Category: writing

New Author? Book Signing Tips…

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Writing is its own reward. – Henry Miller

Ever thought of writing your own story? Publishing your own book? Consider the 9 Steps to Writing Your First Book. A new author asked the question ….”I am having my first book signing, what should I do? Are there any tips or suggestions?” Experienced authors chimed in with several pointers that vociferously Churn. Here are excerpts:

Book Signing Tips

  • Have fun
  • Host it at a Bookstores or Restaurant
  • Do a drawing for a special prize
  • Promote on social media
  • Text friends
  • Decide on a default wording to sign books
  • Show your enthusiasm to your guests
  • Bring extra books and pens
  • Don’t expect to sell a lot of books and you won’t be disappointed. It’s all about networking
  • Bring a snack for yourself if you are not providing refreshments
  • Bring candy/chocolates for attendees
  • Have swag (bookmarks etc)
  • Have Business cards with your amazon author page printed on it
  • On the back of business cards say something like “book reviews are appreciated”
  • Communicate with local TV & Radio stations via their FB page
  • Be ready to answer questions about your book or any future books you’re creating
  • Advertise in the community and give a discount during book signing
  • talk with attendees and share your manuscript journey
  • Get a friend to help with financial transaction
  • Have a Tablecloth
  • Ask people to send a FB Friend request which grows your followers
  • Practice how you will sign the books
  • Give a bookmark/ postcards with amazon book location for future purchases
  • Take index cards and ask them to write their names on it. Avoids spelling errors in name endorsements
  • Prepare what to Read for Reading Presentation
  • Bring chip for Payment
  • Have a large picture of the book cover and you on the table
  • Include Book stands and racks for easy display and reading
  • Invite a lot of people, don’t let them feel Betrayed
  • Craft a signature for signing your books. Separate from your regular check signing signature
  • Sign on the title page
  • Take pictures with admirers
  • Bring Cash to make change
  • Don’t forget to get emails to build your list
  • Arrive early for set up
  • Relax and have fun!

Hope this helps.

Cheers!

How They Started…Writers Tell…

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Ever wanted to write? Ever wondered how other writers got started? What’s their Funnel? We are intrigued by writing veterans the likes of Stephen King, and countless others. Many wannabe writers are scared to take the leap. So it was with a breath of fresh air that the writing tips asked the question about how writers got started. Intrigued, I dug deeply. Here I share excerpts of some of their thoughts.

I Write Because….

  • I hid in my words starting at 10 to hide from the pain
  • My cousin said that I looked like someone who writes poetry. So I gave it a try, and fell in love with it.
  • I always loved reading and wanted to create stories. Then my parents took me to see the dolphins when I was 8 or 9 years old, and I wrote my first story about this adventure. After this I feel in love with writing because sometimes the stories we create or even just a part  of them can become true.
  • I was 5 years old and wrote about a superhero
  • I didn’t want to do my math homework but still wanted to look like I was being productive, and that’s how I’ve written about two books.
  • I had a dream and wanted to make a story out of it
  • I can’t remember a time I haven’t been writing! Before I could write I drew the pictures and told my parents what to write
  • What really pushed me into writing other than school assignment was role-playing
  • When I was younger I had a speech impediment the only way I could truly talk was through writing. Still to this day I write better than I can talk.
  • My baby sitter wrote stories about the group of kids from our neighborhood who were superheroes. I loved listening to her read them, my love of reading and writing was born, I was 3-4 years old
  • My siblings and I used to create the most intricate imaginary games. As I got older, I began wanting to write them down. I haven’t stopped.
  • A sixth grade narrative assignment. Upon handing it back, my teacher said I had talent and could make it as a writer. I was speechless.
  • So I could be right-brained in school while looking like I’m working on my assignments
  • I started when I was mentally at a shitty place and needed an outlet to how I was feeling. Writing became my therapy. It healed me.

Are you a writer? Let’s hear how you got started.

Cheers!

Writers Share The Joy and Challenges of Writing…

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Oh the joy of publishing! But before, there are the challenges.  If you’re a writer, no doubt you can Relate. Here I share a few succint Compass tales that writers tell about their perspective of the joys and challenges associated with writing.

The Challenges of Writing

  1. Finding the Time and space to write with Peace and Quiet in tuned
  2. The laments of writers Block
  3. Deciding what to write
  4. The importance of Quality writing output
  5. The pain of rejection

The Joy of Writing

  1. Most enjoyable feeling when published. Words such as elated, satisfied, accomplished were voiced
  2. If a physical book published, a feeling of Bliss when the first printed copy is received and held
  3. The Achievement of set goals
  4. The ability to make a difference in the lives of others

Advice to New Writers

More to come but in the interim, read more on the 9 Steps to writing. Also write, just write . 

Let the New Year find you with a new resolve to write, just write.

Cheers!

