Hump Day Thoughts About Publishing

Happy Wednesday, or, if you preffer, Happy Hump Day!

Since I tend to pontificate on Wednesdays about whatever I'm thinking about, here goes today's subject. I'm thinking about the changes in books from traditional publishing to today's indie self-publishing.

Since the advent of ebooks, most authors I know now publish their books themselves rather than trying to place them with traditional publishers. There are many reasons for this, but I'm going to discuss one aspect of indie self-publishing: story concept.

STORY CONCEPT CHANGES

 Back when I published my first novel with a New York publisher, romance novels were peopled by the young and beautiful. Many of them still are, but back in those days, the heroine was requried to be young. The hero could be older and more mature—you know, the cliche of the seasoned lover.

At one writer's conference I attended many years ago, the editor gave a speech and said, "Make your heroine twenty-three years old and the CEO of a company.” According to the publishing house guidelines for category romance, that was what readers wanted.

Is there anything farther from reality than a 23-year-old female CEO? I didn't know any back then, and I don't know any in today's world.

No one author ever got a book with a 40-year-old heroine or a heroine who'd survived cancer or any of the other life challenges so many women face. Heaven forbid if an author tried to show senior citizens with active sex lives.

Writers were constrained by ridiculous guidelines. Is it any wonder so many authors happily deserted traditional publishers and embraced indie authorship?

Even today, some young readers turn their nose up at middle-aged characters having a rich and fulfilling sex life. I rememeber when I published Old Enough to Know Better, an age-gap romance, one of the reviews was from a young woman who thought it was gross that a 40-year-old man would want to have sex with a 50-year-old woman.

Love, Sex, and Romance are something everyone wants from the time those emotions and needs hits the conscious mind, and that doesn't end at some magic age number. 

Mary Roberts Rinehart famously wrote in The Man in Lower Ten, that “Love is like the measles. The older you get, the worse the attack.” 

Even authors who are old enough to be grandparents still write about Love, Sex, and Romance. I think it's because everyone—readers and writers—have a self-image embedded in the brain that doesn’t age. We are all forever locked into that age.

I mean, when you dream, are you ever a child again or are you a white-haired senior citizen. Chances are neither of those pictures are true. 

Maybe that’s why you are startled when you walk down the street and catch your reflection in a store window. Ever done that? Ever thought, “My God, I look just like my mother!”

TODAY'S STORY CONCEPT—REALITY BASED

Self-published authors can write about any kind of character they want because there are readers out there who want that. Authors are not limited by age, ethnicity, gender, or anything else. 

We can write about young or old main characters, about people who survived devastating situations and found love, about fantasy and reality, about introverts, extroverts, normal people, weirdos, and everyone in between.

Characters and plot elements today are based on reality and reflect Life. If you are older than 30—40, 50, 60, or beyond—don’t despair. The road of life is long and offers love and romance—and, yes, sex too—every step of the way. You can fall in love, and you can read about women and men your age falling in love. 

TAKEAWAY TRUTH

In this new age of publishing, authors aren’t restricted by arbitrary guidelines so there are books out there that you will love. 

When you find one you like, be sure and leave a review. That's the best way to thank an author.

Sign up for my free NL that offers Exclusive Content, Book Bargains, and New Book News. I promise your email will never be shared. SIGN UP TODAY and receive I LOVE READING in your Inbox.

September - Be Courteous

Do you often find yourself exclaiming over the rudeness of others? I'll confess that I do. In a typical day when I find myself  out and about, too often I run into someone who is so rude that it makes my jaw drop.

Since September is National Courtesy Month, let's talk about rudeness which seems to be a national problem.

MODERN TIMES—PRIMITIVE REACTIONS

How many times have you been in a public place and people are dropping F-bombs all over the place regardless of the presence of children?

Then there are those people in a restaurant with their cell phones in their hands or even worse, yakking away into their phones. 

Why can't they put their phones away and pay attention to the person with whom they're dining?

What about the people in cars who blow their horns and tailgate you or whip around in front of you and try to brake check you because they think you're driving too slow or because you did something in traffic they didn't like?

Whatever happened to patience and courtesy?

Since courtesy begins in the home, it makes me wonder what people are learning at home to help them deal with the world. Was it how to be reasonable and polite or how to show your Mr. Digit Hand Puppet when irritated?

