Lisa's Write Spot

Another Writer Resource...

2009-07-17T10:19:00.001-05:00

According to their website:

Reporter's Source is a free service, linking journalists and other members of the media with businesses and individuals for stories, shows, and more.

How it works for sources:
If you are interested in potentially becoming a source for a journalist, please subscribe to our newsletter below. Every day we will send out an email containing inquiries from members of the media. If you have information pertaining to their inquiry, you can send over a brief synopsis of information that we will forward to the journalist. If they use it, you may gain publicity for your business or self.

Font Freebie!

2009-06-18T10:49:00.000-05:00

According to their website:

Fawnt is a font resource for designers, developers, and anyone that appreciates the web's highest quality fonts.

There are 10,000 fonts to choose from. And they're all free!

Vendor/Client Relationships

2009-06-01T14:13:00.001-05:00

This YouTube clip cracked me up. Very similar to the Writer/Client relationship. See if you can relate!

Entrepreneurs CAN change the world...

2009-05-11T10:18:00.004-05:00

This YouTube video was brought to my attention by Peter Shankman at HARO. Very inspirational! Great music too! Take a look and listen when you're feeling like you need a boost.

Show respect for fellow freelancers

2009-05-08T11:23:00.006-05:00

James Chartrand, a writer on Deb Ng's The Freelance Writing Jobs Network (a great place to search for freelance jobs and great tips, by the way), wrote a post titled: How Friendly are You with Other Freelancers? He says:

The friendly, hardworking, open-minded writer is typically always going to get ahead more with both potential clients and with peers than the writer who puts sticks in wheels, takes people down a peg, and gives them a hard time.

I got the biggest kick out of reading that paragraph! How true, right? And, though Chartrand is ultimately talking about blogging issues between freelancers in the rest of the article, he makes a great point. It helps to be nice to peers.

But, I'd go a step further.

Though it is a good rule of thumb to treat everyone you come in contact with with the utmost respect (no matter who they are), I think, as independent contractors, it's imperative to do this. After all, you never know, as a freelancer, who'll be responsible for cutting your next paycheck!

What do you think? Is it ever a good idea to alienate another freelance writer?

Writer Resources: The Virtual Water Cooler

2009-04-30T13:37:00.005-05:00

As a freelance writer, sometimes working alone can, well, get a little lonely. Fortunately, I like a little solitude--or a lot on some days--but there's generally a time or two during the day when I wish that there were "co-workers" to talk to (especially when I need a little break from deadlines, querying and LOIs--Letters of Introduction). Well, fortunately, for me (and you) there are plenty of virtual "water coolers" to visit. A few of my favorites include:

Facebook - Usually once or twice a day, I visit Facebook to see what friends, family and fellow writers are up to. Though I try not to spend too much time on the site, it's easy to get sucked in if you're not careful. Put a time limit on yourself, and practice using the site for a little business as well as pleasure. This might include posting links to articles you've written or articles from others that you like.

Twitter - I'm not much of a Twitterer yet, and I'm not sure that I will be. I don't quite get it. I do check in on the site often, and Tweet a bit here and there, but I haven't quite gotten the concept down of why I "should" be there--and why people decide to follow me. If you're curious about what other writers have to say about Twitter, there's plenty of information out there. Just google "Writers who Twitter" and you'll get more info than you need.

Freelance Success - This is a "water cooler" that I pay money to visit. It costs $99 per year, but I have personally garnered so much information about writing and freelancing there, that it's well worth the price of admission--not to mention the money that I've made as a freelancer by using the advice posted there!

Various Blogs - Probably my favorite form of finding out what's on the mind of other writers is through the various blogs that I read. Though I read other types of blogs, too, some of my favorite writing blogs include:

Ask Allison

Editor Unleashed

The Urban Muse

Men with Pens

Erik Sherman's WriterBiz

The Writer Mama Riffs

Michael Stelzner's Writing White Papers

Remarkablogger

The Copywriter Underground

Serenity for the Self-Employed

What virtual "water coolers" do you like to visit? Are they a help or hindrance? Do they make you feel connected to other writers?

Writer Resources: Where to Look for Freelance Writing Jobs

2009-04-20T17:41:00.007-05:00

Most new writers don't like to market themselves and most aren't very consistent at job hunting, which is a shame. Marketing and job hunting--both necessary activities for becoming a successful writer--are best done on a regular basis, EVEN when you're busy. No, especially when you're busy!

It's too easy to put off your marketing strategies when you have projects at hand and deadlines looming. The problem is, though, if you don't keep up with the marketing and job hunting, you'll find yourself--at the end of your projects--without anything to do. Then you panic!

Been there, done that, but have learned my lesson.

My strategy, today, is to spend every Monday marketing, job hunting, sending out LOIs (Letters of Introduction) and submitting queries. I spend the whole day doing these activities, and for the most part, they've helped to keep the assignments rolling in.

Here is a list of resources for job hunting, submitting queries and sending out LOIs:

Craigslist...Some crappy jobs here, but some good ones too.

Freelance Writing Jobs for Web and Print...This is a blog with good info and job postings from different job boards.

ProBlogger... This is a blogging job board.

mediabistro.com...Lots of info here, plus jobs. Lots of free stuff, but if you want full access, pay for membership.

Freelance Writing Jobs...Lots of great info here too.

Writer's Market...I use this resource online, though you can buy a hard copy in the book store. This is a good tool for finding trade magazines to send LOIs to and for finding magazines that you can pitch article ideas to.

What are some of your favorite resources for finding work?

Words can be ugly or pretty according to survey

2009-04-15T09:00:00.001-05:00

As writers, we know that words can elicite all types of emotion, but did you know that words could be ugly or pretty? According to Robert E. Wolverton Sr., a Mississippi State University classics professor, they can.

You can read the whole Newswise article here.

Writer Resources: Where to Find Sources for your Articles

2009-04-14T09:00:00.000-05:00

Whether you're researching a query or writing an assigned article, you always need sources. And whether you need expert sources or "everyday people", there are a few good places to find them.

My favorite is HARO (Help a Reporter Out) compiled by Peter Shankman. I've used HARO on several occassions and have never been disappointed.

Another good place to find them, according to Susan Johnston, is Gorkana. She talks about them in this month's newsletter, The Urban Museletter. She says:

I discovered Gorkana and immediately signed up. It looks a little like HARO or Profnet in that you can submit requests for sources, but Gorkana also lists journalism jobs and personnel updates (as in who's moving around the masthead or freelancing) in their daily email alert.

Another resource that I've yet to use is ProfNet. I hear that it can be a good source of sources, as well.

Where do you find your sources? Share them in the comments!

