Sometimes I get distracted from my writing.  Heck, I think we all do from time to time.  After all, it’s easy for other things to pop up.  Lately I’ve been deluged with friends coming into town, college football (oh my poor SC Gamecocks), work conferences, travel, and the list goes on.  However, one thing that’s been a common factor for all of these things is that any of them can be better enjoyed with food. 

Yes, there’s been a lot of food lately.  It has been a nice variety as well, pizza on game day, some great roadside diners and some incredible fine dining experiences. 

All of this has me thinking about writing.  Now this could be because many a time I should have been writing I was either on the way to or from some dining event or, if not, I was likely planning one.  The result of my thinking was I realized writing is a lot like dining. 

If you keep this in mind you may just find that what you serve up will be a bit more readily received.

For example, I was recently in a wonderful upscale restaurant in Charleston, SC – Mcrady’s.  The restaurant’s chef is a James Beard award winner, the atmosphere is pristine, the service top notch and the food? Simply amazing.  To start my recent meal there I had a charred mustard leaf with malt vinegar powder and homemade apple butter.  Never in my life had I heard of such but it was wonderful.  The catch?  Wonderful as it was, it isn’t for everyone. 

The week before I’d been attending a conference at Amelia Island, Florida and I wandered into a small café in downtown Fernandina Beach off a side street – Lulu’s at the Thompson House. I half expected I’d walked into an episode of Diners, Drive-ins and Dives.  Nothing at all fancy but the calamari rings in the sweet thai chili sauce was some of the best I have ever out in my mouth; however, if I was looking for charred mustard leaf I would have been disappointed.

These were two completely different dining experiences yet both were homeruns.  However if someone had been expecting the fine dining of Mcrady’s, I dare say Lulu’s might not have been anything short of a miserable failure.  The same is true in reverse.  If someone was looking for low key Mcrady’s might not have done it.

Writing is just the same. 

So, is your writing going to be fine dining or is it going to be rustic comfort food?  There’s nothing wrong with either but knowing what it is going to be in advance will only help in the long run. 

Knowing your content and style will help in defining the audience as well as the agent or the publisher, or for the ever growing group of independent self-publishers, knowing the answer to this question will be a critical first step in the marketing of your book.

So approach it like you would prepare a meal – generally speaking.

1 – Organize your ingredients.  Prepare your manuscript in advance as you would the components of a meal.  This will let you know if you are going for white table cloth or the popular dive. 

2 – Don’t try to pass off meatloaf as filet mignon.  Meatloaf is great but not if you are expecting Kobe beef.  Be true to what you have written.  Your book may be an edge of your seat page-turner, but that doesn’t mean it is literary fiction.

3 – Make sure it’s a complete meal.  Regardless of the style of your writing make sure that you are providing a complete meal.  Don’t usher your reader through the book and not offer a dessert course.  Make sure they walk away satisfied.

If you do all of these and give the reader a good experience you’ll build up what restaurants love – a word of mouth following.

So it doesn’t matter if your place is fine dining or a popular dive and it doesn’t matter if your writing is the most literary of literary or anything else.  If it is good it will stand alone and keep the reader coming back for more and telling people along the way.

So while you’re here please feel free to read an excerpt from my book or even buy a copy of your own.

As of late I feel my blog entries have been akin to motivational posters, but I’ve found that, ironically enough, some of my past blogs, Inspiration and Perspective, have been some of my most popular, well except for that one on Sex.

To continue this theme, I’m going to write about determination. 

I frequently describe writing as a football game of sorts, a special kind of football game.

You as the writer get to be the quarterback.  In our game of football the writer/quarterback is also leading a really tight and seasoned offense.  Isn’t every writer a master of their craft making precision/machine like use of all the resources available to them?

In our football game we’re going to say that is just the case.  After all, it could be fantasy we’re writing. 

Of course there has to be a defense. Let’s just say they’re good, the best ever against the run and the pass.  It’s also been almost 25 games since they allowed a score of any kind. 

Your team is on their own 30 yard line and has to score in under 2 minutes.  A touchdown.

Not too bad, huh?

