Why Writers Write…10 Reasons

Dr. Shelly's avatarSuccess Strategies

img_5189-1I write because there’s something in me that needs to come out.  I am at peace when I write. Writers write for many different reasons. Some personal, experiential, or environmental. Christine Caldalzo created a pictogram of 10 reasons writers write. Here I share 10:

10 Reasons Writers Write

  1. They love to write
  2. To express their thoughts
  3. To communicate
  4. To share experiences
  5. To tell about events
  6. To share their feelings
  7. To persuade
  8. To teach
  9. To Ask Questions
  10. They want something

Does any of the above resonate with your reason(s) to write? Any missing that you would like to add? Do share. We would love to hear.

Cheers!

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If Your Life Was A Book What Would The Title Be?…

Dr. Shelly's avatarSuccess Strategies

This Question was posed by Think & Grow Prosper. It sparked my interest so I decided to read a synopsis of the over 4K Visceral responses. Some Synchronized, some humorous, while others left readers in deep thought. Here I share:

  • No Apologies
  • I don’t know
  • God’s Journey
  • Nope,Wrong Book
  • Sunshine
  • Dreamer
  • Fate of Tragedies
  • Where’s the Donut?
  • Burnt Desires with regrets
  • Journey of Mistakes
  • Uprising
  • The Chronicles of Surviving in Today’s Society
  • The Endless Possibilities of a Life Lovingly Lived
  • Why me?
  • Wasted Years
  • Don’t Have your Children 16 Years Apart and Here’s Why
  • Never Ending Circle of Struggle
  • And the Caterpillar Became a Butterfly
  • The Great Forever
  • No Limits
  • From Concrete to a White Picket Fence
  • Life Happens
  • Hot Mess Empress
  • The Conqueror of Fears
  • Just Go With the Flow
  • Incredible
  • This Thang Called Life
  • Still searching
  • Rising from the Ashes
  • Masked
  • This Girl Just Want to Have…

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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!

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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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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Entrepreneurs Speak…

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What’s the Biggest Lesson Learnt in the Last 12 months?

The question was asked of entrepreneurs and business owners. What is your biggest lesson learnt in the past 12 months? More than 1,300 individuals replied. I’ll share excerpts.

  • You’ve gotta push beyond your comfort zone
  • Just do it. Don’t think too much, and don’t let your fear overcome you and stop you from taking the step
  • Money is just an illusion
  • Humility
  • Gratitude
  • Appreciate and value people in your circle
  • Patience
  • We become what we think
  • Don’t trust people
  • Reduce your debt. Dont borrow to buy luxury
  • You are responsible for everything, including most importantly yourself
  • Life will hit you with a brick on the head at the most unexpected times. Don’t panic, stay positive, and move on.
  • Focus on what’s ahead
  • Don’t be afraid of changes
  • Stop being a people pleaser
  • Read, read, read
  • Time waits for no one…regrets hurt…

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Fiercely Creative Writers Do This…

7 Books Every Writer Should Read…

Dr. Shelly's avatarSuccess Strategies

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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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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.

The Great Resignation…

Your Career: Ditch It, Switch It. In January I published the book,Never expected so many to heed it! Our society is experiencing the Great Resignation!

But yes it’s your time to do what you’ve always wanted to do.

Learn How That Fear Ditch It

Show Up. That’s All He Did.…

It’s through curiosity and looking at opportunities in new ways that we’ve always mapped our path. ~Michael Dell

Steve Harvey

Opportunity comes when we are ready for it. Comedian and entertainer Steve Harvey share his story about his writing jokes for a colleague for sometime in exchange for $10. One day the guy didn’t show and he was encouraged to go check out the venue himself. Curiosity got the better of him and he did. He subsequently put his name in the bag for a future show but was called on when another contestant didn’t show. Suffice it to say he won and the rest is history.

Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs showed up to classes out of curiosity after he was fired from the company he started. His curiosity led to one of the greatest innovations of all times. The iPhone which global users compete daily with its competitor, the android.

Les Brown

I also think of Les Brown who was yearning for an opportunity in radio though he didn’t have training or experience. One day the host didn’t show because he was sick or something and he was invited to fill in with just music on the radio. Les Brown proceeded to be the talk show host. And the rest is history.

Opportunity. It’s Your Turn

What opportunity do you need to show up to? Are you ready for it? What desire(s) do you have? Make sure you are ready because you never know when the opportunity will arise. If you are not prepared then you may miss it.

Always Show up is my mantra. Do it today. Is there any personal story that you can share of an opportunity gleaned just by being there? On the other hand, is there an opportunity you missed because you did not show up? Do share. We would love to hear.

Cheers!

What You Need To Do To Achieve Success…

Dr. Shelly's avatarSuccess Strategies

pexels-photo-297642.jpeg

Set your Goals High and Don’t Stop until you Get There

Richard Byerley was ‘officially’ the oldest person to reach the summit of Kilimanjaro. Byerley reached the summit in October 2010 at the ripe old age of 84 years and 71 days. However, his record was surpassed by Martin Kafer (85) and his wife Esther (84) in October 2012 (Kilimanjaro Guide).

Not to be outdone, the oldest woman to climb Mount Kilimanjaro (5,895 m; 19,340 ft) Angela Vorobeva, reached the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, at age 86 years 267 days, on 29 October 2015 (Guinness book of records).

Naturally, these examples of goal achievement is no small feat. What of athletes, professionals, politicians, and more? We all have goals. But what really are they? Are goals just a wish or a figment of our imagination of some ideal place that we want to be in the future? Think carefully…

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