We're on the move!

Well, I am giving up on this template and the old Blogger format. For whatever reason, I can't seem to upgrade this template and I've started a new Aspiring Author blog here.

This new blog will be focused entirely on things important to the aspiring author: resources, tips, and motivational material. I haven't decided what to do with this blog yet. I've moved some of the material from the old blog to the new one and after that I'm not sure if I'll delete the original blog or refocus it.

Please check out our new home for The Aspiring Author!

Will You Participate in NaNoWriMo 2008?

Hard to believe but before you know it NaNoWriMo will be here. So, are you going to participate in NaNoWriMo this November? Why or why not? Have you participated in years past? Has this influenced whether you will be participating in NaNoWriMo this year?

Feel free to share your NaNoWriMo writing experiences here!

Getting it Done: Setting Priorities

You'll find my latest article at the Writer2Writer website. This one discusses how to use to-do lists effectively by setting priorities.

Enjoy!

Time Management articles on Writer2Writer

Here is a list of some of the articles I've written as a contributor to Writer2Writer:

Procrastination: Kill it Now!

Back to School and Back to Your Writing Schedule

Distractions: Don't Let Them Steal Your Writing Time

If You Over Commit, You Won't Submit: Learning to Say "No"

Falling in Love with SMART Goals: A Sure Way to Increase Productivity

These articles and many more from the talented staff at Writer2Writer can help you earn money from your writing. If you've ever dreamed of being a full-time writer, make sure you bookmark Writer2Writer and check back often. And don't forget to sign up for our bi-monthly newsletter.

You'll find more advice from Writer2Writer at our new blog.

So, how am I doing?

At the begining of January, I set some goals as part of the Achieve Your Dreams Virtual Book Tour. Since I'll be away at the end of June, I figured I would do my quarterly round up early. Besides, it will give me a chance to share some good news.

Goal #1: I will make more time for my own writing.

Believe it or not, I am starting to make progress. I've missed writing and I am slowly plugging away at a few children's stories while waiting for vacation so that I can concentrate on some other things.

Goal #2: I will post at this blog more often.

I've done better since the last time I posted, but I still have big plans for this blog that I haven't been able to implement yet. Stay tuned!

Goal #3: I will appreciate my family more.

My family suffered a lot these past couple of months as I suddenly became overcomitted and couldn't find my way out of it. Now that school is almost over for the girls, things should lighten up...at least we hope so.

Goal #4: I will not over commit.

NOT! I'm still working on learning to say, "no", but it will come. I'm not volunteering for every project at the girls' schools, which helps, but I really want to find myself using that magic word to make more time for my writing and my family.


I continue to stay focused on my goals and know I can be successful. These little round ups help me to stay on track.

First Quarter Round Up

At the begining of January, I set some goals as part of the Achieve Your Dreams Virtual Book Tour. I figured I would take a few moments as the first quarter of 2008 quickly comes to a close, to bring my readers up to date on how this aspiring author is doing.

Goal #1: I will make more time for my own writing.

This was my largest goal, and the one I knew I would have the hardest time with, so I put it at the top of the list. I wish I could say there have been some improvements in this area, but I can't. It's not for lack of desire; it's for lack of time.

Coordinating virtual book tours takes up abut 90% of my writing time. I love my clients and I love creating a buzz for their books, and I'm sure not going to give up a guaranteed stream of cash for the unknown; especially in light of all this family needs right now. But I have yet to figure out a way to create more hours in the day, so I'm struggling to get any of my own writing done outside of my one article that is due each month to Writer2Writer.

Goal #2: I will post at this blog more often.

Well, you guys and gals know this isn't happening. I have lots of ideas for this blog lately though, so I am working on making this a great place. Stay tuned!

Goal #3: I will appreciate my family more.

In many ways I have succeeded with this goal. More often I find myself reflecting on what a wonderful family I have and in making special memories with them. Once again, time is always an issue. There are days--like today--when I spend so much time on the computer that I feel I am ignoring the little one. I don't have an answer for this one, but I'm still trying.

Goal #4: I will not over commit.

If I received a grade for this one it would be "F". While some of the things that have led to my being overcommitted were beyond my control, most of them weren't. I wrote an article a couple months ago about learning to say "no", and it's time to practice what I preach. More of a problem for me though, is not asking to be involved in things that I really don't have time for. So often I find promotional opportunities for other writers or books I want to review, and I contact these authors to set something up. Not a bad thing if I have spare time, but detrimental with everything else that is going on.

