Where Do You Hang Your Hammock?: Finding Peace of Mind While You Write, Publish, and Promote Your Book

by Bella Mahaya Carter

In Where Do You Hang Your Hammock? seasoned coach and author Bella Mahaya Carter shows writers how to use their present circumstances as stepping-stones to a successful and meaningful writing life, navigated from the inside out. It encourages writers and authors to rethink their ambitions (which may be fueled by the tyrannical demands of the ego) and trust in their heartfelt purpose and values in the journey to becoming, or continuing on, as authors.

Many writers believe their self-sabotaging thoughts are trustworthy and true. They take rejection personally. They surmise that if they don’t achieve their goals they have failed, and lose sight of who they are and what matters most.

This book is for writers looking for inspiration and for authors daunted by the publishing process, who might lack the requisite author platform to get published the way they dreamed, or whose careers may not be unfolding as expected. It aims to be the friend and trusted expert writers turn to when hijacked by their own thinking. Ultimately, it reminds authors that they are infinite creators.

353 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 1, 2021

About the author

Welcome to my goodreads page! I’m a creative writing teacher, coach, speaker, and author of three books. I believe in the power of writing to heal and transform lives and I view publishing as an opportunity to deepen self-awareness, nourish meaningful connections, and delight in peak experiences while being of service. My most recent book is WHERE DO YOU HANG YOUR HAMMOCK: FINDING PEACE OF MIND WHILE YOU WRITE, PUBLISH, AND PROMOTE YOUR BOOK. I’m also the author of an award-winning memoir, RAW: MY JOURNEY FROM ANXIETY TO JOY and a collection of poems, SECRETS OF MY SEX. I’ve worked with hundreds of writers since 2008 and have degrees in literature, film, and spiritual psychology. My poetry, essays, fiction, and interviews have appeared in Mind, Body Green; The Sun; Lilith; Fearless Soul; Writer’s Bone; Women Writers, Women’s Books; Chic Vegan; Bad Yogi Magazine; Jane Friedman’s blog; Pick the Brain; the Spiritual Media Blog; Literary Mama; several anthologies; and elsewhere.

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Reviews

[Lauren Sapala · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those writing books that isn’t JUST about writing, and is really about so much of life, and what it means to be a creative person trying to figure it all out. It’s also one of those writing books that you return to again and again, and that you tell people about, and buy as a gift for the writers in your life. It’s one of those books that when you open it up and read a few pages it feels like a dear friend speaking to you, telling you that it will all be okay.

When I first began Where Do You Hang Your Hammock? I didn’t know what to expect, because I always go into new writing books feeling somewhat hesitant about the information I’m about to receive. I’ve read so many writing guides that aggressively scold you for writing the wrong way or promoting your work the wrong way, and many others that end up being mostly empty fluff that anyone could find online. But this book was different, and I knew it from the very first page. It was EXACTLY on my wavelength. I’m an introverted, highly sensitive, intuitive person and it’s so rare to find teachers who can speak to that part of me and help me see it as an advantage, rather than a failing. Carter’s book urged me to be true to myself above everything, and to find my own unique voice and passion and craft my authentic author message around that energy. I so appreciated that.

There are also sections on how to deal with anxiety (of which I have loads), how to shift your mindset when you’re falling into overwhelm, how to nourish yourself as a writer and an artist, how to find the form of publishing that works best for you, and how to promote yourself in a centered, genuine way that helps you connect with others who most need what you’re offering at this time. There is just so much in this book, I could really go on for pages. Suffice to say, there is something for every type of writer here, no matter where you are in your writing journey.

I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in writing, creativity, spiritual psychology, personal growth, writing a memoir, and/or publishing and promotion tips for authors. It’s a wonderful read!

