Keli Gwyn's Blog, page 28
February 17, 2012
Friday Fun Victorian Style
Texts, instant messages, emails, Facebook messages, DMs on Twitter, cell phone calls.
We make use of all those means of keeping in touch today.
The Victorians had snail mail, telegrams, and calling cards.
The precursor to business cards, calling cards were used by men and women for a number of social occasions. Men usually kept their cards in their vest pockets. Women carried their cards in elegant cases. A man's card was somewhat smaller than a woman's for this reason.
Both men's and women's cards often included flowers. The heroine of my debut novel, Elenora Watkins, loves violets, so she might have chosen a card like the one above.
A person's name could be found on the back of the card, on the front, or hidden under an attached flap on the front. A man might include his address, but a woman would not.
One use of a calling card was to convey a message when making social calls. A particular corner on the card was turned down before the caller handed the card to the servant who answered the door. Which corner was bent depended on the reason for the call.
A folded upper right corner indicated a visitor came in person.
A folded lower right corner said goodbye.
A folded lower left corner offered condolences.
What message do you think a folded upper left corner sent?
• • •
Leave your guess in a comment. To make this more fun, use only your current knowledge rather than performing a search on Google or making a dash for your reference books.
At the end of the day, I'll update the post to include the answer and leave it in a comment. If you want to know the answer, you could subscribe to the comments on this post.
Have fun guessing!
• • •
Filed under: Fun & Friends Tagged: Keli Gwyn, Victorian Calling Cards, Victorian Guessing Game
February 15, 2012
Happily Ever Afters: Fact or Fiction?
I'm a huge fan of stories with happy endings. I love seeing couples experience the thrill of meeting, getting to know one another, and realizing that they're in love. A happy ending is the frosting on a mighty tasty cake.
I can't help but wonder, though, if romance writers aren't misleading readers when we wrap up our stories in tidy packages, tie all the threads into pretty bows, and give the impression that our couples will have no trials to endure, no challenges to face, and no hurdles to overcome once the proposals have been accepted or the wedding vows recited.
Real life doesn't work that way, does it? We know it, and so do readers.
I read an unusual and unexpected Valentine's Day post, written by my agency mate, Heather Kopp, titled "This is the Person You Will Hurt," and was impressed with her honesty and transparency.
Heather talked about how we'll end up hurting our spouses more–and more often–than any other person. It's inevitable. The closer we become, the more friction there can be.
The most important point Heather makes is that forgiveness is crucial in a godly marriage. We'll likely find ourselves on the giving and receiving end of this precious gift.
As I pondered the truths in Heather's post, I asked myself how they relate to the HEAs romance readers crave. After puzzling over that question for some time, I realized that making a small shift in my thinking could make a big difference.
Instead of promising my readers Happily Ever Afters, I can strive to give them Hope-filled Ever Afters. The couples in a romance aren't guaranteed happiness, but they do have hope of a rich and rewarding future.
The guests at a wedding, especially those who are married, know the couple's life won't be all sunshine and roses. They expect the husband and wife to face some tough times but to work their way through them as others have done.
In the same way, I believe readers who reach the HEA ending of a story know the couple has what it takes to make their relationship or marriage work. Our heroes and heroines have endured trials, faced challenges, and overcome hurdles. In the process, they've grown individually and as a couple. If the story could be classified as an inspirational, they will have matured in their faith as well.
If we've done our job as writers, we've given our readers hope that the characters they've come to know and–hopefully–love, will take the lessons they learned with them as they move into their fictional futures, futures that will include a hefty dose of happiness.
• • •
What do you think of HEA endings? Are they satisfying or sappy?
Do you think it would be more realistic to refer to HEAs as Hope-filled Ever Afters?
Do you believe that forgiveness is one of the greatest gifts we can offer our spouses?
• • •
Image from iStockphoto.
Filed under: Encouragement, Writing & Promotion Tagged: Happily Ever Afters, Keli Gwyn, Romance and HEAs
February 13, 2012
How Important Are Story Settings to Readers?
How do you choose which stories to read?
Many people look at covers, read back cover copy, or check out reviews.
Sometimes the setting is what catches my eye.
I spun a book rack in a gas station food mart on my way home from an out-of-town trip a few years ago. The cover and spine let me know the story was a historical romance from a Christian publisher.
