If you’re a writer who struggles with self-doubt, frustration, writer’s block, fear of failure, perfectionism, disgust for your work, hopelessness, complacency, and just plain boredom — you’re normal, because all writers do!   This eBook will help you write through it all. 

Here’s what one reader says:

“After reading your e-Book I am totally charged! It’s motivational, easy to read, and speaks directly to me and every one of my writing angsts and blocks – your energy vibrates off the page. It’s like having you personally talking to me, telling it like it is and encouraging me on. It spoke to so many of my blocks – and I credit it with firing me up after being on simmer for so long.” ~ Maggie R.

I love it — that’s exactly what I was hoping would happen!

To learn more, visit 73 Ways to Fire Up (or Just Fire) the Muse: How to Write Even When You Don’t Wanna, or Think You Can’t.

And if you have any questions or thoughts, please ask below…

As a full-time freelance writer and blogger in Vancouver, British Columbia, I’m living proof that dreams do come true if you don’t mind bleeding, sweating, and crying a little…or a lot! I always wanted to earn a living as a writer, and am grateful for my work and life.

I’ve contributed to magazines such as Reader’s Digest, Writer’s Digest, Health, Woman’s Day, Spirituality & Health, alive, MSN Health and sometimes More.

I also enjoy writing health articles, newsletters, profiles, etc for clients such as BC Women’s Hospital and Health Match BC. I teach a Make Money Blogging course through Simon Fraser University, at the Vancouver campus. And, as an experienced teacher, I’m available to teach writing workshops, sit on blogging panels, etc.

My degrees are in Psychology and Education, from the University of Alberta in Edmonton; I live on Bowen Island, British Columbia, Canada (a 20 minute ferry ride from Vancouver).

Quips and Tips is my main focus these days — I created and manage five blogs that weave quotations with practical life tips. Though I happily accept assignments from editors and other clients, my dream is to build my blog empire and write a series of Quips and Tips e-books. I want to inspire people to pursue their dreams and achieve their goals — and I love the feedback and questions I get from readers!

See Jane Soar is my sixth blog; there, I offer life lessons inspired by quotations from successful woman. It’s based on a book project I’m working on.

That’s me, in a nutshell! Do you have any questions or thoughts? Just make a comment below. If you’d prefer to contact me directly, my email address is on my Education & Work History page.

And if you have a question about writing or blogging, ask me on Questions (and Answers) About Writing.

Go well, my friends…

Laurie

And, I’m sad to report that my literary agent and I aren’t on the same page when it comes to my latest book proposal…which means I’m looking for new representation! I’ve sent out a few query letters to agents before Christmas, and will continue my search in the new year…wish me luck…

Okay, here’s a roundup of my latest articles on Quips and Tips, See Jane Soar, and Psychology at Suite101…

New Articles on Quips & Tips for Successful Writers

Making Your Blog Posts Popular – 5 Web Writing Tips – a guest post from fellow Suite 101 writer, Mark Solomon. He markets his online articles in 72 different ways!

How to Write Better – 5 Quick Tips for Clear, Effective Writing – because writing is a lifelong learning process.

Blogging Goals – 7 Types of Goals to Set for Your Blog – different possibilities to focus on for your blog, for the New Year.

New Articles on Quips & Tips for Achieving Your Goals

Money Psychology – How Your Personality Affects Your Saving and Spending Habits  –how you invest, save, and spend your money is connected to your personality and upbringing – fascinating!

Help for Remarriages – 6 Tips for Coping With Angry Ex-Wives – because a reader asked how to deal with your new husband’s bitter ex-wife. Take her out for coffee, I say.

How to Save More Money – 5 Easy Tips for Creating Wealth – because we’ll be paying off our home mortgage soon, and I’m good with money!

Save Your Marriage Without Going to Couples Counseling – many couples can’t afford or don’t want to try marriage counseling, and there are ways to build a healthier relationship without external help.

New Articles on Quips & Tips for Couples Coping With Infertility

For Adoptive Parents – 10 Tips for a Successful Adoption – because we’re thinking about fostering or adopting kids…and I’m learning a lot about the process!

The Basics of a Sperm Test for Male Infertility – if you’ve been trying for a year and haven’t gotten pregnant yet, you should get a semen analysis done.

10 Ways to Increase Male and Female Fertility – a guest post from the Fertility Centers of Illinois – basic tips, but good reminders.