Oh, I forgot, in this special game the defense has 22 players instead of the normal 11.  The crowd?  Well, they’re not too friendly. They’re throwing things at you and just for fun it’s raining. 

See, a special game.  Excuse me, I forgot to mention, everyone on your team is blindfolded.

So, all you have to do is score and your home free. 

In publishing today for the new, unknown author, going from obscurity to being able to sustain yourself with your passion can be like scoring in the football game I describe above.

Not impossible, but certainly not the easiest thing you’ll ever do.  So if you’re going to score, it will take determination and lots of it.

That simply is how it is with writing.  If you’re motivated and the least bit savvy, you can get your novel written and published.  There are a variety of options available today that simply previously didn’t exist in the past that ease the prospect of publishing beyond that of the traditional. No longer is the process of publishing the obstacle it once was. 

However, getting the word out about your novel is another proposition entirely.  Most successful independent authors approach things one sale at a time.  Sure that’s slow, but as long as you keep moving the ball forward, you will find yourself closer to the end zone with every book sale. 

Therein is where the determination comes in. 

The obstacles facing a writer, even a writer who has managed to publish a great book, can be overwhelming.  For many it is enough to bring them to a grinding halt.

Understanding determination can be the most valuable tool you have in a situation like this.  Determination means always asking what you can do to take a step forward and then another and another after that.  Determination means being willing to make the wrong decision from time to time.  It also means learning from your mistakes and only making the same mistake once. 

Determination means not being crushed when you have your expectations raised to never before contemplated lofty heights only to unexpectedly fall back to the ground.

I know a writer who has a book out with a small publisher.  The reviews are excellent and people are buying it, but he is still unknown and is having trouble breaking to a larger audience.  His book has even won some awards.

He called me recently to say he had received an unsolicited email from a nationally televised morning show on a major cable network indicating an interest in his appearing on the show. 

I thought I had lost him.  He was understandably off the chart elated.  I was happy for him. 

The next day I received another call from him and in a matter of moments I realized I was talking to a different person. Turns out the show, while interested in his appearing, also wanted a “pre-production fee” of several thousand dollars.  While I wanted to tell him that he should be quite careful of paying money to anyone in a situation like that as it reeked of a scam, I refrained not wanting to worsen things. 

Turns out he was mostly mad at himself at getting so excited before learning all of the facts.   Turns out he was well aware that there are a lot of wolves in sheep’s clothing.  Particularly when it comes to people looking to exploit writers – seems we’ve been an easy mark in the past. 

Never the less my friend emerged even more determined to make his book a success.  His approach has been that if came to the attention of one person then if he continues he will likely come to the attention of another and another. 

The goal is to constantly evaluate where you are in the process and always look to move yourself one step forward. This may mean one more sale or it may mean one more novel published.  It may also mean one more rejection.

Set goals and work towards them.  Don’t be afraid to adjust them either – and by adjust I mean up or down.  Be realistic, but move forward.

Be determined.  If you keep wanting something hard enough, long enough, perhaps karma will shine on you and reward your efforts.  Either that or people will realize that you actually have a really great book and will flock to you get a copy of their very own.

So while you’re here why not read a chapter from my book or even buy a copy of your own.   A portion of all proceeds from the sale of The Trust will be donated to canine related charities.

This is your new blog post. Click here and start typing, or drag in elements from the top bar.

It wasn’t there, then it is - as simple as that.  In a single moment inspiration can hit, changing the course of your moment, minute or day. 

Sometimes you find it in the oddest of places.

When I began working on The Trust I was flying home and started typing at 20,000 feet.  To this day I can’t remember where I had traveled, but I remember as I looked out over a blanket of clouds it was, at that moment, time to start writing.  That was inspiration enough for me, though I had been waiting for that delivery for the better part of a decade.

One year during the holiday season I was traveling the back roads of Virginia searching for a Christmas tree.  I visited farm after farm without success.  While I knew I would find the right one, I knew patience was the rule of the day.

Earlier during the day I’d made a conscious decision to turn off the writer in me to focus on the Christmas tree quest.  However, as I was traveling the Virginia countryside, quite by chance, I noticed the name of a particular road. 

