Hi, folks, and welcome to the factory (large engine noises) where today we're working on the first draft of "Rogue Dancer", the SF sequal to "Blade Dancer". If you would step around those boards...that's it. Like to show you this large brown thing here on the table - the one that looks like someone tried carving a Nintendo out of a big honk'n brick.
Now, this here's what you and I call a computer. That's right, there ain't nothing fancy about it. (Looks up the scaffolding) We're about to insert this thing into the First Draft beside me. Gonna be a tight fit, cause we don't want people just thinking that aliens are gonna call this the same thing we do. It's all part of that world-building stuff. Getting readers inside something different. (quickly tears the Intel logo off the side of the box).
So, what the hell do we call this thing? Yeah, I know. Computer. (jerks head at scaffolding) That's not what they call it, though, so we got to come up with something fancy. (gives box a speculative look). We can call it a box I suppose. Calculator? Naw, cause you and I already know what a calulator is, and this shore as hell ain't it. Adder? Hmmm, naw, cause it can do more than that. Folks might think I'm talking snake here too. Hell of a puzzle trying to figure this thing out, ain't it? (obligatory light bulb above his head)
Later, with Rale in one arm and a half-empty wine bottle in the other, Mikial ventured over to the table to discover the source of all the music. She recognized the series of jewel buttons affixed to a board in front of the brown cube, and there was the crystal display listing songs too. “You pulled this out of the palace dance hall Paleen and I found?”
Dalen, still sweating from his and Paleen’s exuberant performance, nodded guardedly. “When Paleen described that room, I knew immediately what they had up there and, with your Kiorannan mother’s permission, took it.”
Mikial shrugged. “This is the big mystery you were afraid of showing me?”
Dalen exchanged looks with the other Cothra at the table that told Mikial she was completely missing something. “This is a Taqurl puzzle box, Mikial.”
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
The trials of making a book trailer
The last few days have been a real learning experience for me. I've spend hours making a video, trying to get everything just right.
First my timing messed up so my tiles overlaped.
Then there is the music. Where do you find the perfect song to add for the background? When you find it, how do you cut it to end with the video?
And pictures. I searched a lot of the free royalty image sites, but when I get ready to download there is the mention of credits. I have no credits. How do I get them? Money of course. I admit there are a few sites where they are actually free, but I couldn't find everything I needed there.I got an account at fotolia. A dollar a picture. That's not bad. So, with my paypal account I buy 30 credits. I download six pictures and notice I only have 4 credits left. How can that be? For the smallest size, they're all a dollar each, right? I double check and the cowboy I downloaded was 20 credits. TWENTY DOLLARS!!! And he needs a shave and a haircut. My husband and son have made rude remarks about him all week.As a last resort, I went through my personal picture files and found three pictures I'd taken myself. From now on I plan to have my camera with me in case I see something I might someday want in a video. I tried to get my son to dress like a cowboy for a picture, but he wasn't interested.
I've trashed two trailers. Tonight I'll make the third and hope it's a charm. Check it out at www.myspace.com/lindalaroqueauthor Now I'm starting on one for Forever Faithful, coming out with Champagne Books in November 2008. Good luck out there making yours.
Linda
First my timing messed up so my tiles overlaped.
Then there is the music. Where do you find the perfect song to add for the background? When you find it, how do you cut it to end with the video?
And pictures. I searched a lot of the free royalty image sites, but when I get ready to download there is the mention of credits. I have no credits. How do I get them? Money of course. I admit there are a few sites where they are actually free, but I couldn't find everything I needed there.I got an account at fotolia. A dollar a picture. That's not bad. So, with my paypal account I buy 30 credits. I download six pictures and notice I only have 4 credits left. How can that be? For the smallest size, they're all a dollar each, right? I double check and the cowboy I downloaded was 20 credits. TWENTY DOLLARS!!! And he needs a shave and a haircut. My husband and son have made rude remarks about him all week.As a last resort, I went through my personal picture files and found three pictures I'd taken myself. From now on I plan to have my camera with me in case I see something I might someday want in a video. I tried to get my son to dress like a cowboy for a picture, but he wasn't interested.
I've trashed two trailers. Tonight I'll make the third and hope it's a charm. Check it out at www.myspace.com/lindalaroqueauthor Now I'm starting on one for Forever Faithful, coming out with Champagne Books in November 2008. Good luck out there making yours.
Linda
Monday, April 28, 2008
Follow-Up
After my previous blog, Critical vs Creative, I received a few suggestions on how to solve the problem of the critical half of my brain jumping in too soon and interrupting the creative half, thus crippling my muse. Unable to decide which of the suggestions to use, I used them all.
One suggestion was to dress differently for what I was doing, such as 1st draft vs edits. Since the creative side of my brain is my inner child, I reasoned children love to play, right? So I chose beach attire; shorts, tank top, huge red straw hat and sandals. Another suggestion was to make sure I'm not disturbed. I turned off the ringer on the phone and hung a sign on my office door; Do Not Disturb, Inner Child At Play. I changed my old sign—the one I hang above my computer—from Internal Editor Out To Lunch to Elvis & Internal Editor Have Left The Building. In keeping with the beach theme, I did a bit of improvising by filling a plastic container with sand. I put it under my desk, kick off my sandals, and wiggle my toes in it.
