writing – Page 10 – Success Strategies

Write. Something Old. Something New…

Write. Just Write. Write about something old, something new. Twist it. Turn it. Then spool it into something you.

Cheers!

Writing …

Good Writing is Rewriting ~Truman Capote

Laughter, tears, joys, exhilaration. These are some of the emotions felt as we write. But it’s in re-writing that we find the good.

Keep writing! ✍️

Cheers!

Writers Share Their Biggest Fears About Writing…

“If the book is true, it will find an audience that is meant to read it.”
—Wally Lamb

Getting started, getting done, the book failing. Those were some of the comments to the question asked in a forum:

What is your one Biggest Fear when it comes to writing?

Here I share Flaunted excerpts of the many who chimed in:

Getting stared
Blindness, Alzheimer’s, other
The fear of getting done and the book failing
Fear of being criticized rather than being critiqued
Getting half way through a second draft and realizing the story won’t work
Writers block
That I spend painful hours at the computer and produce garbage
Fear that my historical search won’t be accurate
Letting people read what I write
No one reading it. No one liking it
Finding a new idea
Not finishing
That they’ll just sit there forever never selling more than a few hundred copies and my life will be wasted with nothing to show for it
That I’m putting in a lot of work in with not a lot of return
No sales
Lost in back-story
Procrastination
That I am not any good

As a writer, do you share any of these fears? Any missing? Do share! We’d love to hear!

Cheers!

Write Away…

I want to write away. Basically get away somewhere by the beach or surrounded by nature, water flowing, birds singing, peace, quiet and natural stones. Without a Cur, I’d just write and write.

Slow pace. No rush. Quiet clear thoughts. Write away to help others. Oh for the time to write…just write.

Readers Share Their Favorite Books That Stayed With Them Long After Being Read…

To read or not to read?

Barnes & Noble asked Readers to share a book that stayed with them long after they had read it. Many instantly chimed in with Elaborate responses. Here I share excerpts:

Harry Potter series
The Alchemist
The Bible
The Book Thief
The Outsiders
To Kill a Mockingbird
1984
The Fault in Our Stars
Looking For Alaska
The Giving Tree
The Great Gatsby
Cather in the Rye
She’s Come Undone
Hunger Games series
When Breath Becomes Air
The Secret Garden
Tuesday’s With Morrie
Pride and Prejudice
Who Moved My Cheese
The Shack
The Great Gatsby
Fahrenheit 451
Eleanor and Park
The Nightingale
All The Light We Cannot See
Unbroken
The Giver

There you have it! Did any resonate with you? Don’t throw a Tantrum, Do Share!

Cheers!

Raindrops And Reading…

Reading

Raindrops and Reading at any age.

Such Prolific bliss to Partake on a weekend getaway.

New Author? 37 Book Signing Tips…

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…

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!

True Confession…

True Confession What you allow is what will continue. Maybe it’s time for a change?

Writers Share The Joy and Challenges of Writing…

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

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

The Joy of Writing

Most enjoyable feeling when published. Words such as elated, satisfied, accomplished were voiced
If a physical book published, a feeling of Bliss when the first printed copy is received and held
The Achievement of set goals
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:

Start with information, then add insight
Go on a rant
Ask a provocative question
Write about something for the first time. She calls it give First Dibs
Give an unexpected gift
Critique your own brand (or yourself)
Educate people about a potential problem
Ask for opinions
Give a behind-the scenes glimpse (i.e. show us a new side of yourself so we understand who you are)
Find the Good (spotlight customers, employees or the competition…yikes!)
Identify our secret hopes (share that you understand what we aspire to become)
Describe anything that fascinates you (share why)
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: