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Post by Admin on Dec 16, 2017 0:14:33 GMT
I ordered a new book and it arrived today. Even though it is geared toward the artist I'm thinking that writing, since we publish independently, is also an art. This book, and what it contains, is going to be a big part of how Joshua and I set up our studio.
This book covers:
actionable goals
Diversify your income
Manage your bookkeeping
Copyright your work
Promote with social media
Build a standout website
Exhibit with galleries
Sell and price your work
License your art
Acquire an agent
I know that the first thing Joshua and I have to do is set actionable goals. We need to figure out both our writing goals and our art goals. We need to make sure that the steps we take are steps we can complete. I think the information will work equally well for either career path.
Diversifying income is something I've been thinking about for a long time. I need to figure out how to branch out and create multiple streams of income. They don't have to be large but they have to be do-able and bring in a steady income. And by steady, I don't mean daily or weekly but I'd like something coming in at least once a month.
You're an accountant so bookkeeping isn't an issue for you but I'm math challenged. I have a business license and I pay sales tax. I have a business account under Our Home Studio. When I called the IRS to find out how to handle the writing income I was on hold for 30 minutes. I finally got angry and hung up and decided that as long as I was paying tax on the product I was okay but I don't know that I am. I may need to take a class, or something, to learn how to run a business correctly. I also think Joshua needs to learn simple bookkeeping skills. He needs to know what he has, who helps him take care of it, and how to keep track of his income. I'm math challenged. I didn't put as much effort in to teaching him math as I should have. I need to find him a tutor to help him become literate and functional. It would be awesome if I could see him attain his GED.
Copyright your work
I've never actually copyrighted anything. I don't know if art is different, or not, but I'd like to create a cartoon strip that I can syndicate. I may very well need to copyright such an endeavor. I'll have to study it. Again, wish I had training in this so I could ask questions as they come up. This is one area that I feel very inadequate about.
Promote with social media.
I have been doing this for a long time but I'm probably not as effective as I could be. I need to analyze my strengths, and weaknesses, and figure out how to maximize my efforts. Joshua needs to learn how social media works so, at some point, he can manage his own social media more independently.
Build a standout website
We have websites but they aren't as vibrant as they should be. I know we need an online store. We need new content more often. I need to draw people to our site because I offer them interesting content. When I think about the possibility of the internet becoming more difficult to get on to I think our websites are going to become even more important to the entrepreneur. Again, I have to learn to maximize my efforts for the best return.
Exhibit with galleries
This won't affect the writing side as much as the art. But I want my work to be gallery worthy. To do that, I need a recognizable style and content that has a wider appeal than portraits. Joshua already has a recognizable style. He needs to be more prolific. Which means we have to fit painting time into his weekly schedule.
Sell and price your work
I think this will cross over between art and writing. I am already playing with the idea of putting a higher price on my e-books. The traditional authors are getting as much for an e-book as they are for a paper back. I can't compete with them because I don't have the name recognition but I'm thinking I'd rather put 4.99 on or even 5.99 for a new release. I'd leave my paperback at the 12.99 price unless Createbook does something wonky and makes it more expensive for me to print. I'm not decided yet but playing with the pros and cons. Hoping the book will help me figure things out.
License your art
I have no idea if I need to do this but I want to retain my copyright and use the images commercially so I need to find out how to do it appropriately. I don't think this part will carry over to the writing but if it triggers ideas, I'll post them.
Acquire an agent.
It never occurred to me that an agent could be useful to the artist. I will have to study on this. And maybe the information will carry over to the writing side. I am going to start submitting query letters for future series and stand alones. I want to be a hybrid author. I think its do-able. I'm also still mulling over article writing. I like writing articles and I always have article ideas. I really need to write down my ideas and send out a few magazine queries once a month. article writing is fast turn over. The deadlines are usually fast but I can do that now. I write clean, and I can hit my word count. I have a commercial style of writing. If I can learn to hit the right markets I might be able to generate some non-fiction streams of income. They pay fairly well and if you get a good idea you can sell to multiple markets if they are changed to target non-competing markets. Reprints can be sold and after a certain amount of time, usually defined in the contract, you can get your copyright returned and rewrite and re-market the article. You can make one idea work multiple times. I know how to do this. I just never gave it enough time. It was always my intention to have 20 queries circulating at all times and write articles if, and when, editors contact me. I need to really give this some thought and figure out how to make it an actionable goal.
All of these topics are covered in the book. Once the room is done and Joshua and I are in it and have regular work hours, I intend to journal our weekly adventures. I'll blog about the week on the art website. My hope is that it will draw readers to the website to see what we are struggling with that week as well as draw caregivers and disabled people to see us actively going after our dreams. Human interest as well as practical discoveries.