All this was done to give creativity dominance over criticisms. But there were a few flaws in the new methods. Wrong time of the year to pick beach attire. For the first hour I shivered through two sentences. Left my office to grab a thick robe and when I returned I discovered one of my demon cats had used the sand under my desk for a litter box. Won't mentioned how I discovered that. Re the sign on my door, someone is always knocking and asking permission to come in and play, too. Love the sign above my computer, but I waste too much time looking at it and smiling.
Sooo, tomorrow it's back to sweats. No sand and no notes. But I'm keeping the big red hat because... well because I like it.
Rose Lerma
www.roselerma.com
One suggestion was to dress differently for what I was doing, such as 1st draft vs edits. Since the creative side of my brain is my inner child, I reasoned children love to play, right? So I chose beach attire; shorts, tank top, huge red straw hat and sandals. Another suggestion was to make sure I'm not disturbed. I turned off the ringer on the phone and hung a sign on my office door; Do Not Disturb, Inner Child At Play. I changed my old sign—the one I hang above my computer—from Internal Editor Out To Lunch to Elvis & Internal Editor Have Left The Building. In keeping with the beach theme, I did a bit of improvising by filling a plastic container with sand. I put it under my desk, kick off my sandals, and wiggle my toes in it.
All this was done to give creativity dominance over criticisms. But there were a few flaws in the new methods. Wrong time of the year to pick beach attire. For the first hour I shivered through two sentences. Left my office to grab a thick robe and when I returned I discovered one of my demon cats had used the sand under my desk for a litter box. Won't mentioned how I discovered that. Re the sign on my door, someone is always knocking and asking permission to come in and play, too. Love the sign above my computer, but I waste too much time looking at it and smiling.
Sooo, tomorrow it's back to sweats. No sand and no notes. But I'm keeping the big red hat because... well because I like it.
Rose Lerma
www.roselerma.com
Friday, April 25, 2008
3. How stories evolve and take on a life of there own?
Michael W. Davis
Author of: Tainted Hero (Champagne books, 1/08), Forgotten Children (Champagne books, 7/08)
Being both an engineer and a mathematician, I figured the process associated with writing fiction would be similar to what I learned over 30+ years. You know, you create a plan, a scheme, and you stick to it the best you can till you’re done. Well, yes and no. It is possible, at least for me, to initially plan out the basic structure of the plot, scenes, and characters, but a strange thing happens when I start actually writing the story. It evolves with a life of its own, really. As I visualize scenes in my head, it’s like I’m there witnessing what’s happening first hand. The responses by the characters, the actions that take place, events that come up; they just kind of happen on their own. It's one of the reasons I lock myself up in a dungeon for hours at a time. I actually live the story, and if I stop, unless I’m at the end of a chapter, I lose much of the environment and surroundings I’m seeing in my minds eye. For me, that’s a good thing. It’s why I enjoy the actual creation of the story so much. I get to live in a new world and meet new people, much like I guess the readers do. Only difference is, and this is the really neat part, if I don’t like the way things are playing out, I pick up my mental eraser, rewind the tape, and imagine something new. For example, in one novel, I had a supporting character slated to be killed midway through the story. But as the character evolved, she became so real, such a terrific person, I fell in love with her (as a brother of course) and I couldn’t kill her off. So I just had her get roughed up a little. And the storyline can change drastically. In Tainted Hero, the end result turned out to be about 50% of my original vision. In Forgotten Children, things ended up to be roughly 70% of the initial idea. But in my latest (Blind Consent), man, the story took several loops and ran off in a brand new direction, only matching about 30% of my original ideas. This evolutionary process went against my fact-based training and was difficult at first. But I’ve learned that if I cut the strings, unfetter my mind with too much structure, and let the story go as it sees fit, the end result is tons better, and I have a ball in the process. Till next time, have a good one.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Contests And Testing Story Ideas
One of my writing buddies is a semi-professional writing contest hound. She enters every contest going. As she has perfected the process and is a great writer, she normally wins.
Me, I almost always lose. On purpose.
You see, I use contests to test story ideas. Right now, I have a couple entries ready to go for The Golden Opportunity Contest, one of the few contests for unpublished manuscripts open to published authors also (as long as the author doesn’t qualify for PAN i.e. she hasn’t sold $1,000 worth of one title).
The entry requirement is the first chapter and the synopsis. Being a plotter, I’ve written the first chapter (rough draft) and the synopsis.
And that’s it.
I don’t want to write more. To write more before getting input on my first chapter and my basic plot would be setting me up for a lot of wasted time and unnecessary rewrites.
The Golden Opportunity Contest is known for giving good feedback. For $30, I’ll get feedback from 3 (I think) high level readers. I’ll then apply that when I actually write the novel (summer 2009 – if it goes well, the novel will be available 2011).
For example:
My original idea was to have a priceless heirloom be the reward in my second novel Invisible (available February 2009). The judges’ thoughts? The reward didn’t pack enough of an emotional punch.
So I thought about it some more and changed the reward to a home, a home the hero Hagen and his late Great Uncle had spent hours, days, years fixing up. Hagen, being an antique lover, could tell you where the kitchen tile came from and why they decided upon the doorknobs the bedrooms have. If he lost the challenge, he wouldn’t simply be losing a house, he’d be losing a part of his history, a part of himself.
