Common Deductible Business Expenses

One of the questions that's come up in our Premium-Green Writer's Group is what you can write off as an expense. So I’m giving you a general list of tax write-offs for contractors (which is what a freelance writer is), and you can check off, or apply these to your business, and see if they fit.

COMMON DEDUCTIBLE BUSINESS EXPENSES

Note: Probably no business will have all of these expenses. Your business may have different categories of expenses. Don’t agonize over which category an expense belongs to.

Advertising
Accounting/bookkeeping fees
Bank service charges
Car and truck expenses
Client consultation and supervision fees (for therapists)
Contract labor (outside services, subcontractors, etc.)
Credit card fees
Depreciation on assets used in the business
Dues
Education
Entertainment/business meals (Note: try to keep these low if you can...move to another category)
Freight
Gifts
Insurance
Interest on business credit cards and loans
Inventory/merchandise purchases (items the business has available for sale to others)
Legal and professional fees
Magazines and books
Maintenance and repairs
Office supplies
Online/internet fees
Payroll taxes (only for businesses with employees and only the employer’s share of taxes—not the taxes withheld from the employee’s pay stubs)
Postage
Printing and copying
Rent/office in home expense
Sales or excise tax (only for businesses that collect this tax)
Small furnishings and equipment
Telephone (including pager, answering service, and cell phone)
Travel (outside normal business location)
Utilities
Wages (this refers to what is paid to employees, not to yourself or to independent contractors)
Website hosting, creation, design, or maintenance fees

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If you are in the midst of filling out your taxes for the year, instead of filling out simpler forms, itemize: You might qualify for tax breaks you hadn't thought of. And don't take a "refund anticipation loan," a high-interest loan offered by some tax-prep chains.

Good luck!

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2 comments contractor, deductible business expenses, freelance taxes

Words of Wisdom

by LuAnn Schindler

The other day, I told one of my friends that I needed some inspiration. Usually, it's everywhere, but on that particular day, I didn't feel it.

The next day, I tore off the page on my Page-A-Day calendar and found these wonderful gems about writing. And yup, they provided a bit of inspiration.

• Never do a "pot boiler." Let one of your best things go to boil the pot. ~~ O. Henry
• Originality does not mean oddity, but freshness. It means vitality, not novelty.~~ Hapgood
• Pluck feathers from the wings of your imagination, and stick them in the tail of your judgment. ~~ Horace Greeley
• Quintessence approximates genius. Gather much thought into few words. ~~Schopenhauer
• Revise. Revise. Revise. ~~ E.E. Hale
• The first principle of composition of whatever sort is that it should be natural and appear to have happened so. ~~Frederick Macmonnies

Sometimes, reading the words of others sets of a creative domino effect. My calendar certainly did for me!

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1 comment Inspiration, LuAnn Schindler

WritersWeekly.com's 24-Hour Short Story Contest

By Jill Earl

Ready to challenge your short writing skills? The WritersWeekly.com's 24-Hour Short Story Contest might be for you. Offered every quarter, the contest is a test of cranking out a story that’s short, tight and good. All in 24 hours.

The contest begins on April 25th, 2009 at 12:00 noon Central Time, and only at that time will entrants receive the contest prompt.

Besides cash prizes for first, second and third place finishers, random door prizes will also be given, for a total of over 85 prizes. Complete contest guidelines, rules and other details are here: http://writersweekly.com/misc/contest.php

So bring on the coffee, rev up the laptop/desktop and get to typing! Be quick about it, though. Only the first 500 entrants are accepted.

Bon chance!

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Leave a Comment Jill Earl, WritersWeekly.com's 24-Hour Short Story Contest, writing, writing contests

Top 10 Fears of Writers

In A Writer's Book of Days, Judy Reeves shares the results from a survey of writers showing their top fears about practicing the craft. Here's the list:

1. that I'm not good enough; that my writing is mediocre or bad

2. that my work is worthless, boring, drivel, not clever; that I have nothing interesting to say

3. that I won’t follow through or complete anything

4. that I'll get stuck and nothing will come out

5. that I'll never learn the craft of writing

6. that I'll appear stupid or foolish; afraid of what people will think

7. that I'll hurt someone

8. that I'm a fake, lying, not telling the truth

9. that its waste of time

A tie for 10:

10. that it’s been done or said before, better

10. that I won't get published

Chances are, you've had at least of few of these thoughts yourself at one time or another. I know I have! We're only human.

With practice and experience, some of these concerns lessen, I've found. For the other fears, do what you can to convince yourself of the opposite truths. Just keep writing! You can't let any of these worries stop you from doing what you love.

