Did you always want to be a writer or did you kind of fall into it? Tell us the story of how you came to identify yourself as a writer.
ANSWER: No never really saw myself as a writer. Whilst I took turns writing our blog when the business first started I saw myself more as a speaker, trainer mentor. My then business partner and I did produce a book in the early days of our business. Being “lazy” and creative we took a year of our blogs, picked our favourites tweaked them and published our book. At that time not knowing much about books and publishing we pretty well did everything wrong with the publishing – great lessons learned.
So fast forward ten years my business partner and I parted amicably and I suddenly realised I had to write all the blog and send articles. Got my head around that – it wasn’t too bad as had already been doing some of that. Then I was asked to contribute a chapter to a book being done in America. My first response was no I can’t write I am not a writer. Then I was asked again and thought well you better walk your talk Trish – you mentor people to Get Known Be Seen. So I did the chapter and sent it off – thinking it’s a book in America – no one over here is going to see it. Mmm big mistake yes they did – and they liked it. That was 4 years ago – have got over my mindset of not being a writer and am now the author, co-author, contributing author to 16 books. 14 of those in the last 4 years. It is awesome what you can do when you believe in yourself and work on your mindset.
As a writer, are you a reader? What genres do you read and do you read more frequently in the genre you write in, or avoid it completely?
ANSWER: absolutely a reader – have been a reader way way longer that a writer. I have been reading since I was 8 years old – way back in the Jurassic period. As an introvert reading is my fall back, energy gathering, away from the world process. I read for enjoyment to relax so most of my reading is in the SF / FANTASY / PARANORMAL ROMANCE genres. Some crime/drama, a few biographies.
I very rarely read in the genre I write in – I write how to, education, personal growth, motivational and inspirational, business books.
Tell us about your first writing experience. How does that compare to where you are now?
ANSWER: As mentioned my first writing experience was to co-author a book with my then business partner. We had just started our business and the word was being an author and having a book would take us to the next level in terms of credibility and subject matter experts in our area. We took a series of our blogs tweaked them and turned them into a book – way ahead of the times – this something more people do today when we did it 12/ 13 years ago it was a bit innovative. Unfortunately we picked a not so good publisher. Not knowing much about publishing at that time we spent an incredible amount of money and gave our trust expecting assistance, help and guidance. We did not get that. Consequently the first book has brilliant content not so good title or cover…
Today – I am a lot more knowledgeable about publishing, self-publishing. Have a great friend who is a publisher who is completely trustworthy. Have self-published my own books, facilitated a couple of compilations. Am very much more confident about writing and the quality of my books.
We all know the ‘just write’ memes if you are following any writers page, so apart from that, what’s the best advice you can give to someone new?
ANSWER: Believe in yourself and your message, put some time away to write each day, don’t worry about perfectionism – editors are great for that. Get assistance – have a group of people you can bounce ideas off and who will support you and hold you accountable. I often tell my mentoring clients – 500 words a day for 30 days will give you a good book. Don’t look at a huge word count – just do it in small bites and then before you know it will be there for you. How do you eat an elephant – One bite at a time! An old riddle. How do you write a book – one bit at a time – one word at a time, one sentence, one paragraph, one page…..
Approach your book as leaving a legacy – don’t wait, don’t be selfish in keeping your words to yourself – start – get it out there so that one person who needs to read on word, a sentence, a page that will change their lives can read that word, that sentence, that page.
What’s your biggest obstacle to writing and how do you overcome it? Most of us know that it is time, so try and let us know when you are best at your writing, and why that doesn’t work, and what you do to counter or overcome that problem.
ANSWER: My biggest obstacle was my mindset that I couldn’t write, that I had nothing to say. Putting myself out there, having 60 seconds of insane courage to finish that chapter and send it gave me the boost and self-confidence to believe in myself and write.
Yes time is a factor – I am currently writing 3 books and facilitating another compilation. It is putting time aside – putting it in my calendar having a focus and a goal. Procrastination and bright shining objects can be distracting – having an accountability buddy and a group of people who push and gently remind me and ask when it is coming is awesome to keep me on track.
Self-published or traditionally published? Tell us why that works for you?
ANSWER: Both work for me – like self-publishing am in control and easy to do quick books and journals. Traditional publishing is great when I just get the writing down and pass it on to be published in a package. Really depends on the book and the amount of time I have and the amount of involvement I want at that time. They are both useful, both have pros and cons.
Here is your chance to plug a book. Tell us about it and why we need to read it?
ANSWER : One of my latest books is Creating Confident Communicators – takes you on the journey to be an effective communicator – speaking and communication underpins everything you do whether as an individual, solepreneur, mico or small business owner or working in a company or large organisation. This book gives you the tools techniques and strategies to be an effective communicator. Whilst aimed at corporations and organisations the information is equally valuable to individual, micro and small business owners.
Creating Confident Communicators looks at communication process, controlling nerves, impromptu speaking, speaking techniques, positive performance feedback, listening skills and more.
Next project? Where are you in your writing journey and where to next for you?
ANSWER: Currently facilitating a compilation Touched By Suicide – inviting authors to share their story and leave a legacy, includes those who have been left behind, those who have lived, those who assist in support or have in some way been touched.
Also writing – The Journey of an Introvert Speaker, plus a series of Ebook on Get Known Be Seen and also working on Darkest Before Dawn – story of our son Craig who we lost to suicide.
Next – so many writing projects – just going to keep writing.
What’s your favourite genre? Tell us about one book from that genre that changed your life or outlook in life?
ANSWER: SF and Fantasy – Reading the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings series by JRR Tolkien really pulled me into other worlds plus there is a lot of personal growth and motivation that you can get from this series.
Whilst I said that I don’t read business books very much – have to share that one that I really connected with in terms of speaking and leadership is Lincoln on Leadership – Executive Strategies for Tough Times by Donald T Phillips. Great information on leadership, communication and speaking and easy to read.
The most personal question of all, what does writing give you? Why do you do it, what’s the point, and what does it provide in your life that you can’t fulfil by any other means?
ANSWER: for me it is leaving a legacy. A legacy of my expertise, my business, my motivation, my inspiration, my family. It is 3rd party credibility – long after I am gone my books will be here. It is a way for me to be me – to be unselfish – to touch someone’s life where I may never have been able without them picking it up and reading.
And it’s fun – I realised writing is just letting my spoken words flow on the page.
Non fiction writers
What is the hardest thing you had to learn about putting together a factual book? Talk about how you verify facts, or try to display the information, especially if there are a lot of photos or diagrams. Offer some advice for the audience who might want to try non-fiction.
ANSWER: The hardest thing was believing in myself and my expertise. Understanding that it doesn’t matter how many other books written in your niche or expertise area your book is unique because you are unique it is from your unique perspective, stories, expertise.
BIO Trish Springsteen
Trish Springsteen is a Creative Business Consultant, award winning international bestselling author, a multi international award winning mentor, speaker, WebTV host specialising in creative solutions to make it easy for your clients to find you. Clients work with Trish because they know she can help them have the confidence to make speaking easy to increase, sales and clients. Trish is Australia’s Leading Expert in Empowering Introverts typically mentoring introverts, authors and advocates.
Trish Believes in You until You Believe in Yourself. From her personal journey Trish knows how powerful confidence and self-belief can be.
Trish is the author, co-author, contributing author of 16 books.