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The Efficiency Addict

Problem Solve POV with Color

Use colored text to help you problem solve POV issues.

Welcome to The Efficiency Addict column, helping writers work more effectively every single day. For the next few months, I’ll be taking a break from posting here, but until I return, I’ve lined up some great guest bloggers to share their best writing tips with you!

This month we’ll hear from Kathleen Neely, a retired educator who wrote and sold her first book in just 9 months. To read about her experience from start to sold, visit her website at KathleenNeelyAuthor.com, but first see below where Kathleen shares a simple method to problem solve POV with color.

Happy Writing! ~ Cynthia Owens, The Efficiency Addict

****

Point of view (POV) problems have a way of sneaking into my writing. I begin a solid scene, identify my character, and write the action through his or her mind. Then when I re-read the passage, I discover POV gone amuck.

Types of POV Problems

First there are the omniscient POV errors.

  • She can’t know he was thinking about baseball.
  • He couldn’t know that she was deliberately tuning him out.

POV characters can observe another character’s demeanor, body language, or expression. POV characters can make inferences, but they can’t know.

Then there is the issue of author intrusion. My opinion on the beauty of a floral arrangement is irrelevant and interrupts the flow. Everything must be told through the eyes and ears of the character.

Another POV fault is found by allowing your POV character to narrate. When we speak, we don’t announce that we think, we feel, we said, we asked or we wondered. Remove dialogue tags and telling words. Turn this sentence – “He felt the pain when the baseball bounced off his shoulder.” Into this sentence – “Pain shot through his shoulder when the baseball made contact.”

How to Problem Solve POV

As a former teacher, I coached my students to be problem solvers.

“Mrs. Neely, I don’t have a pencil.”
“That’s a problem. Be a problem solver. “

“I forgot to write down the pages we need to read.”
“That’s a problem. Be a problem solver.”

(A little author intrusion right now—parents and teachers, never stop doing that. It moves dependent students to become independent thinkers.)

So now, faced with a dilemma, I needed to be a problem solver. I created a visual memory aide to help me keep on track – Color Coded POV’s.

The idea is simple. I choose a color for each of my POV characters. When I write a scene from his or her point of view, I turn my font into their designated color.

Will this technique avoid POV problems? Definitely not. They’ll still squirrel their way into your writing. But now they’ll be easier to locate. They should shout, jump, and wave their arms at you, begging to be seen. No longer will you have to wonder whose POV you’re supposed to be in.

Making Your Colors Count

Color coding not only provides a visual reminder, it can also reflect the nature of your character.

Red – power, energy, passion, intensity

Green – nature, outdoors, generosity

Yellow – joy, optimism, idealism, hope

Blue – loyalty, truthful, security

Purple – royalty, wisdom, noble

Orange – enthusiasm, flamboyant, warmth

Gray – age, maturity, grief

White – reverence, virginity, cleanliness

Black – formal, elegant, sophisticated

When you change scenes and font colors, stop to re-read what was just written. Do all elements of the scene match the correct POV? When you log-off for the day, let the words rest, but revisit them fresh when you log on the next day. Reviewing them will help you catch intrusions as well as prepare your mind to pick up where you left off. And when you finally say “The End,” a simple click, click, click will change the brilliant, colorful text back to its automatic boring black. Now all the brilliance will be in your story not the font.

Sharables – Because sharing is fun!

[bctt tweet=”Problem solve your POV issues with color-coded characters. #HowTo” username=”EfficiencyADict”]

[bctt tweet=”A simple trick to write in deep POV. #WritersLife #AmWriting” username=”EfficiencyADict”]

Bio: Kathleen Neely is an award winning author, receiving first place for her debut novel, The Least of These, in the Almost an Author Fresh Voices Contest. She won second place in a short story contest through the Virginia Chapter of the American Christian Fiction Writers . You can read two of her short stories in A Bit of Christmas – 6 Christian Short Stories Celebrating the Season, available on Amazon. Along with numerous guest blog appearances, Kathleen is a regular contributor to ChristianDevotions.us. She lives in Greenville, SC with her husband, Vaughn, and enjoys time with family, reading, and traveling.

You can contact Kathleen through:
KathleenNeelyAuthor.com
@NeelyKNeely3628

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The Efficiency Addict

Preparing a Great Guest Post

3 Key Steps to Create a Great Guest Post

The golden rule for guest blogging is straightforward—Deliver solid content on time. Beyond that, there are a few simple steps you can take to prepare a great guest post.

Step 1: Layer Your Content

  • Show links to other posts and websites that provide further details on your topic. Quality outbound links raise your ranking in search engines and enhances your reader’s experience.
  • Include free items your readers can download and immediately use. A free printable, checklist, or guide can be shared and may draw new readers. These can also make readers wonder, “What additional items does this blogger have on her own website?” And just like that, a reader of your guest post becomes a visitor to your website.

