Eva Pasco's Blog, page 42

Plotter or Pantser?

Potato or Potahto

Tomato or Tomahto
Laughter or Larfter

("Let's Call the Whole Thing Off," a song written by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin for the 1937 film 'Shall We Dance')

Plotter or Pantser—or a little of both?

You’re considered a “plotter” if you outline the story of your novel.

You’re considered a “pantser” if you develop the story of your novel as you go along.

In REAL life, even though the best laid plans of mice and men/women tend to go awry, I’m a plotter. Planning my day from sunrise to sunset assures that I’ll make the most of every purpose-driven minute.

In stark contrast, when it comes to writing, I’m a pantser all the way. Although, I might jot down the names of a few characters, and visualize where the story is going from start to finish, nothing is engraved in stone—let alone written down! As soon as I start typing, the twists and turns navigated by my characters pull me along for the ride.

My latest WIP, rounding the bend to the finish line, and illustrative of utilizing the pantser process, is my Contemporary tale, “Mr. Wizardo,” loosely based on L. Frank Baum’s 'The Wonderful World of Oz.' A childhood favorite of mine in third grade, I’d repeatedly sign this book out of the school library to read it over and over.

In REAL Time:

Coming soon—an anthology, 'Once Upon a Fabulous Time,' comprised of the aforementioned tale written by me, Eva Pasco, and those contributed by my fellow Indie Fabs: Aliya DalRae, R.M. Gauthier, JB Richards, Lyra Shanti, and JoAnne Van Leerdam.

Most of us are scrambling by the seat of our pants to meet the self-imposed deadline.

Weathering a Storm--Longhand

On October 30th - a powerful storm knocked out power to homes and businesses across the Northeast, impacting the days which followed. Fortunately, the power in my neck of the woods was restored by 10:00 PM EDT on the 31st.

For nearly a period of 24 hours, I had no access to the Internet where social media is crucial for an Indie author’s visibility. Having no computer to work from also meant I couldn’t resume writing my latest work in progress, saved in documents.

One of those manual typewriters would have come in handy, even with their shortcomings revolving around ribbons and typos, necessitating one have Wite-Out correction fluid on hand. Having neither at my disposal, I proceeded to write out the remainder of chapter 9 and the beginning of chapter 10 in longhand on a legal pad. By nightfall, my black gel pen danced by the light of a lantern.

Looking back, I composed my debut Contemporary Women’s Fiction novel, 'Underlying Notes,' in longhand each day prior to typing it in Word.

While I view writing in longhand as one way for an Indie author to weather a storm, the author greats of yesteryear had no other available options. A gel pen sure beats wielding and dipping a feather or fountain pen in an inkwell.

In REAL Time:

November 1st - This month’s issue of UNCAGED, a cool, all-things-bookish magazine, features several Indie authors, including the innovative PJ Mann, Sci-Fi Queen/Indie Fab Lyra Shanti, and me—Eva Pasco. I’m honored to be included among such great company.
http://issuu.com/cyreneolson/docs/unc...

November 6th: 8:00 – 9:00 PM EST – My author takeover at The River of Time Launch Party (Nov. 5 @ 2 PM EST – Nov. 6 @ 11:59 PM EST), celebrating Sci-Fi author Lyra Shanti’s release of her final book in the epic SHIVA XIV series. I’m thrilled to partake in this event alongside other guest authors.

http://tinyurl.com/y93wow8r

Pressing the Right Buttons

Besides pressing keys on a computer keyboard to compose a story—the stuff Indie author’s books are made of—it’s important to press the right buttons during the course of marketing on social media.

So, we press buttons on Facebook in order to further our own cause or to support a fellow Indie: like, love, post, or share.

Pressing the right buttons has potential to increase the odds of book visibility in the public eye.

Even the wise guys in the cinematic 'Godfather' saga acknowledged “button men”.

My Favorites Bar on the Internet home page has a slew of buttons for me to press for navigating cyberspace with the greatest of ease.

My favorite buttons to press are those which provide feedback:

My Authors Den Stats Page indicates the number of clicks per publication.

My Universal Book Links indicate the number of clicks per book. I find this an invaluable resource for checking the effectiveness of ads I’ve posted:

'An Enlightening Quiche':

http://mybook.to/AnEQuiche

'100 WILD Mushrooms: Memoirs of the ‘60s':

http://myBook.to/100WILDM

Newly acquired this week – Book Report!

