Writing in Spare Moments of Life

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

Sometimes I write in the cracks of life. I’ve been in publishing for a long time and have many things that I have to get written. There are follow-up calls and letters to potential Morgan James authors. I have meetings to schedule and paperwork to turn into my colleagues so authors can get considered and possibly get a publsihing contract. These details are only a few of the numerous ones I am handling day in and day out. Also each week I write an original article on The Writing Life.

Outside of writing that I need to get done, I also enjoy doing some other writing such as book reviews. I’ve written over 1,000 reviews on Amazon and enjoy supporting other writers with a review. It’s hard to fit this writing into my routine with the pressure of other writing. Where do I get it done? I write my reviews in the spare moments of life. It amounts to reading late at night (outside of my work) and marking some passages that I want to highlight then finding a few moments to write my review and post it. Like everything, even writing a short review takes time. Each of us have a finite supply of time. My question is are you writing in the spare moments of your life?

Maybe you have put mental walls or parameters on your writing time. For example, some have decided to write a chapter or a story or a book proposal or manuscrpt, they need a chunk of time to get that written. From my experience, this mental wall or restriction is a false one. I can write a short piece in the cracks of my life.

As I’ve explained in other articles, the books from publishers and authors pour into my mailbox throughout the week. I attempt to read as many of them as I can handle during my limited reading time. Then when I have a spare moment, I will write a review and often go back to it several times to make sure I like how it is written. Then I will post that review on Amazon and Goodreads. Sometimes I post it on some other sites as well. The Goodreads review always posts immediately but Amazon and others can take a few days before they post on the site. 

When I see that one of my new reviews has posted, I will tell others through my social media connections along with a unique image of the book. In this simple way I can support and help other writers to tell others about their books. Several years ago I wrote another article about this process called Writing In the Cracks of Life. It’s another way with some different examples of how I handle this process of writing in spurts instead of a lengthy session. I hope it will give you some ideas for your own writing life. 

Also I use the reminders feature on my phone so I don’t miss something. I freely admit to being human and every now and then something gets missed. Whenever this happens I give myself some grace which is something each of us need.

The process of consistently writing isn’t easy for anyone--even someone like me who has been doing it for a long time. The key is to keep sitting in your chair and moving your fingers on your keyboard--over and over. If you get a paragraph written, then eventually you will get a page written. When you get a page written eventually you can write a chapter and then a manuscript. Your persistence and consistency is a critical part of the process.

Have you put some mental restrictions on the length of time you need to do some writing? Or maybe it is another issue that prevents you from writing in the spare moments of your life. Let me know in the comments below.

Some of My Writing in Other Places

In these articles, I encourage you to write in other places. As a writer, you can consistently write in other places. I do not add this feature every month yet every month I am consistently publishing my writing on other sites. Here’s a few recent articles:

Many authors on the publishing journey, wonder, “Where is the easy part of publishing?” In this article, I give authors the honest answer and resources.

It is not simple for any author to get book reviews. In this article, I give details and resources to help authors understand book reviews require author effort. 

What is the hardest element to find on your book proposal? In this article, I give the details and a resource to make sure you put what the editor or agent is expecting in your submission before you hit the send button. 

Tweetable:

As writers, we can’t always choose when we will write. According to this prolific writer and editor, it is a matter of mindset and writing in the spare moments of life. Get his insights here.  (ClickToTweet)

Much of the publishing process is outside of the writer’s control. 10 Publishing Myths helps writers have a realistic perspective and take action. Get 10 Publishing Myths for only $10 +FREE shipping + over $200 of free bonuses.

Pour Creativity Into Your Marketing

 

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

Hopefully every writer pours a solid dose of creative energy into their writing and their mansucript. Ironically it is in the writing where the bulk of writers put their energy. I understand and believe it is important to build a solid foundation in the writing and storytelling. You select a way to publish your book and get it into the world. 

After your book is available to others, then you move into a different area where you market or sell your book. To help in this process, I recorded a free teleseminar where I gave a dozen different ways to sell books (follow the link to check it out).  In this article, I want to call a different aspect of the writing business to your attention: creative marketing. 

