Welcome Matthew Benton!

The Shaky Shelf would like to welcome our newest blogger Matthew Benton! We can't wait to see what wonderful things you have in store for us!

Dusting off the old books at 'The Shaky Shelf'!

Fellow writers, authors, and book lovers:

I am changing the look and feel of  'The Shaky Shelf'! Among the changes are: the layout, features, and there is even an official domain: www.theshakyshelf.com! Go books!

I am extremely excited about the new page launch (any day now). Be sure to bookmark the new site address. The servers are in the process of updating everything yet so it may take a few days to become live. I am in the process of transforming the lives of book lovers, writers and bloggers everywhere. I assure you, there is no place you would rather be than right here!

Join me as I kick this site into orbit!

Tips to keep you focused as a writer

A good writer needs to be focused, dedicated, and committed. As a writer it can sometimes be very difficult to stay focused especially when there are so many distractions. Here are some tips that can help:

1. Set aside a time each day to write. Turn off the phone and the television.
2. Even if you are not working on any projects, write anyway. You never know when inspiration may come!
3. READ READ READ! It does now matter what you read as long as you read. You have to keep your mind sharp and it is difficult to write when you are not engaged in any outside content.
4. Keep a notepad beside the bed. Sometimes my biggest ideas come at night right before bed or in a dream.
5. Take a walk. You don't want to spend hours in front of your computer. Always give yourself a break and then come back to whatever you were working on.

These are just some quick tips to keep you focused and sharp. I also have several tools that I use as a writer that help me maximize my time. Check out the products (this also supports the site) to the right of this post. Almost every day I use my Kindle, the Livescribe Smart Pen, and Dragon Speech-to-text. These things are awesome because they allow me to get my ideas down quickly. Did you know that the Livescribe also has handwriting-to-text converting software that you can use when you upload your handwritten notes? I use this a lot as well and this saves LOADS of time! If you have any questions let me know. Please let me know how these tips have helped you and if there is anything else that you would like to see on 'The Shaky Shelf'.

Please sign up as a member of the site as well as our email list to receive a FREE ebook!

Hardest part of being an Author?

What is your biggest challenge as an Author? For me it has to be procrastination as well as marketing. Procrastination can shoot you in the foot before you even start because there is always something else that you could be doing. However, pushing past that has great rewards so sometimes I have to literally throw myself into it no matter what. Marketing is also difficult unless you understand things like demographics, niches, etc. I am learning as I go along and there is no shortage of lessons.

Writer's Group

Hey,

I have started a writer's group at:

http://bookblogs.ning.com/group/writer-s-group

Come check it out and feel free to join, it's gonna be a blast! Be sure to spread the word! If you are not a member of the site..join now, it's free.

Also, don't forget to check out my new Ebook..only .99 at Amazon!

http://www.amazon.com/College-Boot-Camp-ebook/dp/B008FQGD9S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1343624838&sr=8-1&keywords=college+boot+camp

Have some fun!

Looking to relax a bit and step away from the writing? Check out my other blogs..you'll be glad that you did!

http://pique1.blogspot.com/
http://thelounge123.blogspot.com/

Spread the word!