This past year, I have witnessed something phenomenal. Something that I read about but never experienced first-hand.
Until now.
It's called generosity.
Such a simple word, yet powerful. Ever since my wife was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in April 2011 (where she doctored at the grand Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, and where she's still residing while she recovers from her bone marrow transplant on September 1st), I have witnessed the generosity others like I've never known it.
And tonight proved it once again. And again. And again. (and again, for near-infinity . . . )
And one day, through the will of God, I will pay it forward.
Okay, now I think I'm gonna cry.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
I am a Post-It freak!
3M must love me because I love Post-Its. Stickies, in other words. Whenever I get a flash of inspiration or I need to jot a few ideas down for a story or a blog or even make a small list of things I need at the store, I usually write on a Post-It.
Post-Its are like temporary lists, because when I complete my list, I can throw it away and start fresh.
Sometimes my "office" is filled with various notes to myself or small lists of goals I want to accomplish in the next week or month.
Can "to-do" lists be too lengthy though and one can never accomplish everything on it? Oh, sure. I've been accused many times of creating "to-do" lists that could never be completed because I've got three kids to raise and other jobs to get to. But that doesn't mean I still don't create lists. I create lists to organize and prioritize my goals, something I learned from Earl Nightingale.
And that, my friend, is for another day, another blog.
Post-Its are like temporary lists, because when I complete my list, I can throw it away and start fresh.
Sometimes my "office" is filled with various notes to myself or small lists of goals I want to accomplish in the next week or month.
Can "to-do" lists be too lengthy though and one can never accomplish everything on it? Oh, sure. I've been accused many times of creating "to-do" lists that could never be completed because I've got three kids to raise and other jobs to get to. But that doesn't mean I still don't create lists. I create lists to organize and prioritize my goals, something I learned from Earl Nightingale.
And that, my friend, is for another day, another blog.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Brain, we're here to . . . pump you up!
When marathon runners train for an upcoming race, do they run the twenty-six miles right away? No, they train for weeks, months ahead of time, running shorter distances, thereby training their body for the ultimate test.
Do bodybuilders just do bench presses and that's it? Nope. They train various muscle groups, even switching those muscle groups so one set doesn't get overused.
Do farmers plant the same crop over and over again? Not a chance. They may plant a certain crop for a few summers or winters in a row, but they rotate after each harvest so give the soil the chance to replenish its nutrients.
Your brain is also a muscle, one that needs to be worked, challenged, and even rotated among various tasks. Ever been in an endless array of meetings? Afterwards, if you're not used to it, your brain feels stained, and can even have a "fried" feeling. But once you've been doing it awhile, that strained feeling grows less and less.
When I work for long hours on a novel--whether editing or writing the first draft--and I finally complete whatever stage the book is in, I always take a break from writing and read. Sometimes I don't even write anything for a few weeks. I call it "recharging my batteries." Brain batteries, in other words.
As you complete the first draft of your book or feel like your brain is strained from hours of writing, step back and do something else--exercise another part of your brain. Even work on a short story or another story in a different genre or a new set of characters. Take a break and read a little more than usual. Then, once you feel recharged . . . go forth and conquer!
Do bodybuilders just do bench presses and that's it? Nope. They train various muscle groups, even switching those muscle groups so one set doesn't get overused.
Do farmers plant the same crop over and over again? Not a chance. They may plant a certain crop for a few summers or winters in a row, but they rotate after each harvest so give the soil the chance to replenish its nutrients.
Your brain is also a muscle, one that needs to be worked, challenged, and even rotated among various tasks. Ever been in an endless array of meetings? Afterwards, if you're not used to it, your brain feels stained, and can even have a "fried" feeling. But once you've been doing it awhile, that strained feeling grows less and less.
When I work for long hours on a novel--whether editing or writing the first draft--and I finally complete whatever stage the book is in, I always take a break from writing and read. Sometimes I don't even write anything for a few weeks. I call it "recharging my batteries." Brain batteries, in other words.
As you complete the first draft of your book or feel like your brain is strained from hours of writing, step back and do something else--exercise another part of your brain. Even work on a short story or another story in a different genre or a new set of characters. Take a break and read a little more than usual. Then, once you feel recharged . . . go forth and conquer!
Monday, October 31, 2011
Having the mindset of a failure
I'm sure you've all heard the old adage: failure is not an option.
How would you ever learn from your mistakes if you don't fail at something? Having the mindset of "failure is not an option" will make your life stagnant, where you'll be afraid to try new things, explore new frontiers, create a better life for yourself, your family, and mankind. Writers (and everyone else, for that matter) are bound to fail, so fail in style and learn from those lessons of failure.
But what does failing really look like? Failing, to you, may be receiving a rejection letter from an agent or not having anyone show up at your book signing. Do we quit at that point? No. Pick yourself up and persevere. In my opinion, a rejection letter is not failure. It's part of a writer's life. Quitting, mind you, should never be an option, depending on what quitting looks like. Smoking or drinking yourself into oblivion or abusing drugs (or any other harmful activities) are the exception to the no quitting rule.
