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When I was a high school English teacher I always spent at least part of my summers catching up on my writing. These days I have more writing projects than ever over the summers, so it’s definitely NOT a slower time for me. Instead of catching up on my writing, I simply try to KEEP UP with my writing.

If you just can’t seem to get your writing career up to speed, do something about it this summer. Attend a conference and become more motivated to write. Take a writing course or workshop (either in person or on line) and improve your writing skills. Hire a writing coach and learn how to become and stay focused on your writing. Join or create a critique group and benefit from the interaction with other writers.

Then, don’t forget to develop a marketing plan each week and a writing schedule, so you can write, write, write. It only takes one or two new writing assignments to gain enough momentum to pick up speed and make your writing career zoom!

Have a wonderful writing week!

Suzanne

Tags: Writing coach– Writing– Writers– Summer Writing– Writing Career

Normandy Cemetry

It’s Memorial Day. Take a few moments to read some Poetry, Prayers, and Lyrics written to honor those who gave their lives protecting our country.

I’m not talking about writing exercises here. I’m talking about the good old, physical exercise that makes you huff and puff and sweat so much you look like you just went through a carwash without your car.

It always surprises me when I meet writers who get no regular physical exercise. How do they clear the daily cobwebs from their minds and have the physical and mental energy required to write? I just couldn’t write if I never got any exercise. Not that I’m a great athlete, by any means. But I do like to get my blood pumping and keep these old joints flexible and my body from turning to pure mush. I also find that regular exercise improves my creativity, which is one of the reasons my husband and I take regular walks in the park - usually with our dogs. I get so many of my “great ideas” for my writing when I’m on a walk. But I also go to a health club at least three days a week and really challenge myself to work out hard enough that I become just a little stronger and just a little healthier each time.

If you’re a writer and you’re not getting some kind of exercise at least a few times a week, then try to change that. Start by buying a good pair of walking shoes. Then put them on and hit the streets or the sidewalks or the walking trails near your home. Let your mind wander as you’re walking. Just relax and enjoy the scenery.

After a few days of this, see if it doesn’t seem to improve your writing. Let me know…

Suzanne

Summer is the perfect time to recharge your writing. Attend a writer’s conference or workshop this season for motivation, inspiration, and information about the world of publishing. But first…

Read Part 1 of Renee Kirchner’s 2 part article called “Getting the Most for Your Money at a Writer’s Conference”

Find out why writers flock to conferences, workshops, and writers’ retreats in an article I wrote several years ago for smartwriters.com

If you write for children, find out about the SCBWI 35th Annual Summer Conference here. Also, check out the summer events offered through regional chapters of SCBWI here.

If you haven’t visited the Lieurance Group blog lately you’ll want to check it out today. There’s a very informative article about writing a book synopsis by Diane Samson and Bethany Klug, D.O. explains how to avoid a common “writer’s diet trap.”

The Teacher’s Pet (a.k.a., Carol Fraser Boles) offers some delicious end-of-the-school-year recipes and teaching tips at her blog.

Okay. So I know this is a really, really long post today. But I thought some readers would like to see a sample of my new newsletter. Here it is. Just sign up for my mailing list (at right) and you will get the newsletter delivered to your email box every month. Also, if you’re a fellow freelance writer and have news you’d like to share with my readers, email it to me by the last week of the month in order to get it in the next month’s issue.

   
   
Volume 1 Issue 1          -      May 22, 2006

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        NEWS FROM THE WORKING WRITER’S COACH

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MONTHLY UPDATES AND OTHER INFORMATION FROM THE WORKING WRITER’S COACH, SUZANNE LIEURANCE

Editor: Suzanne Lieurance
Email: Suzanne Lieurance
Website: suzannelieurance.com The Working Writers Coach Blog

MY subscriber list is NOT made available to others.
                 
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              IN THIS ISSUE
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1. From the Coach
2. What’s New at My Website
3. Writing Workshops Offered
4. Free Teleclass Coming Up
5. Co-Op News
6. Writing Tips
7. Interesting Sites to Explore

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1. From the Coach
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Welcome!

As a member of my mailing list you are receiving the first issue of my new monthly newsletter designed to provide you with updates about my coaching program and other writing news.

Since I love to network with other writers, if you’d like to share news or have an announcement that’s related to your writing or writing services, email it to me and I’ll be glad to include it in the next issue of this newsletter.

Happy writing!

Suzanne Lieurance
The Working Writer’s Coach

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INSPIRING WORDS

“When once the itch of literature comes over a man, nothing can cure it but the scratching of a pen.” Samuel Lover

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2. WHAT’S NEW AT MY WEBSITE
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Here are new items posted recently at www.suzannelieurance.com:

New Audio Clip: Be sure to click on my photo on the homepage for a brief audio message from me.

The Secret of my Success:An Interview With Children’s Writer, Debra McArthur.

