One thing I found out about following your dreams is that you can’t just jump right in and make them happen.
When I decided that it was time to pursue my dream of being a published author, I had the mind-set that when you make a decision you just go with it and figure it out as you do it. And that’s exactly what I did. I jumped in head first and didn’t think twice. After all, the only thing it takes to get published is to write a great book, right? I couldn’t have been more wrong!
The whole thing was sort of like jumping into the deep end of a pool without knowing the first thing about swimming. After spurting and sputtering and sinking to the bottom a few times, you eventually figure out how to stay afloat, but you’re still not swimming. Suddenly you realize that you will not be the next Michael Phelps just because you had the guts to jump in. There’s much more to it than just taking the plunge.
So there I was, treading water in the big swimming pool of dreams, but I wasn’t going anywhere. I wasn’t really doing anything that I hadn’t done before. It occurred to me at that point that I needed to take a good look at my habits, my goals, my life in general and see what it was I needed to do, or not do, to make my dream happen. I needed to make a plan.
I have had some rough spots in my life, and I’ve made some iffy (if not just plain horrid) decisions. Which in turn, got me into a very bad habit of being cynical. I always expected the worst, that way when it happened I wasn’t disappointed. But this mind-set was not going to work if I wanted to successfully follow my dream. I was not going to set healthy, attainable goals for myself with that type of attitude. I had to have more faith in myself, make better decisions and create better habits. These were not going to be easy tasks to accomplish. I am by far my own worst critic. Thus, the first step in my plan was to make a concerted effort to think more positive.
So I started reading The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson, which was recommended in a blog by author Michael R. Hicks. (Please see his link to the right; he’s a great author and has some good advice about self-marketing!) This book is fantastic! I haven’t completed it yet but so far I love it. It hasn’t provided me with anything that isn’t plain common sense or anything I don’t already know. It just put it all in perspective for me. I won’t tell you more about the book – I’ll let you read it for yourself. But it has been instrumental in changing the way I look at things, the way I think about them.
You would be surprised how much your mentality or your mind-set has to do with the direction your life is headed. By thinking more positive, I am seeing life in a much brighter fashion now. I laugh more. I am not letting myself be pulled under by negative influences any longer. I’m not getting as stressed out about things the way I used to. I am more creative and able to work on my book more often. I get excited about the little things and not just the big things. I am getting ready to start a work out routine, not just because I am ready to lose weight, but because it’s good for me. I am even more positive about my job – which up until recently has been a huge stress factor in my life.
By thinking more positive, I’ve been able to make some wonderful changes to my life which have resulted in me being a happier person. To me, that aspect alone makes it a successful step forward. Now I feel I’m ready to take the next step in my plan which is creating attainable goals and workable schedules. And to think, I could have done all this a long time ago. All I needed was a new way of thinking!
Try self-publishing. http://www.lovewriting.co.uk should help
Thanks and I’ll take a look!
No matter what path you take to publishing you’ll encounter challenges. I’ve tried both – submitting to agents and publishers as well as self publishing. The Indie route is what worked for me, and, as a life long story teller, I’m overjoyed to have an audience after working for a few years.
I think it took me a lot longer to realize that having a positive approach – and maintaining a positive attitude – made most things in publishing, publicizing and life in general easier. Congratulations on getting to that conclusion early on! That positive attitude is contagious and attractive.
Lovely site by the way, best of luck!
Randolph Lalonde
Best known for the Spinward Fringe series.
I look forward to having such an audience myself one day! Thank you for the comment and the feedback. Much appreciated!
A positive attitude can make such a world of difference. It can be hard to maintain sometimes — trust me, I know, I have two medically challenged kids, and both my wife and I have very demanding jobs — but if you can keep that good mindset, everything else becomes easier.
For my part, I’m enjoying the self-publishing route so far, challenges and all. Ask me again in a month after I’ve actually released my book. 😉
P.S. Love the new look for the blog! =D
I agree and I think I’ve only begun to see the differences! Maintaining it will be harder some days than others. But that’s what spouses, friends and a strong community of fellow authors are for, right? 😉
As for self-publishing, I’ve tagged along on that route before. My first book, written with a former writing partner, was released in April. Since then, my former partner and I have gone our separate ways, as we were on different paths in life. She is still pursuing the marketing and whatnot of that book as well as completing the series, and I have chosen to go solo. But I learned a great deal throughout that experience and it could have very well been the catalyst that moved me in the direction I’m in now.
There are advantages and disadvantages to both self-publishing and traditional publishing. When the time comes for me to make a decision about this book, it will be interesting to see which way I go! lol!
Take care and good luck editing!
Thanks
Thoughts have energy….and where you direct that energy is what you bring to yourself. So..negative brings more negativity …and positive brings more of the positive into your life ! Am so glad that you’ve come to this point… Big Smiles !
I like your blog…but have to tell you, I have always loved the one about the butterfly !!
Thank you for the encouragement all these years! See, I really was listening! 🙂
Impressive publish! STICK WITH IT!
My site is on Wedding planning.