Terrified of Failure--Terrified of Success

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond imagination. It is our light more than our darkness which scares us. We ask ourselves – who are we to be brilliant, beautiful, talented, and fabulous. But honestly, who are you to not be so?"



- Marianne Williamson

Confession time, gang.

I always thought this quote was bullshit until three days ago.  Why would anyone be afraid of success?  Now... I understand it for the first time in my life.

Well, what the heck happened three days ago, you ask?  Some weird new pattern started that is now scaring the hell out of me.

Last Friday I saw an uptick in my book sales. I'd been selling a modest 3-10 a day (which for me was a great improvement over the last couple of weeks of June), and was hoping above hope that maybe I could double my sales this month and hit somewhere in the 250-300 sales range total.  Well, Friday I sold 29 books.

"What the heck, Friday? Why are you being weird," I thought.  My Fairytale Assassin short stories No Rest for the Wicked had started selling for free over at Amazon the day before, and I was super excited to see if it drove my other sales higher.  My Alter Ego also had a story go free, so yay! Double interested to see what happened.

I woke up on Saturday morning and wandered over to the computer to compulsively check my sales, per usual, and cocked my head to one side at the oddly inflated numbers before me. This has to be some sort of mistake, or perhaps Amazon is playing a cruel joke on me, a-la the pigs blood dumped on Carrie.  This cannot possibly be the correct number.

I checked my stats, then I checked my rankings, then I checked my pulse because I felt like I was having a heartattack.  I sold 207 e-books on Saturday between my two names.  Earlier that week I'd been stoked because I'd broken 7.

My heart was hammering out of my chest all day, and I realized, much to my surprise and dismay, that I was terrified out of my skull. 

This shouldn't be happening, or at least not to me. It had to be a fluke, and everything would be normal again the next day. I would go back to slow-and-steady, dreaming of a successful future that was always just out of reach. All would be as it should be.

Yesterday, I sold 215 books, and today I'm already nearing 120 with my busiest time of day ahead of me.  I've now sold 620-something books this month, and if this continues, I'll have sold 4600 by month's end. 

I feel like I'm a hampster and an eagle just spotted me from above.

I'm sweaty, and I haven't been sleeping well.  I keep waking up in the middle of the night and feeling the anxiety coursing through me.

If sales keep doing this, I'll be able to quit my day job and start living my dream in 2-3 months.  Yet... I'm more scared about this journey than ever before.  Why?

Because, I'm not worthy.

Sure, I've worked hard, but it's too good, so it shouldn't be happening to me.

I feel guilty.  I don't deserve this.

Why do I get to live my dream?  Why do I get to be lucky?

Why am I being given this gift?  This opportunity?


I finally get the quote.

Yesterday I told my husband my fears that I don't deserve this.  He's a rational dude, so he pointed out that I've been struggling on the journey to become a full time writer for years now.  I've been writing my entire life, and working toward getting published since easily 2005 if not earlier.  I've studied, I've honed my craft.  I've written, and written, and written.  I've put in a shit ton of hours on this dream.

Why shouldn't I get a bit of luck?  Why am I so scared of achieving my goal?

The other half of that quote spoke to me today as I was looking it up for this post:

"You are a child of God, small games do not work in this world. For those around us to feel peace, it is not example to make ourselves small. We were born to express the glory of god that lives in us. It is not in some of us, it is in all of us. While we allow our light to shine, we unconsciously give permission for others to do the same. When we liberate ourselves from our own fears, simply our presence may liberate others."

How cool is that? :)

I felt peace reading that just now, because I want that.  I want to give others permission to dream upon seeing that I'm seeking mine out and achieving it.  I want to express God's glory in my life.

I want others to have the boldness to shine and to allow myself to do the same.

If this is my time to achieve my dream, then it will be an example to other folks out there ready to take that first step.  We CAN do this.  This is possible!

We can shine together.


... so why am I still a little freaked out? :P


What about you?  Do you fear success as much as failure?  Why or why not?

Guest Posting on Abby Annis' Blog: Staying Motivated Against All Odds

Fellow writer and fabulous blogger, Abby Annis was kind enough to let me guest post on her blog today.  

I'm discussing how I manage to stay motivated even when the odds seem impossible.  Come on over and say "hi!"  I'll be skulking around there all day, and don't want to be lonely, standing in the corner by myself... It would be like the junior high dance all over again!  

Also, we're having a fun giveaway :).  Yay!

