SRS Smackdown Spotlight #2: Vivian Mahoney

Time for another Smackdown Spotlight. (Because it's fun to meet other smackdowners, no?) Make sure to visit Holly for her spotlight on Stacey Goldblatt.

Here at Cuppa Jolie, I'm thrilled to welcome Vivian Mahoney, aka HipWriterMama.

Vivian, tell us a little about yourself, like what makes you a HipWriterMama (LOVE the name by the way!)?

Thank you, Jolie! Hmmm. What makes me HipWriterMama? When I started blogging a couple years ago, I wanted a moniker that made me feel fearless in going public with my writing dreams. It was hard for me to see outside my identity of 'Mommy' and in some ways, I lost sight of my inner confidence after leaving my career to have children. Thus, HipWriterMama was born.
My blog is all about inspiration posts, writing tips, author interviews, and musings about life. I like to keep positive on my blog and find ways to encourage others to reaching their best. I'm also fortunate to be a postergirlz for readergirlz, a literary advisory group for teens -- probably the first and only time I'll ever be a poster girl -- and it's a total kick.

Tell us a little about your current revision project. Why is the smackdown for you?

The Summer Revision Smackdown couldn't come at a better time. Thank you so much, Jolie and Holly for organizing this! I've revised my historical YA manuscript numerous times, from first person to third person, back to first person, and now to alternating POV's. I could probably revise forever. But, sometimes it's time to let go of the fear and say enough. It's time.

Fear has been my biggest challenge in moving forward. Getting my butt in the chair to write? No problem. I crave my writing time since my life is all about the kids and helping my husband grow his business. It's the fear that maybe an agent won't like what I've written that keeps me revising, rather than submitting.

My challenge in this Smackdown is making sure the alternating POV's work and flow well together. Some chapters are more tedious than others, but it's been very rewarding seeing the result. After this revision, I'm going to throw down the gauntlet and say I'm done. After all, it's okay to have self-doubt, to question, to worry. But I'm not going to let my dreams fizzle. I've worked too hard on this manuscript.

Great attitude, Vivian! Keep on being fearless. Do you have a revision tip you can share with the rest?

The revision tip I'm going to offer today is to be easy on yourself and break your project down into manageable chunks. It could be one hour at a time (like Robin Mellom) or one chapter at a time. Whatever you choose, make sure it's something that's attainable so it can be done on a consistent basis. This habit will give you the strength and ability to work on your project no matter what gets thrown in your way. Let's face it, life throws a lot of curve balls and we need to know how to work past them. I've found it's the little steps that provide the fuel to take things to the next level. One chapter can turn into two. Into three. Into done. Are you game?

Thanks so much, Jolie!

Thank you, Vivian.

Don't miss tomorrow's Wednesday Whip Tip!