I picked up Letter Perfect by Cathy Marie Hake and read the back cover blurb. Two words jumped out at me: Folsom, California. That's all it took. I raced to the register and plunked down the cash.
Folsom is half an hour away from where I live. I passed by it on my way home that day and felt a thrill, knowing I'd be reading a story set there. It was good, but I enjoyed it even more because it took place in Folsom, a town I visit often.
• • •
I've bought numerous other books based on the setting.
I got excited when I learned that Candace Calvert's first medical romance, Critical Care, is set in my town of Placerville, California. It took me no time to order a copy for that reason alone.
While I was drawn to the setting and enjoyed reading scenes set in places near my home, I ended up discovering an incredibly talented author. Candy's story is so good it kept me up all night. It's a real page-turner.
I bought Candy's first book because of the setting. Her excellent writing led me to buy her subsequent titles.
• • •
As I pondered the importance of a story's setting to readers, I thought about Barbour's new Destination Romances line. I saw some promotion for the February title, A Wedding to Remember in Charleston South Carolina, on the Creative Madness blog last week.
At the bottom of the post, the blogger, Margaret Chind, posted the following information about the six titles coming out in the first half of 2012.
Six Brand-New Destination Romances
Historic and Contemporary Romances from Popular Authors
Contemporary and historical romance fans rejoice with the release of six brand-new destination romances from Barbour Publishing. Scheduled for release January 2012 through June 2012, each novel is a destination read that provides a relaxing escape.
The setting is an important part of the stories, so much so that the location of each book is included in its title as they are in the popular Love Finds You line from Summerside Press.
As the author of the July title in Barbour's Destinations Romance line, A Bride Opens Shop in El Dorado, California, I wonder how much of an effect the setting will have on readers. My local friends hear the title and are interested because they know exactly where this Gold Rush-era town is. But will those who live in other states be as intrigued?
• • •
I'm eager to find out what you think about settings.
Does a story's setting matter all that much to you as a reader?
Do you have favorite settings? Small towns, perhaps? Certain parts of the country?
Filed under: Reading Tagged: A Bride Opens Shop in El Dorado Califonia, A Wedding to Remember in Charleston South Carolina, Barbour's Destination Romances, Candace Calvert, Cathy Marie Hake, Critical Care, importance of story settings, Keli Gwyn, Letter Perfect, story settings and readers
February 10, 2012
Friday Fun Victorian Style
My debut novel, A Bride Opens Shop in El Dorado, California, takes place in 1870.
Which one of the items below would have been invented by this date and could have been sold in a shop such as Rutledge Mercantile, owned by my story's hero, Miles Rutledge?
#1 Bicycle with two same-sized wheels
#2 Football
#3 Roller Skates
• • •
Leave your guess in a comment. To make this more fun, use only your current knowledge rather than performing a search on Google or making a dash for your reference books.
On Monday 2/13, I'll update the post to include the answer. I'll also leave it in a comment, so if you want to know the answer, you could subscribe to the comments on this post.
Have fun guessing!
• • •
The royalty-free designs above come from the Victorian Goods and Merchandise book and CD-rom from Dover Publications that is part of my reference library.
Filed under: Fun & Friends Tagged: Keli Gwyn, Victorian Guessing Game, Victorian Sports Items
February 8, 2012
The What, Why and How of Tagging Books on Amazon
Tagging can be fun!
[image error]Lest you think I've changed my ways and am ready to hit the local overpasses or old buildings with a can of spray paint, let me assure you this version of tagging is totally legal. All you need is your computer, a desire to help your writer friends, and a minute or two.
In my post 12 Ways to Help Your Friends' Pre-Release Promotion Efforts, I included tagging books on Amazon as one of the items.
The What of Tagging Books on Amazon
For those unfamiliar with tagging, it involves listing some keywords on a book or other product's Amazon page. The keywords are terms those browsing Amazon use when searching for a particular product, in this case a book. Amazon offers a tagging primer. I'm going to add to the information found there.
The Why of Tagging Books on Amazon
By adding tags to a book's page, we increase the likelihood that the book will appear when a potential buyer performs a search of tagged books using one of the keywords, or tags. To perform such a search, a site user clicks a tag while on a product's page and is taken to that tag's page. From there, the user can search other tags.
