Blog - Page 9 of 31 - Bestselling Author Sharon Michaels

Balancing Writing with Everyday Life

I’ve been writing and self-publishing books for over thirty years. This is the second post in my “writing pearls of wisdom” series. I’m excited to share how I’m balancing my writing with everyday life.

Writing can be a fulfilling and rewarding activity. It can also be challenging when it comes to balancing the many other responsibilities in your life. Whether you are a professional writer or a hobbyist, it can be difficult to find the time and motivation to write while also managing work, family, and other commitments.

Here are my suggestions:

1. Set Realistic Goals

One of the most important things you can do is to set realistic goals for your writing. This means taking a realistic look at how much time you have available for writing each day or week, and then setting a goal you can realistically achieve.

For example, if you only have an hour or two each day to write, it would most likely be unrealistic to set a goal of writing an 80,000 word novel in a month. Instead, set a goal that is achievable in the time you have available, such as writing a chapter or two each week.

2. Prioritize Your Time

Prioritizing time means making writing as important as your other commitments, such as work and family. It may mean making sacrifices in other areas of your life, such as cutting back on TV or social media time. It also means being intentional about how you use your time.

3. Create a Writing Schedule

Creating a writing schedule can also be a helpful tool for balancing writing with everything else going on in your life. This means setting aside dedicated time each day or week for writing. It could be an hour each day before work, or a few hours on a weekend afternoon.

The key is to create a consistent schedule that you can stick to. This will help create a writing habit and ensure that you’re making progress towards your writing goals.

4. Be Flexible

While it’s important to have a writing schedule and stick to it as much as possible, it’s also important to be flexible. There will be times when life happens, and you won’t be able to stick to a schedule. It’s important to be kind to yourself and recognize that it’s okay to miss a writing session or two. Don’t beat yourself up and don’t let it derail your progress. Just get back on track as soon as you can.

5. Join a Writing Group

Writing groups provide accountability and support, as well as opportunities for feedback. They can also help you stay motivated and inspired by connecting you with other writers who share your passion. There are many online writing groups, as well as local groups, that meet in person. Find one that works for you and make it a regular part of your writing routine.

Balancing writing with your everyday life can be challenging, but not impossible. Finding the balance that works for you will make it easier to pursue your writing goals while maintaining a fulfilling life.

Please remember, writing is a journey, and it’s important to appreciate and enjoy the process along the way.

Happy writing!!!

Amazon bestselling author Sharon Michaels loves writing cozy mysteries filled with suspense, mature characters, smart animals, a bit of paranormal and, later in life romance. Her short reads are sweet, clean, and fun.

You can find fun books to read on this page:
https://sharonmichaelsauthor.com/cozy-fiction

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Jailbirds, Jelly Rolls, and Justice

My newest cozy mystery!!!
Jailbirds, Jelly Rolls, and Justice is a fun short read cozy mystery that will keep you guessing until the very end.

Amateur sleuth, part-time reporter, and baker extraordinaire, Tabitha Clive is back to make sure justice is served.

Your Kindle and Kindle Unlimited copies of
Jailbirds, Jelly Rolls, and Justice
Book 2 in the Tabitha Clive Amateur Sleuth short read cozy mystery series
are waiting for you here:

Amazon bestselling author Sharon Michaels loves writing cozy mysteries filled with suspense, fun characters, smart animals, and maybe a bit of paranormal. Her short reads are sweet, clean, and fun.

You can find fun books to read on this page:
https://sharonmichaelsauthor.com/cozy-fiction

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Striving for Your Best

I’ve been asked to share what I’ve learned over these past thirty plus years about writing, being a self-published author and striving for my best. This is the first post in a series of ten posts where I’ll be sharing my writing pearls of wisdom.

As an author, striving to publish your best work is always the goal. Whether you’re working on a book, a blog post, or even a simple email, your writing reflects your professionalism, your abilities, and your attention to detail. While it is impossible for any writing to be completely flawless, striving for excellence will help you stand out in a crowded field.

So how can you work towards achieving your best writing?

