Can Writers Today Produce Quality Works with Long-lasting Impact?
Does Your Book Qualify?
Can writers today produce quality works with long-lasting impact?
This question has been lingering in my thought processes for months, and has become more vivid during the creation of my blogging book. Can writers today create works that qualify to sit on the bookshelves with William Shakespeare, Frederick Douglass, and Harriet Beecher Stowe? Will the messages have the same long-lasting impact as those before us?
I don’t know.
If there are artists who have written such works, where are they? I’ll admit, I don’t hang out on New York Times Best Sellers List so I don’t know what’s going on there. But I do know that if a work is exceptional according to the masses (notice I didn’t say experts), they would get a lot of attention. I also know that there are millions of talented individuals that are unknown, and we’ll only find out about them by accident.
Because of the lack of quality in writing and editing and because of the lack of focus on issues that really matter, I cannot say that such works can be produced and have the same impact today, let alone qualify to sit on the shelves with literary greats.
What do you think? Can writers today produce quality works with long-lasting impact?
7 Ways I Overcame Setbacks While Producing My Blogging Book
I wish I was able to report that my blogging book is complete and ready for sale. I cannot. But I can say, that I have put forth a great amount of effort to make it so. What’s the holdup? One of my team members.
Generally speaking, we like to think that people are good people unless they have proven otherwise. And it’s really disappointing when people claim to be in business because I’m trying to build a solid team. As the saying goes, “Work your strengths and hire your weaknesses.”
Well, what happens when you weakness isn’t working – literally and figuratively?
I’ve run into that situation, and I must say that I am sorely disappointed because the weakness is someone whom I respect as an individual and professional, and “they” are not doing what “they” say they will do. So, this is what I did to overcome the setbacks created by this person.
- Cried. I felt stuck. I was relying on this person who gave me the impression that “they” were going to help me, but they produced very little.
- Kept working on my book. Ultimately, MY book is MY baby, and I have to do everything I can to bring it to fruition.
- Prayed. As we know, prayer changes things. So, I asked for guidance and direction… I went to Twitter.
- Requested referrals on Twitter. I asked for a graphic designer with web experience. At least 10 people responded – quickly. Twitter rocks!
- Stopped sharing my disappointment. This was only negative energy, which was very draining. Also, it didn’t move me forward toward my goal.
- Reached out to the bloggers featured in my book to give them a status update. I did this for two reasons. First, it was a form of personal accountability. And second, it made me accountable to others. If I have to report back to others, especially more than one, I will make something happen.
- Worked on my marketing plan. I know my book will be completed soon, with or without the person. And I will have to switch from author to book marketer. So, I may as well be prepared.
Those were the actions I took to overcome this temporary setback while producing my book. Have you ever had a situation where a person who played a major role in project held up your progress? What did you do?
Image: petemandik
Chicago Casting Call for Shark Tank – May 11, 2012
Are you an entrepreneur, inventor or other innovator with an idea that needs to be funded? Well, Shark Tank is having a casting call in Chicago on Friday, May 11, 2012. Visit ABC 7 for more information.
CHICAGO OPEN CALL: FRIDAY, MAY 11TH
Embassy Suites — Chicago Lakefront
511 North Columbus Dr.
Chicago, IL 60611
10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Enter the Tank if you dare…
image: ABC Local