In middle school, I dreamed of becoming a forensic psychologist. My life plan consisted of analyzing crime scenes, profiling serial criminals, helping the field officers capture them, and writing books about the cases. A few other career fields were explored that involved helping people and using my analytical skills. Every career involved the ability to write books about the work.  Writing books has always been part of my professional goals. Somewhere along the way, I forgot how in my childhood plans and dreams, I worked in a professional manner and wrote books. Working full-time frees me to be the author I’ve always wanted to be, the author from my childhood plans and dreams.

There are factions of the writing world who consider anything more than writing what you’re passionate about for a living as being a sellout. I’ve read blog posts and comments on popular writing blogs insinuating your worth as an author somehow being determined by making your living as an author. Members of writing groups spent untold hours regaling the importance of being able to live from their author earnings.

Mind you, I didn’t have these aspirations. When I started writing, I simply wanted to have my book published and read by readers. Rejoining the workforce as an entrepreneur or intrapreneur (aka employee) filled my thoughts as much as my books. Publishing my books at the beginning of the eBook era offered me an unprecedented opportunity to be discovered without the elusive agent or now disappearing traditional publisher.

Being surrounded by career women who wanted to do nothing but write I questioned my motives. Why wasn’t being an author enough for me? The truth is my original career paths were just that, just for me. While the women in my writing groups yearned to write full time I yearned to be what I’d always imagined… a professional career woman AND AUTHOR.

The interesting part of my journey to AND AUTHOR is I discovered my ability to help people launch businesses and for brand communications because of self-publishing my books. Researching how to be an indie author the importance of having a “marketing” plan appeared on every platform. Other authors hated the “marketing” phase of the book. I loved the entire process from creating fictional worlds to building websites. Every part of being an author appealed to me.

Over the years, how much I enjoyed doing brand communications became as well known with authors as my books with readers. Publishing my own books led to freelance communications work and returning to college. The second year of returning to school I found freedom from the “full-time author” lie I traded for my truth. Nothing is wrong with being a full-time author, it’s just not the right choice for me. Continuing to build websites, taking on clients as a freelancer while finishing my undergraduate degree, and realizing how many of my professional skills lined up with being a technical communicator I made the decision to be what I’d always envisioned for myself. A college-educated professional career woman AND AUTHOR.

Working in integrated marketing communications I’m exposed to countless communication practices. While completing my undergraduate studies I received a certificate in Marketing. For the most part marketing in and of itself isn’t “bad” however the classes on manipulating human behavior to influence buying decisions turned my stomach. While I’m happy to ethically utilize the information for employers and clients I don’t implement those practices in how I execute my brand’s image and communications. Having a full-time job gives me the option to make the decision not to use traditional widely adopted and manipulative marketing practices that I don’t want to use for my books (and freelance services).

Am I versed in content marketing, product life cycles, customer journeys, and marketing funnels? Absolutely. Do I execute them well for employers and clients? Yep. Have I tested these strategies, considered them for my book business? Yes. Did I like it? No. So I stopped. I don’t have customers, fans, followers, or prospects for my books. If you’ve read one of my books (blogs, apps… etc), I’m humbled you took time to engage with something I created and you’re a reader. Referring to readers as anything other than readers or human is off-brand for me.

To stay engaged and connect in an authentic way with readers I’ve taken the road not oft traveled. Free content on my website will be just that… free. Your email is of no interest to me unless you’re purchasing something for me to send you a receipt. Loss leader freemail deals are a dime a dozen. When you find me in an eBook marketplace, on Pinterest, or as a referral from a friend I trust your ability to know what you want to buy. I respect authors who decide to use the more traditional marketing systems and processes to help readers discover them, the tactics and strategies just aren’t for me.

Able to Be More Creative as an AND AUTHOR

Creativity Flows Better When My Bills are Paid