 |
| DepositPhoto |
Who do I learn from? Keeping it to the topic of being an
author, I learn from other authors – individually and in groups – about promo
things to try, about what to do and NOT to do, resources to take a look at…but
I always have a filter in place in my head because not everything works for
everyone, some things are totally outside my comfort zone, some things would
never in a million years occur to me to do and I’m amazed every time someone
does one of them…to me, the constant flow of posts and comments in the social
media world is like a river and I watch it go by, occasionally dipping in to
catch a fish, which I may then throw back. Too small, too big, inedible…I can
keep this metaphor up for hours, folks!
I also have several really good author friends who are much
more savvy than me on various topics and I definitely learn from them, both by
example and by their generously answering my questions and/or talking me out of
some ranty mood I’ve gotten into. But this is one on one, private, not out
there in the social media glare.
 |
| Author's Own Photo - yes, I know it's a viola not a violet. |
I learn from my editors, who are wonderful and know how to
tell me what I need to hear (don’t name all your ancient Egyptian characters
something that starts with a ‘K’ for one!) without crushing my spirit (I think
my author spirit flower would be a fragile violet LOL) or making me ranty. I am
blessed in my editors.
I learn from my daughter who was a published author long
before I ever was and helped me up the level of my writing craft and to
understand the ins and outs of the trad and indie publishing business at that
time. She’s still one of my closest confidants and people I trust to again tell
me what I need to hear without sending me running to the cupboard for calming
chocolate.
I try to learn from my own mistakes. Not trying to be
egotistical here but going by the old rule that if you keep doing the same
thing the same way and expecting different results, you’re kidding yourself. So
periodically I stop and refresh myself on my goals and my strategic plan for
getting to those goals and ask myself what I’m doing that works and doesn’t
work. Or is it time to revise the goals, or???
I learn from my cat Jake (well ok someone had to credit the
cats this week) who is supremely good at self-care and knows when to withdraw
from stress and strife (in his case doing battle with cat toys or my refusal to
feed him three hours early), take a soothing bath and a nap. Some
days/weeks/months that’s what a person needs most – to do self care!
 |
| Jake the Cat Author's own photo |