The name inspired a character and a plot line in a matter of moments.  There ended my Christmas tree quest and set me quickly on the path home.   (Fortunately for all concerned my trip home took me by the most wonderful Christmas tree farm so I returned home not only inspired, but with tree in hand.) 

The point of this is that inspiration can and does strike when you least expect it.  You have to be ready for it.  However perhaps the better question is, “How do you create inspiration to avoid the wait?”

Simple.  Learn what inspires you and do it.

I have a friend that is both a talented guitarist and photographer.  We frequently go out with cameras in hand having picked a location or an event and spend the morning taking photographs.  When we go over our work, it’s amazingly motivating and inspiring to see the perspective another lens had on what I just photographed. 

He would tell you we also get together from time to time to play guitar.  I would describe it a bit differently.  As proficient as I am on the guitar, my friend runs circles (or should I say “runs scales”) around me.  So our time “playing” is spent mostly with me asking, “How did you do that?”  Followed by his very patient efforts to show me.

Check out some of James Slater’s music at JamieSlaterOnline.


For reasons that I really don’t grasp, when I see and hear another’s creativity (like James Slater), I’m inspired myself to be creative.

Something about seeing the creative product of others makes me want to do the same.  Whether it is a photograph, a live performance, the written word or even something esoteric.  For me, creativity inspires creativity.

The second thing that inspires me is when others respond to my writing.

I’m keenly aware that in a time of immeasurable demands from friends, family, work and the like, that everyone’s  time is a precious commodity.  For people to take their time to read not only a book, but my book (and then to actually follow up by posting a review or mentioning my book) is humbling beyond words.

Recently out of the blue a friend took the time to post about my book on her blog. She didn’t have to take the time to do this, but she did. Check her blog out here.

When I see this, I’m inspired to create more.

That is, at least as I see it, the essence of inspiration.  Sure, it will strike at the most unexpected of times, but you may not be ready when it does.   You may even miss it.  So learn how to create or even just find inspiration without leaving it to chance.

This is the perfect time of year to kick start your inspiration.  We’re halfway through the year.  You should have a handle on whether the New Year’s resolutions are even still on the table.  We also have Independence Day just around the corner.  If you are wondering what to do for the 4th, fire up the grill and check out my recipe for Pulled Pork BBQ, Macaroni & Cheese or another tasty treat on A Taste of The Trust. 

However, if you’re in need of inspiration, take a moment and reflect on the date of our Independence, the date of our Nation’s birth and founding.  Regardless of what you think, or don’t think, about the current state of affairs, you get to think it and write about it with a freedom that has alone served as the inspiration for many who have come before.  Use that and get to writing!

Best wishes for a great holiday!

This is your new blog post. Click here and start typing, or drag in elements from the top bar.

I’ve written blogs previously on sex – for example see here.  These articles have covered the topic of how to construct a sex scene.  What is enough sex?  What is not enough sex?  Generally the focus is how to construct a sex scene.

However, that begs the question of should you have sex, in your writing, at all?

Many would say that basically anytime you want would be a good time to have sex – again speaking of having it in your writing.  Others, most certainly, would say there is no need to include sex in your writing at all.

So what is a writer to do? Sex or abstinence?  Which is the road to literary fulfillment? Or perhaps, which is the path to literary enlightenment? 

As with any question of a literary nature, the answer is somewhat less that clear.

Likely it would be safe to say in the opinion of many there is no formulaic approach as to when to or when not to have sex.  There is many a literary masterpiece out there with not a single scene of intimacy.  The same is true on the other side of the equation.  Many a literary masterpiece has an overload of intimate scenes.

Different strokes for different, well, writers and readers.

Perhaps the easiest way to answer this question of whether or not to have sex in your book is to understand that a sex scene alone will not automatically make bad literature good, but it may make good literature bad.

In short it is not simply breaking up the work for a sex scene.  It is more about weaving a sex scene into the tapestry of the literature.

What? How do we do that?  Well, write about it to start with.

