As a writer, you may be earning more than you ever imagined, or you may be earning nothing. It all depends on where you're at in your career. Writers at all levels can benefit from planning for their future, though. Unpublished, multi-published, doesn't matter. We all plan on retiring at some point, and who doesn't need an emergency fund?
Let's talk retirement first. As a member of the self-employed workforce, you do not have the benefit of a company pension nor are you able to contribute to a company-sponsored 401K plan. This does not mean you can't save for retirement, though. Take advantage of Roth IRA's. Most people can contribute up to $5000. Check out "7 Things to Know About Roth IRA Rules for 2010" at www.goodfinancialcents.com for a terrific look at how IRA's can benefit you.
A few other ways to save for retirement are:
* pay your house off
* save money in cd's
*buy US treasuries
*invest in the stock market
*save in a money market account
If you pay your house off, you no longer have a monthly mortgage. This allows you to need less income. Yes, I know many experts say not to pre-pay your mortgage because of the tax benefits, but paying additional interest to get a percentage of that interest back at tax time doesn't add up. Skip paying the interest altogether by pre-paying your mortgage. Peace of mind is priceless.
Another good idea is to save money in CD's. They're a safe long-term or short-term investment. You can use them to save for retirement, but if you need to withdraw before the term is up, you sacrifice a portion of the interest earned--not your principal. No, you do not get tax advantages from doing this, but CD's are safe and can be as long-term as you want them. Make sure the CD is FDIC insured.
One of the safest investments out there is to buy United States Treasuries. They are federally backed by the US government. Check out Treasury Direct for more information.
Just because you don't have a 401K, does not mean you can't invest in the stock market. It's easier than ever with the advent of Internet trading sites. Do your research, subscribe to a few financial publications, and don't view it as a game. Remember, the stock market offers no guarantees on your money. You can lose your entire investment. Make sure you only put in what you can comfortably lose.
A money market account is a great place to build an emergency fund or to keep liquid assets. It's separate from your checking account, although you can write checks from it, and money market accounts usually offer higher rates than savings accounts. If you open one with an FDIC insured bank, the first $250,000 of your money will be safe. Here's a link to the FDIC fact sheet. Go to bankrate.com to compare rates.
Okay, we looked at a few places to invest money, but will we actually do it? Yes, but it requires a system, an easy system. This might not work for everyone, but if you're struggling to come up with the income taxes you owe or you find the idea of saving for retirement laughable, you should give it a try.
As soon as you sign your first contract, go to your bank and open a new savings account. This account will only serve as a holding tank for your quarterly taxes and investment funds. No other funds should sit in this account. You will probably need to deposit a minimum amount to leave there because this account is not intended to accumulate for long. You will simply deposit a portion of each check into it, and when it is time to pay your taxes or transfer money into a retirement or savings vehicle, you'll withdraw the amount.
Whenever you receive payment: record the date, the amount, who it's from, and what it's for. Every three months, you will need to pay taxes, so when you get a check, transfer the amount you owe for taxes into your new savings account. In a notebook or computer spreadsheet, record how much is in that account and designate what it's for.
For example: You get a check for $3000.00 in January. You receive it from your agency (minus your agent's 15%) for book A. The gross amount was $3450.00. You've determined you'll owe approximately 30% (*this figure is purely hypothetical) of the net to the IRS, which is $1000.00. Before you transfer that money, decide what percentage of your income you will save for your retirement. Let's say you've decided on 5% of gross, which is $172.50. Transfer both the taxes and the retirement, $1000.00 + $172.50 = $1172.50, to your separate account. Write down the following:
Date: 3/10/2010
From: Agency
For: Book A
Amount: $3000.00
Savings Taxes: $1000.00
Savings Future: $172.50
Total Savings Taxes: $1550.00 ($1000.00 + previous balance of $550.00)
Total Savings Future: $613.75 ($172.50 = previous balance of $441.00)
Decide how often you will contribute to the retirement venues you've chosen. I don't recommend setting up a monthly automatic payment through your bank account, only because your income will be sporadic. Consider making contributions on a quarterly or bi-annual basis.
Writers can plan for their financial future, but it takes a system. Spend a few hours learning about your investing options. Draw up a plan and set up an easy method of saving so you won't have to worry about not having money for taxes or for retirement.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Showing posts with label career. Show all posts
Showing posts with label career. Show all posts
Friday, January 22, 2010
Monday, January 18, 2010
Financial Planning: Taxes
This month's celebration of what we're doing right continues with another top resolution: finances. Since writing is a form of self-employment, dealing with the financial end can seem complicated, even mystical.
Finances don't have to induce a migraine headache nor are they rocket science. This week we'll look at them from a writer's perspective. Don't be scared! You already have the skills; after all, you balance a checkbook, file taxes, and manage your money.
Writers need to do two things: save receipts and keep records of their income. These two things will make tax time easier. On Friday, we'll look at a simple method of recording income, but for now, we're focusing on saving receipts.
I have a manila folder marked "2010 Writing Receipts." Complicated, huh? What goes into this folder? Receipts for the dues I pay to writing organizations, for reference books, conference fees and related expenses, magazines, my website, office supplies, and anything else legally appropriate to deduct from taxes. EHow's: How to Deduct Expenses Writing Income answers many questions about appropriate deductions.
Saving your receipts saves you money. Deduct expenses on your tax return to legally keep your hard-earned cash. Store the receipts with your tax return that way if you're audited, the receipts serve as proof. It's as easy as that.
