365 Days of Writing, Marketing & E-Publishing

Sunday, September 7, 2014

Day 42...Don't Be Alarmed, Sometimes This Happens...

Welcome to Day 42...

Yesterday I wrote about how much I was able to write and how easy it came.

It was all because I had engaged my subconscious in a powerful way. I didn't fight against getting stuck.

Instead I just walked away, became busy with other things and in no time I was rushing back to the computer to finish off a scene or some dialogue that just minutes ago I was having a problem with.

But it didn't end there.

This morning I woke up and my mind was flooding with a new idea to include in my book, NEVER LET ME GO. It had to do with introducing two secondary characters to strengthen one of the plot lines.

And the idea is really spot on. It heightens the level of thrills and suspense I'm always looking to incorporate in my stories.

Part of me wants to say wow, but part of me just gets the joke. This just works. In the past twenty four hours my subconscious did more than just offer up specifics when I was stuck in idle, now I got a great story line along with two minor (yet relevant ) characters to enhance the book.

The subconscious part of your brain is simply a key tool in writing better and faster.

So you don't forget...here's today's Takeaway Lesson...

"Your subconscious mind is a powerful ally in your writing and publishing success."

Here's to Being All In,

Maggie

Follow me on Twitter @AuthorMaggie #busywriterslife

Visit my website @ www.maggiecollins.net

Like me on Facebook Maggie Collins

365 Days & Counting...

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Saturday, September 6, 2014

Day 41...Why You Should Try This...

Welcome to Day 41...

For a Saturday, it's been a pretty chill day. Slept in a bit, worked out, did a little laundry and tabled any errands for tomorrow.

Oh and I wrote. Surprisingly a lot.

The writing came easy today. Actually I wrote on and off all day.

The key being on and off. Let me explain.

It's been a long week. A very long week, so when it came to getting some writing done, I didn't have any great expectations today about starting or finishing or number of words.

I just knew I wanted to get some writing in. So I did. And every time I got a bit stuck - like on a character's thoughts or a bit of dialogue - I simply got up from the computer and walked away.

I read, I folded more laundry, I chatted with my hubby and my daughter.

And here's the great thing, even though I was walked away and had decided I was taking a break, my brain didn't get the memo.

While I was reading or folding or talking, my brain was trying to finish what I had started - the scene, the description, the thought. And within a no time, I was rushing back to the computer to fill in the missing piece that just minutes early was giving me a problem.

It's like the subconscious part of my brain was doing all the heavy lifting today. And writing became almost effortless. That's the thing about brain power and your subconsciousness. It's always on...even when you don't want to be. Tap in and make it work for you today.

Albert Einstein said it best, which is why I'm making it Today's Take Away Lesson...

"The intellect has little to do on the road to discovery. There comes a leap in consciousness, call it Intuition or what you will, the solution comes to you and you don't know how or why."

Here's to Being All In,

Maggie

Follow me on Twitter @AuthorMaggie #busywriterslife

Visit my website @ www.maggiecollins.net

Like me on Facebook Maggie Collins

365 Days & Counting...

Friday, September 5, 2014

Day 40...How to Live a Life..

Welcome to Day 40...

The funny thing about death is that often times it offers us compelling lessons about how to live life.

By now everyone has heard about Joan River's passing yesterday. And it really doesn't matter if you were a fan of her edgy style or not, the woman was a force that couldn't be ignored... in comedy... entertainment and in business.

So what can we learn from her life and her success?

A lot, like...

Be a Risk Taker...

Back in the 1960's, in a field dominated by men, she hit the comedy circuit with her razor sharp wit and self deprecating lines, tackling everything from sex to plastic surgery. As one of the first female stand up comediennes, she is and will always be considered a true pioneer for women in comedy.

Don’t Give Up. Ever...

After getting her own late night show on Fox, Joan had a falling out with Johnny Carson, who banned her from not only the Tonight Show but also any other NBC productions. According to many sources, Joan saw Carson as her mentor and she was devastated by his treatment of her. More difficulties and tragedies followed including the cancellation of her own show, bankruptcy and even the devastating loss of her husband to suicide. But she moved forward. Not only forging on with her comedy appearances, but eventually adding producer, director, best selling author, and successful business owner to her resume.

Embrace Who You Are...

She wasn't the prettiest one in the room, or the one with the best figure, or the most refined...so what did she do? She made jokes about her flat chest, her sex life and as she said in her own words, found success, great success "from saying what everyone else is thinking."

and I found this one from Inc..

