Category: Writer’s Goal

My 8th Report for my 12-week Challenge

On By SCLMRoseIn #Author's Life, #PoweredByIndie, Blogging, Book Promotion, Books, Historical Fiction, Kindle, Writer's Goal, Writing ChallengeLeave a comment

Here is my 8th report for my 12-week challenge:

 

  1. My book to read goal is still on target. I started two books this week. I will definitely finish at least one next week. I still have to finish reading 4 more books in 4 weeks to make my reading goal for my 12-week challenge.
  2. I made my marketing goals this week – 70 items. I reached up to some friends from the groups that I belong to and asked to share my posts. I placed ads to local papers which should reach a big audience. The Giveaways post on Goodreads have 307 total so far, 21 entries this week. “To Read List” went to 119 from 109 last week.
  • 11 posts on Social Media.
  • 46 Press Releases
  • 1 Giveaways post on Goodreads
  • 12 Newspaper Ads

 

  1. I’m still trying to catch up on my word count challenge. I’m only at 36,671 words.

 

If you missed the Kindle Countdown Deal on Amazon.com, you have another chance. My next book promotion is going to be at www.amazon.co.uk beginning on Oct. 14, 2016 at 8:00 am GMT to Oct. 17 at 8:00 am GMT. The price will go down to £0.99 for 3 days only.  Check it out.

 

Until next time. Stop and smell the roses.

Rosalinda Morgan, The Rose Lady

Author of “The Wentworth Legacy”

www.rosalindarmorgan.com

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My 7th Report for my 12-week Challenge

On By SCLMRoseIn #amwriting, #Author's Life, #mondaymotivation, Blogging, Motivational Tips, Writer's Goal, Writing ChallengeLeave a comment

Here is my seventh report for my twelve weeks challenge:

 

  1. My book to read goal is still on target. I finished Leadership by Rudolf Giuliani. I now have to read 4 more books in 5 weeks to make my reading goal for my 12-week challenge.
  2. I did 42 things on my marketing goal this week and made great stride when I ran a Kindle Countdown Deal this weekend. I reached up to some of the groups that I belong to and asked to share my posts. I did book signing to a small group also. I placed an ad to reach up to libraries and bookstores which should reach a big audience. The Giveaways post on Goodreads have 286 total so far, 19 entries this week. “To Read List” went to 109 from 100 last week.
  • 1 ad
  • 1 Press Release
  • 1 Giveaways post on Goodreads
  • 33 posts on Social Media.
  • 6 blogs
  1. I’m still behind on my word count challenge. I’m only at 31,244 words.

 

I was too busy doing marketing work but it did pay off. My author’s ranking at Amazon went up the roof. In a matter of ten days, from Sept. 16 to Sept. 26, I went from an obscure #766,096 to #41,888 on Amazon’s Author Rank for All books, from #52,106 to #6,790 on Romance category and from #10,142 to #1241 on Historical. I’m happy with these data. I hope they continue.

 

How can I top this? It’s not easy but I’m always competitive and my motto in life always inspires me: “Aim high and hit the mark”. So I just have to keep on going.

 

 

Until next time. Stop and smell the roses.

 

Rosalinda, The Rose Lady

 

Author of The Wentworth Legacy

 

www.rosalindarmorgan.com

 

Sixth Report on My 12-week Challenge

On By SCLMRoseIn #amwriting, #Author's Life, Blogging, Motivation, Positive Thinking, Writer's Goal, Writing ChallengeLeave a comment

Here is my sixth report for my twelve weeks challenge:

1. My book to read goal is still on target. I’m half way on the book I’m reading – Leadership by Rudolf Giuliani. I still have to read 5 more books in 6 weeks to make my reading goal for my 12-week challenge.

2. I’m short of 4 items on my marketing goal this week – 66 marketing posts/pitches but most of my posts can reach a big audience so I’m happy with those. I did book signing to a small group of gardeners.  I placed an ad geared to libraries and bookstores which should reach a big audience. Giveaways post on Goodreads have 13 requests this week, 6 on “to read” list this week. My emails go to acquaintances nationwide so that will give me some tractions too. The marketing goal can get harder as we go along because I’m running out of ideas. I better stay focused.

·       1 book signing  

·       1 Ad

·       4 personal pitches

·       2 personal giveaways

·       3 posts on Social Media.

·       1 Giveaways post on Goodreads   

·       54 emails.