[Kiersten · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best, most inspirational books on writing I've ever read! Although there are plenty of practical tips included (writing structure, publishing paths, publicity options etc.) the parts of the book I got the most benefit from were the ones dealing with self growth and the joys you can discover through the process of writing and expressing yourself in the world.
Each chapter is short and focused; rich with personal stories that enhance the themes and ideas Carter presents and journal prompts that help winnow out where you might be hung up on a belief that is holding your love of writing back.
I read it in small bits, savoring and noting countless profound ideas that changed the way I saw myself and my creativity. Each time I picked up the book it felt like I'd just received a personal coaching session! The ideas and questions Carter presented will stick with me for a long time.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a fantastic resource! Bella is the wise, caring friend who's been there, who can help you navigate the complicated and often emotional maze of publishing your first book. Her kind reassurance and encouragement strikes precisely the right note to help you remember that sometimes, you may only need a small adjustment for everything to fall into place. A must-have resource for any writer publishing (or hoping to do so)!

[Miriam Downey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read my full review here: http://mimi-cyberlibrarian.blogspot.c...

The subtitle of the book is “Finding peace of mind while you write, publish, and promote your book.” It speaks to the anxiety writers experience as they attempt to get noticed in the cut-throat publishing world. In the last two novels I read, Strange Love by Fred Waitzkin and The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz, the protagonists were both authors who were suffering severe anxiety over stalled careers and unpublished writings. I approached Where Do You Hang Your Hammock? with those two books in mind.

Here is the publisher’s description. “In Where Do You Hang Your Hammock? seasoned coach and author Bella Mahaya Carter shows writers how to use their present circumstances as stepping-stones to a successful and meaningful writing life, navigated from the inside out. It encourages writers and authors to rethink their ambitions (which may be fueled by the tyrannical demands of the ego) and trust in their heartfelt purpose and values in the journey to becoming, or continuing on, as authors.

Many writers believe their self-sabotaging thoughts are trustworthy and true. They take rejection personally. They surmise that if they don’t achieve their goals they have failed, and lose sight of who they are and what matters most.

This book is for writers looking for inspiration and for authors daunted by the publishing process, who might lack the requisite author platform to get published the way they dreamed, or whose careers may not be unfolding as expected. It aims to be the friend and trusted expert writers turn to when hijacked by their own thinking. Ultimately, it reminds authors that they are infinite creators.”

First, and most clearly, this is not a “how-to” with researched steps on getting a book published. It is more about how to get your mind and spirit focused on your writing first before focusing on getting published. Carter says, “My hope is that Where Do You Hang Your Hammock? will encourage readers to lean in to their work and their lives with greater freedom, curiosity, and celebration.” In other words, Carter’s book is spiritual in focus. She is a creative writing teacher, author, and empowerment coach, and this work reflects her own life’s search and achievements as well as her career empowering other writers.

The book is divided into five parts: dream, nourish, write, publish, and promote. Within each section are short, numbered chapters followed by journal-writing prompts. For example, following a chapter entitled, A Ritual to Solidify Your Intentions, the journal prompt is “What do I have to give to my writing? What do I hope to receive from my writing? What are my writing intentions.” I really appreciated the journal prompts, and I also valued the way in which she included spiritual growth suggestions in the part entitled “Nourish.” I got a kick out of the journal prompt in the section on “Promote” which asks, How can I bring joy to my book launch?

The intended audience may be a bit of a question. I think both the protagonists of Strange Love and The Plot could have read Where Do You Hang Your Hammock? as they worked toward the next steps in their careers. I might suggest this book to a student planning a writing career or a person plotting a retirement plan for something she always wanted to do. Perhaps my sister as she writes the stories of her life.

[Margo Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where Do You Hang Your Hammock? by Bella Mahaya Carter is an excellent resource for writers.

At first, I was confused by the title. What does a hammock have to do with writing? At the very beginning of the book, Carter explains the concept with a personal story, which serves as a perfect analogy for the publishing industry. Not only did she have me hooked with that single story, but I also bought myself a hammock swing as a result. Now I just have to decide where to hang it.

