E.J. Wesley's Blog, page 4
February 5, 2014
IWSG - What Is "Good" Writing?
Hey, gang! It's time for another Insecure Writer's Support Group post.
What is IWSG? It's writerly peeps gathering together to share tales of inspiration and woe related to this gnarly craft on the first Wednesday of each month. You'll find tips for writing success. You'll find cautionary stories of authors gone insane. You'll find writers beating their heads against their desks, pulling at their hair, and screaming, "Why won't my fingers quit typing these damned adverbs?!!"
All in the spirit of togetherness, of course. :)
Sound like something you'd enjoy being a part of? You can check out who is at the party, and sign up, by clicking the IWSG button below.
What is "good" writing?
If you're a writer, you'd probably agree that good writing is hard work. In fact, we could probably just end this post there and get back to destroying our souls one word at a time. But that's not the entire story, is it?
Maybe we should start by defining what "good writing" actually is.
Did your eye twitch with a compulsive nervous reaction when you read that sentence? Did you dry heave a little? Is there a single tear streaking a jagged path down your cheek? If so, congratulations! You already know the answer:
NO-FREAKING-ONE has a real clue.
Oh, lots of smart folks have good guesses. And we certainly know a lot of the components to good writing. (Remember those adverbs I mentioned before? KILL THEM ALL!!!!) However, good writing often comes down to the house Vs home debate.
A good house has a strong foundation, sturdy walls, a sound roof, basic amenities and comforts, a non-running toilet, and no neighbors. It's easily defined and measured, and there aren't too many identifiable flaws.
A good home, on the other hand, is a much more subjective experience. It's a matter of how well it suits you. Do you like the nap of the carpet? Are your neighbors crazy but also your best friends? Did your kids take their first steps there? The faucet drips, but happens to sound out the exact rhythm of your favorite song, so it's actually a bonus.
The worth of a house is based upon function, form, location, etc. The worth of a home is based upon memories and feelings. Your house might be worth $150,000, but your home might very well be priceless.
Good writing is much the same, which is why it's such a struggle to create it. Good writing is oftentimes flawed, but you--and more importantly--your readers will love those flaws.
A story can be mechanically sound, yet have no heart, which translates to what some might call "bad writing". Conversely, a story can have tons of heart, yet be a bit of a mess mechanically, then be praised as "excellent writing."
So what's to be done? How in the world are we going to create good writing without a blueprint?
By churning out the words until our fingers ache. By mining the depths of our emotions and exploring the outer limits of our imaginations until we're irrevocably lost. By believing down to our bones that we'll never get it JUST right, but trying over and over again anyway. By learning how to build a good house first, and then figuring out what it's going to take to make it a good home.
One thing I'm sure of: to create good writing is to engage in a beautiful struggle, to wage a glorious battle between determination and self-doubt. Learning comes from getting knocked down, and success is usually built on a foundation of failure.
So perhaps good writing is actually measured by our scars, bumps, and bruises. "E.J. looks like he just went nine rounds with a pissed off jungle cat, he must be one heck of a writer!" :)
What about you? How would you define "good" writing? Do any of your favorite authors break the rules of fundamentally sound writing?
~EJW~
What is IWSG? It's writerly peeps gathering together to share tales of inspiration and woe related to this gnarly craft on the first Wednesday of each month. You'll find tips for writing success. You'll find cautionary stories of authors gone insane. You'll find writers beating their heads against their desks, pulling at their hair, and screaming, "Why won't my fingers quit typing these damned adverbs?!!"
All in the spirit of togetherness, of course. :)
Sound like something you'd enjoy being a part of? You can check out who is at the party, and sign up, by clicking the IWSG button below.
What is "good" writing?
If you're a writer, you'd probably agree that good writing is hard work. In fact, we could probably just end this post there and get back to destroying our souls one word at a time. But that's not the entire story, is it?
Maybe we should start by defining what "good writing" actually is.
Did your eye twitch with a compulsive nervous reaction when you read that sentence? Did you dry heave a little? Is there a single tear streaking a jagged path down your cheek? If so, congratulations! You already know the answer:
NO-FREAKING-ONE has a real clue.
Oh, lots of smart folks have good guesses. And we certainly know a lot of the components to good writing. (Remember those adverbs I mentioned before? KILL THEM ALL!!!!) However, good writing often comes down to the house Vs home debate.
A good house has a strong foundation, sturdy walls, a sound roof, basic amenities and comforts, a non-running toilet, and no neighbors. It's easily defined and measured, and there aren't too many identifiable flaws.
A good home, on the other hand, is a much more subjective experience. It's a matter of how well it suits you. Do you like the nap of the carpet? Are your neighbors crazy but also your best friends? Did your kids take their first steps there? The faucet drips, but happens to sound out the exact rhythm of your favorite song, so it's actually a bonus.
The worth of a house is based upon function, form, location, etc. The worth of a home is based upon memories and feelings. Your house might be worth $150,000, but your home might very well be priceless.
Good writing is much the same, which is why it's such a struggle to create it. Good writing is oftentimes flawed, but you--and more importantly--your readers will love those flaws.
A story can be mechanically sound, yet have no heart, which translates to what some might call "bad writing". Conversely, a story can have tons of heart, yet be a bit of a mess mechanically, then be praised as "excellent writing."
So what's to be done? How in the world are we going to create good writing without a blueprint?
By churning out the words until our fingers ache. By mining the depths of our emotions and exploring the outer limits of our imaginations until we're irrevocably lost. By believing down to our bones that we'll never get it JUST right, but trying over and over again anyway. By learning how to build a good house first, and then figuring out what it's going to take to make it a good home.
One thing I'm sure of: to create good writing is to engage in a beautiful struggle, to wage a glorious battle between determination and self-doubt. Learning comes from getting knocked down, and success is usually built on a foundation of failure.
So perhaps good writing is actually measured by our scars, bumps, and bruises. "E.J. looks like he just went nine rounds with a pissed off jungle cat, he must be one heck of a writer!" :)
What about you? How would you define "good" writing? Do any of your favorite authors break the rules of fundamentally sound writing?
~EJW~
January 20, 2014
Online Marketing Symposium - Free Book FYI
Hey, gang! So sorry for the blog silence and dropping off the grid this past week. We had a death in the family and I traveled back to Oklahoma for services and such.
Obvs I'm back, and I'm really excited to be taking part in the inaugural, What Works - Online Marketing Sypmposium. What is an Online Marketing Symposium?
Per Arlee Bird, Yolanda Renee, Jeremy Hawkins, and Alex J. Cavanaugh, the masterminds behind the event:
"We want you to tell us your stories of success (or not so successful) as we present a blogging event that will help us learn. Tell us about a marketing idea that you've used and what worked or didn't work. Your post could describe a campaign that succeeded in a big or small way or one that failed drastically. Tell us about a business campaign, an organizational event, a fundraiser – anything where a bit of promotion was necessary! The What Works.. Marketing Symposium is not limited to authors but also to anyone in a business that has a promotional aspect – online or otherwise!"
For my part in the event, I've decided to share what I know (and maybe don't) about offering up your work for free. So let's get to it!
Ever met someone with a really nasty reputation that you've only ever talked about (not to) and thought hey, they aren't that bad. Then you get really confused and conflicted about what all the fuss was over. Free books are a lot like that.
You'll hear all kinds of things about free books, bad and good.
They're undermining the value of all of our work, because readers won't want to pay for books once they're accustomed to them being free.
They're just desperate attempts to get noticed by fledgling authors.
Only amateurs offer their work for free.
If it's free, it must be crap.
Free book promotions rocket people to the top of the Amazon charts.
Many successful authors have become so by building off of free books.
Every other industry (including traditional publishing) uses free promotions to "hook" consumers, so it works.
On and on it goes, and like all reputations, there's partial truth in all of the rumors. Giving things away for free CAN deteriorate the perceived value of a product in the eyes of the consumer. There ARE a lot of crappy free books out there. Lots of very successful authors HAVE used free book promotions on their way to the bestseller lists (M. Louisa Locke being one of my favorite indie success stories). Letting consumers sample a product for free IS a tried and true marketing technique.
So what's the real story? Are free books good or evil? Answer: Definitely. (Go ahead, throw something at the computer and curse E.J., I'll wait...)
Here's what I know for sure:
Free Books Are Not A Magic Bullet - A year (or two) ago, Amazon allowed free books to inhabit the same bestseller lists as paid books. As a result, if Free Book X got a ton of downloads and went to numero uno in the Kindle store, it was up there ahead of the big girls and boys (the Grishams, Rowlings, Kings, Browns, etc. of the world). In those wild days, a successful free ebook could easily get the attention of millions of readers.
Nowadays that's not the case. Amazon (and most online vendors) have changed their algorithms. A rocking free book is going to get noticed, but it's not going to get the star treatment. Which leads to...
Free Books Are Tools, Not A Toolbox - You can't build an entire house with only a hammer, and you can't build a writing career with a single free book. A free book is best used as part of an overall strategy, not as THE strategy.
The authors who seem to be using free books most successfully are those who have multiple works out--particularly in a series. It's merely a gateway into their other work.
I write a series of urban fantasy novellas. There are five of them out, and I keep the first one permanently free in hopes that readers will sample it and move on to the next in the series. (I'll share my own findings in a list below.)
Don't Be Free Just To Be Free - ALWAYS have a plan or a point to your free books. Is it permanently free to hook readers into a series? Is it a onetime promotion to try to get your book in front of new readers? Whatever the reason, just make sure there is one.
