CONFERENCE SEASON IS HERE

So we all await this time of year. 

Where we meet our fans and fellow authors. 

Where we exchange ideas and where we learn about new projects, new authors, share what works and what doesn't. 

We learn who received that multi book deal or who got a movie deal or movie options.

Yep; its conference time and how many of us will be traveling to conferences.

There is one in Las Vegas. There is one in New York and there is also one in Maryland 

I have helped you out by linking to those sites, via their city name. 

Las Vegas has the PSWA conference. New York hosts Thrillerfest and Maryland is home to the Creatures, Crimes and Creativity Con.

These three conferences make up a few of the places you will find Intrigue Publishing authors.

We love these conferences but most importantly we love C3.

This is where we get to show off (Intrigue Authors) and we get to prove that we know how to put on a great show. 

This year they have added Noir At The Bar and it promises to be a great time.

So, tell me what conferences you are going to attend this year and why do you like it?

SITTING STILL OR LIVING LIFE

Well, I have done now. 

I broke my ankle in two places and a bone in my foot. 

So, what do I do now?

Since I am on total bed rest, I am going to finish up my novel The Stiletto Stalker.

I'm on bed rest for at least three weeks and this will give me enough time to finish up my novel and edits and then begin working on finishing up The Teachers Lounge.

I am not a person who can sit still for any length of time but this is making me sit still. 

Someone said, "You never sit still so you needed something to make you sit still".

That made me think. Most people my age (51) are working, enjoying a simple life and doing things that they love.

I am no different. I live my life, I enjoy adventure and vacations and that is what I love doing. 

I'm 51 not 91. And even if I was, does that mean that I can't go out dancing every week, hanging with my friends for happy hour once a week or going on mini vacations whenever my bank account says I can?

Most people say that they will "wait until they retire to travel and really enjoy life." Why should I do that? Why should I wait? Why should I do what most people would do? 

Even my grown children say, "Mom you should slow down" No ma'am and no sir, I will not.

I want to live a life that I enjoy. I don't ask anyone for anything. I pay for my own trips and I pay for the life that I want. 

IF you choose to wait, than that is your choice. I choose not to. That's my choice. 

So, while I have to be on complete bed rest., I will finish up my novels but just as I am sitting in bed writing this blog; I have just booked my trip to the Bahamas in December.

So either you choose the life you want or let others tell you what you should be doing.

Which one will you do? I think you know my choice. 

IT'S ALMOST TAX SEASON, ARE YOU READY

Every year I post about tax season.

Every year I get asked the same question.

Do I have to itemize my author expenses?

The real question should be, why AREN'T you itemizing your author expenses?

Whenever you do anything as an author; you should have a small notebook that you keep in your "author bag" and in your car. (You DO have an author bag, don't you)  More on that in a different blog.

So when you bought your own 'stock' of novels; you kept those receipts, right? Write them off

When you drove over 100 miles for that book signing; you took note of your mileage and gas, right?

When you paid for those conferences and workshops; you did keep those confirmations and receipts; right?

When you bought those comfortable shoes; that you ONLY wear for your book signings. Because you don't sit down while you are at an event; except to sign your novel. You did keep that receipt, right?

See, there are  a lot of hidden deductions that you have.

What about that new laptop or desktop that you bought to only do your novels on. How about when you turned that extra bedroom into your writing den, you do know that part of that can be written off.

Now, I am NO TAX EXPERT but I do know that most things that require payment, should be done separate from your daily and household budgeted items. I also know that they can be written off but you need a TAX PROFESSIONAL to do that for you.

So; are you ready for tax season?

If you are not; begin by finding those receipts that you can easily put your hands on. Then after you do that, get yourself a small notebook that you can keep with you at all times. 

You never know WHEN a deduction may happen.