5 Ways To Write A Bestseller - Or So They Say !

5 Ways To Write A Bestseller - You Write !

Hello Everyone -

Like most writers, I'm assuming, I sit in or at my most favorite writing place with the best intentions. Then something happens. I look around the room and find that I need to dust, organize and even vacuum the room. Of course when that happens you get up and start moving around the house, which takes you into the bedroom where you find that you should have started at least one load of laundry this morning. Of course there are other interruptions. The notifications from all of your social media accounts, Lord knows that we wouldn't want to be behind on the political situation of the day, or miss the video showing a kitten playing with the beam from a pin light. And lets not forget the text messages from friends and family when they find out that you have a day off. This my friends is NOT how to get the job done.

I read a quick little blurb the other day about the secrets to becoming a bestselling author. I'm not sure that they are all together serious, but certainly worth mentioning and getting started with. So. . .  here we go.

Secret to writing a bestseller -

You write -

I'm thinking Dude - seriously? But then when you reread the above comments you'll agree that in order for this first step to happen you actually have to do it. Putting everything away and out of arms length. And if it means that you have to go to Starbucks or the nearest coffee house, or for me the beach, that's what you do. We all know that when you sit down to start - life will get in the way. So remove it the best you can. It's that easy.

You stop dreaming of writing -  

Indeed ! I do it all the time. My mind is continually wandering and wondering why I don't have a bestseller. What I can or need to do to make that happen. Why my friends and family aren't helping me by sharing my social media posts, yes I'm laughing at myself for crying out loud, or even buying my books and stories and suggesting them to others to read of as gifts. Christ on the cross - I would be doing it for them.

What I should be doing is building a plan that will help to market myself and my work, and not depend on my friends and family because that apparently hasn't helped and has proven less productive. Again my fellow word lovers, it's that easy.

You stop talking about writing -

Here's that walk the walk, not just talk the talk, situation you've heard so much about. Yes, it's a real thing. But to me, the greater question I have here is confidence. Do you tell people that you're a writer? Do your tell them that you have written books and stories? Do you offer them a card so that they can check out your website, social media and more importantly - your work? NOW - if you're going to talk about it, than you better start to do it. AND - live the truth and the goal. No holding back! And yes you heard it here, it's that easy.

Stop wishing you were a writer -

This I'm puzzled by. If you're writing something, anything, whether you're published or not - you're a writer. At least in my eyes. 

My friend Patty McCarthy has written a couple unpublished manuscripts, a few short stories and actually won some online competitions. Is she a writer? Yes! And if you get a chance to read some of her work you'll know just how good she is.

My stepson, Austin Rule, is an amazing poet. He shares his work on Facebook and I'm sure other social media sites. He doesn't have anything published yet. But is he a writer? Yes, a good one. So folks, wishing it won't make it so. You have to do the work, and show it to people so they know that you're alive and yes that you are a writer. Apparently it is just that easy.

And you write -

This one is for me. Yes, if you want to be a writer then you write. You do it on your lunch hour, before you go to work and after. While you're waiting for a friend at lunch. You take the time while others are watching the NYC Housewives and you certainly continue until you have something tangible in your hands. Yes, my friends, in today's publishing world, it's just that easy.

In closing, I'm learning to put the crap away and close off the world, turn on the music and let Anita Baker inspire my fingers flow. It can take a little bit to keep going, but I'm making it work. And now that I've finished this I can go fold the laundry that has been waiting in the dryer. =)

Thanks for stopping by - be well,

Christopher