Birthday Blessings and Reflections...

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times" begins a famous line by Charles Dickens. And one that so aptly describes the events of this year thus far.

Still, I'm blessed to celebrate another birthday this year. Happy birthday to me!.:-)

To kick this joyous event off, I had a backyard barbeque with friends.
What a wonderful time we had indeed!
The weather was wonderful, the food was fab (ribs, pork chops, hot dogs, chicken salad, fried chicken, fruit tray, cake, wild rice, snacks, and spirits).

If you were invited and missed it, let me tell ya' you missed out!

Anyhow, the gathering was great.

Filled with fun, friends, games, and thoughtful gifts.
As for my age?

Well, you're only as old as you feel, right?

Enjoy the blessings and the promise of each new day!

Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett

What a great loss to the world and the entertainment community in the passing of these two beautiful souls and industry icons.

They will live on forever in the body of works they created and the many lives touched.

Which is the type of "immortality" that each of us should strive for in our careers as writers.

May they rest in peace.

Wednesday's Updates

Here at Pen and Prosper we have new links listed today and a current poll.
Happy "hump day"...

Do Something Different

Sometimes, despite all my efforts, I feel stuck.
Like I'm on a treadmill running in place.

Oh the burdens of an over achiever.:-)

Do you ever have those days? What's your remedy?

In an effort to forge forward, I've done a few different things...

I signed up for another newsletter on writing, sent a pitch to a local paper for another columnist gig, and am busy as a beaver reading, researching and consuming massive quantities of herbal tea.

Hope springs eternal...

Enjoy your week.:-)

I Kid You Not...

Seeing is believing.

Do you ever Google yourself to find out what's on the Net about your work or your profile? I do.

Besides being interesting, sometimes there's inaccurate data being displayed and circulated.

Like today,
much to my surprise, I found my name and Bio listed as an Executive of an organization out in Wyoming that I've never even heard of! Go figure.
It gave me quite a chuckle.

Where's my salary?

When time permits, I'll look into it.

Word to the wise...look into what's out there on you.
Consider it "required reading".

To TWITTER or not to TWITTER...?

So lately I've been getting a lot of requests to "be friends" and connect on various social networking sites like FACEBOOK ,TWITTER and MYSPACE.

I'm not quite sure if these activities make sense for my busy days and my career objectives.

Still, I don't want to slight folks in their invitations either.

If you are a fan of these marketing measures, send me an Email to let me know how they have worked for you and why you'd recommend them.

Maybe I'm missing out on something...
I'd love to hear your thoughts! Let's connect.

WRITING ROCKS!

Okay, so I hadn't really intended to blog today.
Too busy with crafting columns, pursuing freelance leads, research work, teaching online classes, and de-stressing.

Then much to my surprise, I got an email from a fellow writer and "fan".

(Don't you just love it when someone writes to acknowledge the impact your work has had, or just to express warm regards?!)

Anyhow, Donna Clark Goodrich, (a prolific author and instructor), has just informed me that she is including a quote from me in her new book, (soon to be released) "A Step in the Write Direction."

It just made my day...my week...my month.

What a blessing!
What has you shouting these days?

MONDAY, MONDAY...

It's a little after 10 p.m., and I was about to retire after a long day of what seemed like "spinning my wheels" and going nowhere.

This writing day started as most do, at about 5:30 a.m...
with online research, updating my Blog, reading articles on the writing business, fussing at my computer, and an assortment of other scribe-related rituals.

Anyhow, I decided to check my Emails once more before shutting down (figuratively and literally)--glad I did!

To my delight, my piece entitled "How to use the boob tube to get in the groove" ran today in WRITINGFORDOLLARS. COM

My relationship column also ran today.

The moral of the story...don't let "rainy days and Mondays get you down."
Keep forging forward.

How to "reboot" a stalled writing career!

Let's face it.
No matter how successful your writing career may be, there are times when you may simply feel “stuck”.
Whether you're afflicted with a serious bout of writer's block, fail to cultivate new clients, or can't seem to reach the next plateau to your publishing or financial goals.
It happens to the best of us.
But don't despair. You can move forward and make more money by mastering the following seven tips to kick your career in gear!
1. DISCONNECT---Pressure put upon us by life's daily demands can sometimes stress us out and stretch us to the limit. Balance is crucial. Seek a place of solitude, sip some tea, (or whatever helps you unwind), and escape the madness. Replenish your spiritual reservoir. As the expression goes, “you can't give from an empty cup.”

2. EXAMINE YOUR NET-WORK TO INCREASE YOUR NET WORTH---With all the social networking sites available like Facebook, My Space, and Linkedin, you're bound to make new friends and influence people. Tap into technology for optimal success.

