6
Tips For Your Writing Journey
by: Laura
Hickey
So, you'd like to be a writer? Congrats!
Writing not only is a great way to express yourself, but
can provide an income. Keep in mind not all writers make
a fortune, some still cant quit their day job. Below are
some tips to start your writing journey.
1. Start Writing
Okay, so this tip is obvious. For
some, it's a question of what to write about, for others
how to write. Write how and what you want. What kind of
books do you like to read? Fiction, Mystery, science fiction,
how to books? How about articles, reports, maybe you're
interested in journalism. Whatever the case may be, to get
your creative juices flowing, start writing! Don't worry
about how it sounds, grammar or other mistakes, you can
go back to fix these.
2. Join online and offline groups/message
boards and chats
If you already know what you want
to write about, consider joining writer groups at your local
library, or online groups, along with message boards and
chats. It's a great way to network with other writers and
published authors. It's also a good place to share your
work and receive feedback. Many places online are free to
join, some require a membership which usually consist of
a user name, e-mail address and password for your user name.
Some request more information such as a name, address and
sometimes phone number.
3. The Library
You've probably heard about some books
that writers refer to, this could be writer markets, e-book
publishing, self publishing and generally how to improve
your writing. Bu what do you do when you can't afford to
buy these books from your local bookstore or online? A trip
to your library is the key. Many libraries carry writer
resource books, which if you have a library card, are free.
If you're living out of the area, the library may require
a fee for membership. The book you're looking for may not
always be at your local library, however libraries borrow
from other libraries in and out of state. The method of
receiving outside books is called Inter-Library Loan. Later
on, if you find the book to be a great resource, you may
be able to purchase a used copy online.
4. Researching
The Internet is also another good
resource for information. Keep in mind that not every resource
you find online is going to be an honest good resource.
It will take time to sort out which websites are useful.
Most information is free, so you can sit back and research
in the comfort of your home. If you don't have a computer
with Internet access, check your local library and see if
you can use one of theirs.
5. Workshops
Workshops taught by experts is a great
way to learn from the professionals, but only if you can
afford it! Make sure the topic of the workshop is based
around your interest. For instance, if you love fiction..it
wouldn't be a good idea to go to a workshop based only on
non-fiction. It's a good idea to register early to ensure
a spot at the event. Bring a new legal pad, plus a few writing
tools to take notes.
6. Contents
After writing a while, you may want
to enter contents. Some require an entry fee. I suggest
staying away from the entry fee contents until you've entered
some other free ones. That way you can get a feel for how
contests work. Spend some time writing and re-writing your
entries. If you've written your entry in 5 or so minutes,
th judges will notice it immediately. You wouldn't want
a reputation for sloppy work.
There you are, 6 tips to get you started
on your journey to writing. Good Luck!
Making Time for Results
There are a number of business owners and executives that
are not clear on what they are supposed to be doing. They
are very technically competent but they have not answered
some vital questions such as why are they on the payroll?
What have they employed to produce? What results are they
trying to achieve? Many of them have been running on the
same track for years.
One thing is certain though results do take time and you
need to ensure that the track you are running on is taking
you in the right direction. Follow these guidelines to help
you to get on the right track.
1. Know your key outputs These are the areas that produce
the measurable results in your business day in and day out.
What are you supposed to be doing? What have you been employed
to produce? A good way to define an output is that upon
completion it becomes an input for some one else. What are
the key outputs that you should be working on each day?
Your outputs should be measurable and time bounded. To define
your key outputs examine the following areas: · Economics
– What financial results are your trying to achieve?
· Customers – Growth, retention & acquisition
of new clients · Quality – What level of quality
of products do you want to achieve? · People development
– What level of output and development do you want
from your team? · Productivity – Sales targets,
budgets that you want achieve? · Organizational –
planning and future growth of your organization? These are
the key outputs areas that will determine the success of
your business?
2. Get out of the box and become future oriented By becoming
customer focused; you cannot be customer focused whilst
in the box – Form the habit of thinking solely in
your client’s best interest. This is a key to having
goals other than money. One way to achieve this is by becoming
future oriented with your customers, people, organisation
and team. Get out the office and go and talk them about
their future where they are going.
3. Set up your ideal day or week Once you know your outputs
and become future oriented you can then ask the question
what would your ideal day, week, or month look like if you
were producing your key outputs? Know and understand your
prime time and structure your day to produce the outputs
required for your business. “ Anyone can succeed by
working for half a day, five days a week. You just have
to decide which half: the first 12 hours or the second 12
hours” Ben Feldman Every industry will have its prime
time for conducting business, once you determine what your
prime time is you must schedule activities and daily task
so that you are delivering your key outputs during this
time.
A lot has been written on time management results but here
is one secret” you make your own rules don’t
wait for someone else especially your competitors to tell
you how”.
You are in the driver seat, define your outputs create
your own lead and just go for it.
2004 Clifton Warren
Clifton Warren is the managing director of performance
improvement international. He is speaker, coach and writer,
with many published articles on productivity and performance
in the workplace. You can contact him at www.perform-improvement.com
and sign up for free how to articles.
About The Author
Laura Hickey is the author of the children's book Mysterious
Chills and Thrills- 10 short stories to tickle the imagination.
It may be purchased at http://www.laurahickey.com.
Access Laura's press kit...interviews, book reviews, PR's
and more.
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