Tag Archives: Steph Beth Nickel

Not Second Best (Guest Post)

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A young woman holds a coffee cup in front of her mouth. You can tell from her eyes that she's smiling.
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Not Second Best

by Steph Beth Nickel

I’ll write a book when…

I’ll write my next book when…

There are countless numbers of people who would like to write a book “some day,” whether it’s their first or thirty first. In fact, you may be one of them. I know I am.

I have numerous ideas for books I’d like to write and self-publish, but will I get around to it? We’ll see.

For now, my life is filled with editing others’ manuscripts, assisting my hubby as we prepare to renovate and sell our home of over 20 years, planning for our move west, serving as Contest Coordinator for InScribe—and yes, tweaking and submitting the manuscript I wrote with my coauthor.

Are these things keeping me from completing other manuscripts I’ve begun and those floating around my mind? Are they getting in the way of writing and publishing picture books, women’s fiction, devotionals, etc., etc., etc.? Are they second best?

To be honest, I have several hours each day that I could dedicate to writing. And while you may not, there are probably 15-60-minute blocks of time you could set aside for writing multiple times per week.

But does that mean that if we don’t “straighten up and fly right,” for whatever reason, we should view our day-to-day responsibilities and even our socialization and relaxation as second best?

We’ve all heard a lot about mindset these days, but how we view our endeavours has a lot to do with how we spend our time. Plus, our mindset has even more to do with our attitude and emotions.

Let’s look at how we spend our time, maybe even keep track for a few days or a week of how we spend each hour of the day.

We can’t be “the best” at everything, but we do have to prioritize our tasks. Too often, downtime and writing are at the bottom of the list. And too often, we resent our “evil day job” and/or other day-to-day responsibilities.

What if we began to give thanks for the opportunities to earn an income, care for our aging family member, play outside with our children or grandchildren?

What if we reminded ourselves that blessing even one other person is a privilege—even when it’s draining?

What if we gave ourselves the grace to watch a TV show, listen to a podcast, or read a novel without guilt?

Would there still be time to write?

In my case, I know the answer is an unequivocal yes. And you might find the same is true for yourself. But if not, maybe now isn’t the season to write that book. That doesn’t mean, however, that it will never be the right time. And if you can carve out those few minutes even two or three times per week, we may be celebrating with you in the next year or two that you’re ready to press Publish or send off queries to agents and/or publishers.

Wishing you all the best (not second best) today and always!

Photo credit: Jaime Mellor Photography

As an editor, Steph Beth Nickel has the honour of coming alongside writers to help them polish their work. As the coauthor of Paralympian Deb Willows’s memoirs, Steph has been blessed to work with this amazing woman. And as a future self-published author, with the Lord’s help, Steph has taken brave steps toward publication.

If you would like more information about her services, you can contact her at stephbethnickelediting@gmail.com.

You’re invited to visit her website: http://stephbethnickeleditor.com/.

You can join her Editing Tips Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/418423519384351.

Are You Aging or Maturing as a Writer? (Guest Post)

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Photo credit: Pixabay

Are You Aging or Maturing as a Writer?

by Steph Beth Nickel

Last month (“Are You Aging or Maturing as a Reader?“) we discussed the choices we have as readers. Are we aging, which can be seen in the context of the challenges we face as we grow older, or are we maturing, learning from and applying what we discover with each passing year?

This month let’s ask the same question of ourselves as writers.

Below are some thoughts on what maturing as a writer could look like:

Tips for Writers

If you’ve been writing for years, I encourage you to keep at it. And if you think it’s too late to begin writing even though it’s still one of your dreams, I encourage you to pursue your goal—no mature your age.

While it’s good to expand our horizons, as loath as I am to admit it, it may be time to zero in on the one or two genres in which you would like to write and publish. This coming from an eclectically interested and eclectically involved individual . . .  <sigh>

Deciding on the genre(s) you want to focus on will increase your chances of completing and indie publishing your work or finding a traditional publisher.

Researching which publishing path you want to take will take time, but deciding which path best suits you will save time and energy in the long run. There is lots to learn whichever option you choose.

Note: The publishing path you choose for one project may not be the best for subsequent projects.

