Terry Odell's Blog, page 62

Don’t Forget the Weather

Don’t Forget the Weather

Never open a book with the weather is one of Elmore Leonard’s rules of writing. But is it a rule or a suggestion? How should you handle the weather in your novels?

When I lived in Los Angeles, “weather” was no big deal. Some winter rainstorms, and a miserable heat wave was guaranteed for the first week(s) back to school in September. That one was made more miserable by no air conditioning in the buildings because who needs a/c for 2 weeks a year. On top of that,  back i...

Tips for Distant Settings

Tips for Distant Settings

Hard to believe it’s been 2 weeks since my last Kill Zone Blog post, but apparently, time zips along. Today, I’m giving some tips for using distant settings in books, or how to write a book set somewhere you have little experience with. Or, a setting you may have visited only briefly, and had no book in mind when you were there.

You can find my tips here.

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Opening Pages

Opening Pages

The opening pages–paragraphs, really–of a book have to draw the reader in. It might be they’ve downloaded a sample, or are using a “look inside” feature–or, pre-pandemic, browsing in a brick and mortar store–but if what they see doesn’t draw them in, the book goes back on the shelf, virtual or otherwise.

Over at the Kill Zone Blog, readers can submit the first page, up to 400 words, of their works in progress, and one of the team offers in-depth feedback, and the discussion begins....

Crossover Challenges: Continuity

Crossover Challenges: Continuity

On Monday, I talked about blending genres and writing a book that crossed over into two series. Well, now that I’ve reached the point in the writing where Gordon, my Mapleton character has arrived in Pine Hills, I’ve reached a whole new set of challenges.

Continuity.

Yes, I should have created series Bibles. But I had this idea that once I landed a publisher, they’d deal with continuity. Whooshing back in time, when I starting taking writing seriously, tradition...

Blending Genres and Series

Blending Genres and Series

Can you blend genres and series? I’m about 42,000 words into my current project, another Mapleton mystery. (No, I don’t have a title.) After reviewing responses to my recent survey, I’m comfortable doing a crossover with my Pine Hills Police series. I’m not sure exactly where it’s going yet, but at this point Gordon and Angie have traveled to Pine Hills, Oregon.

Although the Mapleton series is billed as a cross between a cozy mystery and a police procedural, and the P...

Taking A Fun Break

I’ve been working on my next Mapleton novel, and I’ve given myself permission to lower my daily word count goals. I’ve also given myself permission to try something different with this book. Everyone is dealing with the pandemic and all its ramifications. Then there’s the election. (VOTE! We did last Friday.)

I’ve been reading a book by a favorite author. Watching pure escape television. Trying some new recipes. Now, it’s time to take a break for a little fun. (In keeping with the theme of this ...

Remember Your Readers When It Comes to Setting

Remember Your Readers When It Comes to Setting

Recently, I had the pleasure of doing a beta read for a best-selling author. (And it was gratifying to see that even the Big Names have mistakes.) I also have a small critique group, which might be considered a pre-beta read, as submissions there are rough drafts.

One thing that registered with me was the importance of knowing your readers are going to be bringing their own experiences to the read. Descriptions which make perfect sense and call up t...

Using Apostrophes

Using Apostrophes

 

A pet peeve of mine is incorrect apostrophe usage, something I see all the time. I’m sure you have, too. There are two uses for apostrophes. Do you know what they are?  That’s what I’m talking about at The Kill Zone Blog today. Come join the discussion and share some of the mistakes you’ve seen. You could be saving a puppy’s life.

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Marketing: Little Things Make a Difference

Marketing: Little Things Make a Difference

Image by Arek Socha from Pixabay

First (and second, third, and fourth), I’m not a marketing person. I got the audio rights back for What’s in a Name? so I can distribute it to more sales channels. I dropped the price from $11.99 to $1.99 at Chirp, which is a significant savings for audiobooks. But a price drop doesn’t do much if nobody knows about it, so I thought I’d try a BookBub ad that targets Chirp audiobook listeners.

Since I’m more or less cluele...

Let’s Talk Audiobooks

Let’s Talk Audiobooks

I got into audiobooks relatively early on, when just about the only game in town was ACX, and their Royalty Share option made it a no-cost way to pick up a few extra bucks.

Things are different now, and I’m reaching the end of my 7-year agreement (yes, it’s been that long) with ACX for five of my books.

After some discussion with my narrators, we agreed that for a fee, they would allow me to continue to use their narrations. A lot of thought went into this decision, but si...