Whenever I read a nonfiction book, the first thing I do is read the author's bio. What qualifies this person as an "expert" in the field, and why should I trust what she has to say? Well, Carter's bio is impressive (shown above), and it made me curious what I exciting things I'd be able to learn from her writing.

The next thing I do is flip to the table of contents, which should be easy to navigate and give an overview of the book. Carter's table of contents is clear and concise, giving a detailed roadmap of the book. This enables the reader to pick and choose topics to read in short spurts or to read the whole from beginning to end.

Then, before actually reading anything, I flip through the book and scan the pages. Sometimes a nonfiction book can feel overwhelming to me, and if there are charts, quotes boxes, divided sections--these elements help break up the narrative, making the book easier for me to digest. Carter's book is mostly narrative, but the chapters are short and the sections are divided, which helps break up the prose. Also, at the end of each chapter is a journal prompt that allows the reader to ponder the concepts presented.

The journal prompts would blend well with the "Morning Pages" concept from Julia Cameron's The Artist's Way. I intend to use the two books together to help me explore my creative confidence.

As I read the book, I was surprised more primary sources were not cited for stated facts. For example, in the chapter on traditional publishing Carter states, "...royalties--generally a small percentage (about, 7.5%)..." No sources cited. In the same chapter, she quotes Brooke Warner, writing, "...sobering fact: Only 2 percent of authors make their living from their writing alone." This is not a primary source. A primary source would be the study or research paper that gathered these statistics. Giving information in this manner can be misleading or worse yet, offer misinformation. I'm a big believer in seeking out primary sources rather than taking second-hand information as gospel truth. I wish Carter had cited actual primary sources so readers could read additional information for themselves, if wanted. This is my only criticism of the book.

This book makes a great companion book for Julia Cameron's The Artist's Way and Elizabeth Gilbert's Big Magic. If you haven't yet read either of those - I highly recommend them.

Where Do You Hang Your Hammock? by Bella Mahaya Carter is thought-provoking and insightful, helping readers explore their dreams about writing with interesting concepts to nourish their creativity.



[I was offered an early copy from FSB Associates in exchange for an honest review. This in no way influenced my opinion.]

[Marian Beaman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author, writing coach, and speaker Bella Mahaya Carter urges writers to settle back and let go in her latest book, Where Do You Hang Your Hammock. Using the image of the hammock, a universal symbol of relaxation, the author invites writers to hold their work lightly and with joy as they go about the serious business of sending their work into the world.

Carter’s book is a toolkit with nuts and bolts, a how-to-write-and publish primer, but its narrative style frees it from sounding like a handbook. She pinpoints every reader’s quest: “They want light bulbs to flash in their minds as their eyes scan the page. They want their hearts pried open.” She understands that readers long to “see themselves in your tale as clearly as if they were looking into a mirror.”

The author’s prose dances on the page, an art form she’s practiced. On receiving early copies of her book, she exclaims: “It was as if my Cinderella manuscript, once dressed in rags, was ready for the ball!” Personal illustrations and quotes from experts kept me engaged. For example, wisdom from Martha Beck, Pablo Neruda, and James Pennebaker dot the pages.

For me, Chapter 37, Turn You Blog into a Book was worth the price of Bella’s book because it’s the focus of my next book. Lines attributed to Tao Te Ching surfaced as I read this chapter: “When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.”

Carter writes with honesty and heart, lovingly showing writers how to develop essential skills, including using recent technology. Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned writer, this book belongs on your shelf.

