Categories
Marketing Sense

What to Include in Your Home Page’s “Above the Fold” Area

Marketing sense

Are you pleased with your website’s Home page? The way it looks, its design, and most important, its effectiveness? If not, read on!

Beneath your Menu bar (sometimes called the Navigation bar–it’s at the top of your web page) is your most important real estate anywhere online. It’s referred to as the area, “above the fold,” or “above the scroll,” meaning the part of your Home page readers can see without having to scroll further down the page to see it all.

More visitors will see this area than any other on your website. Ever. It has a vital job: to get your visitor’s attention and inspire them to sign up for your free resource (called a Lead Magnet in marketing speak).

Within this “above the fold” area, the most effective websites include two columns. They’re not visually separated into columns, but you want each column’s contents to take up approximately the same amount of width and height.

Include the following elements in either the right or left column areas:

A great, color photo of YOU that takes up that area of the page “above the fold,” along with your name and title (Author, Public Relation Expert, whatever’s applicable). That should fill the entire “above the scroll” space but not spill out from it.

In the second, opposite column, include four short areas of text and an opt-in button:

#1: a short description of your audience (my audience is Christian writers and speakers).

#2: your main headline for this area addressing the frustration or goal your audience seeks to change, OR a strong statement that will resonate with your audience.

#3: a single line of text shaped in the form of a promise or a result.

#4: two short paragraphs–only 1-2 sentences each–identifying the frustration or goal you know your audience is seeking to change.

Plus:

– an opt-in box that includes two small text boxes, one each for your reader’s first name and email address, and

– your CTA (call-to-action) button for readers to click or press after they’ve “signed up” for your free resource (added their name and email to receive it).

You’ve seen 100’s or 1,000’s of these opt-in boxes through your many years online.

It’s very important that the text on your call-to-action button is not the word, “SUBMIT.” No one wants to submit. To anything. Particularly not to a total stranger.

The Website Police aren’t going to drag you out of your home at 3AM if you use SUBMIT, but since we know readers find it offensive, why use it?

There are so many other, non-offensive options! In fact, text that’s related to your giveaway (called a Lead Magnet) is much wiser.

Say you’re giving away a checklist of various sizes and uses of skillets for gourmet cooks. Your CTB button text could be, “I need to use the right skillet!”  Or if it fits your personality, consider, “Gimme the checklist!” or, “Checklist, please!”

You could also use a phrase as simple and direct as, “Sign me up!” or “I need this info!” Use whatever seems best to you.

Note that your website theme may have a limit on how many characters (letters) your CTA button allows. So, if you have a fun phrase but it has too many letters, simply experiment until you find a shorter version and you’re all set!

Studies show that filling your Home page’s area “above the fold” with an offer your audience considers a “must have” will spur growth.

Fill the balance of your Home page with pertinent content that seems right to you.

The options are limitless. Research competitors and near-competitors for fresh inspiration. No need to copy anyone. Christ is creative enough to give each of us a unique viewpoint for the message He’s gifted us to serve.

But keep your Home page’s area “above the fold” exclusive, using it only to showcase your current free resource (Lead Magnet).

Try it! You’ll like it! So goes the Alka-Seltzer marketing phrase from the early 70’s. 🙂

Patricia Durgin is an Online Marketing Coach and Facebook Live Expert. She trains Christian writers and speakers exclusively, helping them develop their messaging, marketing funnels, conversational emails, and Facebook Live programs. Patricia hosted 505 (60-minute) Facebook Live programs from 2018-2020. That program is on indefinite hiatus. She’s also a regular faculty member at Christian writers and speakers conferences around the country.

Website: marketersonamission.com
Facebook: MarketersOnAMission

Categories
Kids Lit

Inside the Ten-Foot Line: Conception to Publication Part One

Kids Lit

As I wrote this article, I got an email from my publisher letting me know that the pre-order sales of my book Inside the Ten-foot Line earned three #1 bestselling banners on Amazon. Wow! Which leads me to believe I might have an insight or two to offer about the whole publishing process.

Keep in mind, every author’s path to publication differs. Some things I mention might resonate with you. Others may provide an ah-ha moment. You can also visit Kelli’s article on three lessons she learned on her way to publication.

My story is too long for a single post, so this month, I’ll explore the birth of the idea and draft process behind Inside the Ten-foot Line, and next month I’ll target what happened after the manuscript was complete.

The Idea

While there is no hard and fast rule for finding an idea for your book, write what you know is a good starting place. I took that advice and made a list of all the topics that interested me. I compared that to a list of topics that might interest my target age group to trim down my options. I mean—I know a lot bedtime routines. And while that’s a great topic for picture books, it’s less palatable for a middle grade novel, right? (Unless I work a hilarious bedtime routine into a scene where my protagonist is dealing with pimples and self-doubt.)

For me, one theme continued to rise to the top and melded well with the interests of my reader. Sports.

Question: What idea rises to the top for you?

Action: Check out another article on content issues from Kelli McKinney.

What’s Out There

Where does your idea fit in the current market? What other books will sit on the shelf next to yours? I found my answer in the local library. Sports had its own special identifying sticker and location in the building, making it easy for me to pull down and compare titles. Books geared for male athletes dominated the genre. However, even though the niche offered only a handful of books for female athletes, the market showed recent growth. And that was promising.

Question: Does your book can fill a gap in the market?

Action: Visit a library and look for books with a similar idea to yours.

Know the Genre

Determined to balance the scales, I read through several books, looking for similarities in plot, mood, and resolution. Most used sports as a setting to deal with larger social or emotional issues. After dissecting a whole stack of novels, I had a good idea of how to move forward.

Question: What genre are you writing? Contemporary? Speculative fiction? Historical fiction?

Action: Do your research. Take time to read books you will find next to yours on the shelf.

Write the Story

I wrote an outline for the plot using one paragraph descriptions for each chapter. Then I took one summary at a time and expanded it into a full chapter. This loosely structured approach left room for my characters to nudge (or throw) the story in a new direction. And trust me—when they take on a life of their own, they will! When that happened, I could easily go back to the summaries and adjust the plot accordingly.

Even though my book addresses social issues, I also made sure to pack plenty of sports action into the plot. In that way, I catered to my target audience.

Question: Will your story be written in first or third person?

Action: Create a detailed outline for your story.

That’s where the series started for me. How about you? Stop back next month to find out what happened after I completed my manuscript.

Elementary school teacher Lori Z. Scott usually writes fiction. Her down time is filled with two quirky habits: chronic doodling and inventing lame jokes. Neither one impresses her principal (or friends/parents/dogs/casual strangers), but they do help inspire her writing. Somehow, her odd musings led her to accidentally write a ten-title bestselling chapter book series and on purpose write over 175 short stories, articles, essays, poems, and devotions. Lori enjoys speaking, leading workshops, and visiting local elementary schools to share her writing journey. Follow her on Instagram @Stories.by.Lori .

Categories
A Lighter Look at the Writer's Life

Sunnyside Up

lighter look at a writer's life

“Walking on Sunshine”

“You are my Sunshine”

“Keep on the Sunny Side”

Okay, which one are you singing right now? We like sunshine and apparently songs about sunshine. There are a bunch of them. We like activities in the sun. We like feeling the warmth and seeing the light. To quote John Denver, “Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy.”

How much sunshine is in your writing? I mostly write nonfiction, but I know that Snoopy wasn’t the only fiction writer that had to write about a dark and stormy night. Nonfiction writers also write about true situations that are not always pleasant. However, there are ways to add sunshine to every genre of writing.

Add Humor.

A funny character or tongue in cheek example can go a long way in making a serious topic a little less dark. A favorite laugh inducer is when the joke is on the writer. We all have those days when we need to laugh at ourselves so we might as well make our readers laugh too.

Add Literal Sunshine.

Let your characters feel the sunshine on their shoulders or see the ray of light shining through the window. Let every terrible situation have a bright spot such as a pleasant memory or a hand holding friend. If you are writing nonfiction don’t make things up just to lighten the mood this is not the time to call things that are not as though they were. Just dig a little deeper to find the light.

Add Hope.

There are a lot of dark evil things being written and published as good right now. As Christian writers we have the responsibility to be the light. The piece we are writing may not have anything to do with Christianity at all. It might be a “how to” piece on how to put together a bookshelf but we can be positive and enthusiastic as the reader stares at the thingamajigs and whatchacallits. Of course, any time we can we need to share the ultimate hope that we have in Jesus. He is the Light!

Are you ready to take a lighter look at your writing? Are you ready to let your little light shine? I believe you can do it. Go ahead and as you are writing and singing, “Let the sunshine in.”

Sue Davis Potts is a freelance writer from Huntingdon, Tennessee. She is mother to her beautiful adult daughter, Jessa.

Sue enjoys writing for both children and adults. She worked for years as a preschool teacher but feels most at home these days with other writers who speak her language. She has been published in local magazines, anthologies, Ideals, Southern Writer’s Magazine and Focus on the Family’s children’s magazines Clubhouse and Clubhouse, Jr.

She authored a children’s library book.  She is the author of a book of short motivations 101 Life Lessons From Uno (The One-Legged Duck) and coauthored. The Priceless Life (The Diane Price Story). Both books are available on Amazon. Sue can be found on her website, suedavispotts.com

Categories
Devotions for Writers

The Fugitive

devotions

“Nooooo,” she wailed. “It would hurt too much.”

My eight-year-old granddaughter could not be convinced to soak her foot. I felt sure Epsom salts would ease the swelling from the bee sting. She was sure it was the worst possible torture.

“Do you trust me?” I asked.

“Yes, Gra’ma, but I don’t want to put my foot in the tub.”

“Have I ever done anything to intentionally hurt you?”

“No, Gra’ma, but it would hurt too much!”

Silently I pleaded with the Lord for help. Instead, I sensed Him respond, “I never force My will on anyone.”

Sorrowfully, I dumped the water in the sink and the sobs subsided. I couldn’t force my will either.

I had a nagging feeling this was about more than a stinger. I, too, had been running from God’s best for me—a book languished in my files and ideas lay unattended. I neglected my call to write.

Exercise:

Jonah was a runner. His book tells us he was even willing to pay money to get away from what God called him to do. (Jonah 1:1-3)

What have you been avoiding at great cost to your call?

Elimelech was a runner. He was willing to leave God’s best at the expense of his family. (Ruth 1:1-5)

How have you sacrificed your best for the convenient?

Have you been hiding from God’s call on your life? Maybe what He’s asked seems inconsequential? Isn’t a small obedience still obedience? In a parable about a servant, Jesus said being faithful in little things results in greater responsibility. (Matthew 25:14-29)

In what way will you accept responsibility for your writing?

