Authors don't have endless hours to read every blog out there on the world wide web. Still, there are some blogs out there that are not to be missed. In our BLOGSforWRITERS feature, MFRWorg highlights blogs definitely worth your time.
Saturday, January 31, 2015
#MFRWorg BLOGSforWRITERS @LiveWriteThrive
Monday, January 26, 2015
Hook Me, Baby! You Have A Great Opening Hook, but Then What? #MFRWauthor #WriteTips #Writers #Authors #MFRWorg
Hello friends,
If you haven't met me, my name is Monique DeVere. I write Romantic Comedy, or, as some like to call it, Fluff. I also write Christian Suspense and I'm a screenwriter. I live in the UK and have well over twenty years experience in the writing world. I like to think I have a lot of writing experience that I can bring to the table and share, which is why I'm delighted to join the talented columnists at MFRW. When the MFRW Blog Director invited me to join the team, I was more than sure she'd emailed me by mistake! When a few days came and passed and she didn't email me again to apologise for the mistake, I cautiously accepted that the invitation was indeed meant for me. So here I am, writing the Writing Tips column, which goes out on the 26th of the Month. I'll be helping you to take your writing to the next level. Do make a note and pop back to visit with me, won't you?
Enough with the intro, let's get on with the column. This month I'm talking Hooks.
Story Hooks
Hooks are little magnets we use throughout our books to keep the reader glued to our stories.
When it comes to novels, there are all sorts of hooks. These are all designed to force the reader to keep turning pages.We have the opening hook line--created to grab the reader's attention. The opening hook scene--devised to snag the reader's interest and desire to continue reading. The story hook or story question--planned to make the reader keep turning pages in order to discover the answer. And the end of chapter hook--to persuade the reader to forgo sleep in preference of reading "just one more chapter".
I think we can all agree that a great opening hook line is important. Over the years, I've seen really cool opening lines only to find myself disappointed by what follows. It seems to me some authors forget that the reader will read beyond the dazzling opening hook and will expect the rest of the book to be as sparkling. I believe the problem arises when the author falls into the trap of loading up the reader with back story or scene setting or some other equally unimportant-for-the-moment craft props instead of letting the reader live the scene as it unfolds. If I may, I'd like to use an example from one of my stories in order to demonstrate what I mean.
This is the first line/opening hook from Zach's Rebound Girl.
Dear, Diary, Zach's back!
(The opening hook line) “MMM ... oh, yeah. Right there. That’s it ... just there.”
When I wrote this, I wanted the reader to sit up and take notice. I wanted to hook her/him with my naughty opening line.
(The opening hook scene)
Zach and his buddies are eavesdropping on his neighbour and things are sounding pretty naughty next door. Then Zach hears the name of his neighbour and remembers his old uni friend. He then switches his attention to trying to decipher the different voices. Could the Maddie he knew in uni be the same Maddie he's eavesdropping on?
Then the fun begins...
What I'm saying is this: create an amazing opening hook line, but don't stop there. The opening hook of your story has two parts.
Part A: The amazing hook line.
Part B: The amazing hook scene that follows.
Until next time, let's hook them, baby!
Monique
Monique writes Romantic Comedy stories some call Smexy—Smart & Sexy—and others call fluff. Monique makes no apologies for writing fun, emotional feel-good romance! She also writes Christian Suspense with a more serious edge.
Monique loves to hear from her readers. You can contact her by visiting her http://moniquedevere.blogspot.co.uk to learn more about her and check out her other books.
Thursday, January 22, 2015
Author-to-Author: #Thursday13 Benefits of Collaborative Writing @ErincMcRae @Racheline_M #MFRWauthor
Racheline Maltese & Erin McRae talk about COLLABORATIVE WRITING.
Erin McRae and Racheline Maltese’s gay romance series Love in Los Angeles, set in the film and television industry, is published by Torquere Press. The first novel, Starling, was released September 2014; its sequel, Doves, is scheduled for January 2015. The release date for book 3, Phoenix,will be announced soon. Racheline is a NYC-based performer and storyteller focused on themes of sex, gender, desire and mourning. Erin McRae is a writer and blogger based in Washington, D.C.Joint Blog: http://Avian30.com
Joint Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Erin.and.Racheline
13 Reasons We Love Collaborating:
1. Two brains takes writer's block off the table.
2. Having an audience from day one.
3. Knowing someone loves the characters as much as you do.
4. Someone to argue about commas with before the copy editor gets involved.
5. The work always gets done. If one of us can't, the other can.
6. Division of labor!
7. Saving our spouses from having to read first drafts.
8. Always having someone to say ""Don't read the comments!""
9. Making each other laugh while editing.
10. Always having someone on continuity.
11. Winning NaNoWriMo is so much easier!
12. Being able to do more events in more locations!
13. Sometimes it's spooky.Synchronicity, mind reading, coming up with the same story at the same time -- it's all best sort of writing magic.
