10 Tips to Help You Become the Writer You Wish to Be

 by Suzanne Lieurance

No matter what kind of writer you wish to become, follow these tips and you'll reach your goal(s) much quicker.

Tip #1. With whatever type of writing you want to do, level up your knowledge and skills so you reach your goal faster.

For example, if you want to write a novel, be sure you understand the structure of novels and all the components needed for a marketable novel.

Tip #2. It’s easier to stay motivated when you have a clear picture of where you want to be at the end of the process.

Tip #3. It’s okay to have gigantic goals.

 

As long as you break those goals into small, achievable steps, they are reachable.

 

Tip #4. It’s okay to slow down your progress as long as you never stop.

 

Remember, with writing, slow and steady wins the race.

 

Tip #5. Learn to ignore naysayers.

 

Once you stop listening to them, your opportunities for growth will skyrocket.

 

Tip #6. When your work is critiqued (either by your editor, your agent, or your critique group) listen with the intent to understand, not with the intent to reply.

 

Tip #7. Practice being be bold and confident as a writer.

 

The more deeply you feel it, the more you will become it.

 

Tip #8. Recognize your writing weaknesses and your writing strengths.

 

Make the most of your strengths and work to improve your weaknesses. 

 

Tip #9. Sometimes the best writing opportunities are just outside your comfort zone.

 

Don’t be afraid to take a chance and write something that seems a bit of a stretch for you.

 

Tip #10. Celebrate your small successes along the way to your ultimate goal.

 

You'll stay more motivated to keep moving towards your long-term writing goals this way.

 

Okay, so start with just one of these tips today and start moving closer to becoming the writer you wish to be.

 

Try it!

For tips and resources about writing delivered to your emailbox every weekday morning, get your free subscription to The Morning Nudge. And, if you need more than a Nudge, join The Monday Morning Shove.

Suzanne Lieurance is the author of over 40 published books, a freelance writer, and a writing coach at writebythesea.com.

 

Why Writers Need to Become Time Aware

By W. Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

As a writer, I want to increase my writing and ability to publish (in any format). I’m basically saying I would like to be more productive. In this article, I want to explain a  key to increasing your productivity: become time aware.

For example, the timing of your pitch is a critical part of the process—and often outside of your control. As an editor, I’ve had authors who don’t take the publishing contract that I offer them through Morgan James yet later (sometimes years after the offer) they will reach out to me and ask if it is still possible. Before answering, I will check with my colleagues then when I find the opportunity is still available, they move forward and publish their book with us and get it into the bookstores.

Everyone has the same amount of time. The key distinction is how we use that time. One of the first steps in the process of becoming more effective with your time is understanding how you’re using it. I encourage you to keep a time log for a week. You can be as detailed or simple as you want but make a written record of how you are spending your time each day. Then after a week evaluate the time log to note areas where you are wasting time. You will “discover” the hour or two you are spending reading Facebook posts or watching videos on YouTube. Or the several hours each night you are spending in front of the television watching shows. Or possibly it is some other time-wasting activity such as spending time on the phone talking with a relative or __________. Each of us are wasting time on these types of activities. Once the time is spent you can never get it back. Your awareness is the first step then you make intentional changes in how you spend your time to accomplish whatever you want. You may want to increase your writing, publishing, platform building, marketing and any number of other aspects of the writing life.

In the past, I’ve learned my mind can often create barriers. Possibly you are in this situation. I say to myself, “My best writing time is in the morning so I can only write then.” Or “My best time to write is after my kids are in bed.” Be aware of these mental restrictions, then consciously remove these barriers from your schedule. Maybe you only have ten or fifteen minutes to crank out some words like part of a magazine article or a blog post or a book review. My encouragement is for you to use these fifteen minutes wisely and write whenever you can. Some people wonder how I’ve written over 60 books and for more than 50 publications. My writing is just like your writing: one word, one paragraph, one sentence, one page at a time—over and over. When I think about writing, it does nothing to put words on my screen. It is only by sitting at my keyboard and moving my fingers that my writing moves into action.

Our lives as freelance writers provide freedom to control our own schedule and calendar. If I want to spend the day reading a book or taking my wife to lunch, I can do it. Yet this freedom also brings greater individual responsibility. You have no taskmaster or accountability to anyone other than yourself. Be aware of how you use your time.