Step 2: Prep for Social Media

  • List 1 – 3 Tweetable phrases. Not all bloggers use click-to-tweet plugins, but the ones that do will be thankful you made their jobs easier. Tip – If you’re unfamiliar with click-to-tweet plugins, you can see an example in the Sharables section at the bottom of this post.
  • Add Alternative Text descriptions to pictures. Social media programs like Pinterest use the alternative text information to create initial descriptions when people save your picture. This information also improves your searchability in places like Google and Bing.

Step 3: Get Critique Group Help

If you work with a critique group, there are certain things you should add to your blog post critique list. Each time your group reviews a post, check the content for

  • Tweetable phrases. What phrases stand out to you? What lines might draw a reader to this article?
  • Searchable terms. What terms might a person use to find this information? Add these phrases to your keywords/tags section.
  • An SEO-friendly title. Does the title grab your attention and does it contain a phrase that a potential reader would use to search for this information.
  • Hashtags. Consider what would be good hashtags to use with your Tweets.

To help you remember these items, I’ve included this handy Blog Post Form. Use this Word document to prepare your guest post, and you’ll have all the elements for a stellar article.

Other Helpful Resources:

Sharables–Because sharing is fun!

[bctt tweet=”What your critique group should do every time they review a blog post. #WritersLife #AmWriting” username=”@EfficiencyADict”]

[bctt tweet=”A few simple steps you can take to prepare an excellent guest post. #Blogging #HowTo” username=”@EfficiencyADict”]

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The Efficiency Addict

Writing Opportunity or Distraction?

Writing Opportunity or Distraction? How to Know the Difference

How to know when to stray from your writing plans.

Do you ever have those times when your day is organized and your goals are set only to have some strange other option lurk into view? I say lurk because sometimes those options feel more like distractions than opportunities. How do we tell the difference? How do we know when to limit our writing focus and when to try something outside our goals?

Recently, I had my day planned. With several long-term projects in process, I had spent the morning prioritizing all the tasks that needed to be done. By early afternoon I was ready to charge into my work. Then it happened. Opportunity appeared in the form of an odd email.

In my inbox was a notice about a writing contest. The writing needed wasn’t my usual target, but the subject was interesting and entrants had the possibility of gaining future work even if they didn’t win. The problem was the deadline. The piece had to be submitted in four days. I debated about what to do since this was completely outside everything I had planned. I hesitated, then dove in.

Here’s how I made my decision: I asked four simple questions.

  • Does this type of writing interest me? It did, and I could see myself doing similar projects if the work was available.
  • Am I well equipped to do this type of writing or will it require a lot of additional time researching information? I was well equipped and the special details I needed were clearly provided in the information packet.
  • Am I doing this to avoid my other writing work? This was a tougher question. I hadn’t been meeting my writing goals, but I also hadn’t been wasting my time. This was simply a period when I had a lot of work in front of me. What swayed me in favor of taking this chance was the additional potential benefits of the contest—continuing work. As writers, we want our words to make a difference, and we’d like to get paid enough to keep working. This writing opportunity offered both.
  • Does this writing opportunity resonate with me? There are moments when, even though logic may tell us otherwise, we know we need to take a step. Sometimes this is a strong spiritual prod. Other times it’s just a feeling we can’t explain. Pay attention to these moments. I can look back through my life and count the times I was specifically prodded. When I acted on this directing, I was thankful. When I didn’t, I regretted it. Thankfully, logic and that strong pull were working together in this opportunity.

How do you decide when to take a chance on something unexpected? How do you look for writing direction in light of Proverbs 16:9?

We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps. Proverbs 16:9 (NLT)

Shareables—Because sharing is fun!

[bctt tweet=”Writing Opportunity or Distraction? How to know when to stray from your writing plans.” username=”@EfficiencyADict”]

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Tracking Your Writing Research & Quotes

Tracking your research, reference articles, and quotes

Ever wonder what to do with all the research you’ve accumulated from your many writing projects? Do you ever get frustrated not being able to find that perfect quote or the specific data you know you have hidden somewhere in your pile of notes? Today we’re going to look at a simple system for tracking your research. We’ll see how to easily organize articles and quotes, then quickly find the information we’ve saved on a specific topic.

Highlighting and Note Taking for Articles

Start by reading your article with a pen or pencil handy. As you find critical information, highlight the section and write any keywords next to it. Keywords are words you might use to search for this information later.

Also, highlight sentences that would make great stand-alone quotes. For these I place a large Q in the margins.

Prepping the Article for Tracking

Once you’ve finished the article, it’s time to prep it for tracking. On the front page of the article, write, “Keywords–,” then list all the keywords you’ve noted throughout the article.

Next, you’ll want to add a code for the article. I use a three-part system:

The author’s last name + the article number + the year

A code for an article written by Jason Seib published on 10/26/2012 looks like:

Seib-001-12

Last name + the article number (in this case it was the first article I had collected from Jason) +12 (for 2012).

Put your code at the top of the article and your tracking prep is complete.

Users Tip* – Including the publication year in your code is quite helpful. If you’re searching for tips on how to use Facebook for marketing your book, you probably want an article written recently as opposed to one from several years ago. Having the publication year in your article’s code makes this easy to see.

