Writerpreneur Extraordinaire: Sunday Showcase with Katie Davis

I was strongly encouraged to get in contact with Katie Davis after having a short email conversation with Chris Brogan regarding my overall goals and aspirations of 2014.

I am constantly thankful I took his advice.

Any writer can benefit drastically with a simple visit to Katie’s website. This is especially true for those who have a desire to write for children, like me. Her brilliant creativity and utilization of various media formats make her a plethora of readily available. She is a more than pertinent resource for anything children’s book related. As an author and illustrator herself, Katie has successfully published 9 books so far and makes monthly appearances on the ABC affiliate show Good Morning Conneticut making book recommendations for children. Her awards in writing are numerous and her fiery drive for children’s literacy is unquestionable. She is not only very well educated and passionate about children’s book writing, but also offers guidance and assistance with author media platforms via one-on-one coaching.

I am very honored and privileged to feature Katie in this week’s Sunday Showcase and I continually learn something new and useful during my weekly visits to Katie’s website and newsletter. I anticipate watching her career grow further and her success grow larger.

I’ve read and heard a lot of importance stressed on the aspect of patience when it comes to writing for children or being an author in general. In your own words and experiences, how important is this facet of writing and is there ever an appropriate time or situation to “give up”?

Patience to write? I’m not sure. Passion, definitely. Patience to hear back from an editor? Oh, yeah. For sure!

As for giving up, that’s a very personal decision. I’ve given up on particular projects, but not on writing as a whole, even when the business beat me up, but I LOVE this business. A project I’ve stood by is this one I started in 2005. I never gave up on it, and believe me, it went through plenty of changes and criticisms. It needed to go through that to find the right home, and it has found EXACTLY the right place and editor for it, thank goodness! It’s a young adult novel called Dancing With the Devil, published spring 2014 by Diversion Books.

If you’re getting the same message from many different people, take that as a sign. What kind of sign is up to you to interpret. Does it mean you need to trash a draft and start all over? Turn a novel into a picture book or visa versa? Or quit the business? Depends on how much you love what you’re doing and how open you are to criticism. The appropriate time to give up is if you don’t love what you’re doing. That’s the sign you should listen to.

 

In your opinion, what is going to happen in the future to children’s book publishing? Or just publishing as a whole? With the current options of self-publishing straight to eBook, do you feel the market will become over populated and saturated with books?

Wait a sec while I get my crystal ball. Oh wait. I don’t have one.

There is no such thing as too many books! Not in my opinion, anyway. There will be, however, too many badly written and badly illustrated independently published children’s books now that anyone can get in the game. I’ve seen plenty already, but that is completely subjective. People don’t want to spend the money to hire a professional editor, copyeditor and designer, as well as an experienced illustrator. If you want to be taken seriously as a professional, you need to produce a professional book.

 

I noticed on your website that you incorporate all sorts of mediums for displaying and relaying information including (but not limited to) podcasts, pictures, videos, and, obviously, typed word. Do you have a favorite? Is it that important to utilize a variety of media as opposed to strictly sticking to one?

Some of the business thought leaders I follow have good things to say about that. “Be everywhere,” says Pat Flynn, and Chris Brogan was just talking about our personal “media empires” and where to build them. I do like to be everywhere because my community, that is, the people who want to hear what I have to say, aren’t in only one place.  There isn’t much overlap — no one is going to read my blog, listen to my podcast, get my newsletter, and watch my videos and see the exact same thing, nor will they probably even do all of those things.

My favorites are video and the podcast. They’re fun and I feel most connected to my community while I’m doing them, and even after, when I get comments and become involved in a dialogue.

 

If you had the ability to transform into any of the characters you’ve created (published or not) who would it be, why would you choose this particular character, and what adventure would you go on as this character?

Easy! Mabel the Tooth Fairy! Because then I could fly!

 

Are you currently living your dream? How do you find continual inspiration to pursue a career in writing? Is there something in particular that you look to accompany you through the peaks and stick by you through the valleys?

I’ve been living the dream ever since I met my husband, Jerry! He’s the one who pushed me to pay attention to my desire to write and illustrate books for children. I was in those tough valleys for a few years, and my business changed. After I won the School Library Trailee award, people started asking me to teach them to make videos. I wasn’t selling any books (to publishers), but I started to teach about video and marketing, and in 2013 launched VideoIdiotBootCamp.com. Now I’m writing, running the course, and coaching other writers, supporting and guiding *their* dreams. How cool is THAT? Now even though editors are buying my work again, I’m not just a writer anymore. I have a business, and I love it. I love coaching AND teaching about how videos can widen a writer’s platform, AND write and illustrate!

 

Where to learn valuable writing advice and how to keep up with Katie’s journey:

Website: http://katiedavis.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KatieDavisBurps

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorkatiedavis

Pintrest: http://www.pinterest.com/katiedavisburps/

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/brainburpsaboutbooks

Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+KatieDavis/posts

Podcast: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/brain-burps-about-books/id385806629?ign-mpt=uo?4

Freeloader

Inside the fridge I put some food,

My roommate looks and yells out “DUDE!”

“Your snacks I used to hide and sneak,

but now you are a huge health freak.”

I looked into his eyes and said,

“I want to eat good food instead.

No longer shall I gobble down junk,

And soon I’ll shed this extra chunk.”

With quick response he said, “No way!”

“This won’t last for more than a day.”

“By 3 o’clock you’ll plop on the couch,

Your back will bend. You’ll slump and slouch.”

“That may be so,” I said with a smirk,

Knowing my plan was going to work.

“My health food kick might make you stop,

“And go to the store to grocery shop.”

The Smallest Steps Climb The Largest Mountains

We all have dreams, desires, and goals that we hope to see become daily realizations within our lifetime. Something beyond the 9-5 workday, hating the morning alarm clock, or wishing things were a little bit different. Housed within each of us is this burning, ferocious desire to be exceptional at the thing we love to do and to have the opportunity to practice that daily. The universal objective for humans is, simply, to wake up with every sunrise and go to sleep with every sunset feeling accomplished and that our purpose in life is being fulfilled.

And yet, we continue about our lives in this safety net of routineness that is causing us to subconsciously be afraid of putting forth any effort required to obtain our dreams. We become terrified and paralyzed at the prospect of ‘process’ and, instead, settle for careers and opportunities that were easy to get and not too difficult to maintain. These jobs are the ones that, believe it or not, will invite feelings of remorse and regret later in life as it slowly drags us to an early grave.

There is a very simple but difficult first step that we must take in order to build our path towards self-defined success. This step:

Action.

Once a deliberate and determinant choice is made to start working on the things we want in life, we will start to take more chances, experiment, and learn what’s necessary to eventually reach our goals. Trust me when I say that the resources readily available to you is more than enough to get started. However, this decision for action also must come with an understanding that success isn’t an overnight transformation. The path is long, arduous, tedious, and testy. But it’s also rewarding, satisfying, fulfilling, and gives your life a much deeper, richer meaning.

Please do not be confused with what ‘action’ entails, for I have read several help blogs and other articles regarding this aspect which encourages people to quit their jobs or cut out aspects of life that are weighing heavy on time commitment. While this may be true for some and they can afford it, this is not the case for all. Though it is crucial to work at your dream every day (I have to repeat: every day), it’s also critical to continue living and have the financial ability to support your dream as you build and form it over time. Not much in this world can be done for free.

Frankly, success and triumph starts with the baby steps, the tiny bites, and the minute details. Once you begin there, get the ball rolling, and see minor progressions in the form of output, feedback, or encouragement, bigger steps become easier to take and your dream becomes clearer each day. Stay determined and realize that what you want in this life is entirely attainable if you are willing to take immediate action.

“Action expresses priorities.”

Gandhi 

Defining The Word ‘Comfortable’

Comfort is one of the most fulfilling and reassuring feelings a human can have. It invites serene pleasure, induces euphoric relaxedness, and has the ability to completely chase our worries away. It’s a cold microbrew at the end of a long day, a favorite cookie that mom makes during the holidays, or that gigantic bowl of macaroni and cheese after a terrible breakup.

Now let’s do an about face.