Best Books for Writers

2009-04-13T09:00:00.000-05:00

Maria Schneider at Editor Unleashed created a top-ten list of the Best Books for Writers. Check it out here.

I've read/own some of these, but there are certainly others on the list that I want to check out. For example,I've never read Stephen King's On Writing but I've always wanted to--and will (one of these days soon).

I have read Bird by Bird from Anne Lamott and absolutely loved it! I blogged about it here.

What are your favorite books for writers? Tell me about them in the comments.

Christina Katz: Writers on the Rise Blog & Newsletter

2009-04-10T10:58:00.004-05:00

As I stated in the last post, when I find a book, blog, article, newsletter, or whatever that I particularly like from another writer, I like to share it. Today, I received my monthly edition of "Writers on the Rise" newsletter from Christina Katz, and I realized that it's a resource that I should share.

Really, there's something in it for everyone!

You can read the blog here and sign up for the newsletter on the link up in the right-hand corner.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

What other blogs, websites or newsletters do you enjoy? Post your thoughts in the comments.

Writer's Blogs that I Love

2009-04-07T14:40:00.008-05:00

Today, I thought I'd share some of my favorite blogs. Most are ones that I've been using since I started freelance writing, and they've been a tremendous help to me, and others I've started reading as I've progressed in my writing career. All are packed with great information, and the writers are terrific people.

My favorite blog when I first started freelancing, and one that I still frequent almost daily, is Ask Allison by Allison Winn Scotch. Since I started reading her blog a couple of years ago, she has written and published two books and is writing a third. Prior to that (and still, I think) she wrote for several magazines, and her website archives have a ton of info for anyone aspiring to write for magazines. You could spend a month there!

Another blog that I love is The Urban Muse. The writer, Susan Johnston, has recently moved to full-time freelancing, but has been writing for a living for a long time.

My other favorite blogs include The Renegade Writer (they offer classes too), Men with Pens, Serenity for the Self-Employed and Inkthinker.

One that I recently started reading is The Writer Mama Riffs by Christina Katz. Here I'm learning a lot about building a writing platform. Christina also offers some great classes.

Conficker Virus Apparently No Joke

2009-03-25T11:19:00.004-05:00

Malware creators love to target April Fool's Day with their wares, and the latest worm, called Conficker C, could be one of the most damaging attacks we've seen in years according to Christopher Null: The Working Guy in an article titled, "Beware Conficker worm come April 1." The malicious program is thought to have already infected between 5 million and 10 million computers, and is such a great threat that there's a $250,000 bounty from Microsoft for anyone who catches the program's author.

In an article titled, "No joke in April Fool's Day computer worm," by John D. Sutter, one quick way to tell if your computer may have been infected is to check to see if you've gotten automatic updates from Windows in March. If so, your computer is probably fine. If not, you should go to http://safety.live.com/.

If you use antivirus software, you should check to see that you've received their latest updates as well. These programs may have also been disabled by Conficker C.

Remember, your best line of defense against computer crashes of any kind is to regularly back up all of your data.

Scared of Social Media Marketing? Don't Be!

2009-03-24T12:31:00.003-05:00

So you'd like to delve into the social media marketing scene, but you're afraid... well, maybe not afraid, but you don't have the first clue where to start. I think you're in the boat with a lot of freelancers who haven't gotten their feet wet in the social media pool yet.

Because social media marketing seems so complicated--with a huge learning curve--a lot of people feel like it's a waste of their time to become informed. I beg to differ and so does Michael A. Stelzner. He's so commited to making people comfortable with Social Media Marketing, that he's written a report, AND he's giving it away for free!

In his report titled "SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING INDUSTRY REPORT, How Marketers Are Using Social Media to Grow Their Businesses" (March 2009), Michael has spent a lot of time and energy sharing the results of this industry report. He says,

If you're in charge of marketing your business, you'll want to closely examine what's on the following pages. My team turned over every rock, looking for the "not so obvious" findings among this content-rich data.
We set out to uncover the "who, what, where, when and why " of social media marketing with this report. Nearly 900 of your peers provided the kind of insight that previously has not existed.
If you're pondering starting social media marketing, it's my hope that these findings will help push you over the edge. If you're already onboard, feel free to examine what the really experienced marketers are doing (and use this study to persuade others.

Check out Michael's report. It's my hope that you'll begin to see that Social Media Marketing will be a great marketing avenue for your freelance writing career.

Writers: Use Cheap Ink!

2009-03-18T16:09:00.006-05:00

As writers, we tend to use a lot of ink. My business expense for ink and paper alone is probably about 70 - 80 percent of my budget. Well, there's good news. PCWorld did an extensive study, and they say that it's safe to go "cheap" on your ink expense.

In their article, "Cheap Ink: Will It Cost You?", PCWorld found that inexpensive third-party or remanufactured printer ink cartridges may be worth the savings. An added bonus? They sometimes yield more prints than their new, branded counterparts too! From the article:

PC World teamed up with the Rochester Institute of Technology, a respected research university known for its top-notch laboratory for testing imaging products. Using popular ink jet printers from Canon, Epson, Hewlett-Packard, Kodak, and Lexmark, we ran side-by-side tests of brand-name and third-party inks to compare image quality and fade resistance. We also tracked how many pages each cartridge churned out before running dry.

Our tests show that all of the third-party inks in our test group yielded more prints per cartridge--on top of costing less--but that, with some notable exceptions, the printer manufacturers' ink we evaluated usually produced better-quality prints and proved more resistant to fading. Of course, our conclusions apply only to the printers we tested. We couldn't test all of the printers that are available (partly because you can't get third-party ink for all of them), so we picked a set of mainstream inkjet printers from recognized brands as a way of taking a snapshot view of the ink market.

If you print photos, the cheap ink may not work for you because it is less resistant to fading, but if you're primarily print text, PCWorld says there's every reason to choose the cheap stuff. Your estimated savings? $30 on a black-ink replacement cartridge compatible with an HP 45 inkjet printer according to PCWorld.

What other ways have you saved on business expenses?

FedEx is offering free resume printing...

2009-03-10T10:47:00.003-05:00

FedEx is offering free resume printing today, March 10, 2009. From their press release:

FedEx Office (formerly FedEx Kinko’s), an operating company of FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX), today announced plans to offer its printing services in an effort to help job seekers across the nation. The company will host "FedEx Office Free Resume Printing Day" on March 10, 2009, offering to print up to 25 copies of each customer’s resume for free.

As reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor, the nation’s unemployment rate rose to 7.6 percent and the number of unemployed persons increased to 11.6 million in January 2009. With so many people looking to get their printed resumes in the hands of recruiters and hiring managers, FedEx Office is prepared to help.