In the process of marketing your book, it often takes some financial investment such as to hire a publicist or to produce marketing materials or any number of other aspects. What if you don’t have the money or your financial resources are limited? Keep reading this article because I have some ideas and examples which any of you can do if you take action with these creative marketing ideas.

Several years ago I learned about Publishizer which is a free fund-raising tool. If you follow the link, you will see Morgan James Publishing has their own branded version of it. In some ways, Publishizer is like some other fundraising sites like GoFundMe or Kickstarter. Publishizer is focused on books where you can use these other places for many different kinds of fundraising projects. Check this page to get more details about how it works. 

Before your book is published, you can use Publishizer to create different packages. Then you can use an email list or social media to promote those packages and gather pre-sales on your book or funds which you can use for creating the packages but also for marketing or anything else you need with your book. Several years ago I worked with Terri Levine who is a Morgan James author. Terri used this tool to create her campaign and as you can see from the website, she raised $12,500 using this system. 

I met Kirsten Pistorius through her children’s book submission to Morgan James Publishing. She wrote and illustrated a beautiful picture book called My Little Prayer Book: Inspirational Verses for Children. Her campaign is just starting and in pre-sales. I encourage you to look at it and if you can help her with some pre-sales. 

 

If you want to use Publishizer, I encourage you to carefully study the website to learn about the packages and pitches other authors have made for their books, then use these ideas for the creative marketing you will pour into your book.

Publishizer is not for one type of book. Terri Levine’s book was a nonfiction business book. Kirsten Pistorius has a children’s book and she lives in Zimbabwe. You can also use Publishizer for fiction. Debra McIntyre has published a historical novel with Morgan James called A Wishful Eye. Follow this link to check out Deb’s campaign which is also in process (which means you can participate in her campaign and get one of her packages). 

Using Publishizer is a creative way to turn your marketing into book sales and money. You can use this process in the early days of your marketing. 

Also you can use Publishizer after your book is already in the market to create a special sales campaign. Just like the regular program, you have to fill out a form and apply to Publishizer to use the tool for your campaign. Follow this link to the form if you want to create a special sales campaign. 

The key message I want to make with this article is there is not one path or one strategy to use with your book marketing. You can use several different strategies with your plans. It’s important to learn about these opportunities, then take action and use them effectively for your book. I hope I’ve helped open your eyes to some possibilities other authors are using--and you can use as well. 

If you have used Publishizer or have other creative ways you are marketing your book, let me know in the comments below.

Tweetable:

Do you want to pour creativity into your marketing? Prolific author and editor highlights the Publishizer website with some examples. Get the details here.  (ClickToTweet)

Much of the publishing process is outside of the writer’s control. 10 Publishing Myths helps writers have a realistic perspective and take action. Get 10 Publishing Myths for only $10 +FREE shipping + over $200 of free bonuses.

It Boils Down to Choice

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

As writers, we live in a world of many choices. Do you write this story or this online article or this screenplay or this book? In this article I want to give a personal story and practical example of a choice and change I have made in my own life.

Throughout any day, each of us make many choices. One of the most personal choices relates to what you eat and drink. Through the years, I have made poor choices in this area. During my 29 years of marriage, my wife has watched my weight go up and then down. As I’ve grown older, she wondered if I would ever go down again. A few months ago, I made a decision to change what I was eating. I’ve eliminated sugar and carbs in my diet and focused on my eating. It has not been an easy choice because I love to eat many of the things I have not been eating. Like many things we do, the process is slow and takes time. During the last few months, I’ve dropped 30 pounds and I’m at one of my lowest weights in about 15 years. 

As an example, I am not drinking sodas but instead I am drinking more water. For a snack, I am not eating chips, popcorn and cookies as in the past but instead eating vegetables or a hard boiled egg. I make these simple food choices every time I eat something. Over time, I have dropped the weight or pounds. I don’t pretend that these choices are simple but they have to be made consistently and the results compound over time. 

I understand every day and each meal is a choice what I eat and do not eat. I’ve decided for the benefit of my health and the longevity of my life to continue on this course for the rest of my life. Yes occasionally I can make a different eating choice but overall I’ve come to a peace with this choice. Many of my relatives and ancestors made a different choice and were known as “big” men (read heavy). I’m certain that choice took years off their lives and daily health. I’m determined to make a different choice in this area and continue this pattern. 

