Friday, April 27, 2012

X is for X-factor

Not the TV show (even though I have the logo over there) but the term. Dictionary.com defines the x-factor as:
a hard-to-describe influence or quality; an important element with unknown consequences
Every so often, a book or a person or a marketing campaign shows up that has the x-factor. You can't put your finger on why or how, but suddenly that book or person or campaign is embraced in a way that could never have been predicted by anyone. Regardless of how you feel about the Twilight phenomenon, for example, you have to admit it has an x-factor quality.

While you can't create an x-factor if you don't just have it, I believe it's important to recognize that there will always be x-factors in our lives. You may have an amazing marketing plan and stellar book and still not achieve the success of another person. It can make you jealous and angry and just all around not happy. Believe me, I know.

But maybe you have the x-factor: maybe no matter what you do or don't do you will achieve incredible whatever.

In other words, there are some things we can't control. 


Let it go. Do what you can for your book. Do what you can for your campaign. Then let it go.

How have you encountered the x-factor in your life?

12 comments:

Donna Smith said...

Actually there isn't anything we can control but ourselves, and even that is up for debate. So we can only trust that what is happening is for a reason. No need to get mad, jealous or depressed. You just keep swimming. And that's how I deal with X or no X factor. It just doesn't matter in the grand scheme.

Laura Barnes said...

Great attitude, Donna. :)

Nancy S. Thompson said...

HA! I wrote about the X-factor today, as well. It is an elusive, unidentifiable thing. But I also think timing is a major contributor. I sure when my book comes out this fall that it has some kind of x-factor working for it!!

Susanna Leonard Hill said...

I'd like to think I have x-factor that just hasn't chosen to show itself yet :) I'm waiting. Patiently. Well, not patiently, but I'm waiting :)

Laura Barnes said...

I love that! I totally say the same thing. I am awesome-in-waiting.

Laura Barnes said...

Great minds think alike, Nancy!

Katie Osullivan said...

Interesting post - hoping to find my own x-factor within ;-) or that someone discovers it in my writing ... still waiting... ;-)

Laura Barnes said...

I think a bunch of us are waiting. :)

Stacysjensen said...

I find an x-factor quality in things like the networks created through the Picture Book Idea Month and te 12x12 in 2012 challenge. Some other challenges and networks don't seem to click.

Caryn Caldwell said...

I always think of it like extreme charisma. You know how there are certain people who just draw everyone to them, who are electric and magnetic, even when they're not trying? Like that. That's not me. But I'd love to write a book with charisma (or the X-factor).

Moody Writing said...

I've known people who just seem to attract attention wherever they go, always chatting to random people like old friends. Great trick if you can do it. (I can't).

mood
Moody Writing

Cassam101 said...

I think it's a likeability and confindence thing.Too much confidence and people don't like you,not ebough and you won't get anywhere. Of course having a book that captures people's imagination or being able to have that something special in your voice helps too.

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