What Is the Cumulative Effect? Encouragement?

What is the cumulative that causes encouragement. I had accomplished much more than I realized.

I have been involved in a writing project that has taken far longer than I anticipated. I have written snippets, research items, whole paragraphs, and rough-drafted chapters. My discouragement has slowed me down at times. Most of those items have been collected in a writing application known as Scrivener. What is the cumulative effect of all this effort?

Besides items saved in Scrivener, several of the chapters were already saved in a Word document.

I was discouraged because of the difficulty of collaborating with extremely busy co-authors (through nobody’s fault), the struggle with producing “good-enough” writing, and working within my own busy schedule. Finally I came to the end of what some writing coaches call, “the vomit draft.” I decided to print out the whole thing and put it in a notebook.

What is the cumulative effect of scattered writing? Encouragement when it is all put together.

This is not the actual title or cover art for the book.

The encouraging thing that happened when I printed this out is that it came to 450 pages. It is double-spaced, but it would probably be 300-350 pages even single-spaced.

When it comes to writing a rough draft, you just need to keep plugging away. Part of the reason I was discouraged on this project is because I teach on the topic of How to Write a Book in 28 Days or Less – Without Stressing Yourself to Death. I have accomplished that task more than once, but this was a different kind of project.

Since I had the writing scattered in different places, I really didn’t know how much had been accomplished.

By having this volume of material, It will be a matter of tightening the writing. Many editors actually describe editing as cutting out much of the material. That will certainly be necessary here, but it is encouraging to know that I can be ruthless in that cutting process.

What is the cumulative effect of the scattered writing? The sheer volume means I can be ruthless in editing.

If I had not printed the paper copy, I would not have realized what had been accomplished up to the point.

There is still a ton of work to do, but at least a rough draft is done.

This experience has shown the importance of perseverance in writing.

Have you had similar experiences in hitting roadblocks in writing or in reaching business goals? We would really be glad to hear from you. You could ask a question, or, better yet, give us some helpful tips in the comments section below.

January 8, 2020January 8, 2020

Life Is Short – Time Management Techniques and Strategies for Writers

I have three friends who have reminded me that time is short – even when it might seem long. Each reminded me of the need for making the most of the time we have. Since I am a writer and some of you are writers, this concept reinforces even more the need for time management techniques and strategies for writers.

First, my friend, Roger, with whom I have gone on several missions trips for the ministry of which he was director, had a heart catheterization a couple of days ago. The doctors said his heart is strong, but there were some other issues that would continue to give him some problems. He is still with us, and he even said, “I’ll probably see you Thursday.”

Thursday is when we meet together with a prayer- and Bible-study group. Then after that, I always say, “is when we have the real meeting.” Several of us follow up by eating breakfast together.

Then I had another friend, Jim, who had some heart problems last year, received word later in the year that certain tests showed a high likelihood of cancer. He went back for another test, and the indicators were not as great. So, the doctors then wanted him to have an MRI that would be very specific to their suspicions.

When Jim met with the doctor for the results, the doctor said, “I don’t know how to explain it, but the results are zero.” Jim said he knew how to explain it because many people, and especially his wife, had been praying for him!

Last Sunday we went to the memorial service for Aunt Dorothy, my wife’s aunt who passed away. You see Aunt Dorothy was able to stay in her own home until she passed away. In a couple of weeks, she would have been 100. She said, after a visit to the doctor, “No one knows how much time they have.”

None of us know how much time we have, so we should make the best of the days we do have.

In order to beat the enemy of procrastination, writers have to set up deadlines. If they don’t have those, they may never get done. They can be self imposed or they can be put in place by a publisher.

I would like to give you a free gift, “Time Management for Writers.” Get it quickly because I am going to have to shorten the report. Many of my friends tell me that I have “given away the farm” with this report. In fact one friend put the info in place and finished his book. That is great, but, really I am offering a coaching program that will walk others through the process of getting their dream books done. Some will get this report and still want the extra benefits of coaching, but, like I say, there is enough here to help you get your book done. Just fill out the info below to sign up.

Now, if you wait till the report is revised, you will still get a great value. It’s just that I probably won’t give away the farm completely forever.

Go here to check out some more about writing your book.

August 2, 2018August 3, 2018

Business Writing Tools – Creating Great Images and Graphics

When you are involved in writing on the internet, you want to have quality content, and you want to be as efficient as possible when you create it. I am going to give you an example in this post for one of the best business writing tools – creating great images and graphics is entirely possible with this WordPress plugin.

The image above, highlighting my writing, speaking and coaching business was created right in the WordPress document.

I liked it very much.

Business-writing tools are very important for any business. First of all, you are likely to have a website, and you will have to have content on your website.

Then, you don’t want it to be just any content. Rather, you will want to have useful content. In order for the useful content to have a hearing, though, it will need to be appealing.

One of the things that adds value to any webpage, blog, or article is an image. Having several relevant images is even better.

Aside from a website or a blog, you are likely also to produce other types of written content. You may write an ebook (or a print book, for that matter). Images add value to that medium.

In this article, we will look at three aspects of image creation for our websites. First we will see what some of the options are. Second, we will see a new option that has become available as I write this. Third, we will discuss the likability factor of these types of image creation.

The Old Standards – Previous Options

You can get a really good program – one that is an old standard. The problem with it at present is that for some of who are beginners, it may “cost us an arm and a leg!”

Fortunately, there is a similar open-source option that has been available for a while too. Many think it is almost as good as the more expensive option.

We bring these up because they are really good programs. They have even become know as the old standards in the image-creation field.

That first one is known as Photoshop (Notice that Adobe Photoshop has registered trademarks for both terms–Adobe and Photoshop). It is an excellent program. One of the things that add such value to it is the ability to work with images in layers.

