OPEN your notebook and your mind.

Hello from Crippled Beagle Publishing headquarters. What do you enjoy “Googling?” I love to do research and READ, especially about how I can train my brain and shift my mood, ESPECIALLY when I’m “under the gun” and feeling stressed. Writers are curious animals, aren’t we? We are also highly self-critical sometimes. Shifting your mindset can help you unlock countless ideas while increasing the joyful art of writing. While Googling, I found an awesome article that I know you will enjoy. 

Remember, no matter where you are in your writing journey, I am here to support you with coaching, feedback, tools, groups, and more. Just ask! Send an email or schedule a Next Steps call right from the website: www.crippledbeaglepublishing.com.

Read the awesome article here:

How to Develop a Writer’s Mindset | by Maryam I. | The Writing Cooperative

I like to take my mindset to the mountains.

Xoxoxo

Jody

Don’t let tech intimidate you. Just find a young tutor.

Hello Creative Friend,

If you often feel like the tech is whizzing by your brain so fast that you’ll never learn, tell yourself you are wrong! I am immersed in technology daily, and I, too, get frustrated and overwhelmed by the learning curves. Why do programs update right as we finally get comfortable with them? What ARE algorithms? How much do I NOT know? When someone teases, “Jody, did you now know [whatever],” I respond, “There’s no limit to what I don’t know.” Ha!!!

The inconvenient truth is that information and tech exponentially advance and expand. The convenient truth is that while we can’t “know everything,” we can learn anything.

For example, AI, which stands for artificial intelligence, is freaking lots of folks out right now, especially copywriters. Not this gal, though! I admit I couldn’t grasp the concept, originally. 

Here’s my greatest tech tip. Write this down. 

When you don’t know something, and it’s “high tech” and small font, ask a young person for help. 

I taught KidsU Creative Writing Camp, and I asked the students to teach me how to use AI. We had a great time. The #1 thing you need to know is that how you prompt AI to respond is significantly important. There are countless articles and recently published books to guide you. The #2 thing you need to know is that AI (for now) is free, and you can play with it.

I use ChatGPT AI, which you can try here: ChatGPT (openai.com)

For example, I entered, “Write five sentences that include the literary device alliteration.”

ChatGPT AI confirmed what I wrote, then typed out this in under 2 seconds:

The shimmering sun slowly sank below the serene sea, casting a soothing, silvery sheen across the shore.

In the forest, the fragile ferns flourished, forming a lush, green carpet beneath the towering trees.

The mischievous monkey made a mess, munching on mangoes and making merry in the middle of the market.

The mysterious, moonlit night was filled with murmurs and melodies, as the wind whispered secrets through the willow trees.

The brave knight battled the beast with his gleaming sword, their clash echoing through the cavernous castle corridor.

 When you are doing research for your book, ChatGPT can be a fantastic research tool. 

For example, I typed in the prompt box, “List three ways a cat can help someone who lives alone?”

Here’s what ChatGPT spit out: 

Cats can provide companionship and support to individuals who live alone in various ways. Here are three ways:

• Emotional Support: Cats are known for their ability to provide emotional comfort and companionship. Their presence can help reduce feelings of loneliness and provide a sense of purpose and responsibility to their owners. Petting and interacting with a cat can release feel-good hormones like oxytocin, which can improve mood and reduce stress and anxiety.

• 
  

• Stress Reduction: Spending time with a cat can be a soothing and calming experience. The act of petting a cat can lower blood pressure and reduce stress levels. The rhythmic purring of a contented cat can have a therapeutic effect, helping their owners relax and unwind after a long day.

• 
  

• Routine and Structure: Owning a cat can establish a daily routine and structure for someone who lives alone. Cats require regular feeding, grooming, and playtime, which can help create a sense of purpose and responsibility. This routine can be especially beneficial for individuals who might otherwise struggle with loneliness or a lack of structure in their daily lives.

Give ChatGPT a try, and if you need help, find a teenager. If you can’t find a teenager, contact me. There are THREE in my house. Obviously, the technology is way more complex that what I’ve illustrated here, but my point is to show that it’s simple, too, and that you can use it. I’ve had ChatGPT write out high-protein menus, create lists of routine housework chores, identify a number of plants found in specific locations, and so on.

