A few months ago when I asked my Anaheim library what they were doing for the first annual Indie Author Day on October 8th, they hadn’t even heard of it.

Here’s the email I got from them today:

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Calling All Local Indie Authors

This October, libraries across the United States will host local Indie Author Day events designed to bring local writing communities together to participate in author panels and events. The Anaheim Public Library is excited to invite you to participate in its inaugural Indie Author Day Fair on Saturday, October 8, 11:00am to 2:00pm at the Central Branch Library. If you are a self-published or small press author living in Orange County, you are welcome to submit an application to participate. Prospective authors should review the guidelines and submit the completed application by September 9, along with a copy of their book(s) for review. For those of you in the Orange County, CA area here’s the link to the application http://www.anaheim.net/DocumentCenter/View/12695

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Being an indie author means you must look for every opportunity to promote and market your book. What opportunities have you uncovered in your community? Tell us in the comments.

For more ideas, be sure you are active in some of the many  groups of published authors in your community and online. I strongly recommend the following:

• https://coloryourlifepublished.com
• https://www.facebook.com/ColorYourLifePublished/
• https://www.facebook.com/groups/GutsyIndiePublishers/
• http://www.ibpa-online.org/
• http://publisherswriters.org/ — See San Diego and Orange County chapters

What other groups can you recommend?

It happens to all writers. You are typing at a clip, fingers flying across the keyboard, when suddenly not another idea nor word comes forth.

Nada. Zero. Zilch.

At some point, all writers hit a block, a period of congestion, a time when the ideas seem to dry up. When that happens, it’s important to get busy doing something about it.

Hopefully you removed all distractions before you began writing. If not, let’s do that first. In case you need help with this, one of these nine distraction-free tools may be just the thing for you.

When your mind wanders and writer’s block renders you wordless, here are the top ten tips and tricks to get your creative juices flowing again.

1. Get your blood flowing.

Revive that numb butt. Take a brisk walk, exercise, or shake your booty to your favorite music. Fortunately, walking around my block is about 3/4 of a mile. If I continue past my house for a few more minutes,  I can put in a mile in no time. Dan Brown uses a more unusual way of getting blood flowing, but you’re advised to exercise caution before trying his technique alone.

2.  Work on another chapter or type of writing.

When I get stuck in a given chapter, I switch to working on a different chapter or creating the book description. This is a good time to write that heartfelt letter of appreciation.

3. Change your location.

If you’ve been writing in your favorite writing spot, get up and relocate to another room. You may even need to work on the patio or yard. How about going to a library, coffee shop,  bookstore or park? The idea is to momentarily break your routine.

4. Change to a non-writing activity.

Go check on your goldfish, water the backyard, or sort your sock drawer. I never thought I’d recommend washing dishes, but it works too, and gives you a sense of accomplishment, Okay, don’t like these? Pick another non-writing activity then.

5. Write nonsense.

When I students in my writing class hit a block, I urged them to write “I can’t think of anything to write” over and over. Eventually the brain will tire of this monotony and open up your creative flow again.

6. Switch writing tools.

If you’ve been writing on the computer, switch to writing on paper with a pen, markers, pencil or crayon.

7. Browse through your photos or camera roll.

Enjoy reminiscing as you revisit photos from your parties, milestones, and other occasions.

8. Call a friend you haven’t talked to in a while.

At times like this, I especially enjoy reaching out to a friend who is home-bound, whether it’s temporary or long-term.
There are tremendous mutual benefits and it’s good karma.

9. Do another creative activity.

Paint, knit, or work in your garden.  Pull out your crayons, color pencils, markers or gel pens and enjoy one of the coloring books for adults.

10. Laugh for no reason.

Dr. Madan Kataria, an Indian medical doctor, created laughter yoga for its health and wellness benefits. Laughter shares some of the same benefits of aerobic exercise and does not have to be tied to humor. Learn how from the TEDx video below.

By the way, writer’s block cannot be cured or avoided. It’s an inevitable part of being a writer. Many reasons are given for writer’s block, but regardless of the source, prolific writers find ways around and through it. Graham Greene found success by keeping a dream journal.

How do you deal with writer’s block? Does one of the tips in the article appeal to you? Share your thoughts below in Speak Your Mind.

 

 

When Prince died on Thursday April 21, 2016, he left behind a music legacy and larger than life memories, but no will. What can authors learn from Prince about the importance of a will? Given that Prince was tenacious about maintaining control over his work during his life, it’s ironic that he didn’t put plans in place for what happens to his estate after his death.