First and foremost, don’t make the sex awkward. Simply put, you don’t want to end up with sex scenes, even well written ones, that are gratuitous.  These will add nothing to the work, will seem contrived and will likely hurt your characters and the work as a whole.

Perhaps the most important tidbit of guidance a writer can have is that a sex scene is not and should not be an isolated scene in a book (generally speaking). 

For the most part, an effective sex scene builds, sometimes perhaps for a goodly amount of time, over several chapters.  While there will be occasions where the sex scene comes out of left field, if there are two characters in a sex scene, there needs to be some prep-work.  Readers want to identify with the character and their efforts. 

For example consider two characters, perhaps a male and a female detective.  Say they’re working a case and suddenly end up in bed.  That’s certainly not out of the question, but imagine how much more effective the scene would be if one of the two, or perhaps both, had been harboring thoughts of their encounter.  Perhaps they had dreamt fantasized about having sex with their partner.  Perhaps one thought about it and one didn’t. Perhaps one of them is married. 

This give you a vehicle to build tension prior to the sex scene, but also allows you to lay the groundwork for what happens afterwards. 

Also keep in mind that just because the sex is over it doesn’t necessarily mean that the tension between the characters has or should end.  A sex scene between two characters can give you tension fodder for the rest of your book (and into the sequels if you play your cards right.)

Take the example of our detectives.  Sure the actual sex scene is tremendously important; however, the options for sexual tension leading up to the actual sex scene provide for a sub-plot all their own.  Then there are the consequences of the sex for the characters. 

Perhaps the detectives discover that they’re great as cops, but lousy as lovers.  Perhaps they discover their soul mate in each other that causes problems with their professional relationship because now instead of a partner in harms way it is a loved one.  Perhaps one loved it and the other not so much and the feelings end up in contrast.  Loads of possibilities. 

The lesson is that sex allows for the opportunity for a great individual scene, but also for build up and aftermath.  Sure, a talented writer can evoke some incredible thoughts and emotions on the part of the reader with a well-crafted sex scene, but the real measure of the writer is how they are able to weave in the changes in the relationship between the characters as a result of the actual sex.

Experiment and be creative, build some tension, release it and let the characters guide you through the changes in their relationship post-sex.  You may just see that the book you started got a little better along the way.   

So while you’re here why not read a chapter from my book or even buy a copy of your own.   A portion of all proceeds from the sale of The Trust will be donated to canine related charities.

Does it rain in your writing? Has it ever snowed?  Have you ever had to endure a hurricane?  Well, if the answer is no then it’s about time the weather took a turn for the worse.

Funny thing is that a lot of fiction must be set in Perfect Town, USA.  The weather’s always sunny, it never gets cold, there’s never any humidity and heaven forbid it rains.

In a lot of fiction about the only thing that changes is whether it’s morning or night.  That is unless the tale has zombies or vampires.  When you have zombies or vampires you generally have a lot of cloudy skies and wet air.  Rarely do you get vampires or zombies and pleasant weather at the same time. 

As a side note, this is why I feel generally secure on the coast should the zombie apocalypse come anytime soon.

However, that still leaves us with the general lack of weather in writing.

Writers have an opportunity to take advantage of weather related events to bring their fiction alive by adding an additional layer of depth; however, many simply don’t take advantage of this.

Say you’re writing a tale of suspense.  The main character is heading towards a critical point of conflict.  Perhaps it’s a confrontation or perhaps a meeting with another character. Think how much more compelling the scene becomes if the weather is a factor. 

Perhaps the character was caught in a rainstorm and is soaked as he first meets a new character or perhaps the weather causes him be late.  Or, perhaps it’s storming outside when the character has a friend drop him off for the meeting. 

The character enters from the storm and is asked, “Did you drive yourself?” 

“Yes. I parked in the lot across the street.” he says. 

The host studies him from head to toe then asks, “So how did you manage to come from the parking lot and not get your shoes wet?”

Now we have a nice set up for conflict.

