What to Know before Self-Publishing – Part 3 – Producing a Quality Product

There was a time when self-publishing meant writing a book, then paying a subsidy publisher to print it.  The author had to cover the costs of editing, cover design, printing and marketing before the book was available to the public, often paying thousands of dollars to sell just a few books. 

However, while authors can still bypass the traditional agent/editor submission route, now they can also create a direct market online through print on demand and eBooks.  So while they still have to put together a quality product, there aren’t any up-front costs to print it.  A book is printed only if someone orders it, and the printing costs are taken out of the royalties the author receives, rather than as an up-front cost.

This article is part three of three on self-publishing.  We’ve already covered the advantages to self-publishing in part one, and the disadvantages in part two.  This article will talk about the importance of creating a quality product.

After weighing the pros and cons of self-publishing, hundreds of writers make the decision to forge ahead.  In fact, self-published books accounted for 31% of eBook sales on Amazon.com in 2014.  And the number keeps growing. 

There are many reasons authors decide to self-publish.  Here are a few:

1. Make their backlist available – Many writers today entered the publishing world long before there was such a thing as eBooks.  They published through traditional publishers, and once the life cycle of the book was done, the books were only available through used book stores or sales.  Luckily, most  This is a way to not only extend the book’s life, but to make them available to new readers who didn’t have access to them years before.
   publishers granted rights of these backlist books to the authors, who then converted them to eBooks.
2. Writing outside the genre – Some authors write outside the box.  That is, their book may not fit into any specific genre, they have elements of different genres crossing each other, or their book is too long or too short for traditional publishing within their genre.  Also, it may not have the broad appeal that most traditional publishers look for when reading manuscripts.  The broader the potential audience, the better the sales.  Some authors write their books outside those parameters anyway, because they believe in the book and need to tell their story.
3. So close, but not quite with traditional publisher – Face it, nobody likes rejection.   And in the publishing world, you’d better have a strong backbone, because odds are, you will get at least one, if not one hundred, rejection letters in the mail.  They may come after the query, they may come after the partial.  The most painful ones, though, are the full manuscript rejection letters.  You’ve made it that far…  So close…   And there may be several publishers who ask for that full manuscript, only to reject it for whatever reason.  Authors feel it must be good, if it gets that far that often.  And sometimes, they are right and have a successful run at self-publishing.
4. No need for validation from others – Believing in yourself is your strongest motivator.  While humans understandably crave acceptance from others, unless you believe in your own work, you won’t go far.  It will show in your writing, in face-to-face interviews and at networking events.  When you believe in yourself and your writing, you don’t need agents and editors validating that you have produced a quality product.  Authors can bypass that validation by self-publishing.
5. Traditional publishing is a slow-moving process – Once a book is written, it can take months, or even years before a publisher makes an offer on the book.  Then it goes through all the traditional steps of edits, re-writes, copyedits, proofs, cover art, etc., until the book hits the shelves anywhere from nine to fifteen months after the contract is signed.  That can be a long time, depending on the timeliness of the material.  Self-publishing goes much more quickly, often hitting the ‘shelves’ within three months of finishing it.  It should still go through the editing and art work phases, but you are more in control of that, rather than waiting on someone else to finish.

But even after making the decision, the most important part in this process is the book itself.  Unless you produce a quality product, you won’t have success.  Keep in mind:

1. You should pay an editor to read your manuscript.  As polished as you think it is, a pair of professional, subjective eyes should take a look at it. 
2. A bad reputation isn’t easily overcome. If you write an amazing book, everyone will be talking about it.  If you write a terrible book, everyone will be talking about it.  And they probably won’t pick up the next one you write.
3. You need to hire a graphic artist to design your cover.  Even though there are templates and free   You need to stand out, even if you aren’t on the bookshelves.  A cover is always the reader’s first impression of your book.
   software online for creating covers, that’s exactly what they look like – boilerplate covers.
4. Marketing is all on your own.  And it begins months before the book is even published.  Add it to your signature in your emails.  Talk it up on Facebook.  Create a page with a short synopsis and excerpt to tease readers.  Schedule a blog tour.  This can all start months before the book is ready, and will create a buzz.
5. You won’t get rich off self-publishing.  Even though your royalties are higher, the sales aren’t usually as high as a traditionally published book.  And when you consider that there are many multi-published authors out there who couldn’t support themselves merely on writing books, well, let’s just say if you’re looking to get rich quick, it probably won’t happen.
6. You won’t get distributed to major retail outlets.  Your book won’t be in brick and mortar stores around the country where loyal readers spend hours browsing shelves.  Even if you book is printed, as well as epubbed, it still won’t have the large distribution numbers because retail stores usually purchase books from major publishers and not so much indies.
7. It may cost more money to produce it than you will earn back in royalties.  Plan to spend about $2000 for producing a quality product.  You’ll have to sell a lot of books.  That isn’t to say it won’t happen.  You believe in your book, otherwise you wouldn’t be self-publishing.  And authors are ‘discovered’ every day.  But as in everything, be prepared to spend money before making it.

Yes, this can be a truly adventurous and rewarding process for you.  And oftentimes, that’s all an author needs - is to go through the process.  Because the intangible rewards often outweigh the monetary.  Good luck on your adventure!

What to Know before Self-Publishing – Part One – The Advantages

There was a time when self-publishing meant writing a book, then paying a subsidy publisher to print it.  The author had to cover the costs of editing, cover design, printing and marketing before the book was available to the public, often paying thousands of dollars to sell just a few books. 

However, while authors can still bypass the traditional agent/editor submission route, now they can also create a direct market online through print-on-demand and eBooks.  So while they still have to put together a quality product, there aren’t any up-front costs to print it.  A book is printed only if someone orders it, and the printing costs are taken out of the royalties the author receives, rather than as an up-front cost.

This article is part one of a series on self-publishing, and will discuss the advantages of doing it on your own. 

So why should you self-publish?

1.      You retain creative control – You decide the length of the book, you write your own cover copy, and you help design the cover.  Since the cover is a reader's first impression, this is an important marketing tool.  It can make or break sales.  What would appeal to you as a reader?

2.      You make your own schedule – You won’t be driven by deadlines you can’t meet.  If a family emergency arises, you can put the book aside and finish later.  And if you decide to write a trilogy or connected books, you can write them all at once and publish them together, or space them as far apart as you wish.

3.      You won’t get rejection letters in the mail – How many submissions have you sent to publishing houses for your manuscripts?  How many rejection letters followed?  Nobody  sends those letters if you publish your own book.

4.      There’s no wait list – You don’t have to wait until a publisher has a slot open for your title.  You can publish it when it’s convenient for you, not someone else.

5.      You earn higher royalties – Self-publishing takes away the middleman.  So there’s more money for you in the end because your agent and editor and publishing house won’t take their cuts.

6.      There’s no genre restrictions – Have you written a book that doesn’t fit into any standard genre?  Maybe it’s a mystery with paranormal elements, or a romance with an unhappy ending.  Traditional publishers tend to shy away from manuscripts that break the rules.  If you self-publish, you can write what you want.

7.      Your book gets produced faster – Publishers have schedules and you’re the victim.  You wait for copyedits, you wait for proofs, you wait for cover designs, you wait for permission to market your book.  Everything takes time.  With self-publishing, a book can be on the shelf within days once you have it edited and formatted.

8.      You retain rights – You wrote it.  You can do what you want with it.  You can use both the text and art work in your marketing materials.  You don’t have to worry about whether or not your cover can be reproduced on your web site or bookmarks.  You own it.  It’s your decision.

9.      You can track sales better – Publishers can tell you how many sales you had, but their stats don’t tell you how many sold in the first few days, who bought them, or in which country.  Selling your own book will allow you to track your sales more closely.

All that said, while it sounds appealing, it’s not an easy process.  You still need to produce a quality product in order to expect it to sell.  And that brings us to part two of self-publishing: the disadvantages.   Join us next week for the next segment in this series.