 I’d like to thank my client Charles Hargis, Professor Emeritus of The University of Tennessee, for helping to advance my knowledge on AI. Watch for Charles’ upcoming book Easy Readers: From Mabel O’Donnell to OpenAI, which is perfect for parents and teachers who are helping students learn to read. Want to word nerd out? Here’s an article Charles shared with me that you will enjoy reading:)

Xoxoxo

Jody

P.S. I talk to my ChatGPT like it’s a human, old-school secretary, so I named “her” Miss Hathaway in honor of one of my favorite childhood TV shows, The Beverly Hillbillies!

Listen to this. I promise it's worth your time, and it may change your life.

Children so often put big issues and ideas into humble perspective, don't they? Last week after picking Scotty (age 13) up from middle school, I tried to explain the practice of meditation to him. I talked to him about chants and how people touch their "regular" fingers to their thumbs, one at a time, and use mantras to clear their minds or focus on one idea, one goal, one feeling, etc. I used our last name and modeled for him, "D - Y - E - R, D - Y - E - R." I then told him different chants that people use and how I often repeat a Bible verse. After a mini-mama-lecture, I said, "Scotty, this meditation stuff can be confusing. It's an ancient practice from foreign cultures. Do you understand?" 

He said, "Yes ma'am."

I said, "Okay. Try one for me."

Scotty closed his eyes, touched his pinky fingers to his thumbs, and calmly, slowly chanted as he released one finger then touched the next to his thumb for each new word, "Easy - peasy - lemon - squeezy." 

I laughed all - the - way - home.

Scotty reminded me to not take myself too seriously, to laugh, to enjoy teachable moments, and to keep LEARNING. A few days later, I heard an AWESOME podcast episode by Mel Robbins, and I was reminded once again that we overthink many things in life, starting with our dreams.

A small step triggers momentum that leads to more small steps that lead to huge results, like DREAMS come true. Too often, we set enormous, wonderful goals and then look only at the result, which can appear impossible to actualize. Oddly, the words "actualization" and "action" start with the root word "act." To actualize a dream, one must first act, then continue with more action. Good news. Acts can be tiny. Results, again, can be huge. 

If you have a dream like oh, I don't know, writing and publishing a book, making your current project more profitable, or starting a new project, and you are having a hard time moving forward, I beg you to gift yourself one hour and listen to this podcast. I can't promise you won't hear a few "bad words." I CAN promise you'll be inspired to take the next small step toward your awesome, huge goal!

After you listen, I double Beagle dog dare you to set a Next Steps Call with me here: Click to schedule a 30-minute call right on my calendar!

Save that link.

Now, go to Mel Robbins Podcast and listen. For you. If You Only Listen to One Podcast Today, Make It This One I The Mel Robbins Podcast

I KNOW YOU CAN DO WHAT YOU WANT TO DO:)))

In 2002, my husband and I decided to have another child. Long, act-filled story later, we welcome Scotty through domestic infant adoption in 2010. Had I looked all at once and fretted over the enormity of what we were trying to achieve. My husband was adopted in 1963, so we are very much aware of and respectful toward the complexities of adoption. I would have given up many times, but someone encouraged us to take the first small action, then our social worker taught us the next, and so on. Eight years after failed and heartbreaking fertility treatments and the arduous adoption process, which includes to this day an inspiring and humbling relationship with Scotty's birth family, we became a family of four. Scotty and his birth family taught me that I can do anything, and I hope I share that spirit with you as we work together to reach your goals.

As Scotty says, the next, small acts are "easy - peasy - lemon - squeazy." 

Listen to the podcast.

Set an appointment with me.

 XOXOXO 

 

Scotty and I hike the Forney Ridge Trail to Andrews Bald. He carried a 2-pound box of taffy (I had no idea). Ha! My current HUGE goal is to hike all 157 trails of the Smokies.

In this photo, Scotty and Jeff celebrate their SHARED birthday, May 13. Jeff's huge goal is to take a month-long vacation across the USA.

