I have my moments when I use Twitter quite a bit. But then I have my moments when I don’t use it much at all.

Right now I am having one of those moments when I’m not using it much.

Shame on me, I know.

As a writer, I need to be on there every day for at least a few minutes a day. However, some days I’m lucky to do much at all.

How is Twitter helpful for me as a writer? How could it help you?

Let me show you five ways it will help us both.

1. Sharing with others

I have both of my blogs attached to Twitter.

What does that mean? It means that once my blog goes live the link to it shows up in my Twitter feed so that my followers can see, read, and hopefully retweet it.

I have also retweeted things I have enjoyed as well. I mean it’s only fair if people are retweeting my writing that I do the same in return.

I have shared links to my books as well. Twitter is a great way to promote and market yourself.

However, I strongly suggest that you don’t say, “Buy my book!” That’s the best way to turn people off and make them unfollow you.

I have quoted a sentence from my books or asked things about the topics I cover in my books or simply made a statement. That’s how you build relationships.

2. Writing

With only 140 characters, my writing is going to be as concise as it can be. I have written a tweet, and when I realize I can’t fit everything in I want to say, I cut unnecessary words, like “the” and “a/an.” My writing has improved quite a bit because of this.

You become a better editor because you have to tweet what fits.

3. Discovering ideas

I’m continually searching for ideas for blog posts or other things to help me with my writing.

As you can imagine, Twitter has thousands and thousands of tweets in the feed every day so there are more than plenty of ideas floating around.

My Facebook group, 10 Minute Novelists, even does a chat on Twitter on Thursday nights so when I join that chat, I get ideas that way as well.

4. Improving Vocabulary

Going along with #2, tweeting helps your vocabulary improve.

I tend to use action verbs with my writing anyway. If you don’t and use more adverbs and adjectives, this will teach you to use those action verbs.

5. Meeting others

I have met other writers and people from other areas using Twitter. I have read how you can meet clients if you do something like freelancing.

This is also a great way to meet your readers and see what they like to read.

Remember how I mentioned the retweeting earlier? That means they like what you’ve written. Write more articles and blog posts like those!

Between Facebook and Twitter, they are the two social media I use the most. I’m learning to use Pinterest more, but I find the other two to be the best ways to reach my readers.

However, each social media had a different function. Twitter doesn’t really need to take much time from your day.

And if you really would like to learn Twitter, I would suggest this book by Katharine Grubb, Conquering Twitter in 10 Minutes a Day.

On that note, I will be getting back to Twitter as I used to do. How do you use Twitter?

The post 5 Ways to Use Twitter appeared first on Beach Girl Publishing LLC.

With that being stated, usually one writer inspires another in some way, shape, or form.

If I asked you to a name at least one writer who has inspired you, that you would have no problem giving me at least one name.

On my author blog a couple of weeks ago, I shared why I write what I do. So I probably should put this post on that website.

But I thought I would share it here since this one is more for other writers.

Who inspires my writing? I’m glad you asked.

1. Jodi Picoult

Yes, I have looked at some of her reviews and realize some people don’t think she writes that well.

I don’t think any of her books have close to a five-star rating, but most are in the four-star range with some below that.

I didn’t say she is a great writer, but I like her style. I like how she researches the real life issues she includes in her novels.

After I finished reading The Pact, I read about how she followed a police officer and researched about suicide. I enjoy researching and learning new things. Crazy, I know.

With each of the novels I have read of Jodi’s, she has done her research. She knows her topics before she ever begins writing her novel.

I aim to write like her because of that.

2. John Grisham

Back in college, I started reading quite a bit of John Grisham’s books because my Bachelor’s degree is partly in criminal justice. That topic intrigues me.

I don’t know if I can ever write novels like John has. But one of my writing goals for the year is to try something new.

Maybe if I can get some other projects finished, I would get back to reading his novels and hope they inspire me even more to write the crime fiction he does.

3. Stephen King

While I could never write horror like Stephen King does, I find his On Writing book to be a good writing resource.

