Categories
Book Proposals

The Missing Author Document

Most authors are focused on writing the best possible manuscript—an important task. While your writing is important, there is another document many writers miss—yet you need to create: a book proposal. This document is your business plan—even if you self-publish or write children’s books or fiction or nonfiction. Originally I wrote this book as a frustrated editor to get better submissions. Yet it is much more

Throughout my decades in publishing, I’ve written many different types of nonfiction books: biographies, how-to, diet, self-help, co-authored books, children’s books and others. I’ve interviewed more than 150 bestselling authors and written their stories for various magazines. It’s not that I’m the best writer in the room but I am one of the more consistent, persistent writers.

 I attend conferences and pitch my ideas to editors.

I listen to their response and sometimes they say, “That’s a good idea, Terry. Write that up and send it to me.” I make a little note, then I go home. write and send it. Now that doesn’t mean I get published, but I did give myself a chance to get published because of my submission.

 Now I go to conferences as an editor and listen to writers pitch their ideas.

I listen carefully and if I hear a good idea, I encourage them to send it to me. I’ve been to conferences across the United States and Canada listening to writers and encouraging them to send me their material. Here’s a startling statistic: probably only about 10% of those writers actually submit their requested material. I follow up through email and often a phone call to encourage them to send it—but they don’t submit.

 There are several other key factors from my experience:

 Professionals continue to work at learning the craft of writing. I’m constantly reading books and taking online courses and learning. The authors who disappear off the bestseller list figure they have arrived at their craft and don’t have anything else to learn. Yes, I’ve met some of these writers.

 Professional writers keep in touch with readers through an email newsletter and have invested the time to learn about their audience (readers) then write what they want and expect. These professionals also understand the importance of gentle follow-up. Notice the word “gentle” because if you are too pushy, the easiest answer to give is “no thank you.” Yes, often takes patience, persistence and time.

These professional writers also understand the importance of continual pitching to decision makers (editors but also radio show hosts, podcast creators, and others of influence). Authors who succeed in the publishing world are looking for opportunities. When they find the open door, they have the boldness to move forward and seize it.

 Also professional writers understand the importance of deadlines and meet those deadlines with quality writing. As an editor, I’ve fielded calls from writers who are not going to make their deadlines. They have many reasons—some of them even reasonable. Writers are notoriously late so publishers often build some room for such excuses into their schedule—but don’t be one of those writers. I’ve taken some crazy deadlines from publishers and sometimes stayed writing at my keyboard all night to send my manuscript on the deadline. It’s another key for those writers who succeed in the book business.

 The path is not easy for any of us and takes persistence, consistency and discipline.

But it is possible for you to find the right idea and the right book and the right publisher at the right time. I understand there are many rights which need to align. It simply will not fly if you don’t try.

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

How to Hook Your Reader from Beginning to End: A Review of Wired for Story

The intentional writer

As writers, we want to grab our reader’s attention from the very first sentence and keep them reading to the end. But accomplishing that feat isn’t as easy as it sounds. That’s why one of the most-thumbed books in my writing reference shelf is Wired For Story: The Writer’s Guide to Using Brain Science to Hook the Reader from the Very First Sentence by Lisa Cron.

The title is pretty self-explanatory, but this excerpt from the book’s introduction unpacks why writers need this book and what it will do for us.

“When a story enthralls us, we are inside of it, feeling what the protagonist feels, experiencing it as if it were indeed happening to us, and the last thing we’re focusing on is the mechanics of the thing.

So it’s no surprise that we tend to be utterly oblivious to the fact that beneath every captivating story, there is an intricate mesh of interconnected elements holding it together, allowing it to build with seemingly effortless precision. This often fools us into thinking we know exactly what has us hooked …

It’s only by stopping to analyze what we’re unconsciously responding to when we read a story—what has actually snagged our brains attention—that we can then write a story that will grab the reader’s brain. This is true, whether you’re writing a literary novel, a hard-boiled mystery, or a supernatural teen romance.”

What’s the book about?

Wired for Story is organized into twelve chapters. Each chapter focuses on one common misunderstanding about how story works, with plenty of non-sciencey explanations for why it doesn’t work and what to do instead.

My writing mentor, an award-winning author and experienced editor, told me that several of the topics covered in this book are mistakes she sees all the time when editing manuscripts. For example, it can be tempting for an inexperienced writer to keep certain facts secret for The Big Reveal. They think this will pack a big punch of suspense. However, as Wired for Story explains, withholding information often robs the story of suspense. This is because suspense is built when the reader is told these secrets early on, thus anticipating the trouble waiting in the wings for the protagonist. (See chapter 7 for more on this.)

Who is this book for?

While it’s a fascinating and helpful reference, Wired for Story is not aimed at beginners. This is not a primer on how to write well, and it will probably overwhelm writers who are just starting out. Therefore, I would say this book is best for intermediate to advanced writers.

I like to think of a good story as having many layers of writing. The base layers are the structure and the basics of good writing. After those are in place, we writers can focus on fine-tuning and improving. That is where this book comes in.  

This is not the most useful book for helping you write your first draft. This is a book that helps you edit your manuscript after you have the entire story down. What Wired for Story does so well is to help me uncover my mistakes and figure out how to fix them so that I can make the story more plausible, more readable, and more compelling.   

If you are seeking a book to take your writing to the next level, trying to put your finger on why you story doesn’t seem to “work,” or you’re just curious about how neuroscience interacts with good writing, you should add this book to your reference shelf.

Happy writing!

Bio

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
Mastering Middle Grade

Elements That Work

When it comes to writing middle grade fiction, authors might wonder what works best for this 8-12 years old age group. After all, it encompasses a large audience. Consider the developmental differences between an eight-year-old (3rd grade) and a twelve-year-old (7th grade). Height, puberty, social/emotional awareness, goals, interests… there is a lot of room for variation here. Narrowing down a story idea can prove challenging.

Here’s the good news: middle grade readers enjoy all genres. Historical fiction, science fiction, contemporary fiction, fantasy, mystery, graphic novels, and action-adventure.

What are some elements that work well with this age group?

Stories that are Character-Driven

Make your protagonist the same age as your reader. Let them face authentic challenges and struggles and push them to actively resolve these problems independent of an adult. They need to be likeable and relatable. Show your reader their hopes, their fears, their best friend, their worst day, and their thought process. Remember, at this age, kids make a lot of mistakes, and that’s okay. Keeping it real can lead to entertaining outcomes and set the MC up for major character growth. For example, in the book Wonder, author R.J. Palacio introduces the reader to a child with a severe and very visible facial deformity. Not only is he phasing from homeschool to public school, but he’s doing it at a time when this age group typically hyper-focuses on looks.  In laughable fashion, he thwarts a few bullies who underestimate him. At the same time, he faces prejudices and obstacles that help stir empathy in the reader. These factors make the reader open to the valuable but organic lessons housed in the tale, such as you can choose happiness or don’t judge people by their appearance.

Stories with Humor

Light-hearted banter or outright ridiculousness works well with this age group. The book itself doesn’t have to be geared for humor. Writers can sprinkle this in through relationships, exaggerated situations or characters, word play, or crazy reactions. Kids are more likely to pick up on themes or messages you want to get across if it’s couched in humor. Editors love this aspect too.

Our own Kelli McKinney uses humor in her book Jeff Pennant’s Field Guide to Raising Happy Parents. McKinney gives the reader an inside scoop on the thoughts of the main character, Jeff, who is often egocentric and overly focused on a single goal. The conversation between the reader and the author makes Jeff’s actions and reactions hilarious.

Stories with Action

Keep the romance to a minimum but drum up the action. Use natural-sounding dialogue to maintain the fast pace that keeps readers engaged and use the old “show don’t tell” adage when using description. Short chapters, especially ones that end with cliffhangers, will keep readers turning the pages. Look at what author Peter Brown does with The Wild Robot.  The chapters average 3 pages. Some are a single page. In addition, each chapter contains a single, pivotal event that propels the story forward. The action itself fits the audience. There are confrontations, problems, and challenges, but those situations are more about pace and chase than it is about violence and graphic details.

In conclusion

One of the best ways to familiarize yourself with strong characters, good humor, and middle grade action is to read, read, read. Visit your local library and request copies of new releases and popular titles like the ones listed here. What are some good middle grade books you would recommend?

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
Blogging Basics

How to Write Your 1st Blog Post

A welcome post is a pinned post on your blog that appears first in your entry feed. But let’s leave the technical side of the question for later, it’s the easiest one here. The most important and complex part is the ideological component because a welcome post is a blogger’s calling card.

How to make the most of the opportunity and simply and succinctly tell readers about yourself, your blog, and interest the reader? In this post, we look at how to write the perfect welcome post, based on analyzed publications from custom writing Write My Essays.

