What is holding you back from living your dream?

Fear is such a funny thing.  I never thought that I was particularly fearful of success and I was certain that I possessed a talent that could take me far.  I have had opportunities open before me...opportunities that I will always be grateful for.  So I ask myself from time to time, what is it that holds me back from really grasping the brass ring?

And then I began to think of something that used to cross my mind from time to time.  I wondered why some people that belonged to certain ethnicity's seem to target certain businesses and excel at them.  I wondered why African Americans don't do the same thing.  Why couldn't we own a franchise and turn it into our own empire the way that some other races of people seem to do?

We know that as a race , African Americans have been at the very top of the list of people that have experienced true disenfranchisement.  We know that we have been trying to survive the best way that we can, sometimes by any means necessary.  We also know that times have gotten better, but we still have to fight twice as hard to get ahead.

But with everything that I have done, all of the achievements that I have accomplished, I still think that what is hard-wired in my brain is to take the easy way out...not applying myself to the fullest extent.

I wonder what stops most of us from reaching out and grasping the brass ring.  Is it fear of failure?  Is it something more than than that?  Do we believe the inner voice that tells us that we cannot and should not reach out for financial success?  I'm not talking about the millions of authors out there who have already taken the leap of faith and wrote their books or started their business...I'm talking about the trillions of people who don't even bother.  What is holding you back?  What are you afraid of?  Do you think that you can't do it or that you will fail?

Do you think that people won't have your back or will only be there for you when the money comes rolling in?  I want you to think about this for a moment.  If you have a dream, what would be the very first thing that you would do to accomplish it?

Would you write down your plan?  Would you talk about it with friends and family?  Would you spend some quiet time telling yourself that you can do it?  What would you do?  After all, a journey begins with that first step.

~ J.L. Whitehead

First review of "Bruthas - The Final Chapter" as posted on Amazon

 I received my first review of "Bruthas - The Final Chapter" since it was released a few weeks ago on Amazon.

5.0 out of 5 stars Exceptional!! October 18, 2013
By Mikki
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I gave this book five stars, this second book had a few errors but not as many as the first book. I enjoyed how the author rounded out the plot with a diverse selection of character's. I'm a family person and its always good to read about other family's, whether they are everyday people with a few of life's struggles or all out dysfunctional. Can't wait to read more from this author.

This is one of the reasons why I write!!



http://www.amazon.com/Bruthas-Final-Chapter-Part-Series-ebook/product-reviews/B00F1G8RKS/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

~ J.L. Whitehead

After re-writes and publication error's, this part of the journey is complete!

It was challenging.  First, writing the original story and then going through the editing process.  Losing money, having friendships tainted and then doing more re-writes.

The process was maddening but now that it's over, I realized looking back over the few years it took me to get to this point that I wouldn't have changed it for the world.  It was worth it.

The next few months are going to be spent writing more books and meeting writers face to face.  Writing for CNN's iReport has been an amazing journey in and of itself, and it is the perfect platform to showcase my work as well as the works of other authors.  And let's not forget my column on "The Examiner."

I still believe in paying it forward.  That, perhaps is hardwired into my DNA.  But I cannot take the focus off of myself.  I have too many books to write and so many stories to tell.  There are messages of encouragement nestled within my story lines...messages that need to be spread.

As a Crime Drama author, I find that placing myself into this niche will ultimately work for me.  There's a big world out there and I want to experience as much of it as I can.

In the meantime, with "Bruthas - The Final Chapter" completed, I hope that you take a moment to download a copy and find out who the real killer is that is stalking "The Block."  I hope that you rejoice with The Whitfield's in all of their triumphs, remark on their faith and shed a tear in their times of sadness.

http://www.amazon.com/Bruthas-Final-Chapter-Series-ebook/dp/B00F1G8RKS/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1380116441&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=bruthas+by+jl+whitehead

In the meantime, thank you all who have taken the time to stop here at The Writer's Megaphone and spent just a little bit of time with me!

~ J.L. Whitehead

Finding the time to write for yourself!

I've been working lately on a few projects...but admittedly, my heart hasn't been into them as much as I would like.  It's not that I don't like writing, reading or editing.  It's not that at all.  It's just that in this world, paying it forward is probably the hardest thing to do when you get nothing in return for it.  Most times, you won't even get a 'thank you.'  I think I wrote about that once.

