Writer’s Corner (Sisters of Crime) (men are included) cont.

 

     Networking is important.  Dedicate time for writing.  The wider and deeper network - the better.  Respect, empathy and resilience.  Share what is learned (yup, that’s what I am doing with everything) when asked and appropriate.  Lift up others.  Be general and set healthy boundaries.  Volunteer and be generous with it.  Volunteer an hour or two at conventions.  Give back and be connected.  Build community and trust in people.  One speaker received a contract through her networking.  Don’t take it personal.  Learn to discern.  What information is valuable?  An agent is heavily invested in your success.  What can you take from the

 critique, staying true to what you need? 

     Ok, let’s see what I am doing.  Networking?  My bad.  But, I have an excuse.  Yup, we all know about excuses.  I need to be better.  I actually like people and usually try to help, keeping in mind boundaries.  Writing has always been a constant for me as a hobby.  I have been invited by other writers to events but due to my schedule, I have just let it pass.  We cannot do it all so I have to prioritize.  Now I am making my home and books a priority.  You all know the nightmare I went through last year trying to sell my home in Toronto to move to Niagara Falls.  My network is all in Toronto.  However,  I do want to slow down and enjoy a tourist town so I can be on a constant holiday.  I have no problem setting up a network in Niagara (I don’t think they have one, but may be wrong).  I gave up my psychotherapy practice because it was too much to do it all and though I had all my conference education, I found that the College was micro managing too much and I have actually achieved a point in my life where I don’t tolerate nonsense unless I have to.  Through staging my home, items were broken, furniture scratched and damaged and I am still missing two pieces of art.  I shall never again stage - ever.  If you do, take pictures of it all before hand, and be there.  I was encouraged not to be there.  Then I was bombarded with real estate agents to sign up with them.  What they haven’t figured out is that I will never deal with overbearing disrespectful people.  The market is terrible right now and so I am focusing on what is staying and what is going.  I have given much away and am thankful to a friend who has a second property and loves my stuff.  She keeps me happy with home made meals and I keep her happy with treasures.  It just worked out that way without intention.  People have been selling their homes in Toronto for less money and some just need to sell because of this economy.  I don’t have to.  For these annoying agents, they can show me a contract from a prospective buyer or get lost.  You can read previous blogs from last spring  for more details.  I had planned on writing my next book spending at least an hour a day, but my bad.  Though I am very structured, when it comes to writing, I am not.  I love writing my books, so I don’t think of it as a job.  Don’t get me wrong, I also have always chosen careers that I liked and found interesting, keeping in mind that pensions were required.  Networking was always a given in my careers and that took precedence.  I enjoy the company of writers because they have imagination and smarts and hope.  I do intend to network more because it involves dinners and fun.  I now can make time for that.  I do not intend to ignore invites anymore.  I want to grow.  Volunteer?  I am still trying to step down from volunteer positions.  There are also others waiting for me to say yes.  I need to rest a bit and re-set.  Do I have an agent?  No.  I think I sent my last book out to two and they said it was not their genre.  This time,  I need to focus more on that as I slowly get organized.  To conclude,  I am always approached by hopeful writers at events and I answer their questions.  They need to have answers and why not?  I now encourage them to join an Association as well.  At Word on the Street, Sisters in Crime will have a booth and I shall direct them there.  I have my own mini booth this year (I am now on a budget) but always enjoy sitting with other Authors.  So that is all for now.  What do you think? Have a nice weekend and my tip is to trust in yourself and surround yourself with positive and loving people.