Thier latest book, STARLING, is with Torquere Press.
Be careful what you wish for...
When J. Alex Cook, a production assistant on The Fourth Estate (one of network TV’s hottest shows), is accidentally catapulted to stardom, he finds himself struggling to navigate both fame and a relationship with Paul, one of Fourth’s key writers. Despite their incendiary chemistry, Alex’s inexperience and the baggage they’re both carrying quickly lead to an ugly break-up.
Because the stars aren't benign
Reeling from their broken hearts, Alex has an affair and Paul has an ill-advised reunion with an old flame. Meanwhile, the meddling of their colleagues, friends -- and even the paparazzi! -- quickly make Alex and Paul’s real life romance troubles the soap opera of the television season.
But while the entertainment value may be high, no one knows better than Alex and Paul that there are no guarantees when it comes to love in Los Angeles.
Can J. Alex Cook find his own happily ever after with the man of his dreams when the whole world is watching?
"STARLING is a reader's treasure that completely engaged me from the very beginning. I found myself talking to my kindle, offering advice, yelling, cringing, cheering and processing each emotional experience as if it was my own. The realities of life, love and self discovery that are presented in this highly character driven story are exceptional. STARLING is well written and develops at a slow but steady pace that perfectly complements its raw emotionalism. I was thrilled with this first offering in the Love in Los Angeles series and am eagerly anticipating further additions by this exciting writing duo!"" - Carly's Book Reviews
EXCERPT
Alex finds him alone, eventually, in the kitchen.
“I‘m glad you came,” Paul tells him and offers him another beer.
Alex shrugs. “Thanks,” he says, both for the drink and for Paul actually meaning it.
Paul regards him in silence for a moment. “How are you?”
“Here,” Alex says, because it’s the simplest summation of his current state of being in all its forms.
Paul laughs, loud and surprised like he sometimes does. Alex grins back at him. When Paul’s smile stays and his eyes meet Alex’s and then linger, Alex knows he’s doing the stupid squinchy-eyed thing again. He turns his head away a little, because Margaret has told him what that look can do. He’s not sure what he should be expecting or wanting out of tonight yet.
“Hey, no.” Paul raises his hand and presses two fingertips, damp and cool, against Alex’s temple. He turns Alex’s head back until their eyes meet again, and then he drops his hand slowly. Alex knows it’s to give him a chance to stop him if he wants.
He doesn’t, and Paul’s hand settles on his waist. “Party’s out there,” he says, and tips his head back towards the living room.
“Wanna go join?”
It’s not an invitation Alex has any interest in saying no to."
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
Author-to-Author: Staying Motivated @RuthACasie #MFRWauthor
10 Ways to Stay Motivated While You Write
Writing is difficult. Don’t let anyone tell you it’s not. My stories start in my head. I hear dialogue, I see scenery, I even hear the exposition. Getting it down on paper and keeping my tushy in the chair is another thing entirely. It can be downright challenging. Here are some ways that may help you to stay motivated.
1. Take a short time to organize. I’m a ‘plotzer’ – cross between a planner and pantzer I use a basic story outline to know my story’s direction. For me, detailed planning prevents my characters telling me where things are going. I know that sounds strange, but detailed planning for me (and I stress for me), interferes with some of my creativity. So, I use a basic outline and character study (index cards or notes). It’s the character study I find most valuable and where I spend my time. I get close with my characters. Once I know them well writing flows easier and easier writing keeps me motivated. If I get stumped, I go back to my outline, character study, or do some ‘what if’ scenarios. It recharges me and keeps me writing.
2. Set Deadlines. Deadlines work for some people. For me, they definitely are part of my day job and I had aggressive ones with my editor. I know the punishment for missing these deadlines but what would really happen if I missed a self-imposed writing deadline? Move the date? Besides, I’m a real softy. Ask my kids. So to quote Nathan Bransford “The trick is setting a deadline with teeth. If you secretly know that the deadline you’re setting for yourself is a soft one, it’s not going to have its hair-raising, stress-inducing maximum effect. So either you have to learn to be scared of yourself and your own punishments or you may need a partner in crime who can help you keep to them.”