So, my friend, continue to strive for excellence.
How would you ever learn from your mistakes if you don't fail at something? Having the mindset of "failure is not an option" will make your life stagnant, where you'll be afraid to try new things, explore new frontiers, create a better life for yourself, your family, and mankind. Writers (and everyone else, for that matter) are bound to fail, so fail in style and learn from those lessons of failure.
But what does failing really look like? Failing, to you, may be receiving a rejection letter from an agent or not having anyone show up at your book signing. Do we quit at that point? No. Pick yourself up and persevere. In my opinion, a rejection letter is not failure. It's part of a writer's life. Quitting, mind you, should never be an option, depending on what quitting looks like. Smoking or drinking yourself into oblivion or abusing drugs (or any other harmful activities) are the exception to the no quitting rule.
So, my friend, continue to strive for excellence.
Friday, October 28, 2011
Don't shortsight your goals like JFK and NASA did?
The other day, my daughter asked me, "Dad, why haven't we been back to the moon?"
What a profound question from a precocious eight-year-old.
On May 25, 1961, in response to Russia's push into the space race, President John F. Kennedy boldly announced that we (the American people) would land a man on the moon by the end of the decade. In retrospect, this seems like a worthy goal. But it's shortsighted. Why just land a man on the moon? I know it was a huge feat--and one that we succeeded in--but NASA could've gone steps further by not just landing on the moon, they could've built cities on the moon where people could live and work, thriving in a new frontier. Just simply landing on the moon is like the Wright Brothers inventing manned flight and then, once they achieved it, they did nothing with their grand invention.
Don't shortsight your own goals. If your goal is to have your book published, that can be easily done today through the advent of self-publishing ebooks--publishing through the more traditional channels is a challenge, I humbly admit, and one I am striving hard to achieve. But you need to look farther ahead into the future. Do you want a career as a published author, traveling around the country, speaking at conventions, constantly marketing your work? If it is, then take up that charge and conquer. If not, then find out what it is you want to do and do it. Find out your why, as Simon Sinek tells us.
Think long-term for your life's goals, then put them into action. Today. Right now.
In thinking again about NASA . . . what are their goals for Mars? Hmmmm.
What a profound question from a precocious eight-year-old.
On May 25, 1961, in response to Russia's push into the space race, President John F. Kennedy boldly announced that we (the American people) would land a man on the moon by the end of the decade. In retrospect, this seems like a worthy goal. But it's shortsighted. Why just land a man on the moon? I know it was a huge feat--and one that we succeeded in--but NASA could've gone steps further by not just landing on the moon, they could've built cities on the moon where people could live and work, thriving in a new frontier. Just simply landing on the moon is like the Wright Brothers inventing manned flight and then, once they achieved it, they did nothing with their grand invention.
Don't shortsight your own goals. If your goal is to have your book published, that can be easily done today through the advent of self-publishing ebooks--publishing through the more traditional channels is a challenge, I humbly admit, and one I am striving hard to achieve. But you need to look farther ahead into the future. Do you want a career as a published author, traveling around the country, speaking at conventions, constantly marketing your work? If it is, then take up that charge and conquer. If not, then find out what it is you want to do and do it. Find out your why, as Simon Sinek tells us.
Think long-term for your life's goals, then put them into action. Today. Right now.
In thinking again about NASA . . . what are their goals for Mars? Hmmmm.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Some quick notes regarding your literary agent quest
Three quick notes about literary agents:
Most agencies have websites. I strongly suggest going to their website. This way, you'll ensure the most up-to-date information regarding the literary agency you've targeted. If they don't have one, that's okay.
Also, be sure to check out AAR's website. This is the Association of Authors' Representatives. The AAR has a strong code of ethics and is an agent is reputable, they're most than likely members of this organization. Their website is http://aaronline.org/
Lastly, the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America has a terrific website which lists literary agents that may be dishonest/scam artists. It is also a great tool for compiling yet another list of agents. Their website is http://www.sfwa.org/for-authors/writer-beware/agents/
Most agencies have websites. I strongly suggest going to their website. This way, you'll ensure the most up-to-date information regarding the literary agency you've targeted. If they don't have one, that's okay.
Also, be sure to check out AAR's website. This is the Association of Authors' Representatives. The AAR has a strong code of ethics and is an agent is reputable, they're most than likely members of this organization. Their website is http://aaronline.org/
Lastly, the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America has a terrific website which lists literary agents that may be dishonest/scam artists. It is also a great tool for compiling yet another list of agents. Their website is http://www.sfwa.org/for-authors/writer-beware/agents/
Writing as a business - the selling side
In the last few blogs, I touched on the query letter, which is linked to this topic. Let's assume you've completed your manuscript, thoroughly edited it, and have polished up your query letter. Now what?
It's time to start querying.
This can be an extremely daunting task, in and of itself. There are essentially two ways to go about doing this. Okay, there's three, but the third is the self-publishing route. If that's more your style, read all you can about it, the pros and the cons. What I'm going to touch on is, what has been known as, the traditional route. Those two ways are either through a literary agent or directly with an editor/publishing company. Typically, most publishing companies won't even consider you unless you have an agent, and although there are exceptions, I'll just touch on the literary agent route.
