Writing Non-Fiction? Are you Realistic?

When I submitted my first book for publishing, publishing houses were still viable. I was brave and submitted a manuscript. The returned message was discouraging as it is for most.  I was told I would do better with a platform. 

But that doesn't mean the person without a platform doesn't have something meaningful to communicate. I don't have a platform. I didn't then, I don't now. But I am a writer.

The response I got that day also urged me to try article publishing first. I made queries to several magazines, mostly to no avail. 

I sold my first print article to the Evangelical Church Library Association for $50. It was a fabulous win for me at the time. 

Then, in 2010, I got a gig with a web content company. To date, I have over 500 purchased articles published in 10 years. This is the anniversary of getting my paid writing career off the ground!

Over time, publishing houses went belly-up. CEOs were let go. Self-publishing began to take the stage.

I don't believe in writers pursuing self-publishing with companies that make you pay to have your book published. Too many friends of mine have ended up with stacks of books in their garages. They have no idea how to sell them.  

I do believe in Kindle Direct Publishing by Amazon (KDP), though. I have had good success with it. Look for my books there under the name Rose Garde, Life Coach. 

Editing or Proofreading for the ESL EAL Market

(These details are from work I did several years ago. Rules may have changed.) 

 

With so many new immigrants both to Canada and the USA, there is a writing, proofreading and editing market for the EAL and ESL sectors. The work can range from a newcomer needing to fill out government forms, to an engineer writing a report. Just today I saw a Twitter post about a new immigrant finding it difficult to fill out an application for her child to attend summer camp. I got work for a university professor submitting a scientific journal and students submitting papers (they had approval to have editing help). 

Some people I've helped with their written work have included:

• A scholar submitting scientific journals  
• An executive needing his CV tweaked
• A BSc student applying to med school
• High school students needing essays proofread
• An MBA student's multiple submission of documents 
• A recent immigrant's government documentation 
• A Professional Engineer's report

I offer my services virtually.  I don't ever have to meet a client face-to-face, but I can if necessary.

If you are a writer and want to help out this market try these methods:

• Put ads for your services on online directories such as  www.Kijiji.com; www.craigslist.com; www.foundlocally.com (these may no longer take such ads as they did years ago)
• Use social media to get the word out.
• Post an ad where a local school or college student will see it.
• Spread word by word of mouth.
• Spend time in the ESL/EAL communities getting to know people who may need your help.
• Do quality work and don't get pushed around.

If you want to do this type of work, set boundaries. For instance, it won't help a student if you significantly change their writing. Their professor or potential employer needs to see a true representation of their abilities through their writing.

Use the Right Style Guide 

Be careful to ask if there is a specific style guide you're to follow eg. APA, ALA, CMOS, or other. Scientific writing is much different than writing for the arts. 

Decide how you will do this work. When I started, I worked in person with one client.

Another author brought a thumb drive to my house and picked up the changes a few days later. 

Then I began email exchanges with clients. 

How to Do it

I always edit in MS Word with track changes on. I send back a marked-up and a final copy. I allow one revision in the price quotation.

I have found I need to charge more for most ESL/EAL writing when the grammar is extremely choppy. It takes time for me to understand what is being communicated. That is more time-consuming than simple editing. It is about making the writing make sense. 

Getting Payment

I usually send back the work and then forward an invoice to be paid through PayPal. 

I had one student who wanted to ignore the invoice and when she did pay it, complained about having to pay the Paypal service fee. In the future, I may only return half a document until it is fully paid. 

If you have an idea of how to do this more effectively, perhaps with a document download prevention program until payment arrives, that would be ideal. 

Editing and Proofreading Help for the ESL/EAL Student

I live in Southern, Ontario, Canada but I can edit your ESL/EAL work, in most cases, no matter where you live!

Take Writing Breaks When Motivation Lulls

This is probably an unnecessary tip to share:

take a break when you have nothing to write. 

For the last few months, I have not been motivated to write due to my involvement in a non-profit websleuthing project. 

