Writer Wednesday
There are many contests available for writers, both published and unpublished. For the unpublished, it is a good way to get your work in front of editors and agents in a competitive market. Contest wins also look good when submitting to an agent or editor. For the published, contest wins and finaling are ways to show your readers that others have enjoyed the book. They will attract a new audience that might not have tried you without those badges of honor.
Because there are so many contests, you can easily lose track of which contests you've submitted which works to. Here are some tips for keeping track of your contest submissions.
1. Decide the best vehicle for keeping track of your submissions. This might be a spread sheet, a database file, or a notebook. Everyone is different. Some may prefer electronic records, while others prefer a hard copy that is portable and easily accessed.
2. For each contest entered, record the name of the contest, the material submitted, the contest fee, the contest contact name, the date submissions are due, the date you submitted, the dates the finalists and winners are announced, and how you fared in each contest.
3. Pre-print SAS postcards with "Your submission, (Title of Book), was received by (Name of Contest)on (Blank line for date). Then place a label with your name and address on the stamped side.
4. Give yourself a reminder in your calendar for every finalist/winner announcement date. Check with the contest coordinator if you haven't heard anything by this date.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Keeping Your Child Physically Fit for the School Year
Tips for Tuesday
It is important for your child to be healthy and stay healthy for best results throughout the school year. You can help by doing the following:
• Make sure your child gets enough sleep.
• Give your child a breakfast of protein, dairy, fruit and fiber before school.
• Provide a healthy lunch consisting of protein, dairy a fruit or vegetable and bread or fiber.
• Provide a healthy snack after school of fruit or vegetables and protein.
• Stock your pantry with healthy snack alternatives. Desserts should be a treat, not a day-long binge.
• Water, milk and fruit juice are the best beverages.
• Enroll your child in a physical activity, such as a sport or gymnastics/ballet class (Do not over-do extra-curricular activities—keep them to a minimum so your child does not tire out too quickly.)
• Stay on top of your child’s moods and investigate any changes, whether gradual or sudden.
• Take your child in for an annual physical, whether or not the school requires it.
• Read all instructions on packaging before dispensing meds, whether over-the-counter or prescription.
• Praise your children when they do well. Support them when they falter.
It is important for your child to be healthy and stay healthy for best results throughout the school year. You can help by doing the following:
• Make sure your child gets enough sleep.
• Give your child a breakfast of protein, dairy, fruit and fiber before school.
• Provide a healthy lunch consisting of protein, dairy a fruit or vegetable and bread or fiber.
• Provide a healthy snack after school of fruit or vegetables and protein.
• Stock your pantry with healthy snack alternatives. Desserts should be a treat, not a day-long binge.
• Water, milk and fruit juice are the best beverages.
• Enroll your child in a physical activity, such as a sport or gymnastics/ballet class (Do not over-do extra-curricular activities—keep them to a minimum so your child does not tire out too quickly.)
• Stay on top of your child’s moods and investigate any changes, whether gradual or sudden.
• Take your child in for an annual physical, whether or not the school requires it.
• Read all instructions on packaging before dispensing meds, whether over-the-counter or prescription.
• Praise your children when they do well. Support them when they falter.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Moving to a Smaller Home
Moving on Monday
One of the biggest challenges when moving occurs when your new home is smaller than your current home. Or, you are combining two fully-furnished homes into one. The reality is, not everything will fit into the new home. So you must decide which items you are keeping, and those you aren't.
The best time to decide this is BEFORE you move. Why pay the movers to move furniture you won't be keeping? But how do you decide what to keep, and what to get rid of?
First, take inventory of what you own. Indicate which items you definitely need, such as a bed and dresser for each family member, and a set of dishes for everyday use. After deciding what you need, mark off those things you would like to bring to the new home if it fits--your preferred items. You'll see what's left on your list are things that you can probably do without. For example, you need a dresser for each room, and would like to bring your grandmother's antique chest to hold linens in the master bedroom. But that old dresser from college really isn't needed by anyone, and is in pretty bad shape, anyway.
