Whenever I set out to write a new book, regardless of the genre, I always feel the need to do extensive reading research.
Building Your Brand Without a Book
Once you join the writing community on the various social media platforms, you will start to notice all the crafty ways fellow authors are pitching their books and building their brand. But if you’re like me and you just finished your first manuscript, how do you push your brand out to the masses without a published book?
Navigating Social Media as a New Author
Too often, social media ends up being an ugly world of bots, trolls, and angry mobs. That’s why, initially, I hesitated to jump in and attempt to build my author brand. Where to start – how to find followers – what to post – it all seemed a tad overwhelming! But the point of this blog is to share my journey, and in turn hope that it helps give you some solid advice while traveling along yours. As I’ll explain, I’ve had more success on some platforms than others, but my millennial soul couldn’t believe the warmth of support shared by the #writingcommunity.
Wait, You Know What You're Doing?
Finished
Have you ever been hiking?
You know how it feels when you’ve exhausted yourself to get up to that outlook? You’re so tired. All you want to do is put your hands on your knees and suck air. But you can’t. Something is keeping your head up.
That something is the awe-inspiring view you climb all the way up there to see. It’s better than you expected. No picture can do it justice.
But you’re still pooped, so you sit for a while. You just sit and smile - and enjoy the reward of your efforts.
That’s how I feel right now.
Don't Rush It
The road to hell is paved with good intentions.
Or, at least in my case, the highway sped right past my intentions of completion!
I wanted so badly to be finished with my book this weekend. I set the goal for myself, and arbitrary line in the sand I thought I could meet. I could have done it. Seven chapters in five days. If I called off work, mainlined Redbull, and refused sleep. It was possible.
What I Learned from Garth Brooks
This weekend, I allowed myself a rare break from the grind. I had the chance to drive up to Pittsburgh and watch the legendary Garth Brooks perform in front of a record-setting crowd at Heinz Field. In addition to seeing a show jam packed with real country music hits, I walked away from the stadium with three important life lessons.
Almost There!
Finally, I’ve reached 1945! It’s taken a long four months of dedication, but I’ve finally made it to the final year of my book!
This whole writing process would go a lot quicker if I focused less on historical facts and more on fiction, but that’s not doing the Greatest Generation justice. These men and women made monumental sacrifices. It is my job to honor them.
But telling their full story takes time.
