Janet Van Gorden's Blog, page 3

Welcome

Front Porch Blog… stories on books, writing, and life.

Welcome to my “front porch” blog.  Why the front porch?  The front porch is the place where people gather to swap stories, and share laughs.  It welcomes visitors, and serves as a landing place at the end of a long day when you can’t wait to get home.  A spot where time seems to slow down for just a little bit.  This blog represents that comfortable space, a place where I can share my thoughts, stories, and advice, with you.  I hope you take a few minutes out of your busy day to come hang out on the “front porch” with me.

A kind word

While at my book signing, a few days ago, I was approached by a mother and her young daughter. The woman said hello, then nudged the preteen girl and said, “Go ahead, you can ask her.” I smiled, and the mother said, “My daughter wants to know what it’s like to be a writer and what it takes to write a book.” I asked the girl if she enjoyed writing, and she nodded. Her mother told me about the notebooks full of stories her daughter has written. My smile widened as I told her all about my cardboard box of ideas I store under my bed, which I started collecting at right about that same age. Her nervous quiet disappeared, and turned into a big grin and great conversation. I highly encouraged her to pursue her writing. She then whispered to her mom, “Maybe I should finish that story I was working on.”  What a fantastic moment, to know I might have made a difference, inspiring a future writer. It makes being an author that much more special. 

Book Description 101: 5 Basic Traits

Let me just preface this post with the candid statement, I struggle with the concept of copywriting and how to harness its effectiveness in a book description.  Copywriting is the art of persuasion.  It is someone’s objective ability to sell a product, in this case our books, by creating a simple, evocative pitch that resonates into sales.  A difficult task for a personally invested author.

Do I want to sell you my book?  Heck, yeah.  Can I explain my book to you in a brief synopsis on the back cover?  No way.  I have too much I want to tell you, about the characters, their journey, and the emotional tug of war at play between them.  But, unless I’m willing to shell out more money than my shoe-string budget will allow, I’m on my own to find a way to keep it short, sweet and compelling.

Never underestimate the power of perseverance and the internet.  With much research, and copious note taking, I studied dozens of advice giving, ‘how-to’ posts suggesting their method for writing an excellent book description.  Searching for commonalities, (and a big neon sign screaming — “This is the secret. Write it this way.”) — I didn’t find the latter, but I did discover some of the basic traits most highly effective book descriptions share:

1. You need a headline.

Like a newspaper story catches your attention with its bold, captivating phrasing, a book description must do the same.  Create a statement about your book which generates instant curiosity.  And most difficult of all, at least for me, deliver the point of your story with a brief, powerful punch.

 

2. Share a little about your characters.  Readers want to know, “Why am I going to care about this story?” Give them a reason.  Sell them on who they are going to become attached to, and why.  Introduce your character by name, maybe share a personality quirk, and definitely shed a light on their troubles.  Hook the reader with a sense of identity, and a problem they want to see solved.  Also, if you’d like, incorporate a sense of setting.

3. Point out the big picture.

Whittle down the important events of your story into an overview, summarized in several strong sentences, while refraining from giving too much away.  In the words of one blog post, “…stay fuzzy on the specifics.”  According to another, “Be elusive and mysterious”.  Think of it like a puzzle.  Give the readers just enough pieces for a partial glimpse of the picture, while leaving them wanting to discover more of the missing parts and complete what they’ve started.   After all, our subtle goal is to encourage them to click the buy button.

4. Create a connection.  This is not about you, the author, it’s all about your reader.  Again, I go back to the one important question they want to know from you, “Why should I care?”  You want your fans not only to appreciate your book for the sake of the story, you want them to experience the picture you are painting for them, the one you poured blood, sweat, and tears into, to make it the masterpiece you see in your mind.  To sell that image, sprinkle emotional power words throughout your description.  You want to trigger a connection, and what better way than using words which bring to mind a whole array of feelings.  Oh, and don’t forget your genre specific words.  Well-read readers will appreciate your attention to detail.

