What Do Plants and Writing Have in Common?

 This morning, a friend shared how frustrating writing our first novel can be. He said he had listened to a podcast where the author spent nine years writing her first book. So let’s talk about the frustration first. We spend hours in front of the computer typing nonstop (that’s on good days when we’re inspired and have no interruptions). Sometimes, we get tempted to go back and tweak the manuscript. This can be counterproductive (I’m speaking from personal experience and what peers have shared). When we stop to edit previous chapters or paragraphs if we’re working on a short story, we hinder the writing process and sever our muse. And let’s not even talk about writer’s block or computer malfunction (that’s for another blog post).

How can we fix this issue? Years ago, one of my mentors advised me always to pick up where I left off. If we go back to earlier chapters, we’ll most likely start deleting parts that could be important in the storyline because we’re not being objective. Leave this job for the beta readers or the editor. Our job is to finish the book.

Writing a book can be likened to a plant’s growth. Let me share an analogy. I planted bell peppers seeds in pots. A patch of three-inch shoots didn’t make it because my kitty cat thought she had hit the catnip jackpot. The ones I was able to salvage started growing strong. They started flowering, and one day, I caught a wild peacock red-handed feasting on the leaves and flowers of one of the pots. But he was too handsome to deny him that joy. So I moved the pots to my kitchen window, and now safe from felines and fowls, they are in full bloom: I have two peppers! Patience and dedication paid off.

So what’s the point, you might ask? I didn’t give up. The growing process of the peppers continued despite the merciless attacks. The plants themselves did the growth process; I only provided watering and nurturing. We, writers, start with an idea, develop it, flesh it out, and improve it. Then, once the book reaches maturity, we ask peers, beta readers, and editors to help us refine it.

How do you nurture your writing? Are you guilty of revisiting earlier chapters?

Photo by Claudia Zurc

                                            Photo by Claudia Zurc                      

                                        

 Photo By Claudia Zurc

Writing Style: A Writer’s Fingerprint

In the same way, a brushstroke is unique to an artist, so it’s a writer’s writing style. If you love books as much as I do, you’ve probably noticed that each book has its own personality. I am not talking about grammar and syntax (that applies to all books). I’m talking about how the words flow on the page; some are more lyrical than others. Some are simple yet captivating. A writing style is the fingerprint of each author. Although there might be some similarities, there won’t be two identical ones (unless it was plagiarized, and that’s another subject).

According to Literary Terms, “In literature, style is the way in which an author writes and/or tells a story. It’s what sets one author apart from another and creates the “voice” that audiences hear when they read.”

Let’s take a few examples from twentieth-century writers. Many authors, professors, and pundits have said that Hemingway’s writing style was concise, direct, and realistic. His simplicity and directness were a breath of fresh air. Unlike other authors, he steered clear of verbosity and embellishment.

Another example of minimalism is Raymond Carver. He didn’t pepper the story with unnecessary details to describe his characters or setting.

John Steinbeck was careful in how he used his words, especially in dialogues. Some say that although he was straightforward, he was also descriptive. An interesting combination, I would say. Also, because he was curious about the human psyche, his style tended to be realistic. 

George Orwell’s style, like Steinbeck’s, is effortless and rather journalistic. Like Carver, one of his writing traits was avoiding unnecessary imagery or ornate descriptions. Instead, he narrated so precisely, making each word weight while describing his characters and settings without the verboseness.

Do you have a unique writing style? Do you emulate your favorite author(s)?

The Subtleties of a Language

 We all have good friends who are trustworthy and dependable. I bet none of us would like to hang out with fake friends. But what if those fake friends are part of your vocabulary when learning a second language? You don’t want to have to depend on them. 

Have you ever read an email from a friend whose mother tongue differed from yours and realized that the word used meant something else? I’m talking about false cognates or “false friends,” which are words in different languages that sound or look the same but have entirely different meanings. False cognates can cause novice language learners to misuse words.

Here are a few examples of false cognates in different languages:

ITALIAN: camera = room
ENGLISH: camera = macchina fotografica

FRENCH: bras = arm
ENGLISH: bras =  brassiere

SPANISH: libreria = bookshop/bookstore
ENGLISH: library = biblioteca 

SPANISH: pronto = soon
PORTUGUESE: pronto = ready 

ITALIAN: burro = butter
SPANISH: burro = donkey 

Imagine an Italian tourist in a Spanish restaurant asking for some “burro” instead of “mantequilla.” I bet the server would be left scratching his/her head, thinking about how to bring a donkey to the table. How about a Frenchman complimenting the tone arms of his female anglophone friend, “Tu as de beaux bras.” But if her French conversational level is not so advanced, she might take it the wrong way. Or they could have a good chuckle. It all depends on the situation and who says it. 