Scotty's goal is to become a professional golfer. Big brother Houston's goal is to finish college and either coach high school basketball or be professional golfer Scotty Dyer's caddy!

Publish that book, friend! September is a superb time to start writing or take the next step.

Happy back-to-school season from the Crippled Beagle Publishing team. Now that my sons Houston (21) and Scotty (13) will be at college and middle school, respectively, I have more time to focus on YOU:)))

The team is working hard to streamline processes so that we can finish writing, editing, publishing, and marketing projects more efficiently, and we have lots of exciting tools coming your way.

Speaking of tools, I love school supplies, and I encourage you to take advantage of big back-to-school sales. Load up on pens, paper, ink, notebooks, and other items so you can start or keep writing at a bargain. I usually buy 100 spiral-bound notebooks for 15 cents each at Walmart. Plus, Walmart is a perfect place to people-watch and get character behavior ideas.

Did you know that September is almost as popular a time to start a new project as January is? Did you know that NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) starts November 1? In other words, NOW is the time to plan and persevere. 

If you don’t know how to get started or how to take the next step, schedule a Next Steps Call with me. When you do, I’ll send you a Next Steps Questionnaire to help you think through your project and identify spots on the path where you need help. When we talk, I’ll answer your questions and help you figure out your next step to publishing success. 

To schedule a call, visit: https://calendly.com/jodydyer/free-first-consultation

Xoxoxo

Jody

Let's find your path to publishing this fall!

Don’t blow the creative flow with self-harming self-editing.

 Enjoy this short, encouraging tutorial on how self-editing while you write hurts your project and you. These are a few ways that self-editing hurts the creative process:

• Self-editing invites imposter syndrome. 

• Self-editing AS you write slows the creative flow of ideas.

• Self-editing is a negative, self-critical experience. 

• Self-editing is critical, and writing is creative. When you go from creative writing to editing your writing, your brain switches gears, so you lose efficiency. To understand more about this, research “context transition” or “work batching.”

I have GOOD NEWS, TOO! You absolutely should self-edit your work when you finish something substantial, like a scene, a chapter, or a section of a book. You may also wait until you’ve written the first draft. Many authors do. Actually, many authors write their first drafts on PAPER so that the temptation to self-edit is reduced. 

MORE GOOD NEWS: When you revise (self-edit) a large piece of work, you train your brain to avoid those mistakes in the future, so you do improve your writing skills while you improve your written work.

Remember, nothing beats a professional editor. That is the best money a writer can spend. BUT, send your editor your best work. Write freely, get into the flow, fearlessly enjoy the creative process. Then go back to word one and self-edit to “The End.” That order of operations will help you present your best work to a professional editor and keep negativity out of your writing journey.

Don’t blow the creative flow!

We have beautiful, sturdy notebooks that travel well and are great for brainstorming, book planning, free-writing, and journaling. Visit the Crippled Beagle Publishing Bookstore to browse.

Happy fearless writing!

Xoxoxo

Jody

Write to be happier!

When I talk to people about what and why my clients write, I often bring up the topic of happiness. Writing is a physical, mental, emotional, and often spiritual exercise that brings about countless benefits to the writer, even if there is NO reader. Recently, I encouraged members of the Regal Beagles Writing Club (most of whom are busy professionals with endless domestic to-do lists) to actually put their writing projects FIRST every day. Why? Because procrastinating a creative task that brings you joy can not only stall that project but also create sadness and resentment. If you meet your needs, you are better able to meet the needs of others. And we, my creative friend, NEED to write!

Even if you write for only 15 minutes in the morning before you "take on the day," you are giving your soul a sliver of joy that may carry you through to the next time you sit down to write. Why should something as important as telling your story be put on hold? Also, why should you neglect the opportunity to be happier all day long? 

I recently listened to a Mel Robbins podcast episode featuring Shawn Achor, a research genius whose information will delight you! He presents four methods for increasing happiness, and TWO of them involve writing. Are you surprised? I'm not. 

You can listen to the episode here: "Happiness is an Option for You: 4 Easy Habits That Make Your Life Better, Based on Research"

 If you want to write a book but don't know how to get started, I have a great tool. Click HERE to download my quick guide "5 Steps to Start and Keep Writing Your Book."

