FIRST WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH
IT IS TIME FOR
INSECURE WRITER'S SUPPORT GROUP
To find out more about this group,
visit:
(The Ninja Captain)
at
at
Sometimes I feel as though the writing world is something I really know nothing about and I wonder to myself, if I should be participating within it. Yes, I have written a book and it is published, thanks to the modernization of the publishing industry and the invention of the eBook! But does that really mean that I am a part of this mystifying world?
Today, I have been contacted by the lovely Ali Cross, as I have been the lucky winner of a Personal Branding Consultation, by entering her Hundred Followers Giveaway, at the Writer’s Dojo!
My first question to Ali was, "What is a Personal Branding Consultation?" I certainly have no idea and this lead me to wonder about my non-existent understanding of this writing world. Of course Ali was very understanding and told me that she would help me to discover my 'brand' and advise me how to promote it. She also made me feel a little better about my ignorance when she told me that a lot of writer's don't really know what their brand is and stand around scratching their heads contemplating it! (To be honest, I hadn't even thought about how I promote myself or what image to present)!
Being honest, I only found out what a 'WIP' stood for in March, when I entered Rachel Harrie's Platform Building Campaign! It doesn't really take much to guess what it means, but when you are new on the block, all these terms are quite baffling!
Today, I have been contacted by the lovely Ali Cross, as I have been the lucky winner of a Personal Branding Consultation, by entering her Hundred Followers Giveaway, at the Writer’s Dojo!
My first question to Ali was, "What is a Personal Branding Consultation?" I certainly have no idea and this lead me to wonder about my non-existent understanding of this writing world. Of course Ali was very understanding and told me that she would help me to discover my 'brand' and advise me how to promote it. She also made me feel a little better about my ignorance when she told me that a lot of writer's don't really know what their brand is and stand around scratching their heads contemplating it! (To be honest, I hadn't even thought about how I promote myself or what image to present)!
Being honest, I only found out what a 'WIP' stood for in March, when I entered Rachel Harrie's Platform Building Campaign! It doesn't really take much to guess what it means, but when you are new on the block, all these terms are quite baffling!
Then of course, there is Critique groups / partners etc, and Beta readers. Trying to define what the difference was between the two, was also a challenge and wondering why I needed either, also took some time to reflect upon and consider! Now I am glad that I have taken the plunge and considered this option as I think all writer's need some help to tighten up loose ends, catch spelling mistakes and grammar issues.
So my question is, 'Are there others out there who have felt this way, or are feeling this way now? And if so how did you overcome your ignorance, did you just plod along like myself learning as you go, or did you learn through some other means?'
Carolyn
26 comments:
Uh...so what is a personal brand in writing terms?
Some of those short-form terms (like WIP) drive me nuts trying to figure them out.
Personal Branding Consultation??
There is so much I need to learn that it feels a bit overwhelming at times. I was a closet writer and didn't know any of the writing lingo until starting up my blog and actively participating in the on line writing community. When I didn't understand a term I'd google it or ask. I still do. But knowing a bunch of fancy terminology hasn't helped me finish my wip nor has it made me a better writer. Reading and writing has and that is my connection to the writing world. Also, you've written and published a book. THAT IS AWESOME!!! I wish I could say the same.
Ditto what Elise stated above. And I also know a number of authors who stick to the writing, and hold to the tenet that well written books will sell themselves. Now that doesn't mean they stick their heads in the sand, but it does mean that they are very selective when and where they market. Good luck sorting through your 'brand'. I've considered it no further than to say I'm a Indie-Author who writes romance novels within various sub-genres of that genre's scope. (contemporary, historical, and paranormal).
You're an author, C.M.! An honest-to-goodness-author. (I pinch myself at this point in the spiel, but feel free to perform your own 'am-I-really-hearing-this?' activity...lol.)
Have a great week! :}
I know exactly what you're saying. I tend to learn as I go. No, I didn't know what WIP stood for in the beginning, that one needed beta readers and who they were (thought I had them without knowing), or how to market (still trying to figure it out). I found a great community of authors at the World Literary Cafe and that has helped me tremendously. Other that that, it's just a lot of research and reading on the internet. I stopped marketing too much and I'm concentrating on more writing and reading.
Good Luck with your endeavors! You've had the strength to write a book and publish it, so you're a small percentage of people who "think" about writing or start writing, that finish. You should be proud:)
I do plod along and learn as I go. But I also do research. I love research and this helps me nail down difficult sections of a MS I'm working on.
There's a definite learning curve to it all, but don't be discouraged. Every writer was there at some point, and it takes some time. Hang in there, you'll catch on!
You're definitely not alone! I'm not much of the asking sort, so I often times come across things I don't know and have to either Google it or just hope I eventually figure it out. There's so many terms. It's hard to know them all.
all this stuff is confusing to me!
I felt the same. I was very confused on all of those writing terms, WIP, beta readers, critique partners, and so on... I've never heard of personal branding.
I've just kept going and kept trying to learn more about these things. It helps. I can be ignorant at times, but then I just ask what something is. :)
The entire process is overwhelming especially int he beginning. I started in a critique group and moved to critique partners. I've been lucky with the ones I work with now. The key is finding critique partners that have opposite strengths than you.
I had no idea what I was doing when I began! And two books later I still could tell you my brand.
I know exactly what you mean. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
Thanks Elise for your support and encouragement.
Thanks Nadja, but I really don't think of myself in this way, but deep down if I am honest with myself, I suppose I would like to.
Thanks Marta. Your comment is encouraging.
Stephen, you just used another term - MS (Manuscript?, yes I suppose we all plod, don't we?
Thanks Cate.
Yes Cherie, Google is good! Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Don't worry Lynn, it is to me too!
I am glad you could relate to this post Krista, thanks for leaving a comment.
Thanks for the tip Ciara!
Okay, so having a brand would be a good thing?
I've felt lost every step of the way, from novel planning, querying, self-publishing, and now to blogging. There's so much to know and learn to get to a point where I feel comfortable. You're doing a great job and congrats on the win.
Thanks Michael, for your encouragement.
I sympathize with you. Sometimes I feel out of the writing loop. I'm lucky to have friends that are thoroughly versed in it, but sometimes I feel like an outsider lucky enough to be peeking in.
Congrats on winning Ali Cross' giveaway! I hope you learn a lot.
I am glad to find that I am not the only one. Thanks for dropping by Christine.
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