Was that feedback worth $30? Absolutely. Was it better to hear that BEFORE writing the entire novel? That was for certain.
This year, I’m testing my garbage man novel. The hero is the CEO of a waste management company. When they first meet, he stinks. Literally. I’ll be interested in hearing whether this completely turns off readers. I’d like to know if losing her job is enough motivation for the heroine. I’m certain I’ll get feedback on many more story issues I haven’t even thought of.
Me, I almost always lose. On purpose.
You see, I use contests to test story ideas. Right now, I have a couple entries ready to go for The Golden Opportunity Contest, one of the few contests for unpublished manuscripts open to published authors also (as long as the author doesn’t qualify for PAN i.e. she hasn’t sold $1,000 worth of one title).
The entry requirement is the first chapter and the synopsis. Being a plotter, I’ve written the first chapter (rough draft) and the synopsis.
And that’s it.
I don’t want to write more. To write more before getting input on my first chapter and my basic plot would be setting me up for a lot of wasted time and unnecessary rewrites.
The Golden Opportunity Contest is known for giving good feedback. For $30, I’ll get feedback from 3 (I think) high level readers. I’ll then apply that when I actually write the novel (summer 2009 – if it goes well, the novel will be available 2011).
For example:
My original idea was to have a priceless heirloom be the reward in my second novel Invisible (available February 2009). The judges’ thoughts? The reward didn’t pack enough of an emotional punch.
So I thought about it some more and changed the reward to a home, a home the hero Hagen and his late Great Uncle had spent hours, days, years fixing up. Hagen, being an antique lover, could tell you where the kitchen tile came from and why they decided upon the doorknobs the bedrooms have. If he lost the challenge, he wouldn’t simply be losing a house, he’d be losing a part of his history, a part of himself.
Was that feedback worth $30? Absolutely. Was it better to hear that BEFORE writing the entire novel? That was for certain.
This year, I’m testing my garbage man novel. The hero is the CEO of a waste management company. When they first meet, he stinks. Literally. I’ll be interested in hearing whether this completely turns off readers. I’d like to know if losing her job is enough motivation for the heroine. I’m certain I’ll get feedback on many more story issues I haven’t even thought of.
Kimber Chin's first novel Breach Of Trust will be available in May. Breach Of Trust has, also, never won a contest.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Hello everyone. My name is Donica Covey and while I am new to Champagne Books I am not new to the publishing industry. I am very excited to now be a member of the CB family.<--This picture will have to do until I can get a new book cover, or I find a picture of myself I actually like. I was told to work up a bio. Huh. It’s hard for me to talk about myself. (My family and friends would laugh at this problem…) I’m a stunningly beautiful woman, the envy of all who meet me. I’m humble, charming, oozing with sex appeal. Men fall at my feet. Women die of envy. I eat bon-bons all day long and never gain an ounce. For dinner I indulge in caviar, champagne and chocolate dipped roses.
Oh, you want the truth?
Okay here goes: I live in a suburb just south of St. Louis MO. My household includes a husband, a teenage daughter—the angst and drama of the teen years! Also included is a Cairn terrier who thinks he’s a bullmastiff. Occasionally we are invaded by my son, his wife and their three-month-old baby girl—oh such agonizing torture (watch the pool of sarcasm. Can’t afford for anyone to slip!)
I have been writing since I was a kid. In my childhood, I was a whiz at making up stories. The family was convinced I’d be a politician or a writer. They celebrated grandly when I chose writing.
I write a variety of genres. Inspirational, romantic suspense, paranormal romantic comedy, contemporary romance, sweet romance. My up coming releases with CB are so exciting to me. First up is a romantic comedy with paranormal elements. It’s the first book in a four book series, Elemental Desires. This book is titled Tides of Maryna’s Love. Then in October, I have my first fantasy romance, Dragon’s Angel, releasing. The next release, February 2009 is book two in the Elemental Desires series, Storm Chasing. Following hard on the heels is the second book in my romantic suspense Gateway Guardians series, Betraying Chase, releasing July of ’09.
As you can tell, you’ll be seeing a lot from me over the coming months. I’m delighted to offer something to suit nearly everyone. You can check me out at any number of places on the ‘Net including: my website, www.donicacovey.com my blog, http://donicacovey.blogspot.com, MySpace, http://www.myspace.com/donicacovey, My writers group the Magic Mavens, http://magicmavens.blogspot.com. Also, I’d like to invite you to join my newsletter group at: donicacovey-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Enough about me, tell me about you!
Huggles
DC
Monday, April 21, 2008
Heartaches Of A New Author
As I was pondering what to contribute to Writers Vineyard this month, I remembered a visit with a new author I had a couple of days ago. She called and wanted me to come to her house so she could pick my brains over the joys and heartaches of having a novel published.
The joy was self-evident with the bubbling pride I observed while she told me of her success with sales and her new experiences. I caught the catch in her throat when she asked how I deal with close friends and relatives showing little interest, not only in purchasing a freshly minted novel or attending launches, but also in never asking about the work involved with such a production.
