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

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.

Getting Back to Business

Happy New Year Bloggie Friends!

Hope you all had a wonderful holiday season. Slowly but surely, a lot of us are getting back to business, writing, that is. I know some of you published your book(s) last year. How did you market it? Did you go with an agent? Did you do it yourself?

I received this article via e-mail and I want to share it with you.

It used to be that promoting a product was an expensive undertaking, one that required excessive amounts of funds for television or radio advertising, or slightly less for publications of the paper variety. And promoting books, in particular, meant making deals with booksellers to get top placement in their stores.

Authors, of course, would have to go on multi-city tours of their home country and even the world in order to give interviews to television, radio, and newspaper/magazine reporters, as well as host signings. This was both an expensive and time-consuming process. But these days things have changed dramatically. Not only can writers publish and sell their own eBooks (or paper books) online; they can also promote them in a number of ways that are far less expensive or even free. Here are a few to try.

It used to be that promoting a product was an expensive undertaking, one that required excessive amounts of funds for television or radio advertising, or slightly less for publications of the paper variety. And promoting books, in particular, meant making deals with booksellers to get top placement in their stores.

Authors, of course, would have to go on multi-city tours of their home country and even the world in order to give interviews to television, radio, and newspaper/magazine reporters, as well as host signings. This was both an expensive and time-consuming process. But these days things have changed dramatically. Not only can writers publish and sell their own eBooks (or paper books) online; they can also promote them in a number of ways that are far less expensive or even free. Here are a few to try.

1. Build a contact list. Whether you get contacts through your website, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or any number of other social networks, you can use the strength of numbers to promote your book. Post messages with excerpts to drum up interest, offer deals for followers, and encourage "friends" to become brand ambassadors, bringing more people on board to enjoy the same benefits of membership that they do, as well as hyping your book online and in real-world settings.
2. YouTube videos. Videos to promote books have become something of a sensation on YouTube, with offerings for books like "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies" and "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter" topping the list for views. Some of these "trailers" have high enough production value to make it look like a movie is actually in the works, while others are student-project level. But it's an innovative and trendy way to promote your book (all you need is a video camera and a few willing friends). Although well-known and high-paid authors often do something similar for television, their ads tend to contain nothing more than some flashy graphic text and the author spouting one-liners. The YouTube versions are more like full-scale movie trailers.

3. Giveaways. While giving away your work for free might not sound very appealing, it is a good way to bring in new readers. So give away a few copies to loyal fans and offer freebies to the first, say 50 new members who sign up at a set time and date. You'll probably get hundreds of new accounts that will hopefully make up for the number you gave away and then some.

4. Contests. There's no better way to get people to give you contact information than to hold a contest. In the publishing arena there are many ways you could go with this. You could ask readers to provide potential names for an upcoming book (with a free copy and a mention in the book going to the winner). Or you could ask them to send in character sketches and then work the winning entry into a future project. You might even hold a contest for a couple of lucky readers to win a trip to join you at a book signing. There are so many possibilities and all of them should net you new readership.

5. Listen and respond. Communication studies have shown that the best way to keep a relationship going is to ensure open channels of dialogue. So when readers comment you need to make an effort to reply. This will endear your fans to you and keep them coming back for more, as well as encouraging them to talk you up to everyone they know.

Reprinted from "The Book Marketing Expert newsletter," a free ezine offering book promotion and publicity tips and techniques. http://www.amarketingexpert.com

Writing Goals for 2012

A lot of people wait until New Year’s Day to set some goals. Why wait? Why not start now?

Start the new year off with this mantra: Om Gum Ganapatayei Namaha
Om Guhm Guh-nuh-puh-tuh-yea Nah-mah-hah
The mantra above is traditionally chanted to start new endeavors with positive energy and to remove obstacles.

If chanting is not your thing, then create your own mantra. Before you start writing, repeat a positive thought a few times. This will inspire you and empower you on your creative journey.

For instance, I created my own: “I am patient with myself so that my writing can manifest effortlessly.”

I found some wonderful affirmations that you can apply to yourself or your writing.

'I am truly a gifted artist'

'Through the use of a few simple tools, my creativity will flourish'

'My creativity always leads me to success'

Remember to set attainable goals in order to avoid disappointments. Be kind to yourself and use your creativity for the greatest good of all concerned.

Do you have any affirmations or mantras you repeat daily? Is writing a continuing goal?

HAPPY NEW YEAR AND BEST WISHES FOR 2012!!!

From Holiday Blues to Holiday Muse

Inspiration is all around us during the holiday season. As writers, we encounter a plethora of subjects to write about, from something as trivial as grocery shopping to something more complex as family reunions. However, that has not been my case. I have not produced anything new in months. Just editing! (sigh). I need to find my holiday muse, pronto! I wonder if writing a letter to Santa Claus would count. “Dear Santa, I’ve been a bad writer…I don’t need anything this Christmas. Just bring my muse back, or some egg nog.”

How’s your writing coming along? Do you get the blues during this festive time?

Writing in Fall Mode

Fall is finally here and while I should be inspired by the crisp air, carved pumpkins, and sunset-kissed foliage, work has once again robbed my inspiration. November is a chaotic period for me. Somehow my writing is “falling” faster than the yellow leaves and my stories are not ready to be gathered. What can I do to get in full writing mode?

For instance, NaNoWriMo started this month and a lot of you are busy typing away, trying to meet the deadline. Participating this year would have been impossible for me, so I applaud those of you who are partaking in such demanding project.

Do you find autumn to be the perfect time to finish or start your writing projects?

Did Your Manuscript Pass with Flying Colors?

A lot of you are getting ready for National Novel Writing Month better known as nanowrimo. Some of you continue to work on your manuscript. What important factors do you keep present when writing your MS?

I think everyone can agree that editing is vital no matter what part of your MS you’re writing.
Here are some of the things I keep in mind:

1)      Don’t be too obvious by explaining too much.

2)      Make sure your diction and dialogue are believable.

3)      Be sure you have a plot and an emotional arc.

4)      Arouse curiosity by keeping your reader wondering, yet engaged in the story and/or characters.

5)      Choose your verbs and adjectives wisely. They have to help the story move along. 

I know there are more elements that we can include in this list. Is there anything else you can add? 

Just pretend your MS is a student that needs to pass a test before sending it off to a publisher.