Bring yourself to the page and write, write, write. Dig deeper than the neat and tidy draft. Disagree with feedback and then admit it’s right. ~Andrea Jarrell
Tag: blogging
The 5 Strategies of Successful Achievers…
They begin with the end in mind They set specific and challenging goals
A 2-week getaway to Singapore! For 2 years that’s what she planned. All with the bells and whistles of flight, hotels, cruise, and cultural site visits along the way. She did it with the spirit and taste of satisfying dreams.
But how many of us actually do that? Create our goals, plan it, save for it, and not deviate. Hers was a vacation to a far away land. Ours may be Entrepreneurship, a job, career, exercise, home ownership, writing, starting a family, and more. Often we start off with a bang! Then we stall. Procrastinate or give up.
Marcel Schwantes shared Article that Science Says Only 8 Percent of People Actually Achieve Their Goals. Here Are 7 Things They Do Differently. Of the 7, I like 5. Here I share my favs:
Things Done Differently
- They begin with the end in mind
- They build a support system around them
- They set specific and challenging goals
- They recognize when they are procrastinating
- They don’t multi-task
How about you? How do you stay on track to achieve your own goals? Do share. We’d love to hear.
Cheers!
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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!
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The Sun Will Come Out…
Writing …
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!
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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.
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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!
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The Rear View…
You do not move ahead by constantly looking in the rear view mirror. The past is a rudder to guide you, not an anchor to drag you. We must learn from the past, but not live in the past. ~Warren W. Wiersbe
Stop looking in the rear view mirror. That’s what the instructor would Insist when I was learning to drive many years ago. My goal was to look back to ensure I’m prepared for those crazies when they get too close to avoid being rear-ended. Good thinking? Hmm… not sure.
But now as I get older, I apply the same principle to life. If we constantly look back at the past getting angry at those who did us wrong, or constantly remembering past mistakes, we will never be able to focus.
I am a firm believer in looking back periodically whether its monthly, quarterly, or annually to assess changes for goals and to keep track of plans ahead. However, it’s important to Simplify and focus. Only with focus and direct steps will we be able to achieve our goals, dreams, and aspirations.
Today, take the time to reflect on your life’s goals. Whether you are an entrepreneur, writer, career enthusiast, or other, reflect on how you deviated in the past. Then learn from it. Put it aside and steer towards the finish line. Be a distance runner. Pace yourself then head towards the finish line. You will make it at the right time with steady speed, resilience, and concentration.
Cheers!
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3 Directions. Which One Are You?
Do What you Can with What you have, Where you are. ~Theodore Roosevelt
~Melanie is at a crossroads in life. She graduated college, got a job and has been working ‘just because‘.
~David has worked as a senior manager for over 10 years but over the past three years he has been dreaming of more. His sense of purpose has been lost. He feels he is drifting.
~It’s been 4 years since Carol lost her job due to restructuring. Since then she has worked odd jobs, has big dreams but through fear hesitates to take the step to Enroll to accomplish her goals.
~Mark dreamed of his passion. Took the steps to achieve and now enjoys the benefits of his entrepreneurial ventures. Still he seeks more ways to learn, develop his skills, and grow.
We have all been there. Life’s crossroads beckons times of reflection pushing us to search deep within our souls to find out if there’s more to life. We ponder about the next step. Where should we go? What should we do? How should we do it? or should we do it at all? John Maxwell speaks about the 3 kinds of people when it comes to Viable directions in life. These are:
3 Kinds of People in Pursuit of Goals
1.People Who Don’t Know what they would like to do.
These people are confused. They dabble, drift, with no sense of direction. If they grow, it is without focus.
2. People who Know what they would like to do but Don’t do it
These people are Profusely frustrated. They worry, they fear. They want to step out but are afraid they won’t be able to take care of their responsibilities. Sometimes they are not willing to pay the price to learn, grow, and move closer to their dream. Sadly, these people also miss out on reaching their potential.
3. People who know what they would like to do and do it.
These people are fulfilled. They possess a strong sense of passion, they achieve their purpose, they grow, they learn, they develop. As they strive for more we Chuckle thinking they are perfect but they know better as they seek continuous development.
You may also like What Does Success Mean to you?
This was previously shared but it’s now time for a revisit. Look back on the list, which type resonates with you? Consider. Reflect. Share. Puzzled and need help? Let’s connect.
Cheers!
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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 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!
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5 Things To Give Up For The Love Of Success…
Renowned author Arianna Huffington announced her top 13 Things To Give Up for success. From her list, I’ve selected my top 5. Here I share:
- Give up on playing it Small
- Give up on Excuses
- Give up on Perfectionism
- Give up on saying YES to things that don’t support your goals
- Give up on Toxic People
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.
Cheers!
