Writing and Publishing News from

I’m now the proud blogger at two very different types of sites. I will continue to post at this blog site daily (or as close to daily as I can manage). And I will establish a rhythm for the second blog in time.

With the advent of my new illustrated version of Catscapades, Tales of Ordinary and Extraordinary Cats, I’ve also established a blog for those who enjoy, adore and, perhaps, spend their days with one or more cats. Hop on over to the new blog site and see what you think. Remember, this is just the beginning. I plan to learn how to post photographs at the blog and will share some of those that are in the book as well as new ones I come across and even photos of your cats, if you wish to send me some. The most recent blog post includes one short story from the book. Actually, it’s one of the many vignettes that accompany the 36 true stories. http://www.matilijapress.com/catscapades.

Why promote a cat blog at a writing/publishing blog? Because I can. It’s my blog and I can post anything I want to, just as you can and should post entries at your blog site of your choosing. And I am promoting the Catscapades blog and book here because many writers live with one or more cats. Isn’t that right? I’d like to hear from those of you who write with cats lounging nearby on your desk, in your out bin, on your lap, or in a basket you have provided for him away from your keyboard and paperwork. Tell us about your cat, why you have one (or more), how you acquired them, how you named them, how they help you in your writing life or??

Your Muse
I was at the casino on our nearby Indian reservation recently and I noticed that a lot of gamblers have good luck charms or rituals they perform while playing the slot machines. I know that many writers rely on their “muse” to help them create. What, exactly, is a muse? According to my old Webster’s, the word comes from one of the nine Greek goddesses who presided over the arts. We use the term to indicate the inspiration that motivates us to create.

What is your inspiration—not your motivation (that might be money, seeking credibility in your field, etc.) But what inspires you to create—what helps you to create? What do you consider your muse?

Is it something or someone that you value in your life? Is it your value system? Or does she come from within?

Where is your muse? Where do you find her—in your meditation or quiet times, in nature, in that furry critter who lives in your home and heart?

How do you feed your muse? Do you graciously invite her in or do you block her entrance? Do you give her opportunities to find you and inspire you by actually sitting down to write?

Over the years, people have asked me how I overcome writer’s block. I always told them that I do not experience writer’s block. But I realize that’s not true. I am sometimes faced with it, I just don’t allow it to interfere with my writing. I’ve always had a sort of automatic method of overcoming writer’s block and now I believe it is with the help of my muse. Yes, when faced with a blank page or I’m stuck between sentences, I call on my muse. I’ve been doing this for a long time, I just recently figured out what I was doing. Here’s how it works:

When I’m faced with what some call writer’s block, I stop trying. Now that sounds peculiar, doesn’t it? But that is what I do. I get out of the way and open myself up to the creativity inside. Inevitably, I start writing. I can recall times when I was sitting at my computer typing 90 miles an hour (well, maybe 60 words per minutes) and I felt as though I had absolutely no control over what was being typed. During these times, I am aware that my mind is not generating the text. It is something within me that is creating the material which is appearing before me on the screen. There are times when I realize this and just sit there laughing at the process that is being administered through me without benefit of my own brainpower—or seemingly so. After years of experiencing this, I have decided that this is my muse. My muse lives within me. It is a part of my subconscious. She may be triggered by outside influences like one of my cats or a friend, I guess, but she only comes to help me when I allow it. And I allow it by moving out of the way and giving her space.

Is this a similar scenario for any of you? I would love to hear your story related to your muse. You can leave your comment right here—just click on the “comment” link.

Why do you write? Do you write for the pure pleasure of it or is money and/or recognition your motivation? Let me ask this a different way: Do you claim “writer” on your income tax form? If so, then you either are a career writer or you’re attempting to establish yourself as such. Of course, you probably still enjoy the process of writing and all of the challenges that go with it—otherwise, what’s the point of making it such a major part of your life?

If you are considering becoming a career writer, there are some things that you should know. Writing as a career is way different from writing only for pleasure. For example:

• You can no longer write only when inspiration moves you. The business of writing requires discipline and commitment.

• As a career writer, you must also become a marketer. No matter what form your writing business takes, you must promote yourself and/or pitch your work.

