Life of A Writer

Unfortunately, life's problems sometimes get in our way. I don't know about you, but there are times when distractions from my life's problems interfere with my creativity. Once this happens, I discover it's hard to focus and write. I can't brainstorm, not to mention put a single sentence together. Death, tragedy, stress from marriage, relationships, bills, those are all distractions, and they can get in the way when we're trying so hard to let the words flow from our fingertips.

When this happens to me, I force myself to get away from the computer and take a break. A break, of course, is the best thing in a situation like this. Aside from the break, though, I do a few other things so I can focus and write through the distractions. Following are a few of the other things I do to help me take control and get back to work, and just maybe they'll benefit you the next time distractions from your life get in the way:

Discover Comfort Through God's Word

The number one stress reliever for me is God's word. When problems from my life distract me from writing, I grab my Bible and begin reading. Often I find the most comfort by reading in Psalms or Proverbs. If you have a hard time understanding the Bible, then I recommend Lillie's post: Reading the Bible: Part 2 - Reading to Learn and Understand.

Write Through the Distractions

You may not be able to write for publication, but you can arm yourself with a journal and pen, go to a quiet place (indoors or out) and write your feelings on paper. Other than reading my Bible, this is the most therapeutic way to relieve my stress from the distractions that are taking me away from my writing.

Pamper Yourself

Soak in a hot bubble bath or drive to the spa. A little bit of pampering could be all you need to clear your mind.

Take a Walk

Put on those walking shoes and start walking. As you walk, breathe in the scents around you. Better yet, enjoy your walk, then pamper yourself afterwards. A double dose should really clear your mind!

How do you refocus when life's problems leave you too distracted to write? Share your tips on writing through distractions by leaving a comment. After all, we could all use the help during those tough times

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Have you ever had one of those days where you sit down to write but found yourself uninspired to do so? Don't worry; you're not alone. Writers have experienced this on more than one occasion. The worst part, however, is when -- despite not being inspired -- you know it has to be done so you force yourself to do your job. But because you're not feeling motivated, the ideas don't flow, so you discover yourself surfing the web or doing other things with the hope that you'll be able to write or get an idea within a few minutes. Surprise! Next time you glance at the clock you realize several hours have passed and your work day/night is over! This, my friend, is called procrastination, and because Michele from Writing the Cyber Highway tagged me, I'm going to share a few of my tips for overcoming procrastination with you. Not just because Michele tagged me, but also because I enjoy sharing what I've learned over the years.

Are you procrastinating at this very moment? If so, keep reading and maybe you'll leave my blog and be able to get back to writing… before you lose track of time.

Overcoming Procrastination in Seven Easy Steps:

1. Night owl writers, go to bed. Day writers, take a nap. Seriously, all I have to do is lay my head on the pillow and the ideas run rapid. By then I'm up turning on the lamp. Next, I grab the notebook and pen from my night table to record those ideas (as I did for this post). Ok, maybe it won't work for everyone, but it works for me. In fact, it works even when I'm not trying to overcome procrastination.

2. Soak in the bathtub or take a shower. When I do either of these two things, it refreshes my body as well as my mind. Go ahead, give it a try.

3. Get organized again. Instead of surfing the web, focus on re-organizing your workspace or office. I learned that an organized workspace does wonders.

4. Go for a walk. Sometimes a little fresh air rejuvenates my mind. Who knows, it could work for you too.

5. Read a book about freelance writing. What better way to procrastinate than learning how to become a better writer. Many times when I procrastinate, I head to my bookshelf and grab one of the books on freelance writing, and 99% of the time, it inspired me to get back to work.

6. Go for a drive on a country road. I've found the best time to do this is in the spring, so you can open the windows and take in all the springtime smells: honeysuckles, flowers, etc. Besides, if you're going to procrastinate, then at least you won't loose track of time by taking a drive on a country road. Well, you may, but you won't waste as much time as you would surfing the Net, because you may run out of gas if you drive for too many hours.

7. Take advantage of those writing exercises and prompts. Since you may surf the Internet when you procrastinate, surf to the tons of websites that list free writing exercises and prompts. Pick an exercise or prompt and do it. By the time you've finished that writing exercise or prompt, I'll bet you overcome procrastination. If not, then at least you can say you didn't waste your writing time.

Those are my seven easy steps for overcoming procrastination. I hope they help you, because they've certainly helped me over the years.

Instead of tagging seven others, I would like to invite you to take part if you like. All you have to do is link back to me, list your seven tips for overcoming procrastination and then tag seven others to do the same. Oh yes, comment and let me know where to find your post. I'd love to read your procrastination tips too.

Photo courtesy: Flickr

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Next Wednesday (Jan. 30) I'll wrap up my Building a Business Blog series at Pure Blogging, and this is where you come in. I'm planning more posts and would like your input. I write on blogging and promotion, but I know there are many overdone topics about blogging and promotion. Therefore, in an effort to try to bring something new to the table, I'd like you're suggestions. Is there something more -- something you've not read at all or read much about -- that you'd like to learn about blogging, promotion or both? Please help me fill my plate by posting your suggestions in the comment area, and if I believe I can cover the topic, I will do so and post a link to it from here; this way you'll know when I fulfill your request.

