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.

WHY NOT ME?

Just in time for the holidays?

I have seen all of the commercials for new cars, new laptops, new shoes, coats, hats.

Those commercials for furniture, kitchen appliances and washer/dryer combos.

So why not me?

So just in time for the holiday, take a look at my entry into: 

What to buy for the holidays. 

Christmas Commerical With B. Swangin Webster

Merry Christmas from me to you!

TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS

Writing is one of those things that can come easy for some.

But for others, it comes a little harder.

Your instincts are built into your psyche to let you know when something isn't quite right.

Use those same instincts in your writing.

Writing is done by feeling your way through your story. Some use outlines to keep them on track but when you are writing, have you ever found yourself talking out loud or acting out a scene?

This is your instinct telling you that maybe it might not work out that way. Maybe someone wouldn't say a certain sentence or phrase that way or maybe a violent scene needs to acted out so as to be realistic.  

In writing, don't fall so in love with your characters that you can't erase or delete them before your novel is completed.

Trust your instincts in this as well. 

Even that scene that you loved writing might need to go. Ask yourself the following questions if your 'instinct' is telling you that something is not right.

1. Did this event slow down the scene?
2. Can this scene be told in a flashback or memory?
3. Why do I need this scene in the novel?

If you answer yes to any of those questions, your instinct knows what needs to happen. 

Writing is about following your heart but also following your instinct. 

What is your instinct telling you right now about what you are currently working on?

APRIL 15 ...IS IT THAT TIME ALREADY

Well on Wednesday either you are going to be sighing with relief or scrambling to find receipts.

Which one will you be doing as a writer? Did you keep those receipts for all of the events you paid for in the past year? Did you log in mileage and if you paid with a credit card, did you keep those records. Did you purchase a new computer for your writing? What about supplies? What about that website that you paid someone to develop and put together for you?

Yes, all of those things need to be written off. What? You didn't know that? Well you are a small business you know.

Being a writer also means you are a business owner. Yep; you, the writer...reading this...is a business owner. in fact you are a small business owner. 

If you didn't know that; than you didn't do all of your research. So Wednesday is right around the corner and if you didn't keep all of the receipts not to worry, there is always next year.

Here are a few tips to help you along the way.

1. Get a small notebook that you keep in your car. Log in your miles every time you go to an event. From start to finish.

2. Ask for receipts. Especially for gas, food and lodging whenever you go to a book event. 

3. Pay for events with a debit card and print off that receipt to keep for taxes.

4. Create a spreadsheet in Excel for easy tracking

I hope that helps in a small way. So, off I go to get all of my tax information to my tax guy. Hopefully I get a little something back or at the very least; don't owe any taxes. That's always a good day.

THE DIVAS HIT THE ROAD

As you know I am on tour with two other fabulous ladies.

What, you didn't know that? Where have you been? I've been talking about it all over my +Facebook+ Fan Page and my +Twitter page. (side note: here is my Facebook fan page link B Swangin Webster Fan Page and here is my Twitter page: Twitter for BSwanginWebster ) Now back to my regularly scheduled post.

As I was saying: I have been on tour with +Dee Lawrence and +KR Raye and we are the Book Divas on Tour. We have been on the 'road' since May. We have visited blogs, conferences, homes and businesses.
 

When will I see you?

Last night I had the opportunity to attend a meet and greet held at Howard University book store, THE HUB.

Tamika Newhouse, CEO of Delphine Publications and two of her authors were in attendance and we learned about how she splits her time being an author and also being the owner of a publishing company.

Sadly, there were only six other people there. Most authors think that they do not need to go out to meet and greets. But I ask you this, if you don't get out there and meet new people, how do you think you are going to find fans?
The one thing I can say is that for me, meet and greets are the perfect opportunity to network with other authors and to share ideas.
Where do you think I get some of the ideas that I have?
Why do you think I started going to conferences?
Why do you think I spend as much time as I do on Facebook and LinkedIn and Twitter; well it's becaues I am going to meet and greets and learning from the best.
Tamika is the owner of a small press. However I have also gone to meet and greets with agents from New York, California and Florida. Again, why do I go? Because I know to be good at what I do, I need to learn from the best. So tell me again, why you don't go to meet and greets. Hopefully the next time one is in DC, Maryland or Virginia; I'll see you there.