Installing this button to your Favorites Bar will enable you to measure how your self-published Kindle editions and paperbacks are performing at Amazon. All you have to do is look up from your screen at any given moment to see the “dollar amount of sales earned for today”.

https://www.getbookreport.com/

For Indie authors, it behooves each of us to press the right buttons for hitting our stride.

Post-Launch Flight

I hope my book soars
Higher than a kite
During its flight
(Inspired by “Rocket Man” (1972); composed and originally performed by Elton John)

Published on October 9, 2017, and officially launched on Friday, the 13th at the Indie Fab Festival in celebration of Indie Author Day on the 14th—my Nonfiction anthology, 100 WILD Mushrooms: Memoirs of the ‘60s, took flight.

Kindle & Paperback @Amazon:

http://myBook.to/100WILDM

There are no clear-cut directions for Indie authors to follow in piloting their book’s post-launch flight. Hence, it’s so easy to get lost in space and time.

My charted course of action this week:

I ordered custom-designed vertical postcards and signing pens incorporating my book cover image.

I entered my ‘60s memoir collection in two book contests:

ATAI (Authors Talk About It) 2018 Book Award Contest:

https://authorstalkaboutit.clickfunne...

Top Shelf Magazine Indie Book Awards Contest:

http://topshelfmagazine.net/index.php...

I’ve emailed query letters accompanied by a press release to editors of several local newspapers in my state, hoping to procure a feature story.

Thanks to the fuel provided by reader interest, I’m grateful for the sales surge which helped my book overcome gravity and take flight this week.

Pedal to the Medal

First, I’d like to wish my fellow Indies a Happy Indie Author Day which officially falls on October 14th this year.

Since my life, as it pertains to an Indie, is that of a whirling dervish, these cliches’ come to mind besides the one in my blog title: seize the moment; strike while the iron is hot; burning the midnight oil.

An Indie author, I’m grateful for every golden opportunity, so strike while the iron is hot in procuring author guest spots to stay in the public eye. I’m honored to have a feature in this month’s issue of Indie Publishing News:

http://online.fliphtml5.com/ohxp/uzas...

I’m striking while it’s hot to officially launch my nonfiction memoir collection—100 WILD Mushrooms: Memoirs of the ‘60s (published - October 9, 2017) during my author takeover on Friday, the 13th from 8-9 EDT at The Indie Fab Festival event on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/events/18367...

Then, the real work begins with marketing and promoting a new book on the block. As you might imagine, my cognitive wheels are already spinning in anticipation and preparation. Next week’s blog will be the bearer of that news.

In the meantime, I’m putting the pedal to the metal to accelerate—even if it means I must burn the midnight oil to accomplish my goals.

"COMING SOON!"

For an Indie author, it’s important to stir a hornet’s nest on social media for the purpose of creating a buzz about an upcoming book launch. A minimalist, I don’t have a Twitter or Instagram account, nor my own website per se, an author page on Facebook, or a monthly newsletter either.

Nevertheless, the playing field is leveled for all Indies during that initial step to promote a new book by announcing it’s COMING SOON.

Thereon in, an Indie can host an author event, and perchance, start a Thunderclap and/or Daycause campaign—which I intend to do.

*My own COMING SOON:

COVER REVEAL & BOOK LAUNCH on Friday, the 13th between 8-9 PM EDT during my author takeover segment at an epic event in celebration of INDIE AUTHOR DAY for:

100 WILD MUSHROOMS: Memoirs of the ‘60s

At: THE INDIE FAB FESTIVAL (Oct. 13 – 15) on Facebook, hosted by Indie Fabs: Lyra Shanti, Aliya, DalRae, Renee Gauthier, Jeannie JB Richards, Joanne Van Leerdam, and myself.

The “Fab” concept initiated among the six of us is all about Indies supporting one another to help achieve our dreams. Therefore, the festival will celebrate this creed by inviting authors to share their books during the course of this event.

Virtual food and drink; BOOKS; related fun & Games—Let the party begin!

Interested? Going? ENTER HERE:
https://www.facebook.com/events/18367...

Puttin’ On the Ritz

Perfect fits
Puttin' on the Ritz

*(From a song written by Irving Berlin, first published December 2, 1929)

During the transition of summer into autumn, there were a number of book contests conducted within the Indie community to recognize read-worthy books in a wide range of genres. Those of us fortunate to win first, second, or third place have anxiously awaited our coveted merit badges to affix on our books.

On behalf of my characters in 'An Enlightening Quiche,' I graciously and proudly display my badge commemorating the 2017 Summer Indie Book Award for “1st Place – Best Contemporary”.

