Nicki Huntsman Smith's Blog, page 2
October 29, 2023
I’m a Pantser
Panster Authors: Embracing Creativity Beyond StructureWriting is a deeply personal and creative endeavor, and authors approach it in different ways. I have friends who meticulously plan their stories, meticulously outlining every plot point and character arc. I, on the other hand, thrive in the realm of uncertainty and spontaneity. Writers like me are often referred to as “panster authors,” and this article I will delve into the pantser writing style and explore the art of writing by the seat of one’s pants.
The Panster ApproachThe term “panster” is derived from “flying by the seat of one’s pants,” which aptly describes my approach to writing. We pantsers are individuals who write with little to no formal planning, relying on intuition and inspiration to guide the stories. There’s no one-size-fits-all definition but most panster authors share some of these characteristics:
Minimal to No Outlining: We typically start writing with a vague idea, concept, or a strong character in mind, without extensive plot outlines or detailed story structures.
Embracing Uncertainty: We are comfortable with the uncertainty that comes with not knowing precisely where the story will lead. We allow the narrative to evolve naturally.
Character-Driven: Pansters often focus on the development of their characters and let the characters’ decisions and interactions shape the plot.
Exploration and Discovery: Writing is a journey of exploration and discovery for pantsers like me. I discover surprising plot twists or character revelations in every book I write.
Revision and Editing: Pansters understand that revision and editing are crucial in transforming our raw, first drafts into polished works. We embrace (but don’t enjoy) the rewriting process to refine our stories. For me, as well as most pantsers, the editing process is more difficult due to the lack of structure in the beginning. It’s the price we pay for our method.
The Tools of the PantserWhile pansters may work with minimal planning, there are a few skills needed to navigate the creative unknowns we encounter:
Intuition: We rely heavily on our intuition to guide the story. We trust our inner voice and let it lead us through the story.
Flow State: We can enter a flow state where time seems to disappear as we become immersed in what we are writing.
Editing Skills: We understand the importance of editing and are required to spend more time refining and shaping our initial drafts.
Adaptability: We are adaptable and open to change. If the story takes an unexpected turn, we embrace it rather than resist it.
Challenges and RewardsThe panster approach to writing is not without its challenges:
Writer’s Block: We can encounter writer’s block when we reach a point where we’re unsure of the story’s direction.
Revision Intensity: Extensive revision and rewriting can be time-consuming.
Inconsistencies: Lack of planning will probably lead to inconsistencies in the initial story that must be corrected during the editing process.
However, we panster authors also enjoy:
Surprise and Authenticity: The uncertainty of the panster approach often leads to genuinely surprising and authentic storytelling, which can captivate readers.Creative Freedom: We enjoy a high degree of creative freedom, allowing our imagination to flourish without the constraints of a predetermined structure.
Character-Driven Narratives: Pansters often excel in character development, creating engaging, relatable, and multi-dimensional characters.
Personal Fulfillment: The act of writing without a detailed plan is personally fulfilling, and provides a sense of discovery and adventure for me.
My ApproachThere’s no one-size-fits-all approach to writing. Some authors, like me, are natural pansters, while others prefer meticulous planning. Many writers find a middle ground, striking a balance between structure and spontaneity that works best for them. I tend to be on the more extreme of the true pantser type of author.
Ultimately, the panster approach is a testament to the diverse and flexible nature of the creative process. Whether meticulously planned or born out of spontaneous creativity, every story is a unique journey, shaped by the author’s creative vision and the approach they choose to embrace.
I prefer the panster approach and embrace the uncertainty. Everyday while writing I am reminded of the boundless possibilities in the story. It’s just that the characters haven’t told me what they are… yet.
Multitasking is a Myth
The Cognitive Switching Penalty: The Price of MultitaskingIn the age of information overload and the constant demands of modern life, multitasking has become a ubiquitous practice. People often find themselves juggling various tasks, switching between work assignments, checking smartphones, and attending to personal matters simultaneously. While multitasking may seem like an efficient way to manage multiple responsibilities, it comes with a hidden cost known as the “cognitive switching penalty.”
