In the introduction segment of this mini-series, we previewed what bootstrapping is and how it is beneficial to a small business start-up. Today, we will take a closer look at some key factors in bootstrapping that can be easily implemented and effective in your business!

Assuming you have already completed all necessary prep work to start your business (research, planning, set time-lines, financial analysis, etc), it’s now time to put your plan into action. Always keep in mind that less is more when it comes to bootstrapping. Here is a short list of do’s and don’ts when starting your business.

Do:

• Bargain shop for everything!
• Look for Freebies!
• Clip Coupons
• Purchase only what’s needed!
• Look for quality secondhand office furniture.
• Use a Google # to cut costs on long distance calling (except international) from your land line or to cut down on minutes used from your mobile phone!
• Use Google Docs (free or low cost account), Zoho Business (free or low cost account) and/or OpenOffice to send/receive documents, spreadsheets, etc. OpenOffice has to be downloaded to your personal computer, but both Google Docs and Zoho are available online and can be used from any computer or mobile phone with internet access. In addition, If you are using Microsoft Office free web service for your small business (mentioned in part 1), you also have access to Office Live Workspace and/or Windows Live Skydrive which enable you to send Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote presentations and documents without having to purchase the software! I should mention that I currently use HostGator and WordPress.org for my biz site.
• Use QuickBooks Online for your accounting needs (also available on mobile devices/SmartPhones).
• Use Appointy to schedule and allow your clientele to schedule meetings, conference calls, etc, with you online ( Appointy shows your clients what days and times you have available).  I have used Appointy along with my Google Calendar (multi-purpose usage with Google Calendar). Currently, I’m using Tungle.me as it interacts better with my Google calendar and a bit more user friendly.
• For Timetracking, FreshBooks and PayMo have great free and low cost plans (recommended for freelancers that bill by the hour, minute, second).
• Remain excited and creative!

Do Not:

• Rent/Lease office space. Instead, utilize your home office, remote office (library or free WiFi locations), and/or mobile office (via cell phone).
• Pay for any service or item(s) that you can get for free, produce yourself or obtain through  bartering.
• Buy anything beyond what is needed to begin: If you can’t afford a computer, internet, desk and/or chair for your home office, use your local library. If possible, ensure your cell phone has internet and file access to important documents. BlackBerry has a Docs To Go application that allows you to open documents received via email in both read only and edit modes! This helps you stay in touch with your clients and serve them when you are away from your home or remote office.
• Take out a loan: While I’m aware that depending on the type of service or product market you are entering, you may need some start-up revenue. I strongly recommend that you first exhaust all other available resources before taking out a loan.

All items listed in this post  are my recommendations as I have found them most effective in my business. Check back for updates as I will continue to add more recommendations for A Bootstrapped Office, or follow me on Twitter for updates and other business blasts.

Tune in next week for Pt3 – Bootstrapped Marketing!

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Mini Intro: Ms. Womack is a woman of God, Consultant, writer/blogger, and now… 1st time Author!

Read how Lakesha began writing her book here

Tell us something about who Lakesha Womack is…

Wow! She is a down to earth mother who loves to see other people leading successful lives. She loves professional football, playing golf and spending time with family and friends. She looks forward to traveling the world with her son and exposing him to many cultures. Most importantly, she is grounded in her faith and thanks God everyday for her many blessing

How long have you been blogging?

I unofficially began blogging in April of 2009 but didn’t seriously begin devoting time and effort to a site until November of 2009

What type of consulting do you do?

I work primarily with small business owners that want to start or grow their business. I help them with everything from writing a business plan, developing a marketing plan, creating operational procedures, preparing to request financing… you name it, we talk about it. My goal is to help them have a solid foundation for their business so that they can be successful.

What are the topics that you cover as a public speaker?

I cover a variety of topics from Networking to Living the Young and Fabulous Life to Business Presentations to speaking about my ministry

What was the determining factor for you when deciding to become an Author?