I also encourage you to create systems and habits to make better use of your time. For example, I use the program called Hootsuite to schedule the majority of my social media. Other people use Buffer as this tool. I also use the “reminders” section on my phone to make sure I meet my various deadlines and tasks. I’ve learned that I can write anywhere and at any time.

As you become more aware of time and how you use it, you can become more productive. Like any journey, your commitment to make changes begins taking the first step.

Tweetable:

This prolific writer and editor contends your first step to increase your productive as a writer is to become time aware. Discover the details here. (ClickToTweet)

W. Terry Whalin, a writer and acquisitions editor lives in Colorado. A former magazine editor and former literary agent, Terry is an acquisitions editor at Morgan James Publishing. He has written more than 60 nonfiction books including Jumpstart Your Publishing Dreams and Billy Graham. Get Terry’s recent book, 10 Publishing Myths for only $10, free shipping and bonuses worth over $200. To help writers catch the attention of editors and agents, Terry wrote his bestselling Book Proposals That $ell, 21 Secrets To Speed Your Success. Check out his free Ebook, Platform Building Ideas for Every Author. His website is located at: www.terrywhalin.com. Connect with Terry on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

Tips for Writing Creatively

 by Deborah Lyn Stanley

We write blog posts, fiction, memoir and non-fiction pieces; But at the core, we are telling stories full of descriptive prose, narration, action and challenges.

Last time we talked about analyzing our writing. It’s healthy to analyze our plan, our goals, and to decide what’s working and what’s not. What if we have forgotten the reader here and there? Let’s backtrack to discover the root cause. Does the delivery have rhythm and flow? Areas of too much information? Is the language active with lively nouns and verbs? When reviewing these questions as we read our plan and the draft, some needed improvements may standout.

So, what is the best way to start an article, blog post, short story, or book? We need to focus on the heart of the article or story. Does it open with a promise of what is coming, a connection to the deeper story, an underlying cause? It’s probably a good idea to write that first chapter or opening sentence, remembering this is a draft, and we may need to change or rewrite the opening at some point. Once we are further along in writing the piece, we’ll likely know more thoroughly what we want to say—when we know the characters and flow of the story better. And how it should end.

Story structure is also called narrative structure, the flow of events as beginning, middle and end. Being acquainted with various structures can help and resolve the reader’s questions. Helping to connect the events of the piece with the significant points.

Most commonly, though, we talk about narrative in terms of Point of View (POV) such as:
1) First Person Point of View—The “I” telling.
First Person narration is the most personal. The reader feels they are hearing the story directly, as if the character is actually talking to them—like having a conversation with a friend. The reader may know a character by the way she/he describes her/his world. And thus gives the character voice.

2) Third Person Point of View—The “he or she” telling.
There are two types of third person POV: limited and omniscient.
It’s not speaking directly to the reader, but consider these options:
Limited viewpoint is specific to a character’s perspective, thoughts and experiences. But you can’t show what that character doesn’t experience or have knowledge about.
Omniscient viewpoint is not restrictive. The perspective can float from place to place, from one character’s thoughts to another character’s thoughts.

3) Multiple Points of View—Switching characters from one point of view to another at the end of a scene, section or chapter. In this way, you can show a situation from different perspectives, show your main character from the inside and out, or even when he/she wasn’t there. It allows you to choose to tell a scene along the most interesting path.

Keep Your Writing Practice 

Deborah Lyn Stanley is an author of Creative Non-Fiction. She writes articles, essays and stories. She is passionate about caring for the mentally impaired through creative arts.
Visit her My Writer’s Life website at: https://deborahlynwriter.com/   
Visit her caregiver’s website: https://deborahlyncaregiver.com/

Mom & Me: A Story of Dementia and the Power of God’s Love is available: on Amazon
& https://books2read.com/b/valuestories

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Heart-Centered Goals

Good writers leave their heart on the page ... whether it's fiction, non-fiction, novels, screenplays, essays, or anything else. Writing is also a business. When you put your heart into the business of writing, it shows an authenticity that prospects, clients, and your audience will respond to and love. 

