Ted Tayler's Take on Deadlines vs. Sanity @Ted_Tayler #BookClub #Fiction #ShortStories

To meet deadlines you need to be well organised. It is essential that you plan ahead.

Above all never over commit yourself; always be realistic about what it is you have been asked to do. The ‘old chestnut’ – Fail to Prepare, Prepare to Fail – was never more appropriate!

When I’m given a deadline my first task is to break the project down into a series of tasks; I put a realistic estimate of how long each task in the process will take me and working back from my deadline I determine when I need to be taking that first step! Miss that – and you’re immediately swimming against the tide, so don’t waste any time getting the work schedule sorted out! Time lost at the beginning is a devil to make up later on.

It’s important to have an established routine and stick to it! When I’m writing I spend a minimum of five hours a day shut away, without distractions. Two hours in the morning, two in the afternoon and at least an hour in the evening.

In the waking hours outside of that schedule I switch off from the project totally. I may be walking or reading the newspaper, chatting to the wife over a meal, watching TV. I never stress about the project or wonder whether I should be writing, not relaxing. As long as I’ve hit my minimum five hours then I’m still on track to hit that deadline.

Because I’ve broken the project down to bite sized pieces at the outset, I now have a series of mini deadlines. As I complete each individual piece I check the ‘actual’ time taken against my ‘planned’ time; if I’m a little ahead of schedule I’ll ‘bank’ that time and plough on to the next stage.

When I was working with a management consultancy in the 1980s I got into the habit of writing a ‘to do list’ every day. Within each of your project’s stages there will be a series of tasks to perform. Write them down and if you plan to complete 5 items in a day then make sure you get the straightforward things done first. Tick each one off on your list as you complete it. If you have a tricky task to perform, leave it until last and then give it total concentration. If it’s a real ‘stinker’ and you can’t finish it until the next day at least you have achieved 80% of your target. If you get stuck into the tough one first there’s a danger that you’ll see the whole day drift by and your achievement % will be zero!

Provided you set realistic goals and keep to your day to day schedule you’ll be fine. Don’t get distracted! I shut myself away; no TV or music playing in the background; no mobile phone. When I’m halfway or perhaps three quarters of the way through a project I’ll check my ‘banked’ amounts and if I’ve got three or four hours ‘up my sleeve’, I’ll pack up early and treat myself. I may lounge in front of the TV and watch some sport.

If the wife is free I might suggest we go shopping (always a winner!).

I build a little flexibility into my project schedules; you have to, something unexpected can crop up, a family emergency just when you least expect it, but if you have given yourself that room to manoeuvre and you can steel yourself to leave any ‘banked’ time you’ve earned along the way until the whole project is completed then you can cope with most emergencies. There will be no more stress, no more missed deadlines and your sanity will be intact!

A collection of twelve short stories with an unexpected twist at the end. There are love stories, ghost stories and tales of revenge, all sprinkled with a touch of humour. In fact there's something for everyone, young or old. There are characters and situations you will readily recognise, but will you identify 'the sting in the tale' before you turn the final page?

Buy Now @ Amazon & Smashwords

Genre - Short Story Collection

Rating – PG

More details about the author

Connect with Ted Tayler through Facebook & Twitter

Website http://tedtayler.co.uk

Read More

Frances M. Thompson Shares 10 Things She Wishes She Knew Before @BushBirdie #WriteTip #PubTip

I published my first book Shy Feet: Short Stories Inspired by Travel in August 2013. As I approach six months as a published author I find myself still taking hard steps up the steep learning curve that is indie publishing. That said, the more I learn, the more I feel calmer about the future of my book and the ones that will follow. If I could go back in time and speak to myself about two years ago when I first started planning Shy Feet, these are the things that I would tell myself.

1. Some People Will Really “Get” You.

That first five star review on Goodreads from somebody you don’t know, who picked your book out of nowhere and read it and enjoyed it and grabbed hold of the themes, the characters, the twists and the turns that you toiled and toiled over for months, well, that will feel pretty special. And when you realise that they then took the time to write a beautiful review and ask you when the next book will be out; when that happens you’ll realise that people “get” you and your book. That is the best feeling of all. That is why you must keep writing.