What if our writing is a treasure entrusted for only a season? We have no guarantees as to how long our eyesight, health or memory will last. Just like I wanted to help my granddaughter, my Father wants to help me. I retreat into His embrace, and He renews, restores, and reaffirms His love.

God is for us. He has given us gifts that will grow our craft.

Instead of running away from what the Lord asks, let’s run toward His call—because the Father knows best.

“For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

Jeremiah 29:11 (TLB)
Are you running from the words God has called you to write?
Sally Ferguson

Over 140 of Sally Ferguson’s devotionals have been published in Pathways to God (Warner Press). She’s also written for Light From The Word, Chautauqua Mirror, Just Between Us, Adult Span Curriculum, Thriving Family, Upgrade with Dawn and ezinearticles.com. Prose Contest Winner at 2017 Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference.

Sally loves organizing retreats and seeing relationships blossom in time away from the daily routine. Her ebook, How to Plan a Women’s Retreat is available on Amazon.

Sally Ferguson lives in the beautiful countryside of Jamestown, NY with her husband and her dad.

Visit Sally’s blog at sallyferguson.net

Categories
Writers Chat

Writers Chat Recap for July

Writers Chat Recap

Writers Chat, hosted by Jean Wise, Johnnie Alexander, and Brandy Brow, 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.”

Writing Books, Releasing a Sound with Louisa Treyborac

Author Louisa Treyborac joins us from France to share her unique writing journey. She reminds us, “you have a quill” and an opportunity to smuggle God’s redemptive message into our stories. Louisa’s spiritual and writing journeys are intricately intertwined. She explains how she learned to be a better writer by translating stories from English to French and the value of entering short story contests. Louisa likes to update public domain classics like Agnes Grey (Anne Bronte) and Persuasion (Jane Austen) to create a modern series. You will be inspired and encouraged by Louisa’s creativity which is rooted in her prayer, “Lord, give me Your strategy for that.”

Watch the July 11th Replay.

Louisa Treyborac, born in Paris, speaks five languages, and follows the family tradition transmitting stories. She writes in French and should soon publish in English. An angelic fantasy novel, an edgy fantasy soft crime fiction, a steampunk dystopian novel for teens, and short stories for kids are part of her inspired creations. And there’s more to come!

From Inspiration to Editing: How AutoCrit Can Help You Unlock Your Book’s Brillance

In this episode of Writers Chat, Jocelyn demonstrates how AutoCrit can make your book shine bright. She also shares how their approach to stronger writing incorporates research from millions of books and the principles of great storytelling into their software. With more than ten years’ experience helping authors produce better books, AutoCrit has kept its finger on the pulse of the industry. Get a look at advanced tools to plan, write, and edit your books. Plus, a vibrant private community for networking. They also have a successful catalog of genre courses and writing workshops.

Watch the July 18th replay.

Writers Chat is hosted live each Tuesday for an hour starting at 10 AM CT / 11 AM ET
on Zoom. The permanent Zoom room link is: http://zoom.us/j/4074198133

Categories
Writing with a Disability (Different Ability)

Try Something New

After returning from this year’s Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writing Conference (BRMCWC), I was excited about the new writing opportunities I had. Doors were opening before I even attended the conference. I was selected to be one of the new columnists on Patheos.com.

Not only will this be a great platform builder, it will introduce a new audience to my writing, beliefs, and style. It is important for writers to keep writing and learning the craft, which improves our writing in a few ways.

  • Diminishes fear
  • Develops style
  • Develops strong writing disciplines

“Learn as if you were not reaching your goal and as though you were scared of missing it.”

Confucius

After my accident, I not only had to relearn everything, I needed to learn new skills and processes to help my brain and body heal. Adaptation is a healing process.

Know to Grow

Albert Einstein observed, “Intellectual growth should commence at birth and only ceases at death.”

 After my accident, the doctors removed the right side of the frontal lobe of my brain so my brain could form new pathways to functioning.

Doing new things helps stimulate brain growth and health. Our brains finish growing by age 25. However, there are things we can do that help our brains form new pathways and abilities.

Learning new things actually rewires your brain, because of its neuroplasticity. Reading and writing are two of the main ways we can increase our brain’s neuroplasticity. So, the more you read and write, the more efficient your brain will be.

Music, dance, and exercise also help improve our brain’s neuroplasticity. The old clichĂŠ about a body in motion staying in motion applies to our brains as well.

Keep Going

“The more you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you will go.”

Dr. Seuss

Our writing improves because it helps our brains. Below are a few tips to help improve your writing from wordstream.com.

  1. Brush up on the basics
  2. Write like it’s your job
  3. Read like it’s your job
  4. Find a writing partner
  5. Join a workshop or take a night class
  6. Dissect writing that you admire
  7. Imitate writers you admire
  8. Remember that outlines are your friend
  9. Edit your work ruthlessly
  10. Accept that first drafts are almost always crap

Just like staying active keeps the body going strong, consistent writing helps make our brain and writing skills stronger. Just because our brains have finished growing, doesn’t mean we can’t help improve their performance or focus.

By trying new things, we will test our mental and physical stamina. Improving our brain functions will improve our physical health also. Don’t be afraid to try something new, we’re all beginners at some point.

Don’t Be Afraid

“Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young.”

Henry Ford

The reason why we like staying in our comfort zones, because they are familiar, less stressful, and are less challenging. However, comfort zones don’t challenge our brains and that can be harmful.

When our bodies are inactive for long periods of time, atrophy can set in and cause our muscles to deteriorate. Neuroscientists have learned that we can lose brain cells when we fail to use our brains more often.

This is why it is good to try new things as a writer, even if we are scared or untrained in a particular area. Below are a few new writing areas I am interested in trying.

  • Poetry
  • Journaling
  • Ghostwriting

My motto in school was, never rest until you know you can pass the test. There are plenty of writing opportunities for writers to explore. New opportunities challenge our brains and sharpen our writing skills. With new skills comes new growth in both our health and careers. I challenge you to think about new chances you have to grow and create as a writer, don’t be afraid to try something new!

Martin Johnson

Martin Johnson survived a severe car accident with a (T.B.I.) Traumatic brain injury which left him legally blind and partially paralyzed on the left side. He is an award-winning Christian screenwriter who has recently finished his first Christian nonfiction book. Martin has spent the last nine years volunteering as an ambassador and promoter for Promise Keepers ministries. While speaking to local men’s ministries he shares his testimony. He explains The Jesus Paradigm and how following Jesus changes what matters most in our lives. Martin lives in a Georgia and connects with readers at MartinThomasJohnson.com  and on Twitter at mtjohnson51.

Categories
Writing for YA

Five Things You Must Do To Reach Teen Readers

Sometimes it’s hard to remember all the emotions, feelings, and concerns that young teens have. Times change, attitudes change, technology changes, but some things remain the same. A wise author taps into universal truths to write a compelling story that resonates with readers.

Consider the Concerns of Your Audience

It’s not enough to care about teen and preteen readers. To reach them, authors must connect. Young readers want to know that the things they care about are being addressed. 

Ask the teens in your life what they’re worried about. The issues today’s teens deal with seem far from what previous generations faced, but commonalities exist. The same threads are woven throughout coming-of-age stories, because all people go through some predictable processes, experiences, and emotions as they mature. There are variations but there are just as many, if not more, similarities. The trick is to translate past experience into material relevant and accessible to today’s readers. Stretch yourself and find the connection, a way to relate to what your audience is going through right now. Dig deep, draw on the experiences of your own adolescence, and make specific applications to the best of your ability. 

Talk to People

If an author chooses to ignore the concerns and fears at the forefront of their audience’s mind, they risk a disconnect. If you’re unsure or unaware of the issues, start a conversation with a favorite teen or two (or three). Teenagers are not always the most forthcoming of conversationalists—depending on who they’re talking to—but give them a chance to express themselves by going to the source first, your target reader. Listen to what they have to say. Then, ask teachers and youth counselors what they feel are the most important issues facing young people today. 

Have a Sensitive Heart

Once you’ve found an issue you want to address, approach it with sensitivity, caring, and compassion. No one wants to be preached at, talked down to, or lectured. This is true no matter the age of your audience.

Make good use of beta readers and critique partners. Ask them to look for places that are preachy or heavy-handed. Enlist the help of a sensitivity reader when needed.

Be Authentic 

Everyone has been disappointed, suffered a loss, felt misunderstood, felt lost, failed, been embarrassed, and so on. Without authentic emotion, it’s difficult for a reader to become invested in a story. The saying is true, No tears in the writer, No tears in the reader. Don’t be afraid of powerful emotions. Capture them and put them on the page.

Go Beyond Surface Research

Understand the culture and attitudes of your audience, going beyond the surface. What’s popular today may be obsolete tomorrow. Points of view, ways of seeing the world, and cultural influences can have more of a lasting impact than trends. It’s important to know where people are coming from, how they interpret their environment. If an author doesn’t understand their intended audience, they aren’t likely to reach them.

If your story is contemporary, by the time it goes to press current fads may have fallen out of fashion. Stick to describing details that will remain the same for a few years or longer and avoid anything trendy. On the other hand, if you want to date your writing, use details firmly establishing your story in a particular time period.

Keep your eye on the prize. Writing for young adults is a calling. It’s an opportunity to have a tremendous influence on the future and change lives with the potential to have a lasting impact.

Donna Jo Stone is an award-winning author of young adult contemporary and adult historical fiction. She writes about tough issues but always ends her stories on a note of hope. Her novels are about common struggles and finding the faith to carry on through those battles.

The first book in Donna Jo’s young adult series is scheduled for publication in 2025, and her adult inspirational novella, Book Five in The Apron Strings Series, will release in May of 2024. You can find out more at  donnajostone.com.

Categories
Book Proposals

The Difference Between a Fiction or Nonfiction proposal

Possibly you are an author who writes nonfiction and fiction. Because I’ve worked in both areas of the market—fiction and nonfiction—it’s valuable to clarify the distinction. In simple terms, nonfiction is factual whereas fiction is a created story. Sometimes new authors get confused about what they need to market their fiction or nonfiction materials to a publisher.

Two of my published author friends referred someone to me. Often it takes several email exchanges to figure out why I am corresponding with a person and what they need. In this situation, the individual had a proposal for a publisher. If it’s a fiction project, then I want to correspond with the person using my publisher email address and because of my position with the publisher. On the other hand, if the proposal is a nonfiction project, then I will probably correspond with them through my personal email address. On a rare occasion, I help people get their nonfiction proposals into shape to show a publisher. On other occasions, I will co-author a project with someone and other types of combinations. It takes some exploration to determine what a person needs and if I can help this person.

