Author. Teacher. Influencer.
About Zina
Zina Hermez is an Author and Teacher from the Metro Detroit area. She has hosted many Masterminds and Workshops while featuring other authors and teaching publishing, writing, and marketing at her sessions. She is also an educator and has been for more than 20 years, working with students of all ages in academics on subjects like reading, math, and writing as well as many other subjects. Her Not Without God books have reached many people.
Summer is here! We are super excited to special feature Thomesa Lydon at our upcoming Writing Because I Can’t Not Write Group‘s Mastermind Event:
I have added the link to the latest Mailchimp email campaign I just wrote. Click on the link – Join Us For A Mastermind w/An Author & Wealth Expert!
You are welcome to join this premier mastermind event where we only feature the best authors, experts, media personalities, entrepreneurs, and speakers!
We are a super laid back group. You may hop in late or leave early. Cameras and microphones will be silenced upon entrance, but you will be able to turn them on.
There will be a presentation, Live Q & A, and a Live Reading! Be sure to join in!
~Zina
Last week, I featured Bradley A. Blocksom at my writers group – the Writing Because I Can’t Not Write group. The show was a hit! We had him on Author Spotlight, and he presented, and gave his background story – we held a live Q&A session, and he ended with a reading from his upcoming book! Brad is a writer and Bible scholar, Fuller alum, and physics grad. Here is a link to the Facebook preshow replay – where I also give a reading from my most recent book.
At its core, affiliate marketing is simply word-of-mouth. It’s what people have been doing for a long time: recommending things they like, trust, or believe in. Long before affiliate links existed, this is how businesses grew, ideas spread, and communities formed.
Affiliate marketing doesn’t only mean clicking on a link to make a commission off your friend’s or associate’s affiliation. It’s more! It’s recommendations by friends you trust that may gain you more business or even exposure, something that money can’t buy.
When someone shares a great book, a helpful tool, or a life-changing course with a friend or fan, they’re engaging in this type of business. Asking someone to click on your link so you may receive a small bonus from an affiliate can be tacky. The most successful affiliate marketers understand this. Marketing has more to do with than money.
The power of marketing and the power of groups who market together is ultra-powerful. Think of a dire situation. Let’s imagine you and five of your friends are sailing and you start to lose control of the sailboat. Not a pleasant thought, I know. But let’s consider it. I am sure one of your friends would come in to help! This is what your product is like when no one knows about it: a sinking sailboat.
The power of marketing, especially when groups collaborate, is strong. It’s a way for friends to lift one another up, to help stop the ‘out-of-control sailboat that is sinking.’ Affiliates act as advocates for their friends or business associates, lifting one another up in the process.
They’re not just dropping links; they’re guiding their communities, holding events, rooting for you, buying your book, recommending your business – it is truly powerful.
A trusted recommendation from someone you follow online can lead you to join a cause, sign up for a course, or try a new way of thinking — it’s about more than buying a product. In today’s day and age, especially if you are an author, it is critical.
Entrepreneurs, artists, and anyone in business all need a platform. A platform can consist of someone who is in your audience or even a potential buyer, for example. Your platform is what makes you stand out. Size matters.
With this said, I would like to introduce you to the way I do affiliate marketing. As a founder and creator, I’d like to introduce you to a group I began called “The Writing Because I Can’t Not Write Group.” Here are three upcoming events I’d love for you to join via Zoom to kickstart your affiliate marketing journey!
These masterminds are FREE. What can be better?
If you’re interested in joining one of my upcoming Zoom masterminds, here is the Mailchimp Email Campaign I sent yesterday. All Zoom info, passcodes, and information are included. Click on the link below:
Hope to see y’all!
~Zina Hermez, Founder of the Writing Because I Can’t Not Write Group, Author of the books, Not Without God: A Story of Survival and Not Without God: Hope In the Storm, Long-time educator
Hello everyone, I’m really excited about our next Live event THIS FRIDAY on FEB.16 at 7:30 pm EST w/our Special Featured Author(s), Mark ‘Coach’ Prasek of PJNET.TV & w/Author Ben Cooper! We can’t wait!