Find out how Debra manages to have not one, but two, new books out this year while also working full time at a local university. Read the interview here

Visit this page for links to all sorts of recipes, cookbooks, and tips for cooking with kids. Click here

See photos of my recent author visits: Click here

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3. WRITING WORKSHOPS OFFERED
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Enhance Your Personal and Professional Life

I wanted to share with you, my readers, an extraordinary new website and opportunity to enhance all areas of your personal and professional life. My Friend and Associate, Pamela Harper has created an online university and attracted some of the most dedicated and talented Master Teachers from around the world.

You can access online audio classes 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the comfort of your home or office. You can also participate in live tele-classes with instructors. A wide variety of topics are covered including:

– Business and Professional Development
– Life Coaching
– Motivation & Support
– Health & Fitness
– Spiritual Growth

Imagine taking a class on starting or marketing your business, relationship building, spiritual coaching, public speaking, or motivational support; it’s all there and more. The best part is, you can have access to ALL the classes for only $19.95/month. Your membership includes:

* Access to the entire curriculum (take as many classes as you want).

* Free monthly items, including Audios.

* Discounts in Bookstore and Bonus Events.

* You can cancel whenever you choose, your $19.95 monthly membership is locked in for one year.

* Opportunity to earn residual income as a member.

Plus, as part of your membership, you will also receive a full-length Audio CD each month by mail. It really is amazing how much content is available for only $19.95/month. I think it is one of the best educational value on the Internet and I highly recommend you at least check it out.

Take a look. Here’s the link: University Of Masters

I offer “Writing for Children” at University of Masters. I hope you will join me for this fun, two session workshop. The “live” classes are offered the first and third Thursday of the month. But each session is recorded, so you can download the recordings and listen to them any time you want. Also, each session of this two-part workshop includes an e-workbook with exercises and information about writing for children, so you’ll want to keep these two workbooks as handy references to use whenever you’re writing for kids.

I hope to add to the list of workshops I’ll be offering at University of Masters soon. When I do, I’ll announce them in this newsletter.

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4. FREE TELECLASS COMING UP
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Don’t just dream about becoming a freelance writer. Do something about it.

Join me this Monday night, May 22nd (Yikes! That’s tonight), at 7:00 p.m. (CT) for a sample session of The Working Writer’s Coaching Program and find out if my personal coaching is right for you. During this special session we’ll discuss things you can do right now to get your own freelance writing career started.

For an invitation to this special event, simply send me an email. In the subject line put “invitation, please.” In the body of the message include your NAME and TIME ZONE.

You won’t want to miss this call. You could be living your dream much sooner than you might think!

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5.CO-OP NEWS
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A few months ago I started a co-op for freelance writers and graphics designers. At the start there were only four members. Now, the co-op is steadily growing.

Whether you’re a small business owner or a freelance writer, a co-op might be just the thing to generate more business for you too. Read this article and find out.

Need More Business? Create a Co-Op

If you’re the owner of a small business and have limited resources, use the power of numbers to obtain more customers or clients. Create an informal co-op.

Creating such a co-op is simple. First, make a list of other small business owners you know personally, trust, and respect. On your list, include some businesses that have products or services similar to yours and others that provide very different ones.

Read the entire article here…

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6.WRITING TIP
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Are You Losing Credibility - and Writing Assignments?

Even though you probably learned all about homonyms in elementary school, you can still have trouble choosing the correct word for a sentence sometimes. Homonyms are words which are pronounced the same but have different meanings and different spellings. Homonyms are NOT detected by spell check, so don’t look for your computer to weed out incorrect homonyms for you when you’re finishing up a manuscript to submit to your editor.

Even people with advanced degrees sometimes misuse homonyns. Don’t let that happen to you. You’ll lose credibility with editors and they won’t give you the writing assignments you’re after.

Read the entire article here…

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7. INTERESTING SITES TO EXPLORE
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Here are some sites you will want to explore:

If you’re a writer yourself, you’ll want to read author, Lisa Harkrader’s post about the Library of Congress’s Center for the Book. The National Center has affiliate centers in all fifty states. Find out more by reading Lisa’s post at her blog. Here’s the link: LD Harkrader

Writer, Renee Kirchner has a fun and informational blog for parents and their children. Read some of her tips for traveling with children, here: Renee Kirchner

The Teacher’s Pet, Carol Fraser Boles, offers tips, recipes, craft ideas, and other helpful information for parents, teachers, and other educators at her blog: The Teacher’s Pet Place

Visit my fellow Enslow authors by checking out their sites…

Kimberly Campbell

Maurene Hinds

Lisa Rondinelli Albert

Dianne M MacMillan

Wendie Old

Jennifer Reed

If you’re a children’s writer and you have an author’s website, be sure to sign up for a link to your site at America Writes for Kids. Authors are listed here by state so parents, children, librarians, and anyone who wants to find an author for a school visit, get information for a school report about a particular author, or just find a good book to read can get that kind of information here.

