Tips for New Writers and Authors – Week Ten: Wrapping Up

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Advertising, Authors, Blogging, Books, Connecting, Creativity, Fiction, Marketing, Media, Networking, Non-Fiction, Novels, Promoting, Reading, Social Media, Writers, Writing

This is the tenth and final week I will be presenting tips to new writers and authors. I hope the ten weekly posts were helpful and something you can come back to. At least, it gives you an idea of what to expect in the publishing world. As reiterated many times, no course or book can teach you everything to learn about publishing. Practical experience and recognition as an author and writer are the best teachers.

A good writer knows how to write. A great writer not only knows how to write well, but will give direction and guidance to others. This advice is offered freely. I don’t proclaim to be an expert; I still have lots to learn too.

Five years of writing and publishing led me down this path. A path I did not choose; it chose me. To wrap up this week, I offer several suggestions:

1. Look at alternate publishers before you select a publisher. Do your research beforehand and ask questions. You might find another publisher who does work less expensively than another and/or you get more profits (including royalties) from book sales.
2. Remember to get everything you expect in writing before you sign a contract. If not in writing, then it is your word against the publisher or marketer. Once you sign a contract, you are bound to their regulations and procedures. Legally, you usually have 7 to 10 days to cancel the contract.
3. Talk to your book consultant if any questions about the publishing process. Usually, they can advise about complimentary copies of your book(s) or marketing services offered. *Note – I find marketing services to be more expensive than publishing sometimes, depending on the service offered, so choose wisely. This seems true for self-publishing, as well as traditional publishing.
4. Please note that once you publish a book, you are placed on a calling list. If it gets too annoying, you may want to ask the publisher to be removed from the list. If they say the list came from a website like Amazon, please ask to be connected to their customer service or a manager.
5. Continue to market your book(s) online. Social media is a great way to advertise your book(s) online and very affordable. Shout my Book will market your book(s) on social media inexpensively. They will do as many books as you want daily or monthly (at a small fee, of course).
6. Keep in contact with other writers. Seek a writer’s group or an organization for writers that meet monthly to discuss their books. This is an excellent opportunity to not only do some advertising, but to get advice from other writers.
7. Keep getting your name out there – mail book markers, postcards or business cards to potential interested readers, like family, acquaintances or friends. This can get expensive with postage and takes time; however, it’s gets your name and title of your book(s) out to the mainstream public.
8. Ask businesses (depending on the type of business) that know you if they would post a flyer of your book on their window. Usually, it is best if you are a customer or they’re acquainted with you.
9. In retrospect, see if these businesses would let you market your book(s) through a book signing. You would be surprise. They might say yes.
10. Keep hanging in there – never give up. Enjoy the writing process as you write that next “best seller” one day.  Simply, just have fun with it.

There are many more suggestions, but I feel it would be too repetitious in words. This project started out as your idea, your creation and your book. It is your baby. When I publish a book, I feel like I have given birth to a new creation.

Please keep in touch and if you have any questions, I am here to help. I may not be able to answer all your questions, but I will attempt to find out the answer for you. In the meantime, have a wonderful week and hope to be reading your best-seller soon.

 

Tips for New Writers and Authors – Week Two: Creating a Plot (Storyline)

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Authors, Blogging, Books, Creativity, Marketing, Media, Networking, Novels, Reading, Social Media, Writers, Writing

Last week, we looked at naming your book. The title is an important part in marketing and advertising your book. In addition, to promoting your book over the network. Each part is one step closer to creating your book and producing a finished product. This week, we will start by creating your plot, also called a storyline. A plot is simply the series of main events or sequence of events in the story. I believe there are two major issues defined: what you want to happen in the story and what you want to get across to readers. More so, it is the actual experience of writing that gives knowledge and better writing with each additional book written. I start out each story with two main questions: what do I want the reader to see (messages written between the lines) and how do I carry over the plot to present the characters in the story? While there are no definite guidelines written in concrete, it is wise to be prepared. I have added some suggestions in which to start your plot:

1. It is important to start out describing to readers basic descriptions, such as events, location, surroundings or time period. You don’t need to be too wordy or obsessive with words; however, be rather explicit.
2. Begin with either an Introduction or a Prologue describing where the story is taking place, main character(s), dates or time period, etc. This will initially describe what you are conveying to your readers. What are you trying to tell them? For example, if writing a historical novel, you may want to include some historical events as well.
3. The Prologue or Chapter One can lead the storyline into the book. The emphasis here is on guiding the plot into an easier written manuscript. Often, that starts the rest of the story and makes the manuscript flow easier. The manuscript is the initial script you are writing for your book or novel. I will be discussing finalizing your manuscript in later weeks.
4. Write down important dates, locations, events or names in the story to refer back to. If you have a photographic memory, you may be okay in this area.
5. There are times you may want to use what I call fillers. These are parts of a script or a chapter that aren’t in sequence, but are used later on in the manuscript. For example, if using a trial scene in your book, you may want to write the scene beforehand and go back later to add it to a chapter.
6. Sometimes, I find writing the ending or conclusion first is easier, then going back afterward to write the rest of the manuscript. It is a guideline to what I want to say and where I want the plot to go. There are exceptions to this. If you are a very organized person, you probably can write from beginning to ending in sequence with no trouble.
7. Write the story with little or no other distractions. If you are prone to distractions, write at a time that best suits you. If you are a morning person, write solely in the morning. If you are an afternoon or evening person, adjust your time accordingly to write. Turn the apps, radio, stereo, dvd player, headphones and television off. There shouldn’t be any other noise in the room, except your fingers working at the keyboard.
8. Allow yourself time to finish the story. As I mentioned last week, there is no maximum time to complete your book. I would say three to six months is a reasonable time to complete it. Allow more time if having professional editing done or an illustrator for children’s books. If you are good with the English language and proficient in writing, you are probably okay with self-editing instead.

Next week, I will be discussing general guidelines used by the publisher. I can only go by independent publishing. Traditional publishing would be a different ballgame. It is time-consuming and you do sign over copyrights of your written work(s). Self-publishing allows more control of your book.

I love the responses and feedback I have received so far. Please keep the posts coming. That is the difference between an average and a good writer. A great writer will share her/his experiences with others in order for them to learn. These were things I learned along the way – thus, no one taught me these or no course was sought on writing. It took five years and will probably take several more years to learn everything in the writing process. Hopefully, these tips will make it a little easier for new authors and writers.

 

Passed Final Production Stage

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Authors, Blogging, Books, Creativity, Marketing, Media, Writing

Trail of Betrayal passed the final production stage today. I just received an email from the publisher this afternoon. That means it goes to the printer next for setup and distribution. I should have a printed copy in my hand the week after next. Let’s hope so, anyway.

I’ve passed this step many times before with other books. I won’t pretend that writing a book is easy, but it does get easier with each additional book. I am one to talk; I don’t have enough patience with myself.

Newest Book Coming Along

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Authors, Blogging, Books, Creativity, History, Non-Fiction, Writers

Lingering Shadows is coming along. A sequel of my latest book, Glimpses of the Past, it entails a love story, love of family and country, family tragedy and war at the same time. An historical novel created during the Civil War era, written for historians and history buffs in mind.

The manuscript is finished, but working on revisions. Too many delays during February – mother’s illness and hospitalization, family emergencies and personal illness – but I’m on the mend and writing again.

Sorry to be amiss for awhile. I miss blogging and hearing from others. Sometimes life throws things your way that you have no control over. Anyway, hope to have the manuscript submitted within two to three weeks to the publishers. Be on the lookout for it online at Amazon and Barnes & Nobles by the end of the month.

Next Book Sent to Publishers!

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Blogging, Books, Creativity, Fiction, Media, Novels, Social Media

Psi

I sent my manuscript for next book to the publishers today. It has already gone into the Production Stage. Shattered Dreams will be released by this spring. Will update you when it goes to the printers. If you like adventure and suspense, you will enjoy this book. It also has some terrorizing moments too with drama. My interior sketch and front cover design below. Painting and drawing by Dannie Michelle Wright.

Front Cover Design

Interior Sketch – Dream

 

 

Working on Next Book

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Blogging, Books, Creativity, Fiction, Inspirational, Novels, Writing

Pyramid with Sphinx, Egypt

I’m presently working on my sixth book and third novel. If you like the bizarre, the exotic and adventure, this is the book for you. It is filled with suspense with a time-element that illuminates past history as well as the present. This book takes you to Cairo, where a series of life-changing events take place in the main character’s life. Faced with circumstances in early childhood, she becomes aware of her destiny in a true to life chain of events. Shattered Dreams gives that effect of shattered dreams over a period of time. Look for it this spring.

 

Freestyle Writing Challenge

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Blogging, Creativity, Media

 

Erika Kind challenged me to a Freestyle Writing Challenge. Thank you, Erika, for nominating me for this awesome challenge. This looked like a neat challenge and one I hadn’t participated in before. I have been under the weather so it took me a week to get back with this challenge. Erika did a wonderful job with her creative writing challenge. Please take a moment to look at her blog at https://erikakind.wordpress.com/.

The rules are:

1. Open a blank document.
2. Set a stop watch timer to 5 or 10 minutes, whichever length you prefer.
3. Your topic is at the foot of this post BUT DO NOT SCROLL DOWN TO SEE IT UNTIL YOU ARE READY WITH YOUR TIMER!!!