Freelance writers and authors are considered independent contractors. You don't have an employer to withdraw taxes from your paycheck. Unfortunately, Social Security and Medicare taxes are your responsibility too. With no employer footing half the bill, you're responsible for the full amount. Another great eHow article: How to File Self-Employment Taxes details the steps to file. If you owe more than $1000.00 in SECA taxes, you will pay them on a quarterly basis. and you'll estimate how much you owe.
Check out "Estimated Taxes" through the IRS website for the nitty-gritty details. Be aware, depending on where you live, you may have to pay state and city quarterly taxes too. An Internet search or a call to your county office should provide the answers for you.
Another great resource is "If You are Self-Employed" at the Social Security Administration's website. Read through the links listed at the bottom of the article for the full scoop.
When filing your annual taxes, you will use a Schedule C. Fill in the appropriate six-digit code stating you're a sole proprietorship. Some localities require self-employed individuals to file for a sole proprietorship. Check with your state and county for information. Another interesting article on the topic is eHow's "How to File for Sole Proprietorship."
Filing for a sole proprietorship is not your only option. You can also incorporate. There are pros and cons to both, but most newly published writers will probably best be served by sticking to a sole proprietorship. As your career flourishes, you may want to have more legal protection or reduce the amount of taxes you're paying. Incorporating can legally accomplish both.
Don't feel you need to learn this all on your own, though. A CPA can guide you through the tax process and make suggestions based on your situation. Never be afraid to use a professional!
Join me on Wednesday when we'll discuss financial planning: estimating income.
Finances don't have to induce a migraine headache nor are they rocket science. This week we'll look at them from a writer's perspective. Don't be scared! You already have the skills; after all, you balance a checkbook, file taxes, and manage your money.
Writers need to do two things: save receipts and keep records of their income. These two things will make tax time easier. On Friday, we'll look at a simple method of recording income, but for now, we're focusing on saving receipts.
I have a manila folder marked "2010 Writing Receipts." Complicated, huh? What goes into this folder? Receipts for the dues I pay to writing organizations, for reference books, conference fees and related expenses, magazines, my website, office supplies, and anything else legally appropriate to deduct from taxes. EHow's: How to Deduct Expenses Writing Income answers many questions about appropriate deductions.
Saving your receipts saves you money. Deduct expenses on your tax return to legally keep your hard-earned cash. Store the receipts with your tax return that way if you're audited, the receipts serve as proof. It's as easy as that.
Freelance writers and authors are considered independent contractors. You don't have an employer to withdraw taxes from your paycheck. Unfortunately, Social Security and Medicare taxes are your responsibility too. With no employer footing half the bill, you're responsible for the full amount. Another great eHow article: How to File Self-Employment Taxes details the steps to file. If you owe more than $1000.00 in SECA taxes, you will pay them on a quarterly basis. and you'll estimate how much you owe.
Check out "Estimated Taxes" through the IRS website for the nitty-gritty details. Be aware, depending on where you live, you may have to pay state and city quarterly taxes too. An Internet search or a call to your county office should provide the answers for you.
Another great resource is "If You are Self-Employed" at the Social Security Administration's website. Read through the links listed at the bottom of the article for the full scoop.
When filing your annual taxes, you will use a Schedule C. Fill in the appropriate six-digit code stating you're a sole proprietorship. Some localities require self-employed individuals to file for a sole proprietorship. Check with your state and county for information. Another interesting article on the topic is eHow's "How to File for Sole Proprietorship."
Filing for a sole proprietorship is not your only option. You can also incorporate. There are pros and cons to both, but most newly published writers will probably best be served by sticking to a sole proprietorship. As your career flourishes, you may want to have more legal protection or reduce the amount of taxes you're paying. Incorporating can legally accomplish both.
Don't feel you need to learn this all on your own, though. A CPA can guide you through the tax process and make suggestions based on your situation. Never be afraid to use a professional!
Join me on Wednesday when we'll discuss financial planning: estimating income.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Career Preparation: Deadlines
This week, we conclude our talk about career preparation with a brief chat about a scary word: deadlines.
As an unpublished author, I think it's easy to get a rosy, unrealistic picture of what published life is like. We think, "if I just get published, everything will fall into place."
When you're unpublished, you can take as long as you want to write your book. You can work on it here or there or not at all. If it takes five years to complete, that's okay. However, when you get published, you might get a contract for more than one book. Wonderful!
Except...what if it took you two years to write book one, and your contract states you have one year to turn in book two?
No problem. I'll be motivated since I have a deadline.
Sounds good, but will you? Really? You'll be dealing with another set of deadlines at the same time: revisions of book one. You also might be scrambling to get a website published. And nothing in your life will have changed. Most people can't afford to quit their day job when they publish a book. Most stay-at-home mothers still have the same amount of responsibilities (and the same amount of children, maybe even more!).
I'm not writing this to scare anyone; in fact some of my friends are going through this very process now and handling it beautifully. I am not going through this, but I pretend I am to stay motivated. I'm weird like that.
I'd like to offer a few practical tips to set and meet deadlines. For all you writers of single title books in any genre, aim to complete your novel in one year. This includes revisions. For all of you writers of shorter books, like category novels, aim for a minimum of two books a year.
Editors often give authors a year to complete a single title book. Some publishers give less time. If you get in the practice of finishing a book in a year now, it will probably get easier to complete a book in a shorter period as you progress.
Category books are another animal. Since these are published monthly, editors are always hungry for more books from authors they trust. Get in the habit of finishing two books a year, and you might be surprised to learn you can squeeze out three--or more.
In order to complete books on a deadline, you're going to have to get out a calendar and plan.
