From time to time in this space, Balboa Press publishes articles written by our authors in which they share some aspect of their self-publishing journeys. These are the words of Bob Miles, author of “Mary’s Majestic Guitar”, a professional musician from an early age and Grammy winner. Bob is also the host and creator of “Miles of Music,” a celebrity driven television series. For more information about Bob, check out his website. Download the Balboa Press free publishing guide to receive more information on self-publishing your book with Balboa Press.
Mary’s Majestic Guitar is a story about betrayal and suspense with the blessed virgin mother Mary at its core. A Chinese baby is given up for adoption under Chairman Mao’s one-child policy. The baby is adopted by an American family, only to discover that as she grows up, she is to gain fame as a guitar prodigy. The biological mother of the child eventually comes to America, finds her daughter, and attempts to kidnap her. With the virgin Mary’s intercession, the girl ends up with her adoptive family. In the end, the American family moves their daughter’s entire biological family over from China to live with them.
Becoming an author is the ultimate mindful experience. To reach your full potential and be the best writer you know you can be, you need to lose yourself in the moment and become childlike again. Remember when you were a child, how you could tune everything out and live in the present moment? You would lose yourself totally in your experience and let that moment become one with you. By losing you in your writing, you will write from the heart to become a five-star author, getting five-star reviews.
How may I accomplish this as a grown, mature person you ask? Well, a time tested technique is by listening to music as you write. True, listening to music will help you to better focus so you can give your complete attention to your writing and not be sidetracked. First, pick the style/genre that gives you goose bumps and makes your blood flow. For some, it may be classical composers or the renaissance era. Maybe it is smooth jazz or Charlie Parker style be-bop for you? Others may listen to “Ramones” style punk or classic rock from the “Stones” to “Led Zeppelin.” Simply, just find your style.
Once you decide what music you are going to listen to, do the following:
- Go to youtuberepeater.com. This is the same as www.youtube.com. However, this site takes whatever song you pick and loops it continuously until you stop it. It’s also free.
- I suggest looking for the instrumental version of your song you wish to listen to. There is always an instrumental version available of any song. Why the instrumental version? Because you do not want the lyrics distracting your thoughts. For example, if the song is, “The Impossible Dream,” type in: “The Impossible Dream Instrumental.” It should pop up. If by chance you do not find an instrumental version, then play the version with the lyrics.
- Put a good quality set of headphones on and keep the volume low. This way you will not be distracted, but pleasantly stimulated by a song that you are familiar with.
- Start writing. You will be shocked at how long you can write and how any writer’s block will dissolve away.
There is study after study that listening to background music helps make you a calmer and more focused person. The more focused you are, the more you are in the present moment. The more in the present moment you find yourself in, the higher your creativity becomes. Ultimately you are writing better prose.
I chose to self-publish with Balboa Press because although I had been with two other self publishers, Balboa Press is the best in reputation, cost and overall satisfaction.
Balboa Press truly comes through with their promises and sincerely cares about their authors and their author’s dreams!
Balboa Press authors who’d like to share a 350-600 word experience related to the self-publishing of their books, are invited to do so by sending a message through our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BalboaPress, by tweeting us @BalboaPress, or by emailing dghosh@ balboapress.com. We may not be able to use every story, but we will read and consider them. Balboa Press reserves the right to edit stories for content, grammar and punctuation accuracy; as well as for space.