing: reading or exploring? Or both?

Wade Webster {Writer Wednesday}

When I first had the idea for {Writer Wednesday} I envisioned it as a place for readers to find new authors and new favorite books, but also as a place to inspire and encourage writers who may not be published yet.  I'm excited to introduce you to Wade Webster, a writer who's not yet published but is active in writing on his blog and with other works in progress. Please give him a friendly welcome!

A little bit about Wade...

As he describes himself:

"I'm a truck driver turned writer for Jesus. I'm obsessed with dark chocolate and getting the word out about Jesus' love."

How to connect with Wade...

His website

Check out his main blog: http://wadewebsterwrites.com
And his humor blog: http://laughoutloudloveourlord.com
Connect with him on his Facebook page

Writer Interview | Wade Webster

You & Writing

Tell us a little bit about yourself: How did you start writing? What has kept you writing?
...I’m a farm boy-turned Bible college student-turned truck driver-called to write for Jesus. I used several blog posts telling about these phases in my life, so I can’t do it briefly here. God definitely called me to write for Him at the age of 47. That’s when I finally decided what I want to be when I grow up. As long as He gives me assignments I’ll keep writing.

Do you have a favorite work that you’ve written? If so, why?
...This question isn’t fair. It’s like asking who your favorite child is. Each work is my favorite for different reasons. I guess whatever I’m working on at the moment is my favorite work: be that one of my blogs, a magazine article, a book WIP, or this questionnaire.

If published, what was the hardest thing about publishing? The easiest?
...The only things I have published at this time are some magazine articles in the Dallas Family Magazine. The easiest and hardest part is hitting the send button. That simple click is the last step in the releasing into the world my baby to be used by God. Waiting to hear whether they’ll accept it would be a lot harder if I didn’t work on other writing projects.

Your Writing

Tell us a little bit about what you’re working on currently? Why are you/did you write it?
...Eek Explains Christmas is the book Work In Progress (WIP) I’m working on. I just learned from an agent that it’s too short for a publisher to accept it as a middle-grade chapter book. So, I’m adding four new early chapters. The story is taking on so much more depth now.

Do you have a favorite character in this work? If so, why?
...I got the idea for a mouse who is convinced his name is Eek because that’s what people say every time they see him. To show how in touch I was with God’s future for me my first thought was: I wonder when I’ll cross paths with a writer so I can pass this idea by them. He goes from a mouse who hates the fact that God made him a mouse to wishing he could have been at the stable the night Jesus was born, even if it was as a little mouse who never got mentioned in the Bible story. He overcomes a lot in his little life, just like we all do.

What is one take-away from your book that you hope readers identify with?...It’s been my concern that most people know the Christmas story but they miss the full purpose behind it. The true gist of this book is to show everybody the true meaning of Christmas: Jesus was God in a human body born to die for us.

Writing

Where do you find inspiration for your story/characters? Are they based on real life or pure imagination or both?
...I consider all of my writing assignments from God. He has different ways of giving me these assignments. Sometimes it’s 2 o’clock in the morning, and other times it’s while I’m driving in my truck going down an Interstate. I have no idea how non-Christians get their ideas from since this is my modus operandi.

When you write, what is your overall intention with your stories?
...It depends on what I’m writing. The magazine articles need to be issue oriented since that’s what they’re looking for. My humor blog is obviously used to make people laugh and then to inspire to action. I hope everything I write points people to Jesus.

What advice would you give to aspiring authors for writing and/or publishing?
...In a word: WRITE. Too many people have ideas and desires to see their name in print, but they don’t take the time to do the actual writing. Start there. There may be a long road to getting published or a short walk, but you have to take that first step to get there. If God places this desire in your heart then don’t give it up. Keep working on the craft of writing until it gets out there so God can use it.

You

Do you listen to music when you write? If so, what do you listen to?
...I enjoy listening to instrumental music with nature sounds in the background—my farm boy roots showing through. If I listen to songs with words, or instrumental music of hymns, my mind can get distracted by the words I’m hearing.
What is your favorite season and why?
...Spring is definitely my favorite season. Winter is often so hard, and summer so hot. The time of harvest is a close second, but spring with its new beginnings and signs of promise always give the desire of a hopeful future to me.

What is your favorite genre to read? Why do you enjoy it?
...I know a lot of writers read a lot. But, I honestly don’t have the leisure time available to read much at this time in my life. Perhaps that’s why my writing is so diverse. I’ve read many of Louis L’Amour’s books, and some Christian westerns, so by default I’ll say that genre, but I haven’t written anything along those lines, yet.

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Thank so much Wade for sharing with us! It's encouraging to hear how much you rely on the Lord for whatever you are writing - it's the best way, right? And your advice to aspiring authors is great. It's so true that often we let ourselves get wrapped up in the idea of publishing we forget that you have to have something to publish ;) Good luck with your writing!