False cognates, for instance, could be dangerous in a serious situation at the hospital or a police station. Just imagine a scenario for the following words.

SPANISH: intoxicado(a) = poisoned
ENGLISH: intoxicated = drunk 

SPANISH: molestar = annoy/bother
ENGLISH: molest = to assault/abuse someone sexually 

SPANISH: constipado(a) = to have a cold
ENGLISH: constipated = unable to defecate 

FRENCH: pain = bread
ENGLISH: pain = ache/hurt

False cognates are part of language learning. In a classroom setting, using them can be fun. For instance, children as early as preschool can be taught to use cognates because they can develop cognate awareness in their primary tongue to understand a second language.

And for adults, these false friends are a double-edged sword unless you’re ready to laugh it off while committing a faux pas. It doesn’t matter what level you are at in your target language; just be aware of these duplicitous friends, and you’ll avoid pitfalls while studying a new language.

Self-Publishing: Another Publishing Option in the 21st Century

Photo: Claudia Zurc. February 3, 2019

After grueling weeks, months, even years of writing your book, you’re ready to share it with the world. But, where do you go to have it published? Who do you contact? Should you publish the traditional way or self-publish? These and a myriad of other questions regarding the future of your book may keep you up at night.

A great number of new authors would rather get published with big-name houses; however, publishing houses are swamped with manuscripts every day. Let’s face it; they’ll just consider those who merit being published―the next J.K. Rowling or Stephen King― in other words, those who’ll bring readership and big money.

As a new author, you have to ask yourself (and be honest!), am I seeking recognition, am I doing it for the money, or both?

Everyone has different motives for writing, but whatever the reason, you still have to do the legwork.

• Have your book edited by a professional
• Research all publishing houses in your genre
• Edit once again (you don’t want to send a slapdash copy)
• If you get some rejections, do not take it personally; it’s part of the process
• Consider revising your manuscript as it may be lacking some elements that are not appealing to publishers
• If anything fails, go the self-publishing route
• Do not give up!

Being self-published does not mean that you can slack. On the contrary, you have to work twice as hard. You have to be involved from beginning to end. Moreover, you cannot sell yourself short. Self-publishing does not mean you’re less commendable as an author. You can see it as another option to get your book out and in the hands of your audience while waiting to get discovered by a big house. Even better, you can see self-publishing as getting acquainted with the industry while paving the way for your second book.

Note: I wrote this article with the new author in mind. I am aware that established authors already work with a publishing house.

Fiction: A Sliver of the Truth

Photo: Claudia Zurc

Oscar Wilde, who opined in his 1889 essay The Decay of Lying that, "Life imitates Art far more than Art imitates Life". (Original source: Wikipedia)

I decided to write a blog post about this subject because I am working on a short story that takes a sliver of truth from an event that occurred to me. Although writing the story was cathartic, the inspiration was nonetheless painful.

When I asked my mentor if I could write fiction using real events, he said that most fictional stories originate from real life events.

So when you start writing your short story or novel, make sure that you’re objective about what you already know. If you’ve done some research and want to include it in your narrative, use a language your readers will understand. You’re not writing a thesis.

Facts add seasoning to any narrative, but no matter the genre, good fiction transports the reader into another world.

Another point to consider is being efficient on how you use the information from sources, such as magazine articles, newspaper reports, scientific books, etc. Don’t overwhelm your reader with unnecessary information or detour a colorful anecdote and turn it into a medical or police report.

Be true to your story. Facts can be fun if you do it right. If a detail doesn’t move the story forward by establishing the setting, advancing the plot or shedding light on the characters, get rid of it.

 “The reason we use truth in fiction is so we can tell a bigger, better lie,” says David Hewson, bestselling author of the Nic Costa thriller series. “It’s the lie—how big, convincing and ‘real’ it is—that matters.”

Writing a Short Story

Photo: Claudia Zurc

Most writers (seasoned or not) know that writing a short story is not easy. It has to appeal to the emotions of the readers. Since it conveys the writer's interpretation of reality, the language used must evoke emotions, bring the characters to life, it should suggest a human experience. Here are some tips to keep in mind when writing a short story.

1. Read

In order to be able to write a good short story, you must read other short stories first. It will help you learn how other authors made an impression on the reader and use their style as basis to create your own style and impression.

