"Tap your Chutzpah"
Chutzpah? What? Christina Katz tells us that chutzpah is a yiddish word, with a loose translation of "nerve". This particular day's workout spoke volumes to me. Within the first two paragraphs, she defines the difference between an actual writer and an aspiring writer. Just six complete sentences and I realized... I can't categorize myself as an ACTUAL writer. Actual writers write. I am definitely an aspiring writer. I do all the things that a wanna be writer would do. What separates me from an actual writer? I don't put words to paper as often as I should.
I believe that this book is helping me to be better at that. Keeping up with the Day 1 workout of writing a minimum of a page a day, is at least adding to the word count of my current WIP.
I also believe that this blog is helping me as well. Keeping up with the workout in a diary format really helps keep it all in focus. And to those of you reading me... well, thank you and I only hope that you will stay with me on this journey, or better yet... JOIN ME!
If you have been thinking about really preparing and getting yourself ready for a real writing career, buy "The Writer's Workout" by Christina Katz, work through this year with me, and Dare yourself to be an ACTUAL writer and not just an aspiring one.
See you soon,
Lisa Adams
Friday, January 6, 2012
Thursday, January 5, 2012
"The Writer's Workout" Day 5 - 8 things under $100 that can enhance your writing career!
"Microinvest in Learning"
Reading today's topic in my wonderful Writer's Coach book, "The Writer's Workout" by Christina Katz, reminded me of a saying that a dear family member told me. "You have to spend money to make money!"
If you are like me, you are one of those lovely people that make up the "blue collar" working class of America. We are experts at living paycheck to paycheck and though we may have a little saved up if the heater or something goes out, we are pretty much stretched to our limits. So, the question remains, "How can we invest in our writing careers without breaking the bank?"
Well, you are currently looking at one way, which ties in nicely with Day 4 workout. Blogging is great for social promotion and creating a platform of readers that doesn't require any money to start. You can always personalize your blog for a small fee of usually under $20 and get your own ".com" that links straight to your blog site.
But, I want to talk about some opportunities under $100, that can really help boost you and the career in the right direction.
Good Luck to us All!
Lisa Adams
Reading today's topic in my wonderful Writer's Coach book, "The Writer's Workout" by Christina Katz, reminded me of a saying that a dear family member told me. "You have to spend money to make money!"
If you are like me, you are one of those lovely people that make up the "blue collar" working class of America. We are experts at living paycheck to paycheck and though we may have a little saved up if the heater or something goes out, we are pretty much stretched to our limits. So, the question remains, "How can we invest in our writing careers without breaking the bank?"
Well, you are currently looking at one way, which ties in nicely with Day 4 workout. Blogging is great for social promotion and creating a platform of readers that doesn't require any money to start. You can always personalize your blog for a small fee of usually under $20 and get your own ".com" that links straight to your blog site.
But, I want to talk about some opportunities under $100, that can really help boost you and the career in the right direction.
- Continuing education classes. - Almost every community college I know of in North Carolina has linked into something called Ed2Go. They are distance education classes that are taught on just about anything from teaching to (you guessed it) creative writing and publishing. Avg. cost $65 a class. Oh... and classes start monthly.
- Books, books, and more books! - If you want to learn from professionals how to write, books can be an invaluable expense. Not just for writing but publishing as well. Try Writer's Digest, great selection and sales all the time. Avg. cost $25
- The "Writer's Digest" magazine subscription - No monetary amount can be placed on this wonderful desk reference for writers. 10 issues packed full of writer interviews, tips, website info, you name it. Yearly subscription? $14.95 from the card inside a magazine.
- Online Writer Group classes - I'm sure there are site all over the world for other genre's but since I am a romance writer, I just know where to find these easier. There are so many chapters of RWA that offer online classes for minimal fees. These classes are taught by highly respected authors and professionals of their field. Avg. cost $16 - 25 for a four week class.
- Speaking of RWA - join a professional Writing Association for your genre. Most genres I know about have one. Avg cost $45 a year.
- Local Writing Groups - Barnes and Noble in my area sponsors a "Writers in Motion" get together every 3rd Thursday of the month. It's completely free to have someone to write with, critique your work, offer advice, and for general support. Avg. cost $ a few bucks in gas and whatever books you happen to buy while you're there.
- WD Webinars and Tutorials - Many subjects covering many different genres. These are sure to be a wealth of information. They are a little more costly, but once you purchase one, you have pretty much unlimited access to it. Watch it a dozen times if need be, and feel like the instructor is actually there talking to you. Avg. cost $75-95.
