What I Learned As An Author, by ATTMP author Monica M Brinkman

Seems so much has already been written about what it takes to be a successful author so I am sharing a bit of what I have learned during my journey.

Since 2007 when I penned my first completely unnoticed book of poetry to the present where I am nearing the completion of The Turn of the Karmic Wheels’ sequel, The Wheel’s Final Turn, it has been a voyage of education.

You may believe writing a book is all about you. After all, aren’t you the person who toiled for long sometimes exasperating hours before your computer, pouring your heart and soul into authoring your book? Shouldn’t you be allowed to shout out to the world how magnificent a read you have created and why every single person must rush out and purchase the book this instant?  Can’t the world see what a magnificent story you have created and why your book should be a number one best seller? How can anyone ignore the product you’ve spent so much time writing, not for yourself but for their enjoyment?  Ah, the pain of it all. 

The agony of reality has now hit.

Face it, if all an author had to do was present their latest release and the masses instantly purchased it, then every single author who has written a great book would be famous.  

The truth is the writing was the easy part. And, I am sure most of you know to join social sites, write articles, enter contests, guest on radio shows and blogs...all the things any promoter will advise you to do. So, you take their advice and spread yourself throughout the internet. Yes, the internet where there can be found thousands of other authors doing the same thing. Still your book has not become that best seller nor are there thousands of people following your blog, writing reviews or begging for that autographed copy.

I have learned to take it all in stride. Those who have the ability or means to invest in a marketing or promotion company will gain the most exposure.  Authors who can afford to purchase and give away  books for review, or simply as a gesture to make a connection, will also gain more exposure. And, those who have the luxury of writing full time will gain exposure as they are not committed to working 40 hours a week and have more time to market their books.  Fair – perhaps not, but then who ever said life was fair and just. You work with what you have; you do what you can with the time available and go forward.

Anyone who starts out as a writer to become an instant celebrity is in it for the wrong reasons. We authors write because we have a story to tell. Yes, it would be wonderful if the entire world was able to enjoy the tale, and perhaps that will happen one day, but it is not why I write. I’ve learned I write to bring joy to myself, to release the characters that mull inside my head, to gain satisfaction of a story well done and if I can bring enjoyment to a reader that is an added pleasure.

Moreover, the long-term deep friendships and support you will find among authors, readers, and the entertainment industry representatives will carry you through to finish the next great story encompassing your mind, screaming to be written, and needing to be told.

When it comes down to it, I write for my personal enjoyment, nothing more or less. Anything that follows is a gift. And I would not change my quest to write or this magnificent experience during marketing and promotion. I now look forward to each new friendship formed and dream of the day I can look back and say I have helped someone else reach success and the day one of my books has touched the heart of thousands of readers.

About the Author:

Author, Monica M Brinkman believes the world needs less greed and more humanitarianism.  Her novel, The Turn of the Karmic Wheel, reflects those beliefs. Look for the sequel, The Wheels Final Turn to be released early 2013. Her latest effort is a contributing author with her story, My Life As A Singing Telegram, as we take a walk down memory lane in 25 Years In the Rearview Mirror: 52 Authors Look Back.

Monica is a member of the Missouri Writers Guild, Vice-President of the Phelps County Historical Society, hosts the Thursday night It Matters Radio Show and is a columnist for A Touch of Karma on Authorsinfo.com

She resides in the Midwest with her husband Richard, two dogs and five cats.

To view or purchase ‘The Turn of the Karmic Wheel’

Visit:                         Amazon.com

                                Barnes &  Noble

                                Kindlegraph

Visit her websites:  A Touch of Karma

                              Meaningful Writings

It Matters Radio @ It Matters

Weekly Column @ Authors Info A Touch of Karma

25 Years In the Rearview Mirror Announces All Mystery e-newsletter Contest

25 Years In the Rearview Mirror:52 Authors Look Back is pleased to announce yet another contest in support of our new release.

This contest will interest all you mystery authors as three, yes three, lucky winners will win from All Mystery e-newsletter:

* A spot in an upcoming e-newsletter
* Authors web-site listed on All Mystery e-newsletter homepage
* Exposure in Facebook
* Exposure in Twitter

The contest ends on October 31st, so be sure to fill out the contest form found  to the left of this web-site.