The company invites customers to take advantage of this one-day event by visiting any of its 1,600+ FedEx Office Print and Ship Centers in the United States during regular business hours. This offer is good for 25 black-and-white resume copies per customer and is only valid for orders placed and picked up in-store. Customers may place orders by submitting their resume in printed format or as a digital file, and the copies will be printed single-sided on resume-quality paper.

"We understand that the economy has affected many people in a very profound way, and we want to help," said Brian Philips, president and CEO of FedEx Office. "Printing resumes is one small way we can use our resources to help those who need it."

To find the nearest FedEx Office Print and Ship Center, visit www.fedex.com or call 1-800-Go-FedEx (1-800-463-3339).

Go out and get your free resumes!

Economic stability...We can all use some of that!

2009-03-02T15:49:00.008-06:00

A blogger friend of mine just spilled the beans today that he isn't being paid for his blog posts. He had been posting quite intermittently and it was becoming apparent that something was wrong, but there were no real explanations...until today.

The really sad part? The company that he blogs for is very well known by writers (think magazine)--and it's really a shame. Seriously, this company knows full well that writers don't eat if they don't get paid.

If nothing else, they should have told him that they were struggling financially--that they weren't going to be able to pay him any longer and let him go on his way. He'll probably do that at this point anyway, but they should have been up front with him.

This story is nothing new to writers these days. There are new instances daily of writers who aren't being paid for work that they've done. Plus, with the current economy--and magazines closing left and right--the pool of freelance writers just keeps getting larger and larger. What's a writer to do to stay calm? Make a plan and get creative!

One way to start planning--with some calm--is to check out Heather Boerner's new 30-day challenge at Serenity for the Self-Employed. Her new series is called the 30-Day Economic Stability Challenge. Check out today's post here.

I plan on following Heather's blog throughout the month, and I hope to learn a lot! Thanks for such a timely challenge, Heather!

Cleaning out your freelance "closet"

2009-02-12T11:49:00.006-06:00

Jenny Cromie wrote a great post today over at The Golden Pencil called, "Clean Out the Cobwebs In Your Freelance Closet." Her post caught me at just the right time. With the unseasonably warm (finally!) weather that we had the other day, I find that I'm experiencing a bit of Spring Fever. And with Spring Fever--for me--comes the need to clean. If it does for you, take a look at Jenny's post. She has some terrific ideas for cleaning out your freelance "closet"!

Marcia Layton Turner's Six-Figure Writer Newsletter

2009-02-10T14:59:00.005-06:00

Marcia Layton Turner's newsletter "Become a Six-Figure Writer" is a great resource for writers who aren't content with making the average of $5,000 per year. Packed with great information--about once-a-month--Marcia's newsletter is a great read for anyone aspiring to make a GOOD living as a writer. Visit http://www.becomeasixfigurewriter.com/ to sign up to receive this great resource.

Randy Pausch- Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams

2009-02-10T11:24:00.005-06:00

Though I'm probably one of the last people to watch this YouTube video, I'm glad that I took the time to view it. The video is a talk given by Carnegie Mellon Professor Randy Pausch (on Sept. 18, 2007)--who was dying of pancreatic cancer--titled, "Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams." In his talk, Pausch spoke about the lessons he's learned and offered advice on how others can achieve their own career and personal goals.

Pausch says, "Almost all of us have childhood dreams; for example, being an astronaut, or making movies or video games for a living. Sadly, most people don’t achieve theirs, and I think that’s a shame. I had several specific childhood dreams, and I’ve actually achieved most of them."

More importantly, Pausch says, "I have found ways...of helping many young people actually achieve their [own] childhood dreams"--a gift that he feels is very important.

This video will lift you up and get you thinking about what an adventure life is.

Gladys Hardy on Ellen Show

2009-02-09T12:01:00.003-06:00

This has got to be the funniest YouTube video that I've seen in awhile. If you need a good laugh, check it out.

Bill Bly and Andrew Lock

2008-12-04T15:03:00.004-06:00

I subscribe to Bob Bly's Direct Response Letter at http://www.bly.com/. Periodically, I receive newsletters from him via email. Very interesting stuff! Today I received one, and in it was information and a link to Andrew Lock's "Help My Business Sucks!" FREE Internet TV show created to help entrepreneurs get more done--and have more fun! Please check out Andrew's program at http://www.helpmybusiness.com/. You'll find him very entertaining and full of great tips. You can also sign up for email alerts telling you when there's new programming. I did, and I plan on checking out every program.

What webcasts do you frequent? Share them here.

Come visit me on MomsLikeMe.com

2008-10-27T12:06:00.005-05:00

I've started a new blogging gig at http://www.momslikeme.com/. Visit the Chicago link here. The site is designed to make life a little bit easier--and a lot more fun--for moms. Learn more about how the site is connecting moms with other local moms--in their own neighborhoods. It is a lot of fun and very informational.

Don't live in the Chicagoland area? Here's a link to other MomsLikeMe.com sites.

What sites do you like to visit for fun and inspiration?

Congrats, Allison Winn Scotch!!

2008-10-16T10:44:00.003-05:00

I want to give a big shout out of congratulations to Allison Winn Scotch. Her new book, TIME OF MY LIFE (Random House, 2008), was just released, and she's having great success so far. Check out her blog today to catch her excitement and take her up on a great offer. She's offering to sign copies of her book for those who want one. See the site for details.

Coming up with great article ideas

2008-10-06T10:50:00.009-05:00

Some writers have tons of magazine article ideas swirling around in their heads--at all times--and writing query letters for them is a breeze. These writers have more ideas than time to pitch them. I'M NOT ONE OF THOSE WRITERS! I seem to struggle while coming up with ideas--unless they revolve around saving money. If you're like me, then you'll appreciate this article written by Leo Babauta, who blogs about productivity, simplicity and happiness at Zen Habits. It was a guest post, at skelliewag.org ,titled The Top 20 Ways to Come Up With Amazing Ideas, and was posted in November 2007. The information is still very relevent, and I hope you'll find some inspiration from reading it.

How do you come up with ideas? Which of the ones listed by Leo Babauta is your favorite?

Tools you can use...and contests!

2008-09-22T11:22:00.010-05:00

Mondays are typically my marketing days, even when I'm busy with contracted freelance work. I do this t0 keep a constant flow of work coming my way. On most Mondays, I...

look for freelance writing jobs,
update my website and check its traffic,
update my LinkedIn networking site and see what's happening with everyone,
check invoices and article due dates,
touch base with editors,
set appointments with people I need to interview during the week,
send queries or letters of introduction (LOIs),
check to see if my Craigslist ads are current (yep, they do work sometimes), and
check to see what my favorite bloggers are talking about. If I'm honest, I check on my favorite blogs daily. Sometimes more than once per day--it's called procrastination. :)

Today, being a Monday, I have started doing all of the above, but have just finished reading a really great blog post that I'd like to share from The Renegade Writer Blog. Today they're featuring a great post by guest blogger, Michelle V. Rafter owner of the WordCount blog, who has written a timely piece about using LinkedIn for marketing . It's appropriately titled "Secrets to my LinkedIn Success" and you can read it here.