TRY SOMETHING DIFFERENT

Instead of acting like the worst people on a TV reality show, learn how to be a reasonable polite member of society.

If you've got a short fuse, work on yourself and your emotions. Figure out why you seemingly have so much repressed anger. That will definitely improve your health and probably the relationships in your life.

Learn patience. Being impatient when driving can kill you and other people too. Put some calming music on when you drive. Ask yourself if the 10 seconds you might save by driving like a maniac is worth the danger you expose yourself and others to.

Find a way to defuse the stress you feel in dealing with others. Count to ten. Smile—that may make the person dishing out rudeness to stop and think. Learn to practice restraint.

Since children learn courtesy from their parents, become the parent who says "please" and "thank you" and who learns to manage your own emotions so you can teach your children how to do it too.

The world has a problem with people who can't behave on airplanes, in public places, or with those in authority.

What happens to those people? They may end up ostracized or, even worse, under arrest. 

TAKEAWAY TRUTH

Try something different this month. Avoid reacting in negative ways. Be polite. You may find that politness defuses situations and can be met with politness from others.

Sign up for my free NL that offers Exclusive Content, Book Bargains, New Release information. I promise your email will never be shared. SIGN UP TODAY. and receive your copy of I LOVE READING in your Inbox next week.

DIGITAL PUBLISHING AND ME - REWARDS PART 3 OF 3

Welcome back to DIGITAL PUBLISHING AND ME, my 3-part series about how I jumped into digital publishing and ebooks in 2011—what I did wrong, what I learned, and what I've received as a result of writing and publishing ebooks.

Today, I offer Part 3 of 3, in which I regale you with more tales of my self-publishing adventure.

If you missed Part 1 of 3, Mistakes and Advice, click here to read it.

To read Part 2 of 3, Advice and Insights, just click here. 

Today, I complete the series with Part 3 of 3, REWARDS—For Me and Maybe For You.

WHAT DIGITAL PUBLISHING DID FOR ME

Becoming a self-publishing indie author offered tremendous benefits. Before self-publishing, I was a category author which meant I had no power at all. A cut above me were midlist authors. They too had no power. Self-publishing meant I could chart my own course, and here's what happened.

1. I rediscovered the fun of writing because I could write anything I wanted. I was no longe writing according to what publishing houses said they wanted. 

I was no longer waiting and waiting and waiting for an agent or editor/editorial committee to rule on a submission. I could plan, write, and publish a book, and I was limited only by my own effort.

Writing what I wanted to write without regard to genre, plot, theme, or anything was freeing because I no longer had to wait and wonder if what I submitted was still wanted. Publishers could change guidelines while an author was busy writing the requested manuscript.

2. I found an audience that loved my books. I believed in my writing and knew there had to be readers who would like what I wrote. I was right. Self-publishing allowed me to reach readers.

3. I had editors contacting me instead of the other way around. I had a very lucrative foreign rights sale because the editor read my first ebook and wanted it and others to publish abroad. Within minutes of making a call to a literary agency, I had a top agent to negotiate the contract.

4. I became a New York Times bestseller because I was part of a self-published anthology that hit their  bestseller list in 2 places. (That was before they stopped allowing ebooks on the list.) I also hit the USA Today bestseller list 3 different times. 

5. I sold video game rights to 3 of my ebooks.

6. I had audio book editions of some of my ebooks published.

WHAT DIGITAL PUBLISHING CAN DO FOR YOU

1. Give you another avenue other than traditional publishing to find an audience. With a traditional publisher, you must have the right product to attract an editor and an agent. You don't have to limit yourself to one of the other.

2. Shortcut the time required to get your books before readers by becoming a self-publisher. In fact, if you become a big success as a self-publisher, you may find it easier to get with a trad publisher if that's what you want and the deal is good.

3. Become financially stable by being a self-publisher. There are many self-publishers making a very comfortable living from their ebooks. Some self-publishers have their books being turned into Netflix series and movies.

4. Give you a platform where you make all the decisions. You get to choose the cover art, the blurb, the price, etc. As someon

5. Give you a real-world experience in writing and publishing—a superb training ground in what it takes to write, publish, and deal with every aspect with which authors must handle.

