Way back when I submitted my first novel for publication, I was certain getting published would happen quickly–a year, tops. I believed talent would take me places.
Confidence is a good thing. It pushed me through a lot of hard times.
But reality came knocking quickly, and with it came humility.
When I realized getting published might take longer–much longer–than I thought, I questioned if I had any talent at all. Had I been lying to myself?
You’re crushing your goals, on track to meeting your deadline when disaster strikes. A week later all you can think is well, that didn’t go as planned.
I lived this last week. On Sunday, I woke up with a killer migraine, and I didn’t feel better until Friday. A five-day migraine might be a record for me (and not one I particularly wanted!). Anyway, I had to throw my goals for the week out the window. I do not like missing my goals. I really don’t like missing them AND being sick.
It wasn’t catastrophic for me. I try very hard to work ahead, and I always build a cushion into my deadlines. Migraines can hit me out of the blue so, in order to meet my deadlines, I have to be smart. I cannot wait to the last minute to finish a book, especially since that last minute might be spent on the couch with a cold cloth over my eyes.
Meeting deadlines is easier if we plan for the unexpected.
Promotion and marketing are ongoing tasks for writers. What’s the difference between them? I’m not a marketing major, but I’ve been doing my own marketing and promotion for years. I have my own way of defining them.
For me, marketing is the overall strategy of building my platform. Promotion, on the other hand, is the overall strategy of selling a particular book.
There isn’t anything technically accurate about this definition. It’s just the way I separate the two in my mind.
The goal of these tasks is to provide content to my platform on a regular basis as well as attract new readers to find and follow me. Then, when I’m promoting a new book, the additional book-centric content is a natural continuation of what I’m already doing.
My writer productivity skyrockets when I set monthly goals. At the beginning of each week I break them down into daily tasks that will work within my current schedule. Do you know how great it is to finish projects? Of course you do! For me, setting monthly goals makes it all possible.
Every month I share how I did the previous month as well as my new goals. Let’s get to it!
It’s no secret I like to get things done. If I have a to-do list (and I do!), I’m continuously working to check things off of it. I work hard to manage my time well Monday through Friday–and I love the loose unstructured feeling of the weekend.
On Monday morning more snow arrived and with it a winter storm warning of 10-16 more inches in the next twenty-four hours. Great. More snow. Here in NW Ohio, snow storms happen. No big deal.
I try to be a once-a-week grocery shopper, and I needed to stock up so I headed to the grocery store. Most of the store was well-stocked, but I noticed the entire cooler of eggs was nearly empty. In the produce section, a long shelf sat bare except for six lone bananas. The bins underneath, usually full, had nothing in them. There wasn’t a carton of strawberries (on sale this week) to be found.
I’ve put together a fun book giveaway to celebrate my upcoming release, HERS FOR THE SUMMER! The prizes include an autographed copy of HERS FOR THE SUMMER, all three of the other books in the Wyoming Sweethearts series, adorable spring kitchen towels, hand lotion, a spring-themed notebook and yummy pretzel treats! Whee!
The book will be in stores on February 23, 2021, and the book giveaway runs from February 01, 2021 (6am EST) through February 21, 2021 (9pm EST).
Last year I started a list of children’s (and young adult) books I kept seeing around the internet. I hadn’t read children’s books in years, and I got nostalgic about the ones I loved growing up. I figured it couldn’t hurt to try something different or to reread old favorites.
Every year between Christmas and the new year, I take an hour or two to review the year. I jot down what I accomplished professionally and if I met my goals or missed them. I also review my personal goals and think about any milestones that happened.
I’m assuming 2020 was a weird year for everyone on the planet. I know it was for me! But I was blessed in many ways, too. Life is like that.
I hope 2021 feels more normal. I miss the routine things that have been put on hold due to the pandemic.
I’m big on setting monthly goals. By listing them and breaking them down into manageable chunks, I accomplish more than I think possible. My process is to set monthly goals, then at the beginning of each week, I create daily goals that will work within my current schedule.
Each month I share how I did the previous month as well as my new goals. Let’s get to it!
I’m so excited to be taking part in the birthday celebrations for Alexis A. Goring’s God is Love Blog! Ten years–woohoo!!
Alexis A. Goring, MFA, is the founder of “God is Love” blog (http://capturingtheidea.blogspot.com/). She invites you to celebrate her blog’s 10th birthday this August 2020! Every day in August, author friends who have been featured on her blog over the past 10 years will give away one or more copies of their books. These may include signed paperback copies or e-books for your Kindle! Visit “God is Love” blog on August 1 through August 31 to join in on the fun.
Giveaway contests will end on Sept. 2, 2020 and winners will be notified via email.
Click HERE to head over for a chance to win a copy of my book, THE COWBOY’S SECRET!