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	<title>Irreverent Muse &#187; SWN Archives</title>
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	<link>http://www.michellplested.com</link>
	<description>Looking at writing from an amateur&#039;s perspective</description>
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	<itunes:summary>A podcast to help remove the pitfalls for writers as they try to live the dream of getting published.</itunes:summary>
	<itunes:author>Michell Plested</itunes:author>
	<itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit>
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	<itunes:owner>
		<itunes:name>Michell Plested</itunes:name>
		<itunes:email>podcast@michellplested.com</itunes:email>
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	<managingEditor>podcast@michellplested.com (Michell Plested)</managingEditor>
	<copyright>Copyright 2008</copyright>
	<itunes:subtitle>A podcast to aid in your quest for publishing glory.</itunes:subtitle>
	<itunes:keywords>publish, publishing, writing, publisher, agent, author, novel, book, Mike Plested, Get Published, GalaxyBillies</itunes:keywords>
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		<title>Irreverent Muse &#187; SWN Archives</title>
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		<item>
		<title>The End of the Beginning&#8230;</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/the-end-of-the-beginning/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/the-end-of-the-beginning/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 02 May 2008 16:47:42 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=8</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[As always, Aaron is a tough act to follow, but he does say a lot of the things that I have been thinking too. Like him, I’ve come a long way since my first post.  When I started with StartingWriteNow I had never blogged before, I hadn’t finished my first book.  I had lots of [...]]]></description>
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		<title>Making Connections</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/making-connections/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/making-connections/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 25 Apr 2008 16:48:28 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=9</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[You never know when you’re going to meet someone who can help your career. That is true of any job and is especially true of writing. That particular point was driven home last weekend when I was volunteering for the Calgary Young Writers’ Conference. This was the fifth consecutive year that I’ve volunteered to help [...]]]></description>
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		<title>Change is Hard</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/10/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/10/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 18 Apr 2008 16:49:16 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=10</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Anyone who has ever tried to lose a little weight can tell you that change is not an easy thing.  Successful weight-loss usually means a change in eating habits, an increase in activity and a lot of motivational help from others.  In other words, a change in lifestyle. Writing isn’t a whole lot different.  Instead [...]]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>Tools of the Trade</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/tools-of-the-trade/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/tools-of-the-trade/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 11 Apr 2008 16:49:58 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=11</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I’m at a bit of a cross-roads and I’m still not entirely sure how I feel about it.  You see, I’m looking very seriously at getting a Mac.  Nothing wrong with that, right? There’s only one problem.  I’ve been using Microsoft products almost since the beginning of personal computers (just ask Sean, I really am [...]]]></description>
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		<item>
		<title>Let Sleeping Dogs Lie</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/let-sleeping-dogs-lie/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/let-sleeping-dogs-lie/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 04 Apr 2008 16:51:03 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=12</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I thought I would do something a bit different for my first Friday post.  To that end, I’m not going to talk about the changes coming to the website.  There will be plenty of time for that in the days and weeks to come. I don’t think I’ve made any secret of the fact that [...]]]></description>
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		<item>
		<title>A New Day is Dawning</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/a-new-day-is-dawning/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/a-new-day-is-dawning/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 03 Apr 2008 16:51:46 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=13</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[As you all know by now, there are going to be some changes to the site.  One of those changes is my posting day; I will begin posting on Fridays starting this week. You may be asking yourself, “Why the heck is he posting today then?” Simply put, I didn’t want to leave you, the [...]]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>30-in-30:  The Final Analysis</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/30-in-30-the-final-analysis/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/30-in-30-the-final-analysis/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 27 Mar 2008 16:52:28 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=14</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Well, I managed to complete the 30-in-30 personal challenge last week and it was everything I had hoped it would be.  Before I spend any time talking about the lessons I learned on this, let’s have a quick recap of the 30 days: February 19:     Title:  The Exhibit  (946) February 20:     Title:  The Blood Red Moon  (759) February 21:     Title:  Politics  (6) [...]]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Out of Adversity&#8230;</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/out-of-adversity/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/out-of-adversity/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 20 Mar 2008 16:53:27 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=15</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I’m not afraid to say it:  I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired.  But at the same time, I’m also rejoicing in the fact that I’m sick.  Maybe that just goes to show how really unwell I am. Seriously though, feeling like crap and not sleeping has given me story ideas.  In fact, [...]]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>It&#8217;s All Fun and Games&#8230;</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/its-all-fun-and-games/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/its-all-fun-and-games/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 13 Mar 2008 19:45:21 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=16</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Aaron’s post yesterday made me laugh… and think.  Maybe that was Aaron’s intent, maybe it wasn’t, but for me, that was the net result.  So what about it specifically made me think?  Maybe it was the silliness of the post.  By his own admission, Aaron was feeling silly.  Why shouldn’t that reveal itself in his writing? [...]]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Shifting the Paradigm without a Clutch</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/shifting-the-paradigm-without-a-clutch/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/shifting-the-paradigm-without-a-clutch/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 06 Mar 2008 19:46:20 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=17</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Paradigm is one of those terribly overused buzz words that I have come to hate.  In fact, it’s a word I try never to use, but for today, it is appropriate. For you few who haven’t ever heard, used or know what it means, the dictionary definition is: “an example that serves as a pattern or [...]]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Making Headway</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/making-headway/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/making-headway/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 28 Feb 2008 19:50:38 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=18</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The one thing we can all count on in our writing is that “Things happen”.  That little thing called life throws curves at us all, whether it’s family commitments (like sports for kids), community, work and friends.  They all seem to conspire against us and try to prevent us from writing. Heck, sometimes even our [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/making-headway/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Experiment in Short Fiction</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/experiment-in-short-fiction/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/experiment-in-short-fiction/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 21 Feb 2008 19:51:30 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=19</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Short stories are not something I feel especially qualified to write these days.  