Why I Got Rid of My Facebook "Friends"

I've been a bit slack lately at blogging and emailing but the reason for this is because I was spending time looking at my daily routine, particularly with a view to eliminating things that are a waste of time.

And what I realised was that it's all to easy to waste a lot of time on Facebook.

I also realised the reason that Facebook is a waste of time is because I really don't care what other people are doing or saying. The only reason I joined a few years ago is because I thought I SHOULD. People told me it could help me sell more books and earn more money, but so far it hasn't

Among my so-called Facebook "friends" were family members, friends, neighbours and other people who I've never actually met, but they requested to "friend" me so I did.

And what it all added up to was wasting time every day looking at what they were doing and saying and most of it was garbage that I didn't want/need to know.

Also, whenever I posted my opinion about something or said what I was doing, I got so many hateful comments about whether or not people agreed with my view. I posted  a lot about animals (because I can't stand animal cruelty) and the backlash was not only instant, but it was from people who clearly had no idea what they were talking about but certainly had a lot of negative opinions.

I even thought I was safe joining a couple of vegan groups, but it seemed they were worse than anyone else in their efforts to "out vegan" each other. Someone would post about what they ate and others would immediately tell them they were wrong. "You eat chocolate? I never eat that I prefer only organic health food." "You wear leather shoes???? Vegans NEVER do that." "You put dressing on your salad???? How unhealthy!" Blah, blah, blah...on and on it went.

Even a local group were really scornful of each other: "My child had money stolen from them at school." "Well you shouldn't allow them to carry a lot of cash." "It's not the child's fault, blame the thieves." "It's hard to blame the thieves when your kid made it so easy for them." Honestly! I couldn't believe the negativity coming from everywhere.

Then I had an epiphany a few days ago. It suddenly hit me that I don't really care about what others are saying. I don't care one bit what they think so why was I wasting my time checking my Facebook feed every day?

So I un-friended everyone (which it turns out you have to do one person at a time - what a drag), even my family members, and then I set my account to not allow anyone else to "friend" me. I did that by setting it so that only friends of friends can request to "friend" me. It seems you can't just set it to let no one "friend" you.

I also unjoined most of the groups I was a part of except a Buddhist group and a couple of writing groups, and I joined more writing groups that offered daily prompts, writing news, etc. In other words, I'm only interested in groups that can help me by offering something I need, not just a load of people voicing their opinions.

There were some writing groups that offered to critique each other's work, and I thought "Nope. No way." I just need information not more opinions from people who know nothing or very little.

And once I sorted out my account I could check it every day and only see useful things. Plus it has freed up a lot of my time every week.

The most amazing thing is that not only has it given me more time, but I feel so much happier. I didn't realise it before, but everyday, logging into Facebook made me cringe. I didn't want to see what others were complaining about.

Facebook is full of trolls. Completely full. But I've found a way to avoid them and at the same time, use Facebook to help my writing career. I've also started posting lots of things about writing, so others can follow me if they want to learn more, but they can't be my Facebook "friend."

I know that they call it social media, but there is really not much "social" about it.

It's probably why I'm a writer. It means I work alone.

And currently I'm working on some more writing courses to help others make more money from their writing than ever before.

So stay tuned.

:) :) :)

Latest Writing Resources

Today I have a great list of resources designed to get you into a frenzy of writing, submitting and pitching.

Try one or two or try them all. If you want to become a successful and wealthy writer extraordinaire, these resources will help you get there.

Creating High Concept Screenplay Ideas
High concept screenplays are what sell in Hollywood. This new course at Screenwriters U will give writers tools for generating and refining high concept ideas, from paying attention to, and seeking out, those initial sparks of inspiration which might launch a screenplay to finding ways not just of sustaining the story but building its potential, forward momentum, and meaning.
Creating High Concept Screenplay Ideas at Screenwriters University

My Instant Swipe File
"Write HOT Sales Letters That Sell Like CRAZY - In No Time Flat!"
My Brand-New Copywriting "SECRET WEAPON" is Your Short-Cut for Writing Powerful, Money-Getting Sales Letters That Make Customers BUY!
From: Jeff Gardner
Multi-Million-Dollar Copywriter
President, Gardner Marketing Group Inc.
My Instant Swipe File

Prepping Your Screenplay to Win Competitions Workshop
Competitions can be expensive and time-consuming to enter, but can open doors if approached in the right way. Rather than leaving it to chance, make sure you have a contest strategy and that your script is in the best shape it can be. This workshop is a one week intensive. There are three video lectures for you to view over the week, and one writing assignment at the end of the course for your instructor to critique.
Prepping Your Screenplay to Win Competitions Workshop

The Hurricane Method
The Hurricane Method is a super high quality program that teaches people how to write a great fiction novel in as little as 14 days.
The Hurricane Novel Writing Method

Writing for Reality TV OnDemand Workshop
In Writing for Reality TV, learn the ins and outs of what goes into the production and writing of a reality television show. This course, composed by one of the industry's busiest and most recognizable reality television writer/producers, Troy DeVolld, offers you he tools necessary to succeed as a writer of reality television. You'll learn about reality subgenres and hybrid shows, the effect of reality television on the way traditionally scripted shows are written, and the basics of the production hierarchy which, in the largely non-union wild west of reality production, can vary wildly from traditionally scripted shows.
Writing for Reality TV OnDemand Workshop

