Publishing is a relationship builder. In April this year, I got a contact request via LinkedIn. With it came a note. ‘Enjoyed your article on being worthy to write a book, Kath. I’d like to connect.’ Done. I thanked Mike (it’s his real name) for the feedback and asked him to let me know if I could help in any way.
In August, Mike came back to me: ‘Hi Kath, ‘I “may” write a book, let’s have a chat on the phone.’
I’m feeling fantastic. Now. Half an hour ago, I was feeling the weight of the world upon me. Feeling ‘not good enough’ is a physical feeling as well as an emotional one. My skin zings with an uncomfortable sensitivity, and my nerves jolt me when I least expect it: whenever I relax.
Feeling fantastic is physical too. My shoulders relax, and my spine straightens. I smile to myself and at others. I take deep, satisfying breaths.
As a journalist, I became a finishing expert. I wrote and published about 80,000 words a year. At first, finishing a story was a huge challenge. It took me a whole day to write 700 words and more time to do the interviewing and research. I just couldn’t say goodbye to a story until I thought it was perfect.
Have you ever said ‘Good morning’ to someone who didn’t respond? It’s an unsettling feeling of sorrow, even indignance when a generous, warmly-intended communiqué is ignored. There’s a parallel on our content marketing program: if we put time and effort into creating our content, and sending out our e-newsletters, what happens if we get little or no response?
I was at a memorial yesterday (goodbye, dear Jacqui), watching projected photos of my friend’s life, and listening to stories about her. We laughed a lot and felt our hearts crack open, as each of the speakers described Jacqui in all her specialness. And I was struck by the effortlessness with which each of us can craft a powerful story when it really matters.