Show yourself as an author

An author’s personality is the most valuable thing in a blog. That’s why we start our welcome post by talking about ourselves.

Tell us about who you are in plain and simple language, as briefly as possible. What is your name, or who do you want people to call you? You are free to withhold your age and personal information. If you are a themed blogger or a profession-related blogger, include your education and what you do.

Write about your award-winning authorship or involvement in meaningful writing programs or courses. For example, provide links to your books if you are a published author. One more thing is if you’re not hiding from your readers – add your favorite photo in the welcome post.

Introduce your blog

The second important part of the welcome post is the presentation of the blog. Essentially, you need to answer two questions: what is your blog about, and what is its format?

Do this, literally, in one sentence – make it short and to the point. If you’re struggling to articulate your blog in one sentence, think about whether readers will be able to make sense of extensive content. That’s a reason to think about a serious overhaul of your blog and its concept.

Show the reader the most interesting things

Introduce the reader to the rubrics of your blog. It is the headings, not the thousand-and-one links to everything you think is most interesting. Describe each of them briefly, in one or two sentences. Do not put hundreds of links to individual entries, as just a few people will scroll through a long page – give a link to the tag, which will combine the posts in the headings. Put the title of the rubric in bold, and link it to the tag.

Options for contact

Describe the rules by which you can be contacted. For example: for cooperation questions, write to official emails; for other questions, write in person, and so on.

You may also give links to social networks and services, in which you as a user are presented. Do not give links to resources where you are not active.

Common mistakes when writing a welcome post

Sometimes a welcome post needs to get the desired response. One of these mistakes was made in the content writing.

  • Lots of facts in one post – the reader gets lost in the abundance of information and doesn’t remember anything. Decide what you are writing the post for. If you are telling a personal story – write about the fundamental facts in general terms, and vice versa – do not go into the biography when describing.
  • There are a lot of narrow professional terms in your post – these words are incomprehensible to ordinary users, so they will not read your post. There’s nothing wrong with terms, and sometimes you can’t do without them – let’s say when writing a post about medicine or law. Remember to explain difficult words simply and briefly and don’t make them the main focus of the publication.
  • Your publication has no structure – if you write about yourself first, don’t finish the thought and jump to services, then go back to the story, the reader will be confused by your thoughts and will probably leave the page. Decide what to write about at the beginning, what to write about in the middle, and how to end the post. Stick to that logic, and the text will be coherent and clear.

Final thoughts

            All in all, the welcome blog post is the fundamental part that defines further blog success. This is your chance to present your personality, your sphere of activity, and your offer as a blogger. A well-written welcome post tells your story in a way that is accessible and interesting to users and increases the credibility of the blog and the product you’re selling.

Nancy P. Howard has been working as a journalist at the online magazine in London for a year. She is also a professional writer in such topics as blogging, IT, and digital marketing. She loves travelling, photography and is always welcome to meet new people.

Categories
Writers Chat

Writers Chat REcap for April 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.”

Writing Inspired by Travel

On this episode of Writers Chat, Johnnie Alexander and a few of her travel buddies, share their experiences on the Serious Writer Italy Tour. The not only share the exciting things that happened, but also the truth about traveling abroad—like missing flight connections—and about looking for the silver lining during such challenges. Be sure to check out this week’s replay for lots of great stories and inspiration.

Watch the April 4th Replay

7 Things I See Differently From the Publisher’s Side of the Desk

Michelle Medlock Adams, acclaimed children’s writer and now acquisitions editor for Wren and Bear, the children’s literature imprint for Endgame Press, shares how thing are different from the publisher’s point of view. She discusses having realistic expectations of the editor’s role, understanding the editorial process, the importance of deadlines, the author/editor/agent relationship, and advice for debut novels. We also talk about marketing.

Watch the February 11th replay.

Michelle Madlock Adams is a NY Times Best-selling ghostwriter and an award-winning author of more than 100 books including, Fly High, Our God is Bigger Than That! and Dachshund Through the Snow. Michelle is married to her high school sweetheart, Jeff, and they have two married daughters, six adorable grandchildren, two diva dachshunds, and two kitties. Visit michellemedlockadams.com for more info.

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
Magazine, Freelance, and Copywriting

Do You Need a Strong Web Following To Get a Publishing Deal?

Making it as an author has changed dramatically in the digital age. Today, building your personal brand online is almost as important as your ability to wordsmith a syntactically sophisticated sentence or write a strong narrative hook.

Big-name authors like Cassandra Clare and Brandon Sanderson can even leverage their hefty followings online when looking to land a new publishing deal.

But building a substantial following online can be tricky. BookTok and author-Twitter are competitive digital spaces and publishers are unlikely to be swayed by single-digit follower counts.

So, before starting up a Twitter page or a Reddit sub, you need to decide whether the effort is worth the reward.

Do You Need a Web Presence?

There’s no doubt that social media is a great place to build your personal brand. However, authors have been making do for centuries without fretting about 280-character limits or photo filters for Instagram.

Even today, popular contemporary authors like Sally Rooney and Zadie Smith eschew the Twitter-verse and turn their backs on Book-Tok. Instead, these authors lean on the strength of their prose and let their publishers do the branding for them.

Turning your nose up on Twitter may just give you the time and mental energy you need to craft your next best-seller, too. Rooney, the author of Normal People, is famous for spending hundreds of hours alone in the New York Public Library while researching an upcoming novel. It’s hard to imagine that she had time to shoot a TikTok video or join a Twitter debate while deep in Marxist theory.

Similarly, Zadie Smith — author of White Teeth — feels that the burden of instant analysis that social media provides would threaten her writing process. Smith says that she “began to really dislike the tone of voice of Twitter,” and that tweeting put her in a position that undermined her “right to be wrong.”

Benefits of Digital Followings

Building a loyal digital following is demanding. You need to post original content on a near-daily basis and have to regularly engage with your followers to build your following. However, if you do build a significant following, you’ll be able to leverage your loyal supporters when looking to land your first publishing deal.

A digital following can supplement your income, too. As an author, you’re a trusted source on all things literary. You can even use your wordsmithing skills and rhetorical savvy to make a living from blogging. A digital side hustle is a great way to earn some extra income, and the ability to self-promote will earn you bonus points when working with publishers.

Generate more income while waiting for your first publishing deal by choosing a niche for your blog. A strong niche like classic book reviews or short-form poetry will draw more people to your blog and will help you build a loyal following. Choose a name and a content management system that suits your personal brand and organize your main pages so folks can quickly find the information they’re looking for.

Growing your digital following can be useful if you plan on circumventing traditional publishing houses. Self-publishing is a fast-growing avenue for newcomers to the literary scene, as many author brands already have a presence in the book world. As a book influencer, you’ll already have an audience eager to read your new work, and you won’t have to worry about jumping through the convoluted hurdles that traditional publishing presents.

A strong following online gives you the chance to self-publish — but that doesn’t mean you should. If you believe in your writing and want to land a publishing deal, use your online following to show that you have the “it” factor. A strong digital brand shows that you already know what your readers want and have the skills necessary to deliver on audience expectations.

How to Build a Brand Online

A strong digital following can be a real ace up your sleeve during the publishing process. However, garnering the attention of book-ish followers can be tricky.


Start building your online brand presence by following the authors you know and love. What kind of content do they post? What insights resonate with you? Which posts do you scroll past without paying much attention?

Use your favorite authors as a guide. This will help better understand your brand’s positioning in the book industry. Try to emulate their content but add a twist that authentically represents you, too. This shows that you are aware of market trends but can provide a unique reading experience that stands out from the competition. Don’t be afraid to show the “behind the scenes” of your work day and use your social presence to build an authorial identity that you can be proud of.

Conclusion

A strong web following can be a useful bargaining chip when working with an agent. However, you’ll still need to jump through all the usual hoops if you want to get published via traditional venues. Make the process much easier by refining your niche via a blog and following authors in your sub-genre to better understand your audience’s expectations.

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 Your Facebook Group Without Sharing Your Book’s Content

Marketing sense

This series focuses on growing your author platform in 2023, specifically, via an online community such as a private Facebook group.  Suggesting this when delivering workshops at Christian writers’ groups, I consistently hear, “But I don’t want to share my book’s content!”

Of course not. And you don’t have to because you know MUCH more than just your book’s content. You’ve lived, learned, and applied the principles in your book, haven’t you? Collected stories illustrating your points? Interviewed experts? Researched the Word and other resources to support your message?

Comparing your collective knowledge about your topic to your book’s content, there’s no contest. Your book contains segments of your wisdom; not everything you know. 🙂

You could spend years serving an online group without directly sharing your book’s content…because there are so many coordinating topics and sub-topics surrounding it.

A Facebook Group Is Ideal for Simultaneously Connecting to and
Developing a Relationship With Your Audience

Consider making your group “private” and “visible,” meaning that non-members can locate it online but cannot see its members or its posts.