I’ve always enjoyed writing but wasn’t ever sure other people would enjoy my writing as much as I do. However, once I started blogging and getting a response, I felt more comfortable publishing a book

How long did it take for you to write your book?

It took me about a day to write the first 100 pages and then another two years to finish it

Which publishing route did you take, POD(print on demand), Self or Traditional Publishing?

I am self publishing through a print on demand company

Where can we purchase your book (order, purchase from select stores, your website)?

The book will be available for sale on Amazon, however if it is purchased directly from my website, http://lakeshawomack.com, you receive an autographed copy versus the copy from the printers

How can we get an autographed copy of your book?

All orders placed through my website will receive an autographed copy

Is there another book in the future, if so, when can we expect it?

The next book, “Are YOU the ONE?” should be released before Christmas. It will speak to the ladies about making sure they are ready to make a life long commitment and not just looking for a nice ring or the wedding of their dreams.

How did you build your platform as a blogger and author?

The base of my platform has come from my connections on The BOSS Network, Twitter and Facebook. It amazes me everyday how fast my network is growing with sincere and supportive people.

I’ve seen a couple tweets that mentioned you are moving to Atl, GA…what was the determining factor for this move?

I live in a small town and my son is about to start school and I want him to have more educational opportunities and I am looking forward to extend my networking outside of my computer and have the chance to get out and meet more people face to face

I also saw that you will be on tour with your book, what cities/states can readers find you in?

I am working out the details for Chicago, Los Angeles, Connecticut, Nashville, Montgomery and DC

In your Bio, it states that you help small biz owners while showing they can have it all personal, professional and spiritual development, give us some key points of how you relay this message.

The key to having it all is simple. You have to determine what is most important to you. For most people all is really only two to five things. I help people identify those things and then make sure their time management is aligned with their priorities. Society has tricked us into believing that we all want the same things when in reality success is different for each of us but most of us haven’t taken the time to define it on our own terms.

Where can we find and connect with you online?

I’m all over the web

blog – lakeshawomack.com

twitter – @lakeshawomack

facebook – facebook.com/lakeshawomack

 

Guest Post by Cherie Burbac

Many writers have the dream of becoming a freelance writer or blogger.  The idea of being your own boss appeals to many people, but making that dream a reality is a different story. It doesn’t just take hard work; it also takes a smart approach.

As a beginning freelancer, you will have take a few lower paying jobs from time to time to make ends meet. However, the following strategies you will be able to pick and choose jobs that offer better conditions and income. Here’s how.

Set Up a Time Each Day to View the Job Boards

Hit the job boards at the same time every day. Make it as regular as checking your email each morning. Scope out the great opportunities, pass on the not so great ones, write up your perfect cover letter, and move on. Don’t check the boards sporadically, or for that matter, obsessively. Make job-hunting a steady task you do for a couple hours each day.

Pitch Your Dream Job

Sometimes organizations, websites, or blog networks don’t realize they need a writer until you tell them. Aim to do a pitch once per week. When you’re in “trolling mode,” look for other opportunities that might not be spelled out directly. For example, if a magazine is looking for a restaurant columnist, could they also use a relationship, business, or real estate columnist? If a blog wants a TV blogger for one show, would they consider one for a different show as well?

Find the Market First, Then Write To It

Too often freelancers write a great piece and then try and sell it somewhere. In reality, you’ll have an easier time if you fill the specific needs that editors look for rather than bending your piece to fit.

Get a Part-Time Job That Has Nothing to Do With Writing

Don’t give up your dream of being a full-time writer. Instead: change that dream slightly. Look for a job that will provide a couple hours a week away from writing and allows your mind to drift. Doing this will bring in some money on a steady basis so you won’t be tempted to jump into a writing job that doesn’t pay very well, and it will also give you a break to spark your creative juices

Don’t Get Too Comfortable

Comfort isn’t a bad thing, of course, but in the life of a freelancer the real opportunities come from pushing yourself. Searching for work, dealing with new clients, and writing something new everyday are what make you find the best jobs out there. It’s also what makes freelancing exciting. So embrace it!

