Links of Interest

DO MEN READ FEMALE WRITERS, AND, IF SO, HOW MANY DO?

http://www.mediabistro.com/galleycat/do-men-read-books-written-by-females-infographic_b93986

DEVELOPING YOUR OWN STYLE:

http://www.livewritethrive.com/2014/11/19/how-writers-develop-a-unique-style/

DIALOG TAGS:

http://blog.janicehardy.com/2009/06/tag-youre-it.html

WHETHER FREE WORKS:

http://bloodredpencil.blogspot.com/2014/11/to-free-or-not-to-free.html

THE TWELVE BEST HASHTAGS FOR WRITERS:

http://writersinthestormblog.com/2014/11/12-best-hashtags-for-writers/

TIPS ON USING OUTLINING:

http://writerunboxed.com/2014/11/23/outlining-why-i-made-the-switch-and-tips-for-trying-it/

FIVE WAYS TO CREATE SUSPENSE:

http://mythcreants.com/blog/five-ways-to-generate-suspense/

THREE TIPS FOR PUBLIC SPEAKING:

http://writershelpingwriters.net/2014/11/3-tricks-surviving-public-speaking-event/

MAKING YOUR CHARACTER UNCOMFORTABLE AND WHY YOU SHOULD:

http://blog.janicehardy.com/2014/11/what-makes-your-characters-uncomfortable.html

AUTHOR ESSENTIALS ON TWITTER:

http://warriorwriters.wordpress.com/2014/11/25/7-essentials-every-author-needs-to-know-about-twitter/

NOTE:  Happy Thanksgiving to all my American readers.  Happy Thursday to everyone else.

Book Signing Advice from Mark Twain

When Mark Twain started giving lectures, the book tour of his day, he was extremely nervous about whether the crowds would be friendly or if they'd laugh at his jokes so he paid a few people to sit in the audience to laugh and clap at the appropriate times. Being a humorist of such caliber, he didn't need these guys, of course, but they gave him confidence.

What does this have to do with a book signing? Simple. Talk to friends and relatives, and ask that they come at a specific time. Spread them out through the signing.  That way you'll always have people around to attract other people, and you'll look busy to the bookstore owner. You'll also get out folks who wouldn't come otherwise. 

If things are going badly, despite all you've done, it does happen even to the best of us, make certain some of these friends buy your book even if you have to reimburse them later. That's so you look good to the bookseller, too. 

And for Pete's sake, don't let the bookstore know these people are planted! You may want to come back again.

Links of Interest

CREATING EVOCATIVE PROSE:

http://blog.janicehardy.com/2014/11/three-tips-for-creating-evocative-prose.html

SIX KEY TERMS IN THE AMAZON KDP CONTRACT:

http://marcykennedy.com/2014/11/6-key-terms-amazons-kdp-contract-digest-busy-writers

CONTRACT RIGHTS, TERMS TO BE WARY OF:

http://writersinthestormblog.com/2014/11/publishing-grant-of-rights-susan-spann/

RECOGNIZING THAT PART OF THE NOVEL ISN’T WORKING AND WHAT TO DO:

http://blog.janicehardy.com/2012/07/kill-what-what-to-do-when-you-need-to.html

HOW REAL SPIES USE BUGGING DEVICES:

http://writersinthestormblog.com/2014/11/writing-spies-insider-tips-on-how-the-pros-bug/

FIVE THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT NEW ADULT FICTION:

http://cynthialeitichsmith.blogspot.com/2014/11/guest-post-giveaway-deborah-halverson.html

WHEN TO ITALICIZE THOUGHTS:

http://blog.janicehardy.com/2014/11/choosing-which-thoughts-to-italicize.html

DEEP POV:

http://marcykennedy.com/2014/11/deep-pov-using-pain-become-better-writer/

WORD ARRANGEMENT APP TO GIVE STORY IDEAS:

http://pbackwriter.blogspot.com/2014/11/bonsaing-inspiration.html

WHAT A SPIDER CAN TEACH YOU ABOUT CHARACTER CREATION:

http://pbackwriter.blogspot.com/2014/11/the-character-web.html

PROMOTION, THE BEST TIME TO SEND TWEETS:

http://www.teleread.com/social-media/writers-heres-time-social-media-self-promotion-blitz/

PROMOTION, FACEBOOK:

http://www.thewritersalleyblog.com/2014/11/how-to-grow-your-blog-platform_19.html

PACING TIPS:

http://writershelpingwriters.net/2014/11/tricky-art-pacing/

A Romance Takes Two, Not a Whole Castle

QUESTION: In my historical romance, I have a whole castle filled with people.  What’s your advice on juggling lots of characters? They are all important, some more than others. But it’s challenging sometimes to include them all. 