2. Some People Won’t “Get” You At All.

On the other end of the spectrum, you will find that some people buy your book, will get around to reading it one day and may never finish it. Or worse, there are those who feel compelled to leave a one star review (see #4 below). This is not the best feeling in the world, but it’s normal. We all have our own personal tastes and preferences, your book just isn’t to that particular person’s liking; it’s never anything more sinister or tragic than that.

3. Editing Will Take Much Longer Than Writing The First Draft

I wrote the first draft of my short story collection in one month (as part of NaNoWriMo). It took me nearly six times as long to edit the stories into something I was proud of. Never underestimate how long it takes to get your fiction where you want it to be (and never stop until it’s there).

4. Bad Reviews Happen To Everyone

Go to one of your favourite books on Amazon or Goodreads and check out all the reviews. You see the one and two star reviews? That is proof of #2 on this list and it is reason enough to never let a bad review bother you, unless of course they are providing helpful criticism because your book was badly formatted or had too many typos in it, in which case consider these reviews a “To Do” list of what needs to be improved upon next time.

5. That Writing Is The Most Fun You Can Have With Your Clothes On

By far the most surprising thing I’ve learned in the last year is that writing is one of the most fun activities I enjoy doing. It has made me laugh out loud, cry on to my keyboard and smile until my cheeks hurt.

6. There Are Good And Bad Times To Publish A Book

When I published my book I thought I’d cash in on the beach holiday market. As it happened, it was in the middle of a hot European summer, people were already on holiday, or those at home were out doing things at weekends so reading wasn’t everybody’s top priority. I think a better time to publish would have been earlier in the summer or later in autumn - indeed my sales saw a big peak in the run up to Christmas. I’ll be mindful of this next time.

7. Marketing Is Hard, But Not Impossible.

The hardest part of being an indie author is marketing myself and my books. I have found it isn’t something that comes naturally to me and I stutter and stammer as I try to “do it right”. But truth be told, even if I were an expert with years of experience, nobody can categorically tell you what works when it comes to selling books. As the old adage goes, only 50% of advertising works but no one knows which 50% it is. What I have learned, however, is that marketing gets a little easier when I think outside the box and get creative, which is why I’ve created playlists for writing and for reading my book, I’ve been interviewed for a number of book-loving blogs and I’ve run signed copy giveaways on my own blog. These are marketing activities I enjoy, which makes it all a little easier.

8. Thinking Big Is Not A Crime.

It’s okay to want more. It’s okay to push yourself. It’s okay to get frustrated with how slow things seem to move. It’s okay to cry, scream and laugh like a madwoman when it all gets too much. It’s okay to think big and set goals that you may never reach. What isn’t okay is punishing yourself if you don’t, because you will then end up slowing yourself down even more. Be your own best friend in terms of thinking big, but also go easy on yourself when chasing those dreams get tough.

9. This Isn’t Going To Get Easier

But it will come quicker, smoother, and more naturally. Just don’t expect any shortcuts or corner-cutting because it is in the struggle that you make beautiful art.

10. You Are Not Alone

By far the most important lesson I’ve learned in the last 18 months since I decided to self-publish my first book is that I am not alone in this. There are hundreds if not thousands of other indie authors out there battling with the same challenges and connecting with some of them via blogs, the Alliance of Independent Authors or on Goodreads has helped me understand that being an author doesn’t have to be as lonely as some people think.

Buy Now @ Amazon & Smashwords

Genre – Short Stories, Contemporary Fiction

Rating – PG13

More details about the author

Connect with Frances M Thompson on Facebook & Twitter

Website http://www.asthebirdfliesblog.com

Read More

@GaryTroia's 5 Things You Didn't Know About Being A Published Author #WriteTip #Fiction

So, you’ve written your book, found an agent, your agent has matched your book with a publisher. What next?

