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Profiles in Excellence
2010 New Year, New You!
A PURSE OF YOUR OWN by
Wealth Coach Deborah
Owens
You’ve seen her, know
her, and might even be her! The woman with the “counterfeit purse.”
That’s the term for the symbolic bag that some of us may carry.
Those who might dress fashionably and drive a nice car but have nothing
of real value. Many women are smart enough to know that they should put their
hard-earned money to work for them. However,
most are too overwhelmed, bored or intimidated by the particulars of stocks,
bonds and mutual funds to be proactive. In
A PURSE OF YOUR OWN: An Easy Guide to Financial Security (ISBN:
9781416570813; $15.00), Wealth Coach Deborah Owens shares how women can use what
they know about fashion, dieting and romance to take charge of their finances.
This book offers respite to women who are tired of “renting” a wealthy
lifestyle with credit cards and are ready to utilize their unique strengths to
build wealth-a la Oprah and J.K Rowling. In
this straight-forward and easy to understand financial guide, women learn how to
increase their PQ or Purse Quotient and learn the principles to
becoming financially fit in any economy.
The purse is a reflection
of a woman’s economic power and Owens insists that in order to fill up a
purse, women must adopt wealthy habits that put them on the path to fiscal
independence and a financial identity. These are the behaviors that Deborah
observed in financially successful women throughout her more than twenty years
in financial services. She is a
former financial advisor and was a vice president at Fidelity Investments.
A PURSE OF YOUR OWN shares examples of women practicing The 7
Wealthy Habits,” which include: 1. A Wealthy Outlook 2. A Wealthy Appetite
3. A Wealthy Vision 4. A Wealthy Mindset 5. A Wealthy Legacy 6. A Wealthy System
and 7. A Wealthy Focus. A PURSE OF YOUR OWN provides a distinctly
feminine financial perspective.
By adopting these habits,
Owens was able to fill her own purse. As an author, radio talk show host and TV
wealth coach she now shares her successful strategies with others.
Each chapter of A PURSE OF YOUR OWN focuses on one of these
principles and discusses how to acquire and then apply the wealthy habits.
In this easy to follow financial guide, Owens covers the basics and
intersperses stories from real women who have used the 7 Wealthy Habits and
achieved their own success. Owens empowers women to discover their own Purse-onality,
and use their female intuition to take control of their finances and create
financial security in their lives. In addition, A PURSE OF YOUR OWN
includes helpful quizzes and exercises and offers a free online supplement.
A PURSE OF YOUR OWN
will show you:
ü How to clean out your
purse and create a Purse-onal Financial Statement
ü How to shift your
mindset from earning income to building wealth
ü Why “bonds are the new
sexy” and how they complement your portfolio
ü How to detox your
finances by adding liquidity
ü How to turn your
shopping sprees into investment research
ü How to increase your
(PQ) Purse-onality Quotient by acquiring a wealthy appetite
ü How to form a Purse
Group for accountability and support
ü How to pass on your
investment knowledge to your daughter
A PURSE OF YOUR OWN
implements clear cut strategies to build and add wealth to your purse wealth to
maintain financial security. For more information on A
PURSE OF YOUR OWN please visit: www.deborahowens.com
and
www.simonandschuster.com.
11 Ways to Take a Mental Vacation
by Tinisha Johnson
 During economic difficulties, you may not always have enough funds to take even one vacation, let alone more than one or two vacations per year. We live in a fast track world where time escapes us all, and the time that is available, is often not enough, leaving us tired and drained, while we try to squeeze in life’s little pleasures.
Whether you take a physical vacation in the near future or not, why not schedule some mental and relaxing activities now, so you can take the edge off.
Our mind is the way we connect with our inner emotions, and with the outer world. With everyday stress, our minds can become overloaded and overwhelmed. This is usually the time when you find yourself easily frustrated, not sleeping well, irritated by the slightest of things, or feel a loss of energy on a frequent basis. Stop, take a deep breath, and learn ways you can relax your mind, body and spirit, even if it’s in the comfort of your own home.
