Networking....

Not that I'm choosing favorites or anything like that, but I'm really growing to like how easy it is to network and "share" content using facebook.  I've been using this site for quite some time now and, lately, it's become one of my favorite tools.

Here's my profile: Jenn Hollowell

As you can see, I use this site as a tool for networking and promotion daily (feel free to add me, if you'd like).  As my career grows, I'm hoping my networks will grow.  I'm testing out some others in terms of how quick, user friendly, and efficient they are.  So far, this one has been topping my list.

What are your favorite networks and why?

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June WILL Be Better!

The map is back!

Okay, I tried not to write every little thing down.  I tried not to plan too far ahead.  I tried to keep everything simple, short, and sweet.  What happened?

As I mentioned before, my productivity slipped badly.  I'm not accomplishing even close to what I was doing when I was mapping, meticulous, and fanatical.  It worked for me.  It was my way.  It kept me organized, busy, and working.

I understand people think I'm strange for using this kind of methodology.  Fine, whatever, I don't care.  I don't turn my nose up at their methods (or lack thereof), do I?  Nope.  To each his own.  Therefore, I've brought the map back out . . .

. . . it's a bit dusty, but it works.

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It's Another Monday

I'm keeping today's to-do list very manageable.  Each time I think about everything I "should" be doing, I get completely overwhelmed.  Instead, I'm just going to write a little out . . . and when I finish that, I'll add a little more.

Mondays seem to always be like this when I take the weekend off.  I still worked my outside job on Sunday, but I didn't do any writing, promoting, or research like I usually do . . . taking an "almost" weekend off from time to time is important, as far as I'm concerned.

What is your Monday like?

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Another Book?!

I revealed this to a small circle of friends over at the Absolute Write Water Cooler, but after a lot of careful consideration, I've decided to start work on the proposal for my second book.  In October, the idea was accepted, so I know the proposal will be read . . . it if is accepted, well, that's another story.  I'm going to keep the negative thoughts out of my mind!  ::smiles::

This book will be about home buying, taking off on the ideas in The Complete Guide to Building Your Own Home and Saving Thousands on Your New House.  For example, in the beginning of my book I explain about how being an owner-builder isn't for everyone.  So, once this second book is published, they'll have another reference to turn to if they decide to buy instead of build.

See how it all ties together?  I'd like to follow this next book with another about how to decorate the house you've just built or bought . . . . but that's likely to be explored at the end of the year.  So, I'll put that in my pocket for now.  (hopefully it won't be run through the washing machine....)

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Interesting Observations.

I made a very interesting observation that is worth noting.  Typically, I'm very fanatical about list keeping and mapping out plans.  I meticulously plan out each work day for a couple of reasons: to ensure productivity, and to keep myself from missing deadlines.

This month, for some weird and strange reason which I still can't quite seem to figure out, I decided not to map out the month ahead of time or create daily to-do lists.  What happened?

Productivity quickly fell off and I've fallen behind on even the simplest of tasks.  I thought that was very interesting considering most people in my real life think I'm a nut for writing every single little thing (make coffee, drink coffee, wash cup, dry cup, put cup away, close cupboard door . . . okay, maybe I'm not that bad . . . but close) down on my to-do lists.

The proof is in the pudding.  (great.  now I want pudding.)  If I don't make these crazy, overwhelmingly ridiculous lists . . . I can't work!  What works for me obviously doesn't work for everyone else.  However, everyone else can't convince me to stop based on that fact.  Right?  Right!  Where's my notebook . . . .

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I Don't Need to Convince Anyone I'm a Writer: My Work History Speaks That Truth

Yesterday, I was thinking about how my career has gone from "in the shambles" to "published author" in a matter of six months.  Hard work, dedication, and perseverance are just some of the things that were able to help me get back on the writing track.  Patience, time, and balance also played leading roles in this bit of drama.

I feel the need to take inventory of all of my accomplishments since the start of my career in 1999.  There are days when I really feel like I haven't done anything with my career, which leads to surprised feelings when strangers compliment me on what I've done over the years.  (People look back at my history?  Interesting...)

• I wanted to write articles for the web.  I did.  (still do)

• I wanted to write for print newsletters.  I did.

• I wanted to write for email and e-newsletters.  I did. (still do)

• I wanted to write for magazines.  I did. (still do)

• I wanted to be an essay writer.  I was.

• I wanted to be copywriter.  I was.

• I wanted to write how-to articles.  I did. (still do)

• I wanted to be a blogger.  I did. (still do)

• I wanted to write for newspapers.  I did.

• I wanted to be a copyeditor.  I was.

• I wanted to be a manuscript editor.  I was.

• I wanted to write for a trade publication.  I did.

• I wanted to serve in a leadership position.  I did.

• I wanted to write a non-fiction book.  I did. (still do - starting another)

What is there that I haven't tried in the writing world?  There's actually QUITE a bit.  Am I going to dip my hands into every orifices of writing types?  I don't know.  I think that I've managed to dabble and do a lot so far, though.  What's marked "still do" is what I've enjoyed the most.

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I Have Spring Fever!

Can you guess what I would rather be doing than working today? 

I want to play in my container gardens in the worst way.  I want to build mini-rock structures, I want to go to the flower nursery, I want to dig.....

I'll stop now.  This is common for small business owners: the strong desire to be doing anything except what we should be doing.  Working.  I have a day off coming up this weekend, so I think you all know what I will be doing.

Have you caught spring fever?  Are you struggling through your work day because you'd rather be doing other "spring" activities?  How do you manage?  Do you have strategies to get through . . . aside from ignoring the desire?

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Tips 'n Tricks 'n Stuff....

I need tips.  I need advice.  I need stories from the trenches.  I need writing parents to come forth and comment!

Why?

Well, there are days when every writer feels like they can't juggle everything.  They feel like they can't juggle parenthood, household responsibilities, running errands, cooking, and their careers . . . all in one week, day or month.  This is normal for any work at home parent, not just writers.

So please, come one and come all - comment to your heart's desire!!

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Networking

I've spent the majority of the day on networking and promotion.  I'm trying to get caught up on the assignments I mentioned earlier, as well.  I'm working on homework with the kids in the midst (they're here with me in my office), so it's been blending together nicely.

I'm starting my column back up with AbsoluteWrite.com again this month, so stay tuned for that.  The theme, for those of you who are new to these blog posts, is getting your freelance writing career back on track.  I feel out of my monthly schedule over there while I was trying to get my *own* career back on track!  :-)

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Good Morning!

Taking yesterday off to celebrate Mother's Day was such a treat. I was able to plan my gardens, spend time with my children, have a BBQ here with my boyfriend's parents, and RELAX.

Even though I told myself I was taking a day off, I still felt the tugs of responsibilities.  I made a to-do list for today's work, I did laundry, and I did groceries.  So, I wasn't completely disciplined when it came to taking time out for me.

I don't know why I'm like that.  Anyway, it's back to the grind today.  I'm catching up on some blogs that have been sorely neglected, as well as some assignments that keep slipping through the cracks for one reason or another.

What do you have planned for this [sunny and breezy] Monday morning?

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