Writing While Distracted

Full Circle

Posted on July 24, 2020 by Brenda

It has been a wild four months since I last posted. So much as happened in the world and in my life. As the pandemic spun out around the world, I helped my kids get through the last few months of school at home, planted five new raspberry bushes, and ten fruit trees. In April, I lost my dearest Aunt to a fall, and then I was informed I was a finalist for a GCLS Goldie, and then the most amazing thing, I won.

And through it all, I completed a novella for a project with friends. It took me as long to write thirty thousand words as it usually takes me to write sixty thousand. A big part of struggling to write was dealing with grief.

Grief over my aunt, grief for my kids not being able to be with their grandparents, and friends, grief for friends who died, friends who lost parents, siblings and partners, and grief over losing the ability to work undisturbed.

I started writing when my twins were little. I was home with them and wrote in snippets and margins of time I snatched for myself. And then they went to preschool, and hallelujah, I had two hours and forty-five minutes to myself.

I used that time to write my first two books, and then they went to kindergarten and my day stretched to 5 hours, and then the miracle of miracles they went to elementary school. I had full days to work. It was marvelous. I could stretch out, relax, and work as I wanted to, I even had a dedicated office. And then COVID-19. And now, my kids are home 24/7 and my wife is using my office for innumerable meetings. I am back to working in the living room, or on our porch, or where ever and whenever I can snatch moments.

I fought against the change in my circumstances at first, raged, fretted, and whined quietly to myself. But in the end, I just needed to remind myself that I wrote and submitted two manuscripts a year for three years writing two hours and forty-five minutes a day. I can do it again. Hell, my Goldie winning novel, Double Six was written during NANOWRIMO, and if I can draft a 60k novel in thirty days I can do anything.

What is the point of all of this?

Don’t let circumstances steal your art. Find a way to keep creating. I’ll be over here, sneaking in a writing sprint in the early morning before my kids get up, or doing edits after everyone has gone to bed, or knocking out a blog post when I can.

I won’t quit, I won’t whine, and I won’t dwell on what was. I will embrace new challenges and keep working, and keep writing because I’ve come too far along my writing journey to quit now. I won’t be precious about how and where I create, I will just get on with it.

For you creatives out there, keep creating, the world needs your words and art, now more than ever.

Until next time, stay safe and well.

Available August 17th from Ninestar Press

Brenda Murphy writes short fiction and novels. Her novel, Double Six, won the 2020 GCLS Goldie for Erotica. She loves tattoos and sideshows and yes, those are her monkeys. When she is not loitering at her local tea shop and writing, she wrangles two kids, one dog, and an unrepentant parrot. She blogs about life as a writer with ADHD and publishes random thoughts and photographs on her blog Writing While Distracted.

You can find her on Facebook by clicking here. Sign Up for her email list and receive a free erotic short story HERE Check out more information about her upcoming releases and appearances at www.brendalmurphy.com

Books available at

Creating in Chaos

Posted on March 30, 2020 by Brenda

Hi folks,

Its been a while since I’ve posted here. I have been like many I suspect, overwhelmed. And unsure I had anything to add to the discussion of how to adjust to our lives with the specter of Covid-19 looming over us. My family has been sheltering in place for about three weeks now. It’s been an adjustment. After suffering the loss of my brother in law last year, I finally felt we had all adjusted to the new normal. And then we found ourselves in the middle of a global pandemic.

In the past week we, (my wife, my kids and I) have snuggled on our couch, struggled with classroom technology and homeschooling, played outside, started garden, planted seeds, raged, cried, lay in our beds and stared at the ceiling, laughed at ridiculous movies, called family and friends, played games, helped each other with chores and housework, and eaten our share of our favorite snacks and desserts. We are surviving.

I sent a new manuscript off to my editor right before all of the chaos started and I’m grateful I had competed it because I have been unable to get myself to sit down to write until today.

I have a new novella project that I need to start working on. I know I’m not going to hit my usual word counts. I not even going to try. I’m permitting myself to go slowly, to adjust my writing pace to meet my deadline on time but not early. I’m also permitting myself to take days off when I need them for emotional and mental health. My imaginary friends have always been my go-to in any crisis, and I believe that once I get back to writing, I will feel better. How are you all doing? Are you able to create right now? Do you have any tips to share?

Until next time, stay safe, stay well.

Brenda Murphy writes short fiction and novels. She loves tattoos and sideshows, and yes, those are her monkeys. When she is not loitering at her local tea shop and writing, she wrangles two kids, one dog, and an unrepentant parrot. She reviews books, blogs about life as a writer with ADHD and publishes photographs on her blog Writing While Distracted.

