Categories
Platform and Branding

Author Brand Crash Course

Personal brand is a big factor for writers today. Do you have one? If so, what is it? And how do you, through your brand, portray yourself to the world? These are some questions to ask if you’re newer to this thing called writing or simply focusing on your platform for the first time.

First things first: Do you have a brand?

I put brand into two categories, active brand and passive brand. Passive brand is the brand you don’t think about. It’s what you wear to buy groceries, the posts you share without considering your writing platform, the people you follow because you just like seeing their posts. Active brand is much different. It’s what you choose to wear to the writers conference, it’s the blog you work on for a week before sharing on Twitter, it’s the people you follow on Instagram so you can work on your platform.

Whether you realize it or not, everything you say, share, do, wear (the list goes on) communicates something to your followers. When considering your brand, focus on a few key areas.

I can’t tell you what areas those should be for you, that’s up to you as the writer, but here are some bullet points to get you thinking:

  • Social Media — Are you always consuming or do you engage and give away good content? Neither is right or wrong, but one establishes you as more of a student in the industry while the other establishes you as an expert in your field.
  • Style — When people meet you for the first time, what does what you wear tell them about who you are? Are you a casual person? A professional? Again, neither is right or wrong but it is important to be aware of how you come across.
  • Website — Is your website about you or your reader? Are you inviting your target audience to read about the topics you enjoy, or are you bringing fresh content that will help them in whatever niche you’ve chosen to write in?
  • Writing — If people follow you on social media or subscribe to your site and then go read your books, they expect it to align with the rest of your brand. Ask, does my writing align with who I’m showing the world I am? (Imagine if Stephen King had a blog strictly focused on cat memes. As amazing as that would be, it would be rather confusing for the reader.)

If this feels like a lot, don’t be discouraged. Start small and grow from there. The good thing about a personal brand is it grows and changes as you do. Enjoy the journey of discovery and connecting with your readers along the way. If you’re a writer, you’re here for the long game. Personal brand is part of the process. And if you can write a book from scratch, you can definitely build your brand from what’s already started. You got this!

Sarah Rexford is a Marketing Content Creator and writer. She helps authors build their platform through branding and copywriting. With a BA in Strategic Communications, Sarah equips writers to learn how to communicate their message through personal branding. She writes fiction and nonfiction and offers writers behind-the-scenes tips on the publishing industry through her blog itssarahrexford.com. She is represented by the C.Y.L.E Young Agency.

Instagram: @sarahjrexford
Twitter: @sarahjrexford
Web: itssarahrexford.com

Categories
A Lighter Look at the Writer's Life

Journaling, Journaling Through the Year

Happy Journalversary to me!

Yes, I made up a word, but, as I write this post, it’s a very special occasion.

One year ago today, my wife and I were in Morehead, Kentucky for the Cave Run Storytelling Festival, an event I love (and missed this year). During one of the breaks, we drove into town—which is my old stomping grounds, where I attended college—to shop at CoffeeTree Books. This store brings back many memories, as it is located in a redesigned movie theater, where I saw film after film as a college student. So I enjoyed two of my favorite things: shopping for books and reminiscing about the Big ‘80s.

Anyway, I browsed book after book, and one caught my eye—One List a Day, A Three-Year Listography Journal. I looked through it and was intrigued. One question a day, asking you to list three things. That first day was “three decisions you have recently made.”

I could do this.

I checked the price and put the journal down to look at other areas of the store, but I kept going back to it. I finally decided to take the plunge and buy it before I changed my mind.

Back at the hotel, I answered that first question. The next morning, the second. And on and on. For the last year, I have kept up with the journal. Sure, I have a missed a few days here and there, but I have always caught up. THIS IS HUGE.

Now, during this period, I was laid up with an injury for two months and lived through the “COVID/Quarantine” experience. But that doesn’t dampen my achievement: I, Carlton Hughes, have journaled for ONE YEAR.

