Angela Booth's Writing Blog

Your writing practice: write every day?

I get lots of questions about developing a writing process. Specifically, do you have to write every day?

Usually I respond with something like—it’s easier when you do.

Many people have been credited with this quote, from Franz Liszt who said it in 1894:

“If I miss one day’s practice, I notice it. If I miss two days’ practice, the critics notice it. If I miss three days’ practice, the public notices it.”

Read the article.

 

Join Me Behind The Scenes: What Works, What Doesn’t

Want to know what happens behind the scenes?

As you may know, I recently consolidated my writing-related blogs to this blog. At the same time, I took down my “angelabooth” name website.

Launched in the late 1990s, the “angelabooth” site went through many iterations over two decades. I couldn’t face the thought of revamping the old site yet again; I wanted to start bright and sparkling and NEW.

Then I had a thought… What if I took you with me as I branded a new “angelabooth” site, installed WordPress and plugins, and created a content plan for it? A behind-the-scenes glimpse into my ideas and thinking.

I could pull back the curtain on other activities too, in writing, marketing, and self-publishing. I hope that that will inspire you in your own writing business.

Trouble was, I didn’t want all my warts-and-all posts too public. Yes, I want to share all my oh no, good grief! and yippee! posts with you, but I don’t want them hanging around on the open web. So, I decided to create a newsletter on Substack.

Here it is: Angela Booth’s Newsletter.

How often can you expect to hear from Angela Booth’s Newsletter?

I estimate around two or three times a week, maximum. Of course, you can unsub at any time.

Next year, I may offer a paid version of the newsletter with additional, premium posts, but the main newsletter will always be free.

Sign up now so you don’t miss the first issue.

Already subscribed to a newsletter?

If you’re already subscribed to my “blog posts you may have missed” newsletter, that will continue, because I’ll be posting here as well as on the new “angelabooth” site.

Angela Booth’s Newsletter is solely for the behind-the-scenes material. :-)

Build a fiction ghostwriting business: start today

Our new program, Story Spinner: Build A Lucrative Fiction Ghostwriting Business In 7 Days, is available now.

In this new program you'll discover how to build a new business as a fiction ghostwriter in just seven days. The program includes everything you need. Get started today.

Blog Consolidation; A Brief Note

Just a quick note… As I’ve mentioned on my writing classes website, I’m consolidating my (many) writing blogs.

Going forward, my writing about writing will appear here.

Same stuff; different location. :-)

NEW: Write And Sell A Novella In 7 Days: Your Blueprint For Success

Check out our new program, Write And Sell A Novella In 7 Days: Your Blueprint For Success. It’s powerful, practical, and tested. Use it to enhance your sales when the holiday buying season starts in October.

How many novellas could you write before Christmas, if you could write a novella in seven days?

You’ll enjoy writing novellas; make this holiday season the best-ever for your self-publishing business.

Giggle of the Day: Writers' Muse

You'll love this Twitter account. Does this muse sound a little like yours? I've got to admit, it sounds something like mine... :-)

 

Corgis are hot these days, right? What about, like, werecorgis? Edgy, urban werecorgis looking for love in all the wrong places.

— The Worst Muse (@WorstMuse) July 7, 2014

New Series: Build Your Platform Online

Platform-building is vital for all writers. If you're a freelance writer, your platform will help you to get hired, and if you're writing books, you'll build your readership reader by reader.

To build your platform, you need to become visible online.

I'll bet you're thinking: Oh no -- I don't want to create a website.

Many writers worry about creating websites. They're intimidated by technology, and don't know how to get started. Blogging is even more of a challenge. Writers are worried that blogging takes too much time away from their primary writing.

Create an about.me page (free)

So today, we'll do something very simple to get you started building your platform. You'll just create an about.me page: an online calling card.

Above: my about.me page

This page gives potential clients somewhere to contact you, and if you're  writing books, it tells your readers a little bit about you.

Once you develop your own website or blog, you can link to it from your about me page.

It should take you no longer than a few minutes to set up your very own about.me page.

Create a WordPress.com blog (free)

Above: my hub on WordPress.com

Feeling a little more ambitious? If you are, go ahead and create a free website on wordpress.com. The site is hosted for you, so you don't have to concern yourself with nasty hacks.

Just sign up at wordpress.com, and your new blog will be created in minutes.

There... you've done it. You're well on the way to building your platform.

 

Around the Blogs This Week: $500 a Day, Fun

This past week was huge fun. Our Memories coaching workshop launched; I'll be sharing the process of "life writing" with more people. I love to see writers' writing and inspiration come alive.

