Joyce T. Strand's Blog, page 34

Marketing Tips and the 99-cent Book

Self-published authors have a long list of activities to bring their books to readers besides taking a year or more to write. One of the more challenging activities is how to market once a novel is published. And one of the first decisions is pricing.
Unknown authors especially agonize over pricing: should we price low to encourage readers to investigate us even if it means painfully low revenue?
Melissa Foster, bestselling, award-winning author of three novels, Megan's Way, Chasing Amanda, and Come Back to Me and founder of World Literary Café, a social networking support community for authors, in an article in the Huffington Post reviews the pros and cons of the 99 cent price point for eBooks. Some authors strongly believe that this price highly devalues their work, while other are sure that no one will read their book at a higher price. Book reviewer Ritesh Kala, for example, says the maximum he’d pay for a book by a new author is $2.99, although he allows that research is needed for this area. 
Authors have to sell a lot of books to make any money at 99 cents a book. Foster estimates that an author would have to sell 5,134 books just to break even. To make a salary of $12,000 a year, an author would have to sell 100,000 eBooks at 99 cents. To earn $40,000 per year, that author would have to sell 333,333 books per year. There are only 30 authors who have sold over 100,000 copies of their books. 
Some authors claim that pricing may not be the issue at all. People will buy for other reasons, like a recommendation from a friend or a favorite character.  A recent survey published in Publishers Weekly    by The Pew Research Center’s Internet and American Life Project reinforces the argument that people buy on recommendations from friends:  “owners of e-reading devices are more likely than all Americans 16 and older to get book recommendations from people they knew (81% vs. 64%)”
The discussion about the pros and cons of the 99 cent eBook is prolific.  Its use today is compounded by the fast-moving pace of eBook publishing and the marketing tools available from platforms such as Amazon’s Kindle, Barnes and Noble’s Nook, and Apple’s iPad. Its need by new authors is being undermined by the growth in the acceptance of self-published authors.
If there is a consensus among experts, it is that pricing is not the only tool in the marketing arsenal. Following are some tips from various experts.

John Locke: Success More than Just a 99-cent Price Point

John Locke, who has sold more than a million eBooks, is frequently cited as responsible for stimulating the use of the 99 cent eBook. A strong proponent of self-publishing, he credits the arrival of eBooks as offering the opportunity to compete against traditional publishers. 
In his book, How I Sold 1 Million eBooks in 5 Months! Locke is quick to criticize the traditional world of publishing and the denigration of self-published authors. “How is it that self-publishing is the only business where self-funding is considered undignified?” 
However, initially he did use traditional methods of promoting his books – and spent approximately $25,000 on various forms of promotion.  The failure of these techniques led him to his own marketing platform.
And, yes, he definitely used the 99 cent price point as one tool.
However, there is far more to John Locke’s sales of a million eBooks than just offering his books for 99 cents.  After all, four of his books were available at 99 cents for more than eight months before they started to sell. 
He fueled his sales using the following “system” which I am providing here in total because I focus on tips in this blog and his system seems an excellent blueprint for self-published authors. In addition, he offers more actionable tips in his book to achieve each of these Keys to Success.
Locke’s Four Keys to Success as offered in his How I Sold 1 Million eBooks in 5 Months!

(1) Have a plan
·      For writing books·      For marketing them

(2) Know your target audience “Love your readers and personally respond to them!”·      Write to them·      Blog to them·      Email them·      Build loyalty
(3) Take a business approach·      How to write, publish, and price your books“My decision [to price my novels at 99 cents] came down to whether I thought I could sell seven times as many books at 99 cents as I could at $2.99. I felt I could, because my target audience was big enough.”·      Turn your books and characters into a brand·      Think of your books as employees·      Maximize your profits
     (4) Use your tools properly “Twitter cost me no money to join and my blog cost me very little. But these two platforms became the one-two punch that made my marketing successful.”·      Your books – “Keep writing books!”·      Your website·      Twitter –                                                i.     “Use Twitter to create a Friendship Circle.” “                                             ii.     “Drive your Twitter friends (and book readers) to your website. . . and your blog site”                                             iii.     “Use Twitter to generate buzz and create leads.”                                            iv.     “Use Twitter search and hash tags to create a Viral Circle.”·      Your blog                                         Bottom line: it takes more than a low price point to be successful. Consider inexpensive and available social media as a way to promote. Price your book according to the size of your target readers.