There have been lots of story ideas jotted down, but only one written. It’s time to change that. I’ve been giving some thought to how I can get around the short story ‘block’ I’ve developed for myself.  I had planned to write several [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/experiment-in-short-fiction/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Arrrgh!</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/arrrgh/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/arrrgh/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 14 Feb 2008 19:53:31 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=20</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Some weeks a topic has jumped up screaming “Pick me, pick me!”.  Those are the weeks that I can write a post in very short order.  Then there are times like now when I have several ideas to write about, except none of them really reach out and grab me. I think I’d rather have [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/arrrgh/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Getting an Audience</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/getting-an-audience/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/getting-an-audience/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 07 Feb 2008 19:54:14 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=21</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I’ve been thinking about the challenges of getting people to read and more importantly buy your book when it finally gets published.  It has been getting more and more obvious to me that it’s never too soon to develop an audience, not to mention build that network of contacts, before your book comes out. Let’s explore [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/getting-an-audience/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Eclectic Mix</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/eclectic-mix/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/eclectic-mix/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 31 Jan 2008 19:54:56 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=22</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Let me just begin by saying, “Holy Crap it’s cold out there!”  For those of you who haven’t been watching the news, or hail from a more balmy climate, it has been -40 degrees (celcius or farenheit, it just doesn’t matter) or colder for the past several days (that is with windchill, but still).  I, [...]]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>The Query Letter</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/the-query-letter/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/the-query-letter/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 24 Jan 2008 19:55:44 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=23</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Have you ever had one of those “Well Duh!” moments?  I know I occasionally do and I hate them almost as much as I love them. Aaron and I went to a short (2-hour) workshop last week with Simon Rose.  I wasn’t quite sure what to expect; the description of the workshop mentioned things like [...]]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Turning Dross into Gold</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/turning-dross-into-gold/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/turning-dross-into-gold/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 17 Jan 2008 19:56:37 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=24</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[When I was young (OK, younger) I wrote all the time.  I wrote about practically anything that caught my fancy, usually friends, and the humorous situations I could put them in.  Despite that, I never entertained the idea of getting my writing published.  I can clearly remember thinking:  ‘who am I to submit stuff?  I’ve [...]]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Update</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/update/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/update/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 10 Jan 2008 20:05:39 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=25</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I figure it’s time to give you all an update.  I’ve set some goals and made some decisions.  Now it’s time to face the music. Let’s start with the goals. I set the goal that my Mik Murdoch book would be edited and on its way to the publisher by the beginning of January.  Yeah, well [...]]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>A Change in Perspective</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/a-change-in-perspective/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/a-change-in-perspective/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 03 Jan 2008 20:11:23 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=29</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[It has been an interesting year; one that has changed my perspective on writing in general and my personal goals in particular. I really started to think about what my writing means to me when Robert Jordan passed away.  It struck me as very sad that he was unable to finish his masterpiece.  Then I [...]]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>2 Minutes for Interference</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/2-minutes-for-interference/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/2-minutes-for-interference/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 27 Dec 2007 20:08:40 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=27</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I have a confession to make… I let the holidays interfere with my writing. There, I’ve said it.  Now let the healing process begin. I actually went away with the best of intentions.  I backed up my writing to a USB Flash drive, I packed away my laptop and my mouse.  I put my iPod [...]]]></description>
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		<title>Chance Meetings</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/chance-meetings/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/chance-meetings/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 20 Dec 2007 20:09:28 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=28</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[As many of you already know, I’m a firm believer in the power of networking.  As a writer, it is part of my job to not only write interesting stories, but to meet people who can help those stories get into the hands of readers.  That group of people includes publishers, editors, other writers, marketing [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/chance-meetings/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
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		<title>More Than Just &#8220;Bad to the Bone&#8221;</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/more-than-just-bad-to-the-bone/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/more-than-just-bad-to-the-bone/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 13 Dec 2007 20:14:23 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=30</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[By the time this week is over, you will probably be well and truly tired of hearing about creating characters. Isn’t it great? I personally will echo my fellow SWN’ers in saying that I love having the chance to look at and feed off of each other’s ideas.  It makes things so much easier, if [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/more-than-just-bad-to-the-bone/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
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		<title>ZZZZZZZZZ, Hmm, What?</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/zzzzzzzzz-hmm-what/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/zzzzzzzzz-hmm-what/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 06 Dec 2007 20:15:09 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=31</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[For those of us who live in a Northern Climate, writing has just become much, much harder.  Logic would dictate that since it’s so damn cold out we SHOULD have all this time to write while we sit in front of a roaring fire drinking hot, alcohol laced drinks. All I can say is Logic [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/zzzzzzzzz-hmm-what/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
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		<title>Lessons Learned and Going Forward</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/lessons-learned-and-going-forward/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/lessons-learned-and-going-forward/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 29 Nov 2007 20:15:57 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=32</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Nanowrimo is almost over for another year, although it was over for me over a week ago when I finished my 50,000 words.  Despite hitting my goals it didn’t turn out quite the way I expected.  I had all these hopes of spending time with my fellow Nano’s in the form of chats, write-ins and [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/lessons-learned-and-going-forward/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
