Lisa Betz is a writer, blogger, and occasional director who lives in an empty nest perched on a wooded Pennsylvania hillside. She loves to bring characters to life, both on stage and on the page.
Sometimes
I look at the work of other authors and feel my abilities fall short. It
doesn’t matter that God’s call is unmistakable, it’s still too easy to wonder
if he can really use what I do. But it doesn’t matter if I am not as talented,
or intelligent, or educated as other writers. God wants me to use what he’s
given me for his purposes and the blessing of others.
Since you might struggle
like I do, I’d like to share some steps you can take to avoid becoming ensnared
by the dreaded comparison trap.
Just Show Up: You win half the battle
when you just sit yourself down before your computer or pad and pencil. “Lord,
help me here. I feel dry and dull and I don’t know how to do this.” Then just
dive in and start writing, no matter how terrible your efforts seem. The enemy
of your soul likes nothing better than to discourage you and “just showing up”
is an act of spiritual warfare.
Practice gratitude: The Lord is good and
gives so many good things. Gratitude shifts your focus from the gift to the
giver and opens your heart to receive more from him. Thank him for the gift
he’s given you, for what he helps you to write, and the results that come from
it. Gratitude is an act of worship. And just as importantly, thank the Lord for
those other authors and what he’s given them.
Adjust your focus: It’s not about you.
Keep your eyes on the Lord. If you worry about what you can produce, if you can
impress, if people will like you or read what you’ve written, you’ve fallen
into the pride trap. With a humble heart, offer up your gift and efforts to
God, eager to see what he will do with them.
Examine Your Priorities:
What’s important to you will drive your life and your writing and decide their
final outcomes. Success as a Christians writer depends on your greatest
priority: intimate relationship and fellowship with your heavenly Father.
That’s when the rivers of living water that Jesus promised can flow out of you
through your writing to the spiritually thirsty.
Look at the heart: As human beings, we are
drawn to the outward appearance. It’s not about if you write as well as the
next person but if your heart is lined up with God and his purposes. It’s when
you are worried about producing or performing, trying to measure up, or “meet
your quota” that writer’s block attacks.
Relinquish control and trust God:
Your talents were never yours to begin with, so turn over the controls. God
wants to use you and your writing to expand his kingdom. Ask him who your
target audience should be and what and how he wants you to write to them. As
you write with his help, ask the Holy Spirit to minister to the hearts of your
readers. He can take just a few sentences from your article or a paragraph from
your book and use it to change a life that will then touch others and echo
through eternity.
Refine and grow your skills:
Although it’s not about how talented or smart you are, working towards
improving your skills is a necessity. Studies show it takes at least 10,000
hours of doing something to master it. Read books on writing, attend seminars
and conferences, complete writing exercises designed to develop your
proficiency. Network with and learn from other writers with more experience.
Study the classics and see how those authors did it.
Never give up: Someone once said that
the one way to ensure something never happens is to give up. You are employing
your talents for the Lord and for his kingdom, and he calls you to
faithfulness. He never gives up on you so don’t you quit either.
This is not about
competition, about seeing who can be the most successful or productive. That’s
the world’s mindset. It’s about joyfully working together to bring God glory.
Falling prey to the comparison trap hinders your own creativity. But
remembering it’s all about God and the needs of others will free you to be all
he meant you to be as an individual and as an artist.
Cheryl Weber is located in beautiful Lancaster County PA and enjoys writing fiction, devotionals, and the occasional humor piece. She has ministered in a dozen different nations in missions and as staff of the School of Writing with Youth With a Mission. In the fall of 2017, she served as a journalist for a medical team working with YWAM Ship’s ministry in Papua New Guinea. Just a few of her stories from that trip can be found on her website at: https://cheryllynneweber.com/cheryls-recent-adventures/
The Christian Authors Network’s innovative Crown Awards celebrate excellence in Christian Media and Marketing.
Purpose: To recognize, educate, and encourage excellence in marketing and promotion skills of all Christian authors. The awards are given in three categories:
Visual Media
Broadcasting
Web Presence
Carla Hoch is the CAN Marketing Web Presence Media Gold Award Winner for her promotion of her online brand, FightWrite™.
Carla past led to her studying self-defense and training
women speaking on emotional
abuse, precursors to physical violence, personal and emotional boundaries and
tips for staying safe and escaping abusive scenarios. For example, if you are
in danger in your home, did you know that you can call 911 and “order a pizza”?
You speak to the 911 operator as if they are a pizza place. They will ask if
you are in danger and yes/no questions to help the police come to your aid
without people in the room with you knowing you are calling for help.
Carla started a blog after teaching about writing fight
scenes at conferences. She went from a few views to several thousand, and then
one post took off to 100,000 hits when Writer’s Digest featured Carla and her
blog in their magazine.
FightWrite™.net is now trademarked and features blog posts with video and photo references, detailed information about the biology, psychology, weaponry techniques of combat as well as coaching on the craft of writing great fight scenes. In addition, Carla has a successful Etsy store featuring FightWrite™ products further establishing her popular brand. Her honest desire to teach and expert skills make her fascinating to viewers.
Tell us about your blog.
FightWrite.net is a writer’s reason for fight scenes, action and violence at every stage from one character’s decision to another’s decomposition. It goes hand-in-hand with my Writer’s Digest book: Fight Write: How to Write Believable Fight Scenes and my FightWrite podcast. The podcast is available all over the place.
What led you to begin blogging?
I
am a trained fighter and writer. I had been using those two skillsets to teach
writers how to write fight scenes. The interest from writers was so great that
I thought, hmmm, I wonder if anyone would read a blog about this…
How does your passion motivate you to promote
your blog? What keeps you motivated?
First
and foremost, I completely enjoy it. If I didn’t I wouldn’t have stuck with it
since 2016. Now I also have the motivation to promote my book and myself as an
instructor.
Where did you start in
the planning of your marketing and did you focus on one main component or area?
For years my blog was my only product so the decision on what to promote was easy! The blog is still my greatest marketing tool. It drives people to my book and to me.
Your past led to your interest in self-defense. Can you share a little of that past and how it led to your writing?
Sure! About ten years ago I was writing a book with fight scenes and had no idea how to fight. For some fighting reference, I enrolled in a self-defense class. To my surprise, the class had a visceral impact on me. After the first few I cried pretty hard. I had been raised in an unsafe environment and the effects were still with me.
Kay Arthur once said that if something brings the worst out of you, the worst probably needs to be brought out of you. That’s the approach I took with self-defense. I stayed with it until my fear of attending class became excitement. That class gave me the confidence I needed to go on to many other martial arts.
Sometimes
God reaches down and plucks you out of the ocean. Sometimes He makes you swim
to shore. Whatever way He chooses is not only for you but for those still
swimming who need reassurance that He hasn’t removed the shoreline. I’m proof
of that.
You also have a passion to reach out to women
coping with and recovering from abuse. How do you reach that audience?
It’s word of mouth. I don’t advertise it.
How do you continue to generate new content for
your blog that will interest your followers?
Oh, that is a tough one. I often send out a call to writers asking what they’d like me to write about. I also get questions on Twitter. Or, sometimes something comes up in the news and I get to thinking. The recent rush on toilet paper inspired my Judo for the Pandemic post. I have video showing judokas defending their toilet paper with judo throws. It was a lot of fun to make.
What grabbed the attention of Writer’s Digest?
Had you pitched to them?
That is quite a story. I have a friend that writes for WD. When I had the idea for the book, I told him about it. He liked it and gave me the name of an editor at Writer’s Digest who might be interested. I sent that acquisitions editor a summary. He got back to me and said he had done the “comps” and there wasn’t a place for the book with WD. Well, I knew that wasn’t true. I had done some looking around for comparable books before I started the project. There were zero like mine! I emailed him back and asked him to reserve judgement and said I would send him the finished product. I think I also promised him donuts. No joke.
Months later, I sent him the finished work. I got a kick-back email saying he was no longer with the company and that all further business should be sent to… And there it was. Another email address. I sent the new person the MS with a message saying that I had been talking to the previous editor about the book and he was expecting it. None of that was a lie. He wasn’t interested in the book. But he was expecting it again! I also told her that I had offered the other guy donuts and that offer was still valid!
After I sent the MS, I called my friend Steve Laube, owner of the Steve Laube Literary Agency. He has been in the book industry almost as long as I’ve been alive which is a LONG time! I met him at a conference where I had pitched a book to him – the one that made me get into to self-defense and put me on the path of fight training. Despite not liking the book I had pitched to him, Steve liked me just fine. For nine years he and I had stayed in touch at conferences. We always were happy to see each other and took time out to catch up. I would always ask him when he was going to be my agent. He always replied when I had a book for him.
Steve laughed when I told him that I had sent the MS to the new editor. He told me I had chutzpah and to stay positive and patient. It would likely take WD six weeks to get back to me. He also said that along with being positive and patient, I should also be realistic. The book had been rejected by a smaller press and Writer’s Digest was the largest publisher of craft books in the world. Me reaching out to them was a shot in the dark. I told him I was ok with that. People get shot in the dark all the time.
It didn’t take Writer’s Digest six weeks. They got back to me in six days. After a phone call with them I emailed Steve and asked if he would be interested in agenting a Writer’s Digest author. He was. Steve and I met by virtue of the book that got me into fighting. He is now my agent for a book about writing fight scenes. Now, you tell me miracles aren’t real!
At what point did you start to develop your Etsy
products to enlarge your brand?
The Etsy store started last year but I’ve had FightWrite shirts for a while. I had them just for me to wear when I taught but then got requests for them. I sold them or gave them out personally.
You won the CAN Crown Award for outstanding web
presence. What elements of a web do you think are the most important for
authors to develop?
Do what you are passionate about first. If you want to do a podcast, do it with all your might. Then, set up other avenues of web presence that point to that podcast. Or, if you are great on IG or Twitter, let that be your jumping off point and go from there. I don’t think you have to have a website immediately.
But,
when it comes to web sites, I am a huge fan of Thomas Umstattd and have learned
a great deal from him. He says to have three highly visible call out buttons:
product, contact info and subscribe. My three are my book, my blog and my
contact form. I have smaller buttons at the top of the site for my podcast and
Etsy shop. Don’t make your visitors look for what they want. Have it right out
in front. He also suggests having a great pic of yourself on the site. It will
give people a connection to you and it makes publicity easier since folks have
a pic to grab.
Also,
years back I learned that if people have to hit more than two buttons to get to
what they are looking for, they will leave.
Whatever
you want to be great at reach out to somebody who is already great at it. I was
hesitant about the Etsy shop then reached out to a jiu-jitsu guy in Canada. I
had bought some of his jiu-jitsu gear, followed him on IG and it was clear he
knew his stuff. I sent him a message asking him a few business questions and he
came back with incredibly helpful advice.
What do you include in a pitch to various media
outlets?
When my agent, Steve Laube, looked over my Writer’s Digest contract he said that I would be poor in money but rich in street cred. He was right on both fronts. Being able to say I am a Writer’s Digest author is a huge blessing. It gets my foot in the door of a lot of places. After that I tell about my training, sends pics if need be. People tend to believe I am a writer before they do a fighter and I am both. At 47, I still compete in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and will for as long as I can.
Any suggestions that might help authors find
potential media outlets?
Well, being a member of CAN helps. That I know for sure. After that, ask around! Explore hashtags on social media. Look for podcasts. We are living in a time when resources are aplenty. Problem with that is it can be overwhelming.
