Plugging Away

My manuscript is due this week so I've gotten little else done around here, including today's post. It was going to be riveting and insightful. Well maybe not quite, but it was a good idea that I thought you might like. It will have to wait for another day; I hope you don't mind if I share a few links instead.


If you happen to do historical research, I reviewed a book in the Writer's Guide to Everyday Life series at the Coffeehouse for Writers Blog. It's a wonderful resource for writers of all genres.


Carol J. Alexander at Everything Home with Carol has a great giveaway going this week. Prizes include free downloads of Paperless Home Organization, Lessons from the Homestead, my book Homeschool Co-ops 101 and other home/homeschool resources.

What are you writing this week? Have any special Labor Day plans?


Happy writing,

Karen



Photo credit: Stock Exchange

Visiting The Writing Nut

Guess what?  

Nutschell Windsor invited me to her 

Wednesday Writer's Workspace over at The Writing Nut.

If you have a moment, hop over and see us!  :)

What does your writer's workspace look like?

Have a great weekend,

Karen

Tools and Tips for Every Writer

   

Writers have a lot on their plates. Social media, blogging, marketing, not to mention actually writing. Here are a few tools and tips that might make this balancing act easier.

Whether you are a newbie or veteran blogger, Carol Tice's 3 Big Ways Most Writers' Blogs Go Wrong From Minute One offers seasoned tips to put our best foot forward.

Need more timeless blogging tips? Check out the advice from Jennifer Brown Banks in 8 Ways to Make Your Blog Bookmark Worthy. It's a winner!

Karen Cioffi asks, Online Marketing - Is Blogging Worth the Time and Effort? This insightful post highlights the important role a blog can play in the social media package.

Ever hear of Wordoid? It's a site where you can create new words and other fun activities. It's helpful too, when choosing a domain name, for if the one you want isn't available, it'll help you find creative alternatives.

Don't be fooled by the title, Marketing Tips for Authors offers tips for all writers. Their site also has tools, resources, interviews, links, and other great stuff.

Lisa Hall-Wilson's guest post, What if You Hate Facebook? Are You Doomed? over at Kristen Lamb's blog sheds light on the love/hate relationship many of us have with social media.

What new tools and tips have you found lately?

Have a great week,

Karen

Photo credit: Stock Exchange


P.S. Just in case you wanted to know..:) The Blog Tour for Homeschool Co-ops 101 begins this week: 

Click here for complete schedule

The Giveaway

One person will receive a $25 Amazon GC and an ecopy of Homeschool Co-ops 101.  

Please use the Rafflecopter below to be entered. The winner will be chosen from those entries and announced December 5, 2013.

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code. Winning entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by Rafflecopter and announced here as well as e-mailed, and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Diane at That’s What I’m Here For… and sponsored by the author, Karen Lange. The author provided me with a free copy of Homeschool Co-ops 101 to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a giveaway in return for the free book.VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

 Homeschool Co-ops 101 is available at:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Kobo

A Happy Announcement

May I boast just a teeny bit? 

Release day is here!

After a few delays, it's rather surreal - exciting too, so I just wanted to share the news. You've all been so faithful to lend your support and cheer me on. Thank you!

For details on Homeschool Co-ops 101 click here, or visit:

Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Kobo

In Other News

In case you missed it, we discussed good writing books in last Monday's post. I invite you to hop over and add your two cents.

Thursday's post featured a blog tour visit for Pamela Christian's Examine Your Faith! Stop by if you like and congratulate her on her new book.

I'm taking a short break but will be back on Monday, November 4.

What exciting things are happening in your neighborhood these days?

Have a great week!

Happy writing,

Karen  :) 


P.S. For those of you who signed up for the HC 101 blog tour, we will email you the details shortly.

Visiting a Friend

I am visiting the sweet and talented

 Nutschell Windsor at The Writing Nut today.

If you have a moment, please come say hello.

We'd love to see you! :) 

Happy writing,

 Karen

Super Summer 2013

How has your summer been so far? It's been crazy busy here, mostly due to my book's deadline. There's a sliver of a lull now before the book is released later this month, and in my usual "shoulda, coulda, woulda" fashion I've been thinking about what I've observed and learned in the process. Three things stand out.

1) Time Management  There's nothing like a deadline to highlight the weak areas. It wasn't pretty. The biggest trouble spot? The internet. My solution? Close and ignore it. It's amazing how productive one can be when Facebook and email are put in timeout.

2) Procrastination  This was the second biggest hurdle, and it originated from indecision and insecurity. The book contract came about quickly and had a short deadline. I'm not complaining here; it's a huge blessing! But I'm a planner and like a lot of lead time. Yet there was content that I wasn't sure how to handle, so putting it off was easier than figuring it out. I fell prey to doubt, too - looking at what the book was not instead of what it is. The solution? I forged ahead (after the above mentioned timeout) and prayed a lot. A LOT.

3) Faithful Friends are Golden  Thinking about the support from all of you, and looking over the blog tour list brings tears to my eyes. Seriously. Thank you!

And one more thing...it's official; I'm allowed to share the final cover. :) A huge thank you goes to my son David Lange, who designed it. If you happen to need a graphic designer/illustrator, check out his website here.

What have you observed or learned this summer? Do you have any special vacation or other plans for August?

Have a great week!

Happy writing,

Karen