I get a lot of questions about how to find subjects for blog posts and articles. Sometimes the universe dumps article topics in your lap. Topics can show up in conversations or questions from clients or friends or maybe even disguised as an email from Ezine Articles.

Yesterday, an online group I belong to polled its members asking what the topic would be for the next online blog post. The first thought that flew into my mind was something along the lines of ‘how the heck do I know’. I always keep a list of blog post topics handy. However, when I sit down to write a post, most often a totally different topic pops into my mind.

Last night I hosted a great episode of Author’s Tools Chat with award-winning western author, Paty Jager. I had a lot of fun, and I hope the audience learned a lot (at least they said they did). Click the link above to hear the replay.

We talked about Paty’s writing, publishing,a and promotion. I mentioned a good way to promote yourself and your books on someone else’s teleseminar or webinar. It’s been awhile since I wrote about using your voice to build relationships with your readers. Of course, that went on my list for future blog posts. › Continue reading…

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I’ve been quite ill from an abscessed tooth. For awhile my right eye was swollen shut.

All the time management skill in the world couldn’t help me out.

I got behind in all my projects. I even had to cancel Author’s Tools Chat, because I couldn’t talk. It’s now back on schedule for Monday night at 6pm PST. (More about that later.)

Now, I’m behind with my writing, my social networking, and everything else in my life. However, I’m quickly catching up.

If you’re a regular reader of this blog, you know that I’m a firm believer in using timers. Timers help me stay focused and keep me on track. They are a necessity when visiting social networks.

I have a wonderful time management tool that takes timers (yes, multiple timers) to a new level. It’s a software program that was developed for PCs but now is also available for MACs.

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The other day a writer confessed to me that she hadn’ t been wri

ting lately. I know we all need some time away from the keyboard, but I sensed her problem ran deeper. After asking some probing questions, I learned that she put off sitting down to write because of the deadly twins of procrastination and perfectionism.

A lot of writers have the same problem.  If you don’t write, you can’t finish. If you don’t finish, you can’t submit. If you don’t submit, you can’t be rejected.

On the other hand, if you don’t write and submit, you can’t be published.

Here are some tips to get you past the blinking cursor.

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