As we move into the second quarter of 2008, I want to refocus my time and talents whenever I can, and keep working towards the day I move from aspiring author to published author.

Judi Moreo's Achieve Your Dreams Virtual Book Tour '08--My Goals

“Every step I take brings me closer to the realization of my dreams.”

It's the first day of the New Year, and that is always a good time to set a few goals. As a writer, I set yearly goals, which I break down into monthly goals, and then break them down further into goals to achieve each week. I find I am most productive if I have a new list in front of me every week. I also post this weekly to-do list at the online writers group I belong to. The support from my fellow writers motivates me to do more. That might sound strange, but being a stay-at-home mom who has little contact to the outside world, I need this type of interaction to keep me sane.

The first line of this post is a quotation that I have been asked to repeat until I understand it's powerful message. Having read Judi Moreo's book "You Are More Than Enough: Every Woman's Guide to Purpose, Passion and Power" I already know the power of these words. I loved this book and I'm sure I will quickly fall in love with the "Achievement Journal" that Judi has designed to go along with it. I actually, just recommended "You Are More Than Enough" to a friend today.

So, where was I? Oh yeah, goals. See how easily I can get off track. As a participant in Judi's Achieve Your Dreams Virtual Book Tour '08 I am setting forth these goals to help me fulfill my dreams.

* I will make more time for my own writing

I love promoting the work of others and writing book reviews, but I miss my own writing. I commit to working on something of my own at least once a month.

* I will post at this blog more often.

I was very excited when I started this blog. After a while, it began to focus more on other people than on me, so I started a new blog for author interviews and book reviews, and now it's just about little ole me again; my interests and what it is like to be a wife, mother, and aspiring author.

My readers must think I don't do anything, because I rarely post here. But I will post here more frequently, because I believe in myself and my dreams and I want to share them with you.

* I will appreciate my family more.

It is unrealistic to think I will ever be Donna Reed or June Cleaver, but I tend to take my family for granted. I whine about what I have to accomplish, but rarely consider how hard it is for my husband to get up and go to work five days a week and carry most of the burden of supporting our family, so that I can stay at home with the girls.

I also forget sometimes that my girls won't be this young forever. I constantly tell them to wait a minute or lose my temper with them because I am too tired from putting in long hours at the PC.

If I want to make my dream of being a published author a reality, I need to make more quality time for my family and appreciate them more.

* I will not over commit.

This is the one goal I am most concerned about achieving. I volunteer for every new project that is mentioned at church, on town committees, or at my children's schools. While volunteering is an excellent way to show my children how to give back to the community, if it leaves me exhausted or working so late that I am tired and cranky, then what am I really teaching them.

In the spirit of my last goal, I will stop at four. No need to set goals I won't achieve. That's just depressing.

May 2008 be the year that all of us achieve our dreams!

Cheryl


Click on the title of this blog entry to be directed to Amazon.com where you can purchase a copy of Judi Moreo's "Achievement Journal"

Check out my review of "You Are More Than Enough: Every Woman's Guide to Purpose, Passion & Power" at http://thebookconnectionccm.blogspot.com/2007/09/you-are-more-than-enough-every-womans.html and if you would like to read my interview with one of the most amazing women I have ever come in contact with, go to http://thebookconnectionccm.blogspot.com/2007/08/meet-motivational-speaker-and-author.html

Judi Moreo and the Achieve Your Dreams Virtual Book Tour '08

With 2007 behind us and 2008 on the horizon, it’s time to reflect on how we want the rest of our journey here on earth to go. Do we settle for letting life happen or do we take steps toward achieving our dreams? Do we think about it or do we DO it?

If you have watched the movie, “The Secret”, then you understand the power of affirmative thinking = affirmative action. Are you taking those steps in the right direction to enjoy life at its fullest whether it’s through financial success, relationship bliss or perfect health?

On January 1, 2008, Judi Moreo, author of the You Are More Than Enough Achievement Journal (Stephens Press, Dec. '07), will embark on a virtual book tour throughout the blogosphere, but it will involve YOU. She wants YOU to be the star in a campaign to let the world know how you are taking those steps in realizing your dreams.

If you would like to become involved in her ACHIEVE YOUR DREAMS VIRTUAL BOOK TOUR ‘08, here is how it works:

1. Repeat this passage from her book: “Every step I take brings me closer to the realization of my dreams” until you understand its powerful message.