2. Brainstorm your story

Think of something you want to talk about with your readers. Focus on this idea and think of other concepts that you want to associate with the main characters or plot. What is it that you want to convey? Is there a message or moral in the story?

3. Plan out the scenes

On a separate sheet of paper, write down the possible characters of your story and list the main events in order. By doing so, you will keep your writing aligned with your pre-conceived story events. 

4. Choose your point of view

Who tells the story? How is it told? This is vital for a short story to be effective. Once you choose your point of view, make sure it stays constant throughout your story to maintain consistency. Remember: the point of view can change the feel and tone of the story radically.

5. Visualize your characters

Unlike a novel, too many main characters in a short story can create confusion. For a short story, create a maximum of only three main characters. Your characters have to be convincing; they cannot be flat; therefore, they must speak naturally in proportion with their traits.

6. Writing a good introduction

Make your introduction interesting to hold the reader’s interest and encourage them to read on to the end. Introduce your main characters and set out the scene. The scene must be some place you know much about so that you'd be able to supply the necessary snapshot for a clearly described setting. Do not reveal the climax in the introduction.

7. Build up a great plot

From your introduction, draw out events that will eventually create a problem or a conflict for the main character/characters. Intensify the conflict as the story moves forward. This will keep your reader engrossed in your story.

8. Show don't tell

The characters should be the ones responsible for expressing the story through their actions and dialogue and not the writer telling the reader what is being expressed.

9. Avoid using passive voice

In order to do this, use verbs in the active voice in your story. Instead of saying, "The children were kidnapped by the man”, say “The man kidnapped the children.”

10. Use some dialogue

Don’t use dialogue as filler. Instead, use it to bring your story to life. Dialogue reveals who the characters are. Engage the reader by using direct quotes, for instance, “Call her at once!” Mom said.

11. Finish off in a few words

Make your ending unique but not hanging in a loose end. Make it satisfying without making it too predictable. Keep it short but leave the reader with a feeling of resonance. Your conclusion should wrap up everything from start to finish.

12. Edit and ask for opinion

Go through your story and fix all your grammar, spelling, and construction mistakes. Delete sentences or paragraphs that don’t move the story forward. Have your friends read the text and ask for their opinion as readers. Moreover, a fresh pair of eyes will point out mistakes you may have missed.

With some knowledge on the basic elements and some creativity, you’ll craft a good story. You’ll never know unless you try it.

Good Copy Editing –and Editing in General

Before the Internet and social media took the world by storm, proofreaders, copy editors, and editors were three distinct positions. Nowadays, it’s a blurred line. Some of you may even use them interchangeably –when in reality they’re not.

To better explain what copy editors do, let’s look at the late Bill Walsh’s definition, “Copy editors check written material, usually as the final step before it is set into type, to correct errors in grammar, spelling, usage and style (in this case, style refers to a given publication's guidelines for consistency in how words, phrases, typographical elements, etc., are to be used -- or not used).” Walsh, a copy editor for the Washington Post, was passionate about his craft. His three books are witty, humorous, yet filled with great advice on how to apply the basic rules to unique, modern grammar issues.

When I took an editing class at Concordia University in Montreal, we read the book, “Creative Editing” (I still use this book as a reference), which I consider the bible for copy editors. On page four, the following sentence validates my love for editing: “Copy editors are the very heart of the media organization, supplying the lifeblood for healthy existence and serving as gatekeepers of the news for the public.” This concept refers to both newspaper and magazine copy editing.

No matter what you write or for whom you write, if your text is not edited, you run the risk of confusing your readers.

You may even say that “the editing process begins before a story is ever written” as it’s cleverly put in “Creative Editing”. Unless you’ve been in this business for some time, you won’t appreciate the beauty and intricacies of the craft. In essence, if you write, you edit; if you edit, your write. And you want to produce the cleanest, most concise copy that will keep your audience reading!

“one good deed deserves another”

The following inspiring story is by guest writer, Lori Leonard.

Fred Levine lives in Montreal, but spent much of his childhood in the Laurentians. He has fond recollections of cherished family time.   

When Fred was young, he enjoyed writing, drawing and “cartooning.” When school was on strike, he initiated a stationery company and created unique memo pads.  

Raised in Beaconsfield, Fred’s family later moved to Westmount. He attended Brandeis University and graduated Cum Laude in psychology, with a minor in philosophy. He moved to Toronto, met his wife and pursued a career in advertising. His family began with daughter Jordyn, followed by triplets Jaimee, Jesse and Justin. Family life was hectic. They  lived in Toronto for 20 years.   