If your ultimate dream is to write for a living, keep the above strategies in mind. It will ease you into freelance writing and give you a leg up from all those other writers working for pennies. More than that, with the proper attitude and approach you’ll never have to worry about going back into the corporate world again.

About the author:

Cherie Burbach is an author, blogger, poet, crocheter, and geek.  She loves football and is obsessed with anything having to do with the Green Bay Packers or Tudor history.

A passionate diabetes advocate, Cherie has written the book, 21 Simple Things You Can Do To Help Someone With Diabetes.

Cherie used her experience with meeting her husband online to pen At the Coffee Shop, a humorous look at the world of Internet dating. Cherie went on over 60 coffee dates in just six months. She met lots of great people and one of those turned out to be the guy she would marry just one year later. Cherie’s new dating book, Internet Dating is Not Like Ordering a Pizza is available now.

She has penned her first novel, For Those Who Knew Zach, told in connected short stories about of a philandering charmer’s collision with fate.

She is a staff writer for b5media, and also the author of three poetry books, including A New Dish and The Difference Now.  Her latest, Father’s Eyes, has received the 2008 Editor’s Choice Award by Allbooks Review.

Readers have resonated with Cherie’s honest and inspirational ”This I Believe” essay, which is the second-most popular out of over 40,000 entries on the NPR website. For more information, please visit Cherie’s website, www.cherieburbach.com, her personal blogs, or follow her on Twitter: http://twitter.com/brrbach.

Guest Post Submitted by Katrina Chesney

Over the years I’ve received tons of phone calls and emails from aspiring and new Virtual Assistants (VA). In turn, I’ve also spoken with many entrepreneurs and business owners about the possibility of partnering with a VA.

From a VA stand-point, the question seems to most often be how to get prospective clients to take the next step.

From a client stand-point, it’s trying to understand how this type of support (Virtual Assistance) works.  People simply don’t use or purchase what they don’t understand.

What I’ve discovered in my many conversations with others about Virtual Assistance is that there is a “Missing Link” and it’s 2-fold:

• Both parties, the VA and the prospective client, must be willing to spend some real time together before ever entering into a partnership
• The prospective client must be willing to “let go” (delegate) goal-oriented tasks to get the VA partnership off to a great start.

Let’s take a look at Part 1 of the “Missing Link”

• Both parties, the VA and the prospective client, must be willing to spend some real time together before ever entering into a partnership.

Spending time together consists of the VA educating prospective clients about Virtual Assistance. It is his/her job to ensure prospective clients have a sound understanding, and no misconceptions, of Virtual Assistance from the very start. This also includes reviewing client needs, VA services, policies & procedures, fees, invoicing, as well as, answering any other questions prospective clients may have. Of course it takes time to do this, but it’s well worth the extra effort. Helping prospective clients to take the next step begins with educating them about Virtual Assistance. Remember, people don’t use or purchase what they don’t understand.

What’s important for prospective clients during this time is to see how easily conversation flows between you and the VA while ascertaining skill-set and ability. Do your personalities resonate? Does the VA truly want to be in a partnership? Skill-set and ability play a major role when deciding which VA to partner with but they take second place when it comes to “chemistry”. Because VAs work remotely, the partnership is truly relationship based so you want to look for chemistry first and skill-set and ability second. Why? Because…when working with a VA, communication is key to a client’s success, so both parties need to be able to participate in open, honest communication at all times. Your VA is your partner and the relationship grows and conversation flows naturally when there’s chemistry present.

l

Part 2 of the “Missing Link”.

• The prospective client must be willing to “let go” (delegate) goal-oriented tasks to get the VA partnership off to a great start.

Come with an open-mind, flexibility, and a willingness to learn a new way of working. You and your VA will be working in a way that will be somewhat different for you so you must be flexible enough to allow him/her to support you. Part of this will include paperwork you will be asked to complete so that your VA can quickly get to know you, your business, and how to make things happen for you.

This step is very important because it shows a client’s commitment to the partnership.

