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SETTING THE STAGE

SPRING has sprung!  I know—that’s a cliché statement—however, as I watch new life flying and hopping and tweeting and romping and howling in field and sky, I feel good, which fires up the imagination!  So today, I’m going to talk about baby owls.  One of my neighbors caught this photo in the Spring of 2014—two young owls nestled in the perfect setting for their protection, ability to view their surroundings, and learn how to grab their next meal.

When developing the setting for a novel, the first thing I do (which most writers probably don’t) is consider the TIME(s) OF YEAR during which the story will begin, travel through, and end.  This one element of foundational, background research is (I believe) KEY to all the other elements of setting—from locale, to mood and atmosphere, to geography, both topographical and man-made.  Below are my owl/story-setting comparison illustrations.

1. Spring is the season of breeding for the owl species, which coincides with the greatest possibilities of food supplies and positive weather conditions.
   1. What “food” do you want to offer your readers in the preface and opening chapter that will flavor their imaginations and entice them to read further?
   2. The words of description that are used here must create a feel of the season your characters are living in so that your readers will feel the same—such as the cool crispness of spring air balanced by the warmth of the sun.
2. Owls are what I call nesting shoppers, selecting appropriate holes in trees or barns or even the abandoned nests of crows and other birds of prey. They also return to these sites year after year and reoccupy them if at all possible.
   1. The first locale you present to your readers should be so real that they have a feeling of déjà vu—such a strong appeal (or dislike) that they would want to go there (or never go there).
   2. You are the only person who knows your characters!  Where are they at the moment your story opens?  In the city? Walking pleasant neighborhood streets? In school?  Anticipating going to an ocean beach?  Just pulling themselves into a saddle upon their beloved horse and galloping off across a ranch?  BE SPECIFIC.
3. Owl hatchlings are born over a period of several days because the eggs are laid at different times.  Thus you have the sibling “pecking order” with the larger individuals often getting more food (and attention) than the smaller weaker ones, which could affect the survival rate—unless the area (setting) provides plentiful food sources.
   1. The time of year you’ve selected for your story’s beginning will influence everything that happens afterward.  It will give you the ability to demonstrate (not tell) each character’s unique feelings IN that seasonal environment such as:
      1. A spring marriage—which has brought joy to all the characters.
      2. A Thanksgiving Eve death—that brings sadness—yet a strong element of thanksgiving that the person is “in a better place.”
   2. This sibling/owl/human comparison also provides the picture of character development throughout your story’s various seasons.

The next three blogs will continue this discussion about SETTING.  For today, I’ll add just one more thought.  It is never too early to start planning the “setting” for publishing your book(s).  Ask other author’s about their publishing experiences and find the best place for your book to be produced and released into the world.

ABOUT ROYALENE DOYLE: Royalene Doyle is a Ghostwriter with Outskirts Press, bringing more than 35 years of writing experience to authors who need “just a little assistance” with completing their writing projects. She has worked with both experienced and fledgling writers helping complete projects in multiple genres. When a writer brings the passion they have for their work and combines it with Royalene’s passion to see the finished project in print, books are published and the writer’s legacy is passed forward.

Book reviews are a great way for self-publishing authors to gain exposure. After all, how can someone buy your book if he or she doesn’t know it exists? Paired with other elements of your book promotion strategy, requesting reviews is a great way to get people talking about what you’ve written.

When we read good reviews, we definitely like to share them. It gives the author a few (permanent) moments of fame and allows us to let the community know about a great book. Here’s this week’s book review by Midwest Book Review:

 The Road Back to Me

Lisa A. Romano

Publisher: Outskirts Press

ISBN:9780578102689

Taking control of one’s own being is a powerful thing that often eludes many of us. “The Road Back to Me” is a memoir of addiction and no self-worth from Lisa A. Romano as she draws on her own life’s challenges and the pain of addiction and going through life trying to deal with the weight of life that came with it. A very spiritual memoir about how she broke free from addiction, co-dependency, and more, “The Road Back to Me” is a powerful and much recommended pick, not to be missed.

