Tag Archive - success

Essential Strategic Planning for Writers—Looking Ahead to 2013

horse on road

Since 2012 is winding down and many of us start looking ahead to a new year with hope, anticipation, and uncertainty, I want to devote the last few posts of this year to something I feel is essential for all writers (and probably for just about everyone with any career goals whatsoever): strategic planning. Some of you are probably groaning, for planning sounds a lot like plotting or marketing or promoting—just another thing that times time, effort, and yes—thought! Strategic planning sounds “corporate” to me—all business and no fun. Certainly not as much fun as just winging it with my writing in a creative flair without caring what the future holds. But most of us have some goals for our writing life. Maybe they’re a bit vague, like we want to become best-selling authors, or we want a lot of fans. I’d like to propose that in order to really succeed in your writing career, though, you really need to get a little more specific. Continue Reading…

The Fine Art of Conquering Impatience

dog with biscuit on nose

 Today’s guest post is by blogger and writing instructor Angela Ackerman. I felt the topic of impatience would be appropriate now. Around this time of year we often look ahead to next year—and look back on the goals we’d hoped we would reach this year but failed to. Sometimes we enter a new year with a sense of frustration and impatience, wishing we could just get “there” already—reach those milestones we’d aimed for. Now’s the time to reevaluate and plan our strategic course as writers for the next year (all of December’s posts will be focusing on how to strategically plan your goals for next year). But it’s also a time to reflect on the many small successes we’ve had, and those who have been an encouragement in our journey.

Recently my blogging chum Shannon O’Donnell posted about how important certain virtues are for people on the writing path. We must have the courage to write and put ourselves out there, we must find the fortitude needed to persevere. The one virtue she mentioned struggling with is having enough patience to stave off discouragement, depression, frustration, and doubt. Continue Reading…

Sell Your Passion without Selling Your Soul

flowers and money

Today’s guest post is by Matthew Turner, marketing consultant and author, and he has some great insights to share about merging your passion for writing with the practical business side of marketing your book.

You’ve just written “The End.” Quite possibly it’s the most poetic part of your entire novel. You’ve written 80,000 words, drafted scenes, character profiles, and emptied your brain of every last drop of inspiration. You’re done–both in terms of your story and your sanity. Continue Reading…

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