I feel motivated and energy stirring in me. 2017 was hard. My emotions were so tangled and draining. I knew we would lose Kathy and I treasured every minute I could get with her. Those Monday-to-Friday tutoring sessions were a gift and everything went out the window for me but helping her through the year and helping Joshua write a book and become more functional on the tobii. It was an important year but it's time to work and I'm ready. Josh is chomping at the bit.
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Post by Admin on Dec 16, 2017 0:21:09 GMT
I just realized that photography fits in here too. When I sold the big article to Massage and Bodyworks, I sold them 5 photos. Articles might need photos so I have to put some time into learning effective photography. But I want to use the camera more with our artwork anyway. I want to set up a box that I can put different lighting on still-life's and try to learn to paint light better. Its something Joshua has never tried and might make some interesting floral paintings if we can use special lighting. Photos sell and there is a market for it if I can figure it out.
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Post by Admin on Dec 16, 2017 0:22:40 GMT
Also remembered that I want to put up more youtube videos. and create a pod cast. I did a limited audio of Cosmic Chaos. I might try more audio if I can do it effectively.
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Post by bill on Dec 17, 2017 5:30:16 GMT
You have SO many ideas! I can't imagine trying to keep up with them all. I love your energy and drive though!
Some interesting topics in your book. I know some of them I will eventually need to improve, but with a full time job that demands a lot of my time I'm doing my best to keep up with my writing and occasional book signing. I hope to eventually improve my website, social media, marketing, exploring other potential writing avenues like articles, etc. I think that's all a year or two (at least) away for me.
I think you have some wonderful ideas and look forward to what you and Josh accomplish in 2018!
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Post by Admin on Dec 17, 2017 14:41:40 GMT
I'm hoping that the things Josh and I discover will make your journey shorter. I try things to see if they work. If they do, I keep them. I discard, or change, the ones that don't work. In a way, it helps that Joshua wants to write because it means we're pulling in the same direction. The things I help him with also help me. The addition is the artwork. I have never pursued art seriously because I didn't want to compete with Joshua. He works so hard but this time, the art helps him too. I'm hoping to find him a tutor in 2018 that can help him learn the mechanics of English and math. as he gains proficiency in speaking his needs and wants will become clearer because he will be able to verbalize them. I just need to maintain a solid work week and with the studio we have designated space. I just need to establish designated hours. That will probably be the first thing we do. Figure out when to go to work and when to have breaks. Focus and sustaining a work week will be crucial.
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Post by Admin on Dec 17, 2017 14:50:06 GMT
One year at Pikes Peak writers conference, the lady leading a workshop mentioned that she is good friends with Debbie McComber. Debbie is probably one of the highest paid, most prolific romance writer out there. I found out she writes. every where she goes, every day, she writes. I don't have that kind of freedom. I can't devote all my time to one thing but everywhere I look I see being prolific as one of the key components to selling. The more product, the better chance of being seen, noticed, and supported. In my head I had a figure of six books in print before I begin to notice a tip over. Now, the figure is ten. I need to be getting work out more often. And I need to get those query letters circulating to pick up free lance income. I don't have to write those until I get a nibble. And I can write an article in one or two days. Its a lot faster turnaround. I'm chomping at the bit to get moved in to the new space. I will lose momentum in January and February because I'll be shifting and purging and rearranging furniture in every room of the house. So I'll have to factor in time for that too.
I think I'm going to do one section at a time. Start in one corner of the living room and pick about a four foot section and clean that area just the way I want it to be. Every day, move down the room. When I get my section done for the day, its done until the next day. It will be slower that way but I won't kill myself and I can do other things too. Winter is a good time to do it because we don't go out much in the winter. Especially if we are in sub-zero temps or dealing with deep snow. Once its done, its just a case of keeping up.
I'll be okay as long as life leaves me alone for awhile. I don't want any more emotional upsets for awhile. I need some time to just be.
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Post by Admin on Dec 27, 2017 18:09:56 GMT
I posted this over on Holly's boards but sharing it here.
Joshua and I are beginning to plan for 2018. The biggest change for us is having a studio/office. There will be no TV out there. I might put the CD player out there because we do like music playing when we paint but when we write, no distractions.
I've begun reading a book Art, Inc. that is helping me think about the business side of art, and I rank writing in with the art. Some of the goals I have work equally well for either.
I'm not very far in to the book yet but I've begun to think about:
Finding your voice. I know what my voice is when I write but I've never given consideration to my art style. I know that I prefer to do portrait work rather than landscape. This parallels the fact that I like character driven stories and am happier writing about people than describing places or things. I need further work in developing my voice.
