Ask the Author: Vinnie Apicella
Answered Questions (9)
Vinnie Apicella
Throughout the years as I'd become more of an international travelers, I'd always observe similarities and differences among different countries and cultures. After traveling to China for several years, it had become like my second home, and I felt like the many biases that existed from others who didn't really "know" the country or the people were unfounded. So as I became better educated about China, and of course being raised in America, I sought to tell more of a true story about our respective countries, not the superficial stuff that's common among media channels. So in this way, I hoped to better educate both sides toward our likenesses and differences and create an environment of better understanding.
Vinnie Apicella
When we speak, we expect or at least want other to listen, and perhaps learn something, or benefit in some way. So the fact that I can make my "voice" be heard through my writing, and there's potential value in it is what inspires me. At the onset with my new book, Escape from America, the goal was and always will be to bring value to people who might identify with my "story" and also learn something as a result to improve their condition in some way.
Vinnie Apicella
Getting better acquainted with the self-publishing process and how we as authors must develop into authorpreneurs in that we're now in the "business" of writing and publishing. So I'm educating myself every day to learn more about how to promote my work and develop a following. This to me is a fun aspect of the entire process--it's hard work, sure, lots of grunt work, but also the fact that we have a product/service that we're proud of, it's the logical next step to want to share with the world.
Vinnie Apicella
Understand that writing in general will benefit you in all aspects of your professional career, and is not limited to just authoring books or articles. As such, use this to your advantage whenever you're faced with external or even internal notions that being a writer is a limited function or creates limited opportunities. That's not true.
Believe in yourself first and foremost. The key to becoming a writer, and a good one at that, is to keep writing; read from others, see how other authors have moved or inspired you in some way, then go to work on developing your own ability.
Believe in yourself first and foremost. The key to becoming a writer, and a good one at that, is to keep writing; read from others, see how other authors have moved or inspired you in some way, then go to work on developing your own ability.
Vinnie Apicella
It allows me to share the many thoughts bouncing around in my mind and be creative. I'm a social person and enjoy meeting people and communicating, but oftentimes I find myself in situations where I must function on my own, and so writing allows me to connect with various subjects of interest and present my ideas and opinions, or craft a story. So in short, the creative freedom to think independently and be myself.
Vinnie Apicella
Stepping away from my computer and just clearing my mind and then gathering my thoughts to start again. Sometimes this would require a day, sometimes maybe a week. But I've often found that taking a break and distancing myself from my book helped me gain a renewed focus and fresher perspective to overcome my earlier blocks.
Vinnie Apicella
In the midst of writing... I think it was Chapter 9 of my book, which was a pivotal change of setting and storyline, I accidentally deleted essential content that I thought I'd previously saved. What ended up happening was I had to recall much of what I'd written from memory and pieced together notes from my brainstorming process.
Vinnie Apicella
I suppose my answer might be somewhat common, but I'd love to travel to Hogwarts Castle in the Highlands of Scotland. I think for the most part, I would want to just wander through the countryside and enjoy the natural surroundings. I couldn't imagine a better place to derive inspiration for writing or any other creative undertaking.
Vinnie Apicella
For books, I have two in particular that I'm behind schedule on reading; the first is Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman, and the second is Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek. Much of my reading these days comes from online articles through LinkedIn or education-industry blogs to stay on top of the latest trends, and useful information for my consulting practice. But I do like to "get away" and connect with my books whenever time permits.
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