Plan Your Writing Ideas for 2017

By Maritza Martinez Mejia

Are you organized? What is your plan for the New Year and the rest of the year? I have some ideas that may help you find the right path for a successful beginning.  Step by step you reach far. Go ahead! Have a productive 2017.

1.    Use Dream Boards, also called Vision Boards to remind you the path you desire to follow, and the goals you hope to achieve during the upcoming year using the power of images.  For detailed information visit here.

2.   Planners or Calendars to mark important due dates, meetings, anniversaries, birthdays or any important days you don’t want to miss. There a vast variety of calendars and planners. Which one is your best planner or calendar? I frankly use the calendar I received at the New Year’s Mass at my local church. I use it as MASTER CALENDAR. I mark all my children’s important school days and activities in black pen. I use blue pen for my working days as substitute teacher and purple for my book signing or book exhibitions. Finally, I use a red pen for important family activities or medical appointments. I happily use green for our TRIPS.

3.   Monthly Check List for a simple way to mark important dates in a list by month. After the task is done, you cross it off the list with a red pen or your favorite color pen. For me, the satisfaction of completing a task is unique.

No matter the style you use, it is important to get organized and set goals to achieve success. 

Make your dreams and turn them into goals to 2017. What is your planning style?

____________________________________________________ 

Maritza Martinez Mejia a bilingual substitute teacher born in Colombia lives in Florida with her husband and their two teenagers. For her active participation and service to the community, she is the recipient of the "Crystal Apple Award 2006." Maritza published her memoir "Hazel Eyes" (2010), "Vanilla and Chocolate" (2012), "Grandma's Treasure" (2014), "Poems, Thoughts and More" (2015), by WRB Publishing and  Ojos Avellana (2016) by Entre Lineas. She won the FAU Treasure Coast Poetry Contest Spring 2010, Virtue Christian Book Awards for Best Poetry 2015 and Latino Book Awards 2016 for BEST Translation and EBook. Both Bilingual Children Books received a FIVE Stars Seal Review by Reader's Favorite. Maritza obtained a Bachelor's degree in Humanities with a Certificate in Women's Studies from Florida Atlantic University. She graduated from Universidad Mayor de Cundinamarca in Commerce and Foreign Language. She translated into Spanish "Temporary Permanence" by Yashi Nozawa, "The Legend of the Colombian Mermaid" by Janet Balletta, and "Hazel Eyes" as "Ojos Avellana." Maritza writes to inspire others to be good. 

Author page: www.amazon.com/-/e/B009DKDXFW  Website: www.luzdelmes.com

Conference and Workshop Benefits

By Maritza Martinez Mejia

After attending a small and massive conference in the same week-end, I would love to share some tips with you. Try to attend the next conference and workshop in your area. It’s a great way to learn more, connect with people and get a fresh perspective of writing. Some suggestions to be considered:

1.    

Before register, SELECT carefully: Conferences vary from regional and small ones to national and huge events. Are you preparing for one? Take this in consideration before committing to a conference that doesn’t fit your need. Focus on your convenient goals.

2.     After register, PREPARE watchfully: Revise Conference Schedule, Workshops, Lectures and Locations. It sounds crazy, but taking a conference in the same hotel you are staying or driving to the venue makes a HUGE difference. Conferences are not only a great source to learn, but also an exhausting experience.

3.     Getting ready, BRING: if you are an author be sure to bring business cards, books, stands and any swag (free stuff and giveaways offered by vendors at trade shows to encourage attendees to visit their booth) to promote your books. Swags vary according to your budget like bookmarks, pencils, buttons, or bracelets. You can create your own Postcard using any Paint program.

4.     At the Conference, FOCUS on your Goals: Follow your pre-planned schedule, get on time to lectures and take photos. If you need brakes, take one to enjoy the conference. Drink plenty of water and have snacks in your purse to avoid long lines and save time.

5.     At home, ENJOY your adventure: Send thank you cards or e-mails to appreciate the new friendships you made. Post photos and engage with your audience in Social Media. It’s amazing how the power of technology help you promote your books.

Enjoy your experience!

____________________________________

Maritza Martinez Mejia a bilingual substitute teacher born in Colombia lives in Florida with her husband and their two teenagers. For her active participation and service to the community, she is the recipient of the "Crystal Apple Award 2006." Maritza published her memoir "Hazel Eyes" (2010), "Vanilla and Chocolate" (2012), "Grandma's Treasure" (2014), and "Poems, Thoughts and More" (2015) by WRB Publishing. She won the FAU Treasure Coast Poetry Contest Spring 2010 and Virtue Christian Book Awards for Best Poetry 2015. Both Bilingual Children Books received a FIVE Stars Seal Review by Reader's Favorite. Maritza obtained a Bachelor's degree in Humanities with a Certificate in Women's Studies from Florida Atlantic University. She graduated from Universidad Mayor de Cundinamarca in Commerce and Foreign Language. She translated into Spanish "Temporary Permanence" by Yashi Nozawa, "The Legend of the Colombian Mermaid" by Janet Balletta, and "Hazel Eyes" as "Ojos Avellana." Maritza writes to inspire others to be better persons. "I write to inspire others to be a better person." Author page: www.amazon.com/-/e/B009DKDXFW  Website: www.luzdelmes.com 

Planning Ideas for the New Year

By Maritza Martinez Mejia

Are you organized? What is your plan for the New Year and the rest of the year? I have some ideas that may help you find the right path for a successful beginning.  Step by step you reach far. Go ahead! Have a productive 2016.