What is the cognitive switching penalty? Why does it occur and how does it impact our productivity?
Understanding Cognitive SwitchingCognitive switching, or task switching, (what we commonly refer to as multitasking) refers to the process of shifting one’s attention, focus, and cognitive resources from one task to another. When you interrupt the current task and start or resume another task, that’s cognitive switching. The interruptions can be external (e.g., receiving a phone call) or self-initiated (e.g., checking social media while working). Cognitive switching can happen rapidly and frequently, often without individuals even realizing it.
The Cognitive Switching PenaltyThe cognitive switching penalty is the price people pay for task switching. There are several interconnected factors:
Time Loss: When you switch from one task to another, it takes time to disengage from the initial task, reorient to the new one, and get back up to full productivity. This transition period, referred to as “switching time,” results in a loss of time and efficiency.
Reduced Productivity: The act of switching between tasks often leads to decreased productivity for both the interrupted task and the new task. People are less efficient and effective in completing each task, which can have a cumulative negative effect on overall productivity.
Increased Errors: Cognitive switching can lead to an increase in errors and mistakes. When you resume a task after switching, you may lose your place, forget important details, or misinterpret information, which can be particularly problematic in complex or high-stakes tasks.
Mental Fatigue: Frequent task switching can lead to mental fatigue and reduced cognitive resources. This fatigue can accumulate over time and negatively impact decision-making, problem-solving, and creative thinking.
Stress and Frustration: Task switching can be mentally taxing, leading to increased stress and frustration. Constantly shifting attention from one task to another can disrupt a sense of flow and well-being.
Why Cognitive Switching OccursCognitive switching occurs for various reasons, including:
Technological Distractions: The ubiquity of smartphones, social media, and instant messaging makes it easier to succumb to distractions and task switching.
Overload: When individuals feel overwhelmed by a high volume of tasks or information, they may resort to task switching as a coping mechanism.
Lack of Focus: Difficulty in maintaining sustained attention on a single task can lead to frequent cognitive switching.
Perceived Urgency: The belief that certain tasks are more urgent or important can prompt individuals to switch tasks.
Boredom: Monotonous or repetitive tasks can lead to task switching as people seek novelty or diversion.
Mitigating the Cognitive Switching PenaltyWhile it’s impossible to eliminate all cognitive switching in today’s fast-paced world, there are strategies to mitigate its negative effects:
Prioritize Tasks: Identify high-priority tasks and allocate focused time for them, minimizing unnecessary task switching.
Set Boundaries: Establish specific times for checking emails, social media, or other potential distractions to reduce the frequency of switching.
Time Blocking: Use time-blocking techniques to allocate dedicated time for specific tasks, ensuring minimal interruptions during those periods.
Mindfulness: Develop mindfulness and self-awareness to recognize when task switching is counterproductive and consciously choose to stay on task.
Single-Tasking: Embrace the practice of single-tasking, devoting full attention to one task at a time to maximize productivity and reduce cognitive switching.
Limit Notifications: Reduce unnecessary notifications on your devices to minimize external distractions. Silence your mobile phone and disable the notifications “ding” on your desktop.
Take Breaks: Incorporate short, planned breaks to refresh and recharge your cognitive resources.
The human brain has limits when it comes to multitasking. In reality, you aren’t multitasking at all. You are going from one task to another serially and definitely not doing more than one thing at a time. The cognitive switching penalty is the price you pay for attempting multitasking.
Multitasking may appear advantageous in certain situations and you should recognize the cost of cognitive switching.
In reality, you will be more productive when you reduce your tendency to try to do multiple things at the same time.
Implementing the strategies above, will reduce the frequency of task switching.
Try it, you can thank me later.
The Fall of the House of Usher
In my opinion, the Netflix mini series was excellent.
Here’s a little background on the series origin.
