Julie L. Cleveland - Writer's Toolbox

Write Your Way to Success Writing About What You Love

2/2/2023

Time and again, I have heard teachers say, “Write what you know”. Well, what if what I know is not that interesting? I know how to make ice, but I wouldn’t write a whole column with step-outs on how to make ice. I might be interested in an ice maker, though. I also might be interested in writing about the different types of ice makers, but that’s about as exciting as watching paint dry. While it has benefits for those who are interested in buying an ice maker – and I am one of them – I cannot imagine spending a whole day or even weeks writing about ice makers.

What I can imagine spending a whole day writing about is something that I love.

I have been fortunate enough to love cars, as well as write about them. The same is true for my trivia books and my jewelry books. I love puzzles and games, and I have written crossword puzzles, word search puzzles and fill in the blanks puzzles. Most of those puzzles have been used to market a product, but the end result is I was able to write about something I love.

The benefits of writing about what you love:

You’re never out of ideas
You never get tired of coming up with new copy
You can talk for hours to a client about why you should write their copy
You never have to fake your passion
It doesn’t take much to get you excited
You want to write and write and write

I am sure there are many more benefits, but these are the ones that I run into daily, so I thought I would share them with you. I hope find something that you are passionate about and can spend your time writing and writing and writing.

AWAI helps people get started writing copy that can lead to you writing about the things you love. Here is a link to give you an idea of the programs they have available.

Writers: Outlining Stories Made Easy

1/19/2023

Okay, who am I kidding; outlining can be hard. I am in the middle of outlining a new novel that I already started with a very basic seven step outline, but I now want to expand. In the middle of writing it, I decided to switch genres, which is good for the novel and bad for me.

I found that outlining can be overcomplicated. I analyze too much, so some of my previous outlines got out of control as I spun the ‘what if’ wheel that caused my outline to be longer than the novel. I knew there had to be a better way.

Outlines are great for my nonfiction books, but hard for me when it comes to fiction. So, I had to really simplify it to only a few things. Here is a simple story outline example that I used and am using for my current novel/short story/novella:

Hook – Married couple with conflicts
Plot turn 1 – conflicts escalate
Pinch 1 – Money is an issue
Midpoint – they decide to get more money
Pinch 2 – Greed becomes a factor
Plot Turn 2 – They reach a point of no return
Resolution – Greed wins

I found it best to use a short story outline template in order to write this book. However, like I said, it took its own turn while writing it, so I will need to modify my short story outline into something a little longer. The finished book will be around 250 to 275 pages, which is roughly between 250 and 300 per page.

When it comes to outlining stories, I found that if I apply the “Keep It Simple Stupid” plan, I am a better writer. Too big of an outline stops me from creating, but with no outline at all, I am all over the place.

Outlining stories is easy if you remember that every story is simply a reaction to an event followed by a conflict followed by a conclusion. You can break out any story into a manageable outline, even newspaper articles by asking yourself: Who, what, when, where, how and sometimes why.

How to write a quick outline in three steps:

Lay out the key scenes and what they mean to the story. They do not have to be in order. Many people have done this on index cards or sticky notes.
Then start adding details to each scene.
Move them where you want them.

Once you have the basics, then you can go in and add the details. There is more to outlining than just this, but for some of us, the K.I.S.S. method works best. Hope this helps you write your first outline. If you need more help or want to delve deep into outlining, then K.M. Weiland has books that will help you plot your course. Start with this one:

Is Kindle Publishing Right for Me?

1/5/2023

This topic has been done to death by every blogger in the universe. So, why one more post? Because I’ve used Kindle publishing to publish my books, and I like it. Besides, I get to call myself an Indie Publisher by using Kindle Create to publish my book.

Seriously though, my books are all non-fiction, so that makes a big difference in the scheme of things. As a non-fiction writer, I can drill down on publishers to find the ones that fit the niche for my book. For instance, I write trivia and have a series on music trivia covering the top hits of the decade, which is considered pop culture. A lot of publishers cover pop culture. Since my books are based on U.S. pop charts, then I stand a better chance of getting them published if I limit my searches to U.S.-based publishing houses.

Those who write fiction books need to find a publisher in the genre of their choice. This is a little easier when you realize that many authors in your genre thank their agents in the acknowledgments and the publisher is on the spine and front pages. If you decide to go the way of traditional publishing, the leads are there for you to follow.

Pros of Self-Publishing
You have total control over the outcome
You have total control over the outcome
Cons of Self-Publishing
You have total control over the marketing
You have total control over the marketing

I am not kidding about the pros and cons.

Total Control over the Outcome–It means that you control every aspect of the editing, printing, formatting, delivery, and cover creation of your finished work. That sounds great on paper, but it adds a lot of workload to writers who only want to write.

