Freelance Writer and Social Worker

7 Writing Books I Can't Do Without

I've been writing professionally for almost 15 years now. During that time, I've done many things right...and just about as many things wrong.

I've learned a lot of lessons. Some I've picked up the hard way by making mistakes and losing money or business. Others lessons, I've been fortunate enough to learn from other writers who were generous enough to share their experiences. 

I'm sure there are literally hundreds of books I've turned to over the years, but the following are my current top seven picks. Check them out. You may find that they help you as well.

1. Write. Publish. Repeat.: The No-Luck Guide to Self-Publishing Success by Johnny B. Truant and Sean Platt. Finally, a book about self-publishing for fiction writers! As the authors themselves say, this is not the right book for "pure artists," but if you're ready to work like hell and delve deeply into the business side of writing, you'll find spot-on advice that can help you increase your chances of a long, successful fiction writing career.

2. How to Work for Yourself: 100 Ways to Make the Time, Energy, and Priorities to Start a Business, Book, or Blog by Bryan Cohen. Cohen has written many helpful books for writers, but this one happens to be my current favorite. By turns practical (learn how to take care of your body and set useful goals), philosophical (find things you like and respect about your adversaries), and creative (let yourself daydream, brainstorm new ways to market your product), Cohen offers all the tools you need to help make your writing and authoring dreams come true.

4 POSITIVE Personality Traits That Can Lead to Procrastination

Do you routinely experience problems with procrastination? If so, you may have been told that you were lazy, disorganized, lacked a sense of responsibility, or were otherwise flawed. Before you slink off hanging your head in shame, however, stop and reconsider.

There may not be anything wrong with you at all. In fact, you may be procrastinating as a result of what's right with you instead of what's wrong with you. Consider these possibilities.

Perfectionism. Your clients, editors, and readers appreciate your close attention to detail. You've probably even landed jobs because you are so thorough. Unfortunately, it's easy to take perfectionism too far. Some perfectionists put off starting projects for fear they will make a mistake. Others can't bring themselves to finish the project and hit the "send" button for the same reason.

There are a few tricks that can help ease the burden of perfectionism. Carol Tice, one of my writing coaches taught me to let go of the need to be perfect by deliberately inserting a small error into the copy. Once perfection was off the table, it was easier for me to embrace the concept of "good enough."

Another idea is to set strict time limits so that you don't spend countless hours editing or poring over your notes for the perfect quotation.