Thursday, July 30, 2009

When Real Life Comes Crashing Down

I'm not at my brightest and best first thing in the morning. When I peeked out the living room window Monday, it took me a minute to figure out what was wrong with the still dark view.

Finally, it dawned on me. The streetlight didn't usually float so low over the bushes in the front yard.

I spent almost an hour on hold trying to convince a customer service representative that the pole presented a safety hazard for two reasons. First, it was impossible to determine exactly where it would land when it stopped going lower and lower. Second, there was still power to the pole.

When the crew came out to cut the power and safely lower the pole to the ground, I tried to get an idea of when there would be light (not to mention identification for the streets again.) No such luck.

I spent over an hour on hold again today ... ever so "efficiently" using my telephone handset speaker feature so I could "work" (or TRY to) while I waited.

The pole is supposed to be replaced in 10-20 business days. Until then, it will be pitch black out there. There must be a story idea in there somewhere!

May the Muse be kind!!

Susanne Rose

http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/28-How2-SellPersonalStories.html

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/lucki-in-love-p-342.html
Lucki In Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/the-christmas-promise-p-315.html
"The Christmas Promise," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette
Keep the spirit of the holidays going strong and take advantage of this bonus offer: Just send an e-mail to the author: Susannerose@wildrosepublishing.com with “The Christmas Promise” in the Subject Line. You’ll have to read the story first so you can identify the secret recipe when you send your e-mail. Santa will send you a copy of the secret recipe.

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/forever-love-p-248.html "Forever Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

"Adjusting Entries," coming soon in: http://www.lldreamspell.com/RomanceofmyDreams.html

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Getting Respect for Working at Home

Maggie commented on a recent post asking for strategies to deal with people who don't understand that working at home means you can't just drop everything and visit.

Sometimes, the guilty parties aren't neighbors or friends from across town. They are our soul mates and children!

It may take some time to convince your significant other that working at home does NOT mean you have time to drop the car off to be serviced and run other errands.

Establish a signal (a red scarf tied to a doorknob, etc.) so kids know if you're working on something that can't be disturbed or if you're available to hear the details of their day at school.

Setting parameters and employing a few simple strategies can help you teach others to respect your work at home schedule.

Is there a "safe" time when you know you won't be working? If so, tell neighbors and friends you'd love to visit with them then. If your "schedule" has a habit of spilling over to nights and weekends like mine does, gently explain that you'll get back to them as soon as you have a moment to call your own.

Invest in an answering machine (remembering to tape a professional message just in case you get THE call from an agent/editor/publisher) or get caller ID so you don't have to interrupt the flow of words to answer the phone. Either strategy will ensure you don't miss an urgent call from a family member.

Standing up for yourself and setting parameters will help others understand and respect what it means to work at home. There's another important benefit too ... YOU may wind up with an enhanced respect for your own work schedule!

May the Muse be kind!!

Susanne Rose

http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/28-How2-SellPersonalStories.html

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/lucki-in-love-p-342.html
Lucki In Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/the-christmas-promise-p-315.html
"The Christmas Promise," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette
Keep the spirit of the holidays going strong and take advantage of this bonus offer: Just send an e-mail to the author: Susannerose@wildrosepublishing.com with “The Christmas Promise” in the Subject Line. You’ll have to read the story first so you can identify the secret recipe when you send your e-mail. Santa will send you a copy of the secret recipe.

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/forever-love-p-248.html "Forever Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

"Adjusting Entries," coming soon in: http://www.lldreamspell.com/RomanceofmyDreams.html

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Ganging Up on You vs the Buddy System

by Maggie Toussaint

Recently, at a wellness checkup my new doctor mentioned a screening test that I should take. I uttered my pat phrases, excuses really, on why I didn't want to do that particular test.

To step to the sidebar for a moment, this is a test that is critical in my husband's family, but there has never been any trouble of this nature in my side of the family. My husband has faithfully had these screening tests for years. But not me. And I'd already had the guilt trip last year when I refused the test and he looked at me with crestfallen eyes, telling me that my not doing this could jeopardize my health.

Back to the wellness checkup this year. My doctor told me a story of someone who put the test off too long and paid for the delay adversely. She wrote out a referral and said the first appointment was a consult anyway.

I knew I wouldn't make the appointment. But then the doctor asked again on a follow-up visit. My husband asked again. And the insurance company called to ask why I hadn't arranged for the test. Sheesh. I called and made the appointment for the consult.

The reason for telling you this long story is that it would be lovely if we did this for each other as writers. If some of us got together and said, hey, your goal was to write 20K a month. Where are you with your goal? Why haven't you gotten it done?

A writer friend of mine and I decided to try this a couple of years back. We started out as critique partners, but we ended up close friends who wanted to encourage each other. So each week, we report on our progress. Each week we set new goals for the coming week. Let me tell you, having that accountability helps me hold my feet to the fire.

I encourage you to find a writing buddy and to team up as each other's writing coach. Not that you will judge each other's style, but rather that you encourage productivity. We've managed to write through marriages, vacations, family troubles, illness, and more.

The nice thing about this idea is that each person sets their own pace. I believe in keeping the group small. Once you add in more people, it seems like bragging to tell what you've accomplished, and the feeling of accountability lessens. With the buddy system, you don't want to let your buddy down. That means a lot, not letting your buddy down.

