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You subscribe to writers’ newsletters and magazines. You join publishers’ organizations. You even enroll in online and face-to-face classes. But do you follow through? Do you read those newsletters, network with others in the organizations and participate in the class assignments? Many of you—if you are honest with yourself—must truthfully respond with a sheepish, “no.”

As the president of SPAWN (Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network), I’ve come to know three basic types of writers. There are those writers who strive to get the most out of every opportunity before them. Other writers might reach out and help themselves to information and resources only sporadically—when the inclination strikes or when they have a few spare minutes. Other writers and authors don’t participate, rarely take part, never contribute and usually eventually cancel their memberships and subscriptions. And do you know what they claim as the reason? They say, “I’m just not getting anything out of the magazine/organization/newsletter/class.” As even the intelligent say these days to express extreme sarcasm in the face of a stupid remark, “Well, Duh!”

So which writer are you? An even more important question is, which writer will you become this year? Reach out, study, learn, glean, participate, network and share and you will more likely succeed in meeting your writing/publishing goals in 2006. Continue your habit of staying to yourself, deleting newsletters instead of reading them, avoiding ordering the latest books or reading those books you’ve ordered and you will probably accomplish the same level of success that you did last year. Now that’s a gloomy thought, isn’t it?

I run a fulltime freelance writing business. I have 24 books to promote. I help to run SPAWN, a major networking organization for those interested in publishing. I write articles for magazines, work with clients on their writing projects and I usually have at least one new book in the works. Oh yes, I also write, The Market Update, a monthly 11 to 15-page newsletter for the SPAWN Web site, which involves a great deal of research. And I subscribe to nearly two dozen newsletters and magazines which I read from cover to cover. About a dozen of those newsletters are weeklies. I’m active on about half dozen Web site message boards. I review writing/publishing-related books which means I read several new books each year. I am in constant research mode for my clients and SPAWN members who have questions. Oh yes, and I keep trying to find new ways to put myself out there—like I’m doing with this blog.

You’ll notice that I reach out for three purposes. I want to sell books and to promote SPAWN. But I am also willing to give generously to other writers. I give through this blog, through the numbers of writing/publishing-related articles posted at my Web site and through my writing/publishing books. Sit down and read my books from cover to cover, apply what you learn therein and you will get back hundreds of times the price you paid for them. I also suggest to the writers that I meet, e-mail me your question and I will take the time to respond.

I urge you to put yourself out there—network with other writers, keep abreast of industry trends and continually educate yourself about your craft and your profession. I have two suggestions right off the bat. Join SPAWN (Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network).
http://www.spawn.org

And order my new book and READ IT. The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html

You might also be interested in reading two recent articles. See my article in the January 2006 edition of the PMA Independent, How to Work a Book Festival So It Works For You. Writing For Dollars ran my article, Booksigning Tips For Authors in their January 3, 2006 edition.

I just wanted to let you know that I’ll be teaching a 3-week workshop in Ventura, CA in February and March based on my new book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book.

Sign up at the Focus on the Masters Web site at http://www.focusonthemasters.com/classes/classes.html

Location: 1141 E. Main Street in Ventura, CA.
Dates: February 25, March 4 and March 18 at 1:30 to 4:30.
Cost: $80 per student.

If you can’t make it to the Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book workshop, order the book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book at http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html and learn on your own.

I am available via email to respond to your writing, publishing and book promotion questions. Contact me through this blog or at plfry620@yahoo.com. I reserve the option to request a fee for my time after I’ve given a reasonable chunk of free time. I have to say this because you can’t believe how some people will try to take advantage.

As a freelance writer or author, you probably set goals, meet them and set new ones several times throughout the year. Or maybe you casually consider setting goals and then never realize fulfillment. Well, here is your opportunity to get it right. The turning of the twelve-month calendar signals the traditional time for goal-setting or resolution-making.

What are your writing/publishing-related goals for 2006? Will you finally finish that book? Are you ready to start thinking about quitting your job and writing fulltime? Maybe this is the year you will try to hit the 1000 mark with book sales or double your freelance writing income. Perhaps your goal reflects a lifelong dream to be published in Woman’s Day Magazine (Reader’s Digest, Playboy, The Smithsonian) or to land one of the major publishers for your novel. Whether you want to write your first novel or children’s book or hit the big time with the book you wrote ten years ago, there’s more to success than just wishing for it.

The first step in reaching your goal is to commit to making it happen. If you’ve never met one of your goals or realized one of your resolutions, maybe it’s because you didn’t make anything resembling a real commitment to accomplishing it.

