I know there are a lot of heated discussions over whether giving away your book for free is a good idea or not. I get it. I do. A lot of time, effort, emotion, and MONEY goes into the production of a book and by giving it away for free, then how is any of that possibly recouped? Why give away something that took years to create? And isn't it true that most things that are given away for free end up being utter crap? Good questions. On one hand, it can totally look like a dumb move for any author. Every author would love to make a living from their writing. Yes, we love to write ya-da, ya-da, ya-da, but if a writer could bring home the bacon by doing something they love to do, then all the better. I doubt any author would say, "No, don't give me that nice wad of cash. I don't want your millions. I do this simply for the joy alone. That is payment enough." (If you know some author who would say this, then look them in the eye and yell, "LIAR!" You may get punched in the face, but there is always the satisfaction of knowing you are right). Unfortunately, few authors truly live off their writings alone. Even well-established authors. Yes, there are the exceptions, but those are few and far between (We hate those guys. Just kidding Kudos to them). So, if an author isn't making any money with their writing, then why in the world would they then give away what they've written. Doesn't that defeat the point? No, because it's hard to make a name for yourself in a world where there are LITERALLY a kabillion authors trying to do the same thing (yes, "literally" is used in jest and the word "kabillion" isn't a real word, but you catch my drift). Writing and getting your name out there is FREAKIN' hard! It is. For me, I knew I had a a pretty good book on my hands (not to toot my own horn or anything... okay, who am I kidding. I'm tooting it). It had won several awards and the reviews that came rolling in were all favorable. But I could hardly sell it. A few here and a few there, but that was about it. The rest of the books in the series fell into oblivion, and I turned my face to the heavens and shook my fists, "Why? Why me, evil book god in the sky?"
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I don't plot. I never have. But as I stare at the next chapter in my work in progress, Chapter 18 and it's blank page, I wonder if somehow I should change my ways. Nah! Never! *Blows raspberries in your general direction* Yeah, I have these bizarre moments where I stare and wonder what should happen next. I mean, I know what's supposed to happen in a couple of chapters from this point (I keep mental notes, I'm not a total weirdo. Who am I kidding, yes I am), but for right here, right now, there are so many opportunities open to me. So many possibilities. My characters could do anything at this point. Go swimming? Maybe. Go shopping? Sure. Eat a burrito? Heck, why not. No, my characters need to do something that adds to the story and furthers their development... but what? I don't know! I read an article today by Writer's Digest on How To Write a Book: 3 Practical Tips, and tip three got to me. I'm living tip three. I just finished writing Chapter 17 in my current work in progress ANYONE? and I stare at Chapter 18 wondering what the heck to do. If I walk away, it might take me days to come back with an idea. I don't want to waste that time. So I need to commit and put something down on paper. Hmm... what to do, where to go? "Why not just plot," you say. Because I've been in this predicament before and have worked myself through it. The hard times are part of the process too. As much as I'd like to skip them, I can't. My creative brain just doesn't work that way. But before I walk away from my laptop, I will at least get that first paragraph written. That is my goal. I'm wearing my writing poncho, so it will be done. Yesterday, my husband and I were parked at the cemetery near our home, waiting to pick up our oldest from the school bus stop. Staring at the headstones, I turned to m husband and said, "Don't you dare give me a boring funeral." Come to find out, he doesn't want a boring and funeral either. When our son got in the car, we explained our wishes and he too requested the same treatment. "Don't sing that song 'Until we meet again', " he said. "Play something upbeat." I spoke to my daughter abut my wishes later that day, since she is far more mature than either of her older brothers and it was her suggestion to write everything down, "I can't remember all that, Mom. I'm only ten!" So here it is, here is my wishes for a non-boring/typical funeral: (Oh, and before I start, let it be noted that I have no plans on going anywhere anytime soon. I'm hanging on to the bitter end, because that's how I like to do things. I'm just putting this out there so that the more who know my wishes can enforce them upon my children and make sure they follow through). My dear husband went on a business trip to New