The Clever Mouse Gets The Cheese - Being creative with your free book is as important as having a marketing strategy (see also - not being free for the sake of being free). Use holidays to your advantage (i.e., if you write horror, consider giving something away around Halloween). Band together with other authors to give your book away as part of an organized "event" of free books to increase exposure. If you write novels, consider creating a novella or short story to offer as a freebie sample. If you have a free book coming out in a series, celebrate it by offering previous titles free for a limited time.
Also recommend using your free books in conjunction with other marketing things. If you've got a big blog tour coming up, it might be a good idea to offer something free on some of your bigger stops.
Knowing The Rules Wins The Game - Every online retailer has different policies regarding free books. Amazon doesn't allow them, UNLESS another site is offering the same book for free. Then, customers can report the difference in price and (once enough reports have been received and the great Amazon Eye of Sauron has investigated) Amazon will price match. (That's how my first Moonsongs story is permanently free incidentally.)
The other way you can offer your book for free on Amazon is by enrolling it in the Kindle Direct Publishing Select program. In exchange for offering your book EXCLUSIVELY on Amazon for 90 days, they let you pick 5 days to offer it free.
Smashwords, on the other hand, allows you to price your work at whatever you'd like (they even have a setting that allows the reader to donate whatever they think it's worth). You can also use coupon codes to give your work away free on Smashwords.
Understanding the rules, and then taking advantage of them, is key to making free books work for you.
Utilizing Free Book Promotion Sites Is HUGE - Readers love books, especially when they're good and free. Surprise! Consequently, a poop-ton of free book promotion sites have sprung up. Basically, readers follow these sites and get updates when popular books go free.
It's the best way I've found to let the world know your book is free for a limited time. Unfortunately, other authors also know this.*shakes fist at other authors* :) As a result, the really popular free book sites have been inundated with requests to feature books. So there's often a waiting list and an application process to get your book featured.
To further complicate things, many of these sites aren't exactly clear on how they pick the books they feature, so it's kind of a guessing game once you apply. A few things most of them require: 1) A set number of positive reviews for your book--usually 10-15, 4 star or better reviews are required. 2) The exact date your book will be free. 3) Cover image, description, category and genre, links, and possibly author bio.
There are lots of these sites now, and the best way to find them is via word of mouth (ask other authors who they've used) and a quick Google search. Also, I recommend the shotgun approach. When you've got a plan for your free book promotions in place, apply to as many of the sites as you can. You likely won't hear back from several, so it'll decrease your chances of striking out completely.
NOTE: Several of these sites charge to promote your book. I cannot speak to the viability of these specifically, but as with all things be wary of who you give your money to. Ask around first.
E.J.'s Free Book Story
As I noted earlier, I've made the first story in my Moonsongs series permanently free on Amazon and Smashwords. It has been that way for several months now. Since it was price matched, it has consistently stayed in the top 20k free Kindle books (out of the few million that are free, so I'll take it), and spends most of its time in the top 10k.
That has not made me rich or famous. :) But it has, I believe, resulted in more sales of the other stories in the series. (Things have been a lot more consistent since it has gone free. Prior to that, most of my sales came during the release month. Now I get downloads trickling in every month.)
Before being permanently free, I enrolled it in the KDPS program. I coincided my free days with stops on a blog tour I was doing at the time, selecting the biggest blogs to have as my free days. I had more downloads of the story that month than I've had combined since. So it was a success. (Looking back, I got very lucky I think.)
I recently enrolled my Moonsongs Anthology (books 1-3) in KDPS to take advantage of another blog tour. The results, although not as good as last time, were still great. Hoping to see some sales for books 4 and 5 in the next couple of months as a result of so many downloading the anthology. (Many, many readers download and stash the books until they have time to read.) I'll be sure to let y'all know!
What about you? Have you used a free book promotion? Was it helpful?
There are lots of folks sharing tips and experiences just like this today, so be sure to hop around (and join in)!
~EJW~
Online Marketing Symposium Blogs
1.Arlee Birds Tossing It Out
2.Yolanda Renee at Defending the Pen
3.Ninja Captain Alex J. Cavanaugh
4.Jeremy Hawkins at Being Retro
5.Insecure Writers Support Group
6.Blogging from A to Z Challenge
7.C. M. Brown
8.Aloha! Mark Koopmans says hi from HI
9.ShirleyisNotmyName
10.Writing Wings
11.M. J. Joachims Writing Tips
12.Spunk On A Sticks Tips
13.Ink & Alchemy
14.Christine Rains
15.J. L. Campbell
16.WRITING IN THE CROSSHAIRS
17.Stephen Tremp
18.Philipscom/Ariel's Jottings
19.Regarding Silexare
20.Notes Along the Way - Mary Montague Sikes
21.Susan Says
22.Jay Noel
23.Crystal Collier
24.Sandra Ulbrich Almazan--Speculative Fiction Author
25.Livia Peterson - Leave it to Livia
26.PK HREZO
27.The Write Game
28.The Open Vein - E. J. Wesley
29.Tyreans Writing Spot
30.Sydney Aaliyah Michelle
31.About Myself, By Myself
32.Sharon Bayliss
33.Julie Flanders
34.Ella's Edge
35.Swagger Writers
36.Laura Pauling
37.Elizabeth Seckman
38.Liz Fichera
39.Trisha @ WORD+STUFF
40.Angela Brown in the Pursuit of Publishness
41.Mama Diaries
42.Literary Chick
43.Cold Lake Cathy
44.Official Site of Horror Author Alex Layourne
45.Chrys Fey
46.Jemima Pett
47.The Musings of a Hopeful and Pecunious Wordsmith
48.Scribblers Sojourn
49.tara tyler
50.Steven Symes, Writer
51.Meetings with My Muse
52.Dreamers Perch
53.Sand Castles and Snow Forts
54.Nicki Elson
55.Huntress
56.Buck Inspire
57.Storypot
58.The Story of a Writer
59.Ellie Garratt
60.melanie schulz
61.Carrie-Anne's Magick Theatre
62.Coming Down the Mountain
63.Im hoping to learn
64.From Sarah With Joy
Obvs I'm back, and I'm really excited to be taking part in the inaugural, What Works - Online Marketing Sypmposium. What is an Online Marketing Symposium?
Per Arlee Bird, Yolanda Renee, Jeremy Hawkins, and Alex J. Cavanaugh, the masterminds behind the event:
"We want you to tell us your stories of success (or not so successful) as we present a blogging event that will help us learn. Tell us about a marketing idea that you've used and what worked or didn't work. Your post could describe a campaign that succeeded in a big or small way or one that failed drastically. Tell us about a business campaign, an organizational event, a fundraiser – anything where a bit of promotion was necessary! The What Works.. Marketing Symposium is not limited to authors but also to anyone in a business that has a promotional aspect – online or otherwise!"
For my part in the event, I've decided to share what I know (and maybe don't) about offering up your work for free. So let's get to it!
Ever met someone with a really nasty reputation that you've only ever talked about (not to) and thought hey, they aren't that bad. Then you get really confused and conflicted about what all the fuss was over. Free books are a lot like that.
You'll hear all kinds of things about free books, bad and good.
They're undermining the value of all of our work, because readers won't want to pay for books once they're accustomed to them being free.
They're just desperate attempts to get noticed by fledgling authors.
Only amateurs offer their work for free.
If it's free, it must be crap.
Free book promotions rocket people to the top of the Amazon charts.
Many successful authors have become so by building off of free books.
Every other industry (including traditional publishing) uses free promotions to "hook" consumers, so it works.
On and on it goes, and like all reputations, there's partial truth in all of the rumors. Giving things away for free CAN deteriorate the perceived value of a product in the eyes of the consumer. There ARE a lot of crappy free books out there. Lots of very successful authors HAVE used free book promotions on their way to the bestseller lists (M. Louisa Locke being one of my favorite indie success stories). Letting consumers sample a product for free IS a tried and true marketing technique.
So what's the real story? Are free books good or evil? Answer: Definitely. (Go ahead, throw something at the computer and curse E.J., I'll wait...)
Here's what I know for sure:
Free Books Are Not A Magic Bullet - A year (or two) ago, Amazon allowed free books to inhabit the same bestseller lists as paid books. As a result, if Free Book X got a ton of downloads and went to numero uno in the Kindle store, it was up there ahead of the big girls and boys (the Grishams, Rowlings, Kings, Browns, etc. of the world). In those wild days, a successful free ebook could easily get the attention of millions of readers.
Nowadays that's not the case. Amazon (and most online vendors) have changed their algorithms. A rocking free book is going to get noticed, but it's not going to get the star treatment. Which leads to...
Free Books Are Tools, Not A Toolbox - You can't build an entire house with only a hammer, and you can't build a writing career with a single free book. A free book is best used as part of an overall strategy, not as THE strategy.
The authors who seem to be using free books most successfully are those who have multiple works out--particularly in a series. It's merely a gateway into their other work.
I write a series of urban fantasy novellas. There are five of them out, and I keep the first one permanently free in hopes that readers will sample it and move on to the next in the series. (I'll share my own findings in a list below.)
Don't Be Free Just To Be Free - ALWAYS have a plan or a point to your free books. Is it permanently free to hook readers into a series? Is it a onetime promotion to try to get your book in front of new readers? Whatever the reason, just make sure there is one.
