TRIBES, SUPPORT TEAMS, MENTORS ~ SEEK WRITERS

Last week my husband participated in a parody play written by one of our neighbors. This tribe of actors and their audiences greatly appreciated the writer’s creativity. A few days earlier a neighbor was interviewed for an article in a local newspaper about her soon-to-be released novel. That journalist became both a member of the author’s support team, and the recipient of a worthwhile article to write—which in turn increased the newspaper’s readership. The previous weekend, I received a call from one of my client/authors who needed “three quick write-ups” to be dispersed on the Internet, and she had no time to write them herself. Although my own work schedule was quite full, I was able to help—which in turn strengthened our working relationship. These are but a few examples of reciprocal mentoring that is active and engaged at most every turn of a writer’s life—IF we are available to see it and cooperate.

In last week’s blog I used the term “spinning wheel of creativity.” Most writers easily grasp the concept of spinning and weaving together the moving parts of their novels and nonfiction books. Every author I know also appreciates the feel of wrapping themselves in their own woven “cocoon” as they sit alone and write. Today, I’m taking this analogy another “spin” further as I offer you additional tips in building these writing/working/marketing relationships. In my first blog of 2017, you’ll find four ways to start this process—however the focus today is on the keyword relationships.

• Author, know thyself. This isn’t a deep psychology test. What it IS, is setting aside time to answer those questions that marketing, public relations, literary agents and book publishers ask us. Example: Who is your audience? (1^st be as narrowly specific as you can—then expand the potential audience as many levels as possible. Think BIG!) What is the core theme? (Develop one sentence that demonstrates your passion behind this theme.) When (Is it a period piece that impacts our lives today)? Where (give the setting/location that attracts readers). How (this is the genre and/or method of writing you’re using). Present these responses as if you were speaking to a publicist who needs “media-bites” to promote your book.
• Respect your Tribe members. Each of the people you’ll be working with has taken their own journey to reach the connection point where you’ve met. Like us, they need recognition of their skills and their contribution to telling the world about your book(s). During your Tribe-relationship they, too, will be learning new things. As this becomes evident, always acknowledge and encourage them in their goals. The spoken (or typed) words, Thank You, go a long way in building long term relationships.
• Become part of their Team. Whether part of your Support Team has joined you through their business or you’ve discovered each other through Internet Networking reach out and help them whenever possible. Give a “shout out” about them on Facebook, Instagram, and/or Twitter. Add a line to your marketing mailings that give their business name and contact info. Find creative ways to support those people who are supporting you.
• Always be kind and courteous. Should someone miss a deadline to provide you with any type of marketing piece—practice forgiveness. I once heard “creative people” described as the most unorganized human beings on the planet. I’m hoping someone (besides me) can relate to that statement. AND YET, in the midst of apparent chaos, beautiful things happen. Creativeness is especially useful to all the Mentors, Support Teams and Tribes as they utilize out-of-the-box thinking to help us succeed.

Bottom line/Take away for this month: Writers are NEEDED in every aspect of life and so are their support teams whether discovered through self-publishing contacts, Internet groups or our neighbors next door. Co-laboring for a common goal gives us strength. Go Forth and BE STRONG in 2017! ⚓︎

ABOUT ROYALENE DOYLE: Royalene has been writing something since before kindergarten days and continues to love the process. Through her small business—DOYLE WRITING SERVICES—she brings more than 40 years of writing experience to authors who need “just a little assistance” with completing their projects. This is a nice fit as she develops these blogs for Outskirts Press (OP) a leading self-publisher, and occasionally accepts a ghostwriting project from one of their clients. Her recent book release (with OP) titled FIREPROOF PROVERBS, A Writer’s Study of Words, is already receiving excellent reviews including several professional writer’s endorsements given on the book’s back cover.  

Royalene’s writing experience grew through a wide variety of positions from Office Manager and Administrative Assistant to Teacher of Literature and Advanced Writing courses and editor/writer for an International Christian ministry. Her willingness to listen to struggling authors, learn their goals and expectations and discern their writing voice has brought many manuscripts into the published books arena.