Dec 19, 2004 - Get Writing Business and Book Proposals
pt.2
Volume 3, Issue 32
The weekly ezine with a road map for
sidetracked writers.
"Be better writers today
than we were yesterday."
Thought for the Week - Backup, Backup, Backup
Welcome new subscribers and old friends, too!
This week I got an email from a reader who had lost all her work from her computer -- with no backup. It made me want to cry for her.... first, because it's so painful to recover from a dead computer and second, because she had no backup of her files, her email, her ebooks, or her internet links.
Take a minute to imagine with me. What would happen to your writing business if you lost all your emails and email addresses? What would you do if you lost the draft of your latest manuscript? How about the notes for the editor you've been courting for the past six months?
Computer hard drives don't last forever. I've had several bite the dust on me. Thankfully my husband has an automatic backup system set up for us so recovery was time-consuming but do-able.
So... how about putting together a backup plan?
If you have a CD writer on your computer, get some blank CDs and start copying. If not, you might want to get a USB drive.
I've found a deal through Dec. 25th on a USB drive that plugs directly into the USB port on your computer. It's can hold up to 512MB and is usually $80 but you can get $50 in rebates so it's only $29.98: http://clickserve.cc-dt.com/link/click?lid=41000000007565717
Then set up a regular time to back up. If necessary, create a reminder email at
http://www.memotome.com! It's also in the Saturday to do list below.
Have a blessed and peaceful holiday season. Enjoy this special time with friends and family -- and from the Hood household to yours, we wish you a prosperous, joyful (and organized!) 2005.
P.S. Did you miss last week's issue? Read it
athere.
P.P.S. Special Telephone Class:
Power of Positive Possibilities.... ever feel overwhelmed and not sure what to do? Trying to be positive but it seems awfully hard?
Mark your calendars for Wednesday, December 29th at 11 a.m.
EST. I've set up a special class for you. Watch your email for more details....
For writers.... Market Your Services Locally
If you are a writer who wants to do business
locally, try to get listed in local directories.
For example, our local business journals put together directories of services by category so you could be listed under writing/writers or public relations.
We also have a Women's Yellow Pages that lists local women-owned businesses. It's even online so you can get a link to your site.
Do some hunting to see what local resources are available for your business and you can start with your local business journal... http://www.bizjournalsdirectory.com/
How to Write a Successful Book Proposal in 8 Days or Less
by Patricia Fry
In this e-booklet, you'll get an 8-step plan for creating your book proposal. Author Patricia Fry gives you the assignments that were part of her online course on how to write a proposal. If an entire proposal seems like a big project to you, this booklet will break it down into manageable steps with examples and assignments for you: http://www.spawn.org/ebooks/pfry2/index.html
I have one last suggestion: Be sure to check out several resources when working on your
proposal. I've found different books give conflicting advice so compare to see which methods fit your project. Here are some books to consider --
Happy celebrating this week! Julie
Like Organized
Writer.com? You'll love the ebook.....
"Julie, I love your book. I have read (or at least opened) more than a trunk load of books about writing over the years. Yours is the first I have seen that gives readers so much in one place. For me, the Master List and putting that together was more than worth the cost."
-- David Stoddard
Motivational writer, trainer and publisher of the
Terrific Life Concepts ezine.
http://djstoddard.net
M T W T F S S
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ 1. Declutter (only 5 minutes)
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ 2. Read (only 5 minutes)
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ 3. Assess (30 seconds to 5 minutes)
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ 4. Write (at least 5 minutes)
Weekly Checklist
For freelance writers: Use this weekly checklist to find, write and send a query every week of
2004!
Monday
__ Make notes on a new idea.
Tuesday: Accounting Day
__ Post your accounting records.
__ Pay bills.
__ Follow up on outstanding invoices and queries.
Wednesday
__ Find a new market using links below.
Thursday: Errand Day
__ Make copies.
__ Return books to library.
__ Make deposit at bank.
Friday
__ Finish query and submit.
__ Match your query to the market.
Saturday Weekly Review
__ How was this week?
__ What's up next week?
__ Review your Projects list in your planner and check the
status.
__ Jot the next action steps for your projects on next week's
calendar.
__ Backup your computer files.
__ Virus scan your computer.
__ Update windows software at http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com
__ Update Microsoft(R) office software at http://office.microsoft.com/officeupdate/default.aspx
Sunday
__ Relax and enjoy!
__ Do something fun today!
Thanks for visiting Writer-Reminders! If you have comments,
success stories, or suggestions, reply to this message or e-mail
me at :julie@writer-reminders.com
Your privacy is very important to me. Your email address will never be
sold by Writer-Reminders. For more on Yahoo's privacy policy, visit http://privacy.yahoo.com/privacy/us/
Copyright 2002-2004 Finally Organized LLC. All rights reserved worldwide. This
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professional services. If legal or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be
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