So those are mine, what’s yours? My intention is to set up an Allergic reaction every time I deviate to keep me on track. Accountability partner, I know you’ve got my back.
Remember to be successful in life you must be willing to do more, think more, and go beyond the call of duty.
Writing is a joy. Being a first time publisher is exhilarating! But what’s difficult is some parts of the writing journey. In a Public forum authors were asked what was the hardest part of writing. Many eagerly chimed in with top issues such as marketing and editing. Here I share the top 25:
The Hardest Part Of Writing
Marketing
Building and attracting an audience
A blank page
Convincing people to read your book
Being confident that you write for yourself first, then the secondary audience – the public
Promoting
Nothing really
Editing because of perfectionist mentally
Letting go…let the editing go to the editor
Staying on track
Not giving up
Patience. Writing the book is the easy part
Getting readers to write a review
Staying on track
Selling
Being original
Self Promotion
Believing in yourself
Starting
Mindset challenges that keeps you stuck
Prepping self for bad reviews
Hoping people like your book
Freedom from distraction and clean concentration
Formatting is a pain if you try to do it yourself
Time, space, peace and quiet
Lots said in the 25 points extracted from writers thoughts and opinions on writing. Each point we can dig deeper. But this gives an good grasp of the opportunities that exist in the book writing industry and for those who love their craft. Get an accountability partner. Collaborate with an experienced writer or coach who can help you ride the waves as you progress along the journey. Personally, I have helped many. But Whatever you do, just don’t give up.
When we think of a getaway, pictures of peace, quiet, adventure and great experiences come to mind. A social media group was asked to share the most ‘Zen’ city in the world. Here are 23 of the top cities as the audience excitedly chimed in:
Kyoto
Hardwar, India
Sedona
Bagarchhap, Nepal
Sicilia, Perth, Ubud
Kerala backwaters
Evita/Dominica
Costa Rica
Blue Lagoon, Bali
Spoleto, Italy
Aukland, New Zealand
Rishikesh, India
Santa Fe, NM
Isle of Korcula, Croatia
Engelberg, Switzerland
Asakusa Tokyo
Bargarchap, Nepal
Iceland or Azores
Dahab, Egyt
Lake Bohnj, Slovenia
Kawai
San Diego
Le Castera
Makes you want to start booking that getaway… right? Are there any that you would like to add? Do share. We would love to hear.
The Only Limit To Our Realization Of Tomorrow Will Be Our Doubts Of Today. ~Franklin D. Roosevelt
Music, passion, travel, the rain some shared.Once a staff member fell seriously ill. Apparently she hid it from most but as it progressed, it became more evident. Word finally reached me in my role as HR. That was when I called to tell her of the concerns raised by her co-workers. It was then that she shared her situation. It was grave… with a crescendo of physical issues, she wouldn’t survive. I immediately jumped into action-mode to assist in the best way that I could.
In reflecting on the question “What Inspires you?” I realized that what inspires me is the ability to make a difference in the lives of others. Helping others inspires gratification. Here I share a brief synopsis from the perspective response of what inspires others.
Fear isn’t real. It’s something we tell ourselves.
Will Smith
A writer asked a group the Question what is the one thing that you are afraid of. Fear often grips us whether real or imagined. My interest sparked, I peered into the responses of those who were quick to chime in. Here I share:
Just simply taking a quick glance at the responses, most are not real. They are in our imagination and stays there for a while. Personally, I was afraid to jump out of a plane. I did a tandem jump and faced my fear. Many fear things like job loss, health, and loss of loved ones. But today, if there is something you fear as we start a new year, face it and move beyond your fear. Remember, fear isn’t real. It is something we tell ourselves.
Thinking that there is something waiting for me on the other side of the shower
Walking up the basement stairs at night
Ending up alone
The fear of my husband dying from an epileptic seizure due to low blood sugar
Unexpected knock at the door and the person stands in an area where I can’t see them
If I fall sick and no one knows
The concept of eternity scares me. Living forever
I am terrified of plugs being left on when there’s no plug in there. I am convinced it will cause a fire.
I’m afraid I’m going to wake up one day and it turns out I never let my ex
That I will be popular and people will be bugging me all the time
Being held down, weight on me and not being able to breathe as in swimming under water
I have an irrational fear that I rub my eye I will accidentally slop and gouge out my own eye
Dying alone in my home of a heart attack or something and having no one realize it for weeks
Someone staring back at you
Public speaking
A deer will run out in front of my car during a late night drive in the country
Chicken bone being lodged in my throat
Waking up in a house fire
Ceiling fans that one is going to get lose and fall on me
Don’t touch that! It’s hot! That’s what I told my 4-year-old, years ago. Sure enough it intrigued her and off she went sneaking behind me. Touched the iron and a squeal ensued. No doubt I am not alone with that experience. That’s how children are. They go after risks even when warned. Then they learn.