In many ways it is like our writing life, there are many choices. Do you watch a TV show or write more words on your current book project? The choices we make determine what we will accomplish during our lifetime. Many people wonder how I’ve written over 80 books and for more than 50 publications. I’ve had incredible opportunities and I’m grateful for each one. A lot of it boils down to choice and making the right choice for you day in and day out.

As I’ve written in the past, writing is like the age old question, how do you eat an elephant? The answer is simple: one bite at a time. Just like eating an elephant, we write one sentence and one paragraph and one page at a time. As we keep writing pages, after a while, those pages turn into a book manuscript or a book proposal or a magazine article. We accomplish it sitting at our keyboard and putting words on our screen.

Throughout this article, I’ve been writing about how what we accomplish in our writing or our lives boils down to choice. What choices are you making in your personal or writing life? Let me know in the comments below.

Tweetable:

According to this prolific author and editor, many of the results of our life will boil down to choice. Get the details about his choice here.  (ClickToTweet)

Much of the publishing process is outside of the writer’s control. 10 Publishing Myths helps writers have a realistic perspective and take action. Get 10 Publishing Myths for only $10 +FREE shipping + over $200 of free bonuses.

Failure To Be Consistent

   

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

Each week for years, I’ve been writing these articles about the writing life and my work in publishing. With each article, my intention is to capture some important detail which I can use to encourage you in your own publishing journey.

In this piece, I want to admit a failure and a commitment to change and improve. Here’s a reality in the publishing world, you can align most of the pieces of a project--but if you neglect or forget one step, it can affect the results. I compare it to following a recipe to bake a cake and leaving out a key ingredient, then wondering why the cake tastes strange and does not work. The same principle is true in the book business.

For many years, I’ve gathered email addresses and have a newsletter list. It’s one of the critical elements for every writer to connect with readers. An email newsletter is something you control as an author and is not a “rented” space like a social media site such as X or Facebook or LinkedIN. Repeatedly I’ve learned that I have no control over these social media sites--especially when they change their rules and don’t tell you (which happens often). 

Every author needs to create an email newsletter and gather email addresses then they need to consistently use their newsletter or send valuble information to their readers. Over the years, I’ve worked hard to create various lead magnets or ways people will sign up for my newsletter. I’ve grown my list and my visibility in the marketplace (all important steps for every writer).

Here’s my confession in this piece and where I’ve failed to be consistent: with an inconsistent pattern, I’ve used my newsletter. Sometimes I go several months without sending anything to my readers. The experts say you can’t overuse your email list. I’m on a few lists which email daily. If it becomes too much then I unsubscribe. These same experts tell us if you use your newsletter too infrequently, your reader forget that they have subscribed to your list and don’t open it or simply delete it when it arrives. 

In the past, I’ve used my newsletter to promote a product where I’m an affiliate or I use it to promote a new product or book. These are good uses for a newsletter but I was missing the consistent and steady use to my readers.

Here’s another failure related to the details of my newsletter articles. I wrote each one on target and relevant to my readers but I included a variety of connections to other websites. This failure watered down the effectiveness of my communication and didn’t help the reader focus and go to a single location or single resource.

From my years in publishing, I understand failure is a key part of the journey. Also when you fail, you need to learn and then change or make adjustments to your process. As a writer, I’m committed to continuing to learn and grow--and I encourage you to take the same approach.

In recent months, I’ve been taking Rob Eagar’s online course Selling Books on a Shoestring Budget. This course is currently closed but will open again next year. One of the advantages of taking Rob’s course is the ability to email him a question and get his answer. It’s been great to have such a resource and insight. From this course, I’ve learned how to pitch and appear on more podcasts. It’s an ongoing process to pitch and appear on these events. Often these podcasts are recorded at one time then launched later. For example, I recently appeared on Hungry Authors Podcast and The Writing for Immortality Podcast. 

