The Business Side of Writing

I consider myself a writer and teacher who reaches people through books and workshops on grief related subjects. But it takes a business model to actually carry out my purpose to comfort and inform those in mourning. The business aspect is the part of my work that has taken time to understand and develop.
It’s often said that authors aren’t good at marketing their own books, and I know that to be true. However, a simple business plan isn’t the monumental task I always thought it to be.
I have availed myself of seminars, online classes, and personal business consultants and have come to terms with the hard, cold facts of life. Business is reaching people with what you have to offer them. Building their trust and confidence in your expertise takes exposure, consistency, and understanding their needs. I knew this at the start, but had no idea how to go about it. Thanks to the help from many people with business savvy, I can grow my business and reach more people. That means more comfort, better healing, real confidence, and the ability to build a new life for those who are bereaved. That’s the kind of growth I like to see.

Judy

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Back to Business on Children’s Grief

I never take a complete vacation from my work with grief, loss and recovery. However, summer is a time for family and relaxation. Summer is over, and my attention again turns to research studies on these important topics. I frequently use the online library resources because there is access to papers, studies, and documents not found in the physical library.
My most recent research turned up information concerning the sense of isolation children feel following the death of a parent. In a paper by Ribbons McCarthy 2006 the fact of isolation within family relationships was cited. Often, the surviving parent is unable to support their children because of their own grief.
A solution to this problem lies in our understanding as a society of what we can do to give genuine comfort while those in mourning deal with their situation. It takes a little time and a commitment to someone’s wellbeing, but the long term benefits are enormous. Happy, healthy children and stable, secure adults is a logical goal for an intelligent society. We can learn better methods for helping each other through one of life’s inevitable occurrences.
Judy

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Home Again

I returned home on 8/24, glad to be back, but felt my break from the routine was good and beneficial. I spent a lot of time with family, had good book meetings, and felt ready to dig in and work hard to grow my business and keep writing. The wonderful thing about getting away is the perspective – of looking at yourself and your life from a relaxed frame of reference, without the schedule, the piles of notes, and the urge to produce. A new, fresh look at work and life is energizing and inspiring. We’ll see how it goes. Hope your summer was fun and relaxing.
JUdy

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