For whatever reasoning they follow, the end result of having people close to you ignore your creativity HURTS. I like to think it isn’t intentional and after so many novels behind me I tend to compartmentalize the sadness, but as I admitted to her that on occasion the door opens a crack and the gremlins shoot out to prick and prod. While I have great support from most everyone I know, which is encouraging, I realize others aren't so fortunate. I’d be interested in hearing how other authors deal with this. Carol McPhee
Friday, April 18, 2008
First Drafts by Angela Ashton
First drafts are the funnest part of writing the story for me! The whole creating process is like a rush of adrenaline! I usually start with an idea about what I want the book to be about, then sort of brainstorm my way through the first draft. The interesting thing is the way the characters seem to take control of the story and I'm forever surprised by the twists and turns that and things I just wouldn't have foreseen in a thorough outline.The downside is in writing the synopsis at the end. I don't like writing them, don't know of many authors that do-grin-and learned from writing, Once A Rebel, that having something in writing beforehand is always easier to change in the end than a brief blurb.
So, I sort of compromised with the current novel I'm working on, A Question of Honor, and wrote a half to one page synopsis of the big things I want to happen in the storyline, leaving my characters the freedom to act at will, lol.
My most stubborn character to date? Jacque LaFleur, the brawny hero in my upcoming August '08 release titled Corsair Cove. I adore Jacque, but have to admit we 'butted heads' more than once, lol. Of course, he won the battle in the end!...(Funny, when I tried to move the story in a different direction--it wouldn't go anywhere! The wind had left my sails, so to speak. *snicker* )
The first, second and even the third drafts are fun for me...it's the rest of the editing process and the synopsis that send me reaching for the Migraine medicine!
Until next time, happy reading/writing!
Angie
Amulet of Fate
Once A Rebel
Once A Rebel
Corsair Cove (August '08)
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Sign of Spring
They're all around us -- the signs of Spring.Not the honk of Canada geese or the smell of doggy doo thawing on back lawns. Not convertibles with their tops down or the roar of motorcycles.
For me, the true harbinger of spring is the Stanley Cup Playoffs! I am glued to the television most nights, watching the drama unfold. My beloved Leafs missed the show, but the Habs (my home town team) are doing well.
This time of year fills my mind with hockey. It creeps into my dreams. A few weeks ago I dreamed of a group of geriatric hockey fans who sneak into the old Montreal Forum with an outrageous prop - a full size canoe with the familiar CH emblazoned on the side.
That brief glimpse is now a short story. My husband thinks it can be a novel, but I think I'll keep it story length for now. I never thought of that possibility before; I always thought my writing efforts should be 'novel or nothing'.
Besides, other authors have had successful novels grow from previously published short stories. For example, Jamie Ford's upcoming novel Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet was once a short story called I Am Chinese.
I believe Steven King had a few full-length novels that were formerly short stories. Several movies have been made from ludicrously short children's books.
The framework is already in place, so it's easy to build outward in all directions. Who knows how many novels were never written because the author thought it would be too much work. Go ahead. Write the short story. It may never become a novel, but it could be published in a literary magazine, or simply be a great writing exercise.
Keep your pencil sharp and your stick on the ice.
--Sandra Cormier
www.sandracormier.com
www.chumpletwrites.blogspot.com
Image from the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center website
Monday, April 14, 2008
Going to RT this week
This post is kind of short today because I'm a little stressed. I’m leaving for the Romantic Times Booklover’s Convention this Wednesday. This is one of the largest reader/writer/bookseller conventions in the nation.
Did I mention I’m phobic of crowds?
Thousands of people will be there. I still l have not packed. This is my first very large convention and I’m really not quite sure what to wear. Dress code states business casual, but what does this mean when you’re used to writing in your jammie pants?
I’m pulling out suit jackets that I haven’t worn in over five years, hoping they will still fit. I don’t think I even remember how to walk in heels, not that my feet could survive standing in long lines in them anyway.
So wish me luck.
~ Nancy
http://www.nancyhenderson.com/
http://www.nancyhenderson.blogspot.com/
Did I mention I’m phobic of crowds?
Thousands of people will be there. I still l have not packed. This is my first very large convention and I’m really not quite sure what to wear. Dress code states business casual, but what does this mean when you’re used to writing in your jammie pants?
I’m pulling out suit jackets that I haven’t worn in over five years, hoping they will still fit. I don’t think I even remember how to walk in heels, not that my feet could survive standing in long lines in them anyway.
So wish me luck.
~ Nancy
http://www.nancyhenderson.com/
http://www.nancyhenderson.blogspot.com/
Thursday, April 10, 2008
A Day in the Life of This Writer
I admire you folks who work so diligently from a schedule. I keep thinking I'll develop one, but as yet, even after seven years of retirement, haven't. Every morning I sit down at the computer, check my emails, my loops, my stat counter, etc. Some days I go from there to writing and get a lot done. Other days, life interferes and I'm running here and there buying groceries, keeping doctor appointments, meeting friends for lunch, and working in the yard. And, I read a lot. Life hasn't always been this way. I taught in public school for thirty years and not being an early riser, my writing was done at night.
Our children are grown, so I don't have to stop work and cook. My husband is easy to please and will eat a sandwich or something from our neighborhood fast food places. I know, I'm very fortunate.
