Welcome Guest Blogger New York Times Bestelling Author Lenora Worth



Lenora with Winnie Griggs and Betsy St Armant



Hello, everyone out there in Seekerville! Was it too much that I was escorted onto the island by four cabana boys carrying my lounge chair? Elnora is nothing if not over the top!

I’m so happy to be here. You girls are more fun than a BoGo sale at Payless! I pondered what to talk about today and since I know this is the place for writers to hang out and hold on until they make that important step to being published (and beyond), I decided I’d go over some of the things I’ve learned in my almost twenty years in this business.

First, life is short. Buy the shoes. I still have the first pair of fancy shoes I bought right after I sold a couple of books. I think I wore those shoes to every Harlequin party for years. I’ve just now retired them. They were black patent Life Strides. And they helped me with my life strides, let me tell you. I wore them out. But this is not about the shoes, my darlings. This is about always putting your best foot forward. This is about putting one foot in front of the other, or in this case, putting your fingers on the keys and writing, or taking up that pen and writing. Keep at it.

Second, don’t look back. Do NOT compare yourself with everyone else. If you do, you’ll start to doubt and this is a writer’s worst enemy. Doubt creeps in each time you read a review that tears your work to shreds. Doubt takes over each time a friend or a writer you don’t even know wins the award you covet or makes it onto a list where your name should be. Don’t give in to doubt and don’t look around and compare yourself to others. Keep your eye on the prize. The prize is to write the best books possible and see them in the bookstores. The ultimate prize is to touch the lives of others with your words.

Which brings me to number three. Cherish your readers. Respect your readers. They might not always agree with you, but always answer their letters, e-mails, facebook posts and notes. Be gracious, even when you are criticized. Use the rule I always gave to my children when they were going out of the house—Be sweet, be smart, be safe. Just be kind, no matter how much you want to lash out. Lashing out will come back to haunt you. Kindness will reflect you in a good light.

Now, number four—Give back as much as you can, but don’t give away yourself. You can’t do it all. You must stop and think—Why am I here? You are here because you want to write books. If everything else is crowding around to the point that writing has become second (in your job area), stop and reconsider saying NO to some things. This doesn’t mean you have to sell off your children and lock your doors to friends. This just means you need to guard the writing. I call this “going underground.” Sometimes you have to push everything out of the way in order to meet the obligation of your craft.

Flower when Lenora made the NYT Bestseller list

And finally, number five. Have fun. Enjoy this gift from God. Make the most of the words your write. Don’t give up. It’s so true that when a door closes, a window opens. Embrace that window and look out into the possibilities of life. I’ve often thought what would happen if I suddenly couldn’t sell another book. I’d be sad. I’d cry and stomp my feet. But I’d survive. I’m so blessed to have this wonderful career where I get to sit in my little room and write books. I don’t take it for granted. But … I have other dreams. I could work in a shoe store or a bookstore. I could become a baker! I have options. This life isn’t over until we go to meet our maker.

So, my darlings, stay strong, shout for joy, embrace life and always wear fabulous shoes.

Now where are those cabana boys? I have gumbo, crawfish and white chocolate bread pudding for everyone. And shoe coupons, of course!!!

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http://www.lenoraworth.com/  

January 2011--Because of Jane

Feb 2011--Body of Evidence (NY Times Bestseller!!! Mass Market Paperbacks)

May 2011--Hometown Sweetheart

Sept 2011--The Doctor's Family