Jane Yolen has written 400 books (maybe more by the time you read this) and I have written 1. Does that mean that she is smarter than me? Does it mean that she uses a better computer than me? Does it mean that she uses better pens and pencils than me? Maybe.

What else could explain the difference in writing output?

The answer is that she writes regularly, usually everyday. I don’t. I’ve talked about writing for decades and have actually written very little.

So how does one move on and compete with Jane? Easy. Beginning today, I’m going to be writing. I’m not going to tell you how much I’ve done each day. No one cares. I will mention when I SUBMIT something to a publisher. It might take weeks, months, or years.

The journey begins.

[By the time I submit one book, Jane will probably be up to number 425. Good for her!]

1. Do not blame anybody for your mistakes and failures. ~~Bernard Baruch
2. Switch your point of view. Would that make your story better?
3. You can re-start your life right now! If you weren’t a writer yesterday, you can be a writer starting right now!
4. Life begins every second. Don’t waste time thinking about it, start writing.
5. To be creative, you might want to do things the un-techie way (for example, postcards instead of emails).
6. Start your next short story by writing the last line first.
7. Go for perfect! Book writing has never been easier. Years ago, when I had to change a word I had to re-type (with a typewriter) the whole chapter.
8. Can you tell your “story” using a series of pictures (with and/or without captions)?
9. Try writing a short story that incorporates a line from The Story Starter.
10. Follow less, lead more (especially on Twitter and Facebook).
11. Watch less TV and write more.
12. All of the writers on the best sellers lists had (and probably still have) the same doubts as you.
13. Read a magazine you never read before. It’s full of ideas for writers.
14. Starting a sentence with an “ing” word is a great way to start.
15. Whenever you want to say “someday” substitute “today” and you’ll do better.
16. Many procrastinators masquerade as writers. If you want to be a writer write. Period.
17. Gardeners will tell you that you have to be patient to see the fruits of your hard work, sometimes it takes years!
18. Get an almanac! Read through it when you have time. You might (probably will) come up with article ideas.
19. Fine writing, like fine wine, doesn’t happen over night.
20. If you can write a 5 paragraph composition, you can write a magazine article. Same thing, just a bit longer
21. Does your character transform for the better or worse? What would happen if you switched it?
22. You can learn more going to a place you’ve never been than spending hours online. It must be the air!
23. Going to the movies is nice, reading a movie script gives you a sense of how the story comes together.
24. To learn how to write, study gardeners, photographers, poker players, pizza makers, etc. Learn from everyone.
25. Just like the tango, it takes TWO to write: one writer and at least one other person to read. I’m not big on writing for myself.

In September of 1969 I became a New York City junior high school social studies teacher. In the winter of that year, the principal asked me to speak at the monthly faculty conference. The topic was How to Use an Overhead Projector. Back then overhead projectors were very high tech.

On Tuesday, I walked around the school to see how many teachers were convinced that using an overhead project would make their jobs easier and more effective. The grand total of overhead users was ZERO. The problem was that I was the only teacher in the school who had a working projector.

I learned a lot that day. You may get something out of it. What I learned is universal.

1. Before you volunteer to speak, get to know the details.
2. If you are going to suggest a major change, be sure that people are physically capable of doing what you will suggest they do.
3. If it’s a big change, one mini session isn’t going to work.
4. People lived without new technology…you must convince them of the advantages that a new technology will be for THEM.
5. What you love may not even be liked by others. You are not right or wrong. They are simply different.
6. Learn from your mistakes. I did.
7. Your best presentation can be your worst…it’s all relative.

Beware.

1. “Do not blame anybody for your mistakes and failures.” ~~Bernard Baruch
2. Switch your point of view. Would that make your story better?
3. You can re-start your life right now! If you weren’t a writer yesterday, you can be a writer starting right now!
4. Life begins every second. Don’t waste time thinking about it, start writing.
5. To be creative, you might want to do things the un-techie way (for example, postcards instead of emails).
6. Start your next short story by writing the last line first.
7. Go for perfect! Book writing has never been easier. Years ago, when I had to change a word I had to re-type (with a typewriter) the whole chapter.
8. Can you tell your “story” using a series of pictures (with and/or without captions)?
9. Try writing a short story that incorporates a line from The Story Starter.
10. Follow less, lead more (especially on Twitter and Facebook).
11. Watch less TV and write more.
12. All of the writers on the best sellers lists had (and probably still have) the same doubts as you.
13. Read a magazine or blog you never read before. It’s full of ideas for writers.
14. Starting a sentence with an “ing” word is a great way to start.
15. Whenever you want to say “someday” substitute “today” and you’ll do better.
16. Many procrastinators masquerade as writers. If you want to be a writer write. Period.
17. Gardeners will tell you that you have to be patient to see the fruits of your hard work, sometimes it takes years!
18. Get an almanac! Read through it when you have time. You might (probably will) come up with article ideas.
19. Fine writing, like fine wine, doesn’t happen over night.
20. If you can write a 5 paragraph composition, you can write a magazine article. Same thing, just a bit longer
21. Does your character transform for the better or worse? What would happen if you switched it?
22. You can learn more going to a place you’ve never been than spending hours online. It must be the air!
23. Going to the movies is nice, reading a movie script gives you a sense of how the story comes together.
24. To learn how to write, study gardeners, photographers, poker players, pizza makers, etc. Learn from everyone.
25. Just like the tango, it takes TWO to write: one writer and at least one other person to read. I’m not big on writing for myself.

Maybe, it’s time to say it. Why hide things any longer?

It?

Why do you still support Donald Trump?

Do you actually agree with what he says and does?

Really, is that it?

If it is…say so…publicly. Explain why…without diverting the conversation away from what Trump does. Telling us about what Obama or Clinton may or may not have done is silly. Trump’s been in office for more than three years. He has a record to run on.

Do you think he has handled the pandemic well?

How has he done with dealing with racial issues?

How is his foreign policy? Are our allies closer to us than before he came to office?

Do you approve of his firing key government officials…especially Inspectors General and Federal Prosecutors…who may be investigating members of his administration?

Do you think that he lies as often as he is reported by media?

Are you more comfortable with him in the White House than previous presidents?

Simple questions. Think about them.

It’s time.

There was a time (not that long ago) when businesses needed typists. Word processing eliminated most of them. Change was difficult for some, but welcome by those who survived.

We are about to enter another time when much will change. Bosses will realize that some of their employees are not really needed. They will also realize that many jobs can be done at home and as much office space will not be needed. Instead of traveling to meet customers/clients, Zoom may be enough.

It may be a good time to consider what you can offer when this terrible time is over. New skills may put you ahead…or leave you behind. Consider these skills for the future:

PowerPoint has been an office staple for decades. Speaking online has shown that that may not be enough. When this is over it may be a very good idea to find your local Toastmasters club and develop your public speaking skills.

PhotoShop is difficult to learn. Actually, very difficult. And that is the very reason you should learn to use it. Knowing what others do not know has always been an advantage. Now, even more so.

Although learning Microsoft Word is important, mastering Adobe’s InDesign will give you skills in designing documents, not just writing them.

Finally, your high school English teacher taught you how to write compositions and essays. She did not teach you to be a copywriter. Instead of paragraphs, copywriters using one or two sentences at a time. It’s different.

Be ready for the next phase of life/business…before it’s too late.