3. REINVENT YOURSELF---Ever notice how every few years computers and associated software programs are updated for efficiency? So should your marketing strategies and creative goals. Got a Blog? Revamp it. Revisit your writer's resume and your promotional materials to make sure that they reflect any new products or services.

4. TROUBLESHOOT---What projects or clients proved to be unfruitful last month? Last year? How can you save more money or time in your business pursuits? Assess and act accordingly.

5. REPROGRAM---If you change your way of thinking you can change your life. Get rid of any negative self-talk and doubt. Think prosperity. “As a man thinketh, so it is.”

6. SEEK EXPERT ASSISTANCE--- No one knows everything. Sometimes outside help can provide solutions to plaguing problems. Why not hire a writing coach or seek a mentor to move forward?

7. HAVE A BACK-UP PLAN---To minimize the effects of “Murphy's Law,” make sure that you have systems and procedures in place for the worst case scenarios. For example, I recently had the misfortune of having my cell phone go out on me. Somehow the numbers that I had stored in my phone's database were completely gone somewhere to cell phone heaven. Many of those numbers were to key clients I had communicated with over the years. But, since I hadn't tossed out my little pink address book from
pre-cell phone days, I was able to stay connected.

By following these seven tips you'll be able to advance your career and stay ahead despite any tough times or “technical difficulties” you may encounter.

Pen & Prosper Presents a Q& A with Wendy Burt

Today we have a Q & A with Wendy Burt-Thomas. She is a full-time freelance writer, editor and copywriter with more than 1,000 published pieces. Her third book, "The Writer's Digest Guide to Query Letters" hit stores in January 2009. To learn more about Wendy or her three books, visit www.GuideToQueryLetters.com. If you have a writing-related question, you can also post it on http://askwendy.wordpress.com/.

1. Q: Can you tell us about your book?
The book was a great fit for me because I'd been teaching "Breaking Into Freelance Writing" for about eight years. In the workshop, I covered a lot of what is in this book: writing query letters to get articles in magazines, to land an agent, or to get a book deal with a publisher. Since I'm a full-time freelance magazine writer and editor with two previous books, this was incredibly fun to write because it didn't require tons of research. I was lucky enough to receive lots of great sample query letters from writers and authors that I use as "good" examples in the book. I wrote all the "bad" examples myself because I didn't dare ask for contributions that I knew I'd be ripping apart!
In addition to the ins and outs of what makes a good query, the book covers things like why (or why not) to get an agent, where to find one and how to choose one; writing a synopsis or proposal; selling different rights to your work; other forms of correspondence; and what editors and agents look for in new writers.
It was really important to me that the book not be a dry, boring reference book, but rather an entertaining read (while still being chock full of information). I was thrilled that Writer's Digest let me keep all the humor.

2. Q: Why are query letters so important?
Breaking into the publishing world is hard enough right now. Unless you have a serious "in" of some kind, you really need a great query letter to impress an agent or acquisitions editor. Essentially, your query letter is your first impression. If they like your idea (and voice and writing style and background), they'll either request a proposal, sample chapters, or the entire manuscript. If they don't like your query letter, you've got to pitch it to another agency/publisher. Unlike a manuscript, which can be edited or reworked if an editor thinks it has promise, you only get one shot with your query. Make it count!
I see a lot of authors who spend months (or years) finishing their book, only to rush through the process of crafting a good, solid query letter. What a waste! If agents/editors turn you down based on a bad query letter, you've blown your chance of getting them to read your manuscript. It could be the next bestseller, but they'll never see it. My advice is to put as much effort into your query as you did your book. If it's not fabulous, don't send it until it is.

3. Q: You're also a magazine editor. What is your biggest gripe regarding queries?
Queries that show that the writer obviously hasn't read our publication. I'll admit that I did this when I was a new writer too – submitted blindly to any publication whose name sounded even remotely related to my topic. One of the examples I use was when I submitted a parenting article to a magazine for senior citizens. Oops! A well-written query pitching an article that's not a match for the magazine isn't going to get you any further than a poorly written query.

4. Q: There's an entire chapter in the book about agents. Do you think all new writers should get agents?
Probably 99% of new writers should get an agent. There are lots of reasons, but my top three are: 1) Many of the larger publishing houses won't even look at unagented submissions now; 2) Agents can negotiate better rights and more money on your behalf; 3) Agents know the industry trends, changes and staff better than you ever could.

5. Q: You've been a mentor, coach or editor for many writers. What do you think is the most common reason that good writers don't get published?
Poor marketing skills. I see so many writers that are either too afraid, too uniformed, or frankly, too lazy, to market their work. They think their job is done when the write "the end" but writing is only half of the process. I've always told people who took my class that there are tons of great writers in the world who will never get published. I'd rather be a good writer who eats lobster than a great writer who eats hot dogs. I make a living as a writer because I spend as much time marketing as I do writing.