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Here are more WBICNWG upcoming Mastermind dates:
On Mar. 1 We’re EXCITED to announce that we are having another “Author Mastermind Panel” event w/a short video on my Not Without God book towards the end! This meeting will also start at 7:30 pm EST. Our Panel members are Jimmy Tuman, Paul Hollis, Mark ‘Coach’ Prasek, Sharon Rose Gibson, & Juliana Gennari Anderson.
We are also very excited to feature Author Scott Tennant (who is also a PR professional!) on Mar. 8 at 7:30 pm EST! Long-time member & friend, Juliana Gennari Anderson, will be hosting this event! We can’t wait!
[Please note: There will be no Mastermind on Feb. 23.]
Don’t miss these exciting upcoming events! Look out for more updates…
Here’s the Zoom mastermind link to join in. It is the same for all events!
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/4912540387
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You may hop in late or leave early, again, and you may also leave your camera and mic on or off! We are a very laid-back group and don’t mind at all! Come and learn from the best!!! This is FREE virtual knowledge to help you in your writing career or business! Whether you are a seasoned author, an aspiring author, or an entrepreneur – there are ALWAYS lots of gems at our meetings!
~ALL events are brought to you by the Writing Because I Can’t Not Write Group – For seasoned and aspiring writers
CLICK on the link below to learn more about Zina and to visit her website. You may also sign up for regular notifications of upcoming meetings and dates if you are not already on the email list!
Happy Writing!!!
Short Bio:
Zina Hermez has authored the books, Not Without God: A Story of Survival and Not Without God: Hope In the Storm. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. She’s also been featured on The Neil Haley (media giant’s) Show, The Intuitive Edge podcast, and on ESPN’s ‘Solutions from the Huddle’ broadcast as well as Grace and Truth Radio World and other programs.
Zina’s written several hundred articles and has taught thousands of people from all over the world from many different backgrounds and parts of the world. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog, and the Southern Writers magazine among other places.
She writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. Zina also likes to write on health and diet and loves to help others. Her latest book, Not Without God: Hope In the Storm is live and for sale.
She’s been invited to speak at the Harvard Faculty Club’s Business Expert Forum and has designed notwithoutgod.net, a top inspirational blog.
Email campaigns were just sent out to our writing group members for our upcoming meeting with Dr. Veronica Brooks this Friday, Dec.8 starting at 7:30pm EST! Click here to see the email: http://eepurl.com/iFlq1w You can also join in via this Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/4912540387
I’m VERY EXCITED to ANNOUNCE that our special featured author will be Veronica Brooks on Dec. 8 at 7:30pm EST, again. We can’t wait to meet with her and to learn more about her incredible work!!!
Are you an entrepreneur, writer, speaker, best seller, aspiring author, or artist? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you DEFINITELY want to join our meeting w/Veronica!
Just read her incredible bio:
Born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Dr. Veronica M. Brooks journey from the heartland to international acclaim has been both remarkable and impactful. Her academic pursuits, culminating in a Doctorate in Humanities & Social Science, laid the foundation for a distinguished career within the Department of Defense, where her roles changed from the Naval air facility in Japan to ensuring essential CENTCOM requirements.
But Dr. Veronica‘s true passion lies in empowering others. An international speaker, best selling author, and Renowned Les Brown platinum speaker, she has a unique gift for connecting with audiences, helping them identify their purpose and igniting their spirits. With titles like “90 Days to Start Gaining Wealth” and “Wealthy Life Skills,” Dr. Veronica equips her readers with the tools to harness their potential and carve a path towards financial prosperity.
Founder of the Wealth Palace Magazine and with accolades from the Wall Street Journal to People You Need to Know Magazine, Dr. Veronica’s message is clear; with purpose and passion, wealth and fulfillment are within reach.
Discover the power of purposeful wealth building with Dr. Veronica at http://www.veronicabrooks.com. She will help you awaken “The Warrior Within” which is also the name of her memoir. Follow her on Instagram: https://www.Instagram.com/infinityofwealth.
What is the “Writing Because I Can’t Not Write” group community? This is a group I created last year just before Labor Day. Since then, we’ve all been meeting as talented authors, national speakers, writers, and businesspeople each week. We discuss writing, editing, publishing, marketing, and several other writing topics.
On Dec. 8, on Friday, at 7:30 pm EST, we are going to special feature Dr. Veronica!
Take advantage of this opportunity while you can! You will get FREE knowledge on the business and writing industry that you can’t simply can’t get anywhere else!
Masterminds usually leave you feeling broke and helpless. Our meetings are different. Each week I aim to special feature one author, we ask them questions about their career and books and we learn from them. We also get to hear them read from their books out loud.
Where else can you go to get FREE advice and feedback from bestsellers and award winners?
Veronica will be answering our questions and will hopefully read to us.:-) We can’t wait to hear from Dr. Veronica!
This is also a networking meeting, but you may just join in, and leave your cam and mic on or off. We are a very laid back group. You may hop in late or leave early. We don’t mind.
If any background noise disrupts our group meeting your mic will be silenced, and then you may turn your mic back on once it is quiet.
Whether you are a writer, speaker, or business person, we are happy to assist you with your writing or business endeavors. We can also help with how to increase your brand and presence.
If you’d like to learn more about my writing: visit my website at notwithoutgod.net and search the “writing, speaking, and media” category or send me a message. If you’d like to join our meetings, I will need your email via direct message, that way I can add you to the email list so you’ll get the reminder for our Friday meeting.
You can also just join in here via this Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/4912540387, again.
As of late, we have featured:
Paul Hollis
Rusty, Author RD Trimble
Tim Riter
Mitch Teemley
Joshua Loyd Fox
Sharon Rose Gibson
Tracy Blom
Patricia Mattern
Ella Quinn
Hannah Mae Linder
Leticia Zaragoza
…Kyle Duncan!
And many others!
If you want to improve your writing in any field, get a book out there, or increase your brand or presence – you need to join our meeting!
Happy Writing!
~Zina
Did you know that in order to to be successful with your book or business you need to be a great writer? Writing is needed whether you are an author or a business person. You also need to have marketing strategies and skills. Without things like social media marketing and a website, you can’t go very far in your work. You need to make your voice heard and to get your message, idea, and items out there. Join us this coming Friday for a writing, marketing strategy and workshop session like no other. You will learn from experts! This is a one-time event and has a limited number of occupants. Read the invite, click ‘going’ and grab your spot while you have a chance. (It will be hosted on Facebook live via zoom. Send me your email for a meeting reminder on Thursday. You’ll be added to the list). You can also find the event on my Facebook business page – Writing Because I Can’t Not Write Group – For seasoned and aspiring authors. Don’t forget to hit like and follow.
https://fb.me/e/37gRZ5izT?mibextid=RQdjqZ
About Zina
Zina Hermez has authored the best-selling book(s), Not Without God: A Story of Survival and Not Without God: Hope In the Storm. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. She’s also been featured on The Neil Haley (media giant’s) Show, The Intuitive Edge podcast, and on ESPN’s ‘Solutions from the Huddle’broadcast as well as Grace and Truth Radio World!
Zina’s written several hundred articles and has taught thousands of students from all over the world from many different backgrounds and parts of the world. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog, and the Southern Writers magazine among many other places.
She writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. She also writes about health and diet and loves to help others. Her latest book, Not Without God: Hope In the Storm is live and for sale.
The Hollow Man is a great action-packed book that pulls you in with its story, dialogue, and vivid images. I always appreciate an author who can write like this. It’s about a dictator who falls ill and then gets assassinated. I am not completely through all of it, but it has already left me on the edge of my seat. It’s one of those books you curl up in bed with and read with a warm cup of coffee. I think this would be great for the big screen.
It’s a page-turner, political, and a fun read. It also made me want to learn Spanish. There are depictions of church images, the scenery of Madrid and Catholic priests. It is all around very interesting. Each chapter is well-connected and leaves you wondering what will happen next. THIS BOOK IS A THRILLER.
I could visualize the explosion, and when something parted like “the red sea.” I love the heroism. It kind of reminded me of the movie Die Hard or an Arnold Schwarzenegger film! I look forward to reading what will happen next and if the protagonist makes it out alive or not.
I am looking forward to the conclusion and know I will not be disappointed. The hero’s task is to watch over the prime minister but then to catch the evil enemy, Chaban, and stop terrorism that will spread and have far-reaching consequences. The hero is on a mission. I look forward to learning whether or not he accomplishes it. This book is a MUST READ.
About Zina
Zina Hermez has authored the best-selling book, Not Without God: A Story of Survival. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. She’s also been featured on the Intuitive Edge podcast as well as ESPN’s “Solutions from the Huddle” broadcast and on Grace and Truth Radio World! Zina’s written several hundred articles and has taught thousands of students of all ages from many different backgrounds and cultures. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog, and the Southern Writers magazine among other places. She writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. She also writes about health and diet and loves to help others. Her latest book, Not Without God: Hope In the Storm is live and for sale! You can order your copy here: https://www.amazon.com/Not-Without-God-Hope-Storm-ebook/dp/B09P9T2DLT
I’ve been back from the “Living Legends of Entrepreneurial Marketing” for nearly a week, and I can’t stop thinking about it! I want to go back! As a matter of fact, this time last week I was sitting on a boat, the beautiful “Bateaux,” it was a gorgeous night, and I got to see the New York skyline!🌇
And what a view it was, I got to see celebrities like Ice-T and his wife, Coco, Martha Stewart, Dylan Howard (the Chief content officer of American media, who shared exclusive stories about Charlie Sheen!), Hal Elrod (author of 2 million copies sold), Micheal Gerber (of the E-myth, multiple #1 New York Times best-seller), Alex Mandossian, Steve Larsen (#1 funnel hacker for ClickFunnels, and part of the two-comma club—an elite group of online entrepreneurs that have reached one million dollars, or ‘two commas’).🤑😆
I can’t leave out Jerry Greenfield (of Ben & Jerry’s🍧) who even served me ice cream, and told the story of how him and Ben split the money for a $5 course! He said their ice cream was becoming a hit, but Haagen Dazs was bigger, so Pillsbury stopped selling Ben & Jerry’s on their trucks! That was illegal, so they started a campaign called, “What is the dough boy afraid of?” 😂 And they put a stop to it!
Some takeaways I got:
“You can’t just be on TV, you have to do something exceptional!” ~Martha Stewart
“Success is to be emotionally, financially, and mentally stable!” ~Walter O’Brien
“The greatest gift you can give to people you LOVE and LEAD is your full potential! ~Michael Gerber
“The most POWERFUL element of marketing is CURIOSITY (‘How did this person do this, get this, and be this…?’)” ~Clint Arthur
“There is a new creature inside of you, waiting to be ‘born.’” ~Michael Gerber
I’ll admit going on this trip was not easy for me; my dad has had a significant amount of Alzheimer’s, and it is worsening. I distribute his medicine daily, and do the same for my mom, too. I had to schedule for caregivers and call substitutes to teach my courses.
Below I am with Michael Gerber of the E-Myth, published in 1992, millions of copies have been sold! He says that he didn’t do everything that happened to him, he says “it did it!”😄 And Rick Warren “built his church” on Gerber (not on the Bible). lol Rick Warren, best-selling author of The Purpose Driven Life (the most popular book next to the Bible!).
And here are some more pics with fabulous people!
Below was on the second day after I arrived. It was beautiful and sunny with a crisp wind, and I didn’t know what to expect. I knew I would be exposed to some ‘elite’ people! Tim, the second from the left is from Michigan, also, so we talked about that a little bit, and it was a good icebreaker! Linda and I hit it off, with her being a caregiver (like I am), and having a daughter with some challenges.
Clint gave out ‘Film Fest awards’ and there were actors and writers, adding a little more Hollywood!🎬
I also posted Clint’s live webinar on my social media a few times! It was a post-Carnegie Hall one where he gave me a special shout-out and pointed to my blog!❤️ He says I am AWESOME & QUALIFIED! I’m still smiling!😄
About Zina
Zina Hermez authored Not Without God: A Story of Survival. Her stories have been featured in various guest articles, medical journals, magazines, newsletters, and 200+ of her very own blog posts. As a long-time educator, she’s had the privilege of working with thousands of students from different backgrounds and parts of the world. She’s taught at automotive corporations like General Motors, Ford, Nissan, Bosch, Toyota, and Mercedes-Benz. She began her own teaching services incorporating math and other subjects. Her writing endeavors earned her an invitation to speak at the Harvard Faculty Club’s “Business Expert Forum.” Zina’s goal is to help others overcome adversity. Socializing with friends, taking road-trips, listening to music, and networking are among her hobbies. You can connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn or Twitter.
I had the greatest time at “Living Legends of Entrepreneurial Marketing” at Carnegie Hall in New York this past weekend! No words can describe it. It was a three day conference, but like none I have ever been to before! It went beyond my expectations.
Ice-T & his wife, Coco, Martha Stewart, and other speakers were there! Steve Larsen (the funnel hacker, whose built 500 funnels for Russell Brunson), Walter O’Brien (Scorpion, the ‘smartest man in the world’), Dylan Howard (Chief editor of the National Enquirer, Chief content officer of American media), Hal Elrod (best-selling author), Micheal Gerber, Alex Mandossian, and Jerry Greenfield (of Ben & Jerry’s), who served me with a scoop of butter pecan ice cream, were all there!
I was a VIP at the event, and more TV and radio personalities attended along with actors and writers, there were even ‘Film Fest’ awards! By the way, I got a director’s contact number.😉
THEN, there was a BOAT cruise that was soo much fun!!!! I had to pinch myself. A deluxe dinner cruise up the Hudson River on the beautiful Bateaux New York, we saw the Statue of Liberty up close!
I got to see some other great sights in New York, also, and made new friends!
The food was delicious and the weekend was so special! There were drinks, networking, dancing and music. Everyone was really nice and enjoying themselves! It was a once in a lifetime experience!
People came in from Australia, Denmark, Norway, and Canada! It was a growth experience I will never forget it.
… pictures and stories cannot even do it justice! You had to be there! But that’s just the thing, not EVERYONE could be so I want to share some more pics.
I even got to go to a little Italian restaurant and eat “mezze” and enjoy a glass of wine (or two😉), near Times Square right in the heart of New York! It’s underground, the kind of restaurant you would find in the movie “Godfather!”
There was a lot more I don’t have time to include right now, but finally, I wanted to add some popular quotes. I took A LOT of notes, and these were the ones that I picked out to share!
• “As an entrepreneur, you are going to fail! Do not give up!” ~Ice-T
• “Be PRESENT. Find what the “secret” is for you!” ~Michael Gerber
• “Story is what people buy, they never buy the product!” ~Steve Larsen
• “It doesn’t matter what you sell, the product is YOU!!!” ~Clint Arthur
• “It is WHO you are and WHO you are perceived to be, that is the game!” ~Clint Arthur
• “By the time you’re clients come to you, they should ALREADY have come to you, IF they can get to you!!!!” ~Clint Arthur
• “The marketing of what you do, IS more important than what you do!” ~Clint Arthur
• “ You are able to position your brand or cause by the POWER of celebrity.” ~Dylan Howard
• “The PROCESS is critical, NOT the product!” ~Michael Gerber
I was surrounded by beautiful and accomplished people: doctors, innovators, people who create solar energy, manage cyber security, one of them talked about developing medicine dispensers, and there were leaders in construction.
I thought, how did I get here, and how am I sitting among these people with SO much wealth and talent, it was a miracle!
About Zina
Zina Hermez authored, “Not Without God: A Story of Survival.” Her stories have been featured in various guest articles, medical journals, magazines, newsletters, and 200+ of her very own blog articles. She works as an English teacher in the Detroit area and has been an educator for twenty years. She’s had the privilege of working with thousands of students from different backgrounds and parts of the world. She’s taught at automotive corporations like General Motors, Ford, Nissan, Bosch, and Mercedes-Benz. She began her own teaching services incorporating math and other subjects. Zina’s goal is to help others overcome adversity and you can connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or LinkedIn.
Dear friends and followers,
This is a letter I shared with close contacts earlier today. I want to share it with you, too. I will be going to New York for this first-EVER event very soon! I look forward to sharing lots of stories and pictures with you! Click here to read my newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/3bca0d5108f1/zina-hermez-newsletter
Happy fall!
~Zina
About Zina
Zina Hermez authored Not Without God: A Story of Survival. Her stories have been featured in various guest articles, medical journals, magazines, newsletters, and 200+ of her very own articles. She works as an English teacher in the Detroit area and has been an educator for twenty years. She’s had the privilege of working with thousands of students from different backgrounds and parts of the world. She’s taught at automotive corporations like General Motors, Nissan, Toyota, Ford, and Mercedes-Benz. She’s worked with numerous children and accumulated many jobs. Zina began her own teaching services incorporating math and other subjects. She currently home-schools at churches and teaches creative and structured writing as well as other Language arts & history courses. Zina’s goal is to help others overcome adversity. You can connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or Twitter.
