Comments on: A Gift for the Fightin’ Bookworms – an eBook That Can Change Your Career (and Maybe Your Life)

By: Jessica

Jessica — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 06:47:51 +0000

Thank you Jon, I am listening to it as I now write Also, I was given a copy of “As a Woman Thinketh’ many years ago. So it does exist in writing I must admit that this week has been intense and calling for this message…Thank you again! Have a blessed weekend!

By: Jon Bard

Jon Bard — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 17:57:43 +0000

“I don’t want work out there that has magically secured a contract because of my self belief. I want work out there that earns every inch of it’s space.”

Hi Liliana,

The work that secures a contract didn’t do it magically because of self-belief — it did it because the writer overcame his or her self-doubts and negative inner thoughts that said “don’t bother, you’re no good, you’ll never be published” No great author ever listens to those voices, and that, in its entirety, is what the point of the ebook is. Using a dramatic device such as telling yourself that you’re already a great writer is the tool many people need to silence that inner doubt. You may not need that kind of approach, but you certainly have some mechanism by which you do that, or else you wouldn’t be an active writer.

All great writers I know have a measure of self-doubt too. They’re human. But each of them — to a man or woman — ignores their self-doubt when it really matters. If you can’t learn to do that, you’ll never be successful, no matter how talented you are.

It’s not about self-delusion and magic — it’s about confidence. And confident people work smarter, stay more focused, are more persistent and perform better at anything than non-confident people. Always.

There’s a story about Jim Carrey who, when he was living out of his car in Hollywood, wrote a check to himself for $10,000,000 that said “for acting services rendered”. he carried that check with him until he replaced with an actual check for that amount.

Was he delusional? No — he was reminding himself of his value and his talent regardless of his circumstances and telling himself not to give up because great things were ahead of him. Someone with that sort of future-thinking confidence is unstoppable. And I want all my people to be unstoppable!

Best,

Jon

By: Liliana Stafford

Liliana Stafford — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 01:35:22 +0000

I tend to agree with Tor. All the really great writers I know as opposed to successful writers have a measure of self doubt. This is partly what makes them great because they are willing to criticise their own work and make it better. Sitting down with the belief that you are already great is dangerous because it can stop you being honest about what you have written and willing to do the next draft and the next. I sit down with the belief that the new idea I am writing is a good one and that I can make it work. But I also believe that I have to be willing to give it everything it takes to make it succeed. Sometimes this may lead to abandoning the work. It doesn’t matter because I have learnt a lot in the process and that learning will go into my next work. I don’t want work out there that has magically secured a contract because of my self belief. I want work out there that earns every inch of it’s space. Where the positive thinking comes in for me is in conquering the fear that can sometimes cripple us and stop us even starting a new work.

By: Nancy Carty Lepri

Nancy Carty Lepri — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 21:31:22 +0000

This is wonderful! Thank you so much!

By: Catherine DePino

Catherine DePino — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 23:50:49 +0000

Dear Jon and Laura,

Thank you for sending this very helpful and practical e-book. It’s the best pep talk for writers and guidepost for a life well-lived I’ve seen. Your organization is the best there is for motivating writers and setting them on the right path. I will continue to sing your praises to all my writer friends. You two are the best.

Warm wishes,
Catherine DePino

By: Rhonda Geraci

Rhonda Geraci — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 18:08:10 +0000

I know this works. I have experienced it, but I forgot. I needed reminding. Thank you.

By: Jon Bard

Jon Bard — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 20:04:07 +0000

I hear you Tor, but consider this: when athletes use visualization techniques before a race or a game, they don’t imagine themselves trying, or hoping to win. They imagine themselves winning. They’re not being dishonest — they’re giving themselves the winner’s mindset. We all need the winner’s mindset to succeed at anything.

By: Tor

Tor — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 19:56:15 +0000

I don’t believe it helps to tell yourself unrealistic things. Saying “I am Bruce Li” may help because it may boost your physical energy. But saying “I am a beloved, famous, award-winning children’s author” when you’re not–how does that help your writing? A study was done that showed this kind of positive thinking did not help. I think saying “Everyone starts somewhere. I have the talent. If I work hard I will succeed” is more helpful. To me, attaining recognition is a reward for hard work, but to master the work is the goal–the recognition is secondary. Building confidence surely is key–but in an honest way.

Imagining myself sitting down and writing and attaching a feeling of excitement to the image–to feel pen hit paper, to feel myself lost in imagination– is more helpful to me.

By: Kristi Bernard

Kristi Bernard — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 02:59:23 +0000

This is really great. Thanks so much for sharing.

By: Linda Martin

Linda Martin — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 06:00:39 +0000

I really loved this ebook, and have listened to the audio book twice already. Thanks Jon!