Click here to read Part Two - The Disadvantages
Click here to read Part Three - Producing a Quality Product

Beginnings

Writer Wednesday

This is sometimes the most difficult part of a writer's project—the beginning.  Where to start?  If you were Charles Dickens, you might start with an overview of the setting, then give a character sketch for each primary character.  Then after the backstory, the current story would start. 

But contemporary fiction isn't like that.  Readers want to get right to the story.  They want to be dropped into the action as its happening.  So where is it best to start your story?  Select a scene that will draw the reader in immediately.  What action happened that will change the hero/heroine's life forever?

Most often, this is well into your first chapter.  Writers often make the mistake of telling all the backstory first, thinking that the reader won't be able to understand what is going on if they don't give them the character's background.  But this isn't necessary.  You can always add the backstory slowly as flashbacks or through conversations. 

If you still aren't sure where to start, try this exercise.  Pick up some of the books on your "Keeper" shelf.  Read the first lines/paragraphs.  What drew you in that made you want to read more? 

One of my favorite beginnings is from Ken Follett's Code to Zero.  "He woke up scared. Worse than that, he was terrified."  In the first few paragraphs, you learn that the protagonist is dressed like a bum, and doesn't recognize himself in the mirror. 

Why was he terrified?  He can't even remember who he was?  Something must have happened to him to drop him into his situation.  Did I mention he woke up on the floor of a public bathroom?  Just think of all the questions your readers will have just from reading those first few paragraphs. 

Immerse your reader immediately.  Make them want to find out more.  THAT is where you should begin. 

What are some of your favorite first lines?

Preparing for a Workshop

Writer Wednesday

As a writer, you have many skills and talents.  You've learned the craft, and honed it to the point you are published, or very close to publishing.  You are considered an expert on writing because of the quality of your work. 

Not everyone excels in every area, however.  Some writers are great at creating sympathetic characters.  Some can bring an historical setting to life on the pages of a book.  Some can work humor into a serious relationship.  Whatever their strength, they can further their career by holding seminars or workshops. 

In order to hold a successful workshop, and be in demand at other groups, you should be prepared.

The first thing to do is decide on a topic and format.  What is your strength?  Is it promotion?  Is it research?  Select a topic—broad enough to appeal to a wider audience, but focused enough for attendees to learn something useful.  After choosing a topic, select a format.  Would your topic be best presented as a one or two hour presentation?  Or would it be better to hold it over the span of a few weeks?  If you are teaching a craft, sometimes homework and feedback are important, so holding it over several weeks is beneficial. 

After deciding on a format, find a place to hold your workshop.  Also decide whether or not you will charge the attendees a fee.  If you have to pay for your meeting space, consider a reasonable fee to help cover the cost of the room.  If you don't have to pay for the space, you may still consider charging a nominal fee to cover the cost of your handouts.  In some instances, your venue will pay you to give a workshop (libraries or women's groups).  In this case, you can't charge for admittance.

Next, create the curriculum.  Write your outline and presentation, keeping in mind your audience.  Will you be teaching beginners or advanced writers?  Will you be speaking to the general public or other writers?  Make your presentation basic or advanced, depending on the group.

Once your presentation is fine-tuned, prepare handouts for the attendees.  Give them useful tips and information without giving away your entire presentation.  You are the expert.  Have them come to you for advice, rather than giving it all away.

Start early publicizing your workshop.  Use the internet (newsletter, Facebook, Twitter, etc.), place fliers in appropriate places, contact your local newspaper, or place ads in writer's magazines.  The earlier you get the word out, the more people you will reach directly and indirectly.

Create a checklist for everything you need to bring with you the day of the workshop.  This will probably include handouts, contact information (for booking more talks), your laptop or flash drive with your files, a sign-up sheet for your newsletter (check with the venue for permission first), display items (books, posters), door prizes, evaluations and pens. 

Finally, after your workshop, thank your audience for attending.  Send them an email or note.  Remind them you are available to give workshops, and offer a list of topics. 