The Clever Mouse Gets The Cheese - Being creative with your free book is as important as having a marketing strategy (see also - not being free for the sake of being free). Use holidays to your advantage (i.e., if you write horror, consider giving something away around Halloween). Band together with other authors to give your book away as part of an organized "event" of free books to increase exposure. If you write novels, consider creating a novella or short story to offer as a freebie sample. If you have a free book coming out in a series, celebrate it by offering previous titles free for a limited time.
Also recommend using your free books in conjunction with other marketing things. If you've got a big blog tour coming up, it might be a good idea to offer something free on some of your bigger stops.
Knowing The Rules Wins The Game - Every online retailer has different policies regarding free books. Amazon doesn't allow them, UNLESS another site is offering the same book for free. Then, customers can report the difference in price and (once enough reports have been received and the great Amazon Eye of Sauron has investigated) Amazon will price match. (That's how my first Moonsongs story is permanently free incidentally.)
The other way you can offer your book for free on Amazon is by enrolling it in the Kindle Direct Publishing Select program. In exchange for offering your book EXCLUSIVELY on Amazon for 90 days, they let you pick 5 days to offer it free.
Smashwords, on the other hand, allows you to price your work at whatever you'd like (they even have a setting that allows the reader to donate whatever they think it's worth). You can also use coupon codes to give your work away free on Smashwords.
Understanding the rules, and then taking advantage of them, is key to making free books work for you.
Utilizing Free Book Promotion Sites Is HUGE - Readers love books, especially when they're good and free. Surprise! Consequently, a poop-ton of free book promotion sites have sprung up. Basically, readers follow these sites and get updates when popular books go free.
It's the best way I've found to let the world know your book is free for a limited time. Unfortunately, other authors also know this.*shakes fist at other authors* :) As a result, the really popular free book sites have been inundated with requests to feature books. So there's often a waiting list and an application process to get your book featured.
To further complicate things, many of these sites aren't exactly clear on how they pick the books they feature, so it's kind of a guessing game once you apply. A few things most of them require: 1) A set number of positive reviews for your book--usually 10-15, 4 star or better reviews are required. 2) The exact date your book will be free. 3) Cover image, description, category and genre, links, and possibly author bio.
There are lots of these sites now, and the best way to find them is via word of mouth (ask other authors who they've used) and a quick Google search. Also, I recommend the shotgun approach. When you've got a plan for your free book promotions in place, apply to as many of the sites as you can. You likely won't hear back from several, so it'll decrease your chances of striking out completely.
NOTE: Several of these sites charge to promote your book. I cannot speak to the viability of these specifically, but as with all things be wary of who you give your money to. Ask around first.
E.J.'s Free Book Story
As I noted earlier, I've made the first story in my Moonsongs series permanently free on Amazon and Smashwords. It has been that way for several months now. Since it was price matched, it has consistently stayed in the top 20k free Kindle books (out of the few million that are free, so I'll take it), and spends most of its time in the top 10k.
That has not made me rich or famous. :) But it has, I believe, resulted in more sales of the other stories in the series. (Things have been a lot more consistent since it has gone free. Prior to that, most of my sales came during the release month. Now I get downloads trickling in every month.)
Before being permanently free, I enrolled it in the KDPS program. I coincided my free days with stops on a blog tour I was doing at the time, selecting the biggest blogs to have as my free days. I had more downloads of the story that month than I've had combined since. So it was a success. (Looking back, I got very lucky I think.)
I recently enrolled my Moonsongs Anthology (books 1-3) in KDPS to take advantage of another blog tour. The results, although not as good as last time, were still great. Hoping to see some sales for books 4 and 5 in the next couple of months as a result of so many downloading the anthology. (Many, many readers download and stash the books until they have time to read.) I'll be sure to let y'all know!
What about you? Have you used a free book promotion? Was it helpful?
There are lots of folks sharing tips and experiences just like this today, so be sure to hop around (and join in)!
~EJW~
Online Marketing Symposium Blogs
1.Arlee Birds Tossing It Out
2.Yolanda Renee at Defending the Pen
3.Ninja Captain Alex J. Cavanaugh
4.Jeremy Hawkins at Being Retro
5.Insecure Writers Support Group
6.Blogging from A to Z Challenge
7.C. M. Brown
8.Aloha! Mark Koopmans says hi from HI
9.ShirleyisNotmyName
10.Writing Wings
11.M. J. Joachims Writing Tips
12.Spunk On A Sticks Tips
13.Ink & Alchemy
14.Christine Rains
15.J. L. Campbell
16.WRITING IN THE CROSSHAIRS
17.Stephen Tremp
18.Philipscom/Ariel's Jottings
19.Regarding Silexare
20.Notes Along the Way - Mary Montague Sikes
21.Susan Says
22.Jay Noel
23.Crystal Collier
24.Sandra Ulbrich Almazan--Speculative Fiction Author
25.Livia Peterson - Leave it to Livia
26.PK HREZO
27.The Write Game
28.The Open Vein - E. J. Wesley
29.Tyreans Writing Spot
30.Sydney Aaliyah Michelle
31.About Myself, By Myself
32.Sharon Bayliss
33.Julie Flanders
34.Ella's Edge
35.Swagger Writers
36.Laura Pauling
37.Elizabeth Seckman
38.Liz Fichera
39.Trisha @ WORD+STUFF
40.Angela Brown in the Pursuit of Publishness
41.Mama Diaries
42.Literary Chick
43.Cold Lake Cathy
44.Official Site of Horror Author Alex Layourne
45.Chrys Fey
46.Jemima Pett
47.The Musings of a Hopeful and Pecunious Wordsmith
48.Scribblers Sojourn
49.tara tyler
50.Steven Symes, Writer
51.Meetings with My Muse
52.Dreamers Perch
53.Sand Castles and Snow Forts
54.Nicki Elson
55.Huntress
56.Buck Inspire
57.Storypot
58.The Story of a Writer
59.Ellie Garratt
60.melanie schulz
61.Carrie-Anne's Magick Theatre
62.Coming Down the Mountain
63.Im hoping to learn
64.From Sarah With Joy
January 8, 2014
IWSG - New Year, Same Old Fears
Hey, gang! Thanks for all the "feel betters". This cold-crud hasn't licked me yet. I am a little sleep deprived though--and perhaps a little medicated--so I make no guarantees that this is going to be entirely coherent. But it should be fun! :)
It's time for another Insecure Writer's Support Group post. What's up with the IWSG? In short, once a month a bunch of us post support, encouragement, or confess what's been eating at us. For more information, and to join in, click the button below. (And always present in the rolling sidebar gadget to the right.)
Before we get to that, I wanted to mention again that my Winter Thrills & Chills Tour is going strong. You can check the full list of stops HERE. (Today, I did guest posts on why I write like a reader and an author's tricks for pulling readers into the story--with an excerpt from Dragon's Game.)
There's also a fun giveaway you can enter (featuring books from several of our writing blog friends). Plus, the Moonsongs Anthology 1 (collecting the first 3 stories in the series) will be free on Amazon tomorrow and Friday (1/9 & 1/10).
So if you haven't picked one up, or maybe haven't gotten around to books 2 or 3, you can do so on me. :)
IWSG New Year, Same Old Fears
http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com
Confession: This started out as an "anti-resolution" post where I was going to list all of the things that could hold me back from accomplishing my writing goals this year, both real and imagined.
(FYI: That would've been a lengthy post.)
But as I was jotting things down, it occurred to me that it's the same damned list I had last year. And the year before. And probably the 5 years before that. (By my recent reckoning, I've been chasing my fiction writing tail for roughly 7 years.)
Here's the thing, I'm not even remotely in same place as a writer as I was 7 years ago. I should have new fears, new demons to scare away, and new hurdles to trip over.
Do I? Nope. I'm the Bill Murray in Groundhog's Day of writing.
Still worried that someone I admire is going to declare me a hack and I'll have to pack it in.
Still scared to share my writing with strangers.
Still hate telling people outside of the Internet I'm a writer.
Still conflicted by the balance of creativity and mass appeal you seemingly have to find to be a successful in the book business.
Still not sure I have a real place in this group. (Did I just make my own place? Is that cool?)
Still worried I'm not doing enough to reach my goals.
Still terrified I won't EVER be doing enough to reach my goals.
Still come up woefully short when I compare myself to my contemporaries.
Still don't really know what I'm doing on social media.
Still afraid my ideas are boring, my writing unoriginal, and my characters unmoving.
On, and on, and on, and on, and on it goes...
BUT I'M TELLING YOU IT'S THE SAME. Swap the words around, adjust my perspectives a hair, toss in a pinch of refuting validation, sure. But it's still the same soupy mess I try to wade through every year.
That's why the lesson here is so important. And it's one of those Dr. Seuss, so-simple-it-blows-your-mind kinds of lessons. Ready for it? Here goes!
It doesn't matter. None of it. Not an ounce.
This stuff didn't stop me 7 years ago, nor has it stopped me any year since. Which isn't to say the fears aren't real, and that I don't have to struggle with them. It just means I can go into the scrap with a little confidence.
It's like being the cartoon super heroes I loved to watch as a kid. I'll face stiff odds every time, but somehow, I'll come out on top. The story doesn't work any other way. No exceptions, the hero wins.
So I'd encourage you to really pause when you feel like you're facing something that's threatening to derail your writing train. Understand that many times you're going to have variations of the same obstacles for as long as you're moving forward with this gig.