As time passed, Fred realized he still enjoyed writing and thought it would be fun to write a book about his triplets, but had no intention of illustrating it.  

Tragically, life for Fred and family turned upside down when he suffered a seizure and was diagnosed with anaplastic astrocytoma, a rare cancerous brain tumor. Fred was forced to endure difficult treatments and was susceptible to seizures which he still experiences today.

Unable to work, Fred focused his energy on completing his children’s book and decided to illustrate it which provided a welcome form of “therapy.” 

 Fred Levine’s first book, Triple Trouble: One Good Deed Deserves Another was published in 2013. In 2015, Fred published another book Triple Play about his family being part of a baseball team. Both are “feel-good” children’s books for ages 6-12.  The books include poems with humorous cartoons; pay-it-forward life lessons of “being there for each other”. 

Fred donates all proceeds from these books ($25), to the Gerry and Nancy Pencer Brain Trust. Fred says cancer was never his first choice, but he wanted to use it to create an optimistic outcome.  

Fred’s message: “Remain optimistic, live your life and do what you want to do. Remember a very important life lesson - one good deed deserves another.”  

If you are seeking a uniquely illustrated children’s book, and want to share Fred’s message of kindness, order via www.tripletroublebooks.com .

 

 

Attending Writers’ Conferences Put Authors on the Road to Success

The information below is a GUEST BLOG POST by book publicist Scott Lorenz.

 

There are several good reasons why writers should invest the time and effort required to attend writers’ conferences.

Attending a writers’ conference only takes a few hours, or a couple days at the most, a small investment, and a little effort to register and arrange travel and lodging, but the payoff can be big.

Attending a writers’ conference gives you a great chance to pitch your book, learn about the major publishing houses, meet book editors, agents and book marketing specialists. If your book is six months or a year from being finished, you can meet people who will give you valuable ideas on shaping your book and provide other advice to help you wrap up your project when you return home.

Or maybe you have been working on your book for a few months and are feeling insecure or unsure whether you really can be a published author. Attending a conference is a good way to get a reality check from book editors to get a professional opinion on your plot and characters and to determine whether you are on the right track.

Most importantly, attending a writers’ conference provides you with an opportunity to learn about the publishing business from fellow authors.  You will also get honest and helpful professional assessments from book editors that will be more than worth the cost and effort of attending the conference.

Of course, you will want to prepare for any writers’ conference you attend by having a plan of what you want to find out and what you will do while there. You will want to develop an ‘elevator pitch’ of your book that you can deliver in 30 seconds. Have a one pager available with your book cover, author headshot, short 50 word synopsis, short bio, website URL, Twitter handle and your contact information. You never know who’ll you’ll meet so be prepared for that moment.

Now that you are ready, here are some writers’ conferences that you should consider attending:

Willamette Writers Conference

Aug 7-9, 2015

www.willamettewriters.com/wwcon

 

Fifth House Lodge:  The Remembered Self: A Weekend Workshop

Aug 15 - 16, 2015

www.fifthhouselodge.net/calendar.cfm  

 

San Francisco Writing for Change Conference

Sep 12, 2015

www.sfwritingforchange.org/    

Kentucky Women’s Writers Conference

Sep 11-12, 2015

www.womenwriters.as.uky.edu/  

 

American Christian Fiction Writers Conference

Sept. 17-20, 2015

www.acfw.com/conference

 

Florida Heritage Book Festival & Writers Conference

Sep 24-26, 2015

www.fhbookfest.com

 

Southern California Writers’ Conference

Sep 25-27, 2015

www.WritersConference.com/la/

 

Chicago Writers Conference

Sep 25-27, 2015

www.chicagowritersconference.org/

 

St. Augustine Writers Conference

Oct 1-6, 2015

http://staugustinewritersconference.com/  

 

Write on the Sound Writers’ Conference and Pre-Conference

Oct. 2-4, 2015

http://www.writeonthesound.com/   

 

Breathe Christian Writers Conference

Oct 9-10, 2015

www.breatheconference.com/home/

 

New York Writers Workshop: Pitch Conference & Workshops

Oct 16-18, 2015      Nov 13-15, 2015

www.newyorkwritersworkshop.com

 

Castle Rock Writers Conference

Nov 6-7, 2015

www.castlerockwriters.com/

Select a writers’ conference of interest to you and be prepared to enjoy the benefits of meeting other writers, acquiring knowledge you can use immediately, learn about different genres, find a new market for your book, elevate your professional effectiveness, meet editors, agents and publishers, become inspired and return home energized.