Those two choices combined allow you to share the group’s link publicly and/or privately yet still vet potential members. The best of both worlds!

You Don’t Have to Become Your Group’s Sheriff

As your Facebook group’s Admin, you’re responsible for everything: training, responding to comments, adding new posts, vetting and welcoming new members, washing the windows…

Oh, wait, ignore that last example. 🙂

But it’s simple enough to reduce your workload by inviting one or more members to be moderators. They won’t have access to the full group settings, so they can’t lead a coup. Their role is to support you, respond to posts as they’re able, and notify you if a post (or a member) requires your attention.

My group doesn’t have moderators, and I’m the only admin. That means more responsibility. As the only member to create posts, I may appear to be a control-freak. Not true. Instead, this approach allows me to fulfill my other, non-FB-group duties and still offer group members a safe haven to: connect with me and other members, ask questions, explore freely, share encouragement one to another, and so on, without unruly or unkind members suggesting otherwise. You and I have been in other groups with little interaction from its leaders. Unruly or unkind members can wreak havoc in such groups that takes a long time to repair.

I believe in safeguarding the hen house before the fox visits. 🙂

The key to getting it all done is how you create / choose your content.

Release New Content on a Schedule That Works for You

Some online group administrators focus the bulk of their efforts inside their group. Others rarely show up. Find a rhythm that doesn’t run you in the ground and doesn’t cause members to feel ignored.

New content–both regular and unique–keeps the group in motion. You don’t want the wheels to stop, yet no one–including you–can spend all day every day there. Your members understand. They can’t keep up that pace, either.

Consider posting content based upon the day (ask this question every Monday, share that resource every Tuesday, and so on) or based upon an activity common to your group (this week’s goals, share your latest blog post, who needs help with Topic XYZ, and so on). There are many more options. This allows new members to join the group’s routine more smoothly, while long-term members become eager to share their answer to that day’s question.  

It also helps you create content ahead of time so you’re not scrambling to “Come with something…anything…to post NOW!” while the clock ticks down. Not that that’s ever happened to me. 🙂

This content creation approach has a measurable benefit, giving you time to create deep-thinking posts, short video trainings in response to members’ questions, research examples that prove a point you made last week or one you plan to make this week. You have time to breathe, while still fulfilling your many other roles AND keeping the conversation going in your online group.

Next month we’ll cover the many benefits of leading an online group in Facebook. The same principles work in other online groups as well.

You’ll be surprised at how valuable serving your audience in Christ’s name can be to both you and your audience!

Part Three of this series next month.

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

You’re A Writer, But Success Requires More than Just Great Grammar

Guest posts

Whether you write professionally or simply want to publish your first novelette, your success depends on more than just your ability to pen a good story. Today, Almost An Author shares a few tips on how to grow your audience so that you can craft a career in creativity.

Keep your resume up-to-date.

No matter what writing path you’ve chosen, you need a resume. Make sure that you keep this updated and on the cloud, and go with a PDF editor to ensure it stays up to date. An editor lets you update a PDF more easily than a word processing file, and they are smaller files that can be downloaded, shared, and opened by virtually all systems.

Make sure you have a dedicated writing space.

Although there’s nothing wrong with grabbing your laptop and plunking paragraphs at your local coffee shop, you should have a quiet and comfortable place to write. The kitchen table doesn’t count. If your home doesn’t currently have a dedicated writing space, make one. But also make sure that you document and track updates so that you can get a higher appraised value on your home when your book becomes a success and you sell so that you can finally buy that secluded cabin in the woods.

Get to know your audience.

Who is your audience? If you answered “everyone,” you’re wrong. Each style of writing is geared toward a different demographic. Young adults, for example, tend to consume different books, magazines, and short stories than their younger siblings. A great tip here is to create what’s known in the marketing world as a buyer persona. HubSpot explains that creating this concocted customer can help you better tailor your product (in this case, your writing) to appeal to your real-world buyers’ wants and needs.

Take to social media.

Social media is an excellent tool for promoting your writing business. It’s also a wonderful platform for connecting with other writers. In addition to networking, you can use free and paid social media posts to get feedback on ideas that you’re not quite sure about.

Write a business plan.

Many of us hope for an angel investor to come along and pay our way until we get the novel from our heads to the presses. But that rarely happens in real life. If you want to make money with your writing, you have to look at it like a business. This requires writing a business plan, which is a document that helps you best outline your marketing, business, and sales strategies.

Run your work past an editor.

When you’re just getting started with writing, the idea of having someone blatantly critique your work is intimidating. You get over that eventually, and you shouldn’t lose sight of the fact that editing is a crucial step in the writing process. Take heart knowing that your editor won’t try to change your piece fundamentally, but their role in your success can’t be underscored enough. Master Class explains that there are many different types of editors, including developmental, structural, line, and copy. Sometimes these are the same people, but it never hurts to have your pieces edited in different styles. If you work in digital marketing, you may also have an SEO editor or others that ensure that your content matches the technical specs needed to rank online.

Is this everything you need to know to be a successful writer? Not even close. However, the tips above, from keeping your resume and writing spaces up to date to using social media for feedback and having a business plan and editorial reviews, can all help you improve both your business and writing skills so that you can pursue your passion as a profession.

As a former banker, Jim McKinley uses his background and skills to provide advice and valuable resources to anyone who needs help with their financial literacy. In his spare time, Jim spends time with his family and his dogs and he maintains his website Money with Jim.  

Categories
Kids Lit

Exploding Inboxes

Kids Lit

My e-mail is suddenly full of opportunities! Live face-to-face conferences are happening all over the country, sponsored by different groups. Gone are the days of ZOOM screens full of attendees with no way to stand out from the crowd. Real-time in-person is back. So are opportunities to pitch and impress the agent/editor of your choice. 

The best way I have found to be memorable AFTER the suitcases are unpacked is a One Sheet. More detailed (and personalized) than a business card without the poundage of a full proposal, One Sheets help an agent or editor recall a conversation about a particular book, project idea, or author when decisions are being made back at the office. Hand them out at socials, appointments, or at dinner.

Elements of a One Sheet for a book:

Book info

Twitter-length pitch

Mini Marketing

Bitty Bio

Contact for author/agent

Think of it as an elevator pitch on paper!

Book Pitch One Sheet

The beauty of this one piece of paper (leave the back blank so the editor/agent can take notes) is that it can easily be tweaked if you know a particular editor/agent will be attending. Mention publisher interests or manuscript wish lists, Twitter requests, or your social media following.

Elements of a One Sheet for an author:

Recent publishing

Relevant awards

Bitty Bio

Areas of expertise/interest

Contact for author/agent

Think of it as a meet and greet on paper!

Author Intro One Sheet

Best wishes as you offer yourself to the publishing world – one sheet at a time!

Multi-award-winning author Robin Currie learned story sharing by sitting on the floor during library story times. She has sold 1.7 M copies of her 40 storybooks and writes stories to read and read again! Happy 1-year birthday to How to Dress a Dinosaur, also a recent winner of Feathered Quill and Pen Craft awards.

Categories
A Lighter Look at the Writer's Life

Gallant or Goofus Writer?

lighter look at a writer's life

I was an early reader and gobbled up anything I could get my hands on to read, from library books to the backs of cereal boxes. One of my favorites was Highlights magazine.

Here was a magazine aimed at my (then) age group, with informative stories, pictures, cartoons, etc., and I loved it. If I remember correctly, I discovered it at a doctor’s office, and my parents eventually blessed me with a subscription. When each issue arrived, I retreated to my room, reading and re-reading every page.

One of my favorite features was “Goofus and Gallant.” For those of you who are not familiar with these fellows, Gallant was a model child, depicted as doing the right thing in every situation. If Gallant wanted a glass of milk, he would politely ask his mother, wait patiently, and express thankfulness when she obliged.

Goofus was the polar opposite. He would grab the milk without asking, spilling the liquid all over the floor and leaving it for someone else to clean up. And so on and on, doing the bad thing month after month, year after year.

I would love to say I have always been Gallant, courteous and obedient. I would be lying, as, sometimes, Gallant’s brash ways show up.

That got me thinking: what if Goofus and Gallant were writers? How would they respond in similar situations? Let’s explore this idea.

Gallant would write every day, at a set time, probably early in the morning right after his Bible study. Goofus would only write every now and then, when he felt like it, and never early in the morning. If the muse did not show up, neither would Goofus.

Gallant would see writing rejections as learning experiences and not let them bother him, moving on to the next submission with gladness. Goofus would be crushed by rejection, sulking for days (months, years) and eating copious amounts of ice cream to lessen the sting.

Gallant would find joy in editing his work, taking the editor’s advice to heart and making the suggested changes with no issues. Goofus would wonder why the editor was picking on him, calling the editor a not-so-nice name and refusing to make any changes.