1. Meditation
What does meditation do for you? It connects you with your inner self. It calms and places you in a relaxed state. It also helps to release stress and increases self-awareness. Those who practice meditation on a regular basis have said it’s transformed their entire body. If you’ve never meditated before, you could be missing out. There are several techniques and levels. To start off, you may want to experiment with the type of meditation where you close your eyes, and concentrate on various breathing techniques. There is free information online that can help get you started. Also, talk with a certified health specialist on the various ways to meditate.
2. Read a Book
Reading can be a relaxing and entertaining activity. Browse the library or a book store and spend just a few moments reading about subjects or genre’s you love. While you are reading, don’t allow your mind to wonder off to anything except the words that lay on the page. Become deeply involved in the book. Make a commitment that you will schedule out a few minutes each day, or an hour per week and engage your mind in the book of your choice. Make sure you keep your reading schedule until you’ve finished the book.
3. Take up a hobby
Kids seem to have more hobbies than adults. There has to be something you love besides plopping in front the TV set. It doesn’t have to be hard or farfetched. Things like gardening, taking photos, journaling, or drawing are just a few out of a thousand. Figure out what you love to do, or at least would like to try. Even if you think you don’t have the time, spend just a few moments and write out some suggestions. Then write out what steps you’d have to take to get started.
4. Exercise
Exercise is one of those words some people cringe when they hear. You’ll also hear the most common excuse: “I don’t have time.” Exercise doesn’t have to be 2 hours at the gym body pumping and slaving away on a stair master or cardio machine. Start off with walking or any activity that will get your heart rate going. Exercise definitely makes you feel better after you’ve done it. You’re never hear anyone say after exercising, “I wish I hadn’t done that.” You will always feel better afterwards. Exercise gives you energy and clears your mind.
5. Revisit your photo albums
Many of us have photos we cherish. Some may be sitting right in front of us or along the wall in our homes. Revisiting photo’s of friends and family allows you to take a mental trip down memory lane, and embrace the people you love, including those who are still present in your life. Every now and again, we need to reflect on where we’ve been in life, because it helps us become more aware of where we’re going.
6. Take a walk
Depending on where you live, this could be just around your block, up a hill, at a nearby park, in the mountains, or along the sands of a beach. Life can go by in a flash if we let it. Why not take a walk and get to know nature a bit. We can take someone with us on the walk if we choose. If you’ve driven down a particular road hundreds of times, why not try walking along side that same road. You’ll notice the experience is quite different. Walking in general allows you to pay attention to your surroundings just a little bit more.
7. Visit the museum
I’m sure you can remember back when you were a kid, the museum trip you used to take with your school and classmates. You learned so many fascinating facts about history. Taking a visit to a museum is definitely something different. Just changing up our daily routine just a bit, could be all we need. It’s a positive experience if nothing else. Go by yourself, or take a friend, a child, or a family member. Take in the knowledge. What type of an effect has history had on you personally? Visit the museum with the insight that you will come out learning something new.
8. Listen to soothing music
Music refreshes us in so many ways. Music can change our moods in an instant. What type of mood would you like to be in now? You can purchase CD’s with the sounds of nature on it. Take a risk and buy one, and lay back relax and listen to it. You’d be surprised how you’ll feel afterwards. You can be sure your mood will change. They say the sounds of nature changes the vibrations of the mind’s thought process, and provides a sense of peace, even if just for the moment.
9. Get a massage
Treat yourself and go to a spa or pay to get a professional massage. Let someone else help you smooth out your stresses of the day. It will definitely be worth it. Many massage locations give discounts for first-time customers.
10. Cleanse your body
A body cleanse can rejuvenate and improve your digestive system, and your overall health. There are various body cleanses. When some people think of body cleanses, they think you have to go without food. Although those types of cleanses exists, there are also cleanses where you don’t have to eliminate your food intake. In fact, there are many ways to detoxify the body from toxics present in your body. Ask your doctor or a pharmacist what types of body cleanses may be right for you and your lifestyle.
11. Write it out
Are you troubled by something or someone? Are you overworked and completely drained? If so, write it out. Put pen to paper, and write out your worries, concerns, and dislikes. Getting your feelings out on paper can be a major therapeutic release. In essence, writing out your emotions can release the negativity from inside. After you have written out your feelings and what you don’t want, you need to write what you want, to balance it all out. Writing out your problems and concerns helps you face and recognize them. Writing out what you want brings you closer to resolution.
