50 Things I Learned about The Writing Life...

/

I had a milestone birthday this week. So in celebration of that, here are the 50 things I learned about the writing life...

  1. Publishing is a business. The goal is to sell books.
  2. Make sure that you're writing your next book.
  3. Writing is a lot of work. The first few "sloppy" drafts need a lot of work.
  4. Build relationships through your social media platform. They make a difference!
  5. Set a blogging and social media schedule that works for you. These sites need care and feeding, but they shouldn't be a 24x7 job.
  6. Everyone has an opinion. Comments and reviews can sting, but learn what you can from them and then move on.
  7. Try to write something every day.
  8. Keep a notebook or electronic notes of names and story ideas. You never know when you'll encounter something that'll work in your next book or story.
  9. Look at your social media posts. Make sure that they're not all "buy my book."
  10. Make sure that you share others' celebrations on your social media sites.
  11. Writers have to network, market, and build their platforms. Just make sure you leave enough time for writing.
  12. Collect email addresses at your events for your newsletter's mailing list. Get a clipboard and make sure you take it with you to signings.
  13. Writing is often lonely. Find your tribe. Look for other authors or groups who will assist and support you. (I am so fortunate to have my Sisters in Crime - Central Virginia, Sisters in Crime, Guppies, and James River Writer friends.)
  14. Find beta readers or a critique group to help you revise and edit your work.
  15. Look for volunteer opportunities to give back to your community. It's also a great way to meet new people. The writing life is often solitary.
  16. Build a street team or an advance team to help you with early marketing and reviews.
  17. Volunteer to do guest blogs or interviews. It's a great way to keep your name in front of people.
  18. Remind yourself that you do not have to do everything. There are lots of opportunities, but you can burn out if you're constantly on the go. Take care of yourself.
  19. Keep one master calendar for all of your events and deadlines. It helps me stay organized.
  20. There are going to be setbacks and disappointments. You need to persevere.
  21. Learn from your mistakes. Make note of how you'd do it differently next time.
  22. I try a lot of events and marketing ideas. If it doesn't work for me, I see what I can learn from it and move on.
  23. Order bookmarks and postcards. Make sure you always have them with you.
  24. Check out Canva. It's a great tool for websites and social media banners and post artwork. It's easy to use, and a lot of the backgrounds are free.
  25. Make a list of the words you overuse. Then use your word processor to root them out of your manuscript.
  26. Keep a chart or list of your characters and settings (especially if you write a series) to ensure you keep the details correct.
  27. Take pictures at your events or on your adventures to share on your website or social media platforms.
  28. Review your website from time to time to ensure your content and photos are current.
  29. Check all of your links on your website and social media sites to verify they are correct.
  30. Review your social media biographies or descriptions to ensure that they are current.
  31. Make sure that you backup your computer files. It's devastating when you lose your work.
  32. Make sure you keep your author headshot current. (People will comment if your picture is ten years old and no longer looks like you.)
  33. Don't burn bridges. You never know who you'll encounter later.
  34. Always be professional. Be on time and strive to meet all deadlines.
  35. Most of my correspondence is done via email. I keep lots of folders to ensure I can find the email when I need it. I also add new contacts to my address book immediately, so I don't lose them.
  36. Post a link to your blog to Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, and Facebook to drive traffic to your blog/website.
  37. Read your work aloud to find issues with wording and dialog.
  38. I create a Pinterest board for each of my stories/novels, so I have a visual of the setting, characters, and other story elements.
  39. Print your manuscript and proofread line by line after each round of editing to catch issues.
  40. When you are revising, check the last paragraph of each chapter. Make sure it compels the reader to keep reading and not find a stopping place.
  41. Use your word processor's view feature to make your pages small (e.g. 25%). Look at each chapter to make sure the lengths are relatively similar. You don't want a 30-page chapter and then a 6-page one.
  42. Get readers or writers to read your manuscript. You'll get a better critique than if you ask a friend or family member.
  43. Don't rely on your word processor's spell or grammar checker. It's not always correct.
  44. Keep all of your receipts and be diligent about tracking your mileage. You'll be glad when it's tax time.
  45. Keep a box of books in the trunk of your car. I've encountered times when the bookseller couldn't get books in time for an event. Also, at several events, the bookseller sold out, so it was nice that I had some extras to provide on consignment.
  46. Take time to celebrate your wins and successes.
  47. I use Etsy to find book- and mystery-themed gifts that are easy to mail for give-aways.
  48. Look to see if your neighborhood, work, club, or alumni association has a newsletter. If there's an announcements or celebrations section, submit your next book launch or release.
  49. If you have a chance, participate in a Facebook hop. It's a lot of fun, and I met lots of new readers and fans.
  50. Don't give up. The writing life is a challenge, and it's difficult sometimes, but it is worth it. I still squeal when that box of books arrives.
Beware of mystery author with a knife!

Beware of mystery author with a knife!