Several people over the years have told me I needed to read that book. I kept putting it off until a few years ago when I was doing the summer reading program at the local library.

On Writing is full of Stephen’s honest thoughts of being a writer. I learned so much about my own writing after reading this book that I’m not sure why I put off reading it in the first place.

Writers don’t have to write in the same genre as us to inspire our own writing.

Yes, sure it helps because we can look at how they write a certain genre to help with our own writing. However, the writing technique is important, too, no matter what genre we write.

Singers do the same thing. The Beatles influenced my favorite singer, Rick Springfield, but I don’t think Rick’s music sounds much like The Beatles.

Is your writing inspired by a writer of the same genre? Or is your writing inspired in another way?

The post 3 Writers Who Inspire Me appeared first on Beach Girl Publishing LLC.

How many of you struggle with resources for your writing? I know I do at times. But I love research so I have no problem seeking out answers.

In fact, one of my main goals for this website is sharing resources with you.

I have a resource page here where I share links for you to use. However, I wanted to share the Top 10 websites for writers that I use on a regular basis.

1. Be a Freelance Blogger

If you’re seeking jobs as a freelance blogger, then this is one to check out. Every day I look at the job forum. I have found a couple of jobs there.

Sophia, the website owner, offers good advice on blogging as well. I subscribe to her emailing list and have learned some valuable things from her.

2. Problogger

I read some of the blog posts on this website. But mainly I go there for the job forum. They have one of the best ones, and as I read some of the other websites I mention below, it’s listed again and again.

3. The Creative Penn

This website was one of the first ones I started reading a couple of years ago when I prepared to publish my first fiction book.

Since then Joanna’s website has grown and changed in how it’s organized. She has tons of information on the steps of publishing a book — from writing to publishing and marketing.

4. Freelancers Union

As I began chasing my dream of being a full-time writer, I found a book called The Freelancer’s Bible by Sara Horowitz. She gears this book to all freelancers, such as those in graphic design or anything that can be done as a freelance job. I’ve learned quite a bit and refer to this book for various aspects of the freelance life.

5. Make a Living Writing

Carol Tice runs this informative website. She has written many articles about her experiences with freelancing so again, tons of information about how to get started with freelance writing.

6. The Renegade Writer

Linda Formichelli helps those writers wanting a career in magazine writing. She does write quite a bit about freelancing, but she also teaches about magazine writing. She and Carol often teach courses together.

7. Writers in Charge

I am amazed that such a young man can build a business so quickly. Bamidele Onibalusi is a young man from Nigeria, who I have learned some blogging ideas.

He has a free eBook on how to get started blogging, which was a big help to me when I first started.

8. Goins, Writer

A couple of years ago Jeff Goins’ book called You Are a Writer was free and sounded good so I bought it. I’m glad I did.

He has now published a book called The Art of Work, about finding your calling. I have read the book once and am going back through it again. It’s gotten me to think about what I am meant to do in life.

9. Helping Writers Become Authors

When I first decided I was going to do a better job of outlining a novel, I started outlining in a basic way.

I realized then my outline wasn’t going as planned so I bought K.M Weiland’s Outlining Your Novel. She is very detailed about her outline, which is more than I thought I wanted to do.

But she does make you think about each tidbit of your novel. She also has a blog with additional information.

10. Freelance Writers Den

I’ve been on this website for over a year now. Unfortunately, this is a paying website, and the doors to enter only open once or twice a year.

I didn’t have to wait long to get in, and I’m glad I did.

Carol Tice runs this website as well, and she has such great resources.

I check the job board twice a week and have found a couple to apply. The forum has great support for anything from the bootcamps Carol offers to critiquing letters of interest and writer websites.

Out of these ten websites, I couldn’t even begin to tell you which one is my absolute favorite. That would be too hard to answer.

But I have found each one valuable in its own way.

I suggest you check each out and see for yourself. Then check back in here.

Let me know which one will help you achieve whatever writing goal you have.

