A Step in the Write Direction--October 8, 2012

A Step in the Write Direction

October 8, 2012

Update:

Not much to write along the personal line. Pretty normal week with a proofreading job (Israel and Iran) and proofreading the latest anthology: Grandmother, Mother, and Me—Stories, Poetry, and Recipes…

Do you ever wish you knew what the future would hold (blood test coming up this morning for my husband)? Two songs come to mind:

If we could see, if we could know, we often say,

But God in love a veil doth throw across our way.

We cannot see what lies before, and so we cling to Him the more.

He’ll lead us till this life is o’er. Trust and obey.

(“If We Could See Beyond Today”

and these words from an old hymn, “Lead Kindly, Light”:

Keep Thou my feet; I do not ask to see the distant scene;

one step enough for me.

Thought for the Day:

“Try and fail, but don't fail to try. . . . Anyone can give up, it's the easiest thing in the world to do. But to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart, that's true strength” (Alexander Pushkin).

Laugh for the Day:

A man has a dog called Mace, which he keeps in the house all the time because all it does is eat grass. He also has a favorite tool, his wrench, which he uses all the time. One day he loses the wrench. He looks everywhere for it but can't find it. The dog gets out, eats all his grass and there in the middle of the lawn is his wrench. The man starts singing, "A grazing Mace, how sweet the hound, that saved a wrench for me." [Insert groan here.]

Setting Up Your Office (Supplies):

After purchasing necessary equipment such as a computer, printer, and desk, below is a list of other supplies you may want to keep on hand:

• Toner—can get refilled at some office supply stores
• Paper—copy paper fine (not “Xerox” paper; “Xerox” is a trade name, not an adjective). (Staples often has big sales on cases—buy one, get one free, etc. Go in with other writers and buy a case.)
• Pens, pencils, paper clips
• Envelopes—#10, 9x12, priority (for publishers who accept manuscripts snail mail)
• Address labels
• Scotch tape; scissors
• Maps, travel brochures (great for accurate information when writing fiction and nonfiction)
• Stapler, staples, ruler
• Tape recorder—tapes and batteries if you’re not using digital recorder (someday I’ll learn how to use my new digital recorder)
• Camera, film, batteries, memory cards
• Index cards
• Rubber bands
• Postage, postage scale (however, anything over 13 oz. has to be mailed at a post office)
• Legal/steno/scratch pads (legal pads are my weakness!)
• File folders
• Telephone message pads
• Business card holder
• Telephone/address/Internet address book
• A “Do not disturb/Writer at work” sign (unless they bring chocolate!)

Use this list to keep track of your writing expenses for tax purposes. As a writer, you are considered self-employed and will have to file a Schedule C. All your writing and speaking income will be taxable; however, your business expenses are deductible as well.

After you deduct your expenses from your earnings, if you make over a certain amount,

you’ll have to pay self-employment tax. (I have a list of tax deductions for writers. Email me if you’d like it.) You may want to purchase two sets of supplies: one for the family and one for your office.

Have a good week! (Remember, you can send in questions and prayer

requests for this blog.)

Donna Goodrich

www.thewritersfriend.net
"A Step in the Write Direction--the Complete How-to Guide for Christian Writers"

Read past blogs at: http://donna-goodrich.blogspot.com