Actually, many of us think that the price for such a great program is very reasonable, but for the person starting out, it may seem a little pricy.

The open-source program is very similar to Photoshop, but it is free. It is called, GIMP. GIMP stands for GNU Image Manipulation Program. It, like Photoshop, allows you work with layers.

Both programs have features that let you filter the images and adjust the color and transparency of each layered image, as well as many advanced features.

Are there any other options?

What Else Can We Do? – A New Option

We have discussed these two good programs. However, if you are using a website builder, you will likely have a box called a content editor where you put in your words, and of course you can input your pictures too.

WordPress is one such website builder with which many of us are familiar. In fact, I am writing this post using that platform.

Using both GIMP and Photoshop, you have to go outside of the content editor and work on your photos or other images. You can crop the photos or resize them. Sometimes you can flip the horizontal or vertical direction of the photo, as well as doing many other things. Once you have your image edited to your satisfaction, you can save it to a file.

Then you can go to your content editor and input the image. Usually, the editor will give you the option to import the image from the file where you stored it.

That is all good, but wouldn’t if be great if you could work with editing the image right in the content box instead of having to go outside the website builder?

Well, there is good news.

There is a newer option. It is called DesignLike Pro. You can start with your images right inside the content editor in WordPress. Then you can click on a button to edit right there.

I am trying it right now.

I just took a screen shot on my MacBook Pro.

Those of you who use WordPress will recognize the content editor. Notice that at the very top, there is an option to “Insert Design.” Since I have already installed the Plugin, it took me right to a screen where I could begin working on images.

Notice the blue background. That started out as an image similar to a business card or a larger image like a website header. Since it allows me to work with layers, I just kept clicking on the text and pictures and deleting those items.

Then I added an image. I was able to go to my desktop and get the screen shot. Now that I have already done that, it shows up in my image gallery, and it will be even easier to insert if I want to use it again.

Let me try some more examples:

I am going to “Insert Design.”

I clicked on the image to enjoy Lifestyle, Then I saved and inserted it here.

Now if I want to edit this image, I just click on it, and the orange pencil icon appears. I can click on that right here in Word Press. Then I can start deleting or adding to layers.

Let’s delete some.

Notice that it deleted the word, “Lifestyle.”

Then I deleted the layers that had the Facebook icon, and the words, “Come to join our facebook page.”

You get the idea. I can do all of this within the word press editor.

Will I like It? – Advantages of the New Option

I guess I can only answer for myself, and I have only had it for two days, but, “Yes! I do like it.”

It is not free, but it is much less than photoshop, and I really like being able to work with the layers (and it has some other editing features too) without having to go outside of what I am already doing.

Conclusion

So, yes, we have three great options. They all have their advantages. I do like the DesignLike Pro.

If you would like more writing tips, you may go to DrRandyCarney.com where you could download a free gift of “Time Management for Writers.”

I wonder if any of you have used this program.

What do you think about the idea of having something like this as a plugin for WordPress?

July 25, 2018July 27, 2018

Creative Writing Tips Beginners Love to Hear

See the clock? it represents time passing.

It also relates to some creative writing tips beginners love to hear about.

Many beginners wonder, “Can I even get a writing project completed at all.”

Here are three tips that will help them (or you) to get that first book or project off to a good start.

Set Time Goals

Tip number 1 encourages you to decide to write for a specified amount of time.

You might want to write for five or ten minutes at a time. If you want to make sure you get a certain amount of words, set a timer. Then write. Force yourself to write.

Keep writing for the specified amount of time.

Kitchen Timer

When you do this, you might end up being surprised at some unexpected ideas that come your way.

The other thing about having the time limit is that we respond to deadlines. Have you ever pulled an “all-nighter” when a certain project was due.

The key is to have a self-imposed deadline that is not as drastic as having to write all night long.

Just Get It Out There, To Begin With

Tip number 2 encourages you to get the rough draft of your project done before you do extensive editing. Just get the rough draft out there.

You can’t edit unless you have something to edit.

At the very beginning stage of your writing project, the goal is to get a certain amount of words on paper or in your word processor. typing

You can even write so fast that you just pass up many corrections. You might know that you have a mispelled word or two. When your timer goes off, you can do some cleaning up then, but this is not the time for extensive rewriting.

You will be quite encouraged when you actually have a project on paper.

Edit Later

The third tip will help you not to feel so bad about leaving some of your mistakes in your rough draft when you try to meet the time goals. That tip is: Get the rough draft done, and then edit later.

When you have a rough draft, you are ready to really get things in shape.

When you do it this way, what you have already done is not set in stone. You don’t have to have the pressure of having produced a perfect product. In fact, you know from the start that the first draft is going to be far from perfect. On the other hand, you will actually have something done.

Some people write a paragraph or a few paragraphs. Then they get in perfectionistic mode by editing, and editing, and editing. If they are not careful, the will be spending all their time getting a few pages perfect.

Magnifying glass

Most people will be a lot more productive by getting a first draft of their entire project done.

Then, they can begin the process of editing. It is also good to set time goals for editing sessions too.

You might want to edit a chapter one day, let it rest overnight, and do it again the next day. Each time, however, give yourself a specified amount of time to spend on the editing process.

We have looked at three tips for getting your writing project rolling.

Write in five or ten minute blocks of time. Make each session a deadline, and you will get the rough draft finished. Then you will know that you can write a book-length project.

Secondly, don’t be perfectionistic about the first draft. Just get it out there!

Finally, edit the project later. This is when you can make the book shine.

If you would like a free report about time management for speakers who desire to be writers, go to DrRandyCarney.com, and click on the box on the right side of the page.