Traci M. Sanders's Blog, page 46

Tip #6: FREE is not always a good thing!

Today’s tip centers around the pros and cons of making your books FREE. This is a lengthy post, (actually it’s a re-post I recently shared, but I decided to put it out there again because it’s such a hot issue [...]

Tip #4: Front or back? Yes it ‘matters’!

Many authors like to include certain information in their books best known as, ‘front and back matter’. These are important features in books, don’t get me wrong. However, readers today are impatient–especially Kindle readers. They don’t have a lot of time, [...]

Tip #3: Same book, different format!

Today’s tip centers around formatting your books for Kindle and paperback. Many authors think that one document is all they need. I have found this to be untrue, in my case, anyway. I’ve learned that documents read better on Kindle [...]

Tip #2: Whose Line Is It?

Today’s tip focuses on writing dialogue. As with anything, each author has his/her own style of dialogue writing; however, there are some quick and dirty tips that I’ve learned, which have worked quite well in my books.

Here are some key instances when you’d want to start a new line/paragraph when writing dialogue, and a few examples of some:

*When a new character speaks. This helps avoid head-hopping.

Example:

He finally turned to make eye contact when Amber grabbed the remote and flicked the television off. (describing Drake’s actions)

“We need to talk.”  (Amber’s response to Drake’s actions)

Drake recognized that tone in her voice. He was suddenly reminded of what he had done wrong. (Describing Drake’s reaction)

“Okay, if this is about me forgetting our anniversary…” (Drake speaking)

“Again!” she interrupted. “You forgot it again. Does our marriage, our relationship, not mean anything to you, Drake? Do I not mean anything to you?” (Amber’s reaction and verbiage)

 

*When a new thought or idea is presented.

*When a new event takes place.

*When a new time period is presented.

*When a new scene (setting) is being presented.

Example: A character was in the house and then walked to their car outside. You use a new line or paragraph to describe what is being said or done outside.

*When presenting a lengthy passage or quote.

Example:

Each day, Drake would sit beside Amber’s hospital bed and read the Bible his mother-in-law had left behind. Sometimes he’d read aloud to Amber; other times, silently to himself.  His favorite verse was:

‘Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.’

The passage gave him hope that things would be different, and it even made him believe that he really did deserve a second chance. When Drake was not at Amber’s bedside, he could be found, most often in the chapel, deep in prayer.  He was definitely a changed man now.

 

There you have it. A few key moments in a story where a new paragraph or line would work. Hopefully these tips will aide in making your writing more fluid.

 

How do YOU judge when to start a new paragraph/line in your stories? I’d love to hear your ideas in the comments section below!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tip #1: First line, every time!

 

Today starts a new segment at AWWT titled

‘365 Ways to Write Right’

Each day this year, I will share a new tip to help you make your Kindle book be the best it can be.

Be sure to subscribe so you won’t miss single helpful tip!

***

The first tip I’m going to discuss concerns formatting a book for Kindle.

One of the most important things I learned about setting up content for Kindle, so it reads smoothly in transition, is called, ‘first line indent’. This feature helps differentiate between the end of one paragraph and the beginning of another.

 

Here is how to set it up:

Step 1: Put your curser in front of the first word in the paragraph you want to indent.

Step 2: On the HOME tab in Word, click the LINE SPACING function.

Step 3: Arrow down to LINE SPACING OPTIONS. Your paragraph settings dialogue box will appear.

Step 4: About mid-way down, click on the drop-down box that says SPECIAL.

Step 5: Arrow down to THE FIRST LINE INDENT option and click it.

 

Now your entire document should follow this format. Each time you click ENTER, it will insert this special function.

 

 

Do you have a tip for formatting in Kindle? Feel free to share it in the comments section below!

 

 

New Year, New Goals for 2016!!!

It’s that time of year when everyone makes their resolutions – to lose weight, make more money, find a better job, get more organized…

I decided to share my goals here so my friends can hold me accountable, and so I will have them for my own records. Most of my resolutions revolve around my writing, since that has recently become my ultimate passion and stress-release outlet. I’ve had the dream of becoming a full-time writer for about five years now, and have made some fairly remarkable strides since publishing my first book two years ago. 

My debut novella, ‘When Darkness Breaks’ currently has 64 reviews with an average rating of 4.3/5 stars; and my second romance, ‘Unsevered’, has snagged 14 reviews and is maintaining a strong 4.8/5 stars. To top that off, both of these books are finalists in a competition at the moment, and I have been nominated as ‘Favorite Women’s Contemporary Fiction Author’ for 2015. (Voting ends tomorrow at 9am, so please comment below or message me if you’d like details on how to vote. Thank you to ALL who have already voted!!)

This success wouldn’t have been possible without some incredible people in my path. (You all know who you are

You might be an author if…

Your books sales have ever increased because of something controversial a reader said about your books.

 

 

You might be an author if…

You have a sea of post-its on your desk or mirror, filled with ideas for books and scenes.

 

 

You might be an author if…

You write better than you talk

 

 

You might be an author if

You associate your books with famous movies or celebrity books when marketing.