D.L. Havlin's Blog, page 17

The Unicorn Conference, questions, and odds & ends

The location used as the model for “Turtle Point” from my upcoming novel of the same name.

Caesar said, “I came, I saw, I conquered.” I’ll adjust, “I went, I learned, I enjoyed.” That sums up my experience attending the Unicorn Writers Conference. It was as advertised, and one of the better conferences I’ve attended. Importantly, it delivered the most critical elements needed to be valuable to authors at all levels of proficiency … a superb faculty, a high quality selection of top-flite agents, and editors from some of the largest publishers in the business. The classes did what they should do: after the writer participated in the session they left with another bit of knowledge for their authoring tool box. The facility was impressive, had a literary feel, and was spacious enough to avoid the hint of crowding. Stephanie Evanovich did a fine job presenting the keynoter, in an auditorium whose AC had a nervous break-down.

One problem for me was a result of the spaciousness; it seemed the distance to the nearest restroom was considerable no matter where you were. Problem – I’m awaiting hip replacement. There were a few “clerical issues” that caused some problems that aggravated, but were overcome.

That said, I’d highly recommend attending the Unicorn Writers Conference. I’ll return. At the risk of redundancy, the collection of agents, editors, and faculty was one of the best assembled at a conference I’ve attend in twenty plus years of going to these events. The review sessions were long enough to be of value, not a ten minute quickie that allows for no depth of analysis. Go.

As I mentioned in a previous post, the interchange with fellow authors allows you to learn and to educate. I picked up some great research sources, names of some important publishing contacts, etc. My gray hair and my list of traditionally published novels generated one repeated question from those starting on the “trail of tears.” The question was “What is the one most critical piece of advice you have for aspiring writers?” My answer – Don’t rush the process! First, don’t just sit down and hope something will happen magically at the keyboard. Find a topic, idea, or cause that you wish to champion … one you can address with passion … then WRITE! Remember the authoring process has just begun when you finish your first draft. Wash, polish, wax then strip and begin again. When you think it’s perfect, repeat the process. The reason there is more manure in the literary pipeline than a Washington DC sewer is the failure to strive for supreme quality.

Odds & Ends:

My book, Bully Route Home, is released. It might take your favorite bookstore or online source a little time to get it to you. My publisher is in the process of changing distributors and, well, #@%!$&*#@ !!!!  Be patient. If you want it quickly, I have a limited number. You can go to my web site and order from me. Use the link in the right hand column.

I met some wonderful new folks like Bob Zaslow, Stephanie Evanovich, Chuck Miceli, and Gail Cleare … and renewed some old relationships with super people like Kathy Sands. (I’m her Gator Man.) I’ll talk about these in future posts.

Definition of frustration: Having a nine state, thirty-one book store tour set to introduce your new book, bbbbuuuutttt having to go to the first three-quarters sans books. Sigh. A flyer for a substitute is like hunting lions with a sling-shot.

Till next time … and soon.

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Want some of this August heat in January?

Spotlight Lounge on Royal Caribbean’s Enchantment of the Seas. It’s the venue where I’ll be speaking this January. Join me!

As you perspire profusely, can’t wait to get into air conditioning, and wish the time would accelerate so fall’s cooler days would get here, remember in January you’ll be wishing for some of that heat. If mid-August means swelter, mid-January means shiver. That’s bbbrrrrrrrrrrr, shiver and shake. Picture this … heaps of snow and slush, 20 degrees as a high, heating the car so it will start, slippery mud if you’re a little farther south, rain, and NO sun. August temps don’t seem so bad viewed through that prism.

I don’t have a magic container that will allow you to store the heat, but I do have a way to enjoy some sun and fun in January. Join me on a cruise! I’ll be the featured speaker on an event sponsored by the “Scribes Night Out” organization. I’ll be presenting a seminar on using human interpersonal relationship principles to help in crafting fascinating characters that are designed to add loads of tension, emotion, and snap to your story. Part of the presentation is a primer on understanding “why” we humans react the way we do. It’s open to all cruise guests.

The cruise is on Royal Caribbean’s popular, Enchantment of the Seas. It will depart from Port Canaveral on Friday, January 22nd and return on January 25th, with ports of call being Nassau and Coco Cay. Contact Judith Segall at My Travel Hat for more info. You can reach her by calling 407.331.5008 or clicking her up at MyTravelHat@cfl.rr.com.

