Carma Spence's Blog, page 96
February 3, 2022
Tuppins a bag
Today is #FeedTheBirdsDay, part of the celebrations of National Bird-Feeding Month. This day is meant to bring attention to the extra help birds need right before spring, when their winter food stores start running out. And since the ground hogs can't agree whether there will be an easy spring or six more weeks of winter, I'm sure the birds would appreciate your help.
https://youtu.be/XHrRxQVUFN4
https://youtu.be/XHrRxQVUFN4
What Say You:
What is it about reading that gives conversation flavor?
And do you think that that is a particular type of reading that gives conversation a better flavor than other types?
And do you think that that is a particular type of reading that gives conversation a better flavor than other types?
February 2, 2022
5 Affirmations for Authors
Affirmations are a powerful tool that can help you overcome negative beliefs. I’ve used them in numerous situations and life circumstances to help me overcome obstacles. The following five affirmations are specifically crafted for common mindset issues that authors I’ve worked with face. Perhaps one or more of them can help you?
My message is worthy of being in print.
My perfect readers are waiting for me to publish my book.
I can overcome any writer's block that comes my way.
Each day, I am clearer about my author brand.
I thrive on sharing my book with new readers.
My message is worthy of being in print.
My perfect readers are waiting for me to publish my book.
I can overcome any writer's block that comes my way.
Each day, I am clearer about my author brand.
I thrive on sharing my book with new readers.
February 1, 2022
What makes a truly great book?
So many people think that writing a book is hard work. And yes, it can be, but it doesn’t have to be. It all depends on the book. Some are. Some aren’t.
But when you look at the truly great books, it wasn’t the hard work or long hours that went into them (or didn’t) that made them great.
It was the passion of the author for what they were writing, the clarity of the message or story within that book, and the branding.
Sometimes those three elements came together by happenstance creating magic. Sometimes they were strategically brought together. How they come together doesn’t matter, the result is the same. So why leave your book’s greatness to chance?
But when you look at the truly great books, it wasn’t the hard work or long hours that went into them (or didn’t) that made them great.
It was the passion of the author for what they were writing, the clarity of the message or story within that book, and the branding.
Sometimes those three elements came together by happenstance creating magic. Sometimes they were strategically brought together. How they come together doesn’t matter, the result is the same. So why leave your book’s greatness to chance?
January 31, 2022
How to evaluate your book idea
It is easy to come up with an idea for a book, but not all ideas are created equal.
Some ideas for a book might end up being enough for only a chapter.
Others might be too big for a single book.
In this article, I share some tips on how to evaluate your idea so that you can stop wondering if it is good enough and start writing if it is:
https://authorneering.com/how-to-eval...
Some ideas for a book might end up being enough for only a chapter.
Others might be too big for a single book.
In this article, I share some tips on how to evaluate your idea so that you can stop wondering if it is good enough and start writing if it is:
https://authorneering.com/how-to-eval...
January 28, 2022
Author procrastination
WHY (YOU THINK) you are not working on your book
* I'm too busy. I just can't find the time.
* I'm not sure how to start my project. Which idea should go into the first chapter?
* I'm not sure if I have enough information yet. I need to do more research.
* I don't know if my idea is worth the time. I need to find out if the book is marketable before I start.
THE REAL REASON you are not working on your book
Perhaps
... or ...
... something about the book has triggered a negative emotion that you are actively trying to avoid.
I’ve heard a lot of excuses about why potential authors don’t start or finish their books. In fact, I’ve been there and done that (and, if I’m honest, am doing that right now!).
However, research indicates that procrastination is more often about avoiding negative emotions than it is about time management. So, if all those time-management tips that you’ve been trying – the to-do lists, getting up earlier, rearranging your time, Pomodoro technique, etc. -- aren’t helping, perhaps you need to look at what you are avoiding instead.
What is it about this book that makes your blood run cold, your heart beat faster, and your muscles freeze like you’re a deer staring into the headlights of an oncoming car?
* I'm too busy. I just can't find the time.
* I'm not sure how to start my project. Which idea should go into the first chapter?
* I'm not sure if I have enough information yet. I need to do more research.
* I don't know if my idea is worth the time. I need to find out if the book is marketable before I start.
THE REAL REASON you are not working on your book
Perhaps
... or ...
... something about the book has triggered a negative emotion that you are actively trying to avoid.
I’ve heard a lot of excuses about why potential authors don’t start or finish their books. In fact, I’ve been there and done that (and, if I’m honest, am doing that right now!).
However, research indicates that procrastination is more often about avoiding negative emotions than it is about time management. So, if all those time-management tips that you’ve been trying – the to-do lists, getting up earlier, rearranging your time, Pomodoro technique, etc. -- aren’t helping, perhaps you need to look at what you are avoiding instead.
What is it about this book that makes your blood run cold, your heart beat faster, and your muscles freeze like you’re a deer staring into the headlights of an oncoming car?
January 27, 2022
Honor your readers
Your readers are special. They’ve opened their mind to your ideas, your characters, your expertise, your words. It is your duty to treat that trust with respect. You may not always get things right, but if you always write with integrity, your readers will respect you in return.
January 26, 2022
Happy Spouses Day!
Some days are as clear in your memory as if I were watching a video. I remember the day my husband proposed like it was a mere moment ago. He handed me a coin and insisted that I make a wish at Snow White’s Wishing Well. I thought it odd, but, whatever. Finally, he let me turn around, and there he was, on one knee, with a lovely amethyst ring displayed before him. I was so shocked by the proposal, so you know what my first words were?
“Really? Seriously? Really?”
Words that will live in infamy!
The rest of the day went much better.
What has been an amazing day in your life so far?
#SpousesDay
“Really? Seriously? Really?”
Words that will live in infamy!
The rest of the day went much better.
What has been an amazing day in your life so far?
#SpousesDay
January 25, 2022
Reminiscing
“Now as the years roll on
Each time we hear our favorite song
The memories come along
Older times we're missing
Spending the hours reminiscing”
I think we’ve all had days we can reminisce about, times long gone, that we may not have fully appreciated at the time, but boy do we miss them now. One of those memories is of my childhood home that had a cemetery right up to the back of it. I have so many memories of exploring, hunting toads, reading interesting gravestones. The sights, the sounds, the colors, the scents, the people, the laughter. Time stood still it seemed back then...obviously, it didn’t, but those carefree days seemed at that time to last an eternity, and I suppose in some way they have, but just in my memories.
What is one of your favorite childhood memories?
Each time we hear our favorite song
The memories come along
Older times we're missing
Spending the hours reminiscing”
I think we’ve all had days we can reminisce about, times long gone, that we may not have fully appreciated at the time, but boy do we miss them now. One of those memories is of my childhood home that had a cemetery right up to the back of it. I have so many memories of exploring, hunting toads, reading interesting gravestones. The sights, the sounds, the colors, the scents, the people, the laughter. Time stood still it seemed back then...obviously, it didn’t, but those carefree days seemed at that time to last an eternity, and I suppose in some way they have, but just in my memories.
What is one of your favorite childhood memories?
January 24, 2022
Make your author website stand out
As an author, you know that your website is one of the most important tools to help sell books. But how do you make your site stand out from the crowd of boring websites that most authors have?
1. Communicate Your Brand with Clarity
2. Make Your Website Pretty *and* Functional
3. Speak Their Language
To dive deeper into those three tips, check out this blog post: https://bookmarketingclub.com/3-simpl...
1. Communicate Your Brand with Clarity
2. Make Your Website Pretty *and* Functional
3. Speak Their Language
To dive deeper into those three tips, check out this blog post: https://bookmarketingclub.com/3-simpl...