 Happy writing for happiness!

xoxoxo

Facebook Insights Cheat Sheet - See what posts are working for you and grow your audience!

Who is paying attention to your posts? Which posts are working to build your audience? You may be surprised by the truth. Facebook offers Insights to show you what’s working. Let’s go to the source. Any text that is quoted or italicized came from Facebook. Facebook explains, “Insights provide information about your Page's performance, like demographic data about your audience and how people are responding to your posts.”

To see Page Insights:

 1.      From your Feed, click Pages in the left menu. 

 2.      Go to your Page. 

 3.      Click Insights in the left menu. 

About Insights: Insights provide information about your Page's performance, like demographic data about your audience and how people are responding to your posts. Keep in mind that you can only access data in Page Insights for the last 2 years, and demographic data, such as age, gender and location, are available in Page Insights once there is data for 100 or more people. Pages categorized as a Community Page don't have Insights. You can use Insights to: 

Understand how people are engaging with your Page. 

View metrics about your Page's performance. 

Learn which posts have the most engagement and see when your audience is on Facebook. 

  
 In the Top Post section, I like to click on See All to drill down on which recent posts got the most attention and engagement. You can sort the results to further analyze your media outreach.  The goal is to do MORE of what’s working and less of what is not working. Today, visit your Facebook page to see what’s working for your book business. I included a few screenshots to help you see what you can see. Remember to think about where your audience spends time online, build platforms and pages that engage that audience, and grow your readership and royalties! 

The Crippled Beagle Publishing team and I can help you: 

• Set up pages on most social media platforms 
• Create a Facebook group 
• Create and schedule social media posts
• Learn how to find and use Insights

 

For help with anything related to social media, please reach out to me, or book an appointment directly on my calendar using the booking link below that matches you😊.  

• If we’ve never spoken, choose Next Steps Call. 
• If you are a Regal Beagles Author Club member, you enjoy 50% off individual consultations, so choose the “Regal Beagles Only” option to book a phone or Zoom meeting. 
• Otherwise, choose Private Session with Jody.  

Then, make a huge list of questions. The team and I look forward to helping you any way we can. 

Xoxoxo 

 P.S. Instagram offers the same data. Just go to the app, then click Professional Dashboard, then click See all.  

What do you love most about being an author? What's holding you back?

 Writing a book is a huge undertaking. I liken the process to through hiking the Appalachian Trail. Every year, about 4,000 hikers start in Springer Mountain, Georgia, or Mount Katahdin in Maine. The goal is to hike the 2,190 miles before dangerous winter weather strikes. The entire process can cost over $7,000 and take several months. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy estimates that only 1 of every 5 hikers actually completes the journey each year. 

Did you know that only 3% of people who set out to write books actually finish the process? Like the Appalachian Trail, the writing wilderness can torment us with all kinds of obstacles. 

• Imposter syndrome
• Excessive self-editing
• Lack of support
• Backburner mentality (leaving something important to you to the end of the exhausting day, thus never getting to it)
• Lack of direction or guidance/mentorship
• Fear of legal issues
• Fear of judgement/anger from family or friends
• Lack of clarity
• Confusion and overwhelm regarding the publishing industry
• Writer's block (a myth, in this girl's opinion)

Now, let's compare the two. Wouldn't you rather have the issues above verses blisters, broken bones, frostbite, hunger, lightning, falling trees, copperheads, spiders, cliffs, shelter mates with body odor, worn-out shoes, bug bites, ... need I continue?

All this is to say that if 20% of AT through hikers can make it, so can you! 

If you HAVE finished a book, CONGRATULATIONS! Tell me what you love most about being an author. I will use your comment to not only promote you but also to encourage the 97% who want to be where you are.

