Elizabeth Bourgeret's Blog, page 5

Easy Choices- Hard Life

Photo by Steve Frank I know that chronologically, I am a grown woman.  But sometimes, I swear, the decisions I make, you'd think I was still twelve.

Being an adult, we've had the opportunity to learn from our youthful mistakes and make decisions of our choosing, knowing full well that we are responsible for any and all consequences of said decision.  Good or bad.
But sometimes we lay the consequences aside and take the path that is the easiest, the one that brings pleasure, or the instant gratification- and hope the consequences don't catch up to us.

Easy choices, hard life.
Hard choices, easy life.
- Seneca

If we just took care of the things as they came at us, or thought before we acted, so much pain would drift past us like a leaf on a stream.  Never bothering us, just floating around where we stand.  
Why don't we do this?  When do we reach the "adult" stage of making responsible decisions?

Why do we choose to do business with those who have a poor reputation and are surprised when we have been ripped off or the work is sub par. But he was the cheapest or simplest route.  Or the best salesman?
Why do we choose to enter into or stay in relationships even though we, ourselves have seen the red flags of warning?
It's just easier to stay than to have to deal with hurt or angry feelings.
Why do we "cheat" on our diet even though we know it sets us back from our goal and we will feel even worse...
It's just one piece...
We choose to have unprotected sex knowing that there is always a chance to create a new life.  An eighteen year commitment...
but it just feels right in the moment.

One of our basic human instincts is to avoid pain.  Not realizing that our "easy" or "convenient" choices will lead to additional pain in the future.
The number one obstacle to success is fear.  More specifically, fear of pain.
Fear comes at us in many different forms and we respond accordingly.  
Laziness
Procrastination
Anger
Shame/Guilt
Anxiety
Perfectionism
Denial

But what if we were brave?  What if we were fierce?
 Okay, fine, what if we just used common sense?  Can you imagine how different your life would be?
What if you faced that impending report for school, or manuscript, or project you've been putting off.  Soon it would be done and oh, how the accolades would flow!! 

What if you made those important phone calls and researched quality repair shops and made a solid decision.  The work would be done and you could rest easy knowing that it is completed the right way.  It might cost a bit more, but that feeling of satisfaction and confidence?  Priceless! 

And what if you worked a little bit, every day on that goal, that dream, that project... you would eventually get there.  One extra sit-up.  Three extra dollars.  One less serving.  A lot faster than not working on it for days or months at a time, don't you think? 

So why don't we?
Are we so weak minded that we don't even want to try?  I can't think of any other answer than... yes. 
Do we just lack motivation? Yes.
Do we fear "imagined pain" so much, that we don't stop to think of the benefits of just getting it done?  Yes.
Or are we so lazy that being forced to face the consequences is just "better" so we don't have to take responsibility... just yet?  Yes.

How can we fix this?
Here's a couple things that I've come up with that have helped me.  (And by the way, I am just as guilty as the rest.  At least half of those examples above were mine.)

1. What's the worst that can happen?
Go ahead.  Let your thoughts go down the rabbit hole.  What's the worst that can happen if I pick up the phone and get that quote, make that doctor's appointment, cancel that membership.  What's the worst that could happen if I "just say no" to unprotected sex, that extra serving of cake, to watching six more episodes on Grey's Anatomy on a school/work night.

2. Now, think, what's the worst that can happen if you DON'T face the issue head on.
If I don't get the car fixed, it will eventually....
If I don't get this tooth looked at...
If I continue to eat this way...
If I don't stand up for myself, who will?
If I keep allowing myself to be treated this way...
If I keep showing up late for work...
If I don't pay my bills on time...

3. Then ask, what's the NEXT thing I can do.
A lot of times fear comes because the task at hand can be overwhelming.  The solution here is to break it down to smaller steps.  What's the next step?  And soon, you'll be on to the next step and the next.  Eventually, if you don't stop, you will reach your goal, no matter what it is.  It's almost impossible not to.

4. Don't rely on passion.
Passion is fleeting.  You can be all excited about starting out the new year with your new goals and have the best of intentions because things feel so good... but that first day, when you're "Just not feeling' it", it all starts to crumble.
I wish I could tell you that this is where motivation or will power will kick in.  Sometimes it does... sometimes it is no where to be found.  This is when you just have to do it.  Some of it, any of it.  Just do it.  On days when the mood does not move me to write, I make myself write twenty-five words.  They may be the worst words ever and I may end up deleting them, but it creates a habit.  A foundation.  Something that I will just eventually... do. I wasted three months this past year, because I just wasn't in the mood to write. (Because of OTHER choices I made thinking it was the easy route that came around to bite me in the behind!) But now I am pushing forward.  Doing the right thing.  I fear the "pain" of not doing it more, now that putting it off for another day.  So that brings me to:

5. Before you make a decision, just take a moment to think on it.  Go through these steps and think about the consequences.  Both short term and long term.  You want to be able to trust yourself.  And by taking responsibility of your decisions is the best place to start.
Make the hard choices now, to enjoy an easier life later.
Put that money into savings.  Pay down your credit cards. Read the fine print.  Get to know each other better before you commit.  Research your choice of pet.  Research your home, car, location, job, dentist, babysitter, doctor, vacation destination....