1.    Use Dream Boards, also called Vision Boards to remind you the path you desire to follow, and the goals you hope to achieve during the upcoming year using the power of images.  For detailed information visit here.

2.   Planners or Calendars to mark important due dates, meetings, anniversaries, birthdays or any important days you don’t want to miss. There a vast variety of calendars and planners. Which one is your best planner or calendar?I frankly use the calendar I received at the New Year’s Mass at my local church. I use it as MASTER CALENDAR. I mark all my children’s important school days and activities in black pen. I use blue pen for my working days as substitute teacher and purple for my book signing or book exhibitions. Finally, I use a red pen for important family activities or medical appointments. I happily use green for our TRIPS.

3.   Monthly Check List for a simple way to mark important dates in a list by month. After the task is done, you cross it off the list with a red pen or your favorite color pen. For me, the satisfaction of completing a task is unique.

No matter the style you use, it is important to get organized and set goals to achieve success. Make your dreams and turn them into goals to 2016.

What is your planning style?

___________________________________________________________________ 

Maritza Martinez Mejia a bilingual substitute teacher born in Colombia lives in Florida with her husband and their two teenagers. For her active participation and service to the community, she is the recipient of the "Crystal Apple Award 2006." Maritza published her memoir "Hazel Eyes" (2010), "Vanilla and Chocolate" (2012), "Grandma's Treasure" (2014), and "Poems, Thoughts and More" (2015) by WRB Publishing. She won the FAU Treasure Coast Poetry Contest Spring 2010 and Virtue Christian Book Awards for Best Poetry 2015. Both Bilingual Children Books received a FIVE Stars Seal Review by Reader's Favorite. Maritza obtained a Bachelor's degree in Humanities with a Certificate in Women's Studies from Florida Atlantic University. She graduated from Universidad Mayor de Cundinamarca in Commerce and Foreign Language. She translated into Spanish "Temporary Permanence" by Yashi Nozawa, "The Legend of the Colombian Mermaid" by Janet Balletta, and "Hazel Eyes" as "Ojos Avellana." Maritza writes to inspire others to be better persons. "I write to inspire others to be a better person." Author page: www.amazon.com/-/e/B009DKDXFW  Website: www.luzdelmes.com 

Self-Publishing Challenges

By Maritza Martinez Mejia

My journey as s self-publishing author is no different from for any other writer I have met, I did not want to face rejections or wait for months without an answer from publishers. Therefore, I decided to publish my own books using a local editor and a local publisher. I felt I could call myself a writer when I received my first printed book, yet selling without begging was a milestone.

When I published my first book, I created an Author Facebook Page to promote my memoir and Amazon Author Page to follow the progress of my sales. LIKES and SALES came as small drops in a clear sky. It was a challenge to understand the process to post, edit, add photos, and delete. When I was getting familiar with the process, Facebook changed its features and added new ones. I posted daily updates, but it seemed my words were simply lost in virtual space, without replies to my comments. When someone would unexpectedly respond, it was a mesmerizing moment that vanished in seconds, since the nice words didn’t produce any sales (according to Amazon). I decided to do something about it.

First, I joined a local library writer’s group to learn more about the publishing and promoting process. It helped me get ready to publish my second title. I noticed the importance of electronic media and converted my paperback titles into e-books. However, I realized I didn’t know how to convince people to buy my books. Using Facebook as my only tool and waiting for people to buy on Amazon was not going to sell many books. I didn’t have any strategy, just the desire to publish my books. I realized I was not a writer, but a dreamer.

Second, I recognized the importance of a Marketing Plan and a small Budget for Promotion. I decided to take another route and follow a simple plan: 

*Improve my writing style before publishing my next Bilingual Children Book. I took a writing seminar online and a local College workshop.

*Enhance my poor website with support of a professional in computers.

*Look for opportunities to expose my books at local events. For instance, I booked myself into a local library event and a classroom visit to a k-8 school in the area.

*Invest in business cards and brochures to promote my books.

*Use other Social Media such as Facebook Writers Groups, Goodreads, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+ and Pinterest. I forgot about the Likes and became part of the audience.

Third, before publishing my first poetry book, I reserved a space at a Family Reading Festival to release my book. I promoted on the Social Media I was part of. The results came organically, sales and reviews began to feed my Amazon Author Page and LIKES jumped faster than expected.