My question for you:  What keeps you motivated when the odds are against you?

100 E-Books: Achievement Unlocked!

The day has come!

I'm breaking out the e-cake and e-champagne and inviting you all to party with me!  Today, I reached my first goal of 100 E-Books Sold!  Wooooo hooooo! Next goal:  500.

To celebrate, I'm giving a FREE copy of whichever one of my e-books strikes your fancy to five random commenters. 

I'll be e-partying all weekend, so you have until Monday to win!  Comment below, and you're in it to win it.

E-Books to choose from:

Death and Other Inconveniences, which is a short ghost story about a quirky writer in the days after her death.

No Rest for the Wicked, which contains two short stories about the exploits of Veronica Grim, Fairytale Assassin.

OR, of course

Legacy of the Empress, my epic fantasy novel.


So, put a lampshade on your head, and let's celebrate!

P.S. Is there anything you're celebrating this week?  I'd love to hear about it!

Goals, and the Art of Not Going Crazy

Well, I've been at this about 7-ish weeks, and I thought it was high time to share not only what short term goals I've set for myself, but about how this whole crazy "indie publishing" thing was really going.

I decided at the beginning, that the only way to not get overexcited or overly nervous was to set small, achievable goals for myself :).

My overall first goal was to sell 100 e-books.  I've heard several places that most people who self publish never make it to 100 sales and then quit in despair.  If I pass that 100 book mark, I'll know for sure I've beaten at least some of the odds and am doing something right.  However, if I can count all my sales on two hands, I've got problems.

My other goal after releasing Legacy of the Empress, was to sell 30 of those alone in the first month.

From haunting the Kindle Boards, I've learned that some folks only make 1 sale their first month, while others make 10-50.  I figured 30 was a good, challenging, but not overly ridiculous goal to set.  My stretch goal was 50.

So, how am I doing so far?

As of this afternoon, I've sold 90 e-books total, most of those sales coming in the past 2 weeks.  I've also sold 21 copies of Legacy in two weeks, so I'm on track to beat 30 sales.

So far I've made approximately $76.

I'll keep you updated as I go, because I want to be as transparent with this process as possible.

It was other authors sharing their numbers that led me on this path in the first place, and if I can help other writers out by sharing, then that's what I'm going to do :).

I hope this is helpful, and I can't wait to celebrate with you guys when I hit that 100 book mark!  After that, who knows?

What are your goals for your writing?  What keeps you going along the long and lonely road?

Patience is a Real Bitch

Everyone knows the motto of publishing is "Hurry Up and Weight," but I'm finding lately that patience is something I'm still struggling with.

I'm impatient about how long it takes me to finish a project.  I'm impatient about keeping my day job.  I'm impatient about waiting the 48 hours for my short story to show up on Amazon...  It's ridiculous the things I'm impatient about!

Hell, I'm even impatient about how long it takes me to blog sometimes.  I want everything yesterday, but I know that to achieve my dreams, or even order my coffee, I must get better at waiting.

Just as I was pondering how to settle down and work on my patience, I received an email in my inbox from Freedomtomarry.org.  As some of you know, I'm very passionate about equality for the LGBT community, and try to help out fighting for the right to marry. 

The email showed an elderly male couple, and said the following: 

Richard and John ... just celebrated 61 years together as a couple, and they desperately want to marry in New York. After 61 years, haven't they waited long enough?

So here I am bitching about how long it's taking to achieve my dreams, and here is a sweet old couple who have waited 61 years for the right to marry and are still waiting today. 

It sort of puts things in perspective, doesn't it?

Even while we struggle with patience, there are those whose lives are constantly about waiting for the world to change for the better.

It's people like Richard and John that humble me and teach me patience by example. 

Here's there video if anyone is interested in spreading the word about this couple:  http://freedomtomarry.org/JohnRichard


My question to YOU is  How do you stay patient when chasing your dreams?

Living a Satisfying Life

When is it enough?

Your achievements?

Your goals?

Your possessions?

Your pay raise?

When have you achieved enough to lean back and say "I'm in a good place"? When can you really feel satisfied with what your life is like?

I've been asking myself these questions lately, and have realized a few things:


1) I'm incredibly hard on myself

2) I'm not sure who I'm trying to impress

3) I have enough money

4) I have too much house and could probably downgrade

5) Even though I'm not a published author yet, my life is still complete :)

6) Everything else from now on is just for fun

7) I'm free to enjoy the journey and take as long as I want!