A Word of Warning

There are many individuals claiming to be experts in the writing and publishing fields. Do your homework before following anyone’s advice (especially if there is a fee involved). Sadly, there are many who are either deliberately or unintentionally doling out incomplete or entirely false information. Some even charge for services that are free, something I warned a friend about recently. I’m SO GLAD she asked my opinion before forwarding this individual $500 for something that doesn’t cost a dime.

The information we learned a decade ago, last year, or even last week, may not be particularly relevant today. Ours is a twofold responsibility: 1) keep learning and 2) recognize the fact that, at some point, we have to go ahead and press Publish or fire off our manuscript to potential agents, editors, and/or publishers. While we should expand our knowledge, we must realize publishing is in a constant state of flux.

It will be difficult for some of us to hear this, but taking into account the ever-changing writing and publishing landscape and the fact that perfection is subjective and we will never achieve it means we must muster up the courage to recognize when good enough is good enough. I recently heard that there are those who advise writers to publish their work if they consider it 70 percent of what it could be. Seventy percent!

For perfectionists, the idea of publishing at 70 or even 80 percent is inconceivable. For those of us who aren’t particularly perfectionistic, this concept may make us want to cheer.

What This Does Not Mean

Publishing a book that we feel is only at 70 percent does not mean that we shouldn’t send it to beta readers and consider their input. It doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t get our manuscript professionally edited. It doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t keep developing and applying our writing and self-editing skills.

But there comes a point when we must realize that as we learn and grow and go over our manuscript “just one more time,” the changes we might make will not make all that much difference. And if we want to publish more than one book, we have to take a deep breath and send our current work out into the world.

My take: Aging can make us more rigid, less likely to consider publishing something we feel isn’t the absolute best we can make it. While maturing is realizing perfection is not attainable and we can be a blessing to readers even if our writing isn’t flawless, whatever that means to us.

In what ways are you maturing as a writer?

Photo credit: Jaime Mellor Photography

As an editor, Steph Beth Nickel has the honour of coming alongside writers to help them polish their work. As the coauthor of Paralympian Deb Willows’s memoirs, Steph has been blessed to work with this amazing woman. And as a future self-published author, with the Lord’s help, Steph has taken brave steps toward publication.

If you would like more information about her services, you can contact her at stephbethnickelediting@gmail.com.

You’re invited to visit her website: http://stephbethnickeleditor.com/.

You can join her Editing Tips Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/418423519384351.

Are You Aging or Maturing as a Reader? (Guest Post)

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Image by 🌸♡💙♡🌸 Julita 🌸♡💙♡🌸 from Pixabay

Are You Aging or Maturing as a Reader?

by Steph Beth Nickel

Over the next couple of months, I will be having cataract surgery on both eyes and may need corneal transplants in the years to come. I can no longer go as long between workouts and not get stiff—not the good kind that comes from beneficial exercise but the kind that comes from too much inactivity. My sleep patterns are wonky, admittedly because I often stay up too late.

Are these signs of maturing or aging? Easy answer, right?

Sadly, we often think of aging in negative terms and maturing in positive ones, but I truly believe we can combine the two—while acknowledging the challenges of the passing years.

Below are some tips for older readers. (If you haven’t felt the effects of aging as of yet, hopefully you’ll find a few tips that will benefit you as well.)

Tips for Readers

As we age, our bodies and minds often get less pliable, less flexible. Just as regular physical activity can be beneficial to our body, reading can help us continue to mature and reduce the mental signs of aging.

While we all have our favourite genre(s), there are many benefits to expanding our horizons. Why not pick up a book in a genre you don’t typically read?

Have you been wanting to develop your skills in an area you’re familiar with or learn an entirely new-to-you skill? Why not nab a book in your favourite format—or pull one off your shelves you’ve been meaning to (re)read?

Just as it’s beneficial to read a wide variety of genres, there are advantages to consuming books in multiple formats: physical books, e-books, and audiobooks. In recent years, I’ve consumed far more audiobooks than I’d ever imagined I would, being more of a visual learner than an auditory one. When I’m tired or busy doing something that doesn’t require my undivided attention, I enjoy having an audiobook playing.