Tracking Your Research

Now we’ll enter the article into a Research Tracking Spreadsheet. Below is an Excel file you can download to track your material. It includes two tabs, one for article notes and one for quotes.

Download the Research Tracking Spreadhseet (Excel File)

How to track research, quotes, and reference articles.
Screenshot: Reference Articles Tracking

 

How to track research, quotes, and references articles.
Screenshot: Quotes Tracking

 

Enter the information from your article. Then, when you need to find something, use the search feature in Excel to find all the items that match your keyword.

Saving Your Files

Now that you’ve collected enough data from your article to easily find it again, it’s time to file that article. Place your document in a three-ring binder arranged alphabetically by the article code. When you want to retrieve it, your spreadsheet will tell you exactly what code you need to look up in your notebook.

Similarly, if you keep electronic files as back up, name your electronic document by the same article code. Then put all your documents in a “Research Articles” folder.

Bonus Use: Researching with Books

You can also use this spreadsheet for tracking information you gather from books. Michael Hyatt shares his system for gathering data from books here: How to Retrieve What You’ve Read–Almost Instantly

The Research Tracking Spreadsheet covers what Michael calls “the master index.”

What tips do you have for keeping up with your writing research?

Sharables—Because sharing is fun!

[bctt tweet=”Easily organize your research articles & quotes with this simple method. #WorkSmarter” username=”@EfficiencyAdict”]

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The Efficiency Addict

On Writing: Practice Excellence

The value of reading authors that inspire you to writing excellence.

Practice makes perfect. I believed this mantra for years until a music teacher changed my mind. “Perfect practice makes perfect,” he said, then explained that if you practice with poor technique or study only mediocre performances, you’ll never achieve true excellence at your craft. It was not enough to practice. The key was to focus on practicing exceptional technique.

Recently, I considered this wisdom with regard to writing. I’ve been reading. A lot. As writers we read for pleasure and knowledge, studying other authors to learn their techniques. The authors I found were good, but then I read one who was exceptional, and she challenged me. Here are the writing elements that drew my attention in her books:

  • the breadth of research
  • the depth of characterization
  • her fully fleshed-out fantasy elements
  • a storyline built on action (not chance or coincidence)

I had allowed my writing to become weak in some areas. This author made me look at my writing with fresh eyes—and higher standards.

Are you reading books that inspire you to write better? If not, seek them out. It’s true—artists improve by studying a wide breadth of creative people. However, there’s a reason artisans used to be apprenticed to masters and practice their techniques. Find those old and new masters who elevate their stories with exceptional writing craft.

Care to Comment?

Who are the master writers you study? What have you learned? I’d love to see your picks in the Comments section below.

And, in case you’re wondering, here’s the author who challenged me:

Mary Robinette Kowal writes historical fantasy. Her Glamourist Histories, set in the early 19th century, pay homage to Jane Austen’s writing style while creating a new alternate reality all their own. Kowal’s notes at the back of her books will be of particular interest to writers. Here she discusses how she overcame storyline challenges, conducted research, and worked with other authors and period experts. Writers can find additional tips in Kowal’s “Debut Author Lessons” blog post series found at www.MaryRobinetteKowal.com.

Sharables – Because sharing is fun!

[bctt tweet=”If you study only mediocre performances, you’ll never achieve true excellence at your craft. #AuthorLife #WritersRoad”]

[bctt tweet=”Studying Master Writers: Why it’s important. #WritersLife”]

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The Efficiency Addict

Using Pinterest for Ministry

Pinterest for Writers: Part 2 - Using Pinterest for Ministry

Pinterest for Writers: Part 2

When I teach computer classes for Christian writers and speakers, many attendees are surprised that I suggest using Pinterest for ministry. I think they envision one of two extremes—1) having a separate ministry account that is filled with only scripture verses, Bible studies, and worship albums or 2) having to remove all the special interest boards they have on their personal accounts so everything becomes ministry focused. Neither extreme is necessary. In fact, it is our unique personal interests, as shown through our Pinterest boards and pins, that can help us reach people who might never connect with anything “churchy”.

Think about how Pinterest works. Our feeds are filled with pins based on our likes and the boards we follow. When a user finds a pin of interest, he or she will pin it, take a look at its board, and visit the pinner’s home page to see if there are other intriguing items. This is a great opportunity for ministry.

Consider this real-life example:
A woman I know loves all things related to tea and tea parties. She has boards dedicated to tea recipes, table decorations, being a good host, teapots, and tea sayings. Many of her 500+ followers found her because they, too, like tea. However, this woman also has boards for scripture verses, encouragement, and women’s ministry. Those who choose to follow her because they like her tea information will receive the pins from her other boards. Those who only follow her tea boards will still be exposed to scripture because some of her tea pictures include Bible verses. This woman draws people to her page through the things she likes. She gets to share Jesus with pinners because she doesn’t separate Him from the other things that make her who she is.

