writing – Page 28 – Success Strategies

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!

The Power of U-Turns…

Strive and Reach for what you can Achieve

My eyes caught the attention of an article titled “Giving up”. It quickly sparked my interest because I usually steer away from ever giving up. In my youth I did track, and for all those athletes out there, you know just how much effort it takes to get in shape. To stick to your goal. To become fit and ready for that race. As I advanced into maturity, the same held true for me. It became the very grain of my existence. During college, and career advancement, I never gave up. Now as a consultant and coach, I Mentor and encourage entrepreneurs, managers, and employees, to stick to their goals, dreams, and aspirations.

That article reminded me of another I had read about success and fear. Both fear and the desire to give up intertwine and cripple us, often fueling negative thoughts and actions. There are many individuals who throw away their lives becoming lethargic, stuck, wasted, straying away from their goals, get into trouble, end up self-imprisoned, or worse. Not to mention those dying at age 25, yet buried at 75.

I say burst that Bubble! It is delightful to strive and reach for what you can achieve!

The Power Of U-Turns

Enter the power of U-Turns. U-Turns remind us to get up, dust off, find a mentor or support system, and get back on track.

The writer in the first article “Giving up” concluded with a twist. He suggested being wise enough to know when to stop, refuel, and get back on track. So make that U-Turn today. Shake off that fear. Shake off the very thought of giving up…and as Mahatma Gandhi said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world”. Apply it to yourself. Be your change today.

Need help? Let’s connect.

Cheers!

It’s Time To Make That Move…

You can’t cross the sea merely by standing and staring at the water. ~Tagore

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.

The Grass Is Greener…

The Grass is Greener when you read

Rivulet

Raindrops And Reading…

Reading

Raindrops and Reading at any age.

Such Prolific bliss to Partake on a weekend getaway.

You’ve Got What It Takes…

Don’t allow anyone to tell you it’s not possible.~Howard Schultz

Parallel

The Meanderings of Success…

People waste years trying not to waste hours. ~Michael Lewis.

Is that for real? Is being lazy a good thing? That’s what Michael Lewis said in this INC article why being lazy makes you successful. He argued that being lazy is the key to Success. But is it for real? Lewis achieved much in life so I’d hardly say he was lazy.

However, what I’d say is that he focused on things that were in fact important, and did not spend time being busy… for busy sake.

Deplete. Admit it…many of us are like that… especially the type A’s. If ever we find ourselves not doing anything we feel as guilty as ever. I have a colleague who broke her leg during a vacation trip and she found it like hell to be sitting in recovery…not being able to do the things she wanted to do.

So I encourage you the next time you find yourself being busy, look around you and ask the question, “is this adding value to my life…to my long term goals and dreams?”

If not, let it go. Refocus.

Need help? Let’s Connect.

Cheers!

Excited! Yet Terrified!

Sometimes you will have to do it Afraid

Excited, yet terrified! But does it stop us? No! The excitement! The Adrenalin Rush pushes us forward in spite of our fears.

I did a sky dive (tandem jump) which was maybe one of the most terrifying thing in my life. But though I was scared that certain death faced me 14,000 ft. below if anything went wrong, I did it anyway. I jumped and was able to share with my 2 girls (as worried as they were) that they can do anything they put their minds to.

Jump in-spite of your Fear

Sometimes we gotta just jump in-spite of our fears! Those difficult goals, those Luminescent entrepreneurial feat that tend to freeze us as we face life’s challenges! Our fears heighten because of what we foresee in the future if things go awry…. But, don’t let them retard your progress. Move forward and in faith do what you must. You may even surprise yourself in the relish of the amazing things you can accomplish once you step outside your comfort zone.

So go ahead, do it even when you’re afraid.

Need help? Lets connect.

Cheers!

Drink Deeply…

Water…a necessity for life. For living. We can’t do without it.
I love the different forms water comes in. It may be the river, the sea, the tap, waterfall, canal, stream; it may even appear through bursts of lightening and thunder!

Water though essential to living can also be extremely dangerous. It gives life and it can take it. Should we be afraid? No, not at all. As with many things in life, it’s our approach that counts. Either we care for it, plan for it, or neglect it as in hurricane Warnings and suffer the consequences.

Today, may we bask in the comfort and delights of magical streams. Let’s dream. Let’s reflect and achieve.

Drink deeply.

Cheers!

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!