I was asked what the difference is between Memories, and my "Write More" class. Write More gives you an essential writing process; it stops you procrastinating, because you no longer sit and stare at the computer screen. You've always got something to do. Memories on the other hand, use everything in your life, especially your childhood, to make your writing more powerful today.

"$500 a Day" series on the freelance writing blog

On the freelance writing blog, we ran a "$500 a Day" series, and won lots of messages and calls.

Since there was such a huge response, we'll be running more material to help you to increase your writing income, both on the blog, and in our writing tips ezine.

Fun on Tumblr

I love Tumblr as a platform because it's so easy to use. I've been recommending it to my clients, as well as to my writing students.

This week on the Angela Booth Tumblr blog, because it's the 200th anniversary of Pride and Prejudice, we covered a lot of "Jane" stuff, as you might imagine. We also had fun quotes, as well as some writing-related videos. Watch the video from Diana Gabaldon, it's excellent.

Onward, ever onward... I can't believe January is over, and we're in the second month of 2013. Time to get moving to make this year your best-ever writing year. :-)

 

 

Related articles

Around the Blogs January 19, 2013

Writers: How to Blog on Tumblr

"$500 a Day" Series On Fab Freelance Writing Blog - Angela Booth's Writepreneur: Your Writing Business

Around the Blogs January 11, 2013

Around the Blogs January 11, 2013

This is our first "around the blogs" post for 2013, so happy 2013 to you and yours. I'm looking forward to a great 2013, and I hope you are too. There have never been as many opportunities for writers as there are today. Let's make the most of them... :-)

Weebly Upgrade: New Features (and a Happy New Year)

We’re in the first few hours of 2013 here, Happy New Year to you. I hope 2013 is a wonderful year for you. Don’t forget our Happy 2013 special offering.

Just a short note to let you know that Weebly’s upgrading. I adore Weebly. I’ve been using it myself to prototype sites for my copywriting and Web content clients for many years. I also recommend the site to SYWON (Sell Your Writing Online Now) students.

Create a Money-Making Website in 30 Minutes

I created the above website in under 30 minutes, using the free website creation tool Weebly. Weebly’s a fun tool to use. I hadn’t used it in a while, so I timed myself. The 30 minutes included writing the content, and changing the Domain Name Servers (DNS) from Namecheap to Weebly. Weebly hosts all the sites you create on it, so you don’t need to worry about hosting. Indeed, you don’t even need to buy a domain — I wasn’t using the writepreneur.com domain for anything else, that’s the only reason I used my own domain.

The Freelance Writing Money Habit: 5 Things to Do To Increase Your Income Every Day

You’re a freelance writer. You write for money.

I recently came across a quote from Agatha Christie which describes the writers’ life: “I assumed the burden of a profession, which is to write even when you don’t want to, don’t much like what you are writing and aren’t writing particularly well.”

Instant Blogs with Weebly: Fun and Free

You can create “instant” blogs with Weebly very quickly.

Your Blog: Create a Business in 60 Minutes

Blogging is amazing. It’s instant publishing. It can even become a successful business. Considering that most businesses require many thousands of dollars of startup funding, it’s wonderful that you can start a blog without any investment at all.

Blogging: Show Me the Money

Making money blogging starts with choosing your topic, and the ways you’ll make money, before you start blogging.

Blogging When You Have No Time To Blog

Did you know that you can create a blog post in seconds? Discover how it’s done.

Weebly: Built-In Revenue Options (Ideal for Beginners)

How to start selling from your free Weebly website, quickly and simply.

Around the Blogs, December 31, 2012

Here we are in the final hours of 2012. How did your year go?

Let's look at what we covered on the blogs this past ten days.

Now’s The Best Time to Start a Writing Business

Want to start a freelance writing business? There’s never been a better time. There’s a LOT of content being published. Forbes for example, says: “When you add it all up, we’re publishing 400 to 500 posts a day.”

Your Writing Journals: Find Entries In Email Messages

I keep journals. Lots of them. I have writing journals for my most important projects. I also keep personal journals.

Ebooks: Don’t Panic, More Ebooks Means More Readers

If you’ve just gotten into ebooks, you may be wondering whether you’ve missed the window of opportunity.

New Blog? Try Tumblr

I love WordPress. Seriously, I do. I have many, many WordPress blogs. However, if you’re new to blogging, or if you just want to set up an experimental blog to try something out, don’t use self-hosted WordPress.

Content Marketing in 2013: Guest Blogging Still Works

I’ve had some questions from writing students about guest blogging. Apparently the word in the online marketing community is that guest blogging is “no longer effective”.