How To Make Money Writing Easy, 350-500 Word Web Articles
If You Can Type, You Can Start Making Money Writing Simple 350-500 Word Web Articles. You Don't Need Experience. In Fact, Most Who Start Don't Have Any. I'll Tell You Everything You Need To Get Started Immediately. I Do It Every Day & So Can You!
How to Make Money Writing Simple, 500-Word Articles

Developing Your Reality TV Idea Workshop
In this workshop, learn what it takes to develop a killer reality television show and take the first steps in beginning your career in reality television production. Tailored for beginners and mid-career writers interested in exploring the opportunities reality television offers in today's media marketplace, this course was composed by one of the industry's busiest and most recognizable reality television writer/producers, Troy DeVolld, author of Reality TV: An Insider's Guide to TV's Hottest Market and senior story producer of Dancing with the Stars.
Developing Your Reality TV Idea Workshop

The Children’s Writer’s Super System
Teaches How To Discover, Write, Pitch And Sell Your Children's Book! Original Workbook And 7+ Hour Audio Set From A Successful Author Of 40+ Books For Children.
Learn How to Write a Children’s Book

Are You Writing Enough?

One of the biggest complaints I hear from writers is that they don’t get enough writing done every day.

This is the topic of my latest article called “Where Does My Writing Time Go?”

And this problem happens every day.

You get up in the morning with high hopes and great intentions of getting plenty of writing done - writing a few articles, finishing your latest book, submitting a couple of freelance proposals.

But all of a sudden - BANG!

The day is over and although you’ve been busy all day, jumping from one task to another, you’ve barely touched your writing.

So you promise yourself that tomorrow will be different…but it never is.

If you’re experiencing this phenomena, one of the reasons for it could be that you haven’t established your preferred writing time.

We all know that having a good writing routine is important, but it wont’ help you if you're doing it at the wrong time of day.

You see some of us are morning writers, some work better in the afternoons while others are happier working in the evenings, burning the proverbial midnight oil.

I know one person who settles down to write at 9 or 10 pm every evening and keeps going till the early hours of the morning.

Admittedly he’s a late riser every day, but it doesn’t matter because he does whatever he wants all day before settling down to write again in the evening.

In the best selling book 2k to 10K, author Rachel Aaron explains how she tried different times to write and recorded her progress. To her amazement she found she was most productive in the afternoon, even though she was sure she was a morning person. And that’s how she increased her writing speed from 2,000 words/hour to 10,000.

So if you’re not getting enough writing done every day, try out a few different times to write and see if you are really a morning, afternoon or evening writer.

And if you do need to change the time of day (or evening) when you write, be prepared because it will take you out of your comfort zone and you will have to make sacrifices.

But before you know it, your new writing routine will be of such a benefit to you (as in, how much more you can get done) that you won’t mind at all.

Read more about how Rachel Aaron went from writing 2,000 an hour to 10,000 words.

Writing Competitions With Huge Cash Prizes plus Writing Markets that pay $1 a Word

Today I have for you two free-to-enter writing competitions with huge cash prizes plus a list of over 70 writing markets that are currently looking for freelance submissions AND they pay $1 a word or more.

These are huge if you're looking for a big return for your writing.

The first is the biggest. It's a competition run by Amazon.co.uk and is open to writers worldwide.

Kindle Storyteller Prize

 Amazon are looking for new books to be published as a Kindle book and a print book and the winning book author will receive ￡20,000 (GBP).

Here is a copy & paste about the competition information from their own website:

The Kindle Storyteller prize is open to submissions of new English Language books from all authors and genres. Titles must be previously unpublished, a minimum of 5,000 words with no upper word limit and be available as an eBook and in print.
All new entries must be submitted using Kindle Direct Publishing, a fast, free and easy way for authors to keep control and publish their books. They receive up to 70 per cent royalties on their work. To enter the contest, authors need to include the exact phrase “StorytellerUK2017” in the “keywords” metadata field and enroll their book in KDP Select.

So what they're looking for are previously unpublished books that are at least 5,000 words in length.

The Storyteller contest is open until 19th May 2017.

The winning author to receive £20,000 cash prize and be recognized at a central London award ceremony this summer.
https://amazon.co.uk/storyteller 

The Nick Darke Writers' Award 2017

This is another great writing competition and it's funded by Falmouth University's Academy of Music and Theatre Arts, and the School of Writing & Journalism. The Award commemorates the playwright Nick Darke who earned his living writing in the world of theatre, screen and radio.

This competition is open to all national and international writers aged 16 or over.

Applicants should submit a full stage play script (minimum 45 mins in length with no maximum) along with a one-page synopsis.

All submissions should be entered anonymously, do not include a name, address, phone number or email on the script or synopsis.

First prize is £6,000.

The closing date for entries is 17:00 (GMT) Wednesday 31 May 2017.
https://www.falmouth.ac.uk/nickdarkeaward

70 Publications That Pay $1 a Word
~ And They’re Looking for Writers
This is a huge HUGE list of high-paying publications that are all currently looking for writers. They all pay $1 a word or more or a flat fee of $500.

So take a look and get your creative juices flowing and submit to as many as you can.

Just don't forget that publications that pay high rates to writers are looking for top quality work.
http://www.theinternationalfreelancer.com/1-a-word/