I have been working on a new book that I hope to release and sell. After going through it multiple times and making several edits, I finally decided to put it aside for a fresh look later. I then thought about going back to article writing, but every time I sat down at the computer, I felt brain-dead. I had no motivation to write. While some of my old articles have sold, I know that if I don't put out anything new, the money will eventually dry up.

Today, I would like to suggest that if you experience a lack of enthusiasm when writing, you should take a break and do other things instead. There's no point in spending time on writing when your heart isn't in it. Wait for your inspiration to return and don't feel guilty for taking a break.

Here's to regaining motivation shortly!

The Power of Writing

I Am a Writer

Reprinted from a 2013 blog post.

This is a cover my daughter and I
designed for a competition we
didn't win.

Yesterday I brushed past this blog, read the stats and clicked on to my next blog, checked its stats and moved on.  I had nothing new to write.  I was empty. There was zip, nada, nil, zero.  As the day wore on I wondered how I could possibly be a writer and be word-dry.

As dawn broke this morning (well, dawn didn't exactly break--it was rainy and dark), I headed to the computer with my coffee.  "Oh," I said to myself, "Today will be a good writing day.  It's always good to write in the rain because there is no temptation to play in the sun instead."

So I zipped past my blogs again, hoping to fill them with something to keep them optimized, but nothing profound came.

Instead of doing any actual writing today, I fell back into the old R&R routine, Read and Research.  

By mid-afternoon I stumbled upon some interesting free downloads and in them was the concept I'm about to explain. The reason I've chosen to add it here is because half an hour prior, the same concept came across my path. It seemed like something I was meant to share. 

When a concept crosses my path twice in short stead, especially by two distinct individuals who, as far as I know, aren't connected, I pay attention.

THE CONCEPT

The first writer shared that if you make vague "I want" type goals, you merely attract more of the same.  You attract a recurring want.  For instance, if you state, “I want to be a competitive jockey,” your time and energy will result in that outcome--the wanting to be a jockey.

Instead, you should say, "I am a jockey and will compete competitively in 2014." With this stronger version of the same thought, you will be more likely to take steps to actually fulfill the goal.
  
Tonight I re-read a free download called You Are a Writer (So Start Acting Like One), by Jeff Goins http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007YJEIAS?tag=kiq-free-e-20.  In this little ebook, Goins suggests a person needs to believe they are what they want to be and then start acting like it.    

That goes with something I discussed with my diet coach too.  I suggested to her I do some visualization seeing myself as thin and seeing the scale reporting a lower number. The concept is this:  If you want to be a thin, healthy person, say, "I'm a thin and healthy person."

If you want to be a writer, say, "I'm a writer."

Don't wait for someone to validate the idea.  Don't keep wishing for it.  Accept your calling now. 

2019 Tip List for Writers

So you want to write and perhaps become published. Here is your 2019 kick-off list of suggestions:

1. Get a computer with a word program as eventually all needs to be entered into the computer (even if you start your writing in a journal).
2. Set aside time to write and let your family know you're going to be preoccupied.  Perhaps build it into your schedule.
3. Start writing at your sitting. Let all your ideas pour out. I insist, this is the favorite part of a writer's hobby or craft.
4. At your next sitting, either choose the "carry on where you left off feature" in Word and continue writing, or read back what you wrote previously to remind yourself of the flow and carry on.
5. Write simply as though you're talking to someone. Don't use big words if you can get by with a simpler word. The average reader has a grade 8 to 10 comprehension.
6. Vary your words. Don't use the same one repeatedly. Use the synonym feature to alter your words as I did here with the words vary and alter.
7. Edit by reading back quietly or aloud. Take out excess words. Fix awkward sentences. Start moving things around so the piece flows better.
8. Remove extra information that doesn't move the story along or help explain the points. (Being willing to cut large amounts takes bravery because we get attached to our thoughts.)
9. Research and be mindful not to violate copyright laws. Give references for facts, Bible verses, and quotes no matter how familiar.
10. Read your piece  back again as though you are the targeted reader, or better still, have it read to you by pasting it into NaturalReader.
11. You can print your work if you feel it is helpful to do so. This can help when you significantly need to move things around. But you don't HAVE to print it out.
12. Keep reading and learning. The best writers are readers.
13. Join Facebook writer groups to gain motivation and free tips.
14. If you want to self-publish, forget those agencies that make you pay to have your book published. Go to Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) and start with a Kindle book. Read their many instructional tutorials to learn just what to do.
15. If you want to try your hand at selling articles, look into Writing for Dollars, Contant-Content or other freelance content writing opportunities, or look into the guidelines of magazines who accept submissions.
16. Add balance into your writing days by going for walks, joining an exercise group, finding social outings, and so on, because refreshing your mind and body will help your writing. You may also find fresh material when out with others.
    
