Pratap Divyesh's Blog, page 30

Write What You Know – Picking Your Subjects

At one time or another, every writer has been given the advice, “Write what you know,” which is not bad advice when first putting pen to paper. A personal experience automatically gives you point of view, realistic dialogue, a good sense of time and place, and colorful descriptions of the event, even if the event is only about the time Aunt Tilly accidentally dumped a bowl of potato salad into Uncle Billy’s lap at the family reunion picnic (although I always laugh when I think about it).

“Write what you know” is not limited to personal experiences and can be expanded to “areas of expertise.” Take a look at the success of John Grisham, a lawyer, who used his knowledge to write a series of successful novels. Did he personally experience every case he wrote about? Nope, but he certainly knew about court procedure, language, the setting (he’s from the south), and the law. Same thing with Michael Crichton, a doctor, who was comfortable in the science genre, and came up with a broad range of stories, from Coma to Jurrasic Park, with a technical underlying theme.

How do you pick your subject if you have no area of “expertise?” First of all, I believe everybody has some area of expertise–cooking, camping, sports, etc. But if you don’t think so, then I have one word of advice, research. Want to write a sci-fi space novel? Read up, there is a ton of material in the newspaper, library or online.

There is a whole wonderful world of stories out there waiting for you based on your experience, areas of expertise, and willingness to research.

About the Author – Richard A Jones (@richallan)

Richard Allan Jones (pen name Rich Allan) is a published author – DRAFTED & IDENTITY CHECK, communications executive, actor, musician, singer, and songwriter. He is listed in Who’s Who in Entertainment and accredited by the Public Relations Society of America, holding an M.A. in Journalism and B.A. in Communications from the Ohio State University.

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Tilted Justice (A Sea Oak Mystery – Book Two)

Who would have thought that writing a biography could be dangerous!

Investigative reporter April Longmont and her fiancé, private detective Clay Augustine, find themselves involved in yet another case. After April receives a warning to stop writing the biography of a well-known retired judge, Clay decides to accompany her to the next interview with Judge Trulock. Upon arrival, they find the judge slumped over his desk—dead! At first, they suspect the judge may have had a heart attack. However, a closer look reveals that the judge has been shot!

What could be the motive for someone killing him? Was the judge about to reveal something from his past? Will April and Clay be the next victims?

Follow April and Clay’s adventures in this second book of the Sea Oak Mysteries!

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Book Blogger Confessions: Tips for Indie Authors

Book reviews has become a valuable marketing tool for commercial and indie writers. When I look at the top selling books on Amazon and Goodreads, I realize they usually have a ton of reviews. The modern writer’s job does not end when they hit submit and send their creative babies off to publishers. As the publishing world evolves the lines between publisher, author and publicist blur. One powerful tool that can make or break an author is the book review.

Popular book sites like Kirkus and Indiereader know the importance of a professional book review. Authors pay $250-$500 to get a review that will hopefully give them access to an audience that will buy their books. Kirkus and Indiereader both go a step further than the professional review, offering publishing services such as editing and marketing. There is a debate in the publishing industry about the value of a paid review. With the rise of blogging, more book lovers from different careers and

backgrounds have brought to life the freelance occupation called the “Book Blogger”. Book Bloggers are book lovers who offer free, honest and in-depth book reviews. Successful book bloggers make money through advertising on their blogs and other freelance opportunities. Book Bloggers unlike a paid review service have nothing to gain from giving a positive review. This article will help writers get the most out of the writer blogger relationship to improve craft and to gain exposure. After reviewing other book blogger’s review policies and my experience as a book blogger and a lover of books, here are some tips for indie authors to create a positive blogger-writer relationship.

Submit a finished product.

I cringe when authors submit a book filled with errors, some authors would even let you know ahead of time that it’s not the finished product. Book bloggers introduce books to their audience of readers, putting your best foot forward is best when you want to potentially grow your readership. Some authors confuse beta readers and book reviewers. Beta readers are readers that read mostly fiction to correct errors and to add suggestions in regards to character development, plot etc. Book reviewers are book lovers who read for enjoyment, they are giving you a sneak peek into the thoughts of your reading audience. Book reviewers critique the finished product, beta readers’ help with the development of your product. As a book lover with a lot of books to read and very little time, a book that’s has been thoroughly edited has a better chance of getting a review.