Augusta has nudged me to proclaim the book an “Award-Winning Fiction”. Definitely a nice ring to the bling!

A shout out to fellow Indie Fab author, Renee Gauthier, courtesy of RM Designs, for puttin’ on the ritz by affixing all the book bling my novel has merited since its first book birthday celebrated on September 20th, including a “Readers’ Favorite 5-Star seal” and “ATAI Fiction Finalist” badge. She not only did that, but created several banners too.

https://www.facebook.com/RMCustomDesi...

While I may not display my adorned book cover every day, on any single given day, I do cite one of my book’s achievements in an ad, along with the tagline, “Acclaimed Contemporary” or “Award-Winning Fiction”.

In my humble opinion, a published author’s finest achievement is that of enticing our target audience to read our book(s) and leave a review. Thus far, the carbon imprint reviewers have left behind for 'An Enlightening Quiche' have bestowed the greatest honor of all!

What's Your RUSH?

An Indie author, I’m talkin’ about the rush of blood to the head which occurs when an Indie, metaphorically speaking, climbs to the top of Mount Rushmore—however or whenever that might be along an arduous journey to reach the summit of success.

In that regard, my sources for attaining a random, sporadic rush include:

A recent book sale

A new book review

An award:

'An Enlightening Quiche' recently won “1st Place – Best Contemporary” in the 2017Summer Indie Book Awards contest.

A feature author interview on blog radio:

DIALOGUE: Between the Lines with Susan Wingate – September 26th (10 – 10:30 AM EST):

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/dialogue

*Lo and behold, this week’s rush resulting from the ripple effect created by word-of-mouth in my native state of Rhode Island, which I attribute to author events at local libraries:

An acquaintance whom acquired a signed paperback of 'An Enlightening Quiche' mentioned to me in passing that her mother happened to show her a book which she had signed out from the library. Mine! The gal then whipped out her own signed copy to upstage her mom.

I’m still feeling the rippling effect of that rush!

Apples of My Eye

What Indie author wouldn’t trade off the orchard for a coveted book award?

Still stunned, overwhelmed, thrilled, honored and humbled in gratitude—my novel, 'An Enlightening Quiche,' won 1st place for “Best Contemporary” in the 2017 Summer Indie Book Awards contest. My sincere appreciation to family and friends for your votes to make this achievement possible. Congratulations to all winners in 25 categories. To every nominee, best wishes moving forward.

https://www.facebook.com/summerindieb...

Moving forward, through continuing what I love best—writing, one apple of my eye is that of launching my next literary endeavor dedicated to my grandnephew:

'100 Wild Mushrooms: Memoirs of the 60s.'

Having finished editing, revising, and incorporating each memoir, I’m in the final round of proofreading. My cover by R.M. Designs is FAB-ulous! It won’t be long before everything is in apple-pie order for publishing both eBook and paperback formats.
Other apples of my eye to behold are the following contests I’ve recently submitted paperback copies of my novel:

The 14th Annual “Best Book” Awards in the genre of Fiction – Chick Lit/Women’s Lit. (Winners announced November 2017)

http://bestbookawards.com/2017bestboo...

The 2017 New Apple Book Awards for Excellence in Independent Publishing – General Fiction. (Winners announced February 15, 2018)

http://www.newappleliterary.com/

Fast approaching its first-year birthday on September 20th, my novel has achieved literary merit throughout its coming-of-age: Readers’ Favorite 5-Star Seal, ATAI Fiction Finalist, and 2017 SIBA: Best Contemporary for a story whose setting is American as apple pie.

Merci Beaucoup!

A fitting title for this week’s blog because my novel, set in northern Rhode Island’s fictitious, French-Canadian mill town of Beauchemins—'An Enlightening Quiche'— is one of the nominees for “Best Contemporary” in the 2017 Summer Indie Book Awards. Voting officially started at midnight CDT, September 1st.
You can vote once each day up until Sept. 11th. In competition with many worthy contenders, I’ve been asking for votes to increase my novel’s chance of winning, by simply clicking on this link:

https://goo.gl/m57r61

Therefore, to my family and friends who’ve shared my daily Facebook posts and/or voted for my book on any given day, or every day —merci beaucoup!

While I’m eager to win this coveted award, I’m just as industrious in voting for several books nominated in other categories. Likewise, I know other authors are doing the same. Although competitive, this voting endeavor is at best a collaborative effort: Indies Helping Indies. In that regard, here is the link for all SIBA nominees:

https://www.facebook.com/summerindieb...

Best wishes to every author as this contest winds down and we eagerly await notification of the winning nominees.