Business 101

Courtesy of Google Images

I talked with Tim, over enchiladas and Negra Modelo at our neighborhood cantina (bar), about hiring an editor for my book, because, you know, five plus bills is a lot of money! Tim agreed that I needed to do whatever it takes to do to get this project where I want it to be, then, being the practical man he is he asked, “Is there any way we can write off some of your expenses?”

Courtesy of Google Images

Hummmm. Very good question, Tim.  We discussed our knowledge of small business ownership (which was very limited) and decided to do more research when we got home.

Turns out the IRS does recognize authorship as a lucrative business. We found out all sorts of good information.

First of all, there's an IRS formula to determine if my writing is considered a hobby or an occupation. Both can have deductions, but of course, an occupation’s deductions would be higher. Also, the IRS gives writers about three years to show a profit before being possibly re-categorized as a hobbyist. I think that’s pretty generous of them.

Receipts for pen, paper, ink, an all other things writing can be deducted (at a certain percentage) from my taxes, as well as fees for conferences or classes I attend. Wow!   I’ve just started a receipt file- see how business-like I am!

My office. My refuge.

Additionally, expenses for promoting my book can be covered, as well as home office use if the office is used for writing only and for a good percentage of the day. (There’s a formula for that too!) Since my granddaughters sleep in my office when they spend the night, I’m pretty sure I’m not going to be able to use it as a deduction…yet.

Courtesy of Google Images

Oh, and about hiring an editor: If I pay someone over $600.00 for any service, I have to ask them for a W-9 and report the payments on a 1099-MISC and on an equivalent form from the state I live in. (Huh? My eyeballs are glazing over..)

I’m so glad Tim asked the question. I’m learning a lot about being my own business woman. (The first decision I made was to offer the job to Tim. He declined.)

My book, THE INK OF TIME, is off to four beta-readers. I will have the binders back by mid-August. I’m researching editors and have a couple selected to contact. 

There’s a lot more to learn but 'Business 101: Make sure you know IRS Requirements' are number one! I’m getting there!

Until next time,

Be Good to Yourself.

~Nadine

Damned Old Adage

Image courtesy of Google

“It takes money to make money.” That’s what they say anyway.

I’m being shockingly reminded of that old adage these days. If you have been following my journey to become a published author, you know I’ve recently set some personal self-publishing goals to get this project to fruition.

Image courtesy of Google

My most recent foray into reaching my goal was to learn about hiring an editor. A pod-cast I listen to recommends that even self-published authors need to hire a professional to edit their work before publication. So I’ve done some research and I’m in sticker shock at the cost of hiring a professional editor—they get paid per word. (!)

One cent to 2.8 cents per word are on the low-to-reasonable end of the rate scale. My novel, THE INK OF TIME, is about 54,000 words long. You don’t even have to do the math. I’ll do it for you.

.01x54,000= 540.00 dollars       .028x54,000= 1,512.00 dollars

Image courtesy of Google

$540.00 to $1,512.00 dollars is a hell of a lot of money to put toward an unproven venture! I would make a terrible entrepreneur because I’m very unwilling to take risks with money, and yet if I want to sell a book I guess that’s exactly what I would have to be and do. I seriously doubt if I’d get my investment back in sales of the book! (It is a good story, if I do say so myself, but I’m a little fish in a big, huge ocean-like pond.)

And yet. And yet, I am a goal oriented person who expects my personal very best. If I publish a book, I want it to be the best that it can be. I’m pretty good at editing the written word, but I know nothing about editing a whole novel. What to do, what to do???

Here’s another adage: “You get what you pay for.”

So true, oh so true.  We’ve all been there. Buy something inexpensive (cheap) and it falls apart in no time. Spend a little more money and you get a product that is worth the price.

Here's a perfect example; I posted this picture on Facebook a couple of years ago. On the left are the cheap crackers I bought at a big box store very well-known for their low prices. On the right are crackers I bought at our local well-known grocery. Same brand. Two standards at two price points.

Image courtesy of Google

So here I am. Trying to decide if I spend money to see what a professional thinks of my work, and more than likely not make any money off the project, or do the best I can with the skills I have (which are free) and self-publish anyway.

Image courtesy of Google

For me, writing is not about making money, it’s about the creative process and having other people enjoy what I’ve created. Like this blog, I write it to hone my skills and get people accustomed to my writing voice. If they like it, they’ll read more. That’s it.  

What should I do?

Until next time,

Be Good to Yourself.

~Nadine

Knee Tear vs. Me

Courtesy of Google Images

I’ve always thought I was not a very active person and have struggled to try to meet the “recommended 30 minutes of exercise daily” goal. But I’ve found out that I really am more active than I thought.

Courtesy of Google Images

I found out the hard way. I have a torn meniscus in my knee and will be having surgery by the time you read this blog post. 

And the crazy thing is, I didn’t tear it doing work or exercise, it just tore from time and use. I guess sitting in six-year-old size chairs and squatting down next to little desks for so many years took its toll.

Joni Mitchell sings in her song Big Yellow Taxi : “...you don’t know what you’ve got til it’s gone…” So true.

Courtesy of Google Images

Gracie running through the tall grass.

I didn’t realize how much I walked and biked until I couldn’t.  I used to walk my dog a couple miles a day- sometimes twice a day. Poor dog, she’s getting so bored. I took her in the car the other day and she was so excited to go somewhere she ran circles around my car.

Old bike and new bike rack.
(Both Christmas presents from
my honey.)

Tim gave me a great bike carrier for Christmas, and since this injury started before biking season, I haven’t used it at all!

Davenport riverfront trail
(MRT-Mississippi Riverfront Trail)

I’m ready to have this surgery done. I’m ready to heal my knee and get back to my regular activities. I’ll probably make up for lost time this summer and spend the rest of it on a bike path!

Wish me luck. Say a prayer for speedy recovery!

Until next time,

Be Good to Yourself.

~Nadine

Travel. It's Good for You

I’m very fortunate to have the ability and opportunity to travel.

I believe going to other places, seeing how other people live, learning about area history, and getting a glimpse of the majesty of the earth God created would help all of us see the world from other perspectives. 

Maybe there would be less hate in the world if everyone could visit the oceans, the mountains, deserts, and, of course, miles of Midwest cornfields.

I just returned from a "girl’s trip" to Florida on the Gulf coast. Here are some of my favorite things from that trip.

 

The sun sets over the Gulf.

Four adult dolphins help the baby (in the center) learn how to dive and breathe. It was fantastic to watch!

This picture is a favorite because of the old pylons. The birds seemed unconcerned by all the people and boats buzzing around them.

Flora and fauna are always my favorite things to explore. How about a few red, white, and blue flowers in celebration of Independence Day!

911 Memorial outside a local fire station. Never forget.

When given the chance, travel.

Until next time,

Be Good to Yourself!

~Nadine