Last year a show came on TV called, GLEE. Now, when it first was publicized I wasn’t sure if I would watch it or not but my daughter said she thought it would be a good show. So when the season began we watched. And I have to admit, at first the story line was a bit odd. However, that is also what enticed me to keep watching.

Anyway, the young men and women on Glee are extremely talented singers so that is one of the reasons I tuned in each week. And the strong message of doing what you want to do despite being an outsider to the “popular” crowd really resonated with me.

Those kids realized that they were better people when they were a part of the GLEE group then when they were with their “friends”.

One of the songs that they sang earlier in the season but I feel really summarizes inspiration and motivation is the song, “Defying Gravity”. I hadn’t heard the song before this and now it is one of my favorite songs when I need a little motivation.

Here are few of the lyrics–

“Something has changed within me, something is not the same. I’m through with playing by the rules of someone else’s game.

“Too late for second guesses, too late to go back to sleep, it’s time to trust my instincts, close my eyes and leap”.

“I’m through excepting limits, ’cause someone says there so. Some things I can not change, but till I try, I’ll never know”.

Remember, no matter what other people tell you, try to convince you of, you are the only person who can make the decision to follow your passion. So, if you really wish to be a writer or author, you can do it. And don’t let anyone make you think you can’t.

You can buy the song on iTunes.

Every time, I hear this song, it reminds me of moving forward to creating my passion and living the life I love.

So I hope this Moment of Motivation as encouraged you to keep your passion alive and continue to spread the message of your writing and book to others.

Please come back if you listen to the song, and comment on what your thoughts are on the song.

Thanks and until next week–

Keep Writing!

It was a high counsel that I once heard given to a young person, “Always do what you are afraid to do.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson

As a writer, writing itself can evoke a level of fear in you. And then the thought of sending your writing out into the world, well, that can be a fearful thought…however, like the quote above states, do it anyway.

Once you have written your manuscript, edited the manuscript, proofread your manuscript, be good to yourself as a writer and send it off.

Because remember your book is about the message. I am not suggesting that you shouldn’t care about the layout, grammar or spelling in your work.

You may just hear the words, “But, what if no one likes it” or “I think it is best if I don’t publish it because then I won’t have to be disappointed”.

However, perhaps you should be thinking about, the advice, support, inspiration and healing you will be sharing and giving to your readers when they have read your book.

Don’t allow fear of failure or success keep you from living your dream of being an author.

Now, go and write.

Everyone needs inspiration. And today is a great time to give out some inspiration for my fellow writers,upcoming authors, and published authors.

So here is my Moment of Inspiration just for you:

“There is no mistaking a real book when one meets it. It is like falling in love.”
Christopher Morley
US author & journalist (1890 – 1957)

When a reader reads it like meeting a new friend or discovering an old friend you haven’t spoken with in a while. Sometimes it is like meeting yourself all over again. Books allow us to open our hearts, heads and souls to find, remember and seek something fresh and different.

Remember, writers and authors the wonderful courageous power you have in your written works. And I hope you are inspired to keep writing so your reader (like Morley says above), can fall in love.

Happy Writing!

I would like to introduce you to an online friend of mine, book cover designer Kristine Sheehan, aka The MerryBird.

I had the delightful experience of conducting an interview with Kristine. I hope you enjoy getting to know Kristine and if you need a book cover designer, she just may be your ideal Merry Bird.
 
Please give us a bit of background about you (where you grew up, where you were born, and if you have any sibliings)
 
I grew up in Westchester/Putnam County NY until I flew off to SUNY Oneonta and earned a BA in 1993. After graduating and working with an Albany NY book publisher as a  layout cover artist, I moved to Connecticut and have been here ever since. I am married, and have two awesome kids, Charlie 7 and Samantha 3.
 
 When did you start doing your design work?
I’ve always been a “natural” artist, Photography, Painting, Drawing, Designing,  but I took on Computer Art/ Graphics my last year in College which led to a graphic internship for the summer. My hobby was making cards and designing/collecting unique clothing tags. As for TheMerryBird, business officially came to fruition in 2006 with an online web page. Since then I’ve been flying higher every year!

