As a writer what books would I find in your home? Do you read the books that are in your genre, do you do a multiple of authors, select few or barely read? For me you will see a multiple of genres and authors. Though my favorites are Stephen King of which I am his number one fan, Agatha Christie, Bentley Little which was a recommendation by Stephen King and well-earned and James Patterson are the big wigs on my shelves. These I read for pure enjoyment. I do have books that are on writing for being a writer is an ongoing process of learning to improve one’s craft. When I head into a bookstore I don’t always head toward the big name authors. And if I find myself in a used bookstore the sky is the limits on the different people I will bring home
We can learn from books in so many ways. One is pure enjoyment as we let the words take us away from our present lives and takes us on adventures. Another is educational whether that be a non fiction, learning about history, or learning about writing. Others can be helpful to us with the endless amount of self-help books that line shelves of stores.
The great thing about a book is how you feel when you are done. You should feel something different or just feel period. When I don’t feel anything positive or negative it’s a let down for my expectations of books are high and as an avid reader I want something out of it. That is probably why I spend, like authors out there, endless hours trying to get it just right. We want our readers to feel and to not to get to the last page and feel meh.
Do you have a business card? If not, why? After all if you are a writer that is a business When you start making connections and going to conferences it is a heck of a lot easier to whip out a card then to place your contact information on a scrap of paper to give to someone. Not to mention it is more professional.
There are many places one can get a card whether that is locally or online. My place is Vistaprint since they are forever running sales on their products. When I received my fist box it felt like a confirmation in what I did. Over the years I have added additional designs to my business cards collection, each one changing as I have grown.
But that is all well and good but what do you place on a card? What do you have that others might want or need? I would start with what can you do, offer or basically what do you bring to the table? Even if you are still new you have a lot to offer. You are a writer and if you are part of a writer’s group you can be a critquer or do book reviews. Anything that can help you brand yourself is a good place to start.
The next time someone asks for you card you will be ready instead of searching for a scrap of paper or pen to write your contact information down which has a good chance of being tossed out by accident.
How do you stay motivated to write? There are so many distractions especially if we stay home. You have the fridge, the TV and of course the couch and bed. From the people I know around me they tend to go to a coffee shop or a library where their access to comfort is not within reach. But then we have the lovely smart phone. We convince ourselves we will be on just one minute, I will just check one post or make one comment and before you know it an hour if not more has gone by.
So how do you stay focus to write or do any of the hundreds of things that is involved when you are a writer? I have had two people tell me this year already that I am their inspiration and motivation. To be blunt I keep writing or stick to it in comparison to them Their words.Frankly I was surprised when I heard them tell me this.
How do I do it? I normally write my stories by hand the old fashion way with a notebook and smart pen. But still if I do it in front of the TV that can take my mind off it. I know one thing that helps is the WIPs I have. I love and am excited to see how it unfolds. Perhaps your story has stalled. Perhaps writer’s block has reared its ugly head.
What do you want out of your writing? What do you want to accomplish? Maybe write down your goals and hopes for your story and list what you need to do to get to that point. I give myself deadlines that I do my best to stick to.
Finding motivation for anything is not always easy for life always finds ways to interrupt that. But aren’t your characters crying out to you? Mines do.
Sharon C. Williams-Author 