Blogging as you write...

Recently I began an experiment to help in my writing endeavors. I've been writing a book about my quirky experiences working as a small town newspaper reporter, which I did for 10 years before moving to Tucson. I decided it might benefit me to see what others think about the project. So I started a blog. The idea was a little intimidating at first. I mean, did I really want the whole world reading my writing before it was edited, much less published?

But then it dawned on me. That's the best time to have them read it! When they comment on the different stories I've posted, it not only gives me a feel for what people may be interested in, but it also gives me some feedback on what needs to be fixed, changed, deleated, etc. If they like it, they may become hooked and want to read the entire book once it's published. Who knows? It may be generating a potential market for my book before the book is even completed.

Best of all, it's motivating me to stay on task and to be more dilligent in completing the project.

So far I've just been announcing the blog posts on my Facebook profile; I still need to gain followers and start linking to other blogs.

Am I afraid of losing my content to someone else who may try to steal it and publish it under their own name? Nah! Being an author is not a get-rich-quick scheme. It takes money, time, and effort to become published and successful--even when you're great. Who would want that headache?

I'll keep you posted on my progress as it unfolds. Here's my blog if you would like to read it and make comments.

Your Monday Pep Talk

I'm arriving late to the "Man on Wire" party since I had to Netflix it.

For those who haven't seen it or who have never heard of it, "Man on Wire" is a documentary about Philippe Petit's lifetime obsession and final triumph over wanting to string a high wire between the Twin Towers and walk across it.

Crazy, right?
First off, who really has that much interest in wire walking?
And second, who is willing to risk legal troubles (it is not legal to wire walk without permission on national landmarks) and your life to do it?

The interviews with Petit in the film are amazing. His energy and enthusiasm for what he is doing is inspiring. His dedication to his passion borders on obsessive ... wait ... it IS obsessive!

But what you learn throughout the film is that not only will he not be deterred, but he convinces other people to help him on his crazy journey. He practices constantly, his life is seemingly lived for his one purpose alone: to wire walk across ridiculous spans, in particular the World Trade Center in New York. He lets nothing stop him to get to his ultimate goal.

It made me think about our little publishing world at Wheatmark.

For all those authors out there that are striving to fulfill their dream of being published, Petit is a great figure for inspiration. Despite criticism of what he wants to do, he continues. People tell him no, he is not deterred. Everyday he works on his craft and everyday he makes plans and contacts to help him fulfill his dream.

That is what authors should strive for! Writing out of passion is difficult because you put yourself and your ideas out there.

You ask for feedback, and sometimes it isn't positive. You must continue!

You try to get your book published through a "traditional" publisher (or 20) and are rejected. There is a way, do not be dissuaded!

When you believe passionately in your work it makes it easier for others to believe, so continue to fly your work's flag as high as you can!

Petit made his walk between the towers in 1974. He taunted death. He taunted the NYC police department. He did it hidden under tarps while hidden in the night. He did it.

You can do it, too!

Thankfully, Wheatmark won't make you create an illegal fake ID and hide for hours waiting for the guards to disperse. We offer publishing services to any author ready to make their dream a reality. So don't stop writing. Don't stop revising. Don't stop trying to make your dream a reality!

Now go have a cup of coffee and get back to your passion!

The Reason for Writing

I recently read a post by Cliff Burns entitled "The Ever-evolving World of Indie."

The points made in the post were excellent about the future of independent publishing and some of the realities of it.

One of the points he makes is that you are not likely to get rich as an independent author, but by not going with a "trad" you get to keep your integrity.

Do we need or care about the integrity? The short answer is yes. The long answer follows below.

In the last several weeks, talking to some of our authors, I kept hearing a recurring theme, "The book isn't making any money and I'm disappointed. So for my next book I'm going to try to find a traditional publisher."

I thought of this theme while reading Burns' blog post. Why do we write? I think it is a point to reflect on seriously before embarking on your next project.

Are you writing to support your claim of expertise in an area such as business, science, or some other niche area? Are you writing to tell a story to share with your family and friends? Are you writing to share a personal outlook? Are you writing because you simply cannot not write? Or are you hoping to quit your day job based on the income from your written work?

Often, the goal is the latter. (Even if the author hastily demures, "Oh, no. I'll probably only have my friends and family read this." Often the disappointment of only selling their book to family and friends is when they finally are honest about the actual goal.)

The real truth is that even most traditionally published books don't make the author money. Often, after purchasing an author's work, trads change and tweak the project until, sometimes, it isn't even recognizable. Then, when produced you still have to do a lot of the marketing. You are not excused from that part of the book selling fun.

So why do it at all?

Because humans are communicators. We have information and stories to share and a need to express ourselves. We write because we need to write. Some of us have the desire to share these ideas with others through books, blogs, or other virtual avenues.

The published book in recent times has been used as a widget. A piece produced by a company to generate income. The writer was simply the factory worker who churned out the widget. (Now a lot of the big boy publishers are feeling the pinch for this m.o. because really, books are not really a super excellent way to buy your own island.)

The great thing about independent publishing (shameless plug: with Wheatmark) is that you, the author, is the focus. Sure, indie pubbers are in business to make money, but we want you, the author, to also benefit from the process.

Indie publishing makes it possible for your message to be heard. It is a level playing field. There are no big payouts based on treatments. But, aside from some really hateful or potentially illegal topics, we're not going to slow your desire to paper the universe with your ideas.

Yes, in order to sell your book, you're going to need to do some (actually, a lot) of marketing. As more and more people find open channels to speak their mind, it becomes more and more difficult to leap above the crowd. You have to get your flag high and wave it mightily.

It is the passion you bring to the project (and eventually your dedication to the promotion of your project) that will make you a successful author. Maybe not always financially, but (queue the violins) your soulful experience of getting your message, your story out is one reward that has no monetary guarantee.

Write because you need to share. Because you are passionate. (Not because you need to put a kid through college or want a Lexus.) And that passion and need to share will hopefully lead you to strong marketing campaign and returns on your investment. Or not. But you wrote a book. And that is pretty amazing stuff.