Organize Your Life to Write

January has always been a reset for me. It's a time where I empower myself and reevaluate my goals. In addition, I review the habits that have worked in my writing. A difficulty many writers have is the realization that they have not started that novel or finished its rewrites. It an issue any part-time writers face. It is easy to put off writing when the kids have after school activities or when the boss requires you to work extra hours. 

To overcome these challenges, I try to set personal deadlines for myself!

Once my deadline is in place, I try to figure out when I can write. Sometimes it means writing while waiting on the kids or I find myself dictating a paragraph in the car. My busy life has me writing everywhere I can. A 15 minute lunch turns onto three new paragraphs. You can make time to write; it's all up to you!

The following smartphone Aps  have help me refocus my writing goals for 2016 and I hope they set you on 

the path for success in 2016.  

These links are to Android Aps to help you write on the run, Apple users can find many of these aps at the

Apple Store.

Writing Tools – These Aps allow you to write on the run then port or print your stuff at home.

MS Office  

Squid– This is a favorite of mine. It has a pen function that allows me to draw or write notes by hand.

Organization tools - These Aps help me keep my life, my business, the details of ideas, and writing 

organized.

Trello – I recommend you take the online tutorial before using this product. It takes a while to get used to but it is the best tool I’ve used in planning out books, blogs and even my home life.  

Keep- This is a Google product and works very similar to Trello. I use this for making lists, writing poetry 

and file travel details.

How to Do a Novel Rewrite

Just Published!

My daughter "won" NaNoWriMo this year and I am so proud of her. It is an achievement when a thirteen year old can complete a 30,000-word novel. Experiencing that euphoric feeling of completing your first novel is an experience like no other. I loved watching her excitement so much that I regretted telling her that her book was not quite ready to be published. Her surprise was a thing to remember, especially when she asked the hardest question, "What's a rewrite?"

When she asked, I paused a moment realizing that my answer could discourage her future writing. I pondered if I should go into the specifics of rewriting until I realized that she had confused editing with rewrites. It is a common mistake to confuse the correction of grammar, pace and wording with the polishing of story.

I pondered it for a minute before I advised, “Don’t worry about grammar during your first read. Now is the time to read what you've written and make changes that refine and improve your story."  The shock and perplexed look on her face made me laugh, since I have hounded her grammar for years, but she understood what I was trying to do when I gave her a short list of what a rewrite entails. It is like polishing a dull stone into a glowing diamond.

My Rewriting Process

1. Run the whole novel through a spell/grammar check. Fix the blatant errors so that it does not interrupt the flow of your reading. Remember this novel version is not perfect, but it will allow you to read the novel without the need to correct the misspelling of words and obvious grammar errors. Do not worry about passive phrases or sentences at this time.

2.  Read the novel from front to back completely. Think about it. This step is the hardest because you want to “fix” things right away! I sometimes walk away from the book for a month and return with a fresh perspective to do step three.

3. Re-read novel and mark areas there are issues, but finish a complete re-read before you start any rewriting. Take notes of areas in your novel that feel “wrong” or “weak” to you.  I use a highlighter in my software or on hard copy to address areas that need changes and make notes in the margins.

4.  Return and fix the parts of your novel where you found issues based upon your notes.

5.  Rerun the novel through a grammar check and fix any errors or passive sentences. I will talk about passive sentences next week.

6. Read your novel again from front to back and repeat steps 3-5 as needed until you feel your book is ready to be read by someone else.

Do not feel discouraged if your book is not perfect the first time!  It takes patience to create something for others to read and longer if you want to publish your work. Just remember writing is art and it takes time to create art!

Good Luck on your rewrites and feel free to contact me if you have any questions! 

A Short Story Outline

Last week, I discussed my writing process and I mentioned the importance of creating an outline for any writing project.  Many novice writers find outlining their stories difficult at first. However, with practice, it enhances a writer’s ability to tell their story.  

This online worksheet from Education.com is a perfect short story outline. 

Tax Deductions for Writers

Tax season is upon us and writers should take advantage of their art. A small writing business is an excellent way to obtain tax deductions. New writers, who take college courses, can also deduct expenses.  

If you have not started a writing business, it may be something to consider for 2015. Here are some of my favorite tax deductions that writers can use. Are you writing a script?  Then consider reviewing all IRS film and television production costs. If you use a specific place to write then review IRS home business deductions. The first year of your writing business also allows for a number of IRS business start-up deductions. 

Writing a blog also opens up a number of deduction opportunities.  For example, food blog critics may deduct their meals.  There are certain guidelines that you must adhere to in order for your deductions to be considered, but the effort is well worth it when you consider the tax advantages involved. 

For more writer tax deductions and tax guideline read IRS 535 tax publication and talk to a tax professional on the best ways to maximize this year’s tax return. 

Sorry I haven't been writing

Hello, I just want to thank my readers for saying with me as I finish the last edits on my first Fiction mystery novel called “Murder in the Stacks.” I will return to posting new blogs in the coming weeks. Your suggestions on the topics you are interested in reading are always welcome