Monthly Archives: May 2015

Lesson 56

27 Wednesday May 2015

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It’s Wednesday again, so it’s time to look at another lesson. As promised, we’re talking about the positive side of spending all of that money.

The fact that a lot of money goes into writing a book can be discouraging. Sometimes, it can make you not want to write at all. I would know. Been there, done that…just a few minutes ago, actually.

I had to get myself out of the slump, and tear myself away from the show I was watching. When I turned into a binge watcher is beyond me. But that’s beside the point…

Believe it or not, there are positive sides to having to save up money for an editor, cover artist, formatter…you get the point.

The positive side is the fact that your book is going to look amazing and be amazing. Editors may be the most expensive people you come across, but the money you spend on them is so worth it.

I recently talked to an author that claims she didn’t have to go the editor route. Um…what? She’s selling overpriced (like way overpriced) unedited books to people? And she’s actually selling them? Of all the ridiculous things I’ve heard…

Anyway, I’m getting off track here.

Saving that money up can be a tedious thing, and it’s hard when a lot of expenses come your way. For me, a lot of my expenses have to do with school, and that’s not cheap, considering I’m paying for school myself. It may not be as expensive as a traditional university is, but it’s expensive enough! Really, it puts a dent in saving up money for an editor. I’m a typical broke college student, if we’re being honest here.

So, what is the positive side, exactly? You actually get an amazing product. That book is your baby. Treat it like you care. If you don’t care about the book, neither will your readers.

Look toward the ultimate goal — publishing that book. Maybe, just maybe, you’ll be a little more willing to save all you can that way.

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The Trouble With Writing

25 Monday May 2015

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It’s Monday (though the middle of the night where I am…who cares?), so it’s time to look at what the trouble with writing is once again. This week, we’re looking at money…in a way.

The spin on money is a little different this week. I can tell you right now that I still haven’t even reached halfway to my goal amount. I will hit halfway next week. Yay!

Anyway, the trouble I’m looking at this week is the fact that we never look at the positive side of all that money we spend, or how we know when we’re on the downhill run. I know, I’m guilty of it, too.

I was looking at all I had to do still. I’ll probably get someone on CreateSpace to do my formatting for me, so that’s what, a hundred bucks? Not too bad, considering all the money we put into editing. There’s also the cover artist still, which comes before the formatting. I found someone that could do a cover for both the ebook and the paper book, all for $125!

So, basically, I’ll be on the downhill run once I get this editing over and done with. I’m excited about it. But while I was thinking about that, I realized that I’ve been so focused on raising money for an editor, and needing to just raise money, and I have all these other expenses as well, that I haven’t even thought about how close I am to being published. Yes, I still have a couple other things after the editor, but I’ll be on the downhill run.

I think that’s a problem with a lot of writers. We’re so focused on one thing, that we forget about the others. We don’t look at the positive side of things. I know I can’t be the only pessimistic writer in the world.

I guess that about does it for today. Be ready for Wednesday’s lesson. I may just continue on this subject!

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Prompt 31

22 Friday May 2015

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I almost talked myself out of doing this today… I’m so glad I didn’t.

Today’s prompt is a little more on the serious side. It’s something that I struggle with constantly, but I’m glad I’m able to manage anyway. Here is today’s prompt:

What do you do when you don’t feel like doing anything? Do you push through anyway? Do you give up and just not do anything? How do you make that decision?

Just by doing this prompt I have my answer… I’m too out of the habit to actually want to do it. I’ll get back to all the time eventually. I promise!

Feel free to send in your prompt responses to whatnottowriteandwritingtips@gmail.com. 🙂

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Lesson 55

20 Wednesday May 2015

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Another Wednesday, another lesson. This week, we’re talking about being really committed.

I know, I know, I’ve talked about this before. I’m only one person and I run out of ideas quickly. but hey, at least I always put a little different spin on it, right?

So we’re talking about being committed to writing. I’m actually just starting to get really good at committing myself to just sitting down for a few minutes every day and writing. In fact, I started another manuscript just three days ago, and I already have just over 4,000 words written! Talk about making sure you have time to write.

I’m trying to write at least 1,000 words a day. I know, that can be a lot. But, I really want to make sure that I get it done in a timely manner. I only work on new material every other month (weird strategy, I know), so I try to get as much done as possible in that moment.

Of course, I always try to edit whenever I get the chance. I try to make sure I have time at least twice a week. But on the months that I’m not writing new material, I really buckle down and edit. I try to make sure I have an hour or so at least once a week, but try to get a few minutes every day. It does help.

I’ve heard the excuse, “I just don’t have time” more times than I can count. I hate that excuse. Do you have just five minutes to spare? Yes? Get to writing. You’d be surprised at how much you can get done. It will take longer, yes, but it can get done.

I can’t tell you how much it bugs me when people say they don’t have time. I’m guilty of it as well, and I hate it.

If you’re committed, you’ll make time. Even if it’s just for about 30 minutes at the end of the day, I try to make time. Even if you have less than that, you have time.

Ready to commit? Then here’s you’re countdown: Three…two…one. Get to writing!

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The Trouble With Writing

18 Monday May 2015

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I know, I know, I said I would get a prompt up on Friday. I ran out of time. Hush, now.

It’s Monday now, so it’s time to look at another reason why writing can be so gosh darn troubling. This week, we’re looking at editing.

Oh, no. The dreaded editing. Why must we suffer? I’ve met a few people who actually like editing, but as for me…nope. I put it off. I know I’m not the only one that does that.

The thing is, we feel amazing while we’re writing the first draft, like it’s the most amazing thing we’ve ever written, right? And then we look back over it, and it’s like… “What the hell was I thinking?”