In conclusion, right now plan to take your mental vacation within a few days or weeks, and enjoy yourself and have fun!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Tinisha Nicole Johnson is an author, writer, and poet residing in Denver, Colorado. She’s written various books, and writes freelance articles for the Denver Examiner. Besides writing, she also hosts political and sports teleconferences.
Books
by Tinisha at Amazon. Learn more about the author at her website: www.TinishaNicoleJohnson.com
Top 10 Ways to Make Money in 2010
By Craig Garber
The annual "Top 10 Ways Entrepreneurs
Will (And Won't) Be Making Money In 2010" list has just been released and it contains some compelling information this year:
1. Tighten up your marketing message - The way to be different and get noticed is by addressing the most specific and passionate needs of your customers. The more you match your marketing messages to your customers, the more money you will make, simple as that. Create good and services that cater to individuals, not to the generic 'everyman.' So for instance, if you're selling services, create programs that address the needs of busy executives, women, people who want to lose weight, and the elderly. When you cater to your customer's specific needs, you will sell much more, and you'll be able to charge top-dollar as well. This works for everything from healthcare to cupcakes.
2. Value and ethics pay off - Companies that offer quality goods and services, and who actually deliver on their promises, will continue growing, very rapidly. The world is getting smaller and smaller, and if you want to survive, you simply must provide first-class service. Deals and discounts alone will no longer make your cash register ring. People are very willing to pay top dollar for better quality, as long as you're giving them a valid reason why they should.
3. Curiosity is King - Because the number of marketing messages consumers are being hit with, is increasing by incremental proportions, understanding what makes your prospects "tick" is more important than ever. Entrepreneurs who can create compelling marketing messages that arouse curiosity and self-interest will be handsomely rewarded. Self-centered messages focusing on the company instead of the customer, however, will be ignored even more in 2010.
4. You must be a problem-solver, not a sales person - If you want to differentiate yourself, you're going to have to start being a teacher first, and a sales person second. Those entrepreneurs who can educate, entertain, and inform will easily attract and retain qualified business. If you focus on 'selling,' to the exclusion of everything else, you're going to find yourself in a terrible bind. Being a problem solver first and foremost, gives you the positioning you want and the credibility you need, to make big money. Remember, no one cares how much you know, until they know how much you care.
5. Increased use of emotional direct-response marketing - With marketing costs spiraling out of control, using measurable direct-response marketing to evaluate the return on your marketing dollars, is more critical now than ever. On top of this, no matter how many bells and whistles you're using to get your prospect's attention, making an emotional connection is the most effective and reliable way of captivating prospects. People make buying decisions based on emotional factors. They may rationalize them later with logic, but all buying decisions are initially made to satisfy emotional needs. Doesn't matter whether it's vanity, greed, hope, or fear of loss -- pushing the right emotional buy-buttons is going to be a critical component of your success in 2010.
6. Increased use of direct mail - Advertising online is becoming extremely competitive. Every day you read stories about businesses spending more and more money on Google AdWords, just to make sure their ads show up higher on the page than their competitor's ads. However, successful businesses will focus on outsmarting their competition, not outspending them. And one of the most effective ways of doing this is through direct mail. You're able to select targeted mailing lists and create marketing messages that address your prospects unique and specific needs. Plus, mailboxes today are less cluttered, which means less competition for your prospects attention.
7. Your USP had better be strong and specific - Your USP is your "Unique Selling Proposition." It basically answers the question, "Why should I do business with you, instead of your competition?" This is actually the most important thing businesses need to focus on. See, most entrepreneurs try and 'convince' people they need their goods and services. That's a very frustrating and unrewarding way of marketing. Instead, you should 'attract' those people who already want to buy these goods and services, and simply show these prospects why they should buy from you, as opposed to someone else.