Let me be clear: tagging a book doesn't mean it will appear higher on an Amazon product list when a buyer types the keyword in the main search bar. Placement on those lists is based on sales–not on keywords, number of likes, or number of tags.
The How of Tagging Books on Amazon
I used Wish You Were Here, a debut novel written by my friend and agency mate Beth Vogt, due to be released on May 1st, as an example of how to go about choosing tags. In order to help Beth promote her book, I added fifteen tags to the book's page.
Because Wish You Were Here is a contemporary Christian romance, I started with four sets of keywords.
Christian fiction
Christian romance
Contemporary romance
Contemporary Christian romance
Since many readers are used to the use of the broader term "inspirational" for books with a Christian worldview, I added two tags using that keyword.
Inspirational romance
Contemporary inspirational romance
Those tags are general. Because I want potential buyers to get a good feel for Beth's story if they scan the tags, I added four that are more specific to Wish You Were Here.
Colorado
Rockies
Humorous romance
Runaway bride story
Eager to do all I can to help Beth, I took tagging a step further. Since Beth is a friend, I emailed her and asked for insider info. I wanted to find out what other elements of the book I could highlight in the tags. Being a generous person, she got right back to me. Based on our correspondence, I came up with five more tags.
Colorado Springs
Estes Park
Llamas
Llama rescue
Thomas Mangelsen
At this point, I reached the maximum number of tags Amazon allows one user. Here's what the tag section of the page for Wish You Were Here looked like when I'd finished.
As you can see, all a person has to do to agree with a tag is click the box in front of it or click "Agree with these tags?" to agree with all those listed. To add additional tags, look for a little box just below this section on a product/book's page.
By adding tags, I've helped Beth's book appear on fifteen different lists. If I did a good job choosing my tags, I also piqued your interest in Beth's book. Even without seeing the back cover copy, I have a hunch you're getting a feel for Beth's story, which is my goal when I tag an author's book.
So that I don't leave you hanging, I'll add the blurb from the Wish You Were Here Amazon page, where you'll also find some awesome endorsements and reviews.
Kissing the wrong guy days before her wedding leads Allison to become a runaway bride. But can it also lead to happily ever after?Allison Denman is supposed to get married in five days, but everything is all wrong: the huge wedding, the frothy dress, and the groom.
Still, kissing the groom's brother in an unguarded moment is decidedly not the right thing to do. How could she have made such a mistake? It seems Allison's life is nothing but mistakes at this point. And pulling a "Runaway Bride," complete with "borrowing" her best friend's car, doesn't seem to solve her problems.
Can Allison find her way out of this mess? She prefers to be the one in control, and giving it up is not going to be easy. But to find her way again, she will have to believe that God has a plan for her and find the strength to let Him lead.
Wish You Were Here is fun and full of humor—sure to be a pleasure to inspirational romance readers.
• • •
I'd envisioned ending this post with an invitation to a tagging party, with visitors leaving the names of their books so other visitors and I could tag them. However, in doing my research for this post, I learned that Amazon frowns on such endeavors. Tagging isn't intended to be undertaken in a reciprocal manner.
I will continue to tag books as I visit their pages on Amazon and suggest doing so yourself as a way to help your friends promote their books. I hope this post has shown you the value of tagging books on Amazon and provided some useful tips on how to go about it.
• • •
Have you ever added a tag a book on Amazon or agreed with those already there?
Do you think adding tags to a book on Amazon can help promote sales, or do you think tagging books is a waste time? Why do you hold that view?
• • •
Top image from iStockphoto.
Filed under: Writing & Promotion Tagged: Benefits of tagging books on Amazon, Beth Vogt, How to tag books on Amazon, Keli Gwyn, Tagging books on Amazon, Tagging on Amazon, Wish You Were Here
February 6, 2012
Are You a Genre-Hopper?
Are you an adventurous reader? Or do you enjoy a steady diet of a single genre?
One look at your book purchases can provide the answer.
If you scanned my To-Be-Read shelves, you'd see that I'm a fan of inspirational historical romances, particularly those set in the 1800s. They've been my favorite reads for decades.
In recent years, I've met many writers who work in different genres. Eager to support my friends, I've bought their books. And I've read them.
