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If you aren’t working with a coach, I have one question for you - what are you waiting for?

Read the following article and find out what a coach can do for you and your professional career.

Personally, I find that working with a coach helps me attain my goals so much faster than I would be able to do on my own.

Why Everyone Needs a Coach

If you look around at the top performers today in any field - sports, sales, or even coaching itself - you’ll find that almost all of these top performers have at least one thing in common. They all had a coach at one time or another in their professional careers.

Whether your field is golf, tennis, running, sales, business management, or writing, a coach can help you perform at a much higher level. Here’s how:

1. A good coach will keep you motivated. Since you’ll have to report regularly to your coach, you’ll get constant feedback and encouragement, which will keep you motivated to achieve your best.

2. A good coach will offer a system for success. With a system in place, you’ll be more likely to stick with it. Plus, you won’t be taking just a hit-or-miss approach to success.

3. A good coach will help you learn to plan. Your coach will help you set goals that are realistic and design training that will help you achieve those goals. In other words, a good coach will keep you focused.

4. A good coach will offer you professional advice. After a while, you won’t rely on your coach for every decision you make about your career or performance. But you’ll still want the coach around when you need a little professional advice.

5. A good coach will help you get beyond certain plateaus when you no longer seem to be moving ahead and improving. Working alone, you might feel stuck at a certain point in your career. But a good coach will help you overcome those plateaus and move ahead to the next level of performance and accomplishment.

6. A good coach will help you accurately evaluate your progress. Sometimes it’s difficult to evaluate our own progress. We tend to focus on the negative, and only see our faults and failures. A good coach will help you see things more realistically.

7. A good coach will make the process fun. Let’s face it. What’s the sense in striving for your highest level of performance if you aren’t going to enjoy the process? Your coach will help you design a working schedule that won’t overwhelm you, so you’ll enjoy the entire process of achieving your best.

Top performers in all fields would probably tell you they wouldn’t be where they are today without a good coach.

Everyone needs a coach. So find a coach who is right for you. Then get ready to enjoy the climb to your top level of performance.

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Have a great writing day!

Suzanne Lieurance
The Working Writer’s Coach

Since everyone who stumbles upon my blog may not be a member of my mailing list, and not receive The Morning Nudge, here’s today’s
Nudge because I think this information is so critical to success.

Be sure to subscribe to The Morning Nudge - at right - and every weekday morning you’ll receive more words to inspire and motivate you to get a little writing done.

The Morning Nudge
Words to inspire and motivate you to get a little writing done today
***********************************************************************
Are you totally committed to your own success?
If you’re not sure, then you probably aren’t.
Here’s an easy way to become totally committed.
Write down the following phrase on a sheet of paper and tack it up next to your computer, where you will see it each time you sit down to write -
“Failure is not an option.”
Each morning, as you start to write, repeat these words to yourself a few times.
These words should not make you fearful and anxious.
Rather, they should let you relax because you no longer need to worry about failure.
It simply isn’t an option.
When you stumble, or face a setback or roadblock to the career you are striving for (which you surely will), you will no longer consider it a sign of failure.
You’ll simply refocus and try another route to creating the writing career of your dreams.
Okay. So what are you waiting for?
Write down the phrase on a sheet of paper and tack it next to your computer.
Become totally committed to your own success.
Then enjoy the journey that will take you there.
Try it.
***********************************************************************
Suzanne Lieurance
The Working Writer’s Coach
http://www.the-working-writers-coach.blogspot.com
Turning freelance writers into "working" freelance writers

If your pen won’t budge…read The Morning Nudge.