What does it take for you to be satisfied with where you currently are? Are you having fun on your current journey? If not, why not? Why are you doing what you're doing? Who are you trying to impress, if you're not doing it for yourself :)?

What do you guys think?

Have you ever thought about this, and realized you're fine right where you are, and the rest is just for fun?

Big Picture: Eyes on YOU!

Today I want to mention something that I've had to learn the hard way, in honor of Big Picture Week:

Keep your eyes on your own damn paper.

What I mean by this, is don't be tempted to look to the right or the left, comparing yourself to what someone else is doing.

During your journey as a writer, you will meet the following people:

• The person who can write 80,000 words in 3 weeks
• The person who only has a first, second, and third draft
• The person who found an agent in the check out line
• The person who found an editor through their church
• The person who works 40 hours a week, writes 12 hours a day, babysits orphans, makes gourmet 5-course meals for their five kids and spouse, and still manages to look fabulous. Oh, and blog ;).

Tell you what--you CANNOT compare your journey to the journeys of others.

Why not, you ask? Let me put it to you this way.

Are you the same as anyone else you know?

Have you lived the same life?

Dreamed exactly the same dreams?

Worked the same jobs?

Loved the same people?

Written the same words?

Your life is completely different than anyone else's on earth :). And that's exciting! You don't have to be anyone else, compare yourself to anyone else, or worry about anyone else's successes. Your dreams and goals are your own.

So, keep your eyes on your own paper, take your own journey, no matter how short or how long, and enjoy the heck out of it while you're at it. You'll be glad you did ;).

What do you guys think?

Have there been times when you've compared yourselves to others?

Big Picture Week: What's Your Goal?

I have a question for you all today, kicking off a little something different here on the blog: BIG PICTURE WEEK :).

What is your Big Goal in life?

We're all striving for something, but sometimes we can lose our focus. It's good to stop and reflect--what is our main goal?

What is it you really, truly want out of this life? Out of your writing? Your art?

Do you want:

• Money
• Fame
• Personal pride
• Security
• Love
• Something that's just "yours"?
• Something else entirely?

What do you want? Why do you do what you do?

I've been asking myself this question a lot lately, and figured out that for myself, I want to be able to do what I want and work for myself. I don't want to be rich, I don't want to be famous, I don't even need to see my name on a book spine (although that would be amazing!!). I just want to do my favorite things and make just enough money to eat and live in relative security. I want to be free to be an artist :).

I want to write, paint, create things, and I will do what it takes to do these things as much as possible.

What is it you really want? Why do you do what you do?

Kicking Ass Every Day

Even when you don't feel like it any more...

Today, the lovely Moonrat over at the Editorial Ass blog made some excellent points about perserverance and how you must never surrender, even when your creative efforts are weighing you down.

Please, go read it, because is it pure awesomesauce :). Moonrat--thank you for being eloquent and for encouraging us to keep kicking ass, even when it gets difficult. We love you!

Here's wishing everyone a great weekend--never give up! Never surrender!

We can do it if we constantly encourage one another and believe in ourselves :).

How Do You Know When You're Successful?

*Originally posted August 10, 2009.

The irony of this poster is that writers ONLY get paid when they believe in the power of their dreams. Heheheh.

I've been thinking today about goals.

Many writers (and normal people) find it difficult to be satisfied in life unless they know when they'll be able to say "I'm successful." Many of us also find it hard to get started if we don't have something to aim for, and become saddened if we're not sure if we've arrived.

We have to ask ourselves some questions to determine what we want, and how we'll know when we've got it. If we don't, we'll either be too overwhelmed to begin chasing our dreams, or too unrealistic about what will really make us happy. Unrealistic expectations, even ones you put on yourself, SUCK.

So, let me pose a few questions that every writer should probably ask themselves:

1) Why am I writing?

2) How long do I want to do this, even if I never get any credit or money from my work?

3) How much rejection can I take?

4) How much time do I want to spend on my goals, versus with my family, friends, and pillow?

5) What do I want to achieve Big Picture?

6) Will I be satisfied when I get there?

7) Am I satisfied if I never get there?

8) What steps do I have to take to achieve that Big Picture thing?

9) Which one needs to be achieved first?

10) What is my support system?

11) How will I feel if I never achieve this? Is it worth trying anyway?