You'll deal with the trouble and keep moving. After all, you've probably beat this thing before, and you'll most certainly do it again.
~EJW~
It's time for another Insecure Writer's Support Group post. What's up with the IWSG? In short, once a month a bunch of us post support, encouragement, or confess what's been eating at us. For more information, and to join in, click the button below. (And always present in the rolling sidebar gadget to the right.)
Before we get to that, I wanted to mention again that my Winter Thrills & Chills Tour is going strong. You can check the full list of stops HERE. (Today, I did guest posts on why I write like a reader and an author's tricks for pulling readers into the story--with an excerpt from Dragon's Game.)
There's also a fun giveaway you can enter (featuring books from several of our writing blog friends). Plus, the Moonsongs Anthology 1 (collecting the first 3 stories in the series) will be free on Amazon tomorrow and Friday (1/9 & 1/10).
So if you haven't picked one up, or maybe haven't gotten around to books 2 or 3, you can do so on me. :)
IWSG New Year, Same Old Fears
http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.comConfession: This started out as an "anti-resolution" post where I was going to list all of the things that could hold me back from accomplishing my writing goals this year, both real and imagined.
(FYI: That would've been a lengthy post.)
But as I was jotting things down, it occurred to me that it's the same damned list I had last year. And the year before. And probably the 5 years before that. (By my recent reckoning, I've been chasing my fiction writing tail for roughly 7 years.)
Here's the thing, I'm not even remotely in same place as a writer as I was 7 years ago. I should have new fears, new demons to scare away, and new hurdles to trip over.
Do I? Nope. I'm the Bill Murray in Groundhog's Day of writing.
Still worried that someone I admire is going to declare me a hack and I'll have to pack it in.
Still scared to share my writing with strangers.
Still hate telling people outside of the Internet I'm a writer.
Still conflicted by the balance of creativity and mass appeal you seemingly have to find to be a successful in the book business.
Still not sure I have a real place in this group. (Did I just make my own place? Is that cool?)
Still worried I'm not doing enough to reach my goals.
Still terrified I won't EVER be doing enough to reach my goals.
Still come up woefully short when I compare myself to my contemporaries.
Still don't really know what I'm doing on social media.
Still afraid my ideas are boring, my writing unoriginal, and my characters unmoving.
On, and on, and on, and on, and on it goes...
BUT I'M TELLING YOU IT'S THE SAME. Swap the words around, adjust my perspectives a hair, toss in a pinch of refuting validation, sure. But it's still the same soupy mess I try to wade through every year.
That's why the lesson here is so important. And it's one of those Dr. Seuss, so-simple-it-blows-your-mind kinds of lessons. Ready for it? Here goes!
It doesn't matter. None of it. Not an ounce.
This stuff didn't stop me 7 years ago, nor has it stopped me any year since. Which isn't to say the fears aren't real, and that I don't have to struggle with them. It just means I can go into the scrap with a little confidence.
It's like being the cartoon super heroes I loved to watch as a kid. I'll face stiff odds every time, but somehow, I'll come out on top. The story doesn't work any other way. No exceptions, the hero wins.
So I'd encourage you to really pause when you feel like you're facing something that's threatening to derail your writing train. Understand that many times you're going to have variations of the same obstacles for as long as you're moving forward with this gig.
You'll deal with the trouble and keep moving. After all, you've probably beat this thing before, and you'll most certainly do it again.
~EJW~
January 6, 2014
Thrills, Chills & A Happy New Year!
Hey, gang! 2014 is here and so are we. If that doesn't mean we "won" 2013, I don't know what does! :) Here's hoping you reached most of your goals from last year and have big plans for this one as well.
I've started the year with crappycrudcoughcongestionsnotbubble-itis, but other than that I'm hitting the ground running. I've got a big Moonsongs tour kicking off today to celebrate the release of the 5th book (Vampire's Ball released in late December while the slumbered away waiting for Santa).
You can check out all of the tour stops below, and be sure and enter the rafflecopter. Lots of signed books, Amazon $$$, and book bundles up for grabs.
I'd love to have you stop by and say howdy!
ALSO, you can nab a copy of my Moonsongs Anthology 1 (collecting the first three Moonsongs stories) for Kindle absolutely free today. I'd greatly appreciate the download (or sharing of the news for others to download) if you can spare a second.
Thrills & Chills Tour Schedule:
1/6
Mythical Books
Books and ThingsMy Love for Reading Keeps Growing
1/7
Buried in Books
Alwaysjoart
1/8
Curling Up With a Good Book
Book Lovers Life
Candace's Book Blog
1/9
The Nocturnal LibraryThe (Mis) Adventures of a Twenty Something Year Old Girl-
1/10
Books A to Z
Supernatural Snark
1/13
My Tangled Skeins Reviews
Alexia's Books and Such
Gin's Book Notes
A Tiffyfit's Reading Corner
1/14
Carpe_Diem
Bookish-
Our Wolves Den
1/15
Curse of the Bibliophile
Deal Sharing Aunt
Rainy Day Ramblings
Donnie Darko Girl
1/16
Wensend
WS Momma Readers Nook
Lilybloom Books
FUONLYKNEW
Book- Marks the Spot
1/17
Dalene's Book Reviews
Talk Supe
WS Momma Readers Nook
Margay Leah Justice
I'll be back here on Wednesday to share some Insecure Writer's Support Group fun. Until then, I'll ask: What's your #1 writing goal for 2014?
Mine is to publish a full-length novel (or at least have the plans in place for future publication). Speaking of, I need to get back to writing it!
~EJW~
I've started the year with crappycrudcoughcongestionsnotbubble-itis, but other than that I'm hitting the ground running. I've got a big Moonsongs tour kicking off today to celebrate the release of the 5th book (Vampire's Ball released in late December while the slumbered away waiting for Santa).
You can check out all of the tour stops below, and be sure and enter the rafflecopter. Lots of signed books, Amazon $$$, and book bundles up for grabs.
I'd love to have you stop by and say howdy!
ALSO, you can nab a copy of my Moonsongs Anthology 1 (collecting the first three Moonsongs stories) for Kindle absolutely free today. I'd greatly appreciate the download (or sharing of the news for others to download) if you can spare a second.
Thrills & Chills Tour Schedule:
1/6
Mythical Books
Books and ThingsMy Love for Reading Keeps Growing
1/7
Buried in Books
Alwaysjoart
1/8
Curling Up With a Good Book
Book Lovers Life
Candace's Book Blog
1/9
The Nocturnal LibraryThe (Mis) Adventures of a Twenty Something Year Old Girl-
1/10
Books A to Z
Supernatural Snark
1/13
My Tangled Skeins Reviews
Alexia's Books and Such
Gin's Book Notes
A Tiffyfit's Reading Corner
1/14
Carpe_Diem
Bookish-
Our Wolves Den
1/15
Curse of the Bibliophile
Deal Sharing Aunt
Rainy Day Ramblings
Donnie Darko Girl
1/16
Wensend
WS Momma Readers Nook
Lilybloom Books
FUONLYKNEW
Book- Marks the Spot
1/17
Dalene's Book Reviews
Talk Supe
WS Momma Readers Nook
Margay Leah Justice
I'll be back here on Wednesday to share some Insecure Writer's Support Group fun. Until then, I'll ask: What's your #1 writing goal for 2014?
Mine is to publish a full-length novel (or at least have the plans in place for future publication). Speaking of, I need to get back to writing it!
~EJW~
December 22, 2013
News & Greetings!
Hey, gang! Just wanted to share a bit of news about my latest Moonsongs release, a website, and wish y'all a happy holiday and joyous New Year.
About the release...
Vampire's Ball, Moonsongs Book 5
Jenny Moonsong recently inherited the title of "monster hunter" and an ancient tribal journal/how-to manual passed down by her Apache ancestors. Being a girl of action, she has found herself particularly capable when it comes to battling the werewolves, trolls, and other supernatural denizens lurking in the Texas night. Until now.
Vampire's Ball, Moonsongs book 5, finds Jenny and her best friend Marshal in their most harrowing adventure yet. Traveling by boat to an extravagant masquerade party located at a Galveston Island mansion, Jenny must parlay with an ancient vampire in order to secure the release of the dragon princes, Isis. The unexpected return of an old "friend" turns the evening into chaos, and leaves Jenny and company once again fighting for survival amidst a sea of supernatural foes.
Vampire's Ball is approximately 12,500 words of humor, horror and paranormal mystery. It is the fifth volume of the Moonsongs Books, an ongoing series of New Adult, urban fantasy novelettes by author E.J. Wesley.
~Moonsongs Series List~
Blood Fugue, Moonsongs Book 1 Witch's Nocturne, Moonsongs Book 2 Dark Prelude, Moonsongs Book 3 Dragon's Game, Moonsongs Book 4
Vampire's Ball, Moonsongs Book 5AMAZON & BARNES & NOBLE
Moonsongs, Anthology 1 (Collecting books 1, 2, & 3) - eBook/AMAZON - PAPERBACK
A little help from my friends...
I'm not doing any kind of big release "thing" for this one for a couple of reasons. 1) I've got a big blog tour coming in January, so I'm putting most of my energy into that. 2) It's the holidays and I know most of my blogging friends are very busy doing what they ought to be doing. (Hanging with friends/family, eating cookies, and drinking eggnog.) So I didn't want to ask people to post stuff on their blogs this week.
