Daily Inspiration 8-14-12

"Also, if nothing else, writing this book has really changed the way I experience bookstores. I have a whole different appreciation for the amount of work packed into even the slimmest volume on the shelves." -- Jesse James Garrett It's been just six months since I published a book called, Commercial Truck Success, and it was an interesting project and there were many lessons learned and more coming as it gets spread around the country. First lesson is that it is a lot of work. But, not so much that one should shy away from it because there is a certain feeling of accomplishment when it actually and finally gets published and printed. Second lesson is an appreciation of those who do that a lot. My book is relatively thin compared to a typical John Grisham novel and all I had to do was talk about what I've done, whereas John must create characters, plot, many, many scenes and so much more. John C Maxwell is a favorite non-fiction author and he has published 60 books and I don't know how he does that with all his speaking engagements and appearances, plus running several businesses. Some people just amaze me! Third lesson is that the real work begins after the book has been published. Of course, that is only if you want others to read it. There is much to do to get copies of it to key places, find outlets such as Amazon.com, etc. Fourth lesson is that one isn't enough. I'm planning on the expanded version of my book, and thinking of other projects too. Once you begin sharing your ideas, the thing to so is share them. Fifth lesson is to practice as often as you can at the craft of writing. When I was a teenager, I decided I wanted to be a writer, but I didn't do anything much about that until much later in life. In the last few years I have improved my writing skills so much that it is hard to recognize the older writing, and that is as it should be. Practice makes perfect was something I was always told, and it is true that practice will lead to greater ability even just by the virtue of actually doing it more often. I became a blogger and that is a lot of practice right there. Sixth lesson. Don't try to do everything yourself. Find skilled people to help you produce a better product by editing, advice, ideas, graphics, marketing, and more. This was the first time I hired an editor and without Wendy VanHatten of VanHatten Writing Services (it's a blatant plug!), it would have been a lesser product. She made a great deal of difference and I appreciate her contribution, plus guiding me to the publisher as well. Seventh lesson is that there are many benefits to going through the process and sharing your ideas, skills, etc. You will know what they are and they will probably accumulate as time passes and the book is distributed. That's the majority of the larger lessons, and there are many other smaller lessons, and that is to be expected. Every new thing is a learning experience and, in my opinion, worthy of the risk.

Step One: The Idea. Step Two: Is It Worth Sharing? Step Three: Start NOW.   Spread Some Joy Today--Take someone to lunch! Just for the fun of it.