| This whole catchy title thing is a little difficult to maintain! Phew! I had to take a leaf out of Forrest Gump's book... So I know, you're wondering why advice is like a block of chocolate and I'm about to share my thoughts with you! Well, as an author (isn't that just the coolest title ever!!!!!) I've come to understand a few things about the writing and publishing game. So in no particular order... 1. Advice — like chocolate — has an expiration date In our mad world of publishing things seem to be changing on a daily basis. The whole what will Amazon do next? Which publishing house will fall over/rise up? Who is the the next upcoming Nora Roberts. |  |
See, you can gather lots of information before you start, but the problem is that publishing, like so many other industries is changing super fast!
One day they are telling you that Paranormal and Vampires are the concepts of the day, then the next, you've missed the boat because the marketplace is saturated. At the end of the day, only you can decide which is the right direction for your writing career.
Write the flavour/genre that you love and know best. If its meant to be... great! If not, keep plugging along. Somewhere there is an editor that shares your taste!
2. Advice can be well intentioned - but a moment on the lips is forever on the hips!
Yeah, we all know this saying. Sadly sometimes the most well intentioned advice goes wrong and you have to carry the results for ever! Just like the eating of chocolate remember to employ moderation... Check your options before you consume that bar of good advice and decide if its the right decision for you.
Of course, everyone had the opportunity to overcome bad choices and decisions, just remember, just like chocolate, not everyone can lose the weight afterwards.
3. Advice — like chocolate — comes in a variety of flavours
Just because you have a 'thing' for one kind of chocolate, that doesn't mean to say you can't consume something new, different or even... you know, totally unknown to you. Trust me, I adore Turkish Delight but I'm not so set on that one choice, that I won't check out say... a hershey bar or kisses or...
I love what I write, but lately I've had a hankering to try something new. People will tell you "find your niche and stick to it", but when the niche is uber niche then maybe this isn't the right piece of advice to follow. But you know what? That's your decision to make. Gather the information and make an informed decision before you buy!
Sometimes the least inspiring piece of chocolate (or even wrapping) can be the tastiest. Sometimes that piece of advice from the little old lady behind the computer screen is the right one to take. Just... Be careful before you take it - make sure you weigh the sugars... oops consequences first!
One day they are telling you that Paranormal and Vampires are the concepts of the day, then the next, you've missed the boat because the marketplace is saturated. At the end of the day, only you can decide which is the right direction for your writing career.
Write the flavour/genre that you love and know best. If its meant to be... great! If not, keep plugging along. Somewhere there is an editor that shares your taste!
2. Advice can be well intentioned - but a moment on the lips is forever on the hips!
Yeah, we all know this saying. Sadly sometimes the most well intentioned advice goes wrong and you have to carry the results for ever! Just like the eating of chocolate remember to employ moderation... Check your options before you consume that bar of good advice and decide if its the right decision for you.
Of course, everyone had the opportunity to overcome bad choices and decisions, just remember, just like chocolate, not everyone can lose the weight afterwards.
3. Advice — like chocolate — comes in a variety of flavours
Just because you have a 'thing' for one kind of chocolate, that doesn't mean to say you can't consume something new, different or even... you know, totally unknown to you. Trust me, I adore Turkish Delight but I'm not so set on that one choice, that I won't check out say... a hershey bar or kisses or...
I love what I write, but lately I've had a hankering to try something new. People will tell you "find your niche and stick to it", but when the niche is uber niche then maybe this isn't the right piece of advice to follow. But you know what? That's your decision to make. Gather the information and make an informed decision before you buy!
Sometimes the least inspiring piece of chocolate (or even wrapping) can be the tastiest. Sometimes that piece of advice from the little old lady behind the computer screen is the right one to take. Just... Be careful before you take it - make sure you weigh the sugars... oops consequences first!
 | 4. Chocolate stains Sadly it's a fact of life. Drop a piece of chocolate on your gorgeous white dress and you will possibly never move it! (Just ask my husband who loves to wash!!) So do those who will gather around only to give you "advice" and sometimes these people will wear expert hats and tell you how they know the "only way." They may call themselves Grand Chocolatiers of authorship - sadly, sometimes these hats aren't monitored. It's a bit like buying a hat on a website and popping it on and calling yourself a chef. If that isn't a monitored job, then anyone can take the mantle, melt the chocolate and pop it in a mold. I'm not saying don't follow them. What I am saying is be careful. Not everyone wearing an expert hat has the experience in the kitchen that will see your career on the best possible path. |
5. Advice and chocolate can cause indigestion
It you take a piece of advice, remember, ultimately it was your choice. Remember that doing your homework and making educated decisions should steer your clear to finding the right bar. But sometimes you pick up that chill chocolate drop and find it gives you a belly ache. Uh oh!
Sure, so your chocolate experimentations (and writing) didn't go quite to plan, but did you learn something along the way? Look for the silver lining authors! People remember those who are willing to learn and change.
The complainers will remain in peoples memories too... but for all the wrong reasons! Just chalk that one up to the learning experience and keep going forward. Just chalk that one up as a learning experience and keep experimenting.
It you take a piece of advice, remember, ultimately it was your choice. Remember that doing your homework and making educated decisions should steer your clear to finding the right bar. But sometimes you pick up that chill chocolate drop and find it gives you a belly ache. Uh oh!
Sure, so your chocolate experimentations (and writing) didn't go quite to plan, but did you learn something along the way? Look for the silver lining authors! People remember those who are willing to learn and change.
The complainers will remain in peoples memories too... but for all the wrong reasons! Just chalk that one up to the learning experience and keep going forward. Just chalk that one up as a learning experience and keep experimenting.
RSS Feed