If you aren’t tech or social media savvy, which I’m truly not, a great place to get your feet wet are guest blog posts and newsletters. Ask to contribute for free and maybe offer to give away a book or whatever product you might have to a reader.
Did you try marketing strategies that did not
work for you? What did you learn from them?
None of them worked at first. Seriously. I’m just not good at giving up on whatever it is I want. The blog had very few readers at first. I just kept going with it until I had a following and one particular post went crazy, 5K in a month which is a lot for a brand new blog from an unknown author. Then another on escaping handcuffs went crazy. That post alone gets about 100 views a day.
How do you craft your pitch and message to each
audience?
When I have an audience I’m teaching. That is pretty much my pitch. On my podcast I always tell how to find me on social media.
What do you include in your press release that
you send to media?
I’ve never done one. (she looks away in shame)
Can you recommend marketing resources that you
have found helpful?
I love teaching which I don’t even think of as marketing but it is.
Which aspects do you find most challenging?
Social media is a struggle for me. I forget to do hashtags and tag myself. I forget to do posts! Also Google Analytics. Mercy! The info on that thing! I just launched a new site and registered with Google Analytics. I’m drowning in stats!
What marketing advice
can you give writers that you wished you had gotten, or that you wish you would
have heeded?
I think first and foremost you have to love what you’re doing. Love it enough that you want the world to know about it. That will make what can sometimes be an awkward process – letting the world know about it – less awkward.
Is there anything else you would like to share
with our readers about your marketing or writing journey?
If you don’t have what it takes to do something, just keep at it until you do! Seriously. If you are going to let every failure, mistake or rejection get you off course, you will never be on course. Get stubborn today. Embrace what doesn’t work because it will help you figure out the things that do.
Writing can be a brutal business. Sometimes it feels like you are a piñata with a keyboard. But, you know what, people love piñatas! When’s the last time you heard anybody say, “I was having fun until they brought out that piñata”? Never. You’ve never heard that. So, just embrace it. It’s all part of the process. A writer who expects to write without rejection is like boxer who expects to never get punched.
Writers Chat, hosted by Jean Wise, Johnnie
Alexander, and Bethany Jett, is the show where we talk about all things
writing, by writers and for writers!
“Because talking about writing is more fun than actually doing it.”
Blending Humor with Your Writing and Speaking with
Jane Jenkins Herlong
In this episode of
Writers Chat, Jane shares timely advice about humor during these days of the
Covid19 virus and being ordered by government officials to stay home. She does
it all…writer, a speaker, former beauty queen, and a comedian extraordinaire! Jane
encourages writers and speakers to embrace rejection, be brave, say yes to
opportunities, and give graciously to others. These are only a few of the
topics she touched on during this power packed hour of humor and sound advice.
Watch the April 7th replay
Bio
Jane Jenkins Herlong grew up with Dyslexia and was often told, “You can’t do that.” Turning no into next along with determination and hard work is what propelled Jane into the world of entertaining. She’s an award-winning, bestselling author, Hall of Fame international speaker and comedian, a singer/songwriter, and entertains people all over the globe with her Southern wit and charm. Jane encourages her audiences to find humor in the ordinary and “Prove people wrong and laugh while living your dream.” You can find Jane on social media and at janejenkinsherlong@gmail.com
JOIN US!
Writers Chat
is hosted live each Tuesday for an hour starting at 10 AM CT / 11 AM ET on
Zoom. Here’s the permanent
Zoom room link.
Participants
mute their audio and video during the filming then we open up the room for
anyone who wishes to participate with our guests. The “After Party” is
fifteen-minutes of off-the-record sharing and conversation.
Additionally,
you can grow your network and add to the conversation by joining our Writers Chat Facebook
Group.
Almost an Author is pleased to announce the recent release of Border Breach by Mystery/Suspense/Thriller columnist Darlene L. Turner.
Border Breach. A new title from Love Inspired Suspense
When drugs are smuggled across the border
it’s their duty to stop the culprits…at any cost.
Forming a joint task force, Canada border officer Kaylin Poirier and police constable Hudson Steeves have one objective: take down a drug-smuggling ring trying to sell a new lethal product. But when the smugglers come after Kaylin and Hudson, this mission becomes more than just a job. Can they live long enough to solve the case?
Darlene L. Turner is an award-winning author and lives with her husband, Jeff in Ontario, Canada. Her love of suspense began when she read her first Nancy Drew book. She’s turned that passion into her writing and believes readers will be captured by her plots, inspired by her strong characters, and moved by her inspirational message. You can connect with Darlene at www.darlenelturner.com where there’s suspense beyond borders.
Darlene is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency.
We writers understand the power of words. Words can wound or
heal. Educate or mislead. Give hope or cause despair.
How are you using your words?
Everyone is stressed right now. People are frightened,
lonely, and going stir crazy. Our world needs all the encouragement and hope we
can give them.
Are you ready to use your words to combat fear, encourage
kindness, and inspire hope?
Three ways we can use our words for good.
1 Excel at your craft.
It does not matter what genre you write, there are readers
who need to read your stories and articles. The more you hone your writing
skills, the more people will enjoy and respect your words, leading to more
people listening to your message. Whether overtly or not, your faith and your
worldview shine through your words and are lived out through your characters. Even
if you write science articles or ad copy, you can still promote whatever is
good, true, admirable, or praiseworthy.
2 Watch what you say.
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)
What message are you sending into the world? Be aware of
every message you post, pin, or retweet. Are you spreading hope and
encouragement or something else? Do your words build others up? Do your words
benefit others in some way?
Ask yourself, “How will this benefit others?” every time you
consider sharing social media content, blog posts, or comments to your friends.
Be the positive change by wielding your words wisely.
3 Look for listening ears
If our focus is solely on our books, articles, and blogs we
are missing out on other opportunities to serve our world through our words. Don’t
neglect to use your gift of words and your heart to serve through engaging with
those around you. Every text, phone call, note, or kind comment makes a
difference to somebody.
Who needs a gift of life-giving words from you today?
Award-winning writer Lisa
E. Betz believes that everyone has a unique story to tell the world. She
loves inspiring fellow writers to be more intentional about developing their
craft and courageous in sharing their words. Lisa shares her words through
speaking, leading Bible studies, writing historical mysteries, and blogging
about living intentionally.
Adventures in Fatherhood—60-Day Devotional by Carlton Hughes and Holland Webb
From the Publisher:
Being a great father is not for the weak of heart!
It’s an adventure every step of the way. Whether you’re fixing boo-boos and
changing diapers, or coaching soccer and carpooling teenagers, you’ll find
spiritual insight and practical advice in this devotional by Carlton Hughes and
Holland Webb. The authors blend personal experiences with humor and spiritual
application to encourage you, dad, to do your best for God and for your family.
Ellie Claire’s devotionals offer short inspirational
readings, paired with inspiring quotes and Scripture verses to encourage your
heart.
Scheduled for release on April 7.
Carlton Hughes
Carlton Hughes, represented by Cyle Young of Hartline Literary, wears many hats. By day, he is a professor of communication. On Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings, he serves as a children’s pastor. In his “spare time,” he is a freelance writer. Carlton is an empty-nesting dad and devoted husband who likes long walks on the beach, old sitcoms, and chocolate–all the chocolate. His work has been featured in Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Dating Game, The Wonders of Nature, Let the Earth Rejoice, Just Breathe, So God Made a Dog, and Everyday Grace for Men. His latest book is Adventures in Fatherhood, co-authored with Holland Webb and released by the Elle Claire imprint of Worthy/Hachette Publishing. He is a founding columnist at AlmostAnAuthor.com and is also a contributor to InspiredPrompt.com.
Holland Webb:
In March 2004, Holland Webb received the life-changing phone call that he would be adopting two boys, ages three and four. Since that day, as a single dad, he’s had several more life-changing phone calls—from the principal, the children’s pastor, and the highway patrol. Holland couldn’t be more proud of his boys, Geoffrey and John-Paul. They have found adventure in the mountains of Guatemala, the deserts of Morocco, and the cornfields of Iowa. They now live in South Carolina, where the boys are entering adulthood and Holland is entering his dotage. A full-time freelance writer, Holland produces content for businesses, marketing agencies, and universities. He also writes for Devozine and Keys for Kids and cohosts a podcast called The Afterword: A Conversation about the Future of Words.
Chasing the White Lion is a mash-up of thieves and spies. This book is the second in a series described as “Ocean’s Eleven meets Mission Impossible.” Talia Inger is a rookie spy who must wrangle a pack of elite thieves as the team attempts to infiltrate the world first crowdsourced crime syndicate. Their objective? Save a group of kidnapped refugee children from human traffickers tied to the organization. While they’re at it, they might have a shot at toppling the organization and exposing a traitor in our very own CIA.
Why do you write? Do
you have a theme, message, or goal for your books?
Choose your adventure! That’s my overall theme. I’ve applied
it to life and writing. In the old days of the Bantam Choose Your Own Adventure
series, I wanted so much more than “Turn left or right” or “Take the path or
enter the cave.” I’d always been a storyteller, but that’s when I started
creating stories in earnest, writing new paths and new endings in my head.
My most recent story has a much larger goal, though. Chasing the White Lion is the first spy
thriller highlighting a real charitable organization. My goal with that story
is to help spread the world about the work Compassion International is doing to
fight child poverty and to support them with a portion of every book sold. I
hope the story helps readers see how meeting those in need right where they are
helps slam the door on human traffickers.
How long have you
been writing?
I’ve been writing my whole life. I tried to write my first
book at the age of 4 (a story about pandas playing soccer which was
suspiciously similar to a recent library book about raccoons playing
basketball). My first short story was read over the radio at age 12. At age 17,
I entered the military, so all of that got put on hold for a while, but my time
there filled up my bucket of experiences to aid my future stories.
And how long did it
take you to get your first major book contract? Or are you published
non-traditionally? How did that come about?
I began writing my first real novel in 2006. Once I
completed it in 2008, I had to wait an additional nine weeks for the military
to review it and make sure I didn’t expose classified information. I sent it
out in late 2008, and a small publisher picked it up at the end of 2009. They
turned out to be unscrupulous. Even so, the book managed to gain accolades from
Publishers Weekly and Clive Cussler, which helped me land my first real
contract in 2012. I was working on my fourth book when my second book was
finally picked up, and I have 42 rejection letters in a file to remind me how
hard I worked to get there.
Which of your books
is your favorite?
We’re not supposed to have favorites, but usually mine is the book I’m working on at the time. However, if I was forced to choose, The Clockwork Dragon would be my current fantasy pick and Chasing the White Lion would be my thriller pick.
Do you have a
favorite character or scene in one of your books?
Again, we’re not supposed to have favorites, but I do share
a lot with Jack Buckles. When I sought to re-create the Sherlock Holmesian hyper-observant
detective in a new way, my wife advised me to use my own synesthesia. This is a
merger of the senses where both Jack and I see and feel sounds, hear and feel
movement and flashes of light, see and feel smells, etc. Of course, we
embellished it a little to help Jack see into the past through the history
recorded in the molecular vibrations of stone, steel, and jewels (I can’t do
that), but many of our experiences are the same—including using our synesthesia
to catch bad guys.
How long does it take
you to write a book?
