Marketing Maven? Um, Not Quite...

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It's time to come clean. I can't live with the pressure of having to conceal the truth any longer. You may want to sit down or fix yourself a drink though, 'cause this is a biggee.

I'm not sure all my readers are aware of it, but I've taught workshops to writers for a number of years on how to best/better market their books or themselves. Get out from behind your laptops, I urge. Show your face! Embrace public speaking. Set aside one day a week just for marketing. Or 1 hour a day. Small steps lead to big results. No one is going to do it for you. Being your own PR person is what it takes these days to be a successful author. I could look out at a sea of faces and watch people scribble notes. 

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Why Are All The Good Ideas Taken?

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Even though I'm committed to working on my YA novel, I'm still lurking about for the next great cat book idea. I kind of don't want to write another cat book, but I'm also realistic enough to recognize that 90% of my platform as an author is based on being a cat writer. So meow-meow I go. 

I've pitched a few ideas to my agent and received the feedback that the ideas I'm generating feel "non-organic."  "It feels like you're a bit panicked and forcing out the ideas," my agent told me back in December. "Just relax. The idea will come."

You know me. I'm all about the relaxing. Yup. Not worried about not having a book idea to pitch to my editor one little bit. 

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Dear Internet: I Don't Miss You

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"I've eased up on Internet use and it's made a huge difference. I can once again sit and read a book for an hour or two without flinching."

The above is a recent Facebook status I posted. The post generated a number of comments that ranged from "Share your secret" to "I soooo get it."

Like low-carb dieting, I've frequently tried and failed to stick to a reduced-time online plan. I'm not sure why this time it's clicked and--to be honest--I'm nowhere near convinced my new found Internet-free nirvana is here to stay. 

For the moment though, I'm feeling really good about my decision to spend less time online. What's helped immensely... 

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Talking 'Bout a Res-o-lu-tion

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Art From Hubpages.comSo how's everyone doing with those New Year resolutions? It's been less than a week but I thought I'd report on how the New Year is shaping up, what's working, what's not, and potential areas of concern. 

The Resolve: Drink 64 oz. of water each day.

The Reality: Pretty close. I've finished off the 64 ounces four out of six days and came close on the other two. I find it difficult to reach the goal if I leave the house. At home I carry around a massive water jug and sip constantly from a straw. Out and about, I'm more likely to order a coffee and nix the water. Still, heading in the right direction. 

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