WRITERLY WISDOM: Rena J Traxel

It's time once again for WRITERLY WISDOM where every Wednesday we will sneak a peek into the world of writing and publication. I have followed Rena's career for almost three years now and I feel lucky to count her as a friend.  Take it away Rena...

Building A Writer’s Website

By Rena J Traxel

So why have a website or blog if you aren’t even published yet?

At a recent conference I attended, an editor suggested that all writers should at the very least have a website. This shows commitment to your career. It doesn’t have to be fancy. It can be as simple as one page.

Plus a website or a blog serves as a permanent hub to connect you with others. And it can later be used as a place to sell your books, share news, etc.

What should you have on your website or blog?

-Professional Photo

I paid under $100 to get a professional photo done.

If you can’t hire a professional photographer that’s okay just make sure to use a photo that’s appropriate (no nude photos). If you can believe it, I recently read a tweet by agent that said she was put off by a potential client’s nude avatar. Don’t do it. 

Plus a professional photo can also be used on business cards and for guest blog posts.

-Contact info

I wouldn’t suggest putting your home address. An email address is a must. But make sure your address is professional. Why not reinforce your brand by using your name. I was once contacted via my website from a reputable agent interested in a pitch she had seen. It happens so make sure you can be contacted!

-Social Media buttons

Link your social media buttons to your Facebook, Twitter or whatever sites you use.  Put your buttons on every page in a visible spot (if possible above the fold). Above the fold is what you can see upon entering your website without scrolling down.

-Biography/About You Page

This is a place to tell readers about you. Keep it professional but don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through.

-Published Works

This can include publications, blog guest posts etc. If you have them great! If not don’t worry about it.

-Professional Organizations

Being part of a reputable organization such as Society of Children Book Writers & Illustrators looks good to agents and editors. It shows commitment to your craft. So make sure to mention any memberships. This can be put on your biography page or can be displayed using a badge in a sidebar.

-Personnel URL

For around $10/year you can have personalized address. Since your name is your brand it’s a good idea to use your name as the address (i.e. www.renajtraxel.com). If your domain name has already been purchased don’t worry. You can try using a middle initial.

-Some other things to consider

As your career unfolds look into adding additional pages such as a media page, a book page and an events page.

A media page should include a photo, bio and any press releases.

A book page should include a pitch for your book, book cover if available and links to where it can be purchased. I’m always surprised when I come across an author’s website that doesn’t tell me what their book is about. This is a easy way to promote yourself so why not to do it. Also make sure to include a link to where they can buy your books. Sure a potential reader can look up your book but why not make it easy for them by including a link.

Finally create an author events page. On this page you can include places you will be (book signings, conferences, school visits etc.) You may also wish to include your availability to do school visits. Lots of authors make good money doing school visits so why not do them. Or look into doing online visits via Skype. You may wish to create a separate page for school visits.

On a final note, I have a background in web design and writing for the web. If you have any questions about websites that I haven’t answered in this post please comment below. Thanks Donna for inviting me to be a part of this wonderful series!

Rena J. Traxel can be found tapping away on her glowing scheming machine. She writes for kids and teens and occasionally for adults. She loves math and solving problems about as much as she loves her pets!

You can connect with her on Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/renajtraxel  or on Twitter @ https://twitter.com/renajtraxel

For more writing tips and tricks check out Rena’s website and blog @ www.renajtraxel.com

Perfecting My Juggling Act

Before January of 2011 I would have considered myself to be a fairly busy person.  I worked and trained full time at my TaeKwonDo school.  I would get there around 10 am and leave around 8 pm every night during the school year and put in about 14 hours every day during the summer.  I sometimes felt like THIS guy...trying to juggle everything on my plate and sometime not getting the results I wanted.

Then I decided that I was going to return to my writing.  My son had moved out of the house and I quickly converted his bedroom into my study before he could change his mind.  But the world of writing is very different from twenty years ago and there was much for me to learn.  And the more I learned, the more things I discovered I needed to juggle. Things like a website, and a blog site, and social sites like Linkedin and Facebook and critique groups and writers online communities and other peoples blog sites and other peoples websites...you get the idea.  Then I started to feel like THIS guy because I now find myself with the idea of trying to juggle two full time careers and determined to make both passions work for me.

So how do I do it?  Keyword...time management.  I want to squeeze as much writing time out of each day as I can so I get up at 6 or 7 am each morning and juggle my writing...whether picture book or fantasy novel or blog post and then I spend the next ten hours focussing on my martial arts.  When I get home,  I spend the next 3 hours reading and responding to emails, catching up on other blogs or websites or online writing groups before tumbling into bed around midnight.  Saturdays I run errands and Sunday I focus on editing, doing critiques, researching submission avenues, and reading articles or books to further my writer skills.  Oh yeah, I also take time out on Sunday evening to watch Once Upon A Time...the only TV I indulge in during the week.

Juggling my time and my life may seem crazy to other people but I feel energized with my life in a way I haven't been before.  I didn't mention the volunteering I do on the side or my charity organizations or school programs I also participate in because I fill those in when I have the extra time...lol...

I can look back on this past year and wonder how did I ever manage to juggle all those obligations of my time or I can just sit back and reflect on how satisfied I am with my writing life and my martial arts life right now.  I'm privileged to be able to share my excitement with others through this wonderful writing community and give back to all the lovely people who have enriched my life this past year.  Now I'm looking more like THIS lady and thinking if I could just learn to toss in some chocolate with those clocks I'd be doing just fine!