I began to exchange emails with this unpublished writer who had received a sample book proposal from my published author friends. The writer followed their example and submitted it to a major publishing house which rejected it. This person wondered whether or not he needed my help with the proposal creation. To sort out what needed to be done, I asked the writer to send both proposals to me—the one from the published author friend and the unpublished proposal. I received them within a short period of time.

First, I looked at the proposal from my published author friends. I was a bit surprised at the simplicity and lack of completeness of this book proposal. As an editor, I’ve seen many book proposals and can quickly evaluate them. Some published authors, after achieving a particular level of book sales and market success, don’t have to produce a complete book proposal to get a publishing contract. Because of their track record of book sales or the ready-made audience and market for their writings, their submission process is much more simplified than the unpublished author.

Next I looked at the unpublished author’s proposal to see if it needed to be reworked before he sent it out to other publishers. At a glance I could see the problem. This author used a nonfiction proposal format for a fiction proposal project. He was wasting his time, and energy to market the wrong project in the wrong format. No wonder the publisher rejected his submission.

When I wrote and asked him about it, he quickly responded, “Is the proposal for a fiction proposal different from a nonfiction proposal?”

I told this potential author that the forms were radically different. You are doomed if you follow a nonfiction book proposal format for a fiction submission. I assumed this author was a first time novelist. In general, publishers require these authors to have completed the entire 80,000 to 100,000 word manuscript. It takes a great deal of time and energy to write 100,000 words (typically about a 300-page novel). Usually driven from the need to tell the story, these writers work long hours at their computer to complete the manuscript. For the book to be published, these pages need to be polished, fast-paced and generally excellent. If the novel requires a great deal of work, then it’s almost certain to be rejected. Many authors have heard the story of Max Perkins, the editor for Thomas Wolfe. Perkins would pull a little of this and a little of that and from his editorial skills create a classic novel. Those editors are long gone in this business. Instead, the publisher expects the novelist to complete the entire work on speculation—without any certainty of a publishing contract. Why?

I’ve heard numerous horror stories from long-time editors who contracted a novel because of a dynamic chapter or a terrific plot. Often fiction will change as the story is written. An inexperienced novelist writes their plot into a place where they are stuck and they don’t know how to complete the story. This type of situation becomes ugly for both the author and the publisher. From these experiences, publishers have learned to ask for the entire manuscript from first time fiction writers. In addition to the completed manuscript, first time fiction authors need a dynamic synopsis, combined with an outstanding marketing plan, to explain how you are going to personally sell your book. Finally you need to tell the editor a bit about yourself in a short personal bio. Novelists will send out shorter pieces, such as a couple of well-done sample chapters, synopsis, marketing plan and bio, and then ask if the editor wants to see the entire manuscript. An excellent book on this process for fiction authors is Your Novel Proposal From Creation to Contract by Blythe Camenson and Marshall J. Cook.

The story for nonfiction is totally different. You can write a nonfiction book proposal and get a publishing contract. From my experience an excellent proposal is critical for nonfiction and fiction. Several years ago, literary agent Jennifer Rudolph-Walsh was interviewed in a writers’ newsletter. Over ten years earlier Rudolph-Walsh was an agent with the Virginia Barber Literary Agency and pulled in a $400,000 advance for Ethan Hawke’s first novel. She said, “A well thought out proposal with an outline and a table of contents and maybe one to three sample chapters is enough. A friend of mine had a whole nonfiction manuscript and couldn’t sell it.” Rudolph-Walsh had the author chop off the first three chapters, then she sent it out and got $550,000 for something that couldn’t be sold for any price only four months earlier.

What counts in a nonfiction proposal is the promise of what’s to come with the finished manuscript and the editor’s potential to push the manuscript slightly in one direction or another. My experience says that the editor doesn’t push it much in the process, but because a proposal is in more of an “outline” format, it has the illusion of the editor pushing it. Normally I’ve written each of my nonfiction books exactly like I wrote them in the proposal—chapter by chapter.

Keep these statistics in mind as you think about your nonfiction book proposal. At any given time, 500,000 proposals and manuscripts circulate across the United States. With good writing skills and using the secrets in this book, you can beat these odds and get a contract. One major publisher received over 6,000 unsolicited manuscripts and proposals in a year, yet didn’t accept a single one. These thousands of proposals weren’t written well and didn’t include the necessary elements of a proposal, nor were they appropriate for this particular publisher. The writer has to fulfill every expectation in order to stand out from the other submissions.

Book Proposals That Sell can save you hours of effort and potential heartache. As you write, keep in mind this important statistic: nine out of ten nonfiction books are sold from a nonfiction book proposal.

Terry Whalin

W. Terry Whalin, a writer and acquisitions editor lives in Colorado. A former magazine editor and former literary agent, Terry is an acquisitions editor at Morgan James Publishing. He has written more than 60 nonfiction books including Jumpstart Your Publishing Dreams and Billy Graham. To help writers catch the attention of editors and agents, Terry wrote his bestselling Book Proposals That $ell, 21 Secrets To Speed Your Success. Check out his free Ebook, Platform Building Ideas for Every Author. His website is located at: www.terrywhalin.com. Connect with Terry on Twitter, Facebook, his blog and LinkedIn.

Check out his free Ebook, Platform Building Ideas for Every Author. His website is located at: www.terrywhalin.com. Connect with Terry on Twitter, Facebook, his blog and LinkedIn.

Book Proposals That $ell, 21 Secrets To Speed Your Success
Categories
The Intentional Writer

Want The Inside Scoop on Writing Mysteries?

The intentional writer

When I sat down to write my first mystery, I knew I needed a guide. I’d written a few historical novel manuscripts, so I knew the basics of writing good scenes and solid plots. But every genre has their specific tropes and techniques. I wanted to know the particular aspects of a novel that mystery readers expected.

For guidance, I turned to Writing and Selling Your Mystery Novel by the bestselling mystery writer Hallie Ephron (sister to Nora, Delia, and Amy Ephron). With this book as my guide, I was able to write an award-winning mystery on my very first try. It might be a great resource for you, too.

How I created a mystery series from scratch

This comprehensive book provided me with the roadmap I needed to write a great mystery novel, and also helped me set the foundation for a series. Looking back, I see how I would have struggled to create a satisfying mystery plot if I hadn’t used this book to guide me during the planning stage. Here are some tidbits specific to crafting a mystery that I helped me develop a stronger plot:

“How many suspects do you need? At least two (plus the true villain) will keep the reader guessing. More than five and it feels like a parlor game.”

“Minor characters who are part of the wallpaper for the first twenty-eight chapters can’t be promoted to villain status at the end just to surprise the reader.”

“Hidden secrets are what propel a mystery novel forward. Everyone has them—the victim, innocent suspects, and the villain. The revelation of a secret sends the murder investigation in a new direction.”

“When you pick a profession for your protagonist, keep in mind that the less likely your sleuth is to trip over a dead body, the more you’ll have to work to establish a believable reason for him to investigate the murder.”

Since my novels are set in the New Testament era, I couldn’t take the easy route and make my sleuth a police officer or a lawyer. But the concept made me aware that I had to work extra hard to create believable scenarios that compel my sleuth to investigate murders.

Creating an awesome sleuth

In addition to advice on plotting, the book is filled with great information on developing complex, believable characters. The author provides questions and charts that help a writer consider character building from many angles—many of which could be just as helpful to writers of other genres.

Here are a few that intrigued me:

“Are there things your character has to do that he hates? A reporter who dreads making cold calls? A police officer who hates target practice? Contradictions make for interesting characters.”

“Characters who aren’t what they seem to be at first blush intrigue readers. … Create a disconnect between your character’s physical presence and true capabilities. Then mine the gap. Through plot and action, reveal who your character really is.”

“By understanding how the villain justifies the crime to himself and what events in his life triggered these crimes, you give yourself the material you need to get past a black-hatted caricature and paint your villain in shades of gray.”

Writing mysteries means characters under pressure

One of the sections I found particularly helpful focused on how characters behaved under duress. Due to the nature of a mystery novel, the main characters often find themselves in stressful situations. They will be lied to. They will be in danger. Or, they may be falsely accused or have their honesty questioned.

On top of that, a sleuth and her sidekick will be exposed to crimes. They will interact with others who have been injured, duped, or otherwise mistreated. Thus, both my sleuth and many of the people she interacts with are not behaving at their best.

Therefore, I appreciated the exercises that considered how my characters would react in hypothetical situations that would stress them. The book offers a series of questions that vary in intensity from getting a bad haircut to discovering their best friend has been embezzling.

As with many of the exercises in the book, the majority of the scenarios aren’t directly relevant to a story set in first century Rome. However, a writer can use the book’s questions as examples of the kinds of situations a character of any era or setting might find themselves in.   

In summary

Writing and Selling Your Mystery Novel by Hallie Ephron is a valuable resource for a writer who wants to try writing in the mystery or suspense genres. It’s filled with helpful questions, exercises, and advice that will help you as you develop characters, plots, and crimes.

Even if you aren’t planning to write a mystery, give this book a read. It provides loads of good advice on writing an intriguing plot and developing complex, satisfying characters.

Final Note: I have the original edition of this book. I’m sure the newer revised and expanded edition is even better.

All quotes from Writing and Selling Your Mystery Novel by Hallie Ephron

Lisa E Betz

Lisa E. Betz is an engineer-turned-mystery-writer, entertaining speaker, and unconventional soul. She inspires others to become their best selves, living with authenticity, and purpose, and she infuses her novels with unconventional characters who thrive on solving tricky problems. Her Livia Aemilia Mysteries have won several awards, including the Golden Scroll Novel of the Year (2021).

She and her husband reside outside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with Scallywag, their rambunctious cat—the inspiration for Nemesis, resident mischief maker in her novels. Lisa directs church dramas, hikes the beautiful Pennsylvania woods, eats too much chocolate, and experiments with ancient Roman recipes. Visit lisaebetz.com.

Categories
Mastering Middle Grade

How to Make a ClichĂŠ Work for You

In middle grade novels, do you know what gets my goat? Stories riddled with clichĂŠs.

Let’s address the elephant in the room: cliches often come across as lazy writing. Cliches can make dialog as flat as a pancake and cause your labor of love to become as dull as dishwater. Worse, an ill-fitting cliché can throw the reader out of the story world you’ve created. Mark my words, your writing will improve if you weed out these overused sayings. But how?

Once upon a blue moon (and for a different website), I wrote a longer article detailing six ways to deal with this issue. But here, I’d like to focus on just one tried and true method that works especially well for middle grade stories. Consider it my “two-cents worth” approach because it adds humor to your story and gives you more bang for your buck.

