2014 WORD - FEAR

This year I chose the word Fear as my word of the year.

I’ve decided to conquer the word in my life. I’ve let it stop me from pursuing my dreams and I’m no longer going to let it rule of my being.

I will write about my fears because sometimes if you talk about them you can get past them.

1st fear – Not good enough

I think this fear popped up with the first rejection and it continued to grow as I continued to write and submit my ideas. As a writer you don’t know if anyone will like your stories until you let them read them. For years I kept my stories in the closest. The first book I wrote for years because I didn’t have a clue about submitting. When I was stationed in San Diego I found found a copy of Writer’s Digest at a book store,  that began my lessons on learning to write. I learned you had to submit to be able to get published.

I submitted a query letter to Harlequin, this was the time before AA romances, so I was sent a form letter saying they weren’t looking for these type of books. I was devastated and that’s when the first fear crept in.

Looking back at this I can say the good thing about this rejection was that it made me move to the next book. An idea about another story popped in my mind and I spent many evenings and weekends in front of my word processor.

Fear can stop you from trying new things and I’m thankful I didn’t let it stop me from writing. The words continued to come even though I was worried they weren’t good enough.

I will admit this fear is still inside, but I’m learning to get past it.

Do you ever feel like your words aren’t good enough? How do you get past the fear?

Lessons Learned In 2013 – Make A Plan

With SORMAG (My online magazine) I’ve always made a plan for the year. Then broke it up into monthly chunks to help me work the plan. Creating a Plan for the years always worked for SORMAG I don’t know why I didn’t think about doing this for my own writing.

In the past I just wrote when I wanted to. However for 2013, I made a plan and tried to stick to it. I made a schedule for writing. I set a timer to make sure I met that challenge and it worked for me. I felt productive and I saw my chunks becoming smaller.

I shared this system in December by hosting a Creating An Online Marketing Plan workshop. Even though I was the instructor, I learned a lot too from my students. They created their own marketing plan and I believe 2014 will be their best year for marketing their books. I’m a firm believer now that creating a plan will help you with your writing and your business. Take time to schedule your writing for the year and see how much you get done.

This is my last lesson learned. I hope my seven lessons have been helpful for you.

Feel free to tell me what you think about my lessons or share your lessons for 2013.

Do you create a writing schedule? Share what you do to make time for writing.



Did you miss the other lessons - CLICK HERE TO READ

Lessons Learned in 2013 - Stop Procrastinating

What’s stopping you from being published?

Unfortunately the answer to this question for me is ME. I’m the cause of not being published. I can make every excuse in the book, but I’m the one stopping me from moving forward toward publication.

For years I’ve let Fear lead my life when it comes to following my dreams. I know you’re thinking you are the one who is always saying are you working on your dreams. I do believe in dreams and I do believe in going after them; however I also was scared to death to see what happens if I completed the one dream I’ve had since I was sixteen.

When I started writing, nobody knew who I was. I was going to be the black Jackie Collins. Back then I was into hot romance writing. I didn't have a fear in the world. I wrote everyday. I made it a priority. It was my dream and I was going to get that book published.

What happen to that young naive girl? When did she let fear, push her dreams to the background? When did she let procrastination slip into her spirit?

Thirty years later I'm asking myself these questions. Have I spent 30 years procrastinating? Yes and no. No because I continued with my life. I joined the Navy, I moved back home, married and started a family. Thoughout those years I was still writing and dreaming.

Yes, because I didn't have a deadline. I'd write when I wanted too. I let rejection beat me down. I let fear lead my path.

Last year I started focusing on dreams. What did I want in this life? Was publishing a book still important to me? Could I leave this world without a book with my name on it?

I didn't want to die without realizing my dream. The dream of publication still burns deep in my heart.

Is the fear still there? You bet, I know it will always be there. I'm learning to walk around it instead of letting it stop me and move me toward procrastination.

I've taken time to create a plan. This time I'm taking steps toward publication, versus staying still.

Join me on my journey to publication. I know it won't be easy, and I know it won't happen today or even this year; however I have 30 years of patience and I know I follow a Lord who will give you your heart's desires. My heart desires a book with my name on it and I'm working toward making that dream come true.

What do you do to stop procrastinating?