You'll learn all about the writing, the technical aspects of publishing, marketing, promoting, living with good and bad reviews, dealing with the reading public, and so many other things authors must do. It can prepare you for the long assault on traditional New York publishing if you decide to do that.

Everything I've said is from real world experience. I hope it helps and inspires you if you have the writing itch. 

Becoming a selling author may be difficult, but it's easier than when I started many years ago. If it's what you want, go for it. 

TAKEAWAY TRUTH

I wish you the same joy and rewards digital publishing has given me. Like I always say, "Nothing ventured; nothing gained."

Sign up for my free NL that offers Exclusive Content, Book Bargains, New Release information. I promise your email will never be shared. SIGN UP TODAY. and receive your copy of I LOVE READING in your Inbox next week.

In Remembrance 9/11

Today I'm praying for the families of those who were killed, for those who were not yet born to learn the significance of that day, and praying for my country.

TAKEAWAY TRUTH

History must be learned so that mistakes of the past are never repeated.

DIGITAL PUBLISHING AND ME - ADVICE AND INSIGHTS PART 2 OF 3

Welcome back to DIGITAL PUBLISHING AND ME, my 3 part series about how I jumped into digital publishing and ebooks in 2011.

I reveal what I did wrong, what I learned, and what I've received as a result of writing and publishing ebooks.

Today, I offer Part 2 of 3: Advice and Insights gained from my self-publishing adventure.

If you missed Part 1: Mistakes and Advice, you can CLICK HERE to read it.

Part 3 of 3: Rewards for Me and Maybe for You will publish Sunday, September 13, 2026.

ADVICE ON SELF-PUBLISHING, Continued

Let's pick up my List of 10 Tips with Number 6.

6. Write everything you will need to upload your manuscript prior to doing it. Don't try to wing it. Give a great deal of thought to: Categories, Keywords, Product Description, Author Profile, Pricing, etc. 

Save all your upload data in a file separate from your manuscript file so you can copy/paste where needed if you plan to publish on platforms other than Kindle. 

The same basic information may need some modifications as required by the other platforms, but you've already created the bulk of it.

7. Always use the Preview function to check what you uploaded. Take your time. Only click "publish"  when everything has been checked.

8. As soon as your upload has gone "live," buy a copy and go through it. On an ereader, you'll immediately see if something is wrong. If you find errors, take action immediately to correct the problem.

9. Make sure you have your marketing and promotion plan in place before you publish a book. Write it out and plug it into your calendar so you know what to do and when to do it.

10. Accept that sometimes things just don't go as planned and some books don't succeed. If you made mistakes, do what you can to correct them. 

If your book doesn't find an audience, do what you can to improve the situation, but don't spend all your time trying to keep it on life support. Write the next book.

TAKEAWAY TRUTH

That's enough for today. Come back Friday, September 11, 2026, to read Part 3 of 3, Rewards for Me and Maybe for You, the unbelievable part of my journey—what happened for me and what digital publishing may do for you.

Sign up for my free NL that offers Exclusive Content, Book Bargains, New Release information. I promise your email will never be shared. SIGN UP TODAY. and receive your copy of I LOVE READING in your Inbox next week.

DIGITAL PUBLISHING AND ME - MISTAKES & ADVICE Part 1 of 3

This year marked the 15th anniversary of my jumping into digital publishing.

I wanted to commemorate this milestone by telling you how I made that bold move, the mistakes I made, the things I learned, and what digital publishing has done for me.

The first title I slapped on this blog post once I'd writte it was Digital Publishing and Me—What I've learned in 15 Years of Writing and Publishing Ebooks.

Like the post itself, the title was way too long so I shrunk the title and broke the post into 3 parts. 

Today, you're reading  Part 1 of 3: Mistakes and Advice. I have a lot of both I guess.

Part 2 of 3: More Advice and Insights publishes Wednesday, September 9, 2026.

Part 3 of 3: Rewards For Me and Maybe For You publishes Sunday, September 13, 2026.

BACKSTORY

Recently, I came across a post I wrote for another author's website back in June 2011. I had published one of my backlist books on Amazon KDP in late March which is why she asked me to be a guest on her blog.