Are you ready for this tip? It’s “Run with the cliché.”

I can explain it best like this: Take an old phrase and give it a middle grade twist by adding onto the end of it. The result may tickle your funny bone.

Look at my examples and then try this method for yourself.  

  • That problem was as old as time… but not nearly as old as the Twinkie Mom packed in my lunch today.
  • Sweet Sally. She’s always bending over backwards for people. Literally. She’s a gymnast.
  • I was left with one burning question. I guess that’s what happens when you set your homework on fire and your best friend douses the flames at the last second.
  • In my homeroom, finding a friendly face used to be a dime a dozen. Not with today’s inflation.
  • It’s hard for grandma to jog her memory. It’s more like a crawl.
  • If the shoe fits, it’s probably not on sale.
  • It takes two to tangle. Unless you’re my mom, and then you’re too exhausted to do anything.
  • You can’t hold candle to a good book. Well, you can, but it will burn.
  • Sometimes I feel like I’m all thumbs. Which comes in handy when you’re playing video games but not so much when picking your nose.

Now it’s your turn.

Go out on a limb. Think outside the box. Put the pedal to the medal. Take your favorite cliché and run with it. I’d love to hear what you come up with. Post it in the comments. I’m all ears.

Teacher and author Lori Z. Scott writes fiction because she’s like an atom. She makes everything up. She also has two quirky habits: chronic doodling and lame joke telling. Neither one impresses her boss, but they still somehow inspired Lori to accidentally create a ten-title bestselling children’s book series and on purpose write over 175 other publications. She continues penning stories as an excuse to not fold her laundry. Find her silly drawings, poems, and whatnot on Instagram @Lori.Z.Scott and look for her debut YA novel Inside the Ten-Foot Line coming October 2022.

Categories
Magazine, Freelance, and Copywriting

How eBook Authors Can Connect with & Grow Their Reader Base

The advent of eReaders and the rise of social media means that, as an eBook writer, you can reach a global audience. eBooks sales are on the rise, too. Revenue generated from eBook sales is expected to reach $15.39 billion by 2027 when as many as 1.12 billion people will be using Kindles and Nooks to read their favorite new titles.

As an author, you can take advantage of the eBook boom by marketing to readers in digital spaces. Mastering the eBook marketing game today can help you connect with your readers and build a strong base for future releases.

However, the eBook scene is increasingly competitive. Even traditional authors, like fantasy novelist Brandon Sanderson, are entering the self-publishing eBook scene and dominating sales in the eReader world.

The competitive nature of the publishing world means that you must build an author brand that holds serious sway in the minds of your reader base. Offering exclusive content like “sneak peaks” and branded merch can help you build the requisite buzz around your eBooks and develop a loyal reader base that buys every book you release.

Social Media

Social media is a gold mine for authors in the eBook industry. In sales terms, the folks who follow you online are “highly qualified” leads who are much more likely to purchase your upcoming eBook than the average Joe. 

However, finding success on social media requires more than posting a few selfie snaps. You need to post engaging content that adds meaningful value to your readers’ lives if you want to connect with your audience base.

Learn from published pros like John and Hank Green. The Green brothers are both traditionally published authors but have built much of their loyal following on social sites like YouTube, Twitter, and TikTok. The pair share informative, engaging content through their VlogBrothers page and Crash Course project.

Fortunately, you don’t have to become a full-time influencer to reap the rewards of a strong social presence. Instead, consider sharing useful content on sites like Twitter and TikTok. Focus on content genres like:

  • Tips to overcome writer’s block
  • Self-Publishing “How-to’”
  • Behind-the-scenes shots of your writing process
  • Interviews with other eBook authors

Posting interesting, informative content will build a buzz around your upcoming eBooks and increase engagement across all your social pages. Remember to interact with any comments or shares that you receive, and reward folks who regularly participate in author Q&As or opinion polls.

Increase your reach and engagement further by hosting competitions that improve your social following and build loyalty amongst your reader base. Offer physical promotions like stickers, temporary tattoos, and branded merch to bolster your social game. Readers will love showing their support with stickers and custom badges. Include a QR code in the design to draw more folks to your social pages and build intrigue around your eBook brand.

Membership Platforms

Social media is the best place to build your author brand and connect with new readers. However, you may be able to generate a little extra and build your reader base by offering exclusive content within membership platforms like Patreon and Substack.

Consider offering a tiered membership program with exclusive perks and benefits to the folks who decide to support you with a subscription. You’ll be competing against well-established authors like Chuck Palahniuk, so be sure to give your reader base exclusive content that excites them. Consider offering insider perks like:

  • Exclusive, members-only merch
  • Early access releases
  • More regular Q&As
  • Feedback for aspiring authors
  • Pre-publication access to chapters

Remember that membership platforms give you a chance to connect with an audience base that authentically cares. Post regularly and offer meaningful insights into your writing process. You can even host workshop-style digital events that build your web presence and grow your reader base online.

Web Presence

As an eBook author, you live and die by your web presence. Without a strong digital profile, would-be readers will never find your books and will turn to competitors, instead.

Start by creating a web page that is designed to build traffic and grow your digital profile. Ignoring Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is one of the most common eBook marketing mistakes you can make. Improve your SEO game by researching relevant keywords and producing high-quality content for your blog.

As your eBook brand grows, you may need to bring in an SEO specialist to further bolster your digital presence. An SEO agency will build your presence online by utilizing technical SEO that increases your visibility on search engines like Google while fixing fundamental errors like content duplication and slow-loading pages. This allows you to focus on your writing and gives you time to attend in-person events.

In-Person Events

Attending in-person events is a great way to network and build your brand as an eBook author. Speaking at panels and participating in conferences is a fantastic way to build your credibility, too. This is particularly important if you are trying to break into the eBook scene, as readers may be more likely to buy from authors they meet in person at book events.

Landing your first in-person event can be tricky. Start building your network by attending events as a participant, rather than a guest author. Local workshops and author readings are a great place to connect with your community and build your reputation as an eBook writer.

Avoid “selling” yourself while attending in-person events. The folks who attend book clubs and writer’s workshops don’t attend with the goal of buying a new novel; they’re attending to have fun, learn, and meet upcoming authors. Focus your efforts on building a connection with your readers and be prepared to give more than you receive. At most, you can ask loyal readers to write a review to aid your upcoming marketing efforts

Gathering Reviews

Good reviews are invaluable in the eBook publishing world. A high-profile, positive review can push your book to the top of the rankings and draw an entirely new reader base that will boost your profile. However, gathering reviews as a new author can be tricky — particularly if you aren’t used to asking readers to weigh in on your work.

Improve your reputation online by actively encouraging readers to leave reviews. Create a clear process for gathering reviews, and personalize any requests for reviews that you make. Use the data you collect to include key details like your reader’s names and include a call to action in email marketing (e.g. a hyperlink or a button with the text “Click here to leave a review”).

Be sure to track the number of reviews you get and store them within spreadsheet software like Excel or Google Sheets. This way, you can quickly search for adjectives that you want to use in marketing materials like “adventurous”, “bold”, or “thought-provoking”.

You can further incentivize reviewers by offering discounts and/or credits for use on future purchases. For example, you could give readers who leave a positive review $1 off the next eBook they buy from you. This increases reader loyalty and can lead to an increase in repeat purchases.

Conclusion

Building a loyal reader base can be tough in the eBook industry. Readers have plenty of options to choose from and can find their favorite author’s newest novel with just a few clicks.

Build your brand and connect with your reader base by improving your social media presence. Even small changes, like posting tips to overcome writer’s block, can make a big difference to your reputation online. Follow up by offering exclusive content on a members-only site like Substack or Patreon. These sites give you a great chance to connect with your readers and bring in some extra revenue while you work on upcoming projects.

Amanda Winstead is a writer from the Portland area with a background in communications and a passion for telling stories. Along with writing she enjoys traveling, reading, working out, and going to concerts. If you want to follow her writing journey, or even just say hi you can find her on Twitter.

Categories
Marketing Sense

How to Serve Multiple Audience Categories via One Email

Marketing sense

(NOTE: This doesn’t apply to multiple audiences. They rarely have sustainable, overlapping needs.)

Serving multiple audience categories via email is one of our most challenging goals as marketers. So why is it necessary?

“THAT is the right question, Detective Spooner,”

(I,Robot reference there). 🙂

Unless you’re a brand-new marketer (if you are, welcome!), you likely have more than one audience segment, sometimes called an audience category. If we regularly send one-size-fits-all emails, subscribers won’t stick around long. There are too many others who will offer them what they specifically want. Generic won’t do.

Let’s back up and start at the beginning with an oversimplified example.

Let’s say our audience, in one word, is “mothers.” And our topic is also one word, “relationships.” There are roughly, oh, about a gazillion intersections between those two descriptions, agreed?

So, let’s break it down further, separating all mothers in our audience into groups called “categories” or “segments” in email lingo.

We want to identify the strongest commonality between them.

That might be their age, ethnicity, nationality, marital status, income…the list goes on and on. When we dig deeper, we see a clear distinction not in their ages, but in their children’s ages.

We can further separate them into–in this case–three groups: moms with toddlers, moms with elementary age children, and moms with high school / college age children.

In this fictional scenario, these mothers want content related to their children’s relational development.

While each group has unique differences from the other two, collectively, they have intersecting needs, goals, pain points, and interests, too. Instead of one generic email that doesn’t fit anyone, we can send a single email to focus on one specific question, goal, etc., the entire group is asking or working toward. It will fit each of these mothers individually…with only one email. Sweeeet!

But how we identify their common points of interest?

Picture a 2-circle Venn diagram. Each circle is independent of the other, except for a small area where they overlap. That overlapped area is what both groups have in common.

Now add a third circle to make a 3-way Venn diagram. Each circle is still independent of the others, yet there’s one 3-way overlap (it’s obvious if you ask Google to show you an image).

That single section where the three circles overlap represents your audience’s common challenges, obstacles, dreams, joys, etc., for their children and their children’s relationships.   

If your goal is to write ONE email that’s applicable to each of your three audience groups, draw from that small, intersecting area in your 3-way Venn diagram for an idea, and it will fit every reader in these three categories to a “T.”

Suppose you want to send a Special Notice of some kind to only one of your three audience groups, and you want the remaining two groups to get a “regular” email?

Send that specific group a unique email (separate from the other two groups) with the Special Notice that pertains only to them.

Follow your normal process (based upon your 3-way Venn Diagram’s overlap) to write one email for the remaining two groups and send.

Next time, return to the overlapping obstacles, dreams, etc., shown in your diagram, and continue sending readers your best content!