- "The Writer's Workout: 366 Tips, Tasks, and Techniques from Your Writing Career Coach" - I cannot speak more highly than this. I had to add it to this list as a separate bullet from Books because it really has become a Great Inspiration to me as far as my writing career goes. Avg. cost $20. (and worth every penny!)
Good Luck to us All!
Lisa Adams
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
"The Writer's Workout" Day 4
"Promote yourself"
More and more, a writer's ability to self promote has become almost a requirement for getting that novel published. And if you plan on going with self publishing, it is an absolute essential for you.
Today's step reveals basically the same information. The goal for today, is to get writer's like myself from out behind the computer all the time, and stick our necks out the door occasionally to let people know that we are alive and are thrilled about what we've just written.
Website? Well, if you consider this blog... Check.
Facebook? Not for my pen name. ... To Do List
Twitter? Check
Community forums to link to blog... Check (but could do more)
I'm sure there are dozens of other ways to self-promote and I will learn as I go. But for now, I think I have a pretty good start and I have accomplished today's goal. Yes, I am willing to shamelessly self promote. (And ask others to promote me as well!)
Repost this, blog about it, tweet it, Like it, the more the merrier, or so I've been told! Be sure to mention that I'm following "The Writer's Workout" plan by Christina Katz! Swing back by tomorrow for Day 5!
More and more, a writer's ability to self promote has become almost a requirement for getting that novel published. And if you plan on going with self publishing, it is an absolute essential for you.
Today's step reveals basically the same information. The goal for today, is to get writer's like myself from out behind the computer all the time, and stick our necks out the door occasionally to let people know that we are alive and are thrilled about what we've just written.
Website? Well, if you consider this blog... Check.
Facebook? Not for my pen name. ... To Do List
Twitter? Check
Community forums to link to blog... Check (but could do more)
I'm sure there are dozens of other ways to self-promote and I will learn as I go. But for now, I think I have a pretty good start and I have accomplished today's goal. Yes, I am willing to shamelessly self promote. (And ask others to promote me as well!)
Repost this, blog about it, tweet it, Like it, the more the merrier, or so I've been told! Be sure to mention that I'm following "The Writer's Workout" plan by Christina Katz! Swing back by tomorrow for Day 5!
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
"The Writer's Workout" Day 3
"Serial Focus" AKA "What do I need to do next?"
Well, if there's any writer out there who needs it put bluntly to them, it would be me. And Christina Katz does a wonderful job of this, especially today.
Focus. We must learn and maintain this skill so we can succeed. Something so little and so "hey, I already know this!" But still makes you examine carefully. Yeah, you may know it, but have you applied it.
My honest answer, "Nope."
I will be the first to confess, I have about seven different novels that I have written anywhere between 10k and 32k in. I get to the middle, and have a flash moment where another idea strikes me and I run with it. Perhaps, it's a new contest that I have to write a piece for, or a great character that pops in my mind. Whatever, the problem, I lose my focus on my current project. I don't finish, and move on to bigger and better.
So, how do I use this great epiphany in my new writing career? I'm going to go back through my stuff from Day 2 that I cleaned off my computer, pick one thing, load it back on my computer and go with it. UNTIL IT'S FINISHED! If I get an epiphany, I will write quick notes down in one of my several books laying around from Day 1 and then get back to the project at hand.
I've written it here, and it's now hanging on the wall behind my laptop as well. Pick ONE project, and Go With It! Not just finish it, but nail it! Time frame? By February 14th.
You joining me?
Well, if there's any writer out there who needs it put bluntly to them, it would be me. And Christina Katz does a wonderful job of this, especially today.
Focus. We must learn and maintain this skill so we can succeed. Something so little and so "hey, I already know this!" But still makes you examine carefully. Yeah, you may know it, but have you applied it.
My honest answer, "Nope."
I will be the first to confess, I have about seven different novels that I have written anywhere between 10k and 32k in. I get to the middle, and have a flash moment where another idea strikes me and I run with it. Perhaps, it's a new contest that I have to write a piece for, or a great character that pops in my mind. Whatever, the problem, I lose my focus on my current project. I don't finish, and move on to bigger and better.
So, how do I use this great epiphany in my new writing career? I'm going to go back through my stuff from Day 2 that I cleaned off my computer, pick one thing, load it back on my computer and go with it. UNTIL IT'S FINISHED! If I get an epiphany, I will write quick notes down in one of my several books laying around from Day 1 and then get back to the project at hand.
I've written it here, and it's now hanging on the wall behind my laptop as well. Pick ONE project, and Go With It! Not just finish it, but nail it! Time frame? By February 14th.