If you’re not well-versed in editing (possibly using the Chicago Manual of Style or Associated Press Stylebook), then you might want to hire an editor. I usually do hire someone to take a look at my final manuscript before releasing a book. I am amazed at how many errors I make in the simplest of texts and editing is not my strong suit, but I hope to get better.

I also use Grammarly (an AI add-on to Word with a free version) to do at least one once-over before turning it over to someone to edit. At least then my errors won’t be so embarrassing.

I hire editors from Upwork, and there are many freelance writers doing gig work on Fivver who edit manuscripts. I have hired folks from both places and have been happy with the results.

Here are some links that might help you with the editing phase of your book:

Grammarly Writing Support

Grammarly Writing Support

Cover design is another part of the publishing process that you may need to hire out if you’re not proficient in Photoshop, Paint Shop Pro, or Gimp. I do my own covers, and I buy my art from Creative Market or use my own photos as I did on my hiking Yosemite book. Both of my trivia books have cover art from Creative Market by the same artist.

I will make this post a part of a series on Kindle publishing because this is a BIG topic with a lot of parts to it.

Total Control over the Marketing–This is one of the most difficult parts of writing and publishing a book. If you thought writing was tough, wait until you start to market your book! Amazon gives us the ability to create ads from our published works. All you have to do is give them money, and they will place your books all over Amazon where they will be seen by people interested in the subject you write about. While that’s all well and good, if you have a niche book, you want to go outside to find places to advertise.

Your book might do well being advertised in traditional print magazines and newspapers, or as banner ads on blogs and websites, and other affiliate marketing bloggers. It may also do well as ads on Facebook and newsgroups all over the internet.

You will need to do a lot of research to find the right place to advertise your book since you know the intended audience. My music books would advertise well on music-related blogs or newsgroups, and my jewelry design book would do well on arts and crafts sites. The upside to ensuring that your books are being seen by the right audience is to do it yourself.

Another big positive about doing it all yourself is that it’s on your schedule and not someone else’s. If your editor suggests edits, then you can do them when you have time.

A great big negative is that there is no advance on future royalties sitting in your bank account. You must live on whatever your royalties are for your current sales. They are paid in real-time, so there is no waiting, but if you want a steady income, you have to move on to your next book as soon as you send the first one to the editor.

There is no get-rich scheme here. It is all hard work, and it can take years to write a book, but there is no reason you have to wait years to find out if the one you did write will ever get published. There is no shame in being an indie publisher, and even the big authors find it useful for smaller projects.

We’ll chat about some of the other finer points of self-publishing in the future. Until then, keep writing and get your manuscript ready for the world to read.

Want to know more about Kindle? This book is a good place to start.

The Benefits of Writers being Readers

12/22/2022

If you want to write, it's probably because you spent your childhood reading. Once you discover the magic of being swept away in a great story, it's hard to imagine yourself doing anything but writing.

Reading can be instrumental in enhancing your writing career.

Here are a few benefits of being a reader:

Understand story structure
Help get a feel for what readers want in a story
Get your creative juices flowing with new ideas
Learn from famous authors
Enhance your language skills and learn new words
Explore new genres and styles
Learn what doesn't work and why
Learn new cultures and lifestyles

There are so many other reasons to read, but these are some of the most beneficial to you as a writer.

Life is busy, but make time to read. Kindle on your phone puts books at your fingertips, so when you're waiting in line or at an appointment, you can find a few minutes to read the next chapter of a book.

When your writing needs a boost, pick up a good book and start reading.

Do You Need a Niche for Copywriting?

12/8/2022

If you want to drill down on your copywriting skills, you can consider focusing on a niche that focuses on your interests. Once you decide what you want to write about – I write in the automotive industry because I love cars – you can narrow this down even further. When you narrow your focus down, it makes it easier to search for new clients.

Here are some niches you might consider:

Blog Copywriting
Article Copywriting
Advertising Copywriting
Product Description Copywriting
SaaS Copywriting
SEO Copywriting

What’s something that interests you?
I mean REALLY interests you… something you would be thrilled to write about every day and get paid to do it.
Once you have an answer, go here.
I’ll show you how you can get paid to write about it.

You can do it in your spare time... anywhere from 5-10 hours a week…

And you can generate passive income, which means it comes in whether you’re working or not… earning $750, $1,500, $3,500 or even more — month after month.

Go here to learn more about this exciting writing opportunity.

Not sure which niche you want?

I suggest you do a Pro and Con list that can help you make that decision.

What do you like about it?
What do you know about it?
Can you make a living writing about it?
Will you be able to find clients?
How hard will it be to find your first client?

And so on. I hope you find your niche because things get a lot easier once you do.

Can You Write a Simple Letter?

11/24/2022

Writing a simple letter could be the start to a new source of income.

