The Author's Guide to Planning Book Events: Tips and Tools for Bookselling Success by Carol I Hoenig

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Paperback

Admittedly, I have a pet peeve about struggling writers who invariably ask authors during the Q&A portion of an event what their writing schedule is like. It's as if these newbies are seeking guidance on how they should find time to write. For what it's worth, I always thought if one wants to write, actually, if one needs to write, he or she will find the time and doesn't need to mirror another writer's timetable.

But then I began to take a closer look at the progress I wasn't making on my latest work and realized that perhaps I should stop being critical of the question and find the answer for myself since it seems I only get to this particular work perhaps once a week and only for an hour or two. Because I am in front of my computer from morning till early evening as a publishing consultant, which besides consulting includes editing and publicity, I find it necessary to distance myself from my office for some down time. However, after I settle into this down time, I find it more difficult to kick myself back into gear and be creative. But that has got to change and I must find a schedule that will help me complete my work. After all, it's my writing that makes me feel most alive and not giving the attention it deserves means that I'm not breathing to full capacity.

So here and now, I am committing to working on my work-in-progress each day, even if it means less down time-no excuses. Even if it means I don't watch any television for the day. Even if it means I take on one less client. And when I am doing an event for my already published works and a new writer wants to know about my schedule, I can say this much, "I write everyday, no matter what."  And that should be the case for every writer, whether it's the first thing in the morning, squeezed in to the middle of the day, or in the evening. The important thing is to keep writing in order to complete that manuscript!

PS: Anyone who lives on Long Island, please consider coming out to hear Brenda Janowitz, Ellen Meister, Saralee Rosenberg and me read next Monday evening in Oceanside. Details here:

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