On Becoming An Author. 7 Steps To Success…

We write to taste life twice, in the moment and in retrospect.

Anais Nin

Becoming a published Author involves nothing but interest and writing. Connect with an agent if you wish to go the traditional route. Interested in being self-published? Here are 7 basic steps to to get you going.

  1. Write. Write. Write. If you don’t write you have nothing to publish
  2. Invest in an Editor. Publish quality work. Nothing turns off readers more than errors in published work. Even if you are a great writer, you are too close to your work. Get it edited.
  3. Book Cover Design. Invest in a Professional Cover design. You can do it yourself but hey, come on. Again this is an issue of quality which increases your selling power (or need I say, the lack thereof)?
  4. Get an ISBN. Needed as a unique identifier for your book. Free ones available but… you get what you ‘pay’ for.
  5. Price it. Decide on your price. Consider books in your genre etc.
  6. Get Your Book Reviewed. People buy based on other’s impression right? So get your book reviewed by bloggers, friends, foe? yikes!
  7. Launch it. Market it. Here’s where the fun begins! It’s not a secret. Market it. Get the word out!

Need help? Let’s connect.

Happy Writing!

24 Inspiring Success Quotes For New Entrepreneurs…

Dr. Shelly's avatarSuccess Strategies

As life evolves, keep up. ~Patricia Chin

I had the pleasure of sitting in on an intimate conversation with Reggae Music’s Matriarch Patricia Chin in an interview with G. Cole, as she celebrated 40 years of founding VP Records. She has promoted and released music for renowned artists the likes of Shaggy, Sean Paul, Beenie Man, Beres Hammond, Taurus Riley, Romain Virgo, Etana, Elephant Man, Morgan Heritage, Lady Saw, Freddie McGregor, Dennis Brown and many more. Taking Reggae music from unknown to where it is today, she shared tips on how entrepreneurs and goal-seekers can achieve Success in today’s fast changing world. Here I share 24 of my personal faves:

24 Inspiring Tips For New Entrepreneurs

  1. As life evolves, keep up. There’s opportunity for everyone.
  2. Think outside the box – do what others aren’t doing
  3. Always think of new ideas
  4. Get into the full circle of business 
  5. Listen to…

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The Writing Process…

Dr. Shelly's avatarSuccess Strategies

Writing is usually done in a private space… as in a cave all by ourselves. We tell no one unless we choose to share with those close. Oft it can even be top secret or shouted from the mountain top as happens when some celebrities write. It’s entirely up to you.

It’s Your Prerogative

Writers commit a month, a year, 2, 3 or more to their Writing process. It’s your prerogative. It all depends on you. No need to attend a retreat, until or unless you’re ready and you can always remain silent in the background listening to others speak. At a writers Retreat, some talk. Some don’t.

Spend time doing what you want to do before, during and after the retreat.

Why Bother?

People approach me to share my knowledge and (writing) experience with them. That’s the whole point of doing a Retreat. Facilitators or Hosts often incur…

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Books And Legacy…

Books are my legacy. They live on. ~Dr. Shelly C

Books are my legacy. I began my journey to leave a legacy for my two girls and their offspring-future generations. Non-fiction, that’s mainly what I write. I researched the topics of Success and leadership so that those in my circle of influence will be able to define success for themselves. The goal being to design their own paths to achieve.

The Quest To Drive Their Legacy

Fast forward a few years, I have been asked by the aspiring ones to help steer their writings to become authors. This I gladly accepted as an additional way to leave a legacy, through others, as they too leave a trail. From poetry, memoirs, children’s books and more. It’s been a pleasure to do.

As my heartfelt quest says, Books are my legacy. They live on.

What’s your legacy? Do share, we would love to hear.

Cheers!

Fear Of Dying With Unaccomplished Dreams…

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My greatest fear is dying without accomplishing my own dreams.

A middle-aged woman was deeply depressed. She had helped her children succeed in life. When they bought their first house, she was there. When they had their kids, she was there. A child needed to be picked up, she was there. However through a series of events, she began reflecting. She got stuck and locked herself away from others. When we finally spoke, she shared that she loves her kids and was happy with their success, but her greatest fear was dying without accomplishing her own dreams.

The Selfish Few

Aren’t we like that at times? We are always there for others to the detriment of our own dreams. Those who step out and go after their dreams without considering others are termed selfish. The challenge is for us to find the right balance. The balance to remember our own…

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11 Goal-Setting Quotes That Will Inspire Success…

If you don’t know where you’re going, any Road will take you there

If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will take you there


Just drive! Hit the road! It doesn’t matter where you’re going. Just drive! There’s not much to that. With no plan, anything you do will get you nowhere. But that’s more than likely not your intention. There’s more interest and satisfaction for example when you plan your career, or a vacation…knowing exactly where you’re going; researching the cost of airfare, hotel accommodations, tours, not to mention the ton of fun you’ll get from the planning exercise itself!