The post Top 10 Websites for Writers appeared first on Beach Girl Publishing LLC.

At least that’s what it is for me.

I keep telling people it’s like I have adult ADHD. I can’t sit still for the life of me.

As soon as I sit down, I think of something I need to do, like laundry or feeding my pets or calling my mom.

Not that any of those are bad, but when they stand in my way of getting words down on the page, they are.

Maybe it’s a lack of concentration? Maybe it’s simply a lack of focus or how about procrastination?

Whatever it is I need to do better at forcing myself to sit down and write.

But what keeps me from writing? What keeps you from writing?

1. Young children

I’ve been a single mom for over twelve years. I’ve been a writer during those years so I know how hard it can be if you’re a mom and trying to write.

Younger children, such as babies, toddlers and preschoolers demand quite a bit of time. Of course, they would. They can’t do things for themselves yet.

Sometimes you can get children a little older than them to play by themselves or to watch television or a DVD. However, that usually doesn’t last long.

2. Television

Sometimes the worst distraction for me is TV. I have certain shows, like Chicago Fire or The Voice that I can’t and absolutely refuse to miss.

Whether I have done my writing for the day doesn’t matter. I watch that TV show.

Of course, the guilt sets in because I haven’t done my writing. I get mad at myself. But I have no one to blame but myself.

3. Social media

One of the worst distractions for me is social media. Facebook eats up so much of my time.

I’m one of those who tells myself I’m checking Facebook for ten minutes and then getting to work. Two hours later I am finally writing.

Sound familiar?

4. Household chores

We always have something we could be doing around the house, especially if you have kids or pets. Houses don’t stay clean all by themselves.

Cleaning the house could be an every day thing so we have to make sure it doesn’t distract us too much.

5. Pay bills

All of us have monthly bills for various things. Some you have to pay or they either foreclose or shut off, like the house or utility bills.

While you do need to pay the bills, writing time is not the time.

6. Unexpected company

As a writer, I need to be better at telling people this is my writing time. In fact, I probably should set up “business” hours so people know when not to disturb me.

However, that seems weird to me because I’m in my own home.

7. Not enough time

Lacking time is an excuse. I can’t tell you how many times I have heard someone say, “If you are a writer, write.”

I’m finally getting to the point where I can actually tell others I am a writer.

You can always find a few minutes here and there to do some writing. Parts of this were written on my phone when I had a few minutes.

If you need help with this, I suggest the book by Katharine Grubb called Write a Novel in 10 Minutes a Day.

8. Undisciplined

Writing needs routine. When you think about it, if you do something as part of a routine, you do it all the time.

I am trying to be better about this. I joined the 365K Club at the beginning of the year. My goal is to write 1000 words a day. However, sometimes I don’t always get that done, if anything.

9. Lack of motivation

This distraction goes along with the previous one and gets me every time.

I work two part-time jobs outside the home some days so that creates a long day for me. I don’t always feel like writing.

And depression doesn’t help. Although I’ve been told writing helps your depression.

I do know writing down my thoughts and feelings always makes me feel better. It makes sense that writing helps with depression.

10. Too much noise

For some people, noise helps you. I remember needing music to help study when I was in high school and college. I couldn’t stand a quiet room because the other noises distracted me even more than the music.

For others complete silence is needed. I only need complete silence when I’m editing.
I would say several of these keep me from writing on a daily basis. I am working on getting better about not letting them.

What distracts you from writing? What do you do to keep them from doing so?

The post Top 10 Distractions from Writing appeared first on Beach Girl Publishing LLC.

In the last couple of years, my writing journey took me to a book called You are a Writer by Jeff Goins. The book was a quick read and one that motivated me to get writing.

I began reading some of Goins’ blog posts. And I saw how motivating he could be.

In March, Goins gave away a copy of his upcoming release called The Art of Work. All the reader had to do was pay the shipping and handling. And the reader got some added bonuses, including a workbook and some podcasts.

