Category: Uncategorized

Conversations with a Self-Publishing Writer, Royalene Speaks, Uncategorized

Friday Conversations With A Self-Publishing Writer 01/16/15

LEFT BRAIN-RIGHT BRAIN READERS

SO—you’ve written the best novel ever put to paper!  From your perspective everyone on planet earth will (at some time in their life) read your book.  There remains, however, the realistic question of who will actually buy and/or read it.

Some time ago a writing friend suggested that all serious authors should take a course in Marketing.  My first response was a chuckle.  That is not my field of interest and hours spent in that study would take valuable time away from actually writing.  Then my friend asked me two questions.  How are you—as the author—going to attract readers’ attention?  And, if you use a PR or Marketing group, how will you know they are doing the right things for your unique book?

Well, I didn’t take an actual course in marketing, but I have done a fair-bit of research, some of which I’ve shared with you before.  And, because the concepts and venues change so rapidly, I do my best to update my marketing research file every year.  However, for the sake of today’s blog offering, I’ll focus on the headline concept stated above: the left-brain/right-brain readers…the rationally motivated reader and the emotionally motivated reader.

Possibly the biggest AH-HA discovery for me was this:  Developing a marketing strategy toward the emotionally motivated reader/buyer will bring the greatest level of success no matter who is doing the book shopping.  An emotional appeal will connect with both left and right-brain thinkers.

Example:  Do you remember the novel Q and A?  It was author Vikas Swarup’s first novel published in 2005.  In 2006, the novel won South Africa’s prestigious Boeke Prize and was nominated for the Best First Book by the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize group.  By 2007, this novel won the Prix Grand Public at the Paris Book Fair.  It has also been sold for translation rights for 42 languages.  THAT equals SUCCESS.

Yet—you might recognize this novel a little quicker by its film title: Slumdog Millionaire.  Ahhh!…the perfect left-brain/right-brain title appealing to the rational “seeker of monetary wealth” and the compassionate heart who desires to help all “underdogs.”  The movie was labeled a “sleeper hit,” being nominated for ten Academy Awards (2009)—winning eight.

This BOOK (yes, the author’s 1st novel) was hugely successful in book-form.  And yet receiving a TITLE CHANGE (as it was developed for film) made a huge difference in attracting everyone from producers, directors and actors, to movie-goers and DVD buyers.  Plus, a large population of movie watchers Google background information about the films they enjoy and then BUY the “story” in its original novel format.

SO—you’ve written the best novel ever put to paper! Who will understand your book—your characters and plot—better than you?  Are you able to communicate those nuances to potential readers?  What venues of communication will you use?  In step the marketing specialists of your self-publishing TEAM.  Their ideas are almost limitless and can help you develop a plan of action that will carry your book FAR and WIDE.

Royalene 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.
Jodee Speaks, Uncategorized

How to Be a Better Writer in 2015

If you are like many writer’s, publishing a book is probably on your 2015 to-do list. You’re probably feeling inspired, excited, maybe a little scared or overwhelmed, and you’re hoping your dream won’t become another failed resolution that gets pushed to the back burner after the thrill of the new year wears off.

Well, I’m here to help. Each week in January I will offer you tips and tricks to help you accomplish your goal of publishing a book this year, and I encourage you to continue reading my posts every week throughout the year for inspiration, advice, and news that will help you become a successful author. (Be sure to check out last week’s post about setting writing goals.)

This week, I’d like to share some tips that will not only help you achieve your goal of publishing but will also improve your craft. Here are six tips that will make you a better writer this year.

1. Follow your heart.

Don’t worry about what is popular right now or stress over what readers will think of your work. The best writing comes from the heart, and you will be more fulfilled if you write what you are passionate about.

2. Step outside your box.

To learn and grow, you must try new things. Experiment with a new genre. Develop a character that is vastly different from your normal characters. Visit a new place. Try a new food. Listen to a different band. Be willing to take risks in both your life and your writing.

