Heather Weidner's Blog, page 110

Seven Deadly Sins for Writers

Most everyone has heard of the Seven Deadly Sins: Pride, Envy, Gluttony, Lust, Anger, Greed, and Sloth. I appropriated three from the original list and added some specifically for writers.

Pride - You have great ideas. You're creative, and you can write. Just don't take yourself too seriously and miss out on opportunities because you're unwilling to make editorial changes to your work. Everyone can improve, and all writers need beta readers, critique groups, editors, and proofreaders.

Envy - It's okay to be competitive. But don't get lost in "why not me" or "my stuff is as good as that author's." Concentrate on making your work the best it can be. Don't get stuck in an envy loop. Help others and celebrate their successes. Envy can bog you down and become a distraction to achieving your goals.

Over-commitment - Writers today have to be publicists, marketers, public speakers, bloggers, and social media strategists. Sometimes, life and work get in the way of writing. Strive for balance. And don't be afraid to say no to some of the requests that infringe on your writing time.

Distraction - If you yell, "Squirrel," my Jack Russell Terrier runs to the nearest window to locate the furry critter. I'm like that with the internet. It is way too easy to read email, check social media, watch a video or three, or research something. Again, it's all about balance.

Self-pity - Writing is hard work. There are very few talented souls who can bang out a perfect manuscript on the first attempt. Sending out queries to agents and publishers is also hard work, fraught with rejection. It's not uncommon for writers to get hundreds of rejections before they get to the "yes." Rejection stinks. Allow yourself a good sulk, but get back to your writing. Keep writing. Keep editing, and keep querying.

Sloth - I love snow days. When work is closed, it's my free day to read and write and do what I want. Just don't give yourself too many "snow" days. It is too easy to get distracted, and a short break turns into months and months. Don't journey too far from your writing routine.

Impulsiveness - I am as impatient as the next person. I love instant gratification, and I don't like to stand in line. But, make sure you're prepared when you talk to publishers, agents, and editors. Have your elevator speech ready. Make sure your query letter is polished. Unfortunately, you only have one shot sometimes. Don't burn them by not being prepared.

Best wishes with your writing. Enjoy what you do. It's hard work, and seeing it through to the end takes time, energy, and dedication.

More Lethal Ladies...

The Lethal Ladies signed books at Barnes and Noble at Libbie Place yesterday. It was a great way to spend a rainy Saturday afternoon. We met some really nice people, and the staff there was so welcoming.

l to r: Maggie King, Vivian Lawry, Rosemary Shomaker, and Heather Weidner

It's Pi Day

It's Pi Day! Celebrate with the other kind of pie. We have a pie contest every year at work.

What I Learned about Social Media from Rachel Thompson of Bad Redhead Media

I attended a social media boot camp this week with Rachel Thompson, owner of Bad Redhead Media. Rachel has over seventeen years of experience in marketing, and she is also an author. Her tips are spot on for writers who are trying to build or further their brand. Check out her website for tips and the services she offers.

Here's what I learned...

1. Have a goal and know what you want to do with your platform. Come up with your key words and make them consistent across all of your media.

2. Look at your bios. Make sure that they are crisp and well written. Make sure to include a link to your current book.

3. Look at your header photos. You can subtly advertise your books by creating an image of your book covers.

4. You need to go where your readers are. Know the demographics and target audiences of the platforms you use.

5. Use a link-shortening site like Bitly for URLs that you want to include in your posts. Many of the sites have metrics for tracking clicks.

6. Think about adding a newsletter to your site. Newsletters via email are still effective ways to reach those interested in your work.

7. Use social media to build relationships. You need to contribute and share. You should not be the "buy my book" guy or gal.  People tune out noise.

8. Use the search feature on Twitter and other sites to find chats or hashtags on subjects that you're interested. You can also use them to find readers and bloggers.

9. If you blog, check out #MondayBlogs. It's a great way to promote a post and to share others' works.

10. Set up your blog/social media schedule. Be consistent and post something at least once a day.

11. You can pin an announcement Tweet or Facebook post to the top of your newsfeed. This keeps something prominent that you want folks to see.