Dear friends,
As you may know, I opted to have an elective surgery on October 2 that left me in the hospital for a full week. When I was finally discharged, I had to go back for almost an additional week due to an infection that could’ve been prevented if the problem were detected early enough. I am happy to say I am at home now and doing much better!
I’m extremely grateful for everyday of health and healing I am able to experience. I hadn’t spent that much time in the hospital since my accident that happened when I was sixteen years old. Since the surgery, my condition has improved and I no longer have an ailment I suffered from for way too long.
I am reminded of the quote shared by the great abolitionist, Frederick Douglass, an American Slave that dates back to his book published back in 1845. The popular passage still resonates. He writes: “I date the entertainment of a deep conviction that slavery would not always hold me within its foul embrace, and in the darkest hours of my career this living word of faith and spirit of hope departed not from me but remained like ministering angels to cheer me through the gloom.”
He continues, “This good spirit was from God and to Him I offer thanksgiving and praise!” How does this timeless verse relate to me? Well, it doesn’t–directly. As a survivor, I can choose to take the victim mentality though and not try to accomplish all I know I can. But Douglass stood up for his rights and even taught himself how to read and write, and I have rights, too. I am not limited in my abilities because no one knows what God can do.
What Douglass wrote speaks to my soul and it can speak to yours, also. His knowledge of God and the fact that He would set him free is parallel with my knowledge that God will set me free of any bondage in my predicament, thoughts, or attitude. Your challenge may be different from my own, but how can you apply this passage by Frederick Douglass to your own life?
What are you confident about and know you will overcome? Have you ever felt caught up in a situation you didn’t know you could get out of? Did you just know you’d be freed from it? Sometimes we just know that God will deliver us! Was there a time when you knew that only He could help you? Feel free to openly share with me in the comments. I’d love to read your thoughts and get back to you.
May you have a very Merry Christmas and may the Lord Jesus be with you this holiday season and all the days of your lives,
~Zina Hermez
P.S. I was wondering if you were able to catch my Facebook Live interview this past August with Patricia Durgin, the Christian Message coach, from Marketers on A Mission? I recount details of my book Not Without God : A Story of Survival and talk about the accident I was in as a teenager, how I overcame through my faith in the Lord, hard work, and determination.
I also get in depth about my upcoming one, Hope After the Storm. It will be the second in my II part, Not Without God series. In the video, I explain the structure and how it is designed. It’s a narrative like my first, but it gives readers an opportunity to also reflect and write in journal sections at the end of chapters. I also give tips on how to market or pre-launch your own book material or message.
It will help even if you have a desire to write but don’t know how to get started! Click the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DHHYE3QDJE
Did you know that 80 percent of Americans think they should write a book? Most of them will never do it. People get intimidated by the work. They don’t know how to find a publisher or even self-publish. They never try or give up because it seems too difficult, or they don’t know how to get started. These days, writers can self-publish with tools on-line, and there are ways to get your book printed by on-demand or you can go the route of Indie publishing if you’re feeling especially productive. Whether you publish independently, with a hybrid company, or with a traditional publisher–you are still responsible for marketing. Be aware. Authors are not only writers, they are marketers, “experts,” salespeople, speakers, and we wear many hats!
Keep a Diary or Journal
I would not suggest for you to publish simply because you want to. Millions of people write books each year, but the majority of them are not necessary or good. You don’t have to be born with the talent, but you have to practice! You can start by writing for fifteen minutes a day. You can then reread what you wrote as a way to reflect and recognize any thought patterns. You can add more or rewrite to help change any negative attitudes. You can’t heal from what you don’t acknowledge. Writing can be therapeutic. I’ve practiced this technique since I was a teenager. Write somewhere where you can focus and edit. If you can’t find the time to write every day, write for one to two hours a week. Three hours or more of writing per week would be an ideal schedule to begin.
Find a Writer’s Community
What do you want to write about? Who will be in your audience? Will you create a blog? You can start a free blog at WordPress.com or Blogger.com. You can start a blog at WordPress.org, but you would have to purchase hosting. I’ve bought a domain at Godaddy.com (I am not an affiliate of any of these companies). Connect with other writers: join a writers’ group, attend a writers’ conference, share your writing with your friends or family and ask for honest feedback but ask them not to be too harsh. Compliments with constructive criticism are healthy. You have to be willing to learn from others. Find an accountability partner (That was a new piece of advice I heard at a conference!). I liked it. Reading others writing can help also, and it is a great way to write better. The best writers are the best readers, and writing can help you be a better speaker–I have told many people.