Do you know how many words you can write in a day? A week? A month?
Don't guess. Keep a daily log and track your progress. Estimate how long it will take you to write the first draft. Mark your calendar with your target first draft completion date. Then estimate how long it will take you to revise. If you revise as you go, skip the first draft estimate and go straight to when you think you'll finish the book.
Get out your calculator. If you're writing a 95,000 word book, write the word count you should be at for each month. Example: if you start the book in January and estimate it will take six months, you'll need to write 15,900 words a month. Mark 15.9K at the end of January, 31.8K at the end of February, and so on until the end of May reads 95K. You can follow the same process with revising.
Do you write every weekday? Weekends only? Three days a week? If you need to complete 15.9K words a month and you write every weekday, you should have roughly twenty days of writing. Divide the 15.9K into 20 to get 795 words a day. If you only write on weekends, you'll only have around eight days a month. You'll need to write 1988 words each of these days to stay on track.
I can't wait until each and every one of us have deadlines from our editors. Won't that be amazing? In the meantime, challenge yourself to meet your own deadlines.
Have a very happy Thanksgiving!! I will not be posting on Friday this week. For all you shopping this Black Friday--be safe and get some great deals! For everyone else, enjoy your weekend!
As an unpublished author, I think it's easy to get a rosy, unrealistic picture of what published life is like. We think, "if I just get published, everything will fall into place."
When you're unpublished, you can take as long as you want to write your book. You can work on it here or there or not at all. If it takes five years to complete, that's okay. However, when you get published, you might get a contract for more than one book. Wonderful!
Except...what if it took you two years to write book one, and your contract states you have one year to turn in book two?
No problem. I'll be motivated since I have a deadline.
Sounds good, but will you? Really? You'll be dealing with another set of deadlines at the same time: revisions of book one. You also might be scrambling to get a website published. And nothing in your life will have changed. Most people can't afford to quit their day job when they publish a book. Most stay-at-home mothers still have the same amount of responsibilities (and the same amount of children, maybe even more!).
I'm not writing this to scare anyone; in fact some of my friends are going through this very process now and handling it beautifully. I am not going through this, but I pretend I am to stay motivated. I'm weird like that.
I'd like to offer a few practical tips to set and meet deadlines. For all you writers of single title books in any genre, aim to complete your novel in one year. This includes revisions. For all of you writers of shorter books, like category novels, aim for a minimum of two books a year.
Editors often give authors a year to complete a single title book. Some publishers give less time. If you get in the practice of finishing a book in a year now, it will probably get easier to complete a book in a shorter period as you progress.
Category books are another animal. Since these are published monthly, editors are always hungry for more books from authors they trust. Get in the habit of finishing two books a year, and you might be surprised to learn you can squeeze out three--or more.
In order to complete books on a deadline, you're going to have to get out a calendar and plan.
Do you know how many words you can write in a day? A week? A month?
Don't guess. Keep a daily log and track your progress. Estimate how long it will take you to write the first draft. Mark your calendar with your target first draft completion date. Then estimate how long it will take you to revise. If you revise as you go, skip the first draft estimate and go straight to when you think you'll finish the book.
Get out your calculator. If you're writing a 95,000 word book, write the word count you should be at for each month. Example: if you start the book in January and estimate it will take six months, you'll need to write 15,900 words a month. Mark 15.9K at the end of January, 31.8K at the end of February, and so on until the end of May reads 95K. You can follow the same process with revising.
Do you write every weekday? Weekends only? Three days a week? If you need to complete 15.9K words a month and you write every weekday, you should have roughly twenty days of writing. Divide the 15.9K into 20 to get 795 words a day. If you only write on weekends, you'll only have around eight days a month. You'll need to write 1988 words each of these days to stay on track.
I can't wait until each and every one of us have deadlines from our editors. Won't that be amazing? In the meantime, challenge yourself to meet your own deadlines.
Have a very happy Thanksgiving!! I will not be posting on Friday this week. For all you shopping this Black Friday--be safe and get some great deals! For everyone else, enjoy your weekend!
Monday, November 23, 2009
Career Preparation: There's More to Learn?
We're wrapping up our month of preparation. This week, we're talking about preparing for our writing career.
Are you finished learning when you get published?
Photo by valerianasolaris
With each book I write, I hone my craft. I learn new insights into the process, too. And I have to be vigilant about my pet problems. I believe getting published isn't a reason to get cocky. We should always be learning, always be challenging ourselves to produce the best possible book. I know my favorite authors do, and that's one of the reasons they are so successful.
However, there's more to learn than just craft. Newly published authors suddenly find themselves in a new world. Contracts, rights, title changes--all can send an already emotional writer over the edge.
Don't get too hung up on your book title or your book cover. You probably won't have much control over either. Editors change the title to make it the most marketable it can be. Accept that you aren't the only author dealing with this; trust your editor, and move on. Jody Hedlund wrote a terrific post about this last week, How Publishers Choose a Book Title.
I recommend reading about contracts now. You can get a book out of the library or go to agents' blogs. Check their blog archives or do a search of their blog for posts about contracts and rights. Also, if you know published authors, ask them questions.
If you have an opportunity to go to a conference, try to attend a workshop that focuses on the business side of writing. I mentioned this summer how terrific Stephanie Bond's class was. She made contracts, rights, and taxes make sense.
Join me on Wednesday when we'll discuss another aspect of career preparation: deadlines.
Are you finished learning when you get published?
Photo by valerianasolaris
With each book I write, I hone my craft. I learn new insights into the process, too. And I have to be vigilant about my pet problems. I believe getting published isn't a reason to get cocky. We should always be learning, always be challenging ourselves to produce the best possible book. I know my favorite authors do, and that's one of the reasons they are so successful.