Why Can’t I Get Pregnant? 20 Possible Causes of Infertility – who know there were so many reasons women can’t get pregnant? Luckily, many are overcome-able.

New Articles on Quips & Tips for Spiritual Seekers

How Visualization or Guided Imagery Affects the Natural Healing Process – I’m learning just how powerful our thoughts are, and love writing about the mind-body connection.

Living a Spiritual Life by Understanding Spiritual Energy – written by my blog partner Gini Grey, this article describes spiritual energy in some detail.

Turning Religion Into Spirituality – 6 Tips for Spiritual Growth – because some of us are religious, but not spiritual. This is a joint blog post: me and Gini Grey!

5 Ways to Increase Workplace Spirituality – why leave your spiritual life at the door? Practical tips for feeling peaceful and fulfilled at work.

New Articles on See Jane Soar

5 Ideas for Turning a Hobby Into a Successful Business – for peeps who love their hobbies and want to make money, too. It’s possible! 

Living With Diabetes for Women – Mary Tyler Moore – because I didn’t know that Mary Tyler Moore – “we’re going to make it after all!” – has lived with diabetes for 30 years.

New Articles on Psychology Suite 101

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Children – anything that disrupts a child’s routine or threatens him or her can lead to anxiety or panic attacks. PTSD isn’t just for war vets. 

Choosing the Right Antidepressant for Depression – those depression meds aren’t all made the same, my friend, and which ones you take depends on your symptoms and lifestyle.

Managing the Side Effects of Antidepressants – research shows that the best treatment for depression is a combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy and antidepressants…this article describes how to cope with the side effects.

That’s it for now, my friends! If you have any questions, comments, or jokes for me, please share below…

First, advice from Ray Bradbury for writers:

“To sum it all up, if you want to write, if you want to create, you must be the most sublime fool that God ever turned out and sent rambling.

You must write every single day of your life.

You must read dreadful dumb books and glorious books, and let them wrestle in beautiful fights inside your head, vulgar one moment, brilliant the next.

You must lurk in libraries and climb the stacks like ladders to sniff books like perfumes and wear books like hats upon your crazy heads. 

I wish for you a wrestling match with your Creative Muse that will last a lifetime.

I wish craziness and foolishness and madness upon you.

May you live with hysteria, and out of it make fine stories—science fiction or otherwise.

Which finally means, may you be in love every day for the next 20,000 days. And out of that love, remake a world.”

Thanks, Mr Bradbury — this is wonderful advice for writers.

Okay, here’s a roundup of my new articles on my four blogs…

New Article on Quips & Tips for Successful Writers

• Writing Careers – Jobs for Magazine Staff Writers and Editors – I quoted Rona Maynard in this article – she was the editor of the fabulously successful Chatelaine magazine for 10 years. Canadian! 

New Articles on Quips & Tips for Achieving Your Goals

• Leaving Your Husband or Wife – 4 Ways to File for Divorce – if you’re getting a divorce, here are four options (I’d go with mediation – but I’m not getting divorced!).
• How to Save Christmas Money Before the Holiday Season – this is a great list of ways to save money, from Ethan Ewing of Bills.com.
• Signs of Eating Disorders in Teenagers – because too many girls struggle with body image and body confidence issues.
• 8 Thanksgiving Gift Ideas for Turkey Day – Thanksgiving is just ‘round the corner for Canadians…what are you taking for the cooker of the turkey?
• Invited to a Potluck on Turkey Day? Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas – if you’re invited to a turkey day potluck, you’ll find some great ideas for gifts and dishes here.
• How to Find the Right Brain Games and Brain Exercises – from Alex Colket, creator of PlayWithYourMind.com.

New Articles on Quips & Tips for Couples Coping With Infertility

• Infertility and Divorce – How to Know if You Can Save Your Marriage – I tell ya, I picked up A Step-by-Step Guide to Deciding Whether to Stay or Go by Susan Pease Gadoua because I thought it’d trigger an article idea…and I wrote three articles about divorce. 
• Ways to Cope With Infertility Depression on Thanksgiving Day – because infertility depression is worse over the holidays, unless you can get out of town or something.

New Articles on See Jane Soar

• Women Considering Divorce – Signs It’s Time to Leave Your Husband – it can be hard to know if you can save your marriage, but sometimes the signs say go go go!!
• What Halloween Costumes Reveal About Personality Traits – Halloween is just ‘round the corner for everyone (not just Canadians!) – what does your costume say about you? 