Nothing motivates me more than a note from my editor. I know most people don't like edits, but I enjoy them. Plus, I see them as one step closer to my pub date. I heard from my editor for Forever Faithful yesterday saying the process had begun. It is due out November of 2008. I can’t wait!
Linda
Our children are grown, so I don't have to stop work and cook. My husband is easy to please and will eat a sandwich or something from our neighborhood fast food places. I know, I'm very fortunate.
Nothing motivates me more than a note from my editor. I know most people don't like edits, but I enjoy them. Plus, I see them as one step closer to my pub date. I heard from my editor for Forever Faithful yesterday saying the process had begun. It is due out November of 2008. I can’t wait!
Linda
The Importance of Researching Publishers
Those of us who have been around the writing world for a while, have had this drilled into us. In fact, at the very first RWA chapter meeting I attended, Colleen Thompson presented a topic on the inner workings of the publishing industry and the importance of finding the right fit. I think this becomes even more important when dealing with e-publishing because publishing houses pop up every day or so it seems. They also tend to disappear with more frequency than I find comfortable. I think the most devastating instance was when Triskelon closed its doors and now, it seems that there's tension brewing within another house. You can check out the grumblings here. An author can't anticipate some of the problems that occur, but he/she can safeguard against a lot of it. No one can protect your interests better than yourself. So - go into this business with your eyes wide open and fully armed with as much knowledge as you can gather.
Where do you start? The first place I always go is to Preditors and Editors. They try to keep the site updated with latest warnings. Try to avoid vanity presses, especially if you hope to make it with a bigger publisher one day. Very few authors make enough money on sells to cover the expense of "paying" to have their books printed. Promotion costs money and bookstores rarely stock books printed by vanity printers. That means the author has to beat the pavement to sell their book and of course, this cuts into quality writing time. I don't know about the rest of you, but I'd much rather be writing.
Let's say you've targeted several publishers to query and you actually get an offer from more than one publisher. What now? Look at the list of published authors contracted with those houses, and e-mail a few. Most will be happy to answer your questions. Learn to read between the lines. If the author is unhappy about one aspect of the business, he/she might skirt around the issue and not address it fully. Just remember, though, if an author takes you into their confidence, this does not give you permission to spread rumors. Make sure you get more than one opinion on the matter before making up your mind. And don't be afraid to ask the publisher questions before signing the contract.
Do you need an agent before signing the contract? Not necessarily, but you need to read the contract carefully and understand fully what it says. The reputable publishers usually have pretty standard contracts with similar wording, but you want to be careful regardless. I allowed several pretty savvy folks to read mine before I attached my signature.
What questions should you ask? I'll add a few here and maybe others will chime in and add to the list. First, I would want to know how active the publisher is in regards to promotion. Yes, the author has an obligation to promote themselves, their name and their books, but the publisher has an obligation to promote the publisher's name and bookstore. I would also want to know how professional the publisher is in regards to communication between him/her and the authors. At the same time, is the publisher's discussion loop a comfortable place to be with the diversity of the authors there. Is the publisher's website easily navigated because if it isn't, chances are you won't sell many books through them. What other avenues does the publisher utilize for selling your masterpiece? Do they have a print program for moving e-books from digital to print? What system is used for editing your work? Does only one editor look at it and if so, how many times? Does the cover art you see on other books by this publisher grab your attention? Check out the reviews for several books. Are the reviews consistently good? Is the publisher a member of EPIC? (to me this indicates the publisher's willingness to keep up with current trends and issues related to the industry)
Money? Does the contract allow for a standard percentage or does it fall lower, higher than other companies? When does the publisher send royalty checks. Does the publisher offer an advance?
I'm sure there are a ton of questions to be asked, but you won't know the answers unless you ask. I was very fortunate. At the time I signed with Champagne Books, the company was in its first year. I signed on blind faith and the recommendation of another author. Others haven't been so lucky with their choices. Often, the dream of being published gets in the way of common sense. If it doesn't feel right, it probably isn't right for you. Trust your instincts and do your homework. That's probably the best advice I can give.
Where do you start? The first place I always go is to Preditors and Editors. They try to keep the site updated with latest warnings. Try to avoid vanity presses, especially if you hope to make it with a bigger publisher one day. Very few authors make enough money on sells to cover the expense of "paying" to have their books printed. Promotion costs money and bookstores rarely stock books printed by vanity printers. That means the author has to beat the pavement to sell their book and of course, this cuts into quality writing time. I don't know about the rest of you, but I'd much rather be writing.
Let's say you've targeted several publishers to query and you actually get an offer from more than one publisher. What now? Look at the list of published authors contracted with those houses, and e-mail a few. Most will be happy to answer your questions. Learn to read between the lines. If the author is unhappy about one aspect of the business, he/she might skirt around the issue and not address it fully. Just remember, though, if an author takes you into their confidence, this does not give you permission to spread rumors. Make sure you get more than one opinion on the matter before making up your mind. And don't be afraid to ask the publisher questions before signing the contract.
Do you need an agent before signing the contract? Not necessarily, but you need to read the contract carefully and understand fully what it says. The reputable publishers usually have pretty standard contracts with similar wording, but you want to be careful regardless. I allowed several pretty savvy folks to read mine before I attached my signature.