Read Book Blogger’s review policies and submission guidelines thoroughly before submitting a book.

Policies and submission guidelines are created to ensure a smooth process. Book lovers/ book bloggers create policies and submissions based on preference and experience. For example not reading submission guidelines an author might submit their nonfiction book to a fiction reviewer’s blog. Also some bloggers request books or galleys in formats that support their devices. Sending the

wrong format may delay your review and as an indie writer, your time means everything.

Remember to never lose your cool.

Most professional readers are readers who study the craft of fiction or literature. Writing a book is not an easy task, as a literature student I understand the complexity of creating complex characters and making sure my plot is well-developed and consistent. As a book blogger to give a constructive review, one must separate those feelings of understanding and critique a book based on the product that is presented. One important piece of advice I received from a mentor is as a writer you must listen to all feedback and apply constructive advice based on your style. When I go on sites like Amazon and Goodreads and I see some authors respond negatively to unfavorable reviews, it deters me from reading that book. As an Indie Author creating a good positive image helps build a good brand and it lets the reader feel safe to be honest with their favorite writers. Book Bloggers don’t enjoy giving unfavorable reviews but giving constructive criticism helps writers write better books.

You can get a list of book bloggers that you can contact to review your books from sites like “The Book Blogger List and The Book Review Directory. Book Bloggers can help indie authors grow readership and improve on craft. Submitting a book to a book blogger is an opportunity to get unbiased feedback on your book without the conflict of interest when purchasing critique.

About the Author (@marvelustalent)

Writing and literature student and Book Blogger at LaFifeReviews. Ms. Fife have posted reviews online and an article on school readiness on her school’s website. Latoya Fife is a life long learner with a great passion for reading books and connecting readers to her favorites.

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Introduction to Perfect Freedom

Nobody wants to fail. Going through life, however, each of us discover that no one is exempt from failure. I’ve succeeded, I’ve failed. I’ve reached my biggest dreams, only to have everything taken away from me. I’ve made this video as a gift to the world, hoping that there will be people out there who will find it relevant to them, to help them understand that success, failure — none of it matters, everything is impermanent, and meditation helps you to understand this. A friend once said that the suffering I’ve been through was enough to keep most people in depression or drive them to much worse. Funny how sometimes it takes someone else to point out what should be very obvious to you — that you’ve been doing something right for yourself. And for me, this has been meditation. And right now, I’m just happy and free, so take a look at how it’s done.

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A stutterer finding a voice

I’m a writer, but not a notepad writer. It probably seems like a strange quirk, but I took most comfortably to the keyboard. What helped me take strongly to an artificial communication method? Since about age four, or farther back than I can remember, I haven’t been able to talk without a stutter, so that’s how deep it goes. I have a better time sharing my feelings using an electronic product than using my voice, unless you can get me to be really calm in quiet company. Also, my handwriting never got that smooth.

I came into writing for the uninterrupted expression of what’s going on in my oft-dissociating mind. If I try to speak it to you, it’s rarely a matter of not knowing what I want to say, and almost always a matter of being physically blocked from saying it. There’s a certain sanctuary here, a relief. That relief is found in the process of writing, but not often the written product.

Mind you, writing has its challenges. They’re just refreshingly different. I can honestly feel like with self-awareness, reflection, and effort, those challenges might be mitigated or overcome. When you know what it’s like to have a disruption in your life that’s always there, and might be made worse by self-awareness, reflection, and misdirected effort, you might learn to better appreciate those pursuits where effort pays off.

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Divine Gamble

As a girl, Maisy Macoubrie witnessed the murder of her beloved father. She’s been running from the killer for fourteen years. If only she could provide a safe home for her and her son… but she’ll never get rich dealing faro in saloons, with a cold-blooded killer on her trail.

The Preacher never meant to become a gunman. Sometimes life deals a man a hard hand. Always alone, always hunted, he dreams of all he’s been denied—peace, family, love.

The moment Maisy and The Preacher meet, their lives change once more. United in battle against a powerful enemy, they fight side by side, but can they beat the odds they face? Is love worth the biggest gamble man has ever known?

