Why Bother?

No matter what kind of book you want to write or have written, at some point in the process you likely had the thought above-why bother? Whether you have a book about Cajun cooking, how to do well on tests, a mystery novel, or a picture book featuring cuddly critters there are hundreds, if not thousands already out there.

Why bother? The short answer is because you're you and nobody else, no one else's voice or story is exactly the same. Two quotes that exemplify this came from two different sources that I respect greatly over the last few days:

1. There are more people out there, waiting to hear from you, who can hear only from you, than you can ever get to in your lifetime- Jeff Herring (Article Marketing & Social Networking expert)

2. People online need and want what you do, the way you do it-Dawud Miracle (Website Consultant, Small Biz Marketing Expert)

So does this mean just because you write your unique whatever it is "they" will come & buy? No, it will still take a lot of hard work, especially on the marketing side because you still have to help your audience find your book/product.

What it does mean though is that your message is needed by someone. Maybe it's one, ten or a thousand people, but someone needs it. Your goal, go find them and tell them.


Good Writing & God Bless,
Cheryl Pickett

Sometimes It Only Takes One

I'm pretty sure that there isn't an author out there who can say they've never been discouraged. Maybe now more so than ever, it's tough to stay positive. Publishers are publishing less, publicity budgets are shrinking and audience/reader attention spans have reduced to that of a few minutes in many cases. More and more stuff tries to get our attention on a daily basis from the Internet, TV and even radio still fits into the mix. Sometimes it's easy to feel that our book will never be found, or if we're earlier in the game, that there isn't much point writing it because no one will get around to reading it anyway. If you've felt or feel that way, don't worry you aren't alone.

Also, don't get too worried overall, there's still good news too. There are still people who get excited about books and meeting authors. I met one via email today. She's a teacher at a local school and I emailed to ask if her school does meet the author kinds of events, if she could point me in the right direction for contacts etc.

Before she answered my questions, she let me know how great she thought it was that I'd written a book. When she did answer, her excitement jumped off the page. There aren't many times in email when you want to see all CAPS, but when someone is saying she really hopes you can visit her class, a sentence of all caps is most welcome.

It just took one email to make my day brighter and to remind me why I go through all the rest of the stuff in writing & publishing. Just one. It may be a while until I get another like that, or it could happen tomorrow but it's wonderful to know there are still people out there who want to write them.

How about you? Have you gotten an email or message like this? Have you sent that note that was "just one" for someone else? Could you?

Good Writing & God Bless,
Cheryl Pickett

Young at Heart Author Proves You're Never Too Old to Follow Your Dream

I came across this story via Twitter ( a happy little addiction I have at the moment, if you're in business and you're not there, you should be). I loved it because it encourages writers of every age, but more importantly, those who have been saying "someday I'll write..." or "it's too late now because...".

Who says 60 or even 70 is too old to try something new, to be creative, to stretch your brain? If you've ever thought that way or know someone who can't get past that road block, I encourage you to read about Bobby Hinman- the Fairy Story Lady. You may have to come up with a new excuse.

http://cyberhotflash.blogspot.com/2009/02/guest-blogger-bobby-hinman-you-are.html


Good Writing & God Bless,

Cheryl Pickett


P.S. If you like this story, you can read about another late in life author who wrote his first book at 70, in my book Publishing Possibilities. Find out more at www.publishinganswers.com

On Rejection

There's a quote in this video that says if you haven't failed you haven't lived. For those who want to have their work published, I'd change that quote just a little:
If you haven't been rejected, you haven't submitted.

Good Writing & God Bless,
Cheryl Pickett