What questions should you ask? I'll add a few here and maybe others will chime in and add to the list. First, I would want to know how active the publisher is in regards to promotion. Yes, the author has an obligation to promote themselves, their name and their books, but the publisher has an obligation to promote the publisher's name and bookstore. I would also want to know how professional the publisher is in regards to communication between him/her and the authors. At the same time, is the publisher's discussion loop a comfortable place to be with the diversity of the authors there. Is the publisher's website easily navigated because if it isn't, chances are you won't sell many books through them. What other avenues does the publisher utilize for selling your masterpiece? Do they have a print program for moving e-books from digital to print? What system is used for editing your work? Does only one editor look at it and if so, how many times? Does the cover art you see on other books by this publisher grab your attention? Check out the reviews for several books. Are the reviews consistently good? Is the publisher a member of EPIC? (to me this indicates the publisher's willingness to keep up with current trends and issues related to the industry)
Money? Does the contract allow for a standard percentage or does it fall lower, higher than other companies? When does the publisher send royalty checks. Does the publisher offer an advance?
I'm sure there are a ton of questions to be asked, but you won't know the answers unless you ask. I was very fortunate. At the time I signed with Champagne Books, the company was in its first year. I signed on blind faith and the recommendation of another author. Others haven't been so lucky with their choices. Often, the dream of being published gets in the way of common sense. If it doesn't feel right, it probably isn't right for you. Trust your instincts and do your homework. That's probably the best advice I can give.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Why I Write About The Past
“One night, while the Earl of Sandwich was playing cards, he got hungry...” So began another dinnertime tale about people to whom my father swore we were related. With every story Dad wove through our meals, he instilled a love of history. But Dad wasn’t the only one. My grandfather delighted in gathering his grandchildren around him and telling us about his life; how, on the night he was born, snow came through the cracks of a one room log cabin, why he never got further in school than third grade, although by all standards he was a very successful man.
Mother also had stories to tell. Her contributions centered about dishes and knicknacks from relatives who journeyed to the USA, from Germany, Holland, even Spain. Each piece had some account connected to it. I loved the one about the purchased Spanish bride.
The ideas for my stories all center about events in the past. I have a sneaky feeling it’s because I learned to love history at a young age,finding out about the weather, food, living conditions of a particular time. I spent hours hunting through books for tidbits of information. When I started writing I was teaching school and had a large library only steps from my classroom. After classes I often spent time researching.
Our librarian loved the fact I wrote historical romance. She’d uncover a book she thought might be of interest to me and lay it aside so I could decide if it would be worthwhile reading. Each year, when the library budget was announced, I got a chance to buy the books she would replace. For little more than two dollars a volume I bought an older edition of The Encyclopedia Britannica. I used it for years, even with a few pages missing, liberated by students trying to write a term paper when time was short.
However, be warned! Even with a love of history, some times an author can't find the facts. In my medieval romance, "Heartsong", coming from Champagne Books in August I mention things I imagined because real facts were simply - unavailable.
After all, it’s called fiction for a reason.
Allison
Mother also had stories to tell. Her contributions centered about dishes and knicknacks from relatives who journeyed to the USA, from Germany, Holland, even Spain. Each piece had some account connected to it. I loved the one about the purchased Spanish bride.
The ideas for my stories all center about events in the past. I have a sneaky feeling it’s because I learned to love history at a young age,finding out about the weather, food, living conditions of a particular time. I spent hours hunting through books for tidbits of information. When I started writing I was teaching school and had a large library only steps from my classroom. After classes I often spent time researching.
Our librarian loved the fact I wrote historical romance. She’d uncover a book she thought might be of interest to me and lay it aside so I could decide if it would be worthwhile reading. Each year, when the library budget was announced, I got a chance to buy the books she would replace. For little more than two dollars a volume I bought an older edition of The Encyclopedia Britannica. I used it for years, even with a few pages missing, liberated by students trying to write a term paper when time was short.
However, be warned! Even with a love of history, some times an author can't find the facts. In my medieval romance, "Heartsong", coming from Champagne Books in August I mention things I imagined because real facts were simply - unavailable.
After all, it’s called fiction for a reason.
Allison
Friday, April 4, 2008
Interview with Crystal Adkins
This week we’ve got a special treat: an interview with Crystal Adkins, book reviewer and author interviewer. I first met Crystal through Myspace as someone I “friended”. I was thoroughly intrigued by Crystal’s concept of taking her love of reading and turning it into a thriving business. Crystal’s blogs are so popular, there is currently a backlog of six months or more for author interviews to be featured!
I managed to catch up with Crystal for a few moments of spare time to interview the interviewer:
Crystal Adkins: Candace, thank you so much for inviting me to hang out at your blog! These were really great questions and a lot of fun to answer! So thank you again and it has been wonderful meeting you! Next time, you’ll be the one being interviewed! Thanks so much again love!
Candace Morehouse: How did you come up with the idea of turning yourself into a book reviewer and creating a blog for author interviews?
CA: The idea was actually given to me by another author friend of mine, Cindy Callinsky. She knew I loved reading and I wrote up a short review for her book Rear View Mirror, and so she suggested why not review for other authors? Plus she teased saying that I would never have to buy another book again…lo and behold I think she was right. Unless a vampire novel or historical is out that I don’t get to review then I get it and put it on my “to be read” shelf.