Ways to Look for Book Sale Opportunities

/

I am very fortunate to be a part of several writing groups that are invited to book talks, workshops, and book fairs. Here are some ideas that you can use for networking and promotion.

1. We've had the pleasure of being a part of the local Friends of the Library's "Murder at the Library" event fundraiser. We wrote a short mystery for the library staff to act out, and we were asked to host a panel discussion and book signing. Approach your local library or Friends of the Library group about hosting a fundraiser or a programming event that you and your author friends can volunteer to assist with.

2. My mystery writers group has offered workshops and programs for book festivals. We've received rock star treatment at the events, and it's nice to be a part of the event's publicity and book signings. We keep a pool of workshop proposals, panel questions, materials, and handouts that we can use if a new event is seeking submissions or proposals. Look for book festivals, book fairs, and fundraisers in your area.

3. My company has an annual giving campaign, and I donate a book and sweets basket each year. Fundraisers and silent auctions are always looking for donations. This is a good way to build a themed basket to promote your books. And you can always partner with another author to keep costs down.

4. Look for guest blog opportunities. Interviews or blog posts are a great way to promote your blog and books. And many bloggers are thrilled to have the content.

5. Volunteer. It's a great way to do positive work in your community, and it's an opportunity to meet new people. You'll be surprised at the contacts you'll make.

6. Call your local book stores. Many would love to have a panel, discussion, or workshop in addition to a signing.

7. Check with the museums and cultural centers in your area for opportunities. We've done several panel discussions at local museums.

8. Make connections with the colleges and universities in your area. Also let your alumni association know that you'd be willing to do a presentation or Skype with students. We're going to be part of a city Lit Crawl this year that involves several writing groups and universities. (It's like a pub crawl, but with books. There are multiple book readings across the city over a two-day period, and people hop from event to event to see local writers.)

There are a lot of opportunities in your local communities. Sometimes, it just takes making some connections and asking if you can volunteer. Let me know what else you'd add to the list. Best wishes with your book marketing.

What Are Your Overused Words?

/

When I'm proofreading and editing my work, I often am blind to the overuse of some words. I can spot them in seconds in others' works, but not always in my own. So as part of my review, I've created a list of words that are my offenders, and I use Word's search feature to help me find them. When you do that first search, you will be amazed at the number of times they appear in your manuscript.

Here are my repeat offenders...

  1. almost
  2. appear
  3. as is
  4. begin
  5. down
  6. even
  7. felt
  8. few
  9. got
  10. just
  11. like
  12. nearly
  13. only
  14. quite
  15. really
  16. seem
  17. so
  18. stuff
  19. that
  20. then
  21. thing
  22. very
  23. was

What would you add to the list?

17 Mystery Pinterest Accounts You Should Follow

/

Pinterest is a great site for posting about books and blogs.  I always build a board for each story and novel. I also have one for favorite books and another for favorite libraries. Here's my list of 17 folks I think you should follow. They're in no particular order.

  1. Mollie Cox Bryan - Scrapbooking Sunday
  2. Cozy Chicks
  3. Cozy Mystery
  4. Themed Cozy Mysteries
  5. Ellery Adams
  6. Love Cozy Mysteries
  7. hot in the Dark Mysteries
  8. isters in Crime Tucson
  9. Emma Sedlack
  10. Mystery Novel
  11. Zooey
  12. Jenny Kales
  13. Genesee District Library
  14. ebastine
  15. Lisa Shafer
  16. Mystery Sequels
  17. And me

25 Book Bloggers You Should Follow on Twitter

/

How to Network When It's Not in Your Nature

/

Writers tend to be solitary creatures. My last Myers Briggs personality test results listed me as an ESTJ. My "extrovert" score was just over the axis, so I'm really on the fence between introvert and extrovert. I love being around people, but there are times when I have "peopled" enough, and I just want some solitude. 

But, relationships are key in everyone's personal and professional lives. Even if it's not in your nature to be outgoing, networking is a skill that writers need to hone. Here are eleven tips to help you with your online and in-person networking.

1. Look for opportunities to volunteer. Helping others is an incredible way to give back. And it gives you an opportunity to meet new people.

2. Join a book group to meet other readers. What a great forum to talk about books!

3. Stay involved with your alumni groups and organizations. Many of these have newsletters for member celebrations. These are great places to announce book launches.

4. I use Facebook to keep up with friends from my hometown and college days. Most of my book news goes on my author page, but I do post every once in a while on my page - especially if it's a book event in a town where I know I have friends and family. 

5. I use Twitter to network with readers, book bloggers, writers, and librarians. It's a vast source of information, and if I have a research question, I can always find help.

6. I have joined several blogging network groups on Facebook. These have helped me set goals and promote my blog and social media sites. Search for blog network groups. There are lots out there.

7. Find your writing tribe. I'm a member of Sisters in Crime Central Virginia, Guppies (online), and James River Writers. Members of each are so supportive of writers, and they offer great programs on the craft of writing and book marketing. You're not alone. 

