So there I was, reading about writing like I so often do, with a coffee in one hand and my tablet in the other, minding my own business. Then, unexpectedly, something jumped right off of the page and into my thoughts like a candle burning into my soul.
To be honest, I don’t always take in all of what I am reading. It isn’t that I don’t want to, but it is the way that my brain has always worked. Sometimes I see things which others don’t, and sometimes I don’t see something which is obvious to everyone else.
But, once in a while something profound hits me. It grabs my attention in a profound way, washing over the writer in me like a fresh wave, and taking root in that jumbled brain of mine. I want it to be there, but it often takes a long time for that to happen. Not because I am not capable of it, but because it has to really speak to me for me to be interested enough to listen to it.
For so long I have avoided the obvious. As a writer who keeps herself informed of her trade, I know how important regular communication is. I know that for a writer, their brand can be just as important as their writing. So why have I partly ignored this?
I am active on social media every day, especially on Twitter. (@melaniemolebook). But, I haven’t started to build my brand really apart from this.
I know that I need to –
Write on my blog regularly
Use the correct headlines
Interact with other writers
Start an email list
In fact there are many things that I need to do which seem obvious. That is because they are obvious. I know that. I also know that I will benefit from them immensely.
I also know that ignoring them can be bad for me because if I do, it won’t get me where I want to be. It won’t get me nearer to my goals in any way and so it is pointless to ignore them.
I know that other writers must also do this at times. Probably because they think that they don’t have the time to do it, or because they don’t believe in their writing enough to forge ahead and make their brand.
But what I know is that now I can’t ignore it any longer. Because avoiding what is obvious can be bad for me.
So today I have made a promise to myself to work on my brand alongside my writing. Watch this space!
Melanie Mole 