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Motivate Yourself to Write Every Day

Published on April 7, 2012 in Writing/Publishing. Closed Tags: Jerry Seinfeld, write every day, writing chart, writing motivation.

If you’re anything like me, writing consistently, as in every day, can be a big chore.

We all have families, work commitments, household commitments, and more. And these all take us away from our writing. But to become a better writer, to meet deadlines, or to finish that story that’s niggling away in our imaginations, we have to make the time.

I recently came across this free download that will help us to get motivated to spend time writing every day. It is called Don’t Break the Chain and is said to be Jerry Seinfeld’s method for creative success.

To learn more, and/or to download your free copy, go here: http://www.writersstore.com/dont-break-the-chain-jerry-seinfeld

Sometimes charting what we do is not enough. So what do you do then?

I often promise myself a reward to meeting my goals. That could be something like a night out at the movies, a day off to do whatever I want, or as a crafter, I often take a craft class I wouldn’t otherwise take. You will need to work out what your reward should be, but the main thing is to not cheat. Only you will know if you have earned the right to the promised reward.

Sometimes you make not actually reach the goal, but wrote consistently and moved ahead with the project. In those cases, I would safely say you’ve earned it.

What are your thoughts on this subject?

Ready to Create Your Own Information Products?

Published on March 2, 2012 in Non-Fiction Books and Writing/Publishing. Closed Tags: Cheryl Wright, ebook, how to write ebooks, Kevin Riley, learn to write, make money with your writing skills, Passive income, product creation, WAHM, write non-fiction books, Writer2Writer.

If you’ve followed my writings at all, you would have heard me mention the name ‘Kevin Riley’ many times over the years, in the newsletter, on this blog, and also on the website.

I ‘met’ Kevin many years ago, when I was just beginning to write info products. I have purchased several of his books and/or courses over a number of years, and continue to do so. My latest purchase from him was just two days ago.

One course in particular literally changed my life – it taught me the right way to create info products, and including a lot of related information that I previously had no idea about.
If you’ve been with me for a while, you’ll know that information products (aka ebooks) make up a huge part of my writing income. The thing I love the most about them is they’re a “write once, profit over and over” source of income.
This is known as passive income. And that’s exactly what info products are – passive income.

You can make money with them while on holidays, while you sleep, and just about any time. I’ve even earned from them while in hospital with pneumonia! So once you’ve written your book, set up your sales page and process etc, there’s not a huge amount more to do.

If you were with me several years back, you would have known I took Kevin’s Product Creation Lab Private Workshop. I did the course online, but that was run as a one-off. After that, it was only available as a physical product, selling for $395.

Obviously everyone is different, but I’ve created info products that have earned $500 on the day of release, and products that have earned $10,000 and more. And that’s just a handful of over a dozen products I’ve created, so you can see the potential here, I’m sure.

Kevin, being the great guy he is – always trying to help others – has decided to offer the Product Creation Lab Private Workshop as an online course again, simply because the price of the physical product is out of reach for most people. My understanding is that it’s only for a short period of time. (I am in the process of clarifying this.)

The reason the price is massively reduced is because it’s not a physical product. And we all know that physical products are very expensive to produce.

Would you believe Kevin is selling this $395 product for just $27? That’s more than 90% off the original price! *This is a one-off price, not a recurring membership.

If I didn’t already own the physical product, I would jump on this immediately.

Click here to check it out.

As with all Kevin’s products, step-by-step instructions, worksheets, and illustrations where applicable, are included.

That’s one of the things I love about Kevin’s products – he leaves nothing to chance, and ensures everyone can understand the information provided.

If you do have problems, he’s very accessible.

Kevin loves making videos, and he’s created a fun video for you to watch. It’s at the top of the page (when you follow the link), but honestly, if you want to skip it, you won’t be disadvantaged. I’ve seen it, and it was a lot of fun, but it doesn’t tell you a whole heap about the course itself.

Scroll down just a little from the top of the page, and you’ll get all the information you need.

I hope you take a look at this product, because it’s something that can dramatically increase your writing income for many years to come.

Don’t be put off by the mention of ‘daily’ lessons. This is a self-paced course. If you can’t do lessons daily, you don’t have to. Kevin says it’s daily to get you into a habit.

As I said, I’ve taken many of Kevin’s courses. They’re all self-paced, and believe me, I don’t usually have time to do daily lessons – I just log in at my own pace.

Info products can be a second in.come, a main in.come, a passive in.come, or whatever you want it to be. This sort of opportunity doesn’t come along often, so grab it while it is being sold at an unbelievable price.
Click here now to learn more.

If this product is right for you, you will snag yourself the bargain of the century!

Cheryl

Fiction Book Titles – How Important Are They?

Published on October 28, 2011 in Writing/Publishing. 18 Comments Tags: articles on.article marketing strategies.business article marketing, Cheryl Wright, choosing book titles, fiction writing, mimi barbour, Writer2Writer.