I asked my friend, Vickie Schumacher, author of Understanding Living Trusts®, to help us understand if it’s important for authors to create a will.

How common is it for authors and others artists to die without a will?

The recent revelation that Prince died without a will reminds us that he is just like us. Studies continue to cite that more than 55% of adult Americans do not have a will or estate plan. Many people, authors among them, procrastinate about estate planning. They think they are too busy, or that they don’t own enough, or that they’re not old enough, or they’re confused and don’t know what to do or who can help them.

What happens when we die without a will?

If you don’t do anything and die owning assets in your own name, the probate court will take control of your assets, pay your debts and distribute your assets to your next of kin according to the laws in your state. (You may have noticed that Prince’s sister just opened a probate in his home state of Minnesota.) If you die without a will, you will have no say over who receives your assets. In many states, if you are married and have children, each will receive a share of your assets, and your spouse may not receive enough to live on.

Most states allow for the inheritance of property only by bloodline, so an unmarried partner, companion, special friend or favorite charity would not receive anything. (Sorry, Prince’s entourage.) Also, if you have minor children, the court will control their inheritances and will appoint their guardian without knowing whom you would have chosen.

What can heirs to an estate expect when there is no will?

Probate is not free. It is a public process, invites unfamiliar heirs to come forward, and can easily take more than a year. If you do not have a will, it can be expensive and time consuming to look for your heirs. All costs are paid from your assets and if no heirs are found, the state in which you live will become your heir.

I’ve heard we should have a trust instead of a will. What’s the difference?

Having a will does let you state whom you want to receive your assets, but a will must go through probate to be validated and enforced. Also, a will provides no protection at incapacity because it cannot go into effect until you die. Avoiding court interference at death (probate) and incapacity (conservatorship or guardianship) are two main reasons why so many people prefer a revocable living trust instead of a will in their estate planning.

When should we begin estate planning?

 

After reading through their infographic, I spotted a number of areas I need to fix before my recently-released book, Color Your Life Happy: Create Your Unique Path and Claim the Joy You Deserve is ready for BookBub’s selection process. Visit my book on Amazon at http://tinyurl.com/florabfyn  Then tell us in the comments what areas I need to improve?

 

 

Are you looking for great holiday gifts for the writers in your life? Here are some fun, functional, and unique gift ideas for not only the holidays,  but also for birthdays and other special occasions all year round.

1. Favorite Snacks

Writers have rituals that include having handy snacks nearby. F. Scott Fitzgerald loved canned meat and apples, Nora Ephron could down three Krispy Kreme doughnuts in one sitting, and Julia Child’s favored red meat and gin. What’s your writer’s favorite snack? Give the writer in your life a supply of their favorite munchies or a gift certificate for the store that carries them. They’ll enjoy fond memories of you every time they indulge.

2. Writing Inspiration

3. Cool Tools

 

4. Stress Relief

Since writers spend many hours working in one position, carpal tunnel neck and body cramps are occupational hazards. If you’re skilled enough, give a personal massage. If not, invest in a gift certificate from the local massage school or parlor in the area. Groupon may even have a great deal available in your writer’s area http://www.groupon.com/local/massage

5. Smart Tools

+++++++++++++++

 

Whether your writer is new or experienced, she will enjoy taking a class to sharpen skills. Here are some ideas:

 

• A free 14-week creative writing class
• Writers Digest University online classes
• www.lynda.com-a membership site that offers software, creative and business skills

6. Unique Literary Clothing Makes Great Gift Holiday Gifts

Out of Print spreads the joy of reading through the teeshirts and accessories celebrating the world’s great stories and featuring iconic and sometimes out of print book covers. Because they realize that some parts of the world have no access to books at all, for each product they sell, they donate a book to community in need through their partner Books for Africa.

 

 

 

7. Contemporary Tee Shirts Help Promote Authors’ Books

8. Postertext

 

 

Posters are made with the entire text of a classic and some contemporary novels.

This Benjamin Franklin poster, for example, is made from the entire text of The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin.

 

 

9. Top 50 Literary Magazines

Every Writer offers a list of the top 50 literary magazines. Your writer may enjoy a subscription to one of these, On the site is a list of publications accepting submissions.

10. Fun and Functional Gift Ideas

 

Surprise your favorite writer with one of these not-so-typical gifts now or any time of year and you’ll be on their “best fella” list.

Which of these will you add to your holiday gift-giving list? Tell us in the Comments.