Notes from Minnesota

I'm scrambling to finish my holiday preps so I'm taking it easy on all of us today and keeping 'er short.

The “Santa Train” arrived Sunday and got me in the holiday mood so I plan on baking some fabulous carob cookies this afternoon. Peder (my dear son) took his first final yesterday morning and reports all went fabulous. Maury (my wonderful husband) is working outside in this c-o-l-d weather. He's keeping warm in his coveralls, though.

And me... I'm hanging out with Jake the Min Pin and Rudie the Doxie Cross working on my latest book. I kinda got in the mood to get cracking on it when I heard that Dan Fogelberg, probably my most favorite lyricist/musician, passed away Sunday. I'm a bit blue about that.

May this issue of Writing Etc. find you happy, healthy, and writing.

Best always,

Beth

Beth's Hot Pick of the Week

Big two-fur this week. Pick up a copy of my first novel, The Almach, and I'll toss in a copy of Heart Songs, my second novel.

Both released to fantastic reviews but best of all, they're f-a-s-t reads that'll keep you on the edge of your seat all afternoon.

And best of all, you can nab both books for under ten smackers.

I'm liquidating both these titles because they're undergoing complete overhauls in '08. After that, I'll re-release them with fancy pants covers along with a new price point.

I've got Peder filling these orders and he's got strict orders that Heart Songs gets included with every Almach order.

Here's the link: http://filbertpublishing.com/almach.html

The November Issue of The Creative Mindset Newsletter

If your website isn't as effective as you'd like it to be, you need to snag this issue of the Creative Mindset Newsletter.

I cover all things concerning website creation from fonts to colors. I also talk about your potential readership along with a big dollop of mindset... all the essential information you need to be aware of before you start writing.

Sign up today and get your own issue mailed to your physical address, free meditations, teleseminars, downloads, and a big February surprise.

Here's the link: http://filbertpublishing.com/creative.html

P.S. Did you know that every single subscriber to the Creative Mindset Newsletter will receive Filbert Publishing's next meditation CD titled, “Blasting Through Writing Blocks”? You missed the last one, don't miss the next. Also, you'll get in on every Writing Etc. teleseminar absolutely free. Sign up today to get all the juicy info.


Top Tips To Increase Your Productivity

Beth Ann Erickson

Writing is an odd business. Imagine a career solely depending upon pouring your mental output out on paper.

Never mind.

If you’re reading this, you’re intimately familiar with how we writers thoroughly examine life and are compelled to whip out our pens to comment.

However, the time comes in every writer’s life when words don’t flow as easily as other times. It’s during these times that the following tips will become indispensable to triggering a free-flowing stream of ideas.

So without any further intro, here are the techniques I routinely use to get words flowing into my computer….

1. Focus On Your Project

When I’m writing, my project is tumbling through my mind 24/7. Never leaves, constantly bubbling in the back of my mind.

When I’m shopping for groceries, I allow my characters to “whisper” in my ear. When I’m waiting at the doctor’s office, article ideas tumble through my mind. When I’m waiting in line, a client’s wrinkly lead for their sales letter will magically iron out.

Although writers often appear present and ready to participate in life, in reality I know I’m rarely completely “there” at any one occasion.

Like Walter Mitty, my imagination continually takes me places where I never expected.

And that’s fantastic… as it should be.

2. Invest In Technology

I know. The Internet can eat up WAY too much time.

However, used properly, this vast web of information can become your best tool in cultivating a thriving writing career.

Where else can you find an answer to a thorny question in the blink of an eye?

It’s a wondrous technology that will allow you to instantly find the full contact information of an expert in any particular field within minutes.

It also has the potential to become the hugest time-sucker of your entire day.

Every writer needs a website. Every writer needs to gather information that will help them earn the kind of income they desire.

However, you don’t need to frequent every discussion group. Forget about reading every zine that flits into your in-box.

Learn to skim.

Glean the information you need, snag the resources that catch your eye, pass on the rest.

But remain connected to your community, even if your connection may seem slim at times. After all, part of becoming a successful writer is to… write. This is non-negotable. 

3. Create A Schedule

Many writers practice their craft first thing in the morning. They’re up at the crack of dawn, chomping at the bit, ready to pour their hearts onto the page.

I’m not like that. In fact, I find myself fortunate if I can get much of anything whatsoever finished first thing in the morning.

My prime writing time begins late morning and extends until around supper time.

Get anything on the page before 9:00AM, and I’m quite positive it would look like gibberish.

I rarely watch television, instead opting for my favorite activity… reading.

Ah, slip a good book my way and it’ll get devoured faster than a bag of Twizzlers. In fact, I just ordered four more books for my collection today. Found a new author I like and got ‘em all. (Don’t mention this latest purchase to my husband…. My bookshelves are already bursting at the seams.)

But here’s my point: Create a schedule that works for you. Don’t try to emulate my life. Don’t take advice that you’re not comfortable with. Make your schedule work for your lifestyle.

But do create a schedule. You’ll get far more work done. 

4. Jealously Guard Productive Time

Forget the kids. Chuck The Drudge Report.

If you’re “in the zone” keep typing. Don’t stop.

Close the door. Bark at anyone who speaks at you. Tell them to eat peanut butter sandwiches for supper.

Right now, your top priority is WRITING.

Those “zone” moments can sometimes flit in and out of the creative process so when one graces you with its presence, do everything you can to nurture its arrival. Keep writing. Let the words flow. Don’t edit. Make that little burst of muse comfortable so it will visit on a regular basis.

And when you hit your stride and experience that “zone” on a regular basis, then you are truly a blessed writer.

Now, I realize this list is hardly exhaustive. However, I’ve found these four tips to top my list of activities I do on a daily basis to make writing nearly effortless. And (I’m speaking from experience here), you really don’t want to write your way into a situation where every word you nail to paper feels like an unbearable chore.

With just these few (and incredibly easy) modifications to your schedule, your words will flow like water and your productivity will skyrocket. Guaranteed. 

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Beth Ann Erickson is the “Queen Bee” of Filbert Publishing. She’s also the author of numerous titles including “101 No Cost and Low Cost Secrets To Turbo Charge Your Freelance Income.” Pick up your copy today at http://filbertpublishing.com/101.html She’s also a busy copywriter, speaker, and publisher of Writing Etc., the free e-mag for writers. 

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