I’d like to welcome Mimi Barbour to the Writer2Writer blog.

Mimi offered to blog about book titles, and how important they are in the process of selling your book. Thank you Mimi for your great offer!

Now, onto Mimi’s post:

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I wanted to blog about titles because of the experience I recently had just before the cover for my newest release “My Cheeky Angel” was designed. Thankfully, I caught it in time before the artist had finished it.

This is my story.

The day after I’d sent the information for my new book to the cover artist, I went to a workshop. Thankfully, the talk was about titles and whether they are important. The presenter gave us example after example of titles that really had no information in them. Titles like (I’m making these up) Steamy or The Long Road or Unforgettable.

Let’s face it, today’s media focuses on attracting people within a few seconds. We all know what the television commercials are like nowadays. Even the stimulation we often see on the computer is blinding with color – fast and to the point! It’s almost as if they know their window of opportunity to snag our attention is very short so they better make the best of it. Are they right? I know for myself, I don’t have a lot of time to browse.

Our speaker made us see that if the title of your book doesn’t tell the potential reader anything about your story, then he or she’s quite likely to turn to the next selection that does. If you’re lucky to have a cover that’s to the point, like My Cheeky Angel, which has an angel on the cover, then it might not matter, but what if that reader doesn’t see the cover? Would your title titillate, give them some clue as to what they’ll be reading about?

When it comes to buying books, often I haven’t even seen the cover, but if the title is catchy, it could grab my interest. I’m thinking of books like Eat, Pray and Love and My Sister’s Keeper to name a couple.

The group at this workshop did a little quiz with the book I’d just sent away for the new cover. At that time I was calling the story “Endless Possibilities”, which I thought suited the premise of a guardian angel quite well.

Once we asked for each person’s opinion around the table, the general consensus was that it was a book on self-motivation. Both the men and the women agreed. Then, after some discussion as to what the story involved, and a lot of brainstorming, we decided that “My Cheeky Angel” would be a perfect match.

Nowadays, many of the Indie authors have sole discretion on their titles and maybe some of us don’t give it enough attention. Keeping in mind this concept of letting the reader know something of what the story is about, it’s probably a good idea if we put a lot more thought into what we choose.

Has anyone else had a similar experience with titles? I’d love to hear your stories.

Please know that I love visiting with readers so come and say ‘Hi’ on my blog at http://mimibarbour.blogspot.com or on my website at http://www.mimibarbour.com/ and join my newsletter for a chance to win a free copy of my latest release.

Or follow me on twitter https://twitter.com/mimibarbour

Or on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mimi-Barbour-Fan-Page/203964072966134

***Mimi is giving away two e-copies of her latest release. Leave your comment to be in the running!

Mimi’s latest release:

Annie Hynes is a tomboy. Naïve and love-starved, she’ll soon to be celebrating her big 3-0. Something needs to be done! Celi, her ‘down-to-earth’ guardian angel appears to help kick-start Annie’s big change—her looks, her job, her whole life. By taking a managerial position with a sophisticated shoe manufacturer, Annie becomes embroiled with her new associates and hooked on the power of big business. Unfortunately, her exhaustion from overwork forces her to ignore old friends, and her lapse places someone she cares about in terrible danger.

Social Worker, Tyler Jones, previously hurt in two relationships, signals disinterest in women, and only wants Annie in his life as a good buddy. Oh yeah! And to help with his mixed-up street kids. Perversely, once her life alters, he misses her like hell. In one sweet night of loving everything changes. But, due to an overabundance of nightcaps, she doesn’t remember the night he can’t forget.

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Here’s an excerpt of My Cheeky Angel by Mimi Barbour:

Excerpt: My Cheeky Angel

Monday morning, getting ready for the daycare became a major battle with a mocking, unseen presence. Every one of the outfits she normally wore got vetoed. Her overly casual clothes, strewn in every direction, indicated how few items in her closet would be appropriate for when she eventually became employed in a sophisticated office. The baggy style she’d stuck to for years concealed her body, and when a person strives to go unnoticed in the world, the tomboy look does the job. It isn’t chic, but it is safe.

“Didn’t anyone ever explain to you that a body such as yours warrants feminine attire?”

“A compliment? You must be in a good mood.” Annie had given up talking to Celi out loud when it was simpler and a lot less weird communicating with her mind.

“Don’t push it. I’m just sayin.”

“You must be the strangest angel in heaven. Just my luck to get a maverick.”

“Hey! I’m an Angel first class. Count yourself lucky.”

“Now I know you’re kidding. I watch ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ every Christmas, as I’m sure you’re aware of.”

Finally, settling on a pair of snug jeans she seldom wore, Annie wrestled over the choice of her top. A new white blouse hung from one hand, and the safer, often worn t-shirt fluttered from the other. She faced the mirror and waffled.

“Why did I ever buy this silly ruffled thing?” she grumbled.

“Because it’s pretty and modern, so wear the darn thing already.” Celi popped to life in her favorite yoga stance at the end of the unmade bed.