However, there's more to learn than just craft. Newly published authors suddenly find themselves in a new world. Contracts, rights, title changes--all can send an already emotional writer over the edge.
Don't get too hung up on your book title or your book cover. You probably won't have much control over either. Editors change the title to make it the most marketable it can be. Accept that you aren't the only author dealing with this; trust your editor, and move on. Jody Hedlund wrote a terrific post about this last week, How Publishers Choose a Book Title.
I recommend reading about contracts now. You can get a book out of the library or go to agents' blogs. Check their blog archives or do a search of their blog for posts about contracts and rights. Also, if you know published authors, ask them questions.
If you have an opportunity to go to a conference, try to attend a workshop that focuses on the business side of writing. I mentioned this summer how terrific Stephanie Bond's class was. She made contracts, rights, and taxes make sense.
Join me on Wednesday when we'll discuss another aspect of career preparation: deadlines.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Online Writing Classes
Have you taken any online writing classes? I've taken several. The courses offered through RWA chapters are inexpensive, flexible, and perfect for anyone who is time-challenged. However, not all classes are equal. Some have great titles but fail to deliver what they offer, while others deliver all that and then some.
Most classes offered through RWA chapters cost between fifteen and thirty dollars. They usually are scheduled to last a month. All classes take place through a Loop, usually Yahoo! Groups. You get the assignment delivered to your e-mail, and you can ask the instructor questions and interact with other students on the Loop.
I have mixed emotions about the classes I've taken. I believe the class's effectiveness rests on one thing: the teacher.
The teacher needs to spend time coming up with focused assignments relavent to the course's title. If she gives assignments on a regular basis, makes it clear when they're due, and responds to students' work, the class is a success. But if she fails to regularly hand out assignments and none of them relate to the course's title, the class will not be a success.
Also, if a teacher doesn't respond to homework, students should be upset. How can you possibly learn if you have zero feedback?
Two wonderful resources for free--yes, free!--online courses are through RWA's PRO-Class Loop, and ACFW's course archives. To access RWA's Loop, you have to be an RWA PRO member. To access ACFW's course archives, you need to be a member of ACFW. RWA's PRO-Class Loop offers classes several times a year and each lasts a week or two. ACFW offers courses every month. Past courses can be accessed through ACFW's archives also.
There are also many writing courses available from other sites, and colleges offer online classes too.
As far as what classes are more valuable than others, I think it depends on the writer. Are you struggling with craft issues? Would you like to learn basic HTML codes? Are you dying to add more conflict to your books? There are classes for almost any topic related to your writing career.
Have you taken any online courses? What did you think--waste of time or totally worth it?
Happy Writing!
Most classes offered through RWA chapters cost between fifteen and thirty dollars. They usually are scheduled to last a month. All classes take place through a Loop, usually Yahoo! Groups. You get the assignment delivered to your e-mail, and you can ask the instructor questions and interact with other students on the Loop.
I have mixed emotions about the classes I've taken. I believe the class's effectiveness rests on one thing: the teacher.
The teacher needs to spend time coming up with focused assignments relavent to the course's title. If she gives assignments on a regular basis, makes it clear when they're due, and responds to students' work, the class is a success. But if she fails to regularly hand out assignments and none of them relate to the course's title, the class will not be a success.
Also, if a teacher doesn't respond to homework, students should be upset. How can you possibly learn if you have zero feedback?
Two wonderful resources for free--yes, free!--online courses are through RWA's PRO-Class Loop, and ACFW's course archives. To access RWA's Loop, you have to be an RWA PRO member. To access ACFW's course archives, you need to be a member of ACFW. RWA's PRO-Class Loop offers classes several times a year and each lasts a week or two. ACFW offers courses every month. Past courses can be accessed through ACFW's archives also.
There are also many writing courses available from other sites, and colleges offer online classes too.
As far as what classes are more valuable than others, I think it depends on the writer. Are you struggling with craft issues? Would you like to learn basic HTML codes? Are you dying to add more conflict to your books? There are classes for almost any topic related to your writing career.
Have you taken any online courses? What did you think--waste of time or totally worth it?
Happy Writing!
Monday, September 28, 2009
Read the Genre Books You Write
Our month of career research is coming to an end, and none too soon for me! I'm ready for lighter, funner topics. But, in the meantime, we have two more posts to get through.
Do you read the genre books you write?
How often? Do you always enjoy them? What do you do when you pick one up and it doesn't excite you at all?
I hate to think of any book as "homework," but we need to read many books in the genre we are writing in.
When you read four or five books in the same genre, you get a feel for the length, the pace, plot points, characters, and the tone. If you continue to read your genre regularly, you'll also get an idea of what themes are oversaturated.
It's vital to read current books. Why? Fifteen years ago, writing styles were different. You may have fallen in love with Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series, but publishers might not be willing to take the risk on such long books now, especially by a new author. (The exception is if you're Diana Gabaldon, of course!)
Another reason to read a variety of books in your genre is to verify your book does indeed work for that market. If you're writing for any of the Harlequin category imprints, check the eHarlequin site often for their guidelines. Listen to the editor podcasts. It's vital to understand what editors want for the line you're targeting.
The best reason to read in the genre you write is because you love it. Trust me, the love will come across in your writing. Let's say you write an urban fantasy on a lark, but you've only ever read one urban fantasy in your life (you love to read political thrillers). Let's also say your book is genius, and a publisher quickly snatches it up. You're thrilled; however, you don't really want to write another urban fantasy because you want to write a political thriller; after all, that's what you love to read.