Good Luck and happy writing!

From the Founder of Woodstock '69

Thought you would enjoy this one! Woodstock! The 60's & 70's. Let's take a walk down memory lane.
Written by the founder of Woodstock '69. Ah, I remember it well.

http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-pied-piper-of-woodstock/id402274254

Let's Stop The Excuses! Right Now!

Have you met those people who constantly moan and groan about everything in their life? You said "Good Morning" and they reply with a sneer or state "What's so good about it?"

Perhaps it sounds familiar and you are one of these people. Well, it is time these people quit their 'pity party' and realize it is they who have made their own reality. We all have choices, each and every second of the day and it is no one else but ourselves who make a decision. It is not the boss, your mother, your friends, or the universe who is stacking the cards against you - no - it is you.

You may wonder how I can say this. By observation - by looking at my own actions and coming to the realization that if you take responsibility for your own actions, then life does get easier. I didn't say better but easier.

Okay, it is morning and you can either drag yourself out of bed with a grimace on your face or jump out of bed looking forward to a new day. Take a moment to smile and reflect on the moment - sipping your morning coffee or eating that bowl of oatmeal. Get in the moment and taste what you are eating and enjoy it. This will start your day off on the right track.

So it is Monday, well personally I think Monday has been given a bad rap. Think about it. Monday is the start of a new work week for most people. Why not decide to enjoy what you are doing, be it answering phones, working out in the open or cleaning offices? Take pride in whatever you do and perform your duties the best you are able. Don't sit and count the minutes until the day is over or you will miss the experience of engrossing yourself in your work.

And if work is merely a means to receive a paycheck, then do that work well but allow yourself the time to enjoy what you love - it could be music, writing, sports - whatever. When you do so, you will no longer have that excuse that work is getting in the way of your passions in life.

Please, please, please greet others as you meet them each day. You don't know what a friendly smile or hello may mean to someone else. It could make their day and you'll feel great just by the gesture.

It is up to you to form your own life, no one else. So take charge and live life instead of merely existing. Take hold of the moment, the second, the experience.

It may change your entire attitude. Give it a try. What have you got to loose?


Written by Monica Brinkman,
Author, Radio Host, Columinst

May We Learn From the Magnificent Elephants

The Elephant Rope

As a man was passing the elephants, he suddenly stopped, confused by the fact that these huge creatures were being held by only a small rope tied to their front leg. No chains, no cages. It was obvious that the elephants could, at anytime, break away from their bonds but for some reason, they did not.

He saw a trainer nearby and asked why these animals just stood there and made no attempt to get away. “Well,” trainer said, “when they are very young and much smaller we use the same size rope to tie them and, at that age, it’s enough to hold them. As they grow up, they are conditioned to believe they cannot break away. They believe the rope can still hold them, so they never try to break free.”

The man was amazed. These animals could at any time break free from their bonds but because they believed they couldn’t, they were stuck right where they were.

Like the elephants, how many of us go through life hanging onto a belief that we cannot do something, simply because we failed at it once before?

Failure is part of learning; we should never give up the struggle in life.

May You Be Forgotten

May You Be ForgottenFrom Paulo Coelho's Online Blog

At the Sceta monastery, the abbot Lucas gathered the monks for the sermon.

"May you never be remembered," he said.

"What do you mean?" replied one of the brothers, "May our example not help those who might need it?"

"In the days when everything was just, no one paid attention to exemplary people," answered the abbot. "Everyone gave their best, without pretensions, and so fulfilled their duty to their fellow men. They loved their neighbor because they understood that this was part of life, and they thought nothing of respecting a law of nature. They shared their possessions in order not to accumulate more than they could carry, since journeys last a lifetime. They lived together in freedom, giving and receiving, without demanding or blaming anything on others.

That is why their deeds were not handed down, and there is no story known about them."

Reflection Questions

• When you die, how do you think people will remember you?
  
• What would you like to be remembered for?
  
• Imagine that you anonymously gave a complete stranger the gift of joy and happiness. What would that feel like?

Some Wise Words from A Young Man

In Memory of YoonOk Kim

Thank you for being in our lives YoonOk, your light will be missed by many.