So, if you have a Pinterest account, consider how you can minister to others. Don’t worry about creating something formal. Simply, collect pins and create boards based on who you are. If you like Corgi dogs, have a board for that. If you’re into camping, gather up those tent-pitching pins. If you’re studying kindness in the Bible, compile verses and articles that remind you of God’s graciousness. People can connect over the strangest things. Show others what and Whom you love on Pinterest, and let God direct the rest.

The farmer plants seed by taking God’s word to others. ~Mark 4:14 (NLT)

If you’d like to see Pinterest ministry in action, check out these Pinterest home pages created by fellow writers and speakers:

Carolyn Knefely, The TeaCup Living Lady – https://www.pinterest.com/CarolynKKnefely/

Maureen Hager – Christian speaker, lover of Corgis & Harley Davidson motorcycles https://www.pinterest.com/MoHager

Beth Bergren – Passionate about God, food, family & fun https://www.pinterest.com/BethBergren/

Sharables – Because sharing is fun!

[bctt tweet=”Our Pinterest hobby boards can help us reach people who might never connect with anything “churchy”. #Ministry”]

[bctt tweet=”Using Pinterest for Ministry – How writers can connect and minister to readers with Pinterest. #WriteToInspire”]

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The Efficiency Addict

Using Pinterest for Writing Research

How Pinterest can help writers find expert and original source materials.

Pinterest for Writers – Part 1

If you’ve heard about Pinterest and think it’s only for women or crafters, think again. Pinterest encourages people from all over the world to gather around common interests and share their knowledge. This results in a rich database of information for writing research.

  • Have a character who’s into sailing, and you need the name of common boating knots? (Pinterest Search “Sailboat Knots”)
  • Want to know the color schemes of a 1950s kitchen? (Pinterest Search “1950s Kitchen Décor”)
  • Need to find a quaint Irish town for your next suspense novel? (Pinterest Search “Irish Towns”)

What’s the best part of using Pinterest for writing research? It’s easy, because other Pinterest users (a.k.a. Pinners) have already done a lot of the work for you.

[bctt tweet=”How to use Pinterest for Writing Research. #AuthorLife #HowTo”]

Research Tools You’ll Find on Pinterest

  1. Collections – Pinterest users collect articles and pictures that interest them onto boards. The Pinner names the board based on it’s topic and gives it a description. These names and descriptions are searchable by other Pinterest users. If you type the phrase “London Theater “ into the Pinterest search box, individual articles and pictures about this topic will appear as well as entire boards (collections of articles and pictures) on this subject. Bonus – Pinned items come from all over the Internet, including websites, Instagram pictures, Etsy listings, Ebay listings, and more.Writing Research-London Theater
  2. Expert Bloggers – When you click on a pin that interests you, you’ll find additional information. If the pin originated with a website, you can click on the website to read the full article or see other pictures. This is a great way to find blogs written by subject-matter gurus. Bloggers with strong material are pinned and shared. Note- If you’re a blogger, be sure to have a Pin This button on your blog posts so your great material can be shared, too.
  3. Original Documents – It’s critical for writers to get it right. Experts are wonderful. Primary source documents are even better. It’s not uncommon to have scans of primary source material pinned on Pinterest. When I searched Pinterest for “Edwardian Fashion,” I found a link to a 1910 print entitle “Children’s House Clothes for the Little Girl from 6 to 12.” It’s part of the The New York Public Library’s digital archives, a free resource with many additional original documents. Other source documents frequently found on Pinterest include archived magazine articles, how to books dating back to the 1800s, design schematics, and antique photographs. How to Use Pinterest for Writing Research.
  4. Related Pins – When you click on a Pin, Related Pins appear below it. These are pins similar to the one you selected. So, each search and selection you make leads you to a host of other selections that are already pre-sorted for you.

To learn more about how to use Pinterest, connect with me at The EfficiencyAddict on Pinterest or visit my blog at TheEfficiencyAddict.com. This month’s #WorkSmarter Series is all about using Pinterest for writers, speakers, and small business owners.

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Practical Writing Habits

Practical Writing Habits to keep you writing all year long.

Welcome to 2016! I hope you’ve already begun your writing journey by creating a scene, outlining the bones of a new story, or just getting some words on the page. If you haven’t started this process or need some encouragement, here are three practical writing habits to get your 2016 year off to a smart start.

  1. Set Realistic Word Count Goals – We like to think we can write 5000 words in a session, but is this realistic for a daily word count goal? A professional, i.e. making-a-living writer I know, has a goal of 500 words a day. That sounds low considering she is contracted for at least two books per year. However, this author has learned that when she sits down to write 500 words, she frequently exceeds this count. By having a small goal, she sets herself up for success. On the rare days she barely passes this count, she has still met her goal, and she knows she’ll write more tomorrow. That’s what matters. So, choose an achievable word count goal (500, 750, 1000 words) and see what happens. Consistent writing, even with small word count goals, leads to completed manuscripts.