It doesn’t have to be rain, but the element of weather can add to the story in an infinite number of ways.  It can create options and conflict for your characters that you simply can’t get otherwise.  Weather and weather related events can work wonders to set the mood and tone of a story without saying, “It was a dark and stormy night…”

The essence of weather in a story adds to the tone and setting.  It can dictate the mood and heighten tension between the characters without having to lecture the reader.  Bring the weather and your reader is suddenly reading your book in a hurricane, a snowstorm or a pop up thunderstorm. 

Keep in mind it’s all about creating the landscape for the tale.  If you are walking down the street in the rain and find yourself hoping for a sunny day, it may not be in your future.  However, if you are writing your main character down the same street, you can do anything you want.

Pick a scene and add some weather to it and watch it come alive.

Oh and as long as you’re here, even though it isn’t in person, why not read an excerpt of The Trust or even buy a copy of your own.  A percentage of all sales will be donated to canine related nonprofits.  Support K9 rescues! 

For many when the first pitch of the year is made the ballpark is simply the only place to be.  From coast to coast you hear the cry of “Play Ball” and a calm settles over the field.

The great thing about baseball is regardless of whether you’re at Yankee Stadium or watching a local Little League game the experience, well, except for the selection of beverages, is at its root, the same. 

Sometimes the enthusiasm and energy is more impressive at the non-Major League level.  Some of the best baseball you’ll ever witness can be found at the Class A minor league level.  Though not far removed from high school ball, the players are being paid for the first time to play the game and each of them is shooting for one of approximately 750 jobs at the major league level. 

All of the players have talent, but can they balance talent against a variety of other factors necessary to be successful?  Some can, most can’t and don’t.

Writing is a lot like baseball. 

When you see the finished product, it often seems effortless.  In baseball, Albert Pujols is a great example. If you saw him on the street you probably wouldn’t think, “perhaps the greatest baseball player to ever walk the earth.”  Babe Ruth was much the same, but these guys and many others have that special ability you can’t teach.  You either have it or you don’t.  These guys have the natural ability to hit a baseball like few others.  There will be many players, but few like Pujols or Ruth.

Writers are much the same.  After all, we all have access to the same language and tools of the craft, but some writers just inherently do it a bit better. 

What does this mean?

It means that not all writers are going to be Hemingway or Grisham. 

Have you ever heard of Mike Hesseman? Probably not. Hesseman is a journeyman minor league player who is a real life Crash Davis. For those of you not familiar with the cinema of baseball, Crash Davis is a fictional character with the “dubious honor” of being the minor league homerun king. Many people would scoff at that and say that his was not a successful career. 

I would beg to differ.

Hesseman isn’t a household name.  He won’t be in the Hall of Fame, but he has spent near 20 years making a living playing baseball. He’s also walked up to the plate more than 200 times in Major League games.  Fourteen of those times the crowd watched him trot out a homerun.  Not a lot of people can say that.  I’m certain there are many who dream of even having one big league at bat.

So you may not be the next New York Times bestselling author, but I bet you’d be satisfied spending 20 years making a living writing and maybe also hit a few homeruns along the way.

So the next time you get in a rut with your writing, close the computer and head to the ballpark.  Of the 18 guys in the game at anytime you may be looking at a Hall of Famer, but chances are there will be a couple of Hesseman’s running around who are going to love every minute of their ride.

Remember, you’re doing what most only dream of. 

You’re writing.

So while you’re here why not read a chapter from my book or even buy a copy of your own.   A portion of all proceeds from the sale of The Trust will be donated to canine related charities.  Support K9 rescues!

Writing is as much about research as it is about getting the words on the page. 

For instance, let’s say that in your writing you want to discuss a scene that takes place in a particular building or type of building.  It’s one thing to say a character went inside a building, but is it another thing entirely if you can take the reader inside the building with the character.

How does one do this?

Research of course.

The same is true when it comes to things like dialogue.

How do you make the most out of a little when it comes to dialogue? 

Simple. Know your character.  A police officer is going to talk differently than a police detective.  A defense lawyer is going to talk differently than a prosecutor.  A physician will talk differently than a faith healer. A good cop differently than a bad cop.

How do you sort out all of the differences to make your dialogue genuine and convincing?