Jersey and returned bearing gifts for everyone. For the boys: t-shirts. For our daughter: a cool pen. And for me: a PONCHO. When one thinks of New Jersey, one doesn't normally think of ponchos (New Mexico, Texas, maybe even Southern Cali), but apparently it is an option there in New Jersey. Obviously, he did not buy this gift for the sexiness aspect of it (though I suppose it could be sexy if you wore nothing under it... nah. Still not sexy). But I must say this: MY ALPACA PONCHO IS COZY. As I type this post, while wearing my poncho, I can't help but think of all you poor folk out there who are missing out. I'm setting a trend here--WRITER'S IN PONCHOS. It's like a blanket, but BETTER. It covers me both front and back AND has arm holes so I can continue typing without interference. It doesn't slip nor does it have to be adjusted. The best thing of all: ONE SIZE FITS ALL and it's gender neutral (though I have no plans on sharing mine). At first glance, you may think, "I bet it's itchy." But you would be wrong. It's very, very soft--like a cloud of fluffy goodness. I normally wear hoodies while writing, but now with my poncho life has gotten much much better. My legs are no longer envious of my arms and torso. They can now partake of the poncho as well (it covers my knees). Only my feet are sad. Too bad they don't make Snuggie-like ponchos. Wait, do they? That is definitely something that should be looked into. I love my husband. I love that he thought about me and how I tend to be a rather cold person (not evil-cold, just chilly). His gift-giving cracks me up, but this poncho not only warms my body and heart, but it quite a practical gift when you think about it. I am warm while I write and I am also prepared for any Cino De Mayo party should I be invited to one. Each month I do a giveaway for one random commenter (last month was a zombi t-shirt). This month the winner could be YOU! Leave a comment below and let me know you stopped by and you will be entered into the drawing. Super easy. Love my poncho? Think it's an excellent idea? Please comment and let me know. Yeah, I haven't done a lot of writing lately. There. I admit it. It sucks, but it's the truth. I could blame it on a lot of things--like the fact my laptop went on the fritz and my computer-fixing husband just so happens to be on a business trip at the same time or how I'm single-parenting three kids while he is away--but the fact is, I just don't want to write. I have time. I have plenty of time to write, hours in fact, and I actually have an old desktop computer that I can use to write, but it sure seems a lot easier to stay in my pajamas until three in the afternoon and watch various TV episodes on Netflix. It's way easier, actually. Sometimes characters just don't want to speak to me and sometimes the plot and story seems elusive. I'm not a plotter and so when the creativity juices just don't flow or I hit that invisible wall marked "Writer's Block" then I have to step away and chill for a while. I will be back, because that's how this writing thing seems to work for me--write like a crazy woman and then go through a drought--it's a pattern I recognize all too well. So as I laid there on my couch, covered with two big fluffy blankets, it dawned on me: I'm not being TOTALLY lazy; I'm only being PARTIALLY lazy. There's a difference. Okay, maybe not, but I would like to believe that maybe, just maybe that while watching episode after episode of CHUCK I'm storing away valuable information for a later time. Like maybe, I'm studying character development, body movements, and expressions. I'm doing freakin' research, okay? Every editor will say that they can tell a newbie writer just by reading the first page of their manuscript. It's that apparent, and most of the reasons are pretty simple too. There are quite a few mistakes newbies make, sure, but these are some of the most common and some of the easier to correct. Things like flat characters, lack of descriptions or too much description, boring plot, are things that will be developed over time the more your write, edit, and grow. This list is for the simple fixes that can be corrected before handing over your manuscript to anyone to read and keep you from looking like a newbie. It's hard to change these tell-tale signs if we're not aware we're making them in the first place. I hope this helps. 1) Do not use double punctuation ever. Just don't. The use of ?! is unacceptable. Simply use a ? to end the question and then SHOW the confusion/surprise reaction by the character's actions. That is what clear writing is all about. (This was an issue debated in a writing group just two days ago. Many, many, many new writers insisted it was just fine to use and INSISTED it relayed the affect they were going for which they felt couldn't achieve in any other way... yikes). 