[Carolyn Lee Arnold · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wise and loving guide for writers and authors
Bella Mahaya Carter has written a book that every writer and author should have by their side to keep us peaceful, grounded, and joyful as we write, publish, launch and promote our books. Carter not only provides extremely helpful practical tips about each stage of dreaming, nourishing, writing, publishing and promoting a book—ideas that make her book valuable in itself. She also guides us through those stages towards a deep joy and satisfaction in publishing by teaching and modeling loving and supportive attitudes toward ourselves and our books. At the end of each of her 87 short, well-titled chapters are journaling suggestions for exploring the tips and the attitudes for ourselves, so that we can find what is nourishing in the publishing process, separate from the outer success we may or may not attain. My favorite tip was how to prepare excerpts for readings: to NOT read exactly what is in the book, but to condense them to more hearable bites, and that the best ones leave the listeners laughing, crying, or nodding their heads. My favorite attitude shift was a familiar but deeper one: to do what you love in promoting your book, and let go of the outcomes. Familiar advice, but Carter actually tells AND shows how to do that. Perfect for any writer at any stage of the writing or publishing process. I can’t recommend it highly enough.

[Nicole Woolaston · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is classified as a self-help book, but I believe that classification is selling it short. I prefer to call it an inspirational book. It's filled with practical advice for writers to use as they go through the process of planning, writing, publishing and promoting their book. There are some passages I would like to mention here. For example, Chapter 12: The World Needs Your Dream Carter talks about becoming a self-expert. This means getting to know yourself and focusing on what matters to you. She even suggests making a list of your values. She also recommends surrounding yourself with people who are doing what you want to do. Basically it's like forming your own little community. I also want to mention Chapter 47, where Carter talks about the anxiety and pain that can be associated with writing about painful memories. She recommends writers check in with their bodies while writing: making sure your posture is correct, you're seated comfortably and your body is relaxed. Practice self care by making a list of thirty things that bring you joy, and post it somewhere you can see it while you're writing. This is more than another writing handbook: there's plenty of life advice to be found.

[Tricia LaRochelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where Do You Hang Your Hammock is code for so many things in our lives that hold us back: expectations, self-worth, motivation, external stress, and the list goes on. What we decide about ourselves can sometimes weigh us down and cause us to detour from the things that not only make us happy but allow us to live our authentic lives. Especially for writers or anyone seeking to step out of their comfort zone and express themselves artistically, the journey can be daunting. What a relief to find a book like this one. Bella Mahaya Carter offers sound advice from someone who has been in our shoes. She also provides exercises that reinforce her message. The chapters are short for the busy lifestyle, entertaining, and uplifting. I recommend this book to anyone who could use a boost. I plan to keep this book close for many years to come.

[Debra Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where should every writer put Where Do You Hang Your Hammock? Certainly not on a book shelf. This go-to book deals with so many phases of the writer’s life, it should be kept next to your reading chair or computer because it’s one you will turn to time and again throughout the writing process. When I first got my copy, I began reading at the beginning—until I found myself flipping back to the parts I was curious about right then—where to publish. Now that those decisions have been made, I’m now perusing the chapters on publicity, promotion, and social media. I suppose you could say this is like a cookbook for writers. Find the section that works for you right now and follow the instructions. Need inspiration? Need information? Need ideas and suggestions? You’ll find it all here in Where Do You Hang Your Hammock? Every writer should have a copy hanging around their study.

[Sara Strand · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really, REALLY enjoyed this one. I'm in the middle of writing my book and I hit kind of a wall, I just didn't know what I was doing or where I wanted to go with it. The journaling prompts throughout this one helped put a little more focus on what my end goal was for my book and I've started writing again. This book is broken up into different chunks, depending on where you are in the creative process, so you can easily pick this up when you've moved onto the next stage. It reads more like a conversational how to book, not a text book.

[Gretchen Cherington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bella Mahaya Carter’s new book is like having an experienced writing coach and a dear friend rolled into one package. From cover to cover Bella shares her wisdom and tools for supporting my writer life in an easily searchable manner so I have it all right at my fingertips. Actionable support for making the most of our creative pursuits and bringing ourselves fully to the page and stage! I highly recommend this book!

[Jendi · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up. The takeaway message that stuck in my mind was to act from the heart instead of the ego. Think of book promotion as making authentic and friendly connections, not as a verdict on your self-worth. Try to reframe setbacks as an opportunity to discover a new and better path. I did find the positive-thinking psychology to be simplistic sometimes, though. She dismisses "triggers" without really explaining them properly.