I get booked for school visits by many schools across the country through this site. Check it out: America Writers For Kids

Write On! Creative Writing Services is a tem of highly qualified writers with many years of experience in journalism, ad copy, screenplay, creative and business writing. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, these ghostwriters offer a professional, quick and easy method for outsourching writing for press releases, articles, fiction and non-fiction books, proposals and query letters at an affordable price. writersinthesky.com

SUMMARY
More Than Meets the Eye: True Stories about Death, Dying and Afterlife Authored by Yvonne Perry

Including a commentary by Dr. Aaron Milstone of Vanderbilt University Medical Center, More Than Meets the Eye: True Stories About Death, Dying and Afterlife covers many aspects of the dying and grieving process. Perry uses true stories to look squarely in the face of euthanasia, suicide, near-death experience, post-mortem processes, hospice care, assisting the passing of a loved one, spirit visits from deceased loved ones and other topics people are somewhat reluctant to talk about. The book offers non-religious information and insight to assist people in finding peace about the mysterious process of transitioning back to God/Source. A legal document that may be used as a living will is included in the appendix.

Read more at yvonneperry.net or purchase at amazone.com.

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News from the Working Writer’s Coach
Copyright 2006, Suzanne Lieurance
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Wow! So many writing projects…so little time. Is that the way you feel? Me too. But that’s why I prepare my weekly marketing plan every Sunday night, just so I can stay on track during the week when so many NEW projects start calling my name.

One of the items on my “to-do” list last week was to start a newsletter for my coaching program - something I could also use to announce updates to my writing website and provide other writers with writing tips and other news. Well, I’ve managed to get the first issue put together, so sign up for my mailing list now if you’d like to receive this month’s issue (see the boxes in the right column of my blog to sign up for my mailing list - you’ll also receive two free ebooks for writers when you do). And, just so you know, this newsletter is not all about me. Find out what other freelance writers are up to and how they juggle their writing projects with their everyday lives.

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There are only a few more spaces left for tomorrow night’s free tele-coaching session, so scroll down to last Wednesday’s post to see how to receive an invitation to this event if you’re interested.

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On a completely different note - visit the blog for my gourmet food business (Three Angels Gourmet Co.) today for a yummy recipe for a Spicy Chicken Rub you can make yourself. My plan is to have my husband grill chicken this evening while I’m on the phone coaching students. Then we can enjoy a lovely dinner together once I get off the phone.

Carol Fraser Boles (a.k.a. the Teacher’s Pet) has a quick and yummy recipe for Fruit Smoothies that you’ll want to try.

Renee Kirchner offers Ten Tips for Taking Control of Your Television, something we should all probably try to do when our kids have more free time during the summer.

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Have a great day!

Suzanne

Wow! My sample coaching session for this Monday night (May 22nd) is booking up quickly. But there’s still time to take part in this free teleclass. But you need to email me for an invitation TODAY, before ALL the spaces are gone. Read my post for Wednesday (below) to find out how to receive an invitation to this event.

You can get your summer off to a great start with my intensive 8-week coaching program. By fall your freelance writing career will no longer be JUST a dream.

Sign up for Monday’s free session and find out if The Working Writer’s Coaching Program is exactly what you’ve been searching for.

If you’re a freelance writer looking for work, many times you’ll see job ads that ask for a cover letter, resume, and writing samples or clips. You have no trouble writing a cover letter, and you have a resume on hand. But when it comes to writing samples or clips, you’re stumped. What does the editor really want to see?

Well, the answer to that is - the editor wants to see if you can do the type of work he needs. For example, if he’s looking for someone to write press releases, don’t send him a copy of a short story you wrote about Great Aunt Edna - even if it did win 1st place in a writing competition. That’s because a short story won’t let this editor know you can write press releases.

If an editor asks for “clips” he means he wants to see examples of your published work. Sometimes, though, an editor wants to see unedited writing samples - so he gets a feel for how heavily your work will need to be edited. If the ad asks for “unedited samples” then send samples that have not been edited by a professional and/or published.

Although there are no hard and fast rules for sending writing samples, here are a few tips:

1) For clips - send only examples of your published work. At the top of the clip, write the name and date of the publication.

2) For writing samples - these can be either published or unpublished examples of your writing.

3) Whether you’re sending clips or writing samples ALWAYS send a sample of work that is closely related to, or an exact example, of the type of work you are seeking.

Once you’ve been freelancing for a while you’ll develop a “clips file” that contains samples of various types of writing. You’ll usually be able to pull something appropriate from this file to submit with your cover letter and resume. But, if you don’t have anything that is a good example of what a particular editor is looking for, then sit down and write something that IS representative of what this editor needs. You’ll have better luck getting the assignment or freelance work because you’ll be giving the editor just what he wants to see.

In a few hours I’ll be taping session two of my two part workshop, “Writing for Children,” at University Of Masters - but you can take my workshops any time. That’s because they’re taped and you simply download the audio files, then listen to them on your computer or put them on a CD.

Today I’ll be explaining how to critique your stories for children and how to market them. As part of this workshop series you’ll also receive two e-workbooks that are full of great information for anyone who wants to write for children.

I hope you’ll join me for this live session today - or just sign up and listen to the workshop later.