You don’t have to be a writer to enjoy this trip with authors — established and would be. If you think you’d like to write, want to know more about the authoring process, like to read … or just would like to meet some fascinating folks, join us!

 

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There’s always one more thing … You’ll never know enough … So go …

NYT best selling author Wiley Cash with DL at The Blue Ridge Book Fest conference.

So go … Go where? To a writers conference.

A lot of people ask authors that have had books published about the “short cuts” to getting in print. Every time I do a signing or a seminar someone wants “the secret.” I don’t believe there are any. Well, maybe a few. Do something that makes your name recognizable in a significant percentage of households. Like shooting Bin Laden. Going to work for a TV network. Becoming the first female all-pro NFL quarterback. These aren’t formulas to pursue if you’re serious about getting pubed. Normally, there’s a process to go through; sorry it takes time and lots and lots and lots and lots of work, failure, and rejection, before success knocks.

There is something that will help prevent you from making writing detours. These detours cause you to take a lot longer to get where you want to go. They’re caused by working without a full knowledge of what publishing professionals want. A lot of “would be Cornwells or Sparks” grind away, spending hours of diligent effort at the keyboard, producing work that has fatal flaws. Eventually, trial and error allows them to put together a manuscript that has a chance. A lot of folks hang up the pen a long time before they get that far.

Avoid many of these detours. Go to a “good” writers conference. A good conference: 1) offers courses and speakers that provide you with incites in what the publishing world likes and dislikes, 2) features publishing people that have solid experience in the industry, and 3) give you the opportunity to get one on one evaluation of your work. You’ll learn more in a one to five day experience than a year of pounding out pages that no one will read.

I practice what I preach on this. I go to one or more conference each year as a student (not speaker). I’ll be attending the Unicorn Writers Conference this August. I find the longer I write, the more I learn about the craft and how much I don’t know! This conference is a “good one” featuring all the traits (noted above) a writer needs to learn and improve. For your convenience I’ve placed the URL for the Unicorn Writers Conference here so if you’d like to see how a first-rate conference is composed, you’ll have a reference.   http://www.unicornwritersconference.com

Another feature of attending a conference is the opportunity to meet and absorb knowledge from other writers. I find this is very valuable. These folks have my problems and my goals. Many times they’ve solutions they can share. And … sometime you can have the satisfaction of helping someone along the writing obstacle course.

 

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More questions answered……Some don’ts……and a pro friend

DL with author Virginia Crane at the Port Charlotte Cultural Center

This is an “excuse me” post. Excuse my tardiness in posting and excuse my delay in answering your queries.

I’ll answer a couple of more questions that have been asked repeatedly regarding the use of survey material.

First question – Can I use work associates, critic groups, relatives, etc. to add to the sample used in the survey? Answer – An unequivocal NO! First, ANYONE you know isn’t likely to be an objective judge/contributor (and that can cut either way). The last thing you want is someone answering the way they think you want them to. There goes validity. Second, the survey is designed to get a profile on people who read and buy the material you write. Many of the folks you’d solicit from the groups above won’t qualify. This is not a feel good exercise.

Second question – Isn’t this a great thing to show an agent or publisher to illustrate the effort you’re making to “get it right?” This one is tough. Common sense might tell you it is. I’ve found that it isn’t. Think about this, does it make sense for you, a novice, to take info to a publishing professional? See how that might be interpreted? Most folks in the publishing field are competent – they don’t survive long if they aren’t. Yes, there are exceptions, but…. Some agents and editors see simply showing them the survey as a gimmick–done specifically to impress them, not to improve your work. NEVER use a gimmick. Robert Parker (RIP) told a couple of we “unwashed” that he met at a conference, “One of the quickest ways to foul out with pros is using a gimmick.” Most pros have seen them all. He told us of a male agent who received a nude picture of the author with her ms. Other than posting her pic and some sarcastic comments in his office he didn’t bother to read a page. Since he told us this in the hotel bar, you know it’s true. What the survey info CAN be used for is to aid in making a valid marketing plan. If you don’t have a plan and you’re writing for publication, you’d better make a GOOD one. The survey is a starting point for your analysis and you can validate your work with what you learned. I’ve found this does impress agents and … publishers in particular.