That isn't what gets me down exclusively.  Like anything, when you give and people take, they will often take like dipping a bucket of water into a well...but like any well, if it isn't replenished, it runs dry.

Writing is my life.  It always has been, but finding the time to write for my own enjoyment has proven to be problematic.  So what do you do?  You try to find the time, but the when you work full time and try to keep your work/business life in proper balance with your home life, you wind up prioritizing and oftentimes, it's yourself that you may put on the backburner.

I'm still learning to adjust to what I want versus what I'm settling for.  Sometimes, I wonder how much I love writing for me.  I ask myself that question from time to time.  And the only answer I can give myself is "Yes, I do love writing for me.  I love it a great deal."

"But maybe...not enough."

~ J.L. Whitehead

Article written on The Examiner

How much do our emotions come into play with the Martin/Zimmerman Trial?

Do you believe this image?

Emotions don’t know logic.  It only knows feelings and at times those feelings can become so intense that it overwhelms all of the other senses combined.  As I read the article regarding the inadmissibility of the testimony given by experts that would conclude who was heard screaming on the 911 tapes in the Trayvon Martin murder trial, all I could do was sadly shake my head.  But it’s not for the reason that you think.

Or this one?

I knew that this was going to be a highly charged case when it came to trial.  I knew that the sensationalism surrounding this case would drive wedges between the races as cases like this has a tendency to do.  And as I read the comments of the people that were weighing in thus far, once again, I couldn’t help but shake my head in sadness.

Do you believe this image?

We would be having a completely different conversation if George Zimmerman had been black or Trayvon Martin had been white.  If this had been a black on black crime or a white on white crime, emotions wouldn’t be nearly as high.  Perhaps the comments that I had read wouldn’t have been as derogatory.

Or this one?

And as I read the comments, one thing became crystal clear.  It almost seemed as if people weren’t necessarily defending Trayvon Martin or George Zimmerman as much as they were defending their own race.  At least it reads that way from where I am sitting.

I am sure that on some rudimentary level, black people are tired of having their men and boys portrayed as thugs just as much as white people are tired of hearing how much they have discriminated against the black race.

To read the article in its entirety, click on the link below:

 http://www.examiner.com/article/how-much-do-our-emotions-come-into-play-with-the-zimmerman-martin-trial?no_cache=1372097382

~ J.L. Whitehead 

Article written on "The Examiner" How to cope with a bad boss?

They say that hindsight is 20/20; that perhaps the clearest view of a situation or circumstance is when you are no longer in it.  I suppose, in many ways that is correct because when you are in a situation that is disconcerting or upsetting to you, your emotions have a tendency to amplify whatever the  particular negatives of what the experience may be.

Over the course of my lifetime, I’ve held my fair share of jobs and left the majority of them on my own my terms.  I’ve come to realize that every situation is different as is the associated personalities that accompany them.  I’ve experienced both good and bad bosses; and I am happy to say that the good experiences outweigh the bad by far.  However, with that being said, it is the bad experiences that we have a tendency to remember first when you make your trip back through your employment memory lane.  You may wonder what you could have done differently if you felt that you had no choice but to submit a letter of resignation.  And if indeed this is the case, the answer is nothing.  On the other hand, if you left because you absolutely hated the job itself, the company or your immediate supervisor, there are things that you may want to consider before you schedule yourself for your exit interview.

Recently, I left a job because of a bad boss.  It wasn’t the job, the company or the people I worked with.  It was my boss, plain and simple.  But looking back at the situation, I realize the mistakes I made and vow not to make them in my new position.  Here are some of the pitfalls that placed me in a bad light and could possibly help you if you find yourself in the unfortunate position of not being a valued employee in your supervisor’s eyes.

1.      Do the job expected of you.  It sounds simple enough, but it may be challenging if you’ve gone through a detailed training period and then find yourself thrust into a chaotic environment.  A training class scenario is theory.  The job itself is the actuality.  Sometimes theory and actuality are close, and sometimes they are as different as night and day.  A good boss will know this and will make attempts to guide you through the difficult period as much as they are humanly able.  A bad boss will expect you to get the work done and will not want to hear about issues that may prevent you from doing the job to the best of your ability.

To read the article in it's entirety, click on the link below:

http://www.examiner.com/article/how-to-cope-with-a-bad-boss

~ J.L. Whitehead

Do people still believe in organized religion?

Article written by me for The Examiner

At any given time on a Sunday, you can find me in my bedroom filling out a journal that I’ve been keeping for years.  Nestled within the pages of the journal are details of my struggles, notes of gratitude, people that I pray for and questions that I present to the almighty. I got the idea from the character of Celie in Alice Walker’s The Color Purple, a novel that I read and enjoyed immensely years ago.  I do this in addition to the quiet moments that I share with God in prayer, whether it is on my knees beside the bed, in my car on my way to work or bowing my head before whatever meal I’m getting ready to consume.

There was a time when I rejoiced in church, taking great pleasure in raising my voice in song while seated with other choir members, attending church functions, having much needed heart to heart talks with church leadership to obtain spiritual guidance and overall just enjoying the camaraderie of people that believed and worshiped just like me.

Without going into the specifics of why, I found myself in the position of leaving the church.  I left with a broken heart and a new found perspective of what organized religion truly meant.  I tried to find another church to hopefully replace the one that I had lost, and after several years of searching, I realized that there wouldn’t be another church…at least in my immediate future.  I had lost my belief in organized religion as I knew it, but not in God as I understood Him/Her.

One of the things that became crystal clear to me is that in the midst of scandals and perhaps faith misplaced, people were looking for a way to get to God and enjoy a deeper, spiritual relationship with Him/Her.  For years, that meant going to church, listening to the much needed sermons, paying your tithes and with that hopefully, you came away with a better way to live your life.

Read this article in it's entirety by clicking the link below!

http://www.examiner.com/article/do-people-still-believe-organized-religion

~ J.L. Whitehead 

Don't expect a "thank you"

We all know that the literary industry is saturated with people that are driven by their own egos and nothing more.  We know that with some people, authors in particular, the conversation will come to a dead halt the moment that you mention a topic that doesn't revolve around their work.

That is a given.

And depending on what services that you provide, you may receive nothing in return once they are given.  That may leave you with bitter feelings wondering why you provided the service in the first place.  It makes it even worse when you were supposed to be paid for those services and didn't get a dime.

I've adopted the attitude of "lessons learned" when it comes to business dealings.  If you burn me once, shame on me for putting trust where trust wasn't truly earned.  But hopefully, that is what will make you a better business person.  You know that you can never do business with that individual or business again.

But what about the times when you do things for free, and the person doesn't even give you so much as a thank you?  You would think that advice, mentions on websites or promotions on various media outlets would be appreciated.  But what you find is that many times, it isn't... that indeed, many people will seek you out just to get what they want and then keep it moving!

I have a news flash for you!  Don't expect the thank you!  If you do something for someone else, realize who you're dealing with.  Understand that they may not be equipped to be appreciative of what you are doing for them.  And if they do express their appreciation, that's just icing on the cake.

And with that being said, the next time that they approach you for anything...tell them, "I'm sorry, I can't do that for you at this time." Or, you can tell them, "Sure, no problem."  Because you know at the end of the day that they place value on what you've done for them.

~ J.L. Whitehead

Now here is a woman that brings a whole new meaning to Empowerment!!

The Writer's Megaphone is proud to shout out, Shirelle "Diamond" Hogans...owner and proprietor of RadiKal Publications!!

http://thewritermegaphone.blogspot.com/2013/04/the-writers-megaphone-shouts-out.html

Trying Something New

Recently, "The Writer's Megaphone" debut with mixed results.  "The Writer's Megaphone" is a new blog that showcases the talents of writers, poets and entrepreneurs while at the same time, promoting myself as someone who is trying to make his mark as well as a difference within the writing community.

Two months ago, I found my writing at a standstill.  I had lost the desire to write for myself or anyone else, and I had to figure out why.  After all, writing is one of my greatest passions.

It was then that I realized that I had been writing for everyone else EXCEPT me.  I read books, promoted authors, interviewed them and in short, showcased their work on the website that I write for which many of you know as "The Examiner."

