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

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?

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!

The Creation of a Book part 1

I am working on my eleventh book called, The Complete Guide to Growing Your Own Hops, Malts, and Brewing Herbs: Everything You Need to Know Explained Simply. (Atlantic) Over the next couple of months I will take you step by step through the process of creating a book.

I have already signed a contract for this book and they have approved my detailed outline. This outline consists of a skeletal outline of the chapters followed by a detailed explanation of each chapter.

The editors have looked it over and made some suggestions and we agreed that the focus of the book will be on the gardening aspects rather than just a book about home brewing. In fact, I am in negotiations to create a more traditional home brewing book.

So right now I am working on the first 20k words. When I am done I will submit the work, the editors (2 tier) will review and send back to me with corrections and I will next stage of 20k words until we reach 65k.

 

Here is my latest book on the shelves. I have two that are in layout- one eBay income basics and the other is a more general wine making book. 

I am off for my Via coffee. More soon!

del.icio.us Tags: coffee,via,starbucks,atlantic publishing,writing,homebrew,beer,wine,winemaking

Addicted to Coffee

I admit it. I am addicted to Starbucks. What writer isn’t? So here is my addicted broken down for you:

 

At the store:

Mocha Latte- no whip

Cinnamon Dolce Latte- no whip

 

Ice Coffee- in summer- black

Robust Coffee of the day- Black

 

On the go:

I bought this cool cup over the holidays for my Via. These are packets of Italian Roast (and other flavors) that you just need hot water and dissolve. In the handle of the cup is a secret compartment for 2 coffee packs.

In the morning:

I get coffee beans, grind them at home, and use a French press. This is so much better than filtered coffee and it is close to the taste you get at the store.

The French Press is easy to use:

1. Boil Water

2. Grind 4 scoops of beans (or less, I like mine to shock me awake). Grind to medium consistency. DO NOT grind to a powder or you will drink a lot of grounds.

3. Pour coffee and water into a press. And press exactly 4 minutes and pour.

 

This is the press I use.

del.icio.us Tags: coffee,starbucks,writing,press,cinnamon dolce latte,mocha,via,tumbler,addicted to coffee

Passive Income

As a freelance writer passive income is something I have been really trying hard to start. As you may have seen I have added some marketing items to this blog. At the rate I am going with Adsense- I will be able to buy a Starbucks Coffee next year. (and if you want to buy a cup of coffee- please use the link---haha)

 

 

Seriously- Freelancing means that you are working for a fee and often selling the rights to the work which means no royalties. passive income means that once you create it, it generates money on its own. Royalties are a good example for a writer.

I use affiliate programs to sell my books so that I can make a little commission on some of the books I have created. I am on look out for other forms of passive income. This way I can be more selective in the jobs I take and not confine myself to the working poor.

There is plenty of work out there, it is just that there are not enough hours in the day to do it all!

So what forms of passive income do you all use? Comment on it!

del.icio.us Tags: coffee,writing,passive income

Prada The Devil Drinks Coffee

I am casing my neighborhood in Winston-Salem. I have found this little cafe under a new set of uptown swanky condos. By the clientele, I can tell I am out of my pay range, but the family has taken over a table with our coffees and hot chocolate. 

 

Each of us with a laptop, we must be quite the site for this yuppie haven of the movers and shakers of the West End. Well we are here and we are here to stay.

 

This little cafe has coffee, gelato and Bellinis (a combination of peach nectar and champagne), and an assortment of beers and wine. It is quiet for the most part- a HDTV in the corner is playing “Moonstruck” from an Apple TV box.

It is an education for the girls as we are coming from the country. We even were lucky enough for a person on the street to ask us for a dollar. It was new for the girls, not so new to me- it heralds me back to reality and away from the land of the bigots. I recently read a quote that said something like “Big bigotry- small town.” I want to raise my girls differently!

If anyone wants to visit this new cafe visit www.caffeprada.com

Now I will finish my Americano.