3. I finally caught up with my word count challenge. I’m at 30,349 words.  

 

See you next week.

 

Until next time. Stop and smell the roses.

Rosalinda, The Rose Lady

wentworth_front

Author of The Wentworth Legacy

www.rosalindarmorgan.com

Fourth Report of My 12-week Challenge

On By SCLMRoseIn #amwriting, #Author's Life, #Books, Blogging, Writer's Goal, Writing ChallengeLeave a comment

Here is my fourth report for my twelve weeks challenge:

1. I made it to 18,497 words to date for my next project. I did not make my goal to 20,000 words but I finished one newsletter this week which is 4,337 words. In essence I wrote almost 23,000 words plus I did some blogging too. I know the newsletter does not count but at least I am constantly writing. I still have one newsletter to do. Hope to finish it next week.

2. My book to read goal is on target. I finished The Order of Darkness by Philippa Gregory this week. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it but disappointed with the ending. It wants you to follow the story to the next book of the series. I did not even read the first book in the series. This is the second book. I still have to read 6 more books in 8 weeks to make my reading goal for my 12-week challenge.

3. I made my marketing goal this week – 70 marketing posts/pitches:

16 posts on Social Media

1 Giveaways post on Goodreads which gets 211 requests this week. Fabulous!

53 emails and letters to friends.

 

See you next week.

 

The next report is on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016.

 

Until next time. Stop and smell the roses.

Rosalinda, The Rose Lady

Author of The Wentworth Legacy

www.rosalindarmorgan.com

 

 

 

Third Report for my 12-week Challenge

On By SCLMRoseIn #amwriting, #Author's Life, #Books, Blogging, Motivation, Positive Thinking, Writer's Goal, Writing ChallengeLeave a comment

Here is my third report for my twelve weeks challenge:

1. I made it to 13,625 words to date. I did not make my goal to 15,000 words but I was doing two newsletters that have to go out early next week so I was still writing. I’ll catch up as soon as these newsletters are out of my way.

2. My book to read goal is on target. I finished the book from last week. I started another one and finished it so I finished two books this week. I still have to finish 7 books in 9 weeks. That is very doable. My Goodreads goal is on track for the year. I aim to read 30 books this year.

3. I did not made my goal this week for marketing my book. Or did I? I made 22 marketing posts/pitches.  12 posts on Social Media and 10 press releases to friends. From four social media where I posted, I got 470 views. So I’m happy with that.

See you next week.

 The next report is on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2016.

 

Until next time. Stop and smell the roses.

Rosalinda, The Rose Lady

www.rosalindarmorgan.com

First Report on My 12-Week Challenge

On By SCLMRoseIn #amwriting, #Author's Life, #Books, #Inspirational, #PositiveThinking, Blogging, Book Promotion, Writer's Goal, Writing ChallengeLeave a comment

Here is my first report for my twelve weeks challenge:

1. I did not quite make my goal for the 5000 words/per week or 60,000 words for twelve weeks but I’ll make it up next week. I made it to 4215 words which is not bad at all considering all the doctor’s appointments I had to take my husband to. I read a book while at the doctor’s waiting room.

2. My book to read is on target. I finished one book this week. I have 9 books to read in the next 11 weeks.

3. I made my goal for the marketing of my book, The Wentworth Legacy. I made 74 marketing posts/pitches.  24 posts on Social Media and I made an email list of 47 people that I will be sending an email as soon as my book, The Wentworth Legacy, is available on Amazon.  I decided to wait until the book is on Amazon website so that when they get my email, the book is ready for purchase. I also talked to 3 people about the book.

The Wentworth Legacy is ready for pre-order at Kindle but I’m still waiting for the approval of the paperback edition.

The next report is on Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016.

 

Until next time. Stop and smell the roses.

Rosalinda, The Rose Lady

www.rosalindarmorgan.com

30 Tips on Becoming a Better Writer

On By SCLMRoseIn #Author's Life, #Books, #ThursdayThoughts, #ThursdayTips, Blogging, Good Writing, Inspirational, Motivation, Writer's GoalLeave a comment

Without knowing it, I started my writing career when I used to write little stories for myself and put them away in a folder. Then the big break came when I was asked to be an editor of a gardening newsletter in 2000. I started to write for publication. People enjoyed reading my articles and I started getting awards. That gave me confidence and I started to think I could write a novel which I really wanted to do for a long time. When I moved south in 2011, I had more free time so I started writing in earnest and reading voraciously. I had plenty of ideas for my stories having lived in a third world country and then in New York and now in South Carolina and have seen the lives of people on both sides of the track. I haven’t won the Pulitzer yet but who cares. Not many new writers have but I’m happy to share my stories to readers who enjoy interesting books and learn something from reading them. So I began my journey.

