Charlie Foxtrot's Blog, page 9

Writing Exercise 3: Describe an unfamiliar place you’ve never been to

This is part of my writing exercises workbook, available to subscribers.

In this exercise, we’ll focus on attention to detail and crafting a scene that draws the mind’s eye into your own. Additionally, we want to use language that creates a sense of feeling for the reader. Maybe it’s the proverbial “Dark and scary night,” or maybe the happy feeling for the technicolor world of Oz. Whatever you are seeking to create, you want to practice evoking imagery and feeling for your reader. That is the purpose behind this exercise.

To start, pick a location or unfamiliar place you’ve never been to. This may be a real location you can imagine setting a tale in, or someplace purely from your imagination. Focus on the small details that make the place appealing to you.  Alternatively, randomly select a place and feeling or mood from the list below and describe the location while invoking the feeling or mood to match.

LocationMood or Feeling1. An abandoned house
2. A bustling city street
3. A quiet forest
4. A busy airport terminal
5. A tranquil beach at sunset
6. A crowded subway car during rush hour
7. The top of a mountain on a clear day
8. Inside a cozy coffee shop
9. At the bottom of the ocean
10. In a medieval castle
11. On an alien planet
12. A futuristic technological convention
13. In a quaint country village
14. Inside a maximum-security prison
15. Atop a skyscraper at night
16. Inside an ancient tomb
17. On a space station orbiting Jupiter
18. Within the halls of a grand museum
19. A grandiose waterfall in a rainforest
20. Beneath the surface of a frozen lake 1. Awe-inspiring
2. Peaceful
3. Exciting
4. Melancholic
5. Mysterious
6. Threatening
7. Comforting
8. Dangerous
9. Enchanting
10. Intriguing
11. Surreal
12. Serene
13. Forbidding
14. Inviting
15. Lonely
16. Fascinating
17. Overwhelming
18. Calming
19. Intimidating
20. Refreshing

For example, let’s look at a grand museum and try to invoke a sense of danger in the description:

The halls of the museum were quiet, but the silence seemed to echo with an ominous presence. Shadows danced along the walls, casting eerie patterns on the pristine marble floor. Ancient relics and artifacts loomed large in display cases, their mysterious histories whispering tales of death, betrayal, and intrigue. A faint musty scent hung heavy in the air, mingling with the dust of ages past. As you moved through these hallowed halls, you couldn’t shake off the feeling that someone – or something – was watching your every move, waiting to pounce at any moment.

Remember, these exercises are not supposed to be the opening to the next Great American Novel, they are about practicing the craft of writing and helping breakthrough any blocks you may be feeling.

Good luck, and have fun writing.

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A New Past: Book One – Limited Time 33% Discount Special

To celebrate getting A New Past into many more channels for readers, I’m running a special on A New Past: Book One until August 27th. This 33% discount is available in US, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, and the EU.

Direct URL: https://books2read.com/u/b5gyKO

Available on: Smashwords, Barnes & Noble, Rakuten kobo, Tolino, vivlio, Gardners, and fable.

What Readers Say:

I have a Thing for do-over stories—where the protagonist finds themself returned to an earlier point in their life. A chance to do things over, hopefully better this time. The appeal may be a reflection of my middle-age, but I still roll with it. My point being, I’ve read a lot of them.

This is one of the good ones. In particular, it has the best examination of the science-fictional aspects of a do-over premise I’ve seen, including its implications of time travel. Refreshingly, the protagonist gets rich through advanced engineering and physics rather than the tired trope of memories of the financial markets. I like that. I also like that it’s pretty darn fun.

All of the above makes this a plot-driven story, but one that drives towards a character-based dilemma in a really effective way. Best of all, it NAILS the ending so, so well—way better than most such stories.

Highly recommended.

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Expand Your Reach with Alternative Marketing Channels

One element of growing marketshare that was not included in my prior post is to add additional channels. Marketing Erotica is difficult with several mainstream platforms limiting what advertising you can perform on their platforms. Adding alternative channels and platforms should help you expand your reach. With that in mind, I decided to add all of my works currently available on Amazon to Smashwords and other platforms.

Smashwords specifically allows stronger marketing for erotic content than Amazon. To test out the marketing capabilities, I’m offering a 50% discount on Cosimo until the end of September. Check it out at:

Direct URL: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1597862

Available on: Smashwords

Coupon Code: JUU9T (for a 50% discount)

Direct URL: https://books2read.com/u/b5gyKO

Available on: Smashwords, Barnes & Noble, Rakuten kobo, Tolino, vivlio, Gardners, and fable.

