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‘The possible’s slow fuse is lit By the imagination’ – Emily Dickinson (Franklin, 1999: 608)
When back in the 1990s I started doing research into women’s careers I was struck by how many respondents apologized for not having had a ‘career plan’ or indeed for not having a career at all. When I returned to these respondents seventeen years later I was curious about what had happened to their dreams, and wondered if they had been fulfilled, or somehow shattered. However, I soon realised that these were all the wrong questions, based on assumptions about women having long-term, guiding visions that either work out or fail. But it wasn’t like that. Many spoke of luck, of falling into their careers, and of being in the right place at the right time – or the wrong place at the wrong time. Such explanations might have served to highlight diffidence or modesty that is seen as socially desirable or to explain trajectories that respondents felt were more meandering than purposeful. Or it could be that in a society that values goal orientation and strategic decision-making, the lack of a clear end-point is a bit embarrassing. However, without clearly articulated plans and dreams, the achievement of these visions was a moot point.
Instead, the stories I heard were about how the women continuously responded to their changing contexts, making a myriad of incremental adjustments as the structures, cultures, and ideologies that informed their choices evolved. Most did mention moments of success or failure, such as Rachel finally being able to move her law firm out of her front room, or Silvia whose hotel business suddenly ground to a halt as foot and mouth disease swept through the English countryside. But no one spoke of her career as a delineated, bounded entity that could be fixed or judged in its entirety.
Highlighting the idea of organizational strategy as emergent (in contrast to conventional wisdom of the day which saw it as wholly rational), Henry Mintzberg drew on the metaphor of the potter. Without a clear picture of the final product, she uses her accumulated skill, knowledge, and touch to mould her pots, watching them take shape beneath her hands:
At work the potter sits before a lump of clay at the wheel. Her mind is on the clay but she is also aware of sitting between her past experiences and her future prospects. (Mintzberg, 1987: 66)
Portrait of a female executive by International Information Program (IIP). CC BY-ND 2.0 via Flickr
Neither the potter nor the women in my research experiences unfettered choice; their horizons are not limitless and neither pots nor careers can look any way or be anything. Rather they are circumscribed, constrained, and enabled by what is seen to be possible at any given time. Given this moving, emergent picture, better questions would have been: How did respondents understand careers, where did these ideas come from and how did they envisage their own career-making within this broad landscape? To answer these questions I propose a new concept: the career imagination.
The career imagination attends to the idea of career as both a social and an individual process, cast and re-cast in the flow of time and across space. As my respondents narrated their careers, in 1993/4 and again in 2010, they painted rich and detailed pictures not only of what they did or the way they did it (or indeed what they were inclined to do), but also of the understandings that these actions, or propensities for action, were based on. I am calling these pictures the career imagination. It is a cognitive construct, articulated discursively, that defines and delimits what is possible, legitimate and appropriate, prescribing its own (sometimes competing) criteria for success. It is a local accomplishment, a product of a particular time, place and social circumstance, informed by experience and history.
Part of what I like about the term ‘imagination’ is its ordinariness. Situating the concept firmly in daily life gives it salience and purpose. Indeed, I find myself referring to career imagination, not just in academic discourse, but also in everyday conversations – unexceptional talk about, say, my parents’ working lives or what my own children see as their future possibilities. However, while this commonsense appeal is a great strength, it is also raises concerns precisely because in the course of our day we use the term in such diverse, even contradictory ways. On one hand we use imagination to refer to flights of fancy, thoughts that transcend everyday experience and understandings and take us to new places and untrammelled possibilities. My data contained many such examples, like Anthea who said she had always wanted to pan for gold! However, I am not using the term in this sense. The career imagination is a bounded concept, defining the limits of what a person sees as possible in career terms, and in so doing, also what is impossible.
As respondents considered what careers look like and how their own careers might be construed, they spoke of occupations and the trajectories they prescribed, underpinning values, the connection between career and other aspects of life. They reflected on the material rewards and career identities that their working lives might bestow upon them.
Although the concept connotes dynamism, it does not discount the many enduring elements in respondents’ (or indeed in any of our) stories. Thus old ideas don’t simply disappear as new ones come to the fore, but rather the career imagination continuously expands, accommodating, sifting, and sorting possibilities. It can thus be seen as a repository of history and experience, and a product of its particular time and place. Like the potter whose products carry traces of the past as she works in the present and into the future, it is at once steeped in the past, but alive to current contingencies and mindful of the things to come.
Headline image credit: Always standing, always reaching out by Broo_am (Andy B). CC BY-ND 2.0 via Flickr
Achievement in any field requires effort and sacrifice. You need to act in a manner that will allow your goal to become reality. If you want to be an Olympic medalist, a bestselling author, or a great actor it requires hard work and dedication. Every achievement in life comes with its own price tag. Here are nine guidelines for those on the journey toward achieving their dreams:
Write down what you want to achieve: Be clear and concise on what it is that you want in life. You can’t commit to memory what you don’t remember. Put pen to paper or fingers to the keyboard, but get your dreams and goals out of your head.
Make preparations: Know where you’re going, make a plan and work your plan.
Act deliberately: Do it NOW! Taking decisive actions instill a sense of purpose and confidence.