Take Risks: I've already started doing this with the writing. I call it the 'leap of faith'. I sent query letters off when I had no hope of selling. I joined The Write Team, an opportunity for local writers to publish in the newspaper. Unpaid but exposure and feedback...priceless. I gained 30+ bylines writing for local newspaper and gained a ton of confidence.
I'm learning to take risks as an artist. Trying new mediums. Painting subject matter that pushes me out of my comfort zone. I'm not longer frightened to try new techniques because even failure is success. I learn what not to do and that is as valuable as what to do.
Push through difficulty: I need to work on this. I understand it in art. During a painting there is always a point when you think it's crap. It looks horrible and so far from what you see in your mind. But if you keep layering, keep developing, suddenly, one small stroke and there it is. The painting lives. This happen ins writing too but I'm not as trusting. So many times I stop a project because it feels like utter crap. It's so rough, so raw, and yet you see the potential but reaching that potential is unbearably tiring. I need to trust in the process that Holly has taught us and keep layering, keep polishing until suddenly, that one phrase, or that one chapter, shines and you can see it finished. It becomes real and the energy arises in you to make it happen.
Becoming more disciplined: This is an area that I am changing. I've built an entire room to make this happen. Joshua and I are establishing work hours. And we are going to respect them. We will go in the studio; close the door; and work until closing time. To reach the kind of success that I dream of means I cannot wait for the muse to speak. Or write/paint only when the urge is on me. We have to go in and do the job. This is the craft/technique side of writing/art. You learn what to do, and how to do, and you do it. No excuses.
I'll be exploring different income streams. I know that to make a living I can't rely on one source. I need as many streams as I can generate. I know that I will need to start small and build. I don't have a day job unless you count full-time caregiver but Joshua is on this journey with me. He needs to learn how to run a business, too. So we will work together and as I learn, so does he. I'm not sure yet what those streams of income will be but I'm going to devote time to learning about them. The one strength I have is I've always been able to see outside the box. To be seen, to have a product that finds a niche, I need to step outside the pack. There is always a way.
That's as far as I've gotten so far. More will come as I read and study. I like talking about it because it becomes more real to me this way.
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Post by bill on Dec 27, 2017 19:18:03 GMT
I saw this on Holly's site. You have a lot going through your mind. Although nothing happens quite like we plan, I hope you are able to use these ideas to keep you and Joshua focused this coming year.
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Post by Admin on Dec 27, 2017 20:08:31 GMT
Its only the beginning. I have a lot of book left to read. January will most likely be chaotic just because I'll be shifting every room in the house and getting things where I need them to be. But pre-planning will make the rest of the year go smoother.
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Post by Admin on Dec 30, 2017 14:04:46 GMT
Copied from what I posted on Holly's After Hours board.
Rather than clutter up the 2018 goals board with mental musings, I thought I'd start a discussion board on the after hours hangout. So much of what I do, and how I do it is a gathering of information so I can see the big picture, then paring it down to fit my needs. I'm in the gathering stage so a lot of information is running through my head.
I'm reading a book called Art, Inc. My reason for doing this is because my son, Joshua, a disabled artist, has decided to become a writer. For a man who has been non-verbal for 30+ years, this is a hefty goal. It also means that I've switched from being a writer to becoming a writer/artist. Joshua cannot work fast enough to illustrate his own work. And I'm not sure I can gain the skills needed but we are on a journey and it's fun, so I'm not going to squawk too much.
The book touches on all the ways an artist can make a living and I'm finding a parallel between art and writing.
Today I'm looking at Embracing yourself as an artist.
1. find your voice... I know my writing voice but I have yet to discover my artistic voice. This is an area that will require work this year. So it will show up on my final goal list.
2. tackle doubts... I never worry about succeeding. At this point, I'm more interested in gaining the skills I need to be competitive in the marketplace. I know this truth. I am not where I was. I am not where I will be. I have not begun to tap out on my abilities. As long as I feel there is room for growth, I'm not done.
3. Make time and space for work...this is a big area in my world. Joshua and I have built a room. Not us personally, although my hand is in it because I designed the space and I help as needed, as in staining the closet door, and I will paint the trim. I'll paint the ceiling and walls if they don't move fast enough. We have added an 18x24 foot space off the back part of our house. Joshua and I now have a real studio/office and not just a virtual one. We can get up, go to our studio, close the door, and work. This is a huge step forward in feeling like an actual business entity. One step closer to my/our end goals.
