You Always Have a Choice
Tag: get to work
Embrace Their Bravery
February 16, 2021-Think of a character from your favourite book; why do you like them so much? Is it their sense of humour, their bravery, their quick wit? We often create characters who have some form trait that we lack or that we wish we had. It’s fun to escape into new worlds that have hidden dangers lurking around every corner, or challenges that we can relate to in our actual lives. Books take us to places and allow us to experience things that we may never get to experience in reality-that’s one of the reason why romance and mystery novels are such a strong genre that sell well.
For today’s exercise, as we continue to examine breaking out of our comfort zones, I would like you to do the following:
- Write down your favourite character from a book. It can be anyone or anything you want. Let’s use the character from one of my favourite books, The Alchemist, as an example. Santiago the Shepherd boy is the character who spoke to me the deepest.
- Write down all of their best attributes. Using the example above of Santiago, his best attributes include, bravery, not taking no for an answer, listening to his gut instinct, his love of adventure and the unknown, his love of travel, his unwillingness to settle, his determination and perseverance no matter what faced him, his work ethic, his self-belief, his positive attitude.
- List the attributes that you wish you had more of. I wish I had more of Santiago’s trust in his gut instinct and his positive attitude.
- Get to work. Do the things that you need to do. This week, I will work on listening to my inner voice and choose based on what it tells me, and I will remain positive in the face of adversity.
It’s impossible to write a book without leaving a piece of ourselves behind. Books and characters change us even if we’re the ones writing them. What character traits inspire you? What do you wish you had more of? Less of? Get to work this week on embracing bravery and breaking out of your comfort zone. You can piggy back this exercise with the blog post that talks about employing alter egos. Happy Writing!
Start Before You’re Ready
February 3, 2021-If someone offered you a seat on a rocket ship what would you say? Would you say that you had to think it over or that it was too big of a risk? Or you weren’t sure, but would get back to them? Poof. Opportunity lost. This happens to people in the writing world every. single. day. You’re not always going to be ready to start, but the point is, that you DO. Get started even when you’re afraid of the unknown. I’ve extended opportunities to writers/clients who have not taken me up on my offer; but I only ask once. I don’t waste time on waiting for people to decide. You show me you’re not interested and I’ll take your word for it and never offer again. Whether it’s a publishing deal, a course, an opportunity, or otherwise, I only ask once. You can learn a lot from people who hesitate. I ONLY work with the fearless. The ones that when they can’t find a way, they make one.
You may not be ready to write your book. Write it anyway.
You may not be ready to send your book to a publisher. Send it anyway.
You may not be ready to launch your writing business. Launch it anyway.
You may not be ready to hear criticism about your work. Listen anyway.
If you’re using the excuse that you’re not educated enough, talented enough, you don’t know enough, or that you’re not brave enough, it’s time to start before you’re ready. Do you think that everyone had all of the variables worked out before they ever got started on anything? Nope. But they did it anyway.
If someone offers you a seat on a rocket ship, GET.ON. You may not ever have the opportunity again, and if I’m the one who offered it, I can guarantee you won’t. X LLB
Your Books Make a Difference
November 6, 2020-Did, you know that as an author, your books make a difference? Whether they’re listed under the “self-help” genre or not, your books make a difference in the lives of your readers. Here’s how:
- They offer an escape. There is a lot to escape from nowadays with the state of affairs in our world. Sometimes we need a break and escaping into a book is the best way to let the world melt around us, even if just for a little while.
- They show people it can be done. Your books offer hope to those who want to become authors. They show them that if you can do it, so can they. This is especially true for people close to us, such as our friends, family, and people in our community. Being an author inspires people to get writing.
- They give entertainment value. People reading your books will laugh and cry along with your characters. They’ll be entertained by the dialogue, the story, and the plot. Reading is like watching a movie in our brain.
- They offer a different perspective. Your book offers a different perspective on the world because you can only experience it through your eyes. Readers may read your book that’s a genre that they’re not used to, or see things through the lens of one of your characters.
So, the next time you feel like giving up or slacking off, remember who is watching.