The Bottom Line: Make a commitment to attend at least one writers’ conference in 2015. You’ll be glad you did!

About Book Publicist Scott Lorenz

Book publicist Scott Lorenz is President of Westwind Communications Book Marketing, a public relations and marketing firm that has a special knack for working with authors to help them get all the publicity they deserve and more. Lorenz works with bestselling authors and self-published authors promoting all types of books, whether it's their first book or their 15th book. He's handled publicity for books by CEOs, CIA Officers, Navy SEALS, Homemakers, Fitness Gurus, Doctors, Lawyers and Adventurers. His clients have been featured by Good Morning America, FOX & Friends, CNN, ABC News, New York Times, Nightline, TIME, PBS, LA Times, USA Today, Washington Post, Woman's World, & Howard Stern to name a few.

Learn more about Westwind Communications’ book marketing approach at http://www.book-marketing-expert.com  or contact Lorenz at scottlorenz@westwindcos.com or by phone at 734-667-2090. Follow Lorenz on Twitter @aBookPublicist 

Be humble and write your way to success

*Note: for clarity and brevity the male pronoun has been used in this post.

Whether you are an aspiring writer or an established one, your writing can only get better by two obvious factors: writing as much as you can and being open to constructive criticism.

A lot of amateur writers make the mistake of not paying heed to feedback from fellow writers and/or mentors. Even when they’ve published some of their work (i.e., short stories, articles, novella, novel, etc.), they still need a support system.

A humble writer is a smart writer; he is more interested in honing his writing skills than tooting his own horn. Leave the ego at the door! Even great writers need an editor and a healthy dose of criticism from his peers.

Carver was known for his realistic portrayals of characters and his minimalist style. Nonetheless, Carver still needed an editor to bring his work to the next level. Remember, editors work hard to improve fiction, and as writers, you don’t want to get reputations of being difficult to work with. Although the story is indeed yours, you still want to put your best work out there. What good is it to write it if it’s not worth publishing it?

Ernest Hemingway also believed that writing in the euphoria of the moment (whether you're drunk or not) is advisable, but editing should be done when the ecstasy of writing has left you. Edit your work after you’ve taken a break from writing. If you can't edit your own work (for whatever the reason: lack of time, inspiration, or skills), ask a colleague to do it for you or hire a professional editor.

In conclusion, a good writer will not only write as often as he can but will also be open to constructive criticism. A good writer invests time in researching, writing, getting feedback, editing, and re-writing the piece (if necessary).

As Indian composer and singer-songwriter, A. R. Rahman said, "Success comes to those who dedicate everything to their passion in life. To be successful, it is also very important to be humble and never let fame or money travel to your head."

DEFINING GENRE MATTERS

A hybrid or cross-genre book is a genre in fiction that blends themes and elements from two or more different genres is the definition I found in Wikipedia. This type of genre is a hot trend in the current marketplace. A caveat when writing a hybrid genre is that you need to be aware of who you’re writing for. Where in the bookstore would your target reader go in search of books like yours? In its most basic sense, genre is all about audience expectations. Genre fans turn to their books for a particular kind of escape, whether it be solving a mystery, becoming lost in another world or feeling swept up in a romance.

IDENTIFY A BASE GENRE.
First and foremost, there needs to be a base. The most popular flavors are mystery, romance, fantasy, science fiction, literary, horror, historical, thriller, comedy and drama. The first thing you need to do is decide where your story fits best. To pick your base—your focus—start by asking yourself this key question: At its core, what is the plot of your story centered on?

ADD EQUAL PARTS OF MORE THAN ONE GENRE.
Any ingredients you add to your base should enrich it, not overpower it. Remember, your story may have elements of a romance, a murder mystery and a new fantasy world, but that doesn’t mean it falls under all three genres. You have to decide: Which one is the focus?

Your book can’t be in two places at once—and knowing where it will likely end up can reinforce that critical element of understanding who you’re writing for.

PUT THE STORY FIRST.
Don’t try to force your book into any given genre—or subgenre—because it’s the hot new trend. To enhance a story, the introduced elements have to play a part in the story.  

5 Smart Methods for Solid Research

As with writing skills, though, research skills are rarely taught — professors and mentors assume aspiring writers and students know or can figure out how to do good research. Thank heavens for Google, right? If you took a bibliography course in university, like me, you might still remember your “real” research skills ―that doesn’t include Wikipedia, Google, or any search engine. Before you start doing all the research for your next novel, you first need to keep in mind what ALL professors and publishing companies despise: plagiarism.