My post for her explained why I did something that was considered extremely radical—repubishing a  backlist book as an ebook.

Champs-Élysées Books, shows 1 of my books

Today, I decided to reprint part of my 2011 post here because it may change the opinion of readers who still think ebooks are not real books.

It may  also convince authors who believe digital publishing isn't worth the effort that they're missing a great opportunity to advance their careers—not that we who digitally publish need any more competition! 

Here's the excerpt from 2011 with my "today" comments in brackets.

EXCERPT, EBOOKS: SMART, NOT DUMB (2011)

When I announced to a group of authors that I intended to publish my backlist and even some original fiction as ebooks, many wondered why I would do that. It was easy to see they questioned the wisdom of my intention.

There's a polarity when it comes to writers and indie publishing, and there are two primary schools of thought: the best thing since sliced bread or that sucks. 

These opposite opinions are pervasive in the world. [The low opinion of ebooks is still held by many well-known authors as do some readers.]

BOLDLY GO WHERE SOME WRITERS ARE GOING

I'm a firm believer in "nothing ventured; nothing gained." When markets are drying up, left and right, it's nice to see something opening up that can directly benefit writers, and that's digital self-publishing. 

By benefit, I don't just mean making some bucks. I also mean finding an audience for your work.

I've stated before that: "I've given up on New York publishing, BUT they gave up on me first." And, I'm not the only published author who couldn't fit the square peg of their writing into New York's round hole. (No pun intended but feel free to laugh.) 

I'm a writer. I want to be read. Many authors are finding readers by becoming indie authors and publishing our own work. If you want to try the indie author route, learn all you can about the process. That's why I'm here today.

I want to give you some advice, based on my personal experience as well as that of some friends, in the hope that you may avoid some of our dumb mistakes. 

When I published Just One Look, a previously published book that became my first ebook on Kindle and sold thousands of copies every day for a solid month, I made every mistake possible so I'm particularly qualified to talk about how NOT to be dumb.

 [Why did that happen? Because there wasn't much "how-to" information out there in 2011.]

I've got 10 Tips for you that I first wrote in that 2011 blog post. You'll find the first 5 Tips in this post. The others will be in Part 2. 

2011 ADVICE THAT'S STILL VALID - 10 TIPS

1. Learn how to properly format your file for an ebook that looks professional. [Now there are options for the type of file you can upload besides DOCX, MS Word like Atticus, available at a relatively low-cost for a one-time fee, that can create a beautifully formated ebook or print book. 

[When I started, I had to learn how to transform a Word file into an HTML file and how to insert a black and white cover image into that file. It was a time-consuming process. 

There was no Kindle Unlimited then so an author was smart to publish her ebook in as many places as possible. That meant learning how to format for Barnes and Noble, Kobo, Apple, Smashwords, and a half dozen other publishers who have since closed their doors.]

2. A great cover was important then and now. For authors who can't afford a graphic artist, there's a new tool, BookBrush, that can produce great looking covers, and the learning curve is easy.

3. Make sure you have the legal right for anything you publish. If you plan to publish a book that was previously published elsewhere, you should have a legal reversion of rights letter.

If you're using images from the internet, you must have a license to use each image so always read the User License on image websites so you know what you can and cannot do with the image you purchase or get for free.

4. Make sure your manuascript is bullet-proof before you upload it. That means getting a good proofreader and/or editor. That also means not doing anything that might get you sued, for instance, using the names of real people who may take exception to your actions.

Some think that as long as you don't say anything negative, it's okay to use the name of a real person. That's not true. I personallly know an author who was sued by the person she mentioned in her book. What she wrote was simply Mrs. So and So, the owner of Name of Business. That got her sued.

5. Be patient and take your time so you don't make dumb mistakes like uploading the wrong manuscript file. Yes, that's obvious, but I did that the very first time and didn't realize it until I started getting bad reviews. I didn't understand what they complained about in my book until I looked at it on my Kindle. 

Wow. I still can't believe I did that. I can only chalk it up to being exhausted and bleary-eyed by the time I got around to uploading the file and clicked on the wrong file. 

Always make sure you have your wits about you. Don't try to set up a book if you're tired, frazzled, or rushed. Haste really can make waste.

TAKEAWAY TRUTH

I hope you're finding this information educational or at least entertaining. 

