As a freelance writer, it can be difficult sometimes to get a regular paycheck. Even if you're like me and you have a very stead stream of articles to write, checks can get delayed or lost and less than six months ago, such an issue would have forced me to scramble and stumble.
Fortunately, because I started savings some of my earnings, I'll be able to weather the storm until the paycheck comes. While I've read many books on the subject of money that advocated saving, I must credit my girlfriend for finally making me do it.
I worked on the prompts book today, created a post that attempts to answer the question "Does money buy happiness?" and made the happiness book available for pre-order! The book will be $4.99 in Kindle, Nook or PDF format and $12.99 S&H for the paperback. There is even an audiobook forthcoming!
Friday, October 7, 2011
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Day 32: Moving On Up
When you're doing a crazy challenge like this, it can be so helpful to get as much of it done as early in the day as possible. Since I went to bed at about 9:55 p.m. last night, I was able to set my alarm for 6 a.m. and get a full eight hours of sleep for the third straight night. I felt so rested that I had no problem settling into my writing by 6:50 and I finished my book writing in record time by about 8:20.
And here I am, almost finished this blog post a little after 9. This affords me the fantastic opportunity of getting some quadrant two work (things that are important but not urgent) completed such as setting my my happiness affiliate program and editing my manuscript when I get it back from Ashley Daoust today. It can be tough getting to bed so early and getting into such good habits, but once you do, you'll see a mountain of difference.
Worked on some prompts about aliens and zombies today, which will probably be completed and up on the site by tomorrow. Also wrote a small post about Steve Jobs today, may he rest in peace.
And here I am, almost finished this blog post a little after 9. This affords me the fantastic opportunity of getting some quadrant two work (things that are important but not urgent) completed such as setting my my happiness affiliate program and editing my manuscript when I get it back from Ashley Daoust today. It can be tough getting to bed so early and getting into such good habits, but once you do, you'll see a mountain of difference.
Worked on some prompts about aliens and zombies today, which will probably be completed and up on the site by tomorrow. Also wrote a small post about Steve Jobs today, may he rest in peace.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Day 31: Rolling On
Today was one of my most effective days of writing since I began the writing prompts book and it was all a matter of me getting eight hours of sleep two nights in a row. I think I'll keep the ball rolling again tonight if possible!
My blog post on the writing website today was particularly pertinent as it was about increasing your writing output. In the post I was able to utilize the teachings of authors Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz from their book The Power of Full Engagement, which is one of my favorites.
I thought of a few great ideas for books today, such as a 2011 book of 2,011 writing prompts dealing with the current events during the year. The book will act both as a sort of time capsule of the news and a great way to pull from past events to create stories. I could write a new book each year to draw off the previous one. If I simply write about 6 prompts a day every day, the book will write itself every single year. Might be fun!
My blog post on the writing website today was particularly pertinent as it was about increasing your writing output. In the post I was able to utilize the teachings of authors Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz from their book The Power of Full Engagement, which is one of my favorites.
I thought of a few great ideas for books today, such as a 2011 book of 2,011 writing prompts dealing with the current events during the year. The book will act both as a sort of time capsule of the news and a great way to pull from past events to create stories. I could write a new book each year to draw off the previous one. If I simply write about 6 prompts a day every day, the book will write itself every single year. Might be fun!
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Day 30: Coming Together
Today I secured a cover designer for The Post-College Guide to Happiness and my favorite editor in the world is currently shredding it down to build it back up again. I would love to be able to start selling this book by my 29th birthday, October 13th and I'm doing everything I can to make it happen!
As I stated last night, I took better care of myself this morning with an early bedtime and eight full hours of sleep. Unsurprisingly, I have been much more efficient and I'm looking forward to finishing my book writing much earlier today. I continue to work on the prompts and yesterday I posted a page of prompts based on superheroes and today I posted about an awesome lady, Eleanor Roosevelt and her ability to hang tough.
