Notes from Minnesota

Hey Freelancer!

Buckle your seat belt. I've got something really cool up my sleeve. All will be revealed soon... just suffice it to say, I think you'll find it quite cool.

Filbert Publishing is making a shift. Should be interesting. Keep your ears perked up for the latest news. It's coming soon. :)

Onward and upward!

Beth

P.S. Be sure to check out our best sellers. Here's the link

Mindset Moment

Do your emotions control your day?

If something you perceive as “negative” occurs early on, do you allow that negativity to rule the rest of your waking hours.

I'll give you a big hint: Most events are neutral. It's your assignment of “negative” or “positive” that makes it so.

Choose to apply “positive” to more events and in the end, they will be exactly that: a positive experience.

I dare you to give it a whirl.

Happily,

Your Muse

http://filbertpublishing.com/creative.html

Beth's Hot Pick of the Week 

As a “Thanks for subscribing” gift, I've got something special planned.

First, I'm taking a personal interest in your writing career... on my dime.

Listening to the latest financial news, hearing about the most recent bankruptcies, with layoffs making headlines, it's abundantly apparent that the only person responsible for your financial security is you.

That's why freelance writing just may be one heck of a good way to stop the gap between your current wages and expenses, it can also provide a fabulous freelance income. 

Amazingly, freelancers find themselves in demand as companies tighten their belts and search for ways to reduce expenses.

So... how do you land these lucrative assignments?

Well, I just made it easier for you. I pulled together Filbert Publishing's most invaluable resources, bundled them, and made it easier than ever before to grab a virtual power-house of hard core freelance information you can immediately use to jumpstart your writing career... including an entire session of personal mentoring (one on one) for literally pennies on the dollar.

I've got a limited number of slots as well as limited number of packages in my office. It's first come, first serve. Once they're gone, that's it.

Click here.

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Top Tips to Get More Done    

Beth Ann Erickson 

Writing is an odd business. Imagine a career solely depending upon pouring your mental output out on paper.

Never mind.

If you’re reading this, you’re intimately familiar with how we writers thoroughly examine life and are compelled to whip out our pens to comment.

However, the time comes in every writer’s life when words don’t flow as easily as other times. It’s during these times that the following tips will become indispensable to triggering a free-flowing stream of ideas.

So without any further intro, here are the techniques I routinely use to get words flowing into my computer….

Focus On Your Project

When I’m writing, my project is tumbling through my mind 24/7. Never leaves, constantly bubbling in the back of my mind.

When I’m shopping for groceries, I allow my characters to “whisper” in my ear. When I’m waiting at the doctor’s office, article ideas tumble through my mind. When I’m waiting in line, a client’s wrinkly lead for their sales letter will magically iron out.

Although writers often appear present and ready to participate in life, in reality I know I’m rarely completely “there” at any one occasion.

Like Walter Mitty, my imagination continually takes me places where I never expected.

And that’s fantastic… as it should be.

Invest In Technology

I know. The Internet can eat up WAY too much time.

However, used properly, this vast web of information can become your best tool in cultivating a thriving writing career.

Where else can you find an answer to a thorny question in the blink of an eye?

It’s a wondrous technology that will allow you to instantly find the full contact information of an expert in any particular field within minutes.

It also has the potential to become the hugest time-sucker of your entire day.

Every writer needs a website. Every writer needs to gather information that will help them earn the kind of income they desire.

However, you don’t need to frequent every discussion group. Forget about reading every zine that flits into your in-box.

Learn to skim.

Glean the information you need, snag the resources that catch your eye, pass on the rest.

But remain connected to your community, even if your connection may seem slim at times. After all, part of becoming a successful writer is to… write. This is non-negotable.

Create A Schedule

Many writers practice their craft first thing in the morning. They’re up at the crack of dawn, chomping at the bit, ready to pour their hearts onto the page.

I’m not like that. In fact, I find myself fortunate if I can get much of anything whatsoever finished first thing in the morning.

My prime writing time begins late morning and extends until around supper time.

Get anything on the page before 9:00AM, and I’m quite positive it would look like gibberish.

I rarely watch television, instead opting for my favorite activity… reading.

Ah, slip a good book my way and it’ll get devoured faster than a bag of Twizzlers. In fact, I just ordered four more books for my collection today. Found a new author I like and got ‘em all. (Don’t mention this latest purchase to my husband…. My bookshelves are already bursting at the seams.)

But here’s my point: Create a schedule that works for you. Don’t try to emulate my life. Don’t take advice that you’re not comfortable with. Make your schedule work for your lifestyle.

But do create a schedule. You’ll get far more work done.

Jealously Guard Productive Time

Forget the kids. Chuck The Drudge Report. Steer away from Huffington Post if you're on a roll.

If you’re “in the zone” keep typing. Don’t stop.

Close the door. Bark at anyone who speaks at you. Tell them to eat peanut butter sandwiches for supper.

Right now, your top priority is WRITING.

Those “zone” moments can sometimes flit in and out of the creative process so when one graces you with its presence, do everything you can to nurture its arrival. Keep writing. Let the words flow. Don’t edit. Make that little burst of muse comfortable so it will visit on a regular basis.

And when you hit your stride and experience that “zone” on a regular basis, then you are truly a blessed writer.

Now, I realize this list is hardly exhaustive. However, I’ve found these four tips to top my list of activities I do on a daily basis to make writing nearly effortless. And (I’m speaking from experience here), you really don’t want to write your way into a situation where every word you nail to paper feels like an unbearable chore.

With just these few (and incredibly easy) modifications to your schedule, your words will flow like water and your productivity will skyrocket. Guaranteed.

P.S. Care to comment on this article? Head here: http://blog.BethAnnErickson.com

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Beth Ann Erickson is the “Queen Bee” of Filbert Publishing. She’s also the author of numerous titles including “101 No Cost and Low Cost Secrets To Turbo Charge Your Freelance Income.” Pick up your copy today at http://filbertpublishing.com/101.html  She’s also a busy copywriter, speaker, and publisher of Writing Etc., the free e-mag for writers. 

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I Recommend:

Writing For Dollars! The FREE ezine for writers featuring tips, tricks and ideas for selling what you write. Receive the FREE ebook, 83 WAYS TO MAKE MONEY WRITING when you subscribe. Email to subscribe@writingfordollars.com -*-

http://www.WritingForDollars.com 

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