I attended the Port Charlotte Cultural Center’s Christmas in July event last weekend. Besides meeting a ton of great people (readers) and selling lots of books, it’s always great to mingle with other writers, particular ones who are “Grade AA” at their craft. Pictured above is woman’s commercial fiction author Virginia Crane. She puts together a great read in her genre. If you’re a fan of women’s lit, your bookshelf should have Virginia’s novels on it.

Things are busy. The release of my latest book, Bully Route Home, a book tour to intro it, and some individual appearances, all in the next 45 days, are keeping me moving like a cat that jumped into a pit bull kennel. In addition, I’m really looking forward to attending the Unicorn Writers Conference in the same time period. I’ll be telling you more about all these in coming posts.

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What your readers want – Answers to questions from my previous post.

This picture is inside the McConnell house at Brattonsville and features re-enactors that live the 1780’s life daily. Taken on my research trip for my in-process novel, “The Wild, Wild, East.”

I’m back from my research trip and I apologize for the delay in answering your questions regarding my last post. To be honest, I didn’t realize I’d receive so many. It’s gratifying to see that many of you understand the potential value of measuring your future readers likes and dislikes. Many can’t be answered with a general statement; I’ve answered some of those that are specific to individuals already … and will get to the rest very soon.

There were some reoccurring questions that I can answer here. Four were asked repeatedly and I have listed each question and my answer.

1.  How do you select the places you do your sampling and the people who you ask to complete the questionnaire?

Since you want to know who will buy, as well as read, what you’re writing, I take at least two-thirds of my observations from places where selling books occurs. It’s important to you, a potential agent and a potential publisher. That mean’s bookstores, book festivals, and other events where books are sold. Always ask the store/event managers if you can conduct your survey inside before you accost people with clip board in hand. Here’s a shocker … you’ll get many more rejections than acceptances even when you offer to share the results. Be prepared to stand outside. I never take more than 10% of my observations from one location for obvious reasons. The other third I get from libraries. I find them much more amenable to allowing the activity. Most are very interested in seeing the results of your survey. I select people completely at random. Again, be prepared for rejection. (Should rejection be a valid synonym for writing?) NEVER HARD SELL. Remember, these folks are doing you a favor. I qualify those I speak to so I know that they are interested in my genre areas. Don’t waste their time or yours. A friendly approach and a smile work the best.

2.  How do you establish trends if you add new questions?

I didn’t expect this to be asked. The answer is, I’m less interested in trends than I am of a snap-shot of readers’ preferences at the moment – AND – the discovery of a new like or dislike. Change is one of the constants we face. This lets me measure this critical factor. I add questions to find out more about a perceived change.

3.  How do you use the results?

I try to reflect the results in my active work and any manuscripts I’m in the process of rewriting. The best way to illustrate this is by examples. One of the readers’ consistent pet peeves is that novels are “front-end loaded” and die as they progress. I’m very cognizant of this and pace my novels carefully to avoid the problem. One of the answers I get overwhelmingly is that a reader much prefers that the book’s ending is as strong or stronger when compared to its beginning. That’s what most say shapes their decision to buy the next book from that author. Guess what I spend a lot of time being sure is as perfect as I can make it? The end.

4.  Do you ask about your work?

Nope. I’m not a household name like Evanovich, Sparks, Stockett, Clancy, etc. Not a high enough percentage of folks have read my work to give me any valid feedback. Once you’re established, have a fan base, and are one of those who sets standards … the type survey I’m doing has far less value. (though it does have some, even for the lofty among us.) I do speak to book clubs and to other groups that have interest in a specific book I’ve written. I mine the information from these folks as eagerly as a gold prospector who just hit a new vein.

Hope this answers these issues. I’ll be posting the next installment in a week or less.

 

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Want to attract & please readers? … Try asking them what they want.

Find out what YOUR readers like and don’t like … directly.

One thing that is easy to do when you’ve written for a while is to let others do your thinking for you. I expect a reaction to that statement. Shock! Indignation! “What do you mean? I do my own research, create my own characters, develop my own stories – How dare you!” That’s not what I meant.