5. Make your ending count.  TV series are a good example of this.  When the last episode of the season airs, they want as many viewers as possible hanging around, waiting on the edge of their seat for the next part of the story.  You want to elicit the same sensation in your readers.  Give them a cliffhanger.  Leave them on pins and needles, because the good news…for them and you, is they don’t have to wait for months, or weeks, or even days to find out the ending.  The book is calling them.  And if the closing of your description is effective, you make a sale.  Create the ultimate, “Oh I’ve got to find out what happens next,” moment.

It’s recommended to keep your description short.  Consensus on the “magic” number seems to be around 150 words, although some posts have suggested anywhere from 100 – 300, and one suggested making it as long, or as short as you want.  So, you decide.  The ‘blurb’ for my soon to be published book, is 241 words.

Keep in mind more than simply the back cover.  “Concise book descriptions will more likely be shared on social media.”  So if you are big into the social media scene, and building your author platform, remember dramatic and tight are key.  Exercise your judgment, and create the most persuasive piece of narration you can.

And there you have the basic gist of my introduction to what it takes to write a seductive book description, (see what I did there?).  Included below is the description for my soon to be released, Skye’s the Limit, the third and final book in my Paramour Romance Series…

Step into the town of Paramour, where the past meets the present and hearts find love at the most unlikely moment.

Sometimes you need to cross the bridges you’ve burned.

Sean Sullivan, sexy, charismatic bartender by night, and every woman’s dream in the early mornings, is always on the lookout for the next soft, curvy body to fill his loneliness.  He has no plans to commit beyond a one night stand.  He’s been there, done that, and his heart still wears the battle scars.  As far as he is concerned, love is an empty, four letter word, best avoided.  Especially when Skye Anderson appears, out of the blue, knocking at his door.

When cover model Skye Anderson, sets foot in Paramour Illinois, it isn’t by choice, and it certainly isn’t for the small town atmosphere.  She’s on a mission.  As the face of Macksam magazine, she longs for more than fame based on her looks.  She wants to be taken seriously.  Handed a chance to write an expose for the magazine, she’s thrilled.  Until she discovers her interview subject — the carefree bartender Sean Sullivan, whose heart she traded in for her glamorous L.A. dreams.

Stunned, but determined to secure her story, Skye is forced to finally face the wreckage of her past.  Will Sean Sullivan cooperate, and let her walk away with only what she came for, or will they both discover there is more to their own unfinished story?

Coming soon to Amazon Kindle and print, Skye’s the Limit, A Paramour Romance Book 3

Good luck with your book description.  Let me know your guidelines or methods, and feel free to share how it turned out.  Happy writing!

 

I Never Knew I Would Find Myself in the World of Mad Men Or What I Learned About Copywriting and Book Descriptions

Let me just preface this post with the candid statement, I struggle with the concept of copywriting and how to harness its effectiveness.  Copywriting is an art, an impersonal ability to persuade us to buy a product, in this case our books, by creating a few simple, evocative paragraphs that resonate into sales.  A difficult task for a personally invested author.

Do I want to sell you my book?  Heck, yeah.  Can I explain my book to you in a brief synopsis on the back cover?  No way.  I have too much I want to tell you, about the characters, their journey, and the emotional tug of war at play between them.  But, unless I’m willing to shell out more money than my shoe-string budget will allow, I’m on my own to find a way to keep it short, sweet and compelling.

Never underestimate the power of perseverance and the internet.  With much research, and copious note taking, I studied dozens of advice giving, ‘how-to’ posts suggesting their method for writing an excellent book description.  Searching for commonalities, (and a big neon sign screaming — “This is the secret. Write it this way.”) — I didn’t find the latter, but I did discover some of the basic traits most highly effective book descriptions share:

1. You need a headline.

Like a newspaper story catches your attention with its bold, captivating phrasing, a book description must do the same.  Create a statement about your book which generates instant curiosity.  And most difficult of all, at least for me, deliver the point of your story with a brief, powerful punch.