    
    Well, I could go on. This list should help you for now. 

Do You Know How to Show Versus Tell?

Since I don't often write fiction, I might not be the best person to describe the Show, Don't Tell principle of writing. It is, nevertheless, an important writing skill to hone. It is as important to hone as learning to write in active tense rather than passive or past tense. 

Just 12 years ago, or so I was tutoring a high school student. I was teaching him based on old rules. I taught him to embellish his sentences with flowery adjectives. I didn't know doing so was now passe. No, we are not to say she donned a very lovely dress--(very and words that end in ly are now to be axed.) 
The point is, that we need to keep up with new writing rules. 

So back to the show versus tell example. The manuscript I'd looked at for a woman had less than intriguing descriptions. One example is this:

Bob picked up his toothbrush, squeezed toothpaste onto it and began to brush his teeth. Then he turned off the tap, the lights, and made his way to his room. He pulled the blanket off the bed and climbed in. He was troubled because his wife was so belligerent to him and had cheated on him.   

I only saw part of the manuscript, so I'm not sure if this detail is important. However, it feels like too much detail, and the author is telling what took place rather than showing it.

I'm not sure the sample showed anything about Bob's character or appearance or that he was brushing his teeth was important to move the story along. I mean, don't we all do this at night to get ready for bed? Isn't it a little insulting to the reader to give so many obvious details? Could she not as easily have said: Bob got ready for bed?

Again, I'm not an experienced fiction writer, but I'll give it a go at a rewrite:

Bob gripped his toothbrush tightly, brushing his teeth rapidly before making his way to the empty bed, "Why did she have to cheat on me? What do I do now? I can't stay at my brother's house forever."

The single bed seemed small, the room dark and lonely. The thin flannel blanket would be Bob's only solace as he processed the newly uncovered truths. 

Again, I'm not a fiction writer so not sure I nailed it, but the second format explains the same series of events as the first, but in a way that unfolds the story a little more. Thoughts? 

Are you Open to Learning?

I recently reviewed a manuscript from an aspiring writer. We've all been there--in the early exciting stages of creating. We invest our emotions into our work, believing it's ready for publication, only to be told there's still room for improvement. 

As writers, though we aspire to become better, the journey towards mastery often takes time and continuous effort.

It's easy to become overly attached to our work, not necessarily because it's outstanding and ready for publication, but rather due to the substantial time and effort we've invested in it. We argue, our heart was in the right place. And Christian writers argue, but this is what God told me to write. 

But we exist in the real world and it's important to become aware that even if we've poured our entire being into a project, it's important to stay open to criticism and correction.

The individual I mentioned earlier appeared to believe that her three manuscripts were ready for publishing. From my brief interactions with her, it was clear she was defensive about her work.

Attachment Issues 

I understand where she was coming from. One book I was writing for stay-at-home moms I began when my children were just entering school. That was twenty-five years ago now. I worked on it off and on over years and submitted it to a publisher eventually. But it was rejected. I revamped it and put out a shorter self-published ebook version a few years ago and I haven't sold one!