How to Write it When You Can't Be There

Guest post by Blythe Gifford

We’ve all heard the advice: You must visit the places you write about. Theoretically, I agree with that, but from a practical point of view, I’m not in the position to fly abroad every time I start a book. And since I write history, a trip to the place would still not be a trip to the time. I would still have to create a world I’ve never seen. How do you do that with an eye to authenticity? I have a few tips. First, choose your setting mindfully. A familiar location will make it easier to gather information. An obscure one may make it difficult to find enough detail to bring it to life. The flip side of using a well known location is that it’s tough to fudge facts. Any mistake will surely be found by an expert reader. Be aware of the connotation of the setting you select and decide whether to play to it or against it. Some locations, New Orleans, for example, are so strong that using them is almost like adding a character to your story. When I say “setting,” I mean time as well as place. For example, I have a manuscript set in Philadelphia. Originally, the date was 1872, but I changed it to 1876. Why? Because the Centennial Exposition was in Philadelphia in 1876. Even though my book did not revolve around the exposition, it meant I could find everything from train schedules to photographs to first person accounts of the city in that year. Next, ground yourself and your characters. Gather a detailed map, a calendar, and a guidebook or two. Even if you create an imaginary town, know which direction the sun rises and sets. Know the time and date and day of each scene. This will help keep you, and your characters, in a real world, one in which Sunday comes every week, the seasons follow their course, and you can trace how long it will take to walk from one end of town to the other. Again, as historical writers, this is harder than it sounds. A current map has roads and buildings that did not exist when your story is set. Even rivers have changed course over time. Search used book fairs for older guidebooks and travel books. Often, they include maps, detailed descriptions, photos, and first person narratives. Third, a picture is worth a thousand words. Along with my calendar, guidebook, and map, I always buy a good picture book or two. One will be of the physical landscape. That way, I am not dependent on another writer’s words. I can look at the picture as my hero or heroine would and let them describe the scene. Authentic images, photographs, engravings, or paintings, will give you detail no guidebook or official history will include. In THE KNAVE AND THE MAIDEN, I had a scene set in the Cathedral at Exeter. When the Cathedral’s official website gave me a virtual tour, I discovered that the Cathedral was under construction at the time of my story. With that fact, I created a vivid, unique setting that supported the emotional theme of the scene. The Internet is a gold mine for images. With a search engine, you can find everything from professional photography of historic buildings in all seasons to engravings of street scenes. In addition, many vacationers now post photos and travelogs. Not only are those a source of pictures, they can provide first person descriptions of how hot it can be on the Thames in August. Finally, the devil is in the details. Instead of descriptions of panoramic views, select one small sensory detail, preferably a sound or a scent. (There’s nothing wrong with a visual detail, but using the other senses brings it closer to the character.) Then, make sure it has emotional resonance for your character. No matter how good your research, it exists only to make your characters move easily in their world. It should be inserted only when the character recognizes and reacts to it for a reason directly related to the storyline. With these techniques, you can build a world that’s real to your characters and to your readers, even without getting on an airplane---or in a time machine. *** Blythe Gifford’s next release, RETURN OF THE BORDER WARRIOR, is a Harlequin Historicals November 2012 release.  This is the first book in her Brunson Clan Trilogy.

To learn more about Blythe and her upcoming releases, visit her web site at http://www.blythegifford.com

Interweaving the Writer and the Web

You've heard it before--every serious writer should have a web site. You've thought about it already--the set-up, the design process, the maintenance. And it all seems too overwhelming. This article will help dispel some of the fears and myths associated with creating your own site.

The first belief you must carry with you is that every writer should have a web site, no matter what stage of career you are in. Whether just starting out, or multi-published, the internet is a powerful marketing tool from which all writers can benefit.

As soon as you start writing, you should investigate and register your domain name. Use the name you will be writing under (pen name) as your domain name. If you have a common name which is already taken, consider adding a suffix like: JaneDoeBooks.com or JaneDoeAuthor.com. If you aren't sure which name you will be using, purchase several domain names. They can be bought for as little as $7.95/year if you lock in for several years.  Don't renew the names you won't use.  Your ownership will be automatically cancelled. 