There are two contests that I ran across today for free, soon-to-be-released books. Read the posts and enter the contests. I did! Here are the links:

Ask Allison- Allison is hosting a "Book Giveaway Bonanza!" here. Go ahead and enter the contest to win her new book, "Time of my Life", but spend some additional time on Allison's blog. She has tons and tons of info on magazine writing for freelancers, and, most recently, a lot of information on writing, publishing and promoting your book.

The Urban Muse-Susan has a terrific blog too! After entering the contest to win a copy of Michelle Goodman's "My So-Called Freelance Life: How to Survive and Thrive as a Creative ," spend some time perusing the fabulous insider information at The Urban Muse. Susan recently left a full-time writing position to become a freelancer. Her blog site is posted with all types of very useful information.

Now, what are some of your favorite blogs?

Michael Stelzner, from Writing White Papers, has posted the winners of his annual "Top 10 Blogs for Writers" contest. You can find the winners here for the 2008-2009 contest.

Is your favorite on the list? If yes, which is your favorite? If not, who did Michael miss?

Spreading the love...to save Lori's house

2008-09-17T10:09:00.010-05:00

Since posting here about the plight of Lori Hall Steele, a 44-year-old single mom and freelance writer, who was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's Disease and chronic Lyme disease last year, lots has happened. There has been a lot written about the writer and her immediate crisis (losing her home), and it seems that hundreds of her fellow freelancers have rallied around her to help.

Here are some links you'll want to visit:

Hundreds of Freelance Writers Rally to Help a Seriously Ill Colleague to Pay Her Medical Bills, Support her Son and Save Her Home Published: Fri, 12 Sep 2008, 01:29 EDT
By Anglea PolchatStaff Writer, Publishers Newswire

The Friend I Never Met Published: Wed, 15 Sep 2008, The Huffington Post

Save This Single Mom's House Published: Tuesday, September 16, 2008, momlogic

Global village embraces ailing writer Published: Tuesday, September 16, 2008, Grand Traverse Herald, by CAROL SOUTH, Special to the Record-Eagle

Press Release

Go here for updates on Lori's condition.

Also:

*On Wednesday, September 17, 2008 Lori’s friends ask anyone with a Facebook account to change their profile picture for the day to the icon that says “Save Lori’s House.” (see below or use the top image at http://www.savelorishouse.com/lori%20art.htm) and please change your status to: “is helping to save Lori's House- won't you help too? http://www.savelorishouse.com/

*Don't have a FaceBook account? Join the FaceBook group here http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=27262941938&ref=mf

*To find out other ways you can help, write to Jane Boursaw Jane@savelorishouse.com or Kristen Hains Kristen@savelorishouse.com.

Lori Hall Steele

2008-09-11T12:28:00.013-05:00

Lori Hall Steele needs our help. She's a fellow freelance writer who's been diagnosed with ALS--Lou Gehrig's disease. And she's losing her home. She's just days away from having it taken away by the mortgage company because she can't pay her bills.

I don't know Lori personally. I only know her through Freelance Success, a writer's forum that I belong to. They're a great bunch of people.

When the FLXrs found out that one of their own was in trouble, they rallied--big time. There is so much activity going on in that forum on Lori's behalf that it makes your head spin--and it's hard to keep up with who's doing what. I know that Lori and her family are thankful.

Today, because I don't know Lori, I googled her name and found one of her blogs. It really spoke to me, giving me an up close and personal view of what Lori and her family are going through--and a bit of an inside look at Lori herself. The post that really got me was one she posted on Saturday, March 15, 2008--before she lost the use of her hands, before she needed assistance with her breathing. It is called Snow patrol, and it's very touching. You must read it.

My thoughts and prayers are definitely going out to Lori and her family, and I'm being propelled to offer my financial support as well. If you would like to help, click on this link to learn more about Lori's plight and to offer your financial support. And, please pray for her and her family.

My Goal...

2008-09-10T18:36:00.003-05:00

My goal is to write a blog post at least three days per week from now on. There, I've said it. I don't know exactly what I'll write about, but I've really been lax with this blog, and I don't like it. I know that the blogging format has the potential to bring a lot of writing jobs my way, but how do you apply to blog for someone else when you can't even blog for yourself?

Anyway, this is my goal, and I plan to stick with it. Anybody else have a goal they'd like to announce to the blogging world?

Zack and Chris--Fun with Photobucket

2008-06-13T11:52:00.006-05:00

Thanks to Andrea of Simple Things and Writing From Kiddom, I learned about photobucket. What a cool program!

These are jazzed up photos of my boys that will make great--and cheap--Father's Day presents for their dad.

How cool are they?

Thanks, Andrea!

View Andrea's great explanation of how to work the program here.

The Department of Lost and Found-- Paperback

2008-04-21T14:10:00.005-05:00

So tomorrow, Allison Winn Scotch is hoping that you'll all rush your local bookstore and pick up a copy of the paperback edition of The Department of Lost and Found, which makes its debut in paperback tomorrow. She says, "I know that a lot of people don't like to buy hardcover books, especially from unknown writers, but most folks are willing to splurge on the $14 paperback ($11 on Amazon.com!!), so I hope that you will too!"

"And, please," she says, "spread the word far and wide, via blog, email or just plain old word of mouth."

Allison, I'd be glad to!

I blogged about The Department of Lost and Found here, and as I said then, I loved the book! And I'm not usually attracted to books that deal with illness, let alone cancer, but I have to say that Allison's book is one of my favorites to date. This story is not only touching, it's smart, AND a great read.

Get your copy of The Department of Lost and Found tomorrow or preorder it today from Amazon.com for an additional 5% discount. For more information about Allison, and to get a sneak peak of The Department of Lost and Found, visit Allison's website.

Also, get a sneak peak of Allison's newest book Time Of My Life, coming October 7, 2008.

Gotta Love This!

2008-03-06T16:53:00.006-06:00

I absolutely love this photo. What ingenuity, huh? It was sent to me titled "Redneck Mansion." Looks to me like more of an apartment complex. Pretty cool, actually.

The Scale is Stuck!

2008-02-26T16:21:00.000-06:00

You’ve been adhering to your diet and exercise program since January. You’ve been doing everything right! Pounds were just melting away…until now. Why isn’t the scale moving anymore?