That Challenging Writer’s Block…

When the words won’t flow, we beat our head against the wall. Like a Gorged shadow, it defies. We mourn, cry, feel sad, down, and lack  motivation. True for most of us. Sally Hogshead has a 21 tips series that she shares. She recently shared a piece entitled 21 Juicy Ideas for Fascinating Content. Of the 21, I found 13 personally inspiring that I intend to Saintly put into action. Here I’ll share:

  1. Start with information, then add insight
  2. Go on a rant
  3. Ask a provocative question
  4. Write about something for the first time. She calls it give First Dibs
  5. Give an unexpected gift
  6. Critique your own brand (or yourself)
  7. Educate people about a potential problem
  8. Ask for opinions
  9. Give a behind-the scenes glimpse (i.e. show us a new side of yourself so we understand who you are)
  10. Find the Good (spotlight customers, employees or the competition…yikes!)
  11. Identify our secret hopes (share that you understand what we aspire to become)
  12. Describe anything that fascinates you (share why)
  13. Dare us (your challenge us to take one step outside your comfort zone)

I find these content creation tips a thrill, and will try to follow those I have selected in creating my own content in the next few weeks. What about you? Anything sparks your interest?

Do share.

Lets connect!

Books That Changed The Lives of Writers…

Books have been known to inspire, motivate, encourage and change the lives many individuals. Entrepreneurs Strut their stuff gleaning pages of business books to find success strategies. Careerist search to find the secrets to a better job/life. Children Gingerly fantasize of fairy tales, lovers dream, and some gravitate to the scares of horror, action or adventure.

We dare not forget books that have spiraled into movies that entertain readers and non-readers alike. Well known authors such as Stephen King, J.K. Rowling, John Grisham, and many more, spring to mind.

Curiosity sparked, one publisher asked writers to share the name of a book that has  changed their lives. The responses came in droves. Here I share a few:

  • Outliers
  • Transparency of Evil
  • Alchemist
  • Night
  • You can heal your life
  • The Secret life of the Bees
  • Rich dad Poor Dad
  • Catcher in the Rye
  • The Four Agreements
  • Unlimited Power
  • The Bible
  • Good to Great
  • The Power of the Subconscious Mind
  • I am That Girl
  • Conversations with God
  • Who Moved My Cheese
  • Hummingbird
  • What I know for sure
  • The Grand Design
  • Love Warrior
  • Into the Wild
  • Just Kids
  • The Giver
  • The Mastery of Love
  • When The Enemy Strikes
  • Code of Extraordinary Minds
  • Life is Good
  • Think Like a Man
  • Atlas Shrugged
  • On Writing
  • Pride and Prejudice
  • The Power of Now
  • The Game of Life and How to Play it
  • Excuses Begone

Do you share the sentiments of any of the books named by responding writers? Can you add any?

Cheers!

Vision…Bored

Bored with your vision? It’s not a Mystery. Wake up! Get creative! Create Goals that makes you want to jump out of bed in the mornings. Don’t be like Tenterhooks.

What Does It Take To Be A Good Writer?

Don’t Waste Time Trying to Please People. -Stephen King.

Wanting to do their best work, new writers are naturally anxious. They ask questions. They probe. They Gorge. They sweat. It’s hoped they sweat while writing and not about how to start. Stephen King in his memoir titled “On Writing” stressed don’t waste time trying to please people. Indeed this is applicable in many situations as individuals attempt to develop their own Identity.

In a public authors forum, the question was asked “What does it take to be a good writer?” Writers chimed in. Here I share a few of their responses.

Writers…On Writing

  • Read a lot. Write, write a lot
  • Patience and Perseverance
  • Finding the connection between your soul and your writing hand. It will require a number of disciplines like grammar, voice, tense and genre. But the key is opening your spirit to the process. Make your writing not a craft, but an empowered purpose in your life.
  • An empathetic love of both stories and storytelling
  • To keep writing
  • Write something. Publish it. Learn from mistakes. Grow
  • A unique voice telling an untold story that everyone wants to hear
  • Passion, and drive, as well as supportive people in your life
  • Persistence, then creativity, then literacy, finally intelligence
  • Vision, creativity, persistence, stubbornness, patience, a thick skin
  • Natural ability
  • Practice, practice, practice, and more practice
  • Honesty, passion, and courage
  • A moment alone. A moment alone is where it starts
  • Willingness to receive critical feedback
  • Time, focus, imagination
  • Personal passion, self-confidence, resilience to get it done, and never give up
  • A good editor
  • Tenacity
  • Life experiences and a love for it. Put your heart and soul in it
  • The ‘write’ attitude
  • Learn, then learn more. Accept first that you always need to grow
  • Finish even when you hate it. Even when you don’t want to. Even when you’re uninspired.

Rather Interesting thoughts from authors. Can you add any? Is there any that you would omit? Do share.

Want to plan your writing goals? Join us as we retreat.

Cheers!

Goals: Be Anxious For Nothing…

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Goals: Be Anxious for Nothing. Just do one thing daily towards your Goal and your result will be Exceptional!

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