Here are the answers I've given myself, and what keeps me going (in case it's helpful):


1) Why am I writing? It's my favorite thing to do, and I'm happy when I'm doing it. I'm unhappy when I stop.

2) How long do I want to do this, even if I never get any credit or money from my work? For as long as I possibly can.

3) How much rejection can I take? As much as I need to (be honest here, folks, or you're in for a world of hurt.)

4) How much time do I want to spend on my goals, versus with my family, friends, and pillow? I need to have a balance. I won't be happy meeting my writing goals at the expense of my husband, family, and sweet, sweet sleep. This means I have to make more realistic smaller goals to get to my big goals.

5) What do I want to achieve Big Picture? I want to make enough money to be able to write as a full time job and not starve. This means making about 20-30k. That will be great. Also, I want a Hugo Award.

6) Will I be satisfied when I get there? OH YAH. I don't want to be rich, I just want to have the freedom to write more. And have a rocket statue.

7) Am I satisfied if I never get there? Yes, because no matter what I'll achieve my goal of writing as long as possible. I just won't get to do as much of it per day. Also, maybe I'll get an award after I'm dead. Whatever works.

8) What steps do I have to take to achieve that Big Picture thing? I have to get an agent, have my manuscript sell, promote the crap out of my book, lather, rinse, repeat as many times as possible.

9) Which one needs to be achieved first? I need to find an agent.

10) What is my support system? The awesome people who read my blog (I heart you!), my crit buddies, and my wonderful husband.

11) How will I feel if I never achieve this? Is it worth trying anyway? It will be lame, but I'll still be okay. It is absolutely worth chasing for my entire life. I'll have a blast trying.

The key to getting started and keeping going without driving yourself nuts is creating reasonable goals, and then realizing you'll be satisfied if you meet them or not.

But you have to be willing to keep going as long as it takes. If you're not, then this isn't the business for you and you need to go do something sensible like run a petshop. If so, then chase it with all you've got, and above all enjoy the ride!

*My husband just said he wants me to win two Hugos so we can make bookends. Damn! The pressure! ;)

The Long Wait

I found this quote today while reading agent Rachelle Gardner's blog, and wanted to share it:





“This manuscript of yours that has just come back from another editor is a precious package. Don’t consider it rejected. Consider that you’ve addressed it ‘to the editor who can appreciate my work’ and it has simply come back stamped ‘Not at this address’. Just keep looking for the right address.” – Barbara Kingsolver



Easier said than done, Babs, but a good principle nonetheless.



It got me thinking about how we deal with the wait while we work to achieve our dreams?



Are we idiots for waiting? Why don[t we give up and do something smart like go to dental school?



I thought about the idea of being content with your life even if you aren't exactly where you want to be, and these Bible verses came to mind:



2Co 12:9 And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
2Co 12:10 Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.



That last line really grabs me, and I think it applies to all writers whether they're Christian or not--the principle is the same.



When we are tired of waiting, when we're weary of being rejected, when revisions are piling up and we don't think we can do it anymore... when we face these things that would overwhelm normal people and yet manage to keep the dream alive, aren't we strong?



I think we are :).



We have the power of our dreams behind us, and for me, I feel the power of having a purpose in my life pushing me forward, spurring me on. We know what we want, which is more than a lot of people can say! We know what we need to do to get it, and we know that it takes time. We are strong because we know we can never give up.



We're strong because we won't, not for any amount of money. How many people can say the same?



We're strong because we have each other. We all get it, and we know the journey is difficult, but oh, so worth it. We're strong because we support one another in communities like this!



So, I ask you: What makes you feel strong when you are weak?

Giving It Up*

*No, not that, you naughty readers, you!

I was thinking today, this first day of Lent, what if we were to give something up for 40 days that was truly holding us back? Not something silly like coffee or chocolate, but something truly harmful.

What if we gave up Self Doubt?

What could we accomplish?

Not being Catholic, I nonetheless thought it was an interesting question.

My question to you is, what is holding you back from achieving your dreams, or even trying?

What would you like to give up?

Check out this related post from agent Rachelle Gardener today, and tell me your thoughts!

GOOOOOOOOOOOAL!!

Remember that post I did at the beginning of January about my personal goals for 2010?



Well, it's February (so people tell me), and that means it's time to check in and see how we're all doing :).


Here's my progress so far:


1) Finish Legacy of the Empress final edits by 1/31/10!


