Friday, June 27, 2014

Lisa Lickel: Learning To Say Yes, No, And Possibly

Everyone's Story is happy to once again host author Lisa Lickel. Every wannabe writer dreams of selling that first book. And every first-time published author that I know prays, wonders, and sometimes frets whether their 2nd, 3rd, or all future books will do well. Wouldn't it be more efficient if the author invests time in marketing and growing her career? Lisa addresses that subject, offering insight to what and what didn't work for her. Also, check out her Giveaway novel, THE LAST DETAIL and enjoy an excerpt . She looks forward to hearing from you.


Book Giveaway:
Lisa is offering one copy, either e or print version, of her novel THE LAST DETAIL to one randomly chosen commenter. The winner will be announced here on Friday, July 4th, between 5-6 PM EST. For convenience, please leave your contact information within your comment. Thanks!


**Plus**
To celebrate Everyone's Story's reaching 100,000 viewers, a randomly chosen 2nd commenter will win an Amazon $15 Gift Card.

Here's an excerpt from THE LAST DETAIL:

From THE LAST DETAIL by Lisa J. Lickel, chapter 22


Amalia’s secret plan for Merit’s other groomsman hit a snarl of red tape. Marianne Friese helped all she could. Amalia stayed in constant touch with the mission board and the Nehrangesi embassy, and things were progressing slowly, but surely. The look on Merit’s face would be worth all the trouble if she could pull this off.
As pastor, Merit worked his way through the membership, trying to learn about the congregants and meeting with as many of them as he could. Amalia enjoyed hosting two or three families a week for dinner. There were a number of people she did not know well, herself, so she enjoyed this opportunity to make new acquaintances.
One evening shortly before their big day, Merit lit a fire and they relaxed, mesmerized by the flames. He broke the companionable silence. “Amalia, will you do something for me? I want us to say our first vows alone—just the two of us. Would you meet me on top of the rock, early in the morning before the ceremony?”
She wound her fingers through his. “I like that idea. It’s a date.”
***
On the morning of the wedding, Amalia hurried along the trail up Starved Rock through the last of the patchy mist to find Merit waiting. She went quickly into his arms, burying her face against his shoulder, breathing hard from her climb and the excitement of being with him. Tears threatened.
“Hey, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I’m so happy, so excited. And maybe just a little afraid.”
Merit held her away to peer steadfastly into her eyes. He smiled, a brief twist of lips. “Me, too.” Amalia moved close again and felt his breath in her hair. Then he tugged at her arm. “Here, come. I want to share communion with our vows.”
Amalia felt the tears again. She hoped she wouldn’t weep buckets during the ceremony later. She had a hard enough time controlling herself now.
“Come.” Merit led her toward the fence where he had set a basket. Patches of snow on the side of the trail and in the bare trees made a clean, fresh background for the brilliant cardinals just waking up to flit and serenade. With a steady hand Merit poured two small cups of juice and broke a small loaf of bread.
“The body of Christ, broken for you.” He offered her the loaf and she followed his example for him. They shared the cup in the same way. “The blood of Christ, shed for you.” Amalia’s tears dried. The beauty of the simple exchange of promises in the crispness of the early morning invoked a sense of majesty.
Merit grasped her hands in his. “I take you, Amalia, as my wife. I promise I will honor you and care for you as Christ loved the church all of my days.”
“Merit, I take you for my husband. I promise to love and care for you, honor and respect you always, all of my life.”
Merit closed his eyes and lifted his face. “Thank you, thank you, Lord, thank you.”
Amalia could think of no other words she could add to Merit’s prayer.

Deadlines and Deadheads by Lisa Lickel

In my third year in a row of being a profitable writer, and after signing my fourth book contract, I took two years off to learn marketing. Really, really bad idea, by the way. I was like a fig tree I’d read about—you know, the one Jesus cursed? For the past forty years I’d been mad at him for cursing that poor little harmless tree until I suddenly understood what was going on. My ears heard.

I received my first couple of contracts and had two novels release while believing that getting a book on the market meant automatic sales and invitations to share the story of your success! I was worse than naïve. I was every bad joke rolled into one canapé popped in the mouth of Meryl Streep’s character in the Devil Wears Prada

I was the fig tree all leafed out when it wasn’t the time for figs. I had the show, but not the sustenance. I wasn’t ready. I hadn’t prepared. So I went about the business backward, severely overcompensating with busy-ness. My life for the next two years was made up of deadlines as I strove mightily to get my name “out there.” Write a column? Sure, no problem…times six. Interview you? Absolutely, can you interview me? Invitations to join every group sent my way were accepted. Teach a class? Sure. Oh, wow—look they want an editor! I know desktop publishing! I can do that…times two. I mean, how many blogs are there to visit and comment on? Online magazines and newsletters to sign up for and read? Book clubs to join? Books to review? Groups to pay dues to? Conferences to attend? Writers to help? How can you say no to mentoring a potential groupie?