Bloggers' Tips for Self-Publishing Success

Blogger and Author Lindsay Buroker (THE EMPEROR’S EDGE; FLASH GOLD; ENCRYPTED) offers the follow marketing tips
3 Tips for Self-Publishing Success
1.     Hone your writing skills before you publish2.     Figure out what your unfair advantage is and exploit it3.     Have an attitude of gratefulness instead of one of entitlement
*****************************************************************
H is for Handy Marketing Tips for Authors  – A Blogger’s Perspective
Book Reviewer and Blogger Ritesh Kala offers some marketing tips to authors that he values.
1.     Blog Tours: for a “concentrated marketing boost” as authors are exposed to different readers across the blogs2.     Contests/Giveaways: not necessarily a good way to sell books or get reviews. Great for bloggers because they attract traffic3.     Paid reviews, such as Kirkus Reviews:  Not sure if they’re worth it. Be careful of scams.4.     Online accessibility:  with online bookstores it’s much easier to track down books in specific genres. Also author web sites helpful, particularly excerpts, which help to understand writing styles.5.     Author interaction with readers: he became interested in author based on interactions at Goodreads6.     Reviewer etiquette: authors should remember that bloggers/reviewers are helping authors. Don’t insult personal opinions. Also, when you choose reviewers it is wise to choose those who read your genre.

Six Tips on Making Time to Read

We’re all busy. We commute to work where we spend at least eight hours a day. We chauffer our children to school and their various activities, or we change diapers and attend to baby’s needs. We prepare our meals and those of our family – even picking up fast food takes time. We travel for work or pleasure. Then there’s the cleaning, clothes-washing, food shopping, dry cleaning – whew.
When do we ever have time to read?
Well, the answer lies in making time to read, not finding time!  Here are a few suggestions:
1    Set a reasonable goal for reading. Plan which book you want to read next and by when. Don’t make it hard on yourself. Allow plenty of time. 
2    Schedule reading time
Share some of your TV-watching or other entertaining time. By recording TV shows, you can schedule when you watch your favorite shows and work reading into that schedule.
Check how much time you are spending on housecleaning – could you break up your dusting into different sections each week—I mean, do we really need to dust the entire house EVERY week?—and use the extra time for reading a chapter or two.  I heartily encourage you not to take the time from your family. I have always been willing to do less housecleaning, however! 
What’s important is that to consciously set aside time to read – even put it on your calendar. And you’ll need to take it from somewhere.
3    Alert your family when you are starting your reading time. Ask them not to disturb you. Oh, sure, I know that sounds tough, but it might work—especially if you suggest they join you and read their books at the same time. Arrange for family reading time.
4    Discuss your book with your family. That might make them more willing to give you the time to read, especially if you keep them updated.
5    If you have a long commute, you might consider “books on tape”.  In today’s digital world, you can easily download them to your iPhone (or other device) and play them through your car speaker. Or, you can listen to a book with ear buds while commuting on a train or subway.
6    Try an e-reader, e.g., Kindle, Nook, or iPad. You can carry it with you. I keep mine in my purse, and when I have to wait at the dentist or doctor’s office or in a long line, I pull it out and read my newspaper or whatever novel I have underway. A recent survey by the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project indicates that e-book readers are reading one-third more than print-only readers. http://tinyurl.com/bp7cbh7
Regardless of which means you choose, take some time to figure out how to make time for reading.  You will be rewarded with engrossing characters, mysterious circumstances, and maybe even a little romance.

Other articles for additional ideas on making time for reading:Dave Astor, “Finding Time to Read More Novels,” The Huffington Post, 4/20/2012 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dave-astor/reading-time_b_1402627.html
Blogher Original Post, “How do You Find time to Read? My top ten answers,” October 25, 2008 http://www.blogher.com/how-do-you-find-time-read-my-top-ten-answers?page=0,1
MichaelHyatt: Intentional Leadership, “5 Ways to Make More Time to Read,” Guest post by Robert Bruce, http://michaelhyatt.com/5-ways-to-mak...