You joining me?
Monday, January 2, 2012
"The Writer's Workout" Day 2
"Sell your words"
Okay, this day's goal I thought would be easy. I wrote for my page like I was supposed to for day 1 and tried to knockout day 2 quickly. That was somewhat of a mistake. The author, Christina Katz, and my personal writing coach for the year through her awesome book "The Writer's Workout", tells me to print out all my previous writings and put them in a binder to shelve. I am assuming that this is only for awhile so that I may focus on my current writing and go back to look at some ideas later.
The only problem is that I don't have enough paper to print out all my papers to file away! I'm sitting her looking at the mass number of writings that I have on my laptop and realize that, my writing is really all over the board. Anyways, we aren't supposed to be to overly critical of it, just file it away for now.
Solution? Pen Drives! Back up CD's, and an external hard drive. Why 3 different methods? The writing on this machine constitutes a good portion of my last few years of writing. I'm not ready to part with it so easily. (Do I think she means to erase it from your computer? No. But this is going to help me clean up my work area and be prepared to write exactly what I am going to sell.)
After all, what indeed is the reason of writing, if you don't mean to share it with someone. (now I just need to skip ahead to day 38 "Dismantle Dismal Thinking" But, I will resist. All in order, one day at a time.)
With a much cleaner desktop and a good copy of the 2012 Short Story Market by WD, I am ready to begin with my selling and my writing to sell. Are you?? Join me!
Lisa Adams
Okay, this day's goal I thought would be easy. I wrote for my page like I was supposed to for day 1 and tried to knockout day 2 quickly. That was somewhat of a mistake. The author, Christina Katz, and my personal writing coach for the year through her awesome book "The Writer's Workout", tells me to print out all my previous writings and put them in a binder to shelve. I am assuming that this is only for awhile so that I may focus on my current writing and go back to look at some ideas later.
The only problem is that I don't have enough paper to print out all my papers to file away! I'm sitting her looking at the mass number of writings that I have on my laptop and realize that, my writing is really all over the board. Anyways, we aren't supposed to be to overly critical of it, just file it away for now.
Solution? Pen Drives! Back up CD's, and an external hard drive. Why 3 different methods? The writing on this machine constitutes a good portion of my last few years of writing. I'm not ready to part with it so easily. (Do I think she means to erase it from your computer? No. But this is going to help me clean up my work area and be prepared to write exactly what I am going to sell.)
After all, what indeed is the reason of writing, if you don't mean to share it with someone. (now I just need to skip ahead to day 38 "Dismantle Dismal Thinking" But, I will resist. All in order, one day at a time.)
With a much cleaner desktop and a good copy of the 2012 Short Story Market by WD, I am ready to begin with my selling and my writing to sell. Are you?? Join me!
Lisa Adams
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Writer's Workout Day 1
"Write Like You Breathe"
I'm sure that this will be an ongoing goal. But, one that I could set myself up with easily. The object here is to really forget about striving for perfection and to just go with it. Anywhere the notion hits, you should be ready for it.
So, to prepare... since it's after Christmas and I have acquired a plethora of writing tablets and pens as gifts, I have strategically placed them throughout the house. One on the counter next to the stove, a set in the laundry room, on the shelf in the bathroom next to the toilet, a set on the bathroom counter, one on my nightstand, and one on the end table next to the recliner. That pretty much covers my bases on the inside and I hit the outside as well. I have one in my car and one on my front porch (carefully tucked away from the elements). So next time the muse smacks me upside the head, I'll be prepared to reign her in and throw her down on paper :-)
The second part of this is to write (of course) everyday. The coach says strive for a page a day. Anyone can do a page a day, right? Well, of course we can. I mean I have a full time job, five children, a husband, and am affiliated with all types of after school functions, and I can make the time for at least one page a day. But, it's a good place to start. Last years goal was 30 minutes a day and I couldn't always get that one in. This year it will be easier.
My writing for today was totally random and will stay that way of course. I have a girl sneaking out of her house. It was just a set up. But, it lead me to write down all these wonderful questions about her that I know the readers would want to know as well. I have a list of about 20 so far and growing. This will be the beginning of a plot for me once I start answering some of these questions. (Oh, and I actually got two pages down!) The only real thing I know is that it's a YA and I think I'm leaning to a paranormal romance (though vamps and lycans are out of the question.) But, we shall see. Perhaps my writing tomorrow will help answer some of those questions I asked about her. Maybe... she will answer them for me.