However, if you could spare a second to tweet or Facebook about the release it'd be HUGELY appreciated. (Or just share this post.) If not, no worries. We're still besties! (More on you being my besties below. :)
Here are some pre-cooked tweets and Facebook things for your ease of use:
(click to tweet)
Tweet: "As it turned out, pretty much everything that had ever given a kid a nightmare was real-" Vampire's Ball http://ctt.ec/cN3Zn+ #ebook
Tweet: "If you haven't started this series and have a thing for heroines with an attitude problem, add it to your TBR-" http://ctt.ec/l3df2+
Tweet: New holiday thrills & chills - Vampire's Ball by @EJWesley http://ctt.ec/7rt52+ #urbanfantasy #NewAdult #KindleBook
Facebook:
(copy/paste)
Warm up your holidays with some action-packed urban fantasy! E.J. Wesley just released book 5 in his Moonsongs series, Vampire's Ball. http://www.amazon.com/Vampires-Ball-M... #NewAdult #UrbanFantasy
"If you haven't started this series and have a thing for heroines with an attitude problem, add it to your TBR list right quick." ~ Amazon Reviewer ~ Vampire's Ball, Moonsongs book 5 by E.J. Wesley is now available. http://www.amazon.com/Vampires-Ball-M... #NewAdult #UrbanFantasy
"As it turned out, pretty much everything that had ever given a kid a nightmare was real..." Vampire's Ball by author E.J. Wesley is now available. http://www.amazon.com/Vampires-Ball-M... #NewAdult #UrbanFantasy
The website...
I have a website now! It's still a work in progress, but feel free to hop over and let me know what you think.
2013 and Holiday Wishes...
So, 2013 was busy/crazy/insane/fun/happy/sad/awesome/meh for me. After spending 6 years in South Texas, my wife and I uprooted and moved to Northern California over the summer. 99% of our family and friends live elsewhere (like far, far away elsewhere). So, as with any move, it has been a transition.
We're making new friends and truly love the area and people, however. Plus, I now live a short drive from Napa/Sonoma, San Francisco, and a bunch of the prettiest National Parks and mountains the US has to offer. So don't shed a tear for me just yet! :)
Meanwhile in 2013, I published 3 more Moonsongs stories, an Anthology, my first print book, joined the team over at the New Adult Alley Blog, helped start a new audio companion show for our New Adult literature Twitter chats (every Thursday night, 9 PM Eastern--if you haven't seen what we're up to lately, stop by in the new year), and started (and trying like heck to finish) what will become my first published novel for next year.
In a time full of change for me, the one constant has been y'all. (My besties!) I've grown as a writer, failed as a blogger (at times), made friends, lost touch with friends, shared in your joys, related to your setbacks, and so much more.
There are precious few certainties in this writing life (and really, life in general), so knowing that I can hop online no matter where I might wander off to and find friends who are still writing, still passionate about reading, and still encouraging one another has made all the difference to me.
So with that, I'd like to say thank you one last time in 2013. It's an honor to call you my peers and friends. May the rest of your year be happy, healthy, and blessed. And here's to 2014 bringing you more of the same.
~EJW~
About the release...
Vampire's Ball, Moonsongs Book 5
Jenny Moonsong recently inherited the title of "monster hunter" and an ancient tribal journal/how-to manual passed down by her Apache ancestors. Being a girl of action, she has found herself particularly capable when it comes to battling the werewolves, trolls, and other supernatural denizens lurking in the Texas night. Until now.
Vampire's Ball, Moonsongs book 5, finds Jenny and her best friend Marshal in their most harrowing adventure yet. Traveling by boat to an extravagant masquerade party located at a Galveston Island mansion, Jenny must parlay with an ancient vampire in order to secure the release of the dragon princes, Isis. The unexpected return of an old "friend" turns the evening into chaos, and leaves Jenny and company once again fighting for survival amidst a sea of supernatural foes.
Vampire's Ball is approximately 12,500 words of humor, horror and paranormal mystery. It is the fifth volume of the Moonsongs Books, an ongoing series of New Adult, urban fantasy novelettes by author E.J. Wesley.
~Moonsongs Series List~
Blood Fugue, Moonsongs Book 1 Witch's Nocturne, Moonsongs Book 2 Dark Prelude, Moonsongs Book 3 Dragon's Game, Moonsongs Book 4
Vampire's Ball, Moonsongs Book 5AMAZON & BARNES & NOBLE
Moonsongs, Anthology 1 (Collecting books 1, 2, & 3) - eBook/AMAZON - PAPERBACK
A little help from my friends...
I'm not doing any kind of big release "thing" for this one for a couple of reasons. 1) I've got a big blog tour coming in January, so I'm putting most of my energy into that. 2) It's the holidays and I know most of my blogging friends are very busy doing what they ought to be doing. (Hanging with friends/family, eating cookies, and drinking eggnog.) So I didn't want to ask people to post stuff on their blogs this week.
However, if you could spare a second to tweet or Facebook about the release it'd be HUGELY appreciated. (Or just share this post.) If not, no worries. We're still besties! (More on you being my besties below. :)
Here are some pre-cooked tweets and Facebook things for your ease of use:
(click to tweet)
Tweet: "As it turned out, pretty much everything that had ever given a kid a nightmare was real-" Vampire's Ball http://ctt.ec/cN3Zn+ #ebook
Tweet: "If you haven't started this series and have a thing for heroines with an attitude problem, add it to your TBR-" http://ctt.ec/l3df2+
Tweet: New holiday thrills & chills - Vampire's Ball by @EJWesley http://ctt.ec/7rt52+ #urbanfantasy #NewAdult #KindleBook
Facebook:
(copy/paste)
Warm up your holidays with some action-packed urban fantasy! E.J. Wesley just released book 5 in his Moonsongs series, Vampire's Ball. http://www.amazon.com/Vampires-Ball-M... #NewAdult #UrbanFantasy
"If you haven't started this series and have a thing for heroines with an attitude problem, add it to your TBR list right quick." ~ Amazon Reviewer ~ Vampire's Ball, Moonsongs book 5 by E.J. Wesley is now available. http://www.amazon.com/Vampires-Ball-M... #NewAdult #UrbanFantasy
"As it turned out, pretty much everything that had ever given a kid a nightmare was real..." Vampire's Ball by author E.J. Wesley is now available. http://www.amazon.com/Vampires-Ball-M... #NewAdult #UrbanFantasy
The website...
I have a website now! It's still a work in progress, but feel free to hop over and let me know what you think.
2013 and Holiday Wishes...
So, 2013 was busy/crazy/insane/fun/happy/sad/awesome/meh for me. After spending 6 years in South Texas, my wife and I uprooted and moved to Northern California over the summer. 99% of our family and friends live elsewhere (like far, far away elsewhere). So, as with any move, it has been a transition.
We're making new friends and truly love the area and people, however. Plus, I now live a short drive from Napa/Sonoma, San Francisco, and a bunch of the prettiest National Parks and mountains the US has to offer. So don't shed a tear for me just yet! :)
Meanwhile in 2013, I published 3 more Moonsongs stories, an Anthology, my first print book, joined the team over at the New Adult Alley Blog, helped start a new audio companion show for our New Adult literature Twitter chats (every Thursday night, 9 PM Eastern--if you haven't seen what we're up to lately, stop by in the new year), and started (and trying like heck to finish) what will become my first published novel for next year.
In a time full of change for me, the one constant has been y'all. (My besties!) I've grown as a writer, failed as a blogger (at times), made friends, lost touch with friends, shared in your joys, related to your setbacks, and so much more.
There are precious few certainties in this writing life (and really, life in general), so knowing that I can hop online no matter where I might wander off to and find friends who are still writing, still passionate about reading, and still encouraging one another has made all the difference to me.
So with that, I'd like to say thank you one last time in 2013. It's an honor to call you my peers and friends. May the rest of your year be happy, healthy, and blessed. And here's to 2014 bringing you more of the same.
~EJW~
December 12, 2013
The Ghosts of Aquinnah - Get To Know Stella
Hey, gang! Very excited to share a character profile from my pal Julie Flanders' latest, The Ghosts of Aquinnah. Sounds like Julie has woven yet another superbly suspenseful story for us! (If you haven't read Polar Night yet, do so. Soon. :)
Take it away, Stella!
Aquinnah, Massachusetts
The Ghosts of Aquinnah Character Interview
What is your name?
Stella Winslow
What do you look like?
I’m petite and thin, I’ve always been called tiny. I have long auburn hair, fair skin, and green eyes.
When were you born? Where do you live?
I was born in 1864 and I live in the town of Chilmark on the island of Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts. I’ve lived on the same farm for my whole life. It used to belong to my parents, now it belongs to my husband.
What has been the most important event in your life?
I helped in the rescue efforts when The City of Columbus sank off the coast of Gay Head in January, 1884. I took care of one of the survivors, a young man named Christopher Casey. That experience totally changed my life.
Have you ever been in love?
I have, once. I’ve also been married once. I didn’t marry the person I loved and I didn’t love the person I married.
Do you hold grudges?
Yes, I do. And I’m like a dog with a bone once I’ve set my mind to something. If I have a wrong that I think needs to be righted, I don’t care how long it takes me to accomplish that.
Who is the person you respect the most? Despise the most?
I respect my parents, they were wonderful people. I despise my husband.
What goal do you most want to accomplish in your lifetime?
I want people to know the truth about Christopher Casey.
Blurb:
A brilliant flash of light transcends through time.