Sign up at right for The Morning Nudge, and each weekday morning you’ll receive a few words to inspire and motivate you to get a little writing done.
Here’s today’s Nudge:

The Morning Nudge
Words to inspire and motivate you to get a little writing done today
***********************************************************************
In today’s world you really can have anything you want in life.
That includes a successful writing career.
But you have to want it badly enough to make yourself do the things required to get it.
Many people SAY they want to become successful writers, yet they are always waiting for something to make that happen, instead of taking charge and making it happen themselves.
Do you really KNOW what you want as far as a writing career goes?
Just saying, “I want to be a writer,” is not clear enough.
What kinds of things do you see yourself writing?
What does your typical writing day look like?
What kinds of things are you willing to give up in order to do everything you can to succeed at writing?
Consider each of these questions, then take charge and start building the writing career you really WANT to have.
Try it.
***********************************************************************
Suzanne Lieurance
The Working Writer’s Coach
http://www.the-working-writers-coach.blogspot.com
Turning freelance writers into "working" freelance writers

Wow! First to the finish line in the 40 Article Challenge is fulltime freelance writer, Yvonne Perry.

Writer, Yvonne Perry

Congratulations, Yvonne!

Although today is only Day 27 of the challenge, Yvonne has already managed to write and submit 40 articles to article directories.

She has also compiled a new ebook (or two) and is offering it F.REE to subscribers to her newsletter.

So, don’t delay!

Visit her website at WritersintheSky.com and sign up for her newsletter today so you won’t miss the December issue!

Twenty-one other freelance writers are still part of this challenge - so good luck to them, too!

Keep up the good work, gang!

You’ll make it to the finish line soon too!

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Suzanne Lieurance
The Working Writer’s Coach

As a writer, do you have trouble falling asleep at night now and then? If so, that’s probably because your mind is still racing a mile a minute from your writing.

Writer, Linda Della Donna recently interviewed Sondra Kornblatt, another freelance writer who has developed a program called Restful Insomnia. In this interview, Kornblatt gives some tips for a restful night. Her tips are sure to be appreciated by writers during the frenzy of the holiday season.

The Secrets to a Restful Night: an Interview with Sondra Kornblatt, creator of Restful Insomnia

by Linda Della Donna

Sondra Kornblatt, creator of Restful Insomnia

Q: What are 10 successful habits for a restful night?

A: The habits for a restful night work to help soothe insomnia as well as letting you sleep. They involve

1. Soothing the night environment

* Keep lights dim, movements slow and small

2. Befriending the body

* Check with your doctor that your sleep is not affected by your health
* Notice your body: sensations, images, or sounds.
* Exhale deeply. Let the next inhale arise on its own.
* Feel your breath massage away tension from the inside.

3. Diminish the Thinking Mind

* Write lists
* Let your thoughts float. Let go of directing the outcome.
* Focus on the body

4. Release the Hold of Emotions

For comfort, hold one hand on your forehead and the other on the base of your
skull.

* Notice how you feel emotions in your body; watch as your body and
emotions change

5. Tap into the Natural or Spiritual Self

Write a loving guide would advise you about your problems.

Be grateful

Q: Where did the idea for Creative Insomnia come from?

A: I changed the name to Restful Insomnia to emphasize that it’s about inner creativity, not productivity.

Many years ago, I’d wake up most nights at about 2 or 3 a.m. I’d catch another snooze before the alarm went off, but I was exhausted and cranky all day. And cranky at night, too. I’d plump the pillows, watch the clock, think think think.

None of the usual & unusual (non-medical) insomnia cures worked. I tired calcium & magnesium, exercise during the day, eating a triptophan snack like turkey, not eating after 8, having a glass of wine, having no wine, eliminating caffeine, drinking Sleepytime Tea, melatonin… you name it.

After months of suffering, I asked myself: what would happen if I accepted insomnia? What if I spent those wakeful hours doing all those relaxation and awareness techniques I wanted to do during the busy day?

That was the beginning of changing insomnia. First, I befriended myself at night. Then I discovered that if I focused on my body and Unconscious Mind, instead of my planning and Conscious Mind, I mimicked the benefits of sleep. And even fell back asleep more quickly. Instead of cranky mornings, I greeted the days refreshed.

I developed the Restful Insomnia program, to help others renew during sleepless nights. I teach classes and write about techniques that:

* Soothe night environment
* Befriend the body
* Diminish the thinking mind
* Release the hold of emotions
* Tap into the natural or spiritual self.

