Publishing is changing. Some for the good. Some for the worse. But all in all, I feel it’s a grand time for authors to make a way for themselves. I once called e-publishing the “revenge of the writer” because it opened doors previously closed to writers. It was a new chance to put their work in front of the buying public. As I watch the e-revolution, I’m encouraged but maintain a bit of caution. This revolution has just begun. The outcome is yet to be seen. E-author success up ‘til now is unique and constantly changing. But the e-reader phenomenon has created some great author success stories. Yet things are still shaping. Trends are shaking out, slowing down, finding a rhythm, and driving toward permanent change.As you pursue your own […]
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When Things Heat Up, Part 3: A Snowball’s Chance in a Really Hot Place!
I know. Sometimes you feel that’s about all the chance you have of living your dream. The cursor on the blank screen haunts you and your Aunt Gertrude tells you to give up those crazy pipe dreams of being an author. After all, working at the Piggly Wiggly’s good ‘nough for her, it should be for you, too. And the momentum you’ve gained from the snowball rolling downhill begins to melt as things heat up. Soon, you’re left in a puddle of disappointment and despair. It’s enough to make never want to climb the cold mountain again. But can I tell you something? The greatest achievements in the world have occurred just beyond where people wanted to give up. It’s true! And, the greatest failures have occurred when people stopped […]
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The 10,000 Hour Rule
In his book, Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell examines the why and how behind successful men, women, cultures, musicians and athletes. In many cases he attributes the “10,000-Hour Rule”, as the key to success in any field is because, to a large extent, it is a matter of practicing a specific task for a total of around 10,000 hours. As an author, I first thought, “Impossible!” I mean, 10,000 hours? Of writing? Before getting publishes? Most of people have day-jobs, you know? Gladwell uses Canadian hockey players as an example, describing a player’s rise from the junior leagues all the way to professional. He found that most, not all, NHL players were born in the first 3 months of a calendar year. Due to age cut offs to sign up for the […]
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When Things Heat Up, Part One: If You Can’t Take the Heat. . .
Most of the country completely skipped over spring and went right to scorching summer heat. Wow! For writers, June also means getting your manuscript ready to pitch at fall writer’s conferences. This month we’ll discuss the rigors and how to keep your cool when things heat up. I know you’ve heard, “if you can’t take the heat, get out of the kitchen.” Well that would be great advice, if you didn’t need to eat. Someone’s got to cook or you don’t eat, right? A better goal would be to learn to endure the heat. Let’s say your heat is not in the kitchen but at a writer’s conference, umm… gulp… in front of all those agents and editors. You can’t very well abandon the kitchen or you’ll never see your […]
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