Get others involved: No one is a self-made person. Life is teamwork. Find your team. All achievement requires the help of other people.
Expect failure: Bummer, but true. Failure is a necessary ingredient of success. There can be no success without some failure.
Keep your focus: Don’t allow yourself to be distracted. Stay focused on your written goals.
Examine your journey: What’s working, you keep, and what’s not working, you toss out. Make sure you insert some new directions. Review your goals often, this way you’ll see how far you’ve come!
Take a reward: Give yourself an occasional ‘high five’ for a job well done. Treat yourself to something special. Be refreshed and encouraged by your progress.
Be true to yourself: Never compromise your integrity and moral character. It’s not worth it! Achievement is gained when we are seen as a person who can be trusted and relied upon. Be that person!
Thank you for reading my blog. If you have time, please comment and share what you are doing in your life that will help you to achieve your goals and dreams. Love to hear your comments! Cheers!
0 Comments on 9 Ways to Achieve Your Goals on the Road Less Traveled… as of 6/16/2014 6:37:00 PM
Although I sleep restfully these days, I sometimes go through patches of sleeplessness, as I did last night. I eventually got up around 4am and sat outside. I found myself looking up at the sky in awe. Last night was so clear you could see millions of shining stars and now and then I could spot a shooting star.
Recently I watched a video called “How great is our God” by Louie Giglio, in which the enormity of our planet was demonstrated with imagery beyond comprehension. The sizes of some planets are enormous and dwarf the planet we call home. Some planets literally make our earth look like a pin prick on a medicine ball. I marvelled at the incredible space before me and the thousands of stars that have been created. I thought to myself how incredible our creator really is and wondered (although hard to comprehend) if the stars were there to demonstrate how big God really is. Then I thought to myself, that although we are so small, God has made us in His image; complex and potentially astounding beings. The presence and achievements of some human beings impact this world tremendously. We all have so much potential but how much do we waste?
All of us could confess to wasting time, relationships, opportunities, gifting and talents. With each day we are blessed, we have a choice to use it well or to waste it. Every hour we make a decision to be productive or not. It may not be a concourse decision but we still choose.
I would consider myself a fairly self-motivated person, however I thought about how much of my life, has been squandered or mismanaged. How much better could I live my life if I took the time to appreciate the days given to me more and reflected more on how I spend them; what my true priorities really are? If we truly value time, then surely we would use it better, and for greater good in our lives and the lives of others we love.
Although sleepless nights or restlessness can put us in a place of discomfort at times, I often wonder if this is a positive thing. If our mind is active and needs to process matters, then surely surrendering to this time, treating it as an opportunity to reflect would produce revelations and possibly solutions to our wonderings. Often we insist on filling all our time with business and noise or distraction but are we wasting golden opportunity? I know for me these times often result in awareness, revelation or problem solving. If I didn’t have quiet moments of reflection my journey would be slower and more challenging than it need be. Perhaps I need even more?
0 Comments on We have great potential but… as of 1/1/1900
And I don’t mean the spot remover. Do you ever wonder where you get the continued motivation to write?
You are an aspiring writer with 322 rejections in your file cabinet. No one wants to publish you, but no one wants to tell you why they won't. Just, "No Thank you!"
You are an author who has had a couple books published. You've built a fan base, you've laid the groundwork for your breakout book, but the publisher won't give you the chance. But wait, they want you to write four more books exactly like the one's you've already written different state, different character names. Oy!
Goodness gracious, why bother? Buck up, little soldier, where is your resolve?
In May 1979, Margaret Thatcher became the first woman ever elected prime minister in England. Within a year, she was being touted a failure by many, including her own party. It was all about economics. But she would not be swayed from her mission. She resolved to stay the course and ride it out. Thatcher had faith in her plan and she had faith in her self. In doing so, she is considered one of the world's most influential women leaders in history. Plain and simple, she refused to give up, and she refused to give in.
"No one can defeat us unless we first defeat ourselves." --Dwight Eisenhower
No matter what society says is right or wrong, if you believe in something be true to it. Don't back down once you've made a stand. If you feel strongly about something you have written and you know there is a place for it, then stay the course. Keep submitting, keep trying, everything has its day. Following your heart is not unprofessional, it is healthy.
Be responsible. Own your actions. You've got to depend on yourself no matter what. The things you aspire to are for you and no one can achieve them for you. Be honest, do you want someone else in the driver's seat of your life?
Most importantly, when you resolve to do something, be open-minded. While we must be true to ourselves and our missions, we must be willing to consider changing with the times. Progress is not all bad. But as writers, we know that the only way to fill our work with emotion and integrity is to pull those characteristics from within ourselves.
We are writers because we can't not be writers. To be told what to write and when to write it is difficult, at best. Our industry has set so many unspoken rules in place that it is often unclear if we should actually write. But we do. We have resolved to use our words to touch others and to give that up would be a slow and agonizing death.
So if you are a writer, write first. Once you have done what you have chosen to do, then you take the time to consider the things you must do. I'll save book marketing and promoting for another day.