“Why don’t you have any wings? I’ve often wondered about that.”

“They’re at the drycleaners. Look, quit stalling and get dressed.”

“Why don’t you talk like other people? I can hear your words in my mind, but your lips don’t move.”

“Why, why, why. You’re worse than a child.”

Annie stopped what she was doing, stuck her hand on her hip, and glared at the diaphanous form.

“Fine. It takes enough energy to appear, why waste more speaking when I don’t have to?”

“It’s very disconcerting.”

“Quit stalling and put the blouse on.”

“You’re a bully!”

“And you’re beautiful. Look!” Magically, the garment draped her form. The white emphasized her tanned skin, and she had to admit that the new fashion suited her. She buttoned it and stepped back.

“It’s supposed to be worn with the top few buttons undone.”

She undid the first one.

“One more.”

“One button, okay! Two? That’s indecent.”

“Indecent? Give me a break. You look very much the way any twenty-nine-year old city girl in this century looks.”

It would be easier just to follow directions, she supposed. If she didn’t the button would unexplainably fall open all day long anyway. M

Before she could change her mind, she put on the earrings she’d bought to go with the blouse and slipped her feet into the fancy sandals that lay hidden in her closet after a shopping trip months earlier. She checked out her shiny cap of black hair, which had stiffened from the setting lotion applied earlier, and now stood up in a perky ‘do’. The darkness highlighted her unblemished skin, and brought her face to life.

Annie turned to Celi for final approval, but the angel had disappeared. “Thanks, Celi.” Only a faint fragrance of perfume answered. A scent Annie instantly fell in love with permeated the air around her hair. She’d have to ask Celi for the name of the product and wear it everywhere. It could be her personal smell for success.

A tinkling sound drew her attention to her dresser and there sat a tiny, rhinestone studded blue bottle.

“You’re the best Celi, you really are.”

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Buy My Cheeky Angel (Angels with Attitudes) on Amazon now!

Self-Publish on Kindle – Are You Crazy?

Published on September 5, 2011 in Writing/Publishing. Closed Tags: how to self-publish, self-publishing, sell your book on Kindle.

That’s pretty much what I told a close friend when she said her first book, and probably her second, third, and subsequent books would be self-published on Kindle.

That was about a year ago, and if I remember correctly, it was before Amanda Hocking became an ‘overnight hit’ with her stories of million-dollar royalties.

My friend’s romance novel was published this past January, and in around six months she made ten times the sales I’ve made in a year with my traditionally published romance novel.

Since our initial conversion last year, Amanda Hocking has become a USA Today Bestseller, she’s signed a multi-book contract with St Martin’s Press, and she has secured an agent. Finally, FINALLY, self-publishing has become legitimate.

The question on everyone’s lips is “how did she do it?”.

Let me tell you how she didn’t do it: she didn’t sit back and wait for it all to happen. She worked her guts out with her writing and publicity. She made sure her work was properly edited, and she ensured her covers were good quality.

As someone who has been self-publishing non-fiction for around nine years, I know how hard this can be – when you don’t know how to do it. One of the things I truly love about self-publishing is the complete control you have over your books. And the fact you earn soooo much more when you don’t have a ‘middle-man’ (i.e. a publisher).

Don’t get me wrong, publishers are great. They do the editing, they do the covers. And they do the publicity. Or do they?

In the majority of cases, publishers do not do any publicity whatsoever, particularly if you’re with a small or medium sized publisher.

But I digress.

The reason for this post is to let you know that UK author, Nick Daws, has written a book that we writers needed years ago. It’s called Kindle Kash, and walks you through every aspect of self-publishing your book.

I have a copy of the book, as you probably guessed, because I don’t recommend anything I haven’t personally reviewed, but I haven’t had a chance to properly review it. What I have done though, is skim through the book, so I can tell you some of what’s included:

*The number one self-publishing site to consider – and it isn’t Amazon
*The easiest way to expand your reach to readers
*Ebook formats, and why you need to know about these
*The top ten topics selling on Kindle right now
*Fiction vs Non-Fiction – which one is better?
*How to find what to write about – this will help determine your success
*The free services that will help you research popular topics
*How to create your action plan
*Research
*Formatting
*Pricing your ebook
*Getting reviews
*Getting your book into print
*Your rights as a ‘publisher’

Unlike many books on writing, Nick has included information on how to write your book to give it the best chance of being a great seller.

Here’s the link to Kindle Kash again. Check it out, and if it seems like something you’re interested in, use this link to purchase.

I’ve managed to secure a $12 discount on the selling price, just for my subscribers and site visitors, but I don’t know how long this will last.

UPDATE: My Review is written, and up on the Internet. Click here to read it!

Cheryl

**A quick heads up – if you buy but aren’t redirected to download, or the internet does a hiccup and you lose your download, don’t panic! An email will be sent with download link and instructions. If that doesn’t arrive, check your spam folder. You’ll definitely get an email – one way or another.