Also Rob’s course encouraged me to use my newsletter on a more consistent basis and to focus it with one link in each newsletter.  I’ve started sending these newsletters on Wednesday and I begin each subject with [A Publishing Insight]. As of this writing, I’ve sent newsletters for six straight weeks but I’ve scheduled content for about a dozen newsletters. I will be creating more newsletters in the days ahead. In this consistent action for my newsletter, I’m using one of the principles from The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy. If you make small changes on a consistent basis, they can compound to give you the success that you desire. 

Here’s another key principle of the publishing journey. It’s important to learn what others are doing and gain that knowledge. But that knowledge doesn’t add anything to your life and work if you don’t take action and apply it to your writing life. Keep taking action and some will fail but some will succeed. It’s a journey not a defined path. 

Change is not easy but I’m determined and a work in progress. Watch and see but also apply these principles of consistency to your own writing life and see if you find the success that you seek. There is not a straightforward road or path. If there were such a thing, then every book would be successful. Instead the process involves consistent experimentation, change and adjustment. I’m commited to this process and hopefully you are as well. 

Are there areas of your writing life where you have failed to be consistent? Let me know in the comments below and how you are making changes. I look forward to reading your comments.

Tweetable:

Some say, “Confession is good for the soul.” Prolific author and editor Terry Whalin admits failure to be consistent and gives the details of his changes and improvements in these details.  (ClickToTweet)

Much of the publishing process is outside of the writer’s control. 10 Publishing Myths helps writers have a realistic perspective and take action. Get 10 Publishing Myths for only $10 +FREE shipping + over $200 of free bonuses.

Why You Need the Author Basics

   

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

We live in an age with an explosion of publishing. Thousands of new books are entering the market every day and in a rate impossible for anyone to monitor and keep up. Publishers are releasing new books every week and bookstores are hopefully selling them. It took me years to learn this truth: it is the author’s activity that moves books from the bookstore into the hands of readers. If the author doesn’t do anything, then beautiful books don’t get read. 

Recently one of my long-term publishing friends reached out to me. She mentioned her novel had been out two years and she knew she had done little promotion or marketing for her book. She asked, “Is it too late?” 

This author spent several years in careful research that she built into the construction of her story. When it came out, she told me about it and even mailed me a signed copy (which I appreciated and thanked her but I have not read). I have skimmed the story and see that it is well-told. The cover (front and back cover) as well as the interior is beautiful and professional. I looked at the details such as the barcode on her book and even that detail was handled correctly. Many authors don’t think about the barcode but if anyone is going to scan your book to sell it (like a retailer), then barcode needs to include the retail price). Like many of these publishing details, there is a right and a wrong way to execute it. Yet without some simple promotion, the book will be limited in reaching readers. 

This author has stirred about 19 Five Star reviews on a large online retail site and I applauded this effort. When I checked some other retail sites like Barnes & Noble, this book is available (great) but no reviews (an issue). I found the book in five libraries which was terrific but there are over 123,000 libraries in the US. The libraries are another missing and important market for this novel.

As I’ve mentioned before American psychologist and bestselling author Dr. Robert Cialdini said that 98% of people who purchase a product online, have read a review before they buy it. These reviews are important to get on as many websites as you can get them. It’s another reason why you need to be asking people and pointing them to these places.

In many ways, I cheer this author for getting this important novel out of her head and into the world. She has laid a great foundation for her book and put it into the market. 

To answer her question, it is never too late to promote a book. This publishing friend also asked me, “What do you think about a website?” This friend is on a couple of social media platforms which again is terrific. Yet she is not talking about the benefits of her novel to her connections on a regular basis. I recommend every author take these consistent actions. Someone has to hear about your book seven or eight or a dozen times before they will purchase your book. It’s one of the reasons publishers are interested in your social media numbers.

As I write these words, I reflect back to in 2007 when Mark Victor Hansen, co-author of Chicken Soup for the Soul invited me to Mega Book Marketing University. I attended as a literary agent and joined about 500 people to hear the various speakers and presentations. At that point, I had written about 50 books with traditional publishers, received advances (two over six-figures) and only had a single website (www.terrywhalin.com). I had no online presence and was doing little to market my books. I decided to change and began to build my online presence (including over 1700 entries in this blog on The Writing Life). If I can build that presence, you can do it too. No matter where you are on the publishing journey, you can take action and turn around your lack of readers, sales and a “platform.” If you follow this link, you can get my free ebook: Platform Building Ideas For Every Author.

