~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Writing Etc. – May 15, 2007

ISSN: 1545-5580

Make your writing sparkle. Write killer queries. Get published.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

To subscr*ibe to Writing Etc. and receive the fr*e e-book, “Power Queries,” surf here:

http://filbertpublishing.com

Hey, did you know you can get your hands on 150+ webpages of fre* writing info? Just head to http://FilbertPublishing.com and dig around. Be sure to sign up for one of our fre* writing courses. Here’s to some great high profit writing.

Forward Writing Etc. to all your writing friends. They’ll be glad you did.

For easier reading and red hot links, surf to

http://filbertpublishing.com/current.html

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Notes from Minnesota

Productivity Tips

Industry News and Interesting Info

Highly Recommended

~~~~~Highly Recommended~~~~~~~~~~

NOTE: Just a few left. Due to a mucked-up ISBN bar code, I’ve got to get rid of stock. We’re temporarily slashing ten bucks off the price of 101. Details here:

http://filbertpublishing.com/special.html

“Do you want a handy little book with some thought-provoking tips and techniques for turbo charging your freelance writing business? Do yourself a favor and pick up Erickson’s newest book. There’s a CD included featuring a High Profit Writer’s Kit.” – Patricia Fry, SPAWNNews

Whether you thrive on cold calling or are a die-hard introvert who can’t handle rejection… these 101+ battle-tested, utterly simple techniques will utterly turbo-charge your freelance income.

Now available as an extremely affordable, instantly downloadable e-book.

Get all the details here: http://filbertpublishing.com/101.html

Get it for ten bucks less here: http://filbertpublishing.com/special.html

P.S. Yup. You still get the free "High Profit Writer Kit" when you get in on this great price.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Notes from Minnesota

Last time we “spoke” I was heading to Delaware. This time I'm heading to Vegas.

Yup. Another writing seminar.

I figure I've gotta keep my finger on the pulse of this industry so I can keep you updated.

In fact, I'm so serious about this mission I'm heading to Friday Harbor next month and (probably) Florida the next.

Dang. I shoulda signed up for frequent flier miles.

But I'm learning tons and will report back the new tips tricks and techniques I'm picking up along the way.

I can't wait.

As a quick aside: You may notice a slightly different layout this issue. Yeah. I'm updating again. I decided to expand the “markets” segment and include interesting freelance news as well... and even a little gossip.

Hang tight, I've got some really fun ideas coming to fruition in the next few months.

This is such a cool job. :)

Talk later!

Beth

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Think It’ll Take Forever To Earn A Great Living As A Writer?

Think again.

With Jumpstart Your Writing Career, you'll discover how easy it is to:

• Think like a writer so you can turn every opportunity into a writing assignment

• Hone your writing skills until they're razor sharp

• Tackle the most lucrative branch of writing

• Learn secrets of fiction to make your story lines sing

• Organize your nonfiction articles so editors will happily publish your work

• Write powerful queries that’ll open new doors of opportunity

• Promote your writing business for little or no money

Absolute Write calls Jumpstart “a marvelous tool for novice writers and often published authors alike. It’s refreshing, easy to use, and applicable”.

Pick up your copy today so you can jump ahead of the pack and start snagging great paying assignments, read more here:

http://filbertpublishing.com/jumpstart.htm

~~~~~~~~~~~~ Feature Article ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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. You need to find a way to easily gather information that will help you earn the income you 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 (tm). 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.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Industry News and Interesting Info

An 8^th Harry Potter Book?

http://tinyurl.com/yq7llg

Defense Department Blocks Social Networking Sites

http://www.poynter.org/column.asp?id=31&aid=123191

Cool Viral Marketing

http://tinyurl.com/34qdqk

GamePro Needs Writers

http://www.gamepro.com/news.cfm?article_id=112309

Yet More Reasons to Freelance

http://marketplace.publicradio.org/shows/2007/05/15/AM200705152.html

Interesting... an African Writing Gig

http://www.bizcommunity.com/Job/196/39/51999.html

EEK! Don't Work with This Freelancer. Note: This one's a little graphic. Click at your own risk.

http://english.pravda.ru/news/hotspots/30-04-2007/90705-sexual_abuse-0

An update:

http://www.courttv.com/trials/braunstein/051507_ctv.html

Claim: James Bond Writer Involved Prosecution of Alleged Witch

http://tinyurl.com/2t36f5

Write Responsibly: Famous Author Sues Another Author for Libel

http://tinyurl.com/3dcwq6

Another Cool Promo Idea

http://tinyurl.com/2o282m

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We Recommend:

Writing For Dollars! The FREE ezine for writers featuring tips, tricks and ideas for selling what you write. Receive the FREE ebook, 83 WAYS TO MAKE MONEY WRITING when you subscribe. Email to subscribe@writingfordollars.com -*-

http://www.WritingForDollars.com

WRITERS FIND MARKETS EASILY - Worldwide Freelance has a NEW fully-searchable Markets Database. Discover writing markets from North America, Europe, Australia and other places. It's free, so come and try it out

here: http://www.worldwidefreelance.com

Information Marketers! Discover the copywriter who knows the unique demands of your industry and can help you sell a ton of product. http://BethAnnErickson.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Feel free to forward Writing Etc. to all your writing friends. Just be sure to include the entire issue. Thanks!

We strive to make Writing Etc. an invaluable resource to writers. If you have any comments or suggestions please send them to mailto:filbertpublishing(a)filbertpublishing.com

For Easier Reading and Red Hot URLS, read this issue online at: http://filbertpublishing.com/current.html

The Fine Print:

You are receiving this e-mag because you (or someone who has access to your computer/e-mail account) entered your e-mail address into our subscription form at http://filbertpublishing.com AND confirmed your desire to receive this fre* subscription via e-mail.

If you feel you are receiving this publication in error, we want to know about it. E-mail us at filbertpublishing(a)filbertpublishing.com so we can investigate how your e-mail address arrived into our double-opt-in system. Also, you can easily remove your e-mail addy from this list at any time by clicking your personalized link at the end of this e-mail.

To receive Writing, Etc. surf to http://filbertpublishing.com and insert your e-mail address into the form.

Please recommend this newsletter to anyone you know who'd like to learn how to make their writing sparkle.

PRIVACY STATEMENT: We will not distribute your email address to anyone. Ever. Period.

Writing Etc.

Box 326

Kandiyohi, MN 56251

Maurice and Beth Erickson, Publishers

filbertpublishing(a)filbertpublishing.com

http://filbertpublishing.com/

© 2007 Filbert Publishing