I'm resolved to get more readers for my blogs and books. Morgan Mandel www.morganmandel.com http://acmeauthorslink.blogspot.com http://morganmandel.blogspot.com http://mysteryturtles.blogspot.com
Excellent Stuff Karen and you are so right. It is hard to keep your resolve when the rejections pour in, until you remember--you are working - at least you are getting the stuff out there. And to not write is unthinkable so keep on keeping on until some editor finds you at the right place at the right time. Somewhere I read not to think of a rejection as anything but a wrong address for the editor you are searching for. Thanks Karen, Cricket www.cricket-sawyer.com http://cricketshearth.blogspot.com
"Buck up, little soldier." Okay, I'm gonna be saying that to myself every time I get depressed about the writing. For whatever reason, that made me laugh and perk right up out of what is definitely an unmotivated blah mood today.
I have to admit I'm learning to love the challenge of writing something that maybe wasn't my first choice, but that someone else thinks I can do well.
A great example of resolve against all odds is the story of Canadian crime-fiction author Howard Engel, who continued to find a way to write even after a rare brain disease removed his ability to read.
Another favorite story is about the late Madeleine l'Engle, who endured two years of rejections from more than two dozen publishers for her ultimately award-winning book, A Wrinkle In Time.
Not too long ago, L.J. Sellers, author of THE SEX CLUB posted a Blog about Blog etiquette. She questioned whether it is appropriate to leave your name and a link to your site or Blog. Several people seemed offended by the very idea. I have seen on other groups and lists where people call it blatant self-promotion. Well, of course it is!
I would never presume to say why anyone else Blogs. That is a personal choice and no one has to answer to me. I can only tell you why I Blog.
1. Because I have things to say and I want to share my thoughts with others and find out what they think. I am curious by nature.
2. I am promoting my books and my company. No secret there. What kind of businessperson would I be if I didn't.
When people accuse me of blatant self-promotion, or accuse other authors for that matter, I just want to laugh at them. Of course we are self-promoting. We are professionals and we have a job to do. We have written books and if we do not self promote them who will know they even exist. How will you know?
There is a lot of value in self-promotion and the sooner people realize that and stop complaining about it, the better off everyone will be. An author promoting their work is no different than a car dealer promoting their vehicles.
When an author takes on the responsibility of having a book published, they also take on the task of letting readers and the public in general. There is always talk of how an author should be respectful of the readers wishes; don't put useless links on Blogs and posts and such, it is blatant self-promotion.
What about the readers respect for the author? Doesn't the author who toils and sacrifices to write a book deserve the opportunity to promote and share his talent with those he wrote it for? We write so our words can touch readers. How do they do that if they are afraid to self-promote?
We are all readers on some level, and to offer tolerance and understanding to our fellow authors is a small sacrifice. So, I ask you, if you get an announcement from your fellow author, consider the amount of time YOU have put into your last project. If you see a Blog address at the end of a post on your Blog, consider the fact that YOU want more people to read your Blog and the person leaving the address might just lead others back to you. And when you see someone on a list who is mentioning their own book, remember that if YOU mentioned your book instead of complaining about their mention, you might be able to sell another copy.
It's not about right or wrong, or good or bad, it is about giving readers the CHOICE to decide if they want to follow a link, or buy a book that is mentioned. Courtesy and tolerance. Imagine if we each used a little bit each day. The world would be a better place, and not just for blatantly self-promoting authors.
As aspiring "unknown" authors, who's going to promote you if you can't and don't do it yourself? Sheesh, I wouldn't blog, web, twitter, ping, all that networking stuff til I'm blue in the face if I weren't in the business of getting my name and products out there and stirring up business. I suppose some people blog just to spout off opinions. I do that as well, but if a blog offers value and information to the reader, I don't see the harm in letting satisfied readers that you have written books on related subjects they might very well find value it.
I'm never offended or irritated by authors who send me notices about their book (unless they go overboard). But it's good to be reminded that it's also important to follow those links, look at their site, and comment if I can. I have been trying to do more of that. But every time I take on a new avenue of networking, another avenue gets ignored. Never enough time ... Lj http://ljraves.blogspot.com
I think that in this new Information Age, people are used to getting information (including music, videos, and the written word) for free. And once you've gotten something for free, you get a little resentful at the thought of having to pay for it. It's important to remind people that artists have to eat too, and that without art the world would be a very sad place indeed. Gentle, respectful, and entertaining self-promotion can serve as one of those reminders.
I don't mind commenters who leave their URL or authors who email me about their books. I've found some great books that way. It takes a lot of time to visit blogs and leave comments. I appreciate every person who visits my blog and plenty of times I go to someone's blog and read a comment from someone I would like to follow up on, but can't find them. http://straightfromhel.blogspot.com
I'm never offended when someone leaves their link(s) on comments - I love to find new authors and see what they're writing/thinking/etc. It's all about doing it respectfully, me thinks!
The key, of course, is to always leave a little more good stuff than you get. It's not really blatant self-promotion then. It's blatant sharing. Right? The right kind of BS. ;)
Another good post, Karen... Who obviously gives way more than she gets as a way of living.
I believe you are right on target with your comments. I think it's very important that authors, writers, and publishers network more together. Then we all benefit.Thanks for interacting on my book marketing lens. And kindly consider having other authors submit free samples of their work at http://www.bookglutton.com/. Mine is called Positive Life Change Samples. Sincerely, Gary Eby, author and therapist.
