Sunday, July 26, 2009

The Business of Writing I

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"An Itty Bitty Column on Writing" by Mindy Phillips Lawrence
From Sharing with Writers (Carolyn Howard-Johnson)
July 21, 2009
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We’d rather forget, but we can’t. Writing is a business as well as a creative endeavor. The way we keep our records, log our submissions and prepare for the inevitability of taxes shows whether we are professionals or not.

In the next few issues of Sharing with Writers, I’m going to talk about ways to organize what you do and become the true professional that you were meant to be. Why? Because I need to know this information, too.

Let’s start with organizing our work area. Oh, yes, I know it’s never completely organized, but the better job you do at keeping things together the more time you have to write.

I hope you have a cozy nook where you can write. If you have a spare bedroom you can convert into an office, congratulations. If not, find a corner of a room (or a basement) where you can work. You simply must have a dedicated area. I use the second bedroom in my little duplex. Make sure you have space for your computer, printer and shelves filled with good reference books. I have four bookshelves crammed with volumes and a closet that I converted into a supply room for paper, folders, and so forth.
So get your act together! Next issue well take the next step.
Happy organizing!

LINKS

Handling Writers Income and Expenses
http://www.writing-world.com/rights/expenses.shtml

The ABC Checklist for New Writers
http://www.writersservices.com/mag/08/ABC_Checklist_3.htm

Organized Writer - Julie Hood
http://www.organizedwriter.com/

The Writer’s Legal Guide – Tad Crawford
http://books.google.com/books?id=VIqj8BRPnOsC&printsec=frontcover

Taxes and Freelance Writers, What to Do?
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/89298/taxes_and_freelance_writerswhat_to.html?cat=3

A Straightforward Guide to Creative Writing, Stephen Wade
http://books.google.com/books?id=fWVzvxp3eBMC&pg=PA24&lpg=PA24&dq=keeping+records+for+writers&source=bl&ots=9nZTHzV_Q9&sig=ReRe9IUztTrmWeR-WwMZCmJYLNw&hl=en&ei=pv5kSrLoC426Ne6wiZ8M&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=10

Simple Recordkeeping and Tax Deductions for Writers, Pamela S. Thibodeaux
http://www.go-publish-yourself.com/articles/writing-related/thibodeauxp.php

Tracking Your Submissions, Greg Knollenberg
http://www.writerswrite.com/journal/apr98/gak4.htm
Get Organized, Get Published, Don Aslett and Carol Cartaino
http://www.amazon.com/Get-Organized-Published-Ways-Success/dp/1582970033

1 comment:

Carolyn Howard-Johnson said...

What a great approach to pre-publicity. Telling people what's next. (-: YOu are great, Mindy.

Carolyn Howard-Johnson
Tweeting @frugalbookpromo