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		<title>It&#8217;s a Wonderful Life</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/its-a-wonderful-life/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/its-a-wonderful-life/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 22 Nov 2007 20:16:46 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=33</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[It’s been another interesting week, but in a good way for a change.  I’m still limping along without my laptop (no that’s not any of the good news).  In fact, that will probably be status quo for the next several weeks (unfortunately).  I’m starting to wonder if the whole laptop thing is really worth it.  [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/its-a-wonderful-life/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
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		<title>NanoWriMo, The Real Story (or Nano, Week 2)</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/nanowrimo-the-real-story-or-nano-week-2/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/nanowrimo-the-real-story-or-nano-week-2/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 15 Nov 2007 20:17:29 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=34</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I have a confession to make.  Last week wasn’t quite as rosy as I made it out to be. I honestly wasn’t out to fool anyone, but as it turned out, I forgot about the problem until after my post was complete.  You’re probably thinking that the problem wasn’t anything much.  Maybe I forgot to call my [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/nanowrimo-the-real-story-or-nano-week-2/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>NanoWriMo &#8211; Week 1 in Review</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/nanowrimo-week-1-in-review/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/nanowrimo-week-1-in-review/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 08 Nov 2007 20:18:36 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=35</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Well, it has been an interesting week, to put it mildly.  I was able to kick off Nanowrimo in the manner I was hoping for.  I had over 2,500 words my first day which was exactly where I hoped to be.  Still, despite hitting the word-count, I wasn’t thrilled with what I put down. Yes, [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/nanowrimo-week-1-in-review/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
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		<title>The Meter is Running</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/the-meter-is-running/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/the-meter-is-running/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 01 Nov 2007 20:19:18 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=36</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Well… Nano is officially on and despite my earlier bravado, I am somewhat concerned.  I just started a new job on October 1st with a brand-new company.  Oddly, that has meant that my focus isn’t quite on Nano which means that I’m not quite as prepared as I would like to be. Still, even though [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/the-meter-is-running/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
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		<title>The Clock is Ticking</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/the-clock-is-ticking/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/the-clock-is-ticking/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:20:14 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=37</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[By this time, one week from today, some folks will already be at 10,000 words on their Nanowrimo book. Pretty crazy, wouldn’t you say?  I know I certainly would. Still, last year there were a couple people who claimed to be done their 50,000 words by day 2.  I suppose it’s possible, but I shudder [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/the-clock-is-ticking/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
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		<title>It&#8217;s Time to Quit Playing</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/its-time-to-quit-playing/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/its-time-to-quit-playing/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 18 Oct 2007 20:21:02 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=38</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[OK, I’ll admit it, I’ve been procrastinating the past few months.  I haven’t been fighting to get my “Mik Murdoch” book ready to send out. For those of you keeping score, “Mik Murdoch, Boy Superhero” is the second book I’ve written.  I actually wrote it last year during Nanowrimo.  It turned out so much better than [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/its-time-to-quit-playing/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
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		<title>Of Promises and Gauntlets</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/of-promises-and-gauntlets/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/of-promises-and-gauntlets/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 11 Oct 2007 20:21:45 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=39</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[My good friend Aaron has done it again.  If you don’t know what I’m talking about, please go back a day and read his previous post.  That should clue you in to what I mean. What?  You still don’t know?  I’m being overly obscure?  Even Aaron doesn’t know what I’m talking about? Honestly people, I [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/of-promises-and-gauntlets/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
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		<title>Hats Off to a Master</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/hats-off-to-a-master/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/hats-off-to-a-master/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 04 Oct 2007 20:22:41 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=40</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Two weeks ago I wrote about Robert Jordan’s untimely passing.  It came as a real shock to me, as I believe I mentioned at the time, but it also got me thinking more strongly about a series of posts I have been meaning to write. I’ve actually had the title to this post sitting ready [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/hats-off-to-a-master/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
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		<title>Dramatic Change</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/dramatic-change/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/dramatic-change/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 27 Sep 2007 20:23:29 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=41</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I woke up this morning with the feeling that I had forgotten something.  It didn’t take long for me to realize that I hadn’t yet written my post for today. Shame on me. It’s not like I haven’t had the time this week.  As you probably know, I am moving to a new company and a [...]]]></description>
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		<title>Robert Jordan</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/robert-jordan/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/robert-jordan/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 20 Sep 2007 08:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=42</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[As Terry already mentioned, Robert Jordan passed away this week.  This announcement caught me by complete surprise.  You see, I was one of those fans who visited his blog regularly to learn how his health was progressing.  His (and his friend’s and family’s) optimistic entries gave me hope that he would pull out of the terrible [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/robert-jordan/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
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		<title>A Change is as Good as a Rest</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/a-change-is-as-good-as-a-rest/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/a-change-is-as-good-as-a-rest/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 13 Sep 2007 20:25:06 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=43</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I actually had a different topic in mind for this week but things have conspired to adjust my thinking.  Happily the events in question are good ones  . For the past several months I have been toiling (yes, that word accurately reflects my state of mind) at my job.  I’m usually one of those people who [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/a-change-is-as-good-as-a-rest/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