Comfort is one of the most volatile and discouraging feelings a human can have.  It invites complacent behavior, induces satisfaction in being personally lackluster, and has the ability to completely chase our dreams away. It’s living only for Saturday and Sunday week after week, not holding ourselves to a higher standard, or expecting that everything we’ve ever wanted will just magically fall into our laps.

As we can see, comfort can be many things.

When we really think about it, comfort needs to be tactfully and strategically placed in order to eventually become our best. If we over indulge on comfort we will become content, or at least keep convincing ourselves that the job we hate 5 days of the week is ‘the best that we can do.’ If we under indulge on comfort, we will become workaholics, stress freaks, and, eventually, this tendency may result in little to no friendship or companionship.

Just like many other aspects in life, balance here is crucial.

We NEED to make ourselves on uncomfortable on a day-to-day basis in order to move past our comfort zones and safety nets, in order to discard the life we loathe but are afraid to change. It’s about understanding that without this discomfort, it will be difficult to bring the life we dream of in our heads to reality.

If mental barriers hadn’t been broken in mankind’s history, technological advancement would be a foreign concept to all. Without challenging comfort zones, sports records would never be set or broken; without striving to be better, breakthrough performances in movies would be nonexistent; New York Times selling books would never be written; difficulties of socioeconomic constraint would never be questioned or tested; relationships with friends and family would be cookie cutter, mundane, and painfully tedious. The list is endless, my friends.

It is essential that we allot time to revel in our successes and find comfort in a job well done. However, it is critical that we must always expect better in our subsequent performances or else we will we not expand. If we refuse, we will never grow as a result of not making attempts get better or refine our skills each and every day. Until we challenge ourselves to examine and assess the boundaries of our own individual comfort zones, we will forever remain in the cozy box that was built for us when the ultimate goal in life is to build our own.

 

“If you are not willing to risk, you cannot grow…

…if you cannot grow, you cannot become your best…

…if you cannot become your best, you cannot be happy… 

And if you cannot be happy, then what else is there?”

Les Brown

The Expectations of a Caterpillar

She shook with excitement and anticipation,

The process was a weird but fun sensation.

Her hands twiddled and her fingers were spry,

For in the morning she’d be a big butterfly.

 .

She spun her soft silk with skillful success,

As time flew by with very little stress.

Her face was cemented in a permanent grin,

As she sealed the top and shut herself in.

 .

She waited patiently for metamorphic change,

And said aloud, “wow, these changes are strange.”

The very next day around a quarter to noon,

She began to emerge from her cozy cocoon.

 .

She wiggled and giggled and finally broke free,

And landed ker-plop on the branch of a tree.

She looked on her back and found no wings,

With tones of frustration she said, “This stings”.

 .

She felt depressed and sulked down the trunk,

And pouted all day in a mean sluggish funk.

She said, “Why can’t I just be like the rest?”

“Is this some sort of cruel, meaningful test?”

.

Suddenly, a black beetle bumped into her back,

Apologetic, he explained, “I’m a bit off track.”

“That makes two of us in the wrong place.”

“Explain, little caterpillar. Why the long face?”

.

“I’m supposed to be soaring free and alive,”

“But my colorful wings, they never arrived.”

“I see…I see”, the big black beetle pondered,

“But this opportunity you haven’t yet squandered.”

.

She was confused, “Oh, what do you mean?”

He explained, “It’s all in your mental routine,”

“Another cocoon you shall carefully weave,”

“Only this time around, you have to believe.”

.

She trusted him and didn’t quite know why,

But she’d try anything if it got her to fly.

So she quickly worked with skill and precision,

And as time went on, trusted in her decision.

 .

The hours progressed as slowly as before,

But now there were feelings she couldn’t ignore.

Her faith was strong, tough, and steady,

“The time has come. I know I’m ready.”

 .

She poked her head out but was very uneasy,

Butterflies in her stomach, she felt a bit queasy.

She began letting go as a warm breeze blew,

And opened both wings and away she flew.

.

A feeling she’d hoped for and waited so long,

Her confidence increased. Her faith, twice as strong.

She glanced to the ground and wouldn’t ya know,

The black beetle muttered, “I told you so.”

 .