The only way to not have to make choices is to give up your freedom.  Give up your choices to someone else (don't worry, there is always someone who is willing to make choices FOR you.)  But is that really the life you want?  You'll end up just drifting along going where the tide takes you.  It's time to grab ahold of the oars.  Face the hard choices.  Face the easy choices.  Think through the consequences of your life.
The more choices you make and follow through with on your life the easier it will become.  Trust me, sometimes you'll still get some tough ones thrown at you and you'll want to just run and hide, but you are so much better, stronger... more fierce than that!

Share your success stories!!  I want to know how you are succeeding! 

Let It Begin With You

Photo by Steve Frank ​Let It Begin With You
 
With it being a new year, it seems like everyone automatically hits the “restart” button and is on a search to make their lives… better, more productive; their bodies, healthier, skinnier, stronger.  Their thoughts more wholesome, or more private or public, learn more, change for the better.
 
We all seek transformation.
 
It makes sense.  While the thoughts of these changes may flit about our thoughts for moments or months, the new year gives us a starting date.  Walking up to that white line at the beginning of a “race” is intimidating enough, but when the rest of the world is joining you in their various audits, it doesn’t seem as impossible.
 
The trick is to find what works and what will stay with you for the duration of the project, the goal or the lifetime.
 
Change must begin with you.  It can’t happen from the outside in.  There could be circumstances that happen TO us that may force our hand, but in the end, it still has to be our choice.  Our change.
 
The doctor may tell you that if you don’t quit smoking, you will shorten your life by X- amount of time.  You must choose how important/valuable that time could be.  And then take steps according to the value you’ve placed on his advice.  Quit smoking?  Cut back?  He’s a quack…
 
In my line of coaching, unfortunately, I do not ask for quick changes.  I’m not the one you seek out when you are looking for different food diets to lose a few pounds, or room customizations, or resolutions that will be let go in a few months.  My teaching/training/coaching demands so much more.  I deal with heart transformation.  Life changes. Love changes.
 
We only have one life and how you are remembered by others, is a question I ask myself on a daily basis and then act accordingly.  That is my line of “work”.  It my calling to Lead with Love and teach others the same methods.
 
Now that I’ve lured you in and if you are still reading, perhaps your heart needs some tweaking and you are looking for some ways to take small steps to change your inner-love values*.
 
Here are just a few, simple suggestions to add to your New Year daily dose of becoming a better person adgenda…

Don’t forget to say “Thank You”. Two little words.  They don’t cause pain to utter them, but they can make a world of difference.  Say them with a smile, and you are golden.  People need to feel appreciated.  We need to feel that you have noticed.  It doesn’t take much effort, but start noticing.  Start acknowledging.  Start appreciating.  Say “thank you.”

The Power of Compliments. Okay, this one might take you a bit out of your comfort zone if it’s something you’re not used to doing.  This is just taking your positive mental observations and making them vocal.  If you like the way someone did their hair, tell them.  If you can see that a co-worker has gone above and beyond, let them know.  If your child helped with the laundry, let them know how awesome it was to have some help.
You don’t have to get all creepy and stalker-ish, but don’t you love to be complimented?  We are often so hard on ourselves that while we are so busy tearing ourselves down, someone out there thinks you are amazing. 
It took me a long time for me to learn how to accept a compliment without downplaying the comment, but now, it is so appreciated because they didn’t have to say anything.  They could have kept their comments to themselves, but they chose to share it with me.  And so often, I am so surprised that I am twice as grateful that whatever it was had not escaped their notice.  And belive me, your kind words will stay with that someone for a long time to come.
Another benefit of compliments, is it helps to build up another person’s self-esteem.  And as we all know, the stronger your self love foundation, the stronger you are able to withstand harmful words, attentions and actions.  Isn’t it better to give someone a stronger shield than to pierce it yourself?  (P.S. It ends up building your self confidence as well!  Win-win!)