So, if client and VA are willing to spend a little time together discussing expectations, the type of support needed, and really getting to know one another, both parties will find long-term success with Virtual Assistance.
However, if the VA and/or the client does not take the above approach, the VA partnership will be crippled from the start.

Partnering with a VA is a very important decision and Portable Hands can support you through the decision-making process every step of the way. If you truly want to leverage your business for success, take advantage of our no-obligation, guided consultation.

Still have questions about partnering with a VA?

Grab your complimentary copy of “The Entrepreneur’s Guide to a Successful VA Partnership!”

About the Author

Katrina Chesney is Founder & President of Portable Hands, a Virtual Assistance firm that provides leverage for small businesses.

- Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/portablehands.fan
- Twitter:  www.twitter.com/KatrinaChesney
- Linked In:  http://www.linkedin.com/in/portablehands

Guest post by Nazirah Mottenon

People often inquire about the whole publishing process. “Should I go the traditional route or should I self publish?” There are actually several different ways you can go about getting your work published. Below are a few examples along with the pros and cons (from my personal experience).

1. Traditional Route
You can pitch your work to some (if not all) of New York’s finest literary agents in hopes of getting picked up by a major publishing house. (Not an easy thing to accomplish.)

Pros: You’ll have a great chance of getting your work on the bookshelves of some of the worlds most popular bookstores, e.g. Barnes & Noble or Borders. Your work will be exposed to a wide range of buyers and sellers all over the world. You’ll have (in some cases) a big name, profitable company backing you, which means; you’ll sell books as a result the company’s (and their authors) good reputation. They’ll do some of the promotion for you. You won’t have to kick out the cost of publishing—the publishing house will take care of that and probably even give you an advance. In some cases they’ll even set up book signings, book tours, etc.

Cons: You may lose some creative control of your work. You may lose some of the rights to your work. If your book doesn’t do well, the publishing house will take your book out of print. Your profit will be only a small portion of the actual book sales. Once the publisher gets their cut, the distributor gets their cut, the printer gets their cut, the bookstore or online seller gets their cut, what’s left for you is not a whole lot unless you’re selling hundreds of thousands of books. Keep in mind the publisher has to make back all the money it cost them to get your book out there and then make a profit. You’ll be under a contract and until you’ve fulfilled the terms of that contract you can forget about branching out and doing your own thing.

2. POD (Print on Demand) Publisher
You can pay to publish with one of the many online Print on Demand publishing companies.

Pros: You won’t have to wait for the major publishing houses to say “yes” and offer you a contract. You retain the rights to your work (in most cases). You have complete creative control—all decisions are made by you; the cover design, formatting, page count, font size, price, trade discount, editing, etc. Your book will not go out of print.

Cons: Some people tend to shy away from self published work because most people know that anyone with a couple dollars can get a book published, which means there are a lot of poorly written, unedited, poorly produced books out there. It’s expensive—all cost are covered by you. In addition to the upfront cost, most of them will retain a part of the profit from your book sales. You get what you pay for, so if you try to take the cheapest package these types of companies offer, chances are you’ll regret it once the book is published. You are completely responsible for getting your book in the bookstores and out to the public. You will be doing ALL of your own promoting and advertising, setting up your own book release parties, book signings and interviews. They don’t help promote or sell your book, no matter what they say. Once your book is published, the rest is on you. They rip you off. If you do the research you’ll find that everything they offer, you can probably get it yourself from the same people they use for a cheaper price. For example, they’ll charge you $100 to register your book with the copyright office. But if you do it yourself and mail your book to the Library of Congress (the same place they’re going to send it to) it’ll only cost you $45. When you go with these companies you pay for convenience. They do the work so you don’t have to, but trust me, you’ll pay for it. If you don’t know what you’re doing, they will drop the ball. Their job is to get your money, not to publish a good book. So if you try to do it half assed attempted, they’re not going to try to stop you.