Please stop by Rachel's blog or website for more great information. She is a wealth of knowledge, and her boot camp was worth attending.

Snow Days are Great for Reading and Writing

We got another round of the white stuff yesterday. I'm hoping it's winter's final hurrah. The sleet, freezing rain, and snow are getting tedious. But, late starts, early releases, and snow days are great for reading and writing.

I finished Ellery Adams' Murder at the Mystery Suite. Her cozy, set in the mountains of Virginia, takes place at a resort for book lovers. I'm ready to schedule a vacation in her idyllic village. Her characters and world are fun and full of whimsy. But don't get too comfortable. Someone is willing to kill for a first edition.

Last night, I started Verbal Judo: The Gentle Art of Persuasion by George J. Thompson and Jerry B. Jenkins. It's full of lots of good advice for anyone who has to deal with people.

On the writing front, I'm collecting all of the second round of edits for Virginia is for Mysteries II. We are almost ready to send this to the publisher. I'm excited about our latest collection of stories.

And tomorrow, our SinC-CV group is hosting a boot camp about how to use social media.

I hope your weekend is filled with lots of opportunities for reading and writing. And maybe spring is really around the corner...

It's National Pancake Day!

Break out the syrup and enjoy!

March 2 - Dr. Seuss Day

"One Fish. Two Fish. Red Fish. Blue Fish." It's Dr. Seuss Day. Happy Reading!

What Snow Days are Good for...

We got socked with another snow storm. I'm a beach girl. I consider it cold if it drops below sixty-five degrees. These storms that dump six to ten inches of snow are too much. Schools and work are closed, so it's a great day to read, write, and edit.

I'm working on the second round of edits for Virginia is for Mysteries. I also sent out some submissions. Now, the JRTs and I are going to enjoy the white stuff from inside next to the fireplace. I'm reading Ellery Adams' Murder in the Mystery Suite. What are you reading?

What I'm Reading...

The snow is on its way. We're supposed to get 6-12 inches by tomorrow. (Anything below 60 degrees is cold to me.) So, it's a perfect afternoon for my Uggs, books, and hot chocolate.

I finished John Grisham's Gray Mountain. I love John Grisham and his books about Virginia.

This one is about a lawyer who loses her fancy NY job during the Great Recession. When dismissed, she's offered a chance to do pro bono work for a charity with the hope of returning to her job in a year or so. Samantha finds that landing a volunteer job isn't that easy either, and she eventually ends up with a legal aide clinic in Appalachia. The work is hard, and she meets the quirky people of Brady, Virginia.

She works as an unpaid intern at the all-female firm. She's introduced to coal life and all its hazards. She also meets her boss' sexy and dangerous nephews.

The story and setting are great. The crimes are atrocious, and the people are suffering.

My only fault is with some of the characters. They're a little flat, and there were a couple of the main ones that I really didn't care about. Usually, I'm cheering for his main characters, and I want them to win.

Despite a couple of the characters,  Gray Mountain is a good story, and it's worth adding to your winter reading list.

 

What I Learned from Mary Burton's Writing Process

The Virginia Romance Writers recently invited our SinC-CV group to attend their February meeting to hear Mary Burton's presentation on writing. Here's what I learned...

1. Write your first draft and finish it. You can edit at another stage.

2. Set daily page or word count goals. You will stay on track if you have deadlines.

3. When you start to edit, check the last word of each sentence to make sure that it's strong.

4. Create a list of overused or weak words. When you're editing, go through and search for each one. Get rid of the dead weight.

5. If you're bored with your manuscript, your reader will be too.

6. Pay attention to your work's setting. Know your location. GoogleMaps can help.

7. Know where your work fits in with the market and be able to explain it. But don't write to the market.

8. Make sure that you have escalating conflict.

9. Don't make your heroes and villains flat. They need to be well rounded and interesting.