I invested so much of myself into that project. I was sure it was part of God's plan for me to get it out there for women who were at-home moms as I had been for many years! 

After dedicating countless unpaid hours to the manuscript as I had, my natural inclination was to desire tangible returns. Whether it was seeking acceptance from an editor or publisher or opting for self-publishing on platforms like Amazon, my ultimate goal has been to earn royalties and see the fruits of my labor acknowledged. 

The Value of Critiques

The reality for a writer is that rejections and critiques are part of the journey. (And don't get me started on reviews. It's best for my self-esteem that I don't read reviews.)

To become a good writer requires ongoing learning and multiple edits of our work. We can always learn from other writers--not just from their books, but from their input in online support groups or through local meetups. There are also online articles and ebooks on the topic of writing that can help us learn and grow in our writing. 

Tough Skin 

My web content articles are always edited/critiqued before I am allowed to offer them for sale. I've had to develop tough skin. Sometimes the editors have been off base. Sometimes an editor points out a stylistic change which I don't agree is necessary, it's just what they prefer. I become frustrated in those cases. So, when I get that type of feedback, I often walk away for a bit of time and face it when I'm ready to. 

Where my eBooks are concerned, I'm a little more timid about putting them past another set of eyes. I once paid $500 to have a manuscript critiqued. In the end, the comments were valuable, but at the time I felt massacred. I scrapped the entire manuscript and started over eventually self-publishing it on Amazon.

Are you prepared to take feedback on your writing? Or are you convinced you are stellar enough? 

Will you dedicate yourself to ongoing learning so you can improve your writing?

Do You Have Role Models?

Do you have role models in your life?

Every now and then you meet someone who inspires you.  It may be their smile, their friendly personality, their demeanor, their thoughtfulness, their spiritual faith...

Role models can be picked up through books too. It's amazing how certain authors have impacted my life personally. I like to follow them on social media to stay inspired. I like to buy more of their books as they come out. 

We are always drawn to others who have something we'd like to emulate or who impact us in positive ways.

Social networking and the Internet are great ways to pick up mentors or role models that can come right into your home virtually at any time. 

It's good to keep a few good models in our relationship satchel even if we only admire them from afar, through the pages of a book, or through their blog posts.  When we get side-tracked they will inspire us.  When we are lost, visiting them in person or virtually helps us feel "found" again.

Who do you have on your list?

Reference Your Work

I'm popping in here to write about a thought I wanted to share. 

When I had a book critique done, the editor doing the critique criticized me for having dictionary definitions in my work. She said it was the sign of immature writing. I took them out. 

What do think about that comment? 

The decision to include dictionary definitions is entirely yours. In the end, the impact of integrating definitions hinges on how seamlessly they enhance the overall quality of your writing.  However, it is advisable, at the very least, to enclose direct quotes in quotations and provide proper citation or footnotes to acknowledge the sources.

The same goes for Bible verses. But be aware, some of today's publishers prefer writers paraphrase the meaning of a Bible verse rather than fill their manuscript with direct quotes. 

If you do quote a Bible verse word for word, please also apply the proper quotation marks and add the reference.  

Here are examples of how to show Bible verse quotations (notice the brackets and the punctuation). In the ebook that included these, in the opening remarks, I posted this statement: 

Scripture quotations marked are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission.  All rights reserved worldwide.

Whenever I used an alternate version of the Bible, I added the version in the quote as in this example: 

 

“And your ears shall hear a word behind you,

saying, “This is the way, walk in it, when you turn

to the right or when you turn to the left”

(Is. 30:21 ESV).

 "As the heavens are higher than the earth,

so are my ways higher than your ways

and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isa 55:9).

Edit Until...

Writing is the easy part. You sit at a computer or pull out your journal and spew your thoughts. But if you want to share or publish your writing, editing is necessary. Blog posts can get away with a little less work, but articles take more editing. 