--Marcia Peterson

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6 comments doubt, fear, Marcia Peterson, persistence, psychology of writing

Does the Library Help You? Enter this Woman's Day Essay Contest

Tricia Sanders, one of my good writing buddies, posted this essay contest from Woman's Day and The American Library Association on her blog, "A Novel Approach." The prompt is:

"If the library has gotten you or your family out of a tough financial crunch, helping you save in unexpected ways, tell us about it in an essay of 700 words or less."

For all the rules and details, you can find them on the Woman's Day website.

I would love, love, love to read these essays. I love to use the library. I check out audio books for the car, picture books to read for my blog, and my book club novels. For writers, the magazine section is one of the best parts of the library. Where else can you go to find all those back issues of magazines the editors are always asking you to look through before you query?

But I can't say the library has helped me out of a tough financial crunch, although I wish it could or would or did because I would love to write about the library. I think in today's society, the library is often a forgotten resource. So, these Woman's Day essays could help us all, not only the writers who win the contest.

Maybe the library has helped you during these hard economic times. If so, enter this contest and let your love for the library shine through!

How does the library help you? Do you use it often as a writer?

Happy essay writing!
Margo Dill

http://www.margodill.com/

Seattle Public Library photo by jeffwilcox http://www.flickr.com/

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4 comments essay contest, libraries, Margo Dill, Woman's Day

Interview with WOW! Runner-Up Amber Frangos Author of "Greta in the Driver's Seat"

"Here’s George Jetson…his dog Astro." Nine-year-old Amber Frangos realized SOMEONE had to write those cartoons she loved. In some form or other she has been writing ever since. Novels, screenplays, poetry, chapbooks, the instructions on shampoo bottles…wash rinse repeat--IN THAT ORDER. What kind of chaos would happen to the consumer who did not read that label? The written word is her life. She self published the book, No Child Is Safe From Internet Crime: A Guide For Parents sold in 150+ libraries, appeared on Oprah.com. She has several short stories published, Guidepost.com and All My Bad Habits I learned From Grandpa. Amber currently lives in rural Kentucky with her husband, two dogs, two cats, two goats, 8 chickens and 1 rooster (the stereotype is so true). Her credo is if it can’t be written it doesn’t exist and if it does exist, it should be fiction.

Today, we were given the privilege of sitting down with one our runners-up for the 2008 Summer Flash Fiction contest. Her story, Greta in the Driver's Seat, captured the hearts of our guest judges. If you haven't done so already, read her story and come back for a chat.

Interview by Carrie Hulce

WOW: Thank you Amber for taking the time to sit down with us today to chat about your great story. How does it feel to have placed in the Wow, Summer 2008 Flash Fiction Contest?

Amber: At first I could not believe it was true. I've entered so many contests with…thanks, but no thanks. Then I was elated and proud. SOMEONE out there got me. Now? I put those feelings in a place with baby's first steps, first day of kindergarten. I’m in need of my next fix. Writing is my habit, my addiction.

WOW: That's wonderful, Amber, remembering those "firsts" is so important, glad we could help. What inspired you to write Greta in the Driver's Seat?

Amber: I originally thought of a short story where the husband and wife argued the entire road trip and at the end of their journey they realized their marriage was dead, then the thought popped in my head what if the husband was dead at the beginning of the journey? How would that change the perspective?

WOW: That is definitely a way of changing your perspective on a story, many of us here at WOW, thought it was a fantastic way to go. At the end of the story, you shocked your reader. Do you like to surprise people at the end of your stories?

Amber: I love it! Perspective is my favorite plot mechanism. I truly believe that all of us are capable of the most heinous crimes (mom will commit murder to save the life of her child) and the highest levels of kindness (jaded businessman offers shelter to victims during a hurricane), but it’s perspective that creates the catalyst.

WOW: You are so right, perspective really does make the story. Without it where would we get such great story lines for not only books but for movies and plays as well. Do you get inspiration for all the animals that live with you? If so, which animal do you think gives you the most inspiration?

Amber: I never thought about it before, but on some level I think they do inspire me. My rooster Burt resembles Bruce Willis (when he had hair) and my hen Mildred is the mirror image of Susan Sarandon. Then there’s my goat Murray who channels Moses.

WOW: That is very funny. A rooster that looks like Bruce Willis. It is so great how we can see people within animals. A great way to find additional creativity. Have you ever created a story about your husband? What character was he in the story?

Amber: Not an entire story, but there are characteristics of him in my writing. The way he chews the ends of his cigarettes, his penchant to keep the kitchen clean (I’m so lucky) or the way he uses driving as an interactive sport. But, when I write male characters I keep my husband's perspective (there's that word again) in mind. Is this the type of man he would like to be? Emulates? Is threatened by?