Secondly, draw up a plan. Uh oh, am I starting to lose some of you? I clearly heard one of you say, “What? I actually have to participate in making this happen?” Yes, you do. Your success is completely up to you. If and when you reach your goal, it is solely because you took the steps necessary—you drove the bus that took you from point A to point Z. But this also means that if you didn’t meet your goal, it was either because you didn’t fight hard enough for it or you set an unrealistic goal.

Your plan includes the actual steps and sacrifices (yes, I said “sacrifices”) that you believe it will take in order to reach your goal. Let’s say that you want to write a novel this year. What is a logical first step? Some of you will say to start writing. And this is a big beginning step. But it might be necessary first to rearrange your schedule in order to make time to write and this, often, takes some sacrifice. If you’ve read my book, The Successful Writer’s Handbook, you know my take on this concept. http://www.matilijapress.com/writershandbookpage.html

Remove all blocks, stops and obstacles that have been getting in your way all of these years or you’ll fail in your attempt to write that novel AGAIN this year. This might mean, cut back on your hours at work, stop watching so much TV, stay up an hour later at night or get up an hour or so earlier in the morning. And then earmark this extra time for writing. This is how you make a commitment. You make the time to write and then you sit down during that time period each day and actually write. Dedicate yourself to your goal and you will come closer to achieving it.

If your goal is to write a book for publication, your plan must include research and study. In order to be successful, you have to understand the publishing industry and the ramifications of your choices within the industry. To this end, I highly recommend that you read my latest book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.com

Happy New Year. I’d love to hear from you as you launch on your journey of setting, working toward and meeting your goals for 2006.

As we close in on Christmas and I think about all of the last minute tasks I must finish, it reminds me of writing deadlines. Have you noticed that most writing projects come with deadlines? Sometimes the deadlines are dictated by a client, editor or publisher, but most often they’re self-imposed.

How do you approach deadlines? Do you wait until the last possible second and then scramble to finish the article or chapter? Do you pace yourself—setting reasonable goals all along the way? Maybe you rush into the project with gusto so you’ll have plenty of time to complete it should something disrupt your schedule.

I think I use a combination of these methods. I’ve learned that the approach also depends on the project. While some writing projects need concentrated attention, others can be accomplished in snippets of time between other writing projects. Timing is important, too. I have to admit that there are days when my brain just won’t cooperate. I might want to spend the morning promoting my new book or editing a client’s memoir, but I just can’t concentrate on that particular project. For me, it’s usually a case of burn out rather than writer’s block. But it does no good to forge ahead when the going is slow and painful. What is a writer to do?

I turn my attention to something else. I’ll work on my cat story book, send out a few query letters, organize my office or go putter in the garden. When I return to the project an hour or a few days later, I’m refreshed and able to proceed and produce.

What is a deadline to you—a friend or a foe? Do you depend on writing deadlines and welcome them? Or do they drive you crazy?

I appreciate deadlines. I like having some sort of parameter within which to work. This month we have a huge deadline. Tomorrow is Christmas. Are you on schedule with your tasks? Will you be ready to meet your commitments? Or have you let some traditions go by the wayside again this year because you just couldn’t get a “round tuit?”

Whether you’re highly organized and on schedule or falling a little behind, don’t forget to order your copy of The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book at the prepublication discount. This special offer ends December 31, 2005.

http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html

It’s only 5 days until Christmas. I hope you’re giving yourself permission to NOT write. At least for one day or a few hours each day, take a holiday break. If you don’t, the season will pass without your feeling as though you were ever a part of it. The shopping you did in a rush and the token baking you did in a huff don’t count. If you haven’t done it yet, it’s time now for you to get out of writing mode—at least for a little while—and experience the season.

Here are some ideas to help you soak up some of that Christmas spirit you may have been avoiding.

• Walk through the mall and be a part of the hustle bustle.
• Attend a children’s Christmas presentation.
• Dress in your most Christmassy outfit.
• Go to church.
• Drive around various neighborhoods and enjoy the Christmas decorations.
• Take extra time wrapping some of your more special gifts—make the presentation as yummy as the gift itself.
• Donate food and gifts to a needy family or volunteer to serve the homeless.
• Do something completely off the wall such as leave jars and cans full of coins where unsuspecting people will find them. Or drop dollar bills tied with a bow outside of a busy post office and watch how people respond when they find them.
• Dress up as Santa, Mrs. Santa or an elf and visit a nursing home or day care facility.
• Throw a Christmas party complete with gifts and cookies for some of the less fortunate children in your neighborhood.
• Do some holiday baking and deliver a plate of home-baked goodies to some who would least expect this from you.
• Write a poem or take wintry photos for next year’s Christmas cards.
• Call a long-time friend or a relative whom you haven’t seen in a while.