As for the author interview blog, well that was kind of spontaneous. I wanted to help the authors that are new, self published, or are just looking to further expand their books to new readers. I believe in giving back and helping others…so far I have gotten a ton of great new friends and have met lots of great authors that I may have not met otherwise.
CM: What did it take to get started on this business venture? Please share a timeline of your success and the amount of traffic you are getting to your blog.
CA: Ah starting the adventure into the review world…it was instantaneous! I opened my book review blog in May of 2007 and the very day I posted a bulletin on MySpace I had over 15 authors looking for reviews. After the first and second reviews were posted, I was automatically slammed by review requests. To date I have read and reviewed over 160 books and have almost a hundred more to do. As of April 1 I will no longer be taking submissions so that I can get caught up on the ones already on my review list as well as spend time with my nearing the terrible two’s son. BUT that does not mean that I am in anyway stopping for good…NO WAY! I also am working with two publishers as being their reviewer and will still continue taking books to review from them.
The traffic on my blogs increase every day. I went from one or two a week to at least 20 or so a day! I have to keep pumping bulletins out there on Myspace because that is a whole new world of info just waiting LOL!
CM: What are your favorite types/genres of books? Least favorite?
CA: That is like choosing a favorite picture of Johnny Depp LOL!! I do love Historicals, Romance, Erotica, and Vampire/Paranormal books. But if it has an Irish or Scotsman in it…you might as well consider it on my shelf!
Least favorite, I don’t think I have a least favorite genre because each and every book is special in its own way. But if pressed then I would have to say reference books because sometimes they don’t appeal to me.
CM: What subjects/genres would you like to read more of in the future? Is there a particular type of book you feel is over-saturating the market right now?
CA: I would love to read more Historicals and Scots/Irish Historicals. I have noticed them slowly creeping back onto the bookshelves at the bookstore. But my main love is Vampires. Which leads me to the next question.
I do think that paranormals, mainly vampires are starting to get over-saturated on the market but not necessarily in a bad way. I love to read each authors perspective on the vampires. A few favorites are Amanda Ashley, J.R. Ward, Christine Feehan, Sherrilyn Kenyon, and Lynsay Sands. If those are on the shelf no matter what I’ll have them LOL! But there are also other authors out there and if I see a slender neck or hunky vamp man on the cover I’ll pick it up as well. Like I said it is great to read another perspective, it keeps you still interested in that genre.
CM: Do you have any tips for authors to gear their books towards more readers or a wider audience?
CA: The only tips that I can offer is PROMO your socks off!! Myspace has a ton of readers as well as authors so that would also be a good start. Write about what you like, not what is popular at that time. And make sure that the reader can picture your characters, I don’t like reading a book and coming up with visions of shadows because they’re nondescriptive.
CM: And finally, Crystal, tell us something about yourself which most people would be surprised to know!
CA: That I love Johnny Depp, Pirates, Irish/Scotsmen and chocolate! LOL that would not be a surprise would it? Hmmm let’s see I don’t bite my toe nails if you want something kinda gross like that, but I guess the thing that would shock people is that I have a grocery store stalker! No kidding! I went to school with his daughter since like Junior High and he saw me and my little monster one Thursday at the grocery store and kind of followed us around, then he asked if I came there every Thursday to which I replied yes. And from then on every single Thursday he is there walking around with me and get this taking my pic in the grocery store...you know the freezer section…yep my pic was taken there, over by the bakery, in the middle of the aisles...you name it, it has been done LOL! I think some of the workers there may think that I am famous! And he even gives me copies of these pics! Strange but true!
CM: Thank you, Crystal! That was quite enlightening!
For more information, or to ask Crystal for a book review or author interview, please feel free to contact her via the following sites:
Crystal Adkins
www.bookreviewsbycrystal.blogspot.com
www.interviewswithauthors.blogspot.com
www.myspace.com/crystaljo722
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Did Someone Mention "First Draft"?
So why are first drafts hell?
I'm going to dive you right in to what it's like as I slog through one scene in "Rogue Dancer" - the sequel to my SF novel "Blade Dancer".
The purpose of this scene is to resolve a conflict between two characters enough as to allow the plot to move forward. The two characters in question are my main character Mikial and her natural mother Maltenna. To say that they don’t exactly get along is an understatement. There’s a whole novel’s worth of back story to deal with.
My challenge as a writer is to provide an entertaining scene for the reader that doesn’t murder pacing. I don’t want my reader deciding that this is the perfect place to set the book down. I also have to provide a realistic conclusion that will have the reader believe that progress has been made.
Arrayed against me are my characters – each with a deep background of their own and a painfully stubborn disposition. I can’t just put words in their mouths, because many readers will immediately spot a character who is out of character.
First step – the setting. Lets put them in a place that itself is interesting (and in this case also provides a catalyst…which is all of the cat you're getting out of this bag). Hands down, the winner is one of my flying machines – a two-seater “airsail”. Mikial is in the front giving a ride to Maltenna in the back. Gee, that was easy enough.