I recently spoke with Marketing Magician Dean Hankey, Spiritual Intuitive Life & Business Coach Erin MacCoy, and Mali Phonpadith, Founder & SEO SOAR Community Network on an episode of #GoalChatLive about what it means to be heart-centered in business. 

When you lead with your heart (Erin), express yourself from a place of truth (Mali), and your choose to be nice, it shows in all you put our in the world.

Heart-Centered Goals 

• Mali: Find a practice that works for you to uncover what you want to focus on. For example, meditation and journaling. 
• Erin: Practice gratitude. Write down 3 things you are grateful for every day.
• Dean: Ask yourself these questions: Who can I help? How can I help? Help people identify and cross the “caring” chasm. Think VIP. Add Value to people that adds Impact for others, so that everyone Profits

Watch our conversation.

Final Thoughts 

• Dean: Find ways to be value, service, and support to others 
• Erin: Let bliss be the primary motivator 
• Mali: Practice self-love and self-compassion

Your heart needs to show in all aspects of your creative work - not what's just on the page. Lead from the heart and all else will follow. 

* * * 

For more inspiration and motivation, follow @TheDEBMethod on Facebook, Instagram, and Linkedin! 

* * *

How do you put heart into the business of writing? Please share in the comments. 

* * *

Debra Eckerling is the award-winning author of Your Goal Guide: A Roadmap for Setting, Planning and Achieving Your Goals and founder of the D*E*B METHOD, which is her system for goal-setting simplified. A goal-strategist, corporate consultant, and project catalyst, Debra offers personal and professional planning, event strategy, and team building for individuals, businesses, and teams. She is also the author of Write On Blogging and Purple Pencil Adventures; founder of Write On Online; host of the #GoalChat Twitter Chat, #GoalChatLive on Facebook and LinkedIn, and The DEB Show podcast. She speaks on the subjects of writing, networking, goal-setting, and social media.

Carolyn Howard-Johnson Shares Favorite Book Display Resource...

 

....AND TELLS YOU WHY IT'S HER FAVORITE! 

By Carolyn Howard-Johnson, poet, writer of fiction and author of

Multi Award-Winning Series of books for Writers

Just so you know, I used to have an authors group that displayed the books of authors who couldn't be present to sign their books.  I did it  for years at the LA Times book fair...ages ago when it was on the UCLA campus.  And I tried using similar opportunities over and over again.  I finally came to the conclusion that it wasn't the most frugal way to get exposure for books nor the most effective. I even advise against it in my award-winning flagship book in my HowToDoItFrugally Series of book for writers,  "The Frugal Book Promoter." Basically, I said do it but only if you can be there to baby tend it!  And then I tried the book fairs and writers conferences directed by Valerie Allen in Florida!  What makes her display opportunities work when others don't are the value-added benefits that she offers along with the extremely low per-book charge!  Here are some benefits that I remember from the years I have participated:

1. A picture of my books on display which I often use with my social network posts.

2. A list of fellow participants which I use to network--maybe with a special offer.

3. The ability to include sell sheets, book marks, or business cards to display with the books.

4. A Facebook book group (AuthorsforAuthorsj)  where I can chat up the fact that my books will be there to check out--you know, touch, turn the pages, get a few marketing ideas without even buying it! Ha!

5. Caveat: You'll do even better if you do it regularly (that's true of any kind of advertising or promotion!) Think about how often you see the same ad for a product on TV. 

 

So........here is the form you can copy, paste, and and use to let your book be seen at the AuthorsforAuthors next writers' conference with Valerie and Marshall Frank.  Get ready, go!    

Join our Facebook Group Authors for Authors 

Valerie Allen ~ Marshall Frank 

VAllenWriter@gmail.com

Opportunities to have your book(s) on display at our book and author events are available for those who cannot personally attend the venue.

Registration for book displays must be completed 15 days prior to each event. See Spring and Fall Event tabs for dates. 

FALL: "Meet the Authors' Book Fair" in conjunction with the ArtsWorks Festival will be  on November 18 and 19, 2023 in the Eau Gallie Civic Center,  Melbourne, FL 

SPRING: "Writer's Conference: Write, Publish, Sell!"  will on April 23, 2023 at the Hilton Rialto Airport Melbourne, FL 32901

There are also year-round displays at libraries and various other venues

Book Display Only

Opportunity to have your book(s) on display at book and author events.

