Okay, so I've disappeared into the Book Cave again :) I'm editing the sequel to Total Blueprint for World Domination (Unlock the (U)niverse - squeeeal!) and it is super exciting to know that it's so close to being with you! (The plan is to launch quietly around August 2013, so beta readers, start your engines!!!)
Meanwhile, I wanted to remind you (and myself!) of a previous blog post:
***
You know that book you want to write? It's inside you. I promise.
It already exists - you just have to start!
Those words will become sentences. Those sentences will become paragraphs. Then chapters.
One hundred words a day? It's a book in a year.
You are the best person to write that book. (You totally are.) Pick a pencil. Open a document. Start!
Why not? What if?
***
Gather supplies, open a file, type two-fingered - whatever it takes! This is your life, your legacy, your mark on the world! Pull your undies on over your pants, and head into your Book Cave! 2013 is totally the year to make it happen!
Everything is possible!
Showing posts with label intention. Show all posts
Showing posts with label intention. Show all posts
Monday, February 4, 2013
Friday, October 7, 2011
Taking control!
In case you missed it, here's my first guest post, hosted by Misha at My First Book (more soon!) ... You may not be able to decide who will buy or like your book, but there are some things you can control.
Your book
From the second you make the decision to write, you are in charge! You choose the genre, the word count, the content, the editing, and (if you are self-published) the cover, too. Even changes your agent and editor suggest are ultimately up to you. Your book is a fingerprint on the world, and it is absolutely your creation.
Your promotion
Facebook? Twitter? Goodreads? You choose! The amount of time, energy, and you that goes into your promotion is your choice. Forget what you could be doing, what you should be doing, or what everyone else is doing. Do what feels right for you! As Nathan Bransford says, “The next big thing is never like the last big thing.”
Your responses
An anonymous interwebber tweets you. They review your book, your baby. They call it rubbish. Crap. Badly formatted, hideously worded, error-filled-ugly-covered crap. And they do it with spelling that would disappoint a first grader. Prepare yourself. Once your work is published, it belongs to the world. Your response? Thank you. Thank you for taking the time to not only read my book, but to share your thoughts. You don’t have to correct, complain, or justify. Yes, the reviewer might be completely wrong. They might be mistaken, out of line, and all kinds of mean. (Or they might be the only person brave enough to tell you the truth..!) Either way, when someone spends money, time, and energy on you – it is awesome! One review is one review. A tweet is gone tomorrow. But the way you respond reflects on you, and a rant can reek forever.
Your intentions
Your goals are what you do, but your intentions are how you do it. You get to present yourself with professionalism, humor, warmth, and optimism (or not!) You get to choose what you put out in the world. You may get rejected, but you get to choose the agents you query, the groups you join and the writers you support. And as for who you link up with, and where you hang out? That’s right: all yours. Decide how you want to be in the world, and who you want to connect with. Because over time your intentions become who you are.
Your attitude
Chances are, even your favorite author has had some scathing reviews. Some rejection. Some slow sale days. Do you hear them going off about it? Whining? Grizzling? Nope. They’re busy. Writing.
Being a writer is a dream. It’s a top-of-the-bucket list, thing-to-do-before-I-die, can’t-believe-I-get-to-see-it-on-a-bookshelf dream. You are doing something that people aspire to. Even when the blank page is taunting you. Even when the twenty-third rejection rolls in. Even when you’re squishing rewrites in with a million other things. You are part of something amazing. Feel that with all your heart. Know that it’s true no matter what. You are a writer.
You may not be able to control who reads or likes what you write, but you can choose your words, your attitude, and your intention. Grab hold! Take control of what you can, and let the rest go. Seriously. Focus on what matters – having fun, creating the world you want, and writing your amazing next book! (I can’t wait to read it!)
Your book
From the second you make the decision to write, you are in charge! You choose the genre, the word count, the content, the editing, and (if you are self-published) the cover, too. Even changes your agent and editor suggest are ultimately up to you. Your book is a fingerprint on the world, and it is absolutely your creation.
Your promotion
Facebook? Twitter? Goodreads? You choose! The amount of time, energy, and you that goes into your promotion is your choice. Forget what you could be doing, what you should be doing, or what everyone else is doing. Do what feels right for you! As Nathan Bransford says, “The next big thing is never like the last big thing.”
Your responses
An anonymous interwebber tweets you. They review your book, your baby. They call it rubbish. Crap. Badly formatted, hideously worded, error-filled-ugly-covered crap. And they do it with spelling that would disappoint a first grader. Prepare yourself. Once your work is published, it belongs to the world. Your response? Thank you. Thank you for taking the time to not only read my book, but to share your thoughts. You don’t have to correct, complain, or justify. Yes, the reviewer might be completely wrong. They might be mistaken, out of line, and all kinds of mean. (Or they might be the only person brave enough to tell you the truth..!) Either way, when someone spends money, time, and energy on you – it is awesome! One review is one review. A tweet is gone tomorrow. But the way you respond reflects on you, and a rant can reek forever.