Direct URL: https://books2read.com/u/38AaqV

Available on: Smashwords, Barnes & Noble, Rakuten kobo, Tolino, vivlio, Gardners, and fable.

Direct URL: https://books2read.com/u/bp9vk6

Available on: Smashwords, Barnes & Noble, Rakuten kobo, Tolino, vivlio, Gardners, and fable.

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Effective Strategies for Promoting Erotic Content as a Self-Published Author

It’s important to understand that self-published authors often face unique challenges when it comes to accessing distribution channels and promoting their work. Many online retailers like Amazon have restrictions on adult content, making it difficult for self-published erotica authors to reach potential readers directly. You may need to rely more heavily on social media or niche communities to promote your work until you establish a larger audience base. Here are a few ideas to help overcome this challenge:

Utilize social media platforms: Create accounts on popular social media platforms like Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Tumblr. Share snippets of your stories and engage with users who show interest in erotic content.Join online communities: Look for niche groups or forums related to erotica, romance, or adult fiction. Participate actively in discussions and promote your work within the community.Offer free samples: Provide a sample chapter or short story from one of your books as a giveaway on your website or social media pages. This will encourage potential readers to explore more of your work.Collaborate with other authors: Team up with authors in similar genres and organize joint promotions, such as cross-promoting each other’s books or hosting mutual giveaways.Organize events: Host virtual book signings, Q&A sessions, or readings on platforms like YouTube or Twitch. This not only helps you connect with your audience but also creates buzz around your work.

These approaches feel generic and are easy to say, but may be difficult to translate into real action. One of the biggest challenges faced by self-published erotic authors is overcoming stigma and negative perceptions associated with the genre. Many online platforms and advertising channels have restrictions on promoting adult content, making it difficult for authors to reach potential readers directly. Additionally, some readers may be hesitant to explore new erotica due to concerns about quality or exploitative themes.

The key is to approach them strategically and consistently over time. For example, instead of just sharing snippets on social media, you could create a theme or series around your erotic story, posting daily quotes or teasers leading up to the release date. When engaging with communities, try to find subreddits or discussion forums that have a higher concentration of potential readers who may be interested in your genre. Collaborate with authors whose work aligns well with yours and consider offering discounts or bundling your books together for promotions. Finally, when hosting events, make sure they’re engaging and interactive so attendees feel connected to you as an author and excited about your upcoming releases.

One successful marketing campaign for erotica was when E.L. James, author of “Fifty Shades of Grey,” utilized social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook to build her audience before self-publishing her book. She engaged with fans through regular updates on her writing progress and shared snippets from the story, which generated massive buzz around the book prior to its release.

Another example is how author Tiffany Reisz teamed up with fellow authors in a virtual “erotic romance fair” where they showcased their books, hosted giveaways, and answered questions about their writing process. This event not only helped them reach new readers but also created an online community where fans could interact and share recommendations for similar stories.

For growing your audience without spending money, consider hosting contests or giveaways where readers can win free copies of your books or merchandise related to them. You could also collaborate with other authors in your genre to cross-promote each other’s work and share audiences. Lastly, make sure you consistently produce high-quality content that resonates with your target audience – this will help establish trust and loyalty among readers over time.

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Writing Exercise 2: Character Traits & Quirks

This is part of my writing exercises workbook, available to subscribers.

As writers, we often spend countless hours crafting our characters – their personalities, backstories, and unique traits. But what if you could jumpstart this process by focusing on specific aspects of your character’s personality? Enter targeted character profiles: a fun and effective way to bring your characters to life through a series of focused questions.

To begin, choose one or two key traits that define your character (e.g., intelligent, brave, sarcastic). Then, create a list of probing questions related to those qualities. For example:

– How does this trait manifest in their daily life?
– What experiences have shaped their perspective on this aspect of themselves?
– In what situations might they struggle due to this trait?
– Conversely, in what ways does it benefit them?

By answering these questions thoughtfully, you’ll gain deeper insights into your character’s motivations, fears, and overall complexity. This will not only help you develop richer stories but also make it easier to maintain consistency throughout your writing.

Additionally, you can add depth and interest to the character as well by incorporating quirky traits into your character profiles – these eccentricities can add depth, humor, or intrigue to a character’s personality. Here are some ideas for quirky traits you might consider:

– A habitual knocker (always taps their foot in rhythm)
– A collector of unusual objects (such as pencils from every country)
– An individual with a specific phobia (e.g., fear of clowns)
– Someone who speaks in metaphors or riddles
– A character that always wears one particular item of clothing (like a red scarf)

To make these traits and quirks effective, you should consider how they impact the character’s life as well as how others view or respond to these attributes.  Let’s look a a quick example.