Join me on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, for Part 2 of 3: More Advice and Insights learned from my adventures in self-publishing.

Sign up for my free NL that offers Exclusive Content, Book Bargains, New Release information. I promise your email will never be shared. SIGN UP TODAY. and receive your copy of I LOVE READING in your Inbox next week.

Saturday Share Recipe - Hummingbird Cake

There's a hummingbird that visits our patio every morning. It's attracted to the purple blooms of a hibiscus called Purple Showers.

After taking the nectar from those blossoms, it scoots out into the backyard and visits the sprawling lantana—one with orange and red blooms; the other with pink and yellow.

As I was watching it yesterday, the cute little bird reminded me of a cake my Mom would make.

Oh, my goodness, that cake was 3 layers of deliciousness with banana, pineapple, and pecans in the batter and frosted with old-fashioned cream cheese icing that melted in the mouth.

Why don't we make one today?

HUMMINGBIRD CAKE

Image by Veronika Andrews from Pixabay.

Ingredients

• 3 cups AP flour, sifted then measured
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 3 eggs, beaten
• 1 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 8-ounce can crushed pineapple, undrained
• 2 cups mashed ripe bananas (about 4)
• 2 cups chopped pecans, divided into 1 cup each

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Use lower temp for dark pans.
2. Prepare 3 9-inch cake pans, grease and flour the pans or spray with baking spray.
3. Combine dry ingredients in a large bowl and whisk around. Add the eggs, oil, and vanilla and stir until moistened.
4. Add pineapple, bananas, and 1 cup of the pecans. Mix well.
5. Spoon the batter into the cake pans.
6. Bake 25-30 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center of each pan comes out clean.
7. Cool in the pans about 10 minutes then remove onto a wire rack to cool completely.
8. Make the frosting while the cakes cool.

OLD-FASHIONED CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

This recipe makes a big batch of frosting, enough to generously frost 3 layers so don't be shocked by the amount of powdered sugar it calls for. You can half the recipe and frost only between the layers and the top or more sparingly than the way my mother's generation did.

 

Ingredients

• 2 8-ounce packages of cream cheese, softened
• 2 sticks (1 cup) of butter, softened
• 32 ounces powdered sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• tiny pinch of salt

Directions

1. In a large bowl and using an electric mixer, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth.
2. Add the powdered sugar a little at a time so you don't have a cloud of powdered sugar flying out of the bowl. Beat in each addition until light and fluffly.
3. Add vanila and a tiny pinch of salt and blend well.
4. Frost the cooled cake however you've decided to do it.
5. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of chopped pecans on the top of the cake and press into the sides.
6. Serve to rave reviews.

TAKEAWAY TRUTH

This is what I call a "special occasion cake." I imagine your family will want you to make it more often than that.

Sign up for my free NL that offers exclusive content and news about book bargains and new releases. I promise your email will never be shared. SIGN UP TODAY. and receive your copy of I LOVE READING in your Inbox next week.

6 Steps to Fake It Till You Make It

We live in the NOW, but we want something different TOMORROW, but YESTERDAY often holds us back.

Does that describe you?

Do you want more out of life? Do you want to be MORE...whatever that may mean?

Some people struggle to even believe they can make their dreams come true. They can't see themselves as any more than what they are today.

Those are the people that need to heed the advice often spouted in humor: "Fake it till you make it." They don't know that really means to imagine that person who does something amazing and to act like that person. 

One must create a greater vision of self before it will ever become reality. The easiest way to do that is by acting like that person you want to be. To fake it until it's true in reality. "But," you ask. "How do I fake something like that?"

What follows is my advice to someone who wants to be a writer. Simply change the "writing" to whatever you want out of your life.

7 Steps to Help You Fake It Until You Make It

Step 1: Create Self-Talk That Expresses the You in the Future

Do things like look in the mirror as you're getting ready for the day and say, "I would like to thank the Readers who made this possible by buying so many books that I was catapulted onto the New York Times bestsellers list."

Or, "I'd like to thank the movie's producers for this Academy award because they took my book and adapted it for this movie." Or, whatever addresses your particular big dream.

Step Two: Dress for the Success you want.

It's no lie that when you work from a home office, you tend to dress comfortably or as in many cases, like a slob. 