Gallant would build his platform “plank by plank,” seeking opportunities to get his name and work in the public eye. He would post on social media every day without fail. Goofus would snub his nose at platform building, hardly ever posting on social media while thinking he could make it without such nonsense.

Gallant would accept the highs and lows of writing, accepting them as God’s will and being open to whatever comes his way. Goofus would get frustrated during the dry times, throwing in the towel and threatening to quit writing (and maybe even overturning a table or throwing a chair in the process).

I strive to be a Gallant in my writing, even though there are times it is tempting to act like a Goofus. It is easy to get discouraged (goofed up, maybe?) from rejection and the silent times, but, as long as we remember Who is in control, we can be a Gallant writer.

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
Writers Chat

Writers Chat Recap for March 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.”

5 Mind-Blowing Insights to Help Writers Show and Not Tell

In this session created exclusively for the Writers Chat, Zena Dell Lowe uses the knowledge she’s gleaned as a story coach to come up with 5 mind-blowing insights to help writers accomplish that oft-eluded goal, Show, Don’t Tell. These tips are so simple that you’ll wonder how you missed them in the first place. But once you hear them out loud, you’ll never forget them. You’ll know exactly how to apply them to your own story, and you’ll be chomping at the bit to get started.

Watch the March 21st Replay

Zena Dell Lowe is a writer, teacher, and podcast host. Her company, The Storyteller’s Mission, offers services and resources to help writers tell excellent stories from a true biblical moral worldview. Find her podcast, The Storyteller’s Mission with Zena Dell Lowe, on YouTube or the podcast app of your choice, or check out her advanced online courses for writers at https://www.thestorytellersmission.com.

3 Easy Ways to Make a Reel with Canva

Award-winning author and Instagram fan Norma Poore shares her tips for using Canva to create eye-catching reels that can be used on Instagram, Tik-Tok, Facebook, and other social media platforms. In this hands-on demonstration, Norma demonstrates how you can use a premade template or create your own by choosing a background, then add text or photos. She also demonstrated how to add music, upload photos and videos. She’s joined by volunteers Stefanie Hutcheson and Rachael Colby, novice Canva users, who create their own reels in real time–with a few little glitches which shows learning-in-progress!

Watch the March 28th replay.

Norma Poore has experienced difficult circumstances, and allows her journey to fuel her encouragement for those who are hurting. Her inspirational nonfiction is penned with honest transparency and filled with hope from God’s Word. She’s an award-winning author and editing manager of Almost an Author. Married for 40+ years, has six children, and thirteen grandchildren. Connect with her on social media or at NormaPoore.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
Screenwriting

Tell A Story

Recently, I reconnected with an old Christian writer friend on Facebook. We hadn’t seen each other in about a decade when we used to go to church together. She began asking me a lot of questions about screenwriting. She is interested in turning a couple of the books she’s written into movies.

Most writers feel that because they enjoy writing and telling stories, screenwriting is an easy task. Yes, all writers are storytellers, but not all storytellers are screenwriters. Below are different types of storytellers found in the writing community.

  • Authors/editors
  • Professional storytellers
  • Content writers
  • Screenwriters

Each of these niches has its own conventions and purposes. They may even have some similarities but they are different professions altogether, success in one doesn’t mean success in another; because each medium has its unique characteristics and technicalities. Deep inside most writers understand this.

This is why I have so many writers asked me how to write a screenplay. Not that I am an expert myself or claim to be one. I’ve just studied the conventions, techniques, and process of screenwriting for the last two decades. Still, there is no magic formula, approach, or secret to screenwriting.

Screenwriters can face the age-old dilemma of story versus structure just like most storytellers do. Most screenwriting coaches emphasize, “There are no screenwriting rules, but conventions and guidelines to help a story flow better.” Screenwriting coach Scott Myers explains that “structure is only half of the story.”

American theater producer and director George Abbott shares, “In the first act you get your hero up a tree. The second act, you throw rocks at him. For the third act you let him down.”

Structure Or Story?

Author and writer Steven James explains, “The beginning isn’t simply the first in a series of events, but the originating event of all that follows. The middle isn’t just the next event, but the story’s central struggle. And the ending isn’t just the last event, but the culminating event.”

For as long as I can remember, there has been a debate in literary circles about what is more important in writing—structure or story. My personal, unprofessional opinion is you can’t have one to the fullest without the other.

What I mean is, if you want to tell the best and clearest story, you need some form of structure. Legendary screenwriting professor Robert McKee explains,

“Structure is a selection of events from the characters’ life stories that is composed into a strategic sequence to arouse specific emotions and to express a specific view of life.”[1]

When writers over-focus on the “structure” the story ends up suffering: meaning the story does not flow naturally and can come off as being formulated. Structure should always make a story clearer, but not predictable. True screenwriters have learned how to use structure to tell a better and clearer story. Below are seven steps to writing a screenplay from the Pond5 blog:

  1. Craft a logline
  2. Write a treatment
  3. Develop your characters
  4. Plot and outline
  5. Write a first draft
  6. Step back and take a break
  7. Rewrite

Notice the writer doesn’t mention any formulas or formats. The focus is more on getting the concept of your story on paper and then reworking it into a clear order. If you are still curious or worried about a screenplay format or structure there are plenty of books and resources you can purchase to learn the layout of a script, but never let structure kill the story inside of your head.

My first guide to screenwriting was The Screenwriters Bible, it is a great guide for learning the do’s and don’ts of screenwriting conventions. Always remember to keep your story clear and flowing.

Then you can choose a structure that complements your story.

“A whole [story] is that which has beginning, middle, and end. A beginning is that which is not itself necessarily after anything else, and which has naturally something else after it; an end is that which is naturally after something itself, either as its necessary or usual consequent, and with nothing else after it; and a middle, that which is by nature after one thing and has also another after it. A well-constructed Plot, therefore, cannot either begin or end at any point one likes; beginning and end in it must be of the kind just described.”

Scott Myers,quotes Aristotle

Structure?

Dick Doherty explains, “When you get a story underway, refrain from interrupting the flow. Avoid digression. Don’t go parenthetical.” Don’t let structure kill your story!

Most writers understand basic story structure. Regardless of the type of writing you do, “story” will follow a pattern from point A to point B. The only difference is the timing and how you get from one to the other.

“Story structure helps guide your audience from the beginning to the end of your book by introducing characters and settings, setting up the conflict, developing the main plot points, and finally resolving that conflict. It also helps create tension, suspense, and surprise—essential components of almost any story.”

Blurb.com

In the writing community, writers have a choice about how their story unfolds, below are three of the most common story structures used in storytelling.

  • Three act structure
  • Five act structure
  • Seven act structure

If you’re wondering what structure works best for screenwriting, it really depends on the type of story you’re telling, but the five-act structure is what I have found used in most of the screenplays I’ve read.

“Screenplay Structure Simplified: “Plot is critical, but how a writer ‘gets’ to plot is even more critical.”

Scott Myers

Whichever structure you choose, just be sure you tell a great story.

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

It’s Okay to Ask for Help!

devotions

She stopped to adjust her baby on one hip while juggling luggage with the other. Her son came up behind with his kid-size rolling case and her husband scrambled ahead with dual strollers and a suitcase.

“Can I help you?” I asked.

“No,” she said. “I’ve got it.”

She resolutely forged ahead to find the airline desk.

“It’s okay to ask for help, mom,” I murmured.

How often have I refused help when it was obvious to everyone else I needed it?

Sure, a body can only be too careful in our world these days. But some of the best stories come from strangers helping one another.

How about your writing? Could you use some help with your assignments? A second set of eyes can scan for errors. Someone with grammar skills can hone the manuscript. A critique group can brainstorm catchy titles. A writing partner can polish ideas. A writers conference can open doors.

How will you ask for help to get to the place where you can soar?

Exercise:

  1. Elijah asked the most unlikely for a meal when he approached the widow. 1 Kings 17:7-16 says her cupboard was bare. She complied and the Lord provided. How can the Lord provide for another through your need? Purpose? Dignity? Companionship?
  2. Jesus asked the disciples for support when He wrestled with impending arrest. (Matthew 26:36-46) They were privy to the power of prayer when they later faced persecution and overwhelming circumstances. How can your anguish provide comfort to another who has a front row seat to your story? Persistence in pain? Perseverance in brokenness?
  3. Samuel needed help discerning the Lord’s call. When he asked Eli repeatedly for clarification, Eli recognized God’s hand on the boy. Who can you ask for help in seeking the Lord’s direction for your words? (1 Samuel 3:1-9)
  4. Mary and Martha asked Jesus for a healing. Instead, they got a resurrection.(John 11:1-45) Could your need provide a greater testimony to God’s work in your life?
  5. Jesus asked, “How many loaves do you have?”

The disciples replied, “Seven, and a few small fish.” (Matthew 15:32-38)

Maybe your small offering will be used to feed more than you can imagine?