Just imagine how refreshed and joyful you’ll feel when you return to your writing work. And some of these experiences might just fill you with new story ideas.

Happy holiday writing, everyone. You can make my Christmas and secure your professional future by purchasing my new book, “The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book.” http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html

It’s less than a week until Christmas and I’m right on schedule with my tasks and activities. Isn’t it amazing how something that seems so overwhelming can come together so flawlessly? But I’ve learned through years of writing for a living that in order to achieve success on a project, one must consistently move in the direction of his or her goal.

The difference between a writer and someone who wants to be a writer is purposeful action. While the wannabe/would be writer just thinks about becoming a writer, the writer has taken the steps necessary to make it happen.

How often have you felt overwhelmed at the thought of writing an entire book or completing an article assignment? It happens to me almost every time I face a large project. But I don’t stay in that mode for long. Instead, I quickly map out my writing course, schedule my time and then begin the process of study, research, interviews, outlining, writing, editing, proofing and ultimately completing the book or article. You can do the same.

It doesn’t matter if you take baby steps or giant steps, it’s just important that you move forward toward your writing goal.

If you need help drawing up your map, read my book, The Successful Writer’s Handbook. This book offers encouragement, tools, ideas, techniques and oodles of resources to help you start a career in writing, produce a book, sell articles to magazines, work with clients, build your writing business and much more. http://www.matilijapres.com

If you want to write a book or you’ve written a book and are struggling with finding a publisher or promoting the book, for example, read my newest book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html

If you haven’t finished your Christmas shopping, your tree isn’t up and you have no idea what to feed the 25 people you’ve invited for Christmas dinner, sorry, I can’t help you there.

What does a writer do when she comes to the end of a project? Many of us panic. We feel pangs of fear and we wonder, “Will I ever have another writing job?” “Will I be inspired again?” “Has the well run dry?” “Am I washed up as a writer?”

What is a writer to do when he or she is flooded with writer’s doubt? I say, get back on the horse—er, the office chair.

I have a love/hate relationship with my writing projects. Once I get involved in the writing or editing, I am completely immersed. I am usually also completely in love with the work. But when the job is over—when I finally finish the book or the commissioned work and there’s nothing else on the horizon, I feel an annoying void.

I must say that it is rare that I don’t have back to back projects lined up as far as the eye can see. Like most freelance writers/authors, there’s always book promotion to do, that unfinished book waiting for attention, the new client on the horizon and a filing cabinet brimming with article ideas.

Yes, there’s always work to do, but it requires starting over and that’s not always easy. I guess this is a type of Writer’s Block. When you’re involved in a project there’s a sense of comfort involved. Each day you walk into your office knowing that you will spend the day working on Chapter Twelve, editing a client’s memoir or finishing up the research on a major article. Once it’s finished, you have to start fresh. If there are no priorities among the projects on your shelf, you must decide what to work on. You have to determine which new project will pay off in either earnings, satisfaction or as a career move.

And that’s where I sit today. My book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book is finished. I have been promoting the heck out of it for the last five weeks. I’ve decided to self-publish my book of cat stories. But I can’t spend my days working on it because, at this point, there’s no money in this work.

One look at my bank balance and I realized that I need to be working on something that is more apt to pay me now. With my current client on hiatus until after the holidays, this means getting back into article-writing, which is how I started my career. I always put article-writing on hold when a book project comes along and when I have a paying client. And when I need some funds, I go back to it.

So this week, I am interviewing and photographing a neighbor who has a wonderful cottage industry going—she designs and manufactures organic tee shirts with gardening and earth-friendly slogans. Country Woman Magazine is interested in her story. I’m researching the new PE programs many schools are adopting. Back in 1999, I wrote about the wave of innovative PE programs sweeping some of the nation’s schools in an attempt to reverse the trend of obesity in kids. I’m following up, now, with what’s new in 2006. I once wrote about mother daughter book clubs. This morning I heard about one instance where kids read to pets in the St. Louis Library. If there are other such programs, I may write a piece on this concept.

The void is over—back to work. In the meantime, I have an announcement. Our Sophie kitty is a pin up girl. A friend, the founder of All For Animals and a writer, Karen Stevens, wrote a piece for CatWatch Magazine about how to keep your cat safe during a home remodel. She interviewed me because of problems that came up with our cats during remodeling projects here. I took a pix of Sophie for the article. We were excited to see our little tortie immortalized in print. But fame has not gone to Sophie’s head. She just took one sniff at the magazine and resumed her fascination with the Christmas tree.

