When a program rules you…

For those that don’t know what I do to make a living, I’m an Accountant. Now you know one of the reasons I write, it’s to get away for a few minutes or hours. Well today’s post is a rant and rage so get ready, here it goes.

Since tax season is in full swing my desk has piled up with tax returns to be completed. Since I had to help with a IRS audit a couple of weeks ago, I’ve started out behind. Well, now the tax program I’ve used for the last ten or more years has major issues. It’s slow loading every return. It’s a complete nightmare.

This weekend was going to be a catch up and clean off desk weekend. I even put up my writing for the whole weekend. The program has progressively gotten worse and slower. It’s so frustrating watching the spinning wheel. You may be saying, well have you tried upgrading your ram on your computer. Yep, I even had more ram put in my laptop which is not over a year old to begin with. My computer tech told me this program is utilizing over 60% of my computers resources. He said a program shouldn’t do that especially with the laptop I have.

Well, needless to say I’m even further behind by the day. The sad thing is I have been working on three different manuscripts and my mind is filled with chapters on top of chapters of writing that is just pushing and shoving trying to get to the forefront. They were not happy when I refused to even pull them up this weekend. I did however keep a watch on sales as barnes & noble updated all weekend.

So as for my writing, don’t forget to check out my giveaway on Goodreads for “Rekindled Flame” and for a couple of days all my books are free on Smashwords during the March Ereader Campaign.

My weekend was not a bust as I had a big Children’s Ministry Meeting yesterday and was able to bring on more volunteers which helps me out. I no longer have to teach twice on Sunday mornings. The kids were good yesterday and it’s a good thing because I was unfortunately on a short tether. All this has happened on the heels of finding out one of my friends has gotten into some major legal trouble. This has troubled my mind all weekend.

So, good writing and May God Bless You…

P.S. I’m still smiling and optimistic. You know me, can’t keep me down for long.

Authors don’t forget to claim your royalties…

I know how gratifying it is when you start earning those royalties. You get all excited and look forward to checking your sites daily to see how much you’ve earned. Well their is something else to keep in mind.

As most of you know, I’m also an accountant and in the middle of the start of tax season. I’m reminded how easy it is to forget to claim those royalty payments. You may be groaning and going ‘why did you have to remind me’. Well as your friend I feel it’s my duty to nudge you just a little. It’ll save you lots of penalties and interest later.

But along with this don’t forget the expenses you’ve incurred over the year. They range from advertising, posting fees, software purchased to publish you work, yearly fees for your website, website set up fees, office supplies, and the list goes on. If you purchased a new computer this year to use to write you can claim it up to the percentage you use it for writing. Don’t forget those miles used to go promote your book.

Hope this helps some. If any of you have a tax question regarding your writing, just let me know. I’d be glad to help.

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…

Staying busy…

Well it’s Wednesday. The work week is half over. Since I’m an Accountant, this is the start of my busy season. With the Fiscal Cliff issue somewhat resolved the IRS has finally released a date that we can start filing some returns. Remember I said some, not all. That could mean a lot of things like angry clients, moody preparers and lots and lots of fun 🙂

As for me, I love this season. I love to be busy. Especially this year with adding published author into the mix. It’s been a real busy ride so far. What with publishing 6 books in 2012 and marketing said 6 books, but I’m not complaining. I met some awesome people along the way. People I would never have met had it not been for my writing. By the way that means you guys 🙂

Someone asked me the other day had being a published author changed me. I laughed hysterically and then said “NO”. Now if I was a bestselling author on the New York Best sellers list, maybe, but probably not then either. I’m just me, a down to earth, country girl, who loves what I do whether it be writing, accounting or ministering to children.

Now that’s the fun one. Have you ever ministered to children? Or even taught children? It’s is so rewarding and stressful at the same time. The rewarding times are watching their faces light up when they get what you’re saying, or in my case when they bring the Savior into their heart. Those smiling faces on Sunday and Wednesday can cheer you up or make you suspicious. Sometimes I can feel really under the weather and just their smiles can have a healing effect. The stressful times can be too much sugar (Yeah I’ve made that mistake, learned lesson), snotty noses, bad manners, and lack of discipline. But if you love working with children the plus far outweighs the minus.

So hope all of you are well in the middle of this week and finding happiness in all you do. Just try to be positive and make even the most tedious task fun. It really makes a difference. 🙂

As always, good writing and May God Bless you.