Our words can open God’s Word when we vulnerably share our needs. Ask Him for help.

“He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’” 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NKJV)

Do you need a helping hand? It’s okay to ask.

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
Book Proposals

Authors Who Succeed in The Book Business

Throughout my decades in publishing, I’ve written many different types of nonfiction books: biographies, how-to, diet, self-help, co-authored books, children’s books and others. I’ve interviewed more than 150 bestselling authors and written their stories for various magazines. It’s not that I’m the best writer in the room but I am one of the more consistent, persistent writers.

 I attend conferences and pitch my ideas to editors. I listen to their response and sometimes they say, “That’s a good idea, Terry. Write that up and send it to me.” I make a little note, then I go home. write and send it. Now that doesn’t mean I get published, but I did give myself a chance to get published because of my submission.

 Now I go to conferences as an editor and listen to writers pitch their ideas.

I listen carefully and if I hear a good idea, I encourage them to send it to me. I’ve been to conferences across the United States and Canada listening to writers and encouraging them to send me their material. Here’s a startling statistic: probably only about 10% of those writers actually submit their requested material. I follow up through email and often a phone call to encourage them to send it—but they don’t submit.

 There are several other key factors from my experience:

Professionals continue to work at learning the craft of writing. I’m constantly reading books and taking online courses and learning. The authors who disappear off the bestseller list figure they have arrived at their craft and don’t have anything else to learn. Yes, I’ve met some of these writers.

 Professional writers keep in touch with readers through an email newsletter and have invested the time to learn about their audience (readers) then write what they want and expect. These professionals also understand the importance of a gentle follow-up. Notice the word “gentle” because if you are too pushy, the easiest answer to give is “no thank you.” Yes often takes patience, persistence and time.

These professional writers also understand the importance of continual pitching to decision makers (editors but also radio show hosts, podcast creators, and others of influence). Authors who succeed in the publishing world are looking for opportunities. When they find the open door, they have the boldness to move forward and seize it.

 Also professional writers understand the importance of deadlines and meet those deadlines with quality writing. As an editor, I’ve fielded calls from writers who are not going to make their deadlines. They have many reasons—some of them even reasonable. Writers are notoriously late so publishers often build some room for such excuses into their schedule—but don’t be one of those writers. I’ve taken some crazy deadlines from publishers and sometimes stayed writing at my keyboard all night to send my manuscript on the deadline. It’s another key for those writers who succeed in the book business.

The path is not easy for any of us and takes persistence, consistency and discipline.

But it is possible for you to find the right idea and the right book and the right publisher at the right time. I understand there are many rights which need to align. It simply will not fly if you don’t try.

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
Writing with a Disability (Different Ability)

Grow as We Go

Earlier this month I learned an article I wrote was a finalist in the 2023 Selah writing awards contest. The Selahs are Christian writing contests. I was so surprised by this great honor because last year I decided to give up on pursuing writing altogether.

The nomination was more than affirmation, it is proof that I have improved and grown in my writing skills over the years. Recently I caught up with an old writing friend from church who shared with me how impressed with how much my writing has improved. Over the last year, I decided to focus on a few aspects of my writing.

  • My voice
  • Polishing my writing
  • Growing my brand/platform

Since I have a brain injury, I decided to get more active in the brain injury community. Living with a brain injury means I have to fight hard to stay focused on whatever I am doing. Brain injuries can limit a person’s attention span, and I can get distracted easily.

Since this month is brain injury awareness month, I wanted to focus more on being vocal on social media about the community. In the meantime, I couldn’t concentrate on a lot of my writing projects. In the early days after my accident, my neuropsychologist worked with me on staying focused on one task at a time, she told me that as I improved in each area, I would grow as I go.

Grow As We Go

A lot of times, we writers get so focused on our writing goals and careers, we forget to continue learning the craft and polishing our writing and fail to be prepared for our goals when we achieve them. Remember our journeys to publication are meant to prepare and equip us for it.

“It’s none of their business that you have to learn how to write. Let them think you were born that way.”

Ernest Hemingway

Writing requires consistency; the best writers are always learning and growing in their craft!

This is why I encouraged my old writer friend to attend her first writers’ conference at the Blue Ridge Christian Writer’s conference this year. When she saw the faculty and the schedule, she was almost overwhelmed by the opportunities she had to learn.

”In any writer, I look for the –ilities: humility, teachability, coachability, availability, and flexibility.”

Jerry B Jenkins

Writers must grow in their craft before reaching their destination; they must improve their skills while they are on the journey.

Below are skills for writers can work on while on the journey from Coursera:

  1. Grammar
  2. Vocabulary
  3. Spelling
  4. Sentence construction
  5. Structure
  6. Research and accuracy
  7. Clarity
  8. Persuasiveness

Writers must keep growing, and that is why each year most of us try to attend at least one writer’s conference, it’s not about seeing our friends, we are growing in the craft together.

I apply the same mindset to living with a disability, it has been 26 years since my life-changing accident and I am still learning new things about my injuries and how the brain works. If you follow me on social media, you may have noticed that I have been using info-graphics almost daily to share facts and information about the brain.

My goal is not only to get stronger despite my disability but to help others grow stronger in their recovery as well. For the past two decades, my motto has been, “Make progress, not excuses.”

Progress

“Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning.”

Benjamin Franklin

As writers, we each strive to improve in the craft of writing. Sometimes progress comes easily, others it is a labor of love. Regardless of how it comes, writers should strive to get better in the craft. If I hadn’t pushed myself I would’ve never become a finalist in the Selahs.

Likewise, people with brain injuries are constantly trying to improve their health and strive to make progress in recovery every day. March 31 will be the 26th anniversary of the accident that resulted in my brain injury. It hasn’t been an easy journey and I have faced a lot of setbacks, but with help of others in the brain injury community, I have made a lot of progress over the years.

  • Mental focus
  • Relearning to walk
  • Learning how to talk again

I am fortunate to be part of two amazing supportive communities, the brain injury community, and the writing community. Both of these have given me resources and encouragement to continue to make progress and that helps us grow as we go!

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 Georgia and connects with readers at MartinThomasJohnson.com  and on Twitter at mtjohnson51.

Categories
Writing for YA

Interview with Author Marie Sontag: Tips for Author Visits

For young adult authors one of the ways to connect with readers is through school visits. I asked Author Marie Sontag for her advice on the topic and she passed along her three top tips.

Props and Prizes

I’ve purchased authenticated artifacts such as a bronze dagger, an alabaster jar, and an ancient Phoenician coin and made these part of my presentation. This adds value to my author visit, apart from giving listeners a chance to hear from a writer and purchase my books. I also bring bookmarks with QR codes, pencils with one of my book’s names on it, and polished rocks I’ve collected (legally!) from places where some of my stories take place. I use these as prizes when someone answers one of the questions I sprinkle throughout the talk. Sometimes, I tape a ticket to the bottom of a chair (unknown to the audience) and give away a book at the end.

Keep It Interesting and Personal

I always create a PowerPoint for my talks, including visuals that illustrate my points. I also plan questions as part of my presentation, being sure to include these on the PowerPoint. When someone raises a hand to answer, I always ask his or her name. I jot it down or quickly associate it with something so I can remember it. I work to see my listeners as individuals, not just customers that I hope will buy my books. I want them to know I value them and the time we spend together.

It’s My Passion, but It’s Also a Business

I love writing and never tire of speaking with readers. For me, however, it’s also a business, and I need to treat it as such. Before speaking at a school or event, I’ve found it best to have a librarian, teacher, or volunteer distribute and collect order forms and money for my books before I come. This leaves me time to sign and interact with students. If that isn’t possible, I bring someone with me to handle the selling so I can focus on book-signing and connecting with my readers.

What great tips! Thank you, Marie.

What about you? Have any additional tips to share about school visits? Please comment below.

Marie Sontag writes historical fiction for young adult and middle grade, and was a teacher in California for over fifteen years. She has a BA in social science and a PhD. in education and presents author talks to various age groups. “Bringing the Past to Life—One Adventure at a Time,” epitomizes the passion and writing career of Marie Sontag.

Her newest release, Underground Scouts, furthers her tradition of crafting adventurous historical novels for middle grade and young adult readers, bringing her number of published books to six. To learn more about Marie and her books visit www.mariesontag.com .

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
The Intentional Writer

My Best Tool for Describing My Characters’ Emotions

The intentional writer

Do you struggle to find the right words to describe your characters’ emotions? I certainly do. Description and portraying emotions are not my strong suit. Since I know this is a weakness, I’ve looked for tools that help me improve this skill.

My best writer’s tool for helping me over this hurdle is The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide To Character Expression by Angela Ackerman & Becca Puglisi.

What is an emotion thesaurus, and why do you need one?