Once you have a domain name, start investigating hosting sites. Prices range from free, to upwards of $35/month, depending on how much space you want, and what services you need, such as e-mail accounts and e-mail forwarding. The more you pay, the more space and services you receive. Free sites such as 000webhost.com will usually have banner ads that pop up for every visitor to your site. The price may be right, but do you want your visitors dealing with pop-up ads? You may also be limited to use of their templates, with little customization options.

After setting up your server, you can start the design process. You can design your page by using templates (usually available through free hosting services), learning to write HTML code yourself, or purchasing software which writes the code for you, such as Microsoft Expressions or Adobe's Dreamweaver. 

The first step in design is to define the purpose of your site. The purpose will define the content. Here are several purposes, and the basic content for those sites:

• Promote novels and other published works--For established authors, this will include pages for your books, a bio, writing tips, news, and links as a start.
• Promote non-fiction--For authors published in non-fiction only, this site would be more subject-oriented, with articles and links on your area of expertise, and contact info.
• Educate Readers--For the unpublished author, this site could include a bio, monthly column, offers for speaking engagements, etc.
• Educate Writers--For the author who wants to help other writers with their careers, this site would include writing tips, bibliography, links, etc.

A basic site should include a simple home page with links to other pages. The Table of Contents on your home page should have links to top-level pages only, for ease of navigation. Include a photo and brief welcome note on your home page, and move more detailed information to other pages to avoid clutter. Your home page is your first impression, so keep it as simple and clean as possible.

Keep subsequent layers to a minimum, and when designing these additional pages, stay within a theme which reflects your writing. Again, keep the design simple. Dark backgrounds are hard on the eyes, and small, fancy text is difficult to read, no matter how pretty it is. Use tables to align graphics and text within any borders you may choose. Keep graphics small so they upload quickly for the viewer. Finally, always include a copyright notice on your pages.

Once your pages are designed, they need to be uploaded to the internet using FTP software. But don't think for a minute that your job is done once your pages are uploaded. If you have a web page, you need to make a commitment to your visitors to keep your pages up to date and well maintained. Keep content current, fix broken links, and bring new information up front as it develops.

You also need to publicize your site. You can do this by submitting your site to search engines, joining listserves, using your domain name on your stationary and in your signature tag, requesting links on other relevant sites and even starting your own listserve.

Feeling overwhelmed after reading this?  Contact Michelle Prima at: literaryliaisons@aol.com for help on designing your web site.

How to Research a Location for Your Latest Book by Allie Pleiter, Guest Author

How to research a location for your latest book

One of my favorite parts of writing a book is location research.  Here’s my plan of attack for when I visit the setting for my upcoming book:

1.       Get a basic working knowledge of the location

My favorite first step is to attack a guidebook (or three) with a highlighter and post-it notes.  I’m wandering through the pages for anything that catches my fancy whether it makes sense to my concept of the book right now or not.  I also check imdb.com for which movies are set there.  Larger cities and most states have tourism boards that can send you packages and brochures.  Internet and travel sites are also good places to get a basic sense of the area.

2.       Plan your trip

I like a four day spread, as it gives a good mix of weekday and weekend days, and often matches hotel promotional packages.  I’ve found that about 100 pages into my manuscript is the best time to go--I’m far enough into the story to know the gist of what I need, but early enough to be flexible if I uncover plot gold.  I find it best to book my trip right after I sign my contract.  It’s focused work--fun but fast-paced--so I usually go alone or with a hearty soul.  It’s great if you can go the location at the time of year your book is set, but I’ve found it’s not essential. 