Go talk to people in the fields who will be having the dialogue in your book.  It’s a really simple process.  Pick up the phone, call and tell them you’d like to interview them for background on their profession.

You’d be surprised how flattered and helpful people in most any profession will be if you simply ask.  Look at the acknowledgement page of the current work of fiction you may be reading.  Chances are there are “thank you’s” going to people that helped the author in their work.

The reality is, fiction, much as non-fiction, has to be researched. If not the dialogue just won’t sound real.

If you have a character doing something and you’re writing about it, make sure what they are doing is correct.  If it isn’t, the character, and you as the author simply aren’t believable.  Don’t have your character cock his pistol if he has a Glock.  Don’t have a character taking photographs in low-light unless they have the correct equipment.

Basically a great rule of thumb is if you’re not an expert on what you’re writing about, go ask someone who is and get it right the first time.  If you do this both you and your character will be more believable and when you do need the reader to take a leap of faith they’ll be more willing to do so.

Capitalize in your writing on what you know.  Build your writing skills by taking your research skills to a higher point by making your writing accurate. 

Doing your research also makes for a great networking opportunity for you.  As you talk to more and more experts, you’ll build up a group of sources you can return to for more background in the future.  As well, these people likely direct you to more experts.  They will also tell the tales of their life and professional experiences.  These stories can be great fodder for plots, subplots or just for ideas to kick start things from conceptualization to your next novel.

That and you’ll probably sell a few books along the way.

So while you’re here why not read a chapter from my book or even buy a copy of your own.   A portion of all proceeds from the sale of The Trust will be donated to canine related charities.  Support K9 rescues!

Recently I was honored with an invitation to participate in a blog tour for The King Whisperers by Kerwin Swint.  You can find my review here.  I reached out to Dr. Swint, who is a Professor of Politics at Kennesaw State University, and invited him to participate in an author interview. He graciously accepted.

1 – Tell us a little about yourself.  What brought you to the world of writing?  How did you come to write The King Whisperers?

As a college professor, I’m expected to publish, so I always have. But a few years ago I started writing more for pleasure.  My book Mudslingers is an example.  The King Whisperers was born out of my interest and curiosity about the power behind the throne throughout history. 

2 – In telling the story of The King Whisperers, you use 10 separate and distinct categories. Each category focuses upon traits or styles specific to the Whispers of that category.  How did you decide on these specific categories?

I broke it down as far as what categories were distinguishable, and what would make for the best storytelling. You could write a book about each of the 10 categories actually, and go into more depth. 

3 – Within each of the 10 categories, you use profiles of different individuals to help the reader understand the traits of Whisperers in the individual categories.  How did you decide on the specific individuals you’ve included in each category? What criteria did you use to include, or exclude, individuals from each category? 

Well, I made a list of people I thought fit each category – then I narrowed down the list for each of the categories, based on how well they fit, and how interesting their story is.

4 – Where there any Whisperers who didn’t make the list for any category that you wish had been included?

There were lots that didn’t make the cut – I thought about having an Honorable Mention chapter, but the publisher thought it was unnecessary.

5 – From the Whisperers in the book, do you have a favorite and is so, who and why?

Machiavelli is just such an interesting character, and ultimately, a rather tragic figure. I also developed a lot of admiration for people like Sakamoto Ryoma of Japan and K. Kamaraj of India.  Then of course there is Francis Walsingham and Cardinal Richelieu – both devious and successful Whisperers.

6 – Given that many Whisperers had true power within their grasp, do you have any theories as to why more of the Whisperers, particularly in non-democratic states, didn’t take that final step to pursue the ultimate seat of power?

Some were comfortable behind the scenes, such as Talleyrand. Others were not able to for political reasons.

7 – In some cases there seemed an overlap between individuals in different categories.  For instance, Trotsky and Stalin.  While I’m not sure, given all that was Stalin, it would ever have been possible for the two of them peacefully, and permanently, have co-existed, if the two of them from the start had seen in the other a companion in the cause, do you feel their relationship could have been different?