Books available at

Rainbow Snippet November 16-17

Posted on November 16, 2019 by Brenda

Monday is release day for Double Six, the fifth book in the Rowan House series. It seems fitting that it is releasing during NaNoWriMo as I drafted it during last year’s NaNoWriMo. I had a lot of fun writing Elaine’s story, her character is impetuous and full of surprises. This year for my NaNoWriMo project I am working on the second book in a brand new series. Today’s snip is from Double Six.

ELAINE TAPPED ON Petra’s door.
“Just a minute,” Petra called.
Elaine wiped her sweaty palms on her pants. Petra yanked the door open. “Yes?”

Elaine stared at the dark smudges under Petra’s eyes. “Are you okay?”

Petra swiped at her face. “I was testing some new mascara. Not so waterproof.”

Elaine raised an eyebrow. “Do you have plans for this evening?”

Petra gestured to her room. “Other than finishing my packing and washing my face? No.”

“Would you be interested in participating in a going away scene?”

Petra pursed her lips and rested a hand on her hip. “Where?”

Elaine tilted her head. “The large playroom.”

Petra’s mouth curved into a blade-sharp smile. “Is there a theme?”

Elaine rested her hands on the doorway to stop herself from grabbing Petra and kissing the cheeky expression off her face. “Innocence lost.”
Petra’s smirk was replaced by a feral smile. “Time?”

“Eight.”

“I’ll be there.”

Rainbow Snippets( https://www.facebook.com/groups/RainbowSnippets/)is a group for LGBTQ+ authors, readers, and bloggers to gather once a week to share six sentences from a work of fiction–a WIP or a finished work or even a 6-sentence book recommendation (no spoilers please!).

In this group, you’ll find anything from romance and historical fiction to mystery and YA. The common thread is that every story’s main character identifies as LGBTQ+. The snippets could range from zero flames to full-on sexytimes, anything goes content-wise. The only rule is snippets will be 6 sentences long–one for each color in the Pride flag.

Brenda Murphy writes erotic romance. Her novel, Knotted Legacy, made the 2018 The Lesbian Review’s Top 100 Vacation Reads list. She loves sideshows and tattoos and yes, those are her monkeys. When she is not loitering at her local library she wrangles two kids, one dog, and an unrepentant parrot. She reviews books, blogs about life as a writer with ADHD and publishes photographs on her blog Writing While Distracted. You can find her on Facebook by clicking here. Sign Up for her email list here www.brendalmurphy.com

Books available at

Complex Dimensions

Double Six

Finish it.

Posted on November 13, 2019 by Brenda

Whatever you’re writing now, finish it. Even if it takes you two years, finish it. Why? Because every time you abandon a manuscript, it becomes that much harder when you get to the soggy/awful/sticky/why-the-hell-did-I-even-start-this point in your manuscript. This is a lesson I learned from my track and field coach in high school. I had signed up to do field events. I loved field events. I’m built for field events, and they were easy for me. But our team was short an 800-meter runner (that’s a half-miler for you metrically impaired folks), and that was how I found myself having to practice with the real runners, the people who do 400-meter sprints and enjoy running and smile when they run. And I hated it. I was sucking wind one sunny spring day as I rounded the curve having run the first 600 meters, and I stopped running 200 meters from the finish line and stepped off the track. I leaned over a few minutes to catch my breath. My coach’s shadow darkened the ground at my feet. I raised my head and met her gaze.
“Are you hurt?” She said quietly.
“No.”
“If you’re not hurt you need to finish, I don’t care if you crawl over the line, but every time you give up, you will struggle at that mark in the race. Don’t quit. It’s the worst thing for your mind.” She walked away and blew her whistle and had us all lineup and we ran again. And this time, when I hit the mark I had quit at she was standing right there. No way I was going to quit with her right there. So I pushed myself and finished. And a little fist pump from my coach, her acknowledgment of my effort. And that is how it went for the next week, every day at practice she would be standing at the sticking point to remind me to keep going. To not quit. To push through.

My sixteen-year-old self held on to those words and the look on her face every time I ran through the sticking point and finished. Those words got me through the rest of high school, nursing school, Army basic training, and every other hard thing I’ve ever done since then. Including writing my first book.

