I recently decided that I am a person who will never accomplish anything beyond the absolutely necessary tasks of daily living unless it is on a list--preferably a list with a deadline.
Not long ago, I entered a contest to write 100 articles in 100 days. I managed to do it but only because I had signed my name on the dotted line to do it and because there was a deadline for getting the job done.
After the contest, for which I won a beautiful wall clock and a great coffee mug with "ezine articles" emblazoned across it, I decided not to go back to just doing the bare minimum to survive and see what would happen. I did feel proud of myself for writing all those articles, so I set myself a goal for the next week of submitting three articles to offline magazines, taking my two granddaughters shopping for school shoes, and using the grass whip to trim the weeds around the edge of our front yard. Not much for an average person you are probably thinking, but take my word---it was for me.
It is now Thursday morning and only one article has been submitted and the shoes for my granddaughters are taken care of, but there is something about having a list, and having a deadline of some kind that makes me think I am going to do what I set out to do.
Maybe, if I finish my list for this week, I can add an extra item or two to my list for next week.
Showing posts with label article writing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label article writing. Show all posts
Friday
Writers! Will 2011 Finally Be Your Year?
Will 2011 be the year you finally succeed in writing that novel?
I’ve been writing for more years than I can remember and have had hundreds of things published, both on and offline, but I still haven’t gotten around to writing that Great American Novel.
I wrote a kid’s fiction book. I wrote articles on everything from rebellious teens to the secrets for a happy marriage. I wrote Christmas letters that were highly prized by the recipients. (At least that’s what I was told.). I wrote book reviews. And, I even signed up for NaNoWriMo and managed to turn out the required 60,000 words to get my name on a rebel writer certificate last year, but somehow, sticking to one plot for the 60,000 plus words a real adult novel requires has, so far, eluded me.
Things are about to change.
This year, I’m going to order Rob Parnell’s, Easy Writing System, and get cracking on the book I plan to call, Death Rides a Red Bird, and it is going to have a picture of a crumpled up red Thunderbird at the bottom of a drop-off on a spooky looking road heading up a mountain side.
Rob Parnell is a best selling author, himself, and I’ve read some of his work over the years.
I remember purchasing one of his earlier books on how to get ideas for writing, but ideas aren’t really my problem. What I need is help with organization, will power, and the fleshing out of characters.
Right now, Mr. Parnell has a special sale going on that even a penny-pincher like me can’t resist. And, after all, that $50 I got for a Christmas gift is starting to burn a hole in my pocket.
Actually, Parnell’s sale price for this great collection, which includes 6 e-books, The Easy Way to Write a Novel, Fiction 101, Romance Writing, Writing the Thriller, Rob Parnell’s Modern Horror Writing, and Fantastic Fiction, doesn’t even cost $50. It is a mere $27.
Then, in addition to the six e-books listed above, each of which is a complete writing course on its own, you get free 30-day e-mail coaching and mentoring, and a written critique of your completed manuscript.
(Wow. I once paid $50 for a critique of a short story as a gift for my mother so the critique alone is worth far more than this whole package costs.)
If you are still hesitant to part with scarce cash with the economy the way it is, here’s something that may sweeten the pot for you. Mr. Parnell offers what he calls a no-quibble, 90-day, 100% money back guarantee if you aren’t completely satisfied. Now that’s what I call a bargain. If you haven't managed to produce some saleable writing after 90 days, you can always ask for your money back.
If you'd like to join me in getting serious about writing this year, you can have The Easy Way to Write System instantly downloaded in plenty of time to start your 2011 writing career off with a bang.
Click Here!
I’ve been writing for more years than I can remember and have had hundreds of things published, both on and offline, but I still haven’t gotten around to writing that Great American Novel.
I wrote a kid’s fiction book. I wrote articles on everything from rebellious teens to the secrets for a happy marriage. I wrote Christmas letters that were highly prized by the recipients. (At least that’s what I was told.). I wrote book reviews. And, I even signed up for NaNoWriMo and managed to turn out the required 60,000 words to get my name on a rebel writer certificate last year, but somehow, sticking to one plot for the 60,000 plus words a real adult novel requires has, so far, eluded me.
Things are about to change.