What the Experts Say: Tips to Create MEMORABLE CHARACTERS by Karen Rose Smith

Karen Rose Smith, romance fiction author,
has sold 82 books since 1992 as well as Indie
published her Search for Love series.
--Choose a strong background that affects who your character is, how he or she sees life.
For instance, if your hero is a former Marine, he had motivation to serve his country. Focus on that. He also had training that colors how he sees the world, how he reacts when startled, how he sleeps, how he organizes his belongings, how he problem-solves.
If you have a heroine who lost her parents and was shuffled into the foster care system, she will most likely have trust issues, fear of abandonment and, therefore, she will protect her heart.
--Give your characters life-long passions.
Example: One of my recent heroines is a music therapist. Music has always been an escape for her, a joy, a means of expressing herself. I use music imagery in her thoughts, especially when she and the hero have intimate moments.
If your hero hikes for a hobby, that face-the-wilderness passion will charge his goals and his passion. He will be detail-oriented and maybe adventurous in his business undertakings.
--Create family bonds
If your hero has sisters, that can affect his reactions to women, his understanding of their motives and fears. If your heroine has brothers, maybe she was a tag-along, or a tomboy in order to earn her brothers' respect. If your characters' parents have a happy marriage, they will look at a relationship as a forever possibility. On the other hand, if parents divorced, that could crete a negative rather than positive view of marriage.
--Personality quirks
Everyone has idiosyncrasies. What are your characters' quirks?Maybe your heroine likes to sing in her car. Maybe your hero always has a cup of coffee as he watches the sunrise. Why do they do these things? What created their habits? Weave their story around their present life so nothing is random.
--Former romantic relationships
The lack of romantic relationships reveals that your character might be afraid of commitment. On the other hand, former relationships have taught your character something about love. Whatever they learned or felt will fuel the conflict in their romantic relationship now. You can use this history to make tension high and to create impediments to finding true love.
--Physical perfection or imperfection.
A model will have a different view of life than a heroine with a port wine stain on her face. A hero with war injuries will look at himself differently than a man in buff shape. Give your character a distinctive physical characteristic--deep tan, long waist, brown hair with blond strands, a scar above a brow.
When you create a character, every detail in his or her past, every detail about his or her life now should have a purpose. If you meld these tips and create a "real" person with a heart, soul, and mindfulness of who they are, you will create memorable characters.
Karen Rose Smith
Karen Rose Smith was born in Pennsylvania in the Susquehanna Valley. As a teenager, music became as important to her as reading. She and her cousin took their first sojourn into writing by collaborating on a script for the MONKEES television program.  They sent that script to every concert venue where the group appeared that summer!
In college, Karen began writing poetry and also met her husband to be.  They both started married life as teachers, but when their son was born, Karen decided to try her hand at a home decorating business.  She returned to teaching for a while but changes in her life led her to writing romance fiction. She has sold 82 books since 1992 as well as indie published her Search For Love series.
A winner of New Jersey's Golden Leaf Award in Short Contemporary Romance, Colorado Romance Writers Award Of  Excellence for short contemporary, as well as the Phoenix Desert Rose Chapter's Golden Quill for Traditional Romance, she has also been honored with Cataromance.com's award for Best Special Edition. Her romances have made both the USA TODAY list, Borders Group Bestseller list for Series Romance as well as the Amazon Contemporary Romance Bestseller list.
Married to her college sweetheart, believing in the power of love and commitment, she envisions herself writing relationship novels (including mysteries) for a long time to come!
LINKS:
Karen's website:  http://www.karenrosesmith.com/Karen's Blog:  http://karenrosesmith.blogspot.com/Karen's e-zine:  http://karenrosesmith-ezine.blogspot.com/Karen's Search For Love Series website:  http://www.searchforloveseries.com/BUY link for NATHAN'S VOW: http://www.amazon.com/Nathans-Vow-Search-Love-ebook/dp/B005EZCK54/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1334178152&sr=8-1BUY link for WHEN MOM MEETS DAD: http://www.amazon.com/When-Mom-Meets-Dad-ebook/dp/B007RFI7H4/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1334178178&sr=1-1