Heck. Why limit it to writing? Find a buddy for any area of life where you need encouragement. A healthier you will ultimately yield more quality time for writing.

Maggie Toussaint
a believer in the buddy system, just not for my medical professionals
www.maggietoussaint.com

Thursday, July 16, 2009

How Many Hats Did You Wear This Week?

A small percentage of very successful authors have "people" to take care of all the pesky little details of the business of writing.

The rest of us wear all the hats necessary to keep the firm of Me, Myself, & I running smoothly.

That means it's our job to write, proof, and submit manuscripts. We can't just delegate the task of keeping track of where those manuscripts are submitted and where they should go if they get rejected.

We review the contracts, sign, and return them. We deposit the checks when they arrive and pursue payment when those checks don't come.

This has been one of those weeks when I've juggled too many "hats" and can't help but wonder what it would be like to have "people" to expertly handle unpleasant tasks.

May the Muse be kind!!

Susanne Rose

http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/28-How2-SellPersonalStories.html

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/lucki-in-love-p-342.html
Lucki In Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/the-christmas-promise-p-315.html
"The Christmas Promise," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette
Keep the spirit of the holidays going strong and take advantage of this bonus offer: Just send an e-mail to the author: Susannerose@wildrosepublishing.com with “The Christmas Promise” in the Subject Line. You’ll have to read the story first so you can identify the secret recipe when you send your e-mail. Santa will send you a copy of the secret recipe.

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/forever-love-p-248.html "Forever Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

"Adjusting Entries," coming soon in: http://www.lldreamspell.com/RomanceofmyDreams.html

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Work Habits of the Not So Rich & Famous

Back in the days when "work" consisted of the assignments teachers doled out and my bosses were my parents, I couldn't do homework unless the TV or stereo blared.

I stopped getting complaints about my dubious study habits when I consistently made the honor roll.

Now that I'm the boss, results are still important. It's OK to emulate extraordinarily productive writer Michael Bracken and work on multiple projects at the same time IF I actually finish and submit those projects on a timely basis.

I give myself permission to do a load or two of wash during working hours ... unless all I've accomplished at the end of the day is laundry!

Are you an easy going boss who doesn't grumble so long as the work is getting done, or a no nonsense boss with all sorts of rules like no e-mail until the day's quota of words is finished?

You're the only one who can decide what kind of boss you need to be to encourage yourself to get the job done.

May the Muse be kind!!

Susanne Rose

http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/28-How2-SellPersonalStories.html

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/lucki-in-love-p-342.html
Lucki In Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/the-christmas-promise-p-315.html
"The Christmas Promise," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette
Keep the spirit of the holidays going strong and take advantage of this bonus offer: Just send an e-mail to the author: Susannerose@wildrosepublishing.com with “The Christmas Promise” in the Subject Line. You’ll have to read the story first so you can identify the secret recipe when you send your e-mail. Santa will send you a copy of the secret recipe.

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/forever-love-p-248.html "Forever Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

"Adjusting Entries," coming soon in: http://www.lldreamspell.com/RomanceofmyDreams.html

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Stopping and starting

by Maggie Toussaint

Summer is a jagged time for me to write. I start writing. Something happens. I stop. I do something else. I come back to my story. I wonder what I was thinking. I have to take time to reread what I wrote before I can move on. I start again.

Does this sound familiar?

Seems like I'm doing a lot of writing, but the effort is dispersed over several projects so that no one thing is getting finalized. This is hard for me since I am by nature a linear person. Once I start something, I like to stay with it until I'm done.

But I'm learning flexibility in all things; and really, isn't that what life is about? Adapting to meet our challenges?

Maggie Toussaint
romance and mystery author
www.maggietoussaint.com
www.myspace.com/maggietoussaint

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Modern Technology Not Always Best

Even though I started writing in the Dark Ages (i.e. when only the very rich and famous owned computers,) I've become accustomed to going from first draft to submission ready manuscript without ever leaving the computer keyboard.

Almost. When it comes time to proof and polish a manuscript, the computer leaves a lot to be desired.

Spell Check can't tell the difference between "there" and "their" in the context of a sentence. It just knows both words are spelled correctly. Grammar Check seems to offer the wrong advice more often than the correct choice.

When I print out a hard copy, I swear I spot errors that I never noticed on the computer screen. I've learned the hard way that it pays to put that marked up hard copy in a drawer while I work on other projects for as long as possible without missing a deadline. Coming back with fresh eyes, I spot more things that need fixing (like using the word "hard" three times in the same paragraph!)

What tricks of the trade do you employ to be sure you only send out your very best work?

May the Muse be kind!!

Susanne Rose

http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/28-How2-SellPersonalStories.html

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/lucki-in-love-p-342.html
Lucki In Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/the-christmas-promise-p-315.html
"The Christmas Promise," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette
Keep the spirit of the holidays going strong and take advantage of this bonus offer: Just send an e-mail to the author: Susannerose@wildrosepublishing.com with “The Christmas Promise” in the Subject Line. You’ll have to read the story first so you can identify the secret recipe when you send your e-mail. Santa will send you a copy of the secret recipe.

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/forever-love-p-248.html "Forever Love," a Wild Rose Press Champagne Rosette

"Adjusting Entries," coming soon in: http://www.lldreamspell.com/RomanceofmyDreams.html
 

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