Fun!: WriteFix's Random List Idea Generator

Here's the deal:

You've become disciplined enough to set aside time daily to write and now that you're settled for your daily writing time....but nothing's coming out.

Whether you're stuck, in need of thinking outside the box, need something completely unrelated to your topic to get you writing, need a journal topic...or whatever...here's a really fun place to play while you await that blessed, blasted muse: The WritingFix Random List Idea Generator.

Just click on the button until you find a topic you like and use it however you want. Maybe you can make a list of 100 things that fit that topic. Or choose one list item you've come up with and run with an essay, flash fiction story, short story, greeting card...or whatever your brain is thinking.

Try it--it's just plain fun. (scroll about 1/3 down the page for the generator button)

http://www.writingfix.com/leftbrain/randomlistgenerator.htm#list

Happy writing & listing,

Beth

Newsletter: Writing for Dollars

Some of these wonderful links I post are easy to come by when you subscribe to a bunch of writing newsletters delivered free to your email box.

One such newsletter, Writing for Dollars, has tons of stuff for writers looking for markets, craft advice and resources. Sign up for free on their website at: http://www.writingfordollars.com/

Even cooler--with signing up (free!), you'll receive a link to the ebook 83 Ways to Make Money Writing by Beth Fowler. Haven't had a chance to read it yet--if you do, give me your thoughts here.

Happy reading, writing and ezine subscribing,

Beth

Published Authors: Free Publicity

Today's post is for all you published authors.

Not published yet? Keep this in your file of "things to do after I get that contract".

Monica Poling of OnceWritten.com offers published authors the opportunity to submit a first-person, "tell us about yourself" -type essay of 500 words for publicity and to share with us unpubbs how you made it.

There are lots of sample essays here: http://www.oncewritten.com/MeetTheAuthor.php

When you're ready to write your essay, find the scoop here: http://www.oncewritten.com/About/TellUsAboutYourself.php

Happy essaying,

Beth

Article: How to Get More Writing Done

Procrastination...

To some degree, we're all afflicted.

Today's resource is a GREAT article to help you streamline, prioritize and get some writing done--the important writing that will keep your career moving.

The link will take you to the Inspired2Write newsletter--good reading all the way around. For the article, "How to Get More Writing Done", click on the third link down:

http://www.inspired2write.com/newspage.html#top

Excellent suggestions to keep in mind for the upcoming new year and inevitable writing resolutions....

Happy non-procrastinating,

Beth

Article: The Magic of Goals

Because I feel like your mom today (or that person in your life who nags--nicely), here's another article on goal setting from Holly Lisle, romance author.

No dessert until you finish reading....

How to Get There From Here: The Magic of Goals by Holly Lisle
http://hollylisle.com/fm/Workshops/setting_goals.html

Happy writing (and be nice to your brother),

Beth

Article: Setting Effective Writing Goals

Because it's never too early to start planning those writing goals for the new year...and you can't be prodded too often...check out Moira Allen's article on Setting Effective Writing Goals.

In fact, while you're at her site, writing-world.com, be sure and peek around the corners. It's one of my absolute fave sites for any/everything writing related....

http://www.writing-world.com/basics/goals.shtml

Happy goal setting,
Beth

Article: Bust Through Holiday Stress and Keep Writing

Another great article from Cheryl Wright's Writer2Writer Monthly Newsletter (subscribe--free--at www.writer2writer.com).

Cheryl Malandrinos gives some excellent ideas and points to keep yourself writing through the holidays to minimize stress and maximize output....something we can all use more of all year round!

http://www.writer2writer.com/holidaystress.htm

Happy Holiday Writing,
Beth

Fun! Personality Quizzes

Whether you choose to use these fun, short, interactive quizzes to get a better grip on yourself or to waste time, you're sure to find something mildly entertaining at this site.

Why not do a few from the POV of your character?

http://www.personalityquiz.net/

Happy Quizzing...
Beth

Article (Fun): Feng Shui For Writers

I've been getting into feng shui lately just because I think it's a subconscious way of getting me to clean (and the girls in the office have been thinking of redecorating our space).

If you've even been interested in applying a little (read: simple) feng shui to your writing space and life, check out the article. Short, sweet, makes sense and stuff you can do today.

A little feng shui can go a long way (I think I have a career in copywriting...)

Feng Shui for Writers by Kathryn Weber
http://www.redlotusletter.com/Writer.html

Happy, peaceful and inspired writing,
Beth

Of fudge and goals

Wind, snow, fudge, presents, candles and goals.

Yep, pretty much sums up December.

While I can't help with the wind, snow and candles (I have a great fudge recipe courtesy of Aunt Nancy Lou), I can give you a push in the right direction toward creating 2007 (yikes) goals.

Interesting article, interesting site with lots of resources to read over coffee or lunch...

Goal Setting 20 Minute Tutorial: The Blueprint (it's only 7 steps...)

http://www.about-goal-setting.com/goal-setting.html

what are you waiting for? ......goal-gett'em (oh, that's bad).

Beth

Article (Promo) : Build an Audience for Your Book With a Blog

While I'm still on the topic of blogs (don'tcha just love 'em?!), here's a great article with suggestions and ideas for using your blog to the best of your abilities when it comes to promoting and marketing your books.

Build an Audience for Your Book with a Blog by Jimmy Moore
http://www.writersweekly.com/this_weeks_article/003218_01182006.html

Good ideas...

Happy promo'ing,
Beth

Blogs, Blogs, Blogs and More...Blogs....

Just re-discovered a fab corner of the internet where all you junkies (like me!) who can't get enough writing-author-editor based blogs can hang out and spend time waiting the arrival of your muse:

Romancing the Blog (http://www.romancingtheblog.com/blog/)

Just visit....start reading...who knows how long you'll be there!

Happy reading & blogging...
Beth

Resource: Writer's Calendar from organizedwriter.com

Very cool resource for writers...and it's free.

Julie Hood of organizedwriter.com (a wonderful resource itself) has put together a 2007 calendar for writers & you can download it now free (in case I hadn't mentioned it).

Better than an average calendar, Julie includes a focus area for each month (i.e. accounting and taxes for March, queries in October), a checklist of activities to keep writers on task and big spaces for each day to plan out what you'll be writing, when and to whom you'll be submitting.

While you're there, check out Julie's site--just the perfect place for us creative, slightly-less-than-organized types...

Organized Writers' 2007 Writer's E-Calendar
http://www.organizedwriter.com/calendar.htm

Happy Writing and Organizing...

Beth

Promotion: Chapbooks

Though I'm not yet published in fiction, Judy Bagshaw's (of Writer2Writer, where I do a monthly book review) article, Chapbooks: Nifty Little Promotional Tools, shows writers how to promote your fiction through the use of chapbooks. Now I'm thinking of how to promote my non-fiction/freelance writing in the same manner. Really good stuff.

http://www.romancewriter2writer.com/chapbooks.htm

Happy promoting,
Beth