While I have less insomnia now (I realized my chronic insomnia was due to a reaction to medications), I don’t suffer when I do. I use my techniques for restful nights and easier slumber.

I write and train about sleep and wellness.

Q: Tell me about your family, are you married? how many children do you have? Is your family supportive of your writing?

A: I am married with two children, a teen and preteen. My family is supportive. My son drew a picture of a book I was working on,365 Energy Boosters (Conari, 2005) years before it was published. I had it on my wall as my writing magnet.

Q: What is a typical writing day like for you?

A: There’s so much to do in a day! Between all the computer and online blogs and bugs, marketing, setting up classes. I write best when I have a deadline. Blogs are good for that. I do best when I meditate for 5-20 minutes in the morning. Then I remember that my writing doesn’t come from my over-worried Conscious Mind, and there’s more flow.

Q: Do you believe in writer’s block? If so, what do you recommend or do you do to overcome it?

A: I have more of an over-worried, over editing block. I get caught up in the computer or dirty dishes to wash or phone calls. The best writing boosts are to go to a coffee shop - at least then I don’t want people to see me goofing off with Solitaire. And I have a group of writers who drop in to a coffee shop, write for 30 minutes and read what they’ve written. I like writing by pen (you can’t click on the thesaurus every few sentences) and hearing the sound of what I’ve written.

Q: What is your favorite writing tip?

A: Can I give you more than one? Writing by pen, reading aloud, and editing on paper. They all change the usual mental computer routines.

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For more information about the Restful Insomnia program visit the website

For more information about interview services from Linda Della Donna, visit her website

Here’s a great article from freelance writer, Renee Kirchner for ways to get writing ideas.

Ten Tips for Getting Writing Ideas
by Renee Kirchner

The number one question I get asked when I tell someone I’m a writer is, “Where do you find all of your ideas?” This has never been a problem for me. In fact, I have the opposite problem. I have so many ideas swirling around in my head that it is hard to focus on just one. If you struggle coming up with ideas to write about I have some tips for you.

HOBBIES AND INTERESTS

A good place to start when looking for writing topics is your own hobbies and interests. If you are an avid gardener, you might want to write about gardens. If you love to cook, consider writing for the food section of the local newspaper or a gourmet magazine. If sports are your thing, you could interview athletes for sport’s magazines.

TRAVEL

Every time I travel to a new place, I see so many interesting sites. If you love to travel you could pitch a travel article to a magazine before your next trip. You might even get some of your expenses paid for. I have also written about new plants, animals, and tourist attractions I have seen on my trips.

THE NEWSPAPER

The first thing I do every morning after pouring a cup of coffee is to read the newspaper. You are bound to come up with new ideas every time you read the paper. Whether you enjoy reading the front page or the arts and entertainment section, you will find some new topic to write about. Take an idea and put a new twist or spin on it.

FAMILY

My family is a great source of inspiration for my writing. If you enjoy writing for children or parents, you will get lots of great ideas just by observing the members of your own family. Even if you don’t write parenting articles, you could write about a hobby someone in your family has or write about your dog or cat for a pet magazine.

PHOTOGRAPHS AND SCRAPBOOKS

Many times looking at old photographs is a good way to get ideas for your writing. Old memories will surface and you will remember long forgotten events. Maybe you will stumble across a picture of your kids learning to ride a bike or a camping trip you took with your family. There is no end to the possibilities.

TV

When you finish with your writing for the day, you might unwind by watching a little TV. I have found that educational stations like Animal Planet, Food Network, and the History Channel always give me ideas for stories and articles. You won’t feel so guilty about watching television if it inspires you to write.

DREAMS

I don’t know about your dreams, but mine can be kind of crazy sometimes. You should start jotting your dreams down as soon as you wake up in the morning. You might find a great plot for a story.

EXERCISE

This one always works for me. When I’m a little bit tired and the ideas just won’t come, I go for a walk or a bike ride. The exercise wakes up my brain and I starting thinking clearly again.