The blurb on the back cover reads:

One of the biggest problem areas for writers is conveying emotion to the reader in a unique, compelling way. When showing our characters’ feelings, we often grab onto the first idea that comes to mind, and out characters end up smiling, shrugging, nodding, and frowning far too much.

Guilty as charged!

My first drafts contain far too many instances where characters are shrugging, smiling, nodding and frowning. That is why the emotion thesaurus is so helpful.

What does The Emotional Thesaurus offer?

This extremely practical book provides an alphabetical listing of 75 emotions from Adoration to Worry. Each emotion provides a two-page spread listing the following information:

  • A definition of this emotion
  • Physical signals (bouncing a foot, fanning oneself, a scathing tone…)
  • Internal sensations (fatigue, heat rising behind the eyelids, grinding one’s teeth)
  • Mental responses (irrational reactions, self-loathing, a lack of concentration)
  • Cues that this emotion is acute or long-term (an inability to move on, failing grades)
  • Cues this emotion is being suppressed (sitting unnaturally still, smoothing one’s clothing)
  • A list of emotions this emotion might escalate to (For example, disgust could move to scorn, fear, or anger.)
  • A writer’s tip related to the emotion.

That’s a lot of very useful information packed into two pages!

How can The Emotion Thesaurus help you?

One of the basic writing mantras is “Show, Don’t Tell.” The Emotion Thesaurus helps us do exactly that, giving us words to show a person’s anger with actions like sharp gestures, cutting people off when they speak, or flaring nostrils.

In addition, the authors point out that majority of communication between people occurs with nonverbal signals. Therefore, dialogue alone can’t portray all a reader needs to know to experience a scene. It’s critical to include emotional details in our writing via descriptive language and action.

Learning to describe character emotions in specific and compelling ways will also help us avoid writing pitfalls such as reliance on cliches (mad as a hornet, steam coming out his ears, quivering knees that knock together).

And with 75 emotions to choose from, the book helps us select emotions of the proper intensity for the scene, thus avoiding melodrama (emotions that feel too intense) or monotony (where all emotions remain the same intensity instead of rising and falling like real life).

I hope I’ve convinced you how useful this book can be. Now, excuse me while I follow my own advice and replace some of the smiling, nodding, shrugging and frowning with more interesting and compelling descriptions.

But wait, there’s more!

The Emotion Thesaurus concept proved so popular that the authors have adapted it to cover other subjects, such as:

  • Positive and negative traits
  • Conflicts and wounds
  • Setting

You can find more about The Emotional Thesaurus and all the companion products at the authors’ website, Writers Helping Writers.

If you want to take your emotional descriptions to the next level, I suggest you get a copy of The Emotional Thesaurus today.

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
Award-Winning Author

Interview With Award-Winning Author Robin Currie

award-winning author

Can you share a little about your recent book?

How to Dress a Dinosaur is a board book published in March by Familius. It describes a mother and toddler going through the daily trial of getting dressed. She imaginatively pretends he is various dinosaurs to get the job done.

Why do you write? Do you have a theme, message, or goal for your books?

I write for both religious and general markets. I think laughter is the common denominator and the best way to connect with kids.

How long have you been writing?

My first resource book for library programs was published last century! 1987.

And how long did it take you to get your first major book contract? Or are you published non-traditionally? How did that come about?

I was an editor for DC Cook. They had some art from another project and asked if I’d like to write a book to go with the pictures. That was the first Baby Bible Story Book – now sold over 1M copies!

Which of your books is your favorite?

I love the art and timelessness of Tuktuk: Tundra Tale, the story of an arctic lemming who outwits bigger animals to get a cozy winter home. I just read it of 11 different classes virtually on WRAD and still love it most!

Do you have a favorite character or scene in one of your books?

In How to Dress a Dinosaur, my favorite is the last page where the mom and kid are both green and scaly and smiling with dino love!

Tell us about an award you won that was particularly meaningful.

When The Very Best Story Ever Told won the 2020 Serious WRITER Book of the Decade, I attended the live dinner and presentation. Even in the middle of COVID it was the most wonderful award.

How long does it take you to write a book?

Write? 20-23 min. Edit: 7 to 10 years.

What’s your writing work schedule like?

I am most productive 1st thing in the morning but I love research and can get down a rabbit hole of information and crawl out at lunch. I do get very productive in Feb and March because in Jan I take the Story Storm challenge and come up with 31 ideas in 31 days!

What has been your greatest joy(s) in your writing career?

It rewarding to see kids enjoy any of my books – especially the droolers and chewers of my board books!

Could you tell us about a dark moment in your writing career?

I still get discouraged with I fall for the lure of the Twitter Pitch and get no little hearts!!

How many times in your career have you experienced rejection? How did they shape you?

Is there a bigger number than a bazillion-gazillion? I try to remember there is a right time and publisher for every manuscript. And I rewrite. Sometimes it goes in a drawer.

Where do you get your ideas?

I get ideas whenever I sit on the floor – with the preschoolers in church chapel or my own grandkids. They now have to help me up!

Who is your favorite author to read?

Covers the library from Thomas Hardy to John Grisham!

What advice can you give aspiring writers that you wished you had gotten, or that you wished you would have heeded?

As stable as the book world seems there are changes all the time. If you get a chance to submit or meet up or write, grab it!

What are common mistakes you see aspiring writers make?

Oh dear – the ones who ask how much they will make on their book!

Where/How do you recommend writers try to break into the market?

Agents are the key – I know there a exceptions, but a good agent unlocks so many doors!

Multi award winning author Robin Currie led children’s departments of public libraries and now volunteers teaching English in developing countries. Robin has published seven resource collections of creative ideas for library story times, and more than 40 picture books. She writes stories to read and read again!

How to Dress a Dinosaur

2022 Moonbeam Award

2022 Speak Up Talk Radio, Winner Firebird Award

2022 Purple Dragonfly

The Very Best Story Ever Told.

2020: WINNER Serious Writer’s Book of the Decade

2019 Focus on Family Top 10 Family Friendly Picture Books

2019 First Place, Wright Medal, North Carolina Christian Writers Conference

2019 Selah Award Finalist

2021 Royal Dragonfly

2023 Illumination Gold: Education

Tuktuk: Tundra Tale.

2017 Kansas NEA Reading Circle Catalog Selection

     2021 Royal Dragonfly

2022 American Booksellers Award

Categories
Guest Posts

How to Write the Intriguing Titles for Your Articles

Guest posts

A headline is the title of an article or any other publication the purpose of which is to get the audience’s attention and tell the visitor what the content body is about. A well-written headline motivates the user to read the article or watch the video—it must be interesting, clear, catchy, and intriguing. That is why writing a headline is sometimes more challenging than a text.

You should dedicate enough time to create an exciting title. At the same time, a bad headline can kill even the most amazing blog post from the best translation company or social media publication.

Fortunately, today we have access to research results in this area. Successful authors are constantly experimenting with headlines and sharing the results, and we can also take note of these tests. Here are just a few helpful tips for creating catchy titles for your articles.

The title should outline the benefits for the target audience

Ensure you choose a headline that shows the benefits that your readers will get from your product or service. The ideal headline solves problems or helps your audience achieve their desired goals or provides solutions they can get with your products/services.

Let’s go ahead and compare the following headlines:

  • Graphic Design Tools and Techniques.
  • Improve Your Design Skills: An Essential Guide to Fundamental Design Tools and Techniques.

The first title simply mentions the topic of the article, while the second explicitly focuses on the benefits the reader can receive from reading the publication.

Add relevant keywords and key figures to show the content value

Adding precise details like key figures and high-volume keywords in your headline can significantly enhance engagement with your content.

People are likely to get their attention towards well-organized information. Including such details in your title creates a certain content structure, promising that the content will offer something valuable. Commonly, numbers catch attention more actively than plain text, for instance:

  • 10 methods for boosting emotional well-being.
  • The 5 essential secrets of human productivity.
  • 7 helpful tips for enhancing your sleep quality.

Create an engaging element

A captivating headline provides a sneak peek into the content but doesn’t reflect the whole picture, which makes readers want to finish reading.

However, it’s essential to note that the content should provide answers to the reader’s curiosity that the title generates. For example:

  • Unveiling the real reason why low-carb diets don’t work effectively.
  • A disastrous car-buying experience: my cautionary tale.
  • Breaking news: deadly virus outbreak in China—here’s what we know so far.

Display the positive and the negative components

Have you heard the story of a radio station that broadcasted only positive news? It went bankrupt since it turned out that people expect to be aware of negative news as well.

Thus, to add some diversity to your content, consider presenting a list of insufficient advice or beginning with a story of life and business challenges that later turn out to be a success story. This approach has been successful in the past, and it continues to be effective these days.