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		<title>Adventures into the Fantastic</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/adventures-into-the-fantastic/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/adventures-into-the-fantastic/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 06 Sep 2007 20:26:06 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=44</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Once again, I’ve got to tip my hat to my good friend Aaron.  He has inspired me to yet another topic for today.  It’s nice to have it happening again. Before I begin, let me give you a tiny bit of history.  Mr. Kite and I would often grab a coffee together back in the [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/adventures-into-the-fantastic/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
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		<title>Sharing the Pain</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/sharing-the-pain/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/sharing-the-pain/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 30 Aug 2007 16:08:35 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=3</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I know I&#8217;ve said it before, but it&#8217;s worth saying again:  &#8220;Writing is not a solitary occupation&#8221;.  I know that at face value, that statement seems absolutely false, but if I&#8217;ve learned one thing since I began contributing to this site, it is that the more people you interact with as a writer, the better [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/sharing-the-pain/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
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		<title>Conclusions</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/conclusions/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/conclusions/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 23 Aug 2007 16:12:38 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=4</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I&#8217;ve come to one&#8230; well actually, I&#8217;ve come to several (not jumped to, either, for a change), but one important one with regards to my first book.  Are you ready for it? It still needs some work&#8230; Yup, you heard it here first, folks&#8230; I need to dig back into it and do some major [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/conclusions/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
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		<title>Culture</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/culture/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/culture/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 16 Aug 2007 16:17:35 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=5</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[For those of you who don’t already know, I have been fortunate enough to do some traveling this summer.  In fact, it wouldn’t be a huge stretch to say that I’ve been from one corner of North America to the other (Mexico to extreme Northern British Columbia). I know, it’s a bit of a stretch.  [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/culture/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
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		<title>Catastrophic Failure</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/catastrophic-failure/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/catastrophic-failure/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 09 Aug 2007 16:18:23 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=6</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Like many of you, I have become very reliant on technology in my everyday life.  Technology helps me to pay my bills, talk to friends and family, earn a living.  As I said, I’m very reliant on it.  It would be safe to say that my life often depends on it. And as sad as it may [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/catastrophic-failure/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
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		<title>Balance</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/balance/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/balance/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 02 Aug 2007 16:19:35 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=7</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I had a very different subject that I wanted to write about today, but, alas, time has been my enemy as of late.  It’s funny how life can give you fodder for your writing, isn’t it? So with that, let’s talk about balance, specifically life-balance. Generally, life-balance can be broken down into two major categories:  [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/balance/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
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		<title>Happy Anniversary!</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/happy-anniversary/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/happy-anniversary/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 26 Jul 2007 23:37:17 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=46</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[For those of you who pay attention to things like this, the very first post to Startingwritenow happened exactly one year ago tomorrow.  Truly a momentous occasion!  The world of writing has never been the same. I remember very well when Sean first mentioned his idea of the site to both myself and Aaron.  I [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/happy-anniversary/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
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		<title>I&#8217;m Back</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/im-back/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/im-back/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 19 Jul 2007 23:38:58 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=47</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[…and I am VERY glad!  Where to begin? For the curious among you, my first holiday destination was Cancun, Mexico.  It was just in time for hurricane season, I’m told, but we only saw rain twice and both times it was at night after we had shutdown for the evening.  Sweltering hot too, but in [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/im-back/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
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		<title>The Creative &#8220;Writing&#8221; Process (4 of 4)</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/the-creative-writing-process-4-of-4/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/the-creative-writing-process-4-of-4/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 12 Jul 2007 23:39:44 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=48</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Well, we made it… 4 episodes in 4 weeks.  This week, as you already know, we are talking about supporting characters and how your story resolution might go. So, without further ado, let’s soldier on. Part IIIe &#8211; Supporting Characters Supporting characters.  Whether you love them or hate them, they are (usually) a necessary facet of [...]]]></description>
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		<title>The Creative &#8220;Writing&#8221; Process (3 of 4)</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/the-creative-writing-process-3-of-4/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/the-creative-writing-process-3-of-4/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 05 Jul 2007 23:40:39 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=49</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Hello and welcome to week 3 of  my discussion around “The Creative Process” for story writing.  Good to have you back.  How is your story coming along? This week, we will be discussing conflict and creating the plot points for the story.  Let’s get started, shall we? Part IIIc – Conflict For a story to [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/the-creative-writing-process-3-of-4/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
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		<title>The Creative &#8220;Writing&#8221; Process (2 of 4)</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/the-creative-writing-process-2-of-4/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/the-creative-writing-process-2-of-4/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 28 Jun 2007 23:41:59 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=50</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[By the time you read this, I will already be out of the country.  I won’t tell you where only because I don’t what to sound like I’m bragging or trying to make you feel bad if the weather is poor where you are.  If you missed last weeks posting, please stop here and go [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/the-creative-writing-process-2-of-4/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
