Goodreads offers some excellent advice for authors

HOW TO START YOUR BOOK

My spouse recently asked me how to start her own book to help people take better photos. I gave her 4 tips on how to start writing a book and they were not what she expected. I have added a post to my website www.RobertJBannon.com and I hope you will click over and take a look. While you are there please sign up for further posts since I am gradually transitioning my thoughts over to it, leave a comment and please share it with others that you think might benefit.

HOW TO BECOME A WRITER

We spend a lot of time as writers trying to decide what to put on the page. We stare at the monitor screen and hope for a revelation, an epiphany or an idea that will lead us to the best writing we have ever done. Staring at the cursor as it hypnotically blinks at us rarely produces a word, let alone a sentence or paragraph. My suggestion is to get out of your chair, put on a pair of shoes and find a park that you can walk in - BY YOURSELF. No distractions but the birds chirping, water gurgling, breezes fluttering, leaves smelling and mind opening, Force a smile on your face, breath deeply and let your senses open to the expansion of creativity. If you have never tried it - what do you have to lose? This is as close to a guarantee as I can get, if you want to know how to become a writer, get outside on a beautiful day and let the world bring inspiration to you.

OPPORTUNITIES

A quote from one of the world's most successful thought leaders:

"If someone offers you an amazing opportunity and you're not sure you can do it - say yes, and learn how later."

                  Richard Branson

Something to think about in this new world we inhabit as writers.

CAN YOU WRITE A BOOK?

I have two children but have never given birth. I have written and released four books and in some ways that might be a little bit like giving birth. What gives me a real kick these days is seeing people that I have had the pleasure of working with in some way releasing their own books. A bit like seeing the kids move out perhaps? Another one moved out today into the brave new world of authoring.

Here's a nice note that author Matthew Bryan sent me today:

"Matthew Bryan has sent you a message.

Date: 5/13/2013

Subject: published my book

I can't believe the things that fell into place in a year. After talking to you things have been dropping in exactly when and where I needed them. I'm completely self-published now and so many things all lead back to the advice you gave me. I contacted Wil Wheaton - that led me to finding my cover artist, editor and copy-editor. Which led me to being self-published and being involved in a short-story project. Also led to meeting over a dozen other authors who have had SO much advice and suggestions for me. It all leads back to our meeting.

So thank you!! I tell SO many people about you and the impact it had because that is one of the questions I get asked. How did it all come about. So.. it's all your fault :D LOL

I still would love to get together with you and Jack Whyte over scotch and listen to the stories!! :D

Seriously though, thank you. You had a tremendous impact on my journey to becoming published.

Matthew"

www.authorsnotes.ca
www.citizensoldier.ca

 

In addition, Andrea Davis will have her book in print in about a week

Survival Was Only The Beginning

     A Costa Concordia Story

 

She should be on the various e-book sites shortly too.

 

You can find Andrea here: http://andreadaviscostaconcordia.com/

 

Joanie Lamond has her book, "Stop, Don't Pop!" at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Stop-Dont-Pop-ebook/dp/B008RQQ9RW/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1368481980&sr=1-5&keywords=stop%2C+don%27t+pop 

and other places too.

 

And the beat keeps going on. This is just in the last few weeks. I hope you are busy finding an audience and getting your book finished, too. If not, let me know - I'll try and help.