"Feel No Fear"

"Having been through so much, Rivers grew bolder as she got older. She'd been through being fired, bankrupt, unable to get work, and losing her beloved husband in a particularly sudden and tragic way. Once someone has been through all of that, she realizes she can survive whatever life brings her way. This realization empowered Rivers to make bold moves in her career without letting fear hold her back." http://www.inc.com/john-boitnott/5-lessons-from-joan-rivers.html

As writers, what we do everyday is hard...writing...editing...marketing...self publishing.

Now when things seem tough I plan on stopping for a moment to think of Joan Rivers, her life lessons and one of her favorite symbols...the bumble bee.

Something else about Joan was that she was a big fan of the bumble bee. In fact bee pins became the signature piece in her jewelry line.

So why bumble bees?

"Rivers explained that if you looked at aerodynamics, at science, the bumble bee should not be able to fly. Physically, it was just not anatomically equipped to soar. Yet it did, defying gravity, defying logic. The bee was a creature that defied and beat the odds, a miracle."

http://homeshoppingista.wordpress.com/2014/09/05/how-qvc-queen-joan-rivers-brought-us-to-tears/

R.I.P. Joan Rivers...

Here's more on this dynamic icon...

http://www.popcorndiary.com/PagesRecentDVD/dvd_joan_rivers.htm

http://patch.com/california/encino/joan-rivers-mixes-barbs-with-life-lessons-3#.VAisv8JdX6I
http://pagesix.com/2014/09/04/giving-thanks-for-joan-rivers-my-friend-and-my-idol/
http://www.elpasotimes.com/ci_16331813

As for Today's Take Away Lesson...

"Defy and Beat the Odds...Remember, Anything is Possible."

Here's to Being All In,

Maggie

Follow me on Twitter @AuthorMaggie #busywriterslife

Visit my website @ www.maggiecollins.net

Like me on Facebook Maggie Collins

365 Days & Counting...

Thursday, September 4, 2014

Day 39...Can We Talk?

Welcome to Day 39...

Sad news today about the passing of Joan Rivers. No matter what you think of her edgy comedy style, the woman was a powerhouse...in entertainment, in business and in life...

An off the charts work ethic, had this 81 year old woman flying cross country between her hosting duties on Fashion Police, her stand up comedy appearances and selling her jewelry and clothing line on QVC.

She was an achiever.

So much so that she kept pushing forward and striving despite a number of personal and professional set backs.

Her's what she had to say about it in her own words...

"You must push yourself out the door," she said. "No one's going to ring your bell. You must go through every door that opens. You must go through every window that opens."

Great words to live and work and move forward by.

As for Today's Take Away Lesson...Also from Joan...

"I have become my own version of an optimist. If I can't make it through one door, I'll go through another door—or I'll make a door. Something terrific will come no matter how dark the present."

Here's to Being All In,

Maggie

Follow me on Twitter @AuthorMaggie #busywriterslife

Visit my website @ www.maggiecollins.net

Like me on Facebook Maggie Collins

365 Days & Counting...

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Day 38...Back to Basics...

Welcome to Day 38...

In fashion, it's the little black dress or a navy sport's coat...

In math, it's addition...

In chemistry, it's the elements table.

Do a google search of "The Basics of..." and you get all sorts of results

The basics of genetics...flight...a good night's sleep...Buddhism...estate planning...

You get the picture.

Day in, day out...the basics matter.

Why?

Because when everything else seems complicated or confusing, the basics give you just what you need...a starting point...a place to build from...

It's safe and sure and you can access it every single time.

It's all about starting with fundamental things that are tried and true. And just plain work.

Then before you know it, you're going farther and faster. Building on ideas and going places you've never thought you would go.

The basics for me this week?

It's all about Writing Well and Writing Often. Which means showing up at my computer ready to write during my Power Time (usually before the sun is even up).

Keeping with the basics means I'm moving forward in getting my book finished. It also energizes me on keeping me in the game on all aspects of my writing, marketing and publishing.

So far the effort has been good. I completed another scene bringing my current draft of NEVER LET ME GO to 27,269 words.

It's good for me to note these mile markers. My books usually run about 65,000 words so it gives me an idea of where I am in the race and how much further I have to go.

Like I said....the basics just seems to work. Every time.

As for Today's Take Away Lesson...