It's all about you. That's what I said. It's time you took a good hard look inside yourself and rediscover who you are and where you are going. It sounds simple, but I promise this will be the hardest thing you do all week.
When I read LJ Sellers blog today, it kind of got me to thinking. LJ wrote about her lists and how they keep her going. I made a joke about goofing off. And immediately felt a rush of guilt. While I read a series of Blog posts, I could have been stuffing envelopes with flyers announcing new books or old books or any of our books. I should have been formatting short stories that need to be going up for sale.
I concluded that I need to get more organized. I don't really have a master life list or whatever it is called. I do have a daily task list, but some days I forget to look at it. I tend to fly by the seat of my pants.
Where do you want to be in ten years? I gave this a little thought this afternoon, but didn't come up with anything solid. I guess it's time to stop putting it off and get to work. Will destiny wait forever?
I have given myself a goal. By next Friday I am going to post a list of my short, mid, and long-term goals: one year, five years, and ten years.
Getting back to my opening line. Do you have goals? Do you know what you want to be when you grow up? Have you really given serious thought to what you need to do to reach those goals?
I am a firm believer that life is all about the journey, but it never hurts to have a map in the glove box, just in case. Don't let others take control of your life, you're important and no one can get you where you want to go better than you. All you have to do is figure out where you want to be.
Hmmm, very profetic and deep for a day that is 08/08/08. I like the last few lines of the blog where you talk about it being about the journey, but having a map in the glovebox. Very much the way I live my life. And you gave me some food for thought for my own blog. Once I'm done visiting all you wonderful people I'm going to pop over to my own blog and do some thinking about my own destiny.
Thank you for the inspiration. Teagan Oliver www.TeaganOliver.com www.TeaganOliver.blogspot.com www.paranormalmaine.blogspot.com
Karen, have enjoyed your posts this week. All have been worthy of comment. Today (drum roll please...) you get mine.
Not more than two minutes before reading your post, I saw an article on goal setting. It's called the "SMART" approach.
S=Specific (define goal in detail) M=Measurable (track your progress) A=Achievable (be able to meet the goal) R=Realistic (challenging yet can be accomplished) T=Time limited (long-term & short-term).
This may not be news to some of us, but I was glad to be reminded. Getting more info on the subject has been for some time, uh, one of my goals :>)
I keep a notepad on my desk to make lists of things to do. It's always rewarding to mark things off, even if they're tiny things. But I can't say I have a list of long-term goals.
You've given me something to think about. I think it would be a good idea to set long term goals and track my progress toward them. If I don't have a destination in mind, how will I get there? And if I do, how will I know I've arrived?
I"m a big short term goal list maker - it helps me stay focused during the day and get more accomplished both at work and home. I like the idea of a 'roadmap' for longer term goals as well.
I usually only make lists when I'm overloaded, like today. I've got to pack for a week's vacation in the mountains, run down to San Diego (2 hr drive) to write a 7-10 minute script for the 48 Hour Film Project (a contest), then come back home, hopefully before 4 a.m., finish packing and hit the road around noonish. It feels like I'm juggling chainsaws and apples, and trying to take a bite out of the right one.
But maybe my goals need to be written down as well... ;-)
Great post, Karen. It reminded me to look at my life-quest list and update my goals. And thanks for the mention. You've inspired me and succeeded quite well with our without lists. Lj
After writing non-fiction on stress, doing years of clinical work and research, I believe this issure--how we get in charge of our own lives--is the most important and the one I focus on with mysteryshrink.com.
We grow up chasing prizes, grades, and relationships to direct us, without learning to use our real powers. I like the idea of the map in the glove box, because on speaking tours I often follow a motivational speaker who leaves out that "wanting" something is not enough. Just "wanting" or being "optimistic" is not enough. It's like when I'm seeing someone in marriage counseling and he says that he really loves his wife and he's very optimistic about the future, but has no plans to change anything he's doing.
I'm working on a full website with a special section for writers, because I love writers and we work alone with plenty of real and imagined criticism.
"Which is more real? The world you can touch, or the world you are responding to?"
It's early morning, you've had those first six cups of coffee, and now it is time to write. The sun isn't even up yet, so why should you be expected to be up and creative no less? Because that is what you picked to be. Creative, I mean, not so much up.
How in the blazes are you going to get any stinking words on that page, when you can't even keep your eyes open? Well, there are a few things you might consider. We're going to take a New Age approach to getting the creative juices flowing.
Let's start with a little bit of Aromatherapy. I won't go into much detail on this because there is just so much to be said. You can check the link for yourself, but I suggest two things. First, I love the smell of cinnamon in the morning. It is crisp and yet subtle. For me, it speaks of all things exciting and exotic and this is a definite stimulant to my brain activity. The second thing I like is lemon. Lemon has an invigorating quality that refreshes and is also a great stimulant. Why do you think there are so many cleansers with lemon smell? It makes it not suck quite as much that we need to use them.
