Writing, publishing, and marketing my books has been one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. Like most things, until you’ve done it, you simply cannot imagine what’s involved.
However, the rewards have been beyond my dreams.
All my books have been No.1 bestsellers and that’s pretty neat, but what beats that – hands-down – are notes such as these:
“Hi Jackie. I have started to re-read Of Foreign Build and it’s even better than the first time. Your words and time of grieving seem to be of comfort for me with the passing of my wife. God bless you. I look forward to your next book.”
And this:
“Look what we received today [This Is It], it helped pass the time for us all on our journey from Denmark to Sweden. it is great and will be treasured.”
I’ve received quite a number of personal notes from people all over the world. My books have helped many people in one way or another – the notes that are deeply personal have made me cry, given me goose-bumps, and left me feeling honoured and humble.
I’ve not received many photos though – so if you have some pictures with one of my books, with you or your pet (the gorgeous Maksi above, appears to approve!), please send them on to me!
And keep writing to me, I love hearing from readers and authors alike, I am making new friends all over the world.
Last month I published my second book. Then I started a marketing frenzy and I found that I had no time to do what I want – write!
Image courtesy of imagerymajestic at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
All I seemed to do was read about writing. So I took action. First, I read some more! And I found two sayings that struck a cord with me:
“No one has time, we make time.”
And
“Time is a created thing. To say ‘I don’t have time,’ is like saying, ‘I don’t want to.’” Lao Tzu
I want to write – and I want to make time, so I did!
Image courtesy of jesadaphorn at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Here’s my seven highly effective habits:
1. I set my alarm and got up two hours earlier each day. I can write a lot in two hours. (There’s no one around to interrupt either).
2. I write for one hour before going to bed, after dinner, after TV (yes, I like the diversion of TV), when everyone else is in bed and not bothering me.
3. I calmed down my marketing strategy from boiling to simmering.
4. I decided to quit being a part of some FaceBook groups that are currently not helping me in what I want to achieve, they were just using my time. I can rejoin them later.
5. I adjusted my FB settings on most of the other FB groups to ‘no notifications’ so my email account stopped becoming clogged up, and I stopped becoming constantly diverted.
6. I drew up a weekly schedule of visits to FB groups that I wanted to continue being a part of. There are two groups I look at daily and the rest I look at once or twice a week (not on weekends).
7. I stopped reading everything, joining everything, commenting on everything and trying to be every-where.
Image courtesy of jesadaphorn at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
The results:
I feel in control of my time.
I control FB it no longer controls me.
I am doing what I actually want to do – write.
I am no longer a headless, unproductive chicken. (Well, I am still a bit manic – as an aside to all this, I am learning French, renovating a boat and setting up a training business – phew!)
The proof will be in the pudding. My next book is about a journey with five horses, my husband and a tent. An unsuccessful journey that will leave you laughing hard, and crying harder… a percentage of proceeds will be going to a charity that rescues horses.
Of Foreign Build is for sale for just 1.99 cents for 24 hours! At Amazon.com (your location must be USA – you can set it there temporarily – wherever you are!)
WOB is a new FB group, which could have been called BOOBS! . . . but we’ll get to that.
I use Facebook for marketing my books Cruisers’ AA and Of Foreign Build, and keeping in touch with friends and family. It is only recently that I’ve been joining groups AND I have become an administrator of one such group. (I use the word administrator lightly as my fellow administrator is being far more, uhm, administrative than I am!)
Noel and Jackie’s Journeys
I do not join groups lightly. I want to be a member of groups that are friendly, contain quality information, are fun and, very importantly, are safe.
One of my favourite groups is WWSA (Women Who Sail Australia), an off-shoot of WWS (Women Who Sail). These are closed groups. In both I find love, respect, friendship, help and a safe haven for any help and support that I may need. These groups also contain a wealth of incredible experience and advice.
Women who sail – that’s me!
I got to know Carole Eardman Grant via WWS a few months ago and we met when we were in the same town. It really is remarkable how these groups (and FB) bring people together. Carole is Canadian and is currently renovating a barge in Kent, (UK), with her husband Barrie. I am from the UK, but live in Australia and was in the UK when we met.
Boats, canals & all that goes with it!
Carole helped me with lots of information while Noel and I were looking for our barge. Our relationship has grown quickly into a marvellous friendship. We chat a lot on FB, mostly about boats! We support each other and we are very open and honest. Carole always has a positive word when I slip into negativity.
Together we have set up Women On Barges (WOB). Our group has, very quickly, become a place of friendship, respect, support and again, a safe place for women to share doubts, fears, accomplishments, hopes and dreams. It’s a marvellous resource of information as well.
If you like boats, live on one or just dream about doing so, WOB is for you (oh yes, you must be a woman too!)
These are my experiences of Facebook and groups. So far I have had not had a negative occurrence. But I’d love to hear how it’s changed your life. With a bit of time management on Facebook, it is always a positive event for me.
And just where does BOOBS fit into all this? Well of course, the group is for women . . . . but a name that has been whispered around decks and between friends (and I’ve stolen this from my mate Carole 🙂 ) is Babes On Old Barges = BOOBS! I, for one, think that is pretty neat! For now we’ll stick with Women On Barges (WOB) – come take a look, you’ll be made very welcome.
WOB info
Women on Barges! This group is a place for women on every shape and size of barge — or any other type of boat — to come together and connect. Some of us live on barges, some only holiday on barges and some of us want to. Some of us know a LOT about boats in general, some know not much at all. We are single; we are married; we have kids, grandkids, we are working or retired. Some of our barges are in France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Ireland or the UK or other countries. We are from a variety of countries which are as diverse as we are. No matter who we are, this is a place for women to share respectful, supportive discourse.
‘FB is a terrible idea, it makes it easy for people to abuse others.’
These are some of the comments I hear from Facebook haters when I mention I use it. Yes, FB can be used to abuse people, but so can a telephone, texting and pen and paper. As for friends, why can’t you have lots of friends?
I think FB is wonderful. Not only have I re-kindled fantastic friendships but I’ve made new friends.
Just recently I met up with Linda Frylink Anderson and her lovely husband Bill. Linda and I connected on a closed sailing group for women. She’s an author and sailor too.
This month we were both in Europe and got together. We knew each other already as we chat often, offering each other support and friendship in our writing and travelling endeavours. She’s helped me relax a bit more with my writing by not over-editing and I hope I’ve motivated Linda on her next book, (well, I keep asking her where she is up to!)
I’ve made another rich, deep and rewarding friendship, so yes, I like Facebook!
If used correctly Facebook is a wonderful tool for marketing too, which is a busy occupation for me.
Here are my rules for Facebook:
Limit your use and stick to it! (Set a timer).
Use FB as a distraction from time to time. (Set a timer).
Don’t start a fight or criticise. Your settings maybe private but they are indelibly written forever, who knows where they may pop up someday.
Don’t write on Facebook while drunk
If you wouldn’t announce your posts face to face, don’t write them down
Be courteous
Read through your comments and ensure they make sense and cannot be misconstrued
Don’t rant
Support other people in your business/profession/personal interests – LIKES are supportive
Jackie Parry - author 