Weaving a Book

I mentioned earlier that I am working with two life/executive coaches on a book that deals with shifting your focus to a more holistic view of success. They are the thread, I am the weaver.

Every week we meet on Skype- which is wonderful because we can all talk for free from anywhere. We use Google docs to manipulate what we are working on because we can update and add to it in real time.

I am the pusher, the motivator, the focuser. They are the creators, the collaborators and really the experts. It is fun and for the most part a productive set up.

One of the things we discussed early on was our roles in the book, and even more importantly the business part. By this I mean we came up with what each person would be contributing and what part of the proceeds we would receive once the book is published. This is SO important, because if these things are not hammered out early on, it can really become a problem and even destroy a project later on.

Take the time and WRITE it out. Do not rely on just verbal agreements, because if you are like me, what I said yesterday and even last week may be replaced with other things I cram into my head on a daily basis.

There are so many exciting parts about this process and book, that I will share them through the coming weeks. However, if you want to know what is actually in the book- then I encourage you to buy a copy!

I love my readers

One of the readers of this blog asked me if she could print out my blog posts or was I using as parts of an upcoming book. To that I thank the reader- but alas no there is no book idea yet.

But the question inspired me to write this post. If you are serious about getting an article, short story or book published- resist the temptation of placing it on a blog or website. Many magazine and book publishers will not touch work that has been posted publically on a website. The reasons are various but many of them surround copyright issues. So resist the temptation unless you have no intention of publishing the piece anywhere else.

You can express that you are working on a project or what some of the ideas that are contained in it, or even the process you are going through to create- but the work itself should stay with you until you are ready to approach someone to publish it.

 

Have an inky day!

 

Check out this resource.

 

Word Counter

Many of my jobs require that I write a certain amount of words. Here is a cool little app. that can help you with this.

 

http://allfreelancewriting.com/wordcount-tracker/

 

Look around, they also have an advanced version.

 

LiveJournal Tags: word counter,writing,books

Getting that next job

I never sit idle and wait for the next job to come after completing a project. I stack them up and so when I complete one project, I already have the next one waiting.

I spend time each day looking for new projects. I do this in a few different ways:

1. Contact old clients with a friendly email to remind them i am still out there. This works a lot of the time.

2. Look on job boards. The one I use the most and have had the best luck with is Elance.com. Even though there is a monthly fee, the quality of the clients and the customer service when you need assistance cannot be beat.

3. Go through my list of topics I want to write about and send out query letters to magazines and publishers.

I work on this everyday, and I have kept a full time job of freelance writing going for almost three years. Trust me, don’t wait and have lag time unless you are independently wealthy.

Time management

Ok so here I am bloggin’ instead of writing on my book, but I needed to say that time management is very important.

I have come to the conclusion that I may be slightly ADD as I am extremely distractible. I have shut off twitter, Facebook and email to get real work done. I have to take breaks every hour and shift gears and shift back, but I can only sustain about 6 hours a day of solid writing time and that is a productive day.

I do find when I drink coffee I can stay focused longer. I also do better first thing the morning and then my production starts to waver about 3:00 PM. So I plan and pace myself.

My suggestion is to take a stop watch and time how many minutes a day you are actually typing. Do this for a few days- just hit the timer when you are typing, and when you go on to something else stop the time. See what your productivity is like and remove things that are sucking your time.

I qualify blogging as writing as it helps me focus on what I am doing and how to do it better.

LiveJournal Tags: writing,time management,coffee,starbucks,writers digest,freelance

Explorer - On the Beer Trail in Vietnam - NYTimes.com

As I am creating my beer book, I will hope share interesting information as I come across it!

 

Explorer - On the Beer Trail in Vietnam - NYTimes.com

Roll with it

LiveJournal Tags: coffee,book,publisher,editor,coautor,cinnamon dolce latte,starbucks,coaching,executive coaching

I recently finished writing a book that was actually my second run with it. This has been going on for two years and encompassed 2 contracts and a multitude of editors.

So I got the message after turning in the final manuscript that the publisher has decided that they wanted more from the book and decided to hire another to co author the book.

I thought about it. I was going to get paid the same and my name was going to be on the book. I did however stipulate that I wanted to actually look at the book before it went to print. If my name was going on it, I wanted to make sure that it in some way resembled something I would have written, and they happily agreed.

So I rolled with it, and did not get upset or angry, because I want to do future work with this publisher and in the end I still got out of it what I wanted and am hopeful that the book will be even more improved with a co author and be a smashing success.

Since now you know I am a total coffee addict I wanted to add that I am trying desperately to find the right combination of coffee, milk and syrup to make my own cinnamon dolce latte at home. Any suggestions?

Be careful of the fine print

I am working on some articles about winemaking, but remembered my contract for my two wine books that states I need permission to write about similar subjects. I did get permission, but it is very important that you read your contract carefully.

 

If there is something you do not agree on, deal with it up front and negotiate the contract before signing it. Once it is signed it takes a lot to get it changed, if you are able to change it at all.

But do not play ignorant and count on no one catching you, because they will. In these days of Internet communication, news travels fast. Look at this link below about an artist.

http://hidenseek.typepad.com/come_out_come_out/2010/02/cannot-chase-paperchase.html

Freelance Writing Rate Calculator - Freelance Hourly Rate Calculator | All Freelance Writing

 

Freelance Writing Rate Calculator - Freelance Hourly Rate Calculator | All Freelance Writing

I thought this was a very cool calculator. I can put in how much I want to make, how many hours in a day I want to write, and even how many vacation days I want a year and it calculates how much money I should be charging per hour for my work. The good thing is that I was only .75 cents off from what I really do charge. Check it out.