Sometimes, we just need a little trail magic. For an AT hiker, that may be a soft drink and a bag of potato chips. For a writer, that may be encouragement from someone farther up the trail. If you haven't finished a book, let me know what's holding you back so I can help you. Schedule a "Next Steps" call with me by replying to this email or click this link: Schedule a Next Steps Call with Jody. Then make a list of questions, and let's get you moving up that trail!

xoxoxoxo 

In this photo, I'm standing in the "blue smoke" of the Great Smoky Mountains on Rich Mountain Loop Trail. My friend Sally took the photo. She packs gourmet snacks and is a wonderfully encouraging hiking buddy. The Crippled Beagle Publishing team is excited and thankful to help you, no matter where you are on the path today. Schedule a Next Steps Call with Jody.

What are your literary pet peeves?

Hello creative friend,

Last week, my colleague Debbie Patrick and I taught “Structure Your Story”—a two-hour workshop in the Professional Learning and Personal Development at the University of Tennessee. At one point, we jotted down a list of editors’ pet peeves. I hope the list helps you, too.

Print/save this list and grab your most recent piece of writing to see if you can fine-tune your work by addressing these issues.

• Sentences that start with the word “It” - I DARE you to use the Find tool to see how many sentences start with that tiny and nondescript word.

• Dead words - Dump them all!

• Gerunds – These drive me bonkers! Do the research and learn when to use them (sparingly, please).

• Overuse of pronouns - Help readers know who is doing/saying what by tossing the characters’ names in here and there. 

• People are human, so call them “who” not “that.” People WHO, police officers WHO, men WHO, teachers WHO.

• Pronoun agreement, generally - They, their, theirs, and them are plural pronouns. While these words are culturally accepted as replacements for singular pronouns in order encourage inclusion, the practice is grammatically incorrect. If in doubt, write in plural.

Each student should bring their pencil to class. WRONG.

Students must bring their pencils to class. RIGHT (and easier to read).

• Ellipses – Most people use them incorrectly or overuse them. The same goes for semicolons, em dashes, hyphens, and exclamation points. As my mother, the retired English teacher says, “If in doubt, don’t.”

• Quotation marks AND italics at once – There are rules. If you aren’t sure which to use, look this up. 

• Double spaces between sentences - The modern rule is to use only one.

• Modal verbs when regular verbs are appropriate – If you write, “The doctor could see,” that means that the doctor was able to see or had the potential to see but didn’t necessarily see. If the doctor did see, write, “The doctor saw.”

 

Give editors your best work, and they will produce their best work for you!

What are your pet peeves? 

I encourage you to create your own cheat sheet or use Crippled Beagle Publishing’s "Proofread Like a Pro Checklist," which also includes our submissions guidelines, a list of dead words, and many other tips. This invaluable tool can be found in the Author Shop at www.crippledbeaglepublishing.com. 

Happy revising! 

Xoxoxo

 

SYNTAX SINS – Hard to spot but easy to fix.

Listen for my old teacher voice as you read. Ha! Routinely, I find a certain error throughout manuscripts. If you make this mistake, you are not alone.

Often, when a writer makes this mistake, he/she makes it hundreds of times in a manuscript. Stop now to make sure you understand this common issue and eliminate it from your writing.

The issue? MISPLACED MODIFIERS 

Here’s the rule. Descriptive words and phrases (modifiers) need to be as close as possible in the sentence to whatever they are describing. If they are misplaced, the sentence’s meaning changes.

Your writing goals deserve attention to detail. This article explains the types of misplaced modifiers and includes examples. If you have to read this article a few times, do it. Keep a cheat sheet handy while you write.

https://www.blinn.edu/writing-centers/pdfs/Misplaced-Interrupting-and-Dangling-Modifiers.pdf

Misplaced modifiers can be hard to spot in your own writing, but try to pay attention and correct these before you send them to your editor, who should be getting your best draft. You don’t want to pay a chef to wash dishes. Start scrubbing those manuscripts so that the editor can focus on word choice, pacing, authentic and consistent characterization, story arc, tone, mood, voice, conflict, dialogue, clarity, and other issues that will make your book excellent.

If you are committed to creating the best possible book, you should routinely review grammar, mechanics, and syntax. Crippled Beagle Publishing has created an easy-to-follow cheat sheet to help you. Download our Proofread Like a Pro Checklist, which also includes our submissions guidelines, a list of dead words, and many tips. This invaluable tool can be found in the Author Shop at www.crippledbeaglepublishing.com. Here is the direct link: Proofread Like a Pro Checklist

Happy writing and revising!

