Allie Boniface's Blog, page 52
September 30, 2011
Friday Fun Facts: A Message from Abroad
Happy Friday!
I'm actually writing this blog post a couple of days early, because when Friday Sept. 30th rolls around, I will be out of the country with my Mom, celebrating an early 70th birthday for her. Where to, you ask? Shh...it's a secret - but I'll be back here on Monday with pictures and (I hope) a great report!
In the meantime, something cool that that happened this week:
One of my students did her monthly "reading review" (every student has to read a book of her/his own choice every month) on my novel Summer's Song. This is the first time that has EVER happened, and while it was neat, it was also a little weird to hear her talk about it in class. Anyway, she did like it, and she even said "I liked the inspirational message about moving forward and not living in the past" which was a totally cool thing to hear about your own work!
***
And one of my favorite lines from Beacon of Love, my current WIP:
"He'd never realized how loss could take your heart, fracture it, then rely on time to paste it back together again. Not the same way, of course. Different pieces ended up next to each other, curving and overlapping the way they never had before. All there, yes, but not quite whole. Not quite the same."
Happy weekend ~ have a great one!
I'm actually writing this blog post a couple of days early, because when Friday Sept. 30th rolls around, I will be out of the country with my Mom, celebrating an early 70th birthday for her. Where to, you ask? Shh...it's a secret - but I'll be back here on Monday with pictures and (I hope) a great report!
In the meantime, something cool that that happened this week:
One of my students did her monthly "reading review" (every student has to read a book of her/his own choice every month) on my novel Summer's Song. This is the first time that has EVER happened, and while it was neat, it was also a little weird to hear her talk about it in class. Anyway, she did like it, and she even said "I liked the inspirational message about moving forward and not living in the past" which was a totally cool thing to hear about your own work!
***
And one of my favorite lines from Beacon of Love, my current WIP:
"He'd never realized how loss could take your heart, fracture it, then rely on time to paste it back together again. Not the same way, of course. Different pieces ended up next to each other, curving and overlapping the way they never had before. All there, yes, but not quite whole. Not quite the same."
Happy weekend ~ have a great one!
September 28, 2011
Writers' Wednesday: Something for Readers and Writers Alike
Hi everyone! A few tidbits for both writers and readers today:
Long and Short Reviews and Goddess Fish Promotion are planning a Haunting Halloween Weekend for the end of October, and they've put out a call for paranormal romance authors who'd like to blog as part of the festivities. Always a good way to promote your name, so email the folks at lasreviews@gmail.com if you want more information.
Dreamspinner Press is offering 25% off on all their titles over at All Romance Ebooks - but only through this Friday, so check it out if you're interested!
And finally, Drunk Writer Talk is blogging about Banned Books Week , including a link to the most challenged books of 2010. Amazing, right??
Happy reading and writing!
Long and Short Reviews and Goddess Fish Promotion are planning a Haunting Halloween Weekend for the end of October, and they've put out a call for paranormal romance authors who'd like to blog as part of the festivities. Always a good way to promote your name, so email the folks at lasreviews@gmail.com if you want more information.
Dreamspinner Press is offering 25% off on all their titles over at All Romance Ebooks - but only through this Friday, so check it out if you're interested!
And finally, Drunk Writer Talk is blogging about Banned Books Week , including a link to the most challenged books of 2010. Amazing, right??
Happy reading and writing!
September 23, 2011
In Memory: June 1, 1995 - September 13, 2011
"And that, ultimately, is the most unselfish act of love we can offer: To end a pet's suffering, we must choose to accept our own." (Moira Allen)
Had to say goodbye to my buddy of 15+ years last week, Smooch. Boy, it's tough to let go of a pet, especially one who's been with you for so long. I adopted him when I lived out in Cleveland (actually, the week after my then-boyfriend left me). He was with me during my grad school/single girl days, through my new (now current) job, new life, engagement, marriage, my father's death, my first publication, ups and downs, two different apartments, two different houses, and the acquisition of two additional kitties in the years that passed.
But he will always be first and dearest in my heart. Miss you lots, my sweet cat. See you again sometime xoxoxoxo.......
September 19, 2011
Monday Mentionables: Some Tips from a Book Festival
I spent 3 hours at the Brooklyn Book Festival yesterday, and while the networking was better than the sales, it was still a trip worthwhile. It's always interesting to talk to fellow writers (and readers!), and I thought I'd share a few insights I gained in the process.......
1. Authors have to do most of their own PR. Yes, even the best-selling ones. If you think your publisher will do all the legwork for you, think again. The more you can promote yourself, the better your sales will probably be.
2. Readers generally won't turn down a free bookmark. Make sure your author info (at the very least, your website) is clearly written on it.
3. Readers love getting anything for free, and that includes excerpt booklets (one of my favorite marketing devices) and magnets.
