Happy Thanksgiving. I guess most bloggers will talk about the things we have to be thankful for today. I thought I’d do something different. Let’s call this a “tip sheet.” The theme is the best use of the author’s time this holiday week.
• Get some writing done. You can clean house or the garage anytime. Sure, you want to be with family. Write while the others are handling tasks that don’t involve you, napping or enmeshed in their own pleasurable activities. What you don’t want to do is get comfortable watching TV, remain idle while waiting for the rest of the family to get ready for an outing or get caught up in meaningless email conversations or texting. Use this time to WRITE.
• Order those books that have been recommended or study those you’ve been meaning to read. These might include my books, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book (your basic and complete guide to publishing whether you are leaning toward the traditional route, self-publishing or the pay-to-publish option), Promote Your Book, Over 250 Proven, Low-Cost Tips and Techniques for the Enterprising Author (a treasure-trove of book promotion ideas and concrete instructions for applying them for fiction as well as nonfiction books). The Author’s Repair Kit, Heal Your Mistakes and Breathe New Life Into Your Book. http://www.matilijapress.com
• Join organizations that can help to move your writing career forward. For example, check out SPAWN (Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network) http://www.spawn.org.
• Join a local writers’ group and vow to become involved.
• Research blog sites related to publishing and to the theme/genre of your book. Subscribe to receive regular notices of new postings at your favorite blog sites—such as this one!
• Check out newsletters related to publishing or the theme of your book. Many newsletters are free today. Subscribe to SPAWNews at http://www.spawn.org and get a FREE ebooklet, “Promote Yourself: 25 Ways to Promote Your Work, Whether You’re an Artists, Author or Small Publisher.” View copies of SPAWNews at the site.
• Set goals for your project. Do you want to see your articles or stories published in three new magazines/ezines before February? Do you want to earn a certain dollar amount for your freelance work during the coming year? Maybe you want to complete your novel within a certain time period or develop a marketing plan for your soon-to-be or already published book. Set those important goals and create a plan toward meeting them.
Use some of the time this long weekend toward your writing/publishing career (or hobby) and you’ll surely experience great success in the coming weeks or months.
Note: If you’re looking for a good editor for your project before you send it off to a publisher or the printer, contact me for a free evaluation, sample edit and estimate. PLFry620@yahoo.com
Now I’m going to go make some Thanksgiving pies and think about all of the things I’m thankful for—such as you; my lovely blog followers.