Xoxoxo

Jody

 

Speaking Topics for Authors, Expanded

Hello from Crippled Beagle Publishing Headquarters! Last week, I encouraged you to think beyond your book when seeking speaking opportunities or guest blog/podcast appearances. One of my clients asked me to expand that message to include speaking topic ideas for children’s book authors.

To recap, one of the best ways to make money on your book is to sell it in person. Your profit margin is significantly better, and the experience is fulfilling. Readers who meet you in person will also promote you to other readers, and they are more likely to write reviews.

The best way to sell a book in person is to NOT talk about your book! Potential audiences come with questions, so think about what your target audience may be asking. What do your buyers/readers (parents/children) type into search engines? What problems do they face? What interests do they have?

Think of it this way. No one is as passionate about your book as you are, but people are passionate about a multitude of topics. For example, your neighbor may design handcrafted jewelry. She is passionate about this art and attends dozens of festivals, owns an Etsy shop, and does custom pieces on commission. Are you as passionate about her art as she is? Could you ever be? No, but you may be passionate about having an online business, visiting festivals to sell your work, finding a joyful and profitable pursuit as a side hustle or as retirement work, creating an heirloom doing something you love, and so on. If she were hosting an event to talk about her products, would you be interested? If she were teaching one of the topics that interests you, would you be more likely to attend?

Last week, I shared the following topics from a 10-minute brainstorm I did as I scanned my website bookstore and looked Crippled Beagle Publishing clients’ work. I have now added ideas for children’s book authors. Enjoy, and good luck!

How to Change a Law

Traditional vs. Modern-Day Adoption

Finding Christ Late in Life

How to Cope When a Loved One is in Addiction

Foster Parenting 101

Writing in Retirement

How to Write About Your Life

Cross-Country Moves: What I Learned

What Happens When a City-Slicker Moves to a Ranch

Answering God’s Call to Share Your Story

Tips for Parents and Teachers

What Parents Need to Know About Education Today

Surviving and Thriving Post-Divorce

How to Get Business Using Facebook

Book Marketing Basics

How to Write a Book When You Work Full-Time

Fantasy Writing Basics

What I Learned While Writing my First Book

How to Incorporate Christian Values Into Characters and Stories

The Most Creative Age? 80+!

Cathartic Artistry – Writing to Heal and Help Others

Lessons from the Greatest Writers

How to Hear God

Ways to Pray and Why

The Gifts of Gratitude Journaling

Brainstorming Basics

How to Be Funny on Paper

What I Learned as a Foodie Lawyer

 

***NEW IDEAS FROM OUR LIST OF CHILDREN’S BOOKS***

 

Create Your Own Coloring Book

Writing with an Illustrator

Illustrating with a Writer

The Benefits of Journaling

The Benefits of Coloring at Any Age

Timestamp Your Life through Literature

How to Write for Grandchildren

Teaching Through Literature

Fiction Equals Empathy and Enlightenment

Create a Family Photo-Storybook

Safety Basics for Scouts, Hikers, and Campers

Write for Someone You Love

Dogs Can Write, Too!

Turn an Imaginary Family Story into a Real Book

Witness Through Words

How to Build a Book Business

I hope you find this helpful! Reach out to me any time if you need assistance. I love to brainstorm with other creative people. ALSO, if you don’t have a media sheet/sell sheet that helps you promote your book to organizations, podcasters, and bloggers, my team and I can produce one for you. Contact me for details and pricing. (Regal Beagle Author Club members enjoy a BIG discount, so ask about membership, too!)

Email: jody@crippledbeaglepublishing.com

Call: 865-414-4017

If you’d like to schedule a 1-hour coaching session on marketing, writing, editing, or publishing, book directly on my calendar here: https://calendly.com/jodydyer/private_consultation

Regal Beagles Author Club members, use this link to enjoy your 1-hour consultation at a big discount: https://calendly.com/jodydyer/regal-beagles-only-discounted-private-session

Happy thinking outside the book!

Xoxoxo

Jody

I have an idea waiting just for you!!!