Category Archives: Writing Tips

Today’s Writing Tip

Posted on by

e-mail- copy

Book fairs and conferences are excellent places to meet other authors and potential readers. The energy in such venues is magical, but learning how to use it to your advantage takes practice. Many authors, myself included, are introverts, so your first experience in such an environment can be intimidating. There are also numerous conventions and protocols for how your table or booth should be set up. Thus, before you take the plunge, visit a few to scope them out so you know what to expect.

Your best bet is to concentrate on those close to home. Not only can your local fan base find and support you more easily, but others in the area will discover you as well, perhaps bringing opportunities for other appearances.

However, even in your own territory, selling enough books to cover expenses is unlikely until you’ve developed a strong fan base. This definitely applies to venues that require hotel stays or, heaven forbid, airfare, though if combined with a vacation, such bills offer a nice business-related tax deduction.

The main thing is not to be discouraged by expecting too much. Just include the cost in your marketing budget and count any book sales as a bonus.

Today’s Writing Tip

Posted on by

desktop- copy

When promoting your book, comparing it to similar stories with which everyone is familiar can help find readers who will like yours. Of course you have to do this is a way that’s not arrogant or could get you in trouble for infringing on copyright laws.

Nonetheless, if your book has similarities to the Harry Potter series, readers who love that series might be delighted to find another source of fantasy. There’s a risk, however, because if you fall short when they can’t find adequate parallels, their disappointment may result in a rather brutal review.

Thus, weigh the pros and cons carefully before using this method. A safer approach is to simply refer to some of the elements your story has in common with a popular series or movie. Sometimes you get lucky and a reviewer makes the comparison for you, in which case you can quote them and let any ire at possible deficiencies fall on them.

Today’s Writing Tip

Posted on by

desk- copy

What is the worst book you ever read? Did you finish it or give up part way through? Why was it horrible? Take a few moments to learn from it, even if it’s something uncomfortable about yourself or your own work.

One book I read was so bad on so many levels, I’m surprised I bothered to shove myself through to the end, hoping it would get better–it didn’t. Sadly, the premise was a good one and certain parts, at least of the plot, were well-done. However, it was riddled with my pet peeves, including, first and foremost, violation of the laws of physics and/or aerodynamic flight. That offended my inner scientist.

As I remember in addition, the author misused just about every homonym in the English language. Okay, we’ve all goofed up from time to time with your, you’re, and maybe even yore or there, their, and they’re, but this included so many it became laughable and definitely offended my inner grammarian.

But you know what the irony is? That for all the well-written and nicely edited stories I’ve read, which are many, I’ve forgotten the title of most of them while this one will probably live on, forever tattooed on my memory.

I guess the question is whether that is how you’d like to be remembered?

Today’s Writing Tip

Posted on by

design-space-copy

We all have our favorite genres, which we lean toward, especially when reading time is limited. However, reading something different can highlight other techniques to use in your own writing. If this is too big of a step, then consider reading one that’s a cross-over. These combine more than one classic genre, giving you the opportunity to find one that’s only a slight shift from your first preference.

I suspect that the advent of cross-overs can be credited to indie writers, who pursued their creative instinct with no regard to established “norms” for the conventional book categories. While this was undoubtedly a cause of dismay for publishers, literature professors, and librarians, it has brought a delightful potpourri to readers.

If you do muster the courage to step outside your usual reading fare, just make sure that it’s well-written and edited. Otherwise, it could simply provide you with an excuse to avoid such excursions in the future.

Today’s Writing Tip

Posted on by

coffee- copy

Similar to yesterday’s exercise, when you’re reading a novel and come across something that tosses you out of “the zone”, take a moment to consider whether you’ve ever made that same mistake. Was it a glaring typo? A missing word? The protagonist acting entirely out of character? A plot hole? Something that violates the laws of physics? (That last one is my personal favorite, or I suppose I should say pet peeve.)

Note how distracting it is when this happens and use that energy to make a solemn vow to never knowingly do the same thing to one of your readers. This is what careful editing is all about.

Today’s Writing Tip

Posted on by

blogging-copy

Make a list of your favorite stories that specifies everything you liked about them, such as well-developed characters, clever plot twists, imagery, couldn’t put the book down, and so forth.

Now, take that list and compare what impressed you to your story and see if there’s some way you can improve. You’re not likely to learn simply by osmosis; conscious observation will assimilate it to your benefit.

Then, if you’re brave enough, do the same for stories you didn’t like and compare them to your work as well.

Today’s Writing Tip

Posted on by

blank copy

Don’t worry about those pesky adverbs during your first draft, when such concerns can interrupt your creative flow. When you’re following your muse capturing your story for the first time, don’t fuss over such things.  However, this is one area to attack on your first edit. This is accomplished easily by using  your word processor’s “Search” function to find all words ending in “ly”. At that time you can put on your thinking cap and replace it with a strong verb. (Thanks to author Jeanne Foguth for this great tip!)

Today’s Writing Tip

Posted on by

alphabets-copy

When you refer to something that happened in the past, be sure to transition properly so your readers don’t get confused. This is done by using past perfect tense, i.e. “He HAD wondered years ago, whether blah blah blah.”

After that, switch back to simple past so you don’t create a different distraction by having too many “had” whatevers.  Then be sure to close the flashback by using perfect past again, cluing your reader that it’s now back to the present story action. Otherwise, your reader can get lost in time. In some books I’ve encountered I’ve had to read a few paragraphs over several times before I figured out what was past and what was present.

As always, throwing a reader out of the story is a huge faux pas!

Today’s Writing Tip

Posted on by

computer- copy

A series has more substance if each volume has an independent plot, even if it’s part of a larger conflict. A reader who picks up a book out of order should be able to follow the action while still wondering what happened earlier, which is likely to drive them to read earlier stories eventually.

It’s a good idea to increase the plot’s complexity as the story progresses. Without further obstacles and challenges, your story can get boring and predictable. I loved reading “The Hobbit” series, but when I saw the first movie, while I admired the visuals, special effects, and casting, I got bored after about an hour thinking, “How long can I stand to sit here watching monsters chasing hobbits?”

I’ve also read stories that just went on and on and on with too many obstacles. They can have a “ho-hum” factor as well.

Today’s Writing Tip

Posted on by

coffee- copy

Bear in mind that readers may come to a sequel months, or even years, after reading the first book, or possibly not in order. Always recap the plot and describe the characters again to refresh their memory as well as assure any new readers don’t feel lost.

I run into this a lot, and have even caught myself guilty of this while writing my series. To the author, it is one continuous story. To the reader, however, who may have read the predecessor ages or at least many books ago, remembering exactly what was going on as well as the function of minor characters, is often unclear.

In some cases, you may want to use a prologue or a “The Story so Far” section for this purpose. Those who don’t need the review can skip it while those who do will appreciate it and allow them to get fully engaged in the story more easily.