Common mistakes to avoid when writing titles

Headline writing can be tricky, and content creators sometimes can make common errors. Here are some mistakes you should avoid:

  • Using wordplay in the headline: while a clever headline can catch attention, it’s not always easy to create. If you’re not confident in your ability to write a good wordplay headline, it’s better to avoid it.
  • Relying on clichés: try to avoid hackneyed phrases in your headlines. If a popular phrase is stuck in your head, think twice—readers are often more interested in an original title.
  • Creating titles without a call to action: often content creates headlines that merely state what the article is about, like a research paper headline. However, this can make it unclear what the article is really about.
  • Using too short titles: the headline should accurately outline the content of the article. If you try to keep it brief too much, it may be difficult for readers to understand what the article is about, and they probably skip reading.

Final thoughts

The aforementioned tips and tricks might not be brand new for you. But the approaches and techniques we describe in this article always work beneficially for your content and its promotion. So, you should definitely consider them for your writing practice, like writers from custom writing GrabMyEssay do. We hope, after reading this article, you’ll realize that creating a great headline is not as difficult as it may seem.

Nancy P. Howard has been working as a journalist at the online magazine in London for a year. She is also a professional writer in such topics as blogging, IT, and digital marketing. She loves travelling, photography and is always welcome to meet new people.

Categories
Is It Too Late?

You’re Not Late

Do you hate being late?

The feeling of missing out on the first of a dinner can be frustrating. All the good seats are taken, and you have to play catch up with the conversation. This is how I felt when I began writing at sixty. I worried about everything because there was so much to learn. Doubt flooded in when I saw all the other writers out there. Would anyone even care about what I had to say?

Do you feel this way as an older writer?

The seats may seem taken, but you have room at the table. No matter your age, some people need your voice in the mix. You bring a perspective that younger writers may still need to acquire. Fiction and nonfiction alike will benefit from your wisdom and viewpoint.

Life has been a training ground to prepare you for this stage in your journey.

Bitter disappointments can lead to life lessons for your characters in works of fiction. In nonfiction, these pieces of overcoming can lead the way for those coming along behind you. You’ve seen some stuff, and this stuff will broaden your work. It will give it depth and bring a rich voice to the writing world.

Meanwhile, the joys you’ve experienced also bring with them a path for others to follow. Whether you write fiction or nonfiction, your life’s journey has brought you to this point to share your knowledge, wisdom, wit, and adventure.

There are challenges to overcome in beginning the journey to write at this time in your life.

Learning new things can seem overwhelming. Agents, editors, marketing skills, and the list goes on! Remember, God has brought you to this point and won’t let you down now. Since he called you to write, he’ll make way for you. There will be an answer to every challenge, so with prayer and patience, you can do it. 

Jill Chapman resides in Southern Indiana with her husband of forty-four years. They enjoy their country lifestyle and visiting with their children and grandchildren. Her life centers around her family and her yellow lab, Indy. She is an avid movie watcher, loves Mexican food, and enjoys watercolor painting. Jill says her life is like a good plate of nachos, a tiny kick of spice, and a whole lotta cheese.

Categories
Mastering Middle Grade

Erikson’s Stages of Psychosocial Development as a Writing Tool

As an aspiring middle grade author, you’ve probably heard this before – if you want to write compelling, relevant stories, you have to know your audience inside and out.

Today we’re going to talk about that inside part- the emotional and social developmental milestones of kids. Although there are many ways of considering developmental milestones, one way is to take a look at the middle grade reader from the perspective of the grandfather of child psychology, Erik Erikson.

Erikson’s work categorizes the developmental stages of growth into eight stages from Infancy to Late Adulthood.

Within each stage, he says, there is a central conflict. The way in which the person overcomes this conflict affects his or her social and emotional development. If for some reason the person doesn’t develop the skills needed to succeed, they may struggle in the next stages of their development.

Erik Erikson’s eight stages of human development illustrated from left to right

Middle grade readers are generally between eight and twelve years old. This places them firmly in Erikson’s stage four – Industry vs. Inferiority.

When he uses the term ‘industry,’ Erikson isn’t talking about working the factory line or a particular economic segment. He’s talking about hard work. He’s referring to becoming an industrious person – someone who practices a skill until they master that skill.

This stage is all about building competence and confidence. And as the name of stage four suggests, if a child doesn’t develop competence and confidence, they will move into stage five feeling inferior.

Stage four kids begin comparing themselves to the world around them and asking questions like “How do I measure up?” “What am I good at?”  

For kids this age, the world around them is their school environment and their home, but friends and classmates begin to take on more influential roles. Plus, instead of playing and learning for fun, now kids are being graded on their abilities by teachers, and rated on their performance by other kids.

Erikson emphasizes the importance of adults in positive psychosocial development. Kids need trustworthy, reliable people to come alongside them as they work to solve their own problems. Adults should emphasize effort rather than outcome.

We know that in real life, adults are not always helpful and encouraging. Also in real life, sometimes well-meaning adults can be too helpful and remove the child’s opportunity to develop their own skills. As a middle grade author, we know that kids want to see themselves as the hero in their stories, so we want to be careful about how much/what kind of adult interaction we write.

So what does this have to do with writing for middle grade readers? Understanding these developmental stages can help us weave authentic environments, characters, and plot points for middle graders.

Ask yourself:

  1. Does my main character have realistic struggles? What is my MC good at? What challenges him/her?
  2. Are there opportunities for the MC to try and fail at something? What are the other characters’ reactions to this?
  3. Do the adult characters help build (or obstruct) the MCs sense of competency? Do they try to solve the MCs problem for them, or give them adequate space to try and fail?

Understanding developmentally appropriate stages can help authors craft realistic and compelling stories that readers will love.

When Kelli McKinney and her family aren’t exploring national parks, she can be found sipping cinnamon tea, struggling to keep houseplants alive, or chucking a toy across the backyard for her English Mastiff. She earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Oklahoma and her graduate degree in radio/tv/film from the University of North Texas. She enjoyed an eclectic-yet-fulfilling career in corporate marketing before wandering off to be a writer. Now, she is a part-time copywriter and blogger, a full-time mom, and a children’s author. JEFF PENNANT’S FIELD GUIDE TO RAISING HAPPY PARENTS is her debut novel. She can be reached through her website for events, visits, and questions at www.kellimckinney.com. 

Categories
Writers Chat

Writers Chat Recap for March Part 1

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.”

Overcoming Imposter Syndrome with Cherrilynn Bisbano

What familiar yet unwanted intruder lurks in the shadows, waiting to pounce on you and kill your idea, along with your spirit? He whispers from the darkness, “You’re not good enough! Everyone sees you’re a phony. Your book idea is garbage.” It’s the same lying voice heard by both new and seasoned authors. IMPOSTER SYNDROME As a professional writing coach, book proposal expert, and speaker at many writing conferences, Cherrilynn Bisbano understands the struggle with imposter syndrome. If you feel inadequate, out of place, anxious, or just plain tired, you’ll hear Cherrilynn share both Biblical and practical tools to defeat this menace and prove, You are not an imposter. You Belong Here!

Watch the March 7th Replay

Cherrilynn Bisbans, an award-winning writer, speaker, and coach. Her desire is to educate, equip, and encourage writers. She’s an expert in Book Proposals and memoirs. As a prayer warrior, she will pray with you and for you. Cherrilynn proudly served in the military. She loves Christ, chocolate, coffee, and cats.

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
Magazine, Freelance, and Copywriting

3 Steps Freelance Writers Should Take To Protect Themselves and Their Assets

 The gig economy has been steadily growing in the U.S. for the past five years. Over 73 million Americans now work for themselves as freelancers and millions more are expected to start their own businesses in the coming years.

Working as a freelance writer can be particularly rewarding. You can use your wordsmithing abilities to make a great living and don’t have to worry about clocking in for required hours.

However, going freelance can be financially risky. You don’t earn a pre-defined salary and won’t receive benefits like healthcare insurance. This means you have to take proactive steps to protect yourself and stay financially secure between projects.

Mitigate Financial Risk

Earning a living as a freelance writer is deeply rewarding. You’re being paid to show off your command of language and can choose to take on projects that align with your personal interests or professional goals.

However, going freelance is a little like taking a leap of faith. Your earnings are entirely dependent on the clients you secure and you can’t be certain that you’ll earn enough to cover your cost of living in the first few months.

Future-proof planning can help you make calculated decisions can reduce the amount of financial risk you incur.

Start by building a strong emergency fund. As a freelancer, your emergency fund should cover at least three to six months’ worth of essential outgoings. This will give you time to switch directions if you find that freelancing isn’t right for you.

Remember to put aside a portion of your earnings for tax, too. Don’t get caught out by the 15.3% self-employment tax as you’ll still need to pay for Social Security and Medicare even when you’re self-employed. Work with an accountant or CPA to mitigate your risk and ensure that you pay your taxes on time.