Patricia Durgin is an Online Marketing Coach and Facebook Live Expert. She trains Christian writers and speakers exclusively, helping them develop their messaging, marketing funnels, conversational emails, and Facebook Live programs. Patricia hosted 505 (60-minute) Facebook Live programs from 2018-2020. That program is on indefinite hiatus. She’s also a regular faculty member at Christian writers and speakers conferences around the country.

Website: marketersonamission.com
Facebook: MarketersOnAMission

Categories
Guest Posts

6 Useful ChatGPT Prompts for Fiction Writers

Guest posts

Writing can be a solitary journey. But what if you had a companion to guide you, to help you when you’re stuck, to inspire you when your creativity needs a boost? That’s where ChatGPT comes in.

While many authors frown upon the idea of trusting artificial intelligence with their writing, it can be a helpful tool to facilitate your creative process without losing your unique voice.

Even though there are enough examples of books written with ChatGPT lately, we won’t talk about making AI write for you. Instead, we’ll cover a bunch of useful tasks you can give ChatGPT in order to nudge your creative flow whenever you feel lost.

Yes, weaving AI into your writing routine might appear challenging, and you indeed need to understand the basics of prompt engineering to ask the right questions. So let this article be your guide, demonstrating how AI can make life easier for fiction writers.

Here are six things ChatGPT can do to assist in your book-writing process:

1. Generate story ideas

Ever felt stuck while brainstorming new story ideas? ChatGPT can act as your virtual ideation partner, providing fresh perspectives and novel concepts to kickstart your creativity and expand your imaginative horizons.

ChatGPT prompt example: I’m writing a novel set in a post-apocalyptic world with elements of science fiction. Suggest ten unique storylines that revolve around a group of survivors, their struggles, and the mysteries of this new world they must explore.

2. Assist in character development

Crafting believable, multifaceted characters is a crucial aspect of compelling storytelling. With ChatGPT’s assistance, you can delve deeper into your characters’ psyche, sketching out complex backgrounds, motivations, and arcs that truly bring them to life.

ChatGPT prompt example: Help me further develop a character for my mystery novel. Her name is Jane, a private detective in her late thirties with a keen sense of intuition, a dark past, and a stubborn nature. I need more details on her backstory, personality traits, and possible character growth.

3. Get you unstuck during plot building

Navigating the labyrinth of plot building is no longer a daunting process. ChatGPT can aid in constructing compelling plot lines, helping to fill in the gaps and resolve narrative complexities, ensuring your story remains gripping from start to finish.

ChatGPT prompt example: I’m stuck with a plot point in my fantasy novel. My protagonists are trapped in a magical labyrinth filled with deadly traps and mythical creatures. I need a creative and coherent strategy for their escape that ties into the magic system of the novel.

4. Improve the setting description

The power of immersive, vivid settings can’t be underestimated in fiction writing. With ChatGPT, you can generate detailed and atmospheric visuals with words that transport your readers right into the heart of your story.

ChatGPT prompt example: I’m writing a sci-fi story set on an alien planet. Could you help me describe this planet’s exotic landscape, unusual weather phenomena, and unique life forms? Try to make it vivid and imaginative.

5. Reduce the blank page syndrome

The infamous blank page syndrome is a writer’s worst nightmare. ChatGPT comes to your rescue by providing starting points and generating content ideas, helping you to overcome that initial hurdle and get the words flowing.

Even if you won’t end up using the words it writes, it will push your creative buttons so ideas start bouncing in your head.

ChatGPT prompt example: I’m writing a novel about a time-traveling historian. Could you generate 3 versions of a compelling first line or opening paragraph that would immediately catch a reader’s interest, hinting at the time-traveling aspect of the story?

6. Improve your writing style

Every author has a unique voice, and fine-tuning that voice is vital to creating immersive stories that linger in the reader’s mind. With ChatGPT’s extensive knowledge of various writing techniques and stylistic nuances, it can help you uncover new tricks to enrich your narrative and captivate your audience, improving your writing skills and making your story more immersive.

ChatGPT prompt example: I want to improve my ‘show, don’t tell’ writing technique. Here’s a sentence: “Alicia was very nervous.” Could you rewrite this into a more descriptive paragraph, showing Alicia’s nervousness through her actions, reactions, or environment?

Wrapping up

You hold the pen that will draft the next literary sensation, a book that will touch hearts and stir minds. To get there, you need every tool that can streamline your creative journey and enhance productivity. This is where AI can make a difference. Let it invigorate your writing process, offering a fresh perspective and making each step more engaging. Remember, the future belongs to those who dare to innovate and explore new horizons.

Juliet Dreamhunter is a certified goal success coach and AI consultant from Juliety.com. She writes about using AI for productivity, battling procrastination, and working from home effectively. When she is not writing, she is either reading, traveling with her husband, or testing new AI tools.

Categories
Kids Lit

Every Single Word

Kids Lit

Have you met adults who somehow believe that writing a picture book is EASY because there are so FEW WORDS?

Arrrrgh!

As children’s writers, we know that the fewer words, the more perfect each word has to be. No room for dangling participles or near rhymes or even a well-placed semicolon. Just every single word is chosen to be the very best possible one for that thought, that sentence, that page.

Wander through the library or bookstore “Picture Books” and you realize that “books with pictures” are not all alike in format, reading level, or subject matter. How many of those perfect words make a book?

Board books for birth to age 3 – Under 200 words

These fat little books are 8-12 spreads (16-24 pages) and a new manuscript should be under 200 words. The best ones tell a story with a beginning, middle, and end, even if they are introducing a concept. NOTE: Board books with more than 200 words were often originally published as picture books, shrunk in format, and better for an older audience.

Early Picture books for ages 2-5 – 200-500 words

Early picture books are those most likely to be read at library story time. They have a simple-to-follow storyline, often with rhyming words, interactive text, and large clear pictures.

Picture books for ages 3-7 – 500-800 words

These are for kids who are not quite reading on their own yet but want more of a story perhaps with wordplay, multiple characters, and subjects that are more complex. There may be smaller detailed pictures and more pages full of text.

Older Picture books for ages 4-8 – 6000 to 1000 words

Many nonfiction picture books and children’s biographies fit in this group with the pictures supporting the text. Fiction books can include longer folk and fairy tales, several different characters, and social and moral issues.

Beginning readers for ages 6-8 – 1500-2000 words

These are complete stories on fiction and nonfiction subjects of interest to early-grade school students. Vocabulary may be limited to a limited list of sight words and ones that are easy to phonetically decode. Pictures give clues to unknown words or supplement the story.

Hi/Lo books for dyslexic and reluctant middle school readers – 400-1200 words

Age-appropriate fiction and nonfiction subject matter is the important factor in these books as students are apt to be older and no longer a fan of beginning readers. Pictures need to be as exciting as the writing to encourage the student to decode the words to find out more.

Graphic Novels -Next Month!

The other huge and growing picture/word book section is comic books/graphic novels. This genre has boggled the Library of Congress and the Dewey Decimal classifiers since they are both a unique format, fiction, and nonfiction topics, for multiple ages. That dilemma we’ll leave for next month!

Multi-award-winning author Robin Currie learned story sharing by sitting on the floor, in library story times. She has sold 1.7 M copies of her 40 storybooks and writes stories to read and read again. Robin is pleased to report that How to Dress a Dinosaur has only 181 words and is a perfect fit for the board book area. 

Categories
A Lighter Look at the Writer's Life

Trust the Process?

lighter look at a writer's life

Recently I was going through some old documents and found a piece about the writing process. It was similar to other things I have read in books and heard at conferences, listing everything in proper order: 1. Prewriting; 2. Drafting; 3. Rewriting; 4. Editing; 5. Sharing.

These steps are the way writing SHOULD be, but, as I talk about in my classes at school and at conferences, it doesn’t always go that way. Life happens, other responsibilities happen, and, let’s face it, procrastination happens.

Here’s how my process often goes:

  1. Prewriting: I get an idea at the most inopportune time. Sometimes I am able to grab my phone and do a note; other times, I reach for anything—a sticky note, a napkin, a random sheet of paper in the middle of the night—to write it down before I forget it. At times I am driving, and, by the time I reach my destination, I forget the wonderful, awesome, earth-shaking idea.
  2. Drafting: Assuming I remember my great idea, I plan a time to write. I open my laptop and a blank document. I type a title. I remember the towels need to be moved from the washer to the dryer. I go to the dryer and find clothes that need to be folded. I take out those clothes, fold them, add the towels to the dryer. By that time, I am hungry. I fix something to eat. Now, the dog needs to be fed. I return to my computer, see the title I typed, and try to remember what it meant.
  3. Rewriting: Once I remember my idea and write a few lines, I don’t like what I have written, so I start over. I repeat this process over and over and over . . .
  4. Editing: I know I am not supposed to, but I tend to edit as I go, noticing commas out of place, clunky wording, left out words, etc. This part of the process depends on if I finally land on an idea in the previous two steps.
  5. Sharing: I try to find a place to share or publish my work. It’s like interstate construction traffic in the summer . . . I wait and wait and wait.

I am thankful for the gift of writing, knowing is something not everyone receives. It’s not for the faint of heart, but, when the process works, we writers get the satisfaction of others being blessed by our words. Just as no two people are the same, no two people have the same writing process, and that’s okay.

What’s your process?

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.

Categories
Screenwriting

White Space

Recently, I decided to enter my latest screenplay into another screenwriting competition. Before I submitted my screenplay, I decided to do another rewrite to make it easier to read. I started out with the basic writing rule; storytelling is more about showing than it is telling— especially with screenplays. So there are a few things I wanted to accomplish with this version.

  • Tighten dialogue up
  • Removing unnecessary repetitions
  • Condensing scene descriptions

I hoped to create more white space to make it easier to read. Before screenplays ever make it to the big screen, they will be read by a reader who must read hundreds of screenplays each day.

Thus we must make our screenplays more readable so they stand out amongst the countless other aspiring screenwriter’s work. Screenplays need to be a fast read for Hollywood’s screenplay readers.

“Script readers know about the trend to write shorter paragraphs of scene description so they will likely bring that expectation to a reading assignment. If they see long blocks of scene description, that will probably suggest to them the writer is an amateur.”

Scott Myers (Screen Writer)

If a screenplay is too bulky or wordy, it will never make it past a reader’s desk. So screenwriters need to be able to tell the most visually entertaining story without using a lot of unnecessary wordage that weighs a story down like too much baggage on a plane.

I have read a lot of produced screenplays in the last year and there is an obvious trend towards leaner screenplays. One of the biggest trends in screenwriting today is lean screenplays with lots of white space.