Keep writing. And don’t forget to order your copy of The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book, at a one-time prepublication discount offer. http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here. Our Christmas cards are sent, the house is decorated, ¾ of our gifts are wrapped, the shopping is DONE and my Christmas day menu is set. Remember my plan—to do a little something pertaining to Christmas each day? It’s working. We’ll decorate our tree later this week and I’m knitting in the evenings. Not only that, I am still putting a reasonable number of hours into my writing/book promotion work, too.

Aren’t you just so much happier when you are organized and when you give yourself enough time in which to accomplish your goals? This premise works when preparing for the holidays and it is also important when operating a freelance writing business.

Whether you are an author promoting your book(s), you write articles for magazines or you work with clients on their projects, organization is vital to your success. Without a sense of organization, you will miss deadlines or create undue stress for yourself because you’re always trying to play catch-up. When you lack organizational skills, you risk losing track of important data and information. When you aren’t organized, you probably don’t keep accurate business records and this can create all sorts of problems with clients, editors and publishers. Meeting writing/publishing-related goals definitely become a greater challenge for people who lack the ability to organize.

Chapter One in my “The Successful Writer’s Handbook” includes this list reflecting the traits or mind-set of those who would mostly likely fail in the writing business:

• Those of little faith who don’t even try.
• Those who refuse to make sacrifices.
• Those who are too attached to their own writing.
• Those who can’t step outside their comfort zone.

I would add, “Those who can’t organize their personal or professional life.”

To become a successful working writer or author, one must:

• Make a commitment.
• Establish a routine and stick to it.
• Practice self-discipline.
• Be a bold promoter.
• Write every single day.

All of these points rely on what?? Organizational skills.

How do you develop a sense of organization? In Chapter Ten of “The Successful Writer’s Handbook,” I include a section called “Stop Procrastinating, Now!” I say that sometimes procrastination is a matter of sloppy organizational skills. Here are some ideas:

1: Start by making lists. Before going to bed or before starting to work in the morning, write down everything that you hope to accomplish during the day. I typically write a schedule each night complete with a time table. While I don’t always finish everything on my list, I almost always accomplish the major tasks.

2: Learn how to prioritize. Often lack of organization is a lack of the ability to prioritize. Try this: List the projects you have on the table now—everything that must be accomplished by the end of the day, week or month. Give the most important tasks a “one” rating, the next in line of importance, a “two” and so forth. Transfer all of the number one rated tasks to the top of a new list and follow with number two tasks and so on. Note how much time it will take to accomplish each task and create a schedule designed to accomplish them.

3: Don’t be afraid to make new lists and new time tables, this will be especially necessary when new projects come into your life.

4: Avoid temptations. There are many distractions for writers everyday. And these can be a real problem. It will behoove you to learn to deal with them. For example, say “no” to a lunch invitation with your best friend—opt for dinner out after working hours, for example. Reeducate neighbors to conform to your writing schedule. Barking dogs? Now that can be a real problem to one’s concentration. I’ve handled this one by working with neighbors to quiet their dogs. You might wear soundproof headphones while writing. Move your office to another area of the house.

I’ve been writing for articles for magazines and books for over 30 years and earning my living as a freelance writer/author for nearly two decades. I would not still be in this profession if I had not honed my organizational skills. It is crucial to business success and pretty darned important in managing a personal life, too.

Learn more about how to become a successful freelancer writer or author in “The Successful Writer’s Handbook.” http://www.matilijapress.com/writershandbookpage.html

If you want to write a book the right way, read, “The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book.” http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html

I spent a good portion of the morning responding to interview questions. Jennifer Minar over at Writer’s Break sent me a bunch of questions about my new book, “The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book” and about my writing life and philosophy. It was enjoyable. I especially had fun reliving my experience last year when reorganized my office while on crutches with a broken foot.

I was going crazy after two months on crutches. I was especially feeling an uncomfortable lack of control–as though I was no longer in control of anything because I couldn’t do anything. About that time, a massive, HUGE five-drawer side-filing cabinet came into my life. I had a willing painter and willing movers, so I hobbled to Ace and picked out the brightest, warmest burnt orange color I could find. This is the sort of thing you do when your life seems a bit dull. Well, I certainly took control and gave my life some color.

Once the big “guy” was painted and in my office, I went to work. I emptied the five smaller filing cabinets I’d been using, went through all of the file folders, tossed a LOT of stuff (in the recycle bin, of course) and reorganized mountains of material ito the new filing cabinet. How did I do this with a broken foot? I scooted around the office in my office chair–sometimes sitting and sometimes on one knee like we used to do when riding a scooter or a wagon. I also rearranged all of the cabinets, shelves, desks, I could reach. Boy did I feel in control, then. I was a happy camper.