My topic was:

My best vacation ever!

My best vacation was in the summer of 1993. I went to Europe with my husband (now ex-husband) and another couple, long-time friends of ours. We went to Germany first. It was wonderful. We stayed three weeks in all. Our plane landed in Frankfurt, Germany. There, we rented a car to explore several countries in Europe.

While in West Germany, we drove through Berlin and stayed near Kohn (Colgne).

While in East Germany we stayed in Bavaria. The old German cathedrals were magnificent. One I remembered was set in gold, a huge gold enlaced organ on top.

Then we visited Austria, Holland, France and Belgium near Luxembourg. We attended a street fair in Holland. They had some of the best beer I’ve tasted in the world, called Dante’s. Germany too had great beer and I’m not even a beer lover.

Our travels took us to Paris at the Eiffel Tower. We spent the night in Paris and traveled through the metro. The tower was so tall as you looked up, I thought I could reach the sky. You could walk up and then halfway take an elevator. 

While staying in Bavaria, we traveled by bus one day on a tour bus to Prague, Czechoslovakia. We took a boat ride. I remember the canals and graffiti written on the walls. The old city was still beautiful. The Berlin Wall had been torn down not too long back. We shopped for crystal.

In most of the countries, I shopped for clothes and got to see so many old sights. We saw Brussels in Austria at Mozart’s old home. There were so many amazing and spectacular sights and places of scenery. We visited the Rhine River, departing three ways in Germany. What a wonderful sight! We were close to the Alps, about 50 miles from Switzerland. We didn’t quite make it on that trip. What a memorable vacation I will never forget!

Word Count: 318

Minutes: 10 Minutes

Not the best score or impressionable but at least I spelled everything correctly (I think).

My nominees are:

Send Sunshine (https://sendsunshine.wordpress.com/)

Shirazie (https://coffeewithnoor.wordpress.com/)

Taking The Mask Off (http://takingthemaskoff.com/)

Donna (http://alittlebirdtweets.com/)

The Snarky Blonde (http://thesnarkyblonde.com/)

Now nominees, please get ready and then scroll down to get your topic. Drum roll please!

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And the topic is:

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What does July 4th mean to me?

As always, you are under no obligation to accept or participate.

Dark Forces

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Blogging, Creativity, Poems, Poetry

Dark forces approach,

Deep and wide,

The body they engulf.

How can I fight them,

When they are ghastly at bay.

Fragility in health,

Second Day of 3-Day Quote Challenge

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Blogging, Creativity

This is my second day of 3-day quote challenge. Thanks to V-Rob and Erika for their nominations. Please visit their blogs for some fascinating features and stories. My theme is love, so I will stick with that. I thought back to the pain of losing a relationship as it had come to an end. The pain of seeing him walk the other walk and realizing that I would not see him another day.

If I knew that I had shown you love but one day than it was worth it. My wounds are deep and piercing. @Copyright annepm2015(https://annermurray.wordpress.com) The rules are simple – one quote a day for three days. They can be your quotes, or quotes from other people. Post one a day for three days, and nominate three bloggers per post. Also, thank the person that nominated you. It’s simple and fun!

My nominees for today are:

Blondeusk (https://blondewritemore.wordpress.com/)

My Personal Thing (https://mypersonallthing.wordpress.com/)

Mike (https://mikesteeden.wordpress.com/)

Please do not feel obligated to accept but I hope you do. Just sit back, relax and enjoy!

3 Day Quote Challenge

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Blogging, Creativity

V-Pub has challenged me to a 3-day quote challenge. Please take a moment to visit his blog at https://weight2lose2013.wordpress.com/ for musical expositions, songwriting and exciting events. Erika nominated me at the same time so I am combining nominations. Please take a look at her awesome blog of thoughts of inspiration, writings, poetry and stories at https://erikakind.wordpress.com/ Thanks to Rob and Erika for the nomination and I gladly accept. I am to quote either myself or someone else and nominate three people per post. This allows me to get my creative juices flowing on paper. True love is not a feeling that belongs. It is a feeling that belongs in a class of its own. The essence of love has no boundaries. @Copyright annepm2015 (https://annermurray.wordpress.com) The rules are simple – one quote a day for three days. They can be your quotes, or quotes from other people. Post one a day for three days, and nominated three bloggers per post. Also, thank the person that nominated you. It’s simple and fun! My nominees for today are: Carolina (http://yesterdayafter.com/shops/) Joleene (https://ramblingsfromthedarkness.wordpress.com) Shiraziem (https://coffeewithnoor.wordpress.com/) As always, don’t feel obligated to participate. Please link back to post. Thank you and have fun!