2) To go along with the above, don't overdo the use of the exclamation point or use CAPS to express anger or excitement. No: "NO WAY!” Mary exclaimed. “How am I supposed to write without using exclamation points or caps in my dialogue to get my point across? THIS IS UTTER NONSENSE! Exclamations are awesome! I refuse to stop using them!” Yes: "No way," Mary said. "I can't believe I can get the necessary emphasis in my writing without using exclamations or all-caps in my dialogue. It's amazing." 3) Do not use dialogue tags like: He replied. She yelled. He suggested. She grumbled. He stated. Etc... Simply use SAID. That's all you need. The others are redundant. (As a note: I hardly ever use the term SAID either. Only when I have to. For the most part, I use the character's movement or actions to relay who is speaking). By using the word SAID it becomes invisible to the reader and keeps the reader engaged in the action and not focused on the prose. 4) In relation to the above, when you write: "You worry too much," he said as he touched her shoulder and gave it a little squeeze. It could be rewritten to say: "You worry too much." He touched her shoulder and gave it a little squeeze. This way you eliminate the said and also gives your work a cleaner feel to it. This is my preferred method. 5) Do not open your story with a dream scene or with your character looking in the mirror. These have been DONE TO DEATH. Avoid it at all costs. Okay, not at all costs, but unless you can do it with such amazing skill to pull it off, then I wouldn't suggest it. 6) Do not combine different characters' dialogue in one paragraph (this isn't the best writing, but it's an example to give you an idea of what I mean). No: "Where are you going?" She tipped her head and settled her hands on her hips. His hand dropped from the door handle. "No where." "Really? I don't believe you." Yes: "Where are you going?" She tipped her head and settled her hands on her hips. His hand dropped from the door handle. "No where." "Really? I don't believe you." 7) Over using adjectives and adverbs. No: The low cream-colored fluffy clouds floated lazily in the baby-blue sky and drifted over the dry and dirty valley, touching the still and quiet rooftops of the old early-rising sleepy-headed town members below. Yes: Clouds floated across the sky and drifted over the valley, touching the rooftops of the early-rising town members below. 8) Repeating the same word. Every writer, even the more experienced, tend to have a certain set of go-to words they use over and over which have to be edited out (for me, I tend to over use the word JUST and have to do a search to eliminate as many as I can). But a newbie tends to use those same words over and over on the same page or even in the same paragraph. Proofread for repetition. Even a simple word like HOUSE repeated two or three times in one paragraph can be distracting for a reader. Vary it up. 9) People don't tend to use each others names when speaking. Just listen to a conversation (go ahead and eavesdrop) and you will see this is true. So don't make your characters keep calling each other by name. Here and there is fine, but be careful not to overdo it. Readers are smart. They will figure out who is talking by the character's actions. Don't worry. 10) Do not switch POV's within the same scene. It should never be done. If you start out in Jane's head, from her perspective, then you must stay with her until the next scene break. Only then can you tell us what Tom is thinking. Going back and forth, head-hopping, within the same scene will only confuse the reader and will aggravate the heck out of an editor. These are ten things to get you started. For more complex and more tell-tale signs, here are a few links for you to delve into your writing a little more: FIVE MISTAKES A BEGINNING WRITER SHOULD AVOID BEGINNER MISTAKES THE TEN MISTAKES COMMON WRITING MISTAKES Do you have any advice for newbie writers or something you can add to the above list? Then please leave a comment below. Also, leave a comment to let me know you stopped by. Every month I hold a drawing for a random commenter and mail out super cool prizes (Last month was a zombie tee shirt and author signed bookmark). You could be the winner this month IF you leave a comment that is :) Sometimes, we're just not in the mood... to write (get your mind out of the gutter, you naughty, but surprisingly, relatable person. Let's be friends). It happens to the best of us. It happens to ALL of us. We've all been there. The very idea of sitting at the computer, with our work-in-progress file open, and our fingers on the keyboard just plain seems unpleasant and awful. Writing is hard, it is, and playing Candy Crush or watching season after season of DEXTER on Netflix seems so much easier...sooo much easier. So what do we do? How do we get in the mood... to write? Step 1) SET THE SCENE. Where do you usually write? Your desk? In your room, in bed? If so, why not change it up? Move to a different room, a different scene, or go some place new entirely--ever try writing