You can use a library app and borrow audiobooks (and e-books) for free, make individual purchases from sites such as Chirp Books (their deals are phenomenal), or pay a monthly subscription rate to a service such as Rakuten Kobo and download as many e-books and audiobooks as you like.

True confessions: I have numerous apps on my phone for consuming books and hundreds of unread volumes.

How about joining (or starting) a book club? If you don’t have enough friends or family member to begin your own book club, you may want to join an in-person or online club that reads books in one of your preferred genres.

Happy reading, all!

And if you’re a writer—or thinking of becoming one—check out next month’s post, “Are You Aging or Maturing as a Writer?”

Photo credit: Jaime Mellor Photography

As an editor, Steph Beth Nickel has the honour of coming alongside writers to help them polish their work. As the coauthor of Paralympian Deb Willows’s memoirs, Steph has been blessed to work with this amazing woman. And as a future self-published author, with the Lord’s help, Steph has taken brave steps toward publication.

If you would like more information about her services, you can contact her at stephbethnickelediting@gmail.com.

You’re invited to visit her website: http://stephbethnickeleditor.com/.

You can join her Editing Tips Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/418423519384351.

Why Reading Can Be a Challenge (Guest Post)

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Image: headphones and cellphone.
Image by Free stock photos from www.rupixen.com from Pixabay

Why Reading Can Be a Challenge

by Steph Beth Nickel

Don’t get me wrong. I love books. Physical books. eBooks. Audiobooks. All the books. But sometimes I do struggle to sit down and read a book from cover to cover.

Specific Challenges

When I’m tired, it can be difficult to focus on the words on a page. All of us have likely found ourselves reading and re-reading a paragraph because we complete it and wonder what on earth we’ve read.

Reining in my thoughts can prove challenging. I enjoy flitting from one thing to the next to the next. This is one reason I have multiple books on the go at all times—and ideas for books in multiple genres that I would like to write.

As an extrovert, I enjoy auditory input. I find both quiet and background music (especially with lyrics) distracting. This is why it requires more deliberate focus for me to read a physical or eBook.

Enter . . . the Audiobook

While you may not face the challenges I do when it comes to reading, you may be surprised at some of the advantages of listening to audiobooks. These are true even if you’re not an auditory learner.

For we who are extroverts, sometimes it’s nice to have someone keep us company, even if that someone is the narrator of the audiobook we’re listening to. (Of course, listening to some narrators is more pleasant than listening to others.)

It’s possible to do other tasks while listening to an audiobook: drive, wash dishes, tidy up, etc. And with the advent of Bluetooth earbuds, things like running water don’t have to interfere with the experience.

I prefer listening to fiction, but I do listen to some nonfiction books as well. If there are passages I want to make note of, I may purchase the eBook or physical book as well.

Cost-Prohibitive

One “problem” with audiobooks is the cost. However, that need not be the case any longer.

If you want to listen to audiobooks but don’t want to pay a monthly fee for only one book or pay the per book retail cost, there are options.

I was thrilled to discover Chirp | A Better Way to Audiobook. Chirp has phenomenal sales on audiobooks, both more recent releases and classics. Often the first audiobook in a series has a low price, under $5.00. This is a great way to discover new authors and see if we want to invest in the complete series.

And when it comes to subscriptions, you can’t beat Kobo Plus eBook & Audiobook Subscription | Rakuten Kobo Canada. For approximately $15.00 per month, you can download as many audiobooks (and eBooks) as you like for no extra cost. They will disappear, however, should you cancel your subscription, but they won’t disappear from your library if you haven’t read them by the end of the month you downloaded them. Not all books are available, but there are more new and recent releases than I could ever hope to read—even though I often listen to a book in one or two days.

While reading can be a challenge, I am thankful for audiobooks . . . and eBooks (after all, I can easily carry hundreds with me wherever I go) . . . and physical books.

What’s your preferred format? Have you found reading to be a challenge? If so, in what ways?

Photo credit: Jaime Mellor Photography

As an editor, Steph Beth Nickel has the honour of coming alongside writers to help them polish their work. As the coauthor of Paralympian Deb Willows’s memoirs, Steph has been blessed to work with this amazing woman. And as a future self-published author, with the Lord’s help, Steph has taken brave steps toward publication.