Instead, try dressing comfortably as well as attractively. You may be surprised that you'll accomplish more if you look a little more professional. 

Step Three: Act AS IF you have already achieved your dream.

How would you act if  you were already living that life you dream about? Would you be more optimistic? More at peace with everything and everyone? Would you be calmer and less stressed? Act that way when you become frustrated or annoyed. Be that you, not the past you who's easily upset.

Step Four: Speak AS IF you are the future you.

Avoid speaking negativity. Always speak with optimism about your work, your dream, your daily routine. Have a conversation with someone about the work you're doing toward that big dream. Envision completing the work and the rewards that will come your way.

Step Five: Act By Doing 1 Tiny Task Every Day

Many people can't get going on their dreams or can't continue working toward it because they set an unrealistic task for themselves each day. 

Let's get real. Instead of saying, "I'm going to write 1,000 words every day," say, "I'm going to write for 10 minutes each day." That's it. Ten minutes is easy.

Anyone can do it. It's set to be easy because getting started is the hardest action to take every day. Once you've overcome the inertia and started, you'll keep going.

Step Six: Review

When the day is done, review the day. What did you do? What did you say to yourself? What did you say to others? 

How did you feel after interacting with someone in which you acted like "future you?" 

How did you feel after doing your Tiny Task? Did you go past that Tiny Task? 

Most important of all, did you make progress? Do you feel empowered to do the same tomorrow? 

TAKEAWAY TRUTH

Use these 6 Steps whenever you need them. Keep a vision of your future self always in your mind. Go forth and conquer!

Sign up for my free NL that offers exclusive content and news about book bargains and new releases. I promise your email will never be shared. SIGN UP TODAY. and receive your copy of I LOVE READING in your Inbox next week.

Thursday3Some - 3 Tips To Train Your Focus

If you're like me and behind on everything AND feeling as if there are a dozen high priority things you should be doing BUT you don't know where to start, here are...

3 TIPS TO TRAIN YOUR FOCUS

1. Make a list of every single thing you think you should do. Write it down, don't just think about it and so your brain is spinning around.

2. Look at the list—I mean really look at it. Now, go item by item on the list and mark everything that needs to be done right now—today—with a big N. 

Anything that can be done by the end of  the weekend, mark L for Later.

Anything that really isn't crucial, but it would be nice to do it before the month is over, mark O for Optional.

3. Take your list and write it again. That's right curate your list. Put NOW items at the top, listed in the priority of importance. Later items are next, also listed by how important they are to get done before the month is over. Optional items are last. In looking at them, decide if it's really something you must do or can it be delegated? In fact, is it something that really must be done at all?

Bonus Tip: Keep your curated list where you can read it in the morning to train your focus on what is most important and then in the evening before you head to bed so you can pat yourself on the back because you're using your time effectively.

TAKEAWAY TRUTH

The ability to prioritize how you spend your time is a hallmark of success.

Subscribe to my free NL for exclusive content and news about book bargains and new releases. SIGN UP TODAY. and receive your copy of I LOVE READING in your Inbox next week. I promise your email will never be shared.

EAT DESSERT FIRST?

Happy Wednesday! Enjoy this Hump Day post. 

When I was a kid, I read one of those funny lines you see on buttons and tee shirts. It said: "Life is short. Eat dessert first."

I think that’s why so many people struggle in life—they want to eat dessert first rather than start at the beginning of the meal and enjoy each course that’s served.

Of course, I’m describing those who want to start at the top and who don’t seem to understand that no one really starts at the top—unless they’re the offspring of the company founder or a prodigy of some sort and perhaps not even then.

PAYING DUES

You know about paying due or whatever you choose to call the process of beginning, making mistakes, and learning. Some way or other, everyone pays their dues. Doctors start as interns before they become the leading doctor at a hospital. First year lawyers start out at the bottom pecking order of law firms. Electricians start out as apprentices. Writers start out as newbies trying to hack out a writing career and build an audience for their work.

Anyone who thinks he or she can jump into a high status position at a corporation or be rewarded by an ownership role in a small independent company—or become a bestselling author overnight—just doesn’t realize what the world is all about.

