| In one of his acts, comedian Chris Rock tells a joke | | | | to accelerate the development process necessary to |
| where he calls a certain class of men, | | | | getting known as a writer. |
| "Low-expectation-having folks." (Of course, that's not | | | | What made me realize this is a friend (who is |
| the word he used.) At any rate, he had a valid point | | | | self-published) went to a literary retreat and came |
| about people not expecting enough from life. | | | | home amazed at the number of disgruntled writers |
| Granted, we've been taught that it is a sin to aim too | | | | she met. Even when they had four or five books |
| low. And although I don't think a person can ever aim | | | | with traditional publishers, they alleged they had not |
| too high, I do believe a person can suffer from | | | | been paid since their advance. In my friend's case, at |
| having unrealistically high expectations as to what the | | | | the end of the day, not only did she and another |
| returns should be on an endeavor. | | | | self-published writer sell the most books, they got |
| To illustrate the point, as a social worker, one of the | | | | paid. The other writers could not collect any money |
| first trainings I ever attended was about the world | | | | until their royalty payment. Perhaps both |
| of abnormal childrearing. The WAR cycle, it was | | | | self-published and traditionally published writers can |
| called. Simply put, at the crux of most child abuse, it | | | | take lessons from these two literary entrepreneurs' |
| was found that the parent had unrealistic | | | | "hustle." The main thing is to avoid the WAR Trap. |
| expectations as to the stages of child development. | | | | How to Avoid the War Trap |
| This included expecting children to be potty trained at | | | | Remember, it can take 20 times exposure before a |
| six months, to not get into things at age two and to | | | | person recognizes or buys a book. In direct |
| even sleep all night as a newborn. Subsequently, in a | | | | marketing, only 10% of the people contacted will be |
| fit of rage, a parent would inappropriately "physically | | | | buyers. The 20/80% rule also applies to book buyers. |
| discipline" (abuse) a child. Sad to say, many of these | | | | Try to write more than one book and develop |
| children wound up in the hospital, or worse, for these | | | | repeat customers. Remember it can take 100 no's to |
| normal developmental milestones. | | | | get to a yes. Don't spend all the book advance and |
| As a writer, I'm always looking for comparisons in life | | | | then not have enough to go on a book tour. Try to |
| lessons, so let's apply this to being a writer. This is | | | | negotiate more for marketing. If you live near a book |
| what I've come up with. I am beginning to see a | | | | store, why aren't you scheduling booksignings on a |
| similar syndrome, for some writers, whether | | | | regular basis? If you can't do a physical tour, why not |
| self-published or not. | | | | do a virtual tour? Give up the fantasy that you get |
| I call this syndrome The "WAR cycle" for writers. In | | | | rich with one book. (If you do, fine, but it's a rarity.) |
| other words, "The World Of Absent Realism." When | | | | Empower yourself by getting a web page. Stop being |
| we are writing, we are often absent from reality. | | | | afraid of sharing, which leads to networking. There is |
| And by no means should we give up our imagination, | | | | no shortage when you come from a position of |
| since it is the source of our writing. But let's face it. | | | | abundance. Make use of print on demand. Write |
| When it comes to pushing our books, we have to be | | | | e-books. Use e-mail and save postage. Use Free |
| "Keeping it Real." As writers, we are dreamers. | | | | advertisement on the Internet through book reviews, |
| Okay, we've written the All American Novel. Even so, | | | | interviews, and e-zines. Start a newsletter. Write |
| our biggest dream is to be published. We can already | | | | articles to help promote your books. Post on |
| see the red carpet rolled out with stretch limousines | | | | message boards. Do Internet Radio Show Interviews. |
| and six-seven figure checks rolling in as soon as the | | | | Develop ways to market your book off-line and |
| ink dries. We're fulfilled with the writing in itself, but if | | | | on-line such as through the Publisher's Marketing |
| we by chance luck up and get published, we expect | | | | Association, Cushcity.com's coop advertising. |
| the world to beat a path to our door after we've | | | | Maxine Thompson( and ) is the owner of Thompson |
| accomplished this feat. | | | | Literary Agency and Thompson Literary Services. |
| Unfortunately, when things don't take off right away, | | | | She is also the owner of Black Butterfly Press. If you |
| we abuse our child, our dream, by either giving up | | | | are interested in being on one of her internet radio |
| too soon or blaming our publisher or our agent. To | | | | shows as a guest you can email her at or |
| use a metaphor, we want to plant a seed and see a | | | | You can sign up for her free newsletter at . |
| tree the next day. Like the abusive parent, we want | | | | |