If you're a writer, published or aspiring, these tools are for you! Answer this: do you have a hard time getting started? Don't be shy even Jamie Hill admits it. You get an idea, you're at the computer fingers poised to type and then... three hours later you're still staring at a blank page. Don't let the distractions win!

1. For Writers Using Mac: White Room

Free Download

2. For Writers Using Windows: Dark Room

Free Download

Some Word applications: Alt-V/U to go to Full Screen

Bonus: Java Dark Room (can be used with Windows, Mac, and Linux)

What are Whiteroom and Darkroom?

Both are in fact full screen distraction free writing environments that will allow you to write without the distractions that usually call to you such as your latest game of solitaire or your email. They offer this opportunity of undivided attention by taking away the toolbars and get it done quick buttons that are common in writing applications. You are left with just the words and a solid background. In both applications you can change the colors to suit you best.

The applications are admittedly primitive in that they don’t have spell check or grammar check, but that isn’t the point. You can fix those later. The point of these programs is to help you concentrate on the most essential thing: getting your thoughts down quick!

Now take a deep breath: ahhh… no more noise! Oh and get to typing!

Originally posted 2009-05-21 05:40:38. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Woohoo! The winner of Donna Marie Roger's Giveaway, announced in Get into Bed with Donna Marie Rogers (Author Interview), comes from this blog!

Congratulations Isabel G. you won an autographed copy of There's Only You and Meant to Be!

I just sent you an email, but if you miss it, send me one with your mailing address and I will make sure the right parties get it so you can receive your goodies!

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I got an email on Friday from Susan thanking me for my TBR pile series and telling me about her own bookshelf cleanup project. I'm so excited to share with everyone, Susan's success. Using a tip from 7 Organizational Tips to Help Reduce Your To Be Read Pile she took her unmanageable bookshelf and got it under control! That big grin on her face says, "Look at my shelves, they are so totally organized and awesome!" Those are my words not hers.

These are her words:

Hi Keira,

Thanks so much for your spreadsheet idea--it took me 3 agonizing days to do it & re-organize my bookshelf and I'm glad I did. I figured out all my TBR books, realized 1 of my books were gone (I had lent it to my sister) , gave away a bag full to the library of books that just didn't hold my interest any longer & got receipt for tax purposes, relocated some e.g. gave my Harry Potter's to my son. I also noted the signed copies so in the future I don't inadvertently get rid of them or lend those out. Now I actually have some room for my new books.

Thanks & TGIF

Take a closer look at those shelves:

Aren't they awesome? I'm so happy and excited for Susan! She's going to get so much reading done!

I hope her success gets you motivated!

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The winner of Amelia Grey's A Duke to Die For giveaway was selected from qualified entries using Random.org. Before I announce who won, I would like to take a moment to thank Amelia for being so generous with us. Be sure to check out her interview with LRP here and drop a little love. Without further ado the winner is:

MJ wrote:

I love all animals!! As a child we had dogs, cats, a monkey, crow that could talk, a parrot, a minah bird,horse, ponies, a mule and even an alligator. - plus more!!! Somehow, I married an animal hater!!! I really miss my pets tho. My favorite was Petunia the pig, who was raised from a bottle and lived inside til she got too big!!

Congratulations MJ! I will be emailing you (provided my internet doesn't die again) soon. If you don't hear from me send me an email at reviewromancenovel@yahoo.com

Thanks to all who commented!

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Congratulations to the winners! You are:

which in English stands for...

• 5- Debbie Tsikuris for Knight’s Fork by Rowena Cherry
• 6- Afshan N for Working Man, Society Bride by Mary Nichols
• 8- Alexandra  for Market for Love by Jamaica Layne
• 1- Lisa W. for The Sheikh’s Defiant Bride by Sandra Marton
• 10-Jeanne St. James for Can Perfect be Put on Paper by Carmen Shirkey

Ladies I should be in contact with you by the end of the day with an email. If you don't see one please email me at reviewromancenovel@yahoo.com.

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Ravenous Romance is an epublisher dedicated to selling well written stories at low prices. They have ebooks and audiobooks, which I think is fantastic! Take a book with you on your mp3 player as you exercise, run errands, or settle in for the evening. Ravenous Romance's current promotion to gain a wider repeat readership is directed toward new readers and first time customers. By sending an email to customerservice[at]ravenousromance[dot]com you can receive a $5 off purchase coupon code. The response time is fairly swift, but not instantaneous. Be prepared to wait a day or so.

You can use your coupon in a variety of ways from applying it to a large order or just buying one or two things. $5 will buy you one novel length story or 2 of their short stories. There is a lot to choose from and everything is well organized - simply browse by category, author name, title, etc to find what you're in the mood for.

I used my coupon to buy sexy fairy tale stories... Spellbound is an anthology edited by Rachel Kenley. I really liked Handsome and Petal. The retelling of Snow White was pretty average, and Beauty and the Beast is a riot. But I will let you know in a full review later how it went. To tell the truth I can't wait to read Sleeping Beauty!

Checkout was easy and required a short registration survey to be filled out. I did not have to enter any payment methods like a credit card or paypal account. Then again I just purchase the one story at time of checkout.

I'm not sure when the coupon code will end, but for a free book, it's kind of silly not to try it out. I would suggest filling the subject line for the email with: New Customer/Reader or $5 Coupon and then in the body of the email tell them you are interested in receiving a code to that effect for their website.

Enjoy!!!

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