Another freezes a cloaked figure within a frame of salty mist as waves crash against a rocky shore. Her harrowing expression shadows the beacon to a pinprick.
By the next blaze, she is gone. Only the lighthouse remains.
Hannah’s eyes blink in step with each heartbeat. Images of her deceased parents and Martha’s Vineyard explode like firecrackers inside her mind.
She shakes her head.
For weeks this eerie woman dressed in nineteenth century garb has been haunting my webcam, but tonight she stared into my soul.
Why? ...
Who is she? ...
Casting aside months of research on historic lighthouses, Hannah drives to the coast and boards a ferry.
What is the strange connection she has to this mysterious woman suspended in time?
Hannah finds out.
But, it’s not at all what she expects...
Hannah unravels a century old murder.
Buy The Ghosts of Aquinnah :
Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Smashwords ~ Ink Smith Store
Author Bio: Julie Flanders is a novelist and freelance writer in Cincinnati, Ohio. She has a life-long love affair with the ocean and has spent more summer vacations than she can count on the island of Martha’s Vineyard. When not writing, Julie can be found playing with her pets, reading, cheering on her favorite sports teams, and watching too much television. The Ghosts of Aquinnah is Julie’s second novel. Her debut novel Polar Night was released in February, 2013 by Ink Smith Publishing.
Find Julie at:
Website ~ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Pinterest ~ Goodreads
Take it away, Stella!
Aquinnah, MassachusettsThe Ghosts of Aquinnah Character Interview
What is your name?
Stella Winslow
What do you look like?
I’m petite and thin, I’ve always been called tiny. I have long auburn hair, fair skin, and green eyes.
When were you born? Where do you live?
I was born in 1864 and I live in the town of Chilmark on the island of Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts. I’ve lived on the same farm for my whole life. It used to belong to my parents, now it belongs to my husband.
What has been the most important event in your life?
I helped in the rescue efforts when The City of Columbus sank off the coast of Gay Head in January, 1884. I took care of one of the survivors, a young man named Christopher Casey. That experience totally changed my life.
Have you ever been in love?
I have, once. I’ve also been married once. I didn’t marry the person I loved and I didn’t love the person I married.
Do you hold grudges?
Yes, I do. And I’m like a dog with a bone once I’ve set my mind to something. If I have a wrong that I think needs to be righted, I don’t care how long it takes me to accomplish that.
Who is the person you respect the most? Despise the most?
I respect my parents, they were wonderful people. I despise my husband.
What goal do you most want to accomplish in your lifetime?
I want people to know the truth about Christopher Casey.
Blurb:
A brilliant flash of light transcends through time.
Another freezes a cloaked figure within a frame of salty mist as waves crash against a rocky shore. Her harrowing expression shadows the beacon to a pinprick.
By the next blaze, she is gone. Only the lighthouse remains.
Hannah’s eyes blink in step with each heartbeat. Images of her deceased parents and Martha’s Vineyard explode like firecrackers inside her mind.
She shakes her head.
For weeks this eerie woman dressed in nineteenth century garb has been haunting my webcam, but tonight she stared into my soul.
Why? ...
Who is she? ...
Casting aside months of research on historic lighthouses, Hannah drives to the coast and boards a ferry.
What is the strange connection she has to this mysterious woman suspended in time?
Hannah finds out.
But, it’s not at all what she expects...
Hannah unravels a century old murder.
Buy The Ghosts of Aquinnah :
Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Smashwords ~ Ink Smith Store
Author Bio: Julie Flanders is a novelist and freelance writer in Cincinnati, Ohio. She has a life-long love affair with the ocean and has spent more summer vacations than she can count on the island of Martha’s Vineyard. When not writing, Julie can be found playing with her pets, reading, cheering on her favorite sports teams, and watching too much television. The Ghosts of Aquinnah is Julie’s second novel. Her debut novel Polar Night was released in February, 2013 by Ink Smith Publishing.
Find Julie at:
Website ~ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Pinterest ~ Goodreads
December 4, 2013
IWSG - A Casual Affair
Hey, gang! Hope those of you who celebrated turkey and togetherness last week did so in grand fashion. It's time to for another Insecure Writer's Support Group post (IWSG).
What is IWSG? Besides being a collection of awesome people, it's THE support network for writers. We offer each other encouragement and commiseration on the first Wednesday of each month. Click the pic below for more details and to learn how to join.
A fling…
A flirt…
A dalliance…
A romp…
A cup of devilishly unusual tea in a strange café I'll never set foot in again…
Sometimes writing a story is all of those things to me. It's like a pair of expensive shoes so impractical I'll only be able to wear them once, with a specific shirt, and then put them back in the box forever. It's one night spent in the company of a beautiful stranger, no names or phone numbers exchanged.
I firmly believe writing CAN be a casual affair. Thing is, it took me a while to work up to being able to accept that.
See, I've been something of a serial monogamist when it comes to my writing. For the most part, I'm a Plain Jane, stick-in-the-mud, write-what-I-love kind of writer.
I like fantasy. The impossible excites me. Thinking about dark things that shouldn't exist frightens me--in a terribly good way. The story is a-rocking when fantastical things come a-knocking so to speak.
I like feisty characters who crack the quip-whip with reckless abandon. (Don't stand too close! She'll snap you!) Bold is usually the first--and main--ingredient in my protagonist soup.
So what happens when I start writing a contemporary story with a main character who is more contemplative than combative? A story where I can't toss in an explosion or fangs when things start to drag?
*breathes heavily into paper sack*
I get a little nervous. The itchy, twitchy shakes set in. If I'm being completely honest, it feels a little like I'm stepping out on my main gal. No, it goes deeper than that. At times it feels more like I'm betraying my very writing nature.
But it's damned fun! Like a kid playing dress up, I get to be something I'm not. I get to be a writer of "serious fiction" (well, not SO serious--War And Peace this is not). In that way it is fantasy I suppose.
Perhaps the most important aspect of playing in the shadows of my comfort zone is that it has forced me to grow as a writer. Nothing about writing this contemporary story has come easily for me. There's no writing from the cuff. It's a blissful struggle most days.
And like all meaningful workouts, it sometimes leaves me sore and questioning if I'm fit enough to pull it off. Then I'll re-read a few pages.
I'll see that I'm letting characters express themselves in ways I've never done before. A good scene will jump out, and I'll think, "I could never have done this in fantasy!"
I'll find a few nuggets of sparkling brilliance in a mine full of dark rocks. My confidence spikes (a little LOL) and I get back to digging, because I know I might just hit the mother load if I keep at it.
Will I consider myself a master of contemporary fiction when I'm done? Will anyone else? Not likely. But I will have had one heck of a good time doing it. Who knows, maybe I'll even try another one.
What about you? Have you written anything outside of your usual genre or category lately? How did it turn out? Would you do it again?
~EJW~
What is IWSG? Besides being a collection of awesome people, it's THE support network for writers. We offer each other encouragement and commiseration on the first Wednesday of each month. Click the pic below for more details and to learn how to join.
A fling…
A flirt…
A dalliance…
A romp…
A cup of devilishly unusual tea in a strange café I'll never set foot in again…
Sometimes writing a story is all of those things to me. It's like a pair of expensive shoes so impractical I'll only be able to wear them once, with a specific shirt, and then put them back in the box forever. It's one night spent in the company of a beautiful stranger, no names or phone numbers exchanged.
I firmly believe writing CAN be a casual affair. Thing is, it took me a while to work up to being able to accept that.
See, I've been something of a serial monogamist when it comes to my writing. For the most part, I'm a Plain Jane, stick-in-the-mud, write-what-I-love kind of writer.
I like fantasy. The impossible excites me. Thinking about dark things that shouldn't exist frightens me--in a terribly good way. The story is a-rocking when fantastical things come a-knocking so to speak.
I like feisty characters who crack the quip-whip with reckless abandon. (Don't stand too close! She'll snap you!) Bold is usually the first--and main--ingredient in my protagonist soup.
So what happens when I start writing a contemporary story with a main character who is more contemplative than combative? A story where I can't toss in an explosion or fangs when things start to drag?
*breathes heavily into paper sack*
I get a little nervous. The itchy, twitchy shakes set in. If I'm being completely honest, it feels a little like I'm stepping out on my main gal. No, it goes deeper than that. At times it feels more like I'm betraying my very writing nature.
But it's damned fun! Like a kid playing dress up, I get to be something I'm not. I get to be a writer of "serious fiction" (well, not SO serious--War And Peace this is not). In that way it is fantasy I suppose.
Perhaps the most important aspect of playing in the shadows of my comfort zone is that it has forced me to grow as a writer. Nothing about writing this contemporary story has come easily for me. There's no writing from the cuff. It's a blissful struggle most days.
And like all meaningful workouts, it sometimes leaves me sore and questioning if I'm fit enough to pull it off. Then I'll re-read a few pages.
I'll see that I'm letting characters express themselves in ways I've never done before. A good scene will jump out, and I'll think, "I could never have done this in fantasy!"
I'll find a few nuggets of sparkling brilliance in a mine full of dark rocks. My confidence spikes (a little LOL) and I get back to digging, because I know I might just hit the mother load if I keep at it.
Will I consider myself a master of contemporary fiction when I'm done? Will anyone else? Not likely. But I will have had one heck of a good time doing it. Who knows, maybe I'll even try another one.
What about you? Have you written anything outside of your usual genre or category lately? How did it turn out? Would you do it again?