Start With the Family Sometimes our family members get the brunt of our foul moods, because we know they are family and they will love us anyway.  While we may still love you, it gets hard to withstand only seeing the negative side of your brilliant personality.
Yes, be yourself, but you can also be considerate. 
Remember your manners.  Just because they are related to you doesn’t mean you don’t need to say “please” and “thank you”.
Don’t take and take and take- what can you do to give back?  So many adults are angry with a family member because they feel they are not getting the attention they feel they deserve.  My question to you is, what are YOU doing to participate with the family?  How often do YOU reach out to each of THEM?
Aging Parents- It’s taken an enormous amount of time, money, effort, patience and love to raise you into adulthood.  Don’t take it for granted.  Be respectful.  Be patient.  It is such a difficult thing to KNOW that you are not as sharp or as healthy or as quick as you once were.  It’s not like they don’t know of the changes happening in their lives.  Life is busy.  You have a life of your own.  But don’t forget that at one time you were their whole life.  Keep them in the loop.

The Power of the Pause Before you utter a sound, pause… are those words encouraging? Uplifting? Helpful? Kind?  A nano-second of a pause could save a lifetime of damage.
 
 
I hope these simple starters are tiny little adjustments that you could add to your “attitude regiment” to have really and truly a happier and heart healthy new year and lasting relationships.
 
* For more reading, Love Begins With You is available on Amazon!

The Hiking Story

​The Hiking Story
 
Recently on my trip to the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, I tackled three hiking trails, each more strenuous than the last.  Two, were along the Appalachian Trail (which has always been on my Bucket List!) and the third was to see the largest waterfall in the Shenandoah National Park, (at least four tiers of falls) Doyle’s Falls.
 
The most important one was the last.  I am a water baby at heart and while I loved my stay in the mountains, the water always calls me back.  So, if I was really going to do this hiking thing, I had to have a really great reward to work towards.
 
I was diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis when I was thirteen.  I was taken off all physical activity except walking and swimming.  They told me that I probably wouldn’t be able to walk by the time I was twenty-six.  They said they could maybe prolong my mobility by getting regular injections of gold in various joints.  Not having any of that.
 
All that to say… I shouldn’t be climbing mountains.  But I am.  I probably shouldn’t be gallivanting across the country either, but I am!
 
I am in pain, every single day.  Moving around, standing still.  When I go to sleep at night and especially when I put my feet to the floor the next morning.  And if we should ever meet, I hope you won’t be able to see any of that.  I didn’t tell you this to invoke pity.  I want you to celebrate my victories with me.
 
​And while many will think that it was “just a six- eight mile hike” round trip, it’s all the more a victory because I shouldn’t have even attempted it.  And six miles on a flat surface sure feels different than six miles going up and down those trials, climbing up tree roots and over boulders and even the helpful “steps” that were put in after a few hours were just… torture! Lol
 
It wasn’t too bad going down, I made the mistake of thinking this wasn’t going to be that big of a deal!  Then I found out I was on the wrong path!  A nice pair of hikers escorted be back up to the top and pointed me in the right direction.
 
Back down the now correct path, I was still feeling pretty confident.  Meera, my trusty (and old) Great Dane was feeling a false confidence as well!  She lead the way.
 
We made a second wrong turn along the way.  The ladies told me to veer right, veer right.  Well, at the intersection, I veered a little too right and missed the correct turn-off.  Thus draining any extra energy I might have had stored away.  We went down, down, down then up, up up only to find ourselves at a paved road that had a sign pointing BACK the direction we had just come to Doyle’s Falls.  What?  How could we have possibly missed a waterfall that goes on for more than a mile!!
 
Quitting was not an option.  Dying however crossed my mind… I’d pick a nice, pretty patch along the route and thought, that would be a nice place to die…  but no, we kept going.  Meera and I turned back around and hiked down, down, down then up, up then over, over to find the correct path (confirmed by another hiker) to lead us down, down, down… down.
 
It was a beautiful path and I tried to stay focused on all of the beauty like the changing leaves, the sun peaking through the foliage to splash light along the way; looking up and seeing the blue, blue sky or the outline of the mountains in the distance.  It really was an amazing place to die…. Uh, I mean… to explore.
​And then…finally… there it was.  In all its grace and splendor.  It was… quite …the let down.  We arrived at the first tier and thought… this is it?  (I am speaking for Meera, of course, but I’m pretty sure that’s what was going through her lil brain.) This little trickle of water spilling over these massive boulders… this is what we hiked so far for?
 
It was only the first tier.  We moved on to the second tier.  It was more intricate.  It jagged and spilled over a smooth path, pooled for a moment before continuing down.
 
We gingerly made our way to the third tier.  It was so simple and so elegant.  Meera and I were completely wore out so we just sat and enjoyed the beauty and the gentle sounds.
 