If you would like more information about her services, you can contact her at stephbethnickelediting@gmail.com.

You’re invited to visit her website: http://stephbethnickeleditor.com/.

You can join her Editing Tips Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/418423519384351.

Much-Needed Rest (Guest Post)

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Much-Needed Rest

by Steph Beth Nickel

Last month, I shared some of my favourite podcasts and audiobook providers. But even the best of these can become little more than noise in this world of overstimulation. And coming out of the holiday season, rest—and quiet—may be exactly what you need.

Although quiet and rest are not the same, they are related. While being quiet doesn’t guarantee we will be at rest, it is difficult to truly rest and recharge without at least some periods of quiet. (Note: quietness isn’t necessarily the same as silence. For instance, you can go for a quiet walk surrounded by the sounds of nature.)

Dave Nickel at the Fairy Bridges in Ireland
Photo Credit: Steph Beth Nickel

Saundra Dalton Smith, MD, identifies seven types of rest each of us needs, many of which we give little to no thought. In her book Sacred Rest: Recover Your Life, Renew Your Energy, Restore Your Sanity, the author examines the following types of rest: Physical Rest, Mental Rest, Emotional Rest, Spiritual Rest, Social Rest, Sensory Rest, and Creative Rest.

Depending on the audiobook I’m listening to or the podcast I have playing, I may be able to rest in one or more of these ways. However, there are times quiet is the best option. While I can fall asleep listening to a TV show, podcast, or audiobook (thank goodness for the snooze feature!), allowing myself to drift off without this type of auditory input can make for a more restful sleep.

Listening to anything that gets my mind racing is obviously not providing the mental or emotional rest I need. There are things that do, however. For example, I enjoy using Emily P. Freeman’s Quiet Collection and the One Minute Pause apps to wind down and “be present.”

While there are numerous auditory resources that help us develop our spiritual life, it’s important to enjoy the presence of the promised Comforter, the Holy Spirit, and listen to what He is teaching us through what we’ve read, heard, and experienced. It’s easier to do this if we regularly take time to be quiet.

And now we come to social rest. I can almost hear all the introverts out there cheering, but we extroverts may have a tough time with this one. I like listening to podcasts not only because of the subject matter but also because I enjoy the pseudo connection I’ve made with my favourite podcasters. I have to remind myself that I don’t always need someone to keep me company.

While sensory rest seems self-explanatory, we may need to remind ourselves of its importance, especially when we encounter resistance—external or internal.

And last, the author of Sacred Rest examines creative rest. She refers to a friend who rests by pulling out her art supplies and creating a painting. While the very thought of doing so may cause us anxiety, there is likely something creative each of us finds restful.

How about you? Do you enjoy sitting down at the piano and playing your favourite song? Grabbing your camera and going for a photo walk? Baking a batch of cookies? Art journalling? Writing a poem?

As we enter the new year, let’s commit to stepping back from the noise and embracing the rest we need.

How are you going to do so?

Photo credit: Jaime Mellor Photography

As an editor, Steph Beth Nickel has the honour of coming alongside writers to help them polish their work. As the coauthor of Paralympian Deb Willows’s memoirs, Steph has been blessed to work with this amazing woman. And as a future self-published author, with the Lord’s help, Steph has taken brave steps toward publication.

If you would like more information about her services, you can contact her at stephbethnickelediting@gmail.com.

You’re invited to visit her website: http://stephbethnickeleditor.com/.

You can join her Editing Tips Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/418423519384351.

Setting as Character (Guest Post)

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Setting as Character

by Steph Beth Nickel

We’ve all read books where the setting has a personality all its own. Not only does it provide the perfect backdrop to the story; it is a living, breathing character in its own right.

In September, my husband and I spent three weeks exploring Scotland, Iceland, and Ireland with our eldest son and his wife. (They live not far from Glasgow.)

As you can see from the pictures below, our surroundings came alive and could easily become characters in a book. (I took all except the path with the autumn-coloured leaves while we were away.)

While I would appreciate acknowledgment if you share one or more of these images, feel free to do so and/or use them as writing prompts or inspiration for your work.

All photos: credit: Steph Beth Nickel

And if you get the opportunity to visit one or more of these locations, I encourage you to do so. It was a once-in-a-lifetime trip that will provide years of memories—and inspiration.

