The Author's Journey - An introduction
Moving further into the concepts of the writer and their writing- and as part of my University Master's degree in Writing (Subject PWR70002 - Online Writing)- I will be looking at the writer's journey and will include tricks and tips to help with those difficult times as well as answer questions you may have.
For those who don't know me, I am Amanda Howard, I am a true crime and crime fiction author, I have spent the past two decades interviewing and writing about serial killers and other violent predators. I am a regular panel member on Australian television programs regarding criminology and have appeared on documentaries, radio, online and in newspapers across the globe.
Up to September 2016, I have published:
10 True Crime Books River of Blood: Serial Killers and Their VictimsThe Lottery KidnappingTerror in the SkiesMillion Dollar Art TheftPredators (co-authored)Innocence Lost: Crimes that Shocked a NationSerial Killers and Philosophy (Collab)A Killer in the Family: When Murder Waits at HomeMurder on the Mind: An Insight into Serial Killers and Their CrimesRope: A History of the Hanged
3 Novellas and Short Stories
The Cicadas RoarCharlotte's One of a Kind CakesWriter's Block
3 Fiction Novels: Kate Reilly Ritual Series
The Blood of ManyThe Elements of MurderA Thousand Cuts 1 Non Fiction book How to Be An Author (Collab)So that is seventeen books so far, and I have another in the Kate Reilly Ritual Series coming out in November, as well as another True Crime book in February 2017. I also have a fair few other writing projects on the boil too that I will share as they come to fruition. So I think with a CV like that I hope that I can offer some advice on both non-fiction and fiction writing, The processes of dealing with publicists, publishing houses, editors and the like.
I have begun putting together a list of topics - of course these may change as time progresses - that I think this could be a great way to start. Each blog will link back to this page too, so you can go from topic to topic.
I will begin with the very first moment of a book, those tiny fragments of inspiration and take you through the writing journey until you reach your masterpiece.
The topics I will cover include:
Ideas and concepts
The seed of an ideaWhere to beginWriting packages and programmesIs the pen mightier than the keyboard?Inspiration and dedicationWriter’s block and free writing Thought mapping - chapters, characters, outlines, storyline
Who, what, where, when and howLong Chapters/Short ChaptersWord count goalsSimilar books/films/ideas Research
Write what you know or learn what you don’tFantastic sources and resourcesSourcing and referencingGenre, rules and the artist First drafts and Hemingway (my guide)
When you don’t love your first draftWhen you love your draft too much to edit itThe Editor and the Author WithinThe space between the work and the author (the need to leave early drafts to simmer) The first edit - the brutal reality
Subsequent editsDirection, misdirection and the need for a critical friendWhen you get sick of reading your writingSelf-doubt and self-worth Publishing, contracts and lit agents
Traditional publishing vs self-publishingA changing landscapeUnscrupulous “publishers”The traps new authors fall intoContracts – what do they meanThe editor - friend, foe or something else?Do they love it as much as you do?When you don’t see eye to eyeCreative control Covers - the reality of judging a book
KISS- obvious is goodThe market and the shelfMore research The finished product
Nothing like the smell of success and a bookThe bookstore and the book shelf Now what? Media, publicity and the hard sell!
Press releasesYour audienceSocial mediaInterviews – the good the bad and the uglyRadio, television, newspapers – what’s the focus?Nervous? How to curb it.For now, before the journey commences, these topics will be a great start. Of course, stop me at any point throughout the journey and ask questions, request clarification or even perhaps suggest better topics.
Thanks again for dropping by, I hope to put these topics up frequently, as my own inspiration ignites my passion.
Until next time,
Cheers
Amanda Howard
Links:Amanda Howard Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amandahowardauthor/Amanda Howard Twitter: https://twitter.com/amandahoward73Amanda Howard's books (Amazon): https://www.amazon.com/Amanda-Howard/e/B001JP7X7I/
Thank you for visiting Amanda Howard
Check out my site at http://www.amandahoward.com.au
and
My Amazon page at http://www.amazon.com/Amanda-Howard/e...

Up to September 2016, I have published:
10 True Crime Books River of Blood: Serial Killers and Their VictimsThe Lottery KidnappingTerror in the SkiesMillion Dollar Art TheftPredators (co-authored)Innocence Lost: Crimes that Shocked a NationSerial Killers and Philosophy (Collab)A Killer in the Family: When Murder Waits at HomeMurder on the Mind: An Insight into Serial Killers and Their CrimesRope: A History of the Hanged

The Blood of ManyThe Elements of MurderA Thousand Cuts 1 Non Fiction book How to Be An Author (Collab)So that is seventeen books so far, and I have another in the Kate Reilly Ritual Series coming out in November, as well as another True Crime book in February 2017. I also have a fair few other writing projects on the boil too that I will share as they come to fruition. So I think with a CV like that I hope that I can offer some advice on both non-fiction and fiction writing, The processes of dealing with publicists, publishing houses, editors and the like.
I have begun putting together a list of topics - of course these may change as time progresses - that I think this could be a great way to start. Each blog will link back to this page too, so you can go from topic to topic.
I will begin with the very first moment of a book, those tiny fragments of inspiration and take you through the writing journey until you reach your masterpiece.
The topics I will cover include:
Ideas and concepts
The seed of an ideaWhere to beginWriting packages and programmesIs the pen mightier than the keyboard?Inspiration and dedicationWriter’s block and free writing Thought mapping - chapters, characters, outlines, storyline
Who, what, where, when and howLong Chapters/Short ChaptersWord count goalsSimilar books/films/ideas Research
Write what you know or learn what you don’tFantastic sources and resourcesSourcing and referencingGenre, rules and the artist First drafts and Hemingway (my guide)
When you don’t love your first draftWhen you love your draft too much to edit itThe Editor and the Author WithinThe space between the work and the author (the need to leave early drafts to simmer) The first edit - the brutal reality
Subsequent editsDirection, misdirection and the need for a critical friendWhen you get sick of reading your writingSelf-doubt and self-worth Publishing, contracts and lit agents
Traditional publishing vs self-publishingA changing landscapeUnscrupulous “publishers”The traps new authors fall intoContracts – what do they meanThe editor - friend, foe or something else?Do they love it as much as you do?When you don’t see eye to eyeCreative control Covers - the reality of judging a book
KISS- obvious is goodThe market and the shelfMore research The finished product
Nothing like the smell of success and a bookThe bookstore and the book shelf Now what? Media, publicity and the hard sell!
Press releasesYour audienceSocial mediaInterviews – the good the bad and the uglyRadio, television, newspapers – what’s the focus?Nervous? How to curb it.For now, before the journey commences, these topics will be a great start. Of course, stop me at any point throughout the journey and ask questions, request clarification or even perhaps suggest better topics.
Thanks again for dropping by, I hope to put these topics up frequently, as my own inspiration ignites my passion.
Until next time,
Cheers
Amanda Howard
Links:Amanda Howard Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amandahowardauthor/Amanda Howard Twitter: https://twitter.com/amandahoward73Amanda Howard's books (Amazon): https://www.amazon.com/Amanda-Howard/e/B001JP7X7I/
Thank you for visiting Amanda Howard
Check out my site at http://www.amandahoward.com.au
and
My Amazon page at http://www.amazon.com/Amanda-Howard/e...
Published on September 26, 2016 20:09
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