Longer than my publishers would like. I spend the first several weeks developing the beats of the story and understanding the theme and characters. From this, I create a short story version of the book, anywhere from 20 to 40 pages. At this point, we might be at 6 weeks. From there, I go deep into writing and usually go in chronological order. Depending on the genre, a story can take anywhere from 6 to 9 months. After that, I like to spend another 4 weeks revising.
What’s your writing
work schedule like?
Haphazard doesn’t even begin to cover it. I have two other
jobs which both take up a great deal of time. I write when I can, stealing
every moment possible.
Do you have an
interesting writing quirk? If so, what is it?
I walk. I walk for twelve miles at a time on some days. This
really fuels my creativity, and I’ll write multiple chapters by recording them
on my phone via Dragon Dictation.
What has been your
greatest joy(s) in your writing career?
Without a doubt, the greatest joys come from receiving fan messages telling me how a story has impacted their lives. In one case, I received word that a Compassion child who had read the Spanish edition of The Lost Property Office who found encouragement from the story and finally realized that he too was a synesthete. Understanding our neurological phenomenon at an early age can be life changing, and I know it will be for that boy. I’m grateful to Compassion for bringing my work to those kids and following up to show me its impact.
What has been your
darkest moment(s)?
Beware. There are many dark moments in a writing career.
I’ve lost two movie deals that could have ended my need for another job and let
me focus entirely on writing, one thanks to financial shifts at Sony and the
other due to political pressure from China (no kidding). I’ve seen more
rejections and harsh words than I can count. And I’ve received multiple death
threats. Thank God my wife is always there to remind me that He is in control.
How many times in
your career have you experienced rejection? How did they shape you?
As I said before, I have 42 rejection letters in a file. And
those are just the ones I remembered to save. Plus, most agents don’t bother to
send rejection letters. Add to that rejections in Hollywood, angry reviewers,
etc. Tallying them all up is impossible. If you want to work in this business,
you’d better grow a thick skin fast.
Where do you get your
ideas?
Ideas come from knowledge, experience, and inspiration. You
can’t have the latter without the former two. So, fill up your knowledge and
experience buckets in every way you can—reading, living, etc. That when, when
the spark of inspiration comes, you’ll be ready.
Example: My biggest seller by far has been The Lost Property Office. Inspiration
struck while I was in London, looking for 221B Baker St. The real Lost Property
Office happens to be a few doors down at 200 Baker St. The world of secret
societies that opened up for me on that day—The Ministries of Trackers, Guilds,
Secrets, and Dragons—appeared only because of my previous study and experience.
Without filling those buckets first, I’d have missed that chance.
Who is your favorite
author to read?
I always go back to four: C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, Tom
Clancy, and Clive Cussler. But I absorb a lot of other great authors in the
meantime: Steven James, Brandon Sanderson, DiAnn Mills, Mark Greaney, to name a
few.
What advice can you
give aspiring writers that you wished you had gotten, or that you wished you
would have heeded?
Keep writing. I can’t count the number of aspiring writers
I’ve met who’ve been tinkering with the same story for the last five years or
more. Put it down. Write the next one. After my very first book, Tom Young told
me “It’s not a book. It’s a career.” I can’t offer any better advice than that.
What are common
mistakes you see aspiring writer’s make?
Impatience. On the opposite end of the spectrum from the
“I’ve been working on this for five years and I think I’ve almost got it”
crowd, we have the “I don’t have time to wait for an agent or publisher because
people need to read my story now” crowd. No, they don’t. And most likely they
won’t. The process of locating an agent and publisher is a crucible that makes
us better writers. We’re losing that because of impatience, and the level of
literature in our society is suffering.
Where/How do you
recommend writers try to break into the market?
See my answer to the “common mistakes” question. To sum it
up: patience.
Former stealth pilot James R. Hannibal is no stranger to secrets and adventure. He has been shot at, locked up with surface to air missiles, and chased down a winding German road by an armed terrorist. He is a two-time Silver Falchion award-winner for his Section 13 mysteries, a Thriller Award nominee for his Nick Baron covert ops series, and a Selah Award finalist for his Clandestine Service series. James is a rare multi-sense synesthete, meaning all of his senses intersect. He sees and feels sounds and smells and hears flashes of light. If he tells you the chocolate cake you offered smells blue and sticky, take it as a compliment.
Find James’s books wherever books are sold, and get all the info about the different series at his website.
When we analyze eBook self-publishing, we’ll realize that
it has several advantages over traditional publishing. You’ll write the book
and you’ll edit it. Those stages remain the same. However, you’ll skip two
stressful stages: searching for a publisher and waiting for their answer and
suggestions.
Of course; going down the traditional road to publication
has its advantages. It’s a secure way of getting the book promoted. Plus, if
you’re partnering with a successful publisher, you can be sure that the piece
is perfect before it reaches the audience. When you’re alone, you don’t have
such a level of support. But for many new authors, self-publishing is
the only acceptable way to get their work out there.
If you plan to
publish eBook, you’ll face a
simpler process: you won’t have to print it and distribute it. It’s still a
tough road, but you can do this!
Guide to Successful eBook Self-Publishing
First and Foremost: Make the eBook Great!
The concept of eBook publishing is available to everyone.
However, getting your work out there doesn’t mean it will sell well. That’s why
you have to read some high-quality literature first. Note down what inspires
you to read different eBooks and get inspired by them. What style is easier to
read and comprehend?
You won’t copy other authors, but you can get inspired by
the qualities of a successful eBook.
When you write your own content, edit it to perfection.
Editing is one of those things that you can’t do by yourself. You can click to read about
a way to hire an editing service, which targets students. The editors are still
very professional. But they have students as their target audience, which means
that their prices are more affordable.
Create a
Beautiful Cover
When you go through the offer on Amazon, the cover is
what gets your attention. You want the headline to be readable in a small
format, and you want an illustration that captures the point of your book.
If you’re not that great in graphic design, it’s best to
collaborate with a pro. You can hire a freelance
graphic designer for a
low price.
Set a Reasonable Price
No; this doesn’t mean that you should set an extremely
cheap price. $2 for a cookbook with 200 pages of recipes and illustrations is
ridiculous. You’ll set a price that conveys your efforts and the quality of
your work. However, you might want to make it slightly cheaper when compared to
books launched by successful publishers.
Special discounts can be part of your promotional offers.
You will announce the launch date, and you’ll sell the book for a much lower
price on that day. This offer will inspire many people to buy it ASAP. When
they give you positive reviews, others will be willing to buy it by its regular
price.
Promote!
You should raise awareness for
your eBook before it hits the market. You can engage in effective
self-promotion through your blog and social media profiles. The point is to
become an influencer with many followers. If people like following your pages,
they will be interested to get your eBook for deeper insights.
The promotion
should start at least a month before the book becomes available for purchase.
Explain what it will be about, give hits from the working process, and team up with bloggers who
will interview you about it.
Stay Connected
Self-publishing is not easy. You don’t have a huge
marketing team behind you. However, you can fill in that gap through your
consistent presence on social media platforms. Connect with your followers,
promote the eBook, and answer their questions. Throw giveaways, ask for their
opinions, and trigger discussions.
You’re left to do the biggest part of the work. But
self-publishing isn’t necessarily a one-man deal. It just means that you’re not
collaborating with a publisher. If you need any help during the process, you
can hire an editor, graphic designer, and marketing expert.
Good luck!
Sandra Larson published her first eBook three years ago. Since then, she decided to turn writing into her main job. She has never looked back.
Writers Chat,
hosted by Jean Wise, Johnnie Alexander, and Bethany Jett, is the show where we
talk about all things writing, by writers and for writers!
“Because talking about writing is more fun than actually doing it.”
Historical Romance with Janalyn Voigt
In this episode, Janalyn shares her process for
writing Historical Fiction, giving tips on identifying domains of research, the
benefits of on location research, the value of using original sources. Other
topics such as how to balance research with story, developing plot, and much
more were discussed. If you’re in need of good research ideas and tips for
balancing your research with story—no matter the genre—this is the episode for
you. Come check it out.
Watch the March 17th replay.
Bio
Janalyn Voigt is a multi-genre novelist and inspirational speaker with a passion for books, reading, history, photography, and travel. For more about Janalyn,, you can find her on social media or visit her website, http://janalynvoigt.com/.
KidLit Forum
In this episode, Writers Chat’s own Jan Martin and
Annette Whipple are joined by René Aube to discuss writing children’s books.
These three ladies are published authors of children’s books, ranging from
fiction to instructional books. They share the basics of writing and publishing
in fiction and nonfiction. Whether you write picture books, early readers, or
YA, this episode is full of great ideas and a plethora of resources. If you write
children’s books or are curious about writing for kids, stop by and watch this
fun, informative, and encouraging episode of Writers Chat.
Watch the March 24th replay.
Bio
René Aube loves dreaming up drama for various critters who creep into her life. She hones in on unusual details and develops adventures for anthropomorphic characters while weaving in factual content. Her current works in progress include fiction and non-fiction picture books. Rene` is also beginning to meddle with middle grade fiction. You can follow her on social media or at https://renedianeaube.com/
Jann Martin attended Michigan State University earning a Bachelor of Science in elementary education Then Trinity Seminary and commissioned as an Associate in Ministry. In 2006 Jann received a call from God to write children’s books through the eyes of a child. She currently has seven books published with many more to come. She is also a public speaker and teacher to all ages. You can follow Jann on Facebook.
Annette Whipple writes nonfiction to inspire curiosity and wonder in children. She inspires curiosity and wonder in readers while exciting them science and history through her nonfiction books. Annette provides interactive programs and workshops to engage participants in topics like writing, science, and history. Learn more about Annette’s books and presentations at https://www.annettewhipple.com/
JOIN US!
Writers Chat
is hosted live each Tuesday for an hour starting at 10 AM CT / 11 AM ET on
Zoom. Here’s the permanent
Zoom room link.
Participants
mute their audio and video during the filming then we open up the room for
anyone who wishes to participate with our guests. The “After Party” is
fifteen-minutes of off-the-record sharing and conversation.
Additionally,
you can grow your network and add to the conversation by joining our Writers Chat Facebook
Group.
Janice L. Dick is
the award-winning author of The Road to Happenstance, the
first novel in the Happenstance Chronicles. Janice shares the story behind her
story–how she and a friend brainstormed the characters and what would happen to
them. They even drew diagrams of the charming town of Happenstance and of the
hotel that plays such a large part in the story. Janice says that Happenstance is also a
character in the story–and I agree with her! The people who “just happen” to go
through the covered bridge and enter this town seldom want to leave.
Jill
Eileen Smith is
known for her impeccable research and imaginative flair as she brings Biblical
women to life in her novels. During her research for Star of Persia, the story of
Esther, Jill read what the Greek historian, Herodotus, wrote about King Xerxes
and learned about Xerxes’ wife, Amestris. While many historians speculate that
Amestris may have been another name for either Vashti or Esther, Jill doesn’t
agree. We talk about why during the interview.
The
next Novelists Unwind Giveaway will
be announced on Saturday, April 4,
2020 at http://www.johnnie-alexander.com/. Be sure to
enter for your chance to win a print edition of Collision of Lies by Tom
Threadgill.
Meet Johnnie
Johnnie Alexander creates characters you want to meet and imagines stories you won’t forget. She is a best-selling and award-winning author who writes in multiple genres, serves on the Serious Writer, Inc. executive board, co-hosts an online show called Writers Chat, and interviews inspirational authors for Novelists Unwind. She also teaches at writers conferences and for Serious Writer Academy. Connect with her at www.johnnie-alexander.com and other social media sites via https://linktr.ee/johnniealexndr.