8. Increased use of two-step lead generation marketing - Two-step lead generation, when used correctly, is like the eighth wonder of the world. It gets you out of the 'convincing' business and it lets you attract pre-qualified leads who are eager and enthusiastic about doing business with you. It also ties in directly with you being a problem-solver and not a sales person. This kind of lead generation marketing has been around since the 1800's. An example of this is the old Charles Atlas ads, where you had to send in one penny to receive a booklet of free information. This qualifies prospects and lets you weed out tire-kickers and looky-loos. It also lets you share your story, which gives your prospects a much better opportunity to get to know you.
9. Take your cues from Reality TV - The most popular shows on television today are reality-based, and if you're not using reality-based marketing, then you're missing out, big-time. I communicate with my list daily, by e-mail and through my blog. I give out 40% direct content, which in my case is money-making direct marketing and copywriting strategies... 30% related information, on topics like success and maximizing your productivity... 20% personal stories and opinions, about myself and my family, or situational stories of how I overcame specific business or personal obstacles, and only 5-10% promotional content. This formula sounds unconventional, but if you follow conventional wisdom, you're only going to get conventional results.
10. More truth and transparency online - In today's day and age, with skepticism at an all-time high, especially online. You're going to need a lot more than a sales pitch or a clever logo to sell something. Businesses who don't provide information like a contact name and address, and a way of getting a hold of their office besides a generic e-mail address, are in for a rude awakening. Today, more than ever, people need to know you're in business for the long haul and that you're real. This means having a personality and creating a long-term relationship with your prospects.
The recent recession has leveled the playing field. Those businesses who have survived can make a lot of money if they know how to attract the right customers, and if they're willing to play by these new rules.
Now go sell something, Craig Garber
About the Author
Lead generation marketing specialist, publisher, and copywriter Craig Garber is the author of "How To Make Maximum Money With Minimum Customers: 21 Proven Direct-Marketing Strategies ANYONE Can Use!" This book the strategies he used to make over $578,463 with a small handful of customers, without spending even one thin dime on advertising -- and all at 90% profit. For more information about Craig and his new book, download
his 23-page free Special
Report, "What Every Entrepreneur MUST Know About Making Money: The 3 Most Critical And Costly Marketing Mistakes Business-Owners Make!",
right now. Article
Source
How to Generate Income Online - 'Beginners Guide'
How Internet Marketing Really Works in Details
By Alfred Sant
Earning income online is a very attractive idea because for many reasons; first you do not have to do direct or person to person sales and you get the flexibility of being your own boss and set your own hours. It does not take any special internet or computers skills and you can work from your home or from wherever you want.
You do need to know the right approach to be able to earn a sustainable income online.
You must learn the right strategies, and some background information, in order to be successful on obtaining a full income online. The amount of money you earn depends on you and your ability to work hard and learn how the process works.
You always want to be careful of methods that are only scams: pyramid schemes, reading offers, CPA offers, and many other kinds of programs. These products only benefit the people you buy them from.
These are the five most popular strategies to earn an income online:
5. Creating E-books: E-books are one of the most ambitious ways to earn online income and they are one of the most profitable. It is possible to generate a large income online with e-books, but it requires a lot of effort and experience. So if you are new to internet income, I would not recommend e-books as a starting business endeavor.
4. E-commerce: You can earn a large income online from e-commerce. You sell actual products, so you need to be able to maintain a good relationship with your clientele and providers, and it requires a lot of knowledge. This can be difficult and time consuming, so again if you are inexperienced this is not a good way to start your business ventures.
3. CPA Networks: You can generate quick money with a CPA network. You earn money by referring people to companies, product owners or big Marketing Networks. The income for each referral is usually very small, typically just a couple pennies, so this is not very profitable unless you have a large flow of traffic.
2. AdSense by Google: This is a lot like a CPA network. You earn money for referrals or clicks for advertisements, but this is managed all by Google.
1. Affiliate Marketing: This is my favorite way to generate income online. You don't keep an inventory of products, create products, and it doesn't pay in pennies.
You promote products and get large commission for everything you promote, most of the time over half the price of the product. Internet marketers oftentimes use blogs and websites to promote their products, but that is optional. Many Affiliate marketers don't even have websites.
Affiliate marketing is the easiest ways to make income online. I can usually build a website in less than an hour to promote a product, and be generating cash the same day. This is a very fast way to earn money when you know what to do.