Next, make a rough floor plan of your new home. Go back to the house and take photos, if necessary. You'll want to know where doors, windows, outlets and air vents are. Draw in the furniture that will fit into each room. If you have more than one sofa that can be considered for the family room, measure the space, then measure the sofas. Which would fit best, along with tables and a comfy chair? If both are similar in size, which do you like better? Which is newer? Which will wear better over time with your family? For example, the leather sofa is comfy and would look great with the stone fireplace. But will it really be best for small children and two dogs in a combined household?
After placing your "necessary" and "preferred" items into the floor plan, see if there will still be room in the house for any of your other items. Consider closets, pantry, basement, garage and attic. That's not to say you should feel the need to fill every available space. But if there are items that would be nice to keep and you have room, then by all means, keep them.
Whatever doesn't fit into the home can be given to friends and relatives, or donated. You pay the movers by the pound/hour. Don't pay them to move things you can't put in the new home.
One of the biggest challenges when moving occurs when your new home is smaller than your current home. Or, you are combining two fully-furnished homes into one. The reality is, not everything will fit into the new home. So you must decide which items you are keeping, and those you aren't.
The best time to decide this is BEFORE you move. Why pay the movers to move furniture you won't be keeping? But how do you decide what to keep, and what to get rid of?
First, take inventory of what you own. Indicate which items you definitely need, such as a bed and dresser for each family member, and a set of dishes for everyday use. After deciding what you need, mark off those things you would like to bring to the new home if it fits--your preferred items. You'll see what's left on your list are things that you can probably do without. For example, you need a dresser for each room, and would like to bring your grandmother's antique chest to hold linens in the master bedroom. But that old dresser from college really isn't needed by anyone, and is in pretty bad shape, anyway.
Next, make a rough floor plan of your new home. Go back to the house and take photos, if necessary. You'll want to know where doors, windows, outlets and air vents are. Draw in the furniture that will fit into each room. If you have more than one sofa that can be considered for the family room, measure the space, then measure the sofas. Which would fit best, along with tables and a comfy chair? If both are similar in size, which do you like better? Which is newer? Which will wear better over time with your family? For example, the leather sofa is comfy and would look great with the stone fireplace. But will it really be best for small children and two dogs in a combined household?
After placing your "necessary" and "preferred" items into the floor plan, see if there will still be room in the house for any of your other items. Consider closets, pantry, basement, garage and attic. That's not to say you should feel the need to fill every available space. But if there are items that would be nice to keep and you have room, then by all means, keep them.
Whatever doesn't fit into the home can be given to friends and relatives, or donated. You pay the movers by the pound/hour. Don't pay them to move things you can't put in the new home.
Friday, August 26, 2011
The Ultimate Frugalista--The College Student
Frugal Friday
If anyone has mastered the concept of frugality, it is the college student. Most are living on a limited budget, having little or no income while balancing classes, homework, extra-curricular activities and a social life. They know how to make the most of the money they have.
• Check with family members to see if they have anything the student can use, if only on a temporary basis.
• Shop thrift stores. Rather than try and ship large items or drive them down, scour local thrift stores for items like desks, beds and tables. When the school year is over, it can be donated back to the school.
• Go through hallways and alleys at the end of the school year and look for other students' discards. Seniors won't be needing their furniture the following year, and may leave it in the hall for anybody to claim. Only take these items if you have space to store them over the summer.
• Shop online. This will avoid having to ship or transport your items yourself. Many stores offer in-store pick-up so there won't be a shipping fee. You can order in your own town, and pick it up in the college town.
• Check for student discounts on items. For example, there might be back-to-school deals on electronics and home goods. Often, the city in which the school is located has student discounts on transporation and entertainment.
• Check with your school to see what they offer for 'free'. This might be meals, plays, sporting events or movies at the campus theater.
• Many schools offer excellent discounts on travel over the holidays or spring break.
• Shop sales. Like any other town, there are probably big box stores within a reasonable distance from the school that will have sales on food, toiletries and paper goods.
• Think reusable. Rather than stocking up on paper plates, cups and cutlery, purchase inexpensive plates, mugs, glasses and flatware. Not only will this save money in the long run, it will teach the student the responsibilty of cleaning and maintaining their own space.