When I edit something I've thrown together, I first try to decide where I to go with it. It has to serve a purpose. It has to ask and answer a question. There needs to be flow. The sequence has to make sense. 

(That being said, I've gone back over some things I've written and published and much later see it could have flowed better. We are always a work in progress.)  

Cut Words

Cutting unnecessary words is an important edit. When I write eBooks, not only do I cut the unnecessary words I notice, I go to lists of words I've saved that professional editors say to cut (you can find lists online). I do a word search on various words or phrases and cut them out drastically.

It's always a good idea to give yourself time between edits even if it is simply minutes. 

I edit an article, leave it to work on another, and return to it later. I do this on and off until I can read an article through without making a change. Then I know it's ready. 

Of course, the perfectionist in most writers keeps seeing more to change. When this becomes problematic, I just call it quits. I say it's good enough, and I send it in to the editors. 

Today's Tip

Today's Tip:



Write like nobody's reading.



Write for fun.

Improve Your Writing Skills

The best way to improve on your writing is to write, then go back in a few days and re-read what you've written. 

A second way is to write, and then ask an outside writer, proofreader or editor to give you feedback.

A third way is to write and submit your work to a site that screens it through an editor.  Then take heed to the feedback, if any is offered.

Blogging is another great way to grow your writing skills.  You are nudged to update your blog, and thus write.

One suggestion of how not to test your writing skills is through contests.  Many contests are set up to earn money off new writers who pay an entry fee.  Your piece may not even be read.  Look for other ways to have your writing viewed and then try to sell your writing, not the other way around!

Whats the ROI for your Reader?

What is ROI in the World of Writing?

ROI means return on investment. Of course, a writer hopes to gain a return on investment of their writing time and sense of commitment. But it's important to note, the reader also wants an ROI on their money invested and time taken to read the book or article. 

Aside from the eBooks I write, I'm also a web content article writer. I write on a variety of topics customers use in print publications and in online websites. When I write articles, I try to have an ROI for the reader in mind. That is, I try to give them something in exchange for the time they've given to read my article. There has to be a takeaway.

ROI for Readers 

After reading my article or ebook, I hope my reader has learned something new, become more motivated, been inspired, or become better informed about the subject matter. I want my readers to discover easily understood takeaways. 

One book for writers I read so long ago (I can't remember its name) suggested every page have a takeaway--something that makes them want to turn the page and stay engaged. Now, that is a tall order!

What's Your Takeaway?

If your book doesn't have an easily understood takeaway, perhaps you should take a second look. Here is an exercise that may help you hone your writing. 

Finish these sentences:

This book will give the reader information or hope about ______________; this book will give the reader greater faith or inspiration because ________________; the reader will feel a greater sense of _____________ after reading this book because _____________. This book will help the reader take this type of action ________________.

There is so much more to say on this subject, but I'll save it for another post.  In the meantime, feel free to share your comments below.

Writing for Pay is Hard Work and Demoralizing

A book critique I had done by a published author almost turned my writing world upside down! 

I expected she would love my book. But she tore it apart with red ink everywhere! 

I let it simmer for some time, packing the brown envelope away into a drawer, before ever returning to it. 

When I returned to the manuscript, I took her criticism to heart and re-wrote almost the entire book. Then I went ahead and published a new version on my own deciding not to get another critique or hire a professional editor. 

I charge about the price of a Starbucks Grande for my books. KDP takes their cut of the payment. In that case, why would I invest $500 or so in something where I may earn back less than $100? 

This is my blog and a place where I'm allowed to vent. It is my safe space. So here it goes:

Writers give up plenty of free time because they have something to say and love writing. It's as simple as that. 

Being a Christ-follower, I know Jesus said, a worker deserves her wages. That being said, Jesus doesn't seem to shower me with income from my writing. It's pretty independable! That part I will never understand this side of heaven. I mean, if He called me to be his scribe, why not pay me a decent worldly income for doing so? 

Putting out a blog post, article, or Kindle book in front of the general public is scary. Selling any book or article is a risk. It's one I take regularly. 