[bctt tweet=”Set yourself up for success with small writing goals. #AuthorLife #HowTo”]

  1. Know Your Writing Days – It’s easy to say, “I’m going to write seven days a week.” Then life happens. Maybe your weekends are booked with family errands. Perhaps Tuesday and Thursday mornings are your workout times and you just can’t get up any earlier to write. Whatever is happening in your life, don’t worry. Make your writing schedule something that works for you. Choose days that fit your needs and commit to that writing time. Then enjoy your off days knowing your next writing session is coming soon.
  1. Set a Standard Time – Have you picked up on the theme of this post? There is value in routine. Consciously doing things over and over creates a habit. Getting in the habit of writing at a specific time sets us up for success. Do you have to think about brushing your teeth in the morning? No. It’s a habit. You probably do it at the same time every morning. There’s no debate over whether you’ll do it. You simply pick up your toothbrush and start. You can create the same habit for your writing. Pick a time when you’re going to write and stick with it. Consider it as critical as brushing your teeth. Keep this practice going and soon it will be automatic. That time of day will arrive and your mind will go into “writing mode”—a very good place to be.

For more information on developing effective routines, visit my November post series Developing a Positive Routine at TheEfficiencyAddict.com.

Happy New Year and Happy Writing! ~ The Efficiency Addict

[bctt tweet=”Practical habits for developing a positive writing routine. #AmWriting #HowTo”]

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Writing a Novel: The Gift of Bad Writing

Writing a novel can be sidetracked by early editing. Learn why bad writing is actually a gift.

I’m a firm believer in being efficient. Why waste time when a little planning can make such a positive impact? I’ve repeatedly seen how having an organized computer, workspace, or schedule frees people to be more productive and creative. There is, however, one area where I’m learning it pays to be inefficient—writing a novel.

For years, I thought of story ideas but never managed to complete a manuscript. I’d sit down to write and get frustrated. The words on the page didn’t match the beautiful story in my head. I’d write a few pages or paragraphs, then spend the rest of my time editing. In the end, I had some nice scenes but no completed novels. Sound familiar?

Some of you may have just finished NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). Did you notice how freeing it was? The only way to write 50,000 words in one month without tearing your hair out is to let go of your internal editor. You have to write fast in a just-get-the-story-on-the-page kind of way. If you stop yourself by thinking that sentence isn’t right, you’ll never meet the goal.

When people finish NaNoWriMo, their stories generally aren’t ready to send to a publisher, but that’s not the point. They’re complete stories, and there’s a lot you can do with those.

When asked, many authors will tell you they make 3 to 4 editing passes once their manuscripts are drafted. For newer writers, it may take that many passes just get it readable. Our drafts may overflow with dialogue and need more description, or they may include too much telling and need dialogue to improve the pace. Then there are editing passes for grammar, point of view checks, and a host of other ways to improve our stories.

The point is this: Efficiency would tell us we need to create a system to handle these editing issues up front. Surely, if we just write better in the beginning, we’ll get more done. Right? Experience tells us differently. When we get bogged down in making our writing stellar from the beginning, we might never get past those first pages.

If you’re struggling to write a manuscript, give yourself a gift this season— write badly (at least on the first pass). Get the story down. It’s okay if it’s rough or fragmented. The point is, it’s written. Editing will make it pretty, but we can’t edit what we don’t have.

[bctt tweet=”Bad writing can be the start of a great manuscript. #AmWriting #WritersWrite”]

NaNoWriMo may have been in November, but that doesn’t mean you can’t start your own writing month right now. Don’t go into the new year with big dreams and the same unfruitful habits. Try something new. If you need to start a writing routine, check out my November #WorkSmarter Series Developing a Positive Routine at TheEfficiencyAddict.com. And if you’re looking for a way to write quickly and complete a full manuscript, see last month’s Almost An Author article—Writing A Novel in Three Steps.

Merry Christmas, and may the joy of the season inspire you with stories to bring hope to the world. —The Efficiency Addict.

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Writing a Novel in Three Steps

Writing a Novel in Three Steps - A simple method for drafting an entire novel in three passes.

A fellow wordsmith recently shared his method for writing a novel. I was so intrigued by his straightforward process, I’m sharing it with you today. If you’ve never completed a novel or if you’re frustrated with your pace, perhaps this method will give you new energy.

I call this system The Three-Pass Method. This involves writing the entire novel but does not include editing. That’s a topic best left for another post. Today we simply want to tell our tale.

The First Pass: Write the entire story in 5000 words.
My friend has done this several times. He thinks of a story idea. Then, he writes all of the main elements. This includes the main characters, a brief backstory, 3-4 pivotal scenes, and the beginning/middle/end scenarios. In one quick 5000-word sprint, he has the whole tale. He doesn’t waste his energy making the words pretty or polished. The point of this exercise is to the see the story from start to finish. When he’s done, he has the bones of a novel and can decide if he wants to pursue it further.

The Second Pass: Expand to 15,000 words by roughing in key scenes and details.
This isn’t a big leap. Moving from 5,000 to 15,0000 words is only a 10,000-word increase. You can easily reach that level by drafting 10-12 additional scenes. You already have your pivotal scenes from the first pass. So, what do your characters need to do or experience that lead them to those critical moments? Write those elements as new scenes and you’ll quickly reach the 15,000 word mark.

