I follow a few blogs and many times I find something that I want to post, just because it’s so good. Such is the following, from Joe Konrath’s blog, “A Newbie’s Guide to Publishing.” He’s been writing for several years, first published in 2004 and has published 40 books, most are e-books and many are very successful-meaning they are selling big time. I love his blog. He’s direct, smart and shares his knowledge.
Here’s some of the quotes I want to share and remember myself for when I need a kick in the pants:
Joe Konrath Motivational Quotes
There’s a word for a writer who never gives up… published.
You want the real secret for success? Work your ass off until you succeed, no matter how long it takes.
Ebooks are forever, and forever is a long time.
When you’re learning how to walk, you don’t take classes. You don’t read how-to books. You don’t pay experts to help you, or do it for you. You just keep falling until you learn on your own.
Before you make the key, study the lock.
It’s about what you have to offer, not what you have to sell.
You have a better chance of getting struck by lightning than becoming successful in this biz. But if you really want to get hit by lightning, you can improve your odds.
No one is entitled to anything.
What are the last ten books you bought, and what made you buy them? Use those techniques to sell your books to other people. Do what works on you.
Hard work trumps talent. Persistence trumps inspiration. Humility trumps ego.
Praise is like candy. We love it, but it isn’t good for us. You can only improve by being told what’s wrong.
Your book is your child. You can’t recognize its shortcomings, any more than a proud parent can consider their child dumb and ugly.
The experts don’t know everything, and they might not know what’s right for you.
Fate is a future you didn’t try hard enough to change.
Anyone looking for you can find you. Get them to find you when they’re looking for something else.
Life gives you wonderful opportunities to conquer fears, learn skills, and master techniques. “I can’t” shouldn’t be synonymous with “I don’t want to.”
People seek out two things: information and entertainment. Offer them freely, and they’ll come to you.
Writing is a profession. Act professional.
No one said it would be fair, fun, or easy. But it can be worthwhile.
We’re all in the same boat. Start rowing.
If you can quit, quit. If you can’t quit, stop complaining–this is what you chose.
There are a lot of things that happen beyond your control. Your goals should be within your control.
Just because something is publishable doesn’t mean it will get published. Just because something is published doesn’t mean it will do well.
Write when you can. Finish what your start. Edit what you finish. Self-publish. Repeat.
The most successful people on the planet have one thing in common: nothing can stop them. Don’t expect to reach your goals without sacrificing things that are important to you. You can’t be both happy and ambitious.
Maybe you can’t win. But you sure as hell can try.
Always have two hands reaching out. One, for your next goal. The other, to help people get to where you’re at.
If you can’t be smart or funny, be brief.
If you’re not in love with the sound of your own voice, how can you expect anyone else to ever be?
Knowing you’re not original is the first step in becoming unique.
There’s a word for a self-published writer who never gives up… rich.
alvaradofrazier.com 
Great quotes! Thanks for sharing them. And thanks for sharing so much of what you learn along the way. It's encouraging for those like me who are late bloomers in the writing world! -Ella
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You're most welcomed. I've been writing for close to 3 years (Oct.) now so I also consider myself a late bloomer. That's okay, I've been called a late bloomer for most of my life & I think they have the sweetest fragrance 🙂
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