Okay, we've got the smells in place. Let's consider the sounds around us. Some people prefer the quiet when working or relaxing. I, on the other hand, need the noise to keep me grounded. Otherwise I am listening for things that aren't happening. No focus. I try to set my music to my task. If I need to write a love scene, I might listen to John Tesh or Kenny G, music with no words. If I am writing something thrilling or an action scene, I might pop in a soundtrack like The Pirates of the Caribbean. Lots of drums and crescendos. Another thing I often use is music that is in another language. Big fan of Andrea Bocelli and Enya.
Finally, there is your setting. Environment is very important to the creative process or simply to a positive state of mind. Whether you write or not, you need to be surrounded by things that make you happy and things that have positive influences on your thoughts. Art, pictures, colors that speak to you. It is impossible for me to be creative in a sterile white environment. My walls are covered with posters on inspiration and success. I have a wall of success with the awards and certificates I have won over the years. I even have a few framed reviews that were particularly good. Make your space your own. If you have to share space with someone else, find things that you can move in easily while it is your time. Fresh flowers, a special quilt or throw over the chair beside you. A few trinkets to make it your own. I feel good when I look at my fluffy Tinker Bell pen on my desk.
Nothing is too silly when it comes to putting yourself into the right frame of mind to create something. Don't be afraid to think outside the box if it will help you write better, create better, or just feel better. After all, you are the most important thing in your life and you deserve the extra little things to make what you do easier and more enjoyable.
Cinnamon! I have to try that. How about cinnamon toast with coffee?
Another reason cinnamon might work for me is that one of my favorite memories is of my dad's cinnamon toast. He'd make it as a special treat. My dad was also my writing inspiration...so there ya go!
Not sure what happened to my first comment, so here it is again.
Love the music idea for writing climax scenes. I would have never thought of it. The thing that get my juices flowing best is an e-mail from a reader saying she loved THE SEX CLUB and asking when my next novel will be out. Nothing like pressure/expectation to motivate. Lj
I tried the vanilla candles/quiet workspace/mood music route... found that I'm much more prolific if I sit in my hubby's recliner with the laptop on my lap (what else is it for?) and an old movie in the background (almost anything black and white, usually TCM).
I've already finished 1 article that way today, and will soon start another.
On August 2, 2008, I made my second appearance at the Hanover Book Festival. This is what I would call a little itty-bitty book festival in a little itty bitty town called Mechanicsville, VA. Now, why would a big glamorous publisher like me what to go to a little itty-bitty town like that? By golly, I'm gonna tell you!
One, they invited me two times in a row. The first time, curiosity, but the second time, I was honored. Joanne Liggan, who coordinated this festival, is a gem. She has put together a spiffy little festival that I honestly think is going to continue to grow.
In the morning I presented a workshop on "Publishing Green." This was my first time doing this workshop, and it needs some work, but I was pleased. My group was interactive and that helped.
After my workshop, they plunked me down at a table to do editor interviews. Yes, that is right. This little bitty book festival had something for everyone. I did interviews all day and met some delightful and obviously talented writers.
Now, getting back to the point of the blog. Does your town have a book festival? You might consider going to your mayor's office and asking if your writer's group could organize one. Or you could do the easy thing and find other towns around you who have these festivals already and support them.
Just because it is in a small town doesn't mean it doesn't have a huge amount to offer. On top of doing interviews, presenting my workshop, and getting a free lunch with the best chocolate pie I've ever had, I sold books! Yes, folks that's right, I sold books to readers!
I would very much like to know about more hometown festivals where I can sell books and maybe share what I know. So if you your town or another you know of, has a book festival or any other kind of festival that welcomes authors and such, please let me know. Perhaps I can come and see you!
Austin has a huge festival -- the Texas Book Festival -- each year. It takes place on the capital grounds and has spread out from there.
It does welcome authors, publishers, and other vendors, but you have to pay for a booth spot.
It also has author speakers they invite. You can tell them about yourself if you're an author who's been published in the 18 months prior to the festival, but the date has already passed for the best chance of getting invited. I believe that date was about a month and a half ago.
Karen, have you presented at the Women Writing the West annual conference? I think it's in TX this Fall and CA the following year... Los Angeles maybe.
My "new" hometown, Villa Rica (pop. next to nothing), has a Gold Rush Festival every year. The organizers are trying very hard to upgrade the exhibits and vendors to make it more like an arts festival.
Three local authors (myself included) are going to exhibit and sell our books. This will be the first time books have been included, so we'll see how it goes. Also can't hurt to pass out tons of promo material!
The Decatur Book Festival, in Decatur, GA, (just outside Atlanta) is huge. In just a couple of years it boasts of 60,000+ attendees. It's Labor Day weekend, this year the end of August.
http://www.decaturbookfestival.com/2008/index.php
The Atlanta Chapter of Sisters in Crime has had a booth there since the beginning. Come on down and visit us. It's a great festival!
It occurred to me half way through TWILIGHT by Stephanie Meyers that I am kinda thankful I don't have kids. You may be wondering what my personal life has to do with one of the most popular books of the decade. It's simple. I read this book, I am an adult, and the emotional and physical aspects of this book were intense.The physical longing of the two main characters is nothing short of obsessive. Almost frightening. The level of violence was a bit disturbing as well. This book is written for older teens? Thankfully this book had no violence. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the book, but as I said, I am an adult.
