What a Manuscript Is and How to Write One

What a Manuscript Is and How to Write OneWhat a Manuscript Is and How to Write OneA manuscript is essentially the earliest draft of a book. It is the unpublished version of a book submitted to agents and editors for publication consideration. In book publishing, agents and editors will often refer to books in manuscript gestalt, noting that the book is in the earliest stages of preparation. A book in manuscript form will always need to be edited. And, sometimes, once the editor has gone through it, it is sent back to the author for a rewrite. Either way, it will likely be sent back to you once its been edited and proofread so you can make the requested changes. Once it is deemed to be fully ready, it is then sent to the production side of the business, where it is prepped to be printed into an actual book. Writing a Manuscript Some authors begin work on their manuscript without first having had a book proposal accepted by a publisher. They write first, then look for a publisher. And if they cant find a publisher, they self-publish. Other authors only begin to work on the manuscript once a book proposal has been accepted by a publisher. When you are composing your book, many people recommend not worrying about the format. You can compose your manuscript writing longhand with a quill on parchment if thats what gets your creative juices flowing. There are still writers who use paper and pen, schriftartwriters. or record their manuscripts verbally before transcribing it or having it transcribed for them. Bestselling authorDanielle Steel has written more than 100 books- all on her trusty 1946 Olympia manual typewriter. However, it is probably safer to compose using a computer and word processing program so your work is saved and wont blow away in the wind. You also have the advantage of using spell checking and grammar checking. Style and Preparation Guidelines Whatever method you use to compose your manuscript, it must eventually be made to conform to the s tyle guide and manuscript preparation guidelines required by the publisher. There may be different style guides and manuscript requirements for the type of books, such as fiction, nonfiction, childrens books, scripts, and poetry. Ask the publisher or your agent for their guidelines before you submit your manuscript. Common rules for formatting a manuscript stem both from tradition and a need for the copy to be easy to read and annotate. You should follow these rules Use one-inch margins on the top, bottom,and left- and right-hand sides.Numbering should begin on the first page following the title page.Each page should have a header with your name, the book title in all caps, and the page number.The entire text should be double-spaced, which leaves space for comments by editors.Indent each paragraph five spaces without adding extra lines between paragraphs.Use a standard font type such as Arial or New Times Roman in 12-point type.Printed manuscripts should be produced on 20-lb. bond p aper. It is easy to reformat manuscripts you have saved in a computer compared to the days of old when you had to retype them completely. And speaking of saving, I cant stress enough the need to back up your work on a memory stick or external hard drive. That way, even if your computers hard drive crashes, your work will be saved.