No direct sales involved

Cost = $5.00 per book - cash only. 

Enclose your book(s), business cards, and fee(s) in a zip lock bag.

If you want your book(s) returned please include a SASE

Mail all to: Valerie Allen, P. O. Box 120053, West Melbourne, FL 32912-0053 

Contact: Valerie Allen  at VAllenWriter@gmail.com

Registration for Book Display Only

Name: ______________________________________________________________

Address: ___________________________________________________________

City: ________________________________________

ST: _____ ZIP: __________

Phone: (_______) _____________________________________________________

 Web: _______________________________________________________________

EMail : ______________________________________________________

1) Book Title(s)  for Promo Flyer __________________________________________________________ 

Circle One:   Fiction      Non-fiction   Poetry    Children’s Book 

Book Title for Promo Flyer: _________________________________________________________

Circle One:   Fiction      Non-fiction   Poetry    Children’s Book 

Book Title for Promo Flyer: 

_________________________________________________________

Circle One:   Fiction      Non-fiction   Poetry    Children’s Book 

 ~ Sponsored by AuthorsForAuthors.com ~ 

Valerie Allen, VAllenWriter@gmail.com 

FALL; "Meet the Authors Book Fair,"  11/18/223& 11/19/23

SPRING: "Writers' Conference: Write, Publish, Sell!"  04/23/23

FIND OUT MORE 

 

MORE ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 Howard-Johnson is the multi award-winning author of fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry. She is also a marketing consultant, editor, and author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally Series of books for writers including the multi award-winning The Frugal Book Promoter (https://bit.ly/FrugalBookPromoIII), now offered in its third edition by Modern History Press. Carolyn's latest is in the #HowToDoItFrugally Series of books for writers is How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically. She has two booklets in the #HowToDoItFrugally Series, both in their second editions from Modern History Press. Great Little Last Minute Editing Tips for Writers (https://bit.ly/LastMinuteEditsII) and The Great First Impression Book Proposal (https://bit.ly/BookProposalsII) are career boosters in mini doses and both make ideal thank you gifts for authors. The one on writing book proposals is also available as an Audio Book. The Frugal Editor (https://bit.ly/FrugalEditor), now in its second edition, is the winningest book in the series. Carolyn also has three frugal books for retailers including one she encourages authors to read because it helps them convince retailers to host their workshops, presentations, and signings. It is A Retailer’s Guide to Frugal In-Store Promotions: How To Increase Profits and Spit in the Eyes of Economic Downturns with Thrifty Events and Sales Techniques (https://bit.ly/RetailersGuide). In addition to this blog, Carolyn helps writers extend the exposure of their favorite reviews at TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com. She also blogs all things editing--grammar, formatting and more--at The Frugal, Smart, and Tuned-In Editor (https://TheFrugalEditor.blogspot.com). Learn more and follow for news on her new releases direct from Amazon at https://bit.ly/CarolynsAmznProfile.

How to Make Your Characters Memorable

 Contributed by Karen Cioffi

From the simplest clues, a character can take shape.

Maybe you first reference the character as the boy or the tall girl. Even with those simple words, you've given that character life.

Before that, there wasn't a boy or a tall girl.

But there are a number of things you should avoid when writing your characters.

1. Don't over-dump physical details.

An example of this might be: Raul was tall and thin with green eyes and dark brown hair and a swimmer's body.

While you won't be able to get that all in within one scene, to convey his height you might write:

When the other boys couldn’t reach the shelf, Raul got the paper airplane down. "Good thing you're tall," said Shawn.

To convey his hair color:

From the back, Mrs. Stenzer couldn't tell which boy was Raul. They all had dark brown hair and were medium height.  

To convey his body type:

Raul was the only new kid on the swim team to already have a swimmer's body.

If you need or want to let the reader know the physical characteristics of the characters I n your story, simply work that information in. Without dumping it.

2. Avoid being too vague.

While you don't need to convey every detail of a character, you can give enough to give the reader an idea of the character's physical attributes. The reader can then fill in the details.

Two examples of this might be:

His neat cut in the back and sides was in contrast to the long hair in front that fell below his brows.

He stretched his swimmer's body then raced into the ocean.

