You can’t expect to just write and have visitors come to you – that’s too passive.
Anita Campbell
Writing is a passion. Authors write because they love it. Many say that you will never get rich from writing. But as time has evolved into the 21st century authors yearn to earn profit from their quest. Here I share excerpts gleaned from a writers forum.
Write quality books
Audible is good especially with streaming services
Do interviews relevant to your book’s subject matter, share link and promo code
Share book reviews on social media
Build your email subscribers from before you launch your book.
Give updates about your upcoming book, or the ones you have written and publishing to your Email Subscribers
Make your Presentations educational and inspiring.
Book Club Readings
Virtual book signings
Speeches
Offer Promotional Book Swags
Videos Promos
Find businesses or local organizations such as Rotary that will benefit from your presence and host Author signings
Regular content creation
Pick a social media channel and stick with it
Engage with your readers. Nurture your super fans
Make products around your book
Get podcase interviews
Network with others to cross-pollinate
Interested in marketing your writing? These tips can help. Any missing that you can add? Do share, we would love to hear.
A Captivating Book About Life’s Tragedies, Disappointments And
Finding Strength During Difficult Times
A Captivating Book About Life’s Tragedies, Disappointments And Finding Strength During Difficult Times
Are you discouraged and feel like giving up? What is going on in your life that feels like a giant? Is it a career decision? A conflict on the job? Your health? A conflict at home? When you think about your future, does it look bleak? If so, be confident that it does not have to be.
In My Safe Place, Dr. Shelly Cameron talks about what to do when life’s tragedies hit, when you feel stuck, confused, and your life spirals out of control, where do you turn? How do you handle it? Where is your Refuge?
In this book you will find:
Inspirational Short Stories and Exhortations to Uplift you
Prayers and Encouragement for Difficult Journeys
Guidance to Identify God’s Purpose and Leading when you are Confused
Nowhere is this felt than at events such as the Olympics. Countries gasped in awe when athletes step out flags in hand to represent
A Flag is a piece of cloth or similar material, typically oblong or square, attachable by one edge to a pole or rope and used as the symbol or emblem of a country or institution or as a decoration during public festivities.
There is something special when you hear the national anthem being played with flags flying high. It speaks to unity, respect and achievement. Nowhere is this felt than at events such as the Olympics. Countries gasped in awe when athletes step out flags in hand to represent. I decided to share the original stories of those countries where I have lived. Learning more sparked my interest and I hope the direct extracts listed will cause you to reflect on your own homeland and countries where you too have lived, visited or your favorite writing place.
Canada
On February 15th, 1965, the modern Canadian flag, bearing its hallmark maple leaf, was raised for the first time on Parliament Hill. Today, the maple leaf is a recognized symbol of Canada; it has also come to symbolize unity, tolerance, and peace.
Jamaica
The legislative committee responsible agreed that the flag should have the colours black, yellow, and green. … These stood for the difficulties faced by the nation (black), its natural wealth and the beauty of its sunlight (yellow), and agriculture and hope (green).
United States
The flag of the United States of America, often referred to as the American flag or the U.S. flag, is the national flag of the United States. It consists of thirteen equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternating with white, with a blue rectangle in the canton (referred to specifically as the “union”) bearing fifty small, white, five-pointed stars arranged in nine offset horizontal rows, where rows of six stars (top and bottom) alternate with rows of five stars. The 50 stars on the flag represent the 50 states of the United States of America, and the 13 stripes represent the thirteen British colonies that declared independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain, and became the first states in the U.S.[2] Nicknames for the flag include the Stars and Stripes,[3][4]Old Glory,[5] and the Star-Spangled Banner.
What’s your reason for doing what you do? Is it for pleasure, commitment, learning or other? Sadly Many don’t have a clue. one of the most common pertain to those who go to work daily and before they know it, years passed and they’re still doing the same thing.
