Welcome back my friends. Whether you know it or not, you are, collectively, a great source of inspiration and motivation for me, and I greatly appreciate each one of you.
What’s happening in my life? I still haven’t heard back from that agent who requested my manuscript, but she has three more weeks to respond, so we’ll just sit and wait patiently. LOL
Meanwhile, I finished my first draft of “Shadows Kill” and am working diligently on the second draft. I should be ready for an editor in three weeks….let’s say, Christmas.
The animals are all doing well and surviving the winter; probably adjusting to the cold better than I am, quite frankly.
And that brings us to today’s topic.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
I love that quote!
THOUGHT OF THE DAY
Making adjustments….two things come to mind when I think of the daily adjustments we must go through in life:
One, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, and two, there is no point in beating a dead horse.
The first part of that message has to do with over-thinking our writing career. Remember that this is a marathon and not a sprint. The greats who came before you had to pay their dues, and you have to as well. That means that simply because you don’t see immediate rewards does not mean you are doing something wrong.
The second part refers to the opposite end of the spectrum. If you’ve been doing the same thing over and over for years, and seeing no reward, then it is probably time for a change of approach.
Figuring out where you sit in that spectrum is a key to success.
TIP OF THE DAY
Schedule a time monthly to appraise how you are doing as a writer. Depending on how that appraisal goes, it may be time to either continue what you are doing or make adjustments to your game plan.
PROMPT OF THE DAY
For my visual learners, I give you this prompt.
WRITER OF THE DAY
Today I’m going to give a shout out to a pretty successful writer, but one you may not have heard of. His name is F. Paul Wilson, and he has written a series of novels about a character named Repairman Jack. If you enjoy books about the occult, with a liberal sprinkling of mystery and fantasy, Wilson’s books will delight you. Give them a try.
AGENT OF THE DAY
I’m going to give another word of praise for Janet Reid. You can find her blog by following this link. I have found her to be very professional, encouraging, and helpful, and if you are serious about getting published, you would do well to follow her blog for an insight into the mind of a professional literary agent.
MORE WHENEVER
It’s time to get to work, so I’ll leave you for today. Thanks, again, for always being here. Have a great week and remember, if you should ever want to do a guest posting on this blog, just get in touch with me.
Oh, hey, today’s article on HP is my 900th. I like that number. J
Bill
“Helping writers to spread their wings and fly.”
Billybuc
Artistry With Words 
Hi Bill! What a timely post for me! I have been looking at how I need to adjust my writing schedule and how I can make my writing more productive lately! Because I have spent most of the past 4 months writing my novels and reading other novels, I have realized how wasteful my time on social media has been in the past. I have been trying to limit my time talking to the same people over and over again and have been examining how I can better use my time. My big goals for next year is ambitious. I intend to self-publish 3 novels next year! To help me do this, I have lined up 3 beta readers to read each book. One beta reader reads the book, I make changes and then send it off to the next.
I am so happy to hear you are adjusting accordingly. It sounds like you have a plan in place that will work for you, and that’s the ultimate goal. way to do, my friend, and best wishes to you.
Yay to 900 and you are truly are great inspiration to me, too and hope you know this Bill!! Have a wonderful day once again 😉
Thank you so much, Janine. Time flies when you’re having fun, and I’m having a blast as a writer. Have a great Tuesday.
Woe to me. I find I write best first thing in the a.m.–like a cup of coffee in my mouth and at the computer by 6:30–pretty much cuts out all my crazy partying–Happy Tuesday Bill!
I’m with you, Audrey. I’m gang-busters until noon, and then my productivity hits the proverbial wall.
Happy writing to you, my talented friend, and thank you.
900 hubs! Holy Mackerel! I’m doing some redesigning of my approach. The first is getting my business plan defined, refining my website, and aligning my elevator speech to reflect the changes I’m working on. I’m working with Iris Draak to help me accomplish this. She’s a gem and is wonderful to work with.
Sha, I’m so happy to hear you are working with Iris. You are right, she is a gem. Good luck with all of that, and thanks.
Wow! 900 hubs!! I bow thee, Bill 🙂
I agree many of you have been my inspiration too. Those rejection letters/emails always made me get up thanks to you and many other writers who would be there extending their arms. Thank you!!
Patience is the key…you never know your new year will start with a new contract with that agent, Bill 🙂
I loved the thought, and well said indeed!
I too have to edit my manuscript…gotta get to it while I shop for a reasonable editor. I remember you had mentioned a reasonable and good editor. Would you please repeat it.
Thanks Bill
Thanks, Ruchira. I used Jaye…on HP she is JayeWisdom I think. LOL If you can’t find her let me know and I’ll put you in touch with her via email.
I like the second part of your message. While I feel there are things in my life that are beyond my control that I cannot change, there is my outlook on these things that can always be altered to service my goals more effectively. Even though I consider you my mentor, I have to say I am extremely proud of you for publishing 900 hubs! That is quite a milestone especially given that you have so many more things going on in your world that bring you more glory and money. Not to mention all the negatives that come with that site that I have seen you struggle with over the years. As many of us have basically given up or backed off that site, you have pressed on and while you may get little monetary rewards for your work there, I think you know what a huge difference you have made in so many lives! Keep up the great work and wisdom you freely share. You are one in a million!! 🙂 Michele Kelsey
Michele, that is one of the nicest comments I’ve ever received. Thank you so much. I love helping people, and if I can, in any way, be an inspiration for others, then sign me up. 🙂 Again, thank you so very much. You touched my heart this afternoon.
It’s the end of the year and this is the time when I go back and look at what I’ve done and not done. The question is, “Did I meet my goals?” And, if I met my goals, “Was it worth it?” I don’t know what 2015 will look like, but my goals will be fewer in number and I think I’ll make them more meaningful. Life is so short. I want to get out and enjoy a little more of it.
Marlene, I think your goal to get out and enjoy life is an admirable one, and I wish you only the best. You deserve happiness and happiness you shall have. Thanks for sharing that.
Congratulations on 900 hubs, Bill. I don’t know if I will reach that goal within the next few years. My goal is to find time to write within my busy teaching schedule after the new year. Thanks for the bits of wisdom here. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas season.
Thank you for everything, Dianna, and Merry Christmas to you and yours.