“But” Is a Stopper: The Difference between Marketing and Fictional Writing

When I decided to become a writer of fiction, I wasconfident I could leverage my 25 years of experience as a corporatecommunications writer for biotech and high tech companies. I figured if I couldwrite a decent press release – which even includes dialogue in the form ofquotes – I should be able to write a novel. After all, writing is writing.
Well, yes and no.   I realized the “no” when, after reading my firstnovel, a colleague said that I really needed to let go of the marketingtendencies.  There’s no need torepeat things – “we mystery readers get it the first time.”
That started me thinking. What other habits of marketingwriting was I instilling into my fictional novels?
First, marketing writing is geared to influence the readerto “do” something—to buy a product, to listen to a recording, to watch a video,to read a flyer, to consider investing. Ooops! - I had chosen to write mysteries to entertain.
So what writing tendencies had crept into my fictionalwriting?
Early in my marketing writing career I learned a few keyrules:
(1) Target your recipients and address their needs –this may even require some surveys to understand the gap between what yourreaders know and what you want them to know. Understand what they read, and howthey read it. Also, consider that your readers are your potential customers.
(2)  Clarify what you want to say to help achieve the results you want
(3) Write your key messages and supporting messagesahead of time so that you can integrate them into all document
(4) Back up your key messages with supportingdata
(5) Repeat your message at least three times – moreif possible. 
(6)   Never use “but” – it’s considered a stopper,that is, people stop reading when they see that word.
(7) Write short, succinct sentences
(8)  Use action verbs; no passive tense·  Of course, there are many more guidelines attached toeffective marketing writing. But (please keep reading) you should get the idea– marketing writing is intended to influence.  Admittedly so is some fictional writing – but its first goalis to entertain.
When I wrote my first novel, I was very careful never to usethe word “but.” I did indeed repeat references to assure that the reader picked up key points, and Iincluded lots of backup information to substantiate statements and provide context.  Those are the misguided things I did.
However, there are some valuable lessons to apply to fictionwriting from that of marketing writing. Perhaps the most valuable is to targetyour reader.  People are different,and we can’t write to all of them. By defining the potential readers – our targetmarket, so to speak – we can write to them with the intent that they will bemore likely to enjoy our stories. 
By selecting mystery as a genre, I made the first targetingdecision. I chose to reach out to readers who enjoy a good puzzle.  I also decided that my target readerspreferred less violence, more character development; a little romance, but nottoo graphic. And that they want to learn something – but not too much.
In addition, I have also leveraged certain writing skillsfrom marketing, such as, the use of action verbs, reduction of passive voice,and prevalence of succinct sentences. I have been able to build on those simpleguidelines. And I have also used many of my marketing skills to help me promotemy book. 
Nonetheless, I have learned to appreciate the differences –I even use “but” occasionally.
Joyce T. Strand, AuthorJillian Hillcrest Mysteries

What the Experts Say: Paul R. Hewlett "What Will Get Children to Read?"

This is anage-old question.  As a children’s author I have asked myself this veryquestion many times. 

