- Go to all the conditioning and practices, even the optional ones
- Do the volunteer activities
- Stay close to the coach - so you're the one he puts in next
- Go beyond what's expected, surprise them
- Get noticed, be visible
I think this applies to any aspect of life, including writing. Though luck plays a big role for getting "discovered," hard work pays off as well. That's why doing all of the above is necessary for today's writers. There are so many of us trying to get noticed and get in the game, i.e. be put on the shelves, which are dwindling themselves. So this is my IWSG worry this month. Am I doing enough?Many of you may think I do plenty, but my conscious tells me I need to do more. I worry if I don't get a new book out each year, people will forget about me. And if I'm only selling to my friends, they will surely lose interest... I try not to dwell on things, but sometimes a piece of negative news arrives bringing doubt and invading progress.
But I guess it gives me something to commiserate with you all about! So here's to us! We can overcome our doubt together, right?
And here's another plug for the IWSG short story anthology contest. I submitted mine! Check it out and go for it!
PS - I know IWSG is on Wednesday, but I only have time to post once a week and Monday is my day with my tour - forgive me! In November I will post on the 4th =)
Week 4!
I had a lovely release party on Thursday. Many of my local friends and neighbors came out to support me, even one of my students made it out on a school night! The only drawback was I bought too much food - no one ate anything! At my first party everyone ate like crazy, but it was at a restaurant. Maybe since this one was at a coffee/wine bar they ate before not expecting a spread - I will use that to my advantage next time (and spend less!) Always learning!
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| one of my raffle winners =) (more pics on FACEBOOK) |
Here's where I'll be This Week, Oct 5 - 9:
- MJ Fifield - (10/7) a Lazy Housewife post on not-so-extreme makeovers
- Patricia Lynne - guest post (10/9) - Setting and keeping up with writing goals
And don't forget the Rafflecopter!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
And I almost forgot - time for my Quarterly Newsletter Update!
I really appreciate all the support! And now that things have slowed down somewhat, I'll be able to visit around - it's been so crazy!!
Keep writing and doing your best - that's all anyone can ask!
I really appreciate all the support! And now that things have slowed down somewhat, I'll be able to visit around - it's been so crazy!!
Keep writing and doing your best - that's all anyone can ask!
17 comments:
Three thousand students? Whoa! Your town needs another high school.
Glad the release party went well.
Thanks for mentioning the IWSG Anthology Contest - and good luck!
"Always learning" - that's how we grow and improve in writing and in life. :) Glad the release party was a success!
Good advice to your children. Our school is only a third that size and it's still tough to make the teams.
Hi Tara - your hubby is a wise coach ... that Anthology contest - good luck to everyone who enters ... and enjoy the Release. The party sounds as though it was fun - well done for putting it on .. cheers Hilary
I worry about the same things when it comes to my writing. What can I be doing more? I need to get that next book out. Usually, I fail a bit, but I keep trying. That's what counts, right?
Congrats on the submission. I'm still working on mine.
Publishing early for IWSG, not a bid idea, you're keeping to a very busy schedule.
Oh, and your Halloween post on the 19th, just a friendly reminder, still plenty of time, no rush.
Its hard to get noticed in any creative outlet now. Even constant media flooding isn't any different than any other author out there.
Its great that your release party went well. At least with the extra food you could keep it in the fridge and not have to cook for a night or two:) I find that writers are extra hard on themselves. You do a lot and you keep on publishing. I aspire to do as much as you. You're an inspiration;)
I worry about doing enough, and also if I am focusing on the right activities! So much to think about.
There are soooo many writers, new and established, that I feel like we can get lost in the shuffle.
Showing up and doing the practice is half the battle. Great advice. Congrats on entering the anthology contest. Fingers crossed for you. I'm on the sidelines this time. Time for a break and a change of pace.
The third rule is the best. I remember trying that back when I was in little league.
Those do apply to everything else! Great tips from the hubby.
Oh, that's such great advice. I can easily see how it'd apply to writing and other aspects of life. And I can relate to the feeling of needing to do more. Even though I always seem to push myself to the limit when it comes to my art, it still never feels like enough! Also, glad the release part went well, even if there was a tad too much food, LOL!
I feel your pain about not knowing if we are doing enough.
Just know that you do 10 times what I'm doing, so feel good about that.
I would have helped you with leftovers! I'm glad you had a good release party though!
Somewhere in all this...breathe!
Have a great weekend!
Heather
You do so much! And I think a lot of getting popular is luck. There's no magic formula that I know of. And if there is, I want to know what it is!
This article is very useful, and can add to our knowledge, thanks
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