The Third Pass: Expand to 85,000 words by filling out the story.
This is the fun part. Up to this point, you’ve been drafting—writing the elements and marking the critical details. Now, you get to play. If you’ve been writing in dialogue, add the descriptive elements. Engage the reader’s senses. Give us a feel for the locale. If you’ve been telling the story, give us dialogue. Add that witty repartee. Let us know who these characters are through how they speak, what they feel, and the way they react physically. Based on passes one and two, you’ll know exactly where this story is going. Use all your writing skills to give us an emotional, fun-filled, scary, suspenseful, or cryptic journey to that fabulous ending.

That’s the whole system. Notice this method focuses solely on the story. Time isn’t wasted on massive editing or polishing, although some editing will occur naturally as you make each pass. The benefit of this method is two-fold: we complete a manuscript (Yay!) and we don’t edit unnecessarily. We know that with each pass scenes and details will be built upon, so there’s no need to make them “perfect” in those first and second versions. By the time we make the third pass, we know the story so well we’re automatically making better decisions with the details we include.

If you try this method, I’d love to hear your results. Now get back to writing—you have a 5,000 word draft to craft!

[bctt tweet=”Have an idea for a novel? Here’s how to draft it in 3 simple steps. #WritersRoad #HowTo”]

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Where Do Writers Find Free Pictures?

Links to sites that contain high-quality, free pictures available on the web. Great resource for your next writing project.

It’s a struggle authors frequently have. We write an article or blog post, and then comes the dreaded question, “Where do I find a picture for my piece?”

The unspoken hope is that the image will not only be free but also interesting and of high quality. Oh, and could we could make this whole process easy? Absolutely. Today’s post will tell you how.

Here are two ways to get great pictures for your writing:

#1 Create Your Own

Programs like Canva and PicMonkey are fairly easy to learn and will let you create an image from scratch or modify a picture you already have. Both are free, although each has paid elements that may be useful.

  • Canva.com – This program has both free and paid picture options. Pay pictures are clearly marked and are usually only $1. Canva’s text overlays are pre-formatted in interesting styles, allowing the using to simply add their own words.
  • PicMonkey.com – Pay features allow you access to a larger number of fonts and editing features, although the base features are quite extensive. Note: PicMonkey does not provide basic pictures but does allow you to use shapes, textures, and graphics to create a background image for text to be placed on the top.
  • For examples of what can be created with both of these programs, check out fellow A3 writer Meaghan Burnett’s article Creating Free Graphics or Memes for Authors.

#2 Find Images on Free Picture Websites

Yes, free picture websites with quality images can be found. Some require an acknowledgement for the photographer. Many do not. Be sure to read the FAQ and About sections for each site so you know how it operates.

  • Pixabay.com – This is my go-to site. Pixabay has a wide range of interesting pictures on a variety of topics. When you search for a subject, Shutterstock images appear at the top. These are pay images that are clearly marked. The ones below are the freebies, and there are lots of them. No account is required although it makes it easier to download if you use the site a lot. FYI – If you find a photographer you like, buy him or her a cup of coffee. You’ll be given this option after each download. It’s not necessary—this is a free site—but it’s a nice gesture for their hard work.
  • FreeDigitalPhotos.net – This site offers free photos in small sizes and only requires an attribution be listed. If you need larger photos or ones with high resolution, these can be purchased for a nominal fee.
  • Alegriphotos.com – This is a European website with a small collection of free and public domain photos. Includes pictures of European hotspots like the Colosseum in Rome, yachts anchored of Rhodes, and columns at the Vatican.
  • StockArch.com – Photographers on this site share their photos in exchange for a credit and a link back to their websites. Not a bad deal considering the high-quality pictures available.
  • OpenPhoto.net – Credit to the photographer is required and licensing varies. Some images can be modified for commercial use while others cannot. To check the licensing type, select the desired picture. Then, click on the attribution type. Ways the photo can be used are clearly listed.
  • Unsplash.com – As the site says, these are “free—do whatever you want—high resolution photos.” Ten new photos are added to the site every ten days. Old photos are searchable.

If you’ve struggled to find photos, consider that a thing of the past. So, what are you going to do with all your extra time? Sounds like a writing opportunity–get to it!

[bctt tweet=”8 ways to get free pictures for your writing projects. #AmWriting”]

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The Efficiency Addict

Picturing Your Characters

As writers, we do many things to capture what drives our characters. We’ll complete questionnaires detailing their likes and dislikes, create a complete family tree, and of course, analyze their goals, motivations, and conflicts. These are useful tools. However, sometimes we just want to SEE our characters and inhabit their world. When a visual aid is needed, here are three ways for picturing your characters lives:

The Wall Board

This old school method is still quite helpful. Hang a board filled with pictures of your characters and setting(s), and it is constantly before you as you write your piece.

Tips for your wall board:

  • Use foam board instead of poster board. Foam board is stiff and can be leaned against a wall. Poster board will curl over time and fall.
  • Divide your board into sections. In the example below, the top is for main characters while the bottom covers the setting. Remember, to fully capture a character, you need to see them in your story’s environment.