Our character is chronically late.  This creates the impression that they are disorganized, that the person or event they are coming to are not important, or that they are a poor planner.  Combine this with a quirk of always having an excuse or reason for being tardy and you can easily paint a memorable character sketch quickly.

Steam from the train billowed across the platform as the sharp hiss of the airbrakes stopped the carriages.  Caroline looked at her watch once more even as she spotted a waving arm on at the entrance to the platform.  

“Kevin,” she said in a scolding tone as he rushed up to her with his satchel in hand and coat flapping around him.  “Why must you always cut things so close? If you missed this train….”

“I know.  I know.  But it wasn’t my fault,” he said breathlessly.  

Caroline knew he always had an excuse.  She was tired of them.  Maybe she was tired of Kevin and the chaos he seemed to bring swirling around him.

With just a few sentences, we have framed Kevin as always being late and having an excuse and hinted at the impacts it has on his life and relationships.  

Remember, quirky traits should be genuine to the character’s personality and serve as an interesting detail rather than overshadowing their core qualities. By incorporating these unique aspects into your characters, you’ll add depth and intrigue to your writing – making for more memorable stories and compelling protagonists.

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Genre Exploration: Navigating Fiction and Non-Fiction Worlds of Literature

As a reader, you know how important it is to find the perfect book that aligns with your interests and preferences. Genre can play a significant role in this process, as each one offers its own unique set of characteristics and themes.

In this blog post, I will delve into various fiction and non-fiction genres, providing an overview of their key features and notable examples to help you navigate the vast world of literature. Whether you’re a seasoned reader or just starting out on your literary journey, this guide is designed to enrich your understanding of different types of books and inspire you to explore new genres. Additionally, it sets the stage for mixing and matching genres to help you generate ideas for your own stories.

Fiction Genres:

1. Action & Adventure: The main characters are usually heroic figures who face dangerous situations and physical challenges, often involving conflict and high stakes. Examples include thrillers, spy novels, and adventure stories. Sub-genres include:
– Thriller: Suspenseful stories involving crime, espionage, or political intrigue. Examples include The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson and Red Sparrow by Jason Matthews.
– Spy Novel: Narratives focused on secret agents, spies, and international espionage. Notable examples include Casino Royale by Ian Fleming and The Bourne Identity by Robert Ludlum.
– Adventure Story: Stories that involve physical challenges, survival, exploration, or daring rescues. Popular examples include Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne and The Lost World by Arthur Conan Doyle.

2. Fantasy: These stories involve magic, supernatural elements, mythical creatures, or settings that do not exist in the real world. They often involve quests, battles against evil forces, and characters with special powers. Sub-genres include:
– High Fantasy: Epic tales set in fictional universes with complex magical systems and mythologies. Examples include The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien and A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R.R. Martin.
– Urban Fantasy: Stories set in contemporary urban environments, often involving supernatural creatures living among humans without their knowledge. Noteworthy examples include The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher and Buffy the Vampire Slayer by Joss Whedon.
– Paranormal Romance: Romantic stories that incorporate elements of the supernatural or paranormal, such as vampires, werewolves, or ghosts. Examples include Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer and A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness.

3. Historical Fiction: These stories are set in a historical period or context and attempt to accurately portray the culture, society, and events of that time. They may involve fictional characters interacting with real historical figures and events. Sub-genres include:
– Historical Romance: Stories focused on love and romantic relationships within the context of a specific historical era. Notable examples include Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon and Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.
– Alternate History: Narratives that explore what might have happened if certain historical events had played out differently. Examples include The Man in the High Castle by Philip K. Dick and 1632 by Eric Flint.
– Historical Mystery: Stories set during a specific period, often featuring detectives or investigators solving crimes. Well-known examples include Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot series and The Alienist by Caleb Carr.

4. Horror: These stories aim to frighten or unsettle readers with elements such as monsters, supernatural forces, or psychological terror. They often explore themes of fear, suspense, and the darkness lurking within human nature. Sub-genres include:
– Gothic Horror: Stories that explore fear, suspense, and the darker aspects of human nature within a gothic setting. Examples include Dracula by Bram Stoker and The Turn of the Screw by Henry James.
– Psychological Horror: Frightening narratives that emphasize mental instability, paranoia, and psychological torment. Popular examples include The Shining by Stephen King and Rosemary’s Baby by Ira Levin.
– Cosmic Horror: Tales involving the insignificance of humanity in the face of an indifferent or hostile universe. Notable examples include H.P. Lovecraft’s Cthulhu Mythos stories and The Call of Cthulhu.