I finished my edits on 2/1/2010, which isn't too shabby, if you ask me :)! I'm extremely proud of myself and have been strutting around looking smug since Monday. Hooray! Now, Legacy of the Empress is in the hands of my copy editor (a.k.a. My Poor Husband Who's Read This Book So Often He's Starting to Hate it), and when I get his edits back, I have a week to finish those. Right now, what am I doing? Why, polishing my query letter, of course!


If you are looking for some great forums to get feedback on your query letter, check out http://www.querytracker.net/, or jump into the forums over at agent Nathan Bransford's blog! There are some very helpful writers in both groups who are happy to shred your query! They've helped me immensely, and I'm eternally grateful.

2) Get to [redacted goal weight] and stay there!

So, I've done Jillian Michael's 30 Days of Evil (or whatever it's called) several times, and am starting to lose not only pounds, but inches! Inches, people :). It's exciting stuff. Maybe one day I'll be able to run in corduroy pants without them bursting into flames!


My other goals involve querying agents, and working on my 2nd novel, so I'm not there yet.


How are your goals going this year? What are your successes and struggles so far?

I Think I'm Sweating Actual Blood

I just finished my 2nd day of the "30 Day Shred" workout DVD and, well, it hurts to type.

And breathe air... I think it's working! :D

Seriously, my husband had to spot me both down and back up the stairs because my calves no longer work. Apparently one needs those for a variety of tasks, including, you know, walking.

All this brings me to ask, how are your goals going so far this year?

Which goals did you make, and how are you sticking with them?

My entire body hurt today, yet I still forced myself to do that damn workout again. Tomorrow? Yeah, going for a 3rd time. And I feel damn good about it.

All this means is that if my lazy self can do this, you can do ANYTHING you set your mind to.

So, how's it goin? :)

Blog Chain: Goals and other terrifying things!

It's that time again!

This go-round on the Blog Chain, B.J. started us off by asking:

What are your writing resolutions for 2010?

Please check out the fabulous Cole before me, and the awesome Amanda tomorrow!

Since I'm so awesome, I read this topic and went back in time to Monday where I blogged about it preemptively, just to prove I could.

But seriously--awesome topic for the New Year!

My goals all amount to one thing: I want to be able to fulfill my Deal With the Universe by getting a book deal and spending the day dressed up as a literary character for your viewing horror pleasure! (Please see above picture for an example of how terrifying awesome this will be.)

I want to do everything in my power, in an organized fashion, to see that day come. Mostly, I just want to keep writing, because I love it :), but dang if it wouldn't be awesome to be able to put "author" onto the ol' business cards.

So, what are your dreams and goals this year? :)

And more importantly,

What literary character would you like to see me dress up as for my Deal w/ the Universe?? You guys get to pick! Please leave responses until this Sunday evening, and I'll post your democratically elected character on Monday!

Can I Get a Light?

How do you keep your torch lit?

How do you keep the fire alive while you're striving to reach your goals? Eventually, everyone's fire starts to flicker, sputter, die.

How do you keep it burning throughout an entire year? Throughout a lifetime?

What keeps you going when the winds of rejection and self doubt are blowing?

Hear are a few things that can help :)

Spark #1: Purpose!

Many of us talk about being born a writer, or meant to do what we're doing. Regardless of whether you believe in a higher power, think about what you love, and what you are hard-wired to hope for. You have a purpose. So get crackin' fulfilling it, already! No one can stand in your way if you believe you can do it and work your butt off to make it happen.

Spark #2: We're ahead of the Game!

We know better than to do things that make agents crazy, so we're already a step ahead!

For instance, we know that if we use the phrase "fiction novel" in our query, it's akin to squirting a cat in the eye with a water pistol and then asking that cat to pretty please represent us. We also know that if we send loose tea bags in our query letters, agents will only think of our swine-flu covered hands groping said tea bags and those 500 prison inmate weirdos who sent them tea bags that week with sexual puns and photos included. We know that is not the first impression we want to make.

If you don't know what irritates or enrages agents, take a look at Janet Reid's blog, under the tag "Annoy Me" for a quick education. Trust me. You'll be glad you did :).

Knowing is half the battle!

Spark # 3: The Success of Those Who Came Before!

Tell me reading about folks like Jamie Ford, author of THE HOTEL ON THE CORNER OF BITTER AND SWEET, doesn't make your typing fingers itch with excitement? Reading debut authors' success stories is like stepping into an alternate universe where your secret Hopes and Dreams have become a reality, and you get to watch as they unfold. SQUEE!