When you first start working on a new book, everything feels great. But then somewhere along the way, something changes. You begin to struggle. You’re not sure what the next scene should be. Characters start acting in ways you didn’t expect, or maybe the pacing slows down.
What do you do then?
If you’re like the majority of writers, you start to doubt yourself. You wonder if this story is any good. You may begin to think it’s no longer worth the effort.
Then out of the blue, you get another idea. A much better idea. You think perhaps you should abandon the story you’ve been working on and try the new idea instead. Just the thought of doing that makes you feel better.
Watch out! This type of thinking is dangerous and could have long-lasting negative effects on your career.
Writers Watch Out for the Shiny Object Syndrome
Writers are creative people. We love thinking about new ideas.
Unfortunately, there’s a dark side to this part of our personalities. We can fall victim to a condition called the shiny object syndrome. This is the tendency for a writer to chase after a new idea rather than stay focused on what she’s already working on.
Picture a child playing with bubbles. He will run after one shiny bubble until it pops, and then another and another, constantly changing his focus and direction. It’s fun, but it doesn’t accomplish much.
A writer is afflicted with shiny object syndrome if she abandons a project into which she’s invested considerable time to chase after another idea she thinks is better.
This syndrome is extremely dangerous to a writer’s career. I know from personal experience.
How Shiny Object Syndrome Hurts a Writer’s Career
I spent many years writing novel-length manuscripts before I finally got one published. During that time, I abandoned many manuscripts because I fell victim to shiny object syndrome.
I would get about halfway through the book and start to struggle. I know now it’s perfectly normal to have difficulties in the middle of a book, but I didn’t know that then. I assumed if I was having trouble, something was wrong with the story idea.
Right when my struggle was greatest, shiny object syndrome would appear. I would start to think of other ideas I could pursue, and those other ideas would sound better than the one I was working on. Soon I would succumb to the syndrome, abandon the story I was working on, and start over with a new one.
What this process got me was a lot of years of writing manuscripts I never finished. Finally, it became clear what was going on. My story ideas weren’t bad at all. I just didn’t have the skills I needed to complete them.
7 Ways to Defeat Shiny Object Syndrome and Finish Your Book
How can you tell if you’ve fallen victim to shiny object syndrome? Ask yourself if any of these sound familiar to you: · You have a long list of story ideas but none of those stories have been completed. · You constantly start new stories but don’t finish them. · Your computer or desk is full of unfinished manuscripts. · You like to start new stories, but you rarely have a plan for how you’re going to finish them. · You’ve been working on one story for years, but can’t seem to finish it.
If any of these statements seem to apply to you, try the following tips.
1. Write it down: When a new idea occurs to you, write it down and store it in an idea box or on a file on your computer or cell phone. Don’t jump ship to pursue it until the project you’re working on is completed.
2. Understand that “new” isn’t “better”: Understand that any idea you have for a book is just an idea. What matters is your ability to execute that idea in a novel-length manuscript. That’s where the real challenge is.
3. Commit to your story: Any book or even a short story takes a significant investment of your time and energy. Make sure you’re in love with the idea and you have a powerful motivation to write it before you begin, then commit to finishing it.
4. Keep quiet: Talking with other writers can be fun, but if you leak your story idea before you finish the book, watch out! Other writers will chime in. “You could set the story in this location!” they might say, or, “How about so-and-so for an antagonist?” These new ideas may seem better to you, throwing you off course.
5. Realize that getting stuck is normal: Most writers experience a struggle in the middle of a story. It’s normal. So when you reach that point, don’t despair. Get help if you need to, and keep writing.
6. Keep going: Writers must keep going no matter how tough the story gets. Take stock of what you’ve done so far. Create an outline of the chapters you’ve completed. Brainstorm solutions to whatever problems you’re facing. Turn to craft books and mentors when needed. Keep trying while learning to live with the discomfort. Eventually, you will find a way through!
7. Understand the value of having completed projects:Remember that success as a writer is based entirely on those projects you complete and publish. We can often fool ourselves into thinking that the ideas in our heads are completed ideas, but you can’t build a career on your thoughts. Completed stories are what matters. Focus on finishing no matter what. Note: For more guidance on how to finish the creative projects you start—including the 5 things you must have to complete your book—get Colleen’s FREE mini-course here !
Colleen M. Story inspires writers to overcome modern-day challenges and find creative fulfillment in their work. Her latest release, Writer Get Noticed!, was the gold-medal winner in the Reader’s Favorite Book Awards (Writing/Publishing 2019). Overwhelmed Writer Rescuewas named Book by Book Publicity’s Best Writing/Publishing Book in 2018, and her novel, Loreena’s Gift, was a Foreword Reviews’ INDIES Book of the Year Awards winner, among others. Find more at these sites:
Using inanimate objects as
characters can add a powerful, interesting element to your story. I cried when
Wilson, a volleyball, floated away in Cast
Away. I shuddered when Gandalf in The
Lord of the Rings read the engraving that said, “One ring to rule them
all, one ring to find them, one ring to bring them all and in the
darkness bind them.”
The Darjeeling Limited is a movie about three estranged brothers in crisis who travel to India to find their neglectful mother. Their journey takes place on a train … until it doesn’t. Then they experience the real India while dragging an enormous mountain of cumbersome luggage, a powerful symbol for their own personal, heavy, and real emotional baggage. At the end—spoiler ahead—they exuberantly toss the luggage away and feel freedom in letting go of the negative experiences from their past.
During the entire movie, I
felt the weight of their emotional baggage through the use of the luggage as an
inanimate, passive witness of their lives. I experienced with the trio how
burdensome and exhausting hauling our past around with us can be. I loved the
metaphor and how the writers used the luggage as a character in its own right.
The literary term for this device is called personification. The giving of physical or human characteristics to inanimate objects, yet the reader understands it does not actually possess them. This is different from anthropomorphism when characters, like animals or insects, actually take on the characteristics of a human, such as human speech, like in Charlotte’s Web.
Authors have brought to life
diaries, traveling pants, and wedding dresses with great
success. In my first novel, my protagonist has an amulet on her arm that keeps
her tethered to the false gods of Ancient Egypt. Like the brothers who discard
luggage as a symbol of shedding their emotional baggage, when my character rids
herself of the weighty shackle, her spiritual eyes open to the one true God.
A writer does a good job with
this technique when the reader makes some kind of connection with the inanimate
object. Either they begin to feel sympathy (Wilson) or relief (the luggage) but
there is an emotive response when its fate is revealed. They care … one way or
the other.
But remember, inanimate objects
have (or lack) actual capabilities. Make sure your use of the object is
believable. The luggage, for example, can’t wave, cry, or hold on to anything.
It is a place for your living character to transfer feelings and become a
symbol of their inner conflict.
Have you used the
personification technique before? Please share how you did it.
Blessings,
KD Holmberg
K. D. Holmberg is an author, blogger, and freelance writer. She is a member of ACFW, Word Weavers International, and a founding member of the Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild. She is represented by Hartline Literary Agency. A retired flight attendant, she has traveled and lived all over the globe. She and her husband, Keith, love to golf and live in South Carolina. You can find more about her: Facebook @authorkdholmberg, twitter @kdeniseholmberg, and website kdholmberg.com
The Christian Authors Network’s innovative Crown Awards celebrate excellence in Christian Media and Marketing.
Purpose: To recognize, educate, and encourage excellence in marketing and promotion skills of all Christian authors. The awards are given in three categories:
Visual Media
Broadcasting
Web Presence
Dr. Saundra Dalton Smith is the CAN Marketing Broadcasting Media Gold Award winner for her book, Sacred Rest. She landed several TV interviews crafting her message to each show’s audience and their topics of interest. She combined appearances with a unique quiz on her website to discover which of seven types of rest they need. The result of the quiz brings people to the follow up sequence (sales funnel) that meets the specific need.
Over 72,000 people
have participated with RestQuiz.com. Dr. Dalton-Smith’s email list has grown
from 3,000 at the start of the broadcast campaign to over 25,000. Her
book-based online video course is being used in 30 different countries in 10
different languages. Over 10,000 people have completed the YouVersion 5-Day Sacred
Rest plan.
Her efforts led to
50+ media interviews including Daystar, Cornerstone TV, Marilyn Hickey Show,
The Happy Hour Podcast with Jamie Ivey, God-Centered Mom Podcast, Atlanta Live,
Moody Chicago. Media appearances led to speaking invitations with TEDxAtlanta
inviting Dr. Dalton-Smith to be the opening speaker at their 2019 event and
speaking at the 2020 World Happiness Summit. Her podcast is now supported by
numerous financial sponsors. Her expertise, well-spoken demeanor, and beautiful
spirit shine to viewers.
Tell
us about your book.
My book is Sacred Rest: Recover Your Life, Renew Your Energy, Restore Your Sanity. It was published Dec 19, 2017 by Faithwords/Hachette Book Group. In Sacred Rest, I share my journey from burn-out to a thriving lifestyle and my research findings on the 7 types of rest (physical, mental, spiritual, emotional, sensory, social, and creative.)
What
led you to write it?
I am a board-certified internal medicine physician. Within my medical
practice, I saw many wanting a pill as a quick fix for problems resulting from
their lack of rest. I wanted to share how I found healing with others suffering
from burnout.
How
does your passion motivate you to promote your book? What keeps you motivated?
I stay motivated in two ways. One is through the feedback of those who
have found Sacred Rest or my rest quiz to be helpful in helping them identify
problem areas in their life. The second way I stay motivated is because I know
this works so then my goal becomes to be a fisher of men with the good news
that rest is not just a commandment but how we can heal areas that have become
depleted in our life.
Where
did you start in the planning of your marketing and did you focus on one main
component or area?
Planning for marketing began with the book proposal. I purposely tried to
weave in quotes that would be great on social media as well as invitations to
engage with my lead magnet (restquiz.com).
Amid
all the work of marketing a book and continuing your medical practice, when do
you rest?
That’s the thing most people don’t understand. Rest does not mean you
have to take a week-long sabbatical or spend hours each day napping. Rest
should be a lifestyle. I constantly engage in different aspects of the 7 types
of rest throughout my day. I’ve learned what a healthy work-rest ratio looks
like for me.
Any
advice for other writers who also balance multiple careers?
Discover which of the 7 types of rest you are missing and spend some time
focusing on getting more of that type of rest in your life. The area of your
greatest gifting will often be the place you are most depleted and it will
cause you to constantly feel exhausted until you learn how to rest in that
area.
What
made you develop a quiz?
As a physician, I know diagnosis is the first step to healing. You can’t
confront what you don’t know exists. The quiz helps people self-diagnosis the
rest deficit they need to confront.
How
did you come up with one that was effective in pinpointing the needs of the
person taking it?
Having a solid understanding of the overall topic, the pinpoints of each
type of rest, and the characteristics of those suffering from the different
rest deficits helped to create the quiz.
What
elements are important in creating an email sequence for people who answer the
quiz?
Email sequences should help new subscribers learn more about you and how
you can help them. It’s important to always add value in your messages. I feel
it’s also important to include ways they can work deeper with you by including
links to books and products within each contact.
What
led you to begin podcasting?
I love talking! I already do a lot of speaking from stages, so podcasting
was a natural progression.
How
do you secure sponsors for your podcast? How do you work with the sponsors so
they also benefit?