Let's take it down a decade. A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS by Lemony Snickets. I voted for this one as one of the worst books ever. A children's book? The themes in this book are barely masked by the child characters. We read about substance abuse (alcohol), child abuse, neglect, incest, and slavery. Okay, maybe that one is pushing it, but the children are basically slaves to their uncle. This is a kid's book? These are the things we want to influence our children?
The last one I will bring up is ACCELERATION by Graham McNamee. This is the story of a kid who is working off some time in the lost and found of the subway. He finds a journal that turns out to be that of a serial stalker/potential serial killer. I liked this book, it was well written and kept my attention, but I question the logic in placing a kid in the role of stopping a psychotic killer. This book is very graphic and if I were a kid, I might be inclined to think I could do something like this.
Is there the slightest chance that when writers are working out the plots of their books that they are too concerned with selling books and not concerned enough about how their stories will affect young minds? Don't get lathered up, I am not placing any blame on any author…I am simply asking if there isn't some kind of a line that some authors are crossing over into gray area.
Some will argue that this is what kids want. Okay, I might buy this, but what if we are not giving them enough choices? What if we eliminated some of the sex, toned down the violence, and spent less time writing about ids doing drugs? What's the worse that could happen? We give kids stronger, more focused and versatile role models and things to occupy their time?
If the book industry offered up something that was fun, exciting, interesting, etc. and found a way to pull some of the kids away from the gaming world, got them out from in front of the TV, and reading more? Could this be a bad thing?
Our brains are computers. Garbage in, garbage out. I don't know why people can't connect the dots. Karen, I think one of the greatest gifts we can give children is extended innocence. Do adults even try to protect their children from too much inappropriate knowledge? I think some do. It's probably what fuels the home-schooling movement. But to my way of thinking, a lot more kids need a chance to stay young, and that means much greater media oversight. It's a crisis in our society.
I agree, to a certain extent. Adults (most!) are much better at separating fact from fiction. I haven't read Twilight, but it's hugely popular with teens. As is Lemony Snicket with teens and younger.
Would this be in the same category as some parents protesting to ban Harry Potter because children would be exposed to witchcraft and sorcery?
Maybe I'm missing the point, and perhaps this is exactly why kids grow up so much faster these days. I don't think it's solely because of books, though. Look around at the problems kids are facing these days. It's very different from when I grew up (the ice age)
When Angelina Jolie walks down the street wearing scruffy jeans and a ripped T-shirt, there are a dozen or more photographers, or paparazzi as they are known, waiting to snap her picture. They want to capture her every move on film and then they want to sell it to whoever will pay the highest dollar amount.
When Brittany Spears goes out in public with no drawers on, the whole world wants to know. Who cares? Well, oddly enough, millions of people do. And if they don't, they do a pretty good job of pretending they do by continually buying the magazines and papers that slap those risqué shots all over their glassy pages.
What does this have to do with you? It's all about visibility. Every time we see these stars, it reminds us about their new movie release or of their upcoming music CD. It is very carefully plotted publicity. Do you think that Brittany doesn't know what will happen when she rides bareback? Of course she knows. And Angelina…she is considered one of the sexiest people on the planet, those scruffy clothes make her stand out and keep her on the cutting edge of everything.
Again, what about you? What do you do to make yourself visible? I have mentioned this before and it makes people laugh, but where in the hell are the bookarazzi? Why doesn't anyone care about the authors of the world?
The movie industry has the iconic read carpet, what color should the carpet be at the Agatha's or the Edgars? What is the biggest award presentation for the book industry? Anyone know? Not a genre thing, but an overall award ceremony? Who sponsors it? Who decides on those awards? And what color is the carpet?
Why don't authors get all dressed up and celebrate their incredible literary accomplishments like they do at the Oscars or the SAG awards? More importantly, what are you doing as an author to move us into a more visible place in the industry? I've only said this once or twice in public, but I am going out on a limb to ask…when are writers going to start getting the attention we deserve? Movie stars…have no movies without scripts–WRITERS! Singers…have no songs to sing with lyrics–WRITERS!
When you go out and do an event, do you invite the press? Do you have someone take pictures for you? Do you keep a scrapbook of your accomplishments? Where do you display these images? How do you expect to become a household name if no one knows who you are or what you look like?
Too shy? Let's think about this. Go to the bookstore and pick up a copy of Nora Roberts' latest book. Flip it over and check out the back. No jacket blurb, only a picture of Nora. A darn fine picture, at that. She has been working the circuit for so many years that it isn't her words that sell the books any more. They keep people coming back for more, but it is her name and her persona that gets people to the store to buy books that they have little idea what they are about.
So, now that I've got you thinking, what are you going to do to make yourself a household name?
Hmmm. Drop business cards in every bathroom from coast to coast... Paste my picture over Nora Roberts' on her book jackets... How about dance naked under the full moon? :) Okay, forget the full moon.
Julie Ann Shapiro said, on 3/3/2008 5:20:00 PM
I feel as an author that I'm in forward motive always seeking marketing opportunities and story ideas. When the two merge in a synchronous it's all the more wonderful.