Those of you doing NaNoWriMo right now may want to quit. Perhaps you’ve fallen behind in your word or questioned why it’s essential to finish. NaNoWriMo is not about winning, it’s about finishing. No matter what your word count on November 30, complete your NaNoWriMo project. Don’t quit. Finish your draft. Even if it’s terrible and it takes you until next November to complete it, finish it. Don’t quit. I’m cheering for you.

PS Coach K, if you’re out there, thank you for all your life lessons, but most importantly, this one.

Brenda Murphy writes short fiction and novels. She loves tattoos and sideshows and yes, those are her monkeys. When she is not loitering at her local tea shop and writing, she wrangles two kids, one dog, and an unrepentant parrot. She reviews books, blogs about life as a writer with ADHD and publishes photographs on her blog Writing While Distracted.

Books available at

Rainbow Snippet November 9-10

Posted on November 9, 2019 by Brenda

The fifth and most likely last book in the Rowan House series, Double Six releases on November 18th. I say most likely because I always call Rowan House my accidental series. I didn’t plan for it to be more than one novel but the women of Rowan House all had stories to tell. The last book is Elaine (Cook) happy ever after and today’s snip is from Double Six.

Petra bit into a lavender lemon shortbread from her plate. She closed her eyes and chewed, a blissful expression on her face.

Elaine laughed. “Robin has many talents. That is her signature shortbread.”

“That is sinful.” Petra took a sip of her tea.

“How do you know Lucia?” Elaine bit into her favorite chocolate biscuit.

Petra’s eyes shuttered. “Pass.”
“Why?”
“Why do you want to know?” Petra’s expression was

neutral, but her eyes were hard.
“Lucia is part of my family now. You’re the first

person she has ever mentioned in her life other than Madame. I’m curious. I don’t care if you were involved. And neither will Martha if you’re concerned.”

Petra snorted. “Involved. That’s one way to put it.” She took another sip of her tea. “I met Lucia in Japan. Madame sent me to her.”

“As her what? Sub? Chaperone? Minder?”

“She was studying shibari and was required to bring someone with her to be her canvas.”

“You went willingly? Or was it Madame’s will?” Elaine twisted her napkin in her hands.

“I wanted to go. There was no place for me at the Onyx.” Petra’s tone revealed nothing, her face a mask.

Elaine placed her plate on the table. “I don’t understand what kind of hold Madame had. How she was able to draw strong women such as yourself, Lucia, and my sister to her side, have them beg to be hers.”

“Don’t you?” Petra tilted her head to the side. “How many women have asked or begged to be yours?”

Elaine shifted in her seat. “That’s different.” “How so? Because they were subs?”
Elaine picked up the teapot. “More tea?” “No, thank you.”

Elaine could sense Petra’s eyes on her. “Not going to answer?”

“I don’t know what to say.” Elaine sat back in her chair.

“Probably enough sharing for today.”

“Goddess, I hate that word. I don’t like sharing. I don’t want to know. I think we should all keep our secrets and fucked-up feelings inside where they belong.”

“So they can fester? Fuel your anger and pain?” Petra snorted. “And here I thought you were a sadist.”

“I am.” Elaine studied the pattern on the carpet. “And what good does it do to share? It’s not like anyone really cares.”

“Or stays around? That’s the rest of it, isn’t it? You don’t expect anyone to stay if you’re honest.” Petra’s gaze burned. “If you keep everyone at arm’s length, hold back, always stay in control, you don’t have to worry, do you? And yet you were surprised when Roxy left.”

Elaine stood abruptly. “You don’t know me. Three scenes, a few chats, and you think you know me. The audacity.”

“I didn’t say I did. I said I wanted to.” Petra placed her plate on the cart before she pressed her napkin to her mouth.

You can find her on Facebook by clicking here. Sign Up for her email list and receive a free erotic short story HERE

Check out more information about her upcoming releases and appearances at www.brendalmurphy.com

Books available at

Rainbow Snippet September 28-29

Posted on September 28, 2019 by Brenda

Hello all,

Today’s snip is from Complex Dimensions, the fourth book in the Rowan House series. It had garnered some lovely reviews and folks are grooving on Veronica and Millie’s story. In the next month or so I’m going to offer my blog posts as podcasts so you can listen to my posts if that is your preference. Have a great weekend and hello October, I’m ready for you!

From Complex Dimensions:

Millie raised an eyebrow. “What kind of books do you read?”

“Everything as long as it has a happy ending.” Veronica lowered her chin to her chest, shy under Millie’s direct gaze.