Quotes That Inspire

Here are 11 Goal-Setting Quotes selected that will inspire you to achieve:

  1. Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.
  2. You cannot change your destination overnight, but you can change your direction overnight. – Jim Rohn
  3. When you say ‘Yes” to others, Make sure you aren’t saying ‘No’ to yourself.
  4. If you don’t design your own life plan, chances are you’ll fall into someone else’s plan. And guess what they have planned for you? Not much. -Jim Rohn
  5. The greater danger for most of us isn’t that our aim is too high and miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it. -Michelangelo
  6. This one step…choosing a goal and sticking to it…changes everything. -Scott Reed
  7. A goal without a plan is just a wish.
  8. It’s not about the goal. It’s about becoming the type of person that can accomplish the goal. – Tony Robbins
  9. If the plan doesn’t work, change the plan, but never the goal
  10. People with goals succeed because they know where they are going. – Earl Nightingale
  11. A goal should scare you a little, and excite you a lot. – Joe Vitale

CHALLENGE:

Adopted from MoveMe. Set one Goal that you can commit to achieve.  Then, make sure you put it in a place where you can be reminded of it every day.  For example, you could turn your goal into a poster and place it on your bedroom wall, or you could make your goal your smartphone background, or you could put your goal on your work desk – anywhere that you will see it often.  Finally, try to tell somebody what you’re doing and tell them to hold you accountable.  The power of accountability can never be overemphasized.  When you have somebody to report to, you will be more likely to push through on days when you don’t feel like it and see your goals through to the end!

Need help? Let’s Connect

7 Books Every Writer Should Read…

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Readers make writers and writers make readers 
~ Carl McKever

Writers write for many different reasons. Never Meaningless, the reasons are specific to each writer. Naturally writing for ordinary work as in preparing policies, reports, or memos differs from the writing writers do, which often is for their own satisfaction. Some writers write poetry. Some write short stories that ignite passion, joy, or pleasure as in fiction writers. Others write non-fiction sharing their own true stories, those of a loved one, or some about topics they care about as in Success. Whatever your reason for writing it makes sense to read a lot in order to write with finesse that satisfies yourself or your audience.

7 Books To Strengthen Writing

Here are 7 books that will help to strengthen your craft:

  1. Elements of Style by William Strunk, Jr.
  2. Working People Talk About What They do All Day by Studs Terkel

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Goals. The Power Of The List…

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Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal.

Henry Ford

Goals, write them down. Then work them. In a recent post Yendi shared her 10 Goals.
Years ago when I was expecting, I went to Lamaze class where my only child at the time would play with the instructor’s teen, Yendi.

Big Goals

Recently Yendi reflected how she wrote down her 10-year goals. Many reveal that they cannot even think that far. In Yendi’s case her dream was to enter and win the Miss Jamaica World contest. She worked it and yep, she did it! From the entry to the steps to win it … and that she did.

So make sure that your goals are BIG so you can’t miss them when they come through!

How old are you now? What dreams are you carrying. Take the time to write them…

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Ring In The Cheer With These Holiday Games…

Dr. Shelly's avatarSuccess Strategies

To laugh and play is to Love during the Holidays

Want to spice up your holiday with friends, family or foe (yikes)? Here are two Holiday Games to help squeeze the giggles. Simple prizes make the laughs sweet. Can’t be together? Try it virtually. Be creative, change ideas to match your mood and enjoy!

What’s your favorite holiday game? Do share. We would love to hear.

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2021 Holiday Book Gift Guide…

Dr. Shelly's avatarSuccess Strategies

A Book is a Gift you can open again and again

Garrison Keillor

Gifts For Your Personal Growth

Ditch It. Switch It.

That Perfect Getaway Read

Gifts To Motivate, Encourage And Inspire

GreenLight: When God Says Go

Do you think ofretirementas a dead-end road to the Departure Lounge of life? Think again!Retirement, A New Adventureis full of ideas how to live an active, fun and enriching life inretirement. There are things to do, skills to learn, new technologies to embrace, people to meet, places to explore. What sets this book apart is the stories it provides from real life experiences of the author and others; stories that range from silly to serious, revealing how satisfying life inretirementcan be.

Books For The New Entrepreneur

Things…

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Dance Out There Without Fear. An Anthropologist Speaks…

The body says what words cannot

~Martha Graham

Joelle Powe was recognized as one of the Institute of CAribbean Studies, Washington DC, 30 Under 30 honoree in 2021. Take a look at her documentary on Jamaica’s Dance as she studies Anthropology at the University.

Seep in and prepare to be inspired.

Light At The Museum…

Book Signing event. What I learnt. What sparked the light. Music, food, culture and fun.

Island Space Museum welcomed Reggae Music Matriarch Miss Pat Chin when she shared the evolution of Reggae Music from Jamaica, the Caribbean to the United States and the world.

Pleased to have been invited to share my own book and Research on Success Strategies of Caribbean American Leaders in the United States.

This Museum is a must visit when in Florida. Plan your visit to Learn more about this innovative initiative and don’t hesitate to donate unique and historical Caribbean artifacts. The Museum’s hardworking team are happy to shed the light!

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