I include a link in my Instagram bio Linktr.ee account to ways people can
work me as a sponsor. I also send emails to contacts directly. I include a link
to the sponsor on the podcast page and their information is shared in my email
newsletter to my subscribers. Sponsors have included publishing houses, health
product companies, and authors.
You
won the CAN Crown Award for outstanding broadcast media. What do you find is
helpful in creating a broadcast-focused campaign?
A broadcast-focused campaign automatically grows your platform. You
leverage the platform of the TV show, radio show, or podcast as a way to help
grow your own platform. The more shows you do and do well on, the more
opportunities you get. It has a wonderful snowball effect! Some of the biggest
shows I’ve had to pleasure to be on were ones I never pitched. They directly
reached out to me because they had heard me on another show.
What
do you include in a pitch to various media outlets?
The most important thing to include in a pitch is a reason why they should have you on their show. You have to be able to convince them that you will bring valuable information that their listeners/viewers will love consuming. Most authors spend too much time in their pitch talking about their book. Producers don’t care about your book, they want to know how is the content you share on-air going to resonate with their audience. Once they believe it will be a good fit, they are more than happy to share about the other things you have available that will benefit their tribe.
Any
suggestions that might help authors find potential media outlets?
You can look for other podcasts similar to the ones you already
know about or search them out on Google.
Did
you try marketing strategies that did not work for you? What did you learn from
them?
Paying a lot of money for a publicist was one of the things I found not to be helpful. There are some amazing publicists out there who are very effective and then there are some who take your $2000-5000/mo retainer and never get you booked on anything. The reality is publicist do not guarantee they can get you any publicity for the retainer fee. It’s a huge financial commitment that most authors can’t afford. This is what lead me to learn how to be my own publicist and create a course to help other authors do the same.
How
do you craft your pitch and message to each audience?
You listen to a few of the podcast you desire pitching to learn about the
host and the audience.
What
do you include in your press release that you send to media?
The press release includes a little information about why the topic is
relevant and timely. It also includes a brief synopsis of the book and how to
connect with me.
Can
you recommend marketing resources that you have found helpful?
I love meeting new people. With each interview opportunity, new
professional relationships are built. That alone is priceless.
Which
aspects do you find most challenging?
The most challenging part of marketing is finding the email addressed to
connect with producers. It requires dedicating some time to gather the needed
information before you pitch.
What
marketing advice can you give writers that you wished you had gotten, or that
you wish you would have heeded?
My best advice is to start thinking about marketing at the conception of
your book idea. If you don’t know how you will get your book into the hands of
your ideal reader, you could end up writing a book no one reads.
What
are common marketing mistakes you see writers making?
Most authors focus too much on selling the book in their marketing and
should instead focus on sharing a message that helps people see why they need
the book. It’ a little tweak in your approach that can make a huge difference.
Is
there anything else you would like to share with our readers about your
marketing or writing journey?
Writers Chat,
hosted by Jean Wise, Johnnie Alexander, and Bethany Jett, is the show where we
talk about all things writing, by writers and for writers!
“Because talking about writing is more fun than actually doing it.”
Basket of Six Open Mic Discussion
Back on January 28th, Writers Chat
discussed the book, Dancing on the Head
of a Pen, by Robert Benson. From this book we have taken his idea of one
shelf of bookshelf being dedicated to his favorite books. But instead of a
bookshelf, we came up with a basket. We decided to call this our Basket of Six. In this open mic
episode, we shared from our individual baskets. Each participant shared one
book that was in their basket and why they returned to it often. There were
only two books that would have been duplicated, but most participants had more
than one book ready to talk about. What book do you read again and again? If
you don’t have one or are in need of good books to read, check out this week’s
episode.
Watch the March 3rd replay,
Writing as a Pastor with Andy Clapp
Andy Clapp, Senior Pastor of Mt. Zion Baptist
Church, author, and speaker, shares how he uses inspiration from his sermons
for articles and devotions. Writing 1,000 words every day is a habit of his,
and on occasion if he is stumped for a writing idea, he ponders questions about
the Bible or that might arise from his sermons. This episode was full of
encouragement from Andy, not just for writing, but also for your walk with God.
If you need a pick me up, check out this episode, you’ll be glad you did.
Watch the March 10th replay.
Bio
Andy Clapp, Senior Pastor, writer, and speaker. Sharing the message of the cross is his passion because of how his life has changed as well as he understands people need hope, redemption, and new life. Andy pastors Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Liberty, NC—he and his gracious church have hosted the North Carolina Christian Writers Conference three times, and looks to be a life-long partnership. Andy recently signed a 13-book contract for a devotional series and for a novel based on the Biblical book, Hosea. He also writes newspaper and magazine articles and has been published in The Upper Room. You can find Andy on social media and on www.andyclapp.org
JOIN US!
Writers Chat
is hosted live each Tuesday for an hour starting at 10 AM CT / 11 AM ET on
Zoom. Here’s the permanent
Zoom room link.
Participants
mute their audio and video during the filming then we open up the room for
anyone who wishes to participate with our guests. The “After Party” is
fifteen-minutes of off-the-record sharing and conversation.
Additionally,
you can grow your network and add to the conversation by joining our Writers Chat Facebook
Group.
A few days ago Annette’s Embrace the Wait column listed good strategies to prepare for a writers’ conference. Conferences are important investments in our writing career, so it makes sense to start well by preparing ahead of time.
It also makes sense to end well, which means thinking about
what you do after the conference is over.
Here are seven post-conference strategies to get the most out of your
investment
Send thank
yous. Send a brief email to every professional you met with, thanking them
for their time and their advice. You may also send thank yous to conference
hosts and anyone else that seems appropriate.
Follow up
on contacts. Dig out the business cards you collected and follow your new
writing friends on social media. Even better, send them a brief personal message
that will help them remember who you are. You never know which contacts will
turn out to be important a few months or years from now.
Follow
through on submissions. Right away. Do not procrastinate. (In fact, having your
query/proposal/sample chapters polished and formatted should be part of your
pre-conference checklist so you are ready to take advantage of these opportunities.)
Sending your promised materials promptly shows busy agents and editors that you
are professional, disciplined, and prompt. It also puts you in the front of the
line, when they can still remember who you are and why they wanted to see your
work.
Give
yourself time to recover. Conferences can be exhausting, physically,
mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Yes, you may be pumped to go home and
try all the wonderful things you learned, but be patient. Practice good self-care
by allowing your writer self to recover for a day or two before starting a blog
or completely revamping your website.
Organize
your notes. Go through all the materials you acquired during the
conference. File course materials where you can find them for later reference. If
you do not have a workable system for storing information so you can find it
again, this is a good time to create one.
Choose One
Thing to implement right away. Conferences
can fill us with motivation and inspire us to try new and wonderful techniques,
but attempting too much too soon usually leads to frustration and a lack of
focus. You will be more successful if you select one or two practical strategies
or ideas to implement. Choose ones that particularly resonated with you or that
apply to exactly where you happen to be in your current project. Once you get
that going, you can return to your notes and apply something else.
Journal your
thoughts. It may be helpful to spend some time pondering your experiences
and journaling about them. Pay attention to what excited you the most, what
struck fear into you, and what caused a pang of some other emotion. Think
through the reasons for those emotions and ponder what to do if those emotions
are holding you back. You may also find it helpful to list all the key
takeaways you learned, or list the wonderful people you met and jot down a note
or two about what you discussed with them. Whatever will help you put useful
information into long-term memory.
May your next writers’ conference be the best one yet.
Award-winning writer Lisa
E. Betz believes that everyone has a unique story to tell the world. She
loves inspiring fellow writers to be more intentional about developing their
craft and courageous in sharing their words. Lisa shares her words through
speaking, leading Bible studies, writing historical mysteries, and blogging
about living intentionally.
Writers Chat,
hosted by Jean Wise, Johnnie Alexander, and Bethany Jett, is the show where we
talk about all things writing, by writers and for writers!
“Because talking about writing is more fun than actually doing it.”
How to Write Articles, with Julie Lavender
In this episode of Writers Chat, Julie shares with us twelve steps for
writing articles, including what needs to go in the query, the email, and the
closing. She also reminds us to be sure to look at the guidelines for each
publication because the can significantly vary depending on the publication.
One of the last things she shared is to remember to celebrate, even if you
receive a rejection, celebrate the fact that you put yourself out there. If you
have thought about submitting articles, this episode has a wealth of
information you don’t want to miss, so be sure to check out the replay.
Watch the February 25th replay.
Bio
Julie Lavender is a journalist, author, and former homeschooling mom of twenty-five years who holds a Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education. She joins us on Writers Chat to share her expertise and advice on writing articles. Her writing has been published in magazines like The Upper Room, Homeschooling Today, Guideposts, Angels on Earth, Mysterious Ways, All Creatures, Clubhouse, Country Woman, Taste of Home, Today’s Christian Woman, Focus on the Family, Mature Living, ParentLife, Refresh, BookFun, Southern Writers, and Secret Place.
You can find Julie on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, as well as her
blog, “On My Walk With God.”
JOIN US!
Writers Chat
is hosted live each Tuesday for an hour starting at 10 AM CT / 11 AM ET on
Zoom. Here’s the permanent
Zoom room link.
Participants
mute their audio and video during the filming then we open up the room for
anyone who wishes to participate with our guests. The “After Party” is
fifteen-minutes of off-the-record sharing and conversation.
Additionally,
you can grow your network and add to the conversation by joining our Writers Chat Facebook
Group.
The Bengal Believer: 40 Who Dey Votions for
the Cincinnati Fanatic is a devotional for fans of the Bengals. Each
chapter relives a significant moment in the history of the franchise, with a
life-lesson and challenge to the reader.
Having Impossible Faith is about three
people and their battles to overcome monumental odds. Their decisions to follow
their faith had lasting impressions on those around them. No all stories in the
book have happy endings, but the book will challenge the reader to examine how
strong their faith is through life’s challenges.
Why do you write? Do
you have a theme, message, or goal for your books?
I write to try to encourage and inspire others. My goal for
my devotional series of books is to give the reader hope of a better way to
live life – mainly through becoming a Christian.
How long have you
been writing?
I have written for several years, since 1990, but have only
become more serious in the past four years.
And how long did it
take you to get your first major book contract? Or are you published
non-traditionally? How did that come about?
I was able to secure a book contract through my agent, Cyle
Young about three months after we met. We attended a Cincinnati Reds game in
the summer and the idea for the book was hatched over lunch.
I have four books out in the market via the traditional method
with six more scheduled over the next two years. I have also self-published one
book in 2019.
Which of your books
is your favorite?
The first book I had published, Buckeye Believer: 40 Days
of Devotions for the Ohio State Faithful (BY Books) might have the most
significance since it was the first.
Dugout Devotions: Inspirational Hits from MLB’s Best
(New Hope Publishers) is also special because it was pitched to me through a
publisher, who then rejected it after it was completed. Then another publisher
picked it up and it has done well on the market.
And Having Impossible Faith holds a place as well
since the manuscript was the reason I was introduced into the world of
Christian writing.
Tell us about an
award you won that was particularly meaningful.
In 2017, I was named Writer of the Year at the Ohio
Christian Writers Conference.
In 2018, Buckeye Believer: 40 Days of Devotions for the
Ohio State Faithful won second place in the Selah Awards in the category of
Devotionals.
In 1991 I won an Associated Press Award for a sports column
I wrote for the Portsmouth Daily Times.