As a self-publishing author, you may find it helpful to stay up-to-date on the trends and news related to the self-publishing industry. This will help you make informed decisions before, during and after the self-publishing process, which will lead to a greater self-publishing experience. To help you stay current on self-publishing topics, simply visit our blog every Tuesday to find out the hottest news.

Want to Succeed in Self-Publishing? Learn to Have Fun: Tips from an Indie Author

The author of ‘Imperfect Chemistry’ suggests self-publishers ask questions, roll with the punches, and remember to have a little fun. This is an interesting read for all self-publishing authors.

‘Publishers Weekly’ Launches BookLife Services Directory

No matter where you are on your self-publishing journey, BookLife’s Services Directory can help you find industry professionals and make your book the very best it can be. The new service connects indie authors with editorial and self-publishing services and professionals.

‘Why Is Dad So Mad?’ Veteran Writes Book to Explain His PTSD to His Daughter

This NBC News article tells the story of the veteran who wrote ‘Why Is Dad So Mad?’ to explain his PTSD to his children. This is a fascinating and inspiring read.

If you have other big news to share, please comment below.

ABOUT KELLY SCHUKNECHT: Kelly Schuknecht is the Executive Vice President of Outskirts Press. In addition to her contributions to the Outskirts Press blog at blog.outskirtspress.com, Kelly and a group of talented marketing experts offer book marketing services, support, and products to not only published Outskirts Press authors, but to all authors and professionals who are interested in marketing their books and/or careers. Learn more about Kelly on her blog at http://kellyschuknecht.com.

Writers decide to self-publish for a variety of great reasons: creative freedom, control over pricing, the speed of publication and more. But, with the promise of spring in full gear, there are four more great reasons to self-publish now:

1. New beginnings. Spring is the time for renewal. Renew your commitment to your self-publishing dream by publishing that manuscript now.
2. Tax refund. Put your federal and state tax refunds to work on something meaningful by realizing your dream of self-publishing. If you play your cards right, that investment will pay you back in sales revenue and the deep satisfaction you’ll get from being able to say you’re a published author!
3. Summer book fairs. April is the perfect time to self-publish if you want your book ready for book fair season, which really ramps up in June. Some self-publishers can get your manuscript to print in a matter of weeks, so you could have your book ready just in time!
4. National Poetry Month. Honor National Poetry Month in April by publishing your volume of poetry now. (Outskirts Press offers a Poetry Formatting Kit that makes formatting and publishing a high-quality book as simple as cutting and pasting text.)

While there’s never really a bad time to get going on your self-publishing dreams, April’s the ideal time to plant the publishing seed that will bear fruit later in the year.

ABOUT JODEE THAYER: With over 25 years of experience in sales and management, Jodee Thayer works as the Director of Author Services for Outskirts Press. The Author Services Department is composed of knowledgeable customer service reps and publishing consultants; together, they all focus on educating authors on the self-publishing process in order to help them publish the book of their dreams. Whether you are a professional looking to take your career to the next level with platform-driven non-fiction or a novelist seeking fame, fortune, and/or personal fulfillment, Jodee Thayer can put you on the right path.

Book reviews are a great way for self-publishing authors to gain exposure. After all, how can someone buy your book if he or she doesn’t know it exists? Paired with other elements of your book promotion strategy, requesting reviews is a great way to get people talking about what you’ve written.

When we read good reviews, we definitely like to share them. It gives the author a few (permanent) moments of fame and allows us to let the community know about a great book. Here’s this week’s book review by Midwest Book Review:

 Clarabelle’s Rose

Judy Kashi

Publisher: Outskirts Press

ISBN:9781432775674

The searing hatred that surrounds some of our lives dominates it. “Clarabelle’s Rose” is a novel of the peak of bigotry in the 1960s and 1970s, as Clarabelle, a young woman held down by an abusive racist father, struggles to deal with her own thoughts on hate and race, challenged by many daunting ordeals and a friend that may save her from herself. A unique story of tragedy and friendship set against a strong racial tone, “Clarabelle’s Rose” is a read well worth considering.