Writing Fiction AND Nonfiction: Tips

A SYWON (Sell Your Writing Online Now) student asks about writing both fiction, and nonfiction. He’s finding it a real challenge to do both.

Happy New Year Offering: Turbo Charge 2013

Discover our New Year’s special offering.

Related articles

Get a Journaling Habit

How Do I Write a Book?

Got a Blog? Create an Ebook

Tumblr: Could It Be the Blogging Platform for You?

It's Christmas: Happy Holidays!

From me and mine, to you and yours: have a wonderful holiday.

And in the immortal words of Dickens' Tiny Tim: "God bless Us, Every One!"

With much love and affection, and a big virtual hug...

Around the Blogs November 22, 2012

This past week, we covered: Web writing, copywriting, writing and selling ebooks, writing skills and more. Enjoy. :-)

Web Writing: Meet The Demand for Web Writers

I’ve been working with several print writers, helping them to make the transition to writing for the Web.

Increase Your Writing Income: Start a Copywriting Business TODAY

Want to start your own copywriting business? You can. You need to remember however, that although it’s a creative endeavor, it’s also a business. Do that, and your new venture will be successful.

3 Reasons You’re Not Getting the Writing Jobs You Want

Want to get writing jobs? Of course you do. However, you also want to get the right jobs — the jobs from clients who respect your skills, and pay you well — and on time.

Easy Ways to Promote (And Sell) Your Books

Some easy ways to promote and sell – everything starts with a plan.

Press Release — Angela Booth Announces Copywriting Monthly Magazine

In December, copywriter Angela Booth is launching a new multimedia magazine, Copywriting Monthly. The magazine will help copywriters, both new and established, to make money in the new world of marketing.

Conquer Your Writing Demons and Write Your Book

Want to write a book? If you haven’t started, something’s stopping you. And if you have started, I’m sure you’ve met the writing demons which plague all writers.

Writing Skills: These 3 Skills Are Essential for 2013

You’re a writer, an independent contractor. Therefore, when you’re hired, you’re not an employee.

Please take this to heart however: you need to be BETTER at what you do than any of the employees a company has on staff.

Collaboration Made Easier: CollabFinder

Working on a project and need help, but aren’t sure what kind of help is available? CollabFinder may help.

Social Media Madness: Stop Giving Your Leads Away

I’ve been working with a couple of clients who are busily promoting Twitter and Facebook. That’s not a good strategy. That’s throwing your leads away.

We Need to Know Your Characters Before We Care

You can start your novel any way you like.

Bad way: open your book with your character waking up. We all do this every day, and it’s been done in books so many times, that you’ll need some pretty fancy writing to make it interesting. And if you give in to the urge to over-write, it will look as if you’re trying too hard.

Genre Novels: Can You Create Your Own Genre?

Here’s a fascinating article; it’s an interview with Sylvia Day, the author who’s managed to displace EL James from the #1 spot in bestselling trade fiction.

WordPress Plugins Help You to Make Money Blogging

I’ve been using WordPress for almost a decade now, since it was first launched. It’s the #1 tool if you want to make money online with instant publishing.

Write a Novel: Title Your Book

You’ve got an idea for a novel, or you’ve completed a novel. Either way, you feel you need a title.

Related articles

Write a Book Tip: Transform a "Bad" Book

Speed Publishing: A Book in Two Weeks

Copywriting: Make 2013 the Year You Develop a Copywriting Career

Copywriting Jobs: Where to FInd Them

Make Money With Your Own Freelance Copywriting Business

If You Love "Fifty Shades", Good For You

But the thing is, the people who love the Fifty Shades trilogy aren’t in it for spectacular writing. They’re not even in it for salacious bondage scenes.

My guess is—because, of course, every reader is different—most of them love it because it entertains them and gives them a positive emotional rush and with a touch of naughty of excitement.

via bookthingo.com.au

While the Fifty Shades material isn't for me because I'm not interested in the two characters, I'm thrilled that people are reading.

If you love the material, good for you.

Read what you like, as long as you're reading. :-)

The Best Writing Tip You’ll Ever Get

Here's the best writing tip you'll ever get: do more research.

These days, writers have to write a lot, and research time can seem like wasted time.

Yes, researching can be mere procrastination. However, you need to do enough research so that you can write with authority.

As you research, be on the lookout for the "click".

The "click" is the tiny nugget of information, or the idea, or the insight, which will make your writing irresistible to the reader.

If you don't research, you'll never find the click. The click always takes a piece of writing to the next level. You won't always find it, but when you do, it makes the time you spent worthwhile.