 

 

Slow Jammin’: Sunday Showcase with Emily Berkey

From the first time I met Emily, I could immediately tell she was a tenacious go-getter and avid dreamer with a good sense of humor and unsullied work ethic. Boy, did my first impression ever prove me right. Her unfailing drive has propelled her to success in many aspects of life. Of which, her music/talk show Sunday Night Slow Jams on Oregon State Universities student ran radio – 88.7 KBVR FM was well received by the student body as well as the Corvallis community. In turn, she created various opportunities to interview several highly renowned hip hop artists including, but not limited to, IAMSU, SpaceGhostPurp, Too Short, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, and Flying Lotus. She continues to greatly excel in anything, and everything, she puts her efforts towards. Her largest aspirations include making a sustainable and long lasting impact on the hip hop community as well as being a respectful, classy, and empowering figure for women in media.

I had the fortunate pleasure of interviewing Ms. Berkey and I hope her passion radiates through her words on paper as much as it does in real life. Enjoy.

What steps do you take to find, seek out, and approach the people you want to interview?

I used to go to the shows, finagle my way back stage, and then ask the manager about doing an interview. Now, I send out an email or two and just wait for a response. It can be difficult to find the right email address and track down the right people to contact, but it’s doable.

 

I’ve been reading a lot of information about asking “bad questions”, is this something that you are aware of or believe exists? If so, how do you go about asking “good questions” while in an interview?

I definitely believe that some questions are better than others. When I first began interviewing I asked more surface level questions, which made for a pretty boring interview. Now, I like to read past interviews that the artist has done because it not only gives me a better idea of who the artist is, but it also allows me to see what questions they’ve already been asked so I don’t ask redundant questions.

 

How do you feel your personal aspirations as a journalist collide or coincide with that of the industry? Do you view it as more of strength or a roadblock?

In the beginning, I viewed it as a roadblock. Now, I am able to see that having values that differ from the “norm” in this industry is a strength and it allows me to stand out. Although it would be easy for me to write sensational pieces and to just focus on the risqué part of the interviews I’ve done, I wholeheartedly believe in sharing an artist’s story in an unbiased way. While this may cause fewer readers to see my pieces, and fewer outlets to pick up my work, I don’t worry about that for a second. I am, and want to continue to be, someone that the artist can come to in order to set their story straight. Although going about it in this manner may be a roadblock, it’s only a roadblock for avenues I don’t want to go down.

 

You have the power to interview one person in this entire world, dead or live, who would it be, why would you choose them, and what impact do you believe this person had or currently has on the world?

I would interview my great aunt Sissy. She had a radio show in a small town in Oregon for over 45 years. She interviewed people from all walks of life and did so from a seasoned perspective. When I was four she let me talk on the air with her, which was my first radio appearance. She was a spitfire and loved what she did. I was young when she passed away, but I feel like I’ve inherited a lot of traits from her. I didn’t realize how similar she and were until I began doing my radio show at Oregon State and one of my family members brought it up. Id love to be able to pick her brain one last time.

 

Where do you believe you will be in five years? What steps personally are you willing to share that you know will push you towards that success?

I’d love to have my own TV show within the next five years. I want to be able to show where artists are from (did they really start from the bottom?) and what they’ve experienced. I think it’s definitely possible, even though some people think I’m dreaming. I plan to speak it into existence and make sure I spend my time doing things that will send me in that direction.

 

I feel that based on your Twitter, Instagram, and other social handles, people know you are a person with a lot of passion, drive, and high moral fiber, where do you find your inspiration and how do you maintain this upbeat attitude?

When I was younger I was awkward and didn’t feel like I fit in at all. It’s awesome to now be in a position where I can reach out and speak to the people out there that feel the way I used to. I’m really driven by the chance to make a positive impact on people’s lives, so it’s not hard to maintain a positive attitude. No one likes seeing people rant, complain, or talk bad about someone online, so it’s pretty easy to avoid that. Besides, complaining about someone never earned anyone respect. I’m inspired when I hear people tell me that I’ve helped them… Seeing change happen in a positive way really motivates me.

 

Keep up with the life and dreams of Emily Berkey:

Twitter: @emily_berkey

Instagram: @emily_berkey

YouTube: www.youtube.com/emilyinterviews

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Sure, I’m not too vibrant,

Like apples in the fall,

Nor the color of lust,

I will still stand tall.