• When you go professional with your writing, you will be required to keep excellent records, save pertinent receipts and file income taxes.

• For some who establish careers in the writing/publishing field, the process of writing often becomes secondary to the other tasks involved in operating the business. This is why it is imperative that you have not only writing ability, but the skills and willingness to transition from creative writer to a business savvy writer.

What type of business can you create from your writing hobby? Here are a few ideas:

• Freelance magazine article writer.

• Freelance writer of ad copy, newsletters, brochures, etc. for businesses and organizations.

• Hire on at a radio or TV station to write their commentary/ad copy, etc.

• Ghostwriter—help others write their memoirs, for example.

• Teach writing through a local college or art center or design and present writing workshops.

• Editing and/or consulting services.

• Book shepherd—walk hopeful authors through the process of publishing their books.

• Hire on as a writer for a company or organization.

• Establish a publishing company and produce books for others.

• Produce your own series of books, promote and sell them. (I suggest a series or multiple books because it is rare that you can create a business from one book. However, if you have produced a book and you are selling it, you are in business and must claim your earnings. You can also deduct your expenses.)

• Write a book or series of books designed to promote and enhance your credibility in your field.

There are certainly some innovative businesses cropping up all the time related to writing and publishing. We writers are becoming even more creative in our attempt to ride this economic wave without drowning. I’d like to hear about your writing or publishing business.

As for me, I have been writing articles for magazines for over 35 years and claiming “writer” on my income tax form for all of those years. However, it took me maybe five years before I was actually making a profit. Throughout my long career, I have written and published (through my own publishing company and through traditional royalty publishers) 29 books. About 15 years ago, I began teaching and conducting workshops for other writers and around 2000, I actually hung out my shingle and started accepting clients. Currently, I consult with authors and freelance writers with regard to their publishing projects, I edit manuscripts, I teach courses and speak on topics related to writing and publishing and I still write articles for magazines and newsletters and an occasional book. And this is how I earn my living. Way back in 1973, when I was a young mom and homemaker, I parlayed my love for writing into a business and it has changed and grown over the years—always presenting me with surprises and lots and lots of challenges. And I wouldn’t change it for any other type of work.

For more about me and my work—also a partial list of my books—visit my website at: http://www.matilijapress.com

In a recent post, I suggested that you should take advantage of those articles that contain information and resources that you might be able to use in writing, publishing and promoting your book. Well, I followed my own suggestion this week and studied a few articles on subjects that attracted my attention. (Of course, I do this probably more than the ordinary writer because of my work as a teacher, editor/consultant and organization leader.) But I was shocked by some of the mistakes that I discovered in the writings that I studied. Here are a few problems I found in these articles written by writers and professionals in the publishing field:

• Two spaces between sentences. Some writers obviously haven’t learned the one-space rule. Yup, there are some out there who have not stopped to notice, nor have they taken the time to learn, that it is now one space after all punctuation. I’ve noticed that, in some cases, writers and authors have no desire to change their out-dated ways, even when their error is pointed out to them.

• The article was not proofed. A couple of the articles I read had not been proofed before being submitted. How do I know? From the number of errors throughout. Most of the mistakes had to do with the nature of the word processor and the fact that we can replace words so easily. These writers neglected to remove the words they replaced. We’ve all done it—but it’s important to catch the mistakes before submitting your piece for publication. If you continually miss seeing the mistakes in your work, hire someone with a keen set of eyes to check it over for you.

• Incomplete sentences. This seems to be commonplace today. We speak in incomplete sentences. We write dialog using incomplete sentences. But when you are teaching or providing information or resources, for example, complete sentences are a better avenue for presenting your material or message.

• Nonconforming items in a “list.” One writer did a poor job of listing a group of items. Most of them did not match her introduction. As an example, if the introduction or lead-in states: “When you fly to Honolulu, be sure to,” the items in the list should be written to follow. A correct item might be, “visit the zoo,” or “take a beach tour.” An incorrect item would be, “why not enjoy a sauna at the XXX Hotel?” or “how about attending a luau?” There’s nothing wrong with the ideas, it’s the way the ideas are written. When added to the introduction, they do not create a logical sentence.