Wish the rest was. Maltenna is a political leader with an iron will. Mikial is her mother’s daughter in this respect – as stubborn as they come. Both need each other. Mikial has some leverage, having learned a secret Maltenna has been hiding.
Mikial starts to negotiate reasonably. Maltenna guardedly does the same. Obviously something’s wrong here – it’s talking heads in a plane. Yawn.
I loosen Mikial’s reins and suddenly she’s all but screaming at her mother. Nope. Try again. Ok, sarcasm dripping in venom won’t do either. Finally, I get some reasonably heated conversation – sprinkle in the fact that they’re still uh…flying. So negotiations swirl around personal feelings. Have to keep focused. All through this, I am sitting in either Mikial’s head, or Maltenna’s. Each has a history and I am bound to react from their perspective. Mikial is inexperienced but getting more mature as events continue to exact their wrenching changes to her personality. Her mother is a hard and ambitious woman who has yet to come to grips with a relationship she never expected to renew.
Oh, and the damn plane is still in the air so lets not forget that too.
Three times my characters pound their way through conversations of differing temperatures. All the while, I am scrutinizing all of this in so far as reader enjoyment is concerned. Both of these ladies need a lot more time together than I can give them, so compromises are made. All the while, I am looking forward in the plot because everything these two agree or disagree on will ripple forward. What do they need to say now? What can wait until later? Will this rather rude statement lead them further from a settlement? Dang, these two are temperamental!
Of course, I am also considering the next scene which requires a much lighter mood on Mikial’s part. Yeah. Sure. Obviously I’m going to have to get her drunk or something if I’m gonna pull that off! (and how does she get a hold of the wine anyways?) Maybe I could have them land at a vineyard? Naw…takes too long and the pacing will suffer.
Oh, did I mention I’m dog-tired after a long day at work? Believe it or not, this one scene hung me up for three sittings before I finally reached a compromise. This is a first draft, folks. This scene may or may not end up in the final draft and will certainly be hammered into a different shape as I correct for plot changes and general wordsmithing.
Yeah, first drafts. Gotta love em.
Kerry
www.kmtolan.com
.
I'm going to dive you right in to what it's like as I slog through one scene in "Rogue Dancer" - the sequel to my SF novel "Blade Dancer".
The purpose of this scene is to resolve a conflict between two characters enough as to allow the plot to move forward. The two characters in question are my main character Mikial and her natural mother Maltenna. To say that they don’t exactly get along is an understatement. There’s a whole novel’s worth of back story to deal with.
My challenge as a writer is to provide an entertaining scene for the reader that doesn’t murder pacing. I don’t want my reader deciding that this is the perfect place to set the book down. I also have to provide a realistic conclusion that will have the reader believe that progress has been made.
Arrayed against me are my characters – each with a deep background of their own and a painfully stubborn disposition. I can’t just put words in their mouths, because many readers will immediately spot a character who is out of character.
First step – the setting. Lets put them in a place that itself is interesting (and in this case also provides a catalyst…which is all of the cat you're getting out of this bag). Hands down, the winner is one of my flying machines – a two-seater “airsail”. Mikial is in the front giving a ride to Maltenna in the back. Gee, that was easy enough.
Wish the rest was. Maltenna is a political leader with an iron will. Mikial is her mother’s daughter in this respect – as stubborn as they come. Both need each other. Mikial has some leverage, having learned a secret Maltenna has been hiding.
Mikial starts to negotiate reasonably. Maltenna guardedly does the same. Obviously something’s wrong here – it’s talking heads in a plane. Yawn.
I loosen Mikial’s reins and suddenly she’s all but screaming at her mother. Nope. Try again. Ok, sarcasm dripping in venom won’t do either. Finally, I get some reasonably heated conversation – sprinkle in the fact that they’re still uh…flying. So negotiations swirl around personal feelings. Have to keep focused. All through this, I am sitting in either Mikial’s head, or Maltenna’s. Each has a history and I am bound to react from their perspective. Mikial is inexperienced but getting more mature as events continue to exact their wrenching changes to her personality. Her mother is a hard and ambitious woman who has yet to come to grips with a relationship she never expected to renew.
Oh, and the damn plane is still in the air so lets not forget that too.
Three times my characters pound their way through conversations of differing temperatures. All the while, I am scrutinizing all of this in so far as reader enjoyment is concerned. Both of these ladies need a lot more time together than I can give them, so compromises are made. All the while, I am looking forward in the plot because everything these two agree or disagree on will ripple forward. What do they need to say now? What can wait until later? Will this rather rude statement lead them further from a settlement? Dang, these two are temperamental!
Of course, I am also considering the next scene which requires a much lighter mood on Mikial’s part. Yeah. Sure. Obviously I’m going to have to get her drunk or something if I’m gonna pull that off! (and how does she get a hold of the wine anyways?) Maybe I could have them land at a vineyard? Naw…takes too long and the pacing will suffer.
Oh, did I mention I’m dog-tired after a long day at work? Believe it or not, this one scene hung me up for three sittings before I finally reached a compromise. This is a first draft, folks. This scene may or may not end up in the final draft and will certainly be hammered into a different shape as I correct for plot changes and general wordsmithing.
Yeah, first drafts. Gotta love em.
Kerry
www.kmtolan.com
.
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