A BASIC TIMEFRAME

Two months out or earlier

0  Book your airfare and rental car (remember you don’t always need one)

One month out

1.  Gather your contacts

0  Make a list of who you’d like to contact from what your research told you

0  Poll boards or lists for local colleagues willing to meet

0  Look for lodging – I’ve found B&B’s make wonderful home bases, and the owners are always willing to share info

2. Map out the specific sites you want to visit

0  Break your target area into quadrants - one for each day of your trip

0  Use Mapquest or other navigational software to map out all the targets in each quadrant for the most expedient route

0  Look at public transportation, too

3.  Start to make appointments

0  Now you know your general timeframe (“I'll be on the north side of town on Friday”)

0  Ask restaurants for their signature dishes

0  Ask professionals “What’s the most unusual thing you can tell me about ____”

0  Ask locals plot-based questions like “Where would you go to propose?” 

Two weeks out

0  Firm up your schedule and confirm appointments

0  Work out your a.m. and p.m. plans into written packets

0  Watch any movies you found on your database research

0  Browse for any books on or set in your target location

One week out

0  Arrange for any family commitments, etc. (the vacation hint)

0  Check the weather and plan your clothes accordingly

0  Make your packing list 

I love research trips--it’s the most useful fun you can have.  With a little planning, you can ensure that your trip gives you the details that make for a vivid manuscript while making you some wonderful memories.  Bon voyage!

Allie

Homefront Hero

Love Inspired Historical

May 2012

#978-0-373-82916-3

 

Dashing and valiantly wounded, Captain John Gallows could have stepped straight out of an army recruitment poster. Leanne Sample can't help being impressed—although the lovely Red Cross nurse tries to hide it. She knows better than to get attached to the daring captain who is only home to heal and help rally support for the war's final push. As soon as he's well enough, he'll rush back to Europe, back to war—and far away from South Carolina and Leanne. But when an epidemic strikes close to home, John comes to realize what it truly means to be a hero—Leanne's hero.

Author Bio:

An avid knitter, coffee junkie, and devoted chocoholic, Allie Pleiter writes both fiction and non-fiction.  The enthusiastic but slightly untidy mother of two, Allie spends her days writing books, buying yarn, and finding new ways to avoid housework.  Allie hails from Connecticut, moved to the midwest to attend Northwestern University, and currently lives outside Chicago, Illinois.  The “dare from a friend” to begin writing has produced two parenting books, fourteen novels, and various national speaking engagements on faith, women’s issues, and writing.  Visit her website at www.alliepleiter.com or her knitting blog at www.DestiKNITions.blogspot.com

UPCOMING GUEST

Join us Wednesday, May 23 when Allie Pleiter will visit.  Her topic--How To Research a Location for your Latest Book.


Allie Pleiter

Homefront Hero

Love Inspired Historical

May 2012

#978-0-373-82916-3

About Homefront Hero:
Dashing and valiantly wounded, Captain John Gallows could have stepped straight out of an army recruitment poster. Leanne Sample can't help being impressed—although the lovely Red Cross nurse tries to hide it. She knows better than to get attached to the daring captain who is only home to heal and help rally support for the war's final push. As soon as he's well enough, he'll rush back to Europe, back to war—and far away from South Carolina and Leanne. But when an epidemic strikes close to home, John comes to realize what it truly means to be a hero—Leanne's hero.

Author Bio:

An avid knitter, coffee junkie, and devoted chocoholic, Allie Pleiter writes both fiction and non-fiction.  The enthusiastic but slightly untidy mother of two, Allie spends her days writing books, buying yarn, and finding new ways to avoid housework.  Allie hails from Connecticut, moved to the midwest to attend Northwestern University, and currently lives outside Chicago, Illinois.  The “dare from a friend” to begin writing has produced two parenting books, fourteen novels, and various national speaking engagements on faith, women’s issues, and writing.  Visit her website at www.alliepleiter.com or her knitting blog at www.DestiKNITions.blogspot.com

Time Management for the Overworked and Overstressed

As our days get busier, time seems to slip by more quickly. We stress more over the little things, and wonder why there aren’t enough hours in the day. Yet, have you ever looked at how you spend your days?

You may be surprised that you have the time after all, if you would organize your days better, and if you were more selective in how you spent your time. The key is to make the most of your efforts by concentrating on the tasks that give you the highest pay-off. Here are a few tips on how to analyze your schedule, and how to make the most of your waking hours.

THE STUDY

The first step is to see where your time goes. Select a typical week in your schedule. Then set up a chart to track the following:

· Time the activity started

· The activity

· The activity category

· Time spent on the activity

· Value or priority of the activity

THE ANALYSIS

Look at your log with a critical eye. How do you answer the following questions:

· Where did I spend the most time?

