The 25 Challenges Of Writing…

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

  1. Marketing
  2. Building and attracting an audience
  3. A blank page
  4. Convincing people to read your book
  5. Being confident that you write for yourself first, then the secondary audience – the public
  6. Promoting
  7. Nothing really
  8. Editing because of perfectionist mentally
  9. Letting go…let the editing go to the editor
  10. Staying on track
  11. Not giving up
  12. Patience. Writing the book is the easy part
  13. Getting readers to write a review
  14. Staying on track
  15. Selling
  16. Being original
  17. Self Promotion
  18. Believing in yourself
  19. Starting
  20. Mindset challenges that keeps you stuck
  21. Prepping self for bad reviews
  22. Hoping people like your book
  23. Freedom from distraction and clean concentration
  24. Formatting is a pain if you try to do it yourself
  25. 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.

Need help? Let’s connect.

Cheers!

HBR’s What Happens When Your Career Becomes Your Identity?

Is Your Career your identity?

What happens when your career becomes your identity? This Happens to so many of us? Here are 3 of the Questions HBR’s contributor Janna Koretz suggest asking yourself.

1. How do you think about your job outside the office?

2. How do you describe yourself? How much of this description is tied to your job, title, or company?

3.How would you feel if you could no longer continue in your profession?

Great questions. Read the article for the full analysis.

You may also listen to tips as I chat with Patricia Reid-Waugh or get a copy of my book ‘Your Career’ Ditch It? Switch it?’ Both provide a deeper dive into how you can ditch it and gain the identity that brings lasting satisfaction.

Cheers!

What Inspires You? 38 Things Writers Share…

Dr. Shelly's avatarSuccess Strategies

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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.

  1. The random people…

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2021 Holiday Book Gift Guide…

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 of retirement as a dead-end road to the Departure Lounge of life? Think again! Retirement, A New Adventure is full of ideas how to live an active, fun and enriching life in retirement. 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 in retirement can be.

Books For The New Entrepreneur

MOMENTS: MOTIVATIONAL AND INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHTS

Books For The Food Lover

The Sways Of Poetry

Books For The Child Reader

Stori Stori

A Mistake Repeated More Than Once Is A Decision…

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 one Entrepreneur David Mullings who did just that.

Made a decision that didn’t work out? Do share. We would love to hear.

Cheers!

A Conversation With Matriarch Pat Chin On Overcoming Barriers As A Woman In Business…

My Reggae Music Journey

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.

Cheers!

Goals: Don’t Wait. Don’t Look Back…

Dr. Shelly's avatarSuccess Strategies

“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…

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What’s Your Why? Here’s Mine…

Dr. Shelly's avatarSuccess Strategies

Actions are visible, motivesare secret. ~Samuel Johnson

Affluent, distinguished, go-getter one day she suffered a stroke. In an instant Alice’s life changed. Weekly physical therapy became routine to return to normal. Sadly, the job she previously had also left her.

Despondent she wanted to know what to do. She decided to search before the end came. Sad and down she called. We talked and talked for days, weeks and after several rounds of coaching she excitedly announced to her peers that she got another job….one directly related to her dreams. She felt alive again.

Sheryl, a journalist for well more than a decade was tired of her job. But each time we talked about her career change… it seems she got pregnant. Two children later she decided she had enough. It was time to take the leap. She acted. Today she’s excited about her new job and her career change.

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To Read Or To Listen? Booklovers 9 Reading Apps….

When the newest version of your book GreenLight shows up next to a celebrity’s, what do you do? You promote!
GreenLight audiobook is now available wherever you listen. On medium such as ListenUp, OverDrive, KOBO, Libro.fm, scribd, googleplay, and more.

Feeling down or discouraged? Listen in now. Or Gift it to someone who is sick, fearful or demotivated during this very long period of the Pandemic.

Booklovers Reading App

Naive to the fact there are many reading apps available? As a writer I guess it’s important to know the different media available as a resource. So too should booklovers. So I delved in and here I share 9.

  1. AMAZON KINDLE
  2. AUDIBLE
  3. BLINKIST
  4. GOODREADS
  5. LIBBY BY OVERDRIVE
  6. COMIXOLOGY
  7. EPIC!
  8. MARVIN 3
  9. SCRIBD

Hope this has enlightened you to review the lust and select one or two as your favorite. Oh and by the way, if your own medium is missing, do share. We would love to hear.

Cheers!

My Favorite Getaway Space…

The sun, sand and sea is my favorite place to be.

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!

Cheers!

The Biggest Challenge Writers Face….

Dr. Shelly's avatarSuccess Strategies

There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.

― Maya Angelou

A public writers forum asked the question “what is the single biggest challenge you as a writer face?” Here I share responses as writers chimed in:

  • Writing everyday
  • Marketing
  • Not enough erasers
  • Find an agent
  • A full-time job that isn’t
  • Learning all the required skills – writing, editing, cover art, publishing, marketing, salesmanship, accounting …
  • Identifying my audience
  • Details
  • Time
  • Reviews
  • Getting books sold
  • Selling myself
  • Lethargy
  • Butt in chair
  • Discipline
  • Marketing costs. Dispite what some may say, it is expensive to self-publish. Editor, copy editor, cover design, copyright, ISBN numbers, authors copies, advertising, website, domain name, contests, give-aways, and on and on it goes
  • Self-Doubt
  • Stay Motivated
  • Writers block

The list goes on. Are you a new or published author? Is anything missing? Do share. We would love to hear.

Need help? Let’s

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Writers 5-Star Books That Inspire…

Photo by Janko Ferlic on Pexels.com

In a social media forum Readers and writers responded to books they rated as 5-star. Here I share gleanings from their responses.

5-Star Books

  • The Help
  • Power of Habit
  • Wonder
  • Pride and Prejudice
  • The alchemist
  • Inferno
  • Man’s Search for Meaning
  • Outlander
  • The Goldfinch
  • GreenLight
  • Good To Great
  • All The Light We Cannot See
  • The Book Thief
  • The Fault in our Stars
  • Orphan Train
  • Gone Girl
  • Sycamore Row
  • To Kill a Mocking Bird

Others have shared. How about you? Any 5-star books missing from the listing that you can recommend? Do share. We would love to hear.

Cheers!

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