BRAINSTORMING

You probably learned this technique in school and used it to write compositions. Brainstorming is a very effective way of getting writing ideas. Pick a topic that you want to write about. Then start brainstorming about that topic and write down every related word that comes to mind. For example, if your topic is dogs, you might write down leashes, dog food, ball, bones, collar, Frisbee, walking, pet, friend, etc. Keep brainstorming on your topic for ten or fifteen minutes and you should have an idea for a story or an article.

LISTENING TO MUSIC

You might not be able to write while you are listening to music, but it is a great way to come up with ideas. Music often brings up memories of your past and it helps you to relax. Next time you are stuck for an idea, turn on the radio for a few minutes.

I hope some of these techniques for finding writing ideas work for you. I know they have always worked for me and I rarely ever run out of writing ideas. Happy writing!

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Renee Kirchner is a parent, educator, and freelance writer who specializes in writing for children and parents. Visit her fun and informational blog for parents and their kids and find out more about Renee’s writing services offered at her website or email her to discuss possible writing projects.

Article Source: ezinearticles.com

Happy Thanksgiving - if you live in the USA!

Here’s a great article from writer, Yvonne Perry, owner of Write On! Creative Writing Services. It is most appropriate for Thanksgiving Day since it shows how Yvonne is thankful and turns her thankfulness into meaningful intentions.

Enjoy…

Suzanne Lieurance
The Working Writer’s Coach

Opportunities and Goal Setting
by Yvonne Perry

Sometimes it feels like I’m too busy; I have more irons than I have fire to put them in! Other times, I wouldn’t have it any other way. It is in character for me to juggle several things at once. In fact, I think my photo is in the dictionary next to the term “multi-tasker.”

As a freelance writer and podcast host, I stay busy writing for clients and interviewing guests. However, there are a lot of other things that typify a day in the life of a freelance writer. There’s marketing to be done, leads to follow up on, blogging, writing for article directories, interacting with my writing team and other writing groups, phone calls to make and emails to answer. Each of these presents a new opportunity just waiting to be discovered. But, wait! Do I really need to sign up for everything that comes along?

Opportunities come for a reason. They give us choice and add quality to our lives as long as we choose the ones that are right for us and say “no” to the ones that don’t move us toward our goals. Setting goals is very important in any business. I’m not keen on setting goals that describe where I want to be ten years from now—to me that would be limiting my creativity. What if I set my goal too low or change my mind? I would only be setting myself up for disappointment. I’d rather focus on short-term or daily goals such as:

* Finish chapter two in Mr. Smith’s book
* Write one article for ezinearticles.com
* Follow up on Jones brochure
* Invoice client A for ad project

Each night I take a few moments to be thankful for all I was able to achieve that day and then write down in my “intention journal” my wishes for what I want to have happen the next day. If there are opportunities that I am exploring, I’ll add them to the list and spend a moment considering the pros and cons. I write things in present tense even if they haven’t yet occurred. This might not be the to-do list you would expect. For example:

* I am enjoying every moment of my day
* Everything goes smoothly for me; I have ease of well-being
* I am inspired to complete a writing project today
* Mr. Jones pays me on time and is pleased with my work
* Interruptions do not bother me
* My mind is clear and my body is healthy

These items on my list are not only my goals; they are backed with positive vibration that creates my life to my liking. This form of goal setting leaves room for the Universe to work on my behalf because I have not made demands on myself or my Higher Power, but I have made my requests known.

The next morning before I go to my office (25 paces from my bedroom) I take ten minutes to go over my wish list in a meditative mode in which I ask for divine guidance and help to do what really needs to be done. You might be surprised how mysteriously this works. My day really does go smoother and I do get that second chapter completed. Either I was not interrupted at all or I was not rattled by the interruption because the distraction was actually a manifestation of another intention. Perhaps it was Mr. Jones calling to say he had mailed me a check!