I know, Jesus cursed that tree and it shriveled and died. No one ever ate figs from it again. But I am also a grafted person, as Romans 11 says. That fig was out of line, but my graft is still attached to the Root that nourishes me. Discipline says I must prune that which is ineffective or causes me to stumble. I wrote a list of all the groups I joined (although I’m sure I didn’t get them all), all the columns I write and the other business I attend to as a fulltime writer. I am deadheading, or pruning the ones I simply can’t handle, keeping the bits I justify for business’s sake and a couple for fun. I am learning to say, sorry I can’t do that; and I’m learning to adjust the expectations I have of myself by saying, yes I can, but not until later.

I’m really organized, less frantic, and adjusting to the seasons in a much more fruitful way. Most of the time. Learning to manage our schedule is one of the best thing anyone – author, parent, professional – can do. How about you? What do you do to keep yourself together?

Lisa's previous guest appearances on Everyone's Story:



Lisa's Ah-hahs To Tweet:
Author Lisa Lickel: reveals one of the best things an author can do. (Tweet This)

Visit with Lisa Lickel on Everyone’s Story: How can a multi-pub author clog up her growth? (Tweet This)

Win #BookGiveaway of THE LAST DETAIL by Lisa Lickel and Amazon Gift Card. (Tweet This)

Author's Bio:
Lisa Lickel is a Wisconsin writer who lives in a hundred and sixty-year-old house built by a Great Lakes ship captain. A multi-published, best-selling and award-winning novelist, she also writes short stories and radio theater, is an avid book reviewer, blogger, a freelance editor, and magazine editor.


Places to connect with Lisa:


45 comments:

  1. Thanks so much for having me, Elaine.

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  2. Saying no is one of the hardest things I've learned to do and even now I don't always say no when I should. I think most women want to be Super Woman. Not consciously, maybe, but...
    Great post!

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    1. I agree. I think we do this out of sincere interest to help and a desire to please, yet it gets to the point of self-defeat. Then, ironically, what good are we on the helpful-level?

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    2. I still get caught up in a little thrill of overbooking myself, it seems like everything happens at once, though. Thanks for stopping, Patricia.

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  3. I love to help, but realize tho I don't always practice it, I have to say no sometimes. At least I do my best to turn from offered chances to do this or that. If I can't successfully fulfil my present duties, I can't take on a new item. Thanks for the great post, Lisa!

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    1. Caroline, nice to see you again. That's a great gauge: if we can't fulfill our present commitments, then why take on more? Excellent point.

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    2. Hi, Caroline...I know you're a gal who is giving and talented. Thanks for the encouragement and advice.

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  4. Congratulations on your 100,000 viewer, Elaine!

    Thanks for sharing the lessons you've learned, Lisa. I am still
    learning that balance. It's easy to focus on all writing or to get
    caught up in marketing. That being said, it's hard for this friendly
    introvert to network as much as I'd like, but I'm working on it. :)

    kerouser[at]gmail[dot]com

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    1. I love when you visit, Kathy! Funny, when I started blogging I was amazed that I received viewers other than myself (talk about introverts!) and to reach over 100,000 totally boggles my mind and blesses my heart.

      I learn so much from my guests and viewers, and of course this means both Lisa, my present guest, and past guests, like yourself.

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  5. Hi Lisa,
    Thank you for sharing your marketing experience, and congratulations on your release of, "The Last Detail!" Marketing yourself is an intriguing challenge, one that I discovered that I loved. For me, I believe the key to effective marketing is choosing smart business decisions and doing what you love. I believe our readers inherently share our interests. We work too hard not to have fun. :) Take care, and I wish you continued success!
    God bless,
    Diana

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    1. Good advice, Diana! Thank you so much. I'm glad you stopped in.

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    2. Diana, I'm glad you visited today. Always am.

      That's an interesting thought: as a reader, perhaps I gravitate toward a particular author--and the type of story he/she tells--not only because of the amazing writing but because I may share similar interests or viewpoints with the author and may not even be aware of it… like being drawn to a person at a social gathering… you just know!

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  6. I've read quite a few of Lisa's book and loved them all. She's a talented writer and we benefit from it. The pruning. Yes, a great idea. I'm starting the process now. I've read The Last Detail, so I won't need to be entered to win it. It's a beautiful love story.

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    1. Thanks for your visit, Gail. I've been seeing your name pop up a lot lately in all thing social media… and here you are. I love how life works that way.

      I believe I can see Lisa smiling from your lovely comments!

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    2. Hi, Gail, my best encourager these days!