There areseveral points to examine in order to answer this question.  First, isreading age dependent, and if so, does one need to use different means fordifferent age groups? The next question deals with how to get them toread.  Is there a certain approach that should be used?  Finally, wemust ask what kinds of characters and situations children want to read about. In taking a closer look at these points, we will find the answer to ourquestion.
I don’tbelieve that reading is age dependent.  I believe exposure to readingshould start at a very young age and continue throughout one’s life.  I dobelieve, however, that different means should be used for different agegroups.  Exposure should start with reading aloud to children. Reading to children creates an interaction between child and parent that isvery strong.  They will remember this time spent with Mom and/or Dad andwill look forward to this time and the story that is being read to them. 
Continue tobuild on that, adding to it piece by piece as they get older.  I like toview this approach as layering.  Layering is a fantastic approach to helpchildren build a strong foundation in reading.  As children get older,another layer should be added.  Introduce them to libraries and bookfairs.  Make sure to sign them up for a library card.  Most librariesissue library cards to children older than the age of five.  Thiswill make them feel invested in the experience. Let them pick up books, handlethem, examine them, and check them out using their very own library card. It doesn’t matter if they are reading advanced books or comic books, as long asthey are reading.  Libraries often have activities such as book clubs orreadings.  This is another great opportunity to further expose children tothe wonderful world of reading. 
Add anotherlayer to that, such as setting aside family reading time.  Parents can readaloud to younger children, and then as children get older, set aside time forthe family to read their own individual books together in the familyroom.  Teenagers may want to read on their own, and in this case I wouldstill encourage parents to ask questions and encourage discussion about thebooks they are reading.  Do not be afraid to reward children for reading,even if the reward is simple praise.  I believe parents are the biggestinfluence on getting children to read.  By incorporating these differentmeans for different age groups and layering these activities, I believe, thefoundation will be built for a lifetime of reading pleasure and enjoyment.
The next pointto be examined is what kind of characters do children want to read about? Do children want to read about certain types of characters?  I’m notconvinced that there is any one type of character that appeals to allchildren.  Children have different tastes, just like adults do.  Withthat being said, there are certainly specific types of characters that theyseem to prefer to read about.  A strong main character that they canrelate to is important.  A likable character that has flaws and a goodheart is always well received, everyone has flaws after all.  They canidentify with them and they tend to pull for these kinds of characters. If you don’t believe me, ask yourself how many children are rooting for HarryPotter?  Children, for the most part, want to read about strong, likeablecharacters with flaws that they can relate to.  That begs thequestion then of what kind of situations do children enjoy reading about thesecharacters in?  They enjoy all kinds of situations, quite honestly. They certainly enjoy ones that they can relate to.  Many children imaginethemselves as the main character and enjoy reading about them in situationsthat they have experienced and can relate to.  They also enjoy fantasy;finding themselves in other worlds or using magic is very well received. These types of situations allow children to leave everyday life, go to newplaces and experience new things, things that are impossible to do in the realworld.  Whether it is a familiar situation or a fantasy, the only thingthat really matters is that it reaches the child.  That is why it is soimportant to take them to the library or book fairs, read to them, encouragethem to read, discuss what they are reading, and let them pick up dozens ofbooks and look through them.  By doing this, they will learn whatcharacters and situations appeal to them.
In closing, Ibelieve getting children to read is extremely important.  We havedetermined that reading is not age dependent and that different means should beused for different age groups. We have examined these means and in doing so,have identified the layering approach to help get them to read.  Likebuilding blocks, layer one experience onto the next as children get older tobuild a solid foundation. We also looked at types of characters and situationsthat they like to read about. The comprehension skills, vocabulary, andimagination that they develop and use from reading are invaluable. Parents play a vital role in getting children to read and should take steps toencourage it.  Ultimately, it is up to the child whether they will read ornot, but by exposing them to the many layers of reading mentioned here, I haveno doubt that read they will.  Children are very smart and as a children’sauthor, I always write with Maxim Gorky’s words in mind:
           “You must write for children in the same way as you do for adults, onlybetter.”
Let’sall put our best foot forward and get children to read.  They deserve it!

Paul R. Hewlett writes books for children. His first book is Lionel's Grand Adventure: Lionel and the Golden Rule. It is an early chapter book for ages 7-10. It is the first book in the Lionel's Grand Adventure series. Paul is a US Air Force vet who is married and has a "senior" dog named Joe that he and his wife adopted from the local rescue facility. His aim is to increase and foster children's interest in reading by combining entertainment and values

Twitterlink:  https://twitter.com/#!/lionelsnod
Amazonauthor page link:  http://www.amazon.com/Paul-R.-Hewlett/e/B0077S3988/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
Lionel'sGrand Adventure: Lionel and the Golden Rule link:   bit.ly/AC8rMq
Lionel'sGrand Adventure: Lionel Turns the Other Cheek link:   bit.ly/AynyXE
Lionel'sGrand Adventure Facebook Page:   bit.ly/wMCM9Y
PaulR Hewletts Blog:  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5429723.Paul_R_Hewlett/blog