3. Self Publish
Start your own publishing company. Do all the work yourself.

Pros: (Same as the pros for POD Publishing.) The overall cost to publish your book will be cheaper because any services that you decide to pay someone else to do (e.g. editing, formatting, cover design, etc.) you’ll only pay for the cost of that service. There’s no middle man to jack up the price so that they can make a profit. A POD publisher’s goal is to make a profit off of every service they provide/subcontract for you. For example, a physical proof copy of your finished book (before it goes in to publication) will cost you about $30 if you get it directly from the printer. Your POD publisher will charge you about $50 for this service. So that extra $20 you pay is their profit. When a book is sold you won’t have to share a percentage of that sale with your POD Publisher, which means, you’ll get a much bigger profit. You’ll officially be a businessman/businesswoman. It gives you the opportunity to help others reach their dream by publishing their work under your company’s name and you’ll make a profit off of their work.

Cons: (Mostly the same as the cons for POD publishing except you’re not giving an outside Publisher/POD Company a percentage of every book sold.) All of the work from start to finish will be done by you.

For my first book I went with a POD publisher and I have no regrets because it worked for me. If I would have gone the traditional route I’d probably be still waiting for a literary agent to represent me and sell my work to one of the major publishing houses. If I would have decided to self publish and be my own publisher my first run out the starting gate, I’m almost positive I would have dropped the ball in various areas because it wasn’t until after publication that I actually learned “The Business” side of it all. Prior to publishing my first novel, I spent months checking out different sites, seeing what they offered, looking for the best company for me and my book. Eventually, I came across a POD publisher that seemed to offer everything I was looking for. There’s a lot that I learned after the fact, and of course I made some mistakes, and there’s definitely some things I’m going to do differently the next time around, but over all I’m happy with my decision. Now that I have a better understanding of “The Business” I’ve decided to publish my books myself from here on out.

In my opinion, if your only goal is to get your book published, see it in actual book form, and sell a few copies to family and friends, then go with one of those “We’ll publish your book for free” companies. But if you have plans of seeing your book on bookshelves, making writing your career and someday making it to the National Bestsellers list then don’t waste your time with them. If you publish with them the only place people will be able to purchase your book is on their website. Most people like to buy books from big names that they know and trust like Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Borders. So that leaves you with three choices: The traditional route (find an agent who’ll get you a book deal). In most cases this won’t happen over night so you’ve got to have patience. Pay to publish with a POD publisher. If you decide to go with a POD publisher be sure to choose a company that’s going to offer you the absolute most for your money. And lastly, self publish.

Good luck and best wishes,

About the Author

Nazirah is a novelist, playwright, songwriter and poet.

Raised in a single family home in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, Nazirah found her passion early on through storytelling. She started by writing poetry and songs, then moved on to create a series of children’s books and stage plays.

Her debut novel, Another Part of Me, which was inspired by her life experiences,was released in May 2008. Her motivation for writing Another Part of Me was simply due to her love for entertaining others. She also saw it as a way to fulfill her passion of storytelling. Nazirah originally categorized Another Part of Me as Urban Fiction. However, after seeing that so many people from all walks of life were buying and enjoying her story, she simply labeled it Fiction. She credits her determination and drive for the success of her book as she consistently uses every outlet that she can to promote and sell Another Part of Me.

Nazirah is currently working on her second novel.

www.nazirahmottenon.com

Once you’ve determined your target market(s) follow these quick tips on how to cut cost on marketing expenses.

• Write your own Press Release, submit it to free online Press Release services (especially if your business is home and web based) send one to your local paper as well to get the word out and obtain support within your community!

• Use the ever free word of mouth approach, tell all your friends and family members, enlist their help to spread the word. Do some pro bono work then post testimonials from the lucky recipients to your blog and business site. Don’t hesitate to insert your personalized Youtube videos and/or podcasts to your web and blog sites then, blast/post in emails and social networks as these are also (free) ways to market and build your business.

• Send out frequent blasts on social networks like Twitter, Facebook and Linkedin to keep all your fans, followers and connections up-to-date.