Character Board Layout to help you picture your characters in your story's setting.

  • Look for pictures of your characters in clothing catalogs or fashion magazines. Not only will you capture your character’s style, you’ll also have a nice description of everything they’re wearing. This is great for dressing a character who’s style is not your own. FYI – you can go online to see many companies’ catalogs or request a paper version be sent to your home.

Pinterest Boards

If you’re on Pinterest, you have a ready-made electronic format for researching your characters. Create a board for each of your main characters and pin away with everything that makes them unique.

Tips for your Pinterest boards:

  • Make your character boards secret. You don’t want others to see these wonderful people you’re creating until your story is done.
  • Use Pinterest to research special topics for your story. Beyond boards for your main 2-3 characters, you can also have boards researching a specific location, time period, event, etc. Below is a board I keep on the 1930s. When I look through that board, I not only see information but also the colors, style, and feel of the period.

Pinterest for Writers - Create a secret board dedicated to an time period, event, or setting.

[bctt tweet=”Use Pinterest to research special topics for your story. #HowTo #WritersWrite”]

Bonus: Once your book is sold, you can share your Pinterest Board with the cover artist and marketing group. They’ll immediately have a feel for your characters and the world these people represent.

Scrivener Character Pages

If you’re already using this writing software, Scrivener has a whole section devoted to character research. If you’re unfamiliar with Scrivener, you can see a demonstration video of this software here: www.LiteratureAndLatte.com.

Items of note within Scrivener:

  • This program comes with a basic character template you can customize for your story.
  • You can insert pictures or website links to go along with your notes.
  • Your character profiles stay with your story. When you open your story file, all your character notes open with it. As you write, your can easily reference or update your character notes because everything is with your manuscript document.

Now that you can see your characters, I’m sure there is a lot for them to do. So, get back to writing. Their stories are waiting!

[bctt tweet=”Sometimes we want to SEE our characters and inhabit their world. #AuthorLife #Writing”]

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The Efficiency Addict

Tracking Your Writing Submissions

Writing Essentials: How to track your article submissions.

Today we’re going to talk about the benefits of tracking your writing submissions and learn an easy way to do it so you can reap all the rewards. Our focus today will be on tracking article submissions but this system can be used for many forms of writing.

So, why might you want to track your writing submissions?

  • See what’s working for you. Who’s accepting your work? What types of articles are selling? Which markets are paying best for what you do?
  • Gauge your productivity. How many articles did you submit this month? Are you on target for your goals? Were your goals reasonable?
  • Determine if follow up is needed. Is it past the time when you should have heard a response from that editor? Scanning your spreadsheet will tell you which contacts are due for follow up.
  • Find your articles when you need them. Ever searched for a piece you’ve written and can’t remember where you put it? Those days are about to be a distant memory.

[bctt tweet=”How to find the articles you write when you need them. #WritersRoad, #HowTo”]

Tracking Your Submissions

To use this system you’ll want to create some folders on your computer. Start by creating a Submissions folder. Inside that folder add the following folders:

1-Submitted

2-Accepted

3-Recycle

4-Photos

You’ll also include your tracking spreadsheet in the Submissions folder. You can download a pre-formatted one here:

Submissions Spreadsheet (Excel version)

Submissions Spreadsheet (Word version)

Submissions Spreadsheet (PDF version if you prefer to print it and track by hand.)

*Notice the spreadsheet is titled 0-Submission Tracking. Having the 0 in front keeps your spreadsheet at the top of your folder list.

When you submit an article, add it to your spreadsheet and put it in your Submitted folder. When you receive a reply, update your spreadsheet and move your article to the Accepted or Recycle folder. Notice you don’t have a Rejected folder. All items that aren’t accepted can be pitched elsewhere or potentially revised and resubmitted. If an article is in your Recycle folder, it’s one that can be reused.

Using the Spreadsheet

Most of the columns are self-explanatory: Article Name, Publication, Submit Date, etc. Two columns warrant discussion: Pics Sent and Notes.

Pics Sent – In this column, list what pictures you submit and add them to your Photos folder. If you collect pictures elsewhere on your computer, don’t move those to this Photos folder. The only pictures you want here are your author headshots and those that correspond to a specific article. A word about headshots: create a simple naming system for your options. For me, I use Cynthia Owens 1, Cynthia Owens 2, etc. In my Pics Sent column, I abbreviate this to CO-1.

Notes – In this column, add items such as the name of the receiving editor, the date by which you should have heard a response, whether rejected pieces receive a response, and any other details that may help you. When you review your spreadsheet, you’ll see a blank space in your Outcome column and can check your Notes to see what steps to take next.

Special Cases – Revisions

If an editor asks for revisions, you’ll want to take some specific steps.