WOW: You are a lucky woman. A man that likes to clean a kitchen, what heaven. It is great that you can find ways of incorporating him into some of your characters. Have you ever created any stories about Kentucky?

Amber: Not stories (yet-they're still brewing), but my chapbook titled, Ghosts For Jesse Jewel, will be published later this year by finishing line press. The book of poetry chronicles my neighbor in Kentucky. His daddy's farm was sold to pay his mama's nursing home bill. He now lives on less than one acre of land instead of hundreds of acres. He has to live with the new folks that surround him on what used to be his land for generations.

WOW: Congratulations on the publication, that is fantastic. It is so fabulous where we can find stories. This is so great that you have found a story in your community and have been able to build from it. You currently have informative books on sale, can you tell us about these?

Amber: When my sons were little, the Internet was new to me. They would tell me about their online friends. A huge red flag of danger assaulted my brain. This resulted in my non-fiction No Child Is Safe: from Internet Crime, A Guide For Parents.

WOW: What a great idea. It is a scary world, and there is still so much out there on the internet that we are unsure of. This vast world that we have created has a lot of places that our children shouldn't venture to. We are so happy that you found a way to help parents keep their children safe. If you could pass along some information to new writers what would it be?

Amber: Persevere. At one time I feared editors, until I was one. I would suggest that all writers should judge a contest and sit on the other side of the fence and try to "pick one winner." Once done so, they will understand that rejection is nothing personal.

WOW: That is a great bit of information to pass along. So many of us have stacks of rejection letters and many of us do dwell on them, making them personal, when really they aren't, you are so right about that. How could you inspire others to take on their dream of writing?

Amber: I would tell them to jump in feet first, expect to fail sometimes, but know that in the end the wins will outweigh the losses. BUT, you’ve got to take the risks!!! Have some fun with your writing and don’t take yourself too seriously. I used to get so defeated when I received a rejection notice (I have saved all of them and I have hundreds), but then one day I realized that I don’t write for the editor, publisher or reader (although these are important for audience and publication) instead, I write for me--that day has made all the difference.

WOW: You are so, right, I can remember feeling the losses and thinking I was never good enough to be a writer. Oh, how that has changed over the years. You are so right, jump in and hold on tight for the ride. Do you have any thing else that you would like to add?

Amber: I'd like to thank WOW for their venue and their understanding that writers need to be read. While filling in the info for this interview sheet, I put in a DVD, lit two cinnamon bun candles, I'm home alone (very unusual), sipping my green tea with fake sugar and writing. Thoughts of new stories, characters, plots and fragments of poetry circle my thoughts. I'd rather be sitting here writing than doing anything else and I can honestly say, it doesn’t get any better than this!

WOW: Amber, again Congratulations for your placement in the top 10 with the Summer 2008 Flash Fiction Contest. We look forward to reading more of your work for years to come.

If you would like to read more of Ambers, work, please check out her site and see what she has to offer. http://www.amberfrangos.com

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Leave a Comment Amber Frangos, flash fiction contest winner, Greta in the Drivers Seat

Fueling the creative fire

As I get geared up for offering a few local, free seminars on reconnecting with creativity, I've been diving into a lot of books on writing and, of course, books about creativity. I've been focused on lessons of creativity for the attendees. Of course, one of the elements of creativity I keep running into is the fact that reaching into creativity is often not a linear path.

I spend a lot of time writing and I know how hard I may work on a piece and how much time I may spend editing it. Spinning a creative phrase or teasing up an image. I take pride in what I write and try to fine tune it as much as possible. (Although, admittedly, I don't always catch every mistake much as I would like to!) But frequently, I wish my craft would take a back seat and let my creativity take over. Lately, I've been spending a lot of time over working and over thinking a few queries and essays and not hitting my stride on figuring out the angles to a few pitches. My creativity seemed tapped out, even though words still arrive on the page.

So, after a couple weeks of endless deadlines, frigid days, and children getting sick, I spent last week reconnecting with friends and letting e-mails pile up, instead of sitting in front of a computer. In doing so, I realized how talking with people can add fuel to my creativity. The exchange of ideas can reach inside and re-stoke the flames of creativity.

Laughing and spending time with people has not only helped re-energize me for the upcoming week and its projects, but it has given me insight into a few queries I've been working on.

Such an enjoyable week made me glad that creativity is not linear--and that sometimes we need to walk away from our creative selves to find them again.

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Elizabeth King Humphrey is a creativity coach and the moderator/main blogger for CoastalCarolinaMoms. She is also a freelance writer spending more time each day seeking creativity in every aspect of her day. Even if that happens to be creative sleeping and dreaming.