If you’ve added weight training to your exercise program, you are replacing body fat with muscle. With only a small amount of weight to lose (because you’ve been such a superstar!), your weight on the scale may actually go up, but you’ll look thinner. This is because muscle is much denser than fat and occupies less space. So, even if the scale is stuck, you’ve probably noticed a change in how your clothes fit.

One way to check your progress, besides getting on the scale, is to measure yourself. Just use a sewing tape measure and measure your chest, waist, hips and one thigh (upper arm and calf, too, if you’d like). This will give you an easy way to chart your progress in inches lost instead of pounds. Do this once a week and you’ll be able to "see" your body shrink.

You may also want to visit your local gym and ask if they will do a body fat analysis (or composition report). Most gyms will do this free for members and may charge a small fee for nonmembers. The body fat analysis will show your current total weight and percentage of body fat (along with the breakdown of water weight and lean muscle). Do this every few months and you will see your body composition change dramatically!

Conserve water...and save!

2008-01-31T10:31:00.000-06:00

Of all of our natural resources, none is more precious than water. We can't live without it. And while the media continually draws the public's attention to the rising cost and consumption of oil and gas, very little attention is given to what will become the most serious resource issue in the next century--the international water shortage.

Flushing our toilets alone accounts for a staggering 40% of our water usage, with the bathroom being where we use a whopping 75% of our water inside the home. With a little thought and effort, though, we can save money and be "green" at the same time. Use my favorite tips below to save cash and conserve our most precious resource:

Bathroom

Check for toilet tank leaks by adding food coloring to the tank. If the toilet is leaking, color will appear in the bowl within 30 minutes. Most replacement parts are inexpensive, easily installed, and you can save more than 600 gallons a month.

Place a plastic bottle weighted with pebbles and water in the toilet tank as a water displacement device.

Install a low-flow showerhead to save 2 gallons of water per minute. They're inexpensive, easy to install, and can save your family more than 500 gallons a week.

Kitchen

Install a low-flow faucet aerator, which can cut water use in half or 1 to 2 gallons per minute.

Don't rinse dishes before loading dishwasher to save 20 gallons of water per load.

Store drinking water in the refrigerator rather than letting the tap run every time you want a cool glass of water.

Do not use running water to thaw meat or other frozen foods. Defrost food overnight in the refrigerator or by using the defrost setting on your microwave.

Around the house

Many homes have hidden water leaks. Read your water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter does not read exactly the same, there is a leak.

Never put water down the drain when there may be another use for it such as watering a plant or garden, or cleaning

Insulate your water pipes. You'll get hot water faster plus avoid wasting water while it heats up.

When adjusting water temperatures, instead of turning water flow up, try turning it down. If the water is too hot or cold, turn the offender down rather than increasing water flow to balance the temperatures.

Repair dripping faucets by replacing washers. If your faucet is dripping at the rate of one drop per second, you can expect to waste 2,700 gallons per year.

Wash clothes only when you have a full load and save up to 600 gallons each month.

Outside

Fertilizers increase the need for water. Apply fertilizers, which contain slow-release, water-insoluble forms of nitrogen.

Mulch to retain moisture in the soil. Mulching also helps to control weeds that compete with pants for water.

Plant native grasses, ground covers, shrubs and trees. Once established, they do not need to be watered as frequently and will survive a dry period without any watering. Group plants together based on similar water needs.

Use a broom to clean leaves and other debris from these areas. Using a hose to clean a driveway can waste hundreds of gallons of water.

Do not leave sprinklers or hoses unattended, which can pour out 600 gallons or more in only a few hours.

Consider using a commercial car wash that recycles water. If you do wash your own car, park it on the grass to soak up any run-off.

How do you conserve water?

Food for thought...save at the grocery store

2008-01-23T13:59:00.000-06:00

Maybe it's the economy or maybe it's my mindset for getting out of debt, but lately my writing has taken a turn toward money-saving ideas. Regardless of the reason, I'm enjoying the ride--and the learning. Some of the great tips that I've learned recently involve grocery shopping. My favorites are:

Bring cash--Leave your checkbook, debit, and credit cards home, so you don't overspend. Bring $10 extra to stock up on extra-special deals.
Shop quickly--Every minute over a half-hour spent in the store costs you 50 cents per minute.
Investigate all food sources--Include grocery stores, warehouse clubs, salvage stores, food co-ops, farmer's markets, department stores, even your gas station. never assume one source has the lowest price on every item.
Know where to look--Look high and low on the shelves for the best prices. check behind fronted shelf items for larger bonus sizes, and shop the perimeter of the store for basic, most-needed grocery items.
And stock up--Buy pasta, canned foods and boxed goods on sale. They are items used regularly that have a long shelf life. Als0, look on the front and back covers of the sale fliers for sales that the store takes a loss on, literally and build your grocery list and menus around these items for the greatest savings potential.

What are some of your best grocery shopping, money saving tips?

Yikes!

2007-12-04T09:35:00.000-06:00

I just realized that I haven't posted on this blog for over a month! It's not that I haven't had anything to say, I've just been extremely busy with work. No complaints about that, though!

I've also been taking a class through my Freelance Success membership on Crafting Queries. It's been very interesting, though again, with work I haven't been able to give it my full attention either. My goal is to get out of the class with three saleable queries.

I just received a check from ALL YOU magazine for my first national consumer article. It's due to be printed in the February '08 issue. This was very exciting because it's my first national article, but also because I'm a subscriber to the magazine.

I've picked up a few new trade magazines. In addition to writing for the Engravers Journal, I'm also writing for Fabricator Magazine, International Bowling Industry Magazine, and Massage & Bodywork.

I'm also doing work for hire for the Teen Health Series and will be starting some website copy work for an attorney in Chicago.

Like I said...lots to do, but no complaints! I can always use MORE work, though.

Send a thank you card to our troops in Iraq

2007-10-24T08:15:00.000-05:00

Something great that Xerox is doing...If you go to this web site, http://www.letssaythanks.com/ you can pick out a thank you card and Xerox will print it and send it to a soldier currently serving in Iraq.

You can't decide who gets it, but the card will go to some member of the armed services. How AMAZING it would be if we could get everyone we know to send one!

Please send a card. It is FREE and it only takes a second. Wouldn't it be wonderful if the soldiers received a bunch of these?

Whether you are for or against the war, our guys and gals over there need to know we are behind them.

Photo credit: Joshua, age 11, North Barrington, IL

bird by bird -- Anne Lamott

2007-10-16T09:05:00.000-05:00

I just finished reading bird by bird by Anne Lamott. It was a gift from my sister-in-law who is a writer too. I loved the book!

At first I was thinking that the topic of the book didn't really apply to me because I have no interest in writing a fiction novel. I was wrong.