White Space

To be clear, white space is used in all forms of writing, from advertising to poetry and screenwriting, and it is simply the unprinted area of a piece of writing, a blank in a newspaper or advertisement.

White space can even be used in a sentence to structure and pace it. The never-ending sentence. In recent years white space has become a great tool in screenwriting.

Here are a few purposes of white space.

  1. It unclutters pages of information.
  2. It allows breathing room for the reader to intake and interpret information for any specific image that is necessary to visualize.
  3. It emphasizes important elements, leading readers’ eyes to the focal areas of a script.
  4. It showcases a shift from one visual to the next.
  5. It gives a reader comfort.
  6. It helps the reader better understand and interpret the visuals.[2]

Always Remember storytelling is more about showing than telling every minor detail. Leave room for the audience’s imagination and for the production team to put everything else where it goes.

Where Things Go

I am not talking about screenplay structure here, but more about movie production. Like any other piece of writing, screenplays are a combination of information for other people to consume and interpret.

Directors, producers, and production teams need to be able to clearly understand the story and the instructions you put into your screenplay. Huge chunks of information can hinder the ability of others to understand the information in your story.

Writers who don’t study the craft clutter up a page with lots of information and fail to learn the basics of screenwriting.

  • Font
  • Margins
  • Spacing

Amateurs try to manipulate a screenplay’s margins and font to try to fit more information into their screenplays. Spacing keeps the reader from getting overwhelmed and keeps the story flowing smoothly without abusing a page’s white space!

Martin Johnson

Martin Johnson survived a severe car accident with a (T.B.I.) Traumatic brain injury which left him legally blind and partially paralyzed on the left side. He is an award-winning Christian screenwriter who has recently finished his first Christian nonfiction book. Martin has spent the last nine years volunteering as an ambassador and promoter for Promise Keepers ministries. While speaking to local men’s ministries he shares his testimony. He explains The Jesus Paradigm and how following Jesus changes what matters most in our lives. Martin lives in a Georgia and connects with readers at MartinThomasJohnson.com  and on Twitter at mtjohnson51.

Categories
Devotions for Writers

Are You Paralyzed?

devotions

Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men. And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying.                         

Mark 2:3-4 NKJV

Could Jesus do the impossible?

The paralytic’s friends thought so, and they moved obstacles to make it possible. What had their journey entailed? What kind of friendship equipped their desperate trek? Did they have to overcome naysayers at home who thought they were on a fool’s errand?

Mark 2:1-12 tells their story, for indeed it is the story of four men and how Jesus rewarded their faith. Faith that was bigger than paralysis. Faith that was bigger than fear of failure. Faith that believed the impossible.

How about you? Has fear paralyzed your writing? Are there obstacles you need to overcome? Do you need help getting to the feet of the Master?

Take a look at what God has to say about fear.

Exercise:

What does God say to those who are anxious? Isaiah 35:4

What will be opened when God saves? Isaiah 35:5 Do you need God to do this for you?

What did Moses say the Lord would do? Exodus 14:13-14

In what way do you need the Lord to fight for you? Deuteronomy 1:30-31

What do you need Him to carry for you?

When problems are overwhelming, what does God say? 2 Chronicles 20:15

What will be your rally cry when God calls? Nehemiah 4:20

“I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all…

Mark 2:11-12 NKJV

What began as a four-man job ended in one man being able to handle.

Mark 2:12 says the man carried the bed out by himself. He was no longer paralyzed by his circumstances. Jesus broke that which had bound him and released him to live life as was intended by his Master.

Maybe you just need a friend to believe in God’s call on your life. Maybe your writer’s group could help you brainstorm your story arc to uncover the hidden healing. Will you step out in faith to break the bond of fear?

How can it lighten your load to share it with a friend?

Sally Ferguson

Over 140 of Sally Ferguson’s devotionals have been published in Pathways to God (Warner Press). She’s also written for Light From The Word, Chautauqua Mirror, Just Between Us, Adult Span Curriculum, Thriving Family, Upgrade with Dawn and ezinearticles.com. Prose Contest Winner at 2017 Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference.

Sally loves organizing retreats and seeing relationships blossom in time away from the daily routine. Her ebook, How to Plan a Women’s Retreat is available on Amazon.

Sally Ferguson lives in the beautiful countryside of Jamestown, NY with her husband and her dad.

Visit Sally’s blog at sallyferguson.net

Categories
Writers Chat

Writers Chat Recap for June Part 2

Writers Chat Recap

Writers Chat, hosted by Jean Wise, Johnnie Alexander, and Brandy Brow, 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.”

Finding Support as a Writer with Tina Yeager

Radio scriptwriters created a character named the Lone Ranger who didn’t actually work alone. George Lucas developed Hans Solo as a hero who was never actually solo. Why couldn’t these characters be written as solitary heroes? Whether or not they know God, observant writers can recognize the relational elements of our divine design. God created us for fellowship, wordsmiths included. Writers might recognize our need for community, but our solitary work can serve as barriers to connection. Join this Writer’s Chat episode to discover how to develop a whole-life network of professional, practical, and spiritual support when you feel isolated. 

Watch the June 20th Replay.

Award-winning author, speaker, and life coach, Tina Yeager hosts the Flourish-Meant podcast devotional. She has been licensed as a counselor since 2005. Look for her books, Upcycled: Crafted for a Purpose and Beautiful Warrior: Finding Victory Over the Lies Formed Against You. Get your free downloadable Upcycled inspirational flip book template at upcycledbook.com. For life coaching services or to book her as an event speaker, visit tinayeager.com.

 Platform vs Community: Do Writers Really Need Them? With Becky Antkowiak

Writer and speaker Becky Antkowiak joins us to talk about the importance of community for writers. Though platform is necessary for marketing purposes, Becky encourages us to remember that we’re here to share God’s message to the one person who needs it most. She compares our need for community to Jesus’ need for community—He surrounded Himself with those who had talents needed for His ministry. Our focus should be on eternity, and our trust should be in God’s perfect timing.

Watch the June 27th replay.

Becky Antkowiak (ant-KO-vee-ack) is a writer, speaker, editor, Compassion International advocate, enthusiastic Grammar Floozy, and is the Chief Encouragement Officer of 540 Writers Community. A lifelong serial extrovert, Becky believes strangers are friends she hasn’t met. Fair warning: make eye contact only if you want a friend for life.

Writers Chat is hosted live each Tuesday for an hour starting at 10 AM CT / 11 AM ET on Zoom. The permanent Zoom room link is: http://zoom.us/j/4074198133

Categories
Writing with a Disability (Different Ability)

Delusions of Granduer

Last month, I attended an annual writer’s conference to further learn the craft and potentially win an award. Each year, hundreds of aspiring authors gather at this mountainside resort for the conference. Most of us arrived with high hopes for a writing career.

  • Becoming experts in the craft
  • Acquiring an agent
  • Meeting potential publishers

While having aspirations and being ambitious are great, we must also be realistic about how the industry works. Often writers arrive with many goals but not enough understanding or experience. This leads to disappointment.

There is a lot going on during a packed week of highs and lows: classes, networking, catching up with friends, and often interruptions by God all crammed into a daily schedule.

Multiply everything by a couple of hundred attendees and there will be some confusion and disappointment. Barney was wrong. Everyone isn’t a winner. He had delusions of grandeur!

Delusions of Grandeur

“No man is happy without a delusion of some kind. Delusions are as necessary to our happiness as realities.”

Christian Bovee

After my accident, I had a lot of delusions about my health and my recovery. I wanted to return to college to finish my English degree and write my first screenplay as soon as possible.

However, my reality was I had to relearn how to do basic functions of life just to live. It wasn’t until 20 years later that I learned my vision limitations made me legally blind. I was so focused on my goals and hopes, I lost touch with reality.

According to Web M.D., delusional disorder is a serious mental illness where a person can’t distinguish between what is real and what isn’t. Even people without a brain injury can have unreasonably high opinions of themselves.

Let me be clear there is nothing wrong with having hopes and dreams, just having an unhealthy view or need of them. Only by focusing too much on our hopes or goals, we can easily become delusional. Below are a few possible causes of delusions of grandeur:

  1. Bipolar disorder
  2. Schizophrenia
  3. An imbalance of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters
  4. Stress
  5. Social isolation or lack of close relationships

A lot of aspiring writers suffer from delusions of grandeur about writing because they ignore the facts and statistics about writing careers and chances of success. Again, writing isn’t for the faint of heart. A great idea doesn’t guarantee publication. Talent only opens the door, but it doesn’t guarantee anything.

“Only the top 2% of writers make a good living and are successful. Most only make $1000 a year from writing.”

Publishing Perspectives

It can also take years for a new author to get a book published. Most writers know that writing isn’t for the faint of heart or cash-strapped dreamers. Eugene Peterson once said, “Writing is a vocation; it’s not just a way to get published.”

The truth is writers can end up with rejection from agents or publishers because the writing is one thing and publication is entirely something else! Author and speaker Bryant H. McGill once said, “Rejection is merely a redirection; a course correction to your destiny.”

Redirection

One of the common themes I hear repeated at writers’ conferences is, “A rejection is only a redirection.” When things don’t work out like we hope they will in our publication journey and we realize our delusions of grandeur aren’t true. It’s not the end of the world, but perhaps redirection.

When our hopes and plans don’t work out, we are to look at it as a redirection instead of a rejection. I cannot tell you how many times I’ve been rejected by an agent I was hoping to impress and found myself sitting across the table from a different agent that was the better fit for me and my style of writing.

At a conference, writers try to choose the right agent, find a path to publication, and on occasion try to determine what kind of writer they are. Sometimes, dreams unravel. Broken dreams aren’t end of the writing journey, but could be a redirection.

It took less than a year after my accident for me to realize that going back to college wasn’t a possibility for me. And not just that, I couldn’t do any of the hobbies I once enjoyed. I needed to reassess and redirect my abilities. After grieving my losses, I learned to focus on my new abilities and new opportunities. I learned new hobbies and developed new passions.

  • Biking
  • Weight training
  • Reading more
  • Writing more
  • Resting more

After spending most of my life trying to fit in with the crowd, I learned to accept that I am different, with different needs and goals. I no longer have to stress myself out by trying to keep up with the Jonese’s. I have surrendered my delusions of grandeur!

Martin Johnson

Martin Johnson survived a severe car accident with a (T.B.I.) Traumatic brain injury which left him legally blind and partially paralyzed on the left side. He is an award-winning Christian screenwriter who has recently finished his first Christian nonfiction book. Martin has spent the last nine years volunteering as an ambassador and promoter for Promise Keepers ministries. While speaking to local men’s ministries he shares his testimony. He explains The Jesus Paradigm and how following Jesus changes what matters most in our lives. Martin lives in a Georgia and connects with readers at MartinThomasJohnson.com  and on Twitter at mtjohnson51.