How long does it take
you to write a book?
When I write a devotional, it usually takes me about six
months, that includes research, writing and editing.
What’s your writing
work schedule like?
Binger writer. I try to knock out one chapter a day when I’m
on a deadline. This happens usually in the evenings.
Do you have an
interesting writing quirk? If so, what is it?
No, nothing interesting or a quirk. I like the pressure of a
deadline because it makes me focus more. That comes from the days when I worked
as a sports editor and had to meet a press deadline.
What has been your greatest joy(s) in your
writing career?
Notes of encouragement I receive from readers who have been impacted by my work. I enjoy all the people I have met through my writing journey. All the doors that have opened for me the last three years has been amazing.
What has been your
darkest moment(s)?
Rejection from publishers and writing about family tragedy.
How many times in
your career have you experienced rejection? How did they shape you?
In my writing career I have been rejected several times. It
made me more determined to get the mission accomplished. It taught me patience
and to make the best connection for the project. It also taught me that “big
publishers” can be wrong.
Where do you get your
ideas?
From various ways. Most of the time when I’m driving or at
the gym working out I will have an idea pop in my mind.
Who is your favorite
author to read?
Oddly enough I don’t have one.
What advice can you
give aspiring writers that you wished you had gotten, or that you wished you
would have heeded?
To start writing and attend a writing conference. Be
prepared to attend, listen to the advice of editors and be confident in your
work
What are common
mistakes you see aspiring writer’s make?
Not doing what agents or editors ask them to do in a timely
manner or becoming too attached to their work. Or they might put limits on
their own aspirations and ambitions.
Where/How do you
recommend writers try to break into the market?
By attending a writer’s conference and getting to work. I
have heard so many stories where someone will take a break from a project and
it never gets finished. Procrastination is real.
Del Duduit is a freelance writer from Lucasville, OH. He is represented by Cyle Young, Hartline Literary Agency.
His articles have appeared in Athletes in Action, Clubhouse Magazine, Sports Spectrum,The Sports Column,One
Christian Voice, The Christian View
Online Magazine, and Portsmouth Metro
Magazine. His blogs have appeared on One
Christian Voice and its national affiliates across the country, on ToddStarnes.com and on Almost an Author and
The Write Conversation.
In November 2017, he was named Outstanding Author at the Ohio Christian
Writers Conference. In 2019, Buckeye Believer: 40 Days of Devotions for the
Ohio State Faithful, won second place in the Selah Awards for Best Devotional at the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference.
He is also a member of the Serious Writer, Inc. team and an adjunct instructor
as Shawnee State University.
He and his wife Angie live in Lucasville, Ohio and attend Rubyville
Community Church.
Del’s Books
First Down Devotions: Inspirations from NFL’s Best:
Lynette Eason has won multiple awards for
her heart-stopping romantic suspense novels. In our interview, she talks about
her latest novel, Collateral Damage, which is the first book in her
Danger Never Sleeps Series. We also talk about the challenges of writing a
series, finding a theme, Lynette’s puppy, and her newest hobby–photography!
Lorna
Seilstad’s latest
novel is an endearing contemporary romance, More Than Enough, about
a quirky child life specialist and a hospital accountant. We chat about Lorna’s
inspiration for creating a heroine with this unusual occupation and the
research she did to create her character. We also chatted about Lorna’s
previous career as a “professional wiper”–all moms can relate to that one!
The
next Novelists Unwind Giveaway will
be announced on Saturday, March
7, 2020 at http://www.johnnie-alexander.com/. Be sure to
enter for your chance to win a print edition of Star of Persia by Jill
Eileen Smith.
Meet Johnnie
Johnnie Alexander creates characters you want to meet and imagines stories you won’t forget. She is a best-selling and award-winning author who writes in multiple genres, serves on the Serious Writer, Inc. executive board, co-hosts an online show called Writers Chat, and interviews inspirational authors for Novelists Unwind. She also teaches at writers conferences and for Serious Writer Academy. Connect with her at www.johnnie-alexander.com and other social media sites via https://linktr.ee/johnniealexndr.
I remember those days of whining to myself. “But it’s good. Everybody says so, especially all my friends and family.” Sigh … yes, I’ll admit it. I really took those familial critiques as having substantial meaning. And … they … did … not. And not because their opinions weren’t valuable, but because they do not know the market, no matter how many books they read. Or how well versed they think they are.
Most
readers have a few authors that they have read for years, maybe even decades,
and that makes them loyal readers, not professional reviewers. And once a
reader is with an author that they like, they will accept however that author
writes for the most part: good or bad, contemporary or old and stale, or anything
in between.
Agents
are always looking for fresh voices. New takes on old
stories, new ways of expressing the same thing, because let’s face it, there
aren’t that many new themes and/or ideas out there. So how do we sell it? A
fresh voice that uses all of the new trends in writing, that steps outside the
box for lack of a better expression, and who knows what the new readers are
looking for.
How
does a writer stay abreast of trends? How do they develop their voices? How can
they get a chance to show off what they can do?
Let’s
explore the answers to these questions:
attend conferences and workshops
attend conferences and workshops
attend conferences and workshops
Did I
really answer all of those questions the same way? You bet I did. Because at
conferences you’ll find numerous agents, editors, web designers, other authors,
those who can help you build platform, and so on. It’s an opportunity to
network, learn in classroom settings, discuss trends in the industry at
appointments, network with and possibly join a critique group, and to get
feedback on your work. HONEST feedback from someone who doesn’t have your
friendship to lose if they don’t like it.
IN A
WORD: invaluable
While
I occasionally find authors through my email, most of the clients that I pick
up are from conferences. Why is that? Most folks who are willing to pay for a
conference have done their homework, learned their craft, and worked hard to be
able to get to a conference. It means time away from family, a chip at the
finances, but it also means time spent with others who GET US. Other folks with
voices in their heads that just have to get out. They are writers who have
thick skin and can take it when their work is confronted. They can say, “Wow! I
didn’t know that. That certainly isn’t what I learned in Advanced English
class.” In other words, they are teachable writers willing to listen, to learn,
and to apply.
So,
why can’t I get an agent? I am probably not taking all of the above seriously.
I am convinced that I already know everything. I don’t work with critique
partners. Why bother? They don’t know any more than I already do. I can’t
afford to attend a conference (you can’t afford NOT to). I have an MFA in
creative writing, so why bother? I know it all, right?
Leaving
old notions behind, being teachable, learning to build platform, writing the
best novel you possibly can after learning all the ins and outs of the
industry, and you WILL be on your way to connecting with an agent or editor for
your work.
There
are conferences available from $99-all the way to WOW! break the bank.
Do
your best! Nothing comes free. It comes with hard work aimed at a teachable
spirit!
You
can do this … yes, you can!
Linda S. Glaz is an agent with Hartline Literary Agency, and also the author of eight novels and two novellas, so she “gets” writers. She represents authors in both the Christian and secular communities. She speaks at numerous conferences and workshops around the country each year. Married with three grown children and four grands, she lives in a small town where everyone is family.
As we continue this editing
series how we can develop a great story by having all the layers in place
before actually writing, or if you’ve already written your book, how to make
sure all the layers are in place.
The second layer in
developing a great story is developing your story’s plot.
Surprisingly the
story’s plot extends beyond points of action in your story and reaches into the
area of the characters and how they interact with the
story’s trajectory of the plot.
How to Edit the Plot
How well do you know
your characters?
How do your characters
interact with the story events?
How well do you create
suspense, conflict, and context throughout plot?
How well do you know your characters?
Knowing your characters is more than knowing their outer
attributes. Knowing your characters internally is key to mapping out a rock
solid plot. Let’s explore some ways we can really get to know our characters.
If we describe our characters in terms of physical appearance is
great because it gives readers a visual representation; however, if we describe
our characters by what drives them, then we open the door for readers to
understand how our characters live and breathe.
For example, a librarian who doesn’t particularly like books,
but is simply driven because of the patrons who frequent the library might
offer an interesting plot and chain of events.
How do your characters interact with the story events?
Every story has that one character who makes the story shine,
much like the key actor in a film. Which character comes to your mind? I’m
thinking of D.C. Morse in the BBC series, Endeavour, and Elizabeth
Bennet in Pride and Prejudice.
With our librarian, perhaps she feels remorse from an event in
her past, and she seeks to cover her own feelings by paying attention to the
library patrons. What if this self-serving action sends her on an adventure as
she gets to know each person, therefore helping her through her own inner
struggle? What chain of events would have to happen for this to be resolved?
How well do you create suspense, conflict, and context throughout plot?
Alfred Hitchcock said, “Emotion is an essential ingredient of
suspense.” And, I would also add, an essential ingredient of conflict and
context in the plot as well.
Back to our librarian. Would she argue with one of the patrons,
or go out of her way to help another reunite with a family member? What if she
was suspicious of one but not of another? If one of the patrons was homeless,
would she let him sleep in the library, sneaking him in after closing? What if
a young patron checked out the same book week after week, and the librarian was
reminded of her own childhood fascination with books and experiences anxiety
from the memories? What would happen if someone found out?
And if another patron, who did not have enough money for a
library card, possessed sticky fingers, would she turn a blind eye, because she
knew they were researching for something important, and this person always
returned the books? What would happen if they didn’t, and the library director
found out and confronted the librarian about this employee infraction? And
really, why did the librarian feel motivated to let the patron take books home
without a library card?
A Few Examples
Lillian Avery in Anchor in the Storm (Waves of Freedom series) by Sarah Sundin wants to prove herself by getting a job
as a pharmacist. But when she gets the job, she’s thrust into more than just
working at the pharmacy—she’s jumped into a drug ring. How she reacts to each
situation sends her deeper into the events, until she’s caught right in the
middle of the struggle. . .
In Lady Jayne
Disappears
by Joanna Davidson Politano, Aurelie Harcourt struggles to find a home with her
deceased writer-father’s wealthy family, she embarks on the adventure of
finishing his last story, and is thrown into a whirl of trouble with her new
family—who seem to thwart her every effort of finding out what happened to her
mother.
Secret Sauce to the Plot
My favorite editor, Maxwell Perkins (who worked with F. Scott
Fitzgerald and other authors of that time), said to “just get it down on paper,
and then we’ll see what to do with it.” I love that because it brings home the
reality that if we don’t write, we’ll be staring at a blank page. And heavens,
we can’t edit a blank page!
Each writer and author
benefits from exploring their characters inside and out, while asking “what
if?” at every turn when crafting their novel’s plot because it’s really the
secret sauce to writing a great story that captivates people, agents, editors,
readers, marketers, and the person who wouldn’t necessarily pick up a book and
read it.
Questions? Comments?
I’d love to engage in the conversation with you! Drop your question or comment
in the chat below, and I’ll look forward to responding!
Your Turn!
What is something
unusual that your character possesses that could enhance your story’s plot
What are three ways
your character interacts with the plot?
Tisha Martin writes historical fiction and nonfiction but edits full time for beginning and best-selling writers and publishing houses. Since 2017 she has worked on over 250 books, including Planned from the Start, the devotional companion to Unplanned the movie, and serves as contest judge for Writer’s Digest. She puts her bachelors in Professional Writing, masters in English Education, and editing certificate from the PEN Institute to delightful good use. Her nonfiction essay “The Meaning of an Heirloom” in The Horse of My Dreams: True Stories of the Horses We Love is available from Revell. She enjoys speaking at writer’s conferences and coaching writers in the self-editing process. Learn more at www.tishamartin.com.