Here are some tips I’ll learn over the years:

1. Always proofread and edit your work

Before publishing anything, it’s important to proofread and edit your work. This allows you to catch errors, typos, and mistakes that you may have missed during the writing process. Perhaps more crucially, it gives you the opportunity to refine your work and ensure that it reads and flows smoothly.

It can be helpful to read your work out loud. It’s a way to help you catch inconsistencies in tone, pacing, and diction. You can also ask someone else to proofread and offer feedback on your work, as it can be all too easy to miss even the most obvious of errors when reading your own work.

2. Research thoroughly

Research is an essential element in any writing project. Regardless of your topic, it is vital that you collect enough information to provide value to your reading audience. By researching thoroughly, you can ensure that your writing is accurate, up-to-date, and factual.

3. Strive for clarity and concision

Effective writing is not about using the most complicated words, but about using the right words to convey your message. Think carefully about your word choices, as well as your sentence structure and flow.

Be concise, but clear in your writing. To achieve clarity, avoid lengthy sentences, paragraphs, or jargon that may distract or confuse your readers. Instead, use simple and easy-to-understand language to convey your message.

4. Seek out feedback

Feedback is an essential part of improving your writing. Seek out opinions from colleagues, peers, or experts to understand where your writing may need improvement. This can help you identify what aspects of your work are strong and where there is room for growth.

5. Practice makes perfect

As with any skill, practice makes perfect. Continuously working on your writing and incorporating feedback can help to improve your writing ability over time. Writing regularly, reading widely, and experimenting with different writing styles, techniques, and structures can help to hone your craft.

Keep on top of any emerging trends or changes in the writing field, and be open to learning and growing as a writer. Attending writers’ workshops or taking online courses can provide opportunities for feedback, learning, and improvement.

Striving towards your best writing is a continuous process requiring careful attention, hard work, and practice.
I believe perfection is impossible. But setting high standards and actively working towards them will help you create work of which you can be proud.

Happy Writing!!!

Writing Pearls of Wisdom - Author Sharon Michaels

You can find fun books to read on this page:
https://sharonmichaelsauthor.com/cozy-fiction

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Cats, Crooks, and Cobblers

My newest cozy mystery!!!
Cats, Crooks, and Cobblers is a fun short read cozy mystery that will keep you guessing until the very end.

Join young Tabitha Clive as she unravels the mysterious murder that has the small town of Kornville on edge and her family’s good name in jeopardy.

Your Kindle and Kindle Unlimited copies of Cats, Crooks, and Cobblers are waiting for you here:

Amazon bestselling author Sharon Michaels loves writing cozy mysteries filled with suspense, fun characters, smart animals, and maybe a bit of paranormal. Her short reads are sweet, clean, and fun.

You can find fun books to read on this page:
https://sharonmichaelsauthor.com/cozy-fiction

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Reading Journals Why and How

Why start a reading journal?

1. Starting a reading journal is a great way to track your reading progress and reflect on what you’ve read.

2. Keeping track of what you’ve read can help you stay organized and document your thoughts and opinions on books.

3. Creating a journal can help you develop a more critical eye as you become more aware of the themes and aspects of books that you find enjoyable or not.

4. A reader’s journal can also be a great source of motivation and inspiration when you look back and see how far you’ve come in your reading journey.

Here’s how to start:

1. Choose a journal: Select a journal that you like to write in and that will inspire you to write regularly. Choose one with enough pages to accommodate your entries.

2. Set up the journal: Add a title page and any other decorative touches that you want. Include your name and the date of your first entry.

3. Add content: Start writing about the books you’ve read. Include details such as the title, author, characters, plot summary, and your thoughts and opinions about the book.

4. Use dividers and labels: Mark the start of each book entry with a divider and/or label so you can easily navigate your journal.

5. Take notes: When you’re reading, jot down notes and quotes that you want to include in your journal.

6. Make it a habit: Set aside time each day or week to write in your journal. Make it a priority and it will become a habit.

Happy reading!

You can find fun books to read on this page:
https://sharonmichaelsauthor.com/cozy-fiction

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