Posts Tagged ‘Jeff Goins’

9 Writing Websites to Advance Your Fiction Skills

Posted: February 22, 2013 in Inspiration, Motivation, Popular, Productivity, Writer's Toolbox, Writing, YA
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Ever find yourself stuck in your writing? Or you don’t know what to do next? Or maybe you’ve wondered how professionals will react to your work? Check out these websites and learn from some of the best:

  1. kidlit.com – Literary super agent Mary Kole blogs about what makes children’s fiction stand out from the pack. Her site is loaded with tips to hone your fiction and catch an agent’s attention.
  2. goinswriter.com – Jeff Goins blogs about writing, blogging and encourages aspiring writers. He challenges writers to be honest and not be afraid to write the truth. His tips on successful blogging are a must for anyone starting a blog.
  3. novelrocket.com – Novelist Gina Holmes, along with numerous other contributors, give fiction authors the tools they need to hone their craft and make their stories shine. Posts include tips and advice from literary agents, published authors and much, much more.
  4. advancedfictionwriting.com – Randy Ingermanson, known as the “Snowflake Guy,” gives tons of advice on how to write fiction, from concept to completed novel. His Snowflake Method is a great way to help you plan your novel and see it completed.
  5. writetodone.com – Mary Jaksch’s website has articles from hundreds of contributors, all with the focus of helping writers grow. From fiction to non-fiction, blogging to copywriting, she’s got it covered.
  6. killzoneauthors.blogspot.com – Thriller and mystery authors, including James Scott Bell, unite on this awesome site dedicated to those genres. Daily tips and insight into creation of thrillers and ideas, and everything else thriller/mystery related.
  7. margielawson.com – Margie Lawson uses her expertise in psychology to bring powerful emotion to writer’s stories. She offers online classes (very affordable) with other writers to help you hone your craft and deepen your words. Classes vary, but cover topics like emotion, body language and deep editing – just to name a few.
  8. literaryrambles.com – Casey McCormick and Natalie Aguirre interview literary agents and research the most recent information to help writers find the right agent for them. A great resource if you are on the hunt for an agent.
  9. queryshark.blogspot.com – Literary super agent Janet Reid critiques query letters online, giving her advice from years of experience of how to improve your query. You can read all submissions and her advice.

What writing websites have helped you on your writing journey?

Are You in Pursuit of Quantity or Quality?

Posted: January 31, 2013 in Inspiration, Motivation, Productivity, Writing
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We’ve all complained there aren’t enough hours in the day. I know I’m guilty. If there were just a couple more hours, I could get it all done. Yet, we all have 24 hours in a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Why do some people seem to manage their time better, get more stuff done, become more efficient or successful?

In our society, we’re plagued with busyness. So how do we overcome it?

Finding Quality
We weren’t designed to be robots. We weren’t even designed to be producers. Yet somewhere along the way, our culture has turned us into would be robots that get our self-esteem from our quantity of production.

But I’ve found my life to be more fulfilling, more successful and more joyful when I pursue quality in my life over the quantity. I have to cut out as many unnecessary things as I can to focus on what’s important. For example, my husband and I recently found out we are expecting our first baby in August. While the planner in me wants to get everything cleaned up and the nursery ready yesterday, my body and mind say slow down. I can’t get as much done as I want at one time. Through this pregnancy, I’ve found it’s okay to enjoy the moment and not feel guilty that I’m not doing something. The dishes can be done later. The clothes folded in a little while. I’m enjoying the rest while I can, before baby comes.

Turn the Time-Eaters Off
According to Nielsen, the average American spends 34 hours a week watching TV. Ouch. I didn’t realize we watched so much. That’s nearly 5 hours a day. And that’s not counting the hours we spend at movie theaters or on social media outlets such as Facebook.

Sure, it’s good to enjoy life and have fun, but sometimes, I have to ask myself if I’m overindulging. So maybe today, I’ll turn the TV off. Or I’ll ask myself, are my daily activities pushing me closer to my goals? Are they helping me grow as a writer or strengthen my family? Or are they Time-Eaters, the busy things that make me feel like I’ve accomplished something today?

How about you? Are all of those extra rehearsals and practices sucking up too much time? Are there moments when turning off the TV would help out? Are you filling your day with noise rather than with things that matter?

