Comaradare: Authors helping authors

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This is one of the places I have experienced camaraderie at its finest, Authors Helping Authors. Writing is a competitive market, yet the general attitude of the authors I have encountered is how can I help you. Here is a number for you, there are over 4 million books available on Amazon. Yep, authors like Elin Stebbins Waldal (Tornado Warning), Tom Dutta (the way of the Quiet Warrior), Edna Ness (Radical Recovery) all stepped up and has helped me in one way or another. I find their honesty and willingness to lend a hand refreshing and on point. I am also very grateful for the tips and tidbits authors are sharing on social media. It is so cool to be surrounded by people that are there to lift you up and help you towards success and then rejoice with you.

I am now lending a hand. I have read and reviewed a couple of books for authors. I am going to read another book soon for another author. I have a couple of friends and my son that are also inspired to write. I am more than happy to share my experiences with them to help them along. Paying it forward is the way to go. It is so liberating to put pen to paper, share your thoughts and words, express your voice.

I believe the best writing advice I received was back in 2009 at the first National Organization for Victims Assistance (NOVA) conference I attended. Talk about a great organization, anyone who has been a victim of crime should check them out at www.trynova.org. Future blog idea….

Back to Authors Helping Authors…. That advice came from an author that provided a workshop at the NOVA conference. She simply said (and that is why it was good advice for me 😊) just sit down and write. Vomit all your words as they come, let it rip. Who cares if it is pretty or just so, just getting the words on paper, in the computer whatever your chosen tools, is a huge step in the write direction. Catch that play on words 😊…. Yea, I did that on purpose, so those of you that despise grammatical errors, settle down. Okay, she may not have used those exact words, but that is what I got from what she was saying and I took them to heart.

Now my state of mind at the time was huge in this.  

The NOVA conference took place August of 2009, those of you that have read “C is forConquer” understand this time frame. For those of you who have not read the book let me just put it this way, my world was crashing in on me and it was almost as if this conference was one of the life lines I needed at the time. That it was!!! I learned so much about so much from the NOVA Conference on a personal and professional level. I attended the conference as a victim of crime on a scholarship they so graciously approved me for, that is the personal part. Professionally I was gathering data with regards to Kaity’s Way. I learned a lot about being a victim and helping victims in the best way possible. The workshop facilitated by the author was probably the first time in my adult life that I considered writing or so I can recall. That’s not saying much because my memory is not what it used to be. Now the story that I was thinking of writing, while attending this workshop, was Kaity’s Story. Little did I know that I would soon be on my way to writing my own story instead, “C is for Conquer.” My next book will be Kaity’s Story.

I look forward to working my friends and son that I mentioned above, on various levels so we can encourage and empower each other as needed. Currently, I am working with a couple of fellow future authors to plan a “C is for Conquer” pre-launch party. I really need their help as I am not a party planner. I have tried and failed miserably. It is one of the few things that I just don’t really care to do. I like the party, just not the planning. Then there is the hosting. I am not a person that cares to be the center of attention and that may be the reason I am dragging my feet with this party. I really need to get over myself. This is not about me it is about “C is forConquer” and helping others. Give me a minute…. Okay, I am over it now, time to get down to planning…. I look forward to a day that I can afford to pay someone to plan parties for me. Some day it will come….

I am also looking into local book or writing clubs to join, network and share “C is for Conquer.” I am looking into networking groups too. I have received some really great tips on vending opportunities as well. These types of things I look forward to sharing with my future author peeps. I like mentoring people and appreciate all those that have mentored me, now and in the past.

I believe all those that have been so generous with their time, ideas and suggestions understand where I am in this journey. They realize the struggles we face when trying to get certain tasks accomplished. I cannot speak for everyone but I believe by helping someone we get a true inner feeling of goodness that lifts us up as well. I am still reaching out for help and suggestions as needed and am willing to help when and where I can.

I am really enjoying writing. The books, this blog, reviews and such. In my spare time 😊 I am looking into guest blogging and maybe writing pieces for pay. You are part of the reason for my enjoyment. Thank you for popping in and joining me on this journey when you can. Have a wonderful week!