• Create a One Sheet to mail or take to businesses with highlights of your products and services. A one sheet is a snapshot of you and your company’s products/services that will benefit your targeted potential clientele.

• Utilize a mailing list (email marketing) with MailChimp,  Vertical Response, ect, to update your clientele on current discounts, changes, etc) in a weekly, monthly or quarterly newsletter… never stop growing your list. Both MailChimp and Vertical Response offer free and low monthly plans for budget flexibility (including pay-as-you-go) to suit your business needs. My personal preference is MailChimps free plan with up to 2,000 subscribers (clientele) a sending limit of 12,000 per/month and many more features.

Guest post by Vonda Skelton

You’ve taken writing classes, written the book, participated in critique groups, edited, and rewritten the book—again. You’ve attended writers’ conferences, and done everything the experts say you’re supposed to do to make the book the best it can be. Now what?

Grab and hammer and build. Build your platform, that is.

In today’s publishing world, it’s as much as about platform as it is about good writing, perhaps even more. That’s not to say that your work can be poorly-written, but it is to say that a solid platform can mean the difference between a contract and a rejection.

The word platform means your ability to get the word out and influence others to purchase your books. Years ago, the writer’s job was to write the book. It was the publisher’s job to sell it. But with cutbacks and layoffs and corporate buyouts, marketing, PR, and sales have been moved to the author’s To-Do list. Here are some steps you can use to begin your construction plan:

1. Join social networks. Facebook and Twitter are just the beginning. There are many other networks specializing in niche markets. Do you write about aging parents? Motherhood? Screenwriting? There are social sites devoted specifically to those topics.
2. Start a blog.
   1. Blogging is a great way to generate interest in you and your work. The most successful blogs address a specific topic and target a specific audience. Your random thoughts are fine if your blog is simply for family and friends, but if you want others to find you through search engines, you’ll want to focus your writing.
   2. My Christian Writer’s Den blog (http://vondaskelton.com/Blog.htm) is about writing, with a slant toward writing for the Christian market. I post every Tuesday on a schedule of inspirational messages, writing instruction, kudos to readers on their writing accomplishments, writing opportunities, conference opportunities, author interviews, and book give aways. Readers are eager to return, knowing my blog offers something they need.
   3. Have an email sign up for your blog. I’ve signed up for lots of blogs, but unless a reminder comes into my Inbox, there’s a good chance I won’t remember to return.
3. Teach on your subject. After I wrote my first tween book—long before it was ever published—I offered to speak to elementary school students about writing. I didn’t have a following or a published book, but I did have something teachers needed. So when I sent the query to my current publisher, I pointed out that I had done several workshops and planned to increase the frequency, giving me an opportunity to sell books to my target audience. I’m confident that helped draw attention to my manuscript. Once the book came out, I fine-tuned the program and created a quality workshop for students. I now have teachers, principals, and media specialists asking me to present my Writing is Fun! Workshop to their students. What a joy it has been to speak to almost 20,000 kids across America in public, private, Christian, and home school settings. And I’ve sold many more books in those settings than have been sold in bookstores.
4. Speak to your target audience. I’m confident that my experience as a women’s event speaker was a big plus in finding a publisher. The publisher knows that whether they sell gobs of books or not, I have a steady stream of buyers each week when I speak.

These are but a few of the many things you can do to build your platform, board by board. But whatever plan you use, remember this: People are more important than numbers. Find a need and fill it, and you’ll most likely find a blessing in return.

~

About the Author

Whether delivering a keynote at a civic event, speaking at a women’s retreat, or teaching a class at a writer’s conference, Vonda Skelton’s programs are consistently called powerful, entertaining, and insightful. Her women’s book, Seeing through the Lies: Unmasking the Myths Women Believe,

“…takes readers on a hilarious journey through all things female as we search for truth in a counterfeit world.” Discussion questions are included, making it appropriate for small group or individual study.

She is also the author of a children’s mystery series, The Bitsy Burroughs Mysteries, which are set on Hilton Head Island (SC) , Amelia Island (FL), and Tybee Island (GA).