In the Spring, this waterfall is said to be mighty and powerful with water pouring forcefully over the ledges with fierceness; completely covering the rock framing underneath.  But today, it was just… elegant.  Beautiful in its simplicity.  It’s music was so peaceful and we rested happily just getting lost in it.
​It felt like we were part of this exclusive minority of people that got to appreciate this beautiful piece of God’s art hidden away in the depths of this mountain.  It was like having a back-stage pass to something amazing that few people got the privilege of witnessing but you couldn’t just buy your way in, you had to earn it.  There was a price to be paid…. (oh brother, was there!) but it was worth it!
 
We could only do the top three tiers because my body was just not having any more “going down” know that “going up” was going to have to be right behind it.  So we just sat and enjoyed the third tier for about thirty minutes before we started to head back up.  For just a brief moment I thought about going to the other level because I caught a glimpse of the waterfall and really wanted to see it… but I am so glad we didn’t! 
​The looooong way to the top was excruciating!  There might have been some whining from me… even some from the dog and it took twice as long to reach the top as it did for others.  There was a lot of praying, and a lot of rest stops!  And, there was a lot of self-coaching going on.  “Okay, you can rest, but then were going to take a few more steps…. Just a few more steps…”  “See?  They can do it… Are you going to let those twenty-somethings show you up?” “Yes?’ “NO!”   … yeah… it was tough!
 
But we did it!  I was so happy to see my truck parked at the top parking lot!  My legs were shaking, my lungs were burning, my mouth was dry… but we did it.
 
My body was so mad at me for the next three days.  Meera and I were a pretty pathetic site, but we did it.  And now that I know I CAN do it, I’ll be better prepared for next time.  And yes, there will be a next time.

Writers On Writing- Once you finish the first draft, what is the process before publishing?

Photo by Steve Frank ​Once you finish the initial manuscript, what is the process that follows.
 
That is exactly where I’m at right at this moment.
Usually, there is a lot of sleepless night and nail biting, while I attempt to be patient, so that is how this blog series got started… it gives me a chance to be distracted while I wait!  And I love your questions!  It makes me stop and think about things I never really thought about before… so, here is the answer to Louise S.'s question:
 
 
Once I type “the end” on a manuscript, I celebrate with coffee ice-cream.  It’s no easy task to finish a full-length story.  (for me, anyway!)  I don’t type those two little words until I really am finished.  I read and re-read and fill out the dull moments, add a bit more character background, turn on a few more senses (sight, sound, smell, touch, taste) and hopefully catch any “unanswered questions” before my editor does. 
 
After my mini celebration is complete, and I usually rest a day just to make sure nothing else is going to come to me… then I send it off to three different editors.
One reads for continuity.  Makes sure the story flows, that one chapter isn’t moving to slowly, unanswered questions, all my characters are real and have emotions and individuality…. So on and so forth.
The other two are checking for grammatical errors.  Spelling, punctuation, sentence structure, (…blasted prepositional phrases…)
One goes through it, then passes it on to the other one and they duke out any discrepancies each other might have had.  Plus, my mother always gets the first copy of anything I write.  Always.
 
While all that is going on, I begin the marketing.  I create the copy that will go on the back of the book, as well as several blurbs that will be used for memes, for catalog references, and the snippets you see on the webpages when you google something.
 
This is also when I usually have an author photo shoot (if need be) and I am scouting for the front cover photo as well as putting together the front cover either by myself or with a designer’s help.
 
When the photos come back, I sift through them and decide which can be used for promotion, and which will-never-be-allowed-to-be-seen again! (Lol)  An author photo is chosen and several memes are created, either directly about the book, directly about the author, or sometimes used as vehicles to “get my face and name out in front of people”.
 
I write down several promotional ideas that I think would work best with the newest book and see how many I can move on.  (This is my weakest link.  I have such a difficult time marketing my work.  I am proud of it, I want you to read it, and I have the best intentions but the worst follow-through when it comes to marketing.)  I attempt to make a timeline and desperately try to stay on it... 
 
When my manuscript returns to me all marked up and bloody (red ink everywhere)  I go back through and make the necessary corrections.  When it comes to grammar, I don’t question it, I just do what they tell me.  But sometimes when it comes to striking full paragraphs or thoughts, I have the final say.  They can give me their opinion, but I get to decide one way or another.  In this area, everyone can have a different opinion, and sometimes my manuscripts reflect just that!!
 
Once the corrections are made, then I go through the most tedious, irritating, draining process of formatting.  Yes, I do this myself, because I am poor (read this article for more info on that!) and I CAN do it, it just takes time.  It does take a lot of time, a lot of pizza and a lot of Pepsi to push through those long hours.
 