Sure, it won't happen for you that way, but someday, it will happen. And you'll get to tell people your story! And hear them squee for you!

So, what keeps you guys going?

What lights a fire under you when things get dark?

Are you SMART? Setting New Years Goals!

HAPPY NEW YEAR, folks!

I hope you are all refreshed, recovered from any hangovers, and ready to start kicking some ass in 2010 :).

I've always been wary of New Year's resolutions. Whenever people talk about them, it's inevitably followed by an eye roll or a knowing wink.

Oh, sure. Yeah. Good luck with that. Har har. We'll see how that's going in two weeks.

However, this year is different. Instead of resolutions, I'm creating some S.M.A.R.T. goals for myself, including mini stepping stone goals. S.M.A.R.T. stands for specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-bound--all good things!

A lot of clever people on the internet have been talking about their goal setting techniques, and I've ripped a lot of them off to come up with something I think will work for me.

My goals so far:

1) Finish Legacy of the Empress final edits!

-- Edit at least 10 pages per weekday
-- Finish all edits by 1/30/09
-- Finish husband’s edits within a week of receiving them (he'll get them 1/31, and then I'll politely harass him until they are done. Bless him.)

2) Try my hardest to get an agent!

--After finishing husband's edits, prepare manuscript for submission within a week of the Final Once-Over
--Post query on Querytracker.net forum one last time
--Perfect query based on feedback
--Begin Query Storm 2010!
--Remember over all that if this book doesn't get me an agent, another will :).
--Keep writing!
--NEVER GIVE UP, NEVER SURRENDER!

3) Finish my second novel, Hollow Land!

--Develop a daily writing routine that works for me
--Allow myself the freedom to write weird crap the first time around.

As you can see, I'm trying to do my writing goals in stages, so I can focus on one thing at a time, cross it off the list, and see some early successes to keep me going. This sounds like a much better plan than setting a goal like "WRITE EVERY DAY," fail to do it for a couple of days... you know, ever... and then feel like a screw up. I think this may be the key to actually accomplishing one's goals :). Interesting, no? It's like, common sense or something.

This year, I'm also trying to get fit, but instead of writing "be healthier," I'm making a multi-tier goal sheet for that as well.

1) Get to [redacted goal weight] and stay there

--Phase 1 (2 weeks)
Limit calories 3 days a week
Get on the bike for 30 mins or more twice a week.
Do 5 pushups and 10 situps twice a week.

--Phase 2 (2 weeks)
Limit calories 5 days a week
Get on the bike for 30 mins or more 3-4 times a week.
Do 10 pushups and 20 situps twice a week.

--Phase 3 (Will assess when I get there)
Lose 1lb of fat per week.
Get on the bike for 30 mins or more 3-4 times a week.
Do 15 pushups and 30 situps three times a week.

2) Do an unassisted pull up!

Phase 1 (2 weeks)
Follow above plan until I'm able to do 50 sit ups/50 push ups.
Add 5 negative pull ups into routine 3-4 times a week.

Phase 2 (2-6 weeks)
Move up to 10-20 negative pull ups 3-4 times a week.
Attempt a pull up at least once a week
Don't give up!

Phase 3
Do a pull up in someone's face at the gym
Gloat, complete with fist pumps like Atreyu, in Neverending Story. WOOT!

I'm starting really small and slowly so I know I'll be able to develop the habit, encourage myself, and overall stick with it!

By being specific and breaking it up into smaller goals, I already feel encouraged by having a sensible lunch & breakfast today and doing some push ups at my desk :). Hooray!

What are your plans for this year? Do you have goals you're planning on achiving?

p.s.

I missed you guys! :D How was everyone's holiday?

Business Cards For Writers: Will Write 4 Food!

Yesterday, I read a post that got me thinking. Is it a good idea for a querying writer to have business cards?

Check out this post on writer business card "dos" and "don'ts by editor Maria Schneider. She says that when she's reading queries from authors she often keeps their business cards even if she rejects them.

Why, you ask? Because she likes to network :), and business cards make a professional statement. Also, they're incredibly handy to have if you're at a writer's conference, a local bookstore, or anywhere else where you'll be networking with individuals in the publishing industry.

What do you guys think? Have you made or considered making business cards for yourselves?

Any "Dos" or "Don'ts" that you've encountered?

*See business card made of chocolate above for a definite "Do" ;).