I advised my friend to build her website and also begin a newsletter list then use that list on a consistent basis to build an audience and readers. I have an inexpensive product about list building called The List Building Tycoon. Also when my publishing friend sells her book on her website, I recommend she point to several different places to purchase it--including directly from the reader. Don’t single out one online bookstore. I also encouraged her to write a free ebook that was tied to her novel with a connection. She can give the ebook when someone subscribes to her newsletter. 

Also I encouraged my friend to get help if she needs it to build the website and start her newsletter list. If she paid a virtual assistant for a few months, she could make a lot of progress on these missing elements. 

While it’s important to build these basics such as a website and a newsletter, it is also critical use the newsletter on a regular basis. Another author basic is to select a couple of social media connections, fill out your profile on them then post content on those sites on a consistent basis. 

From my experience, there are no quick fixes to build a platform and it will take patience and consistency but your actions will be a difference maker. A few weeks ago, I recommended you get the hardcover and audio book of The Entrepreneur Roller Coaster for only $6.95 (follow the link). 

Recently I re-read this book cover to cover and it reminded me that our lives as freelance writers has many ups and downs (like a roller coaster). As a part of these ups (success) and downs (failure). When you succeed no one remembers your failures but I encourage you to celebrate your consistent efforts. Keep on keeping on.

There is always more to be done whether you are publishing your first book or your 50th book. It’s not the knowledge that you need. What every author needs to do is take consistent action and reaching readers with the benefits and availability of your book. I encourage you to take some marketing action every day to reach new readers. This effort might only take a few minutes but the consistent action will pay off for you.

Every author needs to handle the author basics then keep moving forward. The next bestseller might be you--if you do it. If something isn’t perfect, still get it out there and try to open new doors through your actions. You will be amazed what can happen if you take action on the author basics or beyond.

Where are you on the publishing journey? Am I missing something? Let me know in the comments below.

Tweetable:

Every author needs some basics according to this prolific editor and author. Get the details in this article. (ClickToTweet)

Much of the publishing process is outside of the writer’s control. 10 Publishing Myths helps writers have a realistic perspective and take action. Get 10 Publishing Myths for only $10 +FREE shipping + over $200 of free bonuses.

Writing for An Audience of One

     

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

Have you ever been the only person in a large room with a speaker in the front? I recall speaking at a large writers conference with multiple sessions at the same time. I was teaching over several days and when one of my classes began, I had a single person listening to me. It was strange but I knew the conference was recording my session so I went ahead and spoke to the entire room (including the one person) and taught my session.

Some of my workshops have been completely full with every seat filled and people sitting on the floor in the back. Yet I have taught a few workshops with only one or two people. The experience is awkward but I’m glad to have someone in the room rather than just speaking an empty room (and the tape recording).

When you speak, you can look at your audience and interact with them. When you write, it is a different experience yet you still have an audience. How do you focus on the reader? It’s what I want to examine in this article.

Who is the audience for your writing? Why are you telling your story or article or novel? One of the key basics for every writer is to have a clear picture of your audience as you write words. For example, for these blog articles, I’m focused on anyone interested in publishing. I’m using the word in a broad sense whether you are writing online, in print, for magazines or books. There are a broad sweep of people who are interested in the various aspects of publishing. 

From my years of writing, I have found it hard to write for a nameless crowd of people. Instead in my mind, I need to focus on an audience of one. Who is that person that is listening to you as you write? Can you visualize them sitting there reading your work or listening to you speak? Who is this person and what do they look like? What are they wearing and how are they reacting to your words? Are they leaning into the words and eager to see the next one or do they look distracted? What feelings is that person in your audience experiencing? Are they joyful or in some sort of pain or somewhere in between those extremes? Can you image their reaction to your words and your story? Keeping the audience in mind is a key element for every writer. 