Yes, some do overlap.  Stalin always viewed Trotsky with jealousy and suspicion. He would likely have eliminated Trotsky eventually no matter the circumstances, as he did most of his other rivals.

8 – One profile I thoroughly enjoyed was that of Che Guevara.  I was particularly happy to see you address the ironic juxtaposition of the commercialization of perhaps the least commercial person in history.  Do you think his recent commercialization will have a lasting impact on his actual role in history?

I think it’s very interesting how his image has become so commercialized. His role in history is misunderstood, I believe, due in part to the commercial success of that image. Many who wear it on clothing or on posters really don’t understand much about it.  It’s ironic.

9 – One point of particular timeliness is the profile of Omar Suleiman.  Given all that has happened as of late in Egypt, what do you think the future holds for Suleiman?

I haven’t read anything about him lately. At this point it seems his star has fallen along with the Mubarak regime.

10 – Apart from Guevara in Cuba, I believe the rest of Central and South America are lacking as to Whisperers.  Do any Whisperers from this part of the world come to mind, and if so, who would you suggest as the leading candidate for further study from this region of the globe?

Simon Bolivar is someone I was interested in, and might further develop something with him in it. That region has had its share of Whisperers, but less is known about them in many cases.

11 – What was your biggest obstacle in bringing this work to print?

Having the time to work on it, with a full teaching load, community commitments, and three kids.

12 – Nonfiction can be an intimidating area for the first time writer.  What guidance can you offer to those who are beginning the path to a work of non-fiction?

The best advice I ever heard is “write what you know.”  You are more comfortable and confident when you are working with something that is familiar to you.

13 – Anything you can tempt us with for your next book?

I’m trying to decide between recent political history and something in the area of historical fiction.

14 – Any final thoughts you would like to add?

I love the creative process of writing.  Starting and working on a project is exhilarating, and seeing it to completion is very gratifying I intend to do this for the rest of my life.


Please feel free to leave a comment.


Oh and as long as you’re here why not read an excerpt of my book, The Trust, or even buy a copy of your own.  A percentage of all sales will be donated to canine related nonprofits.  Support K9 rescues!

 

This is your new blog post. Click here and start typing, or drag in elements from the top bar.

Book events are a great way to meet people interested in books.  If you handle it correctly, after your event they’ll leave interested in your book.  Or better yet they’ll leave with your book.

However, there’s more to it than showing up with a pen and a stack of books.

Readers haven’t met many writers, but readers like being able to hold their book and announce they met, or perhaps, know the writer.  It’s my opinion these readers have a stronger attachment to your book.  Stronger attachments mean a higher likelihood they tell others about the book.

So how do you orchestrate a successful event?

Exploit friends, family, friends of family, and on down the line.  Ask friends to host a release party for you. Invite friends to come and bring friends.  Offer to help, but take advantage of the resources available to you. 

Think outside the box.  It’s not unusual to walk into a big bookstore and see an author signing books.  Not that this is a bad thing or doesn’t hold the potential for success, but at a large bookstore there are loads of other books.  Sure you will be there with your book, but it is one in the crowd.

Instead look for locations outside the retail bookstore setting.  For instance, boutique wine stores.  These venues are always looking for an event to host that will get folks in with a thirst.  Plus, a glass or two of wine and people will love to talk.  What better way to make your book the topic of conversation?

Look for smaller independent bookstores for events.  Drop by for a visit and give the owner a copy of your book.  If they like it they’ll likely get behind it and recommend it.  So when the event occurs, they’ll be steering people to your book.  This is something that you rarely get in the larger bookstores.

Third, market your event.  Use word of mouth, visit business in the area, spread the word on Twitter, through your website, Facebook, etc.  Put up fliers.  If you have the budget look at local arts magazines.  Get friends to help spread the word. 

Don’t be afraid to approach people.  Ask them what they’re looking for at the bookstore, ask them how the wine is, then steer them to your book.  Be excited about it.  Get them excited about it.  Chances are this will result in a sale, if not on the spot, then later.

Bring flyers, business cards, postcards, bookmarkers, etc.  If people don’t buy your book, give them some material about it.  Make sure you have a website they can check out.  Keep them thinking about it and make them want to come back.