Anne Lamott has a way of looking at the world with a very unique eye. And though she is taking the reader step by step through the novel writing process, it seemed that I was reading a book on living. And I was. I was learning how to view the world through different eyes. A writer's eyes.

Thanks, Anne!

Common Sense Article and Other Stuff I'm Working On

2007-10-01T07:43:00.000-05:00

Fall is upon us and the last quarter of the year is here. Where did all of the time go?

Summer always goes fast, but I think it went faster this year. With the days shortening and the weather getting more fall-like, my focus is back on my writing more than ever--and I'm getting busy!

Here's what I'm up to these days:

My new Common Sense Article came out last week. It's about my love of the library and how libraries have changed since I was a little girl.

I am working on my first national consumer magazine article. It will be in ALL YOU- one of the magazines that I subscribe to. I'm so excited to finally break into the consumer market! I'm motivated to get those queries out.

I am, also, writing an article for a "new to me" trade magazine. It's called Fabrications. I'm writing a profile piece for them on one of their Top Job competition winners. It's all new lingo, but I'm up to the challenge.

I'm still doing a lot of writing for The Engravers Journal. I enjoy the pieces that I write for them and the people at EJ are really easy to work with.

And finally, I'm editing one of the books in the Teen Health Series typically found in Public Libraries. It's a series of books that deal with all types of teen issues related to their health. This editing process is very new to me, but it's really a fun challenge.

What's going on with you?

When is it Time to Just Lie Down?

2007-09-13T10:52:00.000-05:00

I just walked past my two dogs- very old dogs, aged 14 and 13. They were both just lying down, one in the house and the other outside, which they do most of the day now. This got me thinking.... When is is time to just lie down?

As human beings we are always pushing ourselves to keep going, to keep striving, and above all, to stay young- after all the new 60 is the new 50 is the new 40, right? My mom and I just had a conversation about this the other day. Her complaint? She just feels tired. And it makes her angry.

As I was looking at the dogs, I wondered just when is it OK to lie down? Not to quit living, mind you, but to just relax and smell the coffee, as they say. I'm not sure. What do you think?

God Bless America!!

2007-09-11T15:29:00.000-05:00

My Newest Common Sense Article

2007-08-30T09:19:00.000-05:00

My newest article in The Herald News came out today, "Bracing for season of fundraising." This one is near and dear to my heart since, as you'll read, I'm not a big fan of fundraising. It's probably one of the main reasons that I'm not all that thrilled with elementary school.

What do you think? Are you a fan of fundraisers?

Common Sense Article- Parents Beware of Teen Blogs

2007-08-16T10:34:00.000-05:00

My newest installment in the Common Sense column at
The Herald News is Parents, beware of teen blogs. Check it out!

The Other Mother by Gwendolen Gross

2007-08-06T21:10:00.000-05:00

The Other Mother by Gwendolen Gross (available August 7th, 2007) is a riveting tale of two women on opposite sides of the fence regarding motherhood. Thea, a classic stay-at-home mother of three and Amanda, a first time mom struggling with her decision to juggle her editing career and her baby, find themselves at once attracted and repelled by the other.

When an accident causes Amanda and her family to take temporary refuge in Thea's home, tensions between the women start to simmer. Once Thea becomes baby Malena's short-term nanny, trouble really begins.

Follow Thea and Amanda through their stories; why they chose the paths they chose, how they feel about their decisions, what makes them guilty, what they admire about each other- even in strife. Watch them grow and discover what's really important in their lives and their relationships.

Definitely and "must read" for all women- no matter what side of the fence you're on!

About the author:

Gwendolen Gross is the author of the novels FieldGuide and Getting Out, and received an MFA in fiction and poetry from Sarah Lawrence College. She lives in northern New jersey with her family.

You can visit her website at http://www.gewendolengross.com/

Photo by Chia Messina

I need a vacation from my vacation....

2007-07-26T12:32:00.000-05:00

Well, we're back from vacation...and what fun we had! All told, between us going up to northern Michigan for four or five days and then having visitors at our home from North Carolina for four days, I'm pooped out! I wouldn't trade the fun and memories, though, of spending time with loved ones that we live so far away from now. Every moment was to be lived to the fullest. And it was. Just the way I like it!

Scholastic Books

2007-07-09T13:31:00.000-05:00

I was reading The Urban Muse post for Thursday, July 5th. She posted about Scholastic Books. I loved Scholastic Books as a kid and I love them now. Still a bargain, starting at about 99 cents, what kid or teacher doesn't love the Scholastic Book program?

Using the monthly Scholastic Book order, I came up with a really great gift idea for one of my son's teachers that has become tradition. When my son brings home a Scholastic Book order, and decides what he'd like to get, I round the check up or add a dollar or two with a note to the teacher telling her to use the remainder of the money for books for the classroom. I don't do it with every order, but occassionally through the year, and the response has been great.

What are your memories of Scholastic Books? Do you have any great gift ideas?

Have a little "Common Sense"

2007-07-09T13:13:00.000-05:00

My first installment as a contributor to the Herald News' "Common Sense" opinion column came out in the newspaper (and online) July 5th. I'm contracted to write 14 articles that will be published approximately once per month. The concept is simple...I get to write about anything that I feel compelled to write about. What fun, huh?

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!

2007-07-03T15:09:00.000-05:00

I wonder why we started calling Independence Day the "Fourth of July?"

Don't get me wrong, I love the parties, the fireworks and the food that go along with the holiday, whether we call it Independence Day or the Fourth of July. I just think it's important, at this point in time, to stop and remember that our independence, our voice and our freedom- especially since we have men and women giving their lives daily- comes at a cost.

Every day thousands of people from other countries leave their homeland and come to the "land of the free and the home of the brave" to live the "American Dream". Shouldn't we stop and take a minute to be thankful that we were born in a country that is the ultimate dream for so many people?

I am very thankful. How about you?

Happy Birthday, America!

Got Your Ears On, Good Buddy?

2007-07-02T17:48:00.000-05:00

Havin' some fun with Z...

At least he thinks it's funny!

I never know, as my boys grow up, just when they're going to think something is funny or not. C is only eight, so he's still pretty easy to read. Z is 17, though, so I'm never sure how he's going to take being teased a little. Looks like he has a sense of humor regarding the Mickey Mouse ears, though.

Isn't he cute?

It's gettin' hot in here

2007-06-27T12:42:00.000-05:00

(AP Photo/Ben Margot)

This picture says it all!

The World's Ugliest dog, Elwood, looks the way I feel. I'm not sure it can get much more humid today in Joliet. I'm not complaining, though...

Yahoo! Gone mad with ads....

