If Your Dreams don't Scare you, they're not Big Enough

 —  Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

"We love Dancehall, the readers love Dancehall." My Editor at the time said. "So give us more of that."

"But I've got lots of other stories I want to tell. I can revisit the crime thriller at a later date." It sounded like I was begging. I think maybe I was.

The editor shook his head.

"Futuristic thrillers don't sell Anton. Lets not get ahead of ourselves. Give us another novel in the same vein and you'll have our full support. If not ..."

He let his words trail away ominously.

I didn't listen and It took me three years before they would publish anything else of mine.

Damn!

When you call the shots, its a beautiful thing. 

I'm the boss of my empire and that means I get to think big and bold. I can't be told my ideas are too outrageous and talked down to on the merits of taking the safe route and that feels good.

My bet is that writers especially, begin thinking big from the outset with thoughts of bestseller lists, book signings and television appearances but quickly you are stripped of that optimism by being told we need to be realistic.

Don't get me wrong and start thinking that I'm an optimistic fool with the idea that every writer can become a James Patterson or Octavia Butler. No, but I do believe a good writer will have a tribe of readers out there in the world, who want to support their work. Outside of writing the best work of fiction you can, finding your tribe is the most important job you have as a self published writer.

So how does thinking big and bossy aid in your search for these elusive fans? The points below should clear up any doubts you may have:

• It jostles you out of your routine and gets you thinking about other possibilities.
• It motivates you to work harder.
• It encourages you to learn new things, so you have the right tools to accomplish your next big goal.
• It makes you a more enthusiastic, positive person.
• It could completely change your life.
• It could result in your dreams actually coming true.
• It’s an adventure.

In today's competitive market, if your not thinking big, you are settling for mediocrity and your voice will be lost in the crowd. Make no doubt about it. Bold and consistent creative action is the only tool. Big and Bossy is the only effective attitude.

It's going to ruffle some feathers but who cares. Your job is to get your message out there without following the crowd. And the only way you can do that is by Thinking Big.

Spread your wings Constant Reader and set your own path and don't let anyone tell you it can't be done.

Peace, Love and Power

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