I have started and stopped countless journals through the years. I would normally follow a familiar routine: buy a neat-looking journal. Get a fancy pen. Get up each morning for one to two weeks to write in the journal. Get busy with life. Wake up late a few days. Rush to get to work/meet church obligations/do things with family. Forget the journal and eventually relegate it to the back of a bookshelf, never to be opened again.

I have quite a collection.

With my current venture, I learned that journaling, even this simple one with only three things each day, keeps creative juices flowing. I realized I had set the bar too high in previous attempts, thinking I had to write a novella of my life each day.

Plus, since I’m into the second year, it’s interesting (albeit a bit scary) to look back at how I was thinking a year ago. So far this year, my answers have reflected the current crazy world situation, so, though it is not fun now, it will be fun to look back on it in several years.

So, in the tradition of my one list a day journal, I will ask you a question: what three things come to mind when you think about journaling? Go ahead . . . I’ll wait.

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
Book Proposals

Use Social Pressure to Finish Your Proposal

Do you procrastinate when it comes to creating a book proposal? You aren’t alone and it is common among writers. I’ve written a number of proposals and know the hard work which goes into each one. Two of my proposals received traditional publishing contracts with six-figure advances. The potential rewards from creating a book proposal are great—provided you finish it and locate the right editor or literary agent.

            Many writers dream of writing a book. They have partial proposals and sample chapters but have never completed the proposal—much less shown it to an editor or agent. If you are one of these writers, I suggest you use social pressure to complete your book proposal. If you have 300 Facebook friends and write, “This year (or this month or this week), I’m going to finish my book proposal.” You’ve not given many specifics but you have been public about your goal. This social pressure will motivate you to take the next step—finish the proposal. Some of your friends will even call or email you and ask about your progress.

social pressure

            Break the task into small pieces and create a list of steps, as you write each one, then cross them off. Create an achievable goal such as 500 words a day (two pages). Your consistent effort to get the proposal written and in top form will pay off.  Keep moving forward on the project and bit by bit it will get finished.

Years ago I interviewed bestselling novelist Bodie Thoene who has won multiple ECPA Gold Medallion Awards in the Christian fiction category. Bodie sits at her computer hitting the keys with two fingers. She may work until 10 p.m. to reach her goal–at least five finished pages. “No little elves come out of my closet to write 650 manuscript pages,” Bodie says. “Some mornings I don’t feel like writing, but I do it out of obedience to God.”

            “The opening scenes are always the hardest and can take as long as 10 or 20 pages,” Bodie explains. With the opening pages behind her, the writing accelerates until she often completes 20 or more pages a day. While you and I may not be able to write as many pages a day, we can write 500 words or two pages a day. If you do this day after day (consistency again), then you will get it done.

            Also tell your writing goal to an accountability partner of a friend or your spouse. If you miss a day or two or even a week, don’t beat yourself up. Instead return to writing and keep making progress. This year can be your year when you complete your book proposal and your book. With consistent and steady action, you can do it.

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 10 Publishing Myths, 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. He answers to your proposal questions at: www.AskAboutProposals.com. 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 and LinkedIn.

Categories
The Intentional Writer

What’s the Big Deal About NaNoWriMo?

If you are a writer, you have probably heard of NaNoWriMo—National Novel Writing Month.

Maybe you’ve tried NaNoWriMo in the past.

Maybe you’re in the middle of it right now. (If you are, Bravo! I wish you success.)

If you haven’t participated, you may have decided it’s too intense, or doesn’t apply to your genre, or it’s just not your style. Maybe so, but there are good reasons so many writers join the movement, and the rest of us can apply some of those benefits even if we’re not participating.

Here are some principles from NaNoWriMo that all writers can apply to their work no matter what they write or what month they write it in.