If you want to read more about relationships, go to Popular Articles About Love, Relationships, and Infidelity – there’s lots of info there! 

Oh, yes, and I also wrote How to Decide About Getting Divorced: 4 Options for Married Couples in Unhappy Marriages on my Psychology topic on Suite101, where I’m a Feature Writer. Mustn’t forget about Suite!

What I’m Reading This Week – Book Recommendation

As I said, I’m reading Contemplating Divorce: A Step-by-Step Guide to Deciding Whether to Stay or Go by Susan Pease Gadoua. Even if you aren’t considering divorce, this book shows how to build a happy marriage – or how to reconnect with your spouse. And since so many readers ask questions about love and relationships on my Quips & Tips blogs, I think this information will help me help them!

Click on the book cover for details. 

That’s it for this week!

You’re welcome to share your thoughts, questions, concerns, or jokes below…

Last week, I submitted my sample chapters to my agent, to be forwarded to a Canadian publishing house. They’ve been considering my See Jane Soar book idea for over a year. That’s a long time to wait in human terms… but in book publishing terms, it’s but a drop in the bucket. The publishing process moves at glacial speed at the best of times! 

But I can’t sit around twiddling my thumbs and biting my nails while I wait for the publishers to decide on the fate of my book. I’ll get old and gray! Older and grayer.

Are you in the same boat? If not now, you might be soon…

Here’s a list of things for writers to do while waiting for publishers or editors to decide on book proposals, sample chapters, manuscripts, or article ideas:

• Plan a vacation
• Start a writers’ group
• Start a blog
• Start a book club
• Stop wondering what the publisher or editor thinks about your writing
• Stop thinking that this is your last chance to get published
• Explore different writing websites or blogs – I’ve recently discovered Aspiring Author and Advice to Writers and love them!
• Treat yourself to a leather writing journal (the one pictured is gorgeous, click for details)
• Plan your long and short-term writing goals
• Research new writing markets
• Learn how hobbies become money making careers
• Clean up your blog (check for broken links, jazz up your “about” page, refresh ad sizes and colors, etc)
• See if you can discern a distinct writer’s voice in your favorite books
• Find ways to recharge your batteries
• Start a new exercise program (I love the 10 Minute Solutions Pilates DVDs!)
• Go to Amazon.com and write a review of a book you’ve recently read
• Update your Facebook profile
• Improve your writing skills by taking an editing or web writing class
• Throw a Goddess party
• Spend the afternoon in the library, browsing all the sections
• Spend the afternoon in bed, reading your favorite books (or relaxing in other ways)
• Brainstorm new article or book ideas
• Declutter your Google Reader (or other RSS feed-reading device)

And finally, think about John Updike’s advice to writers…

“Try to develop steady work habits, maybe a more modest quota, but keep to it,” said John Updike. “Don’t be thin-skinned or easily discouraged because it’s an odds-long proposition; all of the arts are. Many are called, few are chosen, but it might be you.” (Courtesy of Advice to Writers)

Do you have any tips or questions about waiting for publishers or editors to decide on the fate of your book or article? What do you do while you wait? I welcome your comments below!

P.S.  These tips work for when you’re waiting for literary agents, too.

I submitted my three sample chapters to my agent last week, who delivered them to a potential publisher (my fingers and toes are crossed! See Writing Strategy #3 – Write for One Hour for details). Part of my editing process included showing my sample chapters to my writer’s group. Their feedback resulted in more work…and sample chapters that flowed.

Writer’s groups can be an effective way to improve your writing.

But don’t just plop your novel into the laps of your fellow writers. Instead, ask for specific feedback for whatever you’re showing to your writer’s group, whether it’s sample chapters, book proposals, query letters, or even blog posts. Don’t just ask, “How can I make it better?” Ask your reviewers to look for specific literary techniques or organizational problems.

Specific things to ask your writer’s group to look for:

• Wordiness, run on sentences, sentence fragments
• Redundancies, such as she put her hat on her head (“on her head” is unnecessary)
• Passive voice
• Weak verbs and limp nouns
• Repetition
• Poor punctuation
• Poor grammar
• Writing that doesn’t flow
• Clichés, tired similes, blah metaphors; no evidence that you’re writing for publication

I wouldn’t recommend asking your writer’s group to look for all those writing infractions. You could consider asking your group to look for a couple issues, a bookwork friend to look for a couple more, and your objective sister to weed out even more problems.