Then, it gets sent off to the publisher to have a “PROOF” created.  This is a mock-up of what my book is going to look like.  It gets sent back to at least one of the editors to make sure they didn’t miss anything or I didn’t create new problems while fixing the old problems.  It tells me if every thing looks nice and neat and readable.  For example, I always like my first chapters to begin on the right page (not the left) and if I put in all the legal mumbo jumbo correctly.
 
Necessary corrections are made.  If another PROOF is needed, we go through the process again. If not… off to the publisher… and wait.
 
I am usually assigned a “Release Date” but more often than not, I can kind of call when I want it out. (Give or take a week or two).
 
When the first set of books are delivered to me, there is much joy and dancing, more ice cream… and more dancing. 
 
Hopefully, there are already people anticipating the release of my books and initial sales are high.  (Amazon likes that and rewards me with more exposure of my new release!)  That’s where all that marketing that I don’t like to do would really pay off. 
And so the marketing continues… forever.  Even as I am creating new works, I am supposed to continually not let my other creations get too far out of your mind’s eye lest they be forgotten…
 
And the process begins again.  The feeling never gets old when I open the box and see my latest book in actual, physical form right there in front of me.  It is a feeling that feeds my soul and sends so much oxytocin to my brain & heart that it feeds me until I get another new box with another new book and am willing to do that and go through all the hard times over and over to have that feeling again.  And until that stops happening, I cannot foresee myself ever stop writing.
 
 
 
In case you’ve missed the other posts in this series, Writer’s on Writing…
 
Why aren’t you rich?
Do you have a muse or inspiration?
How do you come up with new book ideas?
 
 
Do you have a question for this author?  I’d love to hear from you!  Add a comment below or shoot me a message!

Writers on Writing- How do you come up with new book ideas?

Photo by Steve Frank ​How do you come up with stories and book ideas?
 
Stories are people.  People are fascinating creatures.  I find stories in the most interesting of places.  I love a good story myself, and so it’s easy for me to craft one when there are some good, strong characters to build around.
 
If I were to publish a book every year… even twice a year, I wouldn’t run out of ideas.  New ones come into play at the very least once a month.
 
In order for me to commit an idea into a book though, I do have a process.  I write down the initial outline and mull it over for a while.  If it fleshes itself out; if the characters start invading my thoughts and the story idea grows on it’s own, I’ll make a concentrated effort to see where it will go.  However, I do not put pen to paper unless the idea has a beginning, middle and end with at least two strong characters. 
It’s interesting to see where the story goes once I start the writing process, and sometimes I am quite surprised with the turns it takes. 
 
Ideas are all around me.  I meet a lot of interesting people.  I read a lot of history and I believe that everyone has a story.  I love the opportunity to draw people’s stories out and then create something brand new. 
Not to mention, there are so many things that interest me.  And when I find something that grabs my attention, I feel the need to share it with others either in a teaching/educational way, or in story form.  Being a teacher at heart, my brain automatically breaks information down into new teachable ways.  So there are a lot non-fiction books, educational series, e-courses and workshops I haven’t even allowed myself to get started as yet, but they are there.
 
I have a jar of slips of paper with different plots and outlines and character names tucked (squished) inside.  If I were ever to get bored and not have a fresh story on the tip of my fingertips, I could always go to my reserve jar.  These are ideas that I just came up with on a whim and thought might be interesting some day, or a plot that is outside of my genre and would be fun to tackle to shake things up a bit.  Some are there to remind me just how much my imagination can really come up with! Some will never see the light of a printed page, but others wait patiently for my current dozen or so projects to be complete.  Yes, I do usually have about a dozen irons in the proverbial fire at any given time.  Yes, it slows down my work/completion rate, so I am trying to only focus on three at a time.  It seems to be helping.  I am much more productive this way.  But my brain doesn’t slow down.  It doesn’t know that I’m trying to get things done.  It is constantly conjuring and creating and looking for new ways to express itself through my hand.  It obviously thinks I have more time.
I’m going to need a new jar soon…
 
My non-fiction ideas have a binder.  There I tuck away scraps of information supporting my thought-process along with notes that I come up with to eventually add to the research.  In non-fiction, I have to be more strict when compiling outlines because those turn into chapters and makes the assigning of all of my collected information so much easier.  Please don’t ask how many binders I have…
 
God willing, I will be writing for a very, very long time.


In case you missed it...
How come you aren't rich?
Do you have a muse or an inspiration?
Writers on writing


Do you have a question you'd like to submit??  Add it in the comments below or shoot me a message!

Writers on Writing-Muse or Inspiration?

​Do you have a muse or inspiration?
 
 
I don’t necessarily have a “someone” or a something that gives me words, but I will say that I am inspired by water.  I don’t know why.  Water is very calming to me and I love the sound of it, I love watching it, I even love the smell of it. (Oceans especially!  The waves, the salty air, the warm sand between my toes that slips away with the recessing waves…  I can spend hours upon hours staring out at the ocean.)
 