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4 comments Being a Writer, Creativity, freelance writing

Condiments for the Writer

Lately, hubby and I have been sharing a car. This means I'm without a car during the day while he goes to work. He just started a new retail business and his days off are few and far between. He leaves at 8 AM and comes back around 10 PM, so regular grocery shopping has been out of the question. For the past couple of weeks, I've been out of condiments--you know, the usual stuff like mayonnaise, mustard, ketchup. Talk about dry sandwiches!

Even worse, my new intern had to forgo hand soap when going to the restroom. After she'd come out, I'd be holding a bottle of Palmolive dish washing liquid and say, "Would you like some of this to wash your hands? Sorry, we're out of...well, everything."

So when I finally got the car, I did some major shopping, and condiments were first on my list. You don't miss the simple things like mayo on bread until you don't have them! The same goes with writing. Without some handy "condiments" it's hard to produce quality writing. It's those little things we take for granted like:

• A Dictionary
• Thesaurus
• Microsoft Word
• Spell check
• Our favorite style guides: Chicago Manual of Style, AP Stylebook
• Our favorite must-have writing books: Self-Editing for Fiction Writers, On Writing Well, The Renegade Writer’s Query Letters that Rock
• A comfy office chair

Those are some of my must-haves. Without some of them, my writing would be rather dry (like those sandwiches). So, what are your favorite writing condiments?

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4 comments condiments, must haves for writers, style guides

Morning Pages

It's interesting that despite all the new things I try to do to get out of a creative rut or spice up my writing life, I always return to my trusty standby. The one that never lets me down, the one that is always there to take me back no longer how long I've neglected them: morning pages.

Many of you may be familiar with morning pages as they are one of the staples in Julia Cameron's The Artist's Way. According to her website, "Morning Pages are three pages of longhand, stream of consciousness writing, done first thing in the morning. There is no wrong way to do Morning Pages-- they are not high art. They are about anything and everything that crosses your mind-- and they are for your eyes only." However, I think they are so much more than that.

As each morning begins, I slowly slink out of my bed and head to the living room where I get comfortable on my couch and just start to write. Many times the first thing on the page is "I'm so tired" or "Why on Earth am I up writing when I could be getting an extra 15 minutes of sleep?" Yet, as my hand moves across the page and more words pour out, I begin to awake and just allow myself to write whatever it is I feel. What's more amazing is I typically have an "aha" moment as I round the middle of page two and it gives me some food for thought to take with me as I journey through the day.

It's amazing what this morning ritual does for me. Do any of you write morning pages or have similar writing rituals that give you a kick start?

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2 comments

Stop, Look, Listen

How many of you read your work aloud? Hearing your words can actually help you take note of several positives and negatives in your writing.

Positive Reasons to Read Aloud
First, who doesn't enjoy hearing something you've created read aloud? After all, the sweetest word ever heard to a person is the sound of someone saying her name.

The audience doesn't need to be an auditorium of people, either. After I've written a draft, I print it and shut the office door. Here is where I hear the flow of words. Here is where I note the quick turns of phrases I've invented. Here is where I self-edit my work.

You see, by reading one's work aloud, you constructively critique your own work. That, in itself, is a necessary tool all writers need to use. Our inner critic speaks loudly to us and helps us realize what areas need work.

If you're lucky enough to belong to a writer's group, or if your significant other agrees to be the listening guinea pig, you will receive additional feedback - another valuable tool a writer needs to use! My husband usually indulges me and lets me read my work to him. His suggestions guide me to make decisions that will only improve my craft.

Both of us have noticed that I use "pet" phrases in a lot of the newspaper articles I write. Those snippets of words are comfortable and help me get the point across. Reading aloud also has shown that I tend to use certain words repeatedly. This especially came to light when I was rereading some poetry I'd written about 10 years ago. Three words were in every poem. I hadn't noticed that pattern when I wrote the poems. Now, those words stand out like a sore thumb.

Negative Aspects of Reading Aloud
Do any negative aspects of reading aloud exist? If you live in an isolated area, finding a willing listener might prove difficult. Otherwise, I can't think of any reason not to read your work aloud.

Consider This
When you were in elementary school (yes, that's a stretch for me), one of my favorite times of the day was when our teacher would read to us after the noon recess. We would come inside, shut off the lights, and listen to her magically tell the stories of The Boxcar Children, Laura Ingalls Wilder, or any other popular book from the time.

When I'm reading a novel, I'll catch myself reading sections or phrases aloud to my husband. Why? Because they've caught my attention. I even catch myself highlighting phrases or sections of a novel because I will return to it and reread it, aloud. It's a powerful way to learn how the flow and momentum of words.

Reading and writing work in tandem, and I've often said that good writers are good readers. Reading your work aloud will improve your writing.