Did you miss the other lessons - CLICK HERE TO READ

Lessons Learned In 2013 - Get Off The Couch

I’m a couch potato and I’m not afraid to say I am, however my sister informed me that I needed to get off the couch more. At first I was a little insulted, but when I stepped back and looked at what I did once I’m home from work, I realized the couch and I had become best friends.

I use TV as a form of stress release, but I also was using it as a crutch to procrastinate and not live my life to the fullest.

I didn’t want to miss my shows, but I wasn’t writing like I wanted, I wasn’t socializing like I wanted and I wasn’t doing more things with my family like I wanted.

It was a big wake up call.

This year I’m using my calendar more often and scheduling ME days, family days, writing days, girlfriend days. It’s time to get off the couch and back into a fun life.

Are you glued to your couch?

Did you miss the other lessons - CLICK HERE TO READ

Lessons Learned In 2013 - Mentors/Coaches Are Important

Having someone who encourages you and only wants the best for you can make your life a lot easier. I have three women who helped me through 2013. From them I learned so much and that having a mentor or coach is very important to moving forward in your life.

My writing mentor, Dr. Linda Beed always starts my week off with a morning call, saying how are you my sister in success. We talk about writing, but what I love about our talks is that we inspire each other. She gives me ideas for my writing or for SORMAG and I do the same for her.

Writing is a lonely business, so you need someone who has your back and won’t let you slip into your pity party. You need someone who understands writing and how to encourage you to continue on your publishing journey when you think all hope has failed.

Thank you Ms. Linda for helping me become a better writer.

In 2013 I stepped out of my comfort zone and joined a challenge about Fear. This challenge opened my eyes to a lot of things, one important one was I was ready to work with a life coach. The good thing I about LaTara V. Bussey is that I felt comfortable with her, which helped me say yes to more coaching. I liked that she got me, she understood my fears, and she didn’t let me wallow in them, she designed a course to help me maneuver around it.

Thank you LaTara for helping me better me, which in turn will help me, be a better writer and business owner.

Also want to give shout outs to two ladies who are not my official coaches, however the wisdom they shared helped me grow as a business owner. LaShanda Henry and Cheryl Pullins. If you want to learn about how to stay a successful online business or how to build a brand, these are the ladies to follow. Hopefully one day I will be able to call them my coaches. Thank you LaShanda and Cheryl.

I’m thankful for learning the importance of a mentor and coach because growing is what we want to do in life. Sometimes that means stepping out your comfort zone and asking for help.

Do you have a mentor or coach?

Did you miss the other lessons - CLICK HERE TO READ

Online Promotion Challenge

CLICK TO JOIN TODAY

Lessons Learned In 2013 - Admit You Made A Mistake

This is the third lesson I learned.

Admit You Made A Mistake

In the previous lesson, I explained how I made the mistake of using slang in my email. When I received the email from my client who was truly upset with me. I could have blown the email off and said it wasn’t that serious.

However I had to consider my clients feelings and how the email mad her feel. I prayed over what to write and sat down and wrote my email. I admitted my mistake and apologized. I didn’t know if she would accept my apology. Thankfully she did accept my apology and we are back on building a better relationship.

Another example of admitting your mistake is when I purchased some Christmas gifts from someone online. One of the gifts didn’t come in. For four days, I tried to get in touch with the company using the telephone number they had listed on their site. I finally sent a email telling them of the problem. A few days later someone called me on the phone. They apologized for the problem with the phone which was hanging up on the customers when it put you on hold.

A few days later I received a 20 dollar credit.

The company admitted their mistake and apologized. Sometimes that’s all the customer needs is to hear you say there was a mistake and you apologize.

I’ve learned that I’m not perfect, so I will make mistakes. However I’ve also learned to admit when I’m wrong and to apologize and hopefully move forward with the relationship.



Have you ever had to admit you made a mistake?

Did you miss the other lessons - CLICK HERE TO READ

Lessons Learned In 2013 - Be Professional Always

This is the second lesson I learned.

Be Professional Always

I always keep my emails professional when it comes to communicating with my clients. The one time I slip up and use slang, nearly cost me a friendship and a loyal customer.

I normally don’t use slang when I write emails, but My Bad has become popular, that I sometimes use it without thinking. This was one of those times, I wrote it without hitting the return button after it and it came across not how I intended.

I offended a customer and it took a few emails to clear up the misunderstanding.

It taught me to always remain professional, even when I’m talking to a friend. If we are doing business, treat the email as a business email.

