Yesterday was deemed the worst, most depressing day of the year. Evidently, it happens every year—this worst day. I’ve never noticed it before. Sure, I have bad days—we all do, but I didn’t know that there was one particular day set aside as the worst of the worst.
This is good news, don’t you think? This means that the worst is over. Today, tomorrow and the rest of the year will be better than yesterday for authors, freelance writers, independent publishers—all of us.
So why was yesterday so bad? For some, problems arose due to horrendous weather. I guess some of us are depressed because of the weather and we’re suffering buyer’s remorse after the holidays. Yeah it’s depressing to be broke, especially when the kids have already lost the item you stood in line for hours to purchase.
So the economy is bad and the weather is awful. Is there anything we can do to create a little cheer and maybe a little cash in our dismal lives? Sure there is.
If you’re a hopeful author and your book project is stalled:
• Write a book proposal. Not only will a book proposal help to jumpstart you into writing mode again, it will give your book a new life, a clear direction and a greater chance for success.
• Set firm goals. You don’t have time to write, you say? I know authors who are writing every day even though they’re holding down full-time jobs and have active lives. Yes, every single day.
I think you know my story of writing a complete book manuscript in 8 months while working full-time. I simply got up a couple of hours earlier every workday morning.
If you have a book to promote and you’ve run out of energy and ideas:
• Read The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book and Over 75 Good Ideas for Promoting Your Book. http://www.matilijapress.com/ Also look at Brian Jud’s Beyond the Bookstore and John Kremer’s 1001 Ways to Market Your Books. Read some of the articles on book promotion at my site: http://www.matilijapress.com/articles.htm
• Imagine your life a year from now. How do you want it to look like? If you see yourself a little richer and enjoying life more—maybe writing your next book—you’d better make a commitment that will facilitate that vision. Break through your fear of public speaking, for example, vow to try at least one new promotional activity per month and give it a really good go.
If you are a freelance writer who is in a temporary slump:
• Think outside the box. If you’ve been relying on Christian magazines to support your freelance writing business, try rewriting some of your articles and write new articles for publication in other types of magazines. Some freelancers limit themselves by finding a comfort zone and staying there. If you can write for the Christian market, you can write for other markets. Widen your horizons. Approach a new market each month. Your bank account will swell according to your level of effort. But you know that.
• Consider writing outside the magazine market. Some webmasters pay for copy. Companies need writers to revamp brochures and employee handbooks, write letters, ad copy or a monthly newsletter. Is a local company coming up on a significant anniversary? Contact them about writing their history.
There is a light at the end of the tunnel for authors and freelance writers, even when you’re looking through the tunnel on the most depressing day of the year. Use your imagination and the ideas above to jumpstart your book sales or your writing career.