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3 comments reading

Making Word of Mouth Effective and Persuasive

Even though I probably have my hands in more projects than I ought to at the moment, something came up in my academic-type life that I felt needed to be addressed this week. I found that the state where I attended college is like much of the U.S. and in some financial troubles, and on the list of things that could end up on the chopping block this spring/early summer include the department I majored my studies in...oh no!

Given I live too far away and graduated, I looked for things I could do, and somehow stumbled upon a topic for today's blog posting: what are some ways to using writing for a cause, and more specifically, how to be an effective persuasive writer.

So far, I have used my organizational skills to draft lists of ideas to share cross-country with my former professors and classmates of things that could be done, and on top of that list, I had taking the grassroots live to the Internet. With my internships, I have learned how truly valuable a resource free blog domains are in getting the word out.

I suggested hitting up newspapers and also websites which allow for public comment posts. The more exposure this gets, the more likely people will feel engaged.

Additionally, I have written letters and emails to administrative types, and likely will continue onward to politicians if I have time before leaving for Missouri this weekend for work-related workshops.

As for the ways to be an effective persuasive writer, let me suggest the following:
1) Take it positively in your spin. Let them think that you don't feel that the other side is stupid, wrong, inferior, what have you.

2) Take it on respectfully. Don't forget to allow for further correspondence with making your last paragraph a thank you for your time and if there are any questions closing.

3) Take it on by using lists. Short, simple, to the point. I recommend writing out a tome to get all the ideas organized and the flow down pat before massively editing it down to short and crisp.

4) Make it specific and unique. Nothing is less persuasive than just receiving copies of essentially the same banalities over and over again. I used my personal experience of choosing the school and weaved in ideas that were suggested to us to mention by our department. It doesn't feel pushed, yet doesn't seem rambling either.

5) Followup with any correspondence that comes out of this and give time before sending another round.

6) Make sure if it's a group effort, that you keep in touch and keep everyone updated, so repeat efforts don't waste time. Not looking organized only reduces the efficacy of your persuasiveness!

In closing, this is just a partial list of things to get great minds (you all!) to think of other ways people can be effective persuasive writers and how writing can help in causes, whether saving academic departments or saving the world/environment, etc.

What other types of writing for causes have you done? What other ways can be implemented to be a strong persuasive writer? These ideas are for the benefit of the WOW audience, as I am already working on things beyond this list of ideas, but thought maybe there might be a need for some brainstorming elsewhere in this world of writers...

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4 comments

The True Story Behind The Bachelor

I don't know who writes for The Bachelor, but they're pretty convincing. I even bought into it knowing that these things are somewhat scripted. But I thought they were only edited for storyline...I didn't know they wrote the whole thing! Naïve me.

Back on January 27th, "Reality Steve" broke the news about the shocking finale of the Bachelor, and revealed the outcome of the "After the Final Rose" show, taped back in January. If you watched it last night, you already know that Jason dumped Melissa and is with Molly now.

But here's the ultra-disappointing part. Reality Steve also revealed that ABC was flying Melissa and Molly out to see Jason every other weekend after The Bachelor ended. Can you believe it? Yeah...I thought Jason was a sweetheart too. What a sucker I am! In last night's Final Rose show, Melissa asked Jason if he'd seen Molly since the show ended. With big, brown honest eyes, he said he hadn't, but that was a lie.

And I bet, they all were in on it. Yeah, Melissa seemed a bit upset, but not to the extent that she might've been. Even when she walked out on stage, she seemed to know. She didn't embrace Jason like a newly engaged woman would. She seemed a bit standoffish. Maybe she'd never taken any real acting classes. LOL.

I just feel bad for Jason's son, Ty.

Anyway, the whole thing is disappointing. I won't be watching another season. As a writer, I know stories need drama, story arcs, and conflict, but when you claim something is real, shouldn't it at least be a tad real? They've gone too far with this one. I wonder how much the writer was paid? Or the "actors" for that matter. You'd have to pay me a heck of a lot to go through that scenario.

If you haven't been keeping up on the true tales of reality TV, check out Reality Steve's blog http://realitysteve.com/ and get ready to be disappointed.

As writers, what do you think of "reality" TV being completely scripted?

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6 comments after the final rose, Reality Steve, the Bachelor, writing for reality TV

Interview with Beth Cato: Runner-Up Summer 2008 Contest

The Muffin is happy to talk with Beth Cato today, runner-up in the Summer 2008 Flash Fiction contest. If you haven't read Beth's winning story, "Junk and Mothballs," yet, you can click here. Make sure to check it out!

Beth resides in Buckeye, Arizona, on the outskirts of Phoenix. Her husband Jason, autistic son Nicholas, and two crazy cats keep her very busy, but she still manages to squeeze in time for writing and other activities that help preserve her sanity. Beth is originally from Hanford, California, but she lived all over the country during Jason's time in the Navy; she is quite content to have her husband out of the service and home most evenings, though her time as a military spouse has provided tremendous writing material.