Last, I submitted all my titles for reviews and competitions. Two of my Bilingual Children Books received a Five Stars Reader’s Favorite Award and I was promoted as Author on Goodreads.

My Author name became visible and demanded that I have a Book Trailer. I gathered all photos, book events and used Movie Maker to create it. As soon as I posted on YouTube it gave me the option to share it with Thirteen Social Media sites, I was only part of four. Technology is advancing faster than I was prepared for; there is so much to learn about this new cyber world.

One thing is clear, a marketing plan and a small budget for promotion are important. One event leads to another and one big effort brings a small reward. Writing is a challenge for career authors or indie writers. Don’t give up!

_____________________________________________________________________

Maritza Martinez Mejia a bilingual substitute teacher born in Colombia lives in Florida with her husband and their two teenagers. For her active participation and service to the community, she is the recipient of the "Crystal Apple Award 2006." Maritza published her memoir "Hazel Eyes" (2010), "Vanilla and Chocolate" (2012), "Grandma's Treasure" (2014), and "Poems, Thoughts and More" (2015) by WRB Publishing. She won the FAU Treasure Coast Poetry Contest Spring 2010 and Virtue Christian Book Awards for Best Poetry 2015. Both Bilingual Children Books received a FIVE Stars Seal Review by Reader's Favorite. Maritza obtained a Bachelor's degree in Humanities with a Certificate in Women's Studies from Florida Atlantic University. She graduated from Universidad Mayor de Cundinamarca in Commerce and Foreign Language. She translated into Spanish "Temporary Permanence" by Yashi Nozawa, "The Legend of the Colombian Mermaid" by Janet Balletta, and "Hazel Eyes" as "Ojos Avellana." Maritza writes to inspire others to be better persons. "I write to inspire others to be a better person." Author page: www.amazon.com/-/e/B009DKDXFW  Website: www.luzdelmes.com 

I am a Poet?

by Kendal Privette

My first book, Pinky Poo, Here to Save the Day, never reached beyond its target audience – my family and Mrs. Perkins, my first grade teacher. After all, what kind of platform does a seven-year-old have? Fast forward thirty-four years, and I have a closet full of notebooks and a flash drive twenty-three percent full of documents that I have never shared with anyone. How, then, do I consider myself a writer? And a poet?

I began writing in earnest in 2006 when a friend gave me a medium-sized red, spiral notebook for my birthday. Her card read, Write it. She meant my journey. Write it. I was in the midst of battling anorexia and felt utterly hopeless. I scrawled out hateful messages to myself, notes for the doctors, grocery lists, and questions for God. And a story was born. It’s first shape? A novel. A fairly heinous attempt, I have to admit. I stalled out in the narrative and struggled to shape realistic dialogue. But I finished it. A novel. Enter the Western Carolina Literary Festival of 2007. Enter Thomas Lux and Gloria Vando, and my poet’s heart was born. Finally a form that fit my need for brevity and weightiness.

I began publishing poetry pieces on my Facebook page under Notes, and met with mild success (success being defined in quantity of comments). I covered what was on my heart – anecdotes about the children, family memories, thoughts on faith. In the background, I began writing my story, Full, in the same format. I relied on journal entries and memories to compile sixty-one poems that captured the three-year battle.  I entered the blog world in 2010, writing mostly poetry about my daily life – struggles with ED, mentoring, faith, church, family. I publicize on my Facebook account and link up with several memes on a regular basis.

I always tell my middle school students that neither writing nor reading poetry has to be scary, and then we read Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout and song lyrics just in case they don’t believe me. Do you believe it? Go ahead. Give it a try. Pull out that spiral or open a new document and write your heart.

·         Think about your goal. Mine is to write a brief piece, packed with meaning that captures the reader and moves her to think, laugh or recognize a truth.

·       Write about something real from your life. It should be authentic.

·       Word placement is important when writing poetry. If I want a particular one to have emphasis, I usually put it alone on a line or at the end of line.

·       Don’t let the number of words trip you up. I write until my thoughts are complete, whether I end up with seven words or seven pages. And then I pare it down!

·       Throw away preconceived notions about rhyming and meter. Not necessary. Of course, if it’s sonnets you enjoy, go for it!!!

·       Throw away preconceived notions about capital letters and punctuation.  At this season in my life, they have a crowding effect on my pieces, so I don’t generally use them. (And I’m a language arts teacher!!!)

·       Don’t stress over a title. At least not in the beginning. Mine come to me last, after the piece has taken shape. Since poems have a lot of meaning packed into a few words, make the title essential to your meaning.

·       Finally, and this is a hard one for me, if readers don’t interpret your piece the way you interpret it, get over it.

And as you write. And as you read. Remember the words of Paul Valery, “A poem is never finished, only abandoned.” Write with passion. Read with grace!

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Kendal lives in northwestern North Carolina where she teaches middle school and is raising two boys. She and her husband have a heart for missions and travel when they can. She loves reading and running in her spare time. She has published one book, Full, and blogs {mostly poetry} at a spacious place.