 

2. Share a little about your characters.  Readers want to know, “Why am I going to care about this story?” Give them a reason.  Sell them on who they are going to become attached to, and why.  Introduce your character by name, maybe share a personality quirk, and definitely shed a light on their troubles.  Hook the reader with a sense of identity, and a problem they want to see solved.  Also, if you’d like, incorporate a sense of setting.

3. Point out the big picture.

Whittle down the important events of your story into an overview, summarized in several strong sentences, while refraining from giving too much away.  In the words of one blog post, “…stay fuzzy on the specifics.”  According to another, “Be elusive and mysterious”.  Think of it like a puzzle.  Give the readers just enough pieces for a partial glimpse of the picture, while leaving them wanting to discover more of the missing parts and complete what they’ve started.   After all, our subtle goal is to encourage them to click the buy button.

4. Create a connection.  This is not about you, the author, it’s all about your reader.  Again, I go back to the one important question they want to know from you, “Why should I care?”  You want your fans not only to appreciate your book for the sake of the story, you want them to experience the picture you are painting for them, the one you poured blood, sweat, and tears into to make it the masterpiece you see in your mind.  To sell that image, sprinkle emotional power words throughout your description.  You want to trigger a connection, and what better way than using words which bring to mind a whole array of feelings.  Oh, and don’t forget your genre specific words.  Well-read readers will appreciate your attention to detail.

5. Make your ending count.  TV series are a good example of this.  When the last episode of the season airs, they want as many viewers as possible hanging around, waiting on the edge of their seat for the next part of the story.  You want to elicit the same sensation in your readers.  Give them a cliffhanger.  Leave them on pins and needles, because the good news…for them and you, is they don’t have to wait for months, or weeks, or even days to find out the ending.  The book is calling them.  And if the closing of your description is effective, you make a sale.  Create the ultimate, “Oh I’ve got to find out what happens next,” moment.

It’s recommended to keep your description short.  Consensus on the “magic” number seems to be around 150 words, although some posts have suggested anywhere from 100 – 300, and one suggested making it as long, or as short as you want.  So, you decide.  The ‘blurb’ for my soon to be published book, is 242 words.

Keep in mind more than simply the back cover.  “Concise book descriptions will more likely be shared on social media.”  So if you are big into the social media scene, and building your author platform, remember dramatic and tight are key.  Exercise your judgment, and create the most persuasive piece of narration you can.

And there you have the basic gist of my introduction to copywriting.  Included below is the description for my soon to be released, Skye’s the Limit, the third and final book in my Paramour Romance Series…

Step into the town of Paramour, where the past meets the present and hearts find love at the most unlikely moment.

Sometimes you need to cross the bridges you’ve burned.

Sean Sullivan, sexy, charismatic bartender by night, and every woman’s dream in the early mornings, is always on the lookout for the next soft, curvy body to fill his loneliness.  He has no plans to commit beyond a one night stand.  He’s been there, done that, and his heart still wears the battle scars.  As far as he is concerned, love is an empty, four letter word, best avoided.  Especially when Skye Anderson appears, out of the blue, knocking at his door.

When cover model Skye Anderson, sets foot in Paramour Illinois, it isn’t by choice, and it certainly isn’t for the small town atmosphere.  The face of Macksam magazine, she wants more than fame and attention based on her beauty.  She wants to be taken seriously.  So when given an opportunity to write an expose for the magazine, she’s thrilled.  That is until she discovers who she must interview–the carefree bartender Sean Sullivan, whose heart she traded in for her glamorous L.A. dreams.

Stunned, Skye must now face the wreckage of her past, do her best to make amends, and hope against hope Sean will not only give her a story to write, but keep to himself their one secret which could bring her glittering lifestyle to an abrupt end.