2. Think about what steps you are taking to achieve your dreams and write about it. Your entry can be as long or as short as you’d like.

3. Post your message on your blog and give us the link so that we can post it on Judi's tour page at http://www.virtualbooktoursforauthors.blogspot.com/ (her tour page goes live tomorrow). Email us with your link at thewriterslife(at)yahoo.com.

4. When we receive your link, we will put it on our daily rounds of promotions, thus bringing you instant traffic, so get those links to us soon!

5. We only ask that you include the passage above before your blog post so that people will understand what you are doing.

6. We also ask that you include a jpeg copy of Judi’s book, “You Are More Than Enough Achievement Journal”, in your blog post. You can find her book cover at http://tinyurl.com/3cqa46 and link it to http://tinyurl.com/ywf67x

7. All participants will be listed at Judi’s tour page at http://www.virtualbooktoursforauthors.blogspot.com/ when they come in, stating the date on which their blog post will appear and will remain there indefinitely.

That’s all there is to it! Hurry before time runs out. Become involved in a nationwide campaign to bring in 2008 with a bang and help others realize that dreams are not something that happens; dreams are something that YOU make happen. Let's make 2008 the year when you realize your dreams and make them happen. Share your stories and become involved in Judi Moreo's "Achieving Your Dreams Virtual Book Tour '08" where YOU are the star!

Judi's virtual book tour will be highly publicized including press releases and other promotions. Let us know what steps you are taking to achieve success and be read by thousands of Internet users!

Thank you,

Cheryl C. Malandrinos, Tour Coordinator
Pump Up Your Book Promotion
http://www.pumpupyourbookpromotion.com/

Practicing What I Preach

I specialize in time management and organizational tips for writers. I've always been good at both, so it was a no brainer for me to start writing articles about these topics. Overcommitment is my issue. My schedule is packed to the max, where I only get about four hours of sleep a night, and yet, I am still committing to help out with any church or school event that comes up.

Well, my time at the Muse Online Writers Conference helped with that. I want my writing time back. I don't want my two partial manuscripts to languish away for years on the corner of my filing cabinet, serving as a coaster. I don't want all the ideas flowing through my mind to never be written.

So, I am practicing what I preach to everyone. An important aspect of time management is assessing your daily routines and finding areas where time is wasted. While I don't consider volunteering a waste of time, it does interfere with my writing, and therefore, I must cut back on it. I've also begun making other changes in my schedule to steal back some of my lost writing time.

With a firm commitment to my career and lots of support from you, I know I'll succeed.

Goal, the other four-letter word

It's the first month of a new year and like a lot of you I have set myself a goal. Yep, it is only one this year because it is such a big one. And if you read this blog at all you know my one goal for 2007 is to do my best to get a book under contract.

While I sit here and type out this entry I now realize why people don't set goals--it sucks to have this thing hanging over your head that you're accountable for. At my last job in the corporate world we had to list a short-term and long-term goal as part of our annual performance reviews. I always set goals for myself, so it didn't seem that unusual of a request. I mean, how can you know what to work towards if you have no idea where you want to be? Imagine my surprise when my boss told me I was the 1 person on his team of 15 people who actually filled that part out. I have to admit I never understood it back then, but boy I sure do now.

As a writer I have more control over my destiny than I did when I worked for someone else. I can do everything in my power to succeed or I can procrastinate and complain about all the stuff going on in my personal life that is keeping me from writing every day. But having that goal hanging over my head doesn't allow me to piss and moan easily. My goal is out here for you to see; it's posted on my writers forum for over a hundred other people to remind me of; I even went so far as to post it at my Dean's Divas Yahoo Group in the hopes that my Divas will kick my behind into gear when I get lazy.

Yet, here I sit typing this blog entry instead of reading through my NaNo project which I promised myself I would work on this week. I feel the pressure to get that reading done even as I stare at my laptop screen. My goal is nagging me, telling me I won't succeed if I don't stop wasting time. January is almost gone and February is following close behind. And before I know it, the first quarter of 2007 will be over.

I've decided goal really is one of those four-letter words like work--you know it's there and it just won't go away until you give it some attention. So, I guess I am going to stop procrastinating, pick up my manuscript and read it over. I can't stand the nagging and if I don't get moving on it I'll have no butt left from all the kicking I'll be getting.