But…I also recommend not showing your work to too many readers, especially if they love you. You’ll get conflicting feedback, which can be confusing. And, your readers may affect your voice or style — which is what you don’t want. If you use this writing strategy, do with caution!

I welcome your comments or questions about this or any writing strategy below. And, I’d love to hear your stories of asking for feedback for sample chapters, book proposals or article pitches…how does it work for you?

First, a tip for attending writer’s conferences:  Go to the writing panels, not just the workshops. I love the Surrey International Writer’s Conference for many reasons; one is the proliferation of panels they offer. Panels are especially informative and entertaining because you learn from a variety of specialists – not just one writer, novelist, or blogger.

5 Web Writing Tips From a Panel of Expert Bloggers

Darren Rowse and Chris Garrett’s book ProBlogger: Secrets for Blogging Your Way to a Six-Figure Income is one of the best ways to learn about web writing! Click on the book cover if you’re serious about blogging.

1. Write short, concise blog posts. To keep your readers reading and ensure your post gets indexed by Google and other spiders, keep your posts between 250-600 words long. More than 600 words is too long for readers; less than 250 means your post might not be found. Note that some writers (such as Crawford Killian, a Tyee writer) set their upper limit at 1,300 words; it just depends on the blog and the blogger’s purpose.

2. Give your readers something to do at the end. Provide at least a couple of options at the end of your blog post. You could list a few links to a related article or invite your readers to comment or ask a question. This purpose of this web writing tip is to help your readers decide what to do next.

3. Limit your internal and external links. If you have too many links in your post, your readers may not know if they should click the link or keep reading. I try not to include more than three links in my blog posts. This post will be four, because I want to internally link at least once!

4. Use nouns as much as possible. Instead of saying “you” when you’re referring to bloggers, use the words “effective web writers” or “bloggers.” I tend to overuse the word “you” when I blog or write for Suite101, and I’m sure it negatively affects my rank with Google. Don’t use “click here” or “read this article” as link text. Instead, use a keyword, article title, or webpage title.

5. Write a strong title and first sentence (or two). I didn’t mention this in the Web Writing Panel, but it’s an important tip for bloggers: Pay special attention to your first two sentences of your post. If you want Google and other search engines to spider and rank it properly, make sure your first two sentences contain keywords and keyphrases. Your first sentence (or two, depending on the length) are the first things surfers see in the Google search results, so they need to accurately represent your post.

If you have any web writing questions, please ask below. You might also find Keyword Optimization Tips for Web Writing helpful, on Quips & Tips for Successful Writers.

And…I listed three more online writing or blogging tips from my first stint as a participant in a web writing panel, in What I Learned as a Participant in a Web Writing Panel. Come see!

My sample chapters to a publisher are due in a couple of weeks, my series of seven health articles is due in one week, an editor needs me to rewrite an introduction to an article I recently submitted (my original isn’t gripping enough), and my blog schedule may be just a little too demanding.

Aaacck! 

How do you write when you feel overwhelmed, unmotivated, or just plain not good enough?

You work for one hour.

This is one of the most effective ways to write books, articles, and book proposals: tackle your target in short bursts of time. You can get a surprising amount of work done in one hour, my friends. And even if you “just” get one paragraph or one page written in your hour, you’ll write another paragraph or page in another hour, and then another…and before you know it you’ll have a pile of writing.

Trust me. It works. My three sample chapters of See Jane Soar are due soon and even though I’m plagued those familiar old writing demons, I’m chipping away at the chapters for an hour a day…and they’re coming to life.

Here’s what accomplished writer – and writing teacher – Natalie Goldberg says about writing (and being a wanna-bee writer).

“I hear people say they’re going to write. I ask, when?” she says. “They give me vague statements. Indefinite plans get dubious results. When we’re concrete about our writing time, it alleviates that thin constant feeling of anxiety that writers have – we’re barbecuing hot dogs, riding a bike, sailing out in the bay, shopping for shoes, even helping a sick friend, but somewhere nervously at the periphery of our perception we know we belong somewhere else – at our desk!”

If you want to be a writer, then you have to write. If you feel overwhelmed (like I do), then you have to write in smaller chunks of time. If you’re seriously struggling with procrastination, read 5 Tips for Ending Your Writing Procrastination.

If you love to write but you wrestle with your writer’s voice, you might find my Writing Strategy 1 helpful: Letting Your Writing Go.

