We celebrate the virtual book tour of Marianne Soucy. Marianne Soucy is a Healing Pet Loss Guide, life coach and the author of “Healing Pet Loss – Practical Steps for Coping & Comforting Messages from Animals and Spirit Guides”. If you wish to learn more about coping with and healing after the loss of an animal companion, check out Marianne’s book on Amazon and see the whole book tour schedule on her website www.HealingPetLoss.com. Enjoy this informative article from Marianne, and be sure to check out her book and her virtual book tour. Her message will warm your heart, and if you’ve ever lost a beloved pet, her book will ease your pain.
Writing From The Heart by Marianne Soucy
I would like to thank Dvorah for hosting this guest blog in connection with my virtual book tour celebrating the launch of my book of Healing Pet Loss – Practical Steps for Coping & Comforting Messages from Animals and Spirit Guides. In this article I will share a few of the lessons I have learned on my journey to become a published author.
Be Authentic
The first key lesson I have learned is to be authentic. There is so much information in the online world, and it is getting more crowded every day – and thus harder to get noticed. And that applies whether you have a website or are writing a book.
In my experience, if you try to “blend in” or do what the others are doing, you are not likely to stand out or be noticed, and furthermore, your heart will not be in it, and your readers will notice if you are not passionate about your subject.
As you strive to be authentic in your writing or in your general online presence, you will most likely discover – as I did – that it takes a lot of courage to dare be who you are in your writing. It is a vulnerable place to be, but it is also a place where you have a chance to really connect with the people who can relate to your message. Doing the internal work is just as important as doing the actual writing.
Solve a Problem
A second approach I have found helpful is to solve a problem people are looking for help with. Ask yourself: “What struggles in my life have I encountered and overcome that I can help other people solve?” We all have a story, and your story can be the foundation for your book. In my case I lost animals that I loved, and my journey through the grief was the basis for my website and my book. Don’t wait till it’s perfect
Another key lesson I have learned is to take action. If you are a perfectionist like me, you might tempted to procrastinate and wait till you have figured it all out and everything is perfect – but that won’t happen! I have discovered that the secret is to simply get started. A blog is a good place to test things out. By putting content out you can test what people respond to and engage with. It might not be what you thought.
Engaging with your ‘audience’ and finding out what their problems, questions and desired outcomes are is such an important part of the process. You adjust as you go along. The trick is to find that spot where you are as much yourself and authentic as you can be, while at the same time speaking directly to and solving the problem that your reader has. On a side note, I have seen the term ‘tribe’ mentioned lately instead of ‘target market’ or ‘audience’. I think tribe might be a better word; it definitely feels like it connects you more with your readers on a human level. The words we use also make a difference as to how we approach situations and people.
I have found that it is an ongoing process – a journey where I evolve not just as a writer but as a human being too.
An Action Step
A tip to get you started writing is to keep a daily journal. One way you can do it is as soon as you wake up to take 10 minutes or so where you write. Make it a habit to schedule time every day so you get used to writing.
Marianne’s Book: Healing Pet Loss: Practical Steps for Coping & Comforting Messages from Animals and Spirit Guides
“Healing Pet Loss – Practical Steps for Coping & Comforting Messages from Animals and Spirit Guides” is written to help heal your heart after the loss of your beloved animal companion. This book offers inspiration, suggestions and techniques for coping with a variety of situations, such, as dying pets, sudden death, guilt and regret, and missing pets. Suggestions are provided to help children with the loss of their pet, and help other household animals who are grieving. Includes advice on getting a new pet after pet loss. The possibility of embracing your pets as your teachers is introduced.
The book is based on the author’s own experience and research combined with many years of spiritual practice. The strategies and insights offered in this book have helped a great number of people who sought help after losing a beloved pet. http://www.HealingPetLoss.com
