Writing: Business or Hobby?

/ Marcia Meara / 2 Comments

Mae Clair has some excellent advice concerning *shudder* tax season! New writers will want to take note, to avoid headaches down the road.

Mae Clair's avatarStory Empire

Hey, SE gang, Mae here with a reminder that tax time is looming. Ugh!

A battle struggling writers often face is whether or not the IRS considers their efforts a business or hobby. Very few of us make bucketfuls of money as writers. For most, expenses outweigh profits during the first few years. That sad reality aside, you need to report those expenses if you’re trying to establish a business. I’m by no means an expert, but here are a few things you can do to keep Uncle Sam from viewing your enterprise as a hobby:

Detailed Record Keeping
This may seem obvious, but the more detailed records you can produce (in the event of a dreaded audit) the more favorable the outcome is likely to be. Keep receipts and make notations on each. In addition, use a spreadsheet to track and itemize by category. I use headings such as

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10 Unusual Things I Know About Bookworms

/ Marcia Meara / 5 Comments

Lovely post from Jenny Hansen’s blog. Do you recognize yourself in here? 🙂

Jenny Hansen's avatarJenny Hansen's Blog

Photo credit: Hunter Emkay ~ WANA Commons

It’s National Reading Month, which is my favorite time of year, since I am a bookworm. We’re a club with specific characteristics and one thing is certain: bookworms find other bookworms. They simply must, so they can find out about more cool books.

Bookworms have been devouring books for as long as they can remember – for story, for new worlds and new ideas. Their To Be Read piles are taller than a small child. Their favorite authors and characters become friends.

If you are a bookworm, there are things that I know about you that I don’t know about the other readers I meet:

1. I know you read odd things in odd places.
If you are stuck somewhere without a book, you will begin reading any words available – shampoo bottles, food labels, billboard signs. Whatever. Books and magazines are preferred, but in a pinch, any words will smooth your soul.

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#WhyWriteWrong – New Meme, Perhaps?

/ Marcia Meara / 35 Comments

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Been thinking for some time about starting a new writing meme, and after searching around on Twitter for a phrase not currently in use, I think #WhyWriteWrong might work. Basically, it’s just my way of introducing the occasional post on mistakes I spot while reading. Especially the ones that really jump out at me, pulling me out of the story long enough to think (or sometimes yell) “Noooo! That’s just wrong!” I’m hoping this idea might be helpful and/or fun.

My first post is the one freshest in my memory. (Gotta grab those stray thoughts, while I can!) I recently read a very good book by an author MUCH more renowned that I’ll ever hope to be, and it was an entertaining story. I enjoyed it thoroughly. Except for the fact that the author persisted in “wrecking havoc,” not once, but several times. For those of you unfamiliar with the phrase, one does not “wreck” havoc. One “wreaks” havoc. Not spelled the same, not pronounced the same. (First one, of course, is pronounced, “reck,” and the second “reek.”)

I’m pretty sure this mistake isn’t rare, though I didn’t expect to see it made by this author. So, I figured I’d share it here, as a reminder that creating mayhem and tearing things apart, willy-nilly, is “wreaking havoc.” Of course, one can leave behind a wreck if one wreaks enough havoc. That’s a given. But “wreak” and “wreck” are not interchangeable. Honest.

And there you have today’s #WhyWriteWrong post.  We all have words and expressions we misuse, so I’m thinking this could be of help. Yes? No?  Maybe?

What do you think?

DISCLAIMER:   I am not a grammarian or English professor, but I promise not to post something under this meme that I haven’t verified with those who are.

 

This Week’s #NotesFromTheRiver – Tricolored Herons – What’s In a Name?

/ Marcia Meara / 6 Comments

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For those who have been following my Wednesday nature posts on the St. Johns River Eco Tour blog, here’s the link to today’s, which compares the tricolored heron to the little blue heron, and shows you an easy way to  identify which one is which. (Thanks for the idea, Kass.)

#NotesFromTheRiver Tricolored Herons

Earworm…

/ Marcia Meara / 5 Comments

Wonderful poem by Sue Vincent, whose poetry is always perceptive, fun, and often quirky. Plus, this is a reminder that Sue is looking for guest bloggers. DO contact her, if you are interested. 🙂

Sue Vincent's avatarSue Vincent's Daily Echo

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To the tune of ‘Nobody loves me…’

*

Nobody wants me,

Everyone ignores me,

Can I get the writers to bite?

Putting the requests out

All about a guest shout…

But there’s not a writer in sight

*

Promise I won’t bite ‘em,

Ads ad infinitum,

Offering promotion for free.

Are they all reclusive?

Writers are elusive…

No-one wants to come and write for me…

*

*sniff*

 *

Maybe they’ve been scared off?

Won’t bite their heads off,

Promise I will keep the worms at bay…

If you do a guest post

I will do my utmost

Get in touch and write a post today!

*

Free promotion for writers, artists, poets and photographers.

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Sorry About Being MIA!

/ Marcia Meara / 34 Comments

I know I haven’t been able to share as many of my favorite bloggers’ posts as I’d like over the last week or two, but I’m just in a drastic time crunch, here. Between finishing the END of my WIP, while simultaneously working with my editor on the beginning of it, and the plethora of doctor’s appointments and other commitments I have scheduled, I need at least 30 hours in a day to keep up. (I know many of you can identify with this.)

Lemon Shark recently shared a post called “Without Apologies,” wherein she addressed the guilt we heap on ourselves when we can’t keep up with our social media. Following her lead (almost, since I actually AM apologizing, here), I’ve been forced to empty my Inbox of the kajillion post alerts, and start fresh. I will try my best to read and share as much as possible, but please understand, I’m not quite on top of it all right now, as I usually strive to be.

The good news is, I’m almost at the finish line, and will be able to regroup then. I’m looking forward to catching  up with you guys, and resuming my goal of sharing your posts as far and wide as I can. It won’t be long now, honest!!

Thanks so much for not writing me off as a real slacker. 🙂 Now, back to your regularly scheduled programming. Oh, and have a great Freya’s Day.

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This Week’s #NotesFromTheRiver – Wednesday Wonders

/ Marcia Meara / 9 Comments

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New feature on #NotesFromTheRiver: great photos by Doug Little. Light on narrative, BIG on beauty. I’ll be doing these now and then, just for fun! Hope you’ll check this one out, and share with your friends. Thanks!

#NotesFromTheRiver 2/22/07