3. Daydream a Little. Picture what it will be like when you book is completed and you ship it off for query to an agent/editor. Dream about the possibilities of a successful novel, keynote at RWA, Pulitzer (when they have a romance category), and movie option. It all depends on completing what you write. Tuck the daydream in a nice cozy place and come back to the present and make it happen.
4. Journalize. Writers usually keep a journal or pad handy for jotting down story and character ideas. Use your journal to clarify your obstacles, then think of ways around writing problems, like plot difficulties or difficult decisions about how to organization your story. Perhaps solving these difficulties will motivate you to keep on going.
5. Just start typing. Momentum can be invaluable in making progress. Even 10 minutes of uninterrupted writing can be helpful. Find time during the day to write, at lunch, commuting, waiting in line at the grocer, at soccer game practice, you see what I mean.
6. Skip ahead. I tell you this technique but admit I do not follow it myself. I am a linear writer. I find it very difficult to write ‘out of order.’ However, just because it doesn’t work for me doesn’t mean it won’t work for you. So, if you’re stuck about writing the next thing, skip it for now and try jumping ahead to the next piece you’re excited about. You can come back to the part you skipped later.
7. Talk with your critique partner or someone who supports your writing. For me, talking about my work in progress gets me excited. Sometimes that is all I need to stay motivated. I was stuck on a fight scene and spoke to my son (he’s grown) and Rayna Vause (a writer who is also a martial arts expert). Both gave me the support I needed and valuable insight. And while it’s not true of everyone, a lot of people—both writers and readers—are flattered to be asked to talk with a writer about a work in progress.
8. Move Around. Sometimes you need to move out of your space, physically, to reset your mind. I get up and go downstairs to the kitchen for a glass of water or cup of tea. (Sometimes even chocolate.) I come back to my desk renewed.
9. Write what You Love. Don’t try to catch a fad. It may be tempting, but most times it doesn’t work. You need to love your novel unconditionally if you’re going to finish it.
10. Chocolate. Need I say more?
Your turn. What about you? What motivates you?
This post written by MFRW Author Ruth A. Casie.
Ruth writes historical fantasy romance. KNIGHT OF RUNES and THE GUARDIAN’S WITCH, for Carina Press and Harlequin. She also self-published a short story in the author led TIMELESS TALES anthologies for Timeless Scribes Publishing. Formerly from Brooklyn, New York, she lives in New Jersey with her very supportive husband Paul. Ruth and Paul have three grown children and two grandchildren. They all thrive on spending time together. It’s certainly a lively dinner table and they wouldn’t change it for the world. For more information about Ruth’s books, please visit www.RuthACasie.com.
Timeless Treasures: Stories of the Heart,
Mainstream Contemporary, Historic, Paranormal, and Military, Timeless Scribes Publishing
A special wish of hope, strength, and love brings five couples what they treasure most in this heartwarming collection of 5 short stories by Ruth A. Casie, Lita Harris, Emma Kaye, Nicole S. Patrick, and Julie Rowe
Writing is difficult. Don’t let anyone tell you it’s not. My stories start in my head. I hear dialogue, I see scenery, I even hear the exposition. Getting it down on paper and keeping my tushy in the chair is another thing entirely. It can be downright challenging. Here are some ways that may help you to stay motivated.
1. Take a short time to organize. I’m a ‘plotzer’ – cross between a planner and pantzer I use a basic story outline to know my story’s direction. For me, detailed planning prevents my characters telling me where things are going. I know that sounds strange, but detailed planning for me (and I stress for me), interferes with some of my creativity. So, I use a basic outline and character study (index cards or notes). It’s the character study I find most valuable and where I spend my time. I get close with my characters. Once I know them well writing flows easier and easier writing keeps me motivated. If I get stumped, I go back to my outline, character study, or do some ‘what if’ scenarios. It recharges me and keeps me writing.
2. Set Deadlines. Deadlines work for some people. For me, they definitely are part of my day job and I had aggressive ones with my editor. I know the punishment for missing these deadlines but what would really happen if I missed a self-imposed writing deadline? Move the date? Besides, I’m a real softy. Ask my kids. So to quote Nathan Bransford “The trick is setting a deadline with teeth. If you secretly know that the deadline you’re setting for yourself is a soft one, it’s not going to have its hair-raising, stress-inducing maximum effect. So either you have to learn to be scared of yourself and your own punishments or you may need a partner in crime who can help you keep to them.”