Maybe you write full-time like I do or maybe you want to write full-time like I do. Either way, it helps to have a lot of tools in your toolbox like having some copywriting training. I know that I saw the Barefoot Writer magazine when I was getting ready to quit my full-time job at the newspaper. I read all of these great stories about people who left their jobs and made a bazillion dollars while putting their cocktails on tables and sunscreen on their arms. Sounded great to me!

Copy and Content Writers are Needed!

I don't make a gazillion dollars writing copy on the side, but I do make a nice little handful of change each month that is more than equal to my last weekly paycheck at the newspaper. When I add that money into my content writing, I am making a small living doing this. Will it get better? I don't know, but what I do know is that copywriters and content writers are in demand NOW. Everyone is selling online and they all need people like you and me to write their copy.

I suggest that you check out the AWAI program. They have a lot of programs that you can choose from, and it can be quite fun to do some copywriting on the side. Where else can you switch between writing about products like candles, gear shift knobs and chalk markers in a single afternoon? It's fun and it's always something a little different.

Check out this program here:

Or maybe you would just like to get the magazine so you can envy those writers with cocktails and toes in the sand. Check it out here:

This post was proofread by Grammarly

Writer's Block Prompts

11/10/2022

As we’ve discussed in the last blog post about writer's block, writer’s block is tough to get around, and it happens to all of us.

For fun, here are some quick prompts that may get your creative juices flowing:

She stopped suddenly and looked up when she heard the tornado sirens begin to wail.
He ducked as a large insect missed colliding with his forehead. “What was that?”
There is a story in the newspaper about someone vandalizing gravestones.
Her missing cousin showed up 13 years later and had a story that was unbelievable.
She hung up the phone in disbelief. Who knew that she was a relative of …
He stared at the painting on the wall of his best friend’s living room. It looked like the original Mona Lisa, but that was impossible.

For even more fun, here are some things to ponder:

You just found out that you won the lottery. What is the first thing you’re going to buy?
You got an invitation to your high school reunion. What memories or horrors does that prompt?
You were looking at the stars in your telescope, and then you saw a bright object that you didn’t recognize. Who do you call?
Your neighbor hasn’t been seen for weeks. When is the last time you remember seeing him/her?
You see a boat on the horizon, and then it disappears. What do you do?
Your best friend calls you up to ask a favor; a big favor. Do you help them?
When you unload your groceries, you notice that you have a bag that doesn’t belong to you. What do you do?

Hopefully, there is something in these prompts that spins off an exercise that banishes the writer’s block.

If you still are looking for prompts, here are some of my favs.

Writer's Block and Tricks to get Past it

10/27/2022

Having writer's block is like having a bad dream. You want to write; in fact, you might have a deadline that demands that you write. The closer the deadline looms, the harder it is to put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard. Don't know why this is, just know that it is, and I struggle with it a lot.

The old watched pot doesn't boil thing comes to mind, but this is different. This requires panic and running around the house doing laundry, checking the refrigerator, playing with the dog and maybe some screaming. Mostly, it's panic as those minutes tick on and on relentlessly.

How do you get past the writer's block?

Stop panicking.
Stop counting minutes.
Stretch.
Move about.
Forget about the task.
Play with the dog or cat.
Fold your laundry.
Do the dishes.
Clean out the refrigerator - don't clean it out by eating everything.
Listen to music.
Read a short story.
Get some sunshine.

Once you stop letting the deadline control you, your mind will do exactly what you trust it to do. It will come up with the words and get the project finished before the deadline. You have to trust yourself to do the job you know you can do.

Writer's block comes and goes, and every project will get done in the time you allot for it. If you really cannot finish it in time, talk to your editor, publisher or client and work out a solution. Being stuck is not the end of the world, and you will be stuck again.

If you did wait until the last minute to finish your project, use Grammarly to check it over before you send it off. I use Grammarly for everything!

How to Boost Productivity During the Holidays

10/13/2022

Working during the holidays is always a challenge no matter where you’re employed. It’s especially hard when you’re self-employed. There are several tricks that businesses use to keep employees engaged during the holidays, so let’s translate those into things for us self-employed folks.

Time Management

This is particularly hard for the freelancer if you have a lot of projects going on at once. It always comes down to doing your best to make your time valuable. I wrote about wasting time here.

Daytimers and calendars are always a great way to keep your To Do and Task List handy. When you have a list of tasks at hand, you find that your jobs get done; you have more time, and you have a lot less stress.

If you prioritize your projects by deadline, you can get them finished on time, so you can move on to the next one.

Get Plenty of Rest

Exhaustion will play a big part in getting ready for the holidays (or even vacations), and when you get enough rest, you can concentrate on the tasks you need to finish. We’re supposed to get seven or more hours of sleep a night. If I get less than eight, I get very foggy and cannot concentrate, which makes me unproductive.