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		<title>The Creative &#8220;Writing&#8221; Process (1 of 4)</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/the-creative-writing-process-1-of-4/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/the-creative-writing-process-1-of-4/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 21 Jun 2007 23:43:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=51</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[If you read my post last week you already know that I’m going to be away for 3-weeks after this week.  The trouble I’m facing is I don’t know if I will have easy access to Internet or not.What to do?  Definitely a conundrum.  Do I take my chances and hope that I have both [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/the-creative-writing-process-1-of-4/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
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		<title>On the Road&#8230; Again</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/on-the-road-again/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/on-the-road-again/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 14 Jun 2007 23:43:52 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=52</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[June is promising to be one of the busiest months on record for me.  I mean, I’ve already been to Vancouver for 2-days, I’m currently in Toronto for 5-days and I’ve got a 2-week vacation coming up on the 23rd.  That doesn’t even begin to account for all the driving-type stuff I’ve been doing (and [...]]]></description>
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		<title>Experiences and Writing</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/experiences-and-writing/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/experiences-and-writing/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 07 Jun 2007 23:44:38 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=53</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[By now you have probably figured out that I have grandiose plans to become a professional writer.  This is nothing new for me.  I remember dreaming of being an author all the way back to when I was 15 or 16. Back then, though, I let myself get hung up on the whole “but I’ve [...]]]></description>
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		<title>Rewards</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/rewards/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/rewards/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 31 May 2007 23:45:20 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=54</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[It’s always interesting to me how the most unexpected events can sometimes be so positive… and cause for reflection.  This week, I had one of those unexpected things happen to me. A colleague and friend of mine instant messaged me earlier this week.  He informed me that, although I didn’t know it yet, I was [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/rewards/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
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		<title>Reputation</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/reputation/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/reputation/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 24 May 2007 23:46:01 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=55</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[How many of you have heard the old cliche’ about the guy looking for a job?  He goes in to apply and the boss says, “You’re perfect, except we need someone with more experience.” The guy says, “How am I supposed to get experience unless I get the job?” The boss says, “Don’t try to confuse [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/reputation/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
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		<title>I&#8217;m Committed</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/im-committed/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/im-committed/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 17 May 2007 23:46:47 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=56</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Yes, that’s right… I’m committed.  Now before you jump up and shout “It’s about time!  I’ve been saying you should be committed for years…”, I’ve got to break the sad news that it’s not that kind of committed. The committed I’m talking about today is the commitment to The Writing Show’s “First Chapter Contest”.  I know I [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/im-committed/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
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		<title>Writing Courses</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/writing-courses/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/writing-courses/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 10 May 2007 23:47:36 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=57</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[It could be a two-hour creative writing seminar at the local Library or it could be a multi-month, full-blown University or Correspondance course on writing the next great novel.  The question is, are they useful? I guess that depends on what you’re trying to get out of the course. If your goal is to shortcut [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/writing-courses/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
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		<title>Music</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/music/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/music/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 03 May 2007 23:48:32 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=58</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Where do ideas come from?  Anyone who has suffered writer’s block has probably asked themselves that question in the wee hours, perhaps punctuated by the occasional blow to the head with the heel of a hand. I know I have. Oddly enough, the smack to the head doesn’t generally do more than give me a headache [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/music/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>Feedback</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/feedback/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/feedback/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 26 Apr 2007 23:49:06 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=59</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I don’t know about you, but I crave feedback.  Feedback about my writing, feedback about my job, feedback… well you get the point.  And yet, that thing I crave seems to be one of the hardest things to come by. I’ll admit, I haven’t always been as forthcoming with it myself, so maybe I shouldn’t [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/feedback/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>Blah!</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/blah/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/blah/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 19 Apr 2007 23:49:47 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=60</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I’ve got to admit, the weather around here is really beginning to get on my nerves. In the past 60 days we have had the snow completely melt with temperature highs of 18 Celsius (68 Fahrenheit for those of you who care), only to have it turn around and drop copious amounts of the white [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/blah/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
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		<title>I&#8217;ve Got Nothing</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/ive-got-nothing/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/ive-got-nothing/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 12 Apr 2007 23:50:33 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=61</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Yup, you heard it here first, folks.  The tank is dry, the muse is shot.  This week I don’t feel like I’ve got anything worthwhile to say. Huh?  Is that really Mike talking?  The man who can wax poetic about a loaf of stale bread? Once again… yup. Sean and I met a second time [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/ive-got-nothing/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
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		<title>Flawed Characters</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/flawed-characters/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/flawed-characters/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 05 Apr 2007 23:52:09 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=62</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Have you ever read a story where the character seems too good to be true?  I actually can’t recall too many off the top of my head.  I suspect it’s because within a chapter or so of reading the character I’ve dismissed the story as crap and moved on.  Honestly, I can only think of [...]]]></description>
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		<title>How&#8217;d I Do?</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/howd-i-do/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/howd-i-do/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 29 Mar 2007 23:52:55 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=63</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[So, last week I set myself a SMART challenge that was both smaller than some I’ve done before and, at the same time, bigger.  What the…?  Does he have any idea how stupid that sounds? Of course I do.  Self-awareness is one of those things that defines sentience which, I’d like to believe I am… [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/howd-i-do/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