2007-06-18T12:55:00.000-05:00

Alright... I think I've had enough now!

It was OK when Yahoo! added ads to my home page. It was annoying at first, but they only took up one little corner of the page, so I got used to it. I was willing to give them a corner...

BUT NOW they've gone and taken up half of my email page with ads too. They have a big box in the middle and about 3 or 4 boxes down the side. I can barely see my folders anymore! That's a bit much people.

I know that I could switch email accounts, but I really generally like the set up that I have. So I guess that I'm just venting... I did write them an email, though, and complained... probably won't do much good. They probably just read those emails and laugh...

Does anyone else get tired of ads?

I'm feeling a bit bombarded!

No offense, mom....

2007-06-07T09:13:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I was sitting at my kitchen table eating lunch with my son who's sitting directly across from me. He says, "No offense, mom..." and starts pointing to my eye. I thought he was trying to tell me that I had food on my eye, so I start wiping. Again he says, "No offense, mom... but you have ahhh... crow's feet." And, then, without skipping a beat..."You know they have cream for that, right?" Gotta love them! Good thing they're so stinking cute...

Summer Vacation Has Started

2007-06-05T15:21:00.000-05:00

I love summer. Summer is my favorite time of the year (as I've said over and over again ad nauseum). I love warm weather, flowers, sun, swimming and just the whole undisciplined manor of the season.

I love having my boys home too. No homework, lots of playing and swimming, late nights and bon fires. Lots of fun doing pretty much nothing really. But that's the beauty of summer, isn't it? Lots of time to take it easy.

I think all of us need a little bit of down time and I think summer provides that. Even if you work all summer, at least the days are longer. There just seems to be more time to live our lives and slow down a little bit. To stop and smell the roses, if you will.

What does summer mean to you?

Summertime!

2007-05-22T15:07:00.000-05:00

Summertime is finally here!

Gardens are being planted, weeds are being pulled, lawns are being mowed, pools are being opened up.

I. Love. Summer!

Summertime means that we have family visit us here in Illinois from Michigan. Seems like every weekend is packed with things to do. Going to the city is a great trip for visitors. It's a great trip for us, too, since we don't go to the city much otherwise.

Vacationing in Michigan is still a real treat for us. I guess that one can relocate, but it seems that home is always home.

What does summertime mean to you? Where do you vacation? Where is home-where you were born or where you live now?

The Department of Lost and Found by Allison Winn Scotch

2007-05-03T09:48:00.000-05:00

Allison Winn Scotch's debut book, The Department of Lost and Found, is everything that I hoped it would be and more! This poignant, funny and enlightening story takes the reader on a true journey of self discovery.

TDLF is the story of Natalie Miller, a highly driven New York Senator's aide, propelled by her will to succeed (and someday become President). She will do everything necessary to get to the top- no matter who gets hurt in the process. Just when she feels that her life is on the right course, Natalie is diagnosed with breast cancer AND her boyfriend dumps her!

Feeling alone, Natalie learns to let go and lean on friends and family for support- a concept very foreign to her.

Though breast cancer is a tough subject, Allison does a remarkable job of weaving humor, strength and eye-opening life lessons into her debut book. Follow Natalie on her journey of self-discovery and you will not be disappointed! TDLF is a definite "must read"!

ABOUT ALLISON
Allison Winn Scotch is a frequent contributor to numerous consumer magazines including American Baby, American Way, Arthritis Today, Bride's, Cooking Light, Fitness, Glamour, InStyle Weddings, Lifetime Television, Men's Health, Men's Fitness, Parents, Parenting, Prevention, Redbook, Self, Shape, Weight Watchers, Woman's Day, Women's Health, and ivillage.com, msn.com, and women.com, as well as American Airlines Custom Magazines and American Express Custom Magazines. Her debut novel, The Department of Lost and Found, will be published in May 2007 by William Morrow, a division of HarperCollins.

You can read more about The Department of Lost and Found and check out Allison's Website and Blog at these addresses:

www.allisonwinnscotch.blogspot.com
www.allisonwinn.com

Oh, my aching muscles!

2007-04-25T16:27:00.000-05:00

I am so sore! Not crippled, mind you, but my muscles are aching all the way up the back of my legs from my calves to my bum. What prompted this soreness, you ask?

Running.

I. Hate. Running. Anyone who knows me knows that I hate running. I have decided, though, that in order to drop the rest of the weight that I want to lose, that I must run. Not far. Just far enough to jar my body into weight reduction, which does seem to be working. It's been about a month and a half now and I have seen some weight loss... mostly in my face, but it is working it's way down. I just know it!

The soreness comes in because I've just recently graduated from running one minute at a time to running for 20 minutes straight. Yesterday it was 15 minutes, today 20, tomorrow I die! I'm thinking that maybe I've graduated too fast. (I'm asking myself: "How do people run five miles at a time...every day? Does the running get easier? When does it quit hurting?")

At this point you might be thinking that I'm a wimp. I know that I'm a wimp! Anything that induces pain is generally a no, no for me. But, I know that running has worked for me in the past, so I'm willing to give it another try. As they say, "no pain, no gain"- or loss in this case! I think I'll just put up with the discomfort for awhile longer and see where it gets me.

Anyone else going "against their grain" for some desired results?

Poisonous Plastic?!?

2007-04-10T11:39:00.000-05:00

I know better. I ALWAYS check www.Snopes.com to see if emails that I receive are hoaxes or truths. This time I didn't. It's not such a big deal I guess, except I am a big proponent of checking the validity of viral emails. I couldn't tell you how many times I've steered friends and family to the Snopes website to "see for themselves" before forwarding emails.

So, what's the fuss? I finally, after getting about 20 emails regarding microwaving plastic (and reusing water bottles), threw out my plastic cookware- except one set of Tupperware- and bought Pyrex to microwave in.

That was last week.

THIS MORNING I decided to check with Snopes. Sure enough, the plastic story is a hoax according to their website!

OR SO THEY SAY...

My premonitions were so high to replace this cookware. I'm inclined to believe, even if there's no evidence, that maybe replacing the plastic with glass wasn't such a bad idea. Sometimes you just have to go with your gut.

I've decided...Even if microwaving in plastic is perfectly safe...the glass is prettier anyway!

Peaceful Warrior

2007-04-02T08:16:00.000-05:00

I received an email from Blockbuster and Best Buy offering free tickets for the movie Peaceful Warrior starring Nick Nolte this weekend. I went to see it with my husband and youngest son. WHAT A GREAT MOVIE!! Not the exciting, sitting on the edge of your seat movie, but very intense and thought-provoking.

This movie is about Dan, an Olympic-bound college student who has it all; the grades, the girls, major skills. In a chance meeting, though, Dan meets the man he comes to know as Socrates (Nick Nolte) and his life is turned upside down.

