“I Get By With A Little Help From My Friends”
Yes, I’m motivated by a song again.
Oddly, and I say oddly because I adored The Beatles, I loved Joe Cocker’s cover of this song more than the original, but bottom line, I loved this song.
It should be the theme song for writers everywhere.
Where in the world would I be without all of you out there, my peers and my literary brothers/sisters?
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“What does love look like? It has the hands to help others. It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy. It has eyes to see misery and want. It has the ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men. That is what love looks like.” Saint Augustine
Isn’t that a beautiful quote? I’m not terribly religious, but I am spiritual, and that quote speaks deeply to me.
THOUGHT OF THE DAY
I can’t buy all the books that my writer friends write. If I were rich you bet I would, but I’m not. My disposable income is limited at best, and I feel safe in saying I’m sure that is true for most of you.
So I can’t help all of you by buying your books. The truth is, even if I could, it wouldn’t help your sales that much . . . an increase of what, five bucks? Ten? No one is going to get rich because I suddenly found the funds to purchase your latest.
But I can do something that might have a greater benefit for you, and that is promote your works.
I try to do this. I try to mention a different writer with each of these postings, and I try to remember to promote others on Facebook and Twitter (when I’m not doing one of my political rants, that is).
Maybe, by doing that, I can interest two or three other people, and they will buy your books, and then word of mouth will mean more sales, and more sales . . .
Anyway, that’s the hope I have!
AUTHOR OF THE DAY
Allow me to introduce you to Lawrence Hebb, an author and friend from New Zealand. Lawrence is a quality human being and a pretty fair action/thriller author. You can check out his work by following this link.
POET OF THE DAY
I’ve said it before but it is worth saying again: one of the finest poets I have read in recent years resides here. I’m giving a shout out to Audrey. I strongly suggest you give her a read. Take five minutes, right now, and go read one of her poems. I dare you!
RANDOM IDEAS OF THE DAY
I’ve got some good friends who started out as freelance/indie authors and ended up branching out to do other things, things like YouTube videos, podcasts, blogging, crafting videos, newspaper columns, and the like. There are a lot of ways to make supplemental income, and the first step towards making that income is to take the first step. LOL Seems self-evident, doesn’t it, but it’s amazing how many people can’t seem to put one foot in front of the other.
I’m getting close to releasing my first coloring book. What is an indie writer publishing a coloring book for? Income of course, but also curiosity, and a desire to try something different . . . so why not?
There are so many things I want to do. I just hope I have time to do them all.
For those of you not interested in reaching your full potential, I understand “The Bachelor” is riveting this season.
Bill
“Helping writers to spread their wings and fly.”
Billybuc
Artistry With Words 
Now I have that song in my head as still one of my favorites no matter who sang it whether it be Joe Cocker or The Beatles. But couldn’t agree more about the sentiment and thanks for the reminder here on this Wednesday!! 🙂
I thought of you, Janine, when I mentioned a Beatle song. Your parents raised you right! 🙂 Happy Wednesday to you, dear friend.
Hello Bill – I don’t know Lawrence, but I do know Audrey, so, I can say you are right on regarding her poetry. You are also right on about the Beatles. Smart to try to branch out in other directions. Like they say, ‘It couldn’t hurt.”
Thanks Mike! I think the coloring book is a distraction/break for me from the novels. I needed something that didn’t require a whole lot of thought but was still fun to do…and it turned out to be a great idea for me. I’m sure I’ll do some more in the near future.
Hey Bill. We all need help from our friends. Thank you. Thank you my friend
It is my pleasure, Audrey! Your talent deserves a larger audience.
Nice one Bill glad to hear the coloring book is almost ready, how exciting! Great idea to plug different authors, you have such a giving heart my friend xx Have a fab week and weekend with Bev and the growing family in Olympia!
Thank you Irish! I do what I can, my friend, as I know you do. Happy Weekend to you and love always.
That which scares us the most is the direction we need to take a step toward. Thanks for the Cocker reminder – listening now.
That can be a scary step, Eric. True words for sure, my friend. Enjoy the song.
There are so many things to love about this post. That song immediately takes me back to when I was a kid and the Wonder Years came on – and THAT show was supposed to be “old.” Haha.
Your promotion of other people is commendable. And I can’t buy everyone’s books for a different reason: TIME. Haha. I just don’t have the time to read and blog and do this full time work.
Sigh…I keep thinking (not worrying, though) about the end of this grant and how much I’d like to make my own way again. It’s a scary thought. I tried to get out of education once and it didn’t stick…Reading about what all those other folks have done makes my heart swell. 🙂 Good on them and good on you. 🙂
Lil Sis, here’s something I’ve learned in 60 plus years….the decision I make is the right decision for the time. I can always change it down the road. Do what feels right to you and move forward…always forward!
End of sermon!
Well, I wouldn’t stand up and walk out on you, that’s for sure. How does it feel to be back in the 60s and part of the counterculture again? 😀
Zulma, without a doubt, i’m revitalized by current events. Feels pretty good, actually. LOL
It does, doesn’t it.
Bill
First of all, a big thank you for the ‘shout out’.
As for what I’d do if you sang out of tune, I’d probably join in, but the distance between New Zealand and Washington state means you probably wouldn’t notice!
I also think there’s a few ways we as writers can support each other, and that’s what I try to do.
Blessings
Lawrence
It was my pleasure, Lawrence, and despite the distance, I hear you singing just fine. 🙂
Blessings always
bill
I would love to be able to buy all of my friends’ books too, Bill! I totally understand what you mean. It’s nice you make efforts to promote other writers and if everyone did so it would be wonderful! Community spirit, right?! Have a wonderful weekend, dear friend ❤
Thank you Christy! Generally speaking I have found writers to be very supportive….a great community. There are always sour apples in every group but we can just choose to ignore them, right?
Happy Sunday dear friend!
I agree that it’s impossible to buy every book that writer friends put on the market, and social media shares can be too much as well, but promotion can come in various ways.
Very true, Jeri…thanks for your thoughts.
Songs seem to be inspiring your muse these days, Bill. Could it be the tease of Spring in the air?
I love your honesty in this post, Bill. So many of my friends have published books, but I can’t buy them all. And it doesn’t even really have to do with money, but interest in the genre. I won’t buy unless I would normally buy the title if I didn’t know the author. Which reminds me… I need to head over to Amazon and pick up your third Shadows book. Especially now that the weather is perfect for sitting outside with a good book in hand! 🙂
Sha, thank you dear friend. I think I’ve got all the typos corrected, so you are safe to purchase now. 🙂 I think you’ll like it. Liz is growing as a person in this novel, and I think you’ll really enjoy her mouth. LOL
You know I love a woman with a (potty) mouth. Ha ha. I just completed my purchase. I look forward to Liz and Eli joining me on the back patio one day soon!
Thank you, Sha! Liz won’t disappoint you, I’m sure. 🙂