In one of my earlier posts I mentioned that when we publish we need to put in print something others are going to want to read. Doesn’t it make sense that each of us make an effort to find out what that is? Each of us has a group, a constituency, a segment to which we want to speak. Why not ask them what they want and like? As important, maybe more so, ask them what they don’t want and don’t like? I recommend this highly.

Why is the first paragraph’s topic sentence worded in a way that suggests we allow others to do our thinking? Because in our rush to please the industry’s “gate keepers,” we lose track of the most important fact: Readers buy books, not agents, “experts,” and publishers. Sometimes, industry folks, being so close to the trees, find it difficult to visualize the layout of the multitude of possible forests. We need to find a way to please both.

Each of us is creating our own forest when we write to publish. It’s better if our forest is not one bush. The way I try to be sure my books will address the wants and likes of my targeted readership is to ask them by the use of a questionnaire.

Here’s what I’ve done five times in the last twelve years. I have a list of ten to fifteen questions I ask a sample of book-buying readers. I get the results by standing outside book stores and libraries. (Yes, I’ve been run off a time or two.) I also get some answers from appearances and signings though I’m careful to restrict those observations to a quarter or less of my sample. The sample size goal is 200, but I’ve never done less than 202 and the largest sample was 231. My samples are strictly taken from readers who buy the genre of books I write. I quantify the results by gender and age. The best way to explain what I do is to provide you with an example.

Question – What are the biggest complaints you have about books you purchase?

a) Book starts good/fails to maintain interest

b) All action, no story

c) Too complex

d) Too slow moving

e) Too much like other books in same category

f) Ridiculous/Insults my intelligence

g) Language too complex

h) Language to elementary/childish

I) Other – write-in

The alternative answers for each question are expanded as new answers garner a significant response. Results for the example, expressed as a percent of the times checked on the sheets, for my most recent questionnaire, were: a) 65% b) 39% c) 20% d) 60% e) 59% f) 31% g) 17% h) 23% i) 6% .  These figures vary, but items a, d, and e always lead the list though in different orders. I further refine the results by male and female observations (quite different at times) and by age groups in ten year increments.

An interesting portion of the questionnaire is the part where I provide an open opportunity for the person to express their “pet peeve” and state what’s their favorite reading experience. The answers are often the most illuminating.

For example: “I hate the increasing number of books I buy where everything is loaded in the first few chapters and the author doesn’t seem to know how to continue.”

And: “The lack of originality and the sameness of the novels I read bothers me. This is particularly true of stuff from the major publishers. It’s like everybody writes to the same template. Same style. Same everything. It’s like they were written by artificial intelligence on a computer.”

When I sit down to write, I know what I should strive for and avoid … to please the specific audience I want to draw. My questions are crafted to find out  things I want to know like- Do you disregard or dislike prologues? (Answer a resounding – NO!!) The great part is each of you can pick the brains of your desired audience by customizing your own questionnaire. It’s a lot of work, but in the end you’ll know, not guess, what your readers want.

If you’d like more info on what I do, go to my web page and the contact link to ask questions.

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Thanks to ALL who served … Your sacrifices allow us to enjoy freedom today.

Thank you veterans!

Today, each one of us should ask ourselves a question.  “Would we live as well as we do today if it were not for the brave men and women who fought to preserve this country?”

A large portion of our nation’s people weren’t born when the world fought two wars that created unimaginable suffering and loss. Time has obscured the fact that the world was given the choice of becoming a monolith where nothing but one set of thoughts and values would be tolerated. Conform or die. The brave veterans chose to risk death to oppose one system, one man rule. Their triumph was costly.

Reading history is different than living it. It’s a fact that a large ideological force would prefer that we forget the evils that thrust those wars on our country. It simply doesn’t fit their agenda. They’d prefer to rewrite history than learn from it. The eighty million plus human’s who died becomes a lesson unlearned. Today’s world is so close to the world in 1939 it is frightening to those who think.

Does is mean that every war we’ve fought was a “good one?” No. Regrettably there have been times we’ve miss used our military power. But the military people who fought, did their best to honor their duty. They did as commanded. One can find no fault in that. They deserve our respect-it is right that we honor them.