6. Q: What are some of the biggest misconceptions that writers have about getting a book deal?
That they'll be rich overnight, that they don't need to promote their book once it's published, that publishing houses will send them on world book tours, that people will recognize them at the airport. Still, you can make great money as an author if you're prepared to put in the effort. If it wasn't possible, there wouldn't be so many full-time writers.

7. Q: What must-read books do you recommend to new writers?
Christina Katz (author of "Writer Mama") has a new book out called "Get Known Before the Book Deal" - which is fabulous. Also, Stephen King's "On Writing" and David Morrell's "Lessons from a Lifetime of Writing." Anything by Anne Lamott or my Dad, Steve Burt.

8. Q: What's the biggest lesson you've learned as a full-time writer?
Seize every opportunity - especially when you first start writing. I remember telling someone about a really high-paying writing gig I got and he said, "Wow. You have the best luck!" I thought, "Luck has nothing to do with it! I've worked hard to get where I am." Later that week I read this great quote: "Luck is when preparation meets opportunity." It's absolutely true. And writing queries is only about luck in this sense. If you're prepared with a good query and/or manuscript, when the opportunity comes along you'll be successful.

9. What did you enjoy most about writing this book?
Writing the "bad" query letters. I've read – and written! – so many horrible ones over the years that it was a little too easy to craft them. But misery loves company and we ALL love to read really bad query letters, right?

10. Q: What do you want readers to learn from your book?
I want them to understand that while writing a good query letter is important, it doesn't have to be overwhelming. You can break it down into parts, learn from any first-round rejections, and read other good queries to help understand what works. I also want them to remember that writing is fun. Sometimes new writers get so caught up in the procedures that they lose their original voice in a query. Don't bury your style under formalities and to-the-letter formatting.

Coffee Anyone?

If you enjoy working from home, and would like to earn "pay for your say,"join me for my exciting column writing class offered at http://www.coffeehouseforwriters.com/penning.html

Here you'll discover:
1). How to identify your creative strengths and market them
2). Insider's tips about the publishing industry
3). Job leads, money-making resources and more!

The next session begins July 6th.
For your convenience, credit cards and checks are accepted.
Sign up today for a more lucrative tomorrow!

Chicago Writers Association Seeks Your Submissions

Whether you're "versed" in writing verse, have a fix for fiction, or dabble in other genres, Chicago Writers Association is seeking your submissions for its "1ST THINGS FIRST" writing competition. Cash and prizes awarded to top three entries.

See http://www.chicagowrites.org/ for complete details. Good luck!

Your 15 Minutes of Fame!

I'm currently seeking guest Bloggers to contribute to this site.

If you are an experienced writer with something to say, why not share your words of wisdom with my reading audience?

Submissions of 200-500 words should be sent as a Microsoft Word attachment to Jenniferwriter@yahoo.com

Feel free to include a brief Bio and any websites or products of your choosing.

I look forward to reading your work and expanding your reach!

Being a Good Sport in the Writing Game!

When a client of mine contacted me to ask to do a feature “success story” for a prominent business Blog, I was tickled pink!
After all, no matter how widely you've been published, the opportunity to toot your horn never really gets old. Wouldn't you agree?
Not long after our initial contact, we conducted the interview by phone, and I anxiously awaited my “15 minutes of fame.”
Fast forward...
The day the piece appeared, I was, for the most part impressed. The problem?
The client misquoted me on a few things, and misspelled some key information. The perfectionist and teacher in me ached to point out these oversights and errors.
But instead, I thanked him and even gave him a token of my appreciation for his time, effort, and consideration.
The result?
He continuously brings me business and supports my many creative ventures.
The lesson?
In the words of Richard Carlson, P.h.D., “Don't sweat the small stuff.”
The lesson?
Sometimes you have to take a temporary loss for a long-term gain.
Let's face it, though being a writer and independent consultant offers many rewards, like any other profession, it has its hardships and headaches.
But, if we look at obstacles as opportunities to grow and improve our services, we can create win-win situations for all, and stay in the game!

Here are a few key points to remember:

Make sure to put everything in writing to avoid future misunderstandings or delays in pay.

Remember that creative partnerships require chemistry and compatibility much like personal relationships. If you don't “click” with a client, don't be afraid to decline their business, or refer them elsewhere.

Know that everything is not always about making money. Though we are in business to turn a profit, sometimes the relationships, networking, and future opportunities that can develop are equally rewarding.

As they say “adversity builds character”.

A Day in the Life of "This" Writer

It's Wednesday, "Hump Day"---and I've been moving fast and fierce to keep up with daily demands, writing gigs, and new avenues.

This week I've written four columns for my online dating column, started teaching classes online for column writing, crafted a new Blog, and researched creative projects.

Meanwhile, I'm chasing down checks from publishers, and trying to keep bill collectors at bay!

The writing life...you gotta' love it!:-)