1. Be Diligent. Nobody said that being a sleuth was going to be easy. The Internet is not the only source of information. Libraries (remember them?) have a myriad of resources, including DVDs, microfilms, CDs, good old books, etc.

2. Do research of your research. I know it seems redundant but it’s important to double check your facts, especially when the information obtained comes from a dubious source.

3. Be selective. Use information effectively for a specific purpose.

4. Develop a scheme for tracking your work. Whether you audio/video record or take notes of your findings, make sure you save them in two different places and always back up your computer.  

5. Avoid cutting and pasting.  This could lead to plagiarism. Remember to cite properly and give credit to your sources.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Dear bloggie friends,

I hope 2014 was everything you expected it to be (if it wasn't, then I hope it was a year to learn great life lessons). May 2015 inspire you to continue writing.

Wishing you ALL continued success in your writing career.

Celebrate Life! (including the good, the bad, the obstacles, the success, and everything in between).

Happy 2015!!!

Must-Have iPhone Apps for Authors & Writers

Hi fellow bloggers!
Once again, my colleague has offered to write a blog post for my blog :)
For all you techies out there, this post is for you!

As a modern day writer, you've learned when and where you write best. Rarely, I'm sure, does inspiration strike when you're seated at your desk in front of your computer at 9:00am. More likely, you're inspired while you're out and about. In order to efficiently capture and save every new idea, detail, story line, etc., you need to download some new apps to your iPhone. The list below will help you research, brainstorm, write, and even publish your work whether you're at home, at the office, or in the middle of daily errands. Check em out.

Wikipanion brings the Wikipedia website to your phone's catalogue of apps. It is useful for quick research on the go. 

Evernote syncs to your desktop computer or tablet. That way, if you're making additions or edits to your work on your cell phone, you'll be able to work from your most recent version and you won't lose any new ideas. 

The Google Mobile app allows you to access Google (obviously) and you can use voice commands or search by images. 

The Voice Memos app comes pre-loaded on all iPhones. This is a fantastic tool for writers because sometimes, it's just easier to say your latest and greatest idea and have it recorded. 

Dragon Dictation transcribes whatever you say, instantly. 

Your phone's camera is an excellent resource. You can snap images or video and use them as inspiration when developing location, characters, or situations. 

Feeling stumped for a topic? Download the Idea Generator app. It will generate three words for you, which will hopefully spark some sort of creative idea, enabling you to get back to what you do best - writing! 

Creative Whack Pack delivers 84 interactive creative strategies to stimulate your brain and get you thinking creatively! 

Mindjet is perfect for writers who are very visual when they're developing their work. It allows you to create visual maps as you outline articles, characters, plot, and themes. 

Writing.com has created the app Writing Prompt, which generates over 600 writing prompts and you can save your favorites. 

My Writing Spot is exactly that, a spot on your phone for you to write. On the app, you can easily access a dictionary or thesaurus and it will autosave all of your progress 

Office2 is ideal if you prefer to write in a word document. The app allows you to edit your Microsoft Word and Excel documents and is also compatible with Google Docs and MobileMe, so you'll be able to access everything from your phone.

Writer's Studio allows you to write, edit, and format an entire book on your phone. You can add images, graphics, and audio. 

WordCount is a very straight forward app. It counts your words and lets you know how long your piece is. 

Dropbox is a life saver. It backs up all of your files in real time, and saves 30 days worth of various versions. You'll never have to worry about whether or not you saved your latest and greatest piece because Dropbox will have already saved it before you could even worry about it. 

Byword is designed to make writing more enjoyable by giving you all the tools you need to write effectively and has keyboard shortcuts and word counters with live updates. The app allows you to sync your work, export it, and publish to the web platform of your choice. 

Contour is the award-winning story development system that streamlines the process of turning your movie ideas from first glimmer to full outline. 

A Novel Idea is the premier tool for plotting your story and recording bursts of inspiration. You can create your characters, setting, scenes, ideas, and link them together to create your story. 

Story Tracker makes keeping track of your submitted stories, novels, poems, scripts, and articles easy. 

Pages, Apple’s highly rated cloud-centric word processing app, will let writers seamlessly access and work on documents on their iPhone, iPad and Macintosh, storing them securely in the cloud. Pages has hooks built in to let you easily export your work to Word or PDF (or plain text or .mobi). 