• The tense and person was not consistent. One writer changed person and tense abruptly and often—sometimes within the same sentence—throughout his article. Boy was that distracting and unprofessional.

• Unnecessary and distracting sentence lead-ins. Here’s a style that really bothers me. Is it personal with me or is it universal? One author whose work I read yesterday used phrases such as the following to start his sentences: “What I recommend is,” instead of simply, “I recommend.” This is another one of those bad habits that needs to be broken.

• Sentences that are too cumbersome. Everywhere I go in search of articles and books for research purposes, I still find complex, complicated, over-the-top sentences that are too long, too confusing and lack clarity. My experiences this week were no different. (Note: my second sentence here is long, isn’t it? But it stays on track and successfully makes my point, don’t you think?)

I recommend that you print out this list and check it against your current writing project. Practice breaking any of these bad habits you might have. Also study Chapter Nine of my book The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book to discover other chronic errors you may be guilty of so that you can begin changing your ways immediately. http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html

Announcements
I was most pleased to open my email this morning and find one from a client whom I haven’t heard from in several weeks. She wrote to announce that her book, The News From the Master has won third place in the Xulon Press Winter 2009 Christian Choice Book Awards in the Christian Living category. The author is Virji Angelo. You can learn more about her book—a fascinating Christian Memoir—at http://www.xulonpress.com/book_detail.php?id=6420

Also, my formerly feral cat, and office manager, Max has joined Barbara Florio Graham’s cat Terzo’s MEWSical Society. I’m not sure which section he’ll be put in, but I’m leaning toward tenor. As you will see in the photo, he is certainly straining to hit those high notes. I imagine his photo will be among the rest of the chorus within a few days. So check it out at http://www.SimonTeakettle/Musical.Society.htm

Do you think of your reader while writing your article or book? As you’re writing, do you look at your message, story or instructions from their point of view? Or are you all caught up in how your words make you look?

These are important questions that many writers and authors neglect to consider. And this is the theme of my blog this morning.

Don’t lie to your readers.
We’re all familiar with recent incidents of fabrication by authors who claimed their stories were factual. Poor Oprah has been duped a couple of times by authors who wrote stories that seemed too good to be true. Come to find out, they weren’t true. These authors flat out lied, as I’m sure countless others, who have not reached any measure of fame, have also done. These authors tell stories that are larger than life, I presume, because they feel the truth is not as interesting. So why don’t they treat their stories as fiction? This, I do not understand.

This week, a client asked me if I thought it was okay to lie a little in order to, hopefully, attract a publisher’s attention. She wanted to strongly suggest, in her book proposal, that something she was struggling with was a result of foul play—that someone had put her in this precarious position. In reality, she was there by choice. She thought it would be okay to lead the publisher astray just a little since she planned to explain the truth in Chapter Ten.

What was my response? “NO! Absolutely not!” I believe that the true story is more interesting, anyway, and it goes right along with the whole theme of the book.

Before you “lie” to your readers, consider whether this will confuse them or damage your sense of integrity or even spoil your story.

Don’t tell the whole truth.
Okay, what does this mean? I don’t want you to lie to your readers, but I don’t want you to tell them the whole truth, either.

How important is it that your reader knows the character used his left hand to lift off his shoe? Does it really matter that each of the colors in the multi-hued plaid scarf is listed? Must you mention in your narrative that you stopped at the grocery store for tampons before arriving at the important meeting or the funeral? It is not always necessary to include every detail, and it’s sometimes downright distracting and annoying. So I suggest weeding out all of the distracting details and pumping up those that are important to the story.

Don’t try too hard to impress your readers.
We’ve talked about this before in this blog and in my book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. Don’t purposely look up and try to use complicated, obscure words in your manuscript or your book proposal. Often, the words you find in your computer thesaurus are not absolute replacements for the word you are substituting.

But the main reason for avoiding those big words in a book or article designed for members of a general audience is that it confuses and bewilders your readers. It also tends to make you appear to be pompous and arrogant. In most cases, when you are not accustomed to using this sort of language, it comes across as forced and stiff—manufactured, if you will.

Be true to your readers and to yourself when you are drafting an article or a book manuscript. If you do, publication and a level of acclaim are much more likely.