4. Announce aspirations to the world...I believe in aspirations. I started doing them years ago. Back in my late teens, I read a book by Norman Vincent Peale titled Power of Positive Thinking (I'm giggling here because I think thats the title; I'm not sure it is). Anyway, that book introduced me to the idea of the unconscious mind. The part of our brain that never sleeps, that remembers everything we ever hear, see, or think. But it cannot make judgements. It believes what the conscious mind tells it to believe and if we live with doubt, then our unconscious brain will feed us more doubt because it thinks that is what we need/require. When we change that and begin to put power of positivity into our minds, and we can make the unconscious mind believe us, then it begins to help us achieve the goals we dream of. The mind is a powerful tool and I choose to use it to help me. Joshua and I would not be where we are without that core belief that I can achieve anything I want simply because I want it. That doesn't mean we do it by normal means, (I gave up normal 30+ years ago when I was told my son would never do anything) but we find a way. There is always a way. Thinking outside the box has become a way of life for us.
Building your vision and Accomplishing goals.
1. Goal setting. We're doing this now. Thinking of what we need and how to acquire it. For me this mean gathering facts and ideas. To look to the future and what I want to achieve and what my son wants to achieve. First I must see the goal in my mind.
2. take stock of your values to ensure that your goals are aligned with what is important to you. To thine own self be true. I have a core set of values that I will not compromise. This means that everything I do must be done in a manner I'm proud of. One of the reasons I am an independent publisher is because by doing it myself I don't have to compromise on anything. It might, in the future, determine who I choose to work with and who I choose not to. I must respect the people I deal with. I believe my word is my bond and I have little use for people who cannot be honest. I'd rather be told a harsh truth than lied to.
Build your vision map.
I found this section really interesting because it reminded me of Holly's sweet spot map. Only this is done to set goals. The purpose of the vision map is to determine where you want your art/writing career to be in 3 to 5 years.
These are the big over-arching goals and an opportunity to dream big, abandon doubt and fear, and use your imagination to think boldly about your future.
Choose goals based on what sounds exciting now. Don't get tripped up with questions like, "What if that's not realistic?" or "What if I end up not liking that?"
You can always revise goals. You are master of your future.
To make a vision map you write your name in the center of the paper. Write vision statements on lines reaching out from the center in the image of a sun.
When finished, pin the map on the wall in your work space. Focusing on your vision of the future is a way of keeping yourself connected to goals that are meaningful and exciting to you. Don't forget to revise it over time as other goals become more important to you or as you allow yourself to dream bigger.
2. Articulate your values.
Articulating your values through your work and business will ensure you execute your goals in a way that is most satisfying to you.
(For me, speaking my values out loud, and my goals, makes them more real. If I can't speak them, then I'm not seeing them clearly enough)
3. Set Intermediate goals
Set intermediate goals small enough to accomplish over a few weeks to a couple of months. Think about your vision map and set 1 to 3 intermediate goals that will work toward achieving them. These intermediate goals should be concrete and actionable.
4. Develop small actionable tasks
Get really detailed when you write short term tasks. The smaller, the task, the more likely you will complete it. Make each task something you can complete in a few hours so you have a sense of accomplishment each day.
I'm nowhere near ready to lay out my 2018 goals. I am not done gathering information. I'll continue to post in here as things hit me. My goal at the end of this post (and I expect it to take me several weeks into January) is to be able to write a plan of action for me and Joshua. We need to incorporate both art and writing into our daily life. I already know that I'm going to have to give up my mornings.
I will be getting Joshua up earlier than I've done. I let him stay in bed longer so I could get in at least 3 solid hours of work in the morning. I don't like the TV on or people interrupting me when I work. Being pulled out of the creative zone is painful. And it's really hard to go back in the zone if I'm interrupted too much.
Joshua gets tired by afternoon so he was losing his work time because he would need out of his wheelchair to rest. So I already know that I will be swapping hours with him. We have a room now. One with a door. I can get him up earlier, and he can work through the morning. After lunch, he can get out of his chair and relax. I will take the afternoon hours while Josh is resting.
I will still get about 1 1/2 hours of writing time before he gets up. That is not enough but its a start. I already know that we will have hours as if we're punching a time clock. Hit the studio/office at the same time every day. Put in the hours we agree on, and have a work week Monday thru Friday. Weekends we'll work but it will be on projects we want to work on and not have to work on-or not. Weekends will be free time and used as we wish.
I'm touching on highlights from the book and how it impacts me. One of my problems has been not knowing enough to even ask the right questions. As I gain knowledge and skills, my mind set shifts and begins to see areas of possibilities that were dark before. I need to find those streams of income. I think I'm getting close but just not quite there yet. 2018 is going to be geared toward using our skills and making them pay. Somehow.