at Starbucks? McD's? I have, and it works wonders. I've even found I can write more than I normally do at places like Get Air (an indoor trampoline park). Weird, I know, but it's true. Sitting at the same desk, in the same room, looking at the same scenery, can get old very fast. Spice it up. Move. Go somewhere different. Get adventurous. Try it. You might like it. Step 2) MUSIC. Treat yourself to some new tunes. Find a song that is special to either you, your characters, or the "feel" of your book. Writing a fast-paced scene? Then pick out a face-paced song. Writing something serious, sad, or romantic? Find that right song. Now listen to it before you place your fingers on the keyboard. Hum, if you don't know the words. Belt them out, if you do. Pretend you're on American Idol. Go for it. It will get your heart pumping, which will excite your brain. You're like, "Yeah, right. This is weird advice." Hey, don't knock it until you've tried it. You'll see. *There will be spoilers, so if you haven't watched all the seasons of DEXTER, you may not want to read this* For the longest time, there were only those four seasons available on Netflix and since I don't have cable (I hardly watch TV), I decided to simply wait it out. When Netflix added seasons four through eight this past January, guess what I did? Yep, a non-stop DEXTER marathon. Yippee! So excited! When I'd watched DEXTER when it first came out, years ago, I loved it. I loved the concept and it drew me in hook, line, and sinker. I loved how each episode ended, forcing me to stay up later than I usually would to watch the next episode in my cue. But soon, something just started feeling off. I knew it had been quite some time since I'd last watched DEXTER, but a few things just didn't feel right. Was Dexter's internal dialogue not nearly as witty? Did the writers forget they needed to explain details and not leave things dangling and weird? It sure seemed so and with each season, it seemed to get worse and worse. I'm just an average Jane, but when I start questioning things, you know there is a problem. I pretty much just go with the flow, but things kept popping up that made me crinkle my brow. And with each additional season, my brow became more and more furrowed. But I'm no quitter. Once I commit to something, I will follow it through to it's bitter bitter end. I'm that dedicated. The woman above, Lumen (played by Julia Stiles) witnesses Dexter kill a man who is guilty of murdering women and stuffing them in barrels. Lumen was to be the next victim. This leaves Dexter in quite a weird predicament. She is the victim of kidnapping and gang rape and she asks Dexter for his help to kill the other men involved. That is pretty much the premises for this season, thought there are other plot lines as well. Anyhoo... Dexter tracks down one of the men (Cole Harmon), rents the hotel room next to the guy, so that he can use the adjoining door, pick the lock, drag Cole into his room at night and kill him. The picture above is the room prepared for the kill. But things don't go quite as planned... Cole brings a woman back to his room to stay the night, so the kill will have to take place at another time. Then things go really bad. Cole sees Lumen in the hall, recognizes her, and goes chasing after her. Dexter is stuck at a convention meeting (run by a super famous well known motivational speaker, Jordan Chase in the same hotel and can't get out of it. Lumen runs back to the hotel room and locks the door, but Cole CRASHES (remember this) through the adjoining door and attacks Lumen. Of course, Dexter makes it back just in time to save her. They kill him, stuff his pieces into various suitcases and even put his head in a bowling ball bag. Everything is cleaned up, and no one is the wiser. Except (here we go), this man was the HEAD of the famous Jordan Chase security team. THE HEAD. The police and Jordan figure he must have taken off. No one knows where he is or how to find him. Is he dead? Is he alive? Who knows? How about this, folks--DIDN'T ANYONE NOTICE THE BUSTED ADJOINING DOOR? There is no way Dexter could have fixed that, and the writers of the show never even bring it up. Under normal circumstances, the police (who are also looking into Cole as a suspect for something else), would have noticed the busted hotel door and THEN checked into who rented the room next to Cole's. They would have seen it was Dexter, their very own blood guy, and maybe questioned him. THAT'S WHAT GOOD POLICE PEOPLE DO. Except, the writers of the show leave the whole detail of the door unexplained. No. No. No. But things get even worse in season six. I had no intention of writing about the importance of a book's blurb or how to go about writing one. I've done that post before HERE. I was actually going to blog about my reaction to the DEXTER series (just finished it up this weekend by watching several missed seasons on NETFLIX, including the final episode of season