Her essay "Home is Where the Kitties Are" is featured in the book The Ultimate Cat Lover. Beth's fiction has been published in The Shine Journal, and she received an honorable mention in the Ligonier Valley Writers Zombie Flash Fiction Contest. She's seeking representation for her women's sci-fi novel, The Locked Door, and is working on a new near-future superhero fantasy titled Normal. National Novel Writing Month is celebrated in her household each November, though the degree of celebration varies wildly dependent on her word count and caffeine level. Her current projects and blog are all accessible through her website: http://www.bethcato.com/.

WOW: Hi Beth! Thanks for taking time out to chat with us today. In your winning story, "JUNK AND MOTHBALLS," the reader is wondering what exactly the main character is searching for and really doesn't discover it until the twist at the end. Did you have that ending planned when you started the story? Do you often write endings with a sort-of twist?

Beth: No, that ending wasn't planned. I was searching right along with my character. My first inclination was to have her find some rare collectible worthy of the "Antiques Roadshow." I soon realized that wasn't the right approach at all. I thought back on a story from my own family – after my great-grandmother died, her sons decided to go through her belongings and throw out everything that they deemed "junk." This unfortunately included many things that were important to my grandma, such as papers and photographs. One person's junk is indeed another one's treasure. I have written several short stories with this sort of twist, though most of them fall flat and won't ever be submitted any place.

WOW: We're glad that you decided to submit this one! And I've heard many writers say you have to practice writing--that's what all the stories and novels are in our drawers--our practice. You have also written a sci-fi novel for which you are searching for representation. Are there any similarities in your writing process for a flash fiction piece and your novel, such as characterization, plot, setting, outlining, and so on?

Beth: The writing process is very different because of the time and effort involved. With flash fiction, I have the grain of an idea, and I let it develop in my head for a few days. I might write the concept on paper in my journal. When I feel ready, I type the story. With flash, if I think on the idea too long it becomes impossible to confine the story to the necessary 500 or 1,000-word limit. In that way, writing flash fiction is a lot harder than writing a novel. You have to introduce the character or characters, propel the plot, create a climax and resolve everything – tidily – in mere paragraphs. With my novels, I spend months on research, character backgrounds, and chapter summaries before I even begin the real writing. The end result still needs to be tidy, of course, but it's a lot easier to build character and suspense over 80,000-words than in 500-words.

WOW: Thanks for sharing your writing process with us for novels and flash fiction. It is interesting to see into the writing process of other writers! This piece is realistic fiction, but your novel length works seem to tend toward fantasy/sci-fi. Which do you enjoy more? Which do you find easier to write?

Beth: I definitely have a preference for stories with a touch of the extraordinary. I read and enjoy everything from fantasy to literary fiction to straightforward history books, and the subjects of my writing are just as diverse. As to which is easier? That depends.Sometimes a story flows out and seems to work with little effort on my part. The genre doesn't have much bearing on that.

WOW: It sounds like you have a lot of variety in your writing, which is probably encouraging to many writers out there. Sometimes, you will hear the advice that you have to stick to one genre, but it does seem possible to write and be successful at what captures your attention at the moment (as you have). In your bio, I read that you spent many years as a military wife,and you are also the mother of one son and 2 crazy cats. I also noticed that you've had a cat essay published. How much of your real life makes it into your writing? Why do you enjoy writing about your life?

Beth: I use tiny scraps of my life experience throughout my writing – both fiction and nonfiction – which is rather funny since I've led a very un-extraordinary life. Despite my lack of worldliness, there are still little life lessons and family stories I can utilize. My cats are an endless source of material. As my aunt once said, "Are our cats born crazy, or do we make them that way?" Crazy makes for great writing. My experience as a military wife has inspired several essays and as well as the basis for my novel The Locked Door, which involves a disillusioned Navy wife discovering the impact of her existence on multiple dimensions. I enjoy writing about subject matter that I know well, but I always take care that my characters don't become "Mary Sues" based too much on myself. The fun part is taking the familiar and twisting it into something new.

WOW: I like the question your aunt posed about cats--I think that same question could be asked about all pets, especially dogs. Several writers have a touch of themselves in their work--it's almost impossible not to. You also maintain a blog and a website. Tell us a little about what kind of material we will find on both.

Beth: My blog is updated several times a week and focuses on my journey as a writer. Sometimes I discuss the importance of goals or the thrill of an acceptance, and other times, I speak more about the distractions from my writing - such as my son. The kid has a radar that detects the second I open Word to start writing or editing. My website announces my publications and provides links if the material is online.