3. Treat it like a job.

Stop waiting for inspiration and start writing every day without excuses. You may not love what you write everyday, but at least you will get words down on paper. You can always rewrite later, and most people find the words start flowing once they just sit down and start writing. You’ll never be a published writer if you never actually write.

4. Read. Read. Read.

Whether you write fiction or non-fiction, for adults or children, the best thing you can do for your career is read! Read everything. Books, magazines, newspapers. Read various genres. Read top sellers as well as indie authors. Read about the subject you write about. Read about things you’ve never heard of. Read books for children. Read the classics. Read as much as you can.

5. Rewrite as many times as you need.

Most first drafts need a rewrite. Many second and even third drafts could use a rewrite. Don’t feel so pressured to complete your manuscript that you settle for less than your best, but be careful not to get so caught up in perfection that you never finish.

6. Unplug.

When you are writing, editing, researching, or brainstorming, unplug. Log out of your social media sites. Turn off the TV and cell phone. You’ll be surprised how much more productive you’ll be by following this simple tip.

I’d love to know, what is the best writing advice you’ve ever received?

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.
Conversations with a Self-Publishing Writer, Royalene Speaks, Uncategorized

Friday Conversations With A Self-Publishing Writer 01/09/15

WRITE TO and FOR YOURSELF

Last week I offered you a list of progressive steps that I hope will help you begin this New Year with a flurry of writing that leads you to fame and fortune.  However, today, let’s pause a moment and consider who your Readers’ are and why they will buy your books.

Why do “readers” READ?  Lots of studies have been done by universities and science groups.  Here are three of the top statistical discoveries:

  • Entertainment value. The human mind simply needs to escape into another world in order to survive the world we’re in. The subject matter can be as diverse as swashbuckling historic fiction or the dietary needs of the largest land-living arthropod in the world—the Giant Coconut Crab. If the story elements are “fun,” people will buy the book, read and enjoy it.
  • Sparking the imagination. As readers are entertained, their imagination takes flight because they’re discovering something new. This cyclic circle of reading-imagining-discovering does something amazing in the human brain as synapses fire and we become smarter! Yes, really smarter…which in turn…
  • Reading makes readers more attractive. What? Yep, more attractive. While turning the pages of all those fun and imaginative books, a person absorbs a wider vocabulary. Then, when using that more diverse word-bank, other people are drawn to them, seeking the exchange of “fun” and ideas.

Most writers instinctively know these things and appreciate reading almost more than anything else.  However, the food-for-thought that I’d like to leave you with today is: Write for yourself, first, and the readers will follow.

No matter how much research is done and passed forward to teach writers how to write, the real magic can’t happen until the writer connects to the reader.  And, sad-to-say, it is impossible to connect to every reader.  Thus the topic/heading of this blog: Write TO yourself and FOR yourself.  Review the three statistics listed above and fold them into your topic and/or plot selections.  What sparks your imagination?  What genres entertain you?  When you’re talking with a group of people, what topic holds-the-floor during the conversation?  As you answer these questions for yourself, you will begin developing your writing projects along these lines—your stress levels will decrease and the pages will flow.

And, in the midst of all this creativity, don’t forget to research WHERE you will publish!  The self-publishing business is a big one and not all companies are the right fit for you or your genre.

Royalene 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.
Jodee Speaks, Uncategorized

Here’s to 2015, The Year You Publish a Book

If you are like many writer’s, publishing a book is probably on your 2015 to-do list. You’re probably feeling inspired, excited, maybe a little scared or overwhelmed, and you’re hoping your dream won’t become another failed resolution that gets pushed to the back burner after the thrill of the new year wears off.

Well, I’m here to help. Each week in January I will offer you tips and tricks to help you accomplish your goal of publishing a book this year, and I encourage you to continue reading my posts every week throughout the year for inspiration, advice, and news that will help you become a successful author.