Categories
Writing for YA

Writing Characters Readers Connect With Part One

Have you ever gotten a rejection letter that goes something like the following?

I loved your story premise, but I just didn’t connect with the characters as much as I’d like to.

What does this mean? Sometimes it simply means the story didn’t resonate with that particular agent or reader, but if it happens repeatedly, a diagnosis of your manuscript to ferret out trouble areas may be in order.

Connect Me, Please

After I began to pursue novel writing, I took all the classes and assembled a few early readers. To my surprise, readers couldn’t connect emotionally with my characters. This puzzled me because with my shorter works, I’d often been told emotional connection was my greatest strength. I sweated it out and worked harder at showing, only to receive more of the same feedback.

My difficulty started when I began editing out what I thought was telling. Instead of fully exploring my character by using all the words, I focused on showing. I thought I was doing the right thing. Only after additional study about the craft of novel writing and editing did I realize my mistake.

Exposition and telling is not a bad thing, as long as I remember to use them in moderation. 

Up Close and Personal

I used to think my readers should intuit what was going on in my character’s head by their physical reactions. This works about as well as it does when trying to interpret a stranger’s reactions in real life. Sometimes I guess right. Other times I may have a vague idea, but having a point of reference would make all the difference in the world. 

If I see a person crying at the bus stop, let’s call him Bill, and learn Bill just left his grandpa in the hospital, that’s sad, and I feel bad for Bill. If I find out Bill and Grandpa planned a long-delayed trip to Ireland to search for a sibling he was separated from, well that might make me a bit teary-eyed, because I can relate to lost opportunities and sick relatives. If it turns out the trip was put off because Grandpa gave a kidney to Bill, (or the long-lost relative!) that adds another layer. Now a self-sacrificing person has lost a much desired opportunity. 

The more I know about the relationships, history, values, sacrifices, and so on, the more I feel a kinship to the characters and the more I become invested in their journey. 

Using all the methods of writing to flesh out the character will show us what makes them tick. Dribble in crumbs of history, beliefs, dreams, values, poignant memories, internal thoughts, feelings, reactions, interactions with other characters or the story world, whatever the moment calls for that fits with the scene. 

Get It On the Page

Just like actual people, rounded characters have things like values, deep feelings, goals, desires, past relationships, experiences that impacted them, and an assortment of other things that form who they are as a person. These are the things that make story people relatable and understandable. Without a history, characters are flat, like a cardboard cutout with no dimension or nuance of being.

When asked to describe one of my main characters, I stated that she was a child who knew she was treasured and the Apple of her father’s eye.

I thought it was on the page. Really I did. Until I was challenged to find and underline specific examples.

I ran into the same problem with my character’s inner feelings, time and again. It’s not always enough to describe or show them upset. I needed to explain WHY they were upset and do it in the shortest, clearest possible way. Which leads to another roadblock to a round character.

Give It To Me Straight

Fishing for clues can be fun, but not when a character is confusing or unknown. It’s best to be clear, specific, and as vivid as possible. 

But won’t withholding information add mystery? Not always. There’s a difference between building tension and leaving clues for the plot and withholding needed information about the character. If a reader doesn’t understand the character motivations or connect on some level, they will stop reading.

What If It’s Plot Driven?

Do I need a round character if my work is plot driven? 

Yes. 

Without an interesting character that the reader can somehow empathize with, the best story idea in the world won’t capture interest for long. Some would say plot is how a character reacts to the events in a story, and those reactions come from who that character is. Now we are back at the need for a round, relatable character again! See how that works?

Do you struggle with creating round characters? Have any tips to share? Leave a comment.

Come back next time for more of my thoughts on how to create emotional connection.

Donna Jo Stone writes YA contemporary novels about tough issues but always ends the stories with a note of hope. She blogs at donnajostone.com.

Categories
Guest Posts Uncategorized

Dialogue Tags vs Action Beats: A Battle that Must be Won!

Guest posts

The art of writing continues to evolve. Today’s readership craves stories with an emotional impact and a brisk pace, even if the story is about strolling along a slow-moving, gently curving stream under a perfectly cloudless sky.

Does this seem to be a contradiction? Yes!

I mean, NO!

One way to create a brisk pace packed with emotion and action is to win the battle of Dialogue Tags vs Action Beats.

Most every writer knows the purpose of dialogue tags, but action beats are more elusive. In simple terms, an action beat identifies the speaker in ways that allow for elimination of the dialogue tag.

The only job of a dialogue tag is to identify the speaker.

Yet, however innocuous that makes them, lively debate exists over which comes first. The speaker or the tag?

         Margie said… or …said Margie.

         Ralph asked… or …asked Ralph.

Which comes first? “Margie” or “said?”

The debate rages.

I say, “Who cares!?! They’re both as boring as a cheese-only pizza.”

And like a sprinkle of cheese that adds little flavor to a platter of dough, dialogue tags fail to add value to a story. Plus, this problem is exacerbated, brought to a head, by editors, publishers, and others who ban the slightly more interesting tags such as exclaimed, commanded, and preached. Writers have been told such words doom us to be known as amateurs.

The sum of all the parts of this ban is that we have descended into a black cave of sensory deprivation.

Let’s look at how dialogue tags are to blame.

Perhaps you’ve struggled to stay awake as a friend recounts an incident that goes:

I said, “I want you out of here.”

“I’m taking the dog,” he said.

Then I said, “Good. I’m tired of sweeping up after you both.”

The struggle to stave off boredom is the same for readers of short stories and novels. He said… She said… Reader yawns.

Do not despair. An alternative exists! A better way! Action Beats rise victorious!

Now let’s investigate how action beats lead us out of the cave of sensory deprivation. Consider the following rewrite that does not change a single word of dialogue.

My high-heeled shoe hit David between his shoulder blades. “I want you out of here.”

“I’m taking the dog.” He grabbed Spike’s leash.

I rammed the vacuum cleaner against his loafers as he dragged Spike toward the door. “Good. I’m tired of sweeping up after you both.”

Behold, an entire scene without a single “said.” Not only is “said” gone, but we have replaced it with action that increases the pace, tension, and emotion. We visualize the scene, see the shoe fly, feel the anger in the snatching of the leash, and the revenge in the ramming of the vacuum cleaner. Most importantly, the reader has not yawned, not even once.

Without changing even one word of dialogue, the conversation is transformed.

Take a minute to consider how this happens.

The reader knows who is speaking without “she/he said.” Action beats identify the speaker without using dialogue tags. They work at the beginning, end, between two sentences, or even in the middle of a block of dialogue. Wherever placed, action beats increase tension or suspense when placed between two sentences.

Ready to rewrite? Okay! Here are the rules.

Do not alter what is said by the two characters. Replace the dialogue tags with action beats. Increase the word count to a maximum of 75 words. This gives you the freedom to double the word count. Then post your revision so we can all learn from the group’s efforts. So, here we go….

I asked, “Why do you smell like perfume?”

He said, “My mother accidentally sprayed me.”

I asked, “How’d that happen since you don’t live with your mother?”

He said, “I spent the night. That’s why I couldn’t call you last night.”

I said, “I don’t believe you.”

Before I leave you to create a fast-paced and emotional rewrite, I want to say this doesn’t mean you must never use a dialogue tag. Readers tolerate minimal use and even some abuse of them. But “she/he said” dialogue tags rarely enhance your story. Convert these boring tags to action beats that move the story along, increase the pace, reveal emotion, or build tension and suspense. This heightens the senses, causing the reader to “see” the scene in their mind.

A reader may shed a tear or break into a sweat because the brain turns your words into pictures, and those pictures stimulate feelings and emotions. With a bit of practice, you will create a mental movie for your readers.

I am eager to read how you use action beats to put life into this conversation! I will read them all!

Dr. Pat Spencer is the author of the international thriller, Story of a Stolen Girl. Her historical novel, Golden Boxty in the Frypan, will be released September 6, 2023, by Pen It Publications. Sticks in a Bundle, literary/historical fiction, is under a three-book contract with Scarsdale Publishing. Her writings appeared in The Press-Enterprise, Inland Empire Magazine, and literary and professional journals. A Healing Place won the short story category of Oceanside’s 2019 Literary Festival.

Categories
Book Proposals

Begin at the Beginning

You have a burning desire to write a book. Join the crowd. You might be surprised to learn how many people are writing a book. According to a survey from the Jenkins Group, Inc., a Michigan publishing service firm, 81 percent of Americans feel they should write a book. Jerrold Jenkins, CEO of this group, estimates that more than 6 million Americans have actually written a manuscript—just over 2 percent of the population. As Penny C. Sansevieri, CEO and founder of Author Marketing Experts told me, over 4,500 new books are published every day which amounts to a massive amount of new material entering the marketplace. If you have this desire, how do you begin?

The majority of inexperienced writers will sit down at their computer and pound out their entire manuscript—no matter if it is 40,000 words or 140,000 words. They will begin on the first page and write until the end. It’s a major mistake and wasted effort to follow this course of action. On one hand, these writers should be commended because they took the time, energy and discipline to complete their entire book. Many writers begin with good intentions but stop after completing several chapters, deciding that it’s too much work. If you fall into the category of a person who has completed a manuscript, you should be congratulated on that large amount of effort and energy.

I’ve taught at a number of writers’ conferences around the U.S. and Canada, and I’m often surprised at the number of people I meet who have invested the time and energy to produce an entire nonfiction manuscript—even some people who “should” know better. Several years ago, during a writers’ conference, I arranged a meeting with a leader in a large nonprofit organization (outside of the participants at the conference). We were discussing a possible book project and how we would work together. I explained to him about how the majority of nonfiction books are contracted from a book proposal, not a full-length manuscript.

After our hour-long meeting and just before we ended our session, he turned to me and said, “I have a book manuscript that I wrote last year. How do you suggest I get a publisher?” It was as though he didn’t listen to the previous conversation. Like many people he had found a subject and a need to address in a book. Not locating a book on this subject, this writer began to doggedly write the entire manuscript from first page to the final page. You have to admire his determination but this type of effort is mostly futile. A book manuscript doesn’t contain much of the information or the format for a publisher to make a decision and issue a book contract.

If you are one of those readers who has written a full-length manuscript, then don’t despair. You need Book Proposals That Sell more than ever. With your manuscript in hand, you can use the details in my book to create a book proposal. This proposal becomes the tool you will need to sell a publisher on your manuscript and convince them that they should publish your book.