Please let us know your inspiration for your work
I am continually morphing my services and products. I started out with stippled pen and ink note cards, which led to pet portraits, wedding invitations and holiday tags. Today, TheMerryBird is Primarily as a online business where  logo, bookcovers and ad design are desired more than ever.
 
Do you have advice for authors looking for a book cover designer?
Authors are so intriguing! I enjoy the passion that they have for the words they write and the desire to connect with others through those words. An author should find a designer that enjoys what the book is about.  I believe that if an author offers the book cover designer a synopsis of the book that is integral to the book/novels theme, an incredible visual can be created for them.
 
What do you have coming up for the rest of 2010 for your business?
There will be a new focus on The Merry Bird Designs advertising online and offline.  There are festivals in the future months for the Merry Bird stationery line being produced this summer 2010. Also a continued focus on offering design services to online business owners and authors is paramount for success.

Here is a question just for fun—what is your favorite food and why?
I love Japanese cuisine. Not only is it healthy but it is a great outlet for “social” gathering and sharing.

How can others get in contact with you and request your services?
Contact: TheMerryBird.com Designs
www.themerrybird.com
 info@themerrybird.com
203-551-1155 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              203-551-1155      end_of_the_skype_highlighting
www.Facebook.com/TheMerryBird.Designs
www.Twitter.com/TheMerryBird

Networking online and in person has become an important element of promoting for authors and writers. And being aware of some great networking tips as an author, you can gain lasting connections with people who may become readers and supporters of your book.

Authors and Writers—here are a few networking tips to remember:

1) Know your expertise and how you can be a resource for others. It is always a good idea to be of value to another person BEFORE you start selling or offering your services.

2) Have your presence (online and offline) represent who you are what you do. Confidence in yourself, your website and marketing materials is key to conveying a professional image.

3) Don’t assume because you meet someone, he or she would like to be on your mailing list. You can suggest to someone you meet for them to go onto you site and sign up for your site, but don’t just sign them up yourself.

4) Be sure to always say thank you. When you meet someone new, it is a good rule of thumb to acknowledge the meeting with a card or email.

5) Continue paying it forward. If you meet someone in a networking event who could be of help to someone else or vice versa, pay it forward by connecting the two people through proper introductions. This creates forward growing relationships.

6) Listen when someone is talking. As someone is talking with you, be active listening and present in the conversation. Ask them questions to gain further understanding and insight to develop deeper connection.

7) If you have a request, use a friendly voice. Always use the saying, “do unto others as you would have done to you.” If you must ask for something, be sincere in your words.

Whether you are networking on a social media site such as Twitter or Facebook or at a local event, proper networking can offer you more quality opportunities to create lasting connections as an author or writer.

I have noticed lately on the web, people talking about gaining courage, being real, doing things from your spirit and I couldn’t agree more.

When you promote what you do, it is best for you to do it from the heart. You may be asking what does this mean?

For me, sharing those things that make your heart sing, people that make you feel good, surrounding yourself with positive items…all of these things are good for you (and for your promotional efforts).

I truly love what I do. I get to share the stories from writers and authors to other people who may wish to read what these writers and authors have written. I get to be a part of spreading the news of their messages in their books so people can experience and learn from the writers and authors.

How great is that? I truly just enjoy being a part of it. I feel blessed to be able to share in the journey with my clients.

And I try to share that with others.

So when you are thinking about your promotion for you business, services and products, be sure you do it from your heart.

You should have it push it either. If you have promoting your business, it should be fairly easy for you to do. You shouldn’t feel pressured to do it. You should be excited and want to share what you are promoting with others because you know it will be something to help someone else.

So, whether you are on writing a blog post, an article, tweeting, updating your FB status, be sure you are doing your promotion from the heart. You will be glad you did.

How are you doing your promotion from the heart?

Authors and Writers: Which one are you?
You are about to start writing your book…
You are in the process of writing your book…
You have finished your book…

Well, no matter which stage you are at…do you who your target market is for your book?

You should because this is a vital part of having your book become successful.

Listen as I give a few tips on how to identify your target market for your book:
May 4 2010 TMT