tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post7221251089167457244..comments2024-02-23T02:02:35.985-05:00Comments on Mudpies and Magnolias: Writers, pay yourself firstMaggie Toussainthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12011893139722870283noreply@blogger.comBlogger60125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-39832951543552492092012-12-06T07:09:07.142-05:002012-12-06T07:09:07.142-05:00Hello, I check your new stuff like every week. You...Hello, I check your new stuff like every week. Your story-telling style is witty, keep doing what you're doing! http://www.exoticcarrental305.combuy sizegeneticshttp://buysizegeneticsonline.tumblr.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-44422683677123546782012-04-11T16:02:05.490-04:002012-04-11T16:02:05.490-04:00Absolutely right! Even if others think you're ...Absolutely right! Even if others think you're selfish for "disappearing" to do your own thing or for not keeping up with everyone else, it's a necessity. The best marketing is to have books out there.LK Hunsakerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10706929624587891992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-59053874055772369392012-04-11T13:12:23.751-04:002012-04-11T13:12:23.751-04:00This has just changed my life! Logging out now and...This has just changed my life! Logging out now and writing my quota. Brilliant!Jenny Twisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15716569675973035423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-81651741797317429182012-04-11T07:55:41.853-04:002012-04-11T07:55:41.853-04:00Great reminder Maggie and one I've been heedin...Great reminder Maggie and one I've been heeding more of late. Thanks.Beth Trisselhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13742049964476824594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-5752284769367134602012-04-10T16:09:59.423-04:002012-04-10T16:09:59.423-04:00Maggie, thanks so much for the reminder. I gave a ...Maggie, thanks so much for the reminder. I gave a talk about this subject to our RWA group in New Orleans in January. Guess I needed a kick in the seat to remind myself!June Shawhttp://www.juneshaw.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-72369741703747606272012-04-10T16:04:35.314-04:002012-04-10T16:04:35.314-04:00Hi Jackie,
I've never heard of "Butt in t...Hi Jackie,<br />I've never heard of "Butt in the Chair Honey," but it makes sense. You have to put the time in. There are no free rides in publishing. Thanks for sharing that with us! Best wishes with the Maryvale Series. MaggieMaggie Toussainthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12011893139722870283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-74319947424899525442012-04-10T16:03:18.031-04:002012-04-10T16:03:18.031-04:00Hi Sheila,
I knew there'd be comments out here...Hi Sheila,<br />I knew there'd be comments out here today, but I waited until I was done with my writing today to click over to blogger. I'm still a work in progress, and I'm sure many writers feel the same way. Thanks for the visit! MaggieMaggie Toussainthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12011893139722870283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-14954108250041324932012-04-10T16:02:10.082-04:002012-04-10T16:02:10.082-04:00Hi Sandy, I have notebooks full of good advice. Fi...Hi Sandy, I have notebooks full of good advice. Find a good strategy for protecting your writing time and stick to it! Thanks for the comment. Come again, soon! MaggieMaggie Toussainthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12011893139722870283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-14970056130462077582012-04-10T16:01:16.369-04:002012-04-10T16:01:16.369-04:00Hi Joyce, How nice that you take care of your Muse...Hi Joyce, How nice that you take care of your Muse first and then plunge right into your writing. Best wishes with that new book! MaggieMaggie Toussainthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12011893139722870283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-39457553917756650732012-04-10T16:00:22.264-04:002012-04-10T16:00:22.264-04:00Hi Carole, The big challenge is trying to do both,...Hi Carole, The big challenge is trying to do both, but to focus on writing. I bend my rules slightly for the two weeks following a book release, then I get right back on my steady work diet. You will find the blend that's right for you. Best wishes, MaggieMaggie Toussainthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12011893139722870283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-5709967744140190972012-04-10T15:59:08.181-04:002012-04-10T15:59:08.181-04:00Regan, I'm so glad we're on a parallel jou...Regan, I'm so glad we're on a parallel journey. Wishing you all the best with your writing! MaggieMaggie Toussainthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12011893139722870283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-76629561432668887352012-04-10T15:58:22.880-04:002012-04-10T15:58:22.880-04:00Cindy, as authors we need a bit of an online prese...Cindy, as authors we need a bit of an online presence, but we're only as good as our work, therefore the work has to get done. Almost a catch-22, really. Thanks for the visit and the comment. MaggieMaggie Toussainthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12011893139722870283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-90052272484368588622012-04-10T15:56:59.277-04:002012-04-10T15:56:59.277-04:00Linda, We are singing the same song. Promotion is ...Linda, We are singing the same song. Promotion is necessary, but how much is enough? It's like feeding a teenage boy, the amount needed to do the job grows daily. We write the books, put them out there, spread the word, and then get going on something else. Promo is like a merry-go-round on crack, an ever spinning whirl that seduces you with self-importance. Humbly yours, MaggieMaggie Toussainthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12011893139722870283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-23258000615426556902012-04-10T15:53:43.722-04:002012-04-10T15:53:43.722-04:00Hi Julie, sounds like you have your routine down p...Hi Julie, sounds like you have your routine down pat. I admire your discipline! Best wishes, MaggieMaggie Toussainthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12011893139722870283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-76338218487582184772012-04-10T15:53:03.184-04:002012-04-10T15:53:03.184-04:00Wendy, If it feels discouraging because the whole ...Wendy, If it feels discouraging because the whole first draft is a 'tell', set up modest increments each day for edits. As in, today, I will work on page 1 and page 2. Once you get in the mode, after a few days, you'll be better situated to edit and your task won't seem like such a chore. It's the getting started that's daunting. Wishing you all the best! MaggieMaggie Toussainthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12011893139722870283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-1421730413866059602012-04-10T15:50:57.667-04:002012-04-10T15:50:57.667-04:00Paula, for you night owls, the paradigm would shif...Paula, for you night owls, the paradigm would shift to evening. During your prime writing hours, whenever they are, make a deal with yourself that you won't do social media, that you will only write. Perhaps you are already disciplined enough? If so, kudos to you!<br />MaggieMaggie Toussainthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12011893139722870283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-33428400296755022892012-04-10T15:15:51.641-04:002012-04-10T15:15:51.641-04:00Maggie: This was summed up for me at a meeting or ...Maggie: This was summed up for me at a meeting or conference somewhere but I can't remember where LOL. The way to success this writer said is "B.I.T.C.H." That means, "Butt In The Chair, Honey" - your typing chair that is. If anyone else can place it, let us know - it is definitely good advice, not profanity :-)<br />Best to all of us,<br />Jackie Griffey<br />Author of The Maryvale SeriesAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-49437171282549128002012-04-10T13:33:52.695-04:002012-04-10T13:33:52.695-04:00Absolutely on target. Social media can suck up tim...Absolutely on target. Social media can suck up time and brain cells that we need if we want to continue to be publishing writers. Thanks for the reminder - I'm sharing the link and getting off line!Sheila Bonehamhttp://www.sheilaboneham.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-13526948065043502382012-04-10T13:31:22.645-04:002012-04-10T13:31:22.645-04:00Great post. Best advice I've had in a long tim...Great post. Best advice I've had in a long time. Now, I just have to put it into effect.Sandy Codyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02824301408180614516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-82968180351837034342012-04-10T12:28:41.432-04:002012-04-10T12:28:41.432-04:00Great advice Maggie! My strategy is to confine mys...Great advice Maggie! My strategy is to confine myself to one online activity I really enjoy - it's an English Bloopers site on Facebook that never fails to make me laugh out loud and since most of my friends there are from India, where my new book is set, it serves a dual purpose of keeping me in touch with their amazing sense of humor. After relaxing this way it's easier for me to get to work...Joyce Yarrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13298746689887039885noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-76380835035133175882012-04-10T12:27:41.070-04:002012-04-10T12:27:41.070-04:00Sound advice, Maggie. And just in time. With my fi...Sound advice, Maggie. And just in time. With my first book coming out in August, friends expect me to become more active in the whirl of social networking. Time that should be spent finishing my second book in the series. Their intentions are the best, but I have to invest my time where it counts the most.Carole Pricehttp://carolepricemysteries.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-26283576730038836602012-04-10T12:19:36.458-04:002012-04-10T12:19:36.458-04:00Excellent advice, Maggie! Thanks for sharing your ...Excellent advice, Maggie! Thanks for sharing your perspective. I've found the same thing holds true for me. I've starting investing my best time in my writing - and amazingly the world did not come screeching to a halt because I wasn't on facebook first thing in the morning. LOLRegan Blackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15408260827542396423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-89490548461443460682012-04-10T11:13:49.788-04:002012-04-10T11:13:49.788-04:00Maggie,
I so agree! When my novel was near compl...Maggie,<br /><br />I so agree! When my novel was near completion, I started trying to get into the social aspect--online groups, website, blog--and now find them taking up my precious writing time. Thank you for your timely advice! I'm going to get back to writing FIRST!<br /><br />Cindy SmithCindy Smithhttp://blog.beebeesharpe.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-62301995471483159142012-04-10T11:00:27.936-04:002012-04-10T11:00:27.936-04:00Hi Maggie,
How right you are. We all succumb to t...Hi Maggie,<br /><br />How right you are. We all succumb to the promo advice. You have to promo! You have to promo! You have to promo! Unfortunately, we usually wind up promoing at the expense of writing.<br /><br />While promo is necessary, we usually do it to excess. After three years of unproductive promo, I've come to the conclusion that the only way I can do enough is either to spend all my time promoing, or pay someone big bucks to do it for me. Neither option is acceptable. I've decided a better strategy is to write more and build up my inventory and cut the promo to the minimum.<br /><br />The "common wisdom" about you have to do more or different promo for your book to sell is a disservice to writers, especially new ones. Anyone can promo, but only I can write my stories. Put the writing first.Linda Banchehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18143074276306710646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4740858803121444958.post-88474168586999108532012-04-10T08:54:12.244-04:002012-04-10T08:54:12.244-04:00I briefly check my emails in the morning but the m...I briefly check my emails in the morning but the main job of writing is done in the afternoon. Then I will do my writing or typing first, and only when I have done what I set out to do for that session will I go on the web and check emails, and do the round of social media sites and blogs.Julie Dayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10370540030678282595noreply@blogger.com