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How To Write An Artist’s Resume

As an artist, you’ll feel as though that you can’t create a regular resume. This is true to some extent, but you are still going to need one in your professional life. That’s why you need a well written resume that shows just why you’re unique and special as an artist. Here’s how you can write your resume and get the jobs and opportunities that you want.

How your resume should work

As an artist, your resume won’t look like most peoples’. However, you can draw upon some of the conventions of resume writing in order to get a resume that does you justice. The point of most resumes is to give an overview of what you’ve done over your professional life. The way you lay it out will be up to you, but this guide can show you what will need to be included as you write.

The artist’s resume layout

Your resume should contain the following sections. You may choose to change them around depending on your needs, but they will need to be included in some format:

Contact details: You’ll need to start with your name and contact details, as they’ll be needed if anyone reads your resume and wants to get in touch. What amount of detail you give to this section is up to you. You can simply give your name, contact number and email, or you can include your address too.
Education: This is especially important if you’ve got any degrees or qualifications in art. If you don’t have the qualification yet, include when you expect to graduate and your expected grade.
Professional experience: This will be any teaching and professional positions you’ve had that are relevant to your current career. You’ll need to include the dates, the employer, and the location.
Awards/grants/fellowships: Here, you’ll be listing all of your art related achievements. Think including residencies, grants you’ve received, or any awards that you’ve won in your line of work. Remember to keep this section related to your art itself.
Exhibition record: This is possibly the most important section of your resume, and so may need to be included further up the document. You’ll need to document every exhibition you’ve been a part of, either as a group or solo. If you have a few different exhibitions under your belt, then it could be split into two different sections to highlight both types.
Collaborative partnerships: If you work in fields such as digital arts or new media, then you may need this section. List the works you worked on with others, as well as where you created them.
Bibliography: Here’s where you’ll need to list where you’ve been interviewed, written for publications, or otherwise been published. The best way to document this list is by using the Chicago Manual of Style.
Lectures: If you’ve given lectures on your artwork in the past, this is where you’ll document them. You may title this section ‘Visiting Lectures’ or ‘Panels’, depending on how you’ve presented in the past.
Collections: If some of your work is in collections, list them here. You’ll need to state the name of the collection or collector, the city, and the state.

Basic Resume Writing Tips

Now you have your outline, you can start writing your resume. Here’s some tips on general resume writing that will help you write a good document.

Keep it to the point

If someone is reading your resume, they don’t have time to be poring through all the details of your life. Keep your resume just to the points in your career that are relevant. You may find you need to edit it, depending on what you’re using the resume for.

Check your facts

The gallery your work is currently in may be working under a different name, or the school’s phone number may have changed. Before you include a fact, check it. You don’t want to miss out because you got something simple wrong.

Use online tools

Online tools can help you get your resume written well. Try these tools when you’re writing:

Resumention: You can give your details to the expert writers here, and they can create a professional resume for you.
Best Australian Writers: Find yourself a writing tutor here, and they can walk you through the resume writing process.
UK Writings: This specialised resume service will proofread and edit what you’ve written, to ensure that it’s at its best.
Top Canadian Writers: Talk to the writers here if you’re stuck with your resume form, as they can often help you with any thorny issues.

Use a good font

The font you use is important. It needs to be easy to read and appealing, especially as you’re in a field where you’ll be paying attention to the details. Never go below point 10 for size, and use a font such as Arial that’s easy to read.

Don’t forget your formatting

Good formatting is crucial. Use headings, bullet points, and white space to draw the reader’s eye to where you want it to go. If you use the above format, your resume should be laid out pleasingly.

Keep multiple formats

Different institutions will want different formats when you submit your resume, so keep this in mind. A Word document is a good idea as it’s easy to update as and when you need to. As well as this, keep a PDF version in reserve, as the formatting stays the same no matter what system you view it on. If an institution doesn’t specify a format, use a PDF to send your resume over.

As you can see, it’s easier than you’d think to put a proper artist’s resume together. All you have to do is follow the outline provided and you’re halfway there. Make the proper adjustments depending on your career, and don’t be afraid to let your achievements stand out. A good resume can show people just where you’re going, and how you’re going to progress in your career.

About the Author – Jennifer Scott

Jennifer (Twitter – @jenniscott1390) is the business developer that works in different areas of education, technology, security and various types of online marketing. Prior to business developing Jennifer was consultant at Deloitte, and managed security services provider and developer of a wide range of security solutions.

