Mystery Novelist Shares What She Loves

Alex Kava, who has written 11 novels, including nine in the critically acclaimed Maggie O’Dell series, grew up in the small town of Silver Creek, Neb. As an aspiring writer she was always told to write about what she knows.

As she told an audience at the 2011 NFPW conference that didn’t work for her. “I write about murder,” she said as the audience laughed. “I can assure you, I am not writing about what I know.”

She shared some of what she has learned.

Cover of Alex Kava's book, HotwirePersistence is just as important as talent. Alex said she received 116 rejections from literary agents. Her first novel still sits in the bottom of a drawer, although she is thinking about turning it into an e-book. Today her novels are published in 24 countries.

When you bump your head against the glass ceiling, you look for any crack you can find and you improvise. Alex, whose real name is Sharon, said when she submitted her novel agents would tell her to tone it down, that it was too violent and that she should add some romance. “They were really telling me they had no idea how to sell something that wasn’t romantic suspense,” she said.

Recognizing that her name was an obstacle, she changed it to one that could be misconstrued. She wasn’t mad that she had to do it  because she figured if agents couldn’t tell if a man or a woman had written the book, it was a compliment to her writing.

The same holds true for her character Maggie O’Dell. The character, Alex said, can’t have as many one night stands as a male protagonist. And she can’t cry, drink excessively or swear.

Truth is stranger than fiction. “If my readers can’t tell what’s fact and what’s fiction, then I’ve done my job,” Alex said. If she doesn’t know something, she researches it, and as she noted, “I learned all kinds of information that you can’t use at cocktail parties.” She knows the difference between a floater (body in the water) and a flyer (someone who is pushed or jumps to their death). She knows how a taser works. And she knows when a body starts to decompose.

If you are going to be a writer, you have to have very thick skin. “Your success will depend more on how you respond to what they say then on what they say,” the author said.

Eleven novels into her career, Alex Kava doesn’t write what she knows, but rather what she loves.

Tips for a Successful Career

The other week, I was celebrating a friend’s milestone birthday, and we discussed where we’d been and where we are now. A friend commented to me that when we were first met, she would never have envisioned me doing what I’m doing today – leadership role with an international NGO traveling the globe and a leadership role with a national communications group.

Frankly, I would not have thought it either, but not because I didn’t think I could not do it, but simply because I never know where I’m going to be next year or in five years.

And that’s one of the tips for a successful career as reported by Fortune magazine.

Tip 1 is “Don’t plan your career.” Embracing this philosophy has enabled me to take on new challenges when they presented themselves. I never expected to be a spokesperson for an urban police department. I never planned to work in a global environment. But when the opportunities presented themselves, I grabbed them.

Which leads to another tip, “take risks.” My current and former position both forced me to work outside my comfort zone. The risks were worth it. I’ve learned about crisis management, donor relations, social media and SEO (search engine optimization). Along the way, I’ve studied, researched, learned and grown as an employee and leader.

Juggler with fire

To succeed in life, one needs to juggle well. (Photo by Cynthia Price)

Another tip that really resonated with me was don’t balance, but juggle. I work a 10+-hour work day. I’m on several boards. I’m in a book club at work and outside of work. I don’t try for balance but I do juggle. I’ve just had an intense period of travel so I have not read the book club book (I cheated and listened to it instead), and I’ve relied on others at work to keep the pieces moving. It works.

In a few weeks, I’ll slow down and have a quiet period where I can pursue my personal interests, including lots of reading. The weather will be perfect for it.

My favorite tip is “give thanks.” I know I’m fortunate to have an amazing team at work and to serve on boards with individuals who contribute. I spent a few nights writing handwritten thank you notes to each NFPW board member who served with me. It was the least I could do to thank them for their service. When a team member goes above and beyond, I take them to lunch.

What are your tips for success?

What Got You Here Won’t Get You There

Almost at the end of the book What Got You Here Won’t Get You There author Marshall Goldsmith writes, “If you want to change anything about yourself, the best time to start is now. Ask yourself, ‘What am I willing to change now?’ ”

His point is that we’re always putting off experiences or new habits waiting for a time that we think is better suited to our life. I read the book, at the recommendation of my business coach. I’m growing as a leader, but there is so much to learn.

This book is a tough read because it forces you to look at various habits (Goldsmith lists 20) that may hold you back. A few that

To be successful, you’ll need to break some workplace habits. (Photo courtesy of bschool.pepperdine.edu)

resonated with me – either because I have that habit or because I’ve experienced it – include:

  • The overwhelming desire to add our two cents to every discussion.
  • Starting with “No,” “But,” or “However,” which says to others, “I’m right; you’re wrong.”
  • Telling the world how smart we are.
  • Failing to express gratitude.