And finally…if you’d like to learn more about my book idea that’s hooked a few publishers (but hasn’t reeled them in quite yet), visit See Jane Soar.

What are your thoughts? I welcome your comments or questions about this writing strategy – writing for just one hour – below…

Grabbing your readers (or editors, or publishers) by the throat is a fancy way of saying “write effective leads.” Hooking people will keep them reading – and ensure you get published!

Writing fascinating leads is difficult when you’re blogging, because of Search Engine Optimization. On one hand — whether you’re a blogger or print writer – you need to write effective leads or introductions that catch a reader’s eye. On the other, you have to use your keywords and key phrases properly so Google and other search engines will index your blog posts. You want surfers to find them.  

Writers can’t be as creative or playful when writing blog posts that are meant to attract new readers or internet surfers. But, here’s a writing strategy for introductions that works for both web and print writing…

Involve your readers. What do your readers want — and how can you involve them? You can appeal to their senses (the fear of never getting published, for example), solve their problems (“How do I become a more effective writer?”), or ask an intriguing question (“Would you write erotica if you were paid enough?”).

There are many more ways to hook your readers (grab them by the throat!), but the idea is to write just enough to keep your readers reading. You can do this as a blog writer even if you’re concerned about Search Engine Optimization. Give your readers a peek at your best hand…and then slowly reveal the rest.

Writing great leads is like leaving a trail of bread crumbs throughout your article, chapter, or story. Make sure your reader doesn’t rest until he’s eaten every last crumb. 

Here’s an example of a bad introduction to a blog post, which I wrote for my How Freelancers, Nonfiction Writers, and Novelists Succeed: “This website – The Adventurous Writer – isn’t just about my successes and failures as a freelance writer and book author. That’s secondary, because I dislike writing about myself. Rather, this site is about how to succeed as a novelist and nonfiction writer!”

It’s a bad introduction because instead of starting off with the blah blah about my website, I should’ve hooked readers and internet surfers with something like, “These six ways to succeed for freelancers, nonfiction writers, and novelists will help you get published faster…” Those are the breadcrumbs that keep people reading – and they’re also effective keywords for Search Engine Optimization!

But alas, that introduction isn’t playful or all that exciting. It does its job…and sometimes that’s all a writer can hope for.

To learn more about writing leads that hook readers, read Writing Great Leads and Hooking Readers on Quips and Tips for Successful Writers.

What have I missed? I welcome your comments or questions about this writing strategy – grabbing your reader by the throat – below…

And, a final word on writing: “It’s important to try to write when you are in the wrong mood or the weather is wrong,” says American poet John Ashbery. “Even if you don’t succeed, you’ll be developing a muscle that may do it later on.”

“The best writing advice I ever received was to not get attached to your words,” says editor and freelance writer Alyice Edrich of the Dabbling Mum. “When we allow ourselves to get emotionally attached to what we’ve written – which is really easy to do as a creative artist – we don’t allow ourselves to improve and grow as writers.”

As a freelance magazine writer, I’ve learned to disconnect from my writing. It’s easier when it’s a nonfiction health article (one of my favorite types to write!)…but definitely more difficult when the writing contains a little bit of my heart and soul.

For instance, I wrote Addicted to Writing for a writer’s contest…and didn’t win. That stung! Not being accepted when you get all creative and vulnerable stings more than when an editor requests an edit on an assigned article or a publisher rejects a book proposal. That’s easy.

Regarding letting your writing go, Edrich says: “While it is true that some critiques are a matter of opinion and can be easily ignored, other critiques are a matter of business. Editors, for instance, often come back with suggestions to change paragraphs, delete sentences, increase background information or sources, or overhaul certain grammatical errors. Those critiques can sting and hurt our egos; even make us feel like failures or as though we’ve been personally attacked. The problem occurs when we don’t take those critiques objectively and choose unprofessional attitude, causing the editor to wish she’d never given us a chance to work with her in the first place.”

Letting your writing go – and welcoming feedback or critiques – is crucial to your growth as a writer.

Can you let your writing go? I’m working on three sample chapters for a publisher, for See Jane Soar. I’m not worried about letting it go…I’m more concerned about getting it started! (They requested a slightly different spin and I’m stuck. Wish me luck!)

To read the article that contained Edrich’s advice, go to How to Edit, Revise, Rewrite Your Writing.

For more tips on this writing strategy, read How to Let Go of Your Writing.