eight. This blog post will come. I have too much to say about it not to--Darn you, DEXTER!) But low and behold as I was scanning my news feed on Facebook this morning a sponsored ad popped up about a book that I thought looked interesting. I clicked on the link and it directed me to Amazon for the purchase. Once there, I decided to read the description or blurb. It went a little something like this: "The entire earth's population is annihilated by a horrible virus, but somehow Jamie lived through it and through a telephone call with his mother, who happens to still be alive on the opposite side of the USA and who also works for a company that makes cures for terrible diseases, she tells him she has the cure for this one. He just needs to get there and find her before it's too late. So Jamie and his two best friends take his family car and start driving to New York. As they drive, they realize that no one is around. It's a really bad situation. They stop at a gas station and guess what? They find another survivor. They add the girl to their group and keep driving. Then they come across a huge fire and several road blocks as they drive. It seems like these things aren't nature made but human made and that's scary. Who would do it? Jamie doesn't want to find out. They keep going, but decide to get some guns, just in case. At a small town they find two more survivors, a boy and his dad, and add them to their group. They keep driving. They get hungry. They stop and eat. Several times they do this. They find a dog and add him to the group. He's a cute dog and very friendly. Dogs are great to have on road trips. He comes in handy too when they run into bad guys. The dog attacks one of the bad men and he kills him in a gruesome way. The other men run away. Good thing too, because Jamie's journey isn't over yet. He still has to fight a flash flood, a burning mountain, and a flock of crazy birds. He does all this successfully and arrives at his destination to only find out that he had the answer all along. The medicine he takes for his asthma is what kept him alive while others died. Come to find out, everyone in his group has asthma. What are the chances of that? Come follow Jamie on his journey across the nation...." Umm...no. Okay, I exaggerated this blurb a bit, but SERIOUSLY, the one I read followed this exact pattern. That's not good. Let me tell you why. Who am I to give ANYONE any kind of writerly advice? I'm no one, really. And that is the same for ANYONE else out there spouting advice to young/new writers. Advice isn't concrete, so be wary. Be careful. Advice, even from professionals, is simply an OPINION. As with nostril holes, we all have them--opinions that is. Some are HUGE. Some are in need of trimming (you've seen those hairy noses. You know what I mean), and some are just plain nasty. But in the case of all (well, almost all), we're simply trying to pass on what we've learned to help others along their path. That's all I'm doing. I admit that. I also admit that for the most part, I haven't got a clue. I'm still trying to work out the basics of finding writerly success, but what I do know is what works for me. That's all I can ever offer here on my blog. If others can gleam something from my ramblings, then fantastic. If I can gleam something from someone else's ramblings, all the better for me. But I will NEVER tell you THIS is the way YOU have to do something. Never. There are too many contradictions out there for anything to ever be set in stone as the right thing to do. Get you book professionally edited before publishing it--I still believe there is merit in this (lots of merit). This is a step I will never skip. But does that mean that every best seller out there is edited to a perfect shine or that your book, once edited perfectly, will become a best seller? Nope. There are many best sellers that I can't even get past reading their sample due to so many errors. There are also AMAZING books out there that only sell a handful of copies that put those bestsellers to shame because they're written so well and edited the same. How can that be? Right place, right time, I guess. No one really knows for sure, and if someone tells you they do--RUN. It's impossible to know--just like a fortune teller. Oh, they can get close, and may even get a few things right in the process, but it's impossible to predict the future (feel free to argue with me on that if you'd like). So, if you come to my blog and read my "ADVICE" remember, it is only my opinion. That is all. If it works for you, fantastic. If it doesn't, move on and find what DOES work for you. Regardless of what advice you listen to, keep writing and keep loving what you do. Create your very best work. Everything else will fall into place after that. Remember to leave a comment. Once a month I will award a random commenter a fancy shamcy prize. Check it out HERE to learn more. |
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