You’ll also need to source your own insurance when you’re self-employed. However, finding the right healthcare coverage can be tricky. Consider using healthcare.gov’s Health Insurance Marketplace to find the right insurance options for you. You’ll be able to browse flexible plans and find high-quality health coverage that aligns with your budget and healthcare needs.

As your freelance writing business grows, try to diversify your income streams. You may have one or two stellar clients when you first decide to go freelance, but you need to spread your risk if you want to make it in the long term. Taking on a few clients can help you diversify your portfolio, too, as different clients will ask for content based on the genre expectations of their industry.

Register as an LLC

Sole-proprietorship is the default business structure for freelancers. Setting up as a sole proprietor is straightforward and relatively affordable, meaning you can start earning without having to bring in professional help. However, as your freelance business grows you may want to switch to a limited liability corporation (LLC).

Starting an LLC is easy. Find a registered agent in your state and have them file the proper paperwork before important deadlines pass. You’ll need to share information like the business name, the contact information of all founding members, the address of the LLC, and the mission statement for your business.

Once you registered as an LLC, your business accounts and personal accounts will be considered separate. This can help you protect your personal assets if you are sued or face legal issues. Likewise, if you go bankrupt, creditors cannot go after your personal assets and only have access to your business assets.

Use Reputation Management Techniques

Your reputation is vital to the success of your business as a freelance writer. A great reputation can help you land high-profile clients and will improve your retention rate between projects.

However, maintaining a great reputation is about more than completing work on time and sending professional emails. If you have a social site or a blog, you need to utilize reputation management techniques to keep your brand strong and your clients happy.

Start by regularly posting to social media and actively engaging with the questions, comments, and concerns you receive. A quick response to a question asked on Twitter or Instagram can nip a potential PR problem in the bud and will show clients that you care about them.

If you maintain a blog or website, lean on your SEO skills to boost your profile and rank higher in search engines. Post high-quality, SEO-optimized content to your blog every month and monitor the site’s performance using Google Analytics. This shows your audience that you have an insider understanding of digital content and will draw more clients to your business.

As your brand grows, utilize free brand-mentioning tools like those offered by SproutSocial and HootSuite Streams. Social listening tools can help you see the conversation happening about your brand and will alert you to any negative PR coming your way.

Conclusion

Going freelance is exciting, rewarding, and a little bit scary. You can minimize the risk you take on by building an emergency fund and registering as an LLC. This can help you remain financially secure between projects and will give you the confidence you need to upgrade your clients and build a brand that supports your growing business.

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
Fantasy-Sci-Fi

Pizzanomics and the Economy of Words

In The Picture of Dorian Gray, Oscar Wilde writes that people know the price of everything and the value of nothing. My friend Eric was not such a person. He assigned value to everything in terms of pizza.

You might price a throw pillow at fifteen dollars—he’d say it cost two pizzas. (This was back in the ‘90s.) He counted the cost in terms of the true value it yielded him, and what Eric valued most was pizza.

Nowadays people know the price of everything and the value of nothing.

The Picture of Dorian Gray, Oscar Wilde

His friends called this Pizzanomics. Decisions based on whether sacrificing that much pizza was worth the purchase. Talk about Opportunity Cost!

Opportunity costs means “What else could I have done with my money?”

Adem Selita, chief executive officer at The Debt Relief Company in New York, N.Y.

There is an opportunity cost attached to each word a writer uses. We need to draw readers into new realms where they can connect with and vicariously strive alongside our characters. We need to craft our expressions with intention—be it chapter, scene, paragraph, or word—to ensure our writing is concise but not boring. Remember, our readers are also counting their opportunity cost. Don’t let them wriggle off your hook.

What is in a word? Would that rose by any other name really smell as sweet? What else could we have done on the page? With that description?

Word choice matters. I remember a high school reading assignment where the narrator referred to the scent of bruised gardenias. If he had used “stink” instead of “scent,” what sense would that have conveyed?

Color your world… with words

The genre and setting should color our work. Don’t just close a door. If the story is set in space, let it whoosh. A stone castle door could grate or grind as it moves. Wooden village gates and doors might creak. Clues like this give readers a sense of the world’s setting and reflect the character’s unique POV.

Similes, metaphors, imagery, and expletives are prime opportunities to make strategic word choices.

Sandfly, a debugger in A Star Curiously Singing, book 1 of Kerry Nietz’s Dark Trench saga vents his frustration with an exclamation of “Crichton and Clarke,” two historical science fiction authors.

The amphibian dwellers of my water-covered planet mutter shells under their breath and taunt each other with sea creature insults.

And in Hidden Current, Sharon Hinck introduces the dancers of the Order with this beautiful imagery before she reveals they live on a floating world.

We lunged and poured our bodies forward. We moved like channels of water, divided, as if by an unseen boulder into two streams that circled the room, arching, flowing, reaching.

A ripple disturbed the flow.

Sharon Hink

This passage pours beauty and warmth into my soul. She did that with words.

At a Realm Makers workshop, Sharon said words should serve as double-agents, communicating more than their face-value to the reader.

Make each word earn the space it occupies. If it cost five dollars to use, would you still plug it in?

Don’t use the fanciest words to show off vocabulary prowess (or adept use of a thesaurus). Aim to transport readers, rather than impress them. If they think about the author while reading, we’ve missed the mark. But make sure to communicate all we can with that noun, verb, and article—so readers have a deeper sense of our world.

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.

Proverbs 25:11 KJV

If a spoken word carries that much potential, how much more do words inscribed—utterances recorded to outlast the breath that launched them. Invest wisely in your words to compound the impact for your reader. They will be reluctant to emerge from this story and eager to plunge in to your next one.

Sophia L Hansen is an author and editor with Havok Publishing and loves to write In Other Worlds. She’s lived on a tiny island in Alaska, the bustling cities of New York and Boston, raised kids in Tennessee, and now resides just outside Birmingham, AL. After 30+ years of marriage, seven children, and numerous pets, Sophia still fits into her high school earrings.

You can follow Sophia’s words and worlds at https://www.sophialhansen.com/, Facebook, and Instagram.

Categories
Kids Lit

Three Little Pigs by AI

Kids Lit

Two Epic Proportion Floods are predicted in the publishing industry. Artificial Intelligence has discovered writing and illustrating. At the present time I am post-critique editing a spin off of the Three Little Pigs so I scoped out the “competition.”

Writing

CHATGPT (ChatGPT: The Most Advanced AI Chatbot in 2022​) will write anything from paragraphs to term papers. It is free and easy to use. I asked for “a story that was a twist on Three Little Pigs.”

Once upon a time, the three little pigs were each building their houses as usual. The first pig built his house out of straw, the second pig built his house out of sticks, and the third pig built his house out of bricks. However, this time, instead of a big, bad wolf coming to blow down their houses, a group of hungry bears came along. The bears sniffed around the straw house and were able to easily knock it down, causing the first pig to flee to the second pig’s stick house. The bears were also able to knock down the stick house with ease, causing the two pigs to flee to the brick house. The brick house was too strong for the bears to knock down, so the three little pigs were safe.

Hmmmm.

I then requested a “rhyming text of the first pig building a straw house.”

Once there was a little pig

Who wanted to build a house that was big

He found some straw that was bright and yellow

And began building with a great deal of mellow

He worked and worked, from dawn till dusk

Until his little house was built on a husk

He stood back and admired what he’d done

Proud of the straw house he’d won

Nonononononono!

Illustrating

Midjourney (https://www.midjourney.com/) is a little trickier to navigate. After several attempts I did get “Three Pigs in a brick house.”

Passable. They are pigs.

I could ask for any of those drawings to be refined – for example putting the pigs in tux or tutus. When I tried to add the wolf, the AI went in its own direction and did not produce a kids’ illustration.

Tidal Wave

The dire prediction is that the book market will be tsunami-ed with these AI creations which are approaching tolerable writing and illustrations and can be produced and self-published very cheaply. Certainly, if you need cover art for a novel, this will be a cheap alternative to paying for an illustration used only once.

At present it is cumbersome to get a set of pictures using the same characters going through different scenes and situations as would be needed in a picture book.

Lifeboats yet?

AI produces exactly what is asked for and if I kept working with either program, I might have refined a finished product, but there is not yet the spark of life that human produced art and writing gives. I suspect before AI becomes accomplished, publishers will have a program to determine if a submission is AI or human generated (as academics do now to detect plagiarism).

Just keep swimming…

What this means to us as human producers is that our quality has to be so innovative, so creative and imaginative that no one would suspect it was done by a robot!

Thanks to Cyle Young (CyleYoung.com) for the early heads up on this trend!

Multi-award-winning author Robin Currie learned story sharing by sitting on the floor, during library story times. She has sold 1.7 M copies of her 40 storybooks and writes stories to read and read again! Robin is happy to note How to Dress a Dinosaur found its unique spot on the publisher’s list!