Hello Michael Meanwell!
Disclaimer: (yes, the p.s. is in the beginning…lol)
p.s. Sorry so longwinded but I truly value your opinion. I don’t talk
this much in person. I would say that I am a good listener.
I am reading your book and have some chapters to go but I just had to
send you a note to let you know that you have done an AMAZING job in
the writing & putting together of this book! WOW. I have forwarded your
website links and recommended your book to everyone on my email
list----my only hope is that my 'starving writer' group will finally
let go of the guilt they all share about making an EARNING...a LIVING
from their incredible works of art.
Ok. Confession time: I am guilty
of feeling guilty too....ha!
What a wretched teaching...that writers ought to take pride in going
hungry. Yikk. I have read Peter Bowerman's book "The Well-Fed Writer"
as well. In less than 3 months I (commercial writing website &
business) should be up and running from what I have learned from both
you and P. Bowerman. I wrote to him and he responded and this made me
so happy. I decided to see if there is a live person behind your
website as well.
If I may ask your advice on something and believe me, I do respect your
time and how precious it is. That being said, I promise to NOT blast
you with annoying emails begging you to dish out solutions to my
problems.....scouts' honor. I was on your forum today and I read
something where you advised one of your readers named Sarah that in
order for her to become a writer (paraphrasing) she must decide to let
go of some passions in her life. I believe she mentioned her love of
horses and how she wishes to write about them in magazines. I am a bit
confused because---and perhaps I am wrong here--but I had the idea that
everything that she was doing was in preparation to BECOME (sorry, not
screaming) a writer. No? It made me develop some doubts about the path
I am taking to become a published author.
The long and short of my story: I just made a decision this year that I
would write "that" book.My books’ topic is: Women in relationships with
men that are bad for them. I do not hold a Ph.D and I have no desire to
write in that clinical way. I think there is a need for it and it has
its’ place in the book market. It is just not my style of
writing---mine is more a light, conversational, and humorous form which
comes naturally. I think I have a great title as I know this is super
important. I have spent the last few months studying the publishing
industry, reading books by my competition, coming up with powerful
names for a blog, newsletter, podcast show, figuring out a marketable
hook (still haven’t found one yet...yikes!), deciding how it is I am going to build my platform, etc…
I have always been an avid reader so I believe this has shortened my
learning curve. I do not work a regular office job, however, I am
getting my masters degree in....you guessed it...women’s studies on a
full-time basis. I have a real interest in this area and the books that
I have in my mind to write (at least one per year) have the same theme:
women’s issues. I wanted to keep things pretty much consistent as I am
working on branding myself as I have learned that this is of the utmost
importance to do well in the business.
To build my platform and profit from my writing I decided to not only
go into commercial writing--as I already know I want to self-publish
(yes, I have in mind the name of my publishing company—nice ring to
it!) to have total control of my monies and the entire process—however,
this can be very expensive. Which is why I need to make a good living
as a commercial writer and I know it will/may take some months to build
a clientele list but I do have a good nest egg to keep me comfortable
financially---for now. Geez, I am trying to get to my point. Forgive me
for taking so long.
Ok…how does one “cut out” things when it takes so much doing to build a
platform as an author these days? I feel that everything I am doing to
build my platform is absolutely necessary to ensure my success for
tomorrow and I don’t know what to “cut out” as you suggested to Sarah
last October 2005 forum entry.
-I listen to free teleseminars on publishing, media training, author
interviews.
-I have joined a writers critique group to help with my writing and
manuscript.
-I subscribed to free newsletters and writers magazines & have decided
to attend at least one writer’s seminar next year.
-I practice giving mock speeches at home as well as reading books on
giving great speeches. I loved your chapter 17 on how to give great
presentations. Wow.
-I have attended continuing education courses to help me with
communicating more effectively, selling, websites that work and why,
creating information products, self-publishing, book marketing,
copyrights, author contracts, working a room, etc..
-I am learning to be a commercial writer so that I can earn a living
doing what I love that will provide me the money to self-publish.
-I mentor young girls as a volunteer worker a few hours per
month because I am one to practice what I preach, I truly love people
and have a passion for elevating women and it’s a great way to meet
wonderful kids and their hardworking parents---I have a ton of new pals
from this work alone.
-I am learning about e-books, special reports, ezines, and
info-products so that I can create multiple streams of income.
-I took an online course on the craft of magazine writing so that I can
get into print—this way it helps build my credibility to readers.
-I attend free events on the very topic I am writing about
and the craft of writing as well to meet authors, pick brains, share
information, make friends in the business and to learn, learn, learn.
-I volunteer to be a moderator for women’s events at my university to
get over my fear of being in front of a large crowd, to get my name out
there, socialize with the great women in my field of interest in hopes
of gaining new insights, making new friends, and finding as many
mentors as possible that will lead me to producing the best book and
products for my readers.
-I read about how to create a blog, my own newsletter, pod-casting to
prepare myself for success.
-I joined Toastmasters so that I can learn how to speak in public for
when I give workshops/small seminars and sell my books & info-products
in the back of the room.
-I read everything on my topic to keep updated and learn all the buzz words
(yes, I am speed reader as I took a class for the purposes of being very
productive as an author/entrepreneur since I knew I would need to read
tons of materials to catch up with the big guns).
-I cut out hanging out with friends and a lot of tv ( I don’t have kids
but I do have a wonderful puppy) so that I can have time to research.
By the way, I do not attend every single thing on this list on a daily
basis. I do try to pace myself and since they are mainly “by choice”
events I do not have an obligation to attend unless I agree to moderate
the Q & A at my university or have a scheduled appointment with my
mentees at the agency I volunteer with.
Please tell me what I am doing that is working against me? Would you
say that I am on the right track? Doing way more than necessary? Btw,
how do you like my email name? I immediately connected with commercial
writing/ad/sales copy writing because everyone around me tells me that
I have a way with words. They'd better not be lying!
Sincerely,
M.Alice Smith