A publisher would not be happy to take a chance on a new author only to find out the author plans on writing future books in a completely different genre. When a new author builds an audience, the audience wants similar books to the one they initially fell in love with. Don't expect an audience to follow you from genre to genre unless you're on bestseller's lists, and even then, they might not. Do you think Stephenie Meyer fans wanted to read a warm, women's fiction after reading Twilight? No, they wanted more--much more--Twilight.
What do you think? Do you think it's important to read the genre books you write? I'd love to hear your genre, and don't be shy, throw in a favorite author, too!
Join me on Wednesday when we'll discuss online writing classes.
Do you read the genre books you write?
How often? Do you always enjoy them? What do you do when you pick one up and it doesn't excite you at all?
I hate to think of any book as "homework," but we need to read many books in the genre we are writing in.
When you read four or five books in the same genre, you get a feel for the length, the pace, plot points, characters, and the tone. If you continue to read your genre regularly, you'll also get an idea of what themes are oversaturated.
It's vital to read current books. Why? Fifteen years ago, writing styles were different. You may have fallen in love with Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series, but publishers might not be willing to take the risk on such long books now, especially by a new author. (The exception is if you're Diana Gabaldon, of course!)
Another reason to read a variety of books in your genre is to verify your book does indeed work for that market. If you're writing for any of the Harlequin category imprints, check the eHarlequin site often for their guidelines. Listen to the editor podcasts. It's vital to understand what editors want for the line you're targeting.
The best reason to read in the genre you write is because you love it. Trust me, the love will come across in your writing. Let's say you write an urban fantasy on a lark, but you've only ever read one urban fantasy in your life (you love to read political thrillers). Let's also say your book is genius, and a publisher quickly snatches it up. You're thrilled; however, you don't really want to write another urban fantasy because you want to write a political thriller; after all, that's what you love to read.
A publisher would not be happy to take a chance on a new author only to find out the author plans on writing future books in a completely different genre. When a new author builds an audience, the audience wants similar books to the one they initially fell in love with. Don't expect an audience to follow you from genre to genre unless you're on bestseller's lists, and even then, they might not. Do you think Stephenie Meyer fans wanted to read a warm, women's fiction after reading Twilight? No, they wanted more--much more--Twilight.
What do you think? Do you think it's important to read the genre books you write? I'd love to hear your genre, and don't be shy, throw in a favorite author, too!
Join me on Wednesday when we'll discuss online writing classes.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Writing Organizations
Writing organizations: useful or useless?
100% useful!
Photo by mukluk
I love the organizations I belong to: Romance Writers of America and American Christian Fiction Writers. Both offer tremendous resources for any writer. Each has a website filled with fantastic information for their members. There are online critique groups, writer loops, and they also have local chapters if you're lucky enough to live near one. Each hosts a national conference for members and sponsors prestigious writing contests for unpublished and published authors.
RWA also publishes a monthly magazine, Romance Writers Report, packed with helpful articles.
I've been blessed to live within driving distance to the local RWA chapter, Maumee Valley Romance Writers of America. You wouldn't believe the information about the publishing industry and writing in general that I've learned from other members. It's a boon to discuss queries and realize nailing the book's genre really is important. Or to attend a meeting and learn tips on a variety of topics like networking, writing the dreaded synopsis, promotion, and so forth. These reasons alone make it worthwhile.
I also appreciate the availability of a variety of affordable online workshops given by other RWA chapters. Many chapters host contests, and some even host small conferences.
However, what I most love about MVRWA is also what I love about blogging. I've made wonderful friends. Friends who understand the ups and downs of writing. Friends who support me whether I have good news or bad. Friends who share what they've learned, not because they have to, but because they're kind.
If a writing organization has a local chapter near you, give it a try. You don't have to write romance to belong to RWA.
I also wanted to welcome and thank all of the new followers. I'm looking forward to hearing your comments!
Join me on Friday when we'll discuss staying on top of industry news.
100% useful!
Photo by mukluk
I love the organizations I belong to: Romance Writers of America and American Christian Fiction Writers. Both offer tremendous resources for any writer. Each has a website filled with fantastic information for their members. There are online critique groups, writer loops, and they also have local chapters if you're lucky enough to live near one. Each hosts a national conference for members and sponsors prestigious writing contests for unpublished and published authors.
RWA also publishes a monthly magazine, Romance Writers Report, packed with helpful articles.
I've been blessed to live within driving distance to the local RWA chapter, Maumee Valley Romance Writers of America. You wouldn't believe the information about the publishing industry and writing in general that I've learned from other members. It's a boon to discuss queries and realize nailing the book's genre really is important. Or to attend a meeting and learn tips on a variety of topics like networking, writing the dreaded synopsis, promotion, and so forth. These reasons alone make it worthwhile.
I also appreciate the availability of a variety of affordable online workshops given by other RWA chapters. Many chapters host contests, and some even host small conferences.
However, what I most love about MVRWA is also what I love about blogging. I've made wonderful friends. Friends who understand the ups and downs of writing. Friends who support me whether I have good news or bad. Friends who share what they've learned, not because they have to, but because they're kind.
If a writing organization has a local chapter near you, give it a try. You don't have to write romance to belong to RWA.
I also wanted to welcome and thank all of the new followers. I'm looking forward to hearing your comments!
Join me on Friday when we'll discuss staying on top of industry news.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Internet Search Your Author Name
No matter what stage of writing you're at, it's a good idea to periodically do an Internet search of your author name.
