Tamiko Hope is been a phenomenal PR strategist marketer and now a phenomenal author.
Hope has found a way to not only reinvent but emphasize and educate the transition and information that must take place in order to mitigate mistakes and become successful in the music business.
What inspired you to write your first book?
I wanted to help educate emerging creative talent and give them basic yet often overlooked information about the music industry and I did that using my own knowledge, as well as the expertise of my extensive network of industry colleagues.
Do you have a specific writing style?
Being that my first three works have been non-fiction, I find myself writing in the style of the same books I like to read. Therefore, I tend to write concise “step” books that are an even mix of stories, quotes and information. I’m in the process of working on my first fiction book and my writing style is conversational and I like including fancy details.
What books have most impacted your life (or life as an author)?
The Bible. Many of the business books I’ve read draw inspiration from the Bible and the passages have so many meanings that I find applicable to my personal and professional life. I also love anything by Jim Rohn. The Success Principles by Jack Canfield, Three Magic Words by Uell S. Anderson, The One Thing by Gary Keller, Feel The Fear & Do It Anyway by Dr. Susan Jeffers, The Magic of Thinking Big by David J. Schwartz. I could go on.
What books are you currently reading? Why this author?
9 Things You Simply Must Do by Henry Cloud. I’m actually re-reading this one. I like how he breaks down invaluable information by using relevant examples and makes it relatable to your life.
What new authors have piqued your interest?
Not just because this author is my friend but I’m truly a fan of Jacinta Howard’s fictional work. Her books are funny, sexy and cleverly written.
If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything about your latest work?
No, I wouldn’t.
Is there anything you find particularly challenging about writing or coming up with a concept for your books?
It’s always intimidating at the start of a book project to look at a blank word document and know you have to fill it and many more with words and make the material meaningful. I also can lose focus quickly so I have to make sure I’m truly engaged in what I’m writing about. Writing is very mental but I also am creative and there are times when I tell myself I need to be “inspired” in order to write but I know in order to get anything done, I just have to do it whether I feel like it or not. The inspiration usually comes when I’m forcing myself to write or think.
What was the hardest part of completing this project?
The time commitment and having to interview various people and transcribe the notes and assemble all the information so that the book had a nice flow and made sense.
What advice would you give other writers?
The same advice Toni Morrison gave me years ago: “write, write, write.” You really have to just get in the habit of writing everyday.
Describe the process in getting published?
I self-published. After I wrote the book, I did a lot of editing and read my book over and over to make sure it read well and was truly informative. Once I was happy with what I read, I found a company that formatted it for Kindle and also in a PDF format for printing. I also had to decide on cover artwork, which was the fun part for me. I registered the book through Amazon and did a limited press run. The publishing process was challenging the first time, but after that, it was simple. I definitely recommend the book APE, which is a great resource for new authors.
What were the literary, psychological and/or logistical challenges in bringing your work to life?
It was mostly psychological when I wrote my first book because I’d just moved to north New Jersey and I had set a deadline and was determined to meet it. But I was also trying to adapt to a new city and juggle day-to-day responsibilities and it was hard to keep the faith some days. I started putting encouraging words in the “notes” section of my phone and would refer to it whenever I needed a quick mental pick me up. I had to keep remembering why I was writing.
Everyone’s process for writing is different. Explain yours.
I don’t have a certain time of day or space I write but I tend to be more creative at night. Book ideas are conceived in my mind and if the subject holds my attention I start exploring chapter topics and make notes. And I start writing.
What are five of your favorite books and why?
I mentioned a few up top but:
1. Three Magic Words by Uell S. Anderson, gave me a way to look at myself and spirituality in a new light.
2. That Something by William Woodbridge. It’s a small pamphlet-like book that tells a fable about how we control the destiny of our lives and to not give excuses but do what you can, where you can and with what you have. It’s a super short read so I re-read it often for motivation.
3. The Bible. Lots of great stories and lessons about successful living.
4. Indie Insider: 10 Key Facts From Music Industry Insiders by Tamiko Hope. It’s my favorite because it is the first book I authored.
5. Total Self-Confidence by Dr. Robert Anthony. It is a great book on understanding the power of the sub-conscious mind and how your thoughts create your life.
