Sorting the “Must-Dos” from the “Should-Dos” by Marie Wells Coutu

Marie Wells Coutu

I returned from a writing conference about two weeks ago, and I’m still working through the things I learned and my list of “To-Dos.”

…And there goes another gopher!

Sorry. We have 13-striped gophers digging up our lawn. The little pests are quick, persistent, and annoying. And they keep distracting us from the more important tasks of mowing the grass, mulching, killing weeds, and enjoying the view.

I learned a lot at the conference—about writing, editing, and marketing. I learned that I “should do” more with social media and my website. I should make sure I have a privacy policy clearly posted on my website and that I am compliant with GDPR regulations. I should send out my newsletter at least monthly. I should learn to use Instagram. I should send thank you notes to the agents and editors I met with. I should check out the websites and apps that can streamline my marketing efforts.

By Phil Myers, Museum of Zoology,
University of Michigan  [Public domain],
via Wikimedia Commons

After all those “should-dos,” where does my writing fit in? That, for me, has to be a “Must-Do,” but it often gets shunted aside.

It’s the perennial battle for writers—learning to focus on the writing without getting sidetracked by the gophers (as in “go” to Facebook, Pinterest, Goodreads).

I don’t have easy answers. I know these are the things I must do, if I want to succeed at being a professional writer:

• Send those thank you notes. (Check.)
• Revise my WIP based on what I learned. (In progress.)
• Figure out the GDPR requirements. (Not started yet.)
• Stay active on social media, but limit my time there—30 minutes a day should be enough. (Working on it.)
• Develop a plan, a routine that will make those 30 minutes a day more productive an efficient. (Started.)
• And, of course, write the next book.

Each of those six “Must-Dos” has several parts to it, so it’s not as easy as it looks. And I need to trap the “Should-Do” gophers and leave them in their holes until later.

It’s a never-ending challenge, but it can be done. If I don’t control the “Should-Dos,” the pesky gophers will take over and keep me from the “Must-Dos.”

But knowing that prioritizing is a “Must-Do” doesn’t help me prioritize. So I took a few minutes to look for a program or app that might work. And I found this article (https://zapier.com/blog/best-todo-list-apps/) that discusses the different types of To-Do lists and available apps to help you keep track.

I’m not sure if any of those apps will work for me, so for now, I think I’ll go back to my old stand-by prioritizer that I wrote about here a few months ago (https://seriouslywrite.blogspot.com/2018/01/juggling-your-life-by-marie-wells-coutu.html).

Chasing those gophers will probably fall pretty far down the list.

What tips do you have for separating your “Must-Dos” from your “Should-Dos”?

About the Author

The Secret Heart
by Marie Wells Coutu

Marie Wells Coutu began making up stories soon after she began talking. Her most recent title, The Secret Heart, and its prequel, an e-book novelette titled The Divided Heart, are published by Write Integrity Press, along with the award-winning For Such a Moment and Thirsting for More. She and her husband divide their time between Iowa, near their two children and four grandchildren, and Florida, where it’s warm all winter. Marie is working on a historical novel set in western Kentucky, her home state.

Marie is a regular contributor to Seriously Write. For more posts by Marie, click here.

Keeping up with the Tweets and Posts by Lara M. Van Hulzen

Lara M. Van Hulzen

The New Year's here and we're going to finish our novels, query every editor and agent we know and then cover every social network like there's no tomorrow!

Maybe not ...

So how do we prioritize (and re-prioritize)? Here's some thoughts from Lara M. Van Hulzen. ~ Angie

I’ll be honest, I’ve been discouraged lately. Writing is a tough business. And when I say business, I mean truly the business side of it. I read a lot of advice about writing and there’s quite a bit said about writing because you love it, because you’re called by God to do so, because you’d wilt and die if you didn’t – and don’t think about publication or an audience per se all the time. Write because it’s what’s in your heart, in your soul. But that’s not as easy as it sounds. When you are trying to get published, sitting down and working on a manuscript can come from the heart, but to push your head out of the way feels close to impossible. How can you not think of whether an editor or reader will like it or not? Especially when you’ve had rejections and the negative voices swirl around in your mind as you work.

I’ve noticed a trend lately. I love being on Facebook and Twitter. I really do. But I’ve discovered that I can’t read them on days when I am not hammering away at my computer on a manuscript. If I do so, it seems as if the entire world is out there working and writing 24/7. Truly. I read tweets and posts at crazy hours of the night and think, “Is it really something we have to do ALL THE TIME to get published?” I feel like I’m in a race and I am always behind. As I read tweets and posts, it’s like I can see these people at their desks, their fingers tapping away at all hours and they never leave. Is it really all they do? Does no one ever take a break to read or journal or go for a walk or paint? I have to do those things or I lose touch with my creativity. Am I the only one?

I’m a wife and a mom and I love being both. I’m one of those that wanted to grow up and get married and have a family. I love all that it brings to my life and all that I get to give because of it. And being a wife and a mom takes time, effort and energy. I love writing too. But I fear that if I try to keep up with the tweets and posts, I’ll miss out on the hugs, the laughs, the tears, the events and the life. I’m not saying I can’t do both, but I don’t like feeling that I won’t make it as a writer because I want those things too.