A romance is about the hero and heroine, NOT the secondary characters, no matter how interesting.  If a scene or a character doesn't involve the hero or heroine and their relationship, then that scene or character isn't needed.  I use the Rule of Three: If a scene doesn't contain at least one or two plot points (information or events which move the plot forward), and one or two character points (important main character information) so that you have at least three points total, then it should be tossed, and whatever points included in that scene should be added to another scene.

If you really like a secondary character like the hero's best friend, then you can build him up enough so that readers will want his story for your next novel, but you don't take away from the hero or the story while doing this.

In books other than romances, writers have more of a luxury of allowing other characters on page and in viewpoint.  To keep up with these characters, they keep rigorous notes, story flow charts, etc.  They also give just enough information to the reader to remind them of who this person is, if he isn't a major player in the story.  

SCHEDULE NOTE: I am starting a major OS software upgrade on my computer.  If my regular Wednesday "Links of Interest" does not appear on time, that is why.  

Links of Interest

THREE THINGS SILENT FILMS CAN TEACH YOU ABOUT STORYTELLING:

http://blog.janicehardy.com/2012/10/m-shhh-three-things-silent-movies-can.html

POINT OF VIEW 101, TYPES OF AND HOW TO CHOOSE:

http://warriorwriters.wordpress.com/2014/11/06/point-of-view-what-is-it-how-to-find-the-perfect-voice-for-your-story/

FOR SELF-PUBS, INTERIOR DESIGN OF PAGES:

http://blog.janicehardy.com/2014/11/basics-of-print-interior-design.html

USING FIRST PERSON TO CONNECT WITH YOUR READER:

http://project-middle-grade-mayhem.blogspot.com/2014/11/first-person-pov-building-kinship-with.html

MAKING SURE THE STORY IN YOUR HEAD IS ON THE PAGE:

http://blog.janicehardy.com/2010/02/brains-on-page.html

AUTHOR BEWARE, LITFIRE PUBLISHING:

http://accrispin.blogspot.com/2014/11/solicitation-alert-litfire-publishing.html

TWITTER ETIQUETTE, SHOULD YOU FOLLOW YOUR FOLLOWERS?

http://writerunboxed.com/2014/11/08/the-great-twitter-debate-should-you-follow-back

GREAT DIALOGUE INVOLVES REAL PEOPLE AS CHARACTERS:

http://writerunboxed.com/2014/11/09/creating-living-breathing-dialog

LAUNCHING A SELF-PUBBED BOOK:

http://killzoneauthors.blogspot.com/2014/11/how-to-launch-self-published-book.html

PININTEREST FOR WRITERS, PART 2:

http://www.thewritersalleyblog.com/2014/11/pinterest-for-writers-part-2-with-guest.html

CREATING A NEW WORLD BY USING YOUR MAIN CHARACTER’S VIEWPOINT:

http://www.publishingcrawl.com/2014/11/10/creating-a-whole-new-world/

THE BASICS OF CREATING YOUR OWN AUDIOBOOKS:

http://disquietingvisions.com/2014/11/11/audiobooks-101-basics/

MAKING YOUR BOOK A HEAD MOVIE FOR YOUR READER:

http://jodyhedlund.blogspot.com/2014/11/how-to-make-your-book-play-out-like.html

CREATING YOUR WRITING STYLE:

http://www.livewritethrive.com/2014/11/12/important-considerations-when-developing-your-writing-style

Rereading and Rewriting

QUESTION: How many times do you reread your book while writing it? I find I am constantly rereading my work over and over. I've probably reread it over a hundred times, I hope I'm on the right track.

