Barbara Forte Abate's Blog: Doodling Outside the Lines, page 6

Book Reviews by Tima

Every now and again over the course of internet travels and the general doing of ordinary life we find ourselves gifted with wonderful, unexpected treats that are not only exciting, but fun to share.  And so, it is with greatest pleasure that I pass along my discovery of the week: "Book Reviews by Tima".
http://bookreviewsbytima.blogspot.com/2011/07/secret-of-lies.html
I discovered Tima's review blog this week when she reviewed my novel The Secret of Lies.  As any author will tell you, a reader who connects with your story and characters is a treasure.  And should that same reader then post a perfectly wonderful review -- well, it's a thrill beyond measure.
Nevertheless, aside from my immense and obvious gratitude to Tima, I was most happy to discover that she also writes a terrific book review blog for those of us forever on the prowl of the next great read.
I do hope you have a few moments during the day to stop over and visit her blog, read a review and discover a new book for your next lazy day at the beach

MY LIFE FOR SALE

  [image error]I can't say I knew what to expect with any certainly since I've never had a book published before now.  Still, I did read, research, take notes, make lists, and plan plans.  I didn't fall into anything blindly, but even so, there were, and continue to be, plenty of surprises.

Marketing 101

At the risk of sounding whiny, there are far, too, many days when I feel like a FOR SALE sign has been nailed like a bullseye smack in the center of my life.

Oh, but it all starts out so innocently. Months before a book's release we're hard at work, reading, learning, studying, and dissecting all things pertaining to writing, publishing, and marketing.  We shop through the multitude of online groups and organizations, consider which memberships it's worthwhile for us to maintain, blogs to write/visit/comment on, tweets to investigate, FB connections to pursue and nurture.  All those things we've been advised to do if we ever hope to keep our little boats afloat on a decidedly turbulent sea. Frankly, there's no way around it -- love it, hate it -- you still have to jump into the deep end.  And even if you can't execute a perfect breast stroke, at the very least you've got to learn to tread water.

Riots of Color

In many ways, marketing has always reminded me of fireworks. Extravagant explosions of color and light, the occasional loud boom that threatens to split the world in half.  You're hoping your audience will not only be drawn by the distraction, but left oohing and ahhing, thoroughly awed and impressed.

On Sale Now

Honestly, I get it. I understand there's something of an uncertain nature and appetite inherent to the marketing  beast. Which is to say that I don't always know what it wants or even how to properly feed it.  That it requires a varied diet to allow for any hope of notable growth is the only thing I get for sure. And while it's true that your book must speak for itself once it lands in a reader's hands -- the flip side of the coin is embossed with an image of your life.  Uh, huh, your life -- or at least the bare-naked  portion that's been posed in the front window and clearly marked for sale. 

The Business of being Social

Once upon a time buying a book was mostly about the book.  Not that we didn't care two beans about the author, it was more a case of not having access to anything beyond whatever was printed About the Author on the back cover of the book. It was certainly a vastly different and much more private place in the BSM period (Before Social Media). Left field of where we are now, when we're so busy writing about writing that we don't have time to write.

Truly the landscape has changed enormously in these times when the options of Social Media outnumber the stars. I've had plenty to learn and discover in the year since my own novel The Secret of Lies was released. But I've come to the conclusion that I have in fact unearthed everything I need to know.  Yes, really -- everything.

No Gimics, No Illusions, No Sale

Had I only learned overnight what I came to comprehend over a span of months, I would have saved myself plenty of angst, irritability, and even some $$$.  But given my penchant for delayed-learning, hard-hardheadedness, and peachy-keen optimism, I admit I took the long route to reach the station. .

Sincerity at all Times in all Instances.