3. Include the character's environment.

A character may live in a low-income building, possibly a Section 8 apartment. Another may live in the back woods of Appalachian Mountains. All this will give insight into the character.

Or maybe the character lives in a penthouse on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Or, possibly a character lives in Saipan.

The character's environment can include his past environment also.

A book I'm writing now has one of the characters going from a rich lifestyle to a poor one. This could tell a lot about why the character may behave in a certain way or why she's depressed.

Another scenario may be that the protagonist was on a swimming team since he was seven. This will tell a lot about this teen's character. It takes discipline and drive to be a competitive swimmer. It will also have a large factor on his physical appearance.

4. Include the character's close relationships or past relationships.

How your character engages with the different people in his family, friends, and toward new people will show different facets of his character.

The friends he hangs around with will also show his tendencies and character. The expression 'birds of a feather flock together' can play a factor in the character's character.

5. Include appearance, clothes, and even sundry items.

How you describe your character's appearance can tell a lot about that character.

Are his clothes neat and ironed, with shirt tucked inside his pants? Does he use starch? Or is he unkempt? Are his clothes wrinkled with shirt partially tucked in or not tucked in at all?

What about her hair. Is it a mess? Does it look dirty? Or is it well groomed?

What about his hair? Is it short? Is it long? Is it well kept?

What does she keep in her pockets or purse? What does he keep in his backpack? Is there always a pack of gum? Are there breath mints? Do they always have a candy bar on them? What about a comb? The list can go on and on. And, each little item give another clue as to the character's character.

Hope these five tips help you make your characters memorable!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Karen Cioffi is an award-winning children’s author, a successful children’s ghostwriter with 350+ satisfied clients worldwide, and an author online platform instructor. For children’s writing tips, or if you need help with your children’s story, visit: https://karencioffiwritingforchildren.com

You can check out Karen’s books at:
https://karencioffiwritingforchildren.com/karens-books/

MORE ON WRITING

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Writers: 3 Must-Have Tips

How Writers Benefit from Exercising in the Morning

by Suzanne Lieurance

An early morning bike ride among the banyan trees is a great way to start your day in south Florida where I live.

It is no big secret that exercise, proper nutrition, getting plenty of rest and drinking lots of water throughout the day is a proven recipe for health.

And good health is most important for writers who must sit and work for sometimes long hours, day after day.

But, regarding exercise, is there a particular time of day when working out or staying physically active will deliver greater rewards?

The answer to that question seems to be "yes", and the time you should be exercising is in the morning.

When you are productive in any area of your life, you enjoy less stress and anxiety, more happiness and a sense of fulfillment, and more success.

Writers like Elin Hilderbrand exercise in the morning. Hilderbrand says she runs 8 to 10 miles every morning, not only to stay in shape, but to stay disciplined. And this discipline carries over to other areas of her life, including her writing.

To boost your productivity, get active more often.

Jogging, taking a walk, lifting weights, cycling, and performing yoga or Pilates will give you more energy than if you are sedentary, which will naturally lead to better productivity.

When you schedule that exercise in the morning, you supercharge that productivity.

Los Angeles writer Nina Revoyr has to work in her exercise around her writing and her job as the Executive Director of Ballmer Group’s philanthropic efforts in Los Angeles County and California, which are aimed at improving economic mobility for children and families disproportionately likely to remain in poverty. She prefers morning workouts, saying, "I work out when on I'm on a normal routine four or five days a week. I prefer to work out early in the morning before the day gets started."

And writer Carol Rice of makealivingwriting.com advises writers to, "Exercise first thing." She says, "My best-case scenario is to go for a one-hour mostly uphill walk before I sit down at my desk."

So why is morning exercise so beneficial?

Here's how it works.

Exercise in the morning means fewer scheduling conflicts.

You never miss a workout when you wake up early, and you don't have to push other responsibilities aside to make sure you get a workout in.

This means after your morning workout, your entire day can be focused on productively knocking out your to do list, and daily responsibilities.

Get your exercise in first, then you'll be ready to write.

Waking up is hard to do for a lot of people.

This means sluggishly getting through the morning and heading to work without much energy.

Exercise fires up your endorphins and cranks up your energy levels.

Enjoying even just 20 minutes of physical activity in the morning can lead to energy reserves to fuel a productive day.

Early-morning fitness means a spike in your metabolism.