• Check with the school. There are many items that schools will not allow in their dorms. This includes things like halogen lights, candles and microwave ovens. Once the school confiscates it, it's gone. So don't waste money on things that will be taken away. Check the rules before buying anything.
If anyone has mastered the concept of frugality, it is the college student. Most are living on a limited budget, having little or no income while balancing classes, homework, extra-curricular activities and a social life. They know how to make the most of the money they have.
• Check with family members to see if they have anything the student can use, if only on a temporary basis.
• Shop thrift stores. Rather than try and ship large items or drive them down, scour local thrift stores for items like desks, beds and tables. When the school year is over, it can be donated back to the school.
• Go through hallways and alleys at the end of the school year and look for other students' discards. Seniors won't be needing their furniture the following year, and may leave it in the hall for anybody to claim. Only take these items if you have space to store them over the summer.
• Shop online. This will avoid having to ship or transport your items yourself. Many stores offer in-store pick-up so there won't be a shipping fee. You can order in your own town, and pick it up in the college town.
• Check for student discounts on items. For example, there might be back-to-school deals on electronics and home goods. Often, the city in which the school is located has student discounts on transporation and entertainment.
• Check with your school to see what they offer for 'free'. This might be meals, plays, sporting events or movies at the campus theater.
• Many schools offer excellent discounts on travel over the holidays or spring break.
• Shop sales. Like any other town, there are probably big box stores within a reasonable distance from the school that will have sales on food, toiletries and paper goods.
• Think reusable. Rather than stocking up on paper plates, cups and cutlery, purchase inexpensive plates, mugs, glasses and flatware. Not only will this save money in the long run, it will teach the student the responsibilty of cleaning and maintaining their own space.
• Check with the school. There are many items that schools will not allow in their dorms. This includes things like halogen lights, candles and microwave ovens. Once the school confiscates it, it's gone. So don't waste money on things that will be taken away. Check the rules before buying anything.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Helping Your Aging Parents--Consolidating Tasks
Senior Thursday
Last week we talked about creating a list of everything that needs to be done for your aging parents. Now that you have compiled that list, see if there are any tasks that can be consolidated with your own.
• Consolidate banking accounts to one bank so you only have to make one trip.
• Set up automatic bill-paying with utilities, insurance companies, etc., or ask to have the due dates the same as yours so you are only writing out bills once.
• Coordinate refills at the pharmacy with the days you pick up your own.
• Shop at the same grocery store as the elder and drop off the groceries on your way home. If your relative doesn’t live near you, consider setting up a grocery delivery system. It costs a bit more, but saves you time.
• Schedule appointments for the hairdresser, dentist, etc. at the same time. Of course, one of you may have to switch the salon you visit, but it’s worth saving the extra trip.
• Prepare an extra serving or two while making your own meals and freeze or store them for your parent(s).
• Hire a housekeeper for yourself or the elder.
Last week we talked about creating a list of everything that needs to be done for your aging parents. Now that you have compiled that list, see if there are any tasks that can be consolidated with your own.
• Consolidate banking accounts to one bank so you only have to make one trip.
• Set up automatic bill-paying with utilities, insurance companies, etc., or ask to have the due dates the same as yours so you are only writing out bills once.
• Coordinate refills at the pharmacy with the days you pick up your own.
• Shop at the same grocery store as the elder and drop off the groceries on your way home. If your relative doesn’t live near you, consider setting up a grocery delivery system. It costs a bit more, but saves you time.
• Schedule appointments for the hairdresser, dentist, etc. at the same time. Of course, one of you may have to switch the salon you visit, but it’s worth saving the extra trip.
• Prepare an extra serving or two while making your own meals and freeze or store them for your parent(s).
• Hire a housekeeper for yourself or the elder.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Organizing Project Files--Part Three
Writer Wednesday
Every project you begin needs to be tracked. You will have research files at the start of the process, documents while composing drafts, submission records, edits and marketing efforts. There will be many versions of the same project as it goes through editing phases. Therefore, you will need to keep track of all these versions.