And so, here it is in no particular order:
1.) Don't say it if you don't mean it,
2.) Spare yourself and others, comments, thoughts, or impressions that aren't genuine.
3.) Avoid joining every group from here to eternity just because you think it's a great plan to accumulate real estate.  That's only a great plan in regard to REAL real estate.
4.) Become a member of only those groups that personally appeal and nurture your writerly soul, and not because it looks like a good place to park your name and plant your book.
5.) Don't fake, flatter, pretend, or lie.
6.) Share when you're able. Leave gifts of encouragement and wisdom when the opportunity arises.
7.) If what you're putting out there is the genuine article you will avoid looking, sounding, and smelling, like a sleazy salesman toting a trunk packed with snake oil.

 8, 9, and 10 ... okay, so maybe I haven't actually learned everything, but, still, I'm confident that I'm off to a pretty good start.
 

COMRADES OF THE PEN

Do you recall your very first best friend?  How about your first writing  friend? The one you excitedly shared your aspirations with, secure in knowing your heart's desire was completely safe and theft proof in the vault, because your best writing friend shared the inherent angst, struggle, and unsurpassed joy of putting words on paper.



Hugh Hefner, The Early Years

I started writing my "little stories' in grade school, keeping everything in various notebooks that I've long lost track of. My first foray into writing with a friend was in third grade and it nearly landed me in the hot seat down at the principal's office. My friend and I (also named Barbara), had somehow came up with the then thrilling idea to co-author a weekly newspaper, the name of which was THE NAKED CITY. We'd heard the title on a television program and been shocked, titillated, and immediately tempted to be naughty. I don't recall much story-telling in this joint venture, but the main feature of our newspaper were naked stick-figures adventuring in a big city.  It was all great fun for a week or two, and my co-writer, Barbara, was most generous in offering to keep our back-list publications safely tucked away in her classroom desk. We were most enthusiastic to share our newspaper with classmates, and the brief surge of popularity was especially nice. Or at least up until the moment on of our readers tattled to our teacher and Barbara was forced to hand over our complete inventory of THE NAKED CITY on the spot. Barbara was prompt in implicating me as her trusty co-writer, and I was equally prompt in responding with my vehement denial. 



All these years later, I often find myself wondering if  Barbara still holds a grudge...



Seventh Grade, The Bronx Bomber Comes To Town

I grew up in a small town in New York.  Postcard pretty: farms, rolling hills, mostly quiet, and generally peaceful. A new family moving in was immediately noted and carefully watched as they blended in. Maybe it was the leather jacket, the movie magazine tucked under her arm (when the rest of us were still reading Archie comics), or a combination of both, but from the first day when the new kid swaggered onto the school bus, my attentions were immediately captured and have held steady for over 35 years.



Unlike myself, who kept my writerly aspirations safely tucked away for my eyes only, waiting for my confidence to kick in, Janet made no secret of the fact that she was an aspiring screenwriter. Born and raised in the Bronx, she was an all out enigma in our small town and quickly became known as "The Star." When she arrived in English class toting a newly finished script, our teacher was enthusiastic in allowing the class to read and perform her masterpieces. Needless to say I was thoroughly enthralled with this leather clad epitome of all things cool. Our friendship came on fast and furious in such a way that has held on strong for the duration. We've come a long way from the days of skipping school to sit at Janet's kitchen table drinking tea and typing her scripts, and despite time and distance, she remains my top-tier writing champion. It's been a thrilling ride, supported each other from rock bottom rejections to the exhilaration of standing on the summit.  While my debut novel currently makes its way in the world, Janet, too, has had a myriad of writerly accomplishments: writing award wining plays, a movie script optioned by a renowned Hollywood director, and writer of a popular blog, THE NEW YORK SCREENWRITING LIFE:


http://thescreenwritinglife.blogspot....



Writing Friends From Afar, Yet Close As A Key Stroke

Social Media. Blessing or curse?  I'll be honest and admit that my first foray into social media was in consideration of what I assumed was a necessary evil for authors with stuff to promote. I didn't get it -- until I did. Certainly promotion is essential on some level in some places, but the true treasure to be gathered from those favorite Facebook groups, blogs, websites, etc, is the connection to REAL people traveling the same road, carrying a familiar cargo, and pressing on to similar destinations. Sort've like one REALLY BIG road trip.