A lot of money can be made on the Internet; it's not hard once you know how things work. Obviously, you'll need a sound PROGRAM to follow. If you are serious about changing your life on the
Internet, go to my website Internet Income. Most Internet programs are garbage or scams, and unless you have the time and money to test them all out, you'll basically go round in circles, and 'LOSE MONEY'. Before you make a costly mistake, come and check it out.
CLICK HERE Internet Income.
About the Author
Alfred Sant is a Bestselling Book Writer and an expert in the area of Real Estate
Foreclosure. He has written several books in this genre. Article
Source
Online Marketing Promotion - Time to Get Your Hands Dirty!
By Bill Schmeggy
An online marketing promotion is no time to be timid, and stare at your screen. It is time to roll up your sleeves, get your fingers on your keyboard, and get busy. While you may not get your hands dirty, you need to have the attitude of a ditch digger. Keep working until you get the job done!
If you're just starting out in Internet marketing, you may be trying to figure out how to make your online marketing promotion effective, and not waste your efforts. You just need to stick to the basics, and you'll soon have traffic flowing to your site, and sales putting money in your pocket.
Today let's talk about one of the most basic fundamentals to online success. It's a very simple concept, and one you need to embrace for success.
The website with the most quality incoming links is going to win! Very simply, if you are using Google as your primary source of traffic, you will need to generate more quality backlinks (incoming links from other sites), than competing websites. The good news, it just takes effort on your part to make this happen. It's not rocket science.
You can start arguing about having better content, your product is better, and all those other things, but they are simply not as important as links. When we talk about quailty backlinks it means two things.
1. They come from relevant and ranked websites. You want to generate incoming links from on-topic websites, blogs, or Web 2.0 pages. If the site is in your market, or a complementary market, links from it are more relevant, and carry a higher weight.
2. Use proper anchor text in your links. Anchor text is the words which are visible in the link. You want those words to reflect the keywords you have targeted for your web page as often as possible. Targeted incoming links increases your relevancy, giving you higher rankings on Google.
There are many ways to get these incoming links. One of the first places is to start by Social Bookmarking your web pages using Digg, StumbleUpon, and other bookmarking sites. Secondly, you can build your own Web 2.0 sites on Blogger, WordPress.com, Squidoo, and a host of other free sites, to generate targeted, relevant incoming links. This is one reason you'll need to keep your sleeves rolled up, you're going to be doing some work.
Another great place to find incoming links is in blog comments. Find blogs which are in your niche. Take time to read the posts, and then make good quality, helpful comments. You can often leave a link back to your website in the comments.
Participate in forums within your niche, and include a link to your website in your niche. Don't spam the forums, actually contribute valuable information, and you'll get actual visitors to your site, along with more backlinks.
By rolling up your sleeve's and taking massive action, your efforts at online marketing promotion and increasing the rank of your site can be highly successful. If you just wait for magic to happen, your bank account will stay empty. Learn the basics, and take massive action. You'll be greatly rewarded for your efforts.
Article
Source
About the Author
Bill Schmeggy would like to offer you a free report and more helpful information
on Internet Marketing, please visit Simplified Internet Marketing.
If you are interested in Internet marketing visit http://www.SimplifiedInternetMarketing.com
How to Make Money During a Down Economy
by Dr. Maxine E. Thompson
Are you angry about the economy? I don’t know about you, but I get angry in this down economy. Why? Because it has a trickle-down effect on all small businesses. In my case, particularly as a literary service provider, some clients don’t pay when they should because someone hasn’t paid them. We, as literary entrepreneurs, must adjust our marketing strategies. But, instead of getting angry, how about if we get busy? How about if our anger could move us to another level? A level of action.
Let’s look back in history. During the depression, women found ways to make it for their families by cooking, sewing, quilting, washing and ironing clothes for other families, etc.
I grew up during a recession in the fifties, and I look back. How did my parents survive with six children? To supplement my construction worker father’s income, my mother did what we called “day work”-cleaning for white women. We often had filling meals of beans, soup, chili. We were seldom sick-later I found out we didn’t even have health care, which is happening a lot today because of layoffs. So I know, with God’s help, we can make it through this economy. It is something our ancestors always did. Make a way out of no way.
