May 3 , 2005
A WriterOnLine Publication

My dear readers,

The theme for this issue is the business side of writing. Does that idea send the hairs on your spine to standing upright? It does for so many of us writers, which is interesting, because if you think about what we do and the skills needed for business, there are many overlaps. For instance, no matter what kind of writing we do, research is a component of the work. We research life in the 12th century for that historical novel, the correct procedure for installing a printer for that technical manual, financial planning for that feature article, and familial historical documents such as letters, old photos, and memorabilia for that memoir. Keeping track of, and organizing, all that research takes the same skills needed for business activities including tracking and recording expenses and income, organizing data for taxes, and keeping files neat and organized.

The key to maintaining a firm toehold on your business matters, though, is a good accountant. He or she is worth ten times his or her weight in gold! My accountant is a saint. In fact, she is a columnist for this newsletter. After years of having to constantly claw myself out of an ever-deepening pit of owed taxes, my accountant came along, and enlightened me to all of these things I never realized I could take as deductions! That's for me, a non-fiction writer. At the time, there was this fiction-writing SO in my life, and she knew just how to calculate the research he had done over a several year period against a specific project. Cool stuff.

So, the theme here in this column is to overcome your fear or aversion to the business matters at hand, and get yourself a good accountant! (Eve, are you taking new clients?)

Read on, my friends, enjoy, and until next issue, keep that ink flowing and those keyboards a'clacking

My warm regards,
Mary Anne Donovan

P. S. Have you seen Writer Online Learning Center lately? Just like here at WOL, the Learning Center has a whole new look, not to mention a new name. We have 25 courses, covering a broad range of interests and subject matter. New to the line up is Fiction Know-How, taught by Deborah Sutton. Check out the course description. Another cool course is Writing Poetry Inspired by Landscape or Place, taught by Jodi Rowland. Then, on the other end of the spectrum, check out Digital Communication Methods and Introduction to Technical Writing taught by yours truly.

IN THIS ISSUE

 

The business side of writing, and life, often seems pretty dull.  Yet, Pamela Beers and Judith Ellison Shenouda provide us with some witty and useful tips when its time to get down to business in “The Curmudgeon Speaks: Business Faux Pas: Mustard on Your Tie and Poppy Seeds in Your Teeth,” and “Yes, You Can!”

Getting down to business, you won’t want to miss your chance to answer this issue’s puzzle.

If your career is “going to the dogs,” or if it’s not, you’ll want to check out Shelley Bueche’s News to get the gossip on who’s career really has gone to the dogs.  Also, take a look at “Idea shopping in the classifieds” by Gloria Griepenstroh to for creative ways to kick your writing into gear.

While fishing for ideas for your latest work, you may find Christina Hamlett’s “How To Hook an Audience and Reel Them In” a useful tool.

In her article "Writing Like You Mean Business," our Queen of Left Brain Matters, Eve Munsky, gives us the insider's lowdown on just what are, and aren't, legitimate deductions on that old tax form.

And, don’t forget to “Quirky Contests—Writing the Unusual,” by Grace Tierney.  This is an excellent way to take a break from all that dreaded business. 

For those of you looking to test your skills in our contest, unfortunately, you’ll have to wait until next time . . . our contest writer is on break! 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

Enhance Your Writing Skills

If you’re looking for a creative outlet to express yourself, or if you just enjoy writing, don’t miss the chance to spruce up your skills by taking a writing course through the Writer Online Learning Center.  Maybe you’re new to writing or need a refresher . . . wherever you happen to be in the writing process, a course like, Get Up and Get Started: Making Your Writing Dreams a Reality, taught by Joy Rothke, is an excellent way to enhance your writing.

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News Bulletin

Exciting news! STAPLES office supplies has agreed to be an affiliate with WOL. Keep in mind that all of you educators out there can get a discount from STAPLES whenever you purchase anything from them. Writers, when purchasing office supplies, can now buy from STAPLES by going through WOL. Keep checking for special offers and discounts!

Puzzle

 

Business Savvy

For some of us, the business side of writing either makes our hackles stand upright or sends us off to the take refuge in our favorite comfort "thing" – eating great gobs of Belgian chocolate, sipping a robust Pinot Noir by candlelight, taking a calming walk through the woods. But after that stamina-inducing indulgence, it's back to the trenches to deal with the dreaded necessity of our writing life: business. read more

News

By Shelley Bueche

His Career Has Gone to the Dogs—Literally

This Ain’t Chicken Feed

Bad News Is Good News (for this publisher at least)

Novel Ways of Attracting Book Buyers

How Many Pieces of Chicken in That 10-Piece Box?