The Netflix series is based on a short story by Edgar Allen Poe, first published in 1839. Published in a magazine named, Burtons Gentlemen’s Magazine.
The magazine was started by William Evans Burton and the publisher Charles Alexander.
The objective of the magazine as stated by Burton was “worthy of a place upon every parlour table of every gentleman in the United States”.
The description of the magazine sounds more like a Playboy without the nudies with fiction articles, poems and essays. The emphasis was generally on sports with articles featuring sailing, cricket, hunting, and more. They featured a lot of local authors and focused mostly on nationalist themes, which were popular at that time.
To differentiate the magazine from competitors Burton Gentlemen’s Magazine had more illustrations and was printed on thicker paper too. So they were aiming for a more high end, sophisticated reader.
Since the Netflix series is set in modern times it loosely follows the original short story.
The original Poe short story includes isolation, madness, isolation along with entities not of this world. Netflix captures all of these in the mini series.
Suspend reality and watch The Fall of the House of Usher. I think you will enjoy it… assuming you like the horror of Edgar Allen Poe.
Here’s a link to the trailer on Netflix.
October 28, 2023
Women and Girls in Science
In case you haven’t noticed, Nicki’s books have a lot of very strong women characters. I know it’s important to her because we have discussed it on numerous occasions. With that in mind I wrote the following article:
Women and Girls in Science: Unleashing Potential and Bridging Gender GapsScience is the key to understanding our world, solving complex problems, and driving innovation. It knows no gender, race, or nationality. However, throughout history, women and girls have faced challenges and disparities in the field of science. Despite these obstacles, women have continually proven their excellence in diverse scientific domains, from astrophysics to microbiology. This article celebrates the accomplishments of women and girls in science, discusses the barriers they face, and explores the initiatives working to close the gender gap in this vital field.
Historical Contributions of Women in ScienceWomen’s contributions to science are deeply ingrained in the history of scientific discovery. Despite facing cultural and institutional barriers, many women have made remarkable achievements:
Marie Curie: The first woman to win a Nobel Prize, Marie Curie’s pioneering work in radioactivity led to her receiving two Nobel Prizes in Physics and Chemistry.
Rosalind Franklin: Her research on X-ray diffraction was instrumental in deciphering the structure of DNA, although her contributions were not fully recognized during her lifetime.
Barbara McClintock: Renowned for her work in genetics, McClintock received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for her discovery of transposons or “jumping genes.”
Jane Goodall: Her groundbreaking research on chimpanzees in Tanzania transformed our understanding of primates and their behavior.
Chien-Shiung Wu: A prominent experimental physicist, Wu’s work on the Manhattan Project and experiments disproving the law of conservation of parity was pivotal.
Barriers and ChallengesDespite these trailblazing individuals, there are significant challenges that women and girls continue to face in pursuing careers in science:
Gender Stereotypes: Stereotypes persist, suggesting that certain scientific fields are more suitable for men, while others are for women. These biases can influence career choices and opportunities.
Representation: The underrepresentation of women in high-level positions in academia and industry remains a concern. The lack of visible role models can discourage girls from pursuing STEM careers.
Work-Life Balance: Balancing family and career can be particularly challenging in scientific fields, where research demands significant time and dedication.
Gender Bias: Research has shown that gender bias can impact career advancement, funding, and publication opportunities.
Initiatives and ProgressEfforts to address these disparities and empower women and girls in science are gaining momentum:
STEM Education: Numerous organizations and programs promote STEM education for girls, encouraging their interest in science from an early age. These initiatives provide mentorship and hands-on experiences.
Mentorship and Networking: Women in STEM fields are increasingly encouraged to mentor and support one another, creating networks of support and opportunities for career advancement.
Gender Equity Policies: Many academic and scientific institutions are implementing gender equity policies to address discrimination and bias. These policies aim to level the playing field and create a more inclusive environment.
