By Zina Hermez
Did you know that 80
percent of Americans think they should write a book? Most of them will never do
it. People get intimidated by the work. They don’t know how to find a publisher
or even self-publish. They never try or give up because it seems too difficult,
or they don’t know how to get started. These days, writers can self-publish
with tools on-line, and there are ways to get your book printed by on-demand or
you can go the route of Indie publishing if you’re feeling especially
productive. Whether you publish independently, with a hybrid company, or with a
traditional publisher--you are still responsible for marketing. Be
aware. Authors are not only writers, they are marketers, “experts,”
salespeople, speakers, and we wear many hats!
I would not suggest for
you to publish simply because you want to. Millions of people write books each
year, but the majority of them are not necessary or good. You don’t
have to be born with the talent, but you have to practice! You can start by
writing for fifteen minutes a day. You can then reread what you wrote as a way
to reflect and recognize any thought patterns. You can add more or rewrite to
help change any negative attitudes. You can’t heal from what you don’t
acknowledge. Writing can be therapeutic. I’ve practiced
this technique since I was a teenager. Write somewhere where you can focus and edit. If
you can’t find the time to write every day, write for one to two hours a week.
Three hours or more of writing per week would be an ideal schedule to begin.
Find a Writer’s
Community
What do you want to
write about? Who will be in your audience? Will you create a blog? You can start a free blog at Wordpress.com or Blogger.com.
You can start a blog at Wordpress.org, but you would have to purchase
hosting. I’ve bought a domain at Godaddy.com (I am not
an affiliate of any of these companies). Connect with other
writers: join a writers’ group, attend a writers’ conference, share your
writing with your friends or family and ask for honest feedback but ask them
not to be too harsh. Compliments with constructive criticism
are healthy. You have to be willing to learn from others. Find an
accountability partner (That was a new piece of advice I heard at a
conference!). I liked it. Reading others writing can help also, and it is a
great way to write better. The best writers are the best readers, and writing
can help you be a better speaker--I have told many people.
I’ve taken the fun out
of writing by focusing on trying to make it “perfect.” Trying to type the right words,
word-for-word can be stressful. These high expectations can take the enjoyment
out of it! Writing has to be fulfilling. I was listening to a
live webinar in my Writers Guild, and I heard a man say he feels “parched”
while he writes. He was asking our writing coach how to solve this problem. He
shouldn’t feel parched; he should feel inspired. You cannot inspire
someone else until you inspire you first. But this develops over
time. Finding your “voice” can take a while, but once you find it,
writing can become easier and more comfortable. You won’t regret all the work
you’ve put into it!
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Zina Hermez authored
“Not Without God: A Story of Survival” and her forthcoming book, “Hope After the Storm” will be the second in an II part series. Her stories have been
featured in various guest articles, medical journals, magazines, newsletters,
and almost 200 of her very own blog posts. As an educator for nearly twenty
years, she’s had the privilege of working with thousands of students from
different backgrounds and parts of the world. Her writing endeavors earned her
an invitation to speak at the Harvard Faculty Club’s “Business Expert Forum.”
Zina’s goal is to help others overcome adversity, and she strives to do what
she longs to – help others. Socializing with friends, taking road-trips,
listening to music, and networking are among her hobbies. You can connect
with her on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.
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