Authors: Self Talk - Is It killing You?

There have been so many insightful books written on the subject of self-talk that you may be wondering why I am even bothering to broach the subject. It's because authors and writers probably indulge in more self talk than your average human being. Why? Because writing is a lonely profession and for long periods the only conversation we have with anyone is the one going on in our head. Which makes it all the more important that we monitor our inner conversations very carefully indeed.

Rooting out negative thoughts and attitudes is much harder than weeding the garden. Very often the roots go deep and are the direct result of seeds planted by other people years before. As a headteacher I was very careful that I and my staff strove to be as positive as we could as often as we could with the children in our care. "As a man thinketh so he is." said that wise old king Solomon. I vividly recall one little girl who was convinced she was ugly despite the obvious evidence to the contrary. It took a lot of focused effort over a long period of time to even begin to change her self image.

Writers in particular are vulnerable to negative self talk. Often we are our harshest critics. I read somewhere on line this week, "Be as gentle with your self as you are with others." Great advice, why do we spend so much time beating ourselves up when there are plenty of others around happy to do the job for us? No matter what you write or how you write it there is a readership for you somewhere. Learn to value yourself. Pat yourself on the back for having the courage to do what so many others want to, but for one reason or another have not yet taken the plunge.

Here is what a few of my mutual Twitter Followers have to say about themselves:

Kimberley already sees herself as a 'Mistress of Horror Fiction'. Do you know what she is probably going to be right!

If Jillian can start to believe she is the next Julia Quinn and not just think it, there is every chance she will be.

Nicole is not simply and 'aspiring' erotic romance writer, in her mind she is 'up and coming'. A far more powerful concept that is much more likely to bring success.

If you want positivity just listen to what Harriet has to say. Harriet 'knows' it's going to happen for her and do you know what, she's absolutely right.

Sorry to have to say this Mr Baxter but you are most likely to remain a would be novelist if that's all you are aspiring too. Come on Joe, get off your literary butt! You may well be The Next Big Thing but how will we ever know?
Actually I'm being a bit hard on Joe because he has written some good stuff and you can find it here.
Way to go Joe! That was just me being a jerk!

There will be dark days, periods of doubt and times when you just want to give up. Listen to the words of another wise man:

“Cherish your visions and your dreams as they are the children of your soul; the blueprints of your ultimate achievements.”

                                                                                   Napolean Hill

More importantly, as writers, cherish yourselves. As the advert says, you're worth it.

Here are this weeks Featured Authors:

Hello Buddy Hannah.

Buddy describes himself as "disabled vet, writer of novels, love life."
Unfortunately I don't have a picture of Buddy yet but I can show you one of his books:

  "Eagle Bear is a giant of a warrior and a Cherokee Death Warrior who becomes the chief of the Cherokee Nations Wolf Clan, one of the seven clans of the Cherokee Nations in the early 1700's. There are many adventures told about Eagle Bear and his family. The book is full of adventure and leaves you wanting to never stop reading once you start. Even though the book is fiction there are many facts about the Cherokee Nations Wolf Clan throughout the book. Read about the true first American's in the United States of America before it became a nation."

 https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/165406

As a child I was brought up with the Hollywood version of Westerns. It was only when I read Dee Brown's cathartic book "Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee" did I understand what a profoundly devastating impact the European migration to the Western United States had on the first Americans. I think Buddy's books will allow us a privileged glimpse into their past and in particular of the proud Cherokee nations.


Good to meet you Buddy, please keep in touch.
Welcome also to William Power

William Power has published two eBooks in his short career.
The first, "Apples of Gold," has remained #1 on the list of top rated free eBooks under poetry for over 6 months running. It has remained #2 in the highest rated section under poetry as well.
William decided to make the eBook available for free to his readers in October of 2011.

 As a new author, he wanted his readers to get to know him and his work without having to pay for it.



 His second book (an eBook as well), "Voices from the Heart," is currently available at Smashwords.com. This eBook, a collection of short stories and poems as well, touches on subjects ranging from fictional westerns to advice on relationships.





Here is William's Blog:

Finally it's a pleasure to say hello to Chris Davis.


 Chris Davis resides in Memphis, Tennessee with her cat, Ramses.
 She has a Master of Science degree in Project Management and actively works as a contracted Project Manager for a large international corporation.

Check your ancestry Chris, with a name like Davis you must have someone Welsh in your background.

Here is Chris' blog:

Chris’s first novel “Takers” and the second in the series, “Takers II: Family,” both put out by Plotfish Press, are available in eBook format on Amazon.com for Kindle or in any e-format on Smashwords. If you want a new spin on vampire lore, this is the book for you!

“Takers” is a finalist in the 2012 Dan Poynter Global Ebook Awards (July 2012).

I've just started reading it and I'm hooked already. It's compelling and addictive reading. It reads almost like a graphic novel. The truth is I don't get much time to read other people's work as I'm usually too busy writing but I couldn't put this down once I started.  Great stuff Chris!

Next week I look forward to meeting more Indie Authors and we also take a look at KindleGraph. How can it help you?

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