Index Card for iPad is a must for serious writers or screenwriters working in Scrivener. You can work on elements of your Scrivener project on the iPad in Index Card files, then fairly easily sync them back to the Scrivener project. This is a pretty good workaround to the fact that an iOS version of Scrivener is not yet available. 

The Bottom Line: Download some new apps today to ensure no writing material, ideas, or concepts are ever lost again. You can brainstorm, write, edit, and share while you're on the go. There’s no need to be chained to a PC again!  

Be sure to let me know if you have a favorite app for authors and I’ll include it on an updated version of this article. 

About Book Publicist Scott Lorenz

Book publicist Scott Lorenz is President of Westwind Communications, a public relations and marketing firm that has a special knack for working with authors to help them get all the publicity they deserve and more. Lorenz works with bestselling authors and self-published authors promoting all types of books, whether it's their first book or their 15th book. He's handled publicity for books by CEOs, CIA Officers, Navy SEALS, Homemakers, Fitness Gurus, Doctors, Lawyers and Adventurers. His clients have been featured by Good Morning America, FOX & Friends, CNN, ABC News, New York Times, Nightline, TIME, PBS, LA Times, USA Today, Washington Post, Woman's World, & Howard Stern to name a few.

Learn more about Westwind Communications’ book marketing approach at http://www.Book-Marketing-Expert.com  or contact Lorenz at scottlorenz@westwindcos.com or by phone at 734-667-2090. Follow Lorenz on Twitter @aBookPublicist

How Authors Can Use Listmania to Promote Their Book

My colleague and book publicist, Scott Lorenz of Westwind Communications offered to share some valuable advice on promoting your book.

Whether you're a published author or an emerging writer, you'll find his advice helpful.

As a book publicist I am always on the lookout for effective inexpensive ways to reach book buyers. One way is to tap into the power of Amazon by using Listmania lists. How?

Listmania is a free marketing tool that allows all Amazon account holders to create a list of their favorite things such as books. It is ideal for authors to list their own book on their list along with other books in the same genre to gain from their popularity and association. For example if you have a book similar to Harry Potter then listing that book along with your book and other similar books, your book can benefit at as it may show up on Google, Bing and Amazon searches.

Here’s how to create a Listmania list on Amazon:

Click the “Edit Your Profile” button on the top right-hand corner of the page.

Click the “Lists” tab in the Contributions section of Your Profile.

Click the “Create your first one now” link or “Manage your Listmania Lists” link if you already have existing lists.

Provide the requested information for your list and click the Preview button to review your list and Publish list when you are finished.

Here’s the information you’ll be asked to enter:

Name Your List: Make it searchable by keywords, other bestselling authors’ names or book titles

Your qualifications: Your qualifications should be a description of why you’re an expert in the subject of your list.

Introduction: You can add an optional introductory paragraph to describe the list.

Add tags: This allows you to add keywords that help others discover your list.

Add Your Book: This is the core of your list. You can add anything from the book listings on Amazon.com; (you can add anything on Amazon for that matter)

“Authors often use Listmania as a way to promote their own titles while grouping them with similar books. It is clever, discreet and effective” said Rosanne Dingli, author of Death of Malta and According to Luke.

“My Listmania is a definitive listing of China photo books that were exhaustively compiled from every genre, from mass-market coffee table books to independently-published eccentricity,” said Tom Carter, author of China: Portrait of a People. His book is considered the most comprehensive book of photography about modern China, and it’s listed with other books in the photojournalism genre.

According to Anna Weber, a literary strategist, “Authors can ask others to list their book on their own Listmania and – if in good taste professionally, to secure recommendations from other readers who are looking for new books to read and purchase.”

Most authors are unaware of this inexpensive and valuable promotional service but should become familiar with it. By creating a list, and adding their own book, the author should also add their competition to the list. It is ideal for the author to create a list with his or her book listed along with the genre competition before someone else creates a similar list without that particular author’s book listed.

“I never understood the exposure Listmania provides each book on a list…it is invaluable. Eventually I saw how often my lists started popping up all over Amazon, and how my book was now appearing under “suggested reading” on other books’ product pages, I realized that Listmania was an untapped goldmine of free and effective book promotion,” adds Carter.

Whether you are a well-known author or self-publishing your first book, Listmania is an economical way for you to promote your book.

The Bottom Line: Listmania gives authors free exposure leading to more sales and recognition. Make a Listmania list TODAY!