Okay, where does one begin?
First, I'd get a copy of the Guide to Literary Agents published by Writer's Digest, preferably the latest copy but one even a year or two old should contain mostly current information. This will give you the most comprehensive list of literary agents. You can either purchase this, and I can be quite reasonably priced, or you can borrow it from your local library. You may also go to their website: www.guidetoliteraryagents.com
If you'll notice, each listing describes what each agency is looking for: nonfiction, thrillers, horror, no sci-fi or fantasy, and so on. In the back, GLA lists each category out by literary agents' preferences, so it's easier to find out which agents are looking for certain genres.
Each listing will also advise you on how they want to be contacted: mail, e-mail, fax, website. Be sure to adhere to these or else you'll find yourself rejected without your query letter even being considered. Keep in mind, literary agents are some of the most overworked groups of people on the planet, and some receive over a hundred queries a day. Be patient.
When I go searching for an agent, I scour the GLA from cover to cover. I rank each agent by genre preferences and even contact method. Due to the high cost of mail, I prefer to sort through all of the agents who prefer to be contacted either through their website or e-mail, then I move on from here.
Once you've compiled a list of agents, now it's to actually contact them. Make it a goal to send out X amount of queries in a week. If you do one to three a day, you should have all of them contacted within a month or more. Be mindful of any responses back. If an agent wishes to see a piece of your work, send it out immediately. Do not delay.
Last but not least, never ever give up. Out of a hundred agents, you might get a dozen or so who seem interested, but in the end only one or two of them will actually request the entire manuscript. If this doesn't happen, review your query letter. Is it the best you can make it? Is the description of your story seem like something that you'd even want to read?
There are a lot of factors involved in selling your story. If you go through your list and get no bites, search the web for other literary agents not listed in the GLA. Be careful though. Not all agents are what they seem. If they demand money up front for a reading fee . . . RUN the other way! This is very unethical and could typically be a scam.
As a side note, and something I haven't done up at this point but will be considering it down the road, is conferences and conventions. Attend writing conferences and conventions. I've read multiple stories from authors who've become noticed by an agent by meeting them at a convention. Even though a particular agent rejected you doesn't mean they won't consider you when you meet with them face-to-face.
It's time to start querying.
This can be an extremely daunting task, in and of itself. There are essentially two ways to go about doing this. Okay, there's three, but the third is the self-publishing route. If that's more your style, read all you can about it, the pros and the cons. What I'm going to touch on is, what has been known as, the traditional route. Those two ways are either through a literary agent or directly with an editor/publishing company. Typically, most publishing companies won't even consider you unless you have an agent, and although there are exceptions, I'll just touch on the literary agent route.
Okay, where does one begin?
First, I'd get a copy of the Guide to Literary Agents published by Writer's Digest, preferably the latest copy but one even a year or two old should contain mostly current information. This will give you the most comprehensive list of literary agents. You can either purchase this, and I can be quite reasonably priced, or you can borrow it from your local library. You may also go to their website: www.guidetoliteraryagents.com
If you'll notice, each listing describes what each agency is looking for: nonfiction, thrillers, horror, no sci-fi or fantasy, and so on. In the back, GLA lists each category out by literary agents' preferences, so it's easier to find out which agents are looking for certain genres.
Each listing will also advise you on how they want to be contacted: mail, e-mail, fax, website. Be sure to adhere to these or else you'll find yourself rejected without your query letter even being considered. Keep in mind, literary agents are some of the most overworked groups of people on the planet, and some receive over a hundred queries a day. Be patient.
When I go searching for an agent, I scour the GLA from cover to cover. I rank each agent by genre preferences and even contact method. Due to the high cost of mail, I prefer to sort through all of the agents who prefer to be contacted either through their website or e-mail, then I move on from here.
Once you've compiled a list of agents, now it's to actually contact them. Make it a goal to send out X amount of queries in a week. If you do one to three a day, you should have all of them contacted within a month or more. Be mindful of any responses back. If an agent wishes to see a piece of your work, send it out immediately. Do not delay.
Last but not least, never ever give up. Out of a hundred agents, you might get a dozen or so who seem interested, but in the end only one or two of them will actually request the entire manuscript. If this doesn't happen, review your query letter. Is it the best you can make it? Is the description of your story seem like something that you'd even want to read?
There are a lot of factors involved in selling your story. If you go through your list and get no bites, search the web for other literary agents not listed in the GLA. Be careful though. Not all agents are what they seem. If they demand money up front for a reading fee . . . RUN the other way! This is very unethical and could typically be a scam.
As a side note, and something I haven't done up at this point but will be considering it down the road, is conferences and conventions. Attend writing conferences and conventions. I've read multiple stories from authors who've become noticed by an agent by meeting them at a convention. Even though a particular agent rejected you doesn't mean they won't consider you when you meet with them face-to-face.
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