A good writer benefits from:

  • Pre-planning: It is much easier to write when you know the main point you want to communicate or where you want the story to end. Whether you are trying to complete a manuscript in one month or a weekly post for your blog, appropriate pre-planning will help you succeed more confidently and efficiently. How much foundation do you need to write a good story?
  • Concrete goals: Most of us work better when we have well-defined, reasonable goals to shoot for (such as the typical NaNo goal of 1,667 words per day). What specific and measureable goals will inspire you to keep going, even on the tough days?   
  • Consistency: The best way to get better at any skill is to practice consistently. First of all, if you write consistently it will become a habit, which means you will be more likely to keep at it even on the days you don’t feel like it. Secondly, writing consistently strengthens the connection to your subconscious where true creativity comes from.
  • Accountability: Hitting your goals on a consistent basis is easier when you know others are following your progress. If you struggle to be consistent in your writing, look for someone to keep you accountable. A regular meeting (face to face or virtual) with critique partners is one good option.
  • Support: Being part of a world-wide community of writers is often cited as a key benefit of the NaNo movement. Writing is a lonely business. Even the most introverted of us need support from other humans to keep going.
  • Motivation: Some writers are motivated by goals and deadlines. Others thrive on competition. Yet others work best in a community of like-minded peers who can spur each other on with daily boosts of encouragement. If you know what style of motivation works for you, you can find fellow writers to help you keep at it.
  • Creativity without judgment: Most of us have a critical voice in our heads that wants to edit every word we write. That voice is deadly to the creativity needed in a first draft!  If you find it impossible to allow yourself to write a lousy first draft full of typos, clichés, and bad grammar, maybe you should try NaNo. Pushing through a novel in a month leaves no time for that pesky editor to meddle with your creative output. Writing sprints are another strategy that can help you work past your inner critic.  
  • Limited and achievable milestones: Part of the beauty of NaNoWriMo is that the commitment is only for one month. It’s easier to keep going when we know there is finish line in sight. And celebrating each small milestone as you reach it helps, too.

I hope these concepts have inspired and encouraged you, no matter where you are in your writing journey. Which of these principles will be most helpful to you today? What’s keeping you from giving it a try?

Award-winning writer Lisa E. Betz believes that everyone has a unique story to tell the world. She loves inspiring fellow writers to be more intentional about developing their craft and courageous in sharing their words. Lisa shares her words through speaking, leading Bible studies, writing historical mysteries, and blogging about living intentionally.

You can find her on Facebook  LisaEBetzWriter Twitter @LisaEBetz and Pinterest Lisa E Betz Intentional Living.

Categories
A Lighter Look at the Writer's Life

Journal This

I bought a guided journal a month ago, and I have written in it every day thereafter.

I deserve a standing ovation.

Go ahead, I’ll wait.

. . .

Thanks.

I feel this way because journaling has always been a goal of mine, but I never quite “get there.” Over the years I have had fits and starts. Recently, while cleaning, I found the remnants of a journal I began five years ago. That time, I managed to chronicle about 10 days of my life over a two-month period.

Stunningly brilliant, I know.

The benefits of journaling are obvious. It helps you to establish a writing routine, it hones the writing “instrument,” it records thought and feelings and events for posterity. It certainly would have helped in remembering things when I recently co-authored a story-based devotional book, but, alas, all I had were journaling crumbs.

In the past, life has hit hard and caused me to put aside my diary aspirations. I have juggled a myriad of responsibilities, trying to keep all the balls in the air, and keeping a journal seemed to be the ball that fell every time.

My new journal is different. It asks a simple question every day, and then I write three brief (Hallelujah!) answers. So far, the questions have been thought-provoking, and it is a neat, short exercise I do every morning or in the evening when I am recovering—I mean, winding down—from work. This act has truly refreshed my soul and has gotten the “wheels turning” in my mind for future projects.

A month down, and it’s feeling good. How long will it last? Who knows? Right now, I’m enjoying the ride . . . and appreciating the applause.

Go ahead, I’ll wait.

Carlton Hughes wears many hats. By day, he’s a professor of communication at Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College. On Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings, he does object lessons and songs with motions as Children’s Pastor of Lynch Church of God. In his “spare time,” he is a freelance writer whose work has appeared in numerous publications, including Chicken Soup for the Soul and several devotional books from Worthy Publishing—Let the Earth Rejoice, Just Breathe, So God Made a Dog, and Everyday Grace for Men. Carlton and his wife Kathy have two sons, Noah and Ethan, both of whom recently flew out of the nest, and a daughter-in-law, Kersyn. He is on the planning committee for Kentucky Christian Writers Conference and is a year-round volunteer for Operation Christmas Child. He is represented by Cyle Young of Hartline Literary Agency. His book Adventures in Fatherhood, a 60-day devotional co-authored with Holland Webb, will release in April 2020 from Worthy/Ellie Claire.

