January 30, 2008

Even when you’re excited about a writing project, do you have trouble getting started in the morning? Over the years, the one thing that has consistently helped me is to journal first. Sometimes I’ve used lovely bound journals. Often I use my password protected Life Journal software on my laptop. I love its search feature–it helps me retrieve my ideas later after brainstorming solutions to plotting or personal problems.

I don’t just sit down and start to journal. There’s a ritual involved for most journal writers, me included. I start with hot chocolate, a padded rocking chair, and reading a short devotional. Lately I’ve added the sounds of violin music in the background, the hauntingly beautiful (and relaxing) strains of Joshua Bell, especially his “Romance of the Violin” and the soundtrack from “Ladies in Lavender.”

If you’d like to journal, but have trouble getting the juices flowing in the morning, see “Create a Journal Writing Ritual” for ideas. If you give it a try for a few weeks, I predict journaling will become a practice critical to your writing output–and enjoyment!

January 19, 2008

On Tuesday I mentioned a free “how-to blog” course from Simpleology. It has fifteen easy-to-understand mini lessons, and the lessons build logically from the basics of setting up a blog and finding your niche to six “revenue streams” to consider if you want to make money from your blog. For me, it condensed and organized a lot of information I’ve read in bits and pieces on a number of fine blogging websites.

What I decided though–and this was the most valuable thing to me–was that moneymaking wasn’t the focus of my blog, nor did I want it to be. For one thing, I don’t want to invest the time it would take to turn my blog into a moneymaker. Yes, I hope people will find the posts helpful and then maybe buy my Writer’s First Aid book. I know the book has helped thousands of writers get through tough times and stay in the writing game. But as I listened to (and watched) the multi-media presentations on blogging, I realized that my original goal for having a blog–helping other writers–was still my main focus. My income comes from my books, published by traditional publishers, who pay royalties and advances. That’s where I want to invest the bulk of my time and energy. Writing books is what I love most.

If my blog helps sell my books or snags me some speaking engagements, that’s great! But that isn’t the primary purpose of the Writer’s First Aid blog. It’s to connect with other writers so we can help each other. We’re all in this together!

January 15, 2008

I’ve been blogging for a month, and I thank you for the comments, the emails, and the feedback. It’s been exciting to meet new friends this way! I’ve never been one to “re-invent the wheel.” So I’m evaluating a multi-media course on blogging from the folks at Simpleology. For a while, they’re letting you snag it for free if you post about it on your blog.

It covers:
The best blogging techniques.
How to get traffic to your blog.
How to turn your blog into money.

I’ll let you know what I think once I’ve had a chance to check it out. Meanwhile, go grab yours while it’s still free.

January 4, 2008

I don’t know about you, but I approach tax time every year with both fear and hope. Will this be the year I overpaid my estimated taxes and we’ll get a refund? If so, will it be big enough to finance a trip to England for a week—or just to McDonalds for a Happy Meal? Or–gulp–will this be another year when I didn’t estimate correctly and pay enough, so I have to buckle down and generate a chunk of cash before April? I always figure taxes right after January 1 so I know my status–good or bad–although I don’t file them early unless we’re getting a refund.

If you do your own taxes, be sure to read up on what deductions you’re allowed. After you’ve figured profit and loss of your business and calculated the business use of your home a few times, it’s not that difficult. And if you set up your files for 2008 NOW, you’ll be way ahead of the game next January. Being organized with files for receipts is half the battle.

If you need help, try these places online:

IRS website for help with tax preparations, to download forms and instructions

Interview covering common questions for freelance writers

TurboTax: various editions for walking you through your tax prep

Taxes for Writers: Paying Your Estimated Tax Get 2008 started right!