 

Coming soon to Amazon Kindle and print, Skye’s the Limit, A Paramour Romance Book 3

Good luck with your book description.  Let me know your guidelines or methods, and feel free to share how it turned out.  Happy writing!

 

My humble journey

Two years ago, thanks to my husband, I started a journey which has brought me great joy. A life long dream of mine, I wrote my first book, which I published electronically in August 2013. Originally meant to be my only book, it somehow spun itself into a series of three which has now, with great sadness, come to an end… (the series, not my writing!)

I am amazed at my accomplishment and how far I have come. The span between my first story and this story waiting to be published, truly showcases how unwavering dedication and many, many days of long spent hours in front of my computer have molded me into a better writer.  Although I admit I still have a lot to learn, practice, patience and persistence are key.

I send out a huge thank you to those friends who have supported me faithfully, read the first two of my books, and have been waiting patiently for the last. When it finally comes out, I hope you love it as much as I do.

Better Late than Never

Better late than never I always say, usually because I am never on time!  But with 2014 drifting off into a distant memory, and 2015 now entrenched, its about time I start to chip away at some of my “New Year’s Resolutions”. So, that being said, I decided to take what I thought would be a few hours over the weekend to freshen up my website. Who knew my updates would turn into what my husband terms in his profession, “scope creep”, or basically a snowball effect of changes.  My few hours turned into a few days and now, finally, I have myself a different header, new pages, and a drop down menu.  For those of you who are tech savvy or have a website created by someone who is, you are missing out on my joyous accomplishment. I am neither good at technology, nor honestly willing to pay someone who is, at this point.  If you saw my weekly grocery bill for my football playing teens you would appreciate why, but life goes that way sometimes.  We should never let it stop us from doing what we love.

I hope you enjoy exploring my “new” site and revisit from time to time. I would love to share with you my writing adventures, and a good story or two.

Now back to my list, 2015 isn’t going to wait for me!

A need to escape: Giving up control

One morning as I sat down in my usual spot at the kitchen table to study what the day ahead was going to bring, according to my lengthy task list and scraps of paper with meticulous details, it dawned on me that there is an odd contradiction between my non-author and author personalities.

In my everyday life I am fanatical about organization and control, unable to function without my beloved lists of managed details, coordinated notes and color coded calendars.  In contrast, when I sit down to write, my efforts are hindered by any type of planning.  When I am faced with organizing my story thoughts into a controlled outline, my muse rebels and leaves the proverbial building, taking with it my creativity.  Believe me, I have tried dozens of various organizational options from simple outlines to complicated mind-mapping and spreadsheets, but none of them worked for me.

My inspiration is finicky.  While it strikes often, it is completely random.  I have a difficult time scheduling my outpouring of ideas into a specific time slot each day.  While I do my best to sit down every morning and write, it isn’t always productive or pretty.  My creativity, much like my children, is stubborn.  It appears when it wants.  Sometimes I find myself writing into the wee hours of the late night or in the middle of the afternoon while juggling several other tasks.  It isn’t always convenient, but if I allow my thoughts to flow freely without forcing them into some form of organized imprisonment, I am rewarded with a journey that sometimes I don’t even anticipate but truly appreciate.

Writing is my “me time” and I love slipping into my stories like one slips into a pair of flannel jammies on a cold winter’s night.  It just feels good.  My character’s world wraps around me, and I am transported, escaping into their journey.  I am free to write…no plans, no outlines, no problems.

I truly believe that the process of writing is an art.  We all write for our own reasons.  Each of us is a unique creator with our own vision that works best for us.  You don’t have to fall victim to all the voices that insist you should painstakingly organize, plan and plot.  You can escape and be a rule breaker, within reason.  Whatever process you choose doesn’t matter, as long as you write with passion in a way that you enjoy.

Organized planner or throw caution to the wind, which type of writer are you?

