SUCCESS ThinkPoints…
A blog published to encourage, empower, and enlighten YOU!
October 16, 2019
Greetings Everyone!
Can you believe it? The year is almost over. Where did the time go? How are progressing with the goals you set for 2019? Keep going…you can do it! Here’s some encouragement for those of you who are writing, editing, publishing, marketing, and selling your first book.
Yes, You Can Write Your Book, Too!
As the year comes swiftly to an end and the New Year approaches just as quickly, the time for self-reflection makes a grand entrance. Cries of coulda, woulda, shoulda, along with courageous declarations of, this time I can, I will, and I must, echo in our hearts, minds, and souls. One of those declarations might just involve you telling a story or delivering a message to the world. Do you have a story to tell? Have you ever thought about writing a book? Do you have an idea for a book? Have you started writing and now you are stuck? Did you finish a writing project and now either you are afraid to share it or you don’t know where to go from there?
I’ve enjoyed reading and writing ever since I was a young girl. Reading was such a vivid adventure for me. I was overjoyed when my daughter first started reading, from turning pages, following along from left to right, identifying letters, sounds, sounding out and defining words, to bringing it all together. I knew she had it when she was about 5 or 6 years old and she told me reading was like watching a movie. Reading and writing go together in countless ways and I have been fortunate to live my life choosing, using, sharpening, and sharing this perfect combination. From my days of writing in a diary as a young girl; beginning to write poetry and stories as a teen; earning a degree in Mass Media Communications; working in the field of journalism; teaching reading & writing; forming book clubs; writing groups; and writing in a journal even now, writing has been and continues to be my source of self-expression for personal inspiration, teaching, growth, and overall joy. Go for it! Think it! Write it! Live it!
Think It!
Write down any thoughts you have about writing. You may have a list of topics, phrases, paragraphs, or pages. Your thoughts may be relaxing in a journal; hiding on the back of an envelope for a bill you received in the mail; or attempting to leap from the store receipt tucked in your pocket or purse. Whether your thoughts are stashed away in a manila folder or saved on a flash drive, now is the time to uncover and bring out all your treasures. Gather your stacks of thoughts and take everything to the next stage.
Write It!
Go ahead choose a direction and begin to write. You have your topic, maybe even a title for this project, so write. Write daily, every other day, weekly, monthly, or however and whenever your story or message flows. Write it out long hand on a note pad or type it out on your laptop, whichever method is comfortable for you and will then catapult you into getting your thoughts out of your head and down on paper. This is another step closer to the manifestation of your book. Remember, to go with the flow, revising and editing will come later and will be plentiful.
Live It!
Begin exploring and selecting a format for your book, print, e-book, or audio. Investigating printers, publishing outlets, traditional, self-publishing, subsidiary, and more will make add to you tasting the reality of your dream come true. Finding out about copyright, ISBNs, barcodes, and registering your book adds to the excitement. Finishing, marketing, promoting, and selling your book is rewarding and contagious. Once you write one book you’ll be driven to write another one and another one.
Yes, it’s your turn to take it to your next level. Your writing and publishing journey is a personalized one. In your admiration for other published authors of international, national, local, or neighborhood fame, know that Yes, You Can Write Your Book, Too!
Contact Terry Richard at tutor4utoday@gmail.com to request a FREE copy of Your Personal Writing & Book Publishing Plan (Parts I & II) worksheet.
Copyright 2019 Terry Ann Williams-Richard
April 5, 2019
Greetings and Welcome to my Success ThinkPoints Blog!
I am delighted you chose to visit Personalized Educational Services, LLC. This is my first entry and this blog is for you. It it written to encourage, empower, and enlighten you. I wrote this article during Black History Month; however, Spring has sprung and the reflection and inspiration continues 365. This month also marks one year for the re-launch of my website…Yaay! I am continuing to enjoy the adventure. Thank you for coming along for the ride. Be encouraged!
Believe It: There is a King in You
Reflections for Black History Month & Beyond
There is a King in You is a song written by gospel singer Donald Lawrence. I heard that soul-moving song for the first time in 2015 during Sunday
morning church service on Father’s Day. This song held heartfelt significance for two poignant reasons. First, that day was my first Father’s Day without my Daddy being in this life, this world. He passed away earlier during the year on February 13th. Second, news headlines continued to display with growing frequency the heartbreaking realities of young unarmed Black boys and men being brazenly gunned down. The striking opening lyrics of There is a King in You flow declaring, You come from royalty, An aristocratic dynasty. Black History Month is as an ideal time to launch, re-launch, or continue to reflect and learn more about the rich, royal heritage of African-Americans. The message from the song writer continues to tip off listeners with The goal of the enemy, Is that you don’t know who you are. Perhaps the imperative, foundational lesson Carter G. Woodson, the founder of Negro History Week, had in mind in 1926, is Negroes must know who they are. Negro History Week later became Black History Month then African-American History Month. Yes, African-Americans must know who they are. Man, woman, boy, and girl must know their royal roots. There is a King in You.
Keep your head up!—Be positive, something as minor as how you walk makes a difference.
Investigate your history!—Talk to family members to hear stories about your relatives. Find out the native land of your maternal and paternal fore parents
Never underestimate ancestors’ journeys!—Follow-up on some of the family stories you have heard. Find any documentation or records such as newspaper articles, family scrapbooks, genealogical records, etc.
Get in step with your greatness!—Do and be your best at school, work, home, and play. Know and share your gifts, talent, skills, and abilities.
Inform others!—Spread the stories of achievement, honor, struggle, pride, and more.
Never forget to honor your elders!—Remember, they have been there and done that in life. Recall the lessons learned and help take care of them.
Your story!—Reflect on your life and realize your personal impact and contributions.
Open your heart and mind to possibilities!—Know the past, appreciate the present, and look forward to the future.
Understand the power of your words!—Believe it, say it, live it. There is a King in You.
Copyright 2019 Terry Ann Williams-Richard
