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