Dan learns some great lessons in this movie and so did I. My definition of happiness and success were really called into question. My favorite lesson: "It's not the destination that brings happiness, it's the journey."

This story is from the best-selling autobiographical novel called Way of the Peaceful Warrior by Dan Millman. I haven't read the book yet, didn't even know it existed until this weekend, but I'm going to get it and read it now.

Here's what some other famous people had to say about the movie:

"A lot of movies promise happiness, but most often it's the 'fleeting' happiness of a thrill ride, and when it's over, it's over; you feel empty, and begin searching for the next thrill. Very few movies actually question what happiness is, or suggest ways that it can be sustained.Peaceful Warrior asks this question and in doing so takes you out of your mind, and those who would consider themselves sane would be 'out of their minds' not to see it. Peaceful Warrior is an important film, an inspiring film, and a film that could change lives."- Sting

"A beautifully crafted and enormously entertaining film that speaks to the strength and resiliency of the human spirit. Peaceful Warrior offers a powerful, yet rare glimpse, into the human soul. It reminds us what we are made of, reconnecting us to the power that lies within so that we feel and embrace it. See this film and it will impact the course of your life forever."–Tony Robbins

"A stunning and extraordinary film that takes you on a journey out of your mind and into the present moment. Watch it and be transformed."–Eckhart Tolle (author of "The Power of Now")

"When you hear the truth, it sounds familiar. Like seeing a reflection of something you already posses. This film is that clear and simple reflection. I enjoyed every moment."–Jim Carrey (actor)

"Absolutely inspiring! Spread the word about this film."–Joe Trippi

“Like ROCKY for the soul!”–Straw Weisman - Associate Producer of WHAT THE BLEEP DO WE KNOW!?

Definitely a movie worth seeing and, I'm guessing, a book worth reading!

Have a great week,

Lisa

Heat Wave!!

2007-03-26T17:06:00.000-05:00

The weather here in Joliet has been absolutely gorgeous for the past two days! Sunny and near 80 degrees. I know that this is a fluke, but it sure is nice to see that summer is truly on the way.

I didn't have any trouble staying focused on my writing today and I'm sure I won't for the rest of the week because I have deadlines. If I didn't, though, I'm wondering if I'd get any writing done at all. This has been on my mind lately because I really need to stay focused throughout the summer. This is my full-time job now after all.

How do you stay focused when it's gorgeous outside?

Spring has Sprung!

2007-03-21T10:07:00.000-05:00

March 21st!! I can't tell you how ready I am for spring! Summer, really, but spring means that summer is on the way.

I saw my first robin about a week ago. The sighting is always my signal that spring is just around the corner. I love hearing all of the birds in the morning too. Gives me so much energy!

Did you ever notice that you don't see the dust and dirt in your house until the spring sun is shining bright? Is the dirt invisible in the winter or does the sunshine bring a new awareness to our surroundings? I think the latter.

I am so revved up in the spring to get things done! Cleaning included, which is not normally something that I look forward to. I'll do it because it needs to be done usually, but in the spring it's as if someone changed my batteries and I'm raring to go. The Energizer Bunny!

Do you feel a renewed energy when springtime rolls around? What do you like to accomplish in the spring?

Quirks and Sputters...

2007-03-06T14:42:00.000-06:00

We've lived in our house for about eight years, but it's about 13 years old.

We are experiencing all kinds of quirks and sputters with mechanical and non-mechanical items around our house...inside and out! The TV repairman just left, my dishwasher soap dispenser won't dispense (well at least not on a regular basis), my pool is leaking (nothing to do about that until spring, except to keep putting water in it as needed), my refrigerator and furnace make noises on alternate days, my son's laptop has decided to reject its operating system and my garage interior light works sometimes and not others.

I just realized that I said my house is 13 years old...unlucky number 13! Do you think that could be the problem?!?!

Is there anything strange going on at your house?

Lisa

Lots of Energy!

2007-03-05T12:40:00.000-06:00

I have so much more energy when the sun is shining! Makes me feel that spring is just around the corner. It is...isn't it?

This week I'm working on an article about Promotional Products...you know, the "freebies" that we love to get when we go to trade shows, etc. I love them and use mine all of the time (must be the cheapskate in me!). My favorite promo items are: pens, pencils, magnets (especially the strong ones!), calculators, can coolers and t-shirts.

What are your favorites? Have you received something really unique? Tell me about your experiences with promo products. I just might be able to use the info for my article.

Happy writing!

Lisa

I'm READY for Spring!

2007-03-02T08:08:00.000-06:00

I am so ready for spring! The weather here has been so crazy! One day it's semi-warm, the next it's freezing. One day it rains, the next day there's a blizzard. Argh!

I'm not much of a winter person anyway, but February and the beginning of March seem to be particularly hard for me. I think it's because I know that spring is just around the corner and, soon, I'll see my first robin of the year.

Anyone NOT ready?

Feeling up to the Challenge??

2007-01-17T16:41:00.000-06:00

Are you feeling up to a challenge? Well Kristen King has challenged us to a query challenge! Check it out at:

:: inkthinker ::: Official 2007 Inkthinker Query Challenge Kick-Off

Also, Allison Winn Scotch is guest blogging at The Debutante Ball . Definitely a must-see!

Check out her blog too. It's fantastic!That link is: Ask Allison

Happy writing...oh yeah, AND querying!

Happy New Year!

2007-01-02T09:50:00.000-06:00

Well, the holidays are over. I love them, but find I'm glad when it's time to "get back to normal". I'm excited to get back to work. I really want to see how much I can accomplish this year. How about you?

2006-12-07T15:46:00.000-06:00

I'm working on an article today, another profile piece, which I like. It's going well, but I'm finding that I'm getting a tad bit distracted by Christmas these days. Is anyone else?

2006-11-29T14:21:00.000-06:00

Oh goodness! Today was crazy!

I just talked with my publisher today about an article I finished for his trade magazine last month. Apparantly I approached it all wrong, so I have to do a rewrite.

I've worked with this magazine on a part-time basis for two years and do mostly profile pieces (since I'm not an expert in their field), which I enjoy writing. I think this is the first time I totally missed the mark and have to pretty much do a "do-over".

I'm thankful, though, that I have this article to rewrite, another one to write, and one on the way. I will succeed at full time freelance writing, I will succeed at full time freelance writing. This has become my mantra.

2006-11-28T21:50:00.000-06:00

Today was a good day. Most days are. I'm convinced that I've made the right decision in becoming a full-time freelance writer. The timing is right, I've been freelancing for a trade magazine for two years now, and I have LOTS of support. Now is the perfect time!