4. Do your research into publishers before you submit to them. Small presses have both advantages (they'll know you personally, some of them are roaring in the industry right now, they love the ebook industry) and disadvantages (lower sales, the potential to fold amid the competition).
5. An agent does not = sales. I spoke to 2 authors yesterday who both had signed with their agents over 2 years ago. One had 1 sale, to a small press that doesn't require an agent for submission. The other hadn't sold yet.
6. The best place to sell your books is through your publisher's website (if this is an option). Selling through Amazon or other 3rd-party distributors reduces your royalties.
7. Giving away free reads can be a good marketing technique, but don't overdo it. Don't give away EVERYTHING you write. You worked hard on it! Sell it!
8. Many people still won't admit to reading or liking romance. Or, they aren't really familiar with what romance is, and they're surprised to learn that some of their favorite suspense/comedy/etc authors are filed under "romance."
9. Bring along a tablecloth, pens and duct tape whenever you go to a signing. I've always used all 3 no matter what.
10. Be nice. It's amazing how far a smile and some good conversation can take you. No matter if you don't get a sale that moment, that day. You never know what might transpire down the road...
Happy Monday!
1. Authors have to do most of their own PR. Yes, even the best-selling ones. If you think your publisher will do all the legwork for you, think again. The more you can promote yourself, the better your sales will probably be.
2. Readers generally won't turn down a free bookmark. Make sure your author info (at the very least, your website) is clearly written on it.
3. Readers love getting anything for free, and that includes excerpt booklets (one of my favorite marketing devices) and magnets.
4. Do your research into publishers before you submit to them. Small presses have both advantages (they'll know you personally, some of them are roaring in the industry right now, they love the ebook industry) and disadvantages (lower sales, the potential to fold amid the competition).
5. An agent does not = sales. I spoke to 2 authors yesterday who both had signed with their agents over 2 years ago. One had 1 sale, to a small press that doesn't require an agent for submission. The other hadn't sold yet.
6. The best place to sell your books is through your publisher's website (if this is an option). Selling through Amazon or other 3rd-party distributors reduces your royalties.
7. Giving away free reads can be a good marketing technique, but don't overdo it. Don't give away EVERYTHING you write. You worked hard on it! Sell it!
8. Many people still won't admit to reading or liking romance. Or, they aren't really familiar with what romance is, and they're surprised to learn that some of their favorite suspense/comedy/etc authors are filed under "romance."
9. Bring along a tablecloth, pens and duct tape whenever you go to a signing. I've always used all 3 no matter what.
10. Be nice. It's amazing how far a smile and some good conversation can take you. No matter if you don't get a sale that moment, that day. You never know what might transpire down the road...
Happy Monday!
September 16, 2011
Friday Fun Facts: Writers Who CARE
I know I mentioned this a couple of weeks ago, and now I wanted to share the link to the Writers That Care blog. Here's some more specific information:
FIFTY PAGES FOR FIFTY DOLLARS: That's the 50/50 Project.
How will it work? Slated to launch at CARE INTERNATIONAL on October 1st, 2011, the 50/50 PROJECT will allow anyone who makes a donation of $50.00 to submit 50 pages double-spaced of a work-in-progress for a 1-2 page critique by one of the participating authors. When the project goes live on October 1st, 2011, the link to CARE INTERNATIONAL to make a donation this this project will be posted on the MAKE A DONATION page above.
Please consider participating - or at least, please share this information with others. It's a great cause!
FIFTY PAGES FOR FIFTY DOLLARS: That's the 50/50 Project.
How will it work? Slated to launch at CARE INTERNATIONAL on October 1st, 2011, the 50/50 PROJECT will allow anyone who makes a donation of $50.00 to submit 50 pages double-spaced of a work-in-progress for a 1-2 page critique by one of the participating authors. When the project goes live on October 1st, 2011, the link to CARE INTERNATIONAL to make a donation this this project will be posted on the MAKE A DONATION page above.
Please consider participating - or at least, please share this information with others. It's a great cause!
September 14, 2011
Writers' Wednesday: Brooklyn Book Festival This Weekend!
Just a quick reminder: I'll be at the Brooklyn Book Festival this Sunday! Look for me at the Big Heart Writers booth from 10 - 12:30! More info here.
September 12, 2011
Monday Mentionables: The Week in Review (in Pictures)
Ahhhhhhhh....I know I was absent from here all last week! Between flying back and forth across the country, starting school (boy that alarm clock goes off early!), and losing Internet service due to flooding from Hurricanes Irene and Lee, I just couldn't get here.
To make up for it, here's a Monday morning photo montage. Enjoy!