I have traveled to close to 100 countries. Some like the USSR no longer exist. We are not perfect, but by the sociological balance test, this is the best place I’ve seen to live. The great part of living here is if you don’t like what you see you’re free to try find enough others that agree with you and change it … or you are free to leave.

Thank you US soldiers, sailors, Marines, air force, and coast guard veterans. This day is for you. In reality, every day this country survives, should be.

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Testing, testing … One, Two, Three …

 

Talking to attendees at the Blue Ridge Bookfest. Test your ideas on your readers at every opportunity.

One of the things many writers fail to realize when they tap the computer keys is what fascinates them may be of no interest to others. That’s not a problem if your writing is for personal purposes. Maybe you’re looking for an emotional catharsis or you’re using the process to logically solve a problem. When you’re writing for publication … problem … and if the work isn’t intended for a narrow niche market, big problem.

Publishers, most of them, and agents, most of them, are in the business to make money. That’s a good thing—if they do, you should. While there are a few exceptions that publish art for art’s sake, they are few and getting fewer. Remember the market’s acceptance of your book is what determines it and your success. That’s true for the “big five” down the chain to the self-published writer.

Let’s talk about niche markets first. Most niche markets are identified by a narrow common interest in an item, issue, or action. An example illustrates this best. A book titled, “Picking the proper running shoe for business women,” describes a niche market book. The niche is, daaaaa, business ladies who are interested in running. Often the writer is a member of that market. It’s a great starting point for new authors, but I’ll save that for another post. There are publishers who like and specialize in these type books because they can forecast sales more accurately.

When most novice writers pound the keyboard their minds are filled with success dreams. They see their title on the shelf next to Brokaw’s “Greatest Generation” or Rowling’s “Harry Potter.” They write and hope that their idea will be the next big one. In honesty, that’s the way most “best sellers” happen unless you have the name recognition of Sparks or Evanovich. Is there anything a writer can do test the waters and improve chances of capturing readers’ imaginations? Yes, but there’s a lot of work involved. And, you want to be sure that the testing (research) you do is tailored to your work interests.

A good place to start is by reviewing what people are reading. Best seller lists in your genre or interest area provide good information. So do library check out lists, when they’re available (you might have to cultivate your local librarian to get these). At least sample read books from the top of each list. This, like all the suggestions listed here, are not one and done items. Twice yearly will do. Trends are what are most valuable. A successful book about a sniper doesn’t tell you much, but a series of books about the effects of living a military life has on those involved, does.

Another fertile field to consider is current events and recurring events. Exploring the cause and or effect of something in the news cycle provides a marketing opportunity. Pick items that are “major impact” events. You don’t want to tie your work to something no one remembers. Recurring and on-going news issues are great tie-ins to non-fiction and fiction. A savvy agent or publisher realizes the PR value of a book that can attach itself to ISIS, or to racial strife, or political corruption. They’re in the news and people want to read about them. How can you tie them to what you write? That’s your task. Think about this—with what’s happening in the world today, which book would generate the most interest, a novel about a woman’s struggle to marry whom she chooses in Iran or in Sweden.

Remember a movie from a few years back? … “What Women Want.” The premise was what power a man would have if he really understood what females wanted. Wouldn’t it be great if you knew “What Readers Want?” Not just any readers, your readers? There is a way to do this and my next post will feature a way for you to find out.

 

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Read, read, read, read and learn … but having a plan helps …

Read with a purpose and learn

The novice writer is advised to “read, read, read, read, and read more.” It’s very good advice. That’s often where the counsel ends. It’s left to the writer to absorb the mystic and elusive factors that got the author’s book published. In some rare cases an individual’s instincts allow him or her to profit from what they read without consciously searching. Often it does not. Consider something in addition to learning by random osmosis. Sleeping next to a copy of War and Peace, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Pride and Prejudice, a Stephanie Plum novel, or The Notebook won’t transfer Tolstoy, Angelou, Capote, Austin, Evanovich, or Spark’s writing abilities to you.

Consider developing a reading plan. If you’re going to obtain the proficiency required to compete in today’s tough market, you need to know where to improve your work. Critic groups are helpful in learning problems you need to solve. Comments from agents or editors are great if you can get them. Define areas you’d like to improve and see how the accomplished writer does it. Your plan will be different from everyone else. Let’s look at some items you might wish to consider.

