tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828517374142265050.post8849572269784365255..comments2024-03-16T07:55:54.153-07:00Comments on Views From the Bald Patch: The business of writingBotanisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12098709722475364465noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828517374142265050.post-51753498430523668552013-09-01T13:41:22.841-07:002013-09-01T13:41:22.841-07:00Emily, I think a business plan is oft-overlooked b...Emily, I think a business plan is oft-overlooked but important. It articulates what you hope to achieve, so you can keep your eye on the goal and recognize when you've succeeded.Botanisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12098709722475364465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828517374142265050.post-78951813090911901702013-08-30T22:05:38.759-07:002013-08-30T22:05:38.759-07:00I'm no help on the business portion, but I do ...I'm no help on the business portion, but I do think you're wise to set up a business plan before publishing. I'm also glad you're finding time to write!Emily R. Kinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03892444969625637064noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828517374142265050.post-72951628093667897832013-08-30T12:37:17.784-07:002013-08-30T12:37:17.784-07:00Julia, I think you nailed it for the writing part ...Julia, I think you nailed it for the <i>writing</i> part of it. Trouble is, if you have visions of your writing getting <i>read</i> by anyone other than immediate acquaintances then, as Wendy observed up above, you need your (more businesslike) alter ego.<br /><br />Valerie, I settled that by slowing up on the blog posts front. Still doesn't leave me much time. That may be a topic for another post...Botanisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12098709722475364465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828517374142265050.post-17417001840687080792013-08-29T19:29:59.726-07:002013-08-29T19:29:59.726-07:00I don't know how anyone even has time to write...I don't know how anyone even has time to write a book! I can barely keep up with blog posts!<br /><br />Hugs!<br /><br />ValerieValeriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15463173488099670688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828517374142265050.post-6885638953590407412013-08-29T15:15:22.692-07:002013-08-29T15:15:22.692-07:00I don't treat my writing like a hobby and I do...I don't treat my writing like a hobby and I don't treat it like a business either.<br />I write with passion and discipline, striving for excellence. <br /> This is what passion is all about.<br />Julia Honeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08497316179340178624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828517374142265050.post-1313811568367502052013-08-29T09:04:58.392-07:002013-08-29T09:04:58.392-07:00Depends on how you go about it - starting a busine...Depends on how you go about it - starting a business name to claim business expenses under (in which case you'll have to pay additional tax preparation fees as well as additional taxes) or simply itemizing business expenses on your own taxes (in which case you'll pay additional preparation fees for itemizing). What it comes down to is how much will you have in expenses, and is it worth itemizing vs. the cost of tax preparation or doing the business route. Glad to see you're an optimist. We need more of them. :) Jean Davishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02047709505502621618noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828517374142265050.post-21540370700781579762013-08-28T21:16:33.394-07:002013-08-28T21:16:33.394-07:00Jean, will certainly be seeking advice when it bec...Jean, will certainly be seeking advice when it becomes worth it (note: when, not if. Eternal optimist!) Don't know how similar Canadian tax is to US, but the immediate benefit is to avoid paying unnecessary US tax.Botanisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12098709722475364465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828517374142265050.post-6060073702054942122013-08-27T05:27:24.038-07:002013-08-27T05:27:24.038-07:00If you're ready to take the plunge into self p...If you're ready to take the plunge into self publishing, certainly consult an accountant or tax preperation service to find out which option would be best for you. As a self employed person (though not through writing...yet) I can attest to the benefits of knowing what exactly you can write off and how much it will help your bottom line (or not). It is a business, and if you plan to be serious about it, you're going to have costs upfront and ongoing marketing. It depends on the level of investment as to which tax option would work more in your favor.<br /><br />Jean Davishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02047709505502621618noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828517374142265050.post-75009652318479824042013-08-26T18:34:49.674-07:002013-08-26T18:34:49.674-07:00David, I've always kept close track of submiss...David, I've always kept close track of submissions (and rejections!) too. I think that and other good disciplines are essential if you are even half serious. The business aspect I'm talking about here is more about the financial side, but there are lots more disciplines, like the example you mention, that help be businesslike.<br /><br />Wendy, I'd rather just write, too, but as you say it's not the reality :( The bit I most dread is the thought of <b><i>*shudder*</i></b> marketing.<br /><br />Alex, that's true. Even with trad publishing you must still have income and expenses to track. Even without creating a legal business entity you can still treat it like a business.Botanisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12098709722475364465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828517374142265050.post-40117468276008442892013-08-26T17:12:29.876-07:002013-08-26T17:12:29.876-07:00I'm traditionally published, so I don't ha...I'm traditionally published, so I don't have a separate account, but I do treat what I do like a business. If you don't keep track of expenses and income, how will you know how you're doing?Alex J. Cavanaughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09770065693345181702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828517374142265050.post-28180269946097153222013-08-26T07:54:21.764-07:002013-08-26T07:54:21.764-07:00You have to have an alter ego. I'd rather jus...You have to have an alter ego. I'd rather just write, but that's not the reality. Formatting and all the rest are time consuming, not to mention reading til your eyes bleed and almost dreading to read the words you've written one more time. I would love to have someone do all that for me, but that's not going to happen. Good luck with whatever comes next.Wendy Tyler Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10841984342368861282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1828517374142265050.post-67721139923318276582013-08-26T06:15:58.728-07:002013-08-26T06:15:58.728-07:00It's not a business yet for me ... but I know ...It's not a business yet for me ... but I know it eventually will be. Right now I'm only focused on improving my craft. About the closest I get to a business model is charting my submissions to magazines and keeping track of my many rejections. :)<br /><br />Btw, I would love to judge the cover art for your self-published book when you're ready to reveal it. Sounds exciting!David Batistahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16447011239238933425noreply@blogger.com