At the official Ernest Hemingway Memorial in Sun Valley, ID
At the unofficial Hemingway memorial - his gravesite
Hiking in Sun Valley, ID (at about 8000 feet elevation)
In memorial of 9/11: Damaged sphere from one of the Twin Towers + the eternal flame in Battery Park
One of the roads I take daily (but not that day last week) on my commute to work each day...
To make up for it, here's a Monday morning photo montage. Enjoy!
At the official Ernest Hemingway Memorial in Sun Valley, ID
At the unofficial Hemingway memorial - his gravesite
Hiking in Sun Valley, ID (at about 8000 feet elevation)
In memorial of 9/11: Damaged sphere from one of the Twin Towers + the eternal flame in Battery Park
One of the roads I take daily (but not that day last week) on my commute to work each day...
September 2, 2011
Frioday Fun Facts: A Long Flight West
So I'm heading to Idaho for the long weekend, to visit my sister. Yes, Idaho. Anyone ever been there? Anyone ever
live
there?
I'll post pictures and a report when I return ~ who knows, maybe I'll be inspired...One Night in Boise??
Enjoy your holiday weekend - write like mad!
I'll post pictures and a report when I return ~ who knows, maybe I'll be inspired...One Night in Boise??
Enjoy your holiday weekend - write like mad!
August 31, 2011
Writers' Wednesday: Tips from Maass
My favorite tips from Donald Maass' Writing the Breakout Novel (yes, has a workbook as Marianne mentioned on Monday, that I want to tackle next):
1. Layer your premise. Don't give in to stereotypes or the "easy" plot turn or obvious choice. Choose the non-obvious option when it comes time for plot and character development.
2. Make the stakes high - and then higher. What happens if your character fails in his/her journey? Is it big enough? Make it bigger. This doesn't have to be "world-ending." But it should, in some sense, be the end of the world as your characters know it. Give them discomfort. Make the risks huge, and worth it.
3. Make your reader care about your characters. How? Give them WIT, SPONTNEITY, FORGIVENESS, AND SELF-SACRIFICE. What great qualities, really. How can you work them into your own novel?
4. Give the beginning high tension. The ending should somehow, someway, be suggested in your opening sentence/paragraph/section. Make the reader want to continue. What tension exists? Draw the reader on. This is a tough but crucial one.
So...I went back to the drawing board and am tackling the opening chapters again, with these thoughts in mind. I think it makes a difference - it seems to so far. We'll see!
1. Layer your premise. Don't give in to stereotypes or the "easy" plot turn or obvious choice. Choose the non-obvious option when it comes time for plot and character development.
2. Make the stakes high - and then higher. What happens if your character fails in his/her journey? Is it big enough? Make it bigger. This doesn't have to be "world-ending." But it should, in some sense, be the end of the world as your characters know it. Give them discomfort. Make the risks huge, and worth it.
3. Make your reader care about your characters. How? Give them WIT, SPONTNEITY, FORGIVENESS, AND SELF-SACRIFICE. What great qualities, really. How can you work them into your own novel?
4. Give the beginning high tension. The ending should somehow, someway, be suggested in your opening sentence/paragraph/section. Make the reader want to continue. What tension exists? Draw the reader on. This is a tough but crucial one.
So...I went back to the drawing board and am tackling the opening chapters again, with these thoughts in mind. I think it makes a difference - it seems to so far. We'll see!
August 29, 2011
Monday Mentionables: Surviving the Storm
Well, did everyone survive Hurricane Irene? Here north of NYC, it wasn't nearly as bad as they had predicted. Lots of evacuations helped, I think. We had some moderate flooding in places (a couple pics below) and a lot of power outages, but nothing too bad. At our house, we escaped even losing power!
Today I'm a little stir-crazy and need to leave the house, though. What did I do all day yesterday? Well, I did try and be productive: read Donald Maass' book on craft, Writing the Breakout Novel and made 3 pages of notes for revisions as I tackle my WIP, Beacon of Love. I'm sure at least some of you have read it as well; if you haven't, you're missing out! He gives great, concrete advice and examples on how to amp up all areas of your novel. Definitely gave me some good places to consider. Wednesday I'll share some of my favorites :)
So, what does post-Irene look like in your neck of the woods?
Parking lot of a local mall, flooded
Today I'm a little stir-crazy and need to leave the house, though. What did I do all day yesterday? Well, I did try and be productive: read Donald Maass' book on craft, Writing the Breakout Novel and made 3 pages of notes for revisions as I tackle my WIP, Beacon of Love. I'm sure at least some of you have read it as well; if you haven't, you're missing out! He gives great, concrete advice and examples on how to amp up all areas of your novel. Definitely gave me some good places to consider. Wednesday I'll share some of my favorites :)
So, what does post-Irene look like in your neck of the woods?
Parking lot of a local mall, flooded
Highway in my area, flooded (I did NOT take this picture - I wasn't crazy enough to be on the roads in that weather!)
