I wore several different hats and the unique look made me stand out at signings. An Aussie-style hat worked especially well when my Indiana Jones-type book came out. It helped me sell books. Branding worked, but I wasn't doing a thorough job of creating an overall image. Just the hat was not enough. I needed then and need now to tie everything together.
Since I have always loved to travel, that seemed to be the link that could bring the branding to its full potential. As a child, my only travel consisted of visiting nearby relatives. Books carried me where I wanted to go, visiting the tombs of Egypt, unknown jungles, the highest mountains, the widest seas, and much more. In college, I had the opportunity to tour Europe and to stay for a summer in Linz, Austria with a United Methodist Church work camp group. What a thrill and learning experience.
Soon after our marriage, my husband and I crossed the country and returned on a Greyhound Bus special journey that took us to the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, New Orleans, and more. Thus the stories for Hotels to Remember and my travel writing career began. Later, we traveled many miles by air to the Caribbean, Europe, Canada, Hawaii, and many other places.
The "Passenger to Paradise" was born. She loves to travel just as I do. She loves the excitement of new destinations complete with exotic scenery. She is the brand I am looking to develop and expand now. She has led me to countless new places, including the island of Jamaica and Sedona, Arizona, locations of two extraordinary novels, Hearts Across Forever and Eagle Rising.
4 comments:
And you had your brand!
Although cross country by Greyhound sounds awful.
Love the hats idea which would work and would make you stand out since most people don't wear hats...I love a good hat and you look good in yours. I wonder if you both sang "Meet the Flintstones" when you were on the bus:) I would love to spend a year or more in Europe...I can dream
Traveling fits you so well. And to think you didn't travel when you were younger.
Alex, it would be awful now, but it was wonderful then because we could stop at a city or place, like El Tovar on the Grand Canyon, and spend as long as we liked. The only requirement was we had to continue westward. Once we turned back, we had to continue in that direction. We went all the way to the West Coast before starting back. It was a two-week trip.
Birgit, I wouldn't dare sing on any bus or vehicle. I don't know if I will continue with the hat idea. Thanks!
Diane, I always dreamed of traveling. Thank you.
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