Guilty as Charged
I too am guilty of going through the motions. For example, I started this blog many years ago. Took training courses to learn how best to manage it and have been doing it. My goal falls into 3 categories:
To motivate and inspire others to achieve personal growth success using my NSU research
To motivate and inspire those who are stuck or experiencing job stress to keep going
My own personal development as I capture writing tips and share for other bloggers and myself to grow
I have been doing this for over 12 years. Recently I realized that I needed to delve deeper to optimize my blog and be more purposeful in my share with my audience. Funny how time flies without you realizing it slipping away. Something to think about.
The Way Forward
Why not join me in taking a look around your daily activities. Is there something you need to change? Is there a relationship that you need to be more purposeful about? Spouse, children and extended family are great considerations. Could it be time for learning a new skill? A move to a new neighborhood? Yikes!
Change is Scary
Change can be scary but once you make that move, you will ask yourself “what was I so worried about”. So go ahead, do you and while you’re at it, watch for deep thoughts on this bloggers musings.
From Tanzania, Jamaica, and across the United States, 6 powerful women in reggae shared their thoughts on women singing, songwriting and the associated struggles of survival in a predominantly male role.
It was a such joy to cohost the event with artistes Marcia Griffiths, Carlene Davis, Jah9, Naomi Cowan, and Etana as we celebrated the occasion of VP Records Miss Pat’s new book. Thanks Dr. Claire Nelson, white-house champion of change and Founder of the Institute of CAribbean Studies, Washington DC
“Finish it, then take two Advil”. Words of encouragement from the point-marker.
At Five o’clock each morning, I’m up and running. Yep, that was me during my high school days. I was on the track team. Funny thing is I never did it as a requirement. Just thought I’d go with my dad (a professional boxing champ) and worked out while he worked out. 100-meter sprint, 400 or 800 meter distance running was nothing. The preparation worked. I captured many awards which I sadly I did not keep to show my kids. Why? Because the value was not in the awards received, but in the talent I used it to benefit my school’s track and field events. The value was in supporting my teams at school, business house athletic championships and in the community.
Week 1: Brisk walk for 5 minutes. Jog slowly for 1 minute, and then walk for 1 1/2 minutes.
Week 2: Brisk walk for 5 minutes. Jog slowly for 1 1/2 minutes, and then walk for 2 minutes.
Week 3: Brisk walk for 5 minutes.
Week 4: Brisk walk for 5 minutes.
In addition, Judith front-line head Nurse and 5K Expert shared her top 3 Points:
1. One thing that I tell people to do is download the App “Couch To 5K”. That App trains you to run. 2. Make sure you eat an excellent breakfast for energy (oatmeal with blueberries; a big bagel with some protein – peanut butter is great if you like it. You need the carbs for energy). 3. Hydrate well during training and also the day before the run (I alternate with water and Gatorade for the runs). Happy running!
How I Prepared
How did I prepare? Nothing. Nada. Actually, I decided I would go to support the worthy cause, take a picture and move on, back to the safety and warmth of my car, then return home. My mistake? I walked with the crowd of runners to the starting point. Then I decided to walk on just a little further…and a little further. As I progressed along the journey, the crowd seemed to have disappeared and my car was nowhere in sight. Father help! But then with no option to get back to my car on that very cold and windy morning, my high school coaching motivation chipped in. I walked slower and hydrated. Though the journey seemed never-ending, I got to the finish line …police escort and all.
Walk. Pray. Strategize
Yep! That’s what I did. I walked. Prayed and Strategized my year’s goals. This feat reminded me of my resilience. It started with my desire to support a worthy cause and ended with my learning to always be prepared (my girl scout motto). Although the journey seemed never-ending, the cheers and smiles of point-markers made it so much easier.
That said, be encouraged. Find your own point-markers to achieve your life’s goals–be it work, education, family or other. Keep advancing to your own finish line. Success awaits.
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.
Reflection, Rest, Relaxation & Renewal