[Sandra Cruz · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a writer, I absolutely loved it. It has so many useful tips to get your writing creativity flowing.
Highly recommend it.

My Review

[Alexandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Can be a good book to help you through the process of writing and the world of it. Things to think about and you get some journal prompts to help you out.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice book on some tricks and advice for writing, publishing, marketing, and promoting your book.

[Michelle Malsbury · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bella Mahaya Carter, Author
Where Do You Hang Your Hammock
She Writes Press, ISBN 978-1-64742-065-9
Non-Fiction –health, medicine, holistic, intuitive, self-help, healing, body and soul, anxiety, depression
323 pages
November 2021 Review
Reviewer-Michelle Kaye Malsbury, BSBM, MM

Review

Bella Mahaya Carter, author of Where Do You Hang Your Hammock, is a poet, author, teacher, coach, blogger, and public speaker. Some of her other works include: Raw, My Journey from Anxiety to Joy, Secrets of My Sex. Her degrees are in Literature/Film and Spiritual Psychology. Carter has been featured in interviews, essays, magazines, and elsewhere. (2021, p.323)

In the Introduction Carter talks about the importance of her hammock to her mental health. She had it in just the right place when suddenly a neighbor destroyed her revery and she was off kilter until she found another even better place to hang her hammock. This scenario sets the stage for change and why change can actually be a very good thing for us.

Chapter one invites the reader to dream. To look into who they are and she does not attach this to what they do. Carter suggests journaling. From there the journey is to determine what you want to be. You many say simple enough, but is it? Carter says, “Once you realize that you are playing roles in your life, you can focus on the word “play”. When we play we enjoy ourselves.” (2021, p.6)
Do you or someone you know suffer from anxiety. Carter talks about how debilitating this can be and how to overcome it. Again, journaling can help to see patterns and release old negative ways of thinking paving the way for new healthy thoughts to grow.

Another section is headed up by Nourish. This is about what your daily habits are and how to improve them so you can become what you want to be. Read, meditate, be kind, and take leaps of faith.

While the title may be misleading, the premise of this book is to help you write. Most writers are avid readers too. Carter says, “Despite my inner wisdom guiding me to, in essence, pick something -anything-and start writing, my mind didn’t believe it could be that simple.” (2021, p.121) Journaling was a very basic point to get that process started she felt. Do you want to blog, write memoirs, fiction? Do what you are passionate about and then publish it!

Publishing is not the end. Carter said, “When I finished writing my books, I received this response from seasoned authors, Congratulations! Writing your book was the easy part…”. (2021, p.165) Promoting your work is a very critical component to your success as a writer. Soliciting blurbs and comments that can help other people purchase your books is a good step in the right direction. Interviews, books signings, blogs, etc. can also do a lot toward garnering sales.

I enjoyed reading this book and learning about Carter’s journey to become a writer. If you want to write this is a good coaching book that offers good advice.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up the package and opened this book and did a quick leaf through and started reading chapter 31, Journal Writing is Good for Your Writing. I have a few journals I write in and this speaks a good bit to the importance of keeping an authentic voice. When I completed the chapter, I then reverted back to the beginning of the book.

The book is divided into five parts, Dream, Nourish, Write, Publish and Promote and each ends with a helpful prompt. I won't go into a lot of detail as you will need to see for yourself but it speaks about the need to nourish your soul by reading and the need for baring your soul while you write.

This book is inspiring! It is relatable and offers good exercise. When you struggle through something, be it illness, death, divorce, or relocating, you learn from it or perhaps you don't, either way, it can be a vehicle for your writing. The gist of writing is writers do self-examination and give themselves time and start with something that inspires them.

The best line in Where Do You Hang Your Hammock is, Do the Best with What You've Got!

I received an advance reader copy from Anna Sacca Senior Publicity and Branding Manager at FSB Associates