I know that I speak for several aspiring authors out there, that is is such an inspiration to meet a published author.  Especially one that has written several books and is making money at it. But that does not mean that writing should or is all about making money. I came across the following article on USAToday.com – Octavia Spencer kicks off day two of BookExpo America. 

The headline seduced me into reading the article, because I was wondering why Octavia Spencer was at the Book Expo, which led me to read the subheadline – Jim Carrey, Giada DeLaurentiis, Octavia Spencer and more celebs celebrated books at BookExpo. I was intrigued, so I read more of the article and was inspired.

The article was more of an overview and a name dropper of who’s who in the world of famous authors. But it did have a great snippet of the following inspirational nuggets from some of my favorite authors. Four leading crime novelists were asked the question by Author Marcia Clark, “What would you tell an aspiring novelist NOT to do?” I just love the answers that followed:

•  Don’t “stop,” barked Scott Turow (Identical, out Oct. 15). In writing, “the race doesn’t go to the swiftest, but to those who keep going.”
• “Never lick your finger to test where go the winds of commercial fiction,” said Michael Connelly (The Gods of Guilt, Nov. 21). The material “has got to come from inside you.”
•  ”Leave the business stuff to the professionals,” counseled George Pelecanos (The Double, Oct. 8). “Write what you’re passionate about.”
• “In our nano-second world…take your time,” advised David Baldacci (King and Maxwell, Nov. 19).
• “Don’t start with a preconceived timetable. Get up each day and write, whether it takes a year, or two years, or six years.” – Minzesheimer

Several of my friends and colleagues know that I have been working on a novel for awhile, on-and off. It is my goal to complete the novel this year and self-publish the book.  I would like to say there is a story that has been burning inside me for years that I have been grappling with, on paper (several journals  in fact).  It is one that does not have an ending that I am satisfied with, so i keep re-writing chapters.  I plan on getting this book finished this year, because the story must be told…

USA Today, Thanks for the inspiration in your article and video

Thanks 365daysofreading.com for keeping me inspired to read more books and to write all year long.

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