3. Daydream a Little. Picture what it will be like when you book is completed and you ship it off for query to an agent/editor. Dream about the possibilities of a successful novel, keynote at RWA, Pulitzer (when they have a romance category), and movie option. It all depends on completing what you write. Tuck the daydream in a nice cozy place and come back to the present and make it happen.
4. Journalize. Writers usually keep a journal or pad handy for jotting down story and character ideas. Use your journal to clarify your obstacles, then think of ways around writing problems, like plot difficulties or difficult decisions about how to organization your story. Perhaps solving these difficulties will motivate you to keep on going.
5. Just start typing. Momentum can be invaluable in making progress. Even 10 minutes of uninterrupted writing can be helpful. Find time during the day to write, at lunch, commuting, waiting in line at the grocer, at soccer game practice, you see what I mean.
6. Skip ahead. I tell you this technique but admit I do not follow it myself. I am a linear writer. I find it very difficult to write ‘out of order.’ However, just because it doesn’t work for me doesn’t mean it won’t work for you. So, if you’re stuck about writing the next thing, skip it for now and try jumping ahead to the next piece you’re excited about. You can come back to the part you skipped later.
7. Talk with your critique partner or someone who supports your writing. For me, talking about my work in progress gets me excited. Sometimes that is all I need to stay motivated. I was stuck on a fight scene and spoke to my son (he’s grown) and Rayna Vause (a writer who is also a martial arts expert). Both gave me the support I needed and valuable insight. And while it’s not true of everyone, a lot of people—both writers and readers—are flattered to be asked to talk with a writer about a work in progress.
8. Move Around. Sometimes you need to move out of your space, physically, to reset your mind. I get up and go downstairs to the kitchen for a glass of water or cup of tea. (Sometimes even chocolate.) I come back to my desk renewed.
9. Write what You Love. Don’t try to catch a fad. It may be tempting, but most times it doesn’t work. You need to love your novel unconditionally if you’re going to finish it.
10. Chocolate. Need I say more?
Your turn. What about you? What motivates you?
This post written by MFRW Author Ruth A. Casie.
Ruth writes historical fantasy romance. KNIGHT OF RUNES and THE GUARDIAN’S WITCH, for Carina Press and Harlequin. She also self-published a short story in the author led TIMELESS TALES anthologies for Timeless Scribes Publishing. Formerly from Brooklyn, New York, she lives in New Jersey with her very supportive husband Paul. Ruth and Paul have three grown children and two grandchildren. They all thrive on spending time together. It’s certainly a lively dinner table and they wouldn’t change it for the world. For more information about Ruth’s books, please visit www.RuthACasie.com. Timeless Treasures: Stories of the Heart,
Mainstream Contemporary, Historic, Paranormal, and Military, Timeless Scribes Publishing
A special wish of hope, strength, and love brings five couples what they treasure most in this heartwarming collection of 5 short stories by Ruth A. Casie, Lita Harris, Emma Kaye, Nicole S. Patrick, and Julie Rowe
Thursday, January 15, 2015
#MFRWorg Newbie's World: Does Social Media Help to Sell Books?
And by work, I mean, does it actually sell books?
There are many different theories out there about what
actually sells books in terms of social media, but as far as I can determine, there
is no direct correlation between numbers of social media followers and book
sales. For instance, even if you spent time to amass 20,000 Twitter
followers, how many of those will actually buy your book? Perhaps 1%?
We tend to look at the followings of best-selling authors and think "wow, they have a lot of followers, they must sell a lot of books that way." But really, when do we usually follow other authors? After we have already read (and liked) their books.
There are always exceptions, of course, but pinning our energy (and hopes) onto gaining a large following will probably not get us where we want to be.
There are few who will
stand up and say: don’t waste your time on social media. And far be it from me,
either, to say that it is a waste of time. Social media is a good way to make
ourselves available to our fans, to communicate with other authors, and to find
like-minded individuals. As a social tool, it is invaluable.
But as a book marketing tool, we would be better off
applying ourselves to the tried and true methods of marketing.
Find Your Mavens:
Find influencers to promote your work for you. If you’ve
ever read the Tipping Point, or heard about how Stephen King’s tweets sent
asldjf onto the best-seller lists, then you know what I mean. Use (in the
nicest possible meaning of the word) other people’s networks to promote your
work.
How to do it? Well, by being social, of course. The first
approach is always email, of course, and should consist of the following:
1.