In times like this, we need to examine ourselves.
1) Find your strengths.
2) Get around others who are strong where you are weak.
3) Build your teams.
4) Get people to fill in your gaps.
5) Find multiple streams of income from your book, such as speeches, workshops, seminars, tele-seminars, webcasts, podcasts, blogs.
6) Use your social networking to build teams, find resources, and exchange information, as well as socialize.
Build Your Action Plan
Ask yourself, what can I do to give people hope? Believe it or not, it starts with giving away what you have that has value.
How can we be of value and how can we provide service to others? What do you have of value, which you can give away? Can you build business relationships, which are mutually beneficial to yourself as well as others? Can you teach what you learn as a literary entrepreneur?
*
Can you provide sales, marketing on line, coaching, or seminars first locally, then around the world? How can we get financial freedom?
*
We must take consistent action every day in our business. On one day a week, work on your business rather than in it. Have meetings to brainstorm with your team as to what your next steps will be.
*
The words we communicate to ourselves and to others will pay dividends to you. It will help you and others solve a problem.
Connect with Your Readers
Right now, people are hungry for freedom. People want to get into sales and people want to write at least one book.
*
What are sales ingredients? First of all, you have to believe that the book you are offering has value.
Ask your readers what do they like to read? Sell them on the benefits of your book. Find out what pains them.
*
Often you’ll find readers who want to write a book themselves. This is how I started my literary services, then later my literary agency. I also have done Internet radio since March 5, 2002 to provide writers with an international platform to market their book.
*
What was the painful motivation? People were tired of not seeing their words in print, and then tired of not being able to get their books out to the market. So, find what pains people enough to move them to action and you will be able to make the sale.
© Copyright Dr. Maxine E. Thompson
----
Meet the Author
Dr. Maxine E. Thompson is a novelist, poet, columnist, short story writer, book reviewer, an editor, ghostwriter, Internet Radio Show Host, and a Literary Agent. She is the author of The Ebony Tree, No Pockets in a Shroud, A Place Called Home (A Short Story Collection), The Hush Hush Secrets of Writing Fiction That Sell, a contributor to bestselling anthologies Secret Lovers, All in The Family, and Never Knew Love Like This Before, (Also a Kindle Bestseller), Proverbs for the People.
Hostage of Lies is her latest fiction novel, was voted a Best Book of 2009 by EDC Creations:
http://edcmagazine.blogspot.com/2009/12/best-books-of-2009-our-relationships.html
Contact Maxine Online
Email: maxtho@aol.com
http://www.maxinethompsonbooks.com
http://www.facebook.com/maxine-thompson
http://www.twitter.com/safari61751
You can sign up for her free newsletter at http://www.maxinethompson.com
FREE REPORT: How you can write your book faster than you ever thought possible: http://www.WriteABookNow.com/cmd.php?af=677480
What Agents Look for in a Writer’s Works
by Dr. Maxine E. Thompson
Like many small business owners, I have to multi-task, so as a literary agent, I recently had this insight while at the Pacific Ocean. When I wear my agent cap, the stories that I love the most, are the ones which hold my attention. Simple as that. Nothing esoteric. The same way these stories hold my attention, they tend to hold an editor at a large publishing house’s attention. Ergo, these are the manuscripts which get the book deals.
A writer’s work has to catch my attention in the first sentence, then the second, then the first page, or the next 5-10 pages. I don’t care how many projects I have in the hop, I should be able to sit down, block out the other things pressing, and read your book with interest. That’s a compelling read. Even if I can’t finish it, I should be drawn to want to come back to find out what happened.
I’m an agent who happens to be a writer, too. This is another epiphany I had while at the ocean. As writers, we have to write as if we are writing for people with short attention spans. A book has to be very compelling to keep this type of person’s attention, and I think a lot of people suffer from a little of this syndrome now. Why?
Because today, many people are on information overload. People tend to have short attention spans. We can get information on Twitter, Myspace, Facebook,
Squidoo, millions of websites, Blackplanet.com, emails, teleseminars, ipods, webinars, ezines, internet radio interviews, Youtube. The list goes on.
