Anything can motivate you to do the work of a writer. Anything. What motivates me is 1) knowing who I am, and 2) feeling supported.

On the first note, I shared about myself today on Facebook here or on my blog here, about how I'm unconventional. 

I am not normal. I am unconventional. I have always been unconventional, but I didn't always appreciate or understand myself in the scope of the range of human personalities.

As a child I knew I was different. I was born with hands that are different, toes too.

We are all born with differences. Mine just happened to be quite visible.

So there I was, a 15-year-old high school student at Sonoma Valley High. I want to dress up for Halloween costume, but I have no idea what to become, what to be.

So I wear a combination of clothes I think are fun. They don't fit any particular identifying character. But I feel like a clown. So I decide: I'm a clown. (No, I didn't wear makeup.)

I go to school and physically feel super uncomfortable in my own skin.
I have no name for what I'm doing. I have no story behind what I'm doing. I'm just trying something new.

Looking back on my actions from now and age 46, I can see that's what I was doing. The trying of something new. But it was painful and uncomfortable.

And there was no one else with me. No one else trying something new, that I could see. What I was doing had no name.

I have now since learned after being in business for myself over eight years, that what I was doing was walking the unconventional "no name for it" path. And that itself is a path.

I'm unconventional. And that's a fact. Sometimes I feel lonely, alone. Sometimes I'm just fine being where I'm at and being alone because actually I don't feel alone. I feel connected to the earth, to the planet, and to all the other creatives walking their unique path. Alone, together. Or together alone.

Forge on! Let us light the way for all the other Lone Path Walkers.

Love,

Beth

As for feeling supported, I have people asking me to set deadlines, create reasonable goals, and who ask after my internal well-being in relation to my goals. They are my coaches.

I also have friends, critique partners, and creative entrepreneur cohorts.

My point is you don't need to go it alone as an author. 

You can get help, ask yourself and others for support, pray, show up...

Hit "reply" and share your thoughts with me.

Much appreciated all you share with me, ♥

More events from Beth Barany, Creativity Coach for Writers - land...

What's next: I'm changing the focus and format a little for the magazine. Starting the beginning of April, I'll be posting weekly Q&As from other author entrepreneurs. If you are an author and help other authors as your business, and would like to be featured as a weekly guest, let me know. I'll put you on my list, and will be sending out the questionnaire some time in February. Thanks! 

For more conversation, you can join the Author Entrepreneurship Magazine Facebook group here: 

In this talk with bestselling authors and writing teachers, Beth and Ezra Barany, we will help you brainstorm the steps to create your novel – from character development to plot structure to story themes and world building — so that you can start writing your novel prepared. For beginning and advanced writers, we'll offer bite-sized exercises to help you stretch your imagination and get excited for the writing process.

1st Place Winner: Author Coaching Package (3 sessions) valued at $450 

2nd Place Winner: One Author Coaching session (valued at $150)
3rd Place Winner: A signed copy of The Writer's Adventure Guide by Beth Barany 

Rules
Submit chapter one (max 3,000 words) of your unpublished novel of any one of these genres: Mystery, Suspense, Thriller, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Speculative Fiction. No: Romance, Horror, Erotica. (NO SYNOPSIS OR PROLOGUE). You must include a one-paragraph Elevator Pitch. (Instructions here: (www.writersfunzone.com/blog/2014/09/08/start-novel-preparation-elevator-pitch) Open to unpublished or self-published authors only.

NEW THIS YEAR MULTIPLE NOVEL CONTEST ENTRY OPTION: Work may be also submitted to the Division 350 Publisher’s Choice novel chapter contest, but must keep with this contest’s 3000 word limit (separate entry fee applies).

Rules will be posted soon. See last year's here: https://sanmateocountyfair.com/contests/departments/literary-arts.

http://www.writersfunzone.com/blog/category/travel-writing-2/.