15 Tips to Boost Your Productivity

15 Tips to Boost Your Productivity15 Tips to Boost Your ProductivityConsider productivity at work. You might think you could get more done if only you had more hours in the day. But your capacity for getting work done is more nuanced than that.An Accountemps survey found 65 percent of professionals believe they are more productive during the holidays. Could it be that theyre motivated to work smarter and increase their work performance so they can take time off later?What if that holiday spirit gave a boost to workplace productivity all year long? Youd definitely get more done.Meanwhile, if you want to turn every day into a day of productivity at work, you can get started with these 15 tips.1. Trim the to-do listToo often people overestimate what they can accomplish at work and become frustrated by their lack of progress. Try a shorter, more realistic to-do list that leaves room for unexpected projects and interruptions will help you be more productive.2. Aim for quality, not quantit yMultitasking seems like a good way to increase productivity, but repeatedly switching gears is mentally taxing and can slow you down. Do your best to focus on one item at a time.3. Know your prime time for productivityUse your internal clock to your advantage by tackling critical or challenging assignments during the time of day when youre most alert and productive.4. Bring in reinforcementsIf everyone is efficient and productive, yet your team is still falling behind, consider asking for temporary reinforcements. Hiring specialized temporary professionals is a cost-effective way for employers to meet rising business demands while lifting the burden off overworked core employees.START HIRING NOW5. deutsche bundesdeutsche post dhl a Do Not Disturb signWhen working on important assignments, boost productivity by turning off mobile devices and signing out of email and social media. Doing so allows you to give full attention to the task at hand. Also, dont be afraid to occasionally pos t a do not disturb sign in your workspace.6. Explore project appsTake advantage of the wide selection of software specifically designed to help people increase productivity, keep track of projects, meet deadlines and be more organized. Evernote and Focus Booster are two free apps worth trying.7. Break down big projectsIntimidation can lead to procrastination. So break big, complicated projects into smaller, more manageable tasks. Youll feel less overwhelmed. Plus, youll gain a sense of accomplishment each time you reach an incremental milestone.8. Just say no (and yes to productivity at work)Sometimes you simply cant take on another assignment no matter how small. Give yourself permission to say no at times. While you want to build a reputation as a team player, you cant afford to become a doormat in the process.9. Closely monitor your online reading habitsKeep your focus when online. If youre not disciplined, one second youre reading an industry report, the next youre scanning Face book, and a few minutes later youre staring at a post about 16 Glorious Ways To Make Mac N Cheese. (Well help you out by not giving you that link)10. Take care of your healthProductivity at work can hinge on what you do off the job. Eat healthy, exercise regularly and get adequate sleep. Being out of balance in any of those three areas can throw off your ability to concentrate.11. Mitigate meeting maniaHumorist Dave Barry once observed If you had to identify, in one word, the reason why the human race has not achieved, and never will achieve, its full potential, that word would be meetings. Rethink routine meetings that have outlived their purpose. Or prune meeting times by 25 percent to force yourself and others to stay on point.12. Give yourself a breakIt sounds counterintuitive, but taking time to unplug and recharge can help you get more done. Solutions to complex problems often surface when were not intently focused on the issue. Likewise, getting some fresh air or engaging in water cooler banter can help you recharge.13. Clean up your actIf you regularly lose time because youre scrambling to find files, go in early or stay late one day to do a clean sweep of your desk. Then, get into the habit of investing a few minutes each day to organize and tidy up.14. Recondition your email reflexesChances are you read email the instant it arrives. Fight the impulse to immediately react when you hear the pinging sound of an incoming message. Pick specific times to check your inbox throughout the day.15. Reward yourselfWhen you reach a milestone or finish a project, give yourself a pat on the back - and more. Go out to lunch or dinner, quit work early, go for a run, have some fun. Reward yourself often for performance well done.Want to read more about productivity at work? Read the Five Trouble Spots That Hurt Employee Productivity Most. Also see the results of another of our surveys, which shows just how special Tuesdays are. Productivity Facts Every Employee Should Know from Robert Half

Totally unsure about something Do this now (like right now)

Totally unsure about something Do this now (like right now)Totally unsure about something Do this now (like right now)Ive always had a weird interest in time time machines time capsules. You name it. Ive been into it. Theres something about the idea of allowing ur present selves to talk to our future selves. And to let our present selves hear from our past selves. Its both hard to wrap our heads around and also wildly intoxicating at the thought of what thatd actually be like if every sci-fi movie were to become a reality.Over the past few years, Ive been tapping more and more into my future self, emotionally. She shows up in a bright cloak of wisdom and creativity. Sometimes her hair is white with bright streaks of color. Sometimes shes in long kimonos just off an international flight. And shes always un-fkwithable. And encourages me to do the same. When Im sad, or discouraged, or unsure, Ill go talk to her in my thoughts and see what she would tell me to do. She always feels like a combination of my best friend, my best self, my mom, and every woman Ive ever loved and respected.But a few weeks ago I did a proper, guided visualization to go spend time with my future self and meeting myself 20 years in the future was wild. So wild. She had a lot to say, not as much in her words but in how she showed up and what her life looked like.She communicated to me to keep creating. That all that matters is family. That curls are the way to go, keep rocking them. That love will be worth it. That the choices now have been hard but right and to just believe. We drank ros in front of beautiful Bay Area views and laughed loudly.Ive always known our future selves have so much wisdom to share with us, but Id never realized just how specific, informative and calming it could be to see them in their current, future worlds. Because we are those people, right now. And the choices, decisions, and priorities we make now will be important to future nows, later. Your future self is a treasure chest of insight that can open up clarity for today.So if youre at a crossroads, if youre doubting your choices, if youre confused about whats nextclose your eyes or open a journal and ask her that future self one year, five years, 20 years or beyond ask for the help, the wisdom and the encouragement to take the step.This article was originally published on MaxieMcCoy.com.