  1. Make a new entry on the spreadsheet.
  2. Put “Revision” in the Notes column of this new entry and add any pertinent details. This shows you the number of times you redo a piece as well as the types of things editors want you to revise. Periodically, review your Revision notes to know where you should focus to improve your writing craft.
  3. Keep the article name the same but add R1 (or 2 or 3) at the end of the title. Example: The Power of Dialogue becomes The Power of Dialogue-R1.
  4. Put the revised article in your Submissions folder and leave the original article there as well.
  5. When the editor makes a final decision, move all versions of the article to the appropriate folder—Accepted or Recycle. You’ll know which was the most revised work because it will be the last piece in the group.

Now that you can track your submissions, it’s time to write something new. Get to it!

[bctt tweet=”The benefits of tracking your article submissions. #AuthorLife #HowTo”]

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The Efficiency Addict

Write More: How Organizing Can Help

Write More: How Organizing Can Help
Image courtesy of adamr at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Looking to spend more time on your writing? A little organizing can help you write more.

Organized writers are

  • Less stressed. They know what work needs to be done and are able to prioritize its completion.
  • More productive. They move from one project to the next smoothly and efficiently.
  • Informed. They save information for their current and future projects and can retrieve it easily when it’s needed.
  • Opportunity finders. They know the areas where they excel and can search for openings in those markets.
  • Scalable. As requests for their writing grow, they can meet the increased need because of all the traits listed above.

You, too, can be an organized writer.

In this column, we’ll explore practical ways to handle the business details of writing so you can focus on your writing craft.

And let me assure you, there’s a huge difference between neatness and good organizing. Good organizing helps you achieve your goals. Neatness just looks pretty when company is coming. The key to good organizing is having systems that

  • are simple.
  • are easy for you to use.
  • save you time and stress.
  • free your mind and desk of clutter.
  • give you confidence that you know what needs to be done.

Being organized has another benefit few people recognize: it lets us be creative. It’s tough to open our minds to new ideas when we’re constantly being bombarded by all the things we need to do and information we need to remember. An effective system of work silences those nagging thoughts leaving your brain free to explore new possibilities or story lines.

Simplifying work and life—that’s my motto and it’s what we’re going to do here at The Efficiency Addict. To get started, visit this post on Simple and Easy Password Tracking.

Care to share?

[bctt tweet=”Write More: How Organizing Can Help. #Organized #AuthorsLife”]

[bctt tweet=”The Key to Good Organizing #Organized #AuthorsLife”]

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The Efficiency Addict

Simple and Easy Password Tracking

Finding Your Passwords
Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net.

In our techno-happy world, we frequently seek the latest gadgets or apps to make our lives easier. However, sometimes the best tools are items we already possess. We simply have to put them to work in a new way. Today we’re going look at an easy way to track your passwords with an old school device—The Address Book.

An address book is a wonderful tool for managing your passwords. It’s simple, inexpensive, and you can find one rather easily. However, before we move to the “how to” portion of this post, let’s tackle some frequently asked questions regarding this method:

Why wouldn’t I buy one of those password books they sell in the office supply stores?

  • They’re not alphabetical. If you have a lot of passwords, you may have to flip through the entire book before you find the one you need. That’s time wasted when you could be writing. Listing sites alphabetically is a huge benefit of using an address book as it helps you find entries quickly and easily.

Why wouldn’t I put my passwords in an electronic file or save it in an app?

  • Have you seen all the news articles about hackers lately? Everything from state tax returns to department store credit purchases have been attacked. Your safest place for a password is the one place a hacker can’t reach—the physical world.

Now, here’s how to put that address book to work:

  1. List your passwords by website name. Your Facebook password would be listed under F. Twitter would be T, and you can complete the rest.
  2. For each entry write:
    1. the website name
    2. your username or email (This is especially important if you maintain more than one email address.)
    3. your password
    4. any security question answers.
  3. ALWAYS write in pencil. At some point, you’ll have to change your password. If you write in pencil, you can just erase the old code and write a new one. This will keep your entries easy to read and make your password keeper last a long time.

Added Security Tip: If you’re concerned about someone reading your password book, put your passwords and security answers in code. A simple way to do this is to list part of the word and have the rest as dashes or Xs.

Example 1: If my answer to the security question of “Who is your favorite teacher?” is “Parker”, I could write P_ _ _ _ _. (P followed by 5 spaces.) As soon as I see the P, I’ll know which teacher I listed.

Example 2: If my password for Facebook is “zuLf12thirty”, I could write z _ L _ 12_ _ _ _ _ _. This is particularly helpful if you use a similar password for many sites but change a few letters in a specific pattern. If I see I’m using my zuL password, I know to change the letter after the capital L depending on the name of the website. For Facebook the letter becomes an f = zuLf12thirty. For Twitter the letter becomes a t – zuLt12thirty.

Final Tip: My favorite type of address book is one that’s meant for a 3-ring binder. If you don’t already have one, you can find them in the day planner section of most office supply stores. These come with A-Z tabs and blank address pages you can put in a notebook. This allows you to add pages when you need more room or remove a page if it’s gotten too messy and you want to start fresh.

Got this password thing covered? Good. Now get back to writing!

[bctt tweet=”Have you seen all the news articles about hackers lately? #writer #hacker” via=”no”]

[bctt tweet=”Put your passwords and security answers in code #writer @password” via=”no”]