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

Some Thoughts About the Holiday Season

With the holiday season upon us, it gave me pause to reflect on the meaning of the holidays.

As a child, the holidays always seemed to bring anticipation of wonder and awe. Not merely for whatever Santa thought I deserved for my behavior during the year but also for the magic of celebrating the baby Jesus birth. Local churches set up living reenactments, standing still through the chill of frost and snow against the glow of soft lights. Somehow, it seemed such a sad, though wondrous commemoration of an event, which literally, changed the world.

Carolers visited each home spreading beautiful harmony of bygone songs, warming themselves with cocoa or hot apple cider offered in appreciation.  Many times, for a few moments before they journeyed to the next residence, they toasted their frigid bodies by your hearth, momentarily finding pleasure in the warmth of the fire.  They brought us a special feeling within our hearts, not so much of love but a bonding of kindness, thoughtfulness and care of humanity.  You felt a part of a much larger picture.

Then the gift of love, presented through homemade cookies, pies, candy, and popcorn balls. As you ate these gifts, each bite held a deeper meaning knowing the great time and effort put forth in their design.

Today, it seems we have lost much of the real meaning of the holiday season. Instead of gratitude for whatever gift bestowed upon us, big or small, store bought or homemade, I see an air of  expectation, deserved or not. For every single gift given is a testament of affection, be it elaborate or simple in nature. The gift signifies an act of love, a sign of caring, a gesture of thoughtfulness.

Suppose I have written this article in an attempt to get you thinking about your actions this holiday season. Do you run out and purchase more than your pocketbook allows? Perhaps you find yourself looking at the holiday’s preparation as a chore rather than a joyful, loving experience. Maybe you are ashamed that lack of money will provide little in way of presents for your friends and family.

Take this time to reflect upon what you want the holiday to represent.  How you, deep in your heart, wish to celebrate the season, and then do so. For it is not how elaborate the dinner or how many frivolous gifts you purchase, but the warmth and love which surrounds you; the good will to man that carries meaning during the season and months to come.

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas season.

Monica M Brinkman,

Author, Radio Host