A Tool Called Natural Reader

Are You Called to be an At-Home Mom 
book on Kindle

I may have offered these ideas before. Just now, I re-loaded a nifty program I had on my last laptop. It's called "Natural Reader." Get it here. 

It's just another way to proofread your documents. Choose the voice you'd like to read your document, upload your document and hear it read. 

I've used this program for editing. It allows me to rest my eyes at times. It allows me to walk around the room, stand, and just listen. If it reads well, I'm set. If it does't read well, I'm sure to catch the needed changes.  

There are times I rush to publish or send in my submissions without leaving a block of time for my mind to simmer. More often than not, leaving a block of time between writing and editing is better. Leaving my writing overnight, over a few days, or even over months or years allows me to return to my writing with fresh eyes. 

I want to put out my best work, which often requires several go-throughs. Natural Reader is one more tool I often use. 

Late Night Writing and Other Matters

It's late at night. I was about to head to bed, but I felt the need to update this blog. 

I am accustomed to staying up late at night. It seems to be a part of my natural rhythm. Since I work from home, I often feel compelled to strike a balance between writing and taking care of household chores that surround me. If I were working in an office, I wouldn't constantly be reminded of the things that need to be done. I find that I can write better during late hours, perhaps because I am free of the competing thoughts and distractions that come up during the day.

Not only do I tend the home, but my dog can be pretty bossy demanding walks as often as possible. She doesn't understand, "Momma's got to sit and write today." 

My dog is a good fitness coach, but everything I do for her is time-consuming too. My writing is often traded off for dog walks, shampoos, and feedings. 

By day's end, it seems natural to push aside all the other responsibilities and finally focus on writing. The husband is in bed, and the dog sleeps at my feet. 

SOMETHING TO CLARIFY 

But the above isn't what I was going to share just now. Here's what I wanted to write about dreary-eyed as I am:

During a recent meeting, a woman shared off to the side her suspicion towards individuals who have experienced a difficult situation, wrote a book or became a speaker and earned a significant amount of money from doing so.

I wanted to correct her. Why? Because most writers don't make millions of dollars from their books. That is a myth many believe.

The person this woman was referring to who had solved her problem and written a book wasn't a high-profile individual with a broad platform. Today, publishers will rarely take on an average person. They want writers with credentials. They want to know the writer will bring in book buyers and do successful marketing themselves. Becoming published is hard enough and selling books is harder. 


DEBT

The idea that an average woman who's written a book will make millions is inaccurate. Most writers put in more unpaid time than they will ever make back. Publishing on Kindle is free, but Kindle takes a cut of the sales. Personally, I only make about $2 to $4 per book. It makes it hard to justify all the time I put into my ebook writing.

Self-publishing hard copies is even more problematic. It's difficult to sell hard copies especially when shipping costs need to be factored in. Shipping across borders is even more problematic as there may be exchange rates and duty payments included. 

I know a few women with garages full of unsold self-published print books. And these are books they paid out-of-pocket to have produced. Some will see a financial loss. 

Why Writers Write 

I pondered this friend's statement and reflected on it as the web content and eBook writer I am. I decided the purpose of writing for most writers is to share our story with the hope to encourage or inspire someone. We may hope to hit it big financially, and that's not unheard of, but we write because we have something to say. And more of us write because we love writing. 

The woman seemed to mock the idea of the woman writer's sad story. But most good stories have a crisis and turning point in them. Even self-help books point to problems and provide solutions. Hallmark movies always have a crisis and turning point. (I know there are more official terms, but I can't think of them just now.)  

Sad stories are part of telling a story. 

I'm not sure what the woman was so skeptical of unless she sensed impure motives by the woman speaker she'd recently listened to who had a book for sale. Maybe she wasn't impressed with her story. That's okay. She doesn't have to buy the book. 

A Writer's Life Needs Balance

(reprint of article from 2011)

As I have mentioned in this blog, writing is something I must do.  I write all the time, not always on paper or on the screen, but in my head. 