So here’s my current stance. I am a writer who would love to have a book published. I will put my behind in the chair and do what it takes to get words on the page and get the job done. I will do it with heart and soul and I will wait on God’s timing. But I won’t do it at the expense of missing out on living life. If I did, I wouldn’t have a single thing to write about anyway.

What's your stance on social networking? How much time do you devote to the Twitter, Facebook and Google Plus? Which gives you the most "bang for the buck?"

Lara M. Van Hulzen received her BA in Journalism from Point Loma Nazarene Universtity in 1994. Her first published article was when she was a senior in high school. She has worked as a book reviewer for the past 18 years with various organizations such as Crossings Doubleday, YouthWorker Journal, and www.radiantlit.com. She is represented by Diana Flegal at Hartline Literary Agency. She lives with her husband and three children in Northern California. Connect with Lara on her website: http://www.laramvanhulzen.com/.

Do I Really Need To Blog? Part 2 by Tyora Moody

As writers, can't we just write? In short, the answer is, "no." There are all kinds of demands on a writer's time, including maintaining a continuous social presence. One way to do that is by creating a blog. Today, Tyora shares how to do that. Enjoy! ~ Angie

To start blogging, you want to choose where you want your blog hosted. Some popular places are:

• blogger.com (free)
• wordpress.com (free)
• wordpress.org (self-hosted, pay for domain name and  hosting)
• typepad.com (pay)

After you set-up your blog, the next challenge comes in terms on how to bring traffic to your blog. Don’t expect people to flock to your blog overnight. You will need to dedicate time if you are serious about using this as a platform. Here are a few tips:

1. Be consistent. Do keep in mind that if you decide to blog, plan to post content regularly at least 2-4 times a week. People will visit your blog if they find you are posting quality information on a consistent basis.
2. Post to Twitter, Facebook and other social networks.  If you use the self-hosted WordPress, you can install plugins that push out links to your blog posts as soon as they are published. You may want to consider signing up for a tool like Hootsuite.com to schedule posts. Include social media icons on your blog that allow readers/visitors to easily share your blog posts on Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus, etc.
3. Guest blog on high-traffic blogs in your area of interest.  Be on the lookout for opportunities or query blog owners to ask if they would be interested in posting guest bloggers.  Be sure to include your website in a brief bio so people can find out more information about you and your book.
4. Try article marketing. Re-purpose some of your blog posts into articles and submit them to popular directories like EzineArticles.com.
5. Remember email is still a major form of online communication for most adults. You can use email marketing services like Mailchimp.com or Feedblitz.com to offer subscriptions to your blog’s RSS Feed.

This blog post was excerpted from 5 Social Media Platforms Authors Should Explore. You are welcome to download a FREE copy from DIYwithTy.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Tyora Moody is an author and entrepreneur. Her debut novel, When Rain Falls, was released March 2012. The second book in the Victory Gospel Series, When Memories Fade, will be released in March 2013. She is a member of Sisters in Crime and American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). Visit the author online at TyoraMoody.com.

Building a Readership with Social Media by Tyora Moody

Today I've asked my fellow Carolinian, Tyora Moody, to share with us about social networking for writers. And I'm thrilled to report that she will posting her series with us today, Thursday and the following Tuesday. She's got years of experience with blogging and social media, so I'm sure you'll find lots of new info. Thanks so much, Ty! ~ Angie

I've been working with authors for over twelve years. It's amazing to me how many authors seek me for design and marketing services right before or after their book has been released. The days of getting by without an online presence have clearly been over for several years now. Whether you are a traditionally published or self-published author, daydreaming about your bestseller is not an option. As soon as you have a release date, it’s time to get down to the business of book promotion. This could mean starting six to nine months out preparing and generating buzz.

Now I don't know too many authors who have a tremendous amount of free time to devote to marketing. Most still work nine to five jobs, raise families and are involved in community activities. Even if there is an opportunity to write full-time, many authors supplement their income by providing services like editing, teaching or speaking. Time management is essential.

Many authors are often confused about how social media plays a role in their book promotion. With over 900 million users, I think it is safe to say most authors know about and have Facebook profiles and/or fan pages. But it is relatively easy to waste time on Facebook (or any social media) OR take what I call the “car salesman” approach of marketing your book (alienating people).

The importance of utilizing social media is to build relationships. Before my debut novel, When Rain Falls, was published March 2012, I had spent years as a book reviewer and a blogger. Those relationships I built over the years via social media with other reviewers and bloggers proved to be a great benefit to me when it came time to seeking influencers for my book. So, as you figure out what social network to join or which one to spend your time as a part of your book marketing plan, keep in mind the main goal is to build relationships.

In the next few blog posts, I will introduce or remind you about social media platforms you should consider for your book marketing efforts. I will also share tips on how to not only build relationships, but how to engage potential readers and spread your platform message.

This blog post was excerpted from 5 Social Media Platforms Authors Should Explore. You are welcome to download a FREE copy from DIYwithTy.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Tyora Moody is an author and entrepreneur. Her debut novel, When Rain Falls, was released March 2012. The second book in the Victory Gospel Series, When Memories Fade, will be released in March 2013. She is a member of Sisters in Crime and American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). Visit the author online at TyoraMoody.com.