Rebecca A. Emrich's Blog, page 24
January 19, 2015
Self-Publishing, Writing and Pain
Writing is a rather lonely process. It's also, along with being human, one of the most hope-shattering careers a person can choose. All the self-help books in the world won't help a writer find their groove when it becomes lost. It's hard for a writer to 'give up' but it's harder to continue if you're under no illusions you should.
In no way am I suggesting giving up on your dreams, but
In no way am I suggesting giving up on your dreams, but
January 17, 2015
The Legacy of a Dream
Contrary to popular opinion Canadian history is not dull. Case in point: Champlain's Dream
, by David Hackett Fischer. This award-winning, non-fiction book is an exhaustively researched, yet highly readable account of Canada's earliest years, as recounted through the valorous and indefatigable exploits of its father, Samuel de Champlain.
Champlain is rightly depicted as a man of many talents
, by David Hackett Fischer. This award-winning, non-fiction book is an exhaustively researched, yet highly readable account of Canada's earliest years, as recounted through the valorous and indefatigable exploits of its father, Samuel de Champlain.
Champlain is rightly depicted as a man of many talents
The Illusion on Emotion in Writing
"This is such a moving book" or "I cried when I read this" or "I laughed myself silly." A good book will elicit some sort of emotion from you. Even a non-fiction book has the power to make a reader learn and enjoy. The best authors play with readers' emotions, but many of the writers I speak to comment they are passionate about the process of writing a book, but not about how it makes a reader
January 16, 2015
Becoming a Writer
Most people tend to over-think a lot of things. I am part of a much older crowd and tend to look at life in a much more black and white way. I know all about the shades of grey and, because many of my younger acquaintances think in this way, it has altered how I view life. A good example is how I see writing. To me, it is defined, you have to write 300 words a day, or at least a page to be
January 14, 2015
If I Want to Write A Book, Can I Do It?
Writing is easy if you want to write. It's not quite as easy if you want to write a book. I can make this comment not because I've managed to publish a book, but because I've experienced writing a book. There are many times when I've sat in front of my computer only to run out of steam or find another mistake in my writing.
I am one of many who have succeeded in writing a book. I know of many
I am one of many who have succeeded in writing a book. I know of many
January 13, 2015
Destined to Soar
I have had a hard time dealing with blank pages. I have wonderful ideas, and then I get a pen and paper, or sit in front of my computer and... nothing. Not one idea flows. I would argue that in terms of "flow" Death Valley has more of a flowing river than I do when it comes to writing.
The blank page. Nothing. I've come close to crying, and close to panic because I've lost my touch and I've
The blank page. Nothing. I've come close to crying, and close to panic because I've lost my touch and I've
January 11, 2015
Self-Publishing and Visual Illusions
It's the same word count, it's all the same font size and font, but the visual look to your book can make or break a book sale. Size does matter when it comes to self-publishing, and a standard size will make all the difference.
A good example is a book sizing, for most non-fiction books, a small size- anything smaller than a 5x8 inch book, will make the reader feel that it's too long or it is
A good example is a book sizing, for most non-fiction books, a small size- anything smaller than a 5x8 inch book, will make the reader feel that it's too long or it is
January 10, 2015
The Redcoats are Coming!
If you are a devotee of the historical fiction genre then you would find no better example than Jeff Shaara's Two Novels of the Revolutionary War. For those among you unacquainted with this author, he specializes in American war history.
This particular two-novel series begins in the antebellum period of the early 1770's as the colonial rebellion takes root, and ends in the early 1780's as the
This particular two-novel series begins in the antebellum period of the early 1770's as the colonial rebellion takes root, and ends in the early 1780's as the
January 8, 2015
What Can Hurt Your Book's Chances of Sales
You don't know or you don't care; it's published and you've got time to do everything else:This isn't aboutthe people who have just started in the publishing world and don't have a book out yet, but rather the self-publishers who have been around for a while, and spend time complaining nothing they do seems to make money or increase their earnings from their books. They say it's the social
January 5, 2015
Sacrifice and Self-Publishing
You need to forget everything you knew about publishing online that you learned a few years, or months ago, because everything has changed once again. The reality is that the writing you did a while ago is either not as useful or is outdated. What people could say about self-publishing a few months ago, is not valid anymore. You have to spend a lot more time being logical, but also being a