I gather information when I'm out and about,  and ponder how to turn it into an article. While working in the garden, doing chores or walking the dog, I write in my mind.  When I read something online, I want to write my own version, summarize it, or go off in a new direction from the idea sparked. 

Author Judith Couchman has a quote in her book Designing a Woman's Life, "Many competent women have a difficult time distinguishing between passion and workaholism."  She points out that a passion feeds you while addictiveness devours you. A passion brings out a fuller, happier person while addiction leads to discontentment and isolation.  She also hints that our passion can interfere with our spirituality when we put it ahead of God and nurture of our spiritual being.

Balance is Needed 

When you become a writer, it's hard to shut the thoughts off when they seem to be flowing from fingertip to screen so well.  Dinners have burned because I've spent time writing in between cooking.

I've spent way too many nights writing into the wee hours of the morning.  It's hard to say goodbye to imaginary characters or audiences for the night.  It's hard to resist sitting at the computer upon rising to do more writing.  

The Need to Get Work Done

When you become a freelance writer working from home, you need to get the work out or you'll have no income.  The more you write, the more you will sell and the more income you'll make.  It's easy, then, to become tied to your computer.

When you write at home, it's easy to become isolated.  And, as with any passion, it's easy to one day hate your passion for its inability to give back and meet your other needs.  In other words, when your written passion becomes an addiction, it can rob and cheat you.

What's the Remedy

So what's the remedy?  Writers must force themselves to build balance into their lives.  They must say no to the keyboard.  They must go and visit with family members.  They must get fresh air and exercise.  They must be involved in more than their writing if they want a balanced life.

How is your balance?

  

Gift Shops, Magazines, and Ezines

GIFT SHOP BROWSING

I just returned from a short trip that included a stop at a gift shop. There's something that may never change, and that is my love for visiting gift shops.  I'm a self-confessed gift-shop junkie.  

One area of the gift shop I'm always drawn to is the magazine racks.  There is a magazine for almost every subject!  Yes, of course, we can read all types of information on the Internet, but one thing magazines do is provide gorgeous glossy pictures.  I'm a visual learner and artist, and pictures draw me in. They show me on-trend decor.  They are where I find most of my ideas for decorating.  They teach how to complete a craft.  Pictures show great depictions of cities and tourist destinations, allowing us to imagine them better than printed descriptions ever could.

WRITING TO SELL

It is still tedious querying to write for a magazine, but I'm happy when articles I've written have been purchased and used in online magazines.  

Articles can be purchased through Constant Content by anyone in need of an article. That might include:  website managers, magazine publishers, newspaper editors, and bloggers. 

My articles can be purchased under my 

pen name Joy R. Calderwood 

at http://www.constant-content.com/

You Provide the Photos 

I provide the article, and you provide the gorgeous glossy photo!  This is a writer's marriage made in heaven.

Of course with all the web content available, in real life hard-copy magazine purchases have taken a dip.  You might have noticed the resulting compensating price increase.  (I paid almost $20 for a magazine recently). Freelancers, photographers and printing companies still need to earn money to stay viable. If you purchase from one, plan to pay fair market value.

In my opinion, no matter what's on the Internet, there will always be a place for magazines in gift shops. 

Just Write, Maybe Take a Course

When I hear of someone who likes to write or ponders becoming a writer, my advice is "just write."  Write regularly.  Write in a journal, write a blog, write into a computer document.

What do you write?  Most times, writing daily is a good way of purging the brain.  It's like venting on paper.  You write your feelings, inspiring thoughts, reinforcing affirmations, about your day, or about a topic of interest.

You don't have to have a result in mind when you write; not like at school where you write because you have to to get a mark.  It really doesn't matter what you write each day.  No one will be marking it!

An amazing thing occurs when you go back and read your notes.  Your notes may inspire you. They might become the basis for a blog or article.  They ground you.  They tell you how far you've come.