A reason you are writing – what does this person
mean in your world – do they write the same genre, share an affinity for
hat-wearing cats or gnomes, let them know whatever it is that connects you.
2.
Brief (incredibly brief) intro of you and your
work
3.
Call to Action (what would you like the
influencer to do? Review? Tweet about the work?)
If you don’t get anywhere with email, though, try social
media. Reach out via Twitter or Facebook and be relevant.
Making your
book(s) as awesome as possible:
Of course, the other part of marketing is having a product
that people really, really want. Your book, in all of its facets, has to be as
awesome as possible (writing, cover, and editing.)
Another thing to consider here is the power of a series, and
the power of free. Putting out a series in rapid succession, including a free
novella, can be a great way to garner sales.
What do you think?
What ways have you used social media to garner sales (or not)? What do you
think has helped you to sell the most books?
Erin writes sensuous paranormal romances set in exotic
locales. Her latest book is a sexy minotaur shifter story set in Crete. A regular blogger for Marketing for
Romance Writers as well as Heroes and Heartbreakers, Erin lives in
Atlanta with her two little paranormal beings and one unruly husband.
Erin also now offers editing services, including help with
bios and queries, on her website.
She's giving away a critique of a first chapter with a subscription to
her newsletter!
Saturday, January 10, 2015
Priming the Pump #MFRWAuthor
The expression “prime the pump,” comes from the necessity to move water from one location to another, using a pump, whether manual or powered. Prior to actually transferring the water you need to put water into the pump itself, so the introduced water moves with less effort
Thinking of writing, the activity of writing as a well of ideas moved along by the effort of creativity, it’s easy to relate the concept of priming the pump. Living in a drought prone environment encourages that parallel. The parallel is even more relevant when I find my creativity well has run as dry as the well out front of my house.
To prime that pump, I go to my personal inspirations: David Farland, the ever so irreverent Chuck Wendig, and marketing guru Seth Godin.
During NaNo month, Wendig’s blog was a non stop cheering section for those racing toward word count Finish Your Stuff Once November was behind us he put it in perspective. The very act of writing is a win no matter how many words made up your final count.
David Farland’s Be Excited provided a great kick in the rear for those coming off the NaNo WIN high or the Didn’t Make It low. We must remember our passion for what we write.
You might wonder about using Seth Godin for inspiration unless you follow his pithy blog. As writers we are marketing our words and ourselves constantly. Doing so in a sane and constructive manner saves wasted time and avoids losing readers (customers) to poor communication. Where To Start ... You don't have to wait for perfect or large or revered or amazing. You can start.
On occasion I've primed that pump with the books of writers I admire. What a great reason to read instead of mopping the floor!
For other creative encouragement I walk outside and fill myself with high plains beauty. Not everyone appreciates wide vistas and lack of close neighbors, but it soothes my soul.
Unrelenting sunshine, no matter what the temperature, not to mention a vast array of stars at night, more than makes up for that long trek into Agility class. We have a bakery, a library, a great restaurant. What more do we need?
In fact I’m sitting at the back of that restaurant right now, hoping the relative quiet will help the fingers find the right keys. Or maybe just the change in environment. Heck who am I kidding, I was hungry for Chile Relleno and eggs!
 |
| Lenticular Cloud in the Morning...almost looks like an alien vessel. Hey, it's New Mexico |
To prime that pump, I go to my personal inspirations: David Farland, the ever so irreverent Chuck Wendig, and marketing guru Seth Godin.
During NaNo month, Wendig’s blog was a non stop cheering section for those racing toward word count Finish Your Stuff Once November was behind us he put it in perspective. The very act of writing is a win no matter how many words made up your final count.
 |
| Lost Civilizations? Mountain Refuge? |
You might wonder about using Seth Godin for inspiration unless you follow his pithy blog. As writers we are marketing our words and ourselves constantly. Doing so in a sane and constructive manner saves wasted time and avoids losing readers (customers) to poor communication. Where To Start ... You don't have to wait for perfect or large or revered or amazing. You can start.
On occasion I've primed that pump with the books of writers I admire. What a great reason to read instead of mopping the floor!
 |
| That Lenticular cloud at sunset. How many ideas can this spawn? |
Unrelenting sunshine, no matter what the temperature, not to mention a vast array of stars at night, more than makes up for that long trek into Agility class. We have a bakery, a library, a great restaurant. What more do we need?
In fact I’m sitting at the back of that restaurant right now, hoping the relative quiet will help the fingers find the right keys. Or maybe just the change in environment. Heck who am I kidding, I was hungry for Chile Relleno and eggs!
