Kudos on the first book. Now what do you do?
You’ve just published your book. You feel a sense of accomplishment and a relief that the work is over. Friends and family congratulate you and are happy to have you back in their social circles. Soon you realize that writing a book is not the end-all, but the first step in your career as a writer. Now that the…
Death lead to focus and clarity
A lot has happened since I last wrote for My Musings. After a long illness, I lost my father on January 1, and then had to care for my ailing mother and all the minutiae that follows a death. With my mom’s improved health, I am returning to my life as a writer, like a crocus…
Add impact to your blog with these free tools
For a little more than two years, I have been blogging and marketing my book. Over time, I have collected tools to help me work more efficiently and effectively. Some I used only temporarily, other are permanent implements in by writer’s toolbox. Let me tell you about them and how you can add impact to your…
How to choose the perfect writers group
In the post What walking the Camino de Santiago taught this indie author I talked about the importance of building friendships and making connections with other authors. This post provides links to writers organziations, associations and groups and discusses how to find ones that are perfect for you. Joining these group not only helps you meet other…
What walking the Camino de Santiago taught this indie author
Four years ago today I left for the Camino de Santiago, and my life changed forever. One of the unexpected results was becoming an indie author—with all the work that it entails. Today, on Labor Day, I reflect on the lessons I learned on this adventure and how they affect me as an indie author. The Camino de…
Attending a writers’ conference is a rewarding experience
This weekend I attended the Florida Authors and Publishers Association (FAPA) Conference in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. It was my first writers’ conference. It will not be my last. Attending a writers’ conference is a rewarding experience. Not only did I meet other talented and knowledgeable writers but also publishers, illustrators, designers, and agents. As an indie…
A bit of advice for the anxious writer
In this guest post, book editor Dennis De Rose offers a bit of advice for the anxious writer. I have been editing books for five years and spoken to hundreds of writers. I would like to share a few things that I have learned with you… Slow down Do not rush your manuscript. Take your time.…
Are distractions preventing you from writing?
I once was a disciplined writer. I religiously followed a writing schedule. I set aside specific days to work on my upcoming book or write for one of my blogs. When life started interfering, I reduced the number of blogs I wrote each week, but continued writing. Then, I took a two-month sabbatical to travel…
Too busy to blog is only an excuse
Forgive me, dear readers, I have lost my way. I kept telling myself that I was too busy to blog, other things were more important, like writing my next book. In fact, writing that book took over my life. For the past two weeks, I have neglected not only you but almost everything else. I…
A novel way to write a novel
I am always looking for ways to enhance the storyline and give the book more depth. This guest post by Sherry Marshall explains how she uses her training as a Process Oriented Therapist to take her story to the next level. Writing. Exhilarating, inspirational, joyful; also frustrating, exasperating, hard work, and challenging. Writing in a…