When you spend valuable time crafting a blog or article, it should continue to be read long after you publish it. Most of us have tons of great content hiding in the depths of our blogs. It’s time to let it resurface and breathe the fresh air. If you repurpose your blog content, you can keep your writing fresh and in front of your readers.
It’s super fun to read a great book and then immediately watch the movie…something I did with Gone Girl, Twilight, Hunger Games, and the Hobbit. It’s also equally frustrating with the movie turns out to not live up to par.
In today’s Writer’s Chat, we discuss which stories are better as books, as movies, and which did a great job all the way around!
Someone will critique your work – it’s inevitable, and you don’t want it to be your publisher. Today’s Writers Chat digs in to why critique groups can be helpful for your writing career.
Critique Group Tips
Keep critique groups small.
Find Critique Groups
Your local librarian should have suggestions. They know local authors and can link you to other writers.
Also Word Weavers International is a great place to start. They have local in-person chapters, but also have groups to join online.
Attend writers conferences.
Have “Early Readers” and what Bethany calls, the “Yes” Reader.
WATCH OUT for someone who tries to change your “voice.”
Have your critique group members be close to your skill level.
Fitness and writers are two words that don’t often go together. A common joke among writers is “Q: How do you write a book? A: Bottom in chair.” Today we’re talking about how to get your rear out of the chair! It’s awesome to have April Carpenter with us sharing tips and resources to make sure we’re taking care of our bodies and not just sitting forever. Check out her Facebook page!
Exercise Pyramid
1. Stop sitting so much.
2. Choose the active way. Move 30 minutes every day. PLUS aerobic exercises each week.
Banish Excuses
“If you complain, you will remain.”
When I’m writing, I get on a roll and can’t stop.
What if inspiration strikes while I’m on a walk? I’ll forget it.
Use a recorder or voice memo on your phone in case inspiration strikes, can also type in notes.
Wear a running belt to run or walk to hold your phone and headphones
Massage therapists, physical therapists, and chiropractors
Good shoes *Bethany’s tip*
Prayer
What are you afraid of? Time? Muscle soreness? Losing inspiration? Fear and faith demand hope without seeing.
Rhythms of Growth devotional
Develop Your Own Rule
Example: For every 20 minutes, drink 2-3 oz of water. For every hour of writing, I’m going to ________________.
Stretch.
God’s called you to do a work. You must take care of your instrument. Long-term, we need to be stretching every day. You lose flexibility every day that you don’t stretch.
Take care of the whole package.
Mind, body, and spirit. Relax. Eat healthy and yummy snacks: Kind bars, Pop chips, Larabars
Athena Dean Holtz is the co-founder of Redemption Press and host of Always Faithful Radio Group, mentions the book Nam Vet: Making Peace with your Past (paperback here | e-book here) and how it sold 10,000 copies before it got a press behind it and has gone on to sell hundreds of thousands. Self-publishing can be an incredible tool, especially if you have an already-built audience.
Athena’s Publishing Tips
Be teachable!!! Use an editor, and critique group!
Have someone critique who isn’t your “yes” person and doesn’t know your entire back story. Too much familiarity can cause your reader to subconsciously fill in the gaps.
A speaker (or anyone who has a built-in audience) may need product right away – and self-publishing is a great way to fill this need.
Recommends Lightning Source for Print on Demand
Take the Time to Set Up:
Cover
Editing & Critiquing
Layout
Walk around Barnes and Noble and check out what you like. Write down your themes and commonalities so you can get the branding you want.
What an amazing Writers Chat session today! Kevin Buchanan, author of The World Needs Your Hustle, (available Jan 2016) shared his 4 Steps to Accomplishing ANY goal, and we shared why and how to use a word for your year’s resolution.
Check it out here: Helping others accomplish their goals helps you accomplish yours. @kevinbuchanan
Kevin Buchanan’s 4 step system to accomplishing your goals:
Get specific – What do you want? What is your goal? Now narrow it. Get even more specific to focus your on your goal.
Determine your why. Why do you want to accomplish that goal? There is always a deeper reason WHY you want to accomplish your goal.
Create an action plan. What can you do this week to get you closer to your goal?
Celebrate your accomplishment! What can you do to reward yourself after 30 days.
What is your word of the year for 2016?
Mine is mogul.[Tweet “Helping others accomplish their goals helps you accomplish yours. Via @kevinbuchanan”]
Setting Goals
Don’t announce a huge goal at the beginning of Jan
Start from the smallest to the largest goal
Starting small is ok because bigger opportunities will come
Be realistic – you can’t do it all in one day
What do you have to do today to get you goals accomplished by the end of the year?