Here are some tips I have learned along the way to become a better writer:

  1. First thing, you should do to be a better writer is to get a good dictionary.
  2. Second to a good dictionary, you should get a thesaurus.
  3. Read the work of good writers especially those on the genre you are working in or plan to work in.
  4. Find and establish a place to write comfortably and productively.
  5. Develop a good working habit and write every day.
  6. Write what you enjoy reading.
  7. Get inspiration from around you.
  8. Do your research.
  9. Use your imagination and let yourself fantasize.
  10. Stop procrastinating and write that first sentence already.
  11. Use Standard American English.
  12. Write your book for your audience.
  13. Begin a Writer’s Notebook.
  14. Set realistic writing goals.
  15. Familiarize yourself with general writing terms.
  16. Be Consistent.
  17. Where to begin – write one page at a time.
  18. Have a memorable title.
  19. Have an attention-grabbing book cover.
  20. Watch the chronology.
  21. Use flashbacks.
  22. Back up your novel as you go along.
  23. Finish the first draft and put it away for a while.
  24. After putting some distance away for a while, you’re now ready to reread it but read it slowly and absorb everything you read.
  25. Revise or rewrite your manuscript.
  26. Edit and proofread; Get critical feedback from someone you trust.
  27. Publish your manuscript.
  28. Be thankful.
  29. Research potential markets for your work.
  30. Think and act like a pro. Build your writing career and continue to grow as a writer.

 

Until next time. Stop and smell the roses.

IMG_0868

Rosalinda, The Rose Lady

Author and Garden Writer

The Wentworth Legacy

The Iron Butterfly

BAHALA NA (Come What May)

 

Would You Still Write A Story – Even If You Knew It Would Never Be Read by A Single Person?

On By SCLMRoseIn #amblogging, #amwriting, #Author's Life, #Inspirational, #PositiveThinking, Blogging, Good Writing, Motivation, Writer's Goal1 Comment

I saw this question at LinkedIn.

First of all, that is the most negative thing I have heard a writer say. If you are a good writer and you have an interesting thing to say, someone out there will read your writings. If you are a writer which you claim to be, you write. That is your job. You keep on writing. That’s why you are called a writer. You write.

To be able to attract readers, you have to be a good writer. You have to learn your craft and educate yourself continuously. You have to write every day. The more you write, the better your writing will be. Practice makes perfect. It is a good axiom for anything you do in life.

You have to write and read too. They go hand in hand. Reading will make you a better writer. You learn from other writers as you read. You can never be a good writer if you are not a reader. I don’t believe a writer who said he/she does not read. How can you improve your writing if you don’t read? Reading stimulates your mind and improves your writing ability.

I will write every day and expect someone will read my articles and my books. My author’s credo is to inspire, motivate, educate and stimulate your mind. For that reason, someone will take note of what I write and read them.

 

Until next time. Stop and smell the roses.

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Rosalinda

www.rosalindasgarden.com

www.rosalindarmorgan.wordpress.com

 

2016 New Year’s Resolutions

On By SCLMRoseIn #Author's Life, #Books, Blogging, Book Promotion, Good Writing, Motivational Tips, New Year, Positive Thinking, Reading Challenge, Writer's GoalLeave a comment

It’s that time of year again when we have to think of our goals for 2016. Below are my resolutions for 2016. It can apply to all writers who want to improve their craft and make 2016 a successful year.

