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Hello, and welcome to this week’s WEN-zine nuggets.

Back in the day, my idea “system” consisted of a manilla folder, into which I would drop jotted notes, newspaper clippings, magazine articles, and so on. Then when it came time to send out more queries or to consider potential book projects, I would open that folder, and sort through all the accumulated “stuff” ... kind of like going on a treasure hunt. The most exciting or interesting at the moment became the day’s treasure to pursue.

Today, my treasure chest – or in current nomenclature, my PKM (personal knowledge management) system — is Evernote. As others have called such systems, it is indeed my second brain. I can even scan paper notes into it for storing, searching and sorting. A ton of ideas reside there.

Mike Schmitz of “The Sweet Setup” has his own idea system, which he calls ...

1. Mike’s Idea System 2.0

He says his curiosity is what led him to develop his “idea development system.” He adds: “The goal of the idea management system is three-fold:

1. Make sure no ideas slip through the cracks

2. Help me tell which ideas are good and which ones aren’t

3. See how big or small an idea really is (see how deep the rabbit hole goes)

“One of the unexpected benefits of this idea system is that it made it much easier for me as a creator. Where I previously might have gotten stuck or hit writer’s block, my idea system helps me to keep my creative pump primed. By making sure I always have a stockpile of good ideas to work on and a process for developing them before I sit down to write, I no longer have to dread staring at an empty screen with a blinking cursor.”

His system has four steps: Capture, Curate, Develop, Create ... which he describes at https://thesweetsetup.com/mikes-idea-system-2-0/

2. How to Blurb

In her “Agents and Books” newsletter today, Kate McKean talks about book blurbs. What they are, how to get them for your book, how to write them for others’ books. As to what blurbs do, she candidly says ...

“Sorry to be glib, but there isn’t any data on what blurbs do, if they affect sales, or if we can or can’t live without them. Anecdotally, as a reader, when I see blurbs on the back cover of the book, I usually glean vibes from them. Do the writers think this book is scary? Thrilling? Swoony? Un-put-down-able? Are the blurbs about plot or feelings? And who wrote the blurbs? Are they names I know? Other writers I’ve read? And then I…..probably buy the book regardless of what I read in the blurbs, if I was already going to buy it. It’s rare blurbs sway me against buying or reading a book.

“BUT, from my cursory and unscientific research about blurbs, where they matter the most and have the most impact is with booksellers.”

You can read all about blurbs at https://katemckean.substack.com/p/how-to-blurb

3. Do you own Content Maximizer Guide? ... Here’s the sales page ... I’d love a blurb on how you’re using it to get more mileage out of your ideas ... just hit reply to share.

Prefer a shortcut right to the shopping cart? Go here.

4. FYI items

▪ “ABCs to Amazon Self Publishing: A Beginner’s Guide” is free today on Kindle:

https://amzn.to/3T5ZKkI

▪ “Hopping Halcyon is a bilingual (French/English) newsletter about writing and creativity. Enjoy fiction and nonfiction stories, behind-the-scenes articles about the creative process, and monthly shots of miscellaneous creative endeavours.” (Seems like this would be useful for writers who are learning or want to brush up on their French.): https://hoppinghalcyon.substack.com/p/1-who-is-hopping-halcyon

Enjoy!

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To Your Writing Success,

Dana K Cassell

Editor

(Dana Cassell is founder of Writers-Editors Network, and has been freelancing/creating full-time for 47 years. In addition to writing, editing, and fact-checking for numerous business clients, she has published more than 2,000 articles and has ghosted or authored more than a dozen books.)

Not a Network member? Join now: https://freelancekeys.com/join-now/ Temporary discount codes:

Save $10 on Basic options: use TESTING coupon code

Save $15 on FFWA options: use TESTFFWA coupon code

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