Writers Unbound

Good morning, fellow Writers. I’m happy to be at Writers Unbound and eager to keep making it a rewarding resource. I won’t take up much space introducing myself; you can read about me here if you’re interested. I’ll be tweaking the site a bit: stay tuned for a survey so you can let me know the topics most pertinent to you. I’ll also be sounding a call for guest bloggers and sponsoring contests (with prizes, yes!) as we get things rolling again.

For today, tips on our most important asset, drawn from one of the best books I’ve ever read about time management and productivity (and I’ve read a lot): Dan Kennedy’s No B.S. Time Management for Entrepreneurs: The Ultimate, No Holds Barred, Kick Butt, Take No Prisoners Guide to Time, Productivity, and Sanity. With a title like that…

• Understand your per hour rate.
  If you don’t know what your time is worth, you won’t use it well. It’s easy to waste minutes and hours when they don’t matter in terms of dollars and cents. Set a goal for what you want to make each week and then divide by the number of hours you’ll be working. There’s your hourly rate; simple, eh? The not-so-simple but most important part is using those hours, every moment of them, in a way that helps you make that amount of money.
• Avoid meetings, conference calls, trivia, and other time-wasters.
  Easier said than done, but it’s possible. Once you know how much your hour is worth, it becomes much easier to say no to the stuff that distracts you from the real work. During your working hours, with every opportunity, ask yourself if it will make you money or waste your time. If you’re not sure, then it is probably just wasting your time.
• Make yourself difficult to find.
  If you work from home, as many freelance writers do, you can make yourself nearly impossible to find to other writers, to editors, to job possibilities. But what about to your spouse, your kids, your neighbor, your Mom who calls in, your dog who needs to be walked? It’s important to have a workspace at home and make it as off-limits as possible to potential interruptors. You can still love ‘em; just let them know you will be available later.
  If you work in an academic or office environment, you have to make an appearance and keep a certain amount of hours in your office. While there, though, make sure you look busy; don’t just sit back in your chair and stare at the ceiling for ideas. Get your computer going with your office program open and some words on the page; get your files and notes out on your desk; close your door; put your cell phone away; have a big clock handy. When people stop by, you can encourage them to move on by starting to type again, shifting through your files, looking at the clock, or kicking them in the butt.
  Okay, maybe not that last one.

More:
Read this article: 12 Ways to Beat Procrastination. (Don’t wait until tomorrow to read it.)
From Steve Pavlina, read how to Triple Your Personal Productivity.
Finally, but best, click through this Time Management for Anarchists movie/slideshow by Jim Munroe at nomediakings.org.

Today’s Tuesday Tip for novel writers is to read this article and also to subscribe to the New York Times’ book page, as it’s really valuable.

The article talks about purposeful brand placement in your novel. For example, does your teenage male character only wear Adidas? Is your heroine a Marlboros smoker? Where is the line between description and over-selling in the hopes of sponsorship?

One thing that really got me about this practice is that…once again…it’s being aimed at children. HarperCollins Children’s Books is releasing MacKenzie Blue, a book aimed at girls aged eight to twelve. The main character, MacKenzie,  ”loves Converse,” among other product placements. Surprise, surprise, the “author” is a marketing exec.

Ugh. I am so sick of advertisers attempting to covertly brainwash my kids.

Great article…be sure to check it out.

And, moving on to the amusement file, freelance writers will want to take a look at this hilarious posting on craigslist. I guarantee you’ll feel like shouting BRAVO!

Another bravo for writers comes in the form of the proper use of the semi-colon on the number 5 train in NYC. Apparently the marketing writer paid attention in English class. Bravo to him, the usage is one I often have to research/remind myself. (Bad freelance writer!) 

Happy Tuesday- now go back to your writing!

I’ve neglected you, dear non-fiction writers. But have no fear, I’m dedicating today’s Tuesday Tips to YOU.

• Unlike fiction writers, non-fiction authors should query before finishing the entire manuscript. Writer’s Digest says that this is because publishers have very specific niches to fill with non-fiction books.
• Go out of your comfort zone: try fiction. Don’t worry- I say the same thing to fiction writers: try non fiction.
• Here’s a personal tip from a voracious non fiction reader: For goodness sakes get to the point. I’ve noticed that non fiction writers are more likely to make me wade through stuff before finally settling on their point. Please don’t do that to me. I only have so much time in the day.
• Bow to the fact-checker. Or become one yourself. Chances are that you’re an expert (or at least knowledgeable) in your chosen topic. However, you still make mistakes. Trust me, you do. Learn to let go of your work-to a point- and you’ll avoid many issues.
• Your proposal matters even more. Since you are presenting a professional take on a subject in your field, publishers will expect that much more effort and professionalism out of you. I’ve personally seen some really good fiction squeak by despite really bad introductory materials. I doubt it happens nearly as often in non fiction.
• Last, but certainly not least, read Successful Nonfiction by Dan Poynter. I ran across it last weekend and almost read it all in one setting. Not only will it help you get your book into a publishers hands, but parts of it are really enlightening. He includes a lot of little stories and anecdotes about the publishing world that you are sure to find interesting. I did!

There you go, non fiction friends. Best of publishing luck to you!