Sometimes I catch an episode of one of those singing or talent shows and am amazed at the performances. As I sit on the couch like a blob, I wonder, what am I doing with my life?
Most of the contestants sacrificed so much for their dream. They gave all their time, energy, and resources to doing what they love. When they get on stage, they risk everything in front of countless people and perform as if it was their only chance on Earth.
It makes me think:
How much have I sacrificed for my dream of becoming an author?
Do I give all the time, energy, and resources I can?
When I write, am I risking all?
Nope.
Writing is something I do after everything else is done. I’ve been programmed to believe that until it generates income, it’s not a priority.
I spend more money on wining and dining every month than I do on writing classes.
I dedicate more time to distractions than I do to my fiction.
This is the reality. Maybe it’s because I’m protecting myself. If I don’t bet on my writing, I don’t have to worry about failing. I won’t lose anything.
Except my dream.
If you’re not where you want to be in your writing career, think about it. What are you letting stand in your way?
The most difficult part of selling books as a new writer is getting readers to take a chance on you. If you’re unknown, many buyers may pass your book up for a safer bet – like a bestselling author or one who’s got tons of rave reviews.
Name recognition is a term we don’t hear much, but this tried and true media principal is highly effective. If a reader sees your Amazon page and blurb, they might say, “hmm that looks interesting,” and keep browsing. But if they heard you talk on a podcast or read your interview in a blog or media site they trust, that gives you extra credibility.
Many writers probably wonder how successful authors make their name known. And what about newspaper, radio, or even TV?
Publicity for your book is not rocket science. It’s just plain hard work, but if you want to stand out from the crowd of other writers, you should implement old-fashioned PR into your digital marketing strategy.
My husband and I just spent a few days in the city for his birthday. There was food and drink and revelry. Unfortunately, I contracted some sort of bacteria that had me writhing on the floor in agony.
I’m facing several deadlines and rarely allow myself any fun lately because of them. Not only that, I’m working very hard to develop the Writers’ Mastermind Group and push the final month of our Short Story Contest.
I had planned to work on my drafts in the hotel and during the long car ride home, but all I could do was lie very still and hope nothing would erupt from my innards.
Sometimes we just can’t do it.
Then we feel guilty.
We think:
Maybe I can’t handle the pressure.
It might be better to just drop it all.
Oh, gods. Why have you forsaken me!*gnashes teeth*
In this case I tell myself:
Dear Writer,
Stop being such a drama queen. The world is not going to end if you take a few days off. You are not superhuman. This is your body telling you to take a rest.
Sit back, enjoy the scenery, and day dream. Your drafts will be waiting for you tomorrow, and you will be that much happier to see each other after a break.
Yes, we need to commit to our writing, but we also need to remember that not every day is going to be productive, and that’s okay.
We talked about bookmovies before, but before we develop our book for the screen, we need to accurately describe the mental movie in our heads.
This is so much harder than it sounds. How do we create the emotions we feel when we think about our story? How do we capture its atmosphere? How do we get readers invested in our story as much as we are?
Here are a few tips for describing the mental movie:
Be the director – It’s all up to you to communicate your vision to the reader. Think about scenes like a movie director. Which is the best angle? Who is the dominant character? Who is the submissive? Do their body positions reflect this? What symbolic colors, sounds, and objects can you incorporate in the scene to reiterate the theme?
Don’t rely on the plot – The stories that make the most impact are the ones where we witness the transformation of a character. What occurs in the plot doesn’t have any impact if we don’t care about the characters who are part of it. Focus on your characters’ inner struggle. What do they want? What do they fear? What’s keeping them from getting what they want?
Create a playlist – All the best movies have epic soundtracks that we remember all our lives. Whenever we hear the song, we’re reminded of the film and how it made us feel. Music is a powerful and quick way to immerse your brain into the mental movie of your story. Make your own soundtrack in your favorite music app and listen to it before you begin writing for the day. It will give continuity to the mood of you story.
