Most writers just want to write. We don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t want to bother with mundane details. We especially avoid unwelcome information that threatens our comfort zone. <\/p>\n
Just this week, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve been challenged by the learning curve AGAIN. A client asked me to use a certain program to edit her manuscript\u00e2\u20ac\u201da program that I find rather limiting and cumbersome. One reason why I find it limiting and cumbersome is that I haven\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t been willing to take the time to fully learn it and to become accustomed to its idiosyncrasies. <\/p>\n
I thought about what I put some of my clients through and how I advise so many others who come to me with questions. I am constantly asking authors to change their perspectives, their way of doing something or their expectations. I ask them to do more research, write with more clarity, create a book proposal or establish a platform. And most of them do their best to comply.<\/p>\n
I also meet hopeful and struggling authors every week who won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t or can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t change something or try something that is apt to make the difference between failure and at least some measure of success. Some of them simply don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t want success badly enough. <\/p>\n
We\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re caught up in a strange moment in time. Everything and everyone is moving faster. We are trying to do and have it all, thus the quality of many of our activities and projects suffers. We don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t want to put in the time. We don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t want to back-track. We want to do our best with just a lick and a promise and then move on to another project.<\/p>\n
Folks, if you dream of becoming an author\u00e2\u20ac\u201dif you have something you really need to share or teach\u00e2\u20ac\u201dthen become bendy<\/em>. Step outside your comfort zone, be flexible and willing to learn and grow. Stand up to the rather intimidating learning curve. Meet inevitable challenges head on. Adopt realistic expectations. Listen to your heart and to your mentor. And you will achieve a greater level of success.<\/p>\n In order to learn and to grow as a published author, read my book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book<\/em> and use the accompanying Author\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Workbook<\/em>. Order this combo here: http:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/rightway.html<\/a> <\/p>\n News Flash: We’ve had two excellent reviews come in for the newly revised edition of The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. <\/em> Barbara Florio Graham’s review appears in the Ottowa Independent Writer’s Newsletter and at my website: And Dr. Tami Brady of TCM Reviews Newsletter<\/em>, posted her review here: And check out the resources section and the articles section at my website. Here are a few articles in particular that you might find useful<\/p>\n What Can a Good Editor Do For You?<\/em> Book Proposal Basics <\/em>(with an example of a successful book proposal)
\n http:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/reviews\/press_rightwayreview.htm<\/a> <\/p>\n
\n http:\/\/tcm-ca.com\/reviews\/2042.html<\/a> <\/p>\n
\n http:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/forwriters\/resources.html<\/a>
\n http:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/articles.htm<\/a> <\/p>\n
\n http:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/articles\/write_goodeditor.htm<\/a> <\/p>\n
\n http:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/articles\/write_bookproposal.htm<\/a> <\/p>\n