Surely there's something that hasn't been overdone on blogging or promotion you'd like to learn more about. Don't be shy.

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As I searched the internet today for more interesting blogs to add to my Google Reader, I came across an interesting post about John Chow entitled Blogging Zoom vs John Chow. Yes, it's another blogger talking down about Mr. Chow, but as I read Matthew Henrickson's post, as well as the comments his post gained, I learned a lesson in blogging and would like to share it with you. "What did I learn?" you wonder. Well, I knew John Chow was a successful blogger in the sense that he knows how to obtain a large audience and earn money -- money many of us only wish we could get our hands on. However, I learned through Matthew's post--and the comments to his post--that John Chow seems to be losing many of his readers because he's not giving them what they really want: interesting content.

"John Chow has not been offering much valuable content, if he ever did. He’s just enjoying being on top and earning thousands of dollars per month. In the meantime he is continuing his eating out pictures and traveling being a web celebrity," Matthew said.

Matthew isn't the only one who thinks John Chow's blogging about his trips to the restaurants and constant gloating about himself is boring, because Matthew's commentators seem to agree that John's self-promotion and food rants aren't very interesting. What they really want is for John Chow to reveal his secrets to becoming a successful blogger, but John doesn't seem to be giving them that. Moreover, I agree with Matthew Henrickson and his commentators. I too ran across John Chow's blog one day and added it to my Google Reader, but a few weeks later, I unsubscribed. And the reason I unsubscribed was because I too found his content uninteresting, and I was also hoping to learn from his success, but didn't. In fact, the only thing I've learned I learned from Blogging Zoom vs John Chow, written by Matthew Henrickson. I learned that you may gain blog readers, but if you don't make your content interesting, eventually you'll lose those readers. In addition, the majority of your fellow bloggers will talk down about you instead of praising you.

Personally, I think John Chow's an inspiration because of his financial success with blogging, but if I ever get to where John is, I want my content to keep my readers reading and coming back for more. In order to do this, I'll have to blog about my mistakes and reveal a few tips and secrets along the way, which is what I hope I've done and plan to do more of in upcoming posts.

Do you give your readers interesting content? What are your thoughts about John Chow's blog posts?

Photo credit: Flickr

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Michele from Writing the Cyber Highway passed on the award, A Roar for Powerful Words, to four others and me. When she named me as one of her choices, she had this to say, "Misti Sandefur, at Life of a Writer, who is a freelance writer, novelist, blogger, and an inspiration to anyone struggling to be a mom, wife, and squeeze in the many duties of the writer's life." Thank you for the kind words, Michele. I'm glad to hear I'm an inspiration. After all, that's what I strive to do. Nevertheless, it can be difficult at times to "squeeze" in those tasks while trying to keep the kids and hubby happy. I'll admit, though, without them I probably wouldn't be where I am today, and although I'm still a struggling writer, I've come a long way. Hubby may complain at times, but he does offer encouraging words from time to time. Mostly when the big paychecks come in, but hey, that just motivates me to work harder for the bigger bucks.

By accepting this award, I'm supposed to share "three things [I] believe are necessary to make writing good and powerful," and then I should pass the award on to five others. So, without further ado, here are my three tips for writers:

1. Study the craft. This is something I'm always doing, and believe it or not, the more you study and learn, the better writer you will become.

2. Write often. I believe a good writer is always writing. Sure, we may not find the time to practice writing on a daily basis, but we can write often. Keep a journal to write your thoughts in. Even when you can't find the right words to say, grab that pen and journal and write down how it makes you feel and why you think you've reached that point.

3. Take advantage of writing exercises. Writing exercises are fun and they truly can help you improve your writing skills. In fact, in each month's edition of Coffee Break for Writers, I include a short writing exercise.

I hope you learn from my writing tips and apply them to your writing habits. Now I will pass this award on to five writers and bloggers. I read these five individuals' blogs every night, and each time I read them, I learn from them and apply their advice to my writing habits. Therefore, I believe their hard work deserves this award and would love to read the "three things [they] believe are necessary to make writing good and powerful." I'm not sure if they'll participate or not, but I'll hope for the best. Regardless, I still believe they too deserve this award.

1. The writers over at The Renegade Writer blog.

2. Anne Wayman at The Golden Pencil: The Freelance Writer's Resource

3. Lillie Ammann from A Writer's Words, An Editor's Eye

4. Hope at Hope Writes

5. All the wonderful writers over at Copyblogger

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Gosh darn it, it seems I have my first rejection for 2008. Hmmm… I do wonder if this is a good sign or a bad sign. Oh well, rejections are part of the process, and I might as well start building that pile early, eh. However, the sad part is this rejection makes my second one from this publication, and the publication is among my list of goals for 2008. I can say, however, they're not bad rejections. Both times the response said they liked my ideas and gave a reason as to why they couldn't accept it. This time the managing editor said that while my ideas were good ones, unfortunately, they have an "overstocked inventory" at this time. Hey, at least they took the time to let me know my ideas were good and that I could shop elsewhere, which I have already begun. All I had to do was tweak the query to fit the next publication on my list and hit "Send." Oh, I can't forget, I prayed before hitting the "Send" button, too.