"You Can't Change the World If You Don't Know the Basics."

Here's to Being All In,

Maggie

Follow me on Twitter @AuthorMaggie #busywriterslife

Visit my website @ www.maggiecollins.net

Like me on Facebook Maggie Collins

365 Days & Counting...

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Day 37...Creating More of What You Want in Life...Part 2

Welcome to Day 37...

Yesterday we talked about setting goals...here's some more tips for designing a life you love...

1. For big goals...life changing goals, you must have a strong vested interest.
Something big is going to take a lot of time and energy. You must be passionate about what you're working towards or have a strong drive to succeed. I've talked about before...in a way you need to fall a little in love with your goal. That connection will ensure you show up everyday to meet the daily "to dos" you need to accomplish your bigger goal.

2. Formulate a game plan that's focused enough to carry you through to your goal, but also fluid enough to allow you to make adjustments along the way.

3. Set a visual picture of achieving your goal and post that picture in your brain. What does it look like...feel like...how does it change your life? Lock into that picture and do it often.

4. Celebrate the milestones...the scenes you complete, the difficult plot lines you work through,
Take stock of how far you've come and don't forget to reward yourself...take a much needed break or indulge in some retail therapy or a spa morning - be mindful about celebrating all you've accomplished and the challenges you've overcome.

5. Keep your eye on the prize...or in this case the goal. When it gets tough remind yourself that the energy in life is fluid. Because things do change, don't forget that a bad day today can turn into a good day tomorrow.

Now for for Today's Take Away Lesson...

"Do What You Love and You'll Never Work a Day in Your Life"

Here's to Being All In,

Maggie

Follow me on Twitter @AuthorMaggie #busywriterslife

Visit my website @ www.maggiecollins.net

Like me on Facebook Maggie Collins

365 Days & Counting...

Monday, September 1, 2014

Day 36...Create More of What You Want in Life...

Welcome to Day 36...

There seems to be a tenable truth in life...What you focus on expands.

Focus on your problems and they seem to get bigger and harder to fix.

Focus on achieving a goal or a creating a change and those things you've dreamed about and hoped for, have a much better chance of becoming your reality.

In fact they say, if you change your thoughts you can change the world...why not start today with simply changing your world?

You might ask why now?

Well I've always thought September was a great time of the year to set new goals. There's something exciting and hopeful about back to school time. It's about new beginnings, new dreams, new goals to slay.

So as the days grow shorter and as the kids head back to school with new challenges and new possibilities to face, why not take some time to set some goals for your own up coming "school year".

Begin by asking yourself, by this time next year, what do I want my life to look like?

What will change? What will be different?

Take some time today to Dream Big and Dream Well. And then use the S.M.A.R.T. plan to turn those dreams into real results.

What's S.M.A.R.T.?

It's a concrete, workable way to move your goals forward. You do that by making sure you're goals are...

S - Specific
M - Measurable
A - Achievable
R - Realistic
T - Timely

Here's how it breaks out...

Be Specific with your goals - I want to write 3000 words a week vs I want to write more. And when you're setting those goals make sure they're Achievable and Realistic. For example I want to write 3 bestselling books by springs probably isn't an Achievable or Realistic goal - especially if your just starting out. Be positive and think big in your goal setting endeavors but make sure those goals are doable and attainable.

Your goals should be Measurable - Plan out your goals so that you can easily measure daily, weekly, and monthly progress. Set a goal of a daily writing output, and a weekly and monthly number of scenes completed.

Timely - Set out some time frames for your goals and then break those larger goals down into smaller completion target dates.

My goals of course revolve around writing and publishing. By this time next year I'd like to have 2 more books on the self-published shelf and I'd like to see a 30% increase in my book sales.
I'm working steadily towards those goals and my weekly to do list helps keep me on track and moving me forward.

Now for for Today's Take Away Lesson...

"What You Focus on Expands...So Choose Your Focus Wisely..."

Here's to Being All In,

Maggie

Follow me on Twitter @AuthorMaggie #busywriterslife

Visit my website @ www.maggiecollins.net

Like me on Facebook Maggie Collins

Want to know more about S.M.A.R.T. Goal Setting? Here's a helpful link...http://topachievement.com/smart.html

365 Days & Counting...

My Books

Sunday, September 7, 2014

Saturday, September 6, 2014

Friday, September 5, 2014

Thursday, September 4, 2014

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Monday, September 1, 2014