As the election campaign season heats up to its finalized frenzy and Nov. 6 (voting day) draws closer, I want to encourage all our friends, fans, and readers to vote.

If you follow either the economic news revolving around the “99% vs. the 1%” or the political exploits of our two political parties at war with each other while they spend most of their legislative time and efforts at each others’ throats, you soon realize that issues debated and passed into law, do not have immense impact on our daily lives and activities. It becomes fairly obvious that the average person in this country; you and me, have very little say-so in those policies and/or their enactment.

As individuals, we have very little control over the people who cross our paths or the events which unfold before us daily. The only aspect we do have control over is our response. How will we respond and behave when confronted with the opportunity to choose or decide, what is in our own best interest?

In the late 1960’s as part of the Viet Nam war protests on college campuses and in the streets spreading nationwide among young people across the country, the phrase “Power to the People” became one of the rallying cries of the movement. Although its shouts have ceased to be heard very often in our modern day struggles, the impact of this concept, philosophy and action remain as viable and important today as it was then. But what does “Power to the People” denote today? And can it be put into action again?

By its very nature, “Power to the People” means action. Action in the streets? Perhaps, but action none the less. Even if we are too busy, too lazy, or too indifferent to take action in the streets or opine by voice or pen, each of us can make our voice heard. How? Economically, by choosing who we will do business with. Who, or which companies and corporations we will buy from and spend our hard earned money with. Even the largest corporations in the world are dependent upon a steady flow of their products, goods, service and sales to keep them profitable and in business. If you choose to spend your money with company ‘A’ instead of company ‘B’ you are voting with your dollars. If a company’s products or services are not as represented, promised or in your best interest as a consumer, then you have every right and obligation to show your displeasure by spending you money with their competitor.

Think it won’t make any difference? That they’re so big your few dollars won’t make a difference? That’s what some of the largest corporations in America used to think as well. But if you look at retail histories, many have gone out of business or been gobbled up. Why? There may be a variety of reasons, but at its core is the fact that consumers stopped doing business with them. People took back their power and refused to buy inferior quality goods or services. They stop patronizing businesses where employees failed to respect customers by not treating them as they deserved in exchange for their purchases. Consumers exercised this “Power to the People” philosophy and like the fabled “Tortoise and Hare”, the focused constancy of the turtle finally eroded the speed superiority of the rabbit.

This same analogy holds true in regard to our vaunted political system. It is time for people today as voters to declare “Power to the People” loud and clear within the confines of the voting booth. If you are a registered voter, then exercise your power on Nov 6. VOTE. Vote for those running for office who you believe will do their best to represent the desires and good of the people. The only way to break the strangle-hold lobbyists have on our government is to throw out of office their cronies and those who have been bought off and have sold out. These are members of both political parties and representatives from ‘both sides of the aisle’ who are blatantly guilty of being more concerned with their own self-indulgent interests than those of their constituents. As our elected officials, they work for us. We have the right and the responsibility to keep them or replace them.

This year, VOTE!   Vote with your dollars and vote with your franchise right.

Support businesses who give you quality goods, products, and services. Support incumbents or their opponents who will work for your best interests, not their own nor the lobbyists to whom they are beholden. You CAN take back your power, Do It.

Power to the People.

Amy, thanks for your question. Every aspiring writer soon discovers as they proceed down the path of authorship that they must wear at least three hats if they intend to put their work before the public for consideration, critique and consumption:

1. Writer 
2. Editor
3. Marketer. 

One or more of these roles can become difficult because all three tasks must be embraced and worked.

It is seldom that the individual can accomplish these three without help and assistance along the way. These three prongs of activity for the author form a strong foundation which can lead to success, or failure (whatever those two look like to you). All three however are necessary and so it is incumbent you know your strengths in these three areas and you know where you
will need help, either voluntary or paid.

To be successful with readers, you as the writer (author) must connect on some level with your audience. Your readers must want to read your work and keep coming back for more. For most writers this means their work must have a readable quality to it which makes an emotional, psychological, economic, or social link between writer and reader. Your readers must identify with your ‘writing voice’ in such a way that they will read your work, buy your work and talk about your work to others.

I find that the editing process is the most time consuming and the most important. This is the part of the process where fine tuning or honing can and must take place. As an author you will learn that whatever shape or form your manuscript is in when it goes to final submission for publication is the exact final form it will be when returned as a book. Don’t short change yourself during the editing steps. Even if you edit your own work have someone, a professional editor/proof reader or others, proof it and give you feedback.

Of the three tasks we are discussing, the most important may be your role of marketer, if you are to be competitive in the public marketplace. Marketing can easily become a fulltime job even if you have a modicum of success. There are thousands of individuals and firms for hire to assist you in your marketing program, but as usual the more help you need, the more investment dollars you will need to allocate and spend.

The trail and trials of authorship, like most professions is long and arduous, but can be rewarding at every stage. Know what your skill sets are for these three areas and know where to find (and hire) qualified help to accomplish the tasks necessary to fulfill your writing dreams and goals.

All the best,
Branch

This poem is dedicated in celebration of Katie Huneycutt from Lumberton, North Carolina and the impending arrival of her new baby.