Good Start for 2011 #5

Clean up your Desktop

Ever notice how things pile up and when you really want something, you can't find it with out a lot of searching, moving piles, or checking in several files? If this happens to you it's time to clean up your desktop. Your computer's Desktop!

Every new computer has a desktop filled with little icons of Internet sites the manufacturer assumed you would want to be involved in. Many people never use these—and they never take them off the desktop. These are only shortcuts, and if you delete them, you aren't deleting the program, those are still in the Program or App file, but now you more easily see the icons you do use.

Now think of what you need to get to quickly: you WIP, your research, your household accounts...and so on. These are what should be on your desktop in their own little shortcut folders. No scrolling through the "My Documents" to find your WIP (was it in My Page Manager?) or checking the desktop/documents and settings/administrator/, no clicking through many lists to find that last research note you gathered online that might be buried in that hard-to-find Temporary download file.

Right click on the desktop, hit "new" and make a folder. Or go to your WIP folder, right click it and make a shortcut you can then move to your desktop. To be certain you don't lose track of documents, start them in the folder you want to keep them in. Open the folder, THEN click "new." That way when you save it, it automatically stays in that folder. If you download afrom the Internet, save the item to your desktop, and then file it later in the folder or your choice.

What programs do you use the most? I have two graphics programs that I use at least three or four times each day. I've added shortcuts to them in the "Start" bar so I don't have to click start and scroll along the program files to find them. I have a desktop folder named "work" that isn't a shortcut. But the shortcuts are within it. I open "Work" and then have instant access to my current projects, which are in other locations and folders (such as Kindle books, Nook books, Covers, or Blog Articles). Once I've completed a project, I delete the shortcut from the WORK file.

These same principles can be applied to your Internet browser. Be certain your "home page" is something you really use, and not just the generic Yahoo, Google or MSN start page. It could be your local newspaper, a weather channel or the social networking site you maintain or frequent most often. Cleaning up the folders in the bookmark or favorite tab can be helpful, and again, get rid of those generic links you don't use. They waste space and your time.

These might seem like nitpicky considerations, but when you do them, your priorities become more evident, and the organization will carry over into your writing life.

Good Start for 2011 #3

Exercise Your Brain

It's all well and good to have plans and ideas for your 2011 writing projects, but if you aren't really in shape, they won't come off too well. Physical exercise is proven to stimulate brain activity—the increased oxygen firing synapses and so on—but even that isn't enough. Your brain needs exercise, too.

Suppose you decide to knit a sweater for your favorite pooch; you even have a pattern. But if you haven't done any knitting in a while, taking up yarn and long plastic needles won't produce satisfactory results. As with any discipline, exercise is critical, whether it's knitting or playing golf, or writing. An idea will be in your head, but getting it to even a first draft can be a struggle if your brain is at a loss of how to go about it.

A good initial brain exercise is to read with a purpose. Read a portion of a piece, by an author whose writing you appreciate, and take notice of how this author has used words and sentence structure, developed pace and characters. Now try your hand at it. Create a scene that has the same type of flow. It might take several tries, but that's what exercise is all about.

Using a "What if" is also a good exercise. "What if Joanne Fosbeck, a happily married conscientious first-time mom, believes her 6-year-old daughter Shawna has become a chef extraordinaire from watching the FOOD Network." Or "What if Barry Cranston, 46-yr-old rancher, has to hunt down the cause of his stock getting killed in order to keep his newly established genetics program from going under." Develop the characters for these, write the paragraph that is Joanne's moment of revelation, or Barry's acute consternation. These particular what ifs might really seem off the mark for what you like to write. That makes it all the better. Work your brain beyond its comfort zone.

These examples can be augmented with many brain teasers, including vocabulary building and even jigsaw puzzles, which make the brain think about the logic and structure of things. Exercising your brain a few times each week will increase your writing ability, and result in more comfort when you work on your project.

Good Start for 2011 #1

With the coming change in the calendar year, it might be a good time to think about a few changes in your writing life. Making New Year's Resolutions appeals to some people, but it's a proven fact that fewer than ten percent of resolutions are fulfilled, and most people drop away from them before January has ended. Here are suggestions to start the New Year to set up a productive 2011. Ideas coming in the next two weeks: Freshen your Library, Clean up your Desktop, Plan Marketing, Internet Info, and Exercise Your Brain.

Let's start with Freshen Your Library

The new Writers Market directories have been out for a few months. If you don't have the one appropriate for your writing agenda, you should look into it. Novels and Short Stories, Children's Markets, Photographer's markets are all good additions to your library. Editors and publications needs have changed in the six to eight months it took to compile and publish these books. Always check the masthead of a current magazine to be certain you're addressing your queries and articles to the proper person. Many magazines have online sites that will list their current needs.

How old is your dictionary? If it's more than three years old, you might want to upgrade. The eleventh edition of the Concise Oxford English Dictionary was published in 2004, revised in 2006, and again in 2008 (it's available on CD, and is automatically on all Kindles) with hundreds of new words added. Websters is also in it's eleventh edition. Do you have Chicago Manual of Style, or Strunks The Elements of Style? Recommended for serious writers.

Remember, your library can be virtual—with the myriad ebooks and downloads for you computer, you can have volumes at your fingertips.

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Writing Groups

Ernst Hemingway said, “Writing is, at best, a lonely life.” But it doesn’t have to be. In this modern age, many writers organizations exist to address all areas of the profession, from getting started to understanding a contract and even book promotion. Check your local library, bookstores and colleges to find out the organizations in your area. Post notes on bulletin boards indicating your interest in starting a writers group. Attend conferences and workshops; not only will you broaden your knowledge, but you might also meet writers from your community.

Here are a few national organizations of interest.
• Authors Guild
• National Writers Union
• Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers
• Historical Novel Society
• Travel Writers

A more extensive list can be found at Books and Writers.