This year, I’m going to order Rob Parnell’s, Easy Writing System, and get cracking on the book I plan to call, Death Rides a Red Bird, and it is going to have a picture of a crumpled up red Thunderbird at the bottom of a drop-off on a spooky looking road heading up a mountain side.
Rob Parnell is a best selling author, himself, and I’ve read some of his work over the years.
I remember purchasing one of his earlier books on how to get ideas for writing, but ideas aren’t really my problem. What I need is help with organization, will power, and the fleshing out of characters.
Right now, Mr. Parnell has a special sale going on that even a penny-pincher like me can’t resist. And, after all, that $50 I got for a Christmas gift is starting to burn a hole in my pocket.
Actually, Parnell’s sale price for this great collection, which includes 6 e-books, The Easy Way to Write a Novel, Fiction 101, Romance Writing, Writing the Thriller, Rob Parnell’s Modern Horror Writing, and Fantastic Fiction, doesn’t even cost $50. It is a mere $27.
Then, in addition to the six e-books listed above, each of which is a complete writing course on its own, you get free 30-day e-mail coaching and mentoring, and a written critique of your completed manuscript.
(Wow. I once paid $50 for a critique of a short story as a gift for my mother so the critique alone is worth far more than this whole package costs.)
If you are still hesitant to part with scarce cash with the economy the way it is, here’s something that may sweeten the pot for you. Mr. Parnell offers what he calls a no-quibble, 90-day, 100% money back guarantee if you aren’t completely satisfied. Now that’s what I call a bargain. If you haven't managed to produce some saleable writing after 90 days, you can always ask for your money back.
If you'd like to join me in getting serious about writing this year, you can have The Easy Way to Write System instantly downloaded in plenty of time to start your 2011 writing career off with a bang.
Click Here!
Sunday
Magazine Subscriptions For Gifts That Last Past Christmas Day
Let's face it. Some people are hard to buy for. They already have everything---or at least everything you can afford to get them, and you're tired of the old stand-by gift certificate idea.
Why not give them a gift that will continue to bring them pleasure for months after the holdiday decorations have gone back to the attic---one that will make them think of you each time it shows up in their mailbox again---a magazine subscription for a magazine that caters to their own particular interest or interests? If any of the magazines below look like they might fit someone on your Christmas list, click on the highlighted name for more information.
Got a budding writer in your family? Give them a subscription to, Writer's Digest, the best-read writers' magazine around, with something to offer every type of writer in every issue. (Even a special section addressed directly to those who write poetry.) The recipient of this great gift will bless you each time a new issue arrives in his or her mailbox. (8 issues a year.)
How about the crafty teens around your house. Pack-O-Fun has been around since I was a kid, more years than I care to remember. My friends and I spent lots of rainy afternoons following their easy instructions for creating unusual crafts using inexpensive, common household items. And, Pack-O-Fun is still faithfully delivering all kinds of new ideas for Christmas, Halloween, and every other time of the year to its readers. (6 issues a year.)
Don't forget Dad, or that teen who's into building things of wood. This magazine delivers everything he (or she) will need, and more. Popular Woodworking has unbiased reviews of the latest projects, complete plans for woodworking projects, advice on finishing, and all kinds of tips for woodworkers from the rank beginner to those who have been at it for years in every single issue. (7 issues a year.)
If you have some preschoolers, ages 3-5 in your home, now is the time to foster their love of reading and help them develop skills with interactive stories. Turtle Magazine is just the tool you need to do it. Each copy of the magazine is worth re-reading over and over again with your toddler. (6 issues a year.)
And for those older kids, ages 6-12, you'll want something they can read and activities they can do on their own. Jack and Jill is a perfect mix of entertaining stories, kid profiles, hands-on-activities, recipes, crafts, and more. (6 issues a year.)
Our 100% Satisfaction Guarantee
If you're not 100% satisfied with your subscription, you may cancel anytime within 90days of placing your order, and you will receive a full refund - no questions asked. Any free issues and free gifts you receive are yours to keep!
Why not give them a gift that will continue to bring them pleasure for months after the holdiday decorations have gone back to the attic---one that will make them think of you each time it shows up in their mailbox again---a magazine subscription for a magazine that caters to their own particular interest or interests? If any of the magazines below look like they might fit someone on your Christmas list, click on the highlighted name for more information.
