Time, energy and love. Now what?
3 chapters…
01.
So you’ve spent a fair amount of time, energy and love on creating, producing and publishing your creative project - in my case, a book. Now what? Collapse from exhaustion? Sure. But then what? Hope for the best? Well, yes. But also, no. Do everything you possibly can to make it a success? Well, no. But also, yes. There’s a tender interplay between promoting and acquiescing, between doing what you can and allowing your book to do its thing, and between trying too hard and allowing time and space. In the past version of business Jodie, there was too much of an emphasis on trying to make it all happen at all costs. Exhausting. And not enough emphasis on experimenting and trusting. More nourishing. This time I’m focusing on the following…
02.
I have no marketing plan, no colour coded calendar, no clear strategy. But yes, I am taking this seriously. I just want the process of sharing my book with the world to feel more like an exchange of giving and receiving rather than shouting from the rooftops to come over here and see/notice/buy my thing. No one needs more shouty marketing in their life. Instead of a set-in-stone plan, I have ideas of how I’d like to share and I’m tackling them one at a time to see what lands, what resonates and what I enjoy. Less pressure and more fun. Plus I am acutely aware that my book has its own way of connecting with readers that doesn’t involve me (it has its own energetic signature). And I know that other people, those who like the book, are magical carrier pigeons who are sharing my book in their own signature way too. And also…
03.
Apart from continuing to share Book 01, I’ve also returned to Book 02. Oh, and can I say that I love Book 02? Love it! I love Book 01 too, I have no favourites. But after a long break where I set aside Book 02 to focus on publishing Book 01, it is glorious to return to it and enjoy it so thoroughly. Plus I can hear Book 03 calling my name. It’s been tapping me on the shoulder with ideas, saying, come on finish that second book so we can get onto the next story! I’ll happily oblige. This is the process from here. Write the book, publish the book, promote the book in the most easeful way possible and then write the next book. Honouring the creative cycle. So what do you do when you’ve spent a fair amount of time, energy and love on creating, producing and publishing your creative project - in my case, a book? You keep doing it.
3 endnotes…
My husband is the king of funny videos that cross his internet path. I don’t find all of them funny but this one made me grin the entire time. Dance like you’ve never danced before!
I just finished reading, How To End A Love Story. Yes, it’s an enemies to lovers rom-com. But this is where the romance genre can be so fricking deceiving. This is about allowing yourself to love, being worthy of love, overcoming family trauma to love. Not in a heavy, over the top way. But in a, wow what a great story, I love these characters, kind of way. A good one!
Anyone excited about the Olympics? Before they begin, I’m like, yep, sure, the Olympics. But once they begin, I am totally into it. Love seeing people put their hearts, minds and souls into something that’s difficult with no guarantees of anything. But they do it. Because they have to. And I love cheering them on.
Until next time,
Love to you and yours!
Jodie xxx
P.S. Want to buy my book? You can! From my website or Amazon or Apple or Kobo or Google Play or Barnes & Noble or Bookshop.org
