Turn the Page Blog
Thoughts, Musings & Advice on All Things Writing
Why did I choose these books? You've heard me talk about some of them before, but there are some of the reasons:
· They have twists, turns, reveals, and reversals that completely surprised me
· They have compelling characters
· Their pacing and plotting is top-notch
· The vibe - the "feel" of book is unique
· They are fun homages to bookstores, classic authors, etc.
This week I’m talking about another favorite American author of mine, Joan Didion. She frequently explored themes of loss, identity, and alienation in her work, all universal human experiences that resonate with readers. Known for her distinctive literary style and insightful observations, aspiring authors can learn countless lessons from her work. Here are just four of those:
Audrey Hepburn is one of the most famous actresses of all time. Her presence on the screen is unforgettable, and she seemed to move through the world as a sort of luminous being.
She had a pretty tragic childhood (thanks, World War II), and plenty of heartbreak throughout her life, but for all intents and purposes seemed to never lose her vivacity, and her passion for absorbing life and leaving a terrific legacy behind.
She is an inspiration just as a human being, but of course as a creative person who had many gifts that touched people all over the world.
When you’re struggling with your writing, or life, perhaps let yourself hear Audrey’s voice, and let her words permeate:
“Nothing is impossible; the word itself says ‘I’m possible!’”
Believe in yourself – you must do that before asking anyone else to do so, too. You CAN become an author. You CAN write a book. There are no limits.
“Paris is always a good idea.”
If you’re feeling stuck, get out. Is there a place you can go where you can feel relaxed or recharged? Is there a local garden that delights you with its beauty? Do you feel inspired walking about your local bookstore?
“I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong.”
Even the luckiest of authors still face roadblocks along the way – rejection letters, a lack of confidence, etc. But it’s so important to keep moving forward. There IS light at the end of the tunnel – your day will come.
"Good things aren’t supposed to just fall into your lap. God is very generous, but He expects you to do your part first."
You can’t become a bestselling author without a book. You can’t make readers’ hearts swell if they have nothing to read.
“Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, it’s at the end of your arm. As you get older, remember you have another hand: The first is to help yourself, the second is to help others.”
Books have the power to change lives. If you have something to share with the world, it is your goal to share it – whether you’re educating, entertaining, comforting, and/or inspiring.
I believe in you!
The Author Power Pack: 4 Mini-Trainings to Make Your Writing Dreams Happen and Get Your Book Published Now
Discover Industry Insider Tips and Tricks to FINALLY Write and Publish The Book You’ve Been Talking About Forever
I’m sharing:
• Why you need a nonfiction book proposal, how to write one, and how to make yours stand out from the hundreds of others agents and editors see every day
• The 16 common mistakes and missteps that even the best authors make when writing, editing, and pitching their manuscripts
• The #1 mistake that most authors are making (without even realizing it!) and how you can fix it so you can finally get your book written and published
• The 12 specific strategies my clients use to build their platforms
• The secrets to creating a stellar “elevator pitch” and becoming a pro at pitching yourself
Click the link below to purchase your game-changing Author Power Pack Today!
As mentioned over the past few weeks, books are, no surprise, my favorite things to talk about, and I get asked for recommendations all of the time. I've started a reading section on the Turn the Page website, but I will continue sharing some of those recommendations here!
These books are tons of fun, but the authors also know EXACTLY who their target audience is, and they deliver in spades.
Get Rich, Lucky Bitch: Release Your Money Blocks and Live a First-Class Life by Denise Duffield-Thomas
This book has been life-changing for me on a number of levels, but even on it’s own this is an almost perfect self-help/personal development book. Having a positive mindset is such an important part of succeeding in all areas of your life, including as an author, and Duffield-Thomas’ voice is so accessible – you feel like you’re talking to your best girlfriend.
The author is also great to follow because she is a rising queen of the platform. She knows her audience inside and out, and she is constantly innovating and connecting with them in new ways. A self-made millionaire, she initially self-published her books, but they were later acquired by self-help powerhouse publisher Hay House.
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/a/89876/9781788171335
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3IBgR9g
To Have and Have Another: A Hemingway Cocktail Companion by Philip Greene
Whether or not Ernest Hemingway is your guy, this is a delightful book that is part-biography, part-cocktail appreciation. Written by the cofounder of the Museum of the American Cocktail (!!!), this takes a look at the myth and legend of Hemingway through a unique lens.
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/a/89876/9780399174902
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3VWc45n
Tequila Mockingbird: Cocktails with a Literary Twist by Tim Federle
Even if you are not a cocktail fan, you can appreciate this book for the punny drink names. The Last of the Mojitos? Love in the Time of Kahlua? Vermouth the Bell Tolls? Come on! Paired with witty commentary on some of the greatest books ever published, this book is a fun romp for all the fellow book nerds out there.
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/a/89876/9780762448654
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3IBgR9g
The Author Power Pack: 4 Mini-Trainings to Make Your Writing Dreams Happen and Get Your Book Published Now
Discover Industry Insider Tips and Tricks to FINALLY Write and Publish The Book You’ve Been Talking About Forever
I’m sharing:
• Why you need a nonfiction book proposal, how to write one, and how to make yours stand out from the hundreds of others agents and editors see every day
• The 16 common mistakes and missteps that even the best authors make when writing, editing, and pitching their manuscripts
• The #1 mistake that most authors are making (without even realizing it!) and how you can fix it so you can finally get your book written and published
• The 12 specific strategies my clients use to build their platforms
• The secrets to creating a stellar “elevator pitch” and becoming a pro at pitching yourself
Click the link below to purchase your game-changing Author Power Pack Today!
Do you feel like you’re going struggling to churn on the pages? Or get published? Or even to get started? More than likely, you’re making a common mistake – and even more likely, it is a misstep that even the best authors out there make, too. You may have heard me talk about the 16 Mistakes and Missteps That Even the BEST Writers Make – I’ve spoken at conferences about it, written articles about it, and even have a product related to it.
Much like the Overview, the Author’s Bio is pretty self-explanatory. This is where you tell the reader (the literary agent/editor) all about you. However, it is important that the information and qualifications you share relate to your expertise as an expert on your book’s subject matter and/or as an author. (With an emphasis on the former). It doesn’t matter if you are an award-winning gardener, unless you are writing a gardening book.
My career has been a bit of an adventure, beginning in the entertainment industry before finding my home in the world of publishing. After working in business and legal affairs in television and film production, I realized I needed to follow a new path. I had already been editing book and script projects, so publishing felt like the logical next path – a path I’m so glad that I took.
I used to dread January, which always seemed like the rainiest, darkest month. The anticipation and excitement of Christmas is over, and January always represented the return to the same old, same old. Over the years, however, my perspective has changed. Now January is all about finding that spark - spark of hope, spark of creativity, spark of beginning. It's not just about resolutions but about goals - dreaming them, defining them, and putting together an actionable plan to achieving them.
We all have books that have stayed with us long after we read the last page. Some of the books are heartbreaking, hilarious, or full of twists and turns that kept us on the edges of our seats until the very end. Many, however, have stuck with us because they inspired us, and likely continue to do so even today. When we talk about inspiration, we’re not necessarily talking about a self-help book that inspires you to lose weight or end a relationship or change careers.
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