By author name, I mean the name you plan to publish, or do publish, your books under. It could be your real name or it could be a pen name. Either way, enter it in a search engine to see what comes up.
You'll typically find one of the following:
- Nothing relevant to the name
- A slew of references to someone else by that name
- Incorrect information about you
- Sites offering illegal downloads of your book if you're published
- Tons of legitimate references to you, the author
Performing and Internet search of your author name is valuable for several reasons.
1. You'll know exactly what other people, including agents and editors, see when they type in your name. If nothing shows up and you're actively querying, maybe you should consider building a web presence.
2. You'll know if your pen name, which you slaved over but haven't registered the domain name for, is already in use by someone else. You may want to consider using a different name.
3. If you're published, you can issue a cease and desist order to any sites illegally offering downloads your books.
4. If you've been working hard at building a web presence, you'll know your efforts are paying off when page after page of references to you, the author, appear.
Agents and editors do perform Internet searches on authors who submit to them. I hope I don't sound like a broken record, but I am convinced authors shouldn't wait until they get published to start a blog, website, or join online social networks.
Yes, every agent and editor will tell unpublished authors to focus on their craft before worrying about a web presence, but the facts show it takes a long time (a couple of years) for most people to build an average web presence. Authors who are submitting should be simultaneously building their platform.
Get your craft to the highest level, but also work on your web presence so you'll have an audience to promote your book to when you get published.
Every few months, do an Internet search of your author name. You might be surprised what shows up.
Join me on Wednesday when we'll talk about writing organizations and how they can help you.
By author name, I mean the name you plan to publish, or do publish, your books under. It could be your real name or it could be a pen name. Either way, enter it in a search engine to see what comes up.
You'll typically find one of the following:
- Nothing relevant to the name
- A slew of references to someone else by that name
- Incorrect information about you
- Sites offering illegal downloads of your book if you're published
- Tons of legitimate references to you, the author
Performing and Internet search of your author name is valuable for several reasons.
1. You'll know exactly what other people, including agents and editors, see when they type in your name. If nothing shows up and you're actively querying, maybe you should consider building a web presence.
2. You'll know if your pen name, which you slaved over but haven't registered the domain name for, is already in use by someone else. You may want to consider using a different name.
3. If you're published, you can issue a cease and desist order to any sites illegally offering downloads your books.
4. If you've been working hard at building a web presence, you'll know your efforts are paying off when page after page of references to you, the author, appear.
Agents and editors do perform Internet searches on authors who submit to them. I hope I don't sound like a broken record, but I am convinced authors shouldn't wait until they get published to start a blog, website, or join online social networks.
Yes, every agent and editor will tell unpublished authors to focus on their craft before worrying about a web presence, but the facts show it takes a long time (a couple of years) for most people to build an average web presence. Authors who are submitting should be simultaneously building their platform.
Get your craft to the highest level, but also work on your web presence so you'll have an audience to promote your book to when you get published.
Every few months, do an Internet search of your author name. You might be surprised what shows up.
Join me on Wednesday when we'll talk about writing organizations and how they can help you.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Do You Respect Your Work?
If you're like me, you devote many hours to writing. I type notes, charts, and lists in Microsoft Excel spreadsheets. I type drafts, revisions, query letters, and synopses into Microsoft Word. And then there's my blog. I spend a lot of time typing and editing my posts in Blogger.
All of that time and effort is precious to me. The thought of losing any of these files gives me cold sweats. I respect every letter I type; therefore, I back up my work.
Do you back up yours? Your manuscripts? What about your blog posts? Your pre-writing notes?
I recently read about an author who blogged for years before she got published. Along the way, she also accumulated hundreds of e-mail addresses. A week before her first book was released, someone maliciously hacked both her blog account and her e-mail account and wiped out every shred of information. She lost every post, every e-mail contact--the base of her promotion efforts.
I've personally lived through two devastating computer crashes of our main computer. Every file disappeared. Worse, my laptop crashed on the same day as my main computer. If I hadn't had my files backed up on a disc, I would have lost three manuscripts.
It takes seconds to back your work up to a thumb drive or a memory stick each time you write. You can go further, too. There are plenty of companies who offer online back-up storage for a monthly fee. You could also try a few less secure, but free, ways of backing your work up online, but if you do, please be very careful to avoid posting your work on public sites and make sure you protect your files with passwords.
Do you back up your blog posts? How much do they mean to you? Mine are very important to me. I've come up with an easy solution. Simply copy and paste each post into a Microsoft Word file. Back the file up on a memory stick. You could also print out your posts and keep them in a binder. I do!
How do you back up your manuscripts? Your blog? I'd love to hear your tips!
Join me on Friday when we'll discuss publishers.
All of that time and effort is precious to me. The thought of losing any of these files gives me cold sweats. I respect every letter I type; therefore, I back up my work.
Do you back up yours? Your manuscripts? What about your blog posts? Your pre-writing notes?
I recently read about an author who blogged for years before she got published. Along the way, she also accumulated hundreds of e-mail addresses. A week before her first book was released, someone maliciously hacked both her blog account and her e-mail account and wiped out every shred of information. She lost every post, every e-mail contact--the base of her promotion efforts.
I've personally lived through two devastating computer crashes of our main computer. Every file disappeared. Worse, my laptop crashed on the same day as my main computer. If I hadn't had my files backed up on a disc, I would have lost three manuscripts.
It takes seconds to back your work up to a thumb drive or a memory stick each time you write. You can go further, too. There are plenty of companies who offer online back-up storage for a monthly fee. You could also try a few less secure, but free, ways of backing your work up online, but if you do, please be very careful to avoid posting your work on public sites and make sure you protect your files with passwords.
