Tag: We Are Not alone

The Three NEVERs of Social Media

I have the right to be wrong and y’all have the right to un-sunbcribe, never buy one of my books and tell all your friends I was brain-damaged at birth. I get that I can’t please everyone, but there is a way to disagree and remain polite, respectful and professional. There’s no need for ad hominem attacks. If someone writes a blog you don’t like? Fine. But keep in mind that this person worked hard and for free to offer you something of value. All they ask in return is for some common human decency.

Write FAST and Furious! Learning to Outrun "The Spock Brain"

When we write quickly, we get into the zone and pass The Wall. We become part of the world we’re creating. Fatigue wears out the cerebral cortex (the “Editor” and I will call this our “Spock Brain”). Fatigue diverts us to the Limbic Brain (also known as the Reptilian or Primal Brain, or for today’s purposes—“The Captain Kirk Brain”).

Self-Discipline. Ok. What Now? Can We Buy Some on E-Bay?

How many writers keep shopping the same manuscript that’s been rejected time and time again? They refuse to dig in and do the tough revisions or move on to a new book and in the end it kills their success. The first book is often a learning curve. Use it. Learn from it. Fail forward.

Traits of the Successful Author—Self-Discipline

Self-discipline is in us, we just have to strengthen it. It’s a muscle of character. Don’t start Day One trying to have the discipline of a Shaolin Monk. That is a formula to fail. Start with small steps. It’s one of the reasons that I believe blogging is wonderful for new writers in particular. Blogs are great for training self-discipline muscles, for showing up no matter how we feel or what craziness is going on.

Traits of the Successful Author—Discernment

When is it time to work? When do we need rest? When do others truly need us? What are our priorities? Just to warn you, these will change. We need to always be revisiting what should be a priority in life, and in what order.