A Mistake repeated more than once is a Decision
The point is, that’s just how adults should be. Go after new things. Try it, then learn from it. There is wisdom in recognizing a mistake and knowing when to move on. Here’s oneEntrepreneur David Mullings who did just that.
Made a decision that didn’t work out? Do share. We would love to hear.
Reggae Music Matriarch, Miss Patricia Chin shares her story and new book “My Reggae Music Journey from Ska, Rocksteady, Reggae and Dancehall”. Her name is synonymous with artists such as Beenie Man, Etana, Buju Banton, Beresford Hammond and many more. Sharing this conversation during Miami Book Fair’s Virtual Event.
In this discussion she shared her journey on overcoming Barriers as a woman in business.
Listen in and get a copy of her book at vandpfoundation.org proceeds of which goes to the Alpha Boys School.
“Run love! Run!” Those were the words I shouted to my preschooler when she was running track on her first school’s sports day. We found out that she had talent very early. She started running and when she discovered that she was way out ahead of the other runners, she stopped to look back for the other kids in the race. And if that was not enough, she decided to wait on them to catch up with her. It was a hilarious sight! Indeed it was no surprise when she became Famous for this little feat.
But aren’t we a lot like that at times? We are making huge progress towards our goals, dreams, and aspirations, then we stop. It seems too good to be true. We wait and before realize it, we have missed our path and go off track.
As we approach yearend, how have you been progressing…
Writers Write. Readers Read. Together they are one
I am always intrigued by stories, especially those told by others about new beginnings. Here I share as writers told how they writing journey was inspired.
I wrote to escape the loneliness of my husband who had to work away from home as we transitioned to the cold north.
When I moved away from my childhood friends
My short essays and fiction have all been written from my life.
It must have been engrained in my blood
A nosey irritating neighbor who believed I needed company
Daydreaming during a long commute that had dialogue and scenes that demanded to be written down
26 months solitary confinement with short stories from my childhood as a start
A terribly boring book I read to my son at age 6. I knew I could do better
God gave me the desire to write
The pandemic and Quarantine made me take the plunge
A dare from a neighbor
Getting into trouble for talking in the study hall and being assigned to write a 500 word theme to write on anything I wanted as punishment. Next day I turned in a 13 page short story.
My first novel resulted from an ugly divorce
The loss of my beautiful baby boys.
The ideas and content come to me in dreams. I have to just put them in order.
Car accident that left me disabled for a while
A dream and three nouns
My right (creative) side of the brain dying a slow death in a left side dominant (rational) job
My imagination
Sitting in the airport for a 2-hour-layover, waiting on a flight to hunt with my kids. The rest is history
Nature walk with just me and headphones
Interesting new beginnings! How about you? Do share how your own writing journey began. Here’s mine.
You’ll never be brave if you don’t get hurt. You’ll never learn if you don’t make mistakes. You’ll never be successful if you don’t encounter failure.
Unknown
My daughter’s Little 9-year old team lost the game in the basketball finals. Naturally, he was disappointed. Sulked all the way home. But later he came to me a little brighter, and said he remembered a Quote:
“You will never succeed if you don’t encounter failure”.
Then he walked away. I know his future’s bright because that’s what you do when things go wrong, You get back up and try again.
So today I encourage you to never give up on your dreams, goals and aspirations.
I was asked to write about my favorite space to share with a visiting friend. I must confess that my love of nature transcends everything. It provides inspiration and a peace that boosts my writing prowess. That said, as my friend Chrissie comes for a 5-Day-visit, I will steal away to the island that captivates. None other than Captiva Island in Sunny Florida. It is a place I getaway to whenever I need to relax and unwind. When you get to Captiva Island, it feels like you are away from all the worries and cares of the world. Indeed the perfect distraction. The rooms overlook the bay or garden, your choice dependent on your budget.
Once I hosted a group business session at the end of the year to this ideal place. The goal was to reflect about plans for the new year with entrepreneurs and career changers. Suffice it to say, the two-day retreat and planning session went well … with participants so relaxed that it provided the right spot to add a bit of future gazing.
Back to my friend. Chrissie is an entrepreneur. So I figured that would be the ideal getaway place for her. Not only is she guaranteed to relax all week, there is no doubt the time would go by in a flash through this envious plan.
5-Day Getaway Plan
Day 1: Road trip to Captiva Lunch at Wicked Wings, a low-keyed hole in the wall pub that satisfies starving travelers before hitting the road to their final destination
Day 2: Relax in the Sun, Sand, Sea engulfed in a delightful adventure riding the waves
Day 3: Spa Day – Body massage, Facial, Mani and Pedi, a sure rejuvenation for the exhausted
Day 4 Shopping and Late dinner at the Harbor Side Bar and Grill
Day 5 Early morning beach wet. Late breakfast followed by reluctant afternoon ride back to the fast life.
Where’s your favorite getaway space? Do share. We would love to hear!