So when you have a mid-morning snack and lunch while you are working throughout the day, you effectively burn more calories.

This means you're less likely to suffer a mid-afternoon energy crash.

Moderately intense to intense physical activity also wakes up your brain.

So you start the day with a clear head, improving your chances of keeping ahead of your workload and responsibilities all day long.

As far as motivation goes, getting your workout in early gives you a boost of self-esteem.

You have barely begun your day, and you have already accomplished something important.

Success can build upon itself.

The feel-good hormones that exercise releases make you feel good about yourself for exercising in the morning, a time when it may be tough to think about physical activity.

This successful early-morning achievement develops the proper mindset to attack subsequent goals and commitments with a lot of productive energy and positive feelings.

So exercise in the morning, then have a productive day writing.

Try it!

Suzanne Lieurance is a freelance writer, writing coach, certified life coach, and the author of over 40 published books.

She helps writers stay focused on their writing through her weekly group coaching program, The Monday Morning Shove.

I'm Tired Of Pitching

 

By W. Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

Can you identify with my title for this article? Whether you are just starting in publishing or have been doing it for years, you may be tired of pitching. Yet pitching is a reality into the fiber of every aspect of publishing. If I’m honest, some days I don’t want to pitch but after a long time in this business I’ve learned the hard way that if I don’t pitch then nothing happens.

For example, I’ve been teaching at a large writers’ conference almost every year for decades. Last year I participated in the event as an editor, but I did not teach a workshop or single session. As I thought about it, I understood why I wasn’t a part of the teaching instructors.  I did not pitch any workshops (new or old) to the conference director. Other people did pitch possible workshops and their sessions filled the schedule.

Every aspect of publishing involves pitching. To get an agent, you have to make a connection with them at a conference or pitch a book or book proposal that captures their attention. It’s the same for a publishing house. You can’t get a book deal without some sort of pitch that shows why you are the unique person to write and publish this particular book.

Pitching is not just for agents and editors; it is a critical part of the process for magazine work as well. You will have to learn to write a query letter, or a one-page pitch targeted to that publication and get the editor’s attention and request for you to submit your article.

When it comes to marketing and selling your book, it also involves—yes pitching. Radio station producers, podcasts hosts, bloggers for guest blogging articles and even writing for local or national newspapers—each aspect involves learning the specialized steps to catch their attention and get on their show or podcast or publication.

And when it comes to reaching readers, you have to pitch something to them that they want so they will join your email list (and then stay on your email list and not unsubscribe). To get the gig, every author has to learn to pitch.

There are a few exceptions to my statements about pitching. You can hire a publicist (after you get their attention (pitch). Then this publicist will do the pitching and scheduling of interviews for you. Or maybe you are invited to become a regular columnist for a publication. Even these regular gigs can come to a sudden end. For one well-known publication in one issue, they announced I was their book review columnist—then the editors abandoned the column with their next issue. Change is one of the consistent elements of publishing. One day you are up and the next day you are down—but you still have to continue pitching.

I may be tired of pitching but if I want to continue to be an active part of the publishing community, I’m going to continue to pitch. It’s like a teacher tired of teaching. Each of us need to understand it’s part of the fiber of this business and work every day to perfect our pitch and open more doors of opportunity. Every writer has a wide-open door of opportunity, but you have to take action and knock on the right door—which will take some effort and work but is definitely possible.

What steps do you take if you are tired of pitching? Let me know in the comments below.

Tweetable:

This prolific writer and editor is tired of pitching. He explains how pitching is in the fiber of every aspect of publishing so he will continue to pitch. Learn the details here. (ClickToTweet) 

W. Terry Whalin, a writer and acquisitions editor lives in Colorado. A former magazine editor and former literary agent, Terry is an acquisitions editor at Morgan James Publishing. He has written more than 60 nonfiction books including Jumpstart Your Publishing Dreams and Billy Graham. Get Terry’s recent book, 10 Publishing Myths for only $10, free shipping and bonuses worth over $200. To help writers catch the attention of editors and agents, Terry wrote his bestselling Book Proposals That $ell, 21 Secrets To Speed Your Success. Check out his free Ebook, Platform Building Ideas for Every Author. His website is located at: www.terrywhalin.com. Connect with Terry on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.