 _

Sure, I’m not too vivacious,

Like Florida’s juicy spheres,

Though these fade in winter,

I will remain all year.

 _

Sure, I’m not too luminescent,

Like that circle in space,

It may disappear at night,

I will stay in place.

 _

Sure, I’m not too luscious,

Like soft, knee high grass,

It may be politely passive,

I will be bitterly crass.

 _

Sure, I’m not too inviting,

Like a sudsy ocean wave,

It may be unpredictable,

I will misbehave.

 _

Sure, I’m not too lavish,

Like a plum in midday spring,

It will attempt to let go,

I will always cling.  

 _

So heed this playful warning,

Before you hit the sack,

I am all of this combined,

For I am the color BLACK.

Throwing Gasoline on the Fire

The history of mankind is sprinkled with stories of discouraging failures that blossomed into triumphant successes. The scummies rags that transformed into the silkiest riches. The blackest of coal being pressed into the purest diamond. Tales of people being told no to their dreams, that they weren’t talented enough, or they would be better off just giving up and never trying again. Be it the basketball player’s flattened behind from riding the bench his entire senior year. Be it the pieces of sketch paper raining to the ground as an artist watches his drawing get ripped to shreds by his professor. Be it to the writer’s tears that patter on the 30^th rejection letter from a publication house.   We will all face failure and disappointment at some point in our lives. Unfortunately, it’s an undeniable fact of life and a crucial component to the complete human life experience.

However, you are capable of moving past this and there are two crucial components in every story of someone who overcomes adversity, famous or not.

The first commonality is he or she was told at some point that their dream or goal is unreachable, unattainable, or impossible to get to. There was a voice in their head that popped up when times got hard or when the road was a little rigid and bumpy. Or there was someone physically screaming in their ear, not hesitating to inform them of how worthless they thought they should feel about themselves.

The second, and most essential, part of the equation for successfully of overcoming hardships is they refused to listen when told negative things by others. Simply, they didn’t let the thoughts and words of one person or several people impede their path, turn them around, or become the determining factor in their pursuit of overall happiness. Through the utilization of strong personal fortitude and a burning desire to succeed, they were able to push far beyond anyone and everyone who ever doubted them or told them they couldn’t do something.

The empowering fact of this life is: you have the right and the aptitude to do this same exact thing and be just as phenomenal as these other people, if not more so. The Michael Jordan’s, the Will Smith’s, the Oprah Winfrey’s, the Abraham Lincoln’s, the Lemony Snicket’s. All of these great people had to move past others who tried to stifle their abilities, tone down their greatness, or convince them they weren’t extraordinary. Anybody you want to become and anything you want to accomplish is completely and entirely within reach.  Take the negativity and insecurity that other people project towards you and use it as metaphorical gasoline to throw on top of the ferocious fire building inside of you representing the undying desire to thrive and live your dream.

You can do it. I know you can. Believe in yourself and others will, too.

Here is a short list of some of the most famed visionaries, inventors, and role models looked up to today and the toughest battles they had to overcome (and there is plenty more you can research that is not listed here if you require further proof). Trust in your heart of hearts and have confidence that if these people were able to overcome such adversity, you are capable of doing the same…

…and much, much more.

Name	Shortcoming	Result
Socrates	People called him an “immoral corruptor of the youth” and he was sentenced to death	Kept teaching until he was forced to poison himself. Debatably one of the greatest philosophers of all time
Thomas Edison	Was told by teachers he was “too stupid to learn anything”; 1,000 unsuccessful attempts before he made the light bulb	Invented countless things we still use today and even his shortcomings lead to innovations that still impact the world today
Jerry Seinfeld	Was terrified of audiences and normally experienced severe stage fright. He was often booed and jeered off stage by audiences.	An essential ‘king of laughter’ and the lead role in, debatably, the best comedic sitcom in television history
Charlie Chaplin	Rejected by countless Hollywood chiefs and executives because he was “too nonsensical for television or film”	He is known, debatably, as one of the most iconic and revolutionary film stars in the history of modern cinema.
Theodor (Dr.) Seuss Giesel	His first book “To Think I Saw It on Mulberry Street” was rejected 27 times by different publishers.	I have yet to meet someone who doesn’t know of Dr. Seuss and his work. His accomplishments and notoriety speak for themselves.