  • Edit my manuscript. After finishing the NANOWRIMO challenge for 2015, I put the manuscript aside for the month of December and will start editing in January. After I have gone through a couple of times to check typos and add and delete, my editor will go through the whole process of line editing and copy editing. Then back to rewriting, finding what is wrong with the book and trying to improve it. Then edit, rewrite, again more edits and rewrites until I feel comfortable with it. You’ll be amazed at how many errors you’ll see as you edit the manuscript again and again. To put my name in my work, I want to have it free of typos and errors. I’m getting much better as I progress through my writing journey. You can have the best story in the world, but if your manuscript is full of typos, it can turn your readers off for good. I hope to finish the final rewrite of my third novel, my 2014 NANOWRIMO winner, and get it published this summer. It takes a year and a half to edit a first draft.
  • Read more. In 2015, I accomplished my reading goal at Goodreads. I read 28 books. To make it as an author, you have to read and read what your audience wants to read. I read mostly historical novels and write historical novels. Once in a while I will read other genres just to keep myself knowledgeable of what’s out there. I also read magazines. All the books that I read inspired me to do more writings. This year, my goal is to add 2 more books from my 2015 reading challenge. Since I intend to read some lengthy book in 2016, I feel 30 books is attainable. I’m starting the year with Edge of Eternity, a 1098-page book by Ken Follett.
  • Write more. Even with the NANOWRIMO finished and done with, I never slack on my writing. The only difference is I wake up an hour later. During the NANOWRIMO in November, I woke up at 5 a.m. I write better when everything is quiet around me. Now, I still write for 1-1/2 hour before breakfast, then an hour just before lunch, a couple of hours in the afternoon and possibly an hour at night. I either write, blog, do a research, read but there is always something I do towards my writing goal. I’m polishing my third and fourth novel and will start a nonfiction project this year.
  • Publish my manuscript. Once I’m comfortable with the manuscript, it’s time to let it go. How do I know if it is ready? After editing it a dozen times, you know in your heart, whether it is ready to publish or not. Then I go into promotion mode before its release. Right now, I have not made up my mind if I want to go through the traditional route due to my time constraint. I have so much idea in my head that there is no time to waste querying and waiting for months for an answer. If I was younger, I might consider it. I love what I do and I feel that the time I will spend on querying is better spent studying to improve my craft. Between taking care of my sick husband, writing, reading, doing voluntary work for my community, maintaining my house and garden and studying my market do not give me ample time to query and wait which takes too much time. I know. I tried it before. I got two rejections. However, I might change my mind later. You never know.
  • Marketing my work. Traditional publishers nowadays do not have time to market your book unless you are a celebrity. So I might as well go through independent publishing. I do my own publicity for my book. I have a web presence since 2000 when I was in real estate and have continued to do so, more now that I am a writer. I am on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, ActiveRain, Google and more. I have websites and blogs. I know marketing is important. I used to work in the corporate world and know the importance of marketing your product. I will keep on marketing my books through my web presence and word of mouth.
  • Enter a writing contest. I entered a writing contest for short stories in 2015 at Writer’s Digest and won an Honorable Mention. I write to educate, stimulate and inspire. My stories are original based on life events. I have won writing contests on my gardening articles before and will continue to enter my articles.
  • Update my website. I will keep the content of your website fresh. I have a website and two blogs. My Facebook pages are linked to my blogs and my website. I have an author’s profile at Amazon and Goodreads. I’m constantly updating both my websites and my blogs. I will keep on posting regularly to keep my readers coming.
  • Be more active on social media. It’s important to maintain your social media presence. I’m on Facebook but there is one thing I don’t post on Facebook. I still feel strongly that things personal is not a matter of public knowledge. I post mostly about my writings and my reading. Since my website is linked to my Facebook page, my postings on motivation and inspirational tips and gardening tips go right to my Facebook page. I will like other pages and make comments every so often.
  • Be active in your community. Get involved in your community and let them know you’re an author. That is one ready market for you. I’m on my HOA board and an active member of a garden club, my church choir and a president of my local rose society. These are other potential markets. Join a local writing group. I joined the local NANOWRIMO writing group two years ago but I must admit I never went to their writing sessions because I like to write in solitude. I joined in their conversation on Facebook. I’m also in several groups at Goodreads, LinkedIn and CreateSpace. Regarding a writer’s conference, I have read conflicting views on whether they help a writer or not. I have not been to one so I have no opinion at this point. When you finish your book, you’ll be glad you have been active in the community that will be excited to read your work!
  • Start something new. I always wanted to write a nonfiction book on gardening. After all, I have been writing gardening articles for years before I started writing fiction. I have gotten awards on some of them so I might try to compile them in a book form. It will be my next project this year. I have a great idea in mind and it will be interesting to pursue it.

So what is your New Year’s resolution for 2016?

 

Until next time, stop and smell the roses.

Rosalinda

 

Rosalinda Morgan

Author and Garden Writer

The Iron Butterfly

BAHALA NA (Come What May)

Get your copy today at www.amazon.com/author/rosalindarmorgan.