As a former RN and freelance writer, Vonda has had articles published in HomeLife, Christian Single, ParentLife, Focus on the Family magazines, and many other publications. She is also a playwright and lyricist, and her scripts have been performed around the country. Her writer’s blog, The Christian Writer’s Den (http://vondaskelton.com/Blog.htm), covers weekly writing topics, instruction, and opportunities for writers.

Vonda and Gary have been married all their lives and are still happy about it! They have two daughters and four grandchildren. Please visit her website at www.VondaSkelton.com. And if you’d like a good laugh, check out her Solomon’s Beloved YouTube video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEmhI8FL_ZI.

Follow Vonda on

You’re sitting at your computer, staring at the cursor blinking back and forth against the white page. Suddenly the tick of the clock you have hanging above your desk seems to be getting louder. You type a few words, then erase them. You decide you need some coffee, so you walk to the kitchen and make some. You go back to your desk, take a sip, and think, “Now I’m ready.” You type a few words, and again, erase them all. More staring into white space.

Writer’s of all kinds experience this syndrome. It’s called writer’s block and for a writer, it is the worst of enemies. It doesn’t discriminate. Whether you’re old, young, emerging, or established, you’re bound to experience writer’s block at some point in your writing life. So how do you survive this siege on your creative mind? Here’s your ammunition.

Read: It works. Trust me. Sometimes reading a novel by another author, especially one I admire, inspires me to write my own story. You can also try reading a magazine or the newspaper. There’s a wonderful online literary magazine called, Narrative and they offer all of their content for free. They often feature work by some of the most talented writers. Their stories are bound to get you back into the creative mood.

Listen to Music: Have you ever listened to one of your favorite songs and thought, “Wouldn’t this make a great story?” Music tends to get us thinking. Songs are mini stories and everyone has a story to tell. Some people write about them others sing about them. Take your favorite songs and ask yourself, “What if?”

Watch TV: Okay, I realize this isn’t the most conventional approach, but I’m telling you, it works. Pay attention to the characters of your favorite show. It can even help you learn the traits of humans as you’re developing your own characters. For example, I watch the soap opera, The Young & the Restless (don’t knock it!) There was a scene where a character moved out of her boyfriend’s apartment and left her keys on the counter. That insignificant item, sparked an idea for a story surrounding a set of keys.

Look at Art: Looking at art can sometimes trigger story ideas. What’s happening in a painting? Everyone can have a completely different interpretation of a painting. Use your own unique view to create a story. Same concept with photos. You know that saying, “A picture is worth a thousand words?” Well write those words down! You don’t just have to use professional photographs either. Dig out that old family album from your grandparents’ house. There are tons of stories in pictures just waiting to be told.

People Watch: Go to the mall, the park, or any public place and just observe others. Watch their body language, listen to their conversations and pay attention to how they speak. Take note of what they’re wearing. Are they carrying bags? What’s in them? People are what make up stories. They’re interesting. I assure you someone will catch your eye and you’ll be able to go from there.

Social Media: Again, not the most common approach, but give it a try. My twitter feed is packed with so much information. I always feel sad that I can’t keep up with it all. I’m forever wondering about what I missed. A quote, a tweet from one of your ranting followers, or a link to an article might strike a creative nerve. The same goes for Facebook. What about those pictures that pop up on your news feed? You can always find something to work with.

Writer’s block is something that plagues us all. With our surrounding world ever changing, do we really have an excuse? Or is it just a state of mind? We must pay attention and take note of what’s going on around us. If we stay conscious we’ll find that there’s beauty and inspiration in it all.

About the Author: Racquel Henry is an MFA student at Fairleigh Dickinson University. She is the editor and co-founder of The Black Fox Literary Magazine. In her free time she enjoys reading, writing, music, and web design. Racquel is in the process of editing her first novel tentatively titled, What’s In the Fabric. You can find her at her own blog, Racquel Writes http://racquelshenry.blogspot.com or on Twitter: @RacquelHenry