Writers Chat,
hosted by Jean Wise, Johnnie Alexander, and Bethany Jett, is the show where we
talk about all things writing, by writers and for writers!
“Because talking about writing is more fun than actually doing it.”
Enneagram and the Writer, with Jean Wise
Personality types are intriguing for most of us. It
helps us to understand why we, or those we love, act the way we do. In this
episode, Jean Wise—spiritual director, blogger, and author—presents an overview
of the nine core personality types of the Enneagram. She shares some of the
strengths and weaknesses of each type. Jean also shares that being familiar
with personality types will help us understand ourselves better but might also
explains personality may have an influence over what we write. Knowing more
about personalities, the good and the bad, will also help us as writers to
develop deep, realistic characters that our readers will love or love to hate.
If you’re intrigued by personality profiles or just want to make your
characters more life-like, then this is the episode for you.
Watch the February 4th replay.
Book Proposals & One Sheets
In this episode, Bethany Jett, co-owner of Serious
Writer, Inc. and Johnnie Alexander, novelist, share their insights on book
proposals and one sheets for both fiction and nonfiction. Bethany shares a
template her company uses for nonfiction proposals. Johnnie explains the template
she used for fiction which landed a contract for her Misty Willow Series.
During this episode two from the audience share their one pages and Johnnie and
some of the others in the audience critiqued the one pages. Bethany reminded us
that these needed to have a picture, author bio, comps of the book, and either
a short synopsis or back cover blurb. This is a must see episode whether you
are attending a conference in the near future or not. A wealth of information
is in the one hour episode. Check it out.
Watch the February 11th replay.
JOIN US!
Writers Chat
is hosted live each Tuesday for an hour starting at 10 AM CT / 11 AM ET on
Zoom. Here’s the permanent
Zoom room link.
Participants
mute their audio and video during the filming then we open up the room for
anyone who wishes to participate with our guests. The “After Party” is
fifteen-minutes of off-the-record sharing and conversation.
Additionally,
you can grow your network and add to the conversation by joining our Writers Chat Facebook
Group.
The Christian Authors Network’s innovative Crown Awards celebrate
excellence in Christian Media and Marketing.
Purpose: To recognize, educate, and encourage excellence in
marketing and promotion skills of all Christian authors. The awards are given
in three categories:
Visual Media
Broadcasting
Web Presence
Adria Wilkins is the Outstanding Visual Media Gold Award winner. She used Facebook Live, television interviews, social media memes, hashtag marketing, and live events to promote her book The Joy Box Journal. Her book shares stories of finding joy in difficult circumstances, including the death of her three-year-old son.
Adria’s Facebook Live videos garnered lots of attention promoting the book release party at her local Chick-fil-A where she sold 200 copies in one evening. Her live events garnered several speaking opportunities and helped her land a number of TV appearances. She’s now able to combine TV appearances with local events and continues successful sales of her book. Adria’s genuine personality is endearing for viewers.
Tell us about your book.
The Joy Box Journal is 40 devotions, questions to journal, and a
unique feature is there is a box in the front of the book, and six, small, note
pads in the back of the book. A joy box note question is given at the end of
each devotion. The reader writes the answer on the note pad and places the note
in the box. The box and journal are designed to give to the next generation to
let them know what has brought you joy.
What led you to write
it?
The Joy Box Journal started when my son, Blake, was born
with multiple medical problems. I poured my heart out to God and wrote during
my journey of grief and trusted God to give me joy during the hardest thing a
mother could ever go through.
How does your passion
motivate you to promote your book? What keeps you motivated?
My publisher, Hachette Book Group, did such a fantastic job
on the cover of my book. The idea for putting a box in the book and the note
cards was my idea. I enjoy seeing people’s response of “Oh” when they see the
box and note cards at the back of the book. When I tell them, they can leave a
legacy with their grandchildren about what has brought them joy their faces
light up every time.
Where did you start
in the planning of your marketing and did you focus on one main component or
area?
I wanted to do my book signing at a bright happy place and I
really like Chick-fil-A so I began asking the manager there and everything fell
into place. I did lots of research on what marketing tools work best. Writers
conferences are a must for authors. You can learn all kinds of marketing
techniques and tools at the event. It helps to network with authors at these
events and share ideas.
Personal stories are
so important. Your own story is tragic, but you chose to respond with joy, and
that resonates with your audience. How did you find other stories and how did
you select which ones to use?
I often am inspired by things in nature and want to learn
about them. God uses these ideas and after research and spending time in God’s
Word it becomes a devotion to encourage others. I enjoy watching people and I
often get stories just sitting at a local coffee shop or mall.
How have those people
helped spread the news about the book?
I try to connect with people everywhere I go. I try to be
present in the moment wherever I am. I interact with people and share all the
time about my book. If you tell people you are writing a book most people perk
up and want to know more. People will show the book to friends and family and
then they want a copy.
How did you gather so many people at live events such as ones at
Chick-fil-A?
I had a bunch of professional
color flyers made and would hand those out as often as possible. I invited
several churches around the area. Chick-fil-A also send a mass email out to
their clients and they had a flyer made up to promote the Ladies Night Out
event.
Amid ordering and eating, how were you able to promote the book to
audiences who passed through?
I had a big banner and table area
and there was a long line for several hours so anyone that came in would wonder
what was going on and would come over and check out the table. Many people from
my church came and I had a lot from the community as well. I made sure to publicize
as much as possible leading up to the event. I had flyers made that were handed
out at some local women’s events.
Once you have a scheduled TV appearance what do you do to set up a live
event?
I contact friends or ask if people
know of business owners in the area that might like me to do a book signing
event while I am in town.
You also had some speaking coaching. How has that aided your marketing
efforts?
I met Monica Schmelter, with
Christian Television Network, at the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers
Conference. She led a seminar on speaking. She provides coaching and for the
past nine months has been a vital part of encouragement and gives me advice as
I share my ideas for events. She helps me know if I am on track or need to
tweak my speaking topics, videos, or memes.
You won the CAN Crown Award for outstanding visual media. What elements
such as memes have helped you promote the book?
I began doing weekly videos
leading up to my book release. Videos are vital for authors. It helps our
readers find out who we are and if they learn about our stories, they will want
to read our books.
How do you develop your visuals?
I use Canva online to create memes and posts for social media. I hired someone to create my logo. I take lots of pictures in nature to use for memes or future announcements.
How do you craft your pitch and message to each audience?
I pray a lot. If I am speaking to
a group, I meet with the leaders to find out who the people are that I will be
speaking with and somethings they deal with. My speaking coach has helped me
come up with five to seven speaking topics and then we fine tune them for an
audience. For my weekly videos I have been trying to come up with some series
that would keep people coming back for more each week. Keeping the topics
lively and interesting and unusual things I have researched tends to inspire
people. I get excited when I learn new things about God’s creation and the
intricate details of its design.
What do you include in your press release that you send to media?
My publisher will provide a copy
of my book and a one-page information sheet about how to contact me. I provide
a bio and any other information they need.
Can you recommend marketing resources that you have found helpful?
Patricia Durgin with Marketers on
a Mission has a daily Facebook live five days a week. She provides valuable
interviews with top authors and leaders in the writing and marketing world. She
has a wealth of knowledge about how to be a better marketer.
Which aspects of marketing do you enjoy the most?
I didn’t realize how much I would enjoy doing
videos. I have always been shy of cameras or videos, but I get energy and enjoy
speaking and sharing with my audience about the neat things I am learning.
Which aspects do you find most challenging?
The admin portion of being a
marketer is very time consuming.
What marketing advice can you give writers that you wished you had
gotten, or that you wish you would have heeded?
I have always tried to learn and listen as
much as I can. We don’t have to do everything, nor do we have to do it the same
way it has always been done.
What are common marketing mistakes you see writers making?
Always have your writing edited.
Always get a couple of opinions on artwork or designs, especially when starting out.
Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers about
your marketing or writing journey?
I have been having fun and enjoying every moment
of my journey.
Don’t worry if everything doesn’t get done.
Don’t rush your writing. God has a plan for the
timing of when your writing is ready for the world to read.
You don’t have to do everything. Hire out some
of your work, such as designing a logo, business cards, or flyers.
Award winning author, Adria Wilkins has an accounting degree from Western Kentucky University. She and her husband, Erik, live in Northern Virginia and have three children Katie, Blake, and Anthony.
She enjoys telling a
story, adding sprinkles of joy and a few extra dollops to liven it up.
After suffering the unthinkable – death of three-year-old Blake, she found that Jesus sustains, and evens surprises His followers with joy.
Like delicious desserts, dialog is often a reader’s
favorite part of a story. We quote great dialog for generations.
“Off
with her head!” – Lewis Carroll.
“We
make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.” – Winston
Churchill.
“There’s
so much scope for imagination.” Lucy Maud Montgomery.
“It’s
me again, Hank the Cowdog.” John Erickson.
“Give
back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” – Jesus Christ.
Dialog is
what characters say. Powerful stories are dialog driven through carefully
chosen word selections. When Scrooge responds to Christmas cheer with “Bah,
humbug,” Charles Dickens has masterfully portrayed the old man’s attitude and
character in two words.
Dialog has dynamic purpose in a manuscript. It economically accomplishes several vital objectives. Dialog must
move the story forward. “There’s no place like home. ” This declaration tells the reader that Dorothy’s goal is to return to Kansas.
reveal something important about the plot. “The priest told me they are married.” A single sentence provides a crucial plot point in Fiddler on the Roof without the use of an entire scene to show the same event. In dialog, information can be dropped like a surprise bomb. Readers read to be surprised.
show something important about the character. “Go ahead. Make my day.” What a character says can show what the character is thinking, how the character responds, and illuminate the depth of the character’s motivation.
give the character a unique voice. “I know hurryin’ is against your nature, but you might want to pick up the pace before that storm rolls in.” Vocabulary lets the reader know if the character is educated, gives clues to the region the character is from, and shows the character’s nature to be relaxed, tightly wound, worried, sly, or confident.
Put your dialog on a diet. Words that should not appear in dialog include:
Yeah
Okay
Hello
Good-bye
Oh
Well
Writers give the illusion of reality when crafting
dialog. It is the juicy parts with the empty portions left out.
She helped him sit up. “Are you okay?”
He rubbed the goose egg
on the back of his head. “Where is the phone?”
In this example, if the character answered the question – “Yeah, well, I think I’m okay,” – it would detract from the urgency of the situation. From the action of rubbing his head, we know the hero has a painful noggin. Because he ignores concerns about his health, the reader sees he is focused on what is more important. Show me or tell me, but don’t do both.
In the first
draft, dialog may begin with “Hello,” “Oh,” or “Well,” “Yeah,” and end with
‘Good-bye,” but in the editing process, be sure to remove these unnecessary
distractions. They are like empty calories in your work. Cream filled Twinkies
to be eliminated. Then reread the conversations and see how concise it flows
without the banned words weighing it down and sounding like the writer is a
novice. With practice, you will no longer even write these twinkies into your
diet for dynamic dialog.
History buff and island votary, PeggySue Wells skydives, scuba dives, parasails, and has taken (but not passed) pilot training. PeggySue is the bestselling author of 29 books including Homeless for the Holidays, The Girl Who Wore Freedom, and Chasing Sunrise. She is a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Christian Authors Network, Run Hard, Rest Well, advisory committee for the Taylor Writers Conference, and talk show host on Five Kyngdoms Radio. Connect with her at PeggySueWells.com, @PeggySue Wells, linkedin.com/in/peggysuewells, and facebook.com/peggysue.wells.