LiveJournal Tags: writing,freelance,cacluator,hourly,rate

 

 

 Freelance Writing Rate Calculator - Freelance Hourly Rate Calculator | All Freelance Writing

Wine Book Coming out soon!!

Here is the next book coming out- I do not have a definitive date yet. My favorite part of this book was an interview with John Langley. He was the producer of the show COPS and a number of other police themed shows and he has also down some films. (TIPTOES is my favorite.)

He was extremely nice and humorous. He has a winery down in Argentina called Urraca Wines. I got some samples to try that were out of this world. He runs this winery with his children, and is utilizing a award winning local vintner and wine maker that is familiar with the grapes that are grown in the region.

Urraca is the name for a magpie, which is a name John’s wife gave to him.

His wines can be bought through distributors or online through his website. If I had to pick a favorite it would be the Familia Langley Reserva. It is a blend of a Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet, and a Cabernet Franc. It is great with a red sauce pasta, and reminds me a good Merlot. It is heavy in the berry and grape tastes.

Try the wine, order the book and read the interview. (click the book above).

del.icio.us Tags: winemaking,wine,John Langley,Urraca,Atlantic publishing,new book,how to make wine

This is what Happens

When you buy your wife Cinnamon Syrup for her coffee, you may end up with this!

Visit her blog to find out more about her creation-http://itsakettleoffish.blogspot.com/

 

and then buy some for yourself. Now some people say that you can buy the syrup at the store – BUT you do not get the free pump.

Writing Gifts Part 3

Ok so some sales and coupons have come my way. If you missed out on giving your writer something cool for Valentine’s day- check these out. I know I will! (Are you seeing this honey!)

Save up to 50% on Beautiful Cross Fine Pens during our Winter Clearance Event. Free Shipping on $50+.

Save 20% and get a free $35 Weekender Wallet with the purchase of a Johnston & Murphy Business Case.

Business & Laptop Case Winter Sale. Save up to 73% on Top Brands- Kenneth Cole, Zero Haliburton, McKlein, Siamod and more!

Save up to 70% on Top Brand Leather Writing Pads and Covers. Shop the Winter Clearance Sale at Executive Essentials.

These Waterford Fine Pens are Now on Clearance up to 50% off. Plus Get Free Shipping on $50+ at Executive Essentials.

This is the Best Time to Own or Gift a Historic Faber-Castell Pen. Save 20% with code Faber20 Plus Get Free Shipping on $50+

Copywrite vs Copyright

Some people are confused by these terms. There is the word COPYRIGHT which means you are reserving the rights to something- like a book or even music.

 

Copywriting- is the process of writing copy. This is writing words to that can promote a person, idea or business. This can take the form of advertisements, emails, brochures and even websites.

 

I do a bit of copywriting for clients wanting to promote their new books or small businesses. I write a lot of sales copy and content for websites. These are very lucrative jobs that are often quick to do and pay a lot more than magazine articles of ghost writing books.

Below are some books you can click if you are interested in Copywriting.

 

 

Traditional Magazine Freelancing

The boards are abuzz with magazines closing left and right. This has freelance writers very nervous. In addition, the magazines that are left are holding payments, killing articles or they are not hiring anyone, because there just is not any money.

People are talking about getting $1 a word. Depending on the size of the article, this is may could mean a payment of between $200 maybe up to $1500. That may sound great until you consider that most magazine pay much less than a $1 a word and some writers are waiting months or never getting paid.

Freelance writers, like myself, have to adapt. It is the Internet where the real money is these days. I get all of my jobs from the Internet through sites and word of mouth. I write books, eBooks, ghost write, create articles, and the lists go on. I have clients all over the world.

To those troopers trying to hold onto the dream of making a living as a magazine writer- it is time to adapt or find a new line of work. The days of the paper magazines are limited indeed.

del.icio.us Tags: writing,freelance,magazine writing

 

Writing Gifts Part 1

So Valentine’s day has come and gone and there are some other holidays coming up like Easter, ect… So what are good gifts to get the writer in your life.

 

Well if you are like me – anything coffee

mugs

travel cups

flavored syrup

Coffee beans

Coffee Grinder

Coffee Press

The Creation of a Book part 3

 

 

As I am writing any of my books, editing is so important. I use Microsoft Word 2007 as my word processing program. This is a great program, although like other programs there are some flaws and grammar and editing are one of them. While I appreciate that it can anticipate what I want to write by filling in words and correct spellings, its choice is not always correct and using the grammar tool is not always correct in its choices.

So a fellow writer friend turned me onto Whitesmoke. It is a much superior program for writers for issues such as grammar and you can set up different writing styles that it can check for (for instance if you are are a fantasy novel). It has a free trial, but I am sure you will agree for the price it is well worth it. I use it all the time and it is a time saver, plus it makes my writing look more polished and professional.

 

I am trying to get my wife to buy me fountain pen. I kinda like the one here- but it may be slightly out of her buying range. Still I like to write fiction using pen and paper first before committing to typing. It helps the flow better.

The Creation of a Book part 2

One of the first things I do in creating a non fiction book is to gather research materials. My publisher sends me whatever books I may need (I am lucky in this respect as not all publishers will do this). I also look for online resources.

As I am gathering the online resources I am making a list of where and what time I gathered the materials. If at all possible I use these materials for research and rarely quote them, as it is sometimes hard to ascertain the actual author and websites change so often. This  why it is important to note when you collected the information. Later in these posts I will deal with the formatting of a bibliography.

For my beer book I have about 6 resources for making beer at home and as many for growing grains, hops and herbs. Now it is a matter of actually getting the words on the page!