Whether you’re a corporate accountant, a bank teller, or a writer publishing a first book, you need to understand that success is not made overnight. Success is made by baby steps then bigger steps and sometimes leaps forward every now and then. Consistency of action leads to progress.

If you enjoy each leg of the journey, not impatiently striving to leap over steps, you’ll find more satisfaction in your career—and in life—than someone who is never satisfied and constantly longing for more, more, more.

TAKEAWAY TRUTH

If Life is a seven-course dinner, then savor and enjoy the appetizers before moving on to the soup. The pleasure that comes from each “course” will keep you satisfied and inspired to experience the next stage in your career and in Life when it comes along. That's my 2¢ opinion. What do you think?

Subscribe to my free NL for exclusive content and news about book bargains and new releases. SIGN UP TODAY. and receive your copy of I LOVE READING in your Inbox next week. I promise your email will never be shared. 

6 Ways to Take A Break Without Killing Your Career

In this world of FOMO, it's hard to think about taking a step away from the daily grind.

We're all afraid that we'll be forgotten if we miss a day or two from social media.

Fear of missing out afflicts more than the social media addicts. As Authors, we're afraid readers will forget we exist.

So what is one to do when faced with adversity or with a daily routine that has become an exhausting daily grind? That's when the going gets really tough, and all we want to do is slam the door on our offices and escape.

Do you know that old Billy Ocean song from the late 1980's, When the Going Gets Tough? If you don't know the song, let me tell you that it's from an old cliché, and the next part of that cliché is,  The Tough get going.

Sometimes, we can power our way through tiredness, boredom, adversity, and just feeling funky.

As an author, I can tell you there are times when we’re all tired of fighting for focused time to write, fighting for good reviews, fighting for good ad space, and all the other battles we fight. 

Sure, we're Tough, but there comes a time when we need to step out of the boxing ring of life and take a breather.

This may sound crazy when all the motivational gurus constantly tell us to figure a way to have it all, work when you don’t feel like working, go for it. Sure, sometimes you must strive in the face of adversity, when you’re sick, when you’re sad, when your world is falling apart around you, but if you do that all the time, you're headed for a great big bonfire of burnout.

There's no shame in taking a break. The trick is to do that without letting it turn into something as permanent as concrete.

6 Ways to Take a Break Without Killing Your Career

1. Set limits. Write down how many days off you’re taking. If you worked a job, you’d have to tell the boss how many vacation days you wanted. You are you’re own boss so write down how many days you’ll be away from the office.

Don't let a break turn into endless days of drifting. Mark your calendar for the day you return to your career.

2. Make it real. If you plan on vacationing from work for 2 days then don’t do any work on those days. No constant checking social media or emails or any of that stuff that sucks the life out of you.

3. Figure out where you’re going when you return to work. Take some time to think about the road you’re on. Is it the right road headed in the right direction? It's easy to get overwhelmed if you're trying to get something or somewhere that isn’t realistic. Goals change. Is it time to re-evaluate your goals or maybe set different goals?

4. Check your attitude. While you’re taking a break from your work, take a break from disrespecting yourself—or anyone else. 

I’ve known writers who never had a kind word to say about others or even about themselves. They trash talk about themselves in ways they'd never talk about other people. 

All that negativity and whining takes an enormous amount of energy. Resolve to cut that crap out!!! Self-talk determines your success in life. Learn to be kind to yourself.

5. Celebrate every win. No matter how small an achievement may be, acknowledge it and celebrate it in some way. 

Set up a system of milestones and rewards. I don't mean pop a hundred dollar bottle of bubbly, but do bask in the glory of an achievement no matter how small. Success is built one baby step at a time.

6. Live your life. Be present. Live today. Don't get caught in the trap of regretting what you didn't get done yesterday or the publishing gravy train you missed because your manuscript wasn’t ready. Don't wait for your ship to come in because you may be at the train station. 

Enjoy every step of the journey and be happy—be present in your life—now.

TAKEAWAY TRUTH

The time spent on the journey will always be longer than the time spent at the destination.

Learn to enjoy the journey and take a break when you need to recharge your batteries.

Sign up for my free NL that offers exclusive content and news about book bargains and new releases. I promise your email will never be shared. SIGN UP TODAY. and receive your copy of I LOVE READING in your Inbox next week.