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All because I wanted to help….

I love being an author, I really do but more than being an author I love being a publisher. Asking me to write about my life story is a little surreal because I didn’t plan to be a writer or a publisher. I did however have a desire to help people. It just so happens that I found my niche in helping people to meet their aspirations and become published authors.

It all started when I taught grant writing classes for nonprofit organizations. The students’ questions were pivotal to understanding the class. So, I created a list of the most frequently asked questions and added them to the handout materials for the class. As time passed the little booklet of handouts that I distributed changed from a few handouts and a few questions to a full size manual with information and resources. The game changer came when someone asked if they could purchase copies of the manual to give to their employees so that they could learn to write grants as well.

Within six months Grant Me The Money! The Practical Guide To Successful Grant Writing Practice was released as a self-published book. It was a very popular book and as I traveled around the country teaching grant writing; the book became a significant part of the course as the workbook and resource guide. Several copies were sold for distribution as gifts and resources for colleagues, peers and friends.

That was just the start. As the momentum for the book increased so did my desire to learn the publishing industry. This was due to the fact that my book was a self-published book and it was very difficult getting it in as a holding in the book stores. I was told that it was an excellent product but because it did not have a publisher and imprint the best that it could and would do was to be sold via the internet or direct sale.

It didn’t take me long to figure out that I was not the only one that faced this challenge and I knew that if I wanted to break the barriers and stigma of a self-published author something had to change. Needless to say, I learned the book industry thoroughly, created a publishing company (Crystal Spirit Publishing, Inc.) and the two interest that I now had and enjoyed, publishing and helping people were joined together as one.

When I started as a publisher it was to give my works legitimacy. However; I started to receive request from aspiring writers from all over the world asking for assistance and for me to share my knowledge and experience of the book industry so that they too could fulfill their aspirations and dreams. It was then that I decided to expand the focus from my works and invite the works of others for publishing consideration.

Now ten years, seven books and five authors later my focus and objective to help aspiring authors is still the same but with more intensity. The only difference now is the level of experience has increased of course, the geographical boundaries have expanded, that little booklet that started it all is now in its 3rd Edition and I have authored two additional books as well.

I love being an author as I stated from the beginning but I love being a publisher even more.

Grant Me The Money! The Practical Guide To Successful Grant Writing Practice 3rd Ed. can be purchased at http://www.crystalspiritinc.com/books...

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For the Love of Armin

In September of the year 9 A.D., the young Germanic warrior known as Armin to his friends and Arminius to his Roman enemies, successfully took on and defeated three entire Roman legions. This resulted in the deaths of over twenty thousand Roman soldiers. This in turn resulted in the Roman emperor called Tiberius recalling all Roman military units from Germania. The Germanic tribes would associate for their common good, often meeting and forming up for offensive or defensive war, but they were always separate and very independent. Armin knew that the best way to ensure that his country was not bothered by outside invaders again was to become a single country complete with it own army and navy. In this he crossed swords with the independent temper of his own people. They did not want any king from anywhere telling them what to do. In due course, this resulted in even the members of his own family taking up arms against him in order to make sure that the tribes of Germania remained independent and free. Such was the concern of the ancient Germanic tribesmen that this might not be the case, that Armin was murdered by the members of his own family.

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For the Love of Armin

In September of the year 9 A.D., the young Germanic warrior known as Armin to his friends and Arminius to his Roman enemies, successfully took on and defeated three entire Roman legions. This resulted in the deaths of over twenty thousand Roman soldiers. This in turn resulted in the Roman emperor called Tiberius recalling all Roman military units from Germania. The Germanic tribes would associate for their common good, often meeting and forming up for offensive or defensive war, but they were always separate and very independent. Armin knew that the best way to ensure that his country was not bothered by outside invaders again was to become a single country complete with it own army and navy. In this he crossed swords with the independent temper of his own people. They did not want any king from anywhere telling them what to do. In due course, this resulted in even the members of his own family taking up arms against him in order to make sure that the tribes of Germania remained independent and free. Such was the concern of the ancient Germanic tribesmen that this might not be the case, that Armin was murdered by the members of his own family.

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