Six Tips on Writing about Yourself

Regardless of age, gender, or status, most of us areconfronted with a request to write a few sentences, paragraph or a biography tosell ourselves.  And we hate it.
Nonetheless, work sources ask us for a brief summary of ourbackground and experience to initiate a job application.  Teachers or colleagues in high schoolrequire a few sentences for a newspaper, program, or high school yearbook–whether for the debate or football team. Non-profit Boards of Directors ask you – a retired executive—for aparagraph about your qualifications for their organization.
But we just don’t like to talk about ourselves. It’s notpart of our upbringing. We’re told not to brag about ourselves. So how do wemake it easy and fun to draft those few sentences that will achieve what wewant?
There are many ways to write a biography. However, if youcan remember a few key tips, it will be easier and more fun.
-1- Know what you want to achieve.
What is your goal? Go beyond “because I need to fill outthis form!” Take advantage of the opportunity to make something happen. Thisdoesn’t have to be a life-changing objective. A simple “I’d like my fellowstudents to understand why I enjoy football or the debate team” or “I want theBoard of Directors to know why I desire to serve with them.” Or, it could be “Ineed to get this job, so I want to impress the recruiter with myqualifications.”
-2- Know what the requestor needs.
Typically when someone asks you for this information, theyhave a need to fulfill. Obviously a recruiter is looking for backgroundinformation to assess if a job applicant is qualified. Those responsible forprinting yearbooks, programs or school papers require information to interesttheir readers in their publication or event. Non-profit boards want to assesshow your qualifications will benefit their organization. 
-3- Match your goal to the requestor’s needs. 
This is the fun part. Matching your goals with therequestors needs is the magic in writing an effective bio. For example, if arecruiter is looking for a specific set of qualifications, and your goal is tofulfill that set of qualifications, well – you’ve got the first step towardsconsideration for the position. (Even better if you have the specific set ofqualifications.)  Yearbook editorswill welcome an interesting bio that tells why football or debate is of valueto you especially if that is something of interest to their readers. Andthere’s no doubt that if you can couple your business qualifications to theneeds of a non-profit, you stand a chance of being asked to join their Board.
-4- Write a first sentence to state this connection betweenyour goal and their needs. You may decide to change this sentence later, but ithelps to clarify your own thinking.
·     Jillian Hillcrest is dedicated to using her 10years of corporate communications experience to achieve your business needs.·     Joe Quarterback feels a sense of fulfillmentwhenever he throws a touchdown pass, which spills over into his everyday life. ·     Johnny Debater debates to help him appreciatemultiple sides of issues.·     Retired Exec wants to apply her businessexperience to advance the cause of a non-profit.
-5- Support your claims with sentences that back up yourinitial statement.
Jillian supports her statement regarding her experience bydescribing her successes in getting media coverage to promote products, andmentions her educational degrees that qualify her. Joe Quarterback adds hisstats. Johnny Debater can talk about the number of topics he’s argued. AndRetired Exec describes successful programs and people he has managed andrevenue he’s generated. 
-6- Conclude with sentences that tie your statements back tothe needs of the recipient of your bio.
·     Jillian concludes that with her experience andeducation she is positioned to advance the company’s image and brand.·     Joe Quarterback might end with his belief thatfootball has taught him how to be a leader.·     Johnny Debater might mention that his ability toappreciate multiple sides of an issue will help him make better decisions.·     Retired Exec can claim that he will make a financialdifference on the non-profit Board.
Again, there are many ways to write the dreaded bio. But byconsidering your objective and your recipient’s needs, you have a guide thatwill lead you to a more interesting and effective description of yourself. 

What the Experts Say: Deborah Garner, Author - Intermingled mystery, romance and adventure with a touch of magic

We’re talking today with Deborah Garner, author of Above the Bridge: A Paige McKenzie Mystery.Of course, I am particularly fond of mysteries, so I am pleased to have afellow mystery writer drop by. I have so many questions. Let’s get started.
JOYCE:  First, tell us whyyou decided to become an author?
DEBORAH: I don't think it was a conscious decision.I've had the urge to put pen to paper since I was very young, as evidenced inmy author photo, taken a few years...ahem...make that a few decades ago. I haveseveral dusty manuscripts I've accumulated over the years. But Above theBridge was one that I thought needed to get kicked out into the world.


