The Dead Bronte Society

 

Ok, maybe my standards are too high. Maybe my vision of what a bunch of writer’s meeting would look like may have been lofty and idealistic- but when I walked into Panera Bread tonight, what did I find? One adult and a bunch of adolescent girls. Really? This is the local NANOWRIMO write in?

I just could not bring myself to join the group. It would felt, I don’t know, creepy. So I ate my sandwich, drank my coffee, wrote some novel type words and listened.

“Who here has read Harry Potter?”

Hands raised. And no I am not kidding.

“Who cried when Dumbledore died?”

More hands raised- still not kidding.

My disappoint was vast, my writing was prolific, so I guess it balances out? Right?

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

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?

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

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+

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

 

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!

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

Beer and More Beer

del.icio.us Tags: beer,book writing proof editing,writing,publishing,health

Currently I am working on two different beer books. The first is how to grow a beer garden in your own backyard. This is a how to manual for daring home brewers to grow the ingredients at home.

 

The 2nd book is on creating healing beers and wines. This one is already fast tracked to be published in four languages. (ipublicaides)

I have been a home brewing for many years and so both of these books are very exciting projects. This is of course means a lot of pubs, microbreweries and taste testing. It is research, do you hear me tax man!

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

Writing as a Performance

While writing to a friend on Facebook, the idea of this post came to me. The writers I have met are often introverted people. They feel comfortable behind the keyboard, but in most social situations are very quiet and shy. They are unsure if people will like their work. In fact, for many new writers this is commonplace.

I am a performer- I play the flute and piccolo in a symphony and many other places. I have been performing with the  theater and music since I was a kid. So for me, writing is just another performance.

I have my instrument (keyboard or pen), the music (in this case what I am writing about) and the world is my audience. I am confident in my skills and when I write it is a performance for my intended audience. While I do not hear applause, people send comments about my work.

There are good performances, and sometimes not so good, but I never question my ability as a writer. One bad piece does not mean that I should never pick up a pen again, no more than one bad note in a performance would mean that I would pack my piccolo away (however I may hide from the conductor for a bit!)

So when you are writing think of it as a solo you are about to perform for a packed house and when you write that last period, the audience comes to their feet for a 5 minute standing ovation.

LiveJournal Tags: music writing confidence ovation

How Much is the Money Worth

As I finish a number of jobs I realize that when the money is there- the world is good, the other 300 days a year can be a nightmare.

It is just the nature of the work and the fact I am working for myself. I have a great boss- he allows me to wear PJ’s to work, take naps when I need them and I can take a day off whenever I need to. But you have to read the fine print- the money can be slow at times. Really slow.

There are days when the bank account looks great- the bills are paid, and I can take my wife out on a date to Mc Donald’s. These are the days to cherish. But most of the time… I am wring 10-12 hours a day, keeping off my creditors and praying I will see a check.

If it were not that I really love to write- I ‘d be better off on welfare. I love to create and type type type- I just hate not being able to scrape up a dollar for a soda once in awhile.

So writer beware- don’t do it for the money because you will be disappointed. Write because you love to write and then pray you win the lottery.

Writer’s Block Meanderings

I just recently did some testimonials for a new mediation book and CD set that is supposed to help with writer’s block. I listened to the CD and fell asleep. It was a nice sleep, but not sure about its effectiveness as a cure for writer’s block on just one session.

Thank goodness that in this point in my career that I do not suffer from writer’s block. My trouble is not having trouble writing, it is not having enough jobs to write about. This economy is even hurting writers- both mainstream authors and freelance writer’s.

For many, buying a book is a luxury and one of the first things cut from people’s budgets- although I have noticed a great increase in the number of people going to the public library. Books for free- Genius!

I did take my trip to the Biltmore, thanks to my lovely editor Kim. It was awesome, and I took a lot of great pictures. Here is one of them. They created a carpet out of flowers.

Time Suckers

LiveJournal Tags: time sucker writing writer

LiveJournal Tags: time sucker writing writer

Technorati Tags: time sucker writing writer

As a writer I have to spend a lot of time online researching, updating blogs and utilizing social networks in order to get people to buy my books. It is like walking through a field of land mine time suckers. Maybe I have ADD but there are some many things that attract my attention that it is hard to stay on task. I have to remember this simple formula:

Time=work=money

If time is being sucked into an online application, then there is no work being and therefore no money being paid. As someone who relies totally on the revenue generated with writing this can be a deadly trap. Lets look at the top offenders:

1. Online games- World of Warcraft and the type. Don’t even download these games or go to the sites. You will be sucked in.

2. Facebook- There are two areas that can just eat up time. One is the applications (games, quizzes ect) and the other is reading and commenting on all your friends posts about what happened last night. You can use facebook as a powerful networking and marketing tool, but if you like these other applications limit yourself until AFTER you have gotten your work down.

3. Twitter – Like facebook , twitter is a great networking tool and has marketing potential. However limit tweets to relevant things and use it to direct traffic to your web site and blog. If you spend time looking at updates, it can eat your time before you know it.

4. Shopping- Even if you are just browsing online- do it during specific non work times.

5. News articles- You can spend hours looking at interesting articles- don’t be sucked in.

 

Set time for work and play. It is hard to do when you are self employed but creating a calendar and set work hours will help you stay on track. If you are just too tempted, turn off the internet during periods of writing time in which you do not need to research the internet.

Longevity

I have learned that in the writing business, that after a year of creating books that I now have longevity. I am outliving my editors. I guess I should thank the writing Gods for their blessings.

 

I started writing full time August 2007. In that time I have had 5 books published and 2 on the way. I have written for three magazines on a regular basis and had more freelance work then I can handle. I don’t live in NY or LA or any other large metropolitan city you can recognize with two letters. (unless you can recognize WS)

 

I have a BS degree in psychology and a Phd in Natural Health. So what is my secret of relative success?

 

I can break it down to two points.

 

The first is hard work. Being self employed and working from home is some of the hardest, most constant work I have done in my life. Even as a musician I have breaks. As a writer my waking and sleeping mind are constantly working and churning. Don’t get me wrong, I totally love it. People ask me if I am near burning out and my response is that I wish their more hours in the day to write.

 

The second point is that I am always working on the next project. I do not allow lag time. I use time each day looking for new projects and bolstering marketing efforts. I do this through blogging, social networking and bidding on projects on sites such as Elance.

 

My word of advice NEVER EVER give up.