Staring at the water fills my heart with such peace.  It doesn’t matter what is happening in the world ten minutes ago, it all slips away when I sit under the sun and watch the water move.
 
It allows me to put my thoughts in order, create without distraction and set any worries or fears that I might have to the side.  It makes me feel very small and yet very … significant at the same time.  If my God can create and manage these mighty bodies of water and still keep an eye out for me, there is something very reassuring about that.
So if I am a stressed, or tired, excited or happy, well, just any old time, if I have my way, you won’t find me too far from water.
 
I do believe that I am meant to be an author and that when I struggle there is a Divine Hand that guides my words.  So perhaps not a muse, but definitely a source of inspiration.  He has also made me extremely empathetic, so I feel things very deeply therefore am able to allow my characters to be very real and allow the reader to come inside their world.  That’s more powerful than me as a regular ole human can do.  That is His influence over my work.  It is very real and sometimes I don’t realize it’s happening until I go back and re-read things and I think, “Whoa, where did that come from?”  It was Him…
 
For each story, there is a bit of truth interwoven under the words.  A character might be based on someone.  The story might be based on fact or it might be as simple as the settings… for example, every building, house or business that I describe is based on an actual building.  I think for every new story that becomes a book, it has to have a lot of inspiration behind it otherwise I would have gotten bored pages ago!  So, people and their stories are a sort of muse for me. 
 
I don’t want to release anything that doesn’t have the potential to touch your heart…
 
Does that count as answering the question?



Other articles you might like:
Writer's On Writing
Why Aren't You Rich?

Writers on Writing- Why Aren't You Rich?

​I am so very proud to say that my sixth book is on the verge of hitting the bookstore shelves and perhaps, more importantly the Amazon virtual shelves.  That being said, people are curious why I am not swimming in pools of money.
 
Well… it doesn’t actually work that way.  We see the J.K. Rawlings and the Stephanie Meyers and the Steven Kings of the world and expect it to be a celebrity experience for all authors.  Wow, I would love it, if it was so, but it is not.
 
There are a lot of really great writers out there that are not getting the recognition they deserve.  They are not getting movie deals and they are not getting the media attention that will get their work into the public eye.  It's just a fact.  There are thousands upon thousands of authors out there and you only hear about a fraction of us.
 
A lot of it has to do with “It takes money to make money”.  Sure, there are some who sneak through the crack and whose manuscripts land on the right desk at the right time, but that is rare. 
 
I write because I can’t not write.  There is something inside me that inspires me to put pen to paper and release the stories, the thoughts, the revelations that I have learned and pour them out in a new way.  It is only recently (about six years) that I have shared my work with others.  But I have been writing and creating for as long as I could hold a utensil.  It is my passion.
 
I don’t write, or rather share my work to become rich.  If I could reach the point that it would comfortably pay all of my expenses without fear, I would be ecstatic!!  But that has not happened as yet.
 
There are a few ways that I get paid for the books that I have published.-I receive a portion of each book sold when someone purchases through Amazon or a book store. (This purchase, while it does not line our pockets, does the most good as far as reaching new readers because it is charted, documented and there is "proof" that people are clamoring to purchase my books!)-I can purchase my books wholesale, sell them myself and keep the profits.-I can get paid by creating other opportunities based on the published books, such as speaking engagements, workshops and classes, or guest writing.-Because I am a published author, I can help other authors get their work out by sharing the knowledge I have learned and they hire me to help them or they purchase items I have created to assist them in their journey.(The last two are where the bulk of my income stems from.)  
To give you an idea of how much money I make- when I sell a book overseas… While it is a huge feather in my cap to be known as an International Author, I only make twenty cents per book…. before taxes. Twenty cents.... 
 
It’s going to take a lot of books to make my first million.  Lol.
 
The more money I can spend on marketing, the more my brand gets out to the people all over the world.  The more money I can invest in hiring a publicist and an agent, the higher my chances are of getting my name to become more  familiar with more groups of people.  The more I can get out to the people, the more people can put a face to the name and in turn, they become the most loyal of followers because I am not just a name, but a real person.
 
I do not have a lot of money.  I market as much as my budget allows and then, not even that often at times because I get distracted with… more writing.
 
For me it will take being in the right place at the right time or having the “right” person read my book for me to get the recognition and the income that would make my living arrangements more… comfortable!
 
So for now, I am not rich.  I do make an income, but won’t be sipping champagne out of a shoe any time soon.
 