To be honest, I wasn’t sure I wanted the book. I got two or three emails over the course of a week before I finally couldn’t pass it up any longer.

I took that as a sign.

And I’m glad I did.

The book

Even though the shipping of The Art of Work took longer than expected, I connected on Facebook with Jeff and many others who had ordered the book as well.

Before I ever received my book, I built my excitement by reading the posts on Facebook.

The day The Art of Work arrived I ripped open the box without hesitation. I started reading it that night.

This book helps us find our calling in life. Right now this book couldn’t have come at a better time.

“Reward the givers”

Goins sent his readers an email saying he wanted to give back to those of us who write a review of his book and post it on Amazon, Goodreads, Barnes and Noble, and even our blogs.

Hence, that is one reason I am writing this. That and I wanted to share my review with my own readers.

Here is what I wrote for Amazon and Goodreads:

“I’ve been in a ten foot hole for the past year after losing a good paying job. No matter how hard I try, I can’t seem to get out of this hole. I have been trying to get a freelance writing and editing business going since then. I have read some of Jeff’s blog posts before and had read his book called You are a Writer.

When this book was released, I knew it was something I needed to read. It kept “calling” to me. I finished reading it a couple of days ago and haven’t stopped thinking about what I’ve read.

Jeff has podcasts and a workbook to go along with it so my plan is to go back through the book again and focus more on each chapter. Jeff gives us great stories about people who have found their calling. These stories have motivated me and made me focus on what my calling is.

In fact, I have so many ideas swirling around in my head that I don’t even know where to start. If you aren’t sure what you were called to do in life, this book is strongly recommended!”

Find your calling

To add a little more, the book has inspired me to get moving. I want to get out of that ten foot hole and use the stories about people who, at times, were probably worse off than me at this moment.

No, I’m not feeling sorry for myself even though we are allowed to do that once in a great while.

The Art of Work is the kick in the pants I needed to get moving and find my calling. What are you doing to find your calling?

The post The Zen of The Art of Work appeared first on Beach Girl Publishing LLC.

Sleep. What is that exactly? Something that everyone needs each night.

Most adults need around seven to eight hours of sleep each night.

I try to get a good night’s sleep every night, but it doesn’t always work out the way I would like.

For instance, during the day, if I work all day, then I work when I get home. Sometimes I lose track of time. And the next thing I know is it’s 11 p.m.

Knowing that my alarm is set for 5:30 to 5:45 a.m. each weekday, that is too late for me to wind down.

In fact, I haven’t gotten any down, or relaxation, time.

Trying to go to sleep at that point is hard. But somehow I manage to get there eventually.

What happens to my body when I don’t get enough sleep? How does whatever happens to my body affect my writing?

1. Less alert

With a lack of sleep, your body is less alert. You won’t be able to write as much as you would like because you are trying hard to stay awake.

No amount of coffee or caffeinated drinks will help either. All you will do is fill your body with unnecessary caffeine.

2. Less concentration

Going along with being less alert is less concentration. You won’t be able to concentrate as much on whatever writing you are working on.

You will be easily distracted by other things. You may not even be able to sit still long enough to write anything.

3. Overwhelmed

Do you ever have times where you feel overwhelmed? A lack of sleep will do that to you.

Feeling overwhelmed will keep you from writing as much as well. For instance, if you have a goal of 1000 words a day and a long to do list, your writing may not happen.

Why? You don’t feel it’s as important as something else on your list.

Writing will take a backseat to everything else.

4. Less creativity

Less sleep means less creativity. You can’t think in a creative way when it comes to your writing.

Your brain is foggy. You can’t think straight.

Final thoughts

A lack of sleep for me usually means most of the above. When I am doing any of those, not much writing gets done.

For that matter, sometimes not much else gets done as well.

In that case, it’s best to take a break and let my brain rest. I can’t be creative when I’m that exhausted.

What happens with you and your writing due to a lack of sleep? Do any of of the above happen?

The post How Sleep Affects Your Writing appeared first on Beach Girl Publishing LLC.