1. It can take one year before your book is in print. Throughout the year you will receive two or three rounds of edits, then copyedits, then line edits. You’ll be asked to proof the cover copy of your book. A bio and a professional headshot will be created. Blurbs need to be written. At least 3 months before publication your book will be sent to reviews and the press for pre-publication reviews and to bookshops. 
2. You may or may not be lucky enough to have a publicist, either way you still have to market your own book. If you are fortunate enough, you might have a book tour. But touring Authors around the country is expensive, don’t expect any-more travelling by coach! You need to market yourself in any way possible, talk to local papers, radio shows, apply to be a guest at local conferences or speak at libraries, book clubs or schools. And don’t forget social media twitter, Facebook etc… 
3. You get to select your book cover. This is very unlikely, the book cover is usually the work of an art department, with the opinions of everyone from the editor, publisher, marketing and PR departments. Everyone has their say but you!
4. You still get rejections. It’s true. Just because you have a publisher doesn’t mean that your new manuscripts or proposals won’t be rejected. 
5. You will still be poor. If you are extremely lucky your book will make enough money so you can quit your job, the average book advance is a mere £3,000-£5,000 then you have to wait a year until it is in print-then if you’re fortunate enough to sell tens of thousands of copies you may be in a position to quit your day job.

For the first time ever, this collection of short stories by Gary Troia brings together, in chronological order stories and memoirs from Spanish Yarns and Beyond, English Yarns and Beyond and A Bricklayer’s Tales into one complete volume.

“Excellent! A collection of short stories about depression, alcoholism and drug use. Very compelling reading. I read this short story collection all in one go.” (Maria, Goodreads.)

A Bricklayer’s Tales is the ultimate “I hate this job” story, written as a collection of short stories and memoirs, each one revealing a snapshot in the life of Ray. Troia captures the tedium of working in a low paid, menial job and living hand to mouth. This book of short stories is sad and questions the reader to ask questions about their own life. This book achieves clarity without trying.

Ray has three expensive hobbies: drinking, drugs, and running away. Without the income that Bricklaying provides, he would not be able to maintain his chosen lifestyle, so he compromises his principles and continues with his trade.

A collection of short stories and memoirs that include:

The Cuckoo’s Egg. Boyhood antics lead to tragedy.

My Grandfather’s Shed. The making of an English key

No Comb on the Cock. Gypsies, champion fighting cocks, and career choices.

What I Did In My Summer Holidays In 1000 Words. Could having an idea ever be considered a criminal act?

My Best Mate’s Head. Did a weekend of boozing save Ray from certain death?

The Shetland Isles. A trip to sunny Benidorm, a chance meeting with some Glaswegians, and a cold, miserable job in Lerwick.

Pointing a House in Islington. Too much alcohol and cocaine don’t mix well on building sites!

Angel Dust. The peculiar story of a man whose new life in America leads to conversations with Ancient Greek philosophers

Peyote. Hippies, LSD and an idyllic refuge

Return Ticket. Handcuffed and ready for deportation. A sad departure from the States

When I Joined a Cult. Sober dating as Ray discovers religion.

Bilbao. How very, very English!

Teaching Other People. The grass is always greener-the escape from bricklaying.

A Week in the Life of Ray Dennis. With the prospect of no money for food or alcohol this Christmas, Ray has to find work quickly.

Catania. A meeting with a Sicilian fox, some Neapolitans, and a man with a camel haired coat.

Advert In The Art Shop Window. Will a new building job in Spain be the start of a new life?

Gaudi. A flight to Barcelona for a kebab, and a look at the Sagrada Familia.

The Day My Soul Left Me. “To be or not to be? That is the question”

How Not to Travel to The Alhambra. Hung-over, the wrong fuel, the car breaks down. Will they ever make it to Granada?

The Road To Ronda. A terrifying drive to Ronda, was it worth it?

Poking A Carob Tree. A new home and new neighbours, just in time for Christmas.

Spain Reborn.No more commuting to London. Lets celebrate!

Home From Home. A parallel world where the Spanish have taken over Weymouth.

Three Common Carp.An epic battle with a whale and marlin it is not.

Mrs. McClintock. An absurd farce in which a Glaswegian couple retire to Spain

Steak, Egg and Intensive Care. A harmless dinner leads to hospitalisation.

The Unchangeable Chameleon. Can a leopard change it’s spots?

A Bricklayer’s Tale. The story of a disillusioned, alcoholic bricklayer

A collection short stories and memoirs of British dark humour.

 Buy Now @ Amazon

Genre - Fiction, Short Stories

Rating - PG-16

More details about the author

Connect with Gary Troia on Facebook & Twitter

Read More