Aside from my first rejection of the year, how has your year being going thus far? Have you had any rejections yet? Are you working on those goals? Tell me all about it. I'd love to hear how things are going for you.

Photo courtesy of Flickr

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Since my work has slowed down a bit and I seem to be caught up, I now have the time to fill you in on my writing goals for 2008. Yes, I know what you may be thinking, "Oh no, not more writing goals! Will they ever end?" Actually, they've probably already ended, except for mine. Sorry, I'm a late bloomer, but those paying clients had to come first, right?

First, I'm going to evaluate last year's goals, and then I'll list my changes (if any) as well as my new goals for 2008. I've found it's better to assess my previous goals before making any changes and setting new goals. This also gives me the opportunity to pat myself on the back for the goals I did manage to meet. If you're still with me, then here we go…

The Evaluation:

For 2007 I had hoped to obtain another steady writing gig, increase my writing income to $1000 a month, publish at least 50 articles, finish the second edition of On the Net Resource Guide for Writers, start writing my romance novel (Fair Catch), complete my e-book on building a successful e-zine, blog more regularly and increase my blog's readership. Unfortunately, out of those eight writing goals for 2007 I only accomplished four of them, and I achieved the first writing goal at the end of 2007.

The results were as follows:

I gained three new clients, thus meeting my goal to obtain another steady writing gig. However, as it often is in a writer's life, I lost the steady client I already had, and as a result, I had to hustle to gain new clients, because I made my biggest freelance writing mistake. This was the writing goal that I accomplished at the end of 2007.

I didn't meet my goal for a $1000 a month income since I lost that one client. If I hadn't of lost the client, I would have met the goal.

I met my goal to publish at least 50 articles. In fact, I published over 100 articles in 2007!

I worked on the second edition of On the Net Resource Guide for Writers, but it took the back burner to paying clients. Therefore, I failed to meet this writing goal as well. Although, I can say I'm halfway there.

Since I'm still in the process of revising On the Net Resource Guide for Writers, I have yet to begin Fair Catch, my romance novel that I plan to turn into a Christian romance instead.

As for the e-book on building a successful e-zine, I did complete an outline and started writing the first chapter.

Finally, I met my goal to blog more regularly (as you can see), and my blog readership increased to an average of over 300 visits monthly and over 400 monthly page views.

My 2008 Writing Goals:

1. Obtain two steady writing gigs.

2. I want to make more money than hubby so he'll stop complaining (and they say women complain too much). In order to do this, I need to make at least $1700 a month.

3. Publish at lease five articles in regional and/or national magazines.

4. Send a minimum of 50 query letters.

5. Continue working on On the Net Resource Guide for Writers Second Edition, so I can launch it in 2008.

6. Complete and publish the e-book on building a successful e-zine.

7. Increase my blog readership to a minimum of 1400 visitors per month.

8. Launch my writing e-course for freelance writers.

9. Break into Writer's Digest magazine, which I'm already working on.

10. Increase my marketing efforts through Amazon by taking advantage of the blog, so you'd like to guides, list manias and etc. I currently have written one so you'd like to guide, and I wrote it in 2007.

11. Blog more regularly on my new blog: Discover Southern Illinois.

Phew, that's a lot of writing goals for 2008! If I can manage to meet all those writing goals this year, then I'll be one busy woman -- but a happy one. I didn't reveal all my writing goals for 2008, because those are surprises for you. So stick around with me through 2008 as I reveal those surprises throughout the year. Do you want immediate notification? Subscribe with your favorite reader or by e-mail. Trust me, you don't want to miss these! There will be something in it for you.

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I’ll admit that when I stumble upon Link Love posts I usually just scan through the links, and sometimes I move on to the next blog on my daily reading list of my favorite blogs. However, tonight I read a Link Love post in its entirety – from beginning to end!

As I made my way to Michele’s blog, I knew I was going to be reading another Link Love post before my arrival. I knew this because she left me a comment saying she gave me some love. Therefore, I had to read what she said and comment to thank her for the love. I had also planned to scan through her links, but instead of scanning I read the entire post. Why? Well, because she thought outside of the box, which in turn made her Link Love post worth reading. Not only did I find the way she chose to give her love interesting, but I thought to myself, “Hey, I would read more Link Love posts if they were all written this way.” I also thought it was a fantastic way for a writer to show creativity on her blog, and I think it would be a great writing exercise for all writers who blog. In fact, learn from this one and try to apply it to your next Link Love post.

I don’t normally do Link Love posts for the reason mentioned at the beginning of this post, but Michele has inspired me to write at least one Link Love post just the way she did. I too may have to think, so it could be a little while before you will be able to read my first Link Love post, but I will write that post and hope that Michele doesn’t mind me borrowing the idea and suggesting that other writers and bloggers give it a try.

If you want to see what I’m raving so much about, hop on over to Writing the Cyber Highway and read Bringing in 2008 with (Link) Love, by Michele Tune. Trust me, friends, it’s a MUST read!

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