Carma Spence's Blog, page 93
March 17, 2022
Common Author Fears
I don’t know who needs to hear this today, but you are not alone if your desire to write a book fills you with a sense of dread. If that project fills you with feelings of shame or the fear of failure. If, when you sit down to work on your book and hit a snag, you find yourself asking, “Who am I kidding? I can’t write a book!”
Many – if not all – authors feel or have felt those emotions at some point in their careers. Some more than once. Why else would Hemingway have said, “There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.”
But know this: Those feelings are, essentially, a lie trying to keep you safe. Your brain is trying to keep you in the safe, comfortable place it’s always been. You need not pay attention to those fears. Just say thank you and keep writing. And, if the fears get too hard for you to push through, get help.
Many – if not all – authors feel or have felt those emotions at some point in their careers. Some more than once. Why else would Hemingway have said, “There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.”
But know this: Those feelings are, essentially, a lie trying to keep you safe. Your brain is trying to keep you in the safe, comfortable place it’s always been. You need not pay attention to those fears. Just say thank you and keep writing. And, if the fears get too hard for you to push through, get help.
March 16, 2022
Think you’re the only author with problems?
All authors face obstacles and have things they struggle with. The difference between those that succeed and those that fade away is usually in how they frame those obstacles and struggles. Do you see hurdles as opportunities for growth? Or barriers? Look at these four sets of mindset shifts for authors and see how you might make a shift that can help you be more successful in your endeavors.
"I don't know how to do this because I've never done it before, and that's exciting."
vs.
"I don't know how to do this because I've never done it before, therefore I can't."
"I am not really good at this but I know I need this skill, so I am going to get help from the best."
vs.
"I am not really good at this, but I know I need this skill. I guess I'll just have to learn on my own."
"Talking about my book is scary, but I'm willing to learn how to do it proficiently."
vs.
"Talking about my book is scary, so I'll just figure out other ways to market my book."
"I've struggled with finding time to write my book before, but I'm willing to learn new ways to find the time now."
vs.
"I've struggled with finding time to write my book before, I'm just not good at time management."
"I don't know how to do this because I've never done it before, and that's exciting."
vs.
"I don't know how to do this because I've never done it before, therefore I can't."
"I am not really good at this but I know I need this skill, so I am going to get help from the best."
vs.
"I am not really good at this, but I know I need this skill. I guess I'll just have to learn on my own."
"Talking about my book is scary, but I'm willing to learn how to do it proficiently."
vs.
"Talking about my book is scary, so I'll just figure out other ways to market my book."
"I've struggled with finding time to write my book before, but I'm willing to learn new ways to find the time now."
vs.
"I've struggled with finding time to write my book before, I'm just not good at time management."
March 15, 2022
You do have expertise
If you are thinking of writing a book, or have written one, you have expertise and authority in something. I encourage you to own that expertise. Start collecting evidence of your skills, knowledge, and proficiency. Then share these signals of your authority wherever and whenever you can. It will help you sell more books, as well as grow the business you are building around your book.
March 14, 2022
5 Author Branding Myths Busted
Unfortunately, there are a lot of myths out there about author branding that hold authors back from taking their careers to the next level. Don't let these myths hold you back!
You don't need to have a big name or be famous to build a successful author brand. In this post, I debunk 5 of the most common myths about author branding and show you why building an author brand now may be the key to your success.
https://bookmarketingclub.com/5-autho...
You don't need to have a big name or be famous to build a successful author brand. In this post, I debunk 5 of the most common myths about author branding and show you why building an author brand now may be the key to your success.
https://bookmarketingclub.com/5-autho...
March 11, 2022
Dreams don't work unless you do
When I was a toddler, I first started dreaming about being an author. Today, I’m the author of several books, two of them bestsellers, and one of them an award-winner.
Every reality starts with a dream, but it doesn’t come to fruition without action between.
Today is International Dream Day, and I encourage you to start acting on your dream. Don’t let it wither and die in your mind. Bring it into the world.
And if that dream is a book, perhaps I can help. Check out authorneering.com and bookmarketingclub.com for information that can help you on your author’s journey.
Every reality starts with a dream, but it doesn’t come to fruition without action between.
Today is International Dream Day, and I encourage you to start acting on your dream. Don’t let it wither and die in your mind. Bring it into the world.
And if that dream is a book, perhaps I can help. Check out authorneering.com and bookmarketingclub.com for information that can help you on your author’s journey.