That is why I rely on your support as a reader and one who believes in my writing to always help to spread the word.  Share my posts, buy my books, leave reviews.  (This applies to all authors!  If you love what they have written, share the love!  Let everyone know!  Reviews on places like Amazon, Goodreads, Barns and Noble make a huge difference to our exposure to new readers, which is what it’s all about!)
 
I write because it makes me happy and I am constantly in a creative process.  I publish because enough of you have told me that you enjoy what I create and have requested more. 
 
For more ways you can help your favorite author, click here!

Do you have a question you'd like this author to answer?  Leave it in the comments below and I'll do my best to get to it!

Writers on Writing

Photo by Steve Frank ​My latest manuscript, A Detour Home, has been sent away to my team of editors and I am supposed to wait patiently until they arrive back to me covered in red ink.
 
It is a most anxious time for me and I have to remind myself not to text them with silly, insecure questions like: Are you reading it?  Do you like it?  What part are you on? 
 
I just need to trust them and give them their space and hope it comes back marginally inked to death.  (With every book, I try even harder to watch my grammar and punctuation as a competition with myself to see if I can improve with every venture.)
 
I do have lots of work to do in between the time that the editors are reading and when I get it back to do the correcting and formatting, like marketing plans, new projects and more, but this time, I thought I would try something new.
 
Once people find out that I am a full time author, they first off, wonder why I’m not rich and then they have a multitude of questions for me.  I am all to happy to answer, and am flattered that people would be interested in my passion for writing and creating.

I recently put out a few memes that give snippets of some of the behind the scenes of being an author and they were well received prompting more questions.
 
So I thought, just in case you never get a chance to meet an author in person and ask questions, I would share the questions and the answers asked of me, here with you.  I have about a dozen questions lined up from those who have previously written to me or have met me out and about, but if you’d like to add one I’d be most honored.
 
You can ask it in the comments below, or shoot me a message via the contact page or through my Facebook page.
 
Hopefully it will keep you entertained (or perhaps if there are budding authors out there, it may inspire) and it will keep me from pestering my editors and slowing down their progress.  Fun experiment, wouldn’t you say?
 
Here’s a few inquires that I have gotten:

Why aren’t you rich?How do you come up with your ideas?How long does it take you to write a book?Who or what inspires you?What are you working on now?  
Please feel free to add to the list!
The answers can only apply to my writing quirks and you would probably get a different answer from every other author you meet, (or follow).  But this is me and for what it’s worth, these are my quirks.
 
Thank you for being on this journey with me.  I love writing and teaching and hope that my offerings touch your heart in the best of ways, even if sometimes it has to sting at first.  I write from a place of love and hope that it brings you happiness!
 
Stay tuned for Operation Keep Elizabeth Distracted… 

I Love Who I Am Becoming

Resilient- The ability to recover from difficulty. 

I am not the same person I was.  I am changing and growing and discovering who I am meant to be on a daily basis.

There was a time when I thought I was permanently "damaged" and that was just how things were going to be.  I still have to choose every single day to go toward the sunshine since my brain automatically leads me to the dark, rainy side of life.  I have to make a conscious decision to be happy that day (and several more times throughout the day.  Depression is persistent.)
Some days my body doesn't want to cooperate and when I "cheat" on my diet, I feel it.  My hands and feet and back and neck scream at me when I do "too much."  Rheumatoid arthritis is persistent as well.  But I choose to do it anyway.
​
I still love too much and usually too deeply.  I am too trusting and always want to see the best in a person.  I have trouble staying focused because something new always catches my eye.  And I am guilty of taking unnecessary risks.  I am always... searching for ... something.

It was only about three years ago, that I finally figured out what direction that I wanted my life to go.  I discovered that I was in charge of my future, and anyone else that pushed or pulled me into one direction or another did so, because I allowed it.  That was a tough truth to swallow.

I'm still figuring out many of the how's and why's of actually getting to live out my dreams of writing and traveling.  But I am taking all my positives and all of my... pitfalls and am learning how to work with them or improve them to be a better me.  It's a daily process and it will  never be completed as I hope that I am always improving and perfecting and ... searching.

I know that I am meant to be a teacher of sorts and in a heart-based way, but I don't know what my avenue is to give and to help others heal or find happiness, or love.  Still working on that.  I am part way there... just gotta figure out the particulars.  I am living as a full-time camper, traveling here and there,  and I am writing, but my first attempt at traveling workshops failed miserably.  I learned lots of lessons that month!!

I am still teachable.  I am still grateful for all the blessings in my life (even though some of them look a like failures or mistakes).  I am still writing. I am still loving.  And I receive love in return.  Everything else is just a bump in the road.

The more I practice what I preach, the happier I am.

I love who I am becoming.

How Can You Help?