Thursday, January 8, 2015
Creating a Newsletter—The First Page by Rochelle Weber, Newsletter Editor #MFRWorg
In November, we covered creating a header for the first page
of a newsletter. Since the MFRW Newsletter broke ninety pages, we’ve discussed
the difference between a newsletter and a magazine. One of our members posted an article that
discussed the differences. Length was
one. Most newsletters run between one
and twenty-four pages. I guess we passed
that a few years ago. Another major
difference was the cover. Most magazines
have a photo on the cover with a headline and teasers about the content inside,
which usually consists of articles and advertising in non-industry-specific
language. Newsletters tend to have
articles on the front. Of course, I like
to add some sort of artwork to the front of my newsletters as well. It would be a pretty dull publication without
some sort of illustration.
So, how do I lay it out?
I add text boxes for the articles I put on the front page. In the case of the MFRW Newsletter, we put
our Featured Author on the front page.
We start with the person’s biography one the left and an interview on
the right. We put the author’s photo in
the top right-hand corner, and if there’s room we put his/her contact info in a
box at the bottom left. Again, I use IrfanView to size it. I like 1.5 inches wide, and I keep the aspect even and let IrfanView decide the length. We outline the Contacts
box in pink. Our headings are in brown
and the links are in hot pink. The text
box for the biography takes up about one-third (1/3) of the width of the page.
As for the interview, the submission form contains several
questions for each author to choose from—some serious ones about the craft of
writing, some funny ones that may give us an insight into the author
him/herself. And it just occurred to me
that since we’re a marketing group, I should probably ask about their favorite
marketing technique. I’d better add that to the form as soon as I finish this
so I don’t forget!
Depending on how well that fits in the remaining two-thirds (2/3) of the page, it can be one wide column
or two narrow ones. I’ve found that when
info doesn’t fit in one column, it sometimes will fit in two. To create columns
in Publisher, click on the Columns Icon next to the Paragraph Icon (¶) just to
the right of center on the top toolbar.
It should give you a drop-down icon that allows you to choose the number
of columns you want by highlighting the columns in the icon. You’ll then have two columns that are exactly
the same size. To increase the size between
columns, go to Format, Text Box, click on the button in the lower right-hand
corner that says Columns, and where it says “Spacing,” change that number. I like 0.25 best. If I figure out a way to make that the default,
I’ll let you know.
Now, all you need to do is figure out what you want to put
on your front page!
And, going back to the difference between a newsletter and a
magazine, I’d love to add more articles to the MFRW Newsletter. It’s definitely big enough to be a
magazine. Just think, me, a magazine
E-I-C.… I still wouldn’t get any money
for it, but it’d look good in my bio!
Wouldn’t you folks like to be the Cover Models for a magazine?
Rochelle Weber is a Navy veteran and holds a BA in
Communications from Columbia College in Chicago with an emphasis on Creative
Writing. “Would you like fries with that?” Her novels Rock Bound and Rock Crazy
are available in both e-book and print. She edits for Jupiter Gardens Press,
and is the Editor-in-Chief of the Marketing for Romance Writers Newsletter,
winner of the 2013 Preditors & Editors Readers’ Poll for Best Writers’
Resource.
Rochelle battles bi-polar disorder, quipping, “You haven’t
lived until you’ve been the only woman on the locked ward at the VA.” Her song,
“It’s Not My Fault,” won a gold medal in the National Veterans Creative Arts
Competition. She lives in Round Lake Beach, Illinois. She has two married
daughters, four grandchildren, three step-grandkids, and one
step-great-grandkid. Two cats allow her to live with them and cater to their
every whim.
You can access the MFRW
Newsletters at:
Or:
Monday, January 5, 2015
Author-to-Author: Talking Dialogue @AuthorLyndaB #MFRWauthor
Talking About Dialogue
So, we’re talking about dialogue. In my humble opinion, dialogue is an intricate part of storytelling—of getting the reader into the story— because it’s an extension of the characters’ personalities. Dialogue isn’t something the reader should ever have to think about. It should just…be. It should be an even flow, a give and take of conversation. If the dialogue reads stilted or forced, the reader is probably not going to hang very long with the book.
The first rule to writing believable dialogueis to make sure it jives with whatever time period you’re using in the story. If you’re writing a Regency story or a Civil War saga featuring slaves, you better be on your game with regard to those vernaculars. I got dinged in a review of my historical western romance because the reader felt I used 2012 terminology for a story set in the 1880s. Ouch! The last thing you want as an author is to have your reader yanked from the story.
