May 19-25, 2003 - Time for a Break?
Volume 2, Issue 19
The weekly ezine with a road map for
sidetracked writers.
"Be better writers today
than we were yesterday."
Welcome to Writer-Reminders!
Thought for the Week - Time for a Break?
Sometimes you've just got to drop everything and take a break!
We've been hard at work since the beginning of the year, and I don't know about you, but I really needed a break. The first few months of the year are perfect for getting more work done, but they are a little light on breaks and holidays. So I took a day and completely let everything go--no email, no chores, no writing. It felt so good to just ignore it all!
So if you need a break to get yourself motivated again, try taking off for an entire day. In the US, Memorial Day will be on the 26th so this may be the perfect day to put your feet up and do nothing!
Several of you have written and mentioned how you are writing books and are looking for some specific help with your projects. So join us in June for The Organized Writer's 30-day Write Your Book! month.
P.S.
Check out the latest review of my
ebook, The Organized Writer, by Betty Winslow at
AbsoluteWrite.com:
"With intriguing chapters...and an appendix of 25 ready-to-use forms, this book is exactly what disorganized writers need to pull themselves out of the pit of disorganization they have fallen into."
==> Organize Your Office for Quick Queries and Quick Bill-Paying
==> Four steps to a Perfect Manuscript
==> 7,700 Publishers Online
Mon, May 19, 2003
Writer's Clips
For you freelancers, it's our monthly "update your clips"
tasks:
1. Review your Clips Index and Clips Detail Sheets. Add
new clips and fill in any missing information.
2. Next, dash to the copy center, and make copies of the
clips you have on paper.
3. Update your web site with the most current clips (with
permission first, of course).
Tue, May 20, 2003
Quick Queries
Since we're working on your office this week, how well do you have it set up for sending paper queries?
First, take a minute to think about what you need:
-- Your printed query
-- Properly addressed envelope, with the correct postage
-- Postage scale
-- Stamps
-- Your clips
-- Self-addressed stamped envelopes (SASEs)
Now make sure your office is set up in an assembly line-type of organization so you can crank out the queries.
1. Make sure you have an adequate supply of stationery and matching envelopes stored within easy reach of your printer.
2. Keep copies of your clips handy and sorted by topic so you can quickly grab the one you need. I really like mail sorters for simple organization.
3. Spend a few minutes putting your SASEs together. You can send envelopes through most printers, or create address labels and attach them to the envelopes. Add the stamps, and you've got a pile of SASEs ready to go.
In Word 2000, use Tools > Envelopes and Labels to print envelopes or address labels.
4. In your office, group together your postal scale, stamps, literature sorter with your clips in a mailing station (hopefully near your printer) so you can whip out the queries.
Organize your writespace so you can take care of your bills and accounting quickly (and get back to writing!).
-- Create a special spot to store your business mail (I have a removable drawer in the kitchen that's easy to haul up to my office).
-- Gather together your bill-paying supplies in a portable filing box: calculator, envelopes, stamps, return address labels, checkbook, deposit slips, and pens
Sun, May 24, 2003
Get Your Book Published
Are you trying to find the perfect publisher for your book? Be sure to check out the current catalogs for the
publishers you are considering: http://www.lights.com/publisher/
The site boasts a listing of more than 7,700 publishers, and you can find many of the catalogs online.
Take a break this week!
-- Julie
To
get this newsletter in your email each week:
Get
the book that goes with the plan for only $14.95!
"I'm on day 5 of your book and already have done more writing and compiled more ideas in this short time as I usually do over several months." -- reader M. Howard
M T W T F S S
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ 1. Declutter (only 5 minutes)
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ 2. Read (only 5 minutes)
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ 3. Assess (30 seconds to 5 minutes)
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ 4. Write (at least 5 minutes)
Weekly Checklist
For freelance writers: Use this weekly checklist to find, write and send a query every week of 2003!
Monday
__ Make notes on a new idea.
Tuesday: Accounting Day
__ Post your accounting records.
__ Pay bills.
__ Follow up on outstanding invoices and queries.
Wednesday
__ Find a new market using links below.
Thursday: Errand Day
__ Make copies.
__ Return books to library.
__ Make deposit at bank.
Friday
__ Finish query and submit.
__ Match your query to the market.
Saturday Weekly Review
__ How was this week?
__ What's up next week?
__ Review your Projects list in your planner and check the
status.
__ Jot the next action steps for your projects on next week's
calendar.
__ Backup your computer files.
__ Virus scan your computer.
Sunday
__ Relax and enjoy!
__ Do something fun today!
Thanks for visiting Writer-Reminders! If you have comments,
success stories, or suggestions, reply to this message or e-mail
me at :julie@writer-reminders.com
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