Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a marketing communications professional turned blogger and author who has spent over 25 years in Corporate America. I recently turned some of my learnings from those experiences into my first book. I’m also a wife, mom and community volunteer whose writings have been featured on BlogHer, Work Awesome, Advice4Parenting and other popular blogs.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Great Work, Great Rewards: 7 Secrets for Breaking the Performance Punishment Cycle was inspired by my own experiences at a challenging point in my career when I felt that my only reward for great work was more work. My friends and I would jokingly refer to this phenomenon as “performance punishment” and the more I talked and wrote about it, the more I realized three things. First, many many people suffer from this affliction. Second, most have no idea how to break out of it. Three, it would be a great topic to start with as I looked to pursue my dream of becoming a published author.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I currently have a 2 hour commute by bus so I often find myself writing on my iPad while on the bus. I also can’t write in silence. I need music or a good TV show or movie that I’ve seen before on in the background.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
On the fiction side, my favorites include Toni Morrison, Shakespeare, and Valerie Wilson Wesley. On the non-fiction side there are too many to list but Thoreau’s Walden, What Makes the Great Great by Dennis Kimbro and MicroMessaging: Why Great Leadership Is Beyond Words By Stephen Young have all inspired parts of the blueprint I follow for my writing today.
What are you working on now?
I’m finalizing the paperback edition of my book and developing an online course based on my book Great Work, Great Rewards: 7 Secrets for Breaking the Performance Punishment Cycle so I can help to empower more people to reclaim their joy at work.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have some success with various promo sites but word of mouth trumps them all. I find when I post a message to my small but growing email list or talk about my book on my Facebook page, the lift I get is always amazing.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
To borrow loosely from Dorry, Just Keep Writing!
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Work hard and play hard and live your life so you have no regrets.
What are you reading now?
Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m continuing to work on my blog and looking to opportunities to guest blog. In terms of my next book, I have a book on parenting that I’ve started to write a few times. I’m also researching the sequel to Great Work, Great Rewards which will focus on what companies could and should do in order to avoid inadvertently punishing their top performers. I can’t wait to see where the creative process takes me!
What is your favorite book of all time?
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
Author Websites and Profiles
Liz Nolley Tillman Website
Liz Nolley Tillman Amazon Profile
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