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		<title>On Distractions and Writing</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/on-distractions-and-writing/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/on-distractions-and-writing/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 22 Mar 2007 23:55:31 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=64</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[How does one exactly balance the rigors of daily life and writing?  I think that question has as many answers as there are writers out there.  I know, we’ve heard from Sean that he needed to step away for a while when change in job was an issue.  I’ve seen evidence that when the stress [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/on-distractions-and-writing/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
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		<title>Challenge</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/challenge/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/challenge/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 15 Mar 2007 23:56:16 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=65</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[My competitive nature has never been more apparent to me than it is right now.  Bare with me a moment while I explain. I’ve been writing and editing AND plotting the past while.  I’ve been creating and sending out submission packages.  I even managed the time (with the rest of the SWN crew) to do an [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/challenge/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
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		<title>People Watching</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/people-watching/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/people-watching/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 08 Mar 2007 23:57:06 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=66</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[One of the most common questions I see (yes, see not hear) is “where do you get your ideas from?”  I say see, because I always seem to see it when I’m reading interviews with writers.  Personally, I don’t think I’ve had that question more than once or twice. Maybe it’s because my ideas don’t [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/people-watching/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
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		<title>Why I Write</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/why-i-write/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/why-i-write/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 01 Mar 2007 23:58:38 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=67</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Everyone seems to be in a reflective mood this week.  I’m not sure if it’s because we’re all in the Winter Doldrums, going through work-related issues or just suffering existential-angst, but it’s affecting me too. The further down the writing pathway I get, the more I think about why I write in the first place.  [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/why-i-write/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>Setting the Record Straight</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/setting-the-record-straight/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/setting-the-record-straight/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 22 Feb 2007 23:59:17 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=68</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[For those of you who read the site last week, you know that Sean was asking for feedback on what to do next.  He was also asking the SWN team to “weigh in” and comment on where they see the site going. You’ll also know that my entry didn’t quite fit the theme. All I [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/setting-the-record-straight/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>Self Doubt</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/self-doubt/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/self-doubt/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 16 Feb 2007 00:00:01 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=69</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Do you ever go into the book store, look at the shelves and wonder what the heck you were thinking?  Do you wonder if it’s pure arrogance on your part to think that your work is good enough to sit on those shelves too?  I do… all the time in fact.  But doing it now [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/self-doubt/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
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		<title>Product Management</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/product-management/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/product-management/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 09 Feb 2007 00:00:41 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=70</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[For those of you who don’t know, my day job (you know, the one that currently pays my mortgage, buys groceries and gets me up and mobile every day) is Product Management.  “And what exactly do you do as a  Product Manager?” you might say. Well, thank you very much for asking.  I’ll be happy to [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/product-management/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>Writing a Sequel</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/writing-a-sequel/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/writing-a-sequel/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 02 Feb 2007 00:01:27 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=71</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[There was a time when I didn’t even consider the problems of writing a sequel to a story.  The writing I was doing was  going so slowly I wasn’t sure I’d ever finish.  But finish I did and I now have not one, but two completed books to try and get published.  It feels pretty [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/writing-a-sequel/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>A Book in the Hand</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/a-book-in-the-hand/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/a-book-in-the-hand/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 26 Jan 2007 00:02:14 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=72</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I’m very excited to announce that I have achieved one of my writing goals:  to get a book published.  Now before you go popping the champaign I’ve got to clarify that statement a wee bit.  I published my Nanowrimo book… on a web-based POD (Print on demand) site.  It’s not available for sale (not yet [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/a-book-in-the-hand/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>3</slash:comments>
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		<title>Letting the Story Rest</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/letting-the-story-rest/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/letting-the-story-rest/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 19 Jan 2007 00:02:56 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=73</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Picture this if you will:  I’ve been working to build a compelling synopsis for my first book.  I’ve written it and rewritten it several times.  But I still don’t like it.  Several different people have suggested that I let it sit for a week.  Come back to it with fresh eyes and a fresh perspective.  Great [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/letting-the-story-rest/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>Writing a Great Scene</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/writing-a-great-scene/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/writing-a-great-scene/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 12 Jan 2007 00:03:34 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=74</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Have you ever had a scene in your head that just won’t go away?  It’s kind of like having that annoying tune running through your head that you can’t get rid of (usually something like Barney singing “I love you, you love me…)… oh dammit, not again! What about if it’s well into your story [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/writing-a-great-scene/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>What?  It&#8217;s New Years Again?</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/what-its-new-years-again/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/what-its-new-years-again/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 05 Jan 2007 00:04:12 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=75</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[It’s a miracle that no one’s been hit and injured yet, what with the whole flinging of the gauntlet that has been going on around here the past couple weeks.  Funny how a small thing like holidays arrive and everyone is suddenly into challenging those around them.  