Categories
Writing with a Disability (Different Ability)

Keep Motivated

This year has been a year of crazy weather in the South with abnormally high temperatures late into fall. Georgia weather is always bipolar, but this year has been worse.

Just when we thought the mugginess of summer was gone and the crisp fall was here, de ja vu set in as record highs smothered the South.

The irony for me is I generally like warm weather because it helps keep me motivated and going in my outdoor activities. Although I bike year-round, cooler temperatures can suck the life out of a person with a brain injury.

Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy the beauty of fall, but I know the ugly reality of SAD (seasonal affective disorder):

  • Feeling depressed most of the day, nearly every day.
  • Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed.
  • Having low energy.
  • Having problems with sleeping.
  • Experiencing changes in your appetite or weight.
  • Having difficulty concentrating.
  • Feeling hopeless, worthless or guilty.
  • Having frequent thoughts of death or suicide.[i]

Add to these the effects of cooler temperatures on brain injuries and the outcome is almost paralyzing. Cooler months plus the holidays can make it impossible for writers to stay focused and keep motivated to write.

Motivated?

Webster’s defines motivation as, “A motivating force, stimulus, or influence:incentive, drive.” Often during this time of year most of us begin to focus on the holidays: the planning, shopping, and schedule rearranging can be overwhelming itself, much less waiting to see what crazy weather may be coming our way to throw a wrench in our schedules.

The additional stress of the holidays can suck the creativity out of writers like a vampire. During this season, while I’m physically struggling due to my disability,  I have to force myself into my home office and hope I can be creative instead of just looking out one of the windows as the leaves gradually change colors and drift off to their final resting place on the ground.

Recently, I searched online for some tips on being productive with my writing over the holidays. Writership.com suggests ten tips to keep our creative flow, flowing during this congested time of year:

  1. Know yourself – think about what distracts you and avoid those things. And if you can’t, devise a backup plan to help keep you on track.
  2. Remember your writing goals – keep your writing goals posted and in your line of vision so you can focus on that to help keep you motivated while holiday parties are calling your name.
  3. Stick to your routine as much as possible – although there are added commitments during the holidays. Keep doing all the things you can to support your writing.
  4. Schedule your writing time – figure out what you need to do to stay on track with your writing goals and schedule that in. If another activity requires your attention, then reschedule your writing time so that your writing doesn’t suffer.
  5. Lean on your accountability partner or group –let your support group know what’s hard for you and what you’re trying to achieve.
  6. Make use of the time you have – as Steven Pressfield says, ‘work in the cracks.’ Get up a little earlier; go to bed a little later. Use your lunch hour. Have your spouse watch the kids for an hour. Bring your writing tools wherever you go. Think about characters while you drive.
  7. Don’t give in to discouragement – if you miss a milestone, allow yourself to be disappointed for a few moments, and then get back to it.
  8. Say no when you need to – prioritize what’s important and say no to everything else.
  9. Prioritize self-care – among your priorities should be getting enough sleep, eating well, and moving your body.
  10. Continue under all circumstances – something will always compete with your attention, whether it’s the holidays, a day job, or a life-challenging circumstance.[ii]

I think the basic idea here is to work with what you have, something is better than nothing. 

Work with Whatever You Have?

This year I focused on building my platform on brain injury awareness. Whether connecting with survivors or caregivers online or in person, I always try to tell people to focus on what they can do instead of what they can’t.

Last month in an article published in a brain injury magazine, I discussed letting go of the past and what we used to do and instead focusing on the present and what we can do. Having a brain injury doesn’t mean my life is over, just life as I used to know it. I’ve learned to keep three thoughts in mind to keep me motivated:

  • Keep moving to keep momentum and stay moving.
  • Don’t make excuses, make progress.
  • Don’t wallow in self-pity; this is a season and it will pass.

