It’s Memorial Day… if you are like most Americans, it officially kicks off “casual” and summer is on the way.
You may plan a day that could find you in the garden (that’s me), a picnic in the park with a concert; BBQ and hanging out with family and friends (ditto here), maybe catching up with a book that has beckon to you (I have a few of those–on my table top are a few books, including a new cookbook to enjoy; maybe a movie day binge … who knows, for most, it’s a “day off”. While you settle back with your choice, do take some time and remember … give thanks and honor the men and women who have died for our country. Over 1.1 million have given their lives since the American Revolution—a staggering number!
For me, my weekend always starts with flying our flag on Friday AM; and officially planting veggies in the lower garden; spending a few hours with authors for my Friday coaching session back on track; planning for the AuthorYOU Saturday June meeting on working with bookstores; finishing planting flower pots; getting my favorite peach ice tea … and on the official Memorial Day Monday, I sip to our soldiers and deep dive into finishing the editing on a book to return to a client. My brothers all served and my nephews are active today.
And I always think of the many AuthorYOU members and clients who have served.
When I think of Andi Sue Phillips, aka Squeaks, who participated in multiple rescues as a helicopter pilot while in the Navy and the stories she shared, I’m always grateful for her courage and commitment in her journey.
Dr. Ronald Beach is a Viet Nam vet. One afternoon on my back deck with ice tea in hand, I was mesmerized by his tales, insights, and thankfulness for his service and his kindness and wisdom is in my life.
Here are three thoughts I want to draw your attention to during this Memorial Day week:
ONE … The first is on how to share books & eBooks with soldiers overseas—Memorial Day should be every day—please keep that in mind–it’s called Send Books to Troops:
TWO … the second is from one of America’s most prolific authors, Stephen King with sage advice for all writers:
- Read, read, read. “If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have the time (or the tools) to write.”
- Don’t worry about making other people happy. “If you intend to write as truthfully as you can, your days as a member of polite society are numbered, anyway.”
- Write one word at a time. “Whether it’s a vignette of a single page or an epic trilogy like ‘The Lord of the Rings,’ the work is always accomplished one word at a time.”
- You have three months. “The first draft of a book—even a long one—should take no more than three months, the length of a season.”
THREE … Get registered for my Speaking Unplugged slated for June 25-26 … it’s “tick tock” time here in Denver, Colorado. HERE
Be with your friends and family and honor those who have made that possible.
Judith Briles is a book publishing expert and coach. She empowers authors and works directly with authors who want to be seriously successful and has been writing about and conducting workshops on publishing since the ’80s. Judith is the author of 37 books including Author YOU: Creating and Building Your Author and Book Platforms, Snappy Sassy Salty: Wise Words for Authors and Writers, and How to Create a $1,000,000 Speech. Her personal memoir When God Says NO-Revealing the YES When Adversity and Loss Are Present is a #1 bestseller on Amazon. Collectively, her books have earned over 45 book awards. Judith speaks throughout the year at publishing conferences.
Throughout the year, she holds Judith Briles Book Unplugged experiences: Publishing, Speaking, Marketing, and Social Media. All are two-day intensive limited to a small group of authors who want to be seriously successful. Join Judith live for the “AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing” podcast on the Toginet Radio Network HERE.
Follow @AuthorUYOUBooks and @MyBookShepherd on Twitter and do a “Like” at AuthorU, and join the Facebook group Book Publishing with The Book Shepherd. If you want to create a book that has no regrets, contact me.
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