When we go through our day without enjoying art or beauty in the world, maybe there’s something missing. By pursuing quality in the things we do, over quantity, we step out of our mediocre life. Get in tune with your spirit life, family, nature, art, music, literature – the beautiful things that lift us up, not tear us down.

10 Tips to Find the Quality Over Quantity in Your Life:

  1. Get plenty of rest and exercise. They are good for you body, mind and spirit. When you don’t get enough sleep, you won’t be at your best.
  2. Eliminate Time-Eaters. Can you cut a few hours out? Or DVR programs and fast forward the commercials. My husband started doing this for sports games and it saves an hour or more per game. Wow.
  3. Make time to read. Even if it’s only a chapter a day. It’s rewarding, fills me with creative ideas, helps me grow as a person.
  4. Upgrade your technology. If your laptop is slow and zapping your time, update it. You’ll save valuable time.
  5. Check you’re tools. Are there newer, more efficient programs and apps to help with work and life tasks? Upgrade, upgrade, upgrade!
  6. Make a schedule for your day. Give yourself larger time blocks to get those activities done. And make sure to include family time, me time, God time, friend time, etc. Don’t starve your spiritual and family life.
  7. Turn off the notifications. That’s right – email, Facebook, Twitter, etc. Set a scheduled time to check those things once or twice a day, rather than all day long.
  8. Let go of perfectionism. Is it really necessary to organize your clothes in color order and style? Are there repetitive chores that could be done less often?
  9. It’s okay to say no. If people are always asking you to do stuff for them, learn to say no to what’s not important, giving you and your family more time.
  10. Get help. Get the skills or advice you need to help manage your time better. There are tons of great books and websites out there. Or ask a friend who seems to have their time under control, what’s their secret?

Further Reading:

Art Manifesto

Posted: November 6, 2012 in Creativity, Inspiration, Motivation, Productivity, Writing
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Jeff Goins posted this earlier this week, and I love it. Such a great way reminder of why I’m a writer and why I’m participating in NaNoWriMo this year.

  • Quick Update: I hit 15,000 words today, day 6 of the NaNo challenge. Only 35,000 to go. Wahoo!

Hope you guys enjoy!

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Credit: from Jeff Goins and Mandy Thompson

* Note: Jeff Goins asks that if you share on your blog, to please give proper credit and a link back.

One Last Card

Posted: August 27, 2012 in Inspiration, Writing
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Recently, I wrote a story about the loss of my Dad and how it affected me. I’m so honored to have it featured on Jeff Goins’ blog for his new book Wrecked.

Check it out here and let me know what you think: One Last Card.

Serve Through Writing

Posted: June 26, 2012 in Inspiration, Writer's Toolbox, Writing
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15 Habits of Great Writers – Day 15, Serve

On this last day of the challenge (yay! I made it!), Jeff Goins encourages us to serve others with our writing. My post is short – enough to say I’m writing an eBook and plan to it give away here on the blog. I don’t know when it will be finished, but I’m excited about it.

5 Ideas for Serving Others in Our Writing:

  • Write blog posts that encourage and help others.
  • Be honest when we share our stories so others can grow from our mistakes or difficult times.
  • Give with no expectations. If readers like what you said, they’ll let you know!
  • Promote someone else’s writing or work that has inspired you.
  • Write with passion, not just for publication.

What ways have you found to serve others through writing?

Starting the Brand

Posted: June 25, 2012 in Inspiration, Writer's Toolbox, Writing
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15 Habits of Great Writers Challenge – Day 14, Brand

“A brand is the simplest, most memorable part of yourself you can give.”

~ Jeff Goins

When people used to mention the word blog, I would cringe. What would I write on the internet? I don’t have kids. People might think I was that crazy cat lady (I have two cats who are the cutest!) if I wrote about them.

All I had were short pieces I wrote for critique group, hoping to get published.

Facing the Fear
Blogging had been around for years, but I resisted it. I was afraid to share my voice. Afraid people wouldn’t want to listen to what I had to say. After encouragement from other writers, I braved up, and signed up for a blog.

As I sat at the keyboard that first day, staring at the blinking cursor, I had no idea what to write for my first post. Would anyone even read it? A few more minutes of staring and finally a thought came. Then another, and another, until a paragraph was written.

A week passed and the fear struck me again when I realized I had to do it all again. More staring at the screen, but eventually another paragraph came. Then a strange thing happened – each week got a little easier.