Never, ever assume everyone understands slang. My bad, turned to very bad.

I was able to salvage the relationship and I also learned from my mistake.

Hopefully it will help you to remember to stay professional.



Have you ever had an unprofessional moment?

Did you miss the other lessons - CLICK HERE TO READ

Beyonce Is Doing It Right

Beyonce surprised the world with dropping her CD on Friday 13th. She told her fans and her fans told their friends. She sold over 800,000 CD in one day.

That’s the kind of word of mouth you want for your writing or your business.

I’m on Beyonce mailing list, so I received her email about the CD, but I never got a chance to read it because her fans jumped on the social media and they went wild with talking about how great the CD and accompanying videos were.

Where you one of those who downloaded the CD without hearing one song?

I can say that I didn’t download the music, only because it’s on itune and I don’t do itune.

However I did hear the music this week and I will be getting a copy of the CD once it comes to where I buy my music.

Here’s what you can learn from Beyonce:

1.  Have a fan base. A fan base are who buy your books. This is your gold. You want to know who is buying your books and you want to know how to get in touch with them.

If you don’t have a fan base, start yours today.

2.  Word of mouth is still KING. Beyonce couldn’t have paid for all the free advertisement she received from her fans and their friends.

Talk about your book, have your friends and fans talk about your book.

3.  Social media can help with promotion. Beyonce fans were on social medias. All of them. Talking about her CD, taking pictures, writing FB status, sending tweets. They were everywhere, talking about her CD.

Are you on social media? Don’t miss out on this free promotion place. Find the places your readers are and sign up and engage with your readers.

4. Don’t miss a sale. My only complaint about Beyonce tactics is she sold the CD only on itunes for the day. She moved to other places later. However she lost a lot of sales because everyone is not on itunes.

Don’t miss out on sales because you don’t sell your book in all the right places that the readers are. Choosing one place to focus your sales, means you are losing sales from readers who buy from other places.

What do you learn from Beyonce?

SERIES - Lessons Learned In 2013

Lessons Learned In 2013 - Stay Current
http://lashaunda.blogspot.com/2013/12/lessons-learned-in-2013.html

Lessons Learned In 2013 - Be Professional Always
http://lashaunda.blogspot.com/2014/01/lessons-learned-in-2013-be-professional.html

Lessons Learned In 2013 - Admit You Made A Mistake
http://lashaunda.blogspot.com/2014/01/lessons-learned-in-2013-admit-you-made.html

Lessons Learned In 2013 - Mentors/Coaches Are Important
http://lashaunda.blogspot.com/2014/01/lessons-learned-in-2013-mentorscoaches.html

Lessons Learned In 2013 - Get Off The Couch http://lashaunda.blogspot.com/2014/01/lessons-learned-in-2013-get-off-couch.html

Lessons Learned In 2013 - Stop Procrastinating

http://lashaunda.blogspot.com/2014/02/lessons-learned-in-2013-stop.html

Lessons Learned In 2013 - Stay Current

I learned seven things in 2013 and I will be sharing them with you over the next few days.

Stay Current

I teach my clients to know your audience, stay up to date on what’s happening in your market. Why didn’t I listen to my own advice? When I decide to host the online conference this year, I didn’t take my usual one year time span to plan it. I put it on my calendar and kept putting it off because I didn't want to deal with planning it.

However after a productive conversation with my Lifestyle/Business coach, LaTara V. Bussey. I realized that I needed to get back to my roots.

Why am I in this business in the first place?

Giving back is very important to me.

How did I give back in the past?

By hosting online conferences.

It had been 3 years since I hosted the conference. Most of my industry contacts had moved on to better things, which meant most of the emails I had for people were obsolete. I wasn’t able to get the sponsorships I normally had for the conferences. I was a little disappointed, but I had only myself to blame. I hadn’t kept in contact with my market. Since I wasn’t hosting the conferences, I didn’t think I needed to stay in touch.

Wrong. Your mailing list is very important. Always keep it current.

The conference was a huge success. I was able to give back to the online community. I reconnect with people in the industry and I met a lot of new people.

The lesson I learned is to always be on top of my game, stay current, especially when it comes to my mailing list. Don’t get caught up in a rut and let things pass you by. Know who is in your market. Learn about them, learn from them and share your information. Sharing your information keeps you in front of your market.

In 2014, I plan to meet new people, keep in touch with those I know and stay current.

