Do you write for income, outcome, or both? Are they even compatible with one another? I try to write for outcome, and when I get income out of it, I feel extra blessed. But income and outcome can go hand in hand. If you write a good product, your opportunities for income increase. If you aren’t concerned about outcome, then your chances become poor for any type of payment since editors will not pay for inferior work.

My primary purpose in writing is not about how much money I can make. When God called me to write a few years back, He didn’t promise a steady income or any remuneration at all. But, in my obedience to Him, I have been blessed with some payment along the way.

Do I make money for everything I write? No, and I’m glad I don’t. I want my goal to be getting a good message out, whether it’s inspirational, like many of the articles I write for my church’s newsletter, or encouraging for kids, like the early readers for a school’s reading program.

It’s no secret in the writing community that most writers don’t make tons of money. The old cliché says, “Don’t quit your day job.” Since I’m a stay-at-home mom, the money is not a huge aspect for me; but the few dollars I do make goes “right back into the business” so my writing expenses are not a burden on the family budget.

On the other hand, I am aware of many children’s writers who need their income to live on. They will take on work-for-hire projects since those are better sources of immediate income than royalty contracts. It’s icing on the cake if they can get both, since the royalty checks only come twice a year, and work-for-hire usually pays when the work is done.

Some Christians have a conflict when it comes to their reason for writing, especially since they know their gift comes from God. They feel they should be concentrating solely on inspirational instead of on secular projects. I used to have some issues with this, but then I realized that by using the gifts God gave me in all areas of my life I am blessing Him with my commitment to doing my best. I am getting out stories that give a positive Christian worldview (even if I never mention God in the story), and I am sharing God’s love through my attitude and professionalism. I now feel freer to write a good outcome in all areas that could bring in some income as well.

Income or outcome doesn’t have to be an issue for a writer. Try always do your best to get out a good product, and if a check comes with it, consider it an extra blessing.

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As a writer I feel it’s a necessity to have a blog. Our business is about words, and what better way to practice your calling than with your very own blog!

With this unique tool of cyberspace you can be as creative as you want. You can write in poetry or prose. You can create your own format. You could include stories for your audience of choice. You can write short short stories or include a chapter of your masterpiece every week. You can give writing tips or conduct surveys. There are no limits to how innovative you can be.

Blogs are a great marketing tool, too. I’m currently thinking of ways to utilize mine more effectively as my upcoming book gets closer to publication. Some of my friends have done blog tours and even blog interviews to get the word out about their latest opus.

What’s keeping you from creating your own blog? Give it a try. It’s easy and it’s fun!

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Well, my office organization has come to a temporary halt. I ordered my corner desk and waited with eager anticipation for its arrival. It came last Friday, but a busy morning schedule kept me from opening it up right away. When I finally did and pulled out all the pieces, I discovered that I was missing all the hardware! There was no way I could put it together.

Of course I was very disappointed. I had been looking forward to getting my new work corner set up. I already bought and assembled a small cabinet that I have used to clean up my desk area and a lot of the files that had managed to accumulate on the floor. Now I have to wait a full week before the furniture company can send me the parts from back East.

Setbacks are common in all areas of life, including writing. Maybe I won’t finish in my original timeframe, but I will get it done. At least I’m stepping in the right direction!

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I am really enjoying my laptop. I can take it anywhere: outside, the kitchen table, my room, the library, a restaurant, etc. It’s my alternate when the kids want to use my main computer (which seems to be occurring more often this summer), and it’s great when I’m not feeling my best and can still work with fluffed up pillows instead of my stiff computer chair.

It allows me to feel less constrained in my writing since I feel very comfortable tapping out my thoughts, reflections, ideas, and stories wherever I please. What also helps is my wireless connection to the internet. I don’t have to download my blog posts to a disk and run it over to my main computer in order to put it onto my blogs. I can sit, compose, and post all from my laptop. Of course, I’m only as good as the life of my battery, but that’s where the ac adapter comes in.

Yes, I’m really enjoying my laptop. It has become a very valuable tool in my writing pursuits.

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