WOW: That's a great idea to provide links to your writing if the material is online. That is something many of us could incorporate into our websites. What is your writing routine like?

Beth: My writing routine is all about squeezing in writing at every opportunity! My best writing days are those when my son has preschool, giving me a long, uninterrupted stretch where I can write, edit, or research. However, ideas don't always wait for a convenient moment. I've thrown together many a rough draft during the forty-five minute respite provided by our Elmo's Potty Time DVD. When I'm working on a long project like NaNoWriMo or editing my novel drafts, I set word count and chapter goals on a daily basis, and I fight to get it done through fire and brimstone – though in my house, that usually means a candle sets off the smoke alarm or sopping up potty-training seepage throughout the house. For a lot of years, I put off writing because there were just too many other distractions and demands on my time. I came to realize that there was no ideal time; if I wanted to write, I had to be flexible. I'd say my routine is more about steady progress towards my daily and weekly goals than on writing during a specific time slot every day. As long as it gets done and I keep slogging through, that's what matters.

WOW: Thank you for sharing that with us. I think many writing moms and day job writers can relate to what you said and maybe use that technique, too. It is a good idea to set a daily goal and then fit writing in where you can. It has been great chatting with you today, Beth. We wish you the best of luck!

Interview conducted by Margo L. Dill, http://www.margodill.com/, http://margodill.com/blog/

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5 comments Beth Cato, flash fiction contest winner, Margo Dill

George Singleton, author of Pep Talks, Warnings & Screeds, launches his blog tour!

In Pep Talks, Warnings & Screeds: Indispensable Wisdom and Cautionary Advice for Writers acclaimed Southern story writer and novelist George Singleton serves up everything you ever need to know to become a real writer (meaning one who actually writes), in bite-sized aphorisms. It's Nietzsche's Beyond Good & Evil meets Anne Lamott's Bird by Bird. It's cough syrup that tastes like chocolate cake. In other words, don't expect to get better unless you get a good dose of it, maybe two.

Accompanied by more than fifty original full-color illustrations by novelist Daniel Wallace, these laugh-out-loud funny, candid, and surprisingly useful lessons will help you find your own writerly balance so you can continue to move forward.

Singleton graduated from Furman University in 1980 with a degree in philosophy, and from UNC-Greensboro with an MFA in creative writing. Singleton has taught English and fiction writing at Francis Marion College, the Fine Arts Center of Greenville County, and the South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities. He has been a visiting professor at the University of South Carolina and UNC-Wilmington, and has given readings and taught classes at a number of universities and secondary schools. He has published four collections of stories: These People Are Us, The Half-Mammals of Dixie, Why Dogs Chase Cars, Drowning in Gruel; and two novels: Novel and Work Shirts for Madmen.

He lives in Pickens County, South Carolina with the clay artist Glenda Guion their eleven dogs and one cat.

Visit his website at www.georgesingleton.com

Published by Writers Digest Books., $17.99
Publication Date: October 22, 2008
Non-Fiction, Writer’s Advice, Hardcover
ISBN# 9781582975658

Book Giveaway Comments Contest!

If you received our Events Newsletter, remember, we are holding a contest to win a signed copy of George’s book, Pep Talks, Warnings & Screeds, to those that comment. So, grab a cup of coffee, pull up a chair, and enjoy the chat, and share your thoughts, and comments, at the end. We will randomly choose a winner from those who comment. Enjoy!

Interview by Jodi Webb

WOW: Welcome to WOW!, George. We're delighted to launch your blog tour for your book, Pep Talks, Warnings & Screeds: Indispensable Wisdom and Cautionary Advice for Writers (Writers Digest Books, 2008).

George: Well, I've visited The Muffin and I definitely win Most Curmudgeonly, Ugliest Person to ever be on the blog. Sorry about that.

WOW: Why don't we change that to the Trailblazer Award? After all, you're our first male author on a WOW Blog Tour. And writers, of all people, know not to judge a book by its cover. George, up until now your cover has been stamped "fiction" with four short story collections and two novels. How did you switch from fiction to writing advice?

George: I started writing these little aphorisms and anecdotes in September of 2007. I told my friend Will Allison (a fellow novelist) about it, and he said, "You should contact Lauren Mosko at Writers Digest Books." I did, and sent her 40 of the little sections.

WOW: How did you decide to include illustrations with the book?

George: Actually, while Lauren was consulting with her boss about accepting my book I was on a book tour in Nashville where I told Daniel Wallace (a writer and illustrator) about it. He said, "I want to do illustrations for that book." It was as simple as that.

WOW: It seems like this book led a charmed life. Everything just fit into place.