People are busy, raising families, working jobs, or running businesses. They are caught up in the fast-pace of life that is the New Millennium. As a result, people tend to want instant gratification. So I take this into consideration when I read a client’s work.
What are some of the things agents look for?
Personally, I look for writers of fiction who have more than one book in them. Preferably, these writers have a number of stories to tell, and they can make a full-time career out of their writing. I’d like to see writers whose books can be translated to the silver screen one day.
•
Where should you begin? A good query letter is a place to begin. You can find out how to write them in the Literary Market Place, or The Writer’s Market.
•
A serious writer will take time to visit the guidelines when submitting to an agency. Do not send attachments unless the agency asks for it. Often the writers do not follow the guidelines, and this is a turn off to an agent.
•
If someone asks you for a synopsis, a logline for a screen play, or your novel’s first 3 chapters, then make sure this is what you provide—not your self-published book with the cover torn off. If you have already self-published, send in the manuscript version to the agent.
These are some tips for writers:
• Make sure there are no typos in your query letter, your synopsis or your manuscript. It not only discredits your work, it gives an impression that you don’t respect the craft of writing.
• Have your work edited and proofread before submitting to an agent. Sometimes, as writers, we only get one shot at an opportunity. Be prepared if you want to be successful.
• Follow the submission guidelines of a literary agency. For example, if the guidelines say they do not accept novellas, do not send novellas. Wait for your release letter, which says that you are the writer of said material.
• Send a query letter and a screenplay in the proper format. Use Final Draft or other screenwriting software.
• If you want to be a screenwriter, study the craft.
• As a novelist, you should develop a good writing style and have an interesting flair for words. This is one reason why urban fiction is so popular. It is written in hip hop/urban vernacular, which has a very authentic feel and it reflects the world as seen by the characters who have lived the street life.
• As a writer, you should develop a strong voice. Your particular world view should shine through your writing.
• Create a page turner by studying the craft of fiction writing, (which includes the elements of fiction, such as pacing, revising, creating memorable characters, among other techniques.) You can read books, take classes, or join critique groups.
• Write about exciting characters who take action. Do not use stereotypical characters. Write against character type. Don’t use your typical diva, typical tomboy, typical playboy.
• Use a compelling storyline. Stories are not about the character’s ordinary day or routine. The best stories are about disruption of the norm, and how the characters coped with the change. Good stories are about characters who go through a journey, which change their lives, for better or worse, by the end of the story. This is your character arc.
These are some things you can learn to do which will help improve your writing.
• Learn how to set up a scene, then pay it off. Raise a story question and make sure you answer it by the end of the story.
• Learn how to write dialogue which sings. This will really help with screenwriting.
• Learn how to use descriptive words, vigorous verbs, and evoke emotions through the five senses. Learn how to make a novel move like a movie, with visuals, settings, showing vs. telling, and providing a life lesson.
• Learn how to develop your characters so that they feel real and like someone a reader will spend 300 pages with. Give your characters backstory, an agenda, and conflicted desires.
• Learn how to make a story flow, through different techniques, such as Joseph Campbell’s, “The Hero’s Journey.”
In conclusion, writing a fictional story is work. But who ever said anything worth having would be easy? Learn to be the best writer you can become, and an agent will be glad to represent and negotiate a decent book deal for your work.
© Copyright Dr. Maxine E. Thompson
About the Author
Dr. Maxine E. Thompson is a novelist, poet, columnist, short story writer, book reviewer, an editor, ghostwriter, Internet Radio Show Host, and a Literary Agent. She is the author of The Ebony Tree, No Pockets in a Shroud, A Place Called Home (A Short Story Collection), The Hush Hush Secrets of Writing Fiction That Sell, a contributor to bestselling anthologies Secret Lovers, All in The Family, and Never Knew Love Like This Before, (Also a Kindle Bestseller), Proverbs for the People.
Hostage of Lies is her latest fiction novel, was voted a Best Book of 2009 by EDC Creations:
http://edcmagazine.blogspot.com/2009/12/best-books-of-2009-our-relationships.html
You can sign up for her free newsletter at http://www.maxinethompson.com
FREE REPORT: How you can write your book faster than you ever thought possible: http://www.WriteABookNow.com/cmd.php?af=677480
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