5. Romance: These stories focus on relationships between characters, usually with a strong emotional connection and a happy ending. Common tropes include love triangles, misunderstandings, and overcoming obstacles to achieve true love. Sub-genres include:
– Contemporary Romance: Stories set in the present day that explore love and relationships within contemporary society. Examples include One Day by David Nicholls and Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell.
– Historical Romance: See above for more information on this sub-genre.
– Paranormal Romance: See above for more information on this sub-genre.
– Young Adult Romance: Narratives focused on teenage or young adult characters as they navigate the complexities of first love and relationships. Popular examples include The Fault in Our Stars by John Green and To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before series by Jenny Han.

6. Science Fiction: These stories are set in the future or involve technological advancements that do not currently exist. They often explore social, political, and ethical issues related to technology and its impact on society. Sub-genres include:
– Hard Science Fiction: Narratives emphasizing scientific accuracy and realism, often exploring complex scientific concepts or theories. Examples include The Martian by Andy Weir and 2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke.
– Soft Science Fiction: Stories that focus on the sociological, psychological, or philosophical aspects of future societies rather than hard science. Notable examples include Brave New World by Aldous Huxley and Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury.
– Space Opera: Large-scale adventures set in space, often featuring interstellar travel, alien civilizations, and epic battles between good and evil. Examples include Star Wars series by George Lucas and Dune by Frank Herbert.

Non-Fiction Genres:

7. Autobiography & Memoir: These books recount the life story of an individual, either in full or a specific part of their life. They offer personal insights into the author’s experiences, thoughts, and feelings. Examples include Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt and Wild by Cheryl Strayed.

8. Biography & History: These books provide detailed accounts of the lives of notable individuals from history or contemporary society. They may focus on their achievements, struggles, or personalities. Examples include Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson and The Autobiography of Malcolm X.

9. Essay: These are short pieces of non-fiction writing that express the author’s opinion or observations about a specific topic. They may be serious, humorous, analytical, or anecdotal in nature. Examples include “Shooting an Elephant” by George Orwell and The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost.

10. Self-Help: These books aim to guide readers towards personal improvement or self-actualization. They often provide practical advice, strategies, and techniques for dealing with various life challenges. Examples include Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill and The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey.

11. Travel Writing: These books describe the author’s experiences while traveling to different places around the world. They often focus on cultural immersion, adventure, and personal growth through travel. Examples include Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer and On the Road by Jack Kerouac.

Mixing and Matching

With a grasp of the various genres and sub-genres, you can mix and match to jump-start new ideas for your own stories. Here are a few examples to consider.

1. Historical Romance Fantasy: Set in a historical period with elements of fantasy and romance, this genre could involve love stories between characters from different worlds or realms, perhaps involving magical obstacles to overcome. Examples might include the relationship between a human knight and an elf princess set during the Crusades or a spy falling for a witch in 1920s New York City.

2. Contemporary Science Fiction Romance: This sub-genre combines contemporary romance with elements of science fiction, potentially exploring themes of technology, artificial intelligence, and the impact of these advancements on relationships. Examples could include a love story between a human and an AI assistant or two scientists navigating their feelings for each other while working on cutting-edge research projects.

3. Gothic Horror Mystery: This genre mixes elements of gothic horror, mystery, and suspense, often set in isolated locations with supernatural or psychological terror. Examples might include a detective investigating a series of unexplained murders at an old mansion haunted by its former occupants’ ghosts or a psychologist trying to help patients overcome their fears while experiencing paranormal phenomena themselves.

4. Historical Fantasy Mystery: This genre combines historical fiction, fantasy, and mystery, often featuring detectives solving crimes in magical or supernatural settings. Examples could include Sherlock Holmes investigating a series of grisly murders at an enchanted castle during the Victorian era or a secret society of wizards and warlocks working to uncover a conspiracy hidden within the Roman Empire’s political intrigue.

5. Paranormal Science Fiction Romance: This sub-genre merges elements of paranormal romance, science fiction, and fantasy, potentially exploring themes of love, loyalty, and sacrifice amidst alien invasions or intergalactic battles for survival. Examples could include a space pilot falling for an extraterrestrial princess or a human scientist developing feelings for a shapeshifter while working together to protect their planet from hostile forces.

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Writing Exercises Workbook

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Writing Exercise 1: Character Development

As writers, we often find ourselves staring at blank pages or screens, searching for inspiration to bring our characters to life. One effective way to spark creativity and develop unique characters is through creative writing exercises. In this post, I’ll guide you through a simple character sketching activity that can help unlock your imagination and get those creative juices flowing! This (and other) exercises are compliments to my series of posts on creating compelling characters. These are exercises to help us get in the habit of writing.

For the first part of this exercise, we’ll use a list of random adjectives and nouns to inspire our characters’ personalities and traits. You may want to print out these lists or keep them open on your computer screen for easy access:

AdjectivesNouns1. Brave
2. Cunning
3. Determined
4. Enigmatic
5. Fierce
6. Generous
7. Hesitant
8. Intelligent
9. Jealous
10. Kind
11. Lazy
12. Nervous
13. Observant
14. Pessimistic
15. Quiet
16. Rebellious
17. Sarcastic
18. Sneaky
19. Thoughtful
20. Unpredictable1. Backpack
2. Butterfly net
3. Compass
4. Flashlight
5. Hat
6. Ice cream truck
7. Jigsaw puzzle
8. Kaleidoscope
9. Lighter
10. Monocle
11. Notebook
12. Ocarina
13. Paintbrushes
14. Quill pen
15. Razor blade
16. Sewing kit
17. Telescope
18. Umbrella
19. Vase
20. Wheelchair

Now, pick one adjective and one noun from each list at random. For example, if you draw “cunning” and “compass,” your character might be a clever navigator who uses her skills to outsmart others in tricky situations. Mix and match as many combinations as you like!

Once you’ve selected your pairings, create a short description of the character based on their chosen traits and possessions. Be sure to include details that convey their personality, appearance, and background. For instance:

Cunning navigator Althea carried her trusty compass everywhere she went. With her sharp mind and keen observational skills, she could find her way through the densest forests or most confusing city streets. Her deep-set eyes showed wisdom beyond her years, and her long braid held secrets of past adventures.

This example is nearly throw-away work, but it gets your creative juices flowing and helps reinforce the habit of writing.

This simple exercise can spark countless ideas for stories, novels, or even individual characters within a larger narrative. So don’t be afraid to mix and match until you find a combination that truly resonates with you – after all, inspiration often strikes when we least expect it!

Note: All of the exercises in this series will be available on my writing exercises page.

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Writing Exercises for Inspiration: Unlocking Creativity

As writers, we often find ourselves at a loss for inspiration. The blank page stares back at us, taunting our creativity. However, there are ways to spark new ideas and breathe life into our stories. Writing prompts and exercises can provide the necessary tools to unlock your imagination and take your writing to the next level.

Firstly, character development exercises allow you to explore different personalities and perspectives. By using random adjectives and nouns to create a character sketch, or by focusing on specific traits in a character profile, you can uncover unique aspects of your characters that may have otherwise gone undiscovered. This not only enriches your story but also challenges you as a writer.

Next, setting and description exercises help to create vivid images in the reader’s mind. Whether it’s describing an unfamiliar place or bringing a mundane object to life, these prompts encourage you to utilize all five senses and paint a detailed picture for your readers. This level of engagement can make the difference between a good story and a truly memorable one.

Finally, plot and conflict exercises help structure your narrative and ensure that there is tension throughout. Starting with a classic opening line like “It was a dark and stormy night…” or outlining the main plot points of a novel using visual tools can aid in organizing thoughts and ensuring coherence within your story.

This series will present several exercises along these lines and then show how I approached them to spark your own creativity. Subscribe today so you don’t miss any of the posts.

Writing Exercises Series

This is the introductory post on a series of writing exercises. I plan on posting to this series once a week over the next few months. For subscribers to my ramblings, the entire series will be consolidated into a free downloadable workbook for your use in your own writing. The workbook will be posted after the second exercises is published.

Subscribe

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Engaging and Original Sci-Fi Do-Over Story | Book Review

Complete Review:

I have a Thing for do-over stories—where the protagonist finds themself returned to an earlier point in their life. A chance to do things over, hopefully better this time. The appeal may be a reflection of my middle-age, but I still roll with it. My point being, I’ve read a lot of them.

This is one of the good ones. In particular, it has the best examination of the science-fictional aspects of a do-over premise I’ve seen, including its implications of time travel. Refreshingly, the protagonist gets rich through advanced engineering and physics rather than the tired trope of memories of the financial markets. I like that. I also like that it’s pretty darn fun.

All of the above makes this a plot-driven story, but one that drives towards a character-based dilemma in a really effective way. Best of all, it NAILS the ending so, so well—way better than most such stories.

Highly recommended.

Follow me on Amazon, GoodReads, or Facebook to get information about upcoming book releases.