· Did I spend the most time on high-priority tasks or trivial items?

· Did I have a good balance of work and family in my time?

· Did I work late into the night on high-priority tasks after spending the day on trivial tasks?

· Did my tasks achieve my goals for the week, or did I still find unfinished business at the end?

· Did I spend any time on tasks I enjoyed?

· What are my strengths? What can I accomplish quickly?

THE FIX

Once you have analyzed your time and addressed problem areas, you can come up with solutions. Setting up an action plan and scheduling your time accordingly will help you on your way.

The Action Plan

· Set goals for the week

· Prioritize your goals (High, Medium, Low) or (A,B,C)

· Write down the steps needed to achieve those goals

· Work these tasks into your scheduling

Scheduling

· Enter your ‘fixed’ events into your calendar such as appointments, work schedule, etc.

· Look at the High or ‘A’ priority goals on your list

· Schedule time in your week to accomplish those tasks

· Look at the Medium or ‘B’ priority goals—can any of these fit into your schedule without losing family or work time?

· Do the same with the Low or ‘C’ priority goals—Don’t stress if you can’t fit everything in, especially these unimportant tasks.

Scheduling Tips

· Tackle the most challenging chores on your list first. 

· Don’t schedule more than you know you’ll have time for.

· Preserve contingency time to handle the unexpected.

· Allow for time between events and tasks.

· Verify appointments 1-2 days beforehand.

· Take phone numbers and directions with you.

Goal-setting is not just a week-to-week task as this example implies. You should always have your eye on the big picture.

Do regular reviews of your goals. What were your goals for the week or month? Did you accomplish what you wanted? Did you find your tasks took up more time than you thought? Less time?

Also look ahead. What are your goals for the next month? Will you accomplish them by finishing the tasks on your weekly lists based on past experience? What are your goals for the coming year? What are your goals in life? Do your daily and weekly tasks work toward your larger goals, or against them?

A well thought out plan will help you accomplish your goals and help you work toward what you want out of life. Remember, you are in ultimate control of your destiny.

Finding Inspiration from the Past

As we age, we accumulate experiences and knowledge.  We take these experiences and put them in our writing.  It may be a place we visited, a painting that inspired us, a song we heard, or a moment in history.  Whatever it is, it enriches our writing.

However, there are moments when we don't feel particularly inspired.  Writer's block hits us like a brick wall.  Our minds turn blank, and it's difficult to create characters, scenes or plot lines.  So how do we work past that? 

One way to create memorable characters is to take them directly from your personal history—your childhood.  Our perceptions were much different as children than they are as adults.  Dark houses seemed scarier, and old men seemed grumpier.  We can use those perceptions in creating characters by using these exercises:

·         Think back to the houses on your block.  Was there a neighbor who had oddities than everyone whispered about?  Maybe they never came out of the house.  Or they always yelled at kids for walking on the lawn.  Our neighbor used to trample on the flowers we had planted alongside the property line, even though there was plenty of room to walk around them.

·         Think back to a Thanksgiving dinner that was particularly lively.  Where was everyone sitting?  Were you part of the 'adult' or 'kid's' table?  What were the side dishes?  Were there china or paper plates for settings?  Was there laughter at the table, then whispering and gossip in the kitchen?

·         Think back to your least favorite teacher in school.  What was there about him/her that you didn't like?  The way they smelled or looked?  The way they yelled at the students or disciplined them?  The enormous amount of homework they assigned?

·         Think back to your favorite teacher in school.  What did he/she look like?  Remember the particulars—eye, hair color, glasses, sound of their voice, hair style, etc.  Bring those details to life on the pages.

·         Who was your best childhood friend?  Where did they live?  What was their family like?  What was your favorite thing to do together?  Why were they your best friend?

·         Who was your first childhood crush?  What color hair did they have?  What color eyes?  Were they the class clown, or the studious one?  My first crush had bright red hair.  His father was a dentist, so he used to bring me trinkets from his dad's Treasure Chest at the office.   He transferred to another school after that first year.  I was crushed in a bad way.  I still wonder what happened to Richard.

How about you?  What character from your past have you brought into your writing?