Series: #7 Tough To Finish?

Book Author Question Series How long did it take to finish? The notes app on my phone is one of my best friends. I use it often. I write, in some form, virtually every day. I was first approached about writing a book in Washington D.C. in 2008 when I was named National Headliner Award Winner through the Association for Women in Communications. I had given a speech that resulted in a standing ovation – which touched me deeply and told me I’m not alone in my view of the world. I was intrigued by the idea of writing a book, but afraid. I mulled it over for months, but life was busy as I was pregnant with my second child and a full-time professional with a spouse and small business. The seed was planted. I spoke with a writing consultant at that time who gave me an amazing piece of advice. Her name is Sam Horn and I highly suggest you seek her out. She’s simply amazing....

Series: #6 My End Game?

Book Author Question Series What do you want out of it? I don’t know where I am with all the pieces that play into this answer yet. I have something to say. I’ve been told many times along the way I’m a woman who is driven, knows her mind, and is a catalyst. Maybe I am those things. Maybe I am not. Too much categorization and definition tends to stifle growth in my humble opinion. I never made a living using my own voice with my own opinions. I made a living helping others find theirs through journalism and as a digital media producer, interviewer, writer. Finding and using your voice is surprisingly difficult for many, many people. I have never found it difficult. I just haven’t found it to be my focus when I was dwelling on helping others find their own. What I know is this. I want to share what I’ve learned in the hope it can help others – anyone...

Series: #5 Why This Route?

Book Author Question Series Publishing Route – Why this direction? I self-published my book. I studied options for a few years watching it all change significantly with new avenues opening up for people to streamline the process of writing and getting their work out there. For years, I had the big fat books of publishing houses and how to write query letters and you know what? I didn’t make anything happen. I lived around them and was content in my little solar system of research seeking out information as I perused book stores around the nation while on vacation after vacation year after year … sinking deeper into my giant bean bag chair of comfort and safety reading about becoming an author, writing books and people who do it, but never getting it done myself. One day I was done with that. It turned into a nonsense hobby for me. It was taking more from me than it...

Series: #4 Rejection Is Real

Book Author Question Series You could be rejected, so why put yourself out there? Rejected by who? People who only know a pretend version of me? A one-dimensional slice of who I am from a distance? That mirage of acceptance by people in the limited way I would’ve allowed them to see me would have only pacified me. It’s an illusion of sorts. Given that, I see acceptance as a type of mirage. Not putting my perspective out there in my way means I would’ve allowed smoke and mirrors to keep me from learning and growing and sharing that in the constructive way I’ve tried to do. Sure, I could be rejected, but I could also be accepted for exactly who I am. It’s like I tell my 14-year-old daughter and 9-year-old son. Stay honest with yourself and truthful with others. Keep those words, thoughts, and actions aligned best you can. Nobody is perfect and it’s not...

Series: #3 It’s An Extra Job

Book Author Question Series Why bother writing when you have other career success? When I was a TV journalist, I would sit with a news consultant every few months. The consultant would critique our writing, voice, hair, clothing, delivery, even jewelry. One day while working with our consultant showing her my work, she said “Why are you here? You have something to say to the world, Maria. You need to find a way to say it. This isn’t it for you.” That day I was not attempting to be validated for the lion-heartedness deep inside of me. The meeting was due diligence with the consultant in my required time slot. I appreciated the feedback. I always did. I enjoyed the new perspective it offered. It was often helpful, interesting, and even amusing sometimes. Yeah – I’m not a deep plunging neckline type of person – but you can keep telling me that’s...

Series: #2 Are Books Passé?

Book Author Question Series Why bother writing a book in this time? Each new medium is scrutinized as being behind the times when something fresh comes along. What ends up happening is that each find a way to claim their own space. Not seeing that possibility seems to demonstrate our inability to imagine more than what’s actually possible than anything watching these discussions and the morphing that happens. Certain books have more appeal in classic book form than others. I’ve heard books that sell well called airport books. Reference books are less useful as that information populates so many internet websites. However, prescriptive books have applicable use when paired with who you are and your personal perspective. It’s what I’ve understood, seen, and respond to, so that is my lighthouse – my beacon. Why write a book at this time? Why not? It’s...

Series: #1 Big Picture Vision

Book Author Question Series What is my big picture vision for this book project? This book project sparked a bigger idea for me last year. I turned 49 in August. I’ve themed my 49th year with the title – Year of 49. (My creativity knows no bounds.) I made a list of some things I want to accomplish in making this 49th year transition into 50 a year of celebrating benchmarks reached and life shifts that set up the trajectory of my life for the next phase. That list includes at least one book published and another manuscript done. A career shift toward something that leads to new possibilities in the next 10-20 years, not stagnation. Some other things on my list – no more apologies even to myself for anything I decide to or decide not to do. Boom. Sometimes I’ll be the gentle idealist I am and sometimes I’ll roar with passion as the lion-heart I am. I own me...

Series: 10 Author Questions

I have so much to share. I want to offer insight into my path toward writing a book, my own process of getting it down on paper and out there, and progress since I put it out. There have been some great developments so far and it's only just begun. Before I get to that in upcoming posts, however, I want to share a list of 10 questions I'll take on in individual upcoming posts. I've made note of these questions, because this is what I find I'm being asked often about writing itself so far. I want to offer a supportive nudge to others considering their own project. As for book content questions - that's another series ahead. I've touched on some of it in prior posts. Here is the rundown of my upcoming blog post series: 1- What is my big picture vision for this book project? 2- Why bother writing a book at this time? Is it passe? 3- Why bother writing a book and taking this on when you...