Do you back up your blog posts? How much do they mean to you? Mine are very important to me. I've come up with an easy solution. Simply copy and paste each post into a Microsoft Word file. Back the file up on a memory stick. You could also print out your posts and keep them in a binder. I do!
How do you back up your manuscripts? Your blog? I'd love to hear your tips!
Join me on Friday when we'll discuss publishers.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Follow In Your Favorite Author's Footsteps
Do you have a favorite author? If you're like me, you have several. I love reading, and I especially enjoy finding new-to-me authors and checking out their backlist.
I still remember the day I picked up my first book by Stephanie Laurens. I couldn't put it down! And naturally, I went to her website and let out a happy whoop that there were more--many more--books of hers I could read. Yippee!
The same happened with Jodi Thomas, Eloisa James, Julia Quinn, Ally Blake, Jessica Hart, Linda Goodnight, and the scads of other authors I adore.
Something funny happened around five years ago. I wasn't writing books at that point, just reading everything I could get my hands on, and I noticed a pattern (bear with me--you know the pattern--I did not). The single title authors published two books a year, plus maybe an anthology. The category authors published as few as one and as many as four a year.
The cycle intrigued me, and I began researching the publishers they wrote for. It quickly became apparent that even had the single title authors wanted to publish more than two books a year, their publishers might not let them. But hey, two books a year is phenomenal!
Everyone says to read tons of books in the genre you write. I agree, but I'd say to take it a step further. Study authors websites. Check out their publisher. Keep track of the book lengths, the time in between book releases, and the marketing efforts they pursue. Read interviews.
I always read author bios, study their websites, and make mental notes on their promotion efforts. Five years ago, I discovered Harlequin Romance author Ally Blake. Her career amazed me--still does. She was someone to look up to. Someone to emulate. I read every book she put out, and when I felt my spirits lag, I only had to click on her website to get a boost. Her interviews, articles, and positive attitude inspired me.
Do you study your favorite authors? You might be surprised at the things you learn about the industry from them. I know I was!
Have a terrific weekend!
I still remember the day I picked up my first book by Stephanie Laurens. I couldn't put it down! And naturally, I went to her website and let out a happy whoop that there were more--many more--books of hers I could read. Yippee!
The same happened with Jodi Thomas, Eloisa James, Julia Quinn, Ally Blake, Jessica Hart, Linda Goodnight, and the scads of other authors I adore.
Something funny happened around five years ago. I wasn't writing books at that point, just reading everything I could get my hands on, and I noticed a pattern (bear with me--you know the pattern--I did not). The single title authors published two books a year, plus maybe an anthology. The category authors published as few as one and as many as four a year.
The cycle intrigued me, and I began researching the publishers they wrote for. It quickly became apparent that even had the single title authors wanted to publish more than two books a year, their publishers might not let them. But hey, two books a year is phenomenal!
Everyone says to read tons of books in the genre you write. I agree, but I'd say to take it a step further. Study authors websites. Check out their publisher. Keep track of the book lengths, the time in between book releases, and the marketing efforts they pursue. Read interviews.
I always read author bios, study their websites, and make mental notes on their promotion efforts. Five years ago, I discovered Harlequin Romance author Ally Blake. Her career amazed me--still does. She was someone to look up to. Someone to emulate. I read every book she put out, and when I felt my spirits lag, I only had to click on her website to get a boost. Her interviews, articles, and positive attitude inspired me.
Do you study your favorite authors? You might be surprised at the things you learn about the industry from them. I know I was!
Have a terrific weekend!
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
September: Career Planning
Back in July, I insanely thought we could discuss career planning, but I wisely shoved it to the side. September's here and I think we're all ready for it. I'm looking forward to hearing your tips and tricks to keep your writing career on track.
Okay, some of you are snickering. I can hear you. What career? I'm not even published yet.
So what? You're going to be published someday, so it's time to plan now.
The first thing we're discussing is your career map. You may have never delved into what you want to accomplish as a writer, but I'll bet if you do, the answers will come to you fairly quickly.
A career map is a basic list of what you are doing, or plan to do in the future, to make your dream of becoming a published writer a reality. For those of you who are published, your career map would consist of steps you're taking to publish more books and further your career.
Grab a pen and a notebook and think about the following questions for a few minutes. Write down your answers.
Daily: What do you do on a daily basis to further your writing? (Write X amount of pages/words, read writing related blogs, post on your own blog, network with other writers via the Internet, subscribe to a word a day e-mail service, etc...)
Monthly: What do you do on a monthly basis to further your writing? (Read trade magazines, review how much you've written the previous month and set new goals for the next month, attend writing group meetings, take an on-line class or read a book on writing craft, add new contacts to your social networking sites, read books in the genre you write in, query agents, study publishers, back-up your writing, etc...)
Annually: What do you do on an annual basis to further your writing? (Write a goal list for the year, review your progress and compare to the previous year, attend one or more conferences, research ways to market yourself, etc...)
Five Year Plan: Where would you like to be in five years? (Do you have small children at home? Be realistic. Maybe where you want to be in five years will be more appropriate in ten. Do you have a full time job you can't imagine giving up anytime soon? Take it into consideration.) The point of a five year plan isn't to set unrealistic goals or to make you wallow in frustration at your life. It's to look ahead and see a possible and desirable future for your writing.