While I am a very task-oriented person, I don’t want to be a workaholic. I could easily work 16 hours a day. After all, it’s hard to quit work at five o’clock each day when you are already home! There’s always one more email to read or one more thing I want to put on my intention list for the next day. Still, I find that when I set my intentions and work toward my daily goals, I accomplish important things and I’m ready to leave my to-do list in my office and enjoy another part of my life.

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Yvonne Perry is a freelance writer and the owner of Write On! Creative Writing Services based in Nashville, Tennessee. She and her team of ghostwriters service clients all over the globe by offering quality writing on a variety of topics at an affordable price.

If you need a brochure, web text, business document, resume, bio, article or book, visit http://www.yvonneperry.net. While there sure to subscribe to the RSS podcast feed and the free monthly newsletter about writing, networking, publishing and marketing. Read more on Yvonne’s blog.

As a freelance writer, a few weeks ago I finished the first draft of a historical novel for a children’s educational publisher. It was both challenging and fun to bring the background and historical setting to life. Here’s a great article about how to do that from writer, Trish Anderson.

Local Knowledge: Background and Historical Setting in Novels
By Trish Anderson

You’re writing a story set in your local city, but one hundred years in the past. How can you recreate the feel of the past in your words of the present? Local knowledge, that’s how. And how do you get this sort of knowledge when your characters were walking around one hundred years ago and you’re situated well and truly in the 21st century? Exploration on foot, a reliable camera and a willingness to stand on a street corner and imagine everything and everybody as it was in the past.

A good place to start, whether the city or town of your story is close by or not, is internet research. Major cities and many less major towns have their own tourist and business websites, visitor information sites, museum and exhibition listings, historical society and genealogy sites, and maps galore. Look closely for any sites that offer free tourist booklets. As well as the usual restaurant and accommodation guides, maps and business listings, most tourist booklets will also include photographs and brief histories of the area.

Next go to your local library or bookstore, and find travel guides to the location you’re interested in. These travel guides will provide a well-rounded and “larger picture” of your area, and include customs, history, current information and maps. Other books that will be a boon to your research are historical novels and non-fiction works that are set in similar settings to your own. Non-fiction books have the added resource of the bibliography. Author talks are an extra benefit, especially question time. Have your questions prepared beforehand and listen to the questions and answers for other audience members.

If you live close to your setting or can travel there easily, the rest is as simple as driving off in your car or jumping on a train. Book yourself into a guided tourist walk. Put on your most comfortable walking shoes, grab your camera and a notebook, and off you go. From pub tours to historic house tours, there’s a walk that will suit your historical needs. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Relate them to your characters and storyline, and not only will you get pertinent, accurate information, but you may also be inspired with extra plots and new story ideas.

Visit the local museum for that area, obtain a listing of historic houses, find the local public art [often historical in inspiration], trek through transport museums and art galleries, attend cultural events and participate in writers’ festivals.

Factually, the accuracy of your novel should be vastly improved. Don’t forget to take plenty of photos and notes, and collect fliers, booklets and maps at every opportunity. These are all resources that you can refer to in the future. Good research shows through in every paragraph.

The next step is to walk the streets of your novel setting on your own, if it’s safe, or with a friend if you prefer. You should already know where the most appropriate sites are, going back for a second or third look will cement details in your head. Touch the walls, wander through gardens and smell the flowers, listen to the traffic and imagine how it must have sounded in the time period of your story. Your characters will be able to walk the streets and see the buildings for themselves. More importantly, your readers will be able to connect and relate to the realism you’ve brought to the pages.

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Trish is a freelance writer, novelist, and traveller from Sydney. Her recent publishing feats have included a short story in the online River Walk Journal, a quarterly arts bulletin for the Sutherland Shire and several non-fiction articles for websites, online journals and print publications. Her most recent research tour was a roadtrip through the South West Plains of America and the Rocky Mountains of Colorado and Wyoming. She is a regular tourist in her home city of Sydney, Australia.

Trish is available for research assistance, especially locations and settings in the greater Sydney area and beyond. Send your email query to: planderson@ozemail.com.au

Article Source: ezinearticles.com

The harder you work, the luckier you are likely to become. Create some good luck for your writing career by developing a weekly marketing plan. Here’s how to do it.