Last month I talked about how useful critiques are for
writers, because they provide important feedback that helps us improve our
craft and clarify our message.
Writers must learn how to accept critiques. We must also
learn how to critique the work of others in a way that is loving and helpful. These
principles can help you become a better critique partner.
Principles to help you give helpful critiques
Be encouraging. The ancient oath for physicians included the promise, “First, do no harm.” It is a useful reminder for critiquing the precious work of a fellow angst-filled writer. Always find something positive to say! It’s easy to focus on what is wrong, or what needs to be improved. Make the effort to note what is working, what you like, what made you laugh, and the insights that touched you.
Ask what kind of feedback the writer is looking for. This will vary depending on where the piece is in the process. In a first draft the writer may be testing out a character or plot idea. In a later draft she may be more concerned with getting a description just right. It’s easier to give useful feedback when you know what to look for, so ask.
Be fair and reasonable. Don’t compare the work being critiqued with your favorite author. Teachers don’t expect a third-grader to write a story as well as a tenth-grader. In the same vein, you should try to give feedback in keeping with the level of the writer, not expect them to attain standards that are beyond their current skill. Consider what criticism will help them take the next small step toward better writer. Look for a key area where they might grow and suggest how they could improve in that area.
Don’t focus solely on the obvious. Typos, grammar, and incorrect facts are easy to catch. Try to look beyond them to what else is there, such as structure, characterization, motives, world-building, theme, etc.
Notice what isn’t clear or what doesn’t make sense. A piece of writing is only effective it if communicates what it’s meant to communicate. All writers need feedback to ensure they are getting their message across.
Notice what is missing. We all have some aspects of writing we tend to skip. For example, my critique partner is always asking me, “How does he feel when that happened?” She helps me remember to include the emotions I would otherwise ignore.
Notice what doesn’t feel right. Is the heroine acting out of character in this scene? Does the action seem unbelievable? Does the voice not come through like it did in the last scene?
Notice how the writing makes you feel. What emotions does the piece evoke? Do you like the characters or not? Are you intrigued or tempted to skim over stuff? Do you sense something ominous? This may be helpful feedback, so pay attention as you read.
Whenever possible, read through the piece more than once. That gives you a chance to focus on different facets of the writing with each pass.
Finally, remember your ultimate goal is to inspire, encourage, and enable growth. Be kind. Be encouraging. But also provide honest and constructive input that can help the writer take their piece to the next level.
Award-winning writer Lisa
E. Betz believes that everyone has a unique story to tell the world. She
loves inspiring fellow writers to be more intentional about developing their
craft and courageous in sharing their words. Lisa shares her words through
speaking, leading Bible studies, writing historical mysteries, and blogging
about living intentionally.
I started out wanting to write another
Christmas story and the plot of Stranded
for the Holidays evolved from there. The
standalone novel is part of an ongoing series set in the Blue Ridge Mountains
of North Carolina. The fictional town is Truelove—Where
True Love Awaits. And three elderly matchmakers take the town motto a little
too seriously. They’ve made it their personal mission to help everyone find
their happily-ever-after. Whether the recipients of their efforts want them to
or not!
Here’s a short blurb:
Running away led her right where she belonged.
AnnnaBeth is running away from her own wedding when her car breaks down in the middle of a snowstorm on an isolated mountain road. And of course, who happens along to rescue her? A handsome cowboy and his young, mini-me cowboy son, Hunter, who’s wishing for a mommy for Christmas. As the storm clears, city girl AnnaBeth will have to decide: does her heart now belong in the country?
AnnaBeth’s character type is one of my favorite to write. The banter and chemistry between the never-met-a-stranger, social butterfly and the pay-for-every-word, stoic cowboy was fun to create. When the town matchmakers get a hold of these two—by novel’s end, snowflakes aren’t the only thing falling between AnnaBeth and Jonas
I hope you’ll be on the look out for the fourth book in the Blue Ridge Matchmaker series—A Mother’s Homecoming—which releases June 1. I’m currently writing #5—also a Christmas story.
Why
do you write? Do you have a theme, message, or goal for your books?
My
ultimate desire is to proclaim the truth of God’s Word, His redeeming love as
seen in the life of Jesus Christ and to help readers know for themselves this
great, awesome God of all comfort and wisdom. He is enough for every need.
I hope
my books will make readers laugh. And perhaps make them cry. But most of all, I
hope my stories will warm their hearts with the greatest of loves, God’s love
for each of them.
How
long have you been writing?
I come from a family of storytellers.
My mom used to entertain my brother and I on long road trips by inventing
adventures featuring us as the hero and heroine. I told myself stories as a
child to fall asleep at night. I thought everyone did this until I discovered
in elementary school this might not be perceived as normal for the rest of the
school population. But during summers, I became the neighborhood child who
entertained my friends and organized epic retellings of prairie schooners in
space, aka whatever I had watched on television lately—Daniel Boone, The Wild
West, Star Trek (the original), or Gilligan’s Island. Yeah, I know I’m dating
myself.
It was only after my children were in
middle school that I got serious about pursuing a career in writing. My first
novel was published in 2013. Twenty-five novels and counting, it’s been a
whirlwind of adventure ever since.
And
how long did it take you to get your first major book contract? Or are you
published non-traditionally? How did that come about?
In 2009, God laid a story
upon my heart and a compulsion to write it down that wouldn’t go away. I’d
written for myself, as a freelancer, and for church organizations most of my
life. But during this season in my life, God literally compelled me that now was
the time to get serious about my secret dream of writing down the stories
swirling in my head and that these stories were to be used for His glory. I
wrote the story that became my debut, Carolina
Reckoning, and God led me to a
person who suggested a writing conference.
I attended the conference
and God led a multi-published romantic suspense author to take a mentoring
interest in me. I attended several more conferences, and God was always
faithful in leading me one step further along the road to publication. I wrote
three other manuscripts; I listened; I studied; I learned more about the craft
of writing and the publishing industry. In 2011, I received the call from
Abingdon Press regarding my Aloha
Rose proposal. But Carolina
Reckoning actually became my first
published novel, releasing in August 2013.
Which
of your books is your favorite?
Usually the one I’m currently writing
is my favorite. We’re not really supposed to have favorites among our
“children”. But if you’re going to make me say it, I guess Under
a Turquoise Sky. That entire project was such a
joy. I may never write another book like it, but the story was a gift to me as
an author. It also won the Carol Award for Inspirational Romantic Suspense that
year.
Do
you have a favorite character or scene in one of your books?
I’ve written three dual timeline
romantic suspense novels, which is my favorite type of story to read and write.
But my favorite character is probably Aaron Yazzie in Under
a Turquoise Sky. There was such brokenness in him
at the beginning but by the end, his character arc went through such an amazing
transformation. Readers tell me that his journey touched them in a profound
way.
How
long does it take you to write a book?
I love to have eight months to write
one of my suspense novels. I don’t always get that, however. I’m usually
writing one book, editing another and often marketing yet a third novel. With
the smaller Love Inspired novels three-four months is about average.
What’s
your writing work schedule like?
I am a morning person so I do my best
writing early. My day usually begins at the computer by eight a.m. I don’t have
daily word count goals. My goal each day is to write the next scene or chapter.
When I finish the scene or chapter, I stop for the day. Usually, I’m
done—creatively, mentally and physically—by three p.m. I may tackle other tasks
like marketing or business-related obligations for a short period. Or, I have
tea and watch the next installment of one of my favorite British mystery
series.
Do
you have an interesting writing quirk? If so, what is it?
I like to read over the
last scene I wrote the day before to plunge myself back into the novel moment.
Then, I’ll go for a walk or bike ride, allowing the stream of my unconscious to
flow and work it’s magic on the chapter or scene I know I need to write that
day. I get into the shower and literally and figuratively allow the stream to
continue. By the time I’m ready to sit down at the computer, I’ve actually
visualized entire scenes and segments of dialogue in my mind and the words
“flow” onto the screen.
What
has been your greatest joy(s) in your writing career?
Getting to know other Christian authors
has been one of the greatest blessings during my writing journey. I also love
when readers contact me and tell me how God has used my stories to impact their
lives for His glory. Winning the Carol Award in 2015 and the Daphne du Maurier
in 2017 was such an affirmation to me to persevere in writing. In 2019, His
Secret Daughter and Stranded
for the Holidays, part of the Blue Ridge Matchmaker
series, both made the Top 25 best-selling lists. I got to see my name on the
same list as Nicholas Sparks and Debbie Macomber. How fun was that!!!!
What
has been your darkest moment(s)?
As my father’s primary caretaker, the
last three years of his life as he battled Alzheimer’s were extremely difficult
for me. My own family responsibilities didn’t stop. Deadlines didn’t stop.
Just before his death in 2016, I hit a
“wall.” I was physically, emotionally, creatively and spiritually drained. And
yet through it all, I can testify of God’s faithfulness to me as I walked to
the other side of the “valley of the shadow of death”.
My editor and agent would tell you that
I did some of my best and most powerful writing during that period. It was
during this season of pain and suffering that I won the Carol and Daphne for
two of my romantic suspense novels. And I encourage other writers to not be
afraid of the pain, but instead to embrace it.
How
many times in your career have you experienced rejection? How did they shape
you?
Rejection began early and
continues to be a regular part of my writing journey. But nothing ventured;
nothing gained. Writers must develop Teflon-coated skin. One of the most
encouraging pieces of advice I ever read came from best-selling novelist,
Elizabeth George. She said, ”You will be published if you possess three
qualities—talent, passion, and discipline.”
And the most important of
these? Not talent, or passion. But discipline—perseverance. The ability to keep
on keeping on. Writing one word after the other. Never quitting. Never giving
up.
Where
do you get your ideas?
My story ideas come from everywhere—my
past, my friends and their past/current experiences, and the news.
Who
is your favorite author to read?
It depends on the genre. I read widely.
And as soon as I name favorites, I realize I’ve left someone out. But initially
in my career, I was inspired by Catherine Palmer’s romantic suspense adventure
series, Treasures of the Heart, set
in Africa. I still love those books. I continue to re-read them over and over.
What
advice can you give aspiring writers that you wished you had gotten, or that
you wished you would have heeded?
Read. A lot.
Write every day.
Every year attend the best
conference you can afford.
What
are common mistakes you see aspiring writer’s make?
Don’t listen to the lies of
the Enemy. Don’t listen to the nay-sayers. Don’t give up.
Where/How
do you recommend writers try to break into the market?
The key to my publication journey has
been about building relationships—
1. With God foremost—a conscious choice
to pursue His leading.
2. With others in the publishing
industry.
3. And, to pursue relationships over
pursuing contracts.
Multi-published author Lisa Carter likes to describe her romantic suspense novels as “Sweet Tea with a Slice of Murder.” A Vast and Gracious Tide released in June 2018. The Stronghold won a 2017 Daphne du Maurier. Under a Turquoise Sky won the 2015 Carol Award. Beyond the Cherokee Trail was a 4½ star Romantic Times Top Pick. She also has two contemporary romance series with Love Inspired. Lisa enjoys traveling and researching her next fictional adventure. When not writing, she loves spending time with family and teaching writing workshops. A native North Carolinian, she has strong opinions on barbecue and ACC basketball.