Five years ago, my plan looked very different from the one I have now. Back then, I decided I couldn't write much the first two years, but I knew I could find the time and energy to read. I read everything I could during that time. I also belonged to a writer's group with twice a month meetings and writing assignments. I knew that would fit my life as well. Then, three years ago, my schedule changed as anticipated. I had several hours a week to devote to writing. The following year, I had even more time to write.
The plan I have now is not only realistic, but it's attainable. And I'm pretty excited about it. It fits my life and keeps me focused.
We might not have much control over when we get published, but we have complete control over the actions we take to help us get published.
Do you have a career map? If yes, what excites you about it? If no, what's keeping you from writing one?
Join me on Friday when we'll discuss studying our favorite author's careers to further our own.
Okay, some of you are snickering. I can hear you. What career? I'm not even published yet.
So what? You're going to be published someday, so it's time to plan now.
The first thing we're discussing is your career map. You may have never delved into what you want to accomplish as a writer, but I'll bet if you do, the answers will come to you fairly quickly.
A career map is a basic list of what you are doing, or plan to do in the future, to make your dream of becoming a published writer a reality. For those of you who are published, your career map would consist of steps you're taking to publish more books and further your career.
Grab a pen and a notebook and think about the following questions for a few minutes. Write down your answers.
Daily: What do you do on a daily basis to further your writing? (Write X amount of pages/words, read writing related blogs, post on your own blog, network with other writers via the Internet, subscribe to a word a day e-mail service, etc...)
Monthly: What do you do on a monthly basis to further your writing? (Read trade magazines, review how much you've written the previous month and set new goals for the next month, attend writing group meetings, take an on-line class or read a book on writing craft, add new contacts to your social networking sites, read books in the genre you write in, query agents, study publishers, back-up your writing, etc...)
Annually: What do you do on an annual basis to further your writing? (Write a goal list for the year, review your progress and compare to the previous year, attend one or more conferences, research ways to market yourself, etc...)
Five Year Plan: Where would you like to be in five years? (Do you have small children at home? Be realistic. Maybe where you want to be in five years will be more appropriate in ten. Do you have a full time job you can't imagine giving up anytime soon? Take it into consideration.) The point of a five year plan isn't to set unrealistic goals or to make you wallow in frustration at your life. It's to look ahead and see a possible and desirable future for your writing.
Five years ago, my plan looked very different from the one I have now. Back then, I decided I couldn't write much the first two years, but I knew I could find the time and energy to read. I read everything I could during that time. I also belonged to a writer's group with twice a month meetings and writing assignments. I knew that would fit my life as well. Then, three years ago, my schedule changed as anticipated. I had several hours a week to devote to writing. The following year, I had even more time to write.
The plan I have now is not only realistic, but it's attainable. And I'm pretty excited about it. It fits my life and keeps me focused.
We might not have much control over when we get published, but we have complete control over the actions we take to help us get published.
Do you have a career map? If yes, what excites you about it? If no, what's keeping you from writing one?
Join me on Friday when we'll discuss studying our favorite author's careers to further our own.
Monday, January 5, 2009
What Is Your Writing Goal?
January comes with its blowsy ideals every year--you know the ones I'm talking about.
In January I'll lose 75 pounds, write 50 pages a day, save a thousand dollars a week. In January...
Ahh...the fun delusions of January!
Why do we set such unrealistic goals? And why do we set goals for every aspect of our life? Is it really feasible to change every habit in the course of a few weeks? Of course it isn't!
But...
I do believe if something is important to you, you can train yourself to meet that goal. Which leads me to ask: What is your writing goal?
Do you consider writing your hobby?
Would you like to get published someday?
Would you like to get published ASAP?
Or maybe you are published and want to continue putting out your best work?
Now, I'm not asking you to think about why you write or even what you write (although both are great topics to pursue). I'm talking about the end result. Deep down writers have to be aware of their ultimate goal.
If you don't have any intention of getting published, then you fall into the hobby category. Hobbies are fun, but they require time, effort, and persistence like anything else.
If your goal is to get published, either ASAP or that elusive someday, there are many, many non-threatening and simple steps to help you achieve that goal.
If you are published, it's not just about the writing anymore. Balancing your writing with the orbit of "other" circling your career requires the skill of a trapeze artist.
All month, I'll be asking some interesting questions that will really help you hone in on setting realistic goals for your writing this year, whether writing is your hobby, potential career, or full-time career.
Get Motivated! It's Monday!
In January I'll lose 75 pounds, write 50 pages a day, save a thousand dollars a week. In January...
Ahh...the fun delusions of January!
Why do we set such unrealistic goals? And why do we set goals for every aspect of our life? Is it really feasible to change every habit in the course of a few weeks? Of course it isn't!
But...
I do believe if something is important to you, you can train yourself to meet that goal. Which leads me to ask: What is your writing goal?
Do you consider writing your hobby?
Would you like to get published someday?
Would you like to get published ASAP?
Or maybe you are published and want to continue putting out your best work?
Now, I'm not asking you to think about why you write or even what you write (although both are great topics to pursue). I'm talking about the end result. Deep down writers have to be aware of their ultimate goal.
If you don't have any intention of getting published, then you fall into the hobby category. Hobbies are fun, but they require time, effort, and persistence like anything else.
If your goal is to get published, either ASAP or that elusive someday, there are many, many non-threatening and simple steps to help you achieve that goal.
If you are published, it's not just about the writing anymore. Balancing your writing with the orbit of "other" circling your career requires the skill of a trapeze artist.
All month, I'll be asking some interesting questions that will really help you hone in on setting realistic goals for your writing this year, whether writing is your hobby, potential career, or full-time career.
Get Motivated! It's Monday!
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