Happy New Year! My wish for you is to have 2015 is to be the best possible year for you to have.
When I was coaching, I used to ask my clients where they wanted to be at this time next year. How did they want their life to look? Their business? More work or less work. We always set a financial goal for their business, but talked more about what would bring them ease in their personal lives.
As I look forward to 2015, I realize I’d like this year to be my tipping point in terms of my novels. This new/old (I’ve been writing since I was a little girl) career has been quite a blessing. I’m so appreciative of my readers. They tell me the nicest things! Even when a review doesn’t say the nicest things, there is probably still something I need to learn from the criticism.
Or not. Some people are just grumpy, y’know. :-))
Back to tipping points. (It’s so much fun to ramble when I write–a privilege denied me when I actually have to construct a novel!
In 2006 Malcolm Gladwell wrote a book entitled The Tipping Point. The theory of the book was that little things can make a big difference. If you tell one person some gossip, it might spread like wildfire because that person is a “Connector.” He or she knows exactly how to spread the news. Another person (probably an introvert like me) is likely to sit on the information.
Gladwell uses the difference between the alarm spread by Paul Revere (The British are coming!) versus that spread by William Dawes (who?) to show the impact a Connector can make.
(My DH does object to this story since he’s a very distant relation of poor old William.)
While my books have done well over the last few years, I know I haven’t reached that tipping point yet. I’m getting solid reviews, even an endorsement by RaeAnne Thayne and a post in USA Today, but something hasn’t quite clicked yet.
You know that saying–insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results? Well, I think it’s time to change up a few things to see if I can reach a tipping point. Last year I only did one novel. Same the year before. Time to up my game to two novels this year. California Dream is almost ready to send to the publisher, and I’m working on a second novel set in Montana. Add a few short stories and my plan is you’ll see more titles next year.
I’ve also got plans for you, dear reader! I’d like to increase the number of people getting my (infrequent) newsletter. Facebook is changing its way of displaying messages, so even if you’ve liked my Facebook page (thank you!), you may not be seeing my messages. The most reliable way to let you know what’s happening in the word of books is good old-fashioned email. (If you haven’t signed up for my newsletter, the form is on the right.)
As a super thank you, I’ll be running monthly contests through 2015. The first is a New Beginnings Contest. To enter, click here. My newsletter readers will get an extra chance to enter–an added incentive to be on the list. Contest ends midnight, January 31, 2015.
My DH and I plan to do a lot more traveling this year, so if you know of an indie bookstore that would like to do a book signing, please let me know.
I love hearing from my readers! If you have any ideas, critiques, or happy news, please contact me at casey AT caseydawes.com. I’d especially like to hear from you if you’re a Connector!
Happy New Year!
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