Got a budding writer in your family? Give them a subscription to, Writer's Digest, the best-read writers' magazine around, with something to offer every type of writer in every issue. (Even a special section addressed directly to those who write poetry.) The recipient of this great gift will bless you each time a new issue arrives in his or her mailbox. (8 issues a year.)
How about the crafty teens around your house. Pack-O-Fun has been around since I was a kid, more years than I care to remember. My friends and I spent lots of rainy afternoons following their easy instructions for creating unusual crafts using inexpensive, common household items. And, Pack-O-Fun is still faithfully delivering all kinds of new ideas for Christmas, Halloween, and every other time of the year to its readers. (6 issues a year.)
Don't forget Dad, or that teen who's into building things of wood. This magazine delivers everything he (or she) will need, and more. Popular Woodworking has unbiased reviews of the latest projects, complete plans for woodworking projects, advice on finishing, and all kinds of tips for woodworkers from the rank beginner to those who have been at it for years in every single issue. (7 issues a year.)
If you have some preschoolers, ages 3-5 in your home, now is the time to foster their love of reading and help them develop skills with interactive stories. Turtle Magazine is just the tool you need to do it. Each copy of the magazine is worth re-reading over and over again with your toddler. (6 issues a year.)
And for those older kids, ages 6-12, you'll want something they can read and activities they can do on their own. Jack and Jill is a perfect mix of entertaining stories, kid profiles, hands-on-activities, recipes, crafts, and more. (6 issues a year.)
Our 100% Satisfaction Guarantee
If you're not 100% satisfied with your subscription, you may cancel anytime within 90days of placing your order, and you will receive a full refund - no questions asked. Any free issues and free gifts you receive are yours to keep!
Thursday
My EzinesArticles Coffee Mug
I did it. I actually submitted and had 100 articles published at ezinearticles.com last month and have received my gorgeous coffee mug with their name printed on it as a reward. It came with a leather coaster and really looks snazzy sitting next to my computer.
You may wonder why I would write that many articles for a coffee mug. Well, it wasn't really with the coffee mug in mind that I entered this contest. Ezine Articles lets you include a link in your writers' bio to your own webpage, increasing your potential visiters and hopefully sales from your webpage. But that isn't the main reason I participated, either.
My major goal in entering this contest was to develop better writing habits. I wanted to get in the habit of writing an article whenever one popped into my mind, without making a huge week-long production of it. So far, I think it may have worked, and, if so, that is worth a lot of coffee mugs, believe me.
Yesterday I wrote an article for Associated Content and submitted it. Today I wrote another one for them, and two days ago, I actually sent an article out in the mail to an offline publication, so my frantic 100-day writing spree has accomplished a lot for me.
The coffee mug, although gorgeous, is a bit heavy for me to handle so it is probably going to end up as a pencil holder and conversation piece, but that's okay. I just like looking at it and knowing that I have 100 (actually more than that) articles all published on ezinearticles.com and working to bring more visitors to my website. That made the contest worth-while to me.
***To take a peek at some of those 100+ articles, visit my site at My Ezine Articles
You may wonder why I would write that many articles for a coffee mug. Well, it wasn't really with the coffee mug in mind that I entered this contest. Ezine Articles lets you include a link in your writers' bio to your own webpage, increasing your potential visiters and hopefully sales from your webpage. But that isn't the main reason I participated, either.
My major goal in entering this contest was to develop better writing habits. I wanted to get in the habit of writing an article whenever one popped into my mind, without making a huge week-long production of it. So far, I think it may have worked, and, if so, that is worth a lot of coffee mugs, believe me.
Yesterday I wrote an article for Associated Content and submitted it. Today I wrote another one for them, and two days ago, I actually sent an article out in the mail to an offline publication, so my frantic 100-day writing spree has accomplished a lot for me.
The coffee mug, although gorgeous, is a bit heavy for me to handle so it is probably going to end up as a pencil holder and conversation piece, but that's okay. I just like looking at it and knowing that I have 100 (actually more than that) articles all published on ezinearticles.com and working to bring more visitors to my website. That made the contest worth-while to me.
***To take a peek at some of those 100+ articles, visit my site at My Ezine Articles
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