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Post by Admin on Dec 30, 2017 14:12:43 GMT
I sort of like the idea of a visions map. I'm really interested in finding out what Joshua's vision map will look like. I need to figure out a way for him to tell me. Once I know what I want, and what Joshua wants, I can begin to merge our combined goals together so we each have time to work toward them.
I also need to figure out my writing niche and my art. I can self-publish. I can put my artwork out for the world to buy but I can't make them buy. I have not yet hit on that magic formula that creates I want-to-buy attitude in people. I think this lies in the emotional connection between my work and the potential buyer. The reader/buyer has to feel something when they read my words, or look at my pictures. Somehow, I have to find a way to connect.
I think I already write with emotion. I'm not as sure about paint with emotion. I need to do less copying of photo references, and let my inner artist emerge. I lack courage in that area. Not what I feel, but my execution of it. That will come with more solid technique and understanding of different mediums. I'm not afraid to bare my soul. I just lack the skill, at the moment, to do it effectively.
I think I'm good at overcoming doubts. Most of the time. I'm sleeping better and getting more hours in. I'm beginning to get some deep sleep and I wasn't before. The fitbit helps me analyze my sleep patterns so I can change habits to become more rested. My diet is changing back to the gluten-free that I felt more energy on and my blood sugar behaved better. Those are things I can control. Once the room gets done, I can incorporate physical exercise into my daily routine and that will help too.
I am not ready to write out my 2018 goals yet. I'm still reading the book and getting ideas.
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Post by bill on Dec 30, 2017 21:44:34 GMT
You've got some great ideas and it's fun to watch your process and see inside your reasoning.
A big deal is made about goal setting, and it has it's place. But setting goals is only a tool. I find it a valuable tool, but I see so many get wrapped up in goal setting and not get anything else done. For me, setting goals energizes and focuses me. I can tell you are energized and in the process of structuring yourself. Keep up the good work! And keep posting!
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Post by Admin on Jan 1, 2018 14:49:39 GMT
i posted another chunk of information on the Meandering board under After Hours. Lots of things to mull over in my head.
Today I will put up my new calendar on the wall. The one I write all my appointments in every month so I see them at a glance and know way ahead of time what my schedule is during the month.
I will clean house to within an inch of its life. Hank had a nasty bug for two days. Taking his fever up to 103+. headache, chills, fever, but no vomiting or chest issues and it responded to medication. We'll see if he can keep his temperature normal for a full 24 hours without it rebounding. But I feel pretty confident he's on the mend. Just want to make sure Josh and I don't catch it.
I'll do some more reading in Art, Inc. Trying to do a few pages every day and post to After Hours board. I cannot make my 2018 goals until I see everything covered.
I need to finish my ink drawing of three boys and mule. Frame and mat it because it's going to the gallery on Wed. It's the closest picture I've gotten done. So off it goes.
I'm going to try a new bread recipe today. One that is filled with caramelized onions. the house will smell good and I'll be happy. I love having good food smells on a day when I deep clean. It makes me feel productive.
Joshua is online again so he will need to check his email and facebook. He's super excited about this. It's too cold to take him out so getting the old phone ready for him to text on will have to wait until the weather moderates. Real temp here this morning is -14. Wind chills are -35. I'm going to close the barn up. I don't think the siding will be going up any time soon. If they don't get work done on my room this week, I will be difficult. He told me it was a 30 day job and it's now going on 3 months. We started this in Oct. One room. Hank said I'm spoiled because I watch those shows and in 30 minutes to an hour they go from total gut to finished. They don't show us real time but edited clips so I have unrealistic view of how fast everything works. All I know is, if he'd had the trim here, I'd have it done and ready to go.
I'll quit griping. It gets me off topic.
I bought two more art classes. First one was drawing characters. I was excited to see him using photoshop. Then I looked at other offerings and they had digital art for the beginner and another digital class. I need all the experience I can get using photoshop. Illustration work needs to be in digital form. I'm determined that this year, I will master photoshop and maybe indesign (or whatever that program is that lets me put visual with text and move it all around so I can lay out the picture book)
I may not be in the studio yet but I can still be doing a lot of the class work in preparation of working out there.
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Post by bill on Jan 1, 2018 18:49:11 GMT
You can only control what you can control. I'm alternating between some cleaning and writing. Well, more organizing than cleaning. I'm preparing to be busy so I want things in a certain place.
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Post by Admin on Jan 1, 2018 20:26:00 GMT
What got cleaned, looks good. But Hank is up and watching football which means the living/dining room is on hold.
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