Creating Imaginary Competitors

A common theory states that there is always somebody who shares the same desires and dreams that is working harder than at this very moment. That if you aren’t willing to put in the time and effort every day then someone else will and, if fate were to bring you together, they will beat you, be better than you, and go farther than you in respect to that particular goal.

Although I firmly believe that success and accomplishment should be determined individually and not at the standards of someone else, I think this theory can be exploited for vast personal advancement.

How?

By dreaming up nonexistent competitors. Imaginary creatures strategically placed in your brain to push you beyond the pain, uncertainty, and hardships that come with chasing any dream. By convincing the mind that these people are out there working their butts off will result in increased determination and more self-reliance, especially in the darkest times with the heaviest self doubt.

Let’s use the example of someone who wants to become a professional boxer. Say he or she trains day after day, week after week, month after month gearing up for his or her debut fight. They challenge themselves each day through grueling early morning workouts and training sessions, through a proper and strict diet, and through constant mental, emotional, and physical strain. Even if they don’t physically see or are consciously aware of who exactly they are going to fight, they acknowledge they exist and utilize it in a persistent effort to better their craft each and every day.

Please don’t be confused; I am not encouraging you to treat those who strive towards the same goals poorly if you were confronted with them. In my personal experiences, my skills have only been bettered by surrounding myself with driven and likeminded people who have similar goals as I.

Bouts of real competition normally result in either a win or a loss. In both directions, this is only a momentary feeling of either accomplishment or failure. While the succulent taste of victory is cherished and highly sought after, holding on too tight to satisfaction can sometimes result in crippling your own ability to progress and grow. On the flip side, a loss can sting for days, weeks, sometimes even years. It encourages you to either pick yourself up and keep going or completely fold under the pressure of heartbreak or rejection.

The best way to cope with both: pretend, imagine, and convince yourself that someone out there badly wants your title, wants to be better than you, and wants to take what you so rightfully earned. Chances are high that, even if you don’t know whom specifically, that they are out there.

Create these imaginary competitors and invite them into your life.  It will result in an increased ability to shun complacency and reassure the faith you should have in your own talents.

“If there is no enemy within, the one without can do you no harm.”

-African Proverb

Getting Back Up

In a field blanketed in dandelions, two coyotes galloped, pranced, and laughed all day together. As the sun beat down on their brown spotted heads, the wafting aroma of turned up grass and the sound of leaves crunching beneath their paws was the perfect combination for a mid-fall afternoon trance.  Tumbling end over end and using the soft brown dirt for cushioning, they came across a large tree resting horizontally on the ground and blocking their path.

“I bet you can’t jump over that”, one coyote challenged the other, “it’s much too large and you’re far too small”.

“Yeah! Sure! I’ll give it a try”, replied the other coyote energetically, “but only if you try with me”.

So together, at the count of three, they raced side by side as fast as they could towards the tree’s massive trunk. Approaching it quickly, they jumped full force into the air with unbreakable confidence, like an eagle skillfully weaving between clouds.

This floating sensation only lasted momentarily as gravity’s opposition brought them quickly back down to earth. With a loud and hard thud, both of the coyotes smacked against the trunk and lay flattened on the ground like a couple of chocolate chip pancakes.

They rose to all fours, dusted each other off, and courageously kept trying. Over and over again the coyotes repeated same process as they tactfully harassed all their might before attempting to leap to the other side. Over and over again they produced the same result: failure.

Fed up and discouraged, one of the coyotes started walking away and mumbled angrily, “this is stupid anyway. I don’t even want to go to the other side. Why did we even try to?”

After a brief moment of silence, it turned back to find the other coyote is nowhere in sight. It went missing. Where did it go?

Suddenly, it triumphantly soared back from the other side of the trunk, grinning happily from his hard earned success and perseverance.

The coyote that gave up was awestruck and asked the other with curious excitement, “How did you manage to do that after we each tried so many times unsuccessfully?”

He calmly responded:

“When you want something bad enough, you’ll keep trying no matter how many times you get knocked on your back. And if you keep trying, you’re bound to succeed eventually.”