~EJW~
November 24, 2013
5 Things To Be Grateful For--Debut Author Edition - Crystal Collier
Hey, gang! I know we're headed into a busy holiday week for some, so I wanted to take the chance to wish all of you safe travels and loads of fun. Also wanted to share some things to be thankful for--with a writerly slant, of course.
So author-friend Crystal Collier put together this great post. Crystal's debut novel, Moonless, is out now, and what a great way to stuff your own stocking this holiday season! (Okay, on the proofread that came out unintentionally tawdry … but I'm leaving it because it also made me snort-laugh like a 7th grader.)
With that, how about I just let Crystal take it away. :D
Five Things (Or So) To Be Grateful For--Debut Author Edition
E.J., thank you so much for having me here today! It's amazing, as you look back over a period of time, how many people influence your life and help you grow. As a debut author, I've been marveling at how I got where I am, so I want to share the things/people I'm MOST grateful for (publishing wise):
1. The Editor. Have you met the amazing Bethany Kaczmarek at A Little Red, Inc.? My publisher let me choose my own editor, and after much research and communication, I met Bethany. Her style and taste directly complimented my story, and she not only kept me laughing while editing, but caught absolutely EVERYTHING. Some people edit because they can. Some edit because they have a gift. She's the latter--and I'm exceptionally blessed for being able to work with her.
2. Critique Partners/Beta Readers: The biggest support has been my creative partner and husband. He reads everything--even if it's not his genre of choice--and even brainstorms with me. Best. Thing. Ever. I don't know what I'd do without Rachel Hert--from exchanging cheesy emails (where she locks me in a basement to work and keeps me alive with cheese dropped down the laundry chute,) to the continued support. Similarly, T.C. Mckee has been the wind beneath my wings. Her optimism and encouragement gave me the courage to get out there. My writing coach, Sharon Johnston (whose book, Sleeper, releases December 2), bequeathed me with a new title and helped fashion this story so literary agents were clamoring for it. My mom and sister read multiple times. Lastly, for my amazing beta readers in 2009 (all 32 of you), I am intensely grateful--and especially for your amazing weekly feedback.
3. Readers/Reviewers: Every time someone says they've read my book, every time someone is kind enough to leave a review, I feel like breaking out a turkey and having Thanksgiving dinner.
4. Blog friends/Writers/Support Groups: WriteOnCon connected me with Rachel. (LOVE YOU WRITEONCON ORGANIZERS!) There have been innumerable writers who've been an example of what to (and not to) do. I've been blessed with amazing support groups (WriteOnBuildOn, DayDreamers Anonymous, Writers Support 4U, my Goodreads groups, and YaLitChat)--you've kept me going and taught me so much. Lastly, my bloggies--including the Insecure Writers Group, and What's Up Wednesday peeps, you have been an immense support/staple in my developing career. I'm intensely grateful for Rachael Harrie with her Writers Crusades...ahem, Campaigns, and my buddies with the Choose Your Own Adventure bloghops.
5. Goodreads/Amazon/Cheese: Reading is the key to good writing, so I'm grateful for all establishments that sell books, but especially for Goodreads and the real-world recommendations that keep me in the know. And of course, cheese keeps the brain pumping.
Who and what are you most grateful for this year?
Crystal Collier, author of MOONLESS, is a former composer/writer for Black Diamond Productions. She can be found practicing her brother-induced ninja skills while teaching children or madly typing about fantastic and impossible creatures. She has lived from coast to coast and now calls Florida home with her creative husband, three littles, and “friend” (a.k.a. the zombie locked in her closet). Secretly, she dreams of world domination and a bottomless supply of cheese.
You can find her on her blog and Facebook, or follow her on Twitter.
Alexia’s nightmares become reality: a dead baron, red-eyed wraiths, and forbidden love with a man hunted by these creatures. After an attack close to home, Alexia realizes she cannot keep one foot in her old life and one in this new world. To protect her family she must either be sold into a loveless marriage, or escape with her beloved and risk becoming one of the Soulless.
MOONLESS is Jane Eyre meets Supernatural.
"MOONLESS is powerful, compelling, and packed with soul." --Bethany Kaczmarek, editor at A Little Red, Inc.
"I fell head over heels for the characters." --TC Mckee, BookFish Books
"Power-packed action, heart stopping mystery, unpredictable twists and turns..." --I Am a Reader Not a Writer
Buy MOONLESS HERE or add it on Goodreads.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
So author-friend Crystal Collier put together this great post. Crystal's debut novel, Moonless, is out now, and what a great way to stuff your own stocking this holiday season! (Okay, on the proofread that came out unintentionally tawdry … but I'm leaving it because it also made me snort-laugh like a 7th grader.)
With that, how about I just let Crystal take it away. :D
Five Things (Or So) To Be Grateful For--Debut Author Edition
E.J., thank you so much for having me here today! It's amazing, as you look back over a period of time, how many people influence your life and help you grow. As a debut author, I've been marveling at how I got where I am, so I want to share the things/people I'm MOST grateful for (publishing wise):
1. The Editor. Have you met the amazing Bethany Kaczmarek at A Little Red, Inc.? My publisher let me choose my own editor, and after much research and communication, I met Bethany. Her style and taste directly complimented my story, and she not only kept me laughing while editing, but caught absolutely EVERYTHING. Some people edit because they can. Some edit because they have a gift. She's the latter--and I'm exceptionally blessed for being able to work with her.2. Critique Partners/Beta Readers: The biggest support has been my creative partner and husband. He reads everything--even if it's not his genre of choice--and even brainstorms with me. Best. Thing. Ever. I don't know what I'd do without Rachel Hert--from exchanging cheesy emails (where she locks me in a basement to work and keeps me alive with cheese dropped down the laundry chute,) to the continued support. Similarly, T.C. Mckee has been the wind beneath my wings. Her optimism and encouragement gave me the courage to get out there. My writing coach, Sharon Johnston (whose book, Sleeper, releases December 2), bequeathed me with a new title and helped fashion this story so literary agents were clamoring for it. My mom and sister read multiple times. Lastly, for my amazing beta readers in 2009 (all 32 of you), I am intensely grateful--and especially for your amazing weekly feedback.
3. Readers/Reviewers: Every time someone says they've read my book, every time someone is kind enough to leave a review, I feel like breaking out a turkey and having Thanksgiving dinner.
4. Blog friends/Writers/Support Groups: WriteOnCon connected me with Rachel. (LOVE YOU WRITEONCON ORGANIZERS!) There have been innumerable writers who've been an example of what to (and not to) do. I've been blessed with amazing support groups (WriteOnBuildOn, DayDreamers Anonymous, Writers Support 4U, my Goodreads groups, and YaLitChat)--you've kept me going and taught me so much. Lastly, my bloggies--including the Insecure Writers Group, and What's Up Wednesday peeps, you have been an immense support/staple in my developing career. I'm intensely grateful for Rachael Harrie with her Writers Crusades...ahem, Campaigns, and my buddies with the Choose Your Own Adventure bloghops.
5. Goodreads/Amazon/Cheese: Reading is the key to good writing, so I'm grateful for all establishments that sell books, but especially for Goodreads and the real-world recommendations that keep me in the know. And of course, cheese keeps the brain pumping.
Who and what are you most grateful for this year?
Crystal Collier, author of MOONLESS, is a former composer/writer for Black Diamond Productions. She can be found practicing her brother-induced ninja skills while teaching children or madly typing about fantastic and impossible creatures. She has lived from coast to coast and now calls Florida home with her creative husband, three littles, and “friend” (a.k.a. the zombie locked in her closet). Secretly, she dreams of world domination and a bottomless supply of cheese. You can find her on her blog and Facebook, or follow her on Twitter.
Alexia’s nightmares become reality: a dead baron, red-eyed wraiths, and forbidden love with a man hunted by these creatures. After an attack close to home, Alexia realizes she cannot keep one foot in her old life and one in this new world. To protect her family she must either be sold into a loveless marriage, or escape with her beloved and risk becoming one of the Soulless.MOONLESS is Jane Eyre meets Supernatural.
"MOONLESS is powerful, compelling, and packed with soul." --Bethany Kaczmarek, editor at A Little Red, Inc.
"I fell head over heels for the characters." --TC Mckee, BookFish Books
"Power-packed action, heart stopping mystery, unpredictable twists and turns..." --I Am a Reader Not a Writer
Buy MOONLESS HERE or add it on Goodreads.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
November 20, 2013
Writing With Voice: What's Your 'Thing'? Do You Need One?
Hey, gang! Hope this post finds you all doing well and, especially if you're of the NaNoWriMo kind, pushing toward your goals. :)
One thing I always try to stay aware of as I revise a story is voice. (I know, my hackles rise a bit when that word gets mentioned, too … but stay with me!) I want to figure out what's going to take it from being A story to being MY story as it were.
This is at least partially because I'm writing urban fantasy, and there are lots (and lots, and lots more) of stories about vampires, werewolves, etc. these days, and I want my work to stand out in some small way.
Now, I was just as confused as everyone else when I first began trying to figure out what voice was all about. I'd read all of these articles, books, and interviews from various-amazing-authors that seemed to give it an almost spiritual quality.
Apparently, voice was this ethereal ball of gas floating in the subconscious writing portion of our brains that couldn't be contained, only harnessed. And only the wisest and most determined writers would be able to master it.
Yeah, I felt totally screwed. I'm not the wisest writer (by a wide, Grand Canyon-esque margin I'm afraid), and writing--for the most part--for me isn't a very spiritual process.