I find it both remarkable and wonderful. These are not simply avatars passing on the internet, they are shoulder to shoulder, pen stroke to keyboard, comrades of the written word. Yep, right here with me, generous, sympathetic, and just as enthusiastic to accept the invitation to my party as I am to accept theirs.



A recent glowing example of newly discovered writer love came to me with the discovery of a most fabulous novel and it's equally fabulous author. Several weeks ago I found myself reading "Tender Graces" by Kathryn Magendie. Now when I say fabulous, what I mean specifically is that I LOVE everything about this book .  I'm talking Triple Crown: story, characters, writing style.  Now, in my pre-social media life, I would have loved this book, studied the author bio on the back cover, and wondered all sorts of things about this mysterious creature who could write so beautifully. Not so in the here and now where we can find books, love them, and "meet" their authors, as I myself did with Kathryn Magendie, an incredibly gracious writer who has much to share and does so most generously. Comrade of the pen? You betcha! (And a crazy cool aside, she was reading my novel, The Secret of Lies, at the same time I was falling in love with her book. A situation guaranteed to kick-up the thrill of reading several notches.)



Writer love is a most wonderful thing and I gladly trade my promotional aspirations for the far more durable gift of pen-to-pen friendships.  How about it, have you been thoughtful in passing around some of your own writer love? 

Reject Rejection

If You Write It, They will Reject It
It's an especially ugly part of the deal, but you knew to expect it. Right?  You understand that's just the process and you're prepared to pay your dues like every other writer.  What's more, you're ready. You've just dotted the i and crossed the t on that final sentence and your masterpiece is ready for a road trip -- query, send, wait...repeat.

A few rejection letters will find their way into your mailbox -- maybe several, but that's a necessary speed bump that will immediately fade the very instant the magic happens and your manuscript is "discovered."  Plucked from the slush pile by a wise and wonderful editor/agent/publisher who will discover/read/love your book.

Charming, But Not Especially True
Yes, it does sometimes happen that way...I guess.  I can only tell you that my personal experience was akin to those writers you read about and shake your head in pity.  Who not only acquire enough form rejection letters to paper an especially large kitchen and adjacent bathroom, but who recognize from the particular gait of the mailman's tread thumping across the porch that he is seconds away from dropping your SASE manuscript package at your front door (his ponderous gait indicating the extra weight of your 375 page package in his mailbag.)

Not be be deterred, you keep sending it out, racking-up frequent mailer miles (which unfortunately are only accessed and redeemable in your head) and staying hopeful while praying another novena.

No, And No Again
Okay, so how long can you possibly be expected to play this one-sided game? Weeks? Months? Years?  Yes, yes, very possibly, yes.  And what keeps you hopeful, trusting, and believing?  Well, honestly, you yourself do. Uh huh, that's right, you. While rejection is indeed part of the process, what you do with it is all about you.

Finding Light in Unexpected Places
We all need for find our most effective methods for hunkering down and keeping ourselves buckled in the pilot seat when things are looking dismal and gloomy to the point that we find it necessary to expand the folder in our file cabinet marked Rejections. Just as we need to be careful not to overlook valuable gifts of the unexpected.

Look For The Memo
I've personally collected enough rejection letters over the past twenty years to rival the page count of my novel. Am I insane?  Foolish?  Delusional?  Quite possibly, but then, I also have The Memo.  The memo has been carefully positioned on my desk for over ten years. I worry that the ink, which has already faded to something of a near ghostly image, will eventually melt away into thin air, a possibility that leaves me horrified, as this memo has boosted my engines for quite some time.