Compiled, your writing may become a good eBook one day.  All writing is valuable--either as a personal release or when used to help another person.

Another amazing thing is you get better at your craft if you develop it over time. I've been going back and editing old articles and sometimes I just shake my head. Some of them are lousy-looking now.

HOW TO IMPROVE

If you get to the point where you want to submit work, you will read submission guidelines. You might also read samples of work.  If the submission guidelines are thorough, you'll pick up tips of what not to do.  If you submit to an organization that screens the work, feedback from an editor may be helpful.

Courses have value that isn't necessarily obvious.  I took a copyediting course thinking I might grow the simple editing/proofreading business I had.  I learned that the editors in that organization edit to the "letter of the law."  They reference all types of "official" rule books that ongoingly change their rules.  To be an editor of that caliber takes far more commitment than I'm interested in.

But what was interesting was how the course helped me improve my writing. Through the lessons I learned things I'd never known.  I also used a critique coach.  I picked up a few things from her, although some other things she commented on were maddening.  In all these situations, I've learned to take away the good and dispose of the bad.  No writer needs to feel discouraged.  A lot of writing is subjective anyhow.  There are new ways of writing that old school writers may not embrace and pick you apart on in a critique.  Be wary, and test your gut reaction.  If God has called you to write something, do it.

Sometimes harsh critiques can force you to make harsh changes to your manuscript that are needed in a good way. Sometimes they push you to write as an effort to prove yourself.  Sometimes the critiques give you the impetus to move forward in spite of what you've been told.

Personally, I think there are too many wet blankets out there.  We are in an era of innovation.  Writers usually have a strong need to express themselves, like I am doing in this post.  If I worried about all my punctuation and proper phrasing all the time, I'd get no where.

So find expression.  Forget about perfectionism.  If your piece is to be bought, it will be bought.  If someone thinks it stinks, fine.  Let them have their opinion. Just do your best work, have fun, and go for it! 

Writing Tips for the Novice Writer

It's never too late to start writing, but you'd better not keep putting it off or it will be too late one day.

To be a writer, you need to choose your media--paper and pen or computer screen--and just start writing.  Pour out all the thoughts craving to be released.

Say Something 

Typically, my writing stems from a wellspring of thoughts triggered by various experiences—whether it's while cleaning the pool, doing household chores, walking the dog, taking a shower, or even perusing someone else's article. 

In these moments, my mind weaves through different themes. Yet, bottling up all these ideas doesn't serve any purpose. I find it essential to let them out. With a bit of luck, these ideas settle and resurface later when needed.

Share Your Writing 

The internet is a turning point for many writers and artists.  It gives us a place to show our work which is much better than growing a pile of journals, manuscripts, or even painted canvasses in our drawers or basement.  Sharing what's on our mind not only gives us joy, but it often helps someone. 

Art by Rosalie Garde, 2015

Don't Limit Yourself 

All those ideas you have can be worked on simultaneously.  You don't need to focus only on one project at a time (unless you're doing a for-pay piece with a deadline).  I might write on marriage, gardening, midlife crisis, or life purpose all in a week.

Have a System 

Create a system.  That may mean setting aside time to write.  Or it may mean setting aside a method.

I have a file in Word called "fodder" and another called "rough drafts."

Fodder is where I collect ideas. They may be cut and pasted off the internet (to use as prompts), or they may be ideas of my own that I don't feel like working in depth at the time.   I also have a separate file for "ebooks I'm working on."

I will scan through my fodder or rough draft files and choose something of interest to work on hopefully to completion and submission.  Then I'll transfer the piece to "submitted." 

Often, a rough draft was written without editing and ends up so long I can pull two or more articles out of it and multiply my revenue.

Joining a group or submitting to a place where there is an opportunity to have your work pass through editors is helpful.  I work through Constant-Content.

Their team of editors checks everything and sends back errors pointing out what's wrong.  Of course, rejection hurts and delays income, but this has been a good way for me to learn and improve my writing.