There comes a time when books have to be balanced.  No, I don't mean balancing the ones on the book shelf so that they look attractivre or alpahbetized or however you want them displayed.

With new bills to pay for surgery– (Medicare  and my HMO "take care of everything!!" Don't you believe it!)   There's sill a whopping medical bill to pay and I am offered the opportunity to pay in small increments.   However to do so and IF I'M APPROVED FOR THE SERVICE, I have to submit: (and this is just a partial list) a year's bank statements and check stubs, my income and outlay for rent, utilities, food, investment reports, business expenses, etc., etc. etc.for the past two years.  Any incidental income; Etc.

How does this pertain to writing?  My fixed income (SS, pension, annuity) is very fixed–same every month.  However, my income from writing varies from month to month.  But I need to look back through past years' check book accounting records.  I found that for these first seven months of 2009 so far (and for this "helpful payment plan outfir" I have to go back several years) I have earned in contest wins, editing jobs, articles sold, book royalties paid, the handsome sum of  $955.  For book purchases, contest entry fees, subscriptions I have spent $402.

Since I use part of my home as an office,and since I do derive meager income from writing,  my tax preparer allows me to claim as deductions, costs for paper, ink, writing equipment.

Them's my words for today, with these recommendations:  KEEP RECORDS!!!   Who knows?  You may be the winner of a $1000 prize for your writing and decide you want to "turn professional"  Unless you already get to make deductions for your writing expenses, now is the time.  Until Monday, Willma