Once you have identified your bad habits, Goldsmith provides ways to change for the better, whether it’s through feedback, listening, thanking or following up. The listening section resonated with me. I’ve been working on that for a while. If someone comes into my office, I stop what I’m doing to hear what they have to say. I try not to offer a solution, but rather ask for their recommendation. During monthly meetings with team members, they drive the conversation. I listen and hear what team members have to say. They almost always touch on everything I would have asked about it, but because they drive the conversation I gain a better understanding of what’s most important to them and what might be causing concern for them.

One way to practice listening, Goldsmith says, is to count to 50 and not let other thoughts intrude. As he notes, “If you can’t listen to yourself as you count to 50, how will you ever be able to listen to another person?”

If you want to get to the next level and you aren’t afraid of being brutally honest about your habits, this book will help you. It’s not an easy journey, but it’s worth taking.

SNAP! Era Closes

What an evening!

NFPW just finished celebrating its 2011 communications contest winners and swearing in a new board. Congratulations to Lori, Teri, Marsha, Ellen and Marianne! This also means my two-year term as president has drawn to a close.

It’s been an incredible two years.  My campaign was SNAP! I chose to focus on Sustainability, Networking And Professional development. The term ended with NFPW solidly in the black with respect to finances. We’ve identified conference locations for the next few years. We’ve sustained membership (and now it’s time to grow it). A leadership manual was created. A blog started. Posts to Facebook and LinkedIn were used to connect us between conferences. Agenda was chock full of member profiles and career advice. And we’re pursuing an online communications contest.

To do all of that required a time commitment on the part of each board member. Thank you for your commitment and service.

For me, it was a time to stretch and lead. To drive new initiatives and to shake-up the status quo. It was exhilarating, rewarding and, yes, at times, exhausting. So why do it? For years NFPW has provided me with networking and professional development opportunities. At conferences, I discovered others had the same issues and concerns I had, and we’d brainstorm solutions. Others
shared their successes and I learned from them. Throughout the years, members (really, they are friends) have encouraged me, commiserated with me and laughed with me. NFPW had given me so much; it was time for me to give back.

I sought out new members for my board. I knew that if they, too, could be involved with NFPW, they would develop an even stronger bond to the organization.

During my tenure I strived to share management and coaching ideas with the board. We all shared and grew. The most rewarding comment came from Linda Koehler, our Agenda editor. I knew I was asking her to stretch, and
I promised to sprinkle fairy dust to help her along the way.

Here’s what she told me: “I am grateful to you for so many things: like giving me the opportunity to grow, professionally and personally; to step outside my box; to have the opportunity to visit new places; and to meet some extremely wonderful people….

“So, thank you, Fairy Godmother, for the confidence you showed in me, where I saw none. This Cinderella enjoyed the ball.”

I enjoyed the ball, too. Thank you for inviting me.

Snapshots from 2011 NFPW Conference

The 2011 NFPW Conference is in full swing. Yesterday (Friday) was a busy day. We heard from not one, but two mayors. We learned about PolitiFact, heard from an expert on Afghanist and learned the basics of social media and getting our book published. We celebrated with beautiful music by the Hedgehog Fund and celebrated our COA, Beth Miller of Delaware Press Association.

Here are a few snapshots from the day:

Mayors of Council Bluffs, OmahaThe Honorable Jim Suttle, Mayor of Omaho, and the Honorable Tom Hanafan, Mayor of Council Bluffs welcomed NFPW members to the 2011 conference. The two towns are separated by the Missouri River.

No matter where NFPW members travel, they want to know the news. At this year’s conference, weahter has been a hot topic. Eva Marie Pearson of Arkansas, took a break from the seminars to catch up on the day’s news. Reading the newspaper

The Hedgehog FundThe Hedgehog Fund provided musical entertainment Friday before our COA banquet. The Hedgehog Fund is comprised of the husband and daughters of Nebraska Press Women member Stephanie Geery-Zink. They feature cover songs in the acoustic American genre.

Beth Miller is the 2011 COA.Beth Miller of Delaware Press Association was named  COA for 2011. She is a rporter for The News Journal Co., which publishes Delaware’s only statewide daily newspaper. Her work has included assignments to Yugoslavia, Afghanistan, Haiti and the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina. She is a past president of the Delaware Press Association.