I'd never considered reading a WWII romance until I met Sarah Sundin, but I picked up her debut novel, A Distant Melody. The book was so good that Sarah became one of my must-read authors. I devoured the other books in her Wings of Glory Series: A Memory Between Us and Blue Skies Tomorrow, and I look forward to her new Wings of the Nightingale series.
I visited my agency mate Billy Coffey's blog and learned that he's a gifted storyteller. Because of that, I snapped up his debut novel, Snow Day, and enjoyed a tale filled with his unique brand of front-porch philosophy. His second book, Paper Angels, is in my TBR pile mountain, and I'm looking forward to savoring it.
Not long ago, I won an Advanced Reader Copy of another agency mate's book. When Katie Ganshert's debut novel, Wildflowers from Winter, showed up in my PO box, I let out a squeal that elicited some interesting responses from others in the post office. I knew Katie's story was a contemporary romance, but I do read them from time to time. What I didn't know was that the story includes a women's fiction element. I wasn't sure what to make of it when I first realized that, but after reading just a few pages, I was hooked. Katie's first book won't even be out until May, and I'm already eager for her second.
If I had insisted on a steady diet of inspirational historical romances set in my favorite period, I would have missed out on some great reads. By exploring different genres, I discovered some delightful surprises.
• • •
Do you gravitate to one genre, or do you read books in different ones?
What authors have you discovered when you've chosen books outside your usual genre?
• • •
Image from iStockphoto.
Filed under: Reading Tagged: Billy Coffey, Katie Ganshert, Keli Gwyn, Reading Habits, Sarah Sundin
February 3, 2012
Can You Name This Victorian Item?
Let's have some fun and learn a little about the Victorian era at the same time.
The two items below both serve the same function.
Can you say what they are and how they're used?
Leave your guess in a comment.
On Monday, I'll update the post, provide the name of the item, and say how it was used.
• • •
The images are permission-free designs from Victorian Fashion Accessories , a Dover Publications book and CD-ROM my family gave me for Christmas. They know what I like!
Filed under: Research Tagged: Keli Gwyn, Victorian Fashion Accessories, Victorian Lady's Accessories
February 1, 2012
Historical Romance Novels on Sale
If you're a fan of inspirational historical romance and like a bargain, you're in for a treat.
The following releases from the past are for sale on Amazon right now.
Some are sweet, some gritty, some fun-filled, but all are good.
I've read each of the books and recommend them.
• • •
by Deeanne Gist
$5.60
When Lady Constance Morrow finds herself held against her will aboard a ship bound for the American colonies—a ship filled with "tobacco brides" and felons—she is quite sure that as soon as she arrives she will find a reasonable man who will believe her father is an earl and send her back on the next ship to England. Instead she meets Drew O'Connor, a determined Colonial farmer who is nearly as headstrong as she is. Drew wins Constance as his bride but soon realizes he has taken on much more than he bargained for.
• • •
by Laura Frantz
$6.00
Morrow Little is haunted by the memory of the day her family was torn apart by raiding Shawnee warriors. Now that she is nearly a grown woman and her father is ailing, she must make difficult choices about the future. Several men–ranging from the undesired to the unthinkable–vie for her attentions, but she finds herself inexplicably drawn to a forbidden love that both terrifies and intrigues her. Can she betray the memory of her lost loved ones–and garner suspicion from her friends–by pursuing a life with him? Or should she seal her own misery by marrying a man she doesn't love? This sweeping tale of romance and forgiveness will envelop readers as it takes them from a Kentucky fort through the vast wilderness to the west in search of true love.
• • •
by Laura Frantz
$5.60
Lovely but tough as nails, Lael Click is the daughter of a celebrated frontiersman. Haunted by her father's former captivity with the Shawnee Indians, as well as the secret sins of her family's past, Lael comes of age in the fragile Kentucky settlement her father founded. Though she faces the loss of a childhood love, a dangerous family feud, and the affection of a Shawnee warrior, Lael draws strength from the rugged land she calls home, and from Ma Horn, a distant relative who shows her the healing ways of herbs and roots found in the hills. But the arrival of an outlander doctor threatens her view of the world, God, and herself–and the power of grace and redemption. This epic novel gives readers a glimpse into the simple yet daring lives of the pioneers who first crossed the Appalachians, all through the courageous eyes of a determined young woman. Laura Frantz's debut novel offers a feast for readers of historical fiction and romance lovers alike.
