My Journey in Writing, Ranting, and Woodworking

Thanks, I'm glad you liked it. Since I wrote the post, I've launched my first novel. It has not gone like his books, but there have been sales. I think his point about having multiple titles is a valid one, but I also agree with you, that there are other pieces to the puzzle.

I would say that his marketing would be helpful to any writer, especially now that regular publishers don't really do any marketing for most of their authors. I would also say his points would be valid for marketing any entertainment product. I can imagine a musician having the same success with it.

I am not making my living in either right now, but that could change soon. I have been interviewed for a social media marketing position and hope to find out in the next few weeks. It would be a fun gig.

I would be interested to hear what you think about it. Send me a tweet and let me know. :-)

Great post - and I'm not sure if I agree with it or not! I read John's book but felt I had either missed something crucial or that John had failed to put something in it...

Either way MARKETING is essential to anything. Its a bit like spending months on designing a website and then launching it and wondering where the visitors are!

His marketing i think should be mixed in with other tactics that you might market a business for example.

These are just my views.

I read it in a day. I agree. I learned nothing, yet came out so much farther ahead. Truly inspiring.

Timely! I was just on a blog I like and a guest blogger I respect started out Part I of his 2 part series on publishing by saying it was basically impossible and not to bother my little head about it. I suspect Part II will be about the glories of successful writing, but darn it! I don't need to be told again how hard it is - anyone who's done any writing KNOWS how hard it is. What I want are tips on how to succeed!

I've been a professional writer for more than a decade and a student of writing for twice that. So I'm always interested when someone says they've just come to writing & don't feel the 'rules' apply. I strongly believe that a better understanding of the so called rules allows writers to transcend then and produce works that last the test of time (if you'll excuse the cliche!).

That's not to say that there aren't many great 'untrained' writers but they've most likely learned thru many years of reading other great work. I do not believe that writing a book in 8 weeks means it's not good but I worry that many who wish to make a name for themselves as novelists will find validation from those who've had quick success because they were 1st to market. Studying the art & craft of writing will not diminish your 'natural talent' any more than reading a cookbook kills the flavor of your own recipe. It simply opens new doors and helps you understand why this works or that doesn't.
I spoke earlier about the 'rules' of writing. I've studied them & tried to apply them to my own work and my greatest discovery was that they are more guides than rules. I guess my point is that writers (real or pretend) have nothing to fear from learning rules. You never have to 'unlearn' anything. I find greater freedom in knowing the rules. It's like a champion athlete at the peak of his game. He still has a coach and still practices the fundamentals because they are what allow him to take his game further than the average player.
And to John's book...I agree that it gives some great advice & is worth the $5. My only disagreement is with his notion that you have to have multiple books out before you start. There's no need to rush & as you said, whenever your book is ready, today or next year, there will be a market for it. This ebook thing is only gonna grow.
Believe in yourself as a writer (if you write, you're a writer...no 'pretend') but study the masters and grow as a writer.

Brian, you are right, I did enjoy your review very much. (You sent me here from Twitter.) I am impressed (in the sense that some little voice inside me said, pay attention to this) by your notion that the "conventional" ways to write may not be the best ways, just like the conventional marketing wisdom might just be wrong. May fortune smile on your endeavors!

"Dreams are as light as fog and heavy as steal . . . ." I see what you did there ; )

@SusanKellyBits (I don't know this livefyre?)

You're a good salesman! I'll buy the book and read it (although right now I'm taking a break from reading about social media to catch up on some other reading), but I have a few questions: Are his strategies ONLY useful for writers who plan to self-publish, or for any writer? Are YOU making a living in Second World and Social Media? How?

Jeez, Brian, I just coughed up $5 because of your post...!

I completely agree. I finished it in one night this past week. I, like you, have most of the pieces in place, I just need to tweak the way I'm doing it. The major downfall for me is that I only have one title available (furiously working on the second). Good luck with your quest!

That's quite a strong recommendation. Glad I already have Locke's book. Looks like I need to jump right on it. Thanks for the advice. :-)

The '75 series was memorable indeed and I remember because I was playing GI Joe deep in the woods somewhere in south Georgia and could only catch bits and pieces. It seemed it would never end and just kept going back and forth.

Did the book convince you that you are headed on the right path and yes, you can do this?

I've always wondered if you are better to keep your style and just let 'er rip or do you need to be trained in proper writing? I guess at the end of the day whatever is readable and people enjoy works, right?

Good to see you Brian and hope all is well.