Some writers don't reread what they've written until they finish. The advantage is they allow the story to remain organic and grow naturally.  The disadvantage is they can't correct elements of the story that no longer fit, and they many find it hard to delete those moments when they begin their first rewrites. 

Some keep rereading and rewriting what they've written.  The advantage is very clean text and no loose ends.  The disadvantage is they can rewrite to the point that they’ve sucked all the life and style out of their story.  Plus, they are taking away valuable writing time to do this and may lose the desire to finish the story.  

I do a mixture of both.  I start my day's writing by rereading what I wrote the day before to get myself back into the groove of the story.  I only reread from the beginning if I've lost focus for the story.  The advantage is cleaner text and I'm less likely to lose the main character's voice.  The disadvantage is some of my writing time is spent editing.

Every writer must choose what works best for herself.  

Links of Interest

STAYING SAFE ON TWITTER:

http://jamigold.com/2014/10/7-tips-for-staying-safe-on-twitter/

THE PROS AND CONS OF AMAZON’S NEW CROWD-SOURCED SCOUT:

http://accrispin.blogspot.com/2014/10/kindle-scout-pros-and-cons-of-amazons.html

CREATING AN AUTHOR MEDIA KIT:

http://blog.janicehardy.com/2014/10/media-kits-easy-as-123.html

HOW TO AVOID WHITE NOISE MARKETING:

http://www.thewritersalleyblog.com/2014/10/how-to-avoid-white-noise-marketing.html

WRITING SPIES:

http://warriorwriters.wordpress.com/2014/10/31/writing-spies-five-dos-and-donts/

SEVEN DEADLY SINS OF FIRST CHAPTERS:

http://blog.janicehardy.com/2010/04/seven-deadly-sins-if-youre-first.html

110 LINKS TO WRITING ADVICE FOR NANOWRITE:

http://www.mediabistro.com/galleycat/110-writing-tools-in-a-single-post_b93038

WRITING A KILLER PLOT TWIST:

http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/there-are-no-rules/4-ways-to-write-a-killer-plot-twist

BACK UP YOUR WRITING, BACK UP YOUR WRITING, DANG IT!:

http://blog.janicehardy.com/2014/11/when-was-last-time-you-backed-up-your.html

WHAT IS YOUR STORY MISSING:

http://moodywriting.blogspot.com/2014/11/what-is-your-story-missing.html

LIST O’ LINKS OF APPS AND SITES FOR WRITERS:

http://pbackwriter.blogspot.com/2014/11/speedy-links.html

MAKING YOUR BOOKS NOTICED IN A CROWDED MARKET:

http://jodyhedlund.blogspot.com/2014/11/when-you-feel-invisible-in-crowded-book.html

WHAT VOICE REALLY IS:

http://www.livewritethrive.com/2014/11/05/what-voice-really-is-in-a-novel

When a Simple Story Stops Being Simple

A few times a year, I receive an email from someone who has read one or more of my writing articles.  This person is just getting started with her writing, and she’s suddenly realized that writing that story isn’t quite as simple as she thought.

All those professional writers she loves have created stories that seem so simple on the surface but are not so simple when the new writer starts to see all the elements of craft involved and how each must do certain things perfectly so that the story can be told correctly.  

Writing dialogue, creating plot, constructing sentences and paragraphs that pull the reader in and doesn’t confuse him, breathing life into characters, and all the other elements of telling a good story become so overwhelming a task that the new writer panics and sends me a call for help asking how she can become a stronger writer.

Here’s what I always tell this person.

I can't wave the magic wand of a few words of advice over you and make you a stronger writer, but here are a few things I can suggest to help you begin to make yourself a stronger writer.  

Read what you want to write.  Study your favorite writers to see how they do what they do.

Find a good writing teacher to help you with the basics of writing.  Read books on writing.  And find other writers and critique each other.

Sit down at the computer and write and write.  If you want to be a professional writer in a major market, be prepared to be sitting there for years before you can start selling your work.

And, most importantly, enjoy the writing.  If there is no joy in the journey, the destination isn't worth it.