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Just last week, those who operate by the Chinese calendar celebrated New Year. It was an event that both the Canadian and US Post Offices thought worthy of a stamp, and both chose very similar images to commemorate the event. In the 12 year cycle of the Chinese Zodiac this is the year of the Dragon, and more specifically the Water Dragon which had not been celebrated since 1952. To put it in perspective that was the year of coronation of Queen Elizabeth. According to Chinese astrology this is a year to flourish and succeed – a year of good fortune. This is a year “to be bold, not humble.”

Australia is marking 2012 as the Year of the Farmer. What are you doing to make it a special year?

Is this the year for you to write a book? By now all those New Year’s resolutions have either fallen by the wayside or you have lost the weight and more exercise is a natural part of your daily life. Either way you no longer have to concern yourself with them. So why not write a book.?

It has never been easier, and modern technology has not only lessened the task, but also the price tag accompanying publishing a book.

The reason most people give as the main reason that keeps them from putting their thoughts on paper and between two covers is time.

Writing is a process and an exercise that needs to be scheduled and practiced.

Schedule time to write. Like anything else we get better with practice and the better we become the more we enjoy doing something. Set aside some time and write every day, it does not have to be hours, and you’re not going to produce a novel in the first month.

Find a place to write. Whether it is your desk, the kitchen table or a favorite chair doesn’t matter. Determine a place that you will write and make it yours, when you have a set time and place to write the task becomes much easier. When you sit down at that place at a certain time you know that you are going to write and you can concentrate on the topic at hand.

Use tools you’re comfortable with. Find the tools you’re comfortable with your laptop, desktop, or longhand, the right method is the one that works for you. I had a client who typed his entire book on his Blackberry, it worked for him and I can’t argue with the final result. Personally, I like a good quality pen and paper for the outline and recording my first thoughts and then work on my desktop for the composition.

Don’t judge. Don’t get caught up evaluating your first attempts. It is early in the process and you’re working on the skills of being a writer. What seemed earth shattering yesterday may not seem quite as brilliant today but, don’t worry about it. Keep writing and record some new ideas or concepts. You can go back to polish your work later, and besides, the world is full of editors. Pierre Burton used to use a third of his writing budget on editors and proof readers, and he did pretty well in the business of writing.

Next time we’ll get into some of the drills and skills of composition and how to break your book down into manageable pieces, for now I ask you to consider making 2012 not only the Year of the Dragon but the Year of Your Book.

Speaking of Stamps…

John Thunder’s Buffalo Point Rising to a Higher Level will be released later this month. It is the second volume in a trilogy that tells the story of one native band’s journey to financial independence.

The first book in the series a biography of John’s father Jim was released in November of 2010 and chronicles his life from adoption by the Native Band to his accomplishments as chief including a stint in the US Air Force.

A limited number of special edition copies of Rising to a Higher Level are available and feature postage stamps from Canada, the US and Great Britain all with pictures of Chief Thunder in ceremonial headdress. The signed number copies are available from Buffalopointblog.com. Both books are available in ebooks from Amazon or print version from the blog.

It has been 20 years since the dismantling of the Soviet Union and elimination of Soviet support for Cuba. That meant a $200 million reduction in the Cuban budget, and agriculture was particularly hard hit.

When I first visited Cuba shortly after the withdrawal of support Russian equipment was parked in the fields and fence lines because of a lack of fuel and agricultural chemicals, today that equipment is still parked but most of it has rusted beyond repair and trees are growing through it.

In the twenty years since the Soviets left Cuban agriculture has made the transition to organic production by default rather than choice. Cuban produce commands a 20% premium on the world market because of the organic production methods but little of that finds its way back to the farm.

Oxen outnumber tractors for plowing and horse carts outnumber trucks on the roads.

Cuba 20 Years Later is a look at Cuba today as it faces its greatest changes since the Communist Revolution.

Presented at the Morden Elks Club Feb 20 and available for other audiences.

Book Writing Boot Camp

Winnipeg, January 7/8, 2012

The book writer’s boot camp is two days of hands-on experience writing your book. It is conducted in a very small group of writers and includes individual instruction.

You will be introduced to the ISRI method of writing which trains you to break the task of writing down to manageable pieces. You will learn the process of writing, how to choose your chapter topics, and then you will put what you learn into practice.

The Camp includes three writing sessions where you will actually write the chapters of your book and share them with other participants. You will also receive an overview of the publishing industry, information on whether you should self-publish, tips on how to choose an editor (yes, you need one), and suggestions on which style is right for your book and your audience.

You will have the opportunity to ask questions about the book business, and even plan the book launch, but most importantly you will learn how to write your book in 30 days and have it published in 90 days.

The cost of this event is only $850 which includes coffee and lunches. The early bird discount is $750 if you register before December 1, 2011.

Whether you use a laptop, typewriter or notebook and pen, bring it with you because you will be writing. This is a working session so dress is casually.

Register now! Spaces are very limited. For more information or a registration sheet contact:
Les Kletke
lkletke@mts.net
204-324-6278

Keep checking globalghostwriter.com for updates. We’re currently under construction, but we’ll be up soon!