 JOYCE:So, about Above the Bridge. How didyou choose to write about a reporter, the northwestern Wyoming area, buriedtreasure and a handsome cowboy? I'm particularly interested in the handsomecowboy!
DEBORAH: For many years I've done freelance travelwriting and photography. I've made numerous trips across the country andback, always alone and always stopping impulsively in small towns and areaswith intriguing back roads.
When I arrived in Jackson Hole a few years ago, thearea just called to me. The scenery is outstanding and the history very rich.And work is plentiful during summer months, thanks to the millions (literally)of tourists who come through the area to see both Yellowstone and Grand TetonNational Parks. I picked up seasonal work and settled in to research the areaand pull a story together that would combine both the modern setting and thehistory of the area.
The buried treasure concept came to me as I readabout local prospecting during the late 1800's.
The handsome cowboy came in because, well, whatgood would a western adventure be without at least one handsome cowboy? ;)
 JOYCE:  Who are your target readers? Who arethe readers who would be most likely to enjoy your book?
DEBORAH: With the high volume of visitors Jackson Hole sees,Above the Bridge offers tourists a vacation read that ties in with theirimmediate surroundings. Internet access is limited in the area and - believe itor not - guests find themselves resorting to activities like playing cards,conversing (in person!) with each other and...what was that old-fashioned thingcalled...oh, reading!
Aside from those visiting the area, the storyserves as a light, fun read for anyone who likes a bit of intermingled mystery,romance and adventure, with a touch of magic, as well.
 JOYCE:Where is your favorite place to write? When do you like to write?
DEBORAH: I wish I could say my favoritewriting spot was beside a misty, tumbling waterfall or under a shady, weepingwillow, because it would sound so romantic and poetic. But the truth is, I domy best writing when curled up awkwardly in an armchair or scrunched downagainst the pillows of my bed, laptop precariously balanced above my waist. Iam a chiropractor's dream come true.
 JOYCE:Do you have a muse? (I have a roadrunner who scurries back and forth outside mywindow who inspires me.)
 DEBORAH: If weather can be a muse, that's itfor me. Without a doubt, wind and/or rain. Either will send me running for thenearest paper, pen and armchair. Or laptop and fluffed pillows.
JOYCE:  Where do you getyour characters' descriptions and dialogue?
DEBORAH: I can usuallyvisualize my characters, though I have to pin down details like hair color,eyes and facial features to clarify them in my mind. The dialogue just developson its own. I have no idea why. I find dialogue the easiest part of writing. Iknow not all authors feel this way. Maybe it's just the chatterbox in me.
JOYCE:  Do you let yourcharacters take control of your writing? Or do you sketch out your book andfollow an outline? Or how do you plan your book?
DEBORAH: Outlines don't work for me. Even when Itry to create them, my characters just laugh and head in a different direction.I do use outlines when faced with family trees, historical chronology orgeographics, to keep the details straight. It seems my memory went out thewindow long ago, when it comes to specifics of that nature.
JOYCE:  Do you have anyhobbies? What kind of music to you like? Do you prefer wine or beer or coke?What about coffee? Are you a foodie?
DEBORAH: I love photography, especiallycapturing images of old buildings, dilapidated walls, rusty, abandonedfarm equipment, that sort of thing. I love close-up textures and soft lighting.I also adore wildlife photography, though I can't always get those critters topose for me.
I'm fond of most types of music - classical,country and soft rock, in particular. My playlists are likely to be bizarreassortments of songs. That is, unless most people have Bruce Springsteen, JoDeeMessina, Quicksilver Messenger Service and The Fray all back-to-back.
Beverage? Diet coke all the way, morning, noon andnight - a habit I know I need to break. Coffee - only the absolute first thingin the morning.
A foodie? Carbs are my downfall.
JOYCE: Join the club with carbs. Pasta is at the top of my favorite foodlist.
What was the most difficult part of your book to write? How did youovercome the difficulty?
DEBORAH: I don't think there was any one particularpart of Above the Bridge that was the most difficult to write. What Ialways find most difficult in writing is knowing when to stop revising. I'mnever satisfied. I'm constantly changing phrasing, scenery and dialogue.Unfortunately, the easiest way for me to overcome this is to have someone elsepull a manuscript out of my hands.
JOYCE: What’s next?
DEBORAH: I'm quite certain that our NY reporter,Paige MacKenzie, is destined to head out on another adventure. And I have ahunch we'll see our handsome cowboy, Jake Norris, again, as well. What, whereand when? My lips are sealed :)


Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/PaigeandJake
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/abovethebridge
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Above-Bridge-Deborah-Garner/dp/1600476899/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1332905103&sr=8-3
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/above-the-bridge-deborah-garner/1109686876?ean=9781600476891&itm=1&usri=above+the+bridge

What the Experts Say: Heidi Ruby Miller

 Your characters want it. Your readers want to see how far your characters will go to get it. It is a grail. 
The grail we’re concerned with here is a goal, the ultimate goal, the one possession, love, or desire that your character wants so badly, you’ve devoted 400 pages to help her reach it. This driving power is true of all popular fiction. And, when other goals stumble in the character’s way and need immediate action, the grail shifts. The possibilities for reader engagement have just expanded ten-fold.
Here's how to shift your grails, using The Bourne Identity as our example novel:
1. A good, believable grail should be evident to your readers immediately because character motivations provide the foundation for a gripping plot.
In The Bourne Identity by Robert Ludlum, Jason Bourne’s driving motivation, after being fished out of the ocean with nothing but amnesia, bullet holes, and numbers to a Swiss bank account, is to find out who he is.
2. Straightforward plot progression works well for some stories, however, getting a character from POINT A (desire) to POINT B (achievement) may involve making a few other stops along the way. All of those little sidetracks are what keep us reading.  What your characters desire may change as your story progresses.
Your characters now have to resolve this (a lesser grail) before they can achieve that (the main grail).

Ludlum throws secret government assassins, a love interest, and the guilt of a bloody past at Bourne.
3. By placing secondary and tertiary grails in your characters’ paths, you not only increase tension and anticipation, but also provide mounting satisfaction as these lesser goals are attained. Internal and external conflicts serve to distract your characters and precipitate a shift in focus.
Your characters were able to resolve this, even through such harrowing ordeals, so they will be triumphant in achieving that when things are at their worst.  

Or if the challenge is too harrowing, it worries the reader that: 

Your character barely survived this, how will he manage that when the circumstances seem impossible?

Some of these lesser grails are like rungs on a ladder—they aid the characters in reaching their main goal.
Finding one of many passports in a safe deposit box leads Bourne to his apartment in Paris and to another clue about a particular hotel room.

But some lesser grails stand in direct opposition to the main goal, forcing characters to rethink their original motives and make agonizing choices.  
Bourne may not find out his name, but by saving the woman he loves, he discovers who he is.
Ultimately, sometimes what the characters wanted all along doesn’t matter as much as what they find along the way. And, just like in life, a good read isn’t so much about the end, it’s about the quest.
-FROM: "The Shifting Grail: A Quest for a Good Read" by Heidi Ruby MillerMany Genres, One Craft: Lessons in Writing Popular Fiction (Headline Books, Inc.)-Heidi Ruby Miller believes the relationship is as important as the adventure. She teaches creative writing at Seton Hill University, where she graduated from their renowned Writing Popular Fiction Graduate Program the same month she appeared on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. The writing guide Many Genres, One Craft, which she co-edited with Michael A. Arnzen, is based on the Seton Hill program and her novel Ambasadora was her thesis there.

Read her bi-weekly column on Inveterate Media Junkies called Heidi Ruby Miller's Geek Girl Underground and her author interviews series at http://heidirubymiller.blogspot.com.She lives near Pittsburgh with her writer husband, Jason Jack Miller.