Freelance Writers: You Need a Weekly Marketing Plan

Most freelance writers who make a living from their work will tell you they are usually doing one of two things. They are either working (on a writing assignment) or looking for work (more writing assignments). That’s the only way to keep both the work and the money constantly flowing in so they can pay their bills on time.

One way to make it easier to keep new work coming in is to develop a weekly marketing plan. A good day to develop your plan for the week is either Sunday evening (when you’re getting ready for your work week), or Monday morning (before you actually start working). It isn’t difficult to develop a marketing plan for the week. The key is to do it each and every week.

Your weekly marketing plan should consist of a list of the following:

1. Editors and other contacts - These are the people you plan to call or email during the week. This may include an editor you wish to query, or one you need to follow up with about an assignment or contract, or it could be an editor who requested a resume and writing samples and you need to get them out to that editor this week.

2. Job Boards or other job listings - These are sites you plan to view to see if there are any new job listings that interest you. If you know certain web sites post new jobs for writers on Tuesday, then put that down on your plan for Tuesday. If you don’t have a list of online job boards, then plan to spend an hour or so in the coming week searching for some. Also, sign up for ezines for writers (that include job ads) if you don’t already subscribe to at least a few.

3. Promotional activities - You must constantly promote yourself and your writing in order to be a working writer. If you have a web site or blog, updating it each week is part of this promotion. If you don’t have a web site or blog to promote your writing, then you need to create one, so “start on website” or “create blog” would go in this category of your marketing plan.

Writing press releases about your business or for a new book you have coming out, or getting contracts to schools or other organizations that want to book you as a speaker, are other activities that come under this category. Writing free articles for article directories might also be included here since these articles will help promote you and your writing services.

4. Networking activities - This category is a bit different from contacts or promotional activities. If you belong to any community organizations, or groups for writers, jot down how you plan on using these groups for networking this week. You might plan to join a listserv for writers and then introduce yourself to everyone on the list this week, or you might want to attend your local business association meeting to let other business owners in your area know about your writing services. Just make sure you have at least a few plans for networking with other writers and/or businesses each week.

You can make your weekly marketing plan as general or as detailed as you like. But once you have written down all your marketing plans for the week, you will know how much time you should have available to work on your current writing assignments. Generally, working writers weave their marketing activities in with their writing activities each day. But some writers prefer to do all their marketing on Mondays, so they have the rest of the week to work on assignments. This is a good plan, but if you’ve applied for various writing assignments, you might get a response from an editor during the week and you’ll need to follow-up with him immediately instead of waiting until the next Monday when you try to do most of your marketing activities. In a case like this, it helps to be flexible.

One of the big payoffs in consistently developing a weekly marketing plan is that you will begin to receive more and more job offers. In fact, sometimes you will receive offers for jobs you haven’t even applied for. Editors will simply find your web site or blog and will call or email to see if you are available for an assignment. When this happens, you will realize just how important a weekly marketing plan can be.

So, no matter what day of the week it might be right now, if you don’t have a marketing plan for this week, get busy and develop one. You’ll be glad you did.

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Happy writing!

Suzanne Lieurance
The Working Writer’s Coach

Gee. Santa will be here before we know it. Better send him a letter ASAP to let him know what you’d like him to bring on December 25th!

Here’s an idea!

If you want to jumpstart your freelance writing career in 2007, then ask Santa to give you The Working Writer’s Coaching Program for Christmas this year!

Or - if you’ve been looking for the perfect gift for your writing spouse, then order The Working Writer’s Coaching Program and help your husband or wife get their career off to a quick start in 2007. When you order, indicate that this is a holiday gift, and give the date you (or your spouse) would like to start the program.

Find out more about The Working Writer’s Coaching Program here. Then order here.

If your gift is for yourself or your spouse it can even be tax deductible next year since it is a work related expense.

So - Ho! Ho! Ho! Happy Writing in 2007!

Suzanne Lieurance
The Working Writer’s Coach