So let’s get started.

The first thing you must do if you want to accomplish your goal is break it down into smaller, more manageable and measurable tasks. This will keep you from feeling overwhelmed, getting side tracked, and losing inspiration.

I find it helpful to have a calendar in front of me when I complete this task to help with setting deadlines and factoring in events that may impact my writing goals.

Now ask yourself these questions:

1) How much time do I need to dedicate to writing each day, week, or month?

2) When do I want to complete my first draft?

3) How much time do I need to edit my first draft?

4) What tasks besides writing (i.e., researching, marketing, etc.) will I need to complete?

5) When do I want to start the publishing process?

6) How will I fund my project?

7) What will help me be successful?

Using your answers to these questions, write down small, measurable goals for your project and put them some place you will see them often. Be sure to periodically check your progress and adjust your goals as needed.

I’d love to know, what are your 2015 writing goals?

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.
Conversations with a Self-Publishing Writer, Royalene Speaks, Uncategorized

Friday Conversations With A Self-Publishing Writer 01/02/15

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Have you written your “list” yet?  Your “to-do” list of what you want to accomplish in the New Year?  One person I know writes out a This-Will-Never-Happen-In-My-Life-Again list.  Another creates a list titled: I Will Never Think of These Things Again!  Yep.  We all have ways of dealing with the beginning of the New Year—or the beginning of anything new.  However, from my writer’s perspective, I hold on to a lot of things from years and years ago—all those unfinished manuscripts that I’ll get to, someday.

Thomas Jefferson (the fella who wrote the Declaration of Independence and became the 3rd President of the United States of America) said: I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past.  He was a BIG dreamer, that’s for sure, and his writings have encouraged and inspired millions of people long after his departure from this earth.  I remember a history teacher saying that Jefferson considered writing the greatest gift given to humans because they could then see their thoughts on paper and re-consider them.

One of my favorite authors, C. S. Lewis is quoted saying, “The future [is] something which everyone reaches at the rate of sixty minutes an hour, whatever he does, whoever he is.”  Gosh, why didn’t I think of that?  Does he mean that when I try to find time to complete the manuscript of my current book, I could, if I would?  I do become a bit annoyed with myself when “time flies by” so quickly and I’m letting myself be stuck on a point of minutia research.  When will I learn to “move along” and come back to that piece in the re-write?

SO…here is my 2015 New Year’s list for writers…you and me:

  1. Follow David Copperfield’s advice when he says, “My dreams are my dress rehearsals for my future.” Literally, allow yourself to dream about plotlines and characters. The writing will flow easier and faster.
  2. READ at least one excellent book a month! If the book doesn’t meet expectations within the first 50 pages, set it aside and select another. Time is precious and we only want to absorb the best writing techniques.
  3. WATCH movies or a television series that is similar to the genre you’re writing. Visually capture actions and events and the essence of the characters, especially their attitudes.
  4. LISTEN to a “Talk” radio or TV show and make notes on the guests as well as a few of the interesting questions and responses. Many of the guests will be actors and they often offer insights into HOW they develop their on-screen personae.
  5. TALK more often to Librarians and bookstore staff. They are the folks who know books and know about the people who purchase them. Recommendations from them, about books in my/our genre, are extremely valuable.
  6. SCHEDULE daily writing time!!!!!! Whether it is 15-minutes or 8 hours a day, guard that time with your life and WRITE something that develops your project.
  7. PLAN publishing!!! If you are a person to must have your manuscript “accepted” by a mainstream publisher, start developing your strategy to break through those very thick doors. However, as you know by my previous blogs, I highly encourage all writers to do their research in the self-publishing field and get your book in print! It literally breaks my heart when I see authors languishing and unable to write their next book because they’re “waiting to hear” from a mainstream submissions editor.

A final thought: this month opens the 2015 door to many new and wonderful adventures.  May your published book(s) be among them!

Royalene 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.