by Kasia | Jun 7, 2015 | Reading
Four books in two weeks. A three hour Monday to Thursday commute certainly helps. What else are you supposed to do on public transport but tune out and get lost in another world. Here’s a list of the latest books I’ve been reading:
Naked in Death by J.D. Robb
This week I discovered J.D. Robb aka Nora Roberts. I can’t believe I’ve never picked up one of her books. She’s written over 200! I’ve just finished the first instalment of the In Death series, Naked in Death, and I really enjoyed it. The story brings together Eve Dallas, a New York police lieutenant, and Roarke, a hard to resist Irish self-made billionaire, and a gruesome murder investigation. It was an easy read, great chemistry between the two main characters, set in the not to distant future and combining elements of romance, suspense, crime, and sci-fi. * * * *
The Taste of Fear by Jeremy Bates
I picked up this book as it was available free on Kindle and glad I did. It was page-turning read. Scarlet Cox, a successful actress, and her husband Salvador Brazza, a hotel tycoon attempt to save their marriage by travelling on an African safari. Battling theft, a terrorist attack, kidnapping and the African wilderness, getting out alive may not be an option. Bates did an excellent job with his vivid descriptions of the African backdrop to the macabre fight scenes. I felt like I was watching a movie play in mind as I read The Taste of Fear. I highly recommend this one if you enjoy a fast-paced suspense novel. * * * * *
How to Market a Book by Joanna Penn
As an indie-author, I want to sell books. While I enjoy the process of writing and will write regardless of my sales level, I want to make the best attempt I can at making a living as a writer. I purchased How to Market a Book, to help me do just that. Joanna Penn is a self-published author, blogger, and entrepreneur. She has created a business around her writing, and a successful one at that. How to Market a Book, offers a wealth of information for indie-authors but also traditionally published authors too. It starts of with Marketing Myths you Need to Forget and advice for short-term marketing as well as long-term marketing including the importance of building an author platform and launching your book. I will be rereading this one with a notepad and pen beside me to take notes. One thing I would have liked though is an appendix with checklists of things the author should do at different stages of their marketing journey. * * * * ½
How to Write a Novel Using the Snowflake Method by Randy Ingermanson
I came across the Snowflake Methods years ago but never really gave it much more thought until I bought and read the book. The book is told through the eyes of Goldilocks and other popular children’s story book characters, including the Big Bad Wolf, which adds to the lessons taught in the book and making it a more entertaining read. Goldilocks wants to write a novel but isn’t sure where to start, so Ingermanson uses her story to bring his lessons to life and give the reader a better understanding of how the Snowflake Method works. If you’re having trouble starting your first novel, or your tenth, this book might be what you need for a boost of motivation. * * * *
What’s on your bookshelf at the moment?
Have you read Lethal Disposal yet? You can buy it now on Kindle through Amazon for only $2.99.
by Kasia | Jun 6, 2015 | Writing
Writing and parenting – combining the two does come with its challenges. Only yesterday I was hoping to meet my writing quota for the day by putting my son in his play area and writing whilst looking over him. Sometimes this works, sometimes it doesn’t. Generally he naps for 2-2.5 hours throughout the day but yesterday he thought 1 hour was enough. I beg to differ. One hour is never enough. I need my rest too Master J.
Finding time to write as a parent comes with its own challenges. There are moment where you feel torn between your ambitions and goals for the day and ensuring you give enough cuddle and giggling time, check out those steps he’s mastering, or simply just spending time together – they grow up so fast, I can’t believe mine is 13 months already!
As parents we have an obligation to our children. As writers we have an obligation to our work. It’s a juggling act especially when you also add the roles of wife (or husband) and employee among others.
It is doable. It isn’t easy but whatever is worth doing rarely is. My husband gets up at 4:20am and is out of the house by 5am. This morning I chose to do the same. My son usually sleeps till about 6:30 – 7am so it gives me up to two hours of writing time before our day even begins. It’s still dark outside, my phone tells me it’s 8 C this morning, so I’m making the most of my writing time snuggled under the blankets, and writing in bed. I could get used to this.
Here are some tips that might help in finding a balance between writing and parenting without feeling guilty that one is getting more of your attention than the other. It’s all about setting priorities, boundaries and rules for yourself.
Stop feeling guilty
Becoming a parent is incredible. You are responsible for a human being and you want to nurture them to be the best they can be. But you’re not just a parent. You’re not one dimensional like the bad guys in cheap action movies. You are still your own person with your own goals and desires and you need to make time for you. Seriously, you need your sanity in tact.
Get up an hour or two earlier
This is a common piece of advice to being a more productive writer. If you don’t have enough time or inclination during the day just get up earlier and get it done. Start with fifteen minutes, even if you only write 100 words, or brainstorm an article, or come with a character description or plot point, it’s a hundred more than you had the day before.