With the overwhelming series of unfortunate events surrounding my Leading With Love tour, I must say that your outpouring of love and concern have been so heart-warming.  

So often when authors undertake something of this magnitude, we feel like we are "in it" alone.  It makes sense; we do spend a lot of time alone.  I write best when I'm alone... I research alone... I daydream alone... I create alone...  And while all of my creations are meant to enrich the lives of others, they must have time to steep in quite and solitude.

My book signings and workshops are my main opportunities to really get to be with people and interact with them.  
All that to say, I always just assume that I have to find solutions to my problems... alone.

So for the first few dozen folks or so, when they ask me "What can I do to help?"  I've said, "Nothing, I just have to figure things out."
For person number thirteen, that was an unacceptable answer.  I got the "No man is an island" speech.
So... (short of sending me food and gas money) I have come up with a list of ways you could help me keep my head above water with little to no cost to you.

This list will actually help any author on your love list but allow me to thank you in advance by participating in any, or all of the following suggestions! 

1. Have You Bought A Book? (or several?)
Contrary to popular belief, I do not make much money from the sale of my books.  However, every time a book is purchased through Amazon, it raises my status and ranking.  I make more of an income when I sell my books at fairs, books signings or out of my trunk (lol).  But the actual "public" sale of my books help me more in the long run.  So if you haven't done so, go to amazon.com and search my name and purchase a book!

2. Leave a Review (5 stars?)
Once you read the book and realize how wonderful it was, while the moment is still warming your heart, head back to Amazon and leave a really great review.  This too, raises my ranking (even more than the purchase. So if you have already purchased one of my books elsewhere, PLEASE, please, please go leave a review!)  The higher ranking, the more Amazon will promote my books and get them in front of new readers.  (A lot of new authors are purchased thanks to the "if you liked this book, you might like this.... method!)
Goodreads.com is also a really great place to leave a review! 
Also- if you loan your book out to anyone else to read, please encourage them to leave a review as well!! 

3. Amazon Searches
Every time you go on Amazon for anything, search my name.  Type Elizabeth Bourgeret into the search bar, whether you need a new book or not.  (Even if you are shopping for vitamins, fishing lures or cookware or... whatever) Again, it helps to trigger Amazon that maybe they might need to make my work a bit more accessible.  If you are like me, I shop for everything on amazon!  I also let Amazon know who I am similar to.  For example, I'll do a search for Joel Osteen, Karen Kingsbury, Tony Robbins or Francine Rivers and THEN I'll do a search for my name.  It starts to link the names together.

4. Social Media
Love it or hate it, I have to be a part of it.  I do love it for the great way it allows me to connect with readers and give those who are interested quick updates of the highs and lows into the life of Elizabeth Bourgeret and her Great Dane, Meera.  
You can find me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Google+.
Whether you are on there sixty times a day or once a month, please like and follow my page.  
I try very hard not to post too often and I am always considerate of inflammatory content.  But my pages are a great way, like I said, to get quick updates, share stories and thoughts and be privy to new blog posts or books.

5. Share Posts
Yes, not only do I ask that you like my Author page, I do ask that you share posts or comment on them.  (The demand are getting greater!!  Sorry you asked yet? Lol)  If you have found a reason to like me, there's a chance that someone connected with you just might like me too.  Please encourage others to like my posts and hopefully, my page.
There are a lot of Elizabeth Bourgeret memes floating around with my quotes either made from my camp or elsewhere, but if you see one, PLEASE like it and share it!!  It helps to build name recognition!

6. Local Bookstores
While you are out and about, stop in at your local bookstore (big or small) and request that they carry my books. (This can also link back to #1.  If you want to help support your local bookstore AND me, this is a great way to do it!  I love to promote and support the smaller bookstores! Just request that they order my book for you to purchase and maybe they'll get an extra to carry in their store.  OR when I get around that city they may be more likely to allow me to come in for a book signing!!)

7. Invite me to your Book Club!
Book Clubs are SO fun!  I'd love to support your book club! I am happy to help with book discounts for bulk purchases, I'm happy to Skype with your group and answer questions or if you are within a 60 mile radius of where I am located, I'd be most honored to make a live appearance, sign books and chat about whichever book you guys are reading!!

So, there you go.  There are seven suggestions that you can help me get past this dreadful "hump" that I'm having trouble getting past.  These are little to no cost, but just take up a bit of time.  (Add a post-it note close to your computer to help remind you of your favorites so they can be done multiple times...!) 

I can't say enough how much I appreciate your thoughts, prayers, words of encouragement and now actions.  I am thrilled that you have chosen me to invest a piece of your heart in.  It reminds me that I am doing good things and am where I am supposed to be.
Thank you, and thank you again.