“Everyone deserves a happy ending.” Millie’s voice was so soft Veronica wasn’t sure she had spoken. “The house has a large library, and a bunch of trade paperback books if you run out of things to read.” Millie tapped the e-reader against her palm. “One of the submissives from the house will clean your room on Tuesdays and change your sheets. Place your clothes in the purple laundry bag hanging in the armoire and they’ll wash them and get them back to you the next day. Staff meals are at half six, noon, and six. If you want something earlier, or anything else related to food in between, you need to speak with the kitchen staff and arrange it. The folder on the desk has a copy of your contract, a map of the house and grounds, and handbook of house rules. Staff meetings are the first Monday of the month. You’ve missed this month’s meeting but if you have anything you want to discuss before next month’s meeting make an appointment with Mistress Martha.”

“Um, okay. Wow.” Veronica swept her gaze around the room. Despite her nap in the car all she wanted was a hot shower and her bed. She failed to stifle her yawn.

Millie squeezed her shoulder. “You look done in. I’ll knock you up at half five for staff meal.”

Veronica raised her eyebrows. “What?”

Millie laughed and Veronica loved the way her whole body laughed, the mellow round sound filling the small room. “I guess I shouldn’t assume you’d understand. Let me translate. I’ll wake you in time for dinner.” She left and pulled the door closed with a soft click.

In this group, you’ll find anything from romance and historical fiction to mystery and YA. The common thread is that every story’s main character identifies as LGBTQ+. The snippets could range from zero flames to full-on sexy times, anything goes content-wise. The only rule is snippets will be 6 sentences long–one for each color in the Pride flag.

Brenda Murphy writes short fiction and novels. She loves tattoos and sideshows and yes, those are her monkeys. When she is not loitering at her local library and writing, she wrangles two kids, one dog, and an unrepentant parrot. She reviews books, blogs about life as a writer with ADHD and publishes photographs on her blog Writing While Distracted. You can find her on Facebook by clicking here. For news about upcoming releases, appearances, sneak peeks and giveaways sign Up for her email list at www.brendalmurphy.com

Books available at

Complex Dimensions

Rainbow Snippet September 14-15

Posted on September 14, 2019 by Brenda

Happy Weekend Snippeteers! It’s time for another snippet. My novel Complex Dimensions now is available for pre-order now from Ninestars’ website as well as Amazon. This week’s snip finds Veronica and Millie in the kitchen, enjoy!

From Complex Dimensions:

MILLIE WORE A black tank top and her faded jeans rode low on her hips as she stirred a small red pot of soup. The smell of potatoes and beef filled the tiny space that served as the kitchen.

“Beef stew?” Veronica peered into the pan.

“Scotch Broth. Barley, potatoes, beef, mutton, peas, carrots, some onion.”

“Sounds like my grandma’s beef stew, except she doesn’t put mutton or barley in hers.” Veronica’s stomach growled.

Millie pointed at two bowls on the counter. “Hand me those and I’ll serve. I lived on this at Uni.”

Veronica passed her two bowls and Millie ladled the soup into them. “Spoons?”

“Top drawer. Crisps are in the cupboard.”

Veronica collected two spoons and pulled a lurid orange and yellow bag from the cupboard. “Nik-Naks Nice ’n’ Spicy. What the hell are these things? Nice and Spicy. What does that mean? Are they really?”

Millie tilted her head at Veronica. “You’ve been here four months and not had Nik-Naks?”

“I’ve been a little busy.” Veronica rested a hand on her hip, raised an eyebrow, and met Millie’s gaze.

Brenda Murphy writes erotic romance. Her novel, Knotted Legacy, made The Lesbian Review’s 2018 Top 100 Vacation Reads list. She loves sideshows and tattoos and yes, those are her monkeys. When she is not loitering at her local library she wrangles two kids, one dog, and an unrepentant parrot. She reviews books, blogs about life as a writer with ADHD and publishes photographs on her blog Writing While Distracted. You can find her on Facebook by clicking here. Sign Up for her email list here www.brendalmurphy.com

Books available at

Complex Dimensions, the fourth book in the Rowan House series

Keys to Compelling Fiction: Crafting Characters

Posted on August 28, 2019 by Brenda

“The lovely thing about writing is, well, two things. One, writing fiction allows us to bring an order to our lives that doesn’t exist in real life. And two, it allows us to create human characters that we know better than we will ever know anyone in real life. ” Octavia Butler

I adore the above quote from Octavia Butler. Characters are, for most readers, the most compelling reason for them to keep reading. Readers may tolerate a mediocre plot and pacing that is a bit off, but if they don’t give a rat’s patootie about the characters, they will stop reading your novel. I know from discussions with both authors and readers I’m not the only person who misses fictional characters after we finish writing, or reading a book, in fact sometimes the only thing that pushes me to finish is a desperate desire to know how my characters’ stories unfold and because I write romance I want them to get to their happy endings.

