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Motivation For Today

Thought for Today: “No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader. No surprise in the writer, no surprise in the reader.” Robert Frost

Today is a writing day for me. I am excited about my next book for the characters are coming alive and keeping me in suspense as they delve into the mysteries in their lives. The excitement about what comes next is one of the things that keeps me motivated and disciplined to pursue the writing life. What motivates or inspires you to go after your dreams?

Like many, I want to live a balanced life of work and play which calls for a plan. I would love to sit down at the computer and go with the flow as many of my favorite authors seem to do. Yet, I know that I need exercise, breaks for food and drink and to spend time with loved ones. Many of you know that I wear several hats, and I do love hats, but you know what I am talking about. I am balancing a work life that includes multiple projects and I would not have time to write fiction if it was not for some cool time-saving apps like Hootsuite and PostPlanner. What are your go-to time savers?

For now, back to writing the sequel to Cross-Ties. The picture below was an inspiration for the family home in the yet unnamed book. I can only imagine the tales this antebellum home in Northwest Florida has inspired.

Florida Antebellum Home

Wishing you joy and happiness in your work and play this week. Carolyn

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When Less Is More: Social Media

Quote for Today: I continue to be drawn to clarity and simplicity. ‘Less is more’ remains my mantra. Stephane Rolland

The holiday season is in our wake and it seems everywhere we look there are some fantastic gifts starring us in the face. Everyone today is marketing something. It is just the way the world operates now from authors promoting their books, companies branding their product lines to non-profits creating awareness about their mission. What are we to do if we want our own offerings available for the world to see? Get more visible with a planned strategy to target our market.

Black Friday, Books

What is one to do when first starting out promoting their products or services? We question what platforms will deliver the greatest results for our efforts and pocketbook. Looking around the Internet there is a huge array of selections for posting on social media. It is tempting to say “I want to use them all and receive the most for my start-up.” I’ve been in that mind-set too and learned that sometimes less is more. Clue: Fresh content, visuals, supporting apps are just a few of the commodities needed for each site.

My suggestion is to use the social media sites where your potential customers already are active. It is best to begin with two or three sites and as you build your community expand your reach to others or use your talent and energy to continue improving your existing sites.

My favorites for ease of use, targeting folks interested in my products and building a community that enjoys the same things are as follows: Google+, Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.   And, I did not do these all at once. Each site is a work in progress that has been expanded as resources became available. It is a good to have a budget for paid advertisements on your social media sites. It is generally agreed that it is a better option than buying followers who may or may not be interested in your offerings.

Another option this holiday season is partnering with a company that already markets similar products or services. For example holiday specials in the hospitality industry, an established blog that promotes travel, food and entertainment would be a bonus. Note: This is one of my companies.  However, for Cross-Ties
the search is on for a partner (book seller) that will help my young adult novel go viral.

Keep it simple, know your audience and market accordingly.  Special note  for companies marketing to businesses, it’s hard to beat Linkedin for news and growing your network.

I look forward to your comments about what’s working for your marketing program. Hope to see you on social media. Cordially, Carolyn

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Cross-Ties Book Trailer

Thought for Today: “Everything you can imagine is real.” Pablo Picasso

Good morning everyone!
Today I want to talk about Cross-Ties, the Book. Cross-Ties, a young adult fiction, is full of visuals from the Pirates of the Caribbean, the beautiful Antigua and frontier America just to name a few. It was a treat to release the Cross-Ties book trailer that provides a peek into the journey of the main character Leah coming of age in the 18th Century.

Every young person proceeds through a rite of passage into adulthood. In Leah’s case, it was a stormy transition in finding true love and purpose in life. For many, this still holds true today. In Leah’s early adulthood, she had the mistaken belief that a man loved her only to find that it was a different kind of love. A love between friends, not the romantic love she had visualized in her dreams. Yet, she did find different kinds of love during her lifetime. Read Cross-Ties today and enjoy Leah’s adventure as she learns to love again – and again.

Cross-Ties Book, Carolyn M. Bowen, The Writing LifeHope to see you on Google Plus, Facebook and Twitter. Let me know your experiences in finding true love and purpose in life. It’s a never ending story. Carolyn

 

 

 

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Social Media Tips for Writers

Thought for today: “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.”
Maya Angelou

http://www.postplanner.com/

I am a writer and have a passion for writing. Today’s writer wears more than one hat for it is important to know how to market your books too. In addition, it is not uncommon for many writers to hold other employment as well. Marketing is my other passion. So, time is of the essence.

For marketing, many hours of a day are spent on a variety of social media sites updating fans with latest writing news, inspiring others to achieve their dreams, and connecting on a personal basis. So when do you have time to work on new material?

I have found that prioritizing my goals for the day is helpful. I like to wake early in the morning and work on my manuscripts for new books. It’s a great time when my mind is fresh and thoughts come together easier for stories. Even though I have an urge to check my email’s and tune in to my social network, I attempt to stay focused on my writing. When my mind is set – most times I win.

In the search for social media applications that will make my life run smoother, I found two that standout for their easy use and refreshing content – Canva and Post Planner. What’s so great about both of them is that you can try them for free. Once you see the results you can subscribe or not. I enjoy the benefits of using my own content or theirs from pictures, quotes to relevant articles. These applications provide me with the opportunity to do more of what I love – writing and forming relationships with those of similar interests. Yes, I love content writing that is pertinent within the scope of my interests. And, you can see I do a lot of it. Yet, a little help is always welcome when wearing several hats. You may want to try these too.

Do you have favorite digital applications for sharing on social media? Share your time saving tips with me. Streamlining frees us to focus on what’s more important in life. I’d like to get to know you. Let’s connect on Google Plus,  Facebook and Twitter. Carolyn 

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Summer Is Here!

Quote for Today:   “Spring passes and one remembers one’s innocence. Summer passes and one remembers one’s exuberance.  Autumn passes and one remembers one’s reverence.  Winter passes and one remembers one’s perseverance.”  Yoko Ono

Summer,CM Bowen Author, The Writing Life

Today is the Summer Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. The day of the solstice has the longest period of sunlight in the calendar year. The lazy days of Summer time are here at last.  I have to admit to longing for the changes of the season.  I can spend hours admiring the beauty of nature outside my window as I work on my writing or enjoy outdoor events that can only be found in the Summer months.  What are some of your favorite things to do?

Check out this young adult fiction for a summer reading adventure. Cross-Ties
Thank you!  Carolyn M. Bowen

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