Another challenge coming up this week will be a trip to North Carolina on Saturday, but I plan to get up super early and do some plane writing to make up for it. Can't wait for some slightly warmer weather!
As I stated last night, I took better care of myself this morning with an early bedtime and eight full hours of sleep. Unsurprisingly, I have been much more efficient and I'm looking forward to finishing my book writing much earlier today. I continue to work on the prompts and yesterday I posted a page of prompts based on superheroes and today I posted about an awesome lady, Eleanor Roosevelt and her ability to hang tough.
Another challenge coming up this week will be a trip to North Carolina on Saturday, but I plan to get up super early and do some plane writing to make up for it. Can't wait for some slightly warmer weather!
Monday, October 3, 2011
Day 29: Be Good to Myself
As I progress into week 5 of the challenge, I hoped I would be to the point where I could just wing it and finish my writing at any time of the day. Some early distractions, chores and sleepiness are turning today into one of those "down to the wire" instances that I'd thought I could avoid.
To counteract this problem, I know that the solution is to bear down, keep going and to be good to myself the next few days (and ideally the rest of the challenge). When you tax yourself with such a lengthy, mental endeavor, it's best to get a full night's sleep and to eat the best food possible as often as you can. I'm hoping to hit the sack shortly after posting this and to go crazy on the fruits and vegetables the rest of the week.
Today, I worked on more prompts and wrote a post about the value of failure.
To counteract this problem, I know that the solution is to bear down, keep going and to be good to myself the next few days (and ideally the rest of the challenge). When you tax yourself with such a lengthy, mental endeavor, it's best to get a full night's sleep and to eat the best food possible as often as you can. I'm hoping to hit the sack shortly after posting this and to go crazy on the fruits and vegetables the rest of the week.
Today, I worked on more prompts and wrote a post about the value of failure.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Day 28: Four Weeks!
I am very happy to announce that I've written 2,500 words a day for four straight weeks! I'm proud of myself and while it's not my longest writing streak ever of 60 days, I'm all about celebrating small victories. The happiness book rough draft will be looked over by my editor Ashley between now and Wednesday and soon enough, it will be available for all to buy!
Today on the writing blog, I wrote about the importance of waking up early for writers and gave a four-step process to achieve it. I played with some fun character types in the character prompts book, including vampires, zombies and werewolves. Can't wait to finish a section and post it on Build Creative Writing Ideas!
Happy Sunday, all!
Today on the writing blog, I wrote about the importance of waking up early for writers and gave a four-step process to achieve it. I played with some fun character types in the character prompts book, including vampires, zombies and werewolves. Can't wait to finish a section and post it on Build Creative Writing Ideas!
Happy Sunday, all!
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Day 27: Moving Up
As I've been mentioning the last week or so, my girlfriend and I spent the day today moving into a new apartment. I knew that it was going to be difficult to get up the energy to write after staying up late and working on minimal sleep to get everything packed, cleaned and into a truck. It all worked out and here I am, sitting in my brand new office.
As a writer, it can be a major boost to have your own private space to write. Even though I often work from home without anybody home, this will act as my sanctuary for my creative ends. Whereas in our last apartment, I would write in the same spots in which I ate and slept, now there is a place where only writing will happen. I'm extremely grateful for this opportunity to produce more work in a more efficient manner.
Today in the prompts book, I worked on some new sections including prompts about zombies, werewolves and vampires. On the writing blog I wrote about doing what you love.
As a writer, it can be a major boost to have your own private space to write. Even though I often work from home without anybody home, this will act as my sanctuary for my creative ends. Whereas in our last apartment, I would write in the same spots in which I ate and slept, now there is a place where only writing will happen. I'm extremely grateful for this opportunity to produce more work in a more efficient manner.
Today in the prompts book, I worked on some new sections including prompts about zombies, werewolves and vampires. On the writing blog I wrote about doing what you love.
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