 

Understanding genre norms for your chosen interest area(s) is something that will enhance your works acceptance. See how established authors stay within genre confines.
Attribution. Learning how to define and identify dialogue is an art that can be the difference in the way readers, agents, and publishers perceive your writing. Reading gives you “dialogue” perspective – see how authors do this seamlessly.
Learn to say a lot with as few powerful words as possible. “Overwriting” is a very common problem that kills pace and message. Too many adjectives, etc. can leave readers scratching their heads. Under-describing is better than the reverse. Observe how and when authors make you fill in the blanks.
Pacing and structure are things that you can learn from reading the type of writing you’re pursuing. Literary fiction and action/fantasy are worlds apart. Reading will educate you on the differences.
Observe the rhythm the writer creates with his writing. It’s the thing that keeps readers turning pages. Look carefully and you’ll see the devices and timing that’s used to keep you engrossed. Does the author take you forward for two steps then back one? Does something happen every eight pages? They may not all be clockwork, but you’ll see the pulse. Look for how a rhythm is forged by the author.
The list of plan items is infinite. You have to provide your own. The very process of reviewing your work and determining what can be improved is instructive.

 

I try not to carry the dissection of works I’m reading to an extreme. Reading should remain a pleasurable experience. But, having a check list of things you’d like to improve in your work pops into consciousness while reading if you prepare a plan. Try it. Many of you will find it’s a worth-while effort.

 

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Once upon a time … there was this fairy tale …

 

DL speaking at Pine Island Library’s 50th Anniversary

In my last post I asked, “Where is publishing?” One of the reasons I asked was the increasing frustration I see in the writing community. New folks enter, enthusiastically engage, totally commit, find the writer’s world is rejection, become frustrated, bitter, and finally resort to fault finding and accusations. Discontent isn’t limited to writers. Agents complain about editors and publishers. Publishers about distributers. The bitching chain goes on to infinity. Everyone has a list of what’s wrong with the other guy. Few make such lists about themselves. The result: I see our industry’s product quality suffering.

Though some agents, publishers, distributers, and retailers may be reluctant to agree, writers are the reason the industry exists. Without us there is no publishing business. The problem is supply and demand. We writers are a mega elastic supply functioning in a relatively inelastic market. The ratio of writers to “positions” stated in my previous post is a staggering truth to many who haven’t faced facts before chasing the rainbow.

The traditional “gate-keepers,” agents and house editors, are overwhelmed by sheer volume. We may dislike their rejection, but what they did preserved the system’s balance. Like predators in an ecosystem, they insured the quality of the “writer population.” They can’t do that today; there is too much material to handle. The result – some very good work is discarded with the very bad. In many cases the mediocre survives when it shouldn’t.

The answer to this frustration for many has been self-publishing. That’s great. It allows a lot of good marketable work to find its way to the public. The problem is that the lack of gate-keeping has dumped product into the market that isn’t up to standard. Back in the sixties cheap import knock-offs flooded America. The mark on a product saying “Made in Japan” made it an object for derision and contempt, even if it was a good item. That’s how many book purchasers and publishing professionals view self-published work today. One avid reader friend of mine says, “There’s more published trash out there than there is shit in a Hong Kong sewer.” And, unfortunately, she’s right.

Since there is a shortage of needed gate-keepers (and many of those are lacking) we have to try our best to be our own predators. A writer friend of mine is fond of talking about “killin’ the chillin’” (the difficult process of editing out something we like in our work that doesn’t belong). She says it’s something we all have to face to improve our craft. Though her reference is to parts of a manuscript, I believe that advice extends to whole works.

The posts following this one will be suggestions that I believe will help us function better as our own gate-keepers. Each post will be something we can use to filter the chaff from the wheat. The posts will discuss one idea, I don’t want them looking like a larger version of War and Peace. The titles of the individual posts include: Read, read, read, read, and read more, / Testing, testing, one, two, three, / Am I fiction or fact? / What genre fits fine? / What in the hell do my potential readers want? / The “who cares” question, / Workers shouldn’t blame their tools, they better be sure they have them all and know how to use them, / Continuity, was it a Ford or a Chevy? / It’s just like ….. / and possibly more.

 

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