Also get email addresses of everyone that attends so you can do a newsletter.  You want to keep your book on their mind.  Also, have someone shoot some video and post it on your website.  People love to watch video. 

Think themed events.  Find a theme from your novel and build an event around it. For instance, in my novel, The Trust, in the book specific menus and dishes are mentioned. Several friends offered to host a release party for my book with the theme, “A Taste of the Trust.” Deal!  Food, wine and books on a Saturday night even if not a single sale were to occur, that is a recipe or fun.

At the end of the day the more events you have the more people you’ll reach.  Send out press releases to local media.  Target smaller papers.  Keep at it and be persistent.  One large event where you sell and sign 100 books for an indie author is great, but a number of small events where you sell 10-15 are even better. 

Good Luck and feel free to leave a comment with your thoughts.

Oh and as long as you’re here, even though it isn’t in person, why not read an excerpt of The Trust or even buy a copy of your own.  A percentage of all sales will be donated to canine related nonprofits.  Support K9 rescues! 

I just got back from vacation, which is why I haven’t posted in a while.  Quite wonderful, well except for the day one of the canines decided he wasn’t getting enough attention and had to go to the vet.  After a 45-minute drive and an eye-popping bill for an upset stomach, I spent the drive back to our house thinking I perhaps should’ve been a vet.

That drama aside, I used the vacation for an experiment – a mini-writer’s retreat.  My goal was to see the benefit, if any, from a week of concentrated writing.

I’ll admit writing on vacation may not be possible if chaos is the norm, but with a little planning you may be pleasantly surprised.

Here are a few thoughts for orchestrating your own writing vacation.

1 – Plan accordingly. Pick a favorable location, somewhere conducive to writing.  Let other’s know you’ll be writing and will need some space. Try to minimize external distractions and if there are outings, schedule accordingly.

2 – Have a goal. At the start, I was approximately 1/3 of the way through my current novel.  My goal was to do a comprehensive read through and then make a stab at around 7500 words. 

3 – Set aside a consistent time each day.  Set aside a block of time for writing.  Take some days off.  I wrote Monday through Friday from 8 till noon and took off the weekends.  Start and stop on time.  Put a cap on the time you’ll spend and don’t do more than that each day.

4 – Don’t let the work spill over.  My promise to folks was leave me alone while I write and I won’t talk about writing unless asked.  After all, it was everyone’s vacation and I didn’t want to make other’s involuntary participants in my own little writer’s retreat.  However, I found that people wanted to talk and I was able to use them as a sounding board for my ideas.

5 – Minimize the wired effect.  I pretty much unplugged for the week.  I checked my email and Twitter once a day only.  This kept me from breaking my focus when I was writing. 

6 – Have fun and remember the unexpected benefits.  I was curious how this would work, so I decided just to have fun. I couldn’t have been more pleased.  The time each day allowed for uninterrupted blocks of focused attention.  I avoided frustration even if it meant some time staring out the window waiting for inspiration to wave.

The biggest benefit was the total emersion in the process.  I was amazed at the nuances this allowed me to craft into my plot, how it gave me a better handle on the story.   I’m not sure I would have occurred if I had been writing around my everyday schedule at home.

So what about all the people who are reading thinking, “I can’t just take a vacation and spend half of my time writing!” 

No worries.

Think staycation and do a long weekend.  Fit 9-12 hours in over a weekend.  I spent the first day reviewing my partial manuscript, if you take that out, in a weekend you’ll have a lot of time.  Get up early. Stay up late when the distractions are minimized.  Sure, you’ll have to plan but that’s part of the fun.

So how did it go?

My expectations were reached and beyond.  In addition to the editing, the clearer view of the plot and the refinement of my story, I was able to write almost 15,000 words.  More than doubling my goal and far in excess of my normal output over the same time frame when I am literally having to steal time to write.

I also learned from an accountant friend that since I had planned accordingly, kept records, and established a schedule, that I now have a bona fide deduction on my taxes.  How’s that for an added benefit?

Oh and as long as you’re here, even though it isn’t in