Maybe that’s why I choose to write contemporary romance. No need to worry about the proper Scottish dialect for me. But even with contemporaries, you have to be careful. I personally love to use words like “gonna,” “hafta” and “kinda” in dialogue—Spell/Grammar Check be damned. This is how people talk in real life so it’s how my characters are gonna talk. Think about Morgan Freeman in Driving Miss Daisy. Did he say, “I am trying to take you to the grocery story.”? Uh, no. He said, “I’m tryin’ ta take ya to da store.” Huge difference.
The other thing to keep in mind when writing dialogue is, if your character can say something in five words, have them say it in four. Short, snappy lines makes the reading go faster because more pages are getting turned. It also puts more *white space* on the page. And readers loooooove white space.
As a reader, one of my pet peeves is when the author uses a bunch of he said/she said or he asked/she asked in dialogue. Rather than having Sally say blah, blah, blah, have Sally do something. If she’s upset, have her stomp a foot or glare at the hero. If she’s being coy or shy, have her swish side to side or twist her fingers together. Remember that pesky, yet brilliant advice: show, don’t tell. Don’t tell me who’s talking, but show me by having some action during the dialogue. It helps to solidify the characterizations and makes for a (hopefully) more enjoyable read.
Okay, so I’ve voiced my opinion about dialogue. Do you agree with me or am I barking up the metaphorical tree? Shout out your thoughts and opinions.
Contributed by MFRW author Lynda Bailey.
I’ve always loved stories, especially romances. For me the only thing better than reading a romance is writing one. That and drinking red wine while eating dark chocolate.
My romances are full of passion, with heat levels that range from hot to sizzling! I'm proud to have been a 2010 finalist in the prestigious Golden Heart®. Please join me for laughter and love, and where the good guys always win in the end.
I live in Reno with my husband of thirty+ years and our two pampered pooches.
Lynda's latest book is Shattered Trust, a contemporary BDSM erotic romance.
Kate Landry trusted the wrong man and paid dearly for her mistake. But she survived and raised her daughter alone. At forty-two, Kate has a good living as the owner of the Bluebird Saloon. But she’s forgotten how to live. That is until he comes into her bar…
Liam St. James loved a girl once. And only once. After an accident paralyzed her, she didn’t trust he’d continue to love her. Liam left and discovered a world where women did trust him—to be their Dominant. He’s a master – literally, but the request from the stoic bar owner will pose his greatest challenge yet…
Kate and Liam embark on a journey to uncover repressed urges and to discover new desires. They also fall in love. But when you’ve been shattered as badly as they have, loving is easy. Trusting is harder, especially when the heart is involved…
Learning to love is the easy part...
So, we’re talking about dialogue. In my humble opinion, dialogue is an intricate part of storytelling—of getting the reader into the story— because it’s an extension of the characters’ personalities. Dialogue isn’t something the reader should ever have to think about. It should just…be. It should be an even flow, a give and take of conversation. If the dialogue reads stilted or forced, the reader is probably not going to hang very long with the book.
The first rule to writing believable dialogueis to make sure it jives with whatever time period you’re using in the story. If you’re writing a Regency story or a Civil War saga featuring slaves, you better be on your game with regard to those vernaculars. I got dinged in a review of my historical western romance because the reader felt I used 2012 terminology for a story set in the 1880s. Ouch! The last thing you want as an author is to have your reader yanked from the story.
Maybe that’s why I choose to write contemporary romance. No need to worry about the proper Scottish dialect for me. But even with contemporaries, you have to be careful. I personally love to use words like “gonna,” “hafta” and “kinda” in dialogue—Spell/Grammar Check be damned. This is how people talk in real life so it’s how my characters are gonna talk. Think about Morgan Freeman in Driving Miss Daisy. Did he say, “I am trying to take you to the grocery story.”? Uh, no. He said, “I’m tryin’ ta take ya to da store.” Huge difference.
The other thing to keep in mind when writing dialogue is, if your character can say something in five words, have them say it in four. Short, snappy lines makes the reading go faster because more pages are getting turned. It also puts more *white space* on the page. And readers loooooove white space.
As a reader, one of my pet peeves is when the author uses a bunch of he said/she said or he asked/she asked in dialogue. Rather than having Sally say blah, blah, blah, have Sally do something. If she’s upset, have her stomp a foot or glare at the hero. If she’s being coy or shy, have her swish side to side or twist her fingers together. Remember that pesky, yet brilliant advice: show, don’t tell. Don’t tell me who’s talking, but show me by having some action during the dialogue. It helps to solidify the characterizations and makes for a (hopefully) more enjoyable read.