George: Lauren was a great editor--taking out some of the aphorisms she rightly didn't think made sense. But then, about a week after the book came out Lauren let me know about her decision to leave Writers Digest Books. When Lauren left I felt as though the book no longer had a cheerleader. Wait--I don’t think of Lauren as a cheerleader. I know longer had anyone in my corner. Wait--I don’t think of Lauren as a boxer's cut person. (Laughs) Then I learned that because of layoffs there wasn't exactly a PR department either. My book was an orphan.

WOW: So what does the author of an orphaned book do? Did you have your own marketing plan set up?

George: I never did any publicity for myself. The publishing houses would assign a publicist and I would go off to book signings, interviews…or the people somehow found me. I had some book conferences and festivals lined up, so that was about it.

WOW: Sounds like you aren't a big fan of drumming up publicity for your writing George.

George: I think of it as a necessary evil. I would much rather sit at home and write. It's not that I'm a total misanthrope--I've been known to have a good time--but I get way too nervous at book signings and readings.

WOW: So I suppose a Blog Tour is perfect for you. What's up next, maybe a rant against unreliable publicity plans? And what type of publicity plan for your next book?

George: I'm working on a novel and have a collection of stories pretty much ready. But I'm waiting out the storm. I hope that Houghton Mifflin Harcourt gets going again, or someone buys it out. [HMH published George's fiction books but recently stopped acquiring new manuscripts--another victim of the economy]. I worry, again, more about the writing than on publicity plans.

WOW: Well, we're looking forward to those books and are glad to see that you haven't lost that sense of humor that makes Pep Talks, Warnings and Screeds such a fun read. Want to join George on his blog tour? Check out these dates and mark your calendar! You can also snag a copy of WOW's Events Calendar HERE.

Blog Tour Dates: Come and join the fun!

March 2, 2009 Monday
George will be chatting with WOW! Women On Writing at The Muffin. Stop by and share your comments! One lucky commenter will win copy of George's book!
http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/blog.html

March 3, 2009 Tuesday
George will be stopping by Writer's Round-About and sharing his advice on how to make a living as a writer! And, there's a book giveaway contest! Not to miss.
http://www.writersroundabout.com/

March 4, 2009 Wednesday
George will be stopping by Joyce Anthony's new blog for an exclusive author interview and book review.
http://joyce-anthony.blogspot.com/

March 5, 2009 Thursday
George will be stopping by Jo Ann Hernandez' BronzeWord's Blog to share his writing advice!
http://bronzeword.wordpress.com/

March 7, 2009 Saturday
George will be stopping by Mike's Writing Workshop for an author interview and guest post. Not to miss!
http://mikeswritingworkshop.blogspot.com/

March 9, 2009 Monday
George will be visiting Annette Fix's Paper Trail blog to talk about the craft of writing. Be sure to stop by!
http://www.annettefix.com

March 10, 2009 Tuesday
George will be visiting Writer Unboxed to share his tips on the five things every writer should know. I can't wait for that one!
http://writerunboxed.com/

March 13, 2009 Friday
George will be visiting Beth Morrissey's blog Hell Or High Water to talk about making a living as a short story writer. Another must read!
http://hellorhighwaterwriter.blogspot.com/

March 16, 2009 Monday
Thursday Bram will be reviewing George's book Pep Talks, Warnings and Screeds at her fantastic blog!
http://www.thursdaybram.com/

March 17, 2009 Tuesday
George will be stopping by Mary Jo Campbell's blog Writer Inspired for an exclusive interview and book giveaway contest! Comment for a chance to win a copy of George's book!
http://writerinspired.wordpress.com

March 19, 2009 Thursday
George will be stopping by C. Hope Clark's blog for an exclusive interview!
http://www.hopeclark.blogspot.com/

March 23, 2009 Monday
George will be stopping by Susan Johnston's blog The Urban Muse for a surprise guest post!
http://www.urbanmusewriter.com

March 27, 2009 Friday
George will be stopping by Day by Day Writer for an exclusive interview!
http://daybydaywriter.wordpress.com/

Get involved!

We hope you are as excited about the tour as we are! Mark your calendar, save these dates, and join us for this truly unique and fascinating author blog tour.

If you have a blog or website and would like to participate in George Singleton's blog tour, or schedule a tour of your own, please email Angela and Jodi at: blogtour@wow-womenonwriting.com

** Please feel free to copy any portion of this post.

Oh, be sure to comment on this post to enter in a drawing for a copy of George's latest book Pep Talks, Warnings & Screeds: Indispensable Wisdom and Cautionary Advice for Writers. Visit his website at www.georgesingleton.com

George will be stopping by to answer your questions, so ask away! ;)

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36 comments advice for writers, blog tour, George Singleton, George Singleton interview, Pep Talks, Warnings and Screeds