March 10, 2022
International Bagpipe Day
In 1995, a friend and I went to see the movie, Rob Roy starring Liam Neeson. Back then, I was regularly dying my hair auburn.
After the film, we were talking about it, and I mentioned that one reason I liked it is that it helped me feel connected to my Scottish heritage.
He said to me, “Oh, so that’s where the red hair comes from.”
I chuckled, and said, “No, the red hair comes from a bottle. I’m naturally blonde.”
Of course, these days I’m naturally brunette with white streaks, but that is a story for another day.
Happy #InternationalBagpipeDay!
After the film, we were talking about it, and I mentioned that one reason I liked it is that it helped me feel connected to my Scottish heritage.
He said to me, “Oh, so that’s where the red hair comes from.”
I chuckled, and said, “No, the red hair comes from a bottle. I’m naturally blonde.”
Of course, these days I’m naturally brunette with white streaks, but that is a story for another day.
Happy #InternationalBagpipeDay!
March 9, 2022
Is your office organized?
The Law of Entropy is alive and well and living in my home office. I don’t know about you, but sometimes I get so engrossed in my day-to-day life and work, that the chaos that overcomes my desk seems to appear out of nowhere. Suddenly, there it is!
Today is Organize Your Home Office Day, and what a better day to start the “Spring Cleaning” phase of the year, than with the place you probably spend most of your time? So, if your desk is as much of a hot mess as mine, what’s the first thing you’ll do to get it organized?
Today is Organize Your Home Office Day, and what a better day to start the “Spring Cleaning” phase of the year, than with the place you probably spend most of your time? So, if your desk is as much of a hot mess as mine, what’s the first thing you’ll do to get it organized?
March 8, 2022
Proofreading is important
In honor of National Proofreading Day, I’d like to offer a little advice: Hire at least one professional proofreader or editor to go over your book before you publish. Even better, hire more than one. No matter how many times you edit your work, typos and mistakes will get by you.
In general, my process is to obsessively edit my own work to get it as clean as I can. Then, if he’s game, I’ll have my husband edit (I’ve been fortunate to marry an amazing communicator who provides me with insightful advice that improves my work). Then I hire an editor to proof it before it goes to design. After it is laid out and ready for publishing, I hire another editor to proof it one more time (after obsessively editing it some more myself). You’d be surprised how many things crop up in design!
I’ve found typos and mistakes in Big Name Publisher distributed books – and they have full-time editors working on staff. So why shouldn’t you spend a little bit of money to make sure your indie book is as sparkly clean as you can get it? Depending on the size of your manuscript, you can find good editors who can provide you will good service for less than $1k.
And that is worth the investment – because, believe me, you will get bad reviews for typos. And good reviews sell books – bad reviews, well, don’t.
In general, my process is to obsessively edit my own work to get it as clean as I can. Then, if he’s game, I’ll have my husband edit (I’ve been fortunate to marry an amazing communicator who provides me with insightful advice that improves my work). Then I hire an editor to proof it before it goes to design. After it is laid out and ready for publishing, I hire another editor to proof it one more time (after obsessively editing it some more myself). You’d be surprised how many things crop up in design!
I’ve found typos and mistakes in Big Name Publisher distributed books – and they have full-time editors working on staff. So why shouldn’t you spend a little bit of money to make sure your indie book is as sparkly clean as you can get it? Depending on the size of your manuscript, you can find good editors who can provide you will good service for less than $1k.
And that is worth the investment – because, believe me, you will get bad reviews for typos. And good reviews sell books – bad reviews, well, don’t.
March 7, 2022
Do you know how to initiate flow for your writing?
As a writer for numerous years, I've met and worked with many writers. Something that a lot of them struggle with is getting into the flow of writing.
For some people, it comes easy, but for so many, it's a real challenge.
But don't worry, I've got six tips that will help you get into the zone and write your best work: https://authorneering.com/6-ways-to-g...
For some people, it comes easy, but for so many, it's a real challenge.
But don't worry, I've got six tips that will help you get into the zone and write your best work: https://authorneering.com/6-ways-to-g...
March 6, 2022
Read an Ebook Week - Sale at Smashwords
Today is the first day of Read an Ebook Week and Smashwords, an ebook distributor is having a sale. Both Public Speaking Super Powers and Home Sweet Home Page (2nd Edition) are available for 50% off during this sale. Check them out at: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/vi...! #Smashwords #ebookweek22