When I'm writing, I tend to swear at my computer, drink ridiculous amounts caffeine bang my head on tables, stare at ceilings, curse my dull brain--well, let's just say it isn't all that Zen-like.
I'm more of a construction foreman for a highly-emotional, chaotic, and never-ending road project than a high priest quietly orchestrating a beautiful religious ceremony.
But I am determined, so something had to give, right?
What I learned was this: Voice isn't abstract, or at least the components that make it up aren't. In fact, it's the furthest thing from it! Is it hard to apply? Yes … mostly … well, just more tedious until you get the hang of it I suppose.
Voice is your personal flavor. It's your spice of choice. Just like how you take your coffee (or iced tea in the South), voice says, "That one is mine."
But it shouldn't be confused with just being description, which is something I did early on. My thought was, "I'm the only person who can describe a sunset the way I see it, so that has to be what will make my writing unique."
That was only part of the formula. The rest of it includes pacing, dialogue, action/reaction, humor, plot choices, and pretty much everything else that goes into a story.
Ultimately, how you apply all of that results in your voice, or your "thing". And that's where the discussion gets a little philosophical in my opinion, because that "thing" is pretty much open for interpretation.
What I think is clever, you might find trite. What scares me, won't necessarily keep you up at night. But when a writer has a thing, we know it--even if we can't agree on what it is, and maybe even if we don't like it.
Think about some of the great "voice" authors out there. Here are examples from a few of my favorites. These are completely random finds from books sitting on my shelf. I'm not looking for a specific paragraph. See if you can guess the authors based on the excerpt:
---
"I worried about it for a moment as I held the bottle by the neck, but I wanted to trust her, and so I did. I took a minor sip, and as soon as I swallowed, I felt my body rejecting the stinging syrup of it. It washed back up my esophagus, but I swallowed hard, and there, yes, I did it. I was drinking on campus."
---
If you're a fan of his, you probably immediately recognized John Green's handiwork in Looking For Alaska.
Components that make up his voice: Long, protracted sentences. (He doesn't get super-clippy unless it's dialogue.) A very mature and pragmatic character perspective (for YA … "I did it. I was drinking on campus."). Using a big, and probably anatomically correct, word like "esophagus" instead of the simpler "throat".
Here's another!
---
"He could be as quiet as a Viet Cong guerrilla creeping through the bush, but her ears had gotten attuned to him over the last three weeks, and tonight, as a bonus, there was a moon. She heard a faint scrape and clatter of gravel, and she knew where he was going. Ignoring her aches, she followed. It was a quarter after ten."
---
This one is a little trickier, but Stephen King (The Stand) can create tension like no other.
Components that make up his voice: Non-lavish, but highly evocative descriptors ("quiet as a Viet Cong", "a moon"). Also, how little he gives the reader in terms of perspective and motivation, yet still manages to convey direction and purpose in the scene. ("she knew where he was going", "It was a quarter after ten.")
Last one--this one has a giveaway if you're a fan, but it's a great example nonetheless.
---
"I'd made a vampire cry. Great. I felt like a real superhero. Harry Dresden, breaker of monsters' hearts."
---
Jim Butcher (Storm Front, Dresden Files Book One) is a real case study for anyone looking for examples of voice in first person storytelling.
Components that make up his voice: You could take almost any paragraph from one of his books and find the same sarcasm and gloomy humor woven throughout.
As I said earlier, and the examples hopefully illustrate, voice isn't an abstract concept. By evaluating things like word choice (are you the type of writer who uses throat instead of esophagus?), description, and tone you can force voice into your work.
But here's the (another?) thing: There are many talented authors and great stories out there that don't have a strong voice. In fact, I'd argue that many genres of fiction rely heavily on the author NOT pushing their own style overboard.
Much of the science fiction and fantasy I read is intentionally left bland, forcing the reader to put their own personality into play. There are risks involved with such storytelling, because it can lead to undefined and uninteresting characters. But when the focus is on the world and sociology, I don't believe it's always wrong to let the reader paint the canvas you've given them.
Two of my favorite authors in those genres, Tolkien and Orson Scott Card, aren't overly ham-handed with their style. They simply tell a good story.
So that leaves me with a bunch of questions: How important is voice? Do we need to have a definitive writing style, or is telling a good story enough? How important is it to readers?
~EJW~
One thing I always try to stay aware of as I revise a story is voice. (I know, my hackles rise a bit when that word gets mentioned, too … but stay with me!) I want to figure out what's going to take it from being A story to being MY story as it were.
This is at least partially because I'm writing urban fantasy, and there are lots (and lots, and lots more) of stories about vampires, werewolves, etc. these days, and I want my work to stand out in some small way.
Now, I was just as confused as everyone else when I first began trying to figure out what voice was all about. I'd read all of these articles, books, and interviews from various-amazing-authors that seemed to give it an almost spiritual quality.
Apparently, voice was this ethereal ball of gas floating in the subconscious writing portion of our brains that couldn't be contained, only harnessed. And only the wisest and most determined writers would be able to master it.
Yeah, I felt totally screwed. I'm not the wisest writer (by a wide, Grand Canyon-esque margin I'm afraid), and writing--for the most part--for me isn't a very spiritual process.
When I'm writing, I tend to swear at my computer, drink ridiculous amounts caffeine bang my head on tables, stare at ceilings, curse my dull brain--well, let's just say it isn't all that Zen-like.
I'm more of a construction foreman for a highly-emotional, chaotic, and never-ending road project than a high priest quietly orchestrating a beautiful religious ceremony.
But I am determined, so something had to give, right?
What I learned was this: Voice isn't abstract, or at least the components that make it up aren't. In fact, it's the furthest thing from it! Is it hard to apply? Yes … mostly … well, just more tedious until you get the hang of it I suppose.
Voice is your personal flavor. It's your spice of choice. Just like how you take your coffee (or iced tea in the South), voice says, "That one is mine."
But it shouldn't be confused with just being description, which is something I did early on. My thought was, "I'm the only person who can describe a sunset the way I see it, so that has to be what will make my writing unique."
That was only part of the formula. The rest of it includes pacing, dialogue, action/reaction, humor, plot choices, and pretty much everything else that goes into a story.
Ultimately, how you apply all of that results in your voice, or your "thing". And that's where the discussion gets a little philosophical in my opinion, because that "thing" is pretty much open for interpretation.
What I think is clever, you might find trite. What scares me, won't necessarily keep you up at night. But when a writer has a thing, we know it--even if we can't agree on what it is, and maybe even if we don't like it.
Think about some of the great "voice" authors out there. Here are examples from a few of my favorites. These are completely random finds from books sitting on my shelf. I'm not looking for a specific paragraph. See if you can guess the authors based on the excerpt:
---
"I worried about it for a moment as I held the bottle by the neck, but I wanted to trust her, and so I did. I took a minor sip, and as soon as I swallowed, I felt my body rejecting the stinging syrup of it. It washed back up my esophagus, but I swallowed hard, and there, yes, I did it. I was drinking on campus."
---
If you're a fan of his, you probably immediately recognized John Green's handiwork in Looking For Alaska.
Components that make up his voice: Long, protracted sentences. (He doesn't get super-clippy unless it's dialogue.) A very mature and pragmatic character perspective (for YA … "I did it. I was drinking on campus."). Using a big, and probably anatomically correct, word like "esophagus" instead of the simpler "throat".
Here's another!
---
"He could be as quiet as a Viet Cong guerrilla creeping through the bush, but her ears had gotten attuned to him over the last three weeks, and tonight, as a bonus, there was a moon. She heard a faint scrape and clatter of gravel, and she knew where he was going. Ignoring her aches, she followed. It was a quarter after ten."
---
This one is a little trickier, but Stephen King (The Stand) can create tension like no other.
Components that make up his voice: Non-lavish, but highly evocative descriptors ("quiet as a Viet Cong", "a moon"). Also, how little he gives the reader in terms of perspective and motivation, yet still manages to convey direction and purpose in the scene. ("she knew where he was going", "It was a quarter after ten.")
Last one--this one has a giveaway if you're a fan, but it's a great example nonetheless.
---
"I'd made a vampire cry. Great. I felt like a real superhero. Harry Dresden, breaker of monsters' hearts."
---
Jim Butcher (Storm Front, Dresden Files Book One) is a real case study for anyone looking for examples of voice in first person storytelling.
Components that make up his voice: You could take almost any paragraph from one of his books and find the same sarcasm and gloomy humor woven throughout.
As I said earlier, and the examples hopefully illustrate, voice isn't an abstract concept. By evaluating things like word choice (are you the type of writer who uses throat instead of esophagus?), description, and tone you can force voice into your work.
But here's the (another?) thing: There are many talented authors and great stories out there that don't have a strong voice. In fact, I'd argue that many genres of fiction rely heavily on the author NOT pushing their own style overboard.
Much of the science fiction and fantasy I read is intentionally left bland, forcing the reader to put their own personality into play. There are risks involved with such storytelling, because it can lead to undefined and uninteresting characters. But when the focus is on the world and sociology, I don't believe it's always wrong to let the reader paint the canvas you've given them.
Two of my favorite authors in those genres, Tolkien and Orson Scott Card, aren't overly ham-handed with their style. They simply tell a good story.
So that leaves me with a bunch of questions: How important is voice? Do we need to have a definitive writing style, or is telling a good story enough? How important is it to readers?
~EJW~