Terry Whalin

W. Terry Whalin, a writer and acquisitions editor lives in Colorado. A former magazine editor and former literary agent, Terry is an acquisitions editor at Morgan James Publishing. He has written more than 60 nonfiction books including Jumpstart Your Publishing Dreams and Billy Graham. To help writers catch the attention of editors and agents, Terry wrote his bestselling Book Proposals That $ell, 21 Secrets To Speed Your Success. Check out his free Ebook, Platform Building Ideas for Every Author. His website is located at: www.terrywhalin.com. Connect with Terry on Twitter, Facebook, his blog and LinkedIn.

Book Proposals That $ell, 21 Secrets To Speed Your Success
Categories
The Intentional Writer

Can Outlining Help You Become a Better Writer?

The intentional writer

When I began learning how to write a novel, the word outline brought to mind dreaded high school assignments. You know, those formal outlines with the rigid format and Roman numerals. I hated making those outlines. They seemed like a waste of time, especially since I always wrote a draft of the report first, and then created the outline to match it.

Needless to say, when I began writing in earnest, I didn’t bother with outlining. I didn’t want something that felt like overly structured busywork to inhibit my creativity or waste my writing time. Therefore, on my first attempts at writing a novel, I used more of a “pantser” approach than a “plotter” approach.

I won’t say that decision was a mistake, but it was a learning experience—I learned I’m not a pantser. I work better when I have an idea of where the story is going.

Does your writing process match your personality?

I have a logical, linear thinking style. Over the years, I’ve learned that I write better when I invest enough time in planning out a story before I plunge into writing it. When I know what a specific scene needs to accomplish to keep the plot moving, I waste far less time wondering what my characters should do, and I avoid bunny trails that lead to dead ends five scenes later.

When I realized planning helped me write better rather than hindering me, I began to experiment with different methods for planning a story. That’s when I turned to K. M. Weiland’s book, Outlining Your Novel: Map Your Way to Success. This book helped me get over my misconceptions about how outlining can help me become a better writer.

The book covers different methods of outlining and then leads a writer through a process that helps them consider the key information necessary for creating a solid plot. Everything from a premise to setting, and motivation to character arcs.

Once the foundation is set, the book guides you through creating a scene-by-scene roadmap of the story. Each chapter is filled with insightful questions and plenty of examples from the author’s novels.

As an added bonus, the book includes interviews with a variety of writers. These insights on outlining from experiences authors helped me imagine how I could utilize the tools of outlining to work for me.

For example, John Robinson says,

“It helps me see the big picture and keeps me from getting bogged down in tar pits and rabbit trails that lead nowhere.”

And Dan L. Hays described the benefits of outlining this way:

“An outline is analogous to reading a map before a road trip. I find my starting point, then pick out the best route to where I’m headed.”

Some great advice to make outlining work for you

  • No two authors outline the same way. The specific method isn’t as important as the thought process behind it.
  • Every author must find the level of detail that works for them. One author benefits from a big picture type of outline that defines the main plot events and final outcome. Another author creates an outline that include details on every scene. You must find the balance between getting enough detail to write well and spending too much time in planning.
  • Consider the outline as a brainstorming process.
  • Creating an outline can offer you a chance to explore multiple options without wasting a lot of time. In the outline phase, you can explore where various rabbit trails lead without writing whole scenes you subsequently decide aren’t needed.
  • If you get stuck in a particular scene, it may be you’re trying too hard to adhere to the outline. Give yourself permission to ignore the outline and try a different idea instead.
  • Remember your outline can have multiple drafts just like your novel. You are free to edit your outline at any time.
  • With an outline as a roadmap, a writer can more easily determine which ideas for new scenes or characters fit the plot vs. derail it.
  • Outlining enables a writer to focus more on subplots during the first draft, because the main plot is already ironed out and the writher knows where the characters will end up.

Summary

If you’re a dedicated pantser, this book probably isn’t for you. If you’re a planner, this book offers good advice to help you hone your planning and make it more effective. And if you’re frustrated because your current writing process isn’t working, or you’re feeling stuck in the middle of a writing project, this book may help you write more effectively.

You can use this book like a workbook. The questions and suggestions in each chapter will guide you through the planning process—from the initial spark of an idea to a finished, well-designed story plan. Alternately, you can skim through the book to find inspiration or to seek solutions to specific story problems.

Happy outlining!

Lisa E Betz

Lisa E. Betz is an engineer-turned-mystery-writer, entertaining speaker, and unconventional soul. She inspires others to become their best selves, living with authenticity, and purpose, and she infuses her novels with unconventional characters who thrive on solving tricky problems. Her Livia Aemilia Mysteries, set in first-century Rome, have won several awards, including the Golden Scroll Novel of the Year (2021).

She and her husband reside outside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with Scallywag, their rambunctious cat—the inspiration for Nemesis, resident mischief maker in her novels. Lisa directs church dramas, hikes the beautiful Pennsylvania woods, eats too much chocolate, and experiments with ancient Roman recipes. Visit lisaebetz.com.

Categories
Writers Chat

Writers Chat Recap for June Part 1

Writers Chat Recap

Writers Chat, hosted by Jean Wise, Johnnie Alexander, and Brandy Brow, 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.”

The Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference Review

Writers Chat co-host Norma Poore, attended the recent 2023 BRMCWC. Joining her in this episode are four other attendees to share their experiences, both as first-time attendees and multi-time attendees. Find out how attending a conference can benefit your writing journey with both opportunities and friendships.

Watch the June 6th Replay

Norma Poore is an award-winning Christian writer who is passionate about encouraging women in their faith, families, and friendships. After thirty-eight years of marriage, six children, and thirteen grandchildren Norma is still crazy about her knight in shining armor, David. Her favorite thing to do is to cook for and hang out with her large family

Plotting 101: How to Create a Story Readers Can’t Put Down with Crystal Caudill

Crystal presents a comprehensive look at the four-act story structure (which is the three-act structure with the middle act divided into two). She begins with an idea for brainstorming using M&Ms, followed by elements that strengthen our stories. The popular movie Shrek is presented as an excellent example of the four-act structure. Catch the replay of this episode to deepen your understanding of story structure.

Watch the June 13th Replay

Crystal Caudill is the award-winning author of “dangerously good historical romance. She is a stay-at-home mom and caregiver. When not writing, Crystal can be found hanging with her family, drinking hot tea, or reading at her home outside Cincinnati, Ohio. Find out more at crystalcaudill.com.

Writers Chat is hosted live each Tuesday for an hour starting at 10 AM CT / 11 AM ET
on Zoom. The permanent Zoom room link is: http://zoom.us/j/4074198133

Categories
Mastering Middle Grade

How to Persevere in Your Writing

When I first started writing, I assumed publishing occurred as writers often presented in Hollywood films. Authors complete a first draft of a story and send it to a publisher, who is anxiously waiting for the manuscript. Then, a team of people publicize the story. Talk show hosts call, bookstores hold signings for crowds of adoring fans, news reporters request interviews, the book sells a million copies, and everybody lives happily ever after.

Reality is so different.

Authors work hard.

We craft a story (sometimes through years of labor) and then revise it multiple times. We research into the wee hours of the morning. We hire beta readers to give us feedback, and then go through the process again. When the manuscript is finally ready, we can’t just send it out, lest it land in the bottomless slush pile of submissions from which few ever return. Some publishers require an agent, so off we go, hunting for someone to believe in us and our vision. We send query letters and book proposals. We attend conferences, read articles, build a brand and platform, and the list goes on.

Yet even we they understand all the work involved, authors still pick up the pen and write. Why?

Perhaps because authors have learned the value of perseverance. If we continue with determination and dedication, we can succeed.

So today, let’s examine three ways we can persevere in our writing journey.

Set Goals

If you work full time like I do, your writing time is limited. I try to my redeem time by focusing on a big objective that might take longer and several smaller goals that can aid in accomplishing the bigger goal. It’s a method that has helped me survive life’s demands.

Consider a few smaller goals you can finish in a week. For example, Offsides, my upcoming YA fiction novel, will soon hit the market. When it does, I want pre-sales to be up, a launch team in place, and blog interviews booked. (Any takers? Asking for a friend…) Over the next several months, I’ll dedicate time each week to contact people, create social media posts, and market to my target audience. Being ready for the release is not something I’m going to complete on a short timetable. Instead, to reach my big goal, I’ll work on smaller goals each week, such as ‘Compile a list of endorsers,’ or ‘Contact libraries and bookstores.’ The ability to complete weekly small tasks will give me a great deal of confidence, and those little things will build into the bigger event: the release itself.

Take Breaks

Inspired or not, I often force myself to sit down at the computer. I love the challenge of writing, but I still wrestle with guilt for not being more productive. But here’s a secret: It’s okay to take a break. Shut down Word and go for a walk, go out for dinner with a friend, paint a picture, do the laundry, or find some other outlet for your mind. The change might actually be good for you. Medical studies show that downtime with limited stimulation helps replenish the brain’s ability to focus, create, make connections, and process information. I can’t tell you how many times a plotline problem resolves itself while I doodle a cartoon.

Adopt the Long View

Life makes many demands on us. Sometimes things don’t go according to plan. And that’s okay. Unless you’re doing freelance editing or working on a publisher’s staff, you aren’t likely to be a fulltime writer, so when the unexpected pops up, it’s okay to make room for it. As much as you love writing, it will never love you back the way family and friends will. You want to write, but does that trump every other area of your life? Hopefully not. What if it’s a unique writing opportunity? Then yes, jump on it! But make sure your loved ones understand your situation and are on board. Initiate a conversation to explore your expectations and their needs so you can avoid hurt feelings.

I would define the long view as pursuing your writing dreams one manageable step at a time. Find balance. Say yes whenever possible and no whenever necessary and don’t stress about any self-imposed deadline. Flexibility frees the writer to create in the tiny slivers of open time without missing out on major life events.

“All of my writer friends and I have one thing in common: We didn’t listen to the naysayers. We kept writing. And eventually we have all been published.”

Author, Davi S. Laskar

So, when it comes to writing, set your goals, take breaks, and adopt the long view. Your perseverance will pay off.

Elementary school teacher Lori Z. Scott usually writes fiction. Her down time is filled with two quirky habits: chronic doodling and inventing lame jokes. Neither one impresses her principal (or friends/parents/dogs/casual strangers), but they do help inspire her writing. Somehow, her odd musings led her to accidentally write a ten-title bestselling chapter book series and on purpose write over 175 short stories, articles, essays, poems, and devotions. Lori enjoys speaking, leading workshops, and visiting local elementary schools to share her writing journey. Follow her on Instagram @Stories.by.Lori .