• • •
by Margaret Brownley
$6.00
She's an outlaw; he's a preacher. Both are in need of a miracle.
Sarah Prescott has never known a respectable life. Just a hardscrabble childhood and brothers who taught her to shoot first and ask questions later.
Justin Wells left Boston in disgrace, heading out alone on the dusty trail to Texas. But when the once-respected clergyman encounters a feisty redhead in handcuffs with a dying U.S. Marshal at her side, their journey takes a dramatic turn.
His high society expectations and Sarah's outlaw habits clash from the start. With a price on her head and towing an orphaned baby rescued from the brink of starvation, Justin and Sarah make the difficult journey toward Rocky Creek. There, justice will be meted out. Perhaps–they hope–with a healthy portion of grace.
Filled with mishaps, laughs, and adventure, Margaret Brownley's inspiring romance will keep readers cheering for Sarah as she struggles to become a true lady.
• • •
by Deeanne Gist
Paperback Price: $6.00
From the day she arrives at the Biltmore, Tillie Reese is dazzled–by the riches of the Vanderbilts and by Mack Danvers, a mountain man turned footman. When Tillie is enlisted to help tame Mack's rugged behavior by tutoring him in the ways of refined society, the resulting sparks threaten Tillie's efforts to be chosen as Edith Vanderbilt's lady's maid. But the stakes rise even higher when Mack and Tillie become entangled in a cover-up at the town orphanage. They could both lose their jobs…and their hearts.
• • •
by Jody Hedlund
$6.00
In 1650s England, a young Puritan maiden is on a mission to save the baby of her newly widowed preacher–whether her assistance is wanted or not. Always ready to help those in need, Elizabeth ignores John's protests of her aid. She's even willing to risk her lone marriage prospect to help the little family.
Yet Elizabeth's new role as nanny takes a dangerous turn when John's boldness from the pulpit makes him a target of political and religious leaders. As the preacher's enemies become desperate to silence him, they draw Elizabeth into a deadly web of deception. Finding herself in more danger than she ever bargained for, she's more determined than ever to save the child–and man–she's come to love.
• • •
by Amanda Cabot
$6.00
Longing for adventure, Priscilla Morton leaves Boston and heads for Texas, never dreaming that the adventure she seeks will leave her badly injured and her parents dead. Priscilla is determined to rebuild her life and make a home for herself in the beautiful Hill Country. But the bandits who took her parents' lives also destroyed her hope for the future. Ranch foreman Zachary Webster knows what the future holds for him, and it's not a woman like Priscilla. She deserves a cultured East Coast gentleman, not a cowboy who's haunted by memories of his mistakes. The best thing he can do is leave her alone. When necessity draws them together, Priscilla and Zach begin to forge a life that, like the scattered petals of her childhood, is filled with promise. But then the past intrudes, threatening their very existence.
• • •
by Margaret Brownley
$6.40
Jenny Higgins is certain falling in love and finding a husband are matters of the mind. Her heart has other plans.
After their parents died, Jenny felt responsible for seeing that her two younger sisters were well taken-care of. Tipped off by an article naming Rocky Creek the town with the highest number of eligible bachelors, Jenny rolled into this Texas town with a clear objective: find suitable husbands for her two sister and then start fresh somewhere far, far away.
Jenny believe that women who fall in love at first sight often wish they'd taken a second look, so she diligently begins to follow all the rules set forth in her handy manual on how to land a husband.
But while Jenny is interviewing the less-than-promising candidates, her sisters are falling in love the old-fashioned way–with men of their choosing. And the longer Jenny stays, the more her sense of control slips away. The town isn't living up to her expectations, her sisters are rebelling against her practical choices, and soon her own heart starts to betray her, as US Marshall Rhett Armstrong stirs emotions in her that weren't part of her plan.
To relinquish her control to God and calm her restless spirit, she'll need to give her foregone conclusions about marriage, love, and faith.
