Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Learning from Other Authors

I've always believed I could learn something from every person I meet, and that is certainly true about other authors. Below, in no particular order, are some of the things I've learned lately about writing and the publishing business.

Small Blocks of Time Add Up is something I learned from Elizabeth Spann Craig. With so many things on my plate, it's been a challenge to find the time to write, yet those deadlines don't carry any wiggle room. Elizabeth has taught me that spending a few minutes several times a day writing does add up, and it gives me a sense of accomplishment at the end of every day. I've used her methods to propel my writing forward when I didn't think I had any time to spare.

A Book Tour Doesn't Have to Involve Travel is something I learned from Alex Cavanaugh, who has managed to be Dancing Lemur Press' bestselling author through blog tours and social networking. With the cost of gasoline skyrocketing, blog tours have been added to my repertoire.

Shifting Your Focus can reignite your inner fire, something I learned from Pamela June Kimmell. Pam journeyed through a dark time in her life during cancer treatment, and her much anticipated sequel to The Mystery of David's Bridge was put on hold. She reignited her passion for writing by shifting gears, writing children's stories, and eventually coming full circle to working on her mystery books once again.

Finding Spunk is something I learned from L. Diane Wolfe, who taught me that sometimes Attitude is Everything. The past few years have not been easy ones in the publishing industry, yet Diane always has a plan, always has a smile, is always positive and encouraging, and always does it with spunk.

What have you learned from your friends?

p.m.terrell is the award-winning, internationally acclaimed author of 12 published books. Find out more about her at http://www.pmterrell.com/.