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  7. I loved The Last Detail. The story has remained with me. I agree how difficult it is to say no. But being organised helps me scrape a little time to myself. Love the blog. Lindsey Paley

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    1. Hi Heather--or is it Lindsey? I'm sure you'll make Lisa's day by your kind words. I know you've made mine by your visit, and liking Everyone's Story.

      Hope to see you again.

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    2. Thank you, Lindsey! I'm so grateful you read the story.

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  8. Good info, Lisa! didn't know that about your house. Ours is 152 years old...and it looks it!

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    1. Hi Linda--so happy you visited. My husband likes to compare our old place to a cathedral--always developing. But, on a very slow basis! At least it's a roof over our heads.

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    2. 1852...so...whatever that makes :)

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  9. Hi Lisa & Elaine. I don't know why this always happens to me, but I leave a comment and it doesn't get published, so I'll try again.

    Elaine, I always enjoy reading your blog when I get time.

    Lisa, I enjoyed your article. Of course, I'm caught up right now with my husband's medical issues, which take a lot of time and have had to resign from many of the community activities I was involved in.

    However, when I do have free time, I find myself spending it catching up with email, online courses, and promoting the blog, which most of the time features other authors. I love doing that, but I keep promising myself that one of these days, I'll write something!

    I would love to win a copy of the bookk. My email addy is patti(dot)shene(at)gmail(dot)com.

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    1. Patti, I'm so glad you tried posting your comment again. Due to spammers who try to leave vulgar comments and enjoy wasting my time, I've chosen to use Comment Moderation to screen commenters' posts. But, I cherish your visits and am glad you made another effort.

      There are many things that pull us in too many directions and they all seem to happen on a daily basis. Taking care of a loved one's health is certainly a priority. Enjoying and rejoicing with other authors and blogging about them is a blessing for them… and as my own blog has shown me, a blessing returned. Big time. My two cents, Patti--you're already writing and sharing with so many. And we are blessed by your passion you put behind it. I always enjoy visiting your blog & Tweets.

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    2. Thank you for stopping in, Patti. I miss regular interactions with industry folks like you.

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  10. While I had a decent platform when my first book came out, I still needed lessons in social media. I'm calling this, "my experimental phase." I'm going overboard in some areas, but I'm learning what works for me and what doesn't.

    Like Lisa, I'll trim the excess and keep the valuable. I don't have to participate in every marketing scheme to see my books sell.

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  11. Oops, I forgot to leave my email: susanjreinhardt AT gmail DOT com

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    1. Happy to see you, Susan. I imagine that with social media changing nearly on a daily basis, one can become dizzy, let alone distracted. I marvel at how you authors keep up with it all, and how readers, upon discovering a new fave author, keeps fresh with the ever changing buzz as well. Talk about dedicated writers and readers!

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    2. Hi, Susan...I don't think it's a static learning procedure, either...you have to constantly try new tactics.

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  12. thanks for the chance to read lisa's latest novel

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

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    1. Karenk, welcome to Everyone's Story. You're definitely in the drawing for Lisa's novel. Hope to see you again.

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    2. Ah, it is Karen, and not Karenk. I was wondering :)

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  13. Thank you for sharing this great post, Lisa! As a mother with three young children, managing a schedule is so important and I strive to be more organized and less frantic.

    Congratulations on reaching 100,000 viewers, Elaine!

    texaggs2000 at gmail dot com

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    1. Nice to see you again, Britney. And thanks for your kind words.

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    2. Isn't that awesome for Elaine! I just forget a lot of those milestones.

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    3. Thanks, Lisa. These days I'm purposely trying to praise God for more blessings--whether little or large--rather than focus on the what's-wrongs in life. I'm very thankful to Him for blessing me with my blog viewers and guests.

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  14. To me, saying no, opens the door to someone else who would like to say,
    yes!
    Janet E.
    von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Thanks for visiting, Janet. Yes is such a sweet word these days--when the right opportunity shows, it's like a gift-wrapped present.

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    2. Yes, Janet! :) Love it.

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  15. Lisa, I'm smiling here. You probably know why. LoL.
    Great post--one we all need on a regular basis.
    Hugs!

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    1. Patty, thanks for visiting. I hope that whatever good news Lisa may have makes her smile for a long time to come!

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    2. I said no for a day...or two. Thanks for coming over, Patty!

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  16. What a fun week it's been on Everyone's Story! Thanks so much, Lisa, for being a spectacular guest this past week. You received many viewer hits and lovely comments and I pray that each is a blessing. Thanks also for the Giveaway. And the winners are…

    Patti: the winner of Lisa's novel THE LAST DETAIL
    Diana: the Amazon gift card

    Congratulations to you both. Lisa and I will email you directly with further instructions. Happy reading!

    May each of my fellow Americans have a wonderful Fourth of July holiday, and may my international viewers enjoy an awesome day!

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