Good thing none of us are duelests (at least [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/what-its-new-years-again/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>Of Snow and Inspiration</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/of-snow-and-inspiration/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/of-snow-and-inspiration/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 29 Dec 2006 00:20:08 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=76</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Wow!  We actually got snow, and just in time for New Years… who’d a thunk it?  I know my kids really wanted to go tobogganning at Christmas, but a decided lack of snow prevented it… until now, that is.  And, in a sense, isn’t snow much like inspiration?  It’s never there when you want it.  Take [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/of-snow-and-inspiration/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>Deck the Halls</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/deck-the-halls/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/deck-the-halls/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 22 Dec 2006 00:20:52 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=77</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I’ve never been one to turn down a challenge and as usual it’s Aaron throwing down the gauntlet.  Well, my friend, your challenge is accepted.  En garde! I’m going to look at this holiday season with a slightly different view.  But then, don’t I always?  That’s the beauty of five different writers on the site.  [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/deck-the-halls/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>Getting in My Head?</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/getting-in-my-head/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/getting-in-my-head/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 15 Dec 2006 00:21:28 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=78</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I’ve got to confess, I’m a bit surprised and maybe even a little freaked out.  In the past week, I’ve had two different people (who have never met, by the way), who first asked me how my book publishing is going and then said, “I really want to read your book so I can get [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/getting-in-my-head/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>Routine</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/routine/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/routine/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 08 Dec 2006 00:22:14 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=79</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[We’ve all talked about how we handle the whole writing process.  Sean in particular has talked about setting up a routine to crank out 1,000 words per day, by hook or by crook.  To be perfectly honest, other than setting myself a daily writing target (especially during Nanowrimo) I haven’t been overly conscious of routine [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/routine/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>Much Ado About Synopsis &#8211; No, Not Nano Week 4&#8230; Well Maybe a Little</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/much-ado-about-synopsis-no-not-nano-week-4-well-maybe-a-little/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/much-ado-about-synopsis-no-not-nano-week-4-well-maybe-a-little/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 01 Dec 2006 00:22:50 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=80</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[By now, you all have probably heard that I finished my 50,000 word novel a week ago Monday.  It was with an intense sigh of relief that I “Officially” was declared a winner on the 25th.  I’ve now got the certificate and everything to prove it.  You’ve also heard that my first submission was not [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/much-ado-about-synopsis-no-not-nano-week-4-well-maybe-a-little/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>NanoWriMo, Week 3 &#8211; What a Rollercoaster!</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/nanowrimo-week-3-what-a-rollercoaster/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/nanowrimo-week-3-what-a-rollercoaster/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 24 Nov 2006 00:23:56 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=81</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[It has really been a rollercoaster ride this week.  I managed to (dare I say it?) break the 50,000 word mark and finish my Nano book.  That was a HUGE relief!  Literally within minutes of finishing my Nano book, I got a Fedex.  From DAW Books. For those of you don’t know, I had submitted [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/nanowrimo-week-3-what-a-rollercoaster/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>Week Two &#8211; The Adventure Continues</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/week-two-the-adventure-continues/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/week-two-the-adventure-continues/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 17 Nov 2006 00:24:48 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=82</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[It has indeed been an interesting week.  I have both made great strides and had some challenges.  But then, so has everyone else on the team too, I’m sure. I’ve been managing a pretty brisk pace; I think I’m currently averaging about 2,600 words per day.  Is the story perfect?  Not even remotely, but as has been [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/week-two-the-adventure-continues/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>Daron, Aaron Stole My Post Title</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/daron-aaron-stole-my-post-title/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/daron-aaron-stole-my-post-title/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 10 Nov 2006 00:25:36 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=83</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Yup, there you have it… I had planned to name this post:  Nanowrimo &#8211; Week 1, but few things in the world and in writing are original, titles included.  Granted, Aaron’s post comes a day before mine, so I’ll gracefully bow to his use of the words. I still DO want to talk about how my [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/daron-aaron-stole-my-post-title/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>The Rubber Hits the Road</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/the-rubber-hits-the-road/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/the-rubber-hits-the-road/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 03 Nov 2006 00:26:22 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=85</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Yay, Nanowrimo is finally here!  And I am SO happy about it.  When I (finally) decided to take the challenge, it occurred to me that fear should be in order.  But I prioritized my work and realized that this would be the perfect opportunity to stray from the genre that, I suspect, may become my [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/the-rubber-hits-the-road/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>Anticipation</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/anticipation/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/anticipation/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 27 Oct 2006 00:27:39 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=86</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[It’s amazing how one word can mean so many different emotions to so many people.  For some, it brings to mind the delight of the next great meal.  For others, the dread of the next Monday morning at work. I have two things on my mind (well maybe three) that are causing a great deal of [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/anticipation/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>Heros</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/heros/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/heros/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 20 Oct 2006 00:28:20 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=87</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I recently had one of those nasty little life-episodes that made me sit back and really evaluate things.  Specifically, what it means to be a hero.  Not me personally as a hero (although I hope to grow up to be one someday), but who heros are and what exactly sets them apart from the rest [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/heros/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