Recognizing Achievements: Celebrating the achievements of women in science through awards and recognition helps raise awareness of their contributions and inspire future generations.
The Way ForwardThe inclusion of women and girls in science is not just a matter of equity; it’s about harnessing the full potential of the scientific community to address global challenges. As we move forward, it’s crucial to:
Challenge stereotypes and biases that persist in science.Promote mentorship and support networks for women in STEM.Advocate for policies that foster gender equity in the scientific community.Encourage girls to explore their interests in science and provide opportunities for hands-on learning.Women and girls have made, and will continue to make, remarkable contributions to science. By eliminating barriers and promoting inclusivity, we can unlock the untapped potential of countless women and girls, ensuring that the next generation of scientific innovators reflects the diversity and creativity needed to drive scientific progress and shape a brighter future for all.
Who Are Nicki’s Readers?
Nicki’s ReadersAs of November 1, 2023, according to Amazon, millions of pages of Nicki’s books have been read by Kindle Unlimited subscribers.
And on Facebook, her books have been seen over 3,000,000 times.
So I naturally dug deeper into the data to see what I could glean about those readers.
First is the Amazon Kindle Unlimited subscribers:
Here’s a brief description of the Kindle Unlimited program. The program costs $11.99 per month. And for that price users can read as many books as they want per month from the titles enrolled in the KU program (but they can only have a maximum of 20 KU books on their Kindle at a time). I estimate there are over 4,000,000 titles enrolled so that’s a lot of books to chose from.
Estimates are that there are somewhere around 5 million KU subscribers. That’s an estimate because Amazon doesn’t release the official subscriber number.
As a marketer here’s where the data gets interesting to me.
About 27% of KU subscribers read 1-5 books per month. 30% read 6-10 books per month and 25% read 11-20 books per month. Personally I don’t know where they get the time but they are avid readers!
Here’s something most people don’t know. When a KU subscriber leaves a book review, it does NOT count as a verified review. That’s because the person did not actually “purchase” the book. The review shows up but does not show as unverified. That is frustrating for me as Nicki’s marketing guy because reviews are important and prospective readers place importance in the “Verified” tag. Moving on…
The most popular genre for KU readers is Romance, then Fantasy and then Mystery.
More interesting to me is that NON-KU readers read more Horror (so I need to figure out where the non-KU readers are hiding). The why of the Horror KU reader quirk is not known (except to Amazon), but in studying the Horror genre, I speculate that Horror readers tend to stay with well known authors (Stephen King, anyone). When I look at the top 100 books in each genre about 90% of Romance books are in KU. About 75% of books in the Mystery/Thriller genre are in KU.
There are more and more authors pulling their books out of KU because they can make about 50% more money when they sell a book direct. That’s because Amazon pays about .004 CENTS royalty for each page read by a KU subscriber. And no, that is
not a typo. So if a KU reader reads 100 pages of one of Nicki’s books on their Kindle, Nicki’s royalty is 40 CENTS. With that in mind you can probably see why so many KU
authors write series. Writing for a living is tough (unless you are a very well known author).
Making .004 cents per page read and having to pay for cover design, editing, advertising, Shopify, email list host and website expenses, plus a lot more, is not easy.
This is shocking to me. 99.4% of all authors earn LESS than $1000 per month. And that’s why you see so many authors write 1 book and they give up. It’s common for a person to think “If I write a good book, I’m set”. Yeah, not so much. Nobody can find your book among the hundreds of thousands of books added to Amazon every few months. It may be great but unless you spend a LOT of money as a newly published author, you are not going to be noticed.
You must keep plugging away and never quit…just like Nicki. And you must have the talent to write great books… just like Nicki.
She makes my job easier because she is a great writer. I didn’t say she makes my job easy. It’s still a tough gig but I like it and her readers love her books. Win, win.
Thank you for being a fan.
October 16, 2023
Halloween is My Favorite Time of the Year
There are only a few weeks each year when you can display bones in your fireplace without being judged by family members, friends, and the authorities.
