The 2017 Third Annual Brain to Books Cyber Convention Blog Hop
Hi and welcome to blog hop for the B2B Cyber Convention and Book Expo.
The Brain to Book Cyber Convention and Book Expo (also known as b2b) was started by Author Angela Chrysler in 2015 with the goal of “providing authors with an open stage where they are free to share and exchange ideas. If you think it, you can do it.” It is open to authors, readers, bloggers who want to showcase their work through a wide variety of venues.
Think of it as an on-line fairgrounds where you can visit author booths, listen to panel discussions, learn about different genres and, if you choose, participate in contests or games for free books.
This is an international event.
And from their website:
“Who we are:
Brain to Books works to unite the voices of undiscovered authors under one message so that we increase the chances of being heard. “We are here,” is our message and our books are worth reading
What we do:
Brain to Books provides a toolbox for authors who lack the knowledge or confidence to market. We gently ease authors into marketing with the use of guerrilla and drip marketing techniques. We are always on the lookout for tools that we can pass on to our authors.
Who we serve:
Brain to Books serves the author who is nervous about networking and marketing. We take authors by the hand and lead them into the world of marketing, and we’re with them every step of the way.”
On April 7, 8, 9, 2017 , The Third Annual Brain to Book Cyber Conference will take place.
Hop through the collection of author sites in every genre and see what they have to offer:http://b2bcycon.com/blog-hop/
Now hop on over to the featured blog page at D2Books:
I will be participating in the Memoir Genre, managed by Author,Poet, Meditation Teacher Charlene Jones. This will include:
A Book Expo where my memoir, Ever Faithful to His Lead : My Journey Away From Emotional Abuse will be displayed in my “Author Showcase/Booth”.
A Blog Tour where traffic will be directed to my website.
A Genre Tour where I will feature one of my blog posts on memoir writing.
Two Panel Discussions: One on the healing aspects of writing memoir and the other on memoir and mindfulness.
I hope you’ll stop by and explore your areas of interest.
Here’s the link to access the convention: http://b2bcycon.com/
This is my first time participating so I am learning along the way. I’ll let you know how it goes!
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Memoir Writing Tips
“Each of us is a book waiting to be written, and that book, if written, results in a person explained.” ― Thomas M. Cirignano, The Constant Outsider: Memoirs of a South Boston Mechanic
After years of journaling, studying the art and craft of memoir writing and shaping my vignettes in a slice-of-life memoir over these past five years, I published my first memoir Ever Faithful to His Lead: My Journey Away From Emotional Abuse on July 28, 2014.
As I move forward on a path of marketing and publishing my second memoir, I find myself reflecting upon the lessons of these past eight years.
Memoir Writing Tips I’ve learned on my memoir writer’s journey:
* We all have a story within and we are the only ones who can tell it. Once you find it, or it finds you, honor it.
*The only way to find your story is to show up and write. Often. Give the story that needs to be told a chance to reveal itself to you. Figure out a way to manage your inner critic. Give yourself permission to write.
* Connect to your purpose for writing your story. Is it catharsis, preserving family stories, mainstream publication? Emotional distance from the story helps you see it as a story. Journal for catharsis. Write with intention and commitment to the truth for publication. A journal is a tool to express and explore feelings and reactions. A memoir captures a story with a message.
* Once you connect to your purpose for writing your story, your themes become clear. Details matter but they must serve a purpose to your theme, otherwise they may distract your reader from the purpose of your story. An autobiography cites a person’s life in chronological order. A memoir captures a “slice of life” with reflections on lessons learned.
*Your story has to be bigger than you. What is the universal appeal with your individual twist? Define your memoir “takeaways” –what’s in it for the reader? How can my experiences help the reader understand theirs?
* Commit to excellence in every step of the process: learn the art and craft of memoir; seek out memoir mentors, professional editors, book cover designers, etc.
*Remain open to constructive feedback while remaining true to your own voice. Embrace rejection as a pathway to improving and finding success. Write it until it’s right.
*Share your story openly and often. Submit to writing contests, magazines, guest posts on other blogs, blog your book. When you get your writing out there, you get valuable feedback that will help you improve.
* It’s all about story. A good memoir reads like a novel. The rules of fiction apply to memoir: opening hook, plot, structure, character development, narrative arc, theme. conflict, suspense, resolution, and a distinct voice.
* Memoir writing is a journey of self–discovery, healing and transformation. Be kind to yourself as you dig for the truths and excavate painful memories. Be patient, yet persistent in finding the “gold nuggets” of your life story that will ultimately help you heal and touch the lives of others in a healing way.
Use Your Pitch to Showcase the Benefit of Your Story:
Sharing your transformative journey can transform readers. That’s why a memoir must focus on providing value, or benefit, to readers.
My journey to memoir led me to healing and self-forgiveness. My hope is that Ever Faithful to His Lead: My Journey Away From Emotional Abuse will help others face their own past self-defeating choices and find their own pathways to healing. My pitch has this focus as well. It says, “How does a young woman from stable, loving family make so many wise choices about career but so many poor choices about love that she ends up fleeing with her two children in broad daylight from her second husband for fear of physical abuse?
A loving, stable family, a strong faith and a solid career can’t rescue her until she decides to rescue herself.
A memoir is about you, but ultimately, it’s about your readers.
Just keep writing past your inner critic, past the naysayers, past the distractions. We all have a story within us and it will lead the way.
Happy Writing!
