I drove for an hour to attend a networking meeting of women artists and writers yesterday as a spur of the moment decision. A former client was going to be talking about her book and I wanted to support her. She was thrilled to have her editor and publishing consultant (me), photographer/illustrator and beau there on her behalf. Sondra Briggs has produced a lovely little book of awarenesses and meditations resulting from her beach walks. It’s poetic, insightful and lovely. It’s called, “Port Hueneme Beach Walks, My Pathway to Peace.” http://www.neshamapress.com
Port Hueneme is the small town in California that witnessed the deadly airline crash. Flight 261 went down off the coast of this community. Sondra reflects on this disaster in her book, as well.
Sondra publicly thanked me and her photographer and we were both asked to speak about Sondra’s book and about our professions. What a great opportunity! There were women there who are on the brink of publishing and who were hungry for information. So I was able to respond to their questions. Some even bought copies of my book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. Of course, I handed out promotional brochures and business cards. It’s a good idea to be prepared with such things any and every time you leave your house.
One thing I do when I’m out and about is to listen. I listen for ideas that I can use in my work. It may be an off-handed remark offering a smidgeon of truth that would help fellow authors. It might be an attitude that gives me perspective for an article I’m writing. It could be a fact, a movie title, an anecdote or a personal story that provides me with impetus for a book or a theme for a workshop, for example.
The moderator for the meeting yesterday, Rose Anne D. Savo (facilitator for several groups focusing on Exchanging Thoughts), gave me an idea for this blog. She took something that I said about how important it is that, if you want to enter into the world of publishing, you are informed and you are committed and she expanded upon it. In her wisdom, Rose Anne said, “You’ve all had successes in your lives. You know what it takes to succeed at something. If you want to succeed as a published author, just use the same strategy.” Contact Rose Anne through her website at: http://www.exchangingthoughts.org.
Rose Anne’s comment is good, isn’t it? Think about it: success is success. The steps to success are universal. What does it take?
First, you must know what you want.
Then you need to understand what it takes to achieve your goal. How do you gain that understanding? By educating yourself—through knowledge. You must know something about the field you are entering.
Once educated, you need to devise a plan that will lead to the success you desire. What steps are necessary?
The next step is based on your level of commitment to your goal and your ability and willingness to take the appropriate steps.
Tomorrow, I will offer two author stories to illustrate this point. You will recognize yourself in one of these scenarios—which one will it be?
In the meantime, if you hope to succeed and you need more information, resources and guidance, please order my book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book today.
http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html