If you're a writer, then there's one hard lesson to learn - the Universe likes to mess with writers. The universe is your friend like Puck or Loki or any other Trickster is. Just when you think you have all your ducks in a row and things are going well, look out. You end up with a week where your elderly cat scares the crap out of you and changes your routine forever, your computer decides to throw a catatonic fit while you're writing an article, your current favorite pen dies and doesn't take the refills you have on hand, and your mom calls to tell you she's broken her leg. Fun huh?

That's where really quick and random articles come from. Real life not only inspires great writing, it also conspires against it.  So, in that vane, let's have a really random article this week - and see if I can cause another computer to go into a catatonic fit in only a few hours...

Writers Workshops. I'm going to one this weekend (don't worry, it's low-tech). This weekend, I'll be attending David Farland's writing workshop. It's here in Dallas, but he holds them across the country several times a year. I found out about this one at SoonerCon in June and it resonated with me. I'll probably do a review of it next week since it's "a two-day seminar for anyone who has ever wanted to write a novel or make a living as a writer." I'm treating like some of my artist friends do their master's classes. I have stuff to learn. I have a lot to learn. Still and forever. And David Farland has the publishing credits to make it credible and worthwhile. That's the key to picking workshops, check out the instructor(s). If you have more publishing history than the instructor, maybe going isn't worth your money.

This one is a two-day seminar. That's cool. I'm still a bit gun shy on writers groups, but open to them if the right opportunity presents itself. I haven't been in one in a while. Those are even more subjective when choosing one than going to a workshop.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to this workshop and getting to hear David Farland teach. I didn't get to interact with him much at Soonercon, but it was enough to know that this workshop would be a good idea. So that's what I'm doing this weekend. Around trying to get words on page despite the universe's "Kick Me" sign I'm currently wearing.

Lately there's been quite a bit of chatter online about what not to do as what to do with your online presence. Many times, as with Standard Manuscript Format, some of the information is … contradictory. Leading to many new writers wondering which piece of advice they should follow. Guess what? Welcome to the wonderful world of publishing where everything and nothing changes - seemingly randomly.

So what's a new writer - or even an established writer to do? The Good Rule of Thumb? Just because something can be done doesn't mean it should be done. Take a look around you, if you see something going on that annoys you? Don't do it yourself. If there's something that seems right incorporate that strategy judiciously. Keep in mind is something annoys you no matter how right it may seem, it will probably annoy your readers/followers.

This applies mostly to online presences - but also to personal appearances - especially now that social networks are all the rage. Most Wondrous Techno-Gurus have made it possible for writers to wallow in their inherent laziness and call it efficiency by creating features and functions that allow us to automate posts, cross-post across platforms, and generally even schedule things to post when we're not around all with a touch of a button.  With these nifty new features, it's way too easy to cross the line between effective marketing and Sleazy Used Car Salesman. Just because you can doesn't mean you SHOULD. No one likes a hard sell, and seeing the same pitch post three times a day because of an auto-poster has that new SPAM smell all over it. It won't get you sales. It'll get you blocked.

The other end of the spectrum is "Less is More". There have been discussions in the past few weeks about publishers and editors checking out potential authors online to see what kind of presence they have and what they're saying before making a decision to sign them or not. This applies to social networks as well as blogs. Again, there's no hard/fast rule of what they're looking for, hence the discussion. However, this is where ONLINE PROFESSIONALISM comes into play, and keeping professionalism in mind when you're talking about anything - including you life. Just because you CAN doesn't mean you SHOULD.

Yes, stuff happens in life. Major life issues. Health issues. Family issues. Crap hits fans. There are books and movies we love and hate equally passionately. However, we must keep in mind TMI. If your life issues are making your writing challenging, comment on it but don't go overboard on how much it sucks to be a writer. If you really hated a book, don't threaten the author, editor, AND publisher. Every detail of your family life probably isn't something you want random fans to know about. Fans want to know about authors. Publishers and Editors want to know about authors. You can tell a lot about someone by the tone of their posts. If you're not approachable online, you're not going to be approached in person. That WILL translate to sales. Just think before you type. Just because you can doesn't mean you should.

So much of making it as a writer comes down to this endangered species known as Common Sense. Thinking before we post. Thinking before we send the 12th copy of the same Tweet. And if you need a mantra it's this - just because you can doesn't mean you should.