The problem came where in the midst of writing for everyone, I failed to write for the one person that appreciated me the most...me.  So I took a much needed breather and decided to implement a new strategy.  If indeed I can pay it forward for so many authors, why couldn't I do that for myself?

I decided that I would continue to read, interview, write and promote, but in the interim, I would also write for me, read for me and promote for me.

Will this change anything for me?

I don't know.  But it's going to be fun trying!!

So hopefully, you'll check out "The Writer's Megaphone" and get up close and personal with some of the greatest talents in the literary community

I truly hope to see you there!

http://thewritermegaphone.blogspot.com/

~ J.L. Whitehead

The Best Is Yet To Come

I've been missing in action for a little while.  I had to take a break from writing because I had lost the joy that I used to receive whenever I created my work.  You could say that I lost my way.  I found myself looking at my Facebook Page and personal business email with disdain because most of the people that are part of my network are people that I don't personally know.

Don't get me wrong, I am grateful.  Above that, I am blessed.  I realize that I have so many wonderful things going on in my life right now.  Having just married my better half and purchasing a house together all within the last four months was stressful in and of itself, but to factor in time to write when starting a new job was almost unthinkable.

But as I corresponded with an author whose book I just reviewed, I was reminded of why people wanted to get to know me.  When I sent her the "pros and cons" of her work, she was humbled and honored.  I realized that I was part of a vehicle for new authors to have their work brought to the public eye.  I simply offered my opinion and encouragement.

One of the things that I realized is that I had lost my love of writing...at least temporarily.  I had been writing for everyone EXCEPT me.  I also understood that this had to change because I know that life has to be in balance.  You can't lose the joy of a craft that you love simply because you aren't exercising the use of that craft in a way that would benefit you as well as others around you.

So I'm back.  First and foremost, I'm writing for me...then I write for others.  I will always offer encouragement along the way because that is what paying it forward is really all about.

Now that I understand this, I can keep it moving forward and I can honestly say that the best is yet to come.

~ J.L. Whitehead

Changing your thought process!!

Lately, I've been thinking about what direction I want to take my company in.  When I decided to write my first novel, I initially thought that a had a good story to tell and hopefully, within the realms of that story, people would get the underlying message of love, peace and understanding.

I had high hopes of becoming more than what I was at that time.  I had hoped that more people would know who I am and I had hoped that my financial status would be influenced by my work as an writer directly.  I didn't happen that way.

Still, with hindsight being 20/20, I understand that everything that I've prayed for, I've received.  Maybe my books aren't flying off of the shelves of the bookstores in my area, the few people that have read it told me that they really enjoyed it.  Even more importantly, they understood the message without reading the second half of the story...and that was great in and of itself.


One of the things that I've come to understand is that a writer writes.  It doesn't matter how much they are being paid if indeed they are being paid at all.  They don't write for the public acknowledgements of their work.  The don't write for the accolades that they may receive from their constituents.  They write because they simply love to write.

I've become something that I didn't seek out to do with deliberate intention.  I've become a critique...someone that loves to read, write and promote the works of other authors.  It's something that I love to do.  At any given time, I have four books in my queue to read and get back to the authors on what I think of their work.  If they like it, then I write a review, ask a few questions and then post it everywhere and anywhere that I can.

I've become a journalist because at times, I have a lot to say even if my readers agree with me or not.  Most authors are appreciative of what I do.

So I've changed my thought process.  Who I am, who I am becoming who I ultimately will be is still wedged firmly in the writing community.  Am I in love with this aspect of my life?  Pretty much.  It wasn't what I planned, but it's on my plate today and quite possibly tomorrow.  But life is full of blessings and surprises...so I will wait to see what it has to offer while changing strategies.

As far as the direction that Four Brothers will go in if I decide to take on any additional editing projects is really pretty easy; I have to ensure that everything is outlined in detail and print.  You may have people that may not understand the industry and assume that your role as an editor becomes one of ghost-writer and promoter simply because they are paying you.  I realize that I have to be steadfast in how these contracts are executed and be firm in what services are being provided.  Above all, impose a timeline so that you aren't in the same project for years. I have so much ahead of me and yet, it's all still a major blessing.

I still have stories to both read and write.  I have articles to print.  I have authors to promote.  And that's a good thing...a very good thing.

www.fourbrotherspublications.com

J.L. Whitehead