How do you go about crafting characters that keep readers turning pages? Some writers fill out exhaustive inventories of personality questions, and character inventories, some authors write reams of backstory, and others wing it. I have one friend that draws Tarot cards and uses them to create her characters.

I have a few tools I use for character creation and thought I would share my favorites. I begin my character building by starting with generalities: what they look like, age, where they grew up, and what they do for a living. The next step is completing the Backstory Wound Profile tool developed by Becca Puglisi and Angela Ackerman and available in their book, The Emotional Wound Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Psychological Trauma. I use The Emotional Wound Thesaurus to give depth to my characters, to provide them with reliable, understandable, and relatable reasons for their behaviors.

My next step is to complete a quick reread of Debra Dixon’s GMC: Goal Motivation and Conflict. Her short book is a concise explanation of why it is essential to understand your character’s goals, motivations, and conflicts. Dixon provides a GMC sheet that I complete as well using the information from the Backstory Wound Profile tool. If you don’t read any other book on this list, read this one. The third step in creating my characters is to research their occupations and culture. I use blogs, ethnographies, and in some cases, my travel journals to add details to my characters profiles.

Developing my characters is as much a part of my writing process as much as creating an outline. If I get stuck writing a scene or if the story is not flowing, I go back to my character sheets. Story flow problems are most often issues with a character’s growth arc. After rereading my character sheets, I’m usually able to suss out why my story is not working. After I address character arc issues, I’m ready to continue writing with confidence, knowing that my characters are moving along a believable path.

Writers, what are your favorite ways to craft characters? Do you have favorite tools and techniques you use? Readers, who are your favorite characters from fiction, the ones you still think about long after you close the book?

Books available at

Coming Soon

Complex Dimensions, book four in the Rowan House series. Preorders Available September 20, 2019

Make it Your Own

Posted on August 19, 2019 by Brenda

Tomorrow the kids are back a school and my work life is back on schedule. I moved my office over the summer and I had worked in it only a tiny bit because it just didn’t feel like my office. I couldn’t figure it out. I was restless, and edgy and not productive preferring to sit on the couch or in a coffee shop to work.

Why? My usual reason for discomfort is that change is hard for me, as it is for many folks with ADHD/ADD. Patterns and routines are what keep us moving forward, as much as we might rebel against them sometimes.

Last night as I not sleeping, because I struggle with sleep issues, I was thinking about my production schedule for the week. It occurred to me as I visualized sitting at my desk the arrangement was totally opposite from former office. Many folks would not care if their desk was on the east wall of their office or the west wall, or if the office door was to their left or right, or if they would have their back to the door while working, but it made a difference to me.

The impulse to fix my problem was so strong, only the fear of waking up the rest of my family and then trying to explain to them why three o’clock in the morning seemed like a good time to move furniture stopped me. Today with the help of my very industrious twins we completely rearranged my office in half the time it would have taken me to do it alone.

I haven’t always been this aware of my feelings of discomfort. For years when things were off, I would just ignore them or push through or abandon doing things because of my unidentified negative feelings. Because my kids both struggle with identifying their feelings and being able to articulate what is bothering them, I ask them, especially when they are acting out, or overly upset, “what is wrong?” and “how can you fix it or make it better?” I want them to know they don’t have to settle or deny their discomfort, and that their feelings are valid. Even if other people don’t understand. Especially if other people don’t understand.

Notice I don’t ask “how can I fix it?” I want them to understand what it took me years to figure out. If something is wrong or doesn’t feel right to you, stop and think, take time to check in with yourself. Fix it yourself if you can, and ask for help if you can’t or it’s overwhelming to do it alone. Such a simple lesson and yet so powerful.

Before I had the privilege of having my own office with a door I worked while sitting on the corner of the couch, or at my dining room table. In both places, I did little things that made it mine, and comfortable, even if it was only during the time I used them.

Are there things in your life that are making you uncomfortable or are the source of negative feelings? Have you abandoned your writing or creative space because it didn’t feel right or you were unable to be productive? Or have you never been able to settle into a creative space? Take a moment to check in with yourself, and then take the time to make your space your own, even if it’s a corner of a room or a place at the kitchen table do what you need to do to be productive and create. Now go make/write/do something amazing.

Books available at