It’s even more frustrating when the plot changes multiple times, and then you have to work backwards and try to make it consistent. I would know… I had to do that with the second draft of The Path to Biological. I’m on the third draft now and I’m still having to do major rewrites! Especially one character…she still bugs me.

I know, it’s hard to edit sometimes. I get it. But sometimes, we have to get over ourselves and get to editing. I don’t like it, but it’s a part of being a writer. It will all be worth it when you see your name on the bestsellers list 😉

So, are you ready to see your name on that list? Go get to editing. One, two, three, go.

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Lesson 54

13 Wednesday May 2015

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Another Wednesday, another lesson. This week, we’re looking at being realistic.

It’s actually not about money this week? The world must be ending…

No, it’s not about money. It’s about being realistic with your goals.

I used to think that I would be publishing by the beginning of July. Well, that’s not going to happen. I won’t be done saving up for an editor by then. Oh, well. That’s why I made the more realistic goal of by the end of 2015.

It’s okay to change your goals if you don’t think you’re going to reach them. Believe me, it’s okay. I know, you get set on one date. I was like that for a while. I was so set on hitting publish in the beginning of July. I had to change it. I wasn’t happy about that at first, but I’m so glad I decided to change it. As it turns out, my manuscript still needs a lot of work.

Don’t worry about the date so much. That’s one of the worst mistakes you can make. I realize it’s hard to not focus on the day that you’re publishing, but I also happen to know that you don’t want to just rush through it. I may not be published yet, but I know enough to know that rushing through can cause you to make many mistakes.

So, don’t get too set on a date to change it. Sometimes, you have to change it and there’s nothing you can do about it.

How many times have you had to change goal dates? Let me know!

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The Trouble With Writing

11 Monday May 2015

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I know, I know, I promised a prompt on Friday. My niece was here. What are you going to do? This week, I promise (yeah, yeah, promises promises. Shut it.).

It’s another Monday, so it’s time to look at what the trouble with writing is once again. This week, we’re looking at unexpected expenses. I know, I’ve talked about this before.

I recently had a lot of unexpected expenses come up. I got into this thing called AWAI, or American Artists & Writers Inc. It had a magazine that was on a major sale, so cool, I subscribed. Then it had a class that was on a major sale, so cool, I signed up for that. I had the opportunity to take yet another class, but it involved being at the computer at a set time, and that happened to be a time that I was at work, so nope. That wasn’t going to work.

But that last part is getting off track.

The point is, I didn’t realize how much I had spent until I looked at the bank. Ouch, I tell you. It was insane. So much for saving up, right? The payoff had better be worth it…

Unexpected payments happen, but all you can do is suck it up and save up as much money as you can. And maybe do some fundraising. Not that mine has gotten off the ground… But that’s beside the point.

So, what are you doing to ward off unexpected payments, or are you taking them in stride? Let me know in the comments!

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Lesson 53

06 Wednesday May 2015

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Another Wednesday, another lesson. If you read up on Monday, you know what we’re talking about today…

Making connections.

I know, I talked about how big of a problem this is on Monday. Today, I’m talking about making the right kind of connections.

Sometimes, if you’re really popular on Twitter, you get all sorts of things thrown at you while people are tweeting you and wanting to talk to you. Or, if you’re like me, you get ignored most of the time and just kind of do your own thing.

Getting tweeted at too many times a day is a better problem to have, in my opinion. At least people notice you.

If you’re like me, you actually have to make a point to talk to people, or at least retweet or favorite their posts. Make sure the posts are relevant to what you’re wanting to say you’re all about, though. I mean, come on guys. Don’t just go retweeting what someone had for dinner. You’re better than that.

If you retweet for someone, or you talk to them, you’re making connections. But make sure to be mature about it. You do know that starting a fight isn’t mature…right?

A few years ago, I had another Twitter account. Someone tweeted me saying I was a fool if I thought I could make a difference in the world. I really thought about replying and saying that they were the stupid ones. But, I decided to make the mature choice. All I did was block them. I’m so glad I made the choice to do so.

I know it’s tempting to either not be mature when it comes to talking to people. I also know it’s tempting to ignore people and hope they ignore you so you can just continue doing you’re own thing. But neither of those will get your books sold. Think about it.

I guess that about does it. Next time you’re on any social media site, think about the connections you’re making, or should be making. I’ll see you on Friday with a prompt!

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The Trouble With Writing

04 Monday May 2015

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It’s another Monday, so it’s time to look at what the trouble with writing is once again. This week, we’re looking at not talking to other writers.

I know, a lot of you are going to protest. Either, “I do too talk to other writers!” or “But I could be spending that time writing!” Shush now, just read. Protest later.

I’ve been on Twitter quite a bit more than I was there for a while lately, and I see links everywhere.

I know, I’m following too many authors and not enough readers. Blah, blah, blah. I’ve heard it before. Not my fault the only people that follow me are authors and people that sell you Twitter followers. I just follow back the authors.

But come on now, that’s not the point, is it? We should be talking to each other instead of just spamming each other with links. Talk to each other, people.

I admit it, I’m guilty of it, too. Too much spam and not enough talk. This post is as much for me as it is for anyone else, so any of my Twitter followers that may want to call me a hypocrite, I’m well aware of what I’m doing. Believe me. At least I admit it.

But guys, let’s be honest, Twitter was made to make connections. Connections are an extremely important part of being an author, so why are we not making them? I don’t know about you, but I consider that to be a pretty big problem.

I guess that’ll about do it until then. We’ll talk more about this on Wednesday. Until then, make more connections!

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