Relax, and enjoy it!
I’ve taken the fun out of writing by focusing on trying to make it “perfect.” Trying to type the right words, word-for-word can be stressful. These high expectations can take the enjoyment out of it! Writing has to be fulfilling. I was listening to a live webinar in my Writers Guild, and I heard a man say he feels “parched” while he writes. He was asking our writing coach how to solve this problem. He shouldn’t feel parched; he should feel inspired. You cannot inspire someone else until you inspire you first. But this develops over time. Finding your “voice” can take a while, but once you find it, writing can become easier and more comfortable. You won’t regret all the work you’ve put into it!
(This article will appear in the Southern Writers Magazine – Suite T blog).
About Zina
Zina Hermez authored “Not Without God: A Story of Survival” and her forthcoming book, “Hope After the Storm” will be the second in a II part series. Her stories have been featured in various guest articles, medical journals, magazines, newsletters, and almost 200 of her very own blog posts. As an educator for nearly twenty years, she’s had the privilege of working with thousands of students from different backgrounds and parts of the world. Her writing endeavors earned her an invitation to speak at the Harvard Faculty Club’s “Business Expert Forum.” Zina’s goal is to help others overcome adversity, and she strives to do what she longs to – help others. Socializing with friends, taking road-trips, listening to music, and networking are among her hobbies. You can connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.
Did you know that 80 percent of people want to write a book? It’s true, but most of them will never do it. People get intimidated by the work. They don’t know how to find a publisher or even self-publish. They never try, or give up because it seems “too hard.” Anyone can self-publish with tools on-line, and there are ways to get your books printed by paying for it. Whether you self-publish or publish with a traditional publisher (where they pay you an advance), you are still responsible for marketing. Don’t be fooled. Authors are not only writers, they are marketers, “experts,” salespeople, speakers, and we wear many hats!
I would not suggest for you to write a book simply because you want to. You have to practice writing. Millions of people write books, but the majority of them are not any good. You don’t have to be born with the talent, but you do have to practice! You can start by writing for fifteen minutes a day. Keep a diary, journal, or notebook. Write somewhere where you can focus and edit. If you don’t want to write every day, write for one to two hours a week. Three hours of writing per week or more would be an ideal schedule.
You also have to determine your topic. What do you want to write about? Who will be in your audience? Will you write in a blog? You can start a free blog at WordPress.com or Blogger.com. You could also start a blog at WordPress.org but you would have to buy hosting. I purchased a domain at GoDaddy.com for my website. I’m not an affiliate. I’m just giving you ideas for how to get started.
Your writing is not for “everyone.” People who think their blog or book is for everyone are mistaken. I’m sure the topic you choose to write about has been written before. Someone, somewhere may have wanted to encourage others through their personal struggle, or someone may have had a similar idea for a novel.
Don’t let that discourage you. You have to write about something fulfilling. In my Writer’s Guild, I heard a man say he feels “parched” while he writes. I was listening to a live webinar. He was asking our writing coach how to solve this problem. He shouldn’t feel parched, he should feel inspired. You cannot inspire someone else until you inspire you first. My writing is therapeutic for me. I realize things because I write about my own personal life.
You have to meet with other writers. Book events, conferences, and Writers’ groups are all good places to go to. If you cannot find one nearby, you can have a friend or family member help you. Ask for honest feedback, but also ask they that are not too harsh. Complements with constructive criticism are healthy for you. You have to be willing to learn from others, but you don’t have to get hurt. I’ve had that experience before!
Sometimes we don’t follow our dreams out of fear. You may have a fear of failure, or a fear of not “fitting in” anymore. You may have a fear of going too far! I believe there are endless possibilities for all of us to distribute good in the world, be prominent in business, or successful in some endeavor.
It’s hard work, I’ve stayed up many nights trying to type the right words and the right messages. The high expectations I put on myself are not from the Lord, though. What I mean is, He may have put the idea to write in my heart. But He does not expect perfectionism. In all my articles, I strive to do what I long to–help someone else!
Zina Hermez 