There are storage needs for both hard copy and electronic records. They should mirror each other for easiest retrieval.
11. Perform monthly back-ups of new files to external storage such as an external hard drive, CD or USB flash drive. Or subscribe to an online back-up service that automatically backs up any new files as they are created.
12. Keep a final version of every project in external storage.
13. Copy all your files to an external source at least once a year (even if you have online storage.)
14. Exchange back-up files with a friend for safe off-site storage.
15. Keep a hard copy of the final version of every project within easy access so it is readliy available for copying or faxing.
Every project you begin needs to be tracked. You will have research files at the start of the process, documents while composing drafts, submission records, edits and marketing efforts. There will be many versions of the same project as it goes through editing phases. Therefore, you will need to keep track of all these versions.
There are storage needs for both hard copy and electronic records. They should mirror each other for easiest retrieval.
11. Perform monthly back-ups of new files to external storage such as an external hard drive, CD or USB flash drive. Or subscribe to an online back-up service that automatically backs up any new files as they are created.
12. Keep a final version of every project in external storage.
13. Copy all your files to an external source at least once a year (even if you have online storage.)
14. Exchange back-up files with a friend for safe off-site storage.
15. Keep a hard copy of the final version of every project within easy access so it is readliy available for copying or faxing.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Is Your Medicine Cabinet Healthy?
Tips for Tuesday
Having a well-stocked medicine cabinet is just the beginning. Keeping it safe is another. Periodically review your medicine cabinet (about every six months) and sort through what you have.
• Discard expired medications. (The best way is to take them to a hazardous waste collection so they don’t get into your town's water supply.) If you can't find an expiration date, but you've had the medicine for at least two years, discard it. Chemical changes over time can change the effectiveness of medications, and even make you seriously ill.
• Discard any prescription medications you have not taken in over a year. These also have a limited shelf life and can undergo chemical changes.
• Discard any medication without a label.
• Discard old toothbrushes
• Discard rusty nail clippers, tweezers, etc.
• Place often-used items near the bottom of the cabinet, and less-used items at the top.
• Place bottles and boxes with labels outward so you can easily locate what you need.
• If more than one person uses the medicine cabinet, store each person's prescription items on a different shelf. With prescription bottles from the same pharmacy all looking identical, one can easily grab the wrong bottle in the middle of the night and take the wrong tablets if they look similar to their own.
• Call your pharmacy for refills of prescription items when you notice you are down to about five pills. The pharmacy will have it ready for you on time, even if they have to order it from their supplier or call your physician for refills. Never wait until you take the last pill.
• Use plastic cups or containers for small items such as ointment tubes, cotton swabs and nail clippers.
• Store like items together--hair care, skin care, etc.
• Discard any cosmetics over a year old.
Having a well-stocked medicine cabinet is just the beginning. Keeping it safe is another. Periodically review your medicine cabinet (about every six months) and sort through what you have.
• Discard expired medications. (The best way is to take them to a hazardous waste collection so they don’t get into your town's water supply.) If you can't find an expiration date, but you've had the medicine for at least two years, discard it. Chemical changes over time can change the effectiveness of medications, and even make you seriously ill.
• Discard any prescription medications you have not taken in over a year. These also have a limited shelf life and can undergo chemical changes.
• Discard any medication without a label.
• Discard old toothbrushes
• Discard rusty nail clippers, tweezers, etc.
• Place often-used items near the bottom of the cabinet, and less-used items at the top.
• Place bottles and boxes with labels outward so you can easily locate what you need.
• If more than one person uses the medicine cabinet, store each person's prescription items on a different shelf. With prescription bottles from the same pharmacy all looking identical, one can easily grab the wrong bottle in the middle of the night and take the wrong tablets if they look similar to their own.
• Call your pharmacy for refills of prescription items when you notice you are down to about five pills. The pharmacy will have it ready for you on time, even if they have to order it from their supplier or call your physician for refills. Never wait until you take the last pill.
• Use plastic cups or containers for small items such as ointment tubes, cotton swabs and nail clippers.
• Store like items together--hair care, skin care, etc.
• Discard any cosmetics over a year old.
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