And when a reporter calls you up to interview you for a story...it's all the sweeter. This happened today.
Lately, I feel like I'm living my destiny but that I need to have my running shoes ready to sprint 'cause I never know where I'll be running to next.
Live Out Loud said, on 3/13/2008 1:24:00 PM
That's great Julie Ann - that's some good advice, too. Part of creating opportunities is being ready to jump when they come knocking at your door.
This seems to be what I am doing a lot these days. I am tiptoeing around the industry, trying not to upset authors, trying not to irritate other publishers, and struggling not to piss off bookstore owners. It has been my goal for the last five years to "fit in."
Well, I'm here to tell you that fitting in isn't all it's cracked up to be. Fitting in is for kids in high school. I can sense the hairs on the back of many necks standing up already. You're sitting there thinking, what is she going to say now? Well, I'm about to slap the Internet with my honest thoughts. Not so much my feelings, as I think that is what got me in trouble to begin with. I've been thinking. Actually I have been learning. GASP! That's right; I don't know everything.
I've been strengthening my business knowledge, and it is shocking how much I am learning. I spend a great amount of time mumbling, "Sheesh, I should have known that." Anybody out there know the difference between assets and liabilities? I do now.
During the last month, I've spent a large amount of time reorganizing our warehouse. Care to take a guess at how many liabilities I have lining the walls of our warehouse? Oy! Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining, I am simply giving you a glimpse into the mind of a publisher. The most shocking thing I learned recently is that while I have been worrying so much about upsetting my authors that I forgot the rule of business, succeed!
In this case, success would mean simply, to take the liabilities in my warehouse and turn them into assets, or revenue. In order to do this, I also have to learn how to motivate my other list of liabilities, my authors. Another Gasp! Authors, liabilities? You bet! How so, you ask?
Each author has the potential to be an asset. However, in order to be an asset, those author's books have to be making the company money, as opposed to costing the company money. The costs involved in publishing a book are not small, and if that money is spent, and not re-earned, the columns become lopsided. Bottom line, if you are an author and you think you are doing your publisher a favor by letting them publish your book, think again. This is not meant to irritate you; it will hopefully enlighten you.
Teamwork is the key ingredient to a successful venture when a publisher and an author are involved in a partnership. Books do NOT sell themselves. Not even for authors like Grisham, Roberts, or Steele. Those authors and their marketing, sales, editorial, and publicity staffs have spent countless hours and dollars building up the biggest assets of all for an author--reputation and credibility. It has taken years, even decades for most successful authors to find the level of visibility that gives the illusion of books selling themselves. But I assure you that each of these authors, and any other successful author will tell you that every day they continue to work not only hard, but smart to keep their assets in place.
Success does not happen overnight and it does not happen easily. It is the result of a tremendous amount of physical and mental activity expended with the express purpose of achieving a goal. Success is hard earned, but from what I can see, it is well worth the effort.
It isn't just the authors who play a role in the success of a publisher. There is the role of professional organizations, bookstores, libraries, distributors, and even readers. These are entirely different blog posts, which will follow, I assure you.
Is this a rant? Maybe a small one, but more than anything it is a wakeup call for authors. If you hope to remain a part of your publishing house's author list, I encourage you to learn the difference between an asset and a liability. How long do you think a publishing house will keep an author who continues to be a liability? Make a decision as to which you want to be.
When a writer makes the decision to become an author, something happens inside them, I know, it happened to me. When I made the took the plunge to seek publication for my writing, I had all kinds of grandiose ideas. I would be driven to my book signings in a limo, or a nice town car at worst. I would wear beautiful designer clothes, and everywhere I went, I would be stopped to sign the copies of my books that everyone in the world just happened to be reading.
Then reality set in. I was fortunate enough to get a new car in 2005. My husband purchased me a lovely little Toyota Corolla. By the same date two years later, I had managed to put 50,000 miles on the poor thing and (it seems like) as much money in routine maintenance and oil changes. Why? Because the darn limo hasn't shown! Did they lose my address?
I had very optimistic goals and plans for my career as a best selling author. So what happened? Self-confidence or lack thereof. I realized very early in the game that I had a serious lack of it. No kidding, if I spent a fraction of the time writing that I spend second-guessing my talent, my skill, my motivation or any of those required tools for success, I would have written ten more books than I have. As it turns out my most productive practice is wondering why any sane person would give a flying rat's rump what I wrote.
So how does this work for you? I am not a shy person by nature, I don't really care for public speaking, but I am making it work for me. I have had to buck up and roll with it. I tend to get incredibly nauseous just before I have to address a group. After it is all done, people say I did great, but I can't help but fear they are giving me what I refer to as "pity pep."
Self-confidence is one of those things that you don't really give much thought to. You do what you have to do, and try not to dwell on it. How do you handle this in other aspects of your life?
I wonder even more if a lack of self confidence, no matter how well camouflaged, has a direct impact on your ability to sell books or to even appear approachable to potential readers or fans. I spend a great deal of time listening to motivational audios, I find them considerably more stimulating than reading the material, as I think the sound of a voice telling you something that is of tremendous importance has a much stronger impact on the subconscious mind.
I'd be curious to learn what other authors and creative type people do to overcome or compensate for a lack of self-confidence.
