A note from Jane
The last time I bought a new car was in 2003. The process was rushed and not well-considered.
This year, my husband and I began thinking about a new car purchase with no urgency attached. For me, it felt like an opportunity to do things right and not repeat 2003.
After some weeks of test driving (it was hard to make a decision when every make and model felt like a vast improvement), we finally decided on a specific vehicle we wanted to buy. So specific, in fact, that we identified the exact car on the dealer’s website, where it was listed with a manufacturer rebate and an additional discount from the dealer not offered on comparable models.
I have never had a particularly pleasant car buying experience (has anyone?), but we felt pretty confident about the deal we would get.
As much as I like to pride myself on my business acumen, I failed in a number of ways going into the negotiation. For starters, I didn’t research the various (extraneous) fees this particular dealer liked to add to every car it sold. But most important, I didn’t bring the printout of the price and discounts from the dealer website to have in front of me.
Not having that physical piece of paper made it harder to establish where the negotiation was supposed to start. Instead, we ended up negotiating to get the discount that should’ve already been applied.
I don’t think we got a bad deal—I only wish I had done better. Maybe in another 20 years.
Jane [now owner of a Hyundai Ioniq 5]
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Delete these words from your emails
I loved this guidance from Wes Kao. Something I need to learn: “Your sentence will be stronger without just. Seriously, try it. The next time you want to say just, remove it and notice how much more confident you sound (without losing your original meaning).”
I recommend subscribing to Kao’s newsletter if you’re looking for expert guidance on being better at business communications.
Typora is great, but have you seen Obsidian?
The recent reader recommendation of Typora sparked this response from reader Scott Gilbertson: “I agree that Typora is beautiful. Its Focus and Typewriter modes make writing so much better than trying to slog through Word or Pages. But if you’re interested in a markdown editor, I have to plug Obsidian. While its markdown is based on the same flavor as Typora’s, what sets Obsidian apart is its connection tools: tags and backlinks. While it’s possible to backlink in Typora, I find Obsidian’s method much easier. Obsidian is one of the few (the only?) software programs that I like enough to recommend wholeheartedly. I am not affiliated with Obsidian, nor do I receive any form of compensation from them. I just really like their product. Of course, your mileage may vary.”
Take a look at Obsidian. I find it similar to Notion, so if you’re already a Notion user, I’m not sure I’d adopt both. (Cue the email response from someone who advocates using both. 🙃)
There’s now a wearable e-reader, Sol 😎
It looks like a chunky pair of sunglasses. The tagline: “Get lost in a good book again.” It connects to your existing Kindle library. Cost: $249. Take a look.
Moving from SEP IRA to Solo 401(k)
The following tip is pertinent to solopreneurs like myself who have to fund their own retirement. For years I’ve been contributing to a SEP IRA (Simplified Employee Pension Individual Retirement Arrangement), but based on guidance from my accountant, I’m moving to the Solo 401(k), using Ascensus. Check with your accountant to see if you might want to consider a similar move.
Using AI for Writing Business Efficiency with Jane Friedman / June 26, 1–2 p.m. EDT
In this class, Jane demystifies the current AI landscape and shows through examples and live demos how to incorporate AI tools into your workflow so you reclaim creative time and reduce time sinks. Drawing on other authors’ examples and her own use, Jane shows how to use AI responsibly, with human oversight and respect for readers, writers, and the larger community. It is possible to use AI in a way that keeps your voice your own and your copyright intact.
Note from Jane: AI remains a divisive topic across industries, but I’m committed to speaking and teaching on AI. The technology is actively used by publishers, agents, editors, designers, marketers, and publicists. Even if you choose not to use AI, there is no question you are (or will be) working with people who do. AI is here to stay and I focus on responsible use. |
Your turn: background music for working 🎵
In the last issue, I asked you to tell me about a song, playlist, or station that you use for background music while working or writing. Here’s a selection of what you said.
- I love to find a radio station on Radio Garden. I like to listen to one in New Zealand, just so I can hear the DJs’ accents! —Christine Mania
- For years I have listened to Leon Bridges on Spotify when I write. It’s gotten to the point that when I hear Leon Bridges elsewhere, I always start to think about work. —Tricia Miller Klapheke
- I listen to game and movie soundtracks, such as Halo, Assassin’s Creed, and Batman. They generally have no words to distract me, and I can grab the right soundtrack that matches the mood of the scene I’m currently writing. —Rachel Aukes
- Music I listen to when I write is Brain.FM! I cannot do any work without it. I pay for it every year and have for over three years now. It’s also brilliant for white noise if you need it to sleep, which I use with a little Bluetooth speaker when travelling. —Melanie
- There are two very different albums that automatically put me in writer’s mode for my current historical fiction WIP. The first is Mark Isham’s hauntingly beautiful soundtrack to the movie A River Runs Through It and the second is an album Mark Griffin (yes, your Mark Griffin 🙂) recommended in his Gray Days and Gold streaming show. I’ve become totally enamoured by British singer-songwriter Laura Groves and in particular her 2023 album Radio Red. As soon as the firstfew notes begin, I’m in the writing zone. Thanks, Mark! —Brian Rendell
- My writing playlist includes lots of moody instrumental music (i.e., without lyrics). Two favorites are the albums Screws by Nils Frahm and Riceboy Sleeps by Jónsi and Alex Somers. —Lee Thomas
- One of my favorite jazz vocalists is Emilie-Claire Barlow. Normally, I find music with lyrics too distracting while writing. Fortunately, Emilie recorded an entire album in a language I barely understand (French) et voila! Without the distraction of focusing on the meaning of the lyrics, her singing on the album Seule ce soir becomes the perfect background for writing. —Duncan McElroy
⭐️ This was a popular question! Read all of the responses.
Next question: Reader Carol Vincent says, “Your question about ‘who do you trust to recommend books’ was helpful. I’d love it if you asked the same about TV shows and movies. I can’t tell you how much time we waste every week just trying to find something to watch.” Hit reply to this message, or head over to Discord to share.
Do you have a question you would like Jane to ask all readers? Offer up your suggestion, and she might feature it.
Free resources featuring Jane
Upcoming online classes
Meet Jane at an event
- Women’s Fiction Virtual Summit (online), June 21–22, 2025
- Midwest Writers Workshop (Muncie, IN), July 10–12, 2025
- Today’s Key Book Publishing Paths (Cincinnati public library, free to the public), July 26, 2025
- Craft & Publishing Voyage (cruise ship!), Aug. 27–Sept. 3, 2025
- PNWA Conference (Seattle, WA), Sept. 11–14, 2025
- New Frontiers in Writing (Amarillo, TX), Sept. 26, 2025
- Red Pencil Conference (Seattle metro area), Nov. 8, 2025
“At electric speed, all forms are pushed to the limits of their potential.”
—Marshall McLuhan
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