What did you learn in 2013? What will you take from these lessons and use in 2014?


Did you miss the other lessons - CLICK HERE TO READ

Have You Created Your Online Marketing Plan for 2014?

See Ya On The Net Workshops

Creating An Online Marketing Plan for 2014


This is a four sessions mastermind group, where we meet and create a plan for you.

December 3rd - Finding your audience

December 10th - Introducing yourself to sites/blogs/radio

December 17th - Creating your calendar

December 18th -Scheduling your calendar

(Call time will be set based on the time zone of attendees)

Includes a private Facebook Group for ongoing support, mastermind style learning and accountability

(1) 30-Minute Private Coaching Session with LaShaunda

All session recorded, MP3s included

This mastermind group is 97.00

RESERVE YOUR SPOT TODAY

DEADLINE NOVEMBER 30th

Contact me at 1sormag@gmail.com for invoice

BUSINESS TIPS: Getting Started

CURLY SISTER: Darnetta

Tell us a little about you and when and why did you decide to start wearing your hair natural?

My name is Darnetta. I have a 19 year old BabyGurl, two Boos (sons), 11 and 7, and an almost 2 year old GrandMan. This July I’ll celebrate my 13th year of marriage. I coexist as a published author and poet (Genesis) trying to get her jewelry business off the ground, but I’m so infatuated with the process of creating something that I don’t get to do much selling. I work in a middle school by day so I have a little crazy in me.

I began my natural hair journey in the late 90’s. My best sister-friend suggested I do a big chop and I protested the idea from the start. I was a practicing cosmetologist at the time and was so consumed with doing other people’s hair that I began developing less interest in my own. Between my friend’s suggestion and being uninterested in my own hair, the natural thing became more enticing to me. I did it and I can’t imagine wearing my hair any other way.

What was your biggest hair obstacle to overcome?

SHRINKAGE! It is the most common obstacle women with natural hair have, but it’s also an unnecessary battle we choose to engage in. The truth is there’s nothing we can do to stop it. We must work with it and move on. Once I really believed I couldn’t conquer shrinkage, most of my hair woes disappeared. Instead of focusing on what my hair couldn’t do, I started paying attention to what it would do. It hasn’t been total bliss, but I’m much more comfortable with shrinkage now.

What are three products you can't live without for your hair?

I can’t live without water, shampoo, and moisturizer. I’m pretty low maintenance. I put a little olive oil and water in a spray bottle and spray my hair a couple times a day. I’m not dedicated to any particular shampoo or moisturizer, but I’m very loyal to ingredients. The most valuable advice I’ve gotten throughout this journey is to pay attention to how certain ingredients interact with my hair. I had to start reading labels, researching, testing, and drawing conclusions. Yes, you will become a hair scientist during this process, but the understanding and knowledge you gain is priceless.

What are your favorite styles to wear?

I typically wear an afro puff. When I’m going out, I do a full blow out (afro) or a quick twist out.

Which natural sites/blogs do you follow?

Curly Nikki www.curlynikki.com

Afrobella www.afrobella.com

Easy Natural Hair www.easynaturalhair.com

I also follow a lot of natural hair pages on Facebook

Any advice for the newly natural sisters?

Being natural is as high or low maintenance as you make it. As with any other type of hair care, being natural involves a certain level of commitment or you’re not going to be happy along your journey. It’s okay to just want healthy hair. If getting jazzy with it isn’t your thing, there is nothing wrong with that.

Learning what ingredients/products work with your hair is crucial.

I would also ask newbies to keep in mind that having natural hair is a choice; just as chemically processing hair is a choice. Neither one is better than the other so don’t believe the hype and don’t indulge in the madness. Celebrate your sister regardless of her hair choice.

Do you have a site/blog/facebook to follow?

One Word at a Time www.poeticgenesis.blogspot.com

Lady Di Accessories on Facebook www.facebook.com/ladydiaccessories

Lady Di Accessories on Etsy http://www.etsy.com/shop/LadyDiAccessories

Thanks so much for allowing me to participate.



Would you like to be my next Curly Sister? I have slots available for OCT/NOV/DEC. Send an email to lchwriter@gmail.com

Are You Living Your Dreams?

Business Tip - Getting Started

Are You Living Your Dreams?

Business Tip - Getting Started

Are You Living Your Dreams?

Business Tip - Getting Started