Tuesday Tips – Accepting Challenges

CHALLENGE… ACCEPTED

BEGIN!

Why should you challenge yourself as a writer or participate in challenges as a writer?

Simple. It makes you grow. As writers, we tend to stay inside a bubble. Our own little bubble. Where we know what we are doing, how to approach the topic, how to face what lays ahead.  When you are in a challenge, you push yourself. To do more. To explore more. To find more. To reach down deep more. We grow. We find the magic that makes our story soar and eventually make our readers fall in love.

This is why I do challenges. I want to grow as a writer and make my work better. I challenge myself to write 12 first drafts in 12 months each year. I’ve participated in Tara Lazar’s PiBoIdMo each year (except one). I am still reading through Carrie Charley Brown’s ReFoReMo (first year). I also hold Summer Sparks to help others (and myself) out on ideas.

The fact is, I will never stop learning, and neither should you. It is what drives us and keeps us on our toes.

SO. To all that, I am challenging myself (kicking myself in the tush really) to get my picture book reviews going again. I have revamped my goals for that blog, given it a new home, and a new title…

PB & J’More
Picture Book Reviews and Activities
Get Stuck On Writing

I will vlog about picture books and also give links to fun activities to tie into each book.

To begin with, I will only do reviews for the month of April, because…

A to Z Challenge

This challenge is to create a theme and blog about it for the month of April.

Well being a picture book writer and all, I am going to blog about picture books who’s title start with each letter of the alphabet. I hope you will enjoy what all I have to say and find some great reads. So click on over, follow me there too if you like, and let get prepared to explore some great reads!

:::LEAVE ME A COMMENT:::
Let me know what you think about challenges.
Do you know of some great ones that you are participating in?

Until next time…

Happy Writing!
~t

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Marketing Monday: 7 Reasons Why Business Cards Are Important

Business Cards, 7 Reasons Why Are They Important

I would say business cards, besides a website, are the most important marketing component you can have. It will put your face out there. *Literally if you do your business cards like me.* I’ve come up with some valid reasons on why you should have a business card.

It makes you seem more legit.

Pricing! You can get more bang for your buck. I use VistaPrint and I buy when they have a sale.   *VistaPrint link on this blog is an affiliated link*

All your information is convenient. Put your name, phone number, email, and website on there. If you have a store-front business, put your address on there too.

You can use both sides to add information. I know people who will have information on both sides of their card. The front offers contact information. While the back may include books, author visit information, or whatever they may specialize in. I have left mine blank so far, which give people a space to write reminders, or tips, or something I might have said to them.

Additions. You can have pictures, qr codes, calendars, and many other things on your card to make it more interactive and keep people interested in you and your product.

It is a lingering reminder of who you are.

Business cards can help jog the memory of what you do.

As you can see, business cards are very versatile.

You can hand them out. Leave them on a counter for people to pick up. Put them in a gift basket. Hang from an item that is for sale. Taped on a piece of candy. Among other things.

 

:::LEAVE ME A COMMENT:::
Let me know what you include on your business card.
Are there any other ways you promote your business?

Let me hear from you!

Until next time…

Happy Writing!
~t

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5 Ways to Deal with Rejection

As a writer there comes a time when we all hear the “R” word. It’s an ugly word and let’s face it, we don’t want to hear it. That or the “P” word either. Fine! I’ll say them… Rejection & Pass. *sigh*

So it is inevitable we will all get these. So how do you deal with it?

Sure, sure. Crying helps. So does throwing a righteous fit. But to get anything accomplished you need to move foward.

1. Step back
   I know I said move forward.  😉  Take a minute (or a day or two or three) to distance yourself from your work. By giving yourself a time out, you help break some of the emotional ties you have. This will help you see things more clearly too.
2. Look at it objectively
   After #1, you should be able to see your ms with new eyes. Take into consideration who said what. Are they an agent? Editor? Someone you have high respect for? None of the above? All this will determine how much weight what they have said will carry you through to your revisions.
3. Second opinion
   Seriously. Get several opinions. I have at least three people read over my ms. AT LEAST! Then if more than one is pointing something out, you have more reason to consider what they are saying and why.
4. Write, rewrite, revise
   Move those fingers. Sometimes the best way to get over rejection is to write. Write something new. Rewrite the whole ding-dang story if you feel the need. Or revise on what people have said. Just get them fingers flying.
5. Reward
   Yes, REWARD YOURSELF for rejections!!!!!!! You have taken a big step. You’ve gotten your work out there and you are earning your stripes! Celebrate the victories. Each. And. Every. One. Of. THEM! *hint, hint* Chocolate is great!

:::LEAVE ME A COMMENT:::
Let me know how you deal with rejection?
Let me know about your victories!!! Celebrate!

 

Until next time…

Happy Writing!
~t

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The Luck of the Writers

Top of the morning to you!
&
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

No, I’m won’t do a jig for you this morning. It’s too early.

BUT! I will give you some Luck of the Writers tips for you today!!!!

Be yourself when you are writing. As the great Dr. said, “There is no one you-er than you!”

 

It is your dream. Believe in it!

 

Knock on doors. Get your work out there.

 

Don’t settle for no. Continue to work on your craft.

 

Join a critique group.

 

Go to conferences.

 

Network.

 

Make your own luck. Hard work and persistence pay off.

 

:::LEAVE ME A COMMENT:::
What part of luck plays into writing and getting published?
What are you doing that I haven’t listed to further your career?

 

Okay, now that the work is over…

Let’s dance!

 

                            

Until next time…

Happy Writing!
~t

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Monday Marketing & A CTA #TCATPG

Marketing and a CTA – #TCATPG

Marketing can be a challenge.

You have ups and downs Some things work. Others don’t. Marketing can be done in so many ways. I thought I would try something that a writer/illustrator colleauge of mine, Debbie Ohi, is doing…

It has to do with book trailers. Book trailers are a great way to get people interested in your book. They are used like movie trailers. They give the potential consumer a glimpse of the work to hopefully get them interested in buying the product.

There are plenty of companies out there who offer this service. OR if you are handy with some software and are creative, you can make your own. As some of you may know, I  have done 5 of my 6 book trailers. I happen to have a book coming out in May, and have been trying to come up with a different approach to a book trailer. I wanted to do something different. Something to get people more involved. Debbie gave me a great idea and that’s where you come in…

THE CHILDREN AT THE PLAYGROUND  (Xist Publishing) will be released into the wild in two months.
AND I need YOUR help!

CTA – #TCATPG

Here’s where you come in:

1. Take a picture or a short 5-7 second video of your children having fun at the playground.
2. Add the hashtag #TCATPG to your pictures
3. Send it to tcatpg@traceymcox.com
4. Use #TCATPG in your subject line.
5. Give me permission to use your child’s picture in my book trailer.
6. If it is okay for me to list your families name, please state so.
7. I will send you a confirmation email as soon as I make sure it came in clear.

I plan on using the photos and videos I receive to make a book trailer for The Children At The Playground. I think it would be great to show what everyone likes to do. The video will be around 1 minute long. Depending on the participation, I may not be able to use everyone’s photo or video.

Thanks everyone. I hope to have a great turn out.

:::LEAVE ME A COMMENT:::
What do you think about this marketing angle?
What do you think about Book Trailers?
Do you make your own or use a company?

Until next time…

Happy Writing!
~t

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