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Successful Writing

E-publishing on Amazon is like fishing in an ocean: it's huge, overwhelming, and at any moment a huge wave could take you out. Could.

Truthfully, for most things in life we allow or make them happen. Luck helps, and bad things happen, but working -- and making sure we catch our fish (readers) -- requires a lot of ... work, continually. i.e. all the time.

I wish I could say that just by putting a book out in Amazonland means I'm through. Hands off, let the bucks come in. But, I know this isn't the case. Things that we value --and want-- require work to achieve them.

And this work requires patience.

I read this great post over at a super blog called Writer Unboxed. The post goes into detail about the five top things indie (independent) authors need to work on, work with and utilize to get those book sales. It was discouraging and encouraging at the same time. Mostly, the article was eye opening.

What does it say? In a sentence: In order to be successful as an indie writer, you have to think like an indie writer and reader. This isn't exactly what they said, but it's what I got from it. While it sounds redundant, it's also true for all writing, traditional or indie.

In order to be a good parent, I have to think and act like a caring parent should: care for them, not me. In order to keep growing my blog, I need to actually read other people's blogs: make it about them. Not me.

In order to be a successful indie author, it comes down to caring about the people who want to read your book. It sounds cheesy when I write it like that, but again, it's true. Give people free books (I am; The Puzzle Master will be free February 27, 28th and 29th on Amazon) communicate with them, answer fan mail, give them another well-written book.

Not for the money, not for the success and definitely not for the fame.

Real authors write because they love it. Yes, the rewards are nice. But, that aside, we write so our words touch someone else's life. A super cheesy line again. But super true too.

Bottome line: People wanted to be loved. Love them back. This is giving readers what they want.

In the end, I don't see how this can possibly backfire. You win friends, fans and a genuine respect for the writer/reader relationship.

I guess I'm in the right business after all...
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Comments

  1. SherrieFebruary 29, 2012 at 3:05 PM

    Heather- I love cheese! True is true is true. Thank you for writing when there is always a choice to do something else. I will try applying your advice. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Heather SpivaMarch 1, 2012 at 4:27 PM

    Awesome. Thank you for your comment!
    It's a win- win when we do this. :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. venbaMay 15, 2012 at 9:19 PM

    I actually enjoyed reading through this posting.Many thanks.


    E-Publishing

    ReplyDelete

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