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		<title>What&#8217;s in a Plot?</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/whats-in-a-plot/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/whats-in-a-plot/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 13 Oct 2006 00:29:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=88</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[We all talk about plots and I think we all know what a plot is.  But how many should we have in a story?  Is the plot the main consideration when writing a story? I’ve struggled with these questions on numerous occassions.  In fact, my first few stories didn’t come from having a great plot [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/whats-in-a-plot/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>When is &#8220;Good&#8221; Good Enough?</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/when-is-good-good-enough/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/when-is-good-good-enough/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 06 Oct 2006 00:29:40 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=89</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I have a problem that I suspect many first and even established writers face.  Is my work actually good enough to get a publisher interested?  I know it was fear that kept me writing (and rewriting) the infamous chapter 1 of my book.  I wanted a beginning so compelling that whoever read it would have no [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/when-is-good-good-enough/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>The Wind in My Hair</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/the-wind-in-my-hair/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/the-wind-in-my-hair/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 29 Sep 2006 00:30:25 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=90</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I’ve decided to take the plunge. “What plunge?” you may ask.  “Is it marriage?  A new job?  How about adopting a puppy?” No, no and no in that order.  Heck, switch the answers around if you like. In this case, the plunge I’m talking about is Nanowrimo 2006.  What is Nanowrimo?  Simply put, it is [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/the-wind-in-my-hair/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
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		<title>Reality Check</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/reality-check/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/reality-check/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 22 Sep 2006 00:31:10 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=91</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[For you project managers out there (and you know who you are), how do you both begin and end a project?  Hmmm…  OK, since you’re shy, I’ll tell you.  You always begin and end a project with a celebration.  Why?  I think it’s because PM’s really like to drink… oh wait, that’s not it.  Actually, it’s [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/reality-check/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>Marketing Yourself</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/marketing-yourself/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/marketing-yourself/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 15 Sep 2006 00:31:54 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=92</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Let’s start things out by asking ourselves a question: “How many people know that I am a writer?”  Hopefully the answer will reflect your ultimate ambitions for your writing. For example, if all you want out of your writing is a private pleasure, solely for your own enjoyment, it’s perfectly fine that the only one [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/marketing-yourself/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
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		<title>Mowing the Lawn</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/mowing-the-lawn/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/mowing-the-lawn/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 08 Sep 2006 00:32:51 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=93</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[One of my (many) weekly chores, at least during the summer, is mowing, raking and trimming my lawn.  I like to get started early in the AM before the day gets too hot and (because my family likes to sleep in) it frees up the rest of the day for family (see quality) time. I [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/mowing-the-lawn/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>The Art of Coincidence</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/the-art-of-coincidence/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/the-art-of-coincidence/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 01 Sep 2006 00:33:28 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=94</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Have you ever watched a television show or a movie and said “No Way!” to a sequence of events that were just too improbable?  Did the plot seem way too dependant on luck? Suspending belief is a key piece to enjoying some movies, but sometimes the creators simply take too many liberties with the audience.  As writers, [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/the-art-of-coincidence/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Framing Your Story</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/framing-your-story/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/framing-your-story/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 25 Aug 2006 00:34:14 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=95</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[One of the (many) problems/headaches I’ve experienced in my writing is ensuring that I’m true to the story’s frame of reference.  You see, we all have our own set of experiences and cultural references that set our understanding of the world around us.  But should they also influence our characters? Take for example borsht.  I know [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/framing-your-story/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>2</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Making Time to Write</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/making-time-to-write/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/making-time-to-write/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 19 Aug 2006 00:35:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=96</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Sometimes the toughest thing with being a writer is actually finding the time to write.  This post is case in point.  The only time I actually had any time to do any writing was at the cusp of a new day. So what the heck is the answer?  The biggest piece of the answer (because [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/making-time-to-write/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Let the Characters Do the Writing</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/let-the-characters-do-the-writing/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/let-the-characters-do-the-writing/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 11 Aug 2006 00:35:54 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=97</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Have you ever heard the saying “Give the horse his head?”.  If you haven’t, I just want to be very clear about one thing:  I am not suggesting you rip off a horse’s head and feed it to him (or her… whatever).  No, that might be something that you may (or may not) see in one of [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/let-the-characters-do-the-writing/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Bridging the Gap &#8211; Slogging Through the Stumbling Blocks</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/bridging-the-gap-slogging-through-the-stumbling-blocks/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/bridging-the-gap-slogging-through-the-stumbling-blocks/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 03 Aug 2006 00:36:43 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=98</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[You have just finished chapter 4 and you know how chapter 6 will go, but somehow, chapter 5 just won’t let itself be written. If you have done any amount of writing you have most assuredly faced this problem. If you haven’t seen it yet, you will. So how do you get from point A [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/bridging-the-gap-slogging-through-the-stumbling-blocks/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Let&#8217;s Start at the Very Beginning</title>
		<link>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/lets-start-at-the-very-beginning/?source=rss</link>
		<comments>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/lets-start-at-the-very-beginning/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 29 Jul 2006 00:37:32 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Michell</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[SWN Archives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.michellplested.com/blog/?p=99</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I am actually giddy! Not giddy in the “giddy-up-and-go” sense, but more in the “holy crap this is exciting” sense. You may ask why I would feel this way, all the while picturing a guy jumping up and down clapping his hands in girlish glee (or more likely say, “This guys an idiot!” and move [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.michellplested.com/startingwritenow-archives/lets-start-at-the-very-beginning/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>2</slash:comments>
		</item>
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