Photo credit: Jaime Mellor Photography

As an editor, Steph Beth Nickel has the honour of coming alongside writers to help them polish their work. As the coauthor of Paralympian Deb Willows’s memoirs, Steph has been blessed to work with this amazing woman. And as a future self-published author, with the Lord’s help, Steph has taken brave steps toward publication.

If you would like more information about her services, you can contact her at stephbethnickelediting@gmail.com.

You’re invited to visit her website: http://stephbethnickeleditor.com/.

You can join her Editing Tips Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/418423519384351.

Finding Inspiration Across the Pond (Guest Post)

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Finding Inspiration Across the Pond

by Steph Beth Nickel

My European Adventure is scheduled for the last three weeks of September 2024. When this is posted, I will have completed two of those three weeks and will, hopefully, have a plethora of ideas to inspire my writing. (July 29, 2024)

Writers find inspiration everywhere. From a snippet of overheard conversation to an unusual name printed on a souvenir. From a randomly asked question to a humorous meme on social media. From a crumbling castle to an erupting volcano.

Old stone castle and bridge in Scotland, green mountain background.
Image by Andreas Senftleben from Pixabay

As writers, it’s important to make note of those things that inspire us, things we want to include in our writing—at least at some point.

Although she asked the question well over a decade ago, I will never forget an older friend of mine asking my son, who was wearing army boots at least three sizes too big for him, “Hey, boots, where are you taking that boy?” Absolutely priceless!

I think P. J. Bottoms would make the perfect name for a fictional middle grade student who solves mysteries. But since there’s a children’s book author by that name (a pseudonym, I presume), I may shelf the idea.

And my daughter’s answer to a long-forgotten question is the title of one of the picture books I’d like to publish.

While adventuring in Scotland, Ireland, and Iceland, I know I will have gained more ideas than I can possibly include in my writing.

Just how will I have captured at least some of those ideas?

Before I left—or maybe on the plane, winging my way across the Atlantic—using either my computer or pen and paper, I will have brainstormed possible writing projects I can complete in the future.

I purchased a Novel from Nothing journal that I may begin to fill in should a story begin to gel. Familiarizing myself with the contents of the journal before I leave will have given me ideas to mull over.

An empty journal and a stash of pens will likely have found their way into my luggage as well—for all those other ideas that are bound to bombard me in the best possible way.

At the time of writing this post, I hadn’t decided whether or not to take my digital camera with me or rely exclusively on my iPhone and camcorder, complete with eternal mic, to capture the landscape, the architecture, and the natural phenomena that will provide an abundance of writing inspiration.

Waterfalls and rocky cliffs in Iceland.
Image by Herm from Pixabay

Cameras. Physical or digital journals. Camcorders. Guided journals. The IOS Notes app. I will likely have used all of these to capture the countless things I won’t want to forget—things that may serve as inspiration for current and future writing projects.

While My European Adventure will be something I never forget and something that will fuel my writing for years to come, there will be inspiration all around no matter where I find myself. It’s important to keep my eyes, ears, and heart open during My Everyday Adventures as well.

Where do you find your writing inspiration and how to you ensure that you keep track of it?

Photo credit: Jaime Mellor Photography

As an editor, Steph Beth Nickel has the honour of coming alongside writers to help them polish their work. As the coauthor of Paralympian Deb Willows’s memoirs, Steph has been blessed to work with this amazing woman. And as a future self-published author, with the Lord’s help, Steph has taken brave steps toward publication.

If you would like more information about her services, you can contact her at stephbethnickelediting@gmail.com.

You’re invited to visit her website: http://stephbethnickeleditor.com/.

You can join her Editing Tips Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/418423519384351.

Virtual Brainstorming (Guest Post)

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Computer monitor with a stream of bright colours leading into it and out the far side.
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

Virtual Brainstorming

by Steph Beth Nickel

Not long ago, I probably wouldn’t have given much thought to using generative AI as a brainstorming partner. Then, a Christian couple I highly respect shared how they are using it to greatly increase the efficiency of their business. As an author, Kathi would never put her name to something generated by AI, but she does use it to brainstorm possible titles for her podcast episodes and to compile the transcript. Saving time and inspiring ideas . . . I’m all for it!