Eat Right

Your mother told you to eat your veggies, and whether you like it or not, veggies help play an important part in our productivity. Here are some veggies and other goodies that can help you with dealing with stress that can impede your productivity:

Avocadoes increase energy.
Bananas boost your energy levels.
Carrots help improve memory and reduce stress.
Spinach reduces stress and helps your immune system.
Eggs are high in protein.
Dark chocolate is not a vegie, but it does wonders to lower stress and anxiety.
Nuts increase your metabolism and sunflower seeds help eliminate grumpiness because they are packed with amino acids that create serotonin.

Caffeine is a good way to boost your energy, but it also increases anxiety, so use it moderately. Drink green tea to improve your focus. Water is an absolute during stressful times.

Meditate

While meditation may not be a part of your routine, it will help you if take a few moments every day to do deep breathing. It will clear the thoughts from your head and fill up your lungs with much-needed oxygen. This is something you can even do at your desk between projects, paragraphs or even words. You didn’t see me take those five cleansing breaths between the words projects and paragraphs, did you?

Tai Chi is a great stress reducer! I have a friend who has written a great book on the benefits of Tai Chi. I can hug a tree! :) It's available on Amazon, but it's also a Kindle Unlimited read, so if you have Kindle Unlimited, you might be able to read it for free!

Exercise

We all know the benefits of exercising whether we do it or not. I have a treadmill right behind me but don’t get on it every day as I had planned. I mean, how hard is it to roll my chair over to my treadmill and walk on a moving walkway? Apparently, it is more difficult than brain surgery, so count me out.

Really, you should at least walk around the house, water the plants, pet the dog (another great stress-reducing activity) and go outside for a moment.

Exercise increases endorphins, which trigger happy feelings and positive outlooks. A positive outlook is always a plus when it comes to productivity.

Treats

Besides dark chocolate, you should treat yourself from time to time. It doesn’t have to be anything extravagant. It can be a half-hour reading or a night watching a movie. Just something that lets your brain unwind and get ready to be productive.

If you really want to go all out in your planning, then take the time to forecast your next year’s goals. Maybe you want to take a class or go on vacation, by writing them down, it can be a motivator towards greater productivity.

No matter how you handle stress, maybe these ideas will help you reduce some of your stress and make you more productive during the holidays and anytime you need a boost.

Is Copywriting Right for Me?

9/29/2022

Copywriting is the art of selling with a typewriter – or in today’s terms, a word processor. Or maybe, you’re just writing the sales pitches out longhand. I do that for some of the email marketing pieces I am working on. I noodle better with a pen. I find it easier to dash off 10 headline ideas on paper than the PC. However, when I write my final copy on the PC, I usually end up changing it because for me, the PC brings out more structure in my writing. I don’t know why. It just does.

Copywriting isn’t the same as novel writing, but it is storytelling. The long sales brochures, mail products or sales copies are more like the original full page ads that have told stories and sold elixirs for years. Today, those are still around, but much of today’s copywriting is about writing for the web and emails. I will write more about the different types of copywriting later.

There are so many ways to use copywriting skills, even if you never write an ad for a company. Persuasive text is needed for product descriptions, SMS, MMS, social media posts, and any other format that your client wants to use to connect with their buyers.

Do You Like to Write?
If you like to write, then copywriting can be a ton of fun. It’s a lot like putting a puzzle together. You find out what the company is selling, who they are selling it to and use that information to write something very clever. You need to persuade the reader to buy the product. There are hits and misses like all forms of writing, but it is never personal, so keep going.

Do You Like to do Research?
Research is the key to the art of copywriting. You cannot sell something to someone if you don’t know 1) anything about the product and 2) anything about the prospects. Some of copywriting is learning about the product, but the bulk it is learning about the prospect. Is it a man or a woman? Do they like dogs, cats or butterflies? What is their income? Demographics play a big part in how you tailor a message.

Do You Have a Good Sense of Humor?
Under all of the ‘technospeak’ about a product, it helps to have a sense of humor. Everyone knows that sex sells, but humor connects people in a more casual and relaxed way that is important when it comes to sales. You don’t have to be able to write humorous dialog, but it helps if you can be more lighthearted. All you have to do is think about the television commercials that made you smile or even, laugh out loud.

How Do You Know What to Write?
Writing for a client is a lot different than writing for yourself or your editor. All clients should give you a content brief about what they want to see in their copy. They may have the keywords ready for you or give you topic ideas, but whether writing copy or content, a brief keeps you on target, as well as gives the client a way to track progress. Here is a link to an article on creative briefs.

If you think this might be something you would enjoy writing, then I recommend a couple of courses to learn more about copywriting. I have taken and studied courses, and they have all helped me move forward in a side job that I enjoy.

Udemy Complete Copywriting Course: Write to Sell Like a Pro from Tamsin Henderson

Author

I am a manic writer who has to write all the time about something, even if it is a detailed 'To Do' list.

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