I find interviews–even when I’m the interviewee–enlightening. I interview writers from time to time and they almost always say to me, “I’m so glad you asked these questions because they made me think about things I haven’t thought about before.” Sometimes our answers surprise us and often they help us to reevaluate our goals.

Jennifer asked me , “Why do you write?” or “What motivates you to write.” I ask this question in my book, “The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book.” It’s a question for the reader to think about. Not only is it important to know what motivates, drives, inspires you to write, it is essential that you understand your underlying reasons for wanting to write/publish a book, for example, or seek writing work.

Why? Because if it is for the wrong reasons, you will fail. What are potentially wrong reasons? Fame and fortune may not be realistic reasons for writing/publishing. An author who writes just to change minds might also fail.

Do you know why you write? I write in order to earn a living and I chose writing as that method because it is my passion. It’s just a good thing that my tastes are modest and my lifestyle expectations resonable or I would not have succeeded in this profession for so many years.

If you have a book to promote, I would recommend that you seek opportunities to be interviewed. It’s fun, it’s thought-provoking and it affords you a measure of publicity/exposure. How do you discover such opportunities? Of course, I seek them at writing/publishing-related Web sites. If you have a book on parenting, visit parenting, family, children’s and general book-related Web sites. Some of them will conduct and post interviews. Maybe you have a novel. Check out general writing and fiction Web sites. Also visit those related to reading.

Of course, you can get gigs on radio and TV. And some magazine editors interview authors. I give resources for finding appropriate magazines as well as radio and TV interview opportunities my new book, “The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book.”

http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html

Visit Writers Break at http://www.writersbreak.com

December is supposed to be the busiest month of the year. But it can be the slowest for working writers. Sure, I can keep busy buying gifts, decorating my home, baking goodies and planning our holiday meals. I can also keep busy in my office as long as it doesn’t involve input from anyone in the outside world. Everyone else is busy buying gifts, decorating their homes, baking goodies and planning their holiday meals.

Clients say, “Let’s knock off for a few weeks.” Editors are “out of the office” throughout the holidays. Publishers don’t respond during the month of December. What’s a working freelance writer to do? Anything we want to do!

I’ll probably spend the month working on my book of cat stories because I’m having fun with it. Yesterday, I organized the stories in a logical order and worked on story titles. Some of the stories are written, some are just outlined and I’m still waiting for a couple of good stories. I want a story about a cat burglar and a really touching or humorous story about a shop cat.

This month, I’ll also work on new article ideas and submit recycled articles both for money-making purposes and to promote my upcoming book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. I hope that before the month is over, I’ll be busy shipping copies of the new book all over the U.S. to eager readers. The orders are coming in at a steady pace. Of course, I’ll be promoting The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book almost every day.

December is also a good time to take inventory of ones writing business and, perhaps, reevaluate goals. I like to figure out what aspect of my business was most lucrative during the year and adjust my goals in that direction for the coming year. For example, I worked with a lot of clients this year. So I’ll probably promote my editorial business a lot in 2006. I will also be seeking (and making) opportunities to do workshops and lectures in order to promote my writing/publishing-related books. Monday, I learned about a writers’ conference in Oklahoma that sounds worth applying for. I’m waiting to receive an invitation.

It’s also a good month to check the job listings in the wide variety of writing/publishing-related newsletters produced now and writing/publishing Web sites. Locate new magazines to write for. Go in search of new publishers you may want to approach with your upcoming book project. Create a promotional brochure for your next book festival or to mail out after the first of the year. Apply for writing work at local businesses. Visit Web sites and offer to edit those that are poorly written. Likewise, you can collect business brochures and offer to rewrite those that aren’t well structured. Build or redesign your Web site.

There’s a lot of work out there and sometimes we have to get in assertive mode to locate it.

Oh, I was published this week in Writer’s Weekly—the newsletter that boasts the largest circulation of any other writing-related newsletter. That’s Angela Hoy’s newsletter. She published my new article called, Stop Writing and Start Establishing Your Promotional Credibility. The article was posted just yesterday and already I’ve received comments, inquiries and even a few book sales. You can read the article at http://www.writersweekly.com/this_weeks_article/003114_11302005.html/

That’s it for today. I’m going to finish my Christmas shopping later today and need to get something done so I can leave feeling a nice sense of accomplishment.

http://www.matilijapress.com/