While a trip to Scotland, Ireland, and Iceland is bound to provide a plethora of inspiration for endless writing projects, I decided to brainstorm some ideas before boarding the plane on September 10, 2024, to get my creative juices flowing.

My brainstorming partner? Anthropic’s Claude AI.

Regarding my upcoming trip to Europe, I asked it the following questions:

  1. What writing topics could be inspired by a trip to Scotland, Ireland, and Iceland? (And yes, I did use proper punctuation, grammar, and spelling. It’s what I do.)
  2. What influence has evangelical Christianity had on Scotland, Ireland, and Iceland?
  3. Give me picture book ideas for books set in Scotland, Ireland, and Iceland.
  4. Give me ideas for cozy mysteries set in Scotland, Ireland, and Iceland.
  5. Give me ideas for fantasy books set in Scotland, Ireland, and Iceland.

Will I use any of the ideas “as is”? No.

Will I draw inspiration from Claude’s answers? Absolutely.

Did the answers serve as a “priming of the pump” as it were? Absolutely. Especially the ideas for picture books, which quickly got my mind in gear as well as my daughter’s. She’s an illustrator and could immediately imagine pictures to go along with the suggestions even though Claude included only a suggested title and a single sentence summary.

What would take me hours to research, Claude AI did in seconds.

Would I ever include the information the program provides without further research? I wouldn’t. But, as writers, we all know that using a single source of information is never a good idea. This has always been how misinformation and “fake news” spread so quickly.

As writers, we know the importance of developing good research skills. To me, generative AI can serve as one source of that information, one source that draws from numerous others in a fraction of the time it would take me to do the same.

Asking Claude AI these questions cleared the cobwebs and has provided a great springboard for potential writing projects. I feel significantly better equipped to create a more focussed game plan for the type of further inspiration to look forward on my European Adventure.

Plus, Claude provided a list of things to pack, which will help me make sure I don’t forget anything—after I asked for the list of course. Bonus!

Note: While programs such as Grammarly and ProWriting Aid are technically AI, when most people use the term, they are referring to generative AI programs such as ChatGPT, Claude AI, and others. While there are serious concerns as to how generative AI is being used, it has several ethical, timesaving applications as well. Used wisely, it can be a helpful addition to the writer’s toolbox. If you have been hesitant to give it a try, you may want to dabble as I have. The free option is great and will likely be all I use for quite a while.

Photo credit: Jaime Mellor Photography

As an editor, Steph Beth Nickel has the honour of coming alongside writers to help them polish their work. As the coauthor of Paralympian Deb Willows’s memoirs, Steph has been blessed to work with this amazing woman. And as a future self-published author, with the Lord’s help, Steph has taken brave steps toward publication.

If you would like more information about her services, you can contact her at stephbethnickelediting@gmail.com.

You’re invited to visit her website: http://stephbethnickeleditor.com/.

You can join her Editing Tips Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/418423519384351.

Scheduling Ideas for Non-Schedulers (Guest Post)

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White electronic weekly planner, hand holding stylus
Image by Jess Bailey from Pixabay

Scheduling Ideas for Non-Schedulers

by Steph Beth Nickel

One of the biggest plusses of freelancing is the opportunity to set a flexible schedule.

And one of the biggest challenges of freelancing is the opportunity to set a flexible schedule.

Even when I worked outside the home, I especially enjoyed jobs without a rigid schedule.

If you regularly set specific days and times to accomplish each tasks—and stick with your schedule—some of the following tips may seem self-explanatory and others ill-advised.