For the most part, just like in life, seasons change and life goes on. When the weather blues get to you, look within and not around you to stay motivated.

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 Spiritual Perspectives of Da Single Guy and on Twitter at mtjohnson51.


[i] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/seasonal-affective-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20364651

[ii] https://writership.com/news/2016/12/16/10-tips-keep-writing-through-the-holidays

Categories
Guest Posts

9 Ways to Squeeze More Writing Into Your Day

Writing takes up a lot of time, and time is our most precious commodity. If you’re struggling to fit your creative work into your busy schedule, here are some ways to get more writing time into your day…

Early morning

I was always someone who got up late and stayed up late. But having children put me through a painful sleep training program, and even now that they are getting older I still wake naturally at 5:30 am. So I’ve gotten into the habit of getting up when I wake, and stealing an hour’s writing time or more while the rest of house sleeps. It might sound tough, but it’s surprising how quickly the routine sets in, and I’ve come to love these early-morning times.

In bed
Ideas rarely come punctually, and some of the best ones often come to us at unexpected and inconvenient times — in the shower, in bed, on the bus to work. The trick is to make sure you have some way of capturing these fleeting but often vital thoughts, such as a notebook by the bed. I often record random thoughts in my phone too as I go about my day too. 

On the commute to work
There are lots of ways you can boost your writing on the way to work. Reading is the best way to get better at writing, of course. You could also read books that are an inspiration for your current project, or useful background research. If you’re driving, podcasts and audiobooks about productivity and writing technique can be invaluable too.

In the supermarket queue
Even when you have just a few minutes of dead time, such as waiting in line at a food outlet or sitting in the hairdresser’s, you can be working on your writing career. Check your social feeds and grow your network, add value to social conversations by sharing useful content, and keep up to date on comments on your guest posts. There are lots of apps to help you do this easily on your smartphone.

At work

If you work involves waiting or travelling, there may be opportunities to jot down notes or do some reading. Make good use of your lunch hour too – if it doesn’t feel like enough time to start writing something, you could always review a printout of a recent scene or chapter you’ve written. Also, keep an ear out for things your coworkers say: you may get some good ideas for dialogue or plotting. 

Doing childcare

When you’re looking after children, there are sometimes little pockets of time that you can put to creative use. A friend of mine wrote big chunks of a novel on his phone, while looking after his baby in the middle of the night! With older children, you may have a chance to do a little creative daydreaming while they’re at the playground or in the pool. Think about a tricky plot point you can’t quite work out, or play a scene in your head that you’re planning to write later.

Socializing

Even when you’re out socializing, there are ways you can still be thinking about your writing. Listen out for dialogue and stories that might provide valuable material. Talk to people about experiences and expertise that might come in handy. I once met someone at a party who turned out to be a police officer; I learned all sorts of useful things that I put into a story I was writing at the time…

Evenings

Depending on your schedule and your sleeping pattern, evenings may be the best time for you to get some writing done. Try to do the writing before the TV goes on, while you’re fresher. Set yourself a modest target – say 500 words or one scene per session – and if possible finish in the middle of something; that way it’ll be easier to get started the next night. Little and often is better than burning down the candle — if you stay up really late too frequently, you won’t give yourself a chance to relax and it’ll be harder to keep up the momentum over time.

Weekends

For many aspiring writers, the weekends is the main time to get some work done. But again, don’t put too much pressure on yourself to get too much work squeezed in: a schedule that’s too punishing will quickly fall over, and you need time to relax and step away from the writing process too. Momentum matters more than writing binges: better to write 1000 words a weekend for 12 months (48,000 words) and establish a really strong routine in the process, than do two weekends of 5000 words each, after which you give up exhausted!

Dan Brotzel (Twitter handle: @brotzel_fiction) is co-author of a new comic novel, Kitten on a Fatberg (Unbound). As a reader of this blog, you can pre-order Kitten on a Fatberg for a 10% discount – just quote promo code KITTEN10