Lisa Adams
I'm sure that this will be an ongoing goal. But, one that I could set myself up with easily. The object here is to really forget about striving for perfection and to just go with it. Anywhere the notion hits, you should be ready for it.
So, to prepare... since it's after Christmas and I have acquired a plethora of writing tablets and pens as gifts, I have strategically placed them throughout the house. One on the counter next to the stove, a set in the laundry room, on the shelf in the bathroom next to the toilet, a set on the bathroom counter, one on my nightstand, and one on the end table next to the recliner. That pretty much covers my bases on the inside and I hit the outside as well. I have one in my car and one on my front porch (carefully tucked away from the elements). So next time the muse smacks me upside the head, I'll be prepared to reign her in and throw her down on paper :-)
The second part of this is to write (of course) everyday. The coach says strive for a page a day. Anyone can do a page a day, right? Well, of course we can. I mean I have a full time job, five children, a husband, and am affiliated with all types of after school functions, and I can make the time for at least one page a day. But, it's a good place to start. Last years goal was 30 minutes a day and I couldn't always get that one in. This year it will be easier.
My writing for today was totally random and will stay that way of course. I have a girl sneaking out of her house. It was just a set up. But, it lead me to write down all these wonderful questions about her that I know the readers would want to know as well. I have a list of about 20 so far and growing. This will be the beginning of a plot for me once I start answering some of these questions. (Oh, and I actually got two pages down!) The only real thing I know is that it's a YA and I think I'm leaning to a paranormal romance (though vamps and lycans are out of the question.) But, we shall see. Perhaps my writing tomorrow will help answer some of those questions I asked about her. Maybe... she will answer them for me.
Lisa Adams
January 1st, Resolutions 0... They just don't work.
Today being the first day of 2012, makes people reflect on their past year and try to find better ways to improve themselves in the next year. This is often followed by a list of things that the person wants to change or complete. First and foremost on the list for most.... Lose Weight. (Can you hear my laughter?) Be happy with who you are, accept yourself and others will accept you no matter what! If you want to change...Change. But don't call it a New Year's Resolution, because when you look back on next year, you don't want to say, "I failed last year so this year... I'm going to do it!" I'm sure we've all heard that wonderful definition of stupidity, right?
For us writers, weight usually isn't the first thing on our lists. It's something about our craft, our writing time, whatever... and unfortunately for most of us, we fail these as well. The one's that make it? The one's that have new books that are being published, or short stories in magazines, or whatever.
It's not resolutions or promises that we should be making for ourselves... "I want to write my novel this year and will get it published." Promises to yourself can just be broken when life gets in the way.
It's goals that we should set for ourselves. Measurable, achievable and flexible. These are the things that will work. They will keep us on track, and when you finish one of your shorter term goals, you'll be well on your way to those long term goals.
In essence, next year, you can be one of those that say, "Hey, this year I completed these goals. These need some work, and these I didn't complete. But these goals will be the ones I set for the next year. I will do my best to complete these the best I can."
So, I start today with not a resolution, but a goal. A measurable, achievable goal.
Goal number 1: I will read one page a day in "The Writer's Workout" by Christina Katz. I will try to follow the advice and the recommendations of the author or coach. And I will have completed reading the entire book by the end of the year, honed my writing skills, focused on one small task at a time, and learned to grow as a writer.
Best of luck to all out there with your goals and let's make this a year for writing!
Lisa Adams
For us writers, weight usually isn't the first thing on our lists. It's something about our craft, our writing time, whatever... and unfortunately for most of us, we fail these as well. The one's that make it? The one's that have new books that are being published, or short stories in magazines, or whatever.
It's not resolutions or promises that we should be making for ourselves... "I want to write my novel this year and will get it published." Promises to yourself can just be broken when life gets in the way.
It's goals that we should set for ourselves. Measurable, achievable and flexible. These are the things that will work. They will keep us on track, and when you finish one of your shorter term goals, you'll be well on your way to those long term goals.
In essence, next year, you can be one of those that say, "Hey, this year I completed these goals. These need some work, and these I didn't complete. But these goals will be the ones I set for the next year. I will do my best to complete these the best I can."
So, I start today with not a resolution, but a goal. A measurable, achievable goal.
Goal number 1: I will read one page a day in "The Writer's Workout" by Christina Katz. I will try to follow the advice and the recommendations of the author or coach. And I will have completed reading the entire book by the end of the year, honed my writing skills, focused on one small task at a time, and learned to grow as a writer.
Best of luck to all out there with your goals and let's make this a year for writing!
Lisa Adams
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