About the Author:
Karen Syed is the proud owner of Echelon Press, LLC . Every day is a new success story for her as she continues to grow herself and her business. She has seen seven novels published, along with numerous articles and short stories. As a former bookstore owner, she garnered a nomination from Publishers Weekly for their Bookseller of the Year award. You can learn more about Karen Syed at www.hartofthematter.com.
0 Comments on Self Confidence vs. Optimism as of 1/1/1900
Hamilton70554 said, on 8/20/2007 5:13:00 AM
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Travis Erwin said, on 8/20/2007 1:11:00 PM
I think all writers do a good bit of second guessing. We are all our own worst critics, but I have learned when you when yiou are pitching a project, whether it be in person at a conference or via a query letter, you better be able to hold your head high and convince the other party that you believe in the words you created.
I think it comes down to, if you don't have confidence in it, why should an agent or editor.
Heather S. Ingemar said, on 8/30/2007 7:46:00 PM
Hey! This is the first time I've been here.... nice place!
6. Art & Crafts. Don't laugh; you are of the creative nature. If not, you would not be writing books. I consider writers to be among the most creative. Actors get to use physical action and we get to see it. Artists use the canvas and color to present their images. Writers get a piece of white paper and black text to create worlds and characters and stories that must pull the reader in and hold them captive for hours, and in many cases days.
So, how exactly can arts & crafts help you sell books? Well, there are a couple different ways. First, perhaps your other talent is making candles or knitting blankets. You might have a few extras lying around that you could sell. So here is the scoop. You hunt down the dates and times of your community's monthly or quarterly Craft Bazaars. You can usually get a table for under $50.00. You go and set up your crafts, along with a few stands showcasing your books. Sell them in sets or alone.
You are probably wondering who would buy a book at a craft festival or event. Well, anyone. You are an author and it is not your job to decide who will buy or not. Your job is to write an awesome book and then let everyone in the world know that you have it for sale. Craft people are creative sorts too, so it stands to reason that they just might like to buy books.
When the average person goes to a street festival or event they do not go with the intention of buying anything specific, so this is your chance to sell them on how darn glad they will be after they slide into the pages of your dramatically and well-written tale of murder, romance, or adventure. The good news is that you stand a chance, they had no true desire to buy the Gold Lame' potholder set either, but they did.
Take advantage of the low-key and relaxed atmosphere that these events offer you as a vendor. And don't be afraid to mix your books with crafts, it's okay, stores do it all the time.
Some places to start looking for these events are:
The people you will meet at these events are your neighbors and people who you share common goals with. You want your community to thrive and to support itself and its inhabitants. Getting involved in the events taking place in your neighborhoods is a great way to not only get your name out there, but to build good solid relationships with people and increase the potential that they will love your book, find a connection with you, and talk up your local celebrity status. Who doesn't want to be a star, even a small one?
So get on our into your community and SELL SOME BOOKS!
Pt. 7 Coming Soon!
0 Comments on Marvelous Marketing Maneuvers (Pt. 6) as of 1/1/1900
Rodrigo said, on 7/6/2007 4:07:00 AM
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Here’s a great website that provides all sorts of free printables for kids - including word search puzzles, coloring sheets, and a whole lot more.
The site was created by a mom whose kids were always asking for activity sheets they could print out and work on with their friends. When she couldn’t find enough of these materials on the Web, she started creating them herself.
You’ll find plenty of fun materials here to keep your own kids busy having fun this summer!
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I'm resolved to get more readers for my blogs and books.
Morgan Mandel
www.morganmandel.com
http://acmeauthorslink.blogspot.com
http://morganmandel.blogspot.com
http://mysteryturtles.blogspot.com
Great post, Karen.
For me, most important is being open to suggestions, critique, change.
Learn from those who have "been there-done that." If it doesn't work, then try something else. Keep searching.
http://www.marycunninghambooks.com
Excellent Stuff Karen and you are so right. It is hard to keep your resolve when the rejections pour in, until you remember--you are working - at least you are getting the stuff out there. And to not write is unthinkable so keep on keeping on until some editor finds you at the right place at the right time. Somewhere I read not to think of a rejection as anything but a wrong address for the editor you are searching for. Thanks Karen,
Cricket
www.cricket-sawyer.com
http://cricketshearth.blogspot.com
"Buck up, little soldier." Okay, I'm gonna be saying that to myself every time I get depressed about the writing. For whatever reason, that made me laugh and perk right up out of what is definitely an unmotivated blah mood today.
I have to admit I'm learning to love the challenge of writing something that maybe wasn't my first choice, but that someone else thinks I can do well.
This came at a very opportune time. Thank you.
Teagan
www.TeaganOliver.com
www.TeaganOliver.blogspot.com
www.ParanormalMaine.blogspot.com
A great example of resolve against all odds is the story of Canadian crime-fiction author Howard Engel, who continued to find a way to write even after a rare brain disease removed his ability to read.
I blogged about his story at Overcoming the Ultimate Writer's Block.
Another favorite story is about the late Madeleine l'Engle, who endured two years of rejections from more than two dozen publishers for her ultimately award-winning book, A Wrinkle In Time.