“Groundhog Day is a lot like a rock concert but the people are better behaved and there’s a groundhog involved…” ~Tom Chapin, editor of the Punxsutawney Spirit newspaper.

… As an aside, it is Groundhog Day in the United States while I am writing this entry.  Although I am not sure that “Punxsutawney Phil” is any better at weather forecasting than me, and I am not very good; I do love the concept! The cute little devil did see his shadow today and has forecast 6 more weeks of winter.  Not a shocker – this winter does not seem to want to let go. …

Last time I talked about my first book and its upcoming release in November of 2010.  I also mentioned that my decision to self-publish this first book was influenced by my research into the life of Charles Dickens.  Here is a bit more about that story:

I recently read “The Making of Charles Dickens” by Christopher Hibbert and I really enjoyed the experience!  I not only discovered a new author whose style I liked, but a prolific author as well.  This means I have lots of great books waiting for me to find and read.  I also got some great insights into what might have helped Charles Dickens be the incredible novelist that he was.  (Did you know that he is one of the very few authors that has never gone out of print?  And this, as I write this entry, some 140 years after his death?  Wow!)

I am always looking for the “secrets of success” or the unique beliefs that help exceptional people be exceptional.  Here are some of the secrets that I extracted from my recent study of “Boz”:

1)  Being extremely focused on the task at hand – fiercely determined to get it right – is a key to success in writing (and any other aspect of living.)

2)  It is okay to be afraid about the reception your writing will receive – as long as you are brave enough to get it out to the public to read.

3)  Believe in the value of your writing, even if others at first do not share your enthusiasm.

4)  Write about what you know intimately well and share the clarity of your vision.

5)  Don’t be afraid to ask what you think your writing is worth.

6)  You can do more than you think you can.

7)  It is fine to use newest technology to publish your books.  (Dickens commonly used magazines and serial releases of chapters – then he sold the books as completed documents.  This was pretty cutting edge stuff for the day.)  This final point is the one that swayed me to the side of self-publishing.

Next time I’ll be talking about the complete set of reasons why I decided to self-publish this first book and what the implications might be for you and me.

Till next time faithful reader…Jack

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“I never could have done what I have done without the habits of punctuality, order, and diligence, without the determination to concentrate myself on one subject at a time”. ~Charles Dickens from his novel “David Copperfield”