• • •
by Karen Witemeyer
Paperback price: $6.00
Jericho "J.T." Tucker wants nothing to do with Coventry, Texas's new dressmaker. He's all too familiar with her kind–shallow women more devoted to fashion than true beauty. Yet, except for her well-tailored clothing, this seamstress is not at all what he expected. Hannah Richards is confounded by the man who runs the livery. The unsmiling fellow riles her with his arrogant assumptions and gruff manner while at the same time stirring her heart with unexpected acts of kindness. Which side of Jericho Tucker reflects the real man? When Hannah decides to help Jericho's sister catch a beau–leading to uproarious consequences for the whole town–will Jericho and Hannah find a way to bridge the gap between them?
• • •
The first book on the list holds a special place in my heart. I remember vividly the day I spotted it on the shelf at my local Walmart. I'd never heard of Deeanne and didn't realize until later that A Bride Most Begrudging was her debut novel, a fact that impressed me–and inspired me.
When I finished Dee's book, the dream of being a writer I'd held in my heart since I was seven reasserted itself and wouldn't let go. Six months later, I embraced that dream and began writing my first romance.
• • •
Which writers or books have influenced you?
Have any writers or their stories led you to pursue a dream?
Filed under: Reading Tagged: Classic Inspirational Historical Romances, Keli Gwyn
January 30, 2012
The 3 Most Effective Book Review Locations
What are the most effective places to post book reviews?
That's the question I set out to answer in my recent post, "Book Reviews: Helpful or Not?"
In order to get my answer, I created three polls.
In the first, I asked," Do you rely on book reviews when choosing which books to buy?" Twenty-five visitors responded before I closed the polls last night. Here are the results:
Yes 24% (6 votes)
No 8% (2 votes)
Sometimes 60% (15 votes)
Other 8% (2 votes)
In the second poll, I asked, "Where do you read book reviews?" Fifty visitors responded. Here are the results:
Amazon 42% (21 votes)
Barnes & Noble 6% (3 votes)
Books-A-Million 0% (0 votes)
Christianbook 4% (2 votes)
Goodreads 20% (10 votes)
Shelfari 0% (0 votes)
On blogs 22% (11 votes)
Other 6% (3 votes)
In the third poll, I asked, "Where do you post book reviews?" Sixty-seven visitors responded. Here are the results:
Amazon 31.34% (21 votes)
Barnes & Noble 5.97% (4 votes)
Books-A-Million 1.49% (1 votes)
Christianbook 10.45% (7 votes)
Goodreads 20.9% (14 votes)
Shelfari 2.99% (2 votes)
On your blog 19.4% (13 votes)
Other 7.46% (5 votes)
After studying the results, I determined that book reviews are helpful. Eighty-four percent of those who responded to the first poll indicated they use book reviews to make their book-buying choices some or all of the time.
As a debut novelist with a book coming out soon, the findings show me that locating a group of readers willing to serve as influencers and post reviews is a good use of my time and limited number of author copies.
And where are the most effective places to post reviews? I wasn't surprised to find out that Amazon, Goodreads, and personal blogs are the three places the majority of those who responded go when they want to read reviews.
Based on this information, I would suggest that authors responding to those who have agreed to serve as influencers ask them to consider doing three things:
1. Post a review on Amazon
2. Post a review on Goodreads–if they are members of that site
3. Post a review on their blogs–if that's something they like to do
• • •
Did the findings of the polls surprise you, or were they what you expected?
If you're a person who serves as an influencer at times, do you think the list of possible ways to help promote a book is realistic and do-able? Why or why not?
image from iStockphoto
Filed under: Reading, Writing Tagged: effective book reviewers, Keli Gwyn, most effective book review sites, tips for book influencers
January 27, 2012
Best Bargains for Book Buyers
Do you want to get your books for the lowest prices possible?
I certainly do.
This past week I learned that there are a number of sites that compare book prices.
These 13 sites show varying results when I input the title of my debut novel as an example. I've put an asterisk after the five sites that produced at least five U.S. comparisons.
Using one of these sites could help you save money, enabling you to s-t-r-e-t-c-h your book-buying dollars. In my book, that's a very good thing.
• • •
Do you compare prices before making your online book purchases, or do you tend to do most of your shopping at one bookseller's site?
image from istockphoto
Filed under: Competition Tagged: Book Price Comparison Sites, Comparing Book Prices, Keli Gwyn
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