Author Patrick O'Donnell shares tips on transitioning from a long-term career to being an author, adopting an attitude of service, and building an authentic network. He discusses the therapeutic aspects of writing, the importance of finding mentors, and creating a writer's retreat called Cop Camp. O'Donnell also talks about his involvement in the business of being an author and the challenges of saying no.
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Quick takeaways
Planning and preparation are crucial for transitioning to a second career as an author after retiring from another industry.
Building authentic relationships and offering value to others before seeking mentorship or collaboration opportunities are key to successful networking as an author.
Deep dives
Starting a Second Career as an Author
The speaker emphasizes the importance of planning and preparing for a second career as an author after retiring from another industry. They suggest being proactive in learning about writing and publishing through reading, courses, and networking. The speaker also highlights the need to find mentors and be of service to others in order to build relationships and gain support. They discuss the challenges of starting over and offer advice on managing mindset and expectations.
Networking and Building Relationships
The speaker shares their experience in networking with other authors and industry professionals. They emphasize the importance of being authentic, making meaningful connections, and offering value to others before seeking mentorship or collaboration opportunities. The speaker highlights their connections with Michael Andley and JD Barker, showcasing how relationships were built over time through volunteering, offering support, and genuine interactions.
Navigating Writing Experiences and Personal Memories
The speaker discusses the challenges of writing about personal experiences, particularly when it involves emotional or sensitive topics. They share their experience of writing about divorce and how it served as a therapeutic outlet. The speaker also shares the impact of writing crime fiction and how it brought back memories from their law enforcement career. They emphasize the importance of self-awareness, knowing personal limits, and finding the right balance between writing for entertainment and personal healing.
Organizing and Attending Writer Conferences
The speaker reflects on their experience organizing Copcamp, a conference aimed at writers and law enforcement personnel. They share the benefits of attending such conferences, the importance of networking and making meaningful connections. The speaker offers practical advice for attending conferences, including prioritizing sessions of interest, being flexible, and finding a balance between attending and maintaining personal well-being. They also highlight the value of being involved in organizing such conferences and the learning experiences that come with it.
How can you transition into being an author after a long-term career elsewhere? How can you adopt an attitude of service in order to build your network in an authentic manner? Patrick O'Donnell shares his tips. In the intro, Spotify subscribers in the US now have 15 hours of free audiobook listening [The Verge] — […]