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Have you ever said to yourself, “I should write a book,” when funny/hectic moments happen to you? Do ideas pop into your head out of nowhere, and the nagging won’t stop until you write them down? Does something happen in the world that prompts you to want your voice heard through the written word? Any or all of these instances might very well be signs that there’s a writer inside you, waiting to be explored. Could this be you?
Have you been procrastinating these messages? This week I will discuss answering the call of being a writer, my experiences being a published author and tips on how to see your assignments through.
Five years ago while at one of my previous jobs, an idea popped into my head. It wouldn’t go away. It was so prominent that I was compelled to write it down. Within minutes, I had drafted a fully outlined theme for a book I felt so strongly I should write. The title was also something that immediately presented itself to me: Messages From My Grandparents…In Heaven: How You Can Keep Contact With Yours. I intuitively felt that my grandparents wanted me to write this book. It was as if they bent over my desk and planted the pages on top of it! It was a feeling that came out of nowhere—nothing leading to it—it was just born into that moment and I couldn’t argue with answering the call to proceed. All of my grandparents have passed away, but I still feel their guidance daily.
I wanted to share with others my grandparents’ life stories, how we still connect, how others can find ways to connect with their grandparents and the healing process of losing someone. I wanted though to write this book in a way that could help those find closure with anyone who has passed away in their lives—not just their grandparents.
The results: My book published in February 2016 through Balboa Press, its available online at three locations, book signing at Barnes and Noble was in August 2016, and my book resides in a bookstore in Delaware. So how do thoughts, scribbled quickly on paper, become reality? It takes a combination of so many factors, but the most important things to remember is to stay positive, persistent and patient during the process...
How Do You Get Inspired To Write? Since high school and college, I loved to write short stories, poems, and research papers. However, after graduating college, my love for reading increased when I read books from Dan Brown and JK Rowling to name a few. And that’s sometimes the spark you need to write a book. Reading works from other authors helps you to see what truly interests you—topic, style, emotion, etc. I discovered through my research that when you immerse yourself in other works, you learn more about how you want to write. When you appreciate others work, you discover hidden stories within yourself. What story hasn’t been told yet? How will you present it? What books are similar and different than your idea? This is one of the ways you get the ball rolling. Once you decide on your book theme, get organized! Draft an outline, map out your chapters, create a title. Even if you don’t have an exact title instantly, list some choices that come to mind. A great tip I picked up from author Doreen Virtue to inspire you to write, is to display on board near your desk, the title of your book and your name. This acts as a reminder to write your book and to put the energy out there that this is your goal to accomplish. In doing this, I was able to have my book published.
What’s the best thing about being a writer? I love creating worlds, moods, atmosphere’s, characters, etc., that will spark a light in others. I love crafting words and seeing where the journey takes me and those who will read it. Writing can be very therapeutic as well as it releases tension and frees your mind. In order to get my book completed, I had to realize certain disciplines. To keep the love of writing alive, you have to devote increments of time to it. The book can’t write itself. Just simply having an idea, doesn’t get the book published. I learned that I had to make my own deadlines, such as Chapter Seven will be completed by such a date, or I want to start editing by this month, etc. When you do this, you’re ensuring that you will make time to write your book just like you make time to do other things in your day. I’ve also learned that even if it’s just one page a day, your that much closer to finishing it than you were the previous day. Even if you're just researching one day, and writing the next. Any bit of energy you put into the book breathes life into getting it done.
How do you deal with writer’s block? Oh, I’ve been here many times. There isn’t one writer who hasn’t become acquainted with this topic in one way or another. Writers experience it differently and have their own way of bouncing back from it. There are also several reasons why it happens. Perhaps you’re overwhelming yourself with too much info, maybe you didn’t create an organized outline, or you could be overlooking some simple key points. For me, If I see that certain chapters will take longer to write based on the details in it, I skip to other chapters to work on and return to the ones later I held off on. I’m actually doing this now with my latest book I’m working on. This has helped me immensely because I find I’m not wasting time being stuck on something when I can devote my efforts toward other areas in the book that are fluent. Sometimes, though you just need to step away from the book even if you have skipped some chapters. Take a walk in nature, listen to music, get a coffee break, paint, draw—find other creative outlets to enhance the ideas to flow for your book. Sometimes when you’re so close to your work, you don’t see the big picture. You might want to consider asking someone to review your work thus far to give you advice/different perspective. Take mini weekend trips, do yoga, meditate-- surround yourself with a different backdrop—when you’re in a more relaxed state—you’ll feel less overwhelmed.
Keynote, Key Words, Query Letters, Proposals, Manuscripts: After you have drafted your outline and you have started writing your book, there’s some other paperwork that needs to be done. You may want to think of how you can sum up what your book is about in as few words as possible. This is what’s known as a keynote. Also known as an elevator pitch, here you are writing in three sentences or less, a quick summary of your book. This personally keeps you on track with your book without straying off topic and it enables you to pitch your book to potential agents/publishers. For example, the keynote for my book was: “A non-fiction, coping and healing narrative on how to recognize and maintain a connection with departed grandparents. The author’s intuitive abilities reveal that a bond exists.” Your keynote should list if its non-fiction or fiction, the genre and what the journey of the book entails without giving the ending away. Keywords are also something to consider, which helps your online promotion of the book. For example, I chose the following for my book: Grandparents, Guardian Angels, Coping & Healing, Spiritual Connection, Intuitive Abilities, Comfort, Inspiration, Guidance, Self-Help, Afterlife, Grief, Death, Departed Loved-Ones. Keywords should literally list key aspects of your book that people can search for and be linked to
your book.