Your intentions
Your goals are what you do, but your intentions are how you do it. You get to present yourself with professionalism, humor, warmth, and optimism (or not!) You get to choose what you put out in the world. You may get rejected, but you get to choose the agents you query, the groups you join and the writers you support. And as for who you link up with, and where you hang out? That’s right: all yours. Decide how you want to be in the world, and who you want to connect with. Because over time your intentions become who you are.
Your attitude
Chances are, even your favorite author has had some scathing reviews. Some rejection. Some slow sale days. Do you hear them going off about it? Whining? Grizzling? Nope. They’re busy. Writing.
Being a writer is a dream. It’s a top-of-the-bucket list, thing-to-do-before-I-die, can’t-believe-I-get-to-see-it-on-a-bookshelf dream. You are doing something that people aspire to. Even when the blank page is taunting you. Even when the twenty-third rejection rolls in. Even when you’re squishing rewrites in with a million other things. You are part of something amazing. Feel that with all your heart. Know that it’s true no matter what. You are a writer.
You may not be able to control who reads or likes what you write, but you can choose your words, your attitude, and your intention. Grab hold! Take control of what you can, and let the rest go. Seriously. Focus on what matters – having fun, creating the world you want, and writing your amazing next book! (I can’t wait to read it!)
Jolene Stockman’s book Total Blueprint for World Domination takes you from this very moment to your greatest dream.
Plot a step-by-step plan for world domination!
Plot a step-by-step plan for world domination!
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
You can quote me on that!
There it was.
A line from my blog, smiling out of a Twitter post at me. I got quoted!!!!
Here it is:
People write for different reasons; to get rich, to get famous, to be able to work in their pyjamas, or just to get the shrieking voices out of their head... I write because I want to make a difference*.
I love the idea that pieces of me are heading out into the world, bouncing around and sending out ripples... So for me, being quoted? Having someone (thank you Tony Riches!) enjoy my words enough to repeat them? Pfffoooar. That's AMAZING. That's a little piece of me out in the world. Yay!
So, how about you? Why do you write?
*...of course, I'm not denying the shrieking voices or the joy of a life in pyjamas... and I'm not turning down any of the other good stuff either... Making a difference is just my toe-tingliest intention!
Keep kicking ass!
A line from my blog, smiling out of a Twitter post at me. I got quoted!!!!
Here it is:
"Everything is possible. Stop talking about it. Start doing it" ~ @JoleneStockman
People write for different reasons; to get rich, to get famous, to be able to work in their pyjamas, or just to get the shrieking voices out of their head... I write because I want to make a difference*.
I love the idea that pieces of me are heading out into the world, bouncing around and sending out ripples... So for me, being quoted? Having someone (thank you Tony Riches!) enjoy my words enough to repeat them? Pfffoooar. That's AMAZING. That's a little piece of me out in the world. Yay!
So, how about you? Why do you write?
*...of course, I'm not denying the shrieking voices or the joy of a life in pyjamas... and I'm not turning down any of the other good stuff either... Making a difference is just my toe-tingliest intention!
Keep kicking ass!
Saturday, October 30, 2010
The Big Fat Why
Do you have a dream? A project? Kick it off with a big fat why! Because when you’re totally clear about why you want something, it gives you power and protection.
Power - to direct your focus, your energy, and your actions.
Protection - against criticism, fear, and doubt.
This is the first step I take on a writing project, it sets my head straight and keeps me motivated. But you can use it for anything! Start now - ask yourself: why do I want this [insert goal]? Write down your top five reasons. Figure out your big fat why – and make it positive! (You might want to leave school so you can “get away from your town”, but it’s way more exciting to leave school so you can “explore the world”!)
So, set your intention: know your big fat why. Get excited. Make a plan, set a goal, and get ready to make it so!
Keep kicking ass!
Power - to direct your focus, your energy, and your actions.
Protection - against criticism, fear, and doubt.
This is the first step I take on a writing project, it sets my head straight and keeps me motivated. But you can use it for anything! Start now - ask yourself: why do I want this [insert goal]? Write down your top five reasons. Figure out your big fat why – and make it positive! (You might want to leave school so you can “get away from your town”, but it’s way more exciting to leave school so you can “explore the world”!)
So, set your intention: know your big fat why. Get excited. Make a plan, set a goal, and get ready to make it so!
Keep kicking ass!
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