8. If public speaking terrifies you, look for a Toastmasters group in your area. I joined years ago, and it helped me FINALLY get comfortable with talking in front of all kinds of groups. The public speaking experience and feedback were invaluable.

9. Talk with your local librarians about co-hosting a program - a writers' panel, a publication discussion, a book reading, or a workshop. My groups partner regularly with local libraries. They get an education event, and we have an opportunity to talk about our books.

10. If your book's main character has a hobby, talk to folks in your area with related shops (e.g. knitting, craft brewing, sewing, crafting, etc.). There might be an opportunity for you to visit and talk with their customers.

11. Create a signup sheet for your newsletter and collect email addresses at all of your events. make sure that guests can sign up on your website too. It's important to have contacts for people who are interested in you and your books.

It does take a lot to muster the courage to cold call or network in a room of strangers. But it is worth it. I've had some really great opportunities because I made a phone call, sent an email, and offered my services. Let me know what other ideas you have to add to the list. 

Get Rid of the Blahs and Get Your Writing Life Organized

/

My living room and foyer look bare without all of the holiday decorations. It doesn't help that it's gray outside, and we're expecting a bunch of snow tonight. Winter is my fourth favorite season. It seems that January is the time that I start to count down to spring. It's just blah, and I want to hibernate.

You may be stuck inside, but there are lots of things you can do to get your writing life organized and kick start your creativity. Here are some ideas...

  1. Clean off your desk. Get rid of the clutter, so you have a place to work.
  2. After you clean up your desk, work on your electronic files. I bought an external hard drive, and it's where I store all of my archived photos. At the beginning of each year, I migrate last year's photos to free up space on my computer. And don't forget all the old photos on your phone.
  3. Look at your blog, website, and social media sites. Do they need an update? It's a new year, and it's time for a new look. Nobody revisits a site with outdated content.
  4. Look at your biography - especially on your social media sites. Is it current and consistent across your platform?
  5. Organize your book marketing supplies. I designated shelves in my office closet. It's where my posters, flyers, bookmarks, prizes, and extra books live now. I'm all ready to go for my next event.
  6. Make sure that you back up your electronic files regularly. It is devastating when you lose your work. There are lots of backup and storage options these days. Make an investment and ensure that your work is secure.
  7. Look at your author photo. Is it current? It may be time for a new one. It surprises readers when you show up at an event, and you look fifteen years older than your photo.
  8. Organize your calendar. I have way too many electronic calendars, and it was difficult to keep them all in synch. I bought a pocket calendar, and all my writing commitments go there.
  9. Dig out an old project. We all have those files of unfinished work. Maybe it's time to give it a new life.

I hope you enjoy your weekend. Here in Central Virginia, we're expecting about eight inches of snow. It sounds like a writing weekend to me.

Confesssions of Binge Writer - A Style That Works for Me

/

It's the last day of 2016, and folks are getting their resolutions ready. I have a confession. I am a binge writer. I try very hard to write every day, but I don't always work on my current WIP (work in progress). I write on weekends, holidays, vacations, and during lunch. Life and my day job get in the way sometimes. I write something every day, but it's often blog posts, marketing materials, or guest blogs/interview questionnaires (or performance evaluations, executive summaries, or project proposals).

When I start a new short story or novel, I try to keep working on that project until I have a solid first draft. I start out as a plotter with an outline (that's often color-coded), then as I write, I turn into a pantser (one who writes by the seat of her pants). I tend to go where the story and characters take me.

I don't revise it until the first draft is completed. My friend Mary Burton calls this the "sloppy copy," and it is. I comb through a printed copy for plot and grammatical errors. I also look for other inconsistencies. When I'm done, I change the view in Microsoft Word to 25%, and I look at chapter lengths to make sure that none are too short or too long. Then I reread the last paragraph of each chapter to make sure it compels the reader to keep reading after her bedtime. I learned long ago that you don't want to provide the reader with a convenient stopping place. There needs to be a reason to turn the page.

After my third or fourth draft, I'm ready to submit it to my critique group. They're all mystery readers and writers. I admire the folks in this group who can submit fifty pages and continue to write the manuscript. I like to have the whole novel or story drafted before I submit it.

I then submit the manuscript to a private line editor. She also reads a lot of mysteries, so I appreciate her insight. When those revisions are done and I've checked it one last time, the work is ready for submission.

I've read a lot of "how to write" books and blogs over the years, and I know that I should write every day. I an envious of those who have a word count goal and stick to it. But I've come to the realization that I have to use the style and techniques that work for me. So for now, I write when I can. Sometimes, I take a break to network, learn new things, do marketing, or have an adventure. But even if I'm not writing, I find something interesting that I add to my idea file - bits of dialogue, character names, setting ideas, and interesting places to hide a body.

So figure out what your style is and what helps you meet your goals and deadlines. Other writers' ideas are great. Try them, but if they don't fit your style, try something else.

Are there any other binge writers out there? Happy writing and happy New Year!