Online Plaforms: Why They Work!

Today, I'd like to share a real-life story of how an online presence/platform can lead to book sales!

On Friday, I wandered into Borders on my lunchbreak, not intending to buy anything, but just hanging out in the warmth with my husband, killing some time (we work together, which rocks.)

He stops at the bathroom, and Lo and Behold I'm near the Romance section. I have read the occasional Paranormal Romance, so I'm tooling around when I think "Wait a minute. Don't I know someone whose book came out recently? Lisa Dale? Doesn't she write romance?"

I scan the shelves and sure enough! There she is, sandwiched between Claudia Dain and Jacquie DAlassandro: IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT, by Lisa Dale.


I peer in closer and think "Hey, I think I saw the book trailer for this, and it looked pretty good." I pick it up and begin to thumb through it.

Phrases like "An author to keep an eye on" and "A haunting debut" pop out from her book blurbs. At this point, I'm totally excited. I feel like I know this person from my interactions with her online--I follow her blog and Twitter account, and am emotionally invested in her being successful.

She seems very cool, so I am overwhelmed with the sudden
need to pay it forward and support her. My credit card pops out of my wallet like a pop tart from a toaster!

My husband is back by my side rolling his eyes, because I swore I wasn't going to buy anything, and here I am clutching a book and grinning. Oh, well!

I sat in the tub that night, reading through a contemporary romance (something I never thought I'd buy), and LOVING IT. I'm not done yet, but so far the book is very emotionally real, the characters full of depth, and the tension is high. I've already put Lisa's first book, SIMPLE WISHES, on my Christmas list for Santa. It's made of awesome.

My point? I swear, there is one :)!

After finally putting the book down, I went to find out how I'd first heard of Lisa and why the heck I knew about this book in the first place. It turns out, she'd started following my Twitter account (@twoheadknight), and I'd followed her back (@LisaDaleBooks.) She send me a really nice message at first, we tweeted a tiny bit, and then I followed a link to her blog. Her blog is awesome, so I stuck around, saw the book trailer, and the rest is history!

Isn't it amazing how such a small thing like following someone on Twitter can lead to a book sale? And a book sale to someone who doesn't normally even read in her genre?

I can honestly say, too, that I felt emotionally invested when I saw her book there because she'd made such a cool impression online. I cheered when I saw the book and snapped some pictures, either to send to her as a "yay, I bought your book" or to post here. Hooray! It feels great to support authors, and even better to get a good read out of it.

So, brush off your blogs and your Twitter accounts, people!

It definitely pays off to put yourself out there :).

My question to you:

Have you bought a book based on something you've heard online or because of an author's blog/tweet?

Them's the Breaks!

So, in case you didn't know, there's a reason all of those great writers were alcoholics.

Check out this post over at author Nicola Morgan's blog. In the post (and later the comments) are real stories of authors out there sorely dissapointed after being published. It got me thinking.

We writers have big dreams, don't we? :) We have Never Say Die attitudes, enormous goals, and lofty expectations. Well, what happens if when we meet those goals, we're not met at Barnes N' Noble with fanfare and hugs?

What if no one cares at all?

Not even our moms... ? :(

Will we still consider ourselves successful? Will reaching our goal of *sparkle* PUBLICATION *sparkle* still be enough?

And if not enough, what the hell are we gonna do about it?

As Nathan Bransford pointed out today, writers are sensitive, emotional freakazoids. We know this about ourselves, and we embrace it :). However, this means we have to not only think about what we're going to do if our books tank, but cope with that idea before it happens. Expect the worst, but hope for the best!

After all, what is the fun of inflating your expectations so much that you're disappointed after you've achieved your dream? THAT'S depressing, people: not the other way around! If someone expected Disneyland to be full of real giant mice dancing about in human clothing, they'd be disappointed, too. And it's freaking DISNEYLAND.

We have to make sure we are prepared emotionally, ready to deal with whatever comes our way.

What are you going to do if you face disappointment?

A) Give up and go get your real estate license?

B) Whine about it on your blog?

C) Get hugs from friends/family and then get back to Kicking Ass? :)

I'm on board for Option C.

Writing is not only a dream for me, it's my favorite passtime. I'm proud to do it, kudos or not! I fully expect the road to be difficult, but I remember one thing: God does not play dice with the universe (I <3 you, Einstein). If it's going to happen, it will happen. I just have to be ready for it when the time comes.

What about you?