Here’s an interview with Douglas Murray about Roger Scruton and a new edition of Scruton’s Confessions of a Heretic…
Tag: Sovereign Professional
Nicholas Bate suggests seven things to choose. What else could you possibly need?
(though I might add forests)…
5. Creativity
6. Music
7. Mountains & Coast
Image: Andrew Munro
This is good. Stoicism and salesmanship, especially as it relates to creatives and reluctant sellers.
Being published in indie publishing is a lot like starting in acting, none of us are experts, everyone is trying to get noticed, and it’s not at all glamorous. Although it is an honor and privilege to be published, to get your book in the hands of the people, to find your readers, takes some elbow grease. This means…you become a salesperson.
Nicholas Bate has seven steps for steady improvement…
- More active (walk, stand, climb) then you ever were.
- More creative (write, share, produce) than a former you.
- …
Photo by Ales Krivec on Unsplash
I have new tools to play with.
Timesheets
I’m a writer and I work, almost exclusively, on a value basis: we agree a price and I deliver.
Charging by the hour/day or, worse, per word is a killer for both quality and trust.
However, I’ve always kept timesheets for my own analysis, so that I can see how much those value-based projects actually cost me in bloody, sweaty, teary hours. They used to be simple Excel spreadsheets, one for every project, so I could work out the actual cost per hour arising from either my poor estimating or delightful rat-holing. But, I always knew that created hidden gaps.
Continue reading “New tools for timesheets and blogs – @TimeCamp and @NewsBlur”
You cannot hope to be a scholar. But what you can do is to curb arrogance; what you can do is to rise above pleasures and pains; you can be superior to the lure of popularity; you can keep your temper with the foolish and ungrateful, yes, even care for them.
Marcus Aurelius (AD 120 – 180), Meditations (8.8)
Photo by Gary Ellis on Unsplash
An excellent post from author Steven Pressfield about the painful, self-marketing aspect of being a writer. It’s relevant for all independent professionals.
For the past few months I’ve been working full-time promoting my just-published novel, A Man at Arms, and I have to tell you … I am waaaay out of my comfort zone.
But, Steven offers an alternative mindset to the usual reluctance we feel.
Here’s how I feel about it. I don’t see it as selfish (though no doubt there are self-interested elements in there.) For me, it’s about fidelity to the book and, especially, to the characters.
It’s about fidelity to the work.
If you do good work, it deserves to be shared.
Steven, of course, wrote The War of Art, an essential guide to getting things done. I’ve just replaced my copy. He also coined the mantra,
Put your ass where your heart wants to be.
Photo by Andreas Rønningen on Unsplash
A salient reminder of where to focus…
- Your career. What are you doing this week to make it sustainable, enjoyable and still viable in 2 years from now?
- Your wellness. How much are you simply moving? What’s the quality of your nutrition? Sleeping sufficient? Taking some time out?
- …
Then, possibly, read Nicholas’ debut novel, Meet Molly. More here.
Photo by Anastasia Petrova on Unsplash
Harried by the relentless, depthless demands of email, social media, Zoom, phone and Slack?
Here’s a great idea from author Daniel Pink, originating with statesman George Schultz – the Schultz Hour.
Pinkcast 4.07. This is how to carve out an hour a week to think big. | Daniel H. Pink
Image: Claudine Gossett Photography (via UChicago News)
Seth Godin is always worth reading.
Here he is on the importance of recognising what type of indie (independent, i.e. sovereign professional) you really are…
Independent workers, founders, creators and organizers are often lumped together with a simple term, but that one-size-fits-all model fits no one.
Read, and select, here.
Continue reading “On Indies and little breaks – @ThisIsSeth”