How to Write Better: 96 Fiction & Novel Writing Tips

February 27, 2015 by Eric Beaty 2

Recently, I’ve been devouring a whole book’s worth of amazing tips on the art and craft of writing. (These tips are mainly for fiction writers, but non-fiction writers can benefit from them as well.) As a result, I’m learning more quality information about how to write better than I ever thought I could in one place. Best of all, these tips—96 in total—are actually FREE. I can hardly believe it because they’re worth their weight in gold. And if you’ll apply these tips on how to write better in your own writing, I’m confident you’ll succeed.

A Book on Writing Fiction…Compiled from Free Tips

Since “officially” beginning my writing journey back in October 2014, I’ve been soaking up every writing resource I’ve come across like a sponge. As such, I’ve compiled many resources on writing and how to write better, and I’ve got tons more to contribute to my Writing Resources page, but possibly none so valuable as what I’m about to share with you now.

Is FEAR and AVOIDANCE Keeping You from Taking ACTION?

February 20, 2015 by Eric Beaty 2

When it comes to taking ACTION, FEAR and AVOIDANCE can be your worst enemies. Join me as I discuss how to conquer your fears by taking ACTION!

Taking ACTION: Scratching the Writing Itch

I haven’t written in a few days and absolutely need to scratch the writing itch for the time being.

I’m sitting here in a local coffee shop watching the cars whiz by as the wake of a recent ice and snow storm lights up the surrounding area with its brightness. (To see pictures, click here.)

I’ve been considering creating yet another side project in addition to my novel in progress and a new ebook I’m working on about goals and goal setting. It’s based on a website I keep seeing mentioned in blog posts, on podcasts, and appearing randomly as I surf the web.

The “DON’T Want” Priorities List: 15 Ideas for Setting Priorities

February 13, 2015 by Eric Beaty 2

Lately, I’ve been getting all caught up in the “thick of thin things” when it comes to my priorities, and I was just sitting here in my local Chick-Fil-A for lunch thinking about what’s important to me and what my priorities should be.

Journal entry from my “Whatever Happens, Happens” journal on February 6, 2015

The “DON’T Want” Priorities List

All of a sudden I wondered, “I know what’s important to me and what I want, but what about what I DON’T want?”

It’s easy to get so mixed up in life that you begin to grasp for the obvious solution; however, sometimes, like the negative spaces in a drawing, it’s in the not-so obvious that the real solution lies.

That being said, here’s my list of things that I DON’T want…

Chasing Squirrels: How to Effectively Overcome Distractions

February 6, 2015 by Eric Beaty 2

It’s so easy to allow distractions to get us side-tracked these days. With ever-increasing new versions of all the latest high-tech devices, temptations to multi-task, and having to be everywhere at once with social media, sometimes it feels like you’re just chasing squirrels.

The Story Behind “Chasing Squirrels”

So what do I mean by “chasing squirrels”? If you’ve ever seen the movie Up by Disney/Pixar, you probably think I’m referring to the dog, Dug, who is constantly getting distracted and yelling “Squirrel!” However, the story behind my version of chasing squirrels relates to a previous hunting experience I had over a year ago.

More Goals Achieved: New Website Banner & Email List

January 31, 2015 by Eric Beaty 2

This week I decided to kick things up a notch by taking several steps toward my goals. I lost a few hours of sleep, but I ended up getting much more done than I had planned.

New Website Banner

One of the things I did to step up my game was to install a new banner for my website. I actually had my graphic designer create this at the beginning of the year, but I couldn’t seem to find the time to add it to my (growing) list of things to do.

8 Questions to Help You Decide if Your Passions are Worth Your Time

January 23, 2015 by Eric Beaty 2

Have you ever wondered if the passions you’re pursuing are a worthy investment of your time? Join me as I dissect this topic and show you the 8 Questions to Help You Decide if Your Passions are Worth Your Time.

Journal entry from my “Whatever Happens, Happens” journal on November 2, 2014

Career Advice from a Tentmaker (Acts 18:3)

I’ve just finished prayer and a Bible study in Galatians 3-4 which led me to an exciting—and quite revealing—discovery. After praying for clarity and direction concerning mine and Melissa’s (my wife) careers and where God wants us to be financially, I opened my eyes and they rested upon Galatians 5:1, which speaks of remaining (aka “standing fast”) in the liberty in which Christ has made us free and not becoming entangled again with the “yoke of bondage.”

From this text I began to think about the aspects of true liberty and was further directed to 2 Corinthians 3:17, which states, “Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (emphasis mine).”

The PIG Tool: How to Create and Organize Your Very Own Products

January 16, 2015 by Eric Beaty 2

Update: I was notified by a representative who owned the name PIGLT and was asked to modify my post/document. Sorry for the confusion.

Recently, while finishing up the hunting season of 2014, I was in the woods contemplating where my business would be heading in 2015.

Click image above to get your FREE copy!

An Overflow of Ideas

It was pitch black, and the sound of the overflowing creek below me was making it hard to stay awake. Fortunately, my mind was busy conjuring up ideas for where to take my business in the coming year.

New Guitar For Christmas: I’ll Have A Breedlove Christmas!

January 1, 2015 by Eric Beaty 2

Just six days before Christmas, a former student dropped by to give me the surprise of a lifetime…

A Very Merry Christmas To Me

It was Friday, December 19, 2014. I was getting ready for my last guitar student of the day when I received a text from a former student (Pat).

“What’s your schedule look like today?” the text read.

“I’ve got a lesson coming up in a few minutes, then I’m free til around 5:30 p.m. What’s up?” I replied.

“Wanted to bring by some Christmas cheer!” Pat said.

“Okay,” I said. “Where are you? We can do lunch.”

In Search of the Perfect Planner

December 17, 2014 by Eric Beaty 2

3 Extraordinary Planners that Will Help Move You Toward Your Goals

A Shift in Planner “Status Quo”

While on my search for a new weekly planner earlier this month, I first considered ordering the same style I’ve been using for 2014. Confident I had settled in my decision, I began to search for it online and had almost purchased it when I ran across a different, more unique planner.

And when I first laid eyes on it, I knew it was the next planner I would be trying out for the new year in 2015.

This newfound planner wasn’t like the ordinary one I had been using all year with the typical format most offer: Monthly layout with daily/weekly slots for filling in the same old overwhelming tasks and projects. You see, I had experienced a calendar overload in 2014, and I was ready for a change.

No, this one was extraordinary; what you might call a “Next Level” planner. It didn’t have any “bells and whistles” or try to impress me; rather, it had all the tools I needed to inspire me to take massive actions that moved me toward my goals.

But before I go into the details and benefits of this particular planner, I would first like to introduce a few other options I discovered—and also found very intriguing—along the way. Let’s see if you can guess which planner I chose…no skipping ahead, either!

Need a Planner that Fits Your Passions for 2015?

December 9, 2014 by Eric Beaty 2

The New Planner for Your Passions

Looking for a new planner that will help you achieve your goals and pursue your passions for 2015? Me too! Well, actually, I’ve already purchased a new planner for next year, but I just came across a great new planner that I just absolutely have to try. But I need your help to get one of my own.

I’m planning (no pun intended) on doing a blog post soon about the planner I originally ordered, comparing it to last year’s planner, but wouldn’t it be even better if I had a third option to join the panel? Here’s how you can get your very own Passion Planner…and help me get one, too!