Go to bed an hour later
If you’re more of a night owl then write at night. Personally, I can’t do this. I try and fail miserably. By about 9pm my eyes start closing on me and that’s it. But if you prefer the dark hours and staying up is an option. Put the kids to bed, settle comfortably in your writing space and get writing.
Write during nap times
If your child is a sleeper and naps during the day this is the time to get writing (if you have a newborn, this is the time to be catching up on your own sleep!).
Write and play at the same time
If you can write in short bursts and with interruptions you can still write while spending time with your kids. I like to write while hanging out with my son, usually he’s pretty low maintenance and happily plays on his own, and I stop when he wants my attention or is doing something cute or I just want a break or a cuddle.
Brainstorm on the run
Think about what you want to write before you actually sit down to write. This will save you time. Keep a notepad and pen on hand when you’re in the kitchen preparing dinner, hanging out in the doctors waiting area, standing in line, catching the train, on your lunch break, everywhere you go really. Jot down the idea and be ready for your next writing stint.
Get the rest of the family to help out
You are a writer. Whether you get paid for it or not is irrelevant. If you want to write you have to make the time. Talk with your other half about setting a few hours a week in your calendar for writing. This would be a time when your partner or spouse take over the reigns and you disappear into your writing corner for an hour or two without interruption. If you need peace and quiet, send them out to the park for a walk or play.
Use your kids as inspiration
Writing and parenting can go well together. Each day comes with its own challenges, joys, frustrations, achievements and questions. You are a writer, go write about them. Whether it’s for parenting articles or scenes in your novel, you can use the fact that you are a parent to your advantage.
Finding a balance between writing and parenting comes with its own challenges. You need to find a balance and routine that works for you and your family. Listen to the advice but don’t take it as set in stone. Every family, every parent, every child, and every write is different. Find what works for you and you’ll be a happier and more productive writer and parent.
How do you balance writing and parenting?
by Kasia | May 16, 2015 | Writing
*UPDATE 25 May 2015
You may no longer need an EIN if you’re an Australian publishing on Amazon. It seems the tax treaty between the US and Australia changed last year and that 30% tax has been canned! Yay! So, if you’re an Australian resident and publishing on Amazon you will only need to add in your personal tax details and Amazon will only deduct 5% for the IRS. Make sure you double check to ensure this matches your personal circumstances!
You’ve written your book, created a cover that grabs your readers attention, your manuscript has been proofread, copyedited and formatted to fit Amazon KDP requirements, Smashwords and CreateSpace, you’ve hit publish and thanks to your savvy marketing efforts you’ve even managed to sell a few thousand copies.
Then you sit patiently waiting for your royalty cheque. You open your mail excited, you see the number and your shoulders droop and you are ready to scream, “WTF!”
So, Amazon has taken their cut, 30% or 70% depending on how you’ve priced your book, and the US tax department has grabbed another 30%. You’re standing there mouth agape with a big fat nothing and your neighbours are wondering if they need to call for help.
Ok, so maybe I’m dramatising. They can go back inside unless of course they want details of where to buy your book. This can all be easily fixed with an EIN.
If you’re not a US citizen or live in the US, you probably do not have the EIN. It’s a tax identification number and it’s seriously the easy thing I have ever obtained. And Hollywood makes the IRS look so scary.
After dialling +1 267 941 1099 and being put on hold for twenty minutes (thanks Vodafone for 300 minutes worth of free international calls!), during this time I did some research on EINs, I was having trouble finding stuff in relation to Aussie authors publishing through Amazon, I finally got through to a human.
She called me Mrs Radzka. I might be married but by no means am I Mrs Radzka. That’s my mum. I just haven’t changed my surname to match my husband’s. It’s the twenty-first century and really not a priority in the grand scheme of things. But anyway…
After telling her what I needed, she took me through a quick questionnaire, and after another 15 minutes or so, she dictated my EIN and told me I’d get some mail in the next 2-4 weeks. OMG how simple was that? I have no idea why I was putting it off for weeks.
If you want a step by step guide check out Catherine Ryan Howard’s post. She explains it brilliantly so I don’t need to regurgitate it here.
So, while I haven’t published my novel yet, (only a couple weeks to go!), I’m all set to set my Amazon KDP account and ensure that I don’t get hit with a 30% tax from the US should I sell a few books. I feel like I’m finally making progress.
by Kasia | May 15, 2015 | Writing
I recently completed the 30 Days or Less to Freelance Success course (highly recommend to new freelancers! and those wanting a refresher) offered by Gina Horkey on her website Horkey HandBook. Gina, was kind enough to offer the opportunity for her students to submit a pitch for a guest post. One of the hardest parts of becoming a freelancer is getting those first clips, so I jumped at the chance and Gina accepted one of my ideas.
Check out 3 Ways I Stay Healthy as a Freelance Writer here.
The Taste of Fear by Jeremy Bates