For example, a children’s book will have different words and a different tone depending on the age of that child in your audience. A fiction story will have a different audience than a nonfiction book. After I get the article written, I will read through it and make sure it will also work for a broader target audience. 

One of the easiest places to learn this aspect of writing for a particular skill of writing for an audience is when you write magazine articles. When I worked at Decision magazine (circulation 1.8 million at the time), I was amazed that people would submit articles that were way off track of our audience and anything that we would possibly publish. With a glance, these types of submissions were rejected. It’s the same with your book pitches. If you are pitching a fantasy novel to an agent who has zero interest or experience in fantasy, then your pitch will be immediately rejected. 

Do you set aside your writing for a bit then return to it and re-read it and make adjustments? Or maybe you have a critique partner who reads your work and gives you honest feedback? Or maybe you are a part of a small critique group in person or online that gives you feedback about the audience and your writing? 

Writing is something that most of us do in isolation but each of us need feedback from others about our words--and we need to have that audience firmly in mind as we write. How do you determine your audience? Let me know in the comments below and I look forward to it.

Tweetable:

When you write, what audience do you have in mind? This prolific writer and editor tells about writing for an audience of one. Get the details in this article. (ClickToTweet)

Much of the publishing process is outside of the writer’s control. 10 Publishing Myths helps writers have a realistic perspective and take action. Get 10 Publishing Myths for only $10 +FREE shipping + over $200 of free bonuses.

Why Re-Read Some Books

  

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

Do you have some books on your shelf that you re-read from time to time or maybe even once a year? One of my friends re-reads The Lord of the Rings every year. Through each reading experience, she sees something new about the story.

For many years, I have been reading and re-reading a single book, The Bible. Reading The Bible is how I begin my day. Each year I choose a different version and this year, I’m reading The Daily Bible NLT. With each reading, I learn something different.

There are merits to re-reading and that’s what I want to examine in this article and give you a couple of resources to read and then re-read. If you follow me on one of my social media platforms like X/Twitter, you know I am a follower and fan of Darren Hardy and his Darren Daily. For years, I have posted them five days a week, because I watch them each time and believe in his encouragement to become “better every day.” 

As I’ve written in these articles, new books for my limited reading pour into my office several times a week. I rarely re-read a book but recently I re-read

The Entrepreneur Roller Coaster by Darren Hardy.  I got this bestselling book directly from the author--and you can too if you follow the link. For the postage of $6.95, you will receive the book but also the audio version. As I read through the book again, at the same time, I listened to the words. Each time I go through the book, I have different insights about how to apply the information to my writing life. I hope it will be a resource for your writing life. 

With personal stories and insights, Darren Hardy gives the honest truth about how to survive and thrive in the middle of the ups and downs of life as an entrepreneur--and every writer is an entrepreneur (whether you call it that or not). Hardy compares it to the thrill of riding a roller coaster. The book also includes worksheets and other resources for you to apply the information to your life.

After re-reading The Entrepreneur Roller Coaster, I returned to Darren Hardy's first book, The Compound Effect. If you follow the link, you can also get the hardcover version and the audio book of The Compound Effect for only the postage of $6.95. As I re-read the book, I’m listening to the audio of each chapter. I’ve learned to download them to my phone and can listen to them anywhere. I love the flexibility and the insights for my writing life from listening and reading this information.  

The essence of the compound effect is how making small incremental changes in your life, can give you the edge you need to find success. The book is aligned with Darren Hardy's hashtag for Darren Daily #BetterEveryDay. If you make small changes in an area of your life, it can have big results. For example, no one sits at their desk and writes a complete 50,000 or 100,000 word book. Instead you write a page, then a chapter, then another chapter over a series of days and weeks until you complete the manuscript. The writing process is a mirror of what Hardy is discussing throughout The Compound Effect. 

Do you re-read books on a regular basis? Which books and why? Let me know in the comments below. 

Tweetable:

Some books are worth re-reading. This prolific author and editor gives a couple of examples and some resources for every writer. Read the details here.  (ClickToTweet)

Much of the publishing process is outside of the writer’s control. 10 Publishing Myths helps writers have a realistic perspective and take action. Get 10 Publishing Myths for only $10 +FREE shipping + over $200 of free bonuses.