I’m off to speak to a group of writers this morning.
I love my work. I’ve discovered over the years that if you choose to exercise all of the possibilities within the writing/publishing realm, there’s such variety of things to enjoy. I’m sure this is true of many professions. You can choose to sort buttons in a warehouse all of your life or you can also learn how to select the buttons that will sell that season, find out where they are available, travel to exotic places to purchase them, explore different ways to display and promote buttons, establish a sales route and go in person to sell the buttons, give demonstrations for ways to use the buttons, learn to sew, design clothing and other items using buttons, teach sewing and crafts using buttons and/or come up with new markets for buttons—button art, for example. Pretty soon, you are designing buttons from your mansion and traveling worldwide with your wares.
Does this scenario resonate with you at all? Do you see how you can develop a more interesting, challenging life just by expanding on the topic of your book, for example? Maybe you wrote a young adult fantasy and paid to have it published. Don’t stop there. If you enjoy writing and you love the story you created and your characters, take your interest to other levels. How?
• Go on a book tour—arrange book parties at interesting bookstores and other venues where you can meet your readers. Have fun with these—hire magicians, involve the audience in acting out scenes from the book, etc.
• Write short stories for fantasy and young adult publications.
• Establish a national fantasy book club or organization.
• Teach fantasy writing workshops.
• Work with a group of homeschooled children on their own fantasy book.
• Write one or more sequels to your book.
• Create a brand and produce related items—games, toys, figures, etc.
• Run contests related to the theme of your book.
• Ask young people to help edit your next book—some of them have amazingly keen eyes for inconsistencies in a story.
• Launch a fantasy conference or festival where every booth represents some sort of young adult fantasy book or other item.
• Turn your book into a play and produce it locally.
Not only will you have fun pursuing some of these activities, these are all excellent ways to promote your book (or your series of books), as well.
So what will it be for you? Will you continue to sort buttons or will you break free of the mundane tasks and establish some sort of fascinating life around your love for those buttons?
In the meantime, let me help you through the writing, publishing and/or promotion processes of your book. Perhaps I can guide you toward your dream life. PLFry620@yahoo.com. Visit my website: http://www.matilijapress.com