A variety of writers tips. #wwow

If you're an author than you might know how busy your "author life" gets. Let's not even mention what we call "real life". *Shudders*

I want to talk about keeping all the books your writing, got on submissions, and under contract in order. Because sometimes it gets overwhelming. I once read a marketing book that said in the eBook world of publishing you needed to have one you were working on, one in the slush piles, one under contract, and one releasing! Yikes. So, if you follow this rule, you need organization.

First let's assume you've written the book and your sending it out to submission. Use your calander and mark the day you queried, had your full requested, and such. Then count ahead the wait time and mark it as well. That way you can see the day approaching and know what dates you sent your work to which publishers. It can also help save your sanity as you stalk your inbox.

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Now, let's step back a moment to before you submit. Typically when you submit to a new publisher (things are usually different when you get in with one), you'll need a query and a synopsis. I'm not going to go into great deal at this time about a query letter or synopsis. But I do want to say to write either of these, do it after you finish the book. Like right away! The blurb as well. 

Like I said, things are usually different when you find a publisher. You don't usually have to send a synopsis any longer because you and your editor are on a working level. Because of this, I haven't always written the blurb. Then you struggle! You have to remember every detail and it can sometimes be hard to recall when you've been working on a new work in progress.

That brings me something else. You're going to get a cover art form. What do your characters look like? Are you going to have to search your story because in your new work in progress the heroine is blonde with green eyes. What color were her eyes in the one you have a contract for? WRITE IT DOWN as you are writing the story. Keep a piece of paper simply for the characters. If you describe them, then write it on the paper. It will save you a lot of time.

Now, I am by no means a super organized writer. I have a nifty to-do pad with each day of the week on it. I have an online calendar for guest posts and posts on my blog. Release dates, when edits are due, and so on. And the tips above have saved me some time as well.

Got any tips?

Want more wisdom?

#WWOW or Writers Word of Wisdom - A Smart & Savvy Group of Authors who write a weekly feature for their blog -Writer's Words of Wisdom- each Wednesday. The goal is to impart what we've learned about writing, editing, getting published, book promotion, and more along the way.

For more Wisdom, be sure to check out these authors as well.
Paloma Beck: Writing What You Don't Know
http://romancebeckons.blogspot.com/search/label/WoW#.UN348m_AeSo
Carol Burnside / Annie Rayburn:  http://wp.me/p1e7XX-PS
Melinda Dozier: Google Plus for Newbies http://melindadozier.blogspot.com