Query Letters are mini-proposals of your book if you want to pitch your book idea to an agent/publisher. It lists a short introduction to who you are, what the genre of your book is, what it’s about, and any quick marketing references for the book. Barnes and Noble has an excellent source of books from authors and literary agents on this topic to help you craft your letter. These books explain the do’s and don’ts and what agents and publishers are looking for in query letters.
A proposal is a more detailed submission of your book to an agent or publisher. Here you discuss the overview of your book, chapter descriptions, marketing plans, your bio, your target audience, comparisons, and differences of your book to others—among other elements to add. Barnes and Noble also has an array of books from authors and literary agents on this topic to help you organize your proposal. These books also explain the do’s and don’ts and what agents and publishers are looking for in a proposal.
The manuscript is the meat and potatoes of your book. From start to finish your whole product waiting to be read with acknowledgments pages, table of contents, chapters, resource pages, end-notes, about the author/artist pages and other additions. There are requirements to set up your manuscript, though. It’s important to research how it is done especially if certain agents and publishers request specific ways of receiving them. Check out Barnes and Noble for books on manuscripts as well.
Self-Publish or Not to Self-Publish: It’s important while you’re writing your book and also before starting, to decide if you want to self-publish or find an agent/publisher. There’s no right or wrong answer to this. It all depends on what approach you want to take, your book’s genre, or what works financially for you. I will say as someone who has self-published, a lot of money does go into every aspect of it---from book packages, design, editing, distribution, and marketing. However, if you connect with the right self-publishing company, it’s all worth it in the end. I chose to self-publish with Balboa Press because of its link to the direct publishing company, Hay House. Both center their publications on self-help and motivational books, and I felt my book fit perfectly with these companies.
If you want an agent or publisher, it’s important to research carefully and pick which agent/publisher is right for the theme of your book. There are two books that I recommend, Writers Market and Guide to Literary Agents which features all literary agents and publishing companies and what genre’s they are looking for. Not all agents and publishers accept the same genre submissions so read carefully their instructions on how to submit your work and what they are looking for at the moment.
Promoting Your Book: Writing and then publishing your book doesn’t end the process of being a published author. When you receive your first copy to approve, your then in charge of marketing your book. Even if you have a publisher to do it for you, you still have to stay on top of getting yourself out there and letting people know you and your book exist!
Here are some items to consider when trying to sell your book: Who is your audience? How do you target their interests? What is your platform? Is your book available in any or all formats? Paperback? Hardcover? E-book? Audio-book? Do you have social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, your own website to promote the book?
Do you have any business materials to help promote the book as well such as flyers, postcards, and business cards? All of these factors should also be discussed with your self-publishing company, agent/publisher.
Another great way to get your book noticed is to research sites that will help promote your book. Some sites can be pricey, but there are others that set up package deals that work at your pace. I recently used Shout My Book and this site is really affordable in helping promote your book in addition to your own efforts. Try also visiting your local bookstores or Barnes and Noble to see if you’re eligible to have your very own book signing and discussion. I was able to do so at the Barnes and Noble where I live. It may take time contacting the event coordinator but stick to it (without being too nagging). Try emailing, and calling within reason—never give up on getting that chance!
My final bits of advice for all authors out there is to be patient with yourself. Not everything happens overnight and that includes writing the book and promoting it. You’ll find some aspects easier than others at times. Don’t procrastinate and let your dream collect dust. Breathe life into it each day, no matter what way you choose, as long as you can at least devote five minutes toward it daily--it’s better than nothing.
Don’t rush writing your book because you think someone else will already write your story.
Only you know your story! It’s your words—your experiences. If someone else has the same genre topic as you—you can still make it different by adding your own perspective to it. Remember to have fun with writing your book! Don’t stress yourself out. If you need time away from your project—allow yourself that space.
If so many agents reject your query letter, there will be someone who will want your book.
Perfect example JK Rowling—need I say more?! Even if sales don’t pick up right away—give it time. Sometimes word of mouth speaks volumes—more than you think! Get involved with author chat rooms or sites such as Good Reads.
Most of all, always are grateful for those who have helped you along your way and remember where you came from. A writer’s life may seem frustrating at times: to write so much and wait to connect with people to read your work. To be a writer though is such a beautiful gift and it should be treasured as such. You could be the voice of so many and give relief to those who long for peace, laughter, joy, and love through your creative mind—your enchanting words. DON’T GIVE UP YOUR DREAM!!!
Photo Credit: Bunnie & Clyde Productions & Photography by Colleen
Happy Writing Everyone!