Taking the Journey
That was in January. Since then, there have been over a thousand page views and dozens of new readers. I know those may not be spectacular stats to super-bloggers, but I realized how important branding is. What we write has power, and people are impacted by it. If we don’t write our words down, how will others ever have a chance to hear our voice or our passions?

If I hadn’t started blogging, only the few writers in my critique group would have read my stuff. I wouldn’t have pushed myself to write dozens of blog posts. And I wouldn’t be blessed to have fellow writers and readers comment as they share their journeys.

Free eBook by Jeff Goins

Posted: June 23, 2012 in Writing
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I just wanted to let everybody know that Jeff Goins is giving his book You Are a Writer away free on Amazon (eBook only) through Sunday night only. If you’ve been thinking about getting it, now is the time!

Jeff’s Post About Why

15 Habits of Great Writers Challenge – Day 13

Posted: June 21, 2012 in Writing
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Day 13 – Publish

In our challenge today, we’re supposed to try to publish something today by submitting our manuscript or working on that eBook we haven’t finished yet. That’s where I’m at – sending out my book while I’m working on the next one. So, while I wait, it’s time to write and get busy today!

Tomorrow, I’ll be at a writers conference, so I will conclude the last two days of this challenge next week. Have a great weekend!

Giving Back

Posted: June 20, 2012 in Inspiration, Writing
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15 Habits of Great Writers Challenge – Day 12, Provoke

Jeff Goins challenged us to write something thought-provoking today.

A few months ago, I went to downtown Dallas to feed the homeless with a group from our church. I don’t say this to brag, because truthfully, I am ashamed to admit it was the first time in my life I’d ever done that. It was hot outside, at least 100 degrees, and very little shade. People came by to get their food, enjoy the fan and talk to others who were in search of a meal.

It was one man’s birthday. All he wanted was to be with his kids, but they were in another state. He wore a smile anyway as he mingled with the others at their tables. I’ve thought a lot about him since that time, and wondered what it must be like to not have your kids around because you have no job or home. Or to have the highlight of your week be a meal on a Saturday with all the other homeless people in the area.

My own life is so opposite. I’m free to complain if the temperature isn’t working right in my house, or if the lawn mowing service people didn’t mow on the right day of the week. In those moments, I’ve forgotten how much I truly have and how little others in the world have.

The majority of Americans are in the top 1% of the world’s income earners. For most of us, that means our income is 36 times that of the average person. That top 1% earn an annual salary of $41,000 per household.

Most of us are the richest people in the world, yet we complain that we are poor. How many times do I buy coffee and not think twice about it? How many times do I toss my leftovers because they’ve gone bad? How many times do I upgrade my computer or cell phone in a year without batting an eye?

I don’t mean to make us feel guilty for having too much. I think it’s a reminder that maybe, we have more than we realize. And maybe there are ways we can help those who don’t have as much. Whether it’s giving to our local church or charities, or serving those in our community that are in need, there are hundreds of opportunities to give back. Maybe next time, I might think twice about complaining when the line to the movie theater is too long.

If you wonder how you compare to the rest of the world, check out this calculator. Plug in your annual income here and see where you fall.

What ways have you found to give back?

Declutter Our Writing

Posted: June 19, 2012 in Inspiration, Revision, Writer's Toolbox, Writing
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15 Habits of Great Writers Challenge – Day 11, Declutter

Jeff Goins has challenged us to declutter our writing today. So, I’m pulling out one of my short stories, which needs some serious decluttering. I’ve got my desk cleaned off (except for my cat laying on it) and my red pen out. Here goes!

Three Tips to Declutter Your Writing:

  • Look at the Big Picture First: Hone what you want to say before you get nit-picky about the grammar. Focus in on the heart of the story or article. Is it truly expressing what you want to say? Or is it rambling through an overcrowded trail of dull dialogue and pointless anecdotes? Identify the core of what you’re writing about and cut the rest.
  • Get Picky: When you have the general flow of your story or article and all your points are clear, then you must get picky. Cut those extra words. Search for stronger verbs. Check your grammar and spelling. Be relentless if you want to write tight.
  • Get Fresh Eyes: Have someone else read your revised work. No matter how many times I go through a piece, I always find typos or mistakes. It’s so frustrating, but it happens. Let another pair of eyes check for you.

“The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak.”

~Hans Hofmann

How about you? Is there anything that has helped you declutter your writing?

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