Write What's in You

They say we should write what we know. But I know about a lot of things I don't care about. We all know stuff. The world and the internet is full of facts and stuff.

But when it comes to writing something that will bring about change or hope or revive a lost dream, we need to write what's inside of us, not just what we know. Like drawing water from a deep well, we must pull up those thunder-clapping, heart-stopping emotions, and make the memories and feelings live on paper. What heats up a subject in your spirit? What makes you laugh or cry or feel love or sorrow deep within you? What makes you want to jump out of your skin with excitement? Whatever that is, grab hold of it and never let go. Find a way to live in that delight as you write and weave its message throughout a story or essay or blog. When we draw from the deep desires of our heart to the point we're able to make it live through fictional characters and words, that's when our stories and writing will effect change, touch lives, brighten someone's day, perhaps, even save a life.

Wow! That's where I want to live and write. As a reader, that's how I want to be inspired. Please, touch my spirit. Make me want to change, to be a better person, a better wife, mom, and friend. To follow God in a deeper level because of how you inspired me in your writing.

If I get bogged down on what that central part of my writing should be, I can search my heart. What do I care about? What moves me? What's the last thing that made me cry? What would I give up everything for?

If the heart behind my story moves me first, it will surely touch someone else.

Write what is in you. Even if it isn't popular. Even if it doesn't make money. Write from the place where your spirit cries out to be heard. That's a story I want to read. And write.

Mary's Indie Publishing Workshop

This weekend, I was invited to the Pinehurst, Idaho, public library to share my Indie Publishing Workshop. I'd heard there were a couple of people who had manuscripts ready and wanted to know what to do next. So I added some pretty new slides to my Power Point presentation, dusted off my handouts, and my husband and I went to meet some new friends about an hour-and-a-half drive from our country home. Still thinking I'd be sharing with two or three writers, we set up two tables and six comfy chairs facing the wall where my slideshow would be displayed. Boy, was I thrilled when people kept walking through the door of that small meeting room. By the end, thirteen writers and interested guests had joined with me in talking about the Indie writing/publishing way. Isn't that cool?

From newbies to a writer who'd already published six books, our mutual joy was discussing writing and the process of getting a book published and noticed. I shared tips on marketing, formatting, publishing in paperback and ebook, and what to do next. I met some wonderful writers who had tips of their own to share. One lady encouraged me when she said, "I can't wait to go home and pull my manuscript out and start writing!" That's exactly the response I love. I want to encourage others that they CAN do this. It's not as difficult as they (you) might imagine.

If you're wondering whether or not you should try publishing your book, you CAN do it. If your dream, like mine, has been to write a book since you were a kid, know this, you CAN. Don't give up. Join a writers' group where the goal is to be published, not just to practice writing. Read everything you can through blogs and ebooks about the current Indie Publishing possibilities. It's pretty exciting when you realize what you can do to get your ideas into the hands of readers—without it costing an arm and a leg. And you get to make all the creative choices. That's pretty awesome.

Follow your dream.

You can write AND publish.

Start today.

Begin with a single step...knowing you can!

Do You Dream about Writing a Book?

 

Seeing a dream fulfilled is worth more than money. Way more, in my estimation.

I could have waited the rest of my life, hoping for a nod from an agent, and never published my book. That’s the road I was headed down. I’d already given up a couple of times.

Now, six weeks after independently publishing my book, family and friends and new acquaintances are reading Winter’s Past and sharing their feelings about this story of 2^nd chances. Holding my book in my hands would not have happened had I waited for more years to pass, just hoping for an open door (or window) in the publishing world.

Instead, I’ve joined the ranks of Indie writers around the world who can say they’ve taken matters into their own hands and their books are now published. And, I’m happy to say, the journey wasn’t that difficult.

After I published Winter’s Past, it seemed like people all around me were talking about the books they wanted to have published. Friends have been working on ideas for years, hoping for their someday-chance, but, so far, they haven’t seen their hopes fulfilled. And time is passing. Could they still get their book of short stories or devotions published? Is marketing possible beyond close family and friends?

YES! By all means.

But it all starts with making a decision. Should you go the indie publishing route? It really comes down to what your goals are. If you hope to make loads of money, writing may not be the best choice. Not that there isn’t money in writing, but it will take time and a lot of diligence. For me, getting my book into the hands of readers has been the biggest thrill. Knowing that tonight someone is reading my book and perhaps the story is touching his or her life means everything.

Has writing a book been in your heart for as long as you can remember? Do you still long to hold your story in your hands? If so, don’t let anything—money included—stand in your way.

If you’re not adverse to hard work, and you have the time to put into it, why not start today?

Of course, it would be a lot easier if you could snag the attention of an agent. And maybe, you should go down that road first. Just so that somewhere along life’s path, you never regret “not” having tried the big time.

On the other hand, you could make a decision to be an indie writer and purposefully pursue that dream, doing the work yourself, and within a planned time (like three months to a year) you could be holding your book in your hands and selling books to friends, family, and new acquaintances through social media and word-of-mouth marketing. The only limit is yourself.

So, if you’re thinking seriously about becoming a published author, what’s the next step?

Dig that old manuscript out of the drawer and start editing with a fresh viewpoint and a new fervor. If you haven’t written the story that’s played over and over in your mind, start writing tonight. What’s to stop you? Nothing! That’s what.

Today's a new day with brand new opportunities. You can make your dream of writing a book come true. I did!

Check out Winter’s Past at http://www.maryehanks.com

A great website for practical advice about indie publishing is www.self-publishing-coach.com

Celebrate with me!

I want to celebrate a huge dream that has come to pass in my life this week. My book has been published! Hurray! Please, rejoice with me. :)

Quite a few years ago, I started Winter's Past. Then I'd set it aside. Then I'd pick it up. Uh-huh, you get the picture. About four-and-a-half years ago, I quit my full-time job and immediately started working on Winter's Past on a daily basis. I did the rounds of trying to get an agent interested in my project. I attended a writer's conference. Then I decided the really big thing I needed to do was to get my story professionally edited.

So I did that.

By the time I thought I had all my ducks lined up in a row, my emotions took control, and I got discouraged. Maybe I wasn't a writer, after all. So I put my novel writing away for over a year. I was still working at youth theater and coming up with some lively material. But I hated that I'd stopped writing my novel.

During the summer I took a part-time job at a local library. And there were parts of it that I really liked. But in the end, I decided it wasn't quite what I was looking for. It was then that I felt I should plunge back into the waters of serious writing and editing. It was like...now was the time. At this point, I still thought I'd go through the (what I thought was) proper channels to getting my book published--find an agent, wait a year, maybe get someone to cheer me on in the publishing world.

A couple of months ago, my son, who was also working on a writing project, started talking to me about the benefits and open doors available today with self-publishing. I know, that! Hahaha. The more he talked, and the more I read about the new wave of indie authors, the more excited I got about it.

But what about a small publishing house without the need for a go-between agent? you might ask. So did I. When I looked up a few that had been recommended to me, I found the waiting time for potential books to be published about two years out. What? I'd have to wait two more years to have my book in my hands? Yikes! I really didn't want to wait that long. Not after all the wasted time I'd already spent.

So I decided to take the plunge and give "indie" publishing a whirl. So...in my next few posts, I'm going to share some of my experiences with you.

Yep--you can see I did it!
And there was nothing--nothing--like holding that book in my hand.
Stay tuned for more.

Check out Mary's book "Winter's Past"