About Book Publicist Scott Lorenz

Book publicist Scott Lorenz is President of Westwind Communications, a public relations and marketing firm that has a special knack for working with authors to help them get all the publicity they deserve and more. Lorenz works with bestselling authors and self-published authors promoting all types of books, whether it's their first book or their 15th book. He's handled publicity for books by CEOs, CIA Officers, Navy SEALS, Homemakers, Fitness Gurus, Doctors, Lawyers and Adventurers. His clients have been featured by Good Morning America, FOX & Friends, CNN, ABC News, New York Times, Nightline, TIME, PBS, LA Times, USA Today, Washington Post, Woman's World, & Howard Stern to name a few.

Learn more about Westwind Communications’ book marketing approach at http://www.Book-Marketing-Expert.com   or contact Lorenz at scottlorenz@westwindcos.com or by phone at 734-667-2090. Follow Lorenz on Twitter @aBookPublicist

5 Ways Your Competition Can Help You Promote Your Books

If you want to market successfully, you need to be smart. Why reinvent the wheel if there are more effective ways to promote yourself and your books? If you take the time to see what your competitors are doing, you’ll discover plenty of ideas and inspiration to keep you going – without resorting to only imitating what others do.

You’re simply being a smart marketer, and that means keeping your finger on the pulse of what’s happening. Understanding your market means being aware of who else is in the space. What books have they written? How do they price their books? How do they reach their audience? When you learn these things, you’ll have a better understanding of your market, and you’ll be in the perfect position to set yourself apart from your competitors.

This isn't about copying anyone. Imitation is not the sincerest form of flattery in this case. But you should know who else is in your market. You’ll gain so many insights from keeping tabs on your competitors. You’ll also learn some valuable marketing tips, and if you’re ever wondering how to get your message out more effectively you may find the answers from observing what your peers say and do to keep their fans engaged.

Here are some ways you can keep up with the competition:

1. Google search and alerts: You start by looking for others in your market. You’ll find names and book titles, but you’ll also discover ways to touch base with your fans. No matter your topic, search for authors and books, but ignore the big names and titles. At their level, they can do just about anything and they’ll succeed – that’s one of the bonuses of their success, they are now their own brands (think Stephen King, Nora Roberts, Deepak Chopra). Look for the level below this supergroup because these are the authors who are working hard to break through.

Develop your list of competitors and sign up for their newsletters and follow them on social media. This is how you’ll learn what they do to market themselves, but you’ll also support another author. You’ll learn a lot from this stage of your research, starting with the best social media sites for your market. Then take a closer look at what they do, what they share, how frequently they blog. You’ll save a lot of time down the road by doing this research and using the results to help you focus your own marketing efforts.

You can also set up Google Alerts, and use sites like talkwalker.com and mention.net to monitor their activity. You’ll also see where they've been featured, and you can use that information when it’s time to pitch yourself.

2. Go to the bookstore: A significant portion of book awareness still comes from brick and mortar stores, and knowing what’s selling well in your market is important. Bookstores will only stock books they believe will sell. Check out your genre and see what’s in stock, but once again, focus not on the big names but on the authors you don’t know. The big names get shelf space easily, but it’s much more of a challenge for lesser-known authors. You should buy copies of those books, too, as part of your research. Then you can see how they handled their topic, and you can discover ways to address the issues more effectively. Or, you’ll learn how you can make your book different from theirs.

3. Look for reviews: Find the books on Amazon and then read the reviews. See what readers say; what did they like? What did they feel was missing? You can discover issues and trends that haven’t been covered, or realize you can address the issues from a new perspective that meets readers’ needs.

4. Attend author presentations: If you’re lucky, at least one of the authors you’re following will have an event in your area that you can attend. This is a great way to network, meet people in your market, and support another author. If the author has a speaking event make note of the questions attendees ask because they can be fodder for topics you can cover – in your blog, in a new book, etc.

5. Check out conferences: This is an opportunity for you to learn from others in your field. You’ll get to meet people, network, and gain new ideas. You’ll get stale if you remain stuck in your office. You’ll also find it easier to remain motivated when you keep up with your industry.

A big component of success is getting to know your market and keeping up with what’s going on. The benefits are manifold: you’ll learn, get new ideas, make contacts, and build connections with colleagues (they aren't just competition) as well as fans. That’s what all the research, learning, and sharing is ultimately about: helping you grow your own fanbase.

Article reprinted from "The Book Marketing Expert newsletter," a free e-zine offering book promotion and publicity tips and techniques. http://www.amarketingexpert.com