Blog Roundup: Kindle Publishing, Book Reviews, Freelance Payment

Here’s what we discussed on the blogs this week…

Kindle Publishing: How to Get Reviews for Your Ebook

You’ve written a novel or nonfiction ebook and published it on the Kindle platform. Kudos to you, that’s a huge accomplishment. So, how do you get reviews?

Payment Hassles Solved? Freelance Nirvana

Here’s how freelancing is supposed to work: you do the work, you get paid.

Often it works that way just fine. Sometimes it doesn’t.

Is Your Content Marketing Campaign Working?

Just two years ago, you could run a content marketing campaign, and you were golden. Visibility was yours. You could pat yourself on the back. “Content marketing works”, you said, thinking about all those poor fools who were paying for traffic.

Are You a Closet Procrastinator?

Are you achieving what you want to achieve as a writer? If you aren’t, the reason is procrastination.

Here’s the thing about procrastination. It’s hard to identify. It’s sneaky. I’m sure that you have many excellent reasons you can’t achieve a full-time writing career, or achieve whatever it is you want to achieve.

Danger, Danger, Here Comes Google

OK, everyone look busy, here comes Google with yet another update: Penguin… and with further updates to Panda.

If you’re feeling like a galley slave of old as you try to maintain your search engine visibility, I sympathize. From what I’ve heard, lots of others are feeling bruised and mistreated too.

Blog Roundup: Get Paid to Write, Creativity, Write Kindle Ebooks

Here’s what we discussed on the blogs this week…

Get Paid to Write: “Standard” Rates? Heh…

I’ve had several queries this week about “standard” rates for writing projects.

I cover this in detail in Devilish Writer: How to Charge What YOU Want, and Get PAID, so here’s an excerpt…

Stop Stuttering: Get Creative

I’ve been thinking about creativity this past week, and I’ll be discussing it in this week’s issue of the ezine. As freelancers, we tend to pay lip service to creativity, rather than doing it.

Writing Jobs: How Much Can You Make as a Social Media Writer? (Guide)

We’re freelancers. We don’t want to get hired full-time, do we?

Just in case you do want that, here’s a useful infographic on how much social media marketing jobs pay: the Social Media Jobs and Salaries Guide.

Kindle Ebooks: Get Together with Other Authors

Publishing can be a lonely business. Self-publishing even more so. If you’re writing for the Kindle platform, going it alone is stressful. How do you promote your ebooks so that they’re found?

Writing Kindle Ebooks: Competing With Crap

There’s a lot of junk in the Amazon Kindle ebook store. This tends to upset folks…

My reaction to junk anywhere, has always been… “and your point is…??”

The Web’s packed with junk. So what?

End Kindle Formatting Chaos

Having trouble formatting your new Kindle ebook? You’re not alone. Help is at hand, however. Discover a brilliant new formatting tool.

Write a Lot: The Best Writing Advice

Writing a lot scares new writers. The blog post gives you some tips to help you to write more.

Writing for Content Mills? How to Stop

I thought the content mills had faded away, what with Google’s Panda updates.

It seems not. Sadly. They’re still around.

Here’s how to escape from these writers’ ghettos.

Ebooks: Sell Your Ebooks BEFORE You Write Them

Many writers write and sell ebooks. Here’s why: with billions of people online, those people want information, and they’re willing to pay for it. Discover how to sell your ebooks BEFORE you write them.

Write a Lot: The Best Writing Advice

I’ve been browsing the archives.

From November, 2004, “Tip #4: How to thrive as a freelance writer - write a lot”:

Peter Mayle, the author of A Year in Provence, says “The best advice on writing I’ve ever received is from Henry Miller’s On Writing: You have to write a million words before you find your voice as a writer.”

In that post, I commented on why writing a lot scares new writers. As I said, it shouldn’t. You write because you love it, yes?

How much are you writing?

Set a daily word count goal.

If you’re writing a book, you set a word count goal for that project, as well as an overall word count goal. Yes, you can count the words you write in emails, as well as Facebook and forums.

If you take care of the quantity you write, sooner or later the quality will show up. If you don’t write a lot, you’ll never get quality writing.

Stop thinking, start writing…

How much have YOU written today?

Want ways to write more?

Tips:

* Set an overall word count goal for each day;

* Write wherever you are. You don't need a "special" place to write. Just get comfortable using words. Write on your phone;

* Create a blog. If you already have a blog, blog daily;

* Think on paper. Writers write their thoughts: what's in their head. Words appear in your mind, you write them down -- hey presto, you're a WRITER;

* Write what scares you, and delights you;

* The words you write are NEVER the right words. You always have trouble putting it into words. That's OK. You'll get better at it.