An Enormous Leap of Faith

When I sat down one morning almost two years ago, I knew I wanted to write a love story.  Just one.  Now sitting here in the same spot at the kitchen table staring at the keyboard that is missing letters, worn off by hours, months and years of constant use, I am writing the third and last story in my Paramour Romance Series.

It completely amazes me.  I had no idea that I would be able to craft one story, let alone spin it into a world of interconnected lives, loves and friendships that would span three books.  It took an enormous leap of faith for me to even give my first book, His Second Chance, a try.

An introvert by nature, sharing myself publicly is not one of my strong suits, but writing this series has given me a new outlook on what I can accomplish, despite myself.  I have become stronger, more persistent, and courageous, taking on the task of not only writing more than one book, but also navigating the world of self-publishing and social media (a post for another day).

As I tackle what lies ahead in my writing adventures, I look forward to this last love story in my series.  It has already proven to be an emotional rollercoaster.  While it’s sad in some respects to bring the series full circle, it’s also exciting to anticipate a new chapter in my writing journey, to see where my new found sense of courage will take me next.

 

Jump Start Your Writing

After a summer of non-writing distractions, a constant stream of activities and time spent with my busy children, I now find myself at the beginning of a new school year faced with a quiet house and empty hours just ripe for writing.  Perfect, I thought, for getting back into the swing of my routine that had been abandoned.  As I sat down to write this week, my expectation was to pick up right where I had left off, transitioning easily back into daily writing and seeing progress.  Sadly, I can’t seem to hit my stride.

Before the previous school year ended I had a groove for my writing time, a specific routine and schedule.  I was a creature of habit.  Starting at six a.m., as soon as I woke the kids for school, I would settle down at the end of the kitchen table with my cup of coffee, dressed in my pink flannel robe, and it worked perfectly for me.

Every morning was predictable.  I had a zone.  My creativity flowed easily and for hours.  I thought slipping back into my old habit would be simple, like riding a bike again, just sit down and start pedaling (or writing) and you’re off!  But, unfortunately, not so much.

Part of the problem, I admit, is my own distraction with social media.  Not surfing it, but rather, learning how to use its potential for marketing.  My research and seemingly endless discovery of details has my head spinning, preoccupying it with the realistic side of the self-publishing journey, crowding out my creative voice.

And then there is my everyday life, managing the many moving pieces of my family…doing my best to maintain an organized house, running continuously from any one of the kid’s various games and practices to another, helping them with homework, volunteering…you get the picture.  I had, before the summer, learned how to prioritize most of my tasks and focus on my writing routine.  It worked and I was happily productive.  I am still happy, but much less productive at the moment.

As I sit here and pour my thoughts into this post, I realize that maybe the true issue is, as the children make a fresh start at school, I need to make a fresh start with my writing pattern.  I will always be a morning writer, I work best in the early hours, but maybe this is a sign that it’s time to create a new ritual and give myself a different perspective.  What could be better than that to jump start writing?

Suddenly I’m feeling inspired to leave my kitchen table and find a cozy corner in the late morning sun.  It’s time to dust off that manuscript that has been waiting for me.

What specific writing routine or environment makes you most productive?

 

 

 

Write that book

 

“If you want to write, you can. Fear stops most people from writing, not lack of talent, whatever that is. Who am I? What right do I have to speak? Who will listen to me if I do? You’re a human being, with a unique story to tell, and you have every right. If you speak with passion, many of us will listen. We need stories to live, all of us. We live by story. Yours enlarges the circle.”

-Richard Rhodes 

 

 

Several people have approached me since I started my writing journey, almost two years ago, telling me that they would love to write a book. My advice…DO IT! Whether you are considering a children’s book, a science fiction novel, or even a non-fiction book that incorporates your grandmother’s recipes and snippets of your childhood…it doesn’t matter. There are millions of readers looking for entertainment, a personal connection or to learn something new. We all have a story to tell and you will find that there are many people out in the world just like you, looking for a story just like the one you would love to write. If you think it, you should try it!