But for those of us who prefer to see each day as a brand new, somewhat unpredictable adventure, here are some thoughts:

  1. Make a list of all the tasks you want to accomplish during the day or the week. (Make note of any deadlines, especially those that are externally imposed. It can also be good to set a reasonable deadline for other tasks, especially those you tend to put off. This one I’m learning from experience.)
  2. Make note of those things on your list that have specified times (i.e., doctor’s appointments, coffee dates, birthday parties, etc.)
  3. Divide the remainder of the items into three categories, something like Yes!, Important, and Would Be Nice.
  4. Determine how best to accomplish everything on the first two lists and maybe one or two things from the third.
  5. Instead of setting a specific time to accomplish a task, determine if you will do so in the morning, the afternoon, or evening. (Be sure to be honest with yourself. I often leave things until the evening and then flame out on the couch.)
  6. Learn to be content with the fact that there will be days that you have to move things to another day—even things that were on your Yes! and Important lists.
  7. Remember that taking care of your health will help you accomplish things more quickly and efficiently. (When we understand this, we realize we actually don’t have time to neglect physical activity and healthy eating.)
  8. Finding the rhythm that works best for you will likely take trial and error. You may want to experiment using a timed planner. You may be surprised at how well it works for you, even if you do identify as a Non-Scheduler.
  9. Don’t try to work on every area at once. (I’m speaking to myself here.) Better to implement changes little by little whenever possible. James Clear, author of Atomic Habits suggests breaking down goals into habits that take two minutes—TWO MINUTES—to accomplish. The more you implement and then add to those two-minute goals, the more you’ll see progress as you move toward creating an achievable Action Plan (aka your To-Do List).

I’d love to hear your suggestions for scheduling and achieving tasks.

Photo credit: Jaime Mellor Photography

As an editor, Steph Beth Nickel has the honour of coming alongside writers to help them polish their work. As the coauthor of Paralympian Deb Willows’s memoirs, Steph has been blessed to work with this amazing woman. And as a future self-published author, with the Lord’s help, Steph has taken brave steps toward publication.

If you would like more information about her services, you can contact her at stephbethnickelediting@gmail.com.

You’re invited to visit her website: http://stephbethnickeleditor.com/.

You can join her Editing Tips Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/418423519384351.

Be Brave (Guest Post)

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Text: "Be brave"
Image by gibbysocks from Pixabay

Be Brave

by Steph Beth Nickel

If you were to write a list of traits you felt were indispensable for a writer, would bravery make the list?

Have you ever considered how brave an individual must be to put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard, organize their thoughts, and then send them out into the world?

Even after the writing has been reviewed by a writer’s peers and one or more professional editors, it may receive hurtful criticism, misinterpretation, dismissal.

But let’s back up a little and identify steps along the journey to publication (and beyond) when a writer has to be brave . . .

To identify oneself as a writer requires bravery—even when looking in the mirror. (Psst! If you put your thoughts on paper—physical or virtual—you’re a writer.)

To ask for someone’s impression of your writing requires bravery—even if the other person is typically super supportive.

To take a deep breath and actually ask someone to critique your work in detail . . . Now, that takes an extra measure of bravery.

If a writer has a full-length manuscript and they want to get honest feedback, it takes bravery to recruit beta readers and then actually send them the work. The writer has likely worked and reworked it—perhaps several times—but it can still be unnerving to actually ask for another’s honest opinion. Yet another time a writer must be brave.

If a writer is pursuing a traditional deal, they must be brave enough to approach agents. (Almost every traditional publisher requires submissions be made by agents, not authors.) And then there are the revisions—sometimes several rounds of them. It takes bravery every step of the way.

And what about the writer who is self-publishing their book? On one hand, it may seem easy enough. Write. Format. Upload. Hit “Publish.” However, there are countless self-published authors whose books you could not distinguish from their traditionally published counterparts. To get a manuscript to that point takes bravery every step of the way: from writing and revising the work to getting input from peers and pros, from learning how to prepare the manuscript for publication to <take a deep breath> hitting “Publish.” (And we won’t even talk about the marketing, asking for reviews, starting a newsletter, etc., etc., etc.)

From blog posts to social media posts, from magazine articles to fiction series . . . Whatever you write, you need to be brave.

How are you going to be brave today?

Photo credit: Jaime Mellor Photography

As an editor, Steph Beth Nickel has the honour of coming alongside writers to help them polish their work. As the coauthor of Paralympian Deb Willows’s memoirs, Steph has been blessed to work with this amazing woman. And as a future self-published author, with the Lord’s help, Steph has taken brave steps toward publication.

If you would like more information about her services, you can contact her at stephbethnickelediting@gmail.com.

You’re invited to visit her website: http://stephbethnickeleditor.com/.

You can join her Editing Tips Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/418423519384351.