Okay, so I’ve voiced my opinion about dialogue. Do you agree with me or am I barking up the metaphorical tree? Shout out your thoughts and opinions.
Contributed by MFRW author Lynda Bailey.
I’ve always loved stories, especially romances. For me the only thing better than reading a romance is writing one. That and drinking red wine while eating dark chocolate.
My romances are full of passion, with heat levels that range from hot to sizzling! I'm proud to have been a 2010 finalist in the prestigious Golden Heart®. Please join me for laughter and love, and where the good guys always win in the end.
I live in Reno with my husband of thirty+ years and our two pampered pooches.
Lynda's latest book is Shattered Trust, a contemporary BDSM erotic romance.
Kate Landry trusted the wrong man and paid dearly for her mistake. But she survived and raised her daughter alone. At forty-two, Kate has a good living as the owner of the Bluebird Saloon. But she’s forgotten how to live. That is until he comes into her bar…
Liam St. James loved a girl once. And only once. After an accident paralyzed her, she didn’t trust he’d continue to love her. Liam left and discovered a world where women did trust him—to be their Dominant. He’s a master – literally, but the request from the stoic bar owner will pose his greatest challenge yet…
Kate and Liam embark on a journey to uncover repressed urges and to discover new desires. They also fall in love. But when you’ve been shattered as badly as they have, loving is easy. Trusting is harder, especially when the heart is involved…
Learning to love is the easy part...
Saturday, January 3, 2015
Promoting Your New Book #MFRWauthor @kayelleallen
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| Learning vs doing is what we teach at Marketing for Romance Writers |
It's sad but true that many publishers do nothing for promotion.
The tide is changing on that, and more are starting to see if they help there are
more sales. (That's not rocket science, is it?) But honestly, most small presses
have no concept of promotion other than giving the author free copies to give away.
So, what's an author to do?
Here are the basics. I create the following for every book, and
teach members of Marketing for Romance Writers to do the same.
- Review sheet containing the title, author, genre, rating (PG-R), tagline, blurb, buy links (US authors: find your Amazon links for US, UK, DE, AU - your readers will love you). Include your social media links. If you use Twitter, this is not the place to write it as @yourname. Write out the link so someone can click it! You get more users that way. This review sheet will hold all details about the book. Add premade tweets you can copy and share. You'll have every aspect about your book handy for interviews, questions, blog posts, and so on.
- Covers in sizes 200x300, 500x750 for website, blog, and other guest spots.
- Excerpt sheet (three different scenes) Try for lengths of 100-150 words, 200 words, 500 words. If you write hot romance, have different heat ratings available.
- Signature displaying info about the book (used anytime you email), and your social media. Make it easy for people to follow you.
- Amazon author page. You should have this already set up. If not, build it now. If you're self-pubbed, Amazon adds this to the back of your book, so have it ready. https://authorcentral.amazon.com/
Nice to have:
- Banner for the book (468x60 - web standard, 600x400 for blog tours, Twitter promo, etc.)
- Timeline covers for Twitter, Facebook, Youtube, Google+
- Pinterest board for the book and/or characters, or the era you write about
Other Options
Blog spots are great if you can get them. To me, Twitter is essential.
People are going to be talking about your book on Twitter whether you are there
or not. What hashtags would support your book? A Goodreads author page helps you track reviews there.
Social media isn't something you can do without. What you have
and what you do with it is up to you, but it needs to be in your marketing plan.
And without making it sound like a footnote, a marketing plan that you follow for
all your books will help you avoid a last minute panic. It's great to have it all
done, and then be able to just ask for a few blog spots or help with tweets. Having
a plan is part of being a professional writer. Are these things easy? No. But neither
was writing the book, and your story was worth the work, wasn't it? Don't abandon your book and characters now.
You can do this.
About the Book
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| Human Perfect |
In the android business, the best of the best are Human Perfect.
Coming Jan 2015 http://kayelleallen.com/exc-perfect.html
About the Author
Kayelle Allen is a best-selling, multi-published, award-winning author. Her unstoppable heroes and
heroines include contemporary every day folk, role-playing immortal gamers, futuristic covert agents, and
warriors who purr.
Unstoppable Heroes Blog http://kayelleallen.com/blog
Twitter http://twitter.com/kayelleallen