You see, once upon a time, I had packed up my 400 page manuscript, sealed it with a hope and a prayer just as I'd done a bajillion times previous and sent it off to a promising literary agent whose name I'd found in a new market listing. She contacted me shortly after to let me know that my pages had piqued her interest and that she would be in touch once she finished reading. A year later, the long absent manuscript landed on my doorstep, and the attached form letter had a single word scribbled at the bottom of the page "Almost."  Uh huh, that was it. After a year of waiting, hoping, crossing my fingers tight enough to risk losing circulation in digits required for future typing --"Almost."

Horrified, disgusted, pitiful, depressed, I nevertheless pulled myself together and did what I've always done, I prepared to send it back out immediately, before it's screaming presence could rattle my shaky confidence any further. It was while in the midst of stuffing all 400 pages into a newly addressed mailer, when I noticed a corner of paper sticking out from between two pages in the paper pile.  And it wasn't a carelessly bent page as I'd initially assumed, but rather, it was The Memo.

Apparently it was the customary practice of said agent to have a first reader peruse incoming submissions for anything she deemed of possible interest to the agent. The memo I'd found inadvertently stuck to the back of my pages were the reader's detailed notes to the agent. Except that it wasn't merely a note I'd found, but rather, a most gorgeous and beautiful love letter for my novel. Simply put, she didn't just enjoy reading my story, she loved it. In fact, loved it enough to detail precisely what it was that captivated her into setting it aside for the literary agent's approval.

And The Point of This Recollection? And There Really Is One
I don't know why, after such a glowing report from her reader, that this agent wasn't interested, but that's not the lesson here. She wasn't the "one" and that's fine, because her reader was. Her reader was the one I write for. The one who picks up my book and keeps on turning the pages, because something within has captured her interest and held her to the end. That single memo, which was never intended for my eyes and had only come to me by oversight would become my go-to talisman -- heartfelt words to counter every subsequent rejection. It was a gift of Divine Intervention, I am certain. A close to perfect affirmation as to why I will never take someone else's "no" for my final answer.

Your Own Memo
And what about you? Did you get your memo? If the answer's yes, then congratulations! Hold onto it and refer to it when needed. You were going to keep writing regardless, but the memo is an awesome gift to treasure. 

No memo? Not to worry. It's coming. As long as you love and nurture what you're doing. Your memo will arrive. Whether it be a scrap of paper inadvertently stuck to your returning pages like mine, or a "real" rejection letter penning by a person and not a copy machine - offering valuable encouragement, a friend, spouse, or child volunteering to cook supper, fold the laundry, or walk the dog because you're "in the middle of writing."  Anything that comes along to remind you that when it comes to your heart's desire, rejection, in any of it's various forms, just isn't something you intend to drop in your shopping cart.

Watching Yourself a Little Too Closely

Just because you can isn't always the best reason for doing something. Well, really, it's no reason at all.  And when the "something" involves checking on yourself, it's all to easy to become addicted.  And addiction is rarely a pretty thing.

Ah, but it all starts so innocently:
Okay, so you have a new book, website, blog -- feel free to fill in the blank here.  And, yes, absolutely, it's all so exciting.  You've got your very own piece of real estate on the WWW. Pretty impressive. And so you begin decorating, re-arranging, hanging your portrait over the fireplace, and carefully positioning your goods on the coffee table. It takes time, effort, love and care to get it right. But you do. You're happy, proud, and excited. And so now here you are in your brilliant party dress, waiting for someone to come along and ring the doorbell.

If you build it, they will come:
Well, sort've.  Maybe. At the very least, you can count on your family and friends to stop over and check out your new place. Um, well, sort've. Maybe. Even then, once they've come, sampled your fancy hors d'oeuvres and gone, what about the rest of the world?  You've sent out the invitation -- so where are they?

Show and tell:
Fortunately, there are numerous free, easy to access tools available for keeping track of your traffic, sales, visitors, and a whole lot of other stuff. They can be incredibly helpful in allowing you to figure out what's working and what's not. They can even help you plan your next vacation. (Aka, do your book sales on Amazon warrant a week in the Islands, or a day trip to Hoboken?) It's all good until you start obsessing.

What I've learned from some of my favorites:
Google Alert is pretty fabulous. Find out when your name, book, or whatever else you've indicated when signing up, is mentioned anywhere on the internet.  Alerts will be sent directly to your email with a click-able link that will direct you to the who, what, and where.  I have been notified of fabulous reviews and other mentions of my book which I never would've known about otherwise. Invaluable.

Google Analytics is another treasure. Want to know the specifics of traffic to your website? Bounce rate? Most popular pages? Corners of the world your visitors are coming from? (I seem to have quite a following in Russia!)  It's all here and more.

Amazon Rankings  Uh oh, okay, here's where things start to get shaky.  Those rankings are something beyond fabulous when your book is selling like wildfire in Texas. It's all good until you find yourself checking the magic number every hour (since Amazon conveniently updates rankings every hour).  And, somehow, impossibly, you all at once feel your joy plummet -- your thoughts spiraling madly as you consider a drive to the highest bridge because the numbers are now climbing into the nosebleed section of the stadium and you're beside yourself with horror. STOP checking! Trust me on this.  Those numbers ebb and flow with the tide.

Statistics  This is a handy little offering on many a website where you may have an established presence. For example, I have a page on AuthorsDen.com, with a tidy little "Den" that holds loads of my Author information. Events, blog, reviews, etc. And quite marvelously, the opportunity to check my visitor stats at the click of a finger. Not only can I access the number of visitors, but a breakdown of where they chose to visit: My Bio, blog, events... Many sites offer this and it's all so wonderful, until it's not. Until you find yourself clicking those stats more often then is healthy or suggested.

And that's only a taste:
There's more, loads more. You can watch yourself seven ways to Sunday, but for what purpose? Insanity would be one. It's neither healthy or wise to obsess over anything, if only for the fact that angst and worry doesn't change numbers, merely your state of mind.  Have a peek now and again, but just as the blinking light warns at the railroad crossing, look both ways and proceed with caution.

The Great Agent Quest - My Guest Post on Heather Webb's Blog

I am so thrilled to announce my guest post today, "The Great Agent Quest," appearing on Heather Webb's Blog - Between the Sheets at: www.heatherwebb.net/blog/

Hope you have a chance to come by and visit.  And needless to say, your comments are always appreciated!

Pile-Up on Information Highway

No question, It's fabulous -- the wealth of valuable tid-bits, shared experiences, and memorable advice that can be gathered from the internet.  For those of us who started writing "back in the day" before personal computers were the norm and access to the World Wide Web was simply not an option, the main source for studying writing technique, brushing up on the grammar rules some of us so willingly ignored in high school, or mastering skills for 'Writing The Blockbuster Novel" came in the form of hardcover books that we enthusiastically bought and alphabetically shelved in our "writer in training" libraries. Crazy right?!

Yes, but of course that was before, in the faraway and long ago dinosaur days. We've come so far, learned so much, and "Googling it" brings an immediate answer to just about any question. On the average day this is a wonderful thing -- until it all at once feels like too much. Too much information, too much knowledge, too many answers for my madly stimulated, full to capacity, over-burdened human mind to absorb.

Thinking so very hard while working on my novel in progress has the same brain numbing affect of hitting a cinder-block wall at 120mph. Am I showing or telling? A little too heavy on the "purple prose?" Flat dialogue? Character motivation -- how is that holding-up in the ninth chapter?  Nothing can make my imagination freeze like a riot of voices pummeling my thoughts. Just one two many boxers crowding the ring.

So what do I do? What works for me? I've learned to coax my wild mind to stay in the moment of writing that first draft by shutting off the external switches one by one, allowing my imagination to write without expectation. Detach from the outcome -- if only for that first run-through -- and simply tell the story.

Only afterward, once the story and characters have made their fledgling introductions, do I reach in and retrieve all those valuable insights I've collected from blogs, tutorials, websites, twitter, Face Book, webinars...and allow them a satisfying run outside the box. I pull out all those collected pearls of wisdom, line them up, plug them in, and get to the real work of cleaning and tidying-up the mess I've made.

And though this approach does prove to work out fine, still, I wonder, is that really the most effective approach, or am I simply a slow learner?

Interviews & Reviews

REVIEWS

March 18, 2011. Denise Alicia review at The Pen & Muse;

http://thepenmuse.net/archives/2421


Date pending. Review at Romancing the Book


Date pending. Rae Quigley review


Date pending. Annette Bagley-Martin review at Cheese in my Hair:
http://cheeseinmyhair.blogspot.com/20...


Date pending. C.K. Webb reviews.


Date pending. Christina Grace Donato review at Christina Will Review It


Date pending. Rob Walter review at Sonar4 Landing Dock Reviews


Date pending. Tamela Quijas review at At Your Fingertips

.
INTERVIEWS

March 23, 2011, Dallas Woodburn interview at ;

http://dallaswoodburn.blogspot.com/20...


June 9, 2011. Barbara Hodges interview at Red River Writers No Limits


May 15, 2011. Rob Batista live interview at The Funky Writer.


April 29, 2011. Sylvia Massara video interview at The Lit Chick Show


April 18, 2011. Monie Garcia interview at Coffee With an Author:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/i-just-f...-


April 12, 2011. Lisa Haselton interview at Lisa Haselton’s Reviews & Interviews:

http://lisahaseltonsreviewsandintervi...


April 2, 2011. Shells Walter interview at Water Rhein:
http://walterrhein.blogspot.com/2011/...

March 18, 2011. Denise Alicia interview at Pen & Muse:
http://thepenmuse.net/archives/2421


Date pending. Gayle “Delicious” Johnson interview

Date pending. Tamela Quijas interview at At Your Fingertips


Date pending. Rae Quigley interviewDate pending. Christina Grace Donato interview at Christina Will Review It

My Guest Interview at Lisa Haselton's Reviews & Interviews

I am wildly pleased to be a guest at Lisa Haselton's Reviews & Interviews.

http://lisahaseltonsreviewsandintervi...

Hope you have a moment to come by and visit

BookCrossing, A Novel Road Trip!

When I first learned about BookCrossing I was instantly enamored of the concept.  And for several months now, the intention to send my novel, The Secret of Lies, out on a road trip has been steadily simmering, patiently awaiting something of an out-of-the-ordinary opportunity to hit the road. And so, at long last, said moment has arrived, and on Saturday, April 9, my book will be released into the wild. Where, you ask? The land of Kings and Queens, Royal weddings, fish and chips...well, you get the idea.

As much as I love the very marvelous premise of traveling books, I'm disappointed to admit that I've never come across such a treasure myself.  Nevertheless, ever the optimist, I continue to keep a conscientious eye tuned and alert to spotting that jolly yellow sticker identifying a free book ready for pick-up.

For those of you unfamiliar with BookCrossing, it's wonderfully simple. Someone, anyone -- YOU in fact -- can register any book of your choosing for release, (online at BookCrossing.com -- it's free). You then take your clearly marked literary gift and leave it somewhere.  A spot where someone might easily see it, take it, and read it. And the cherry on the sundae? Well, since each book is assigned a BCIN number when you register it, the reader who "captures" your book can then journal any notes, thoughts, or impressions -- where they found it, where your book currently resides, etc. Pretty cool, right?

And if the stars are aligned, the phase of the moon quite right...(aka, with any luck) this isn't the end of it. Because ideally, once this perfectly lovely reader has finished with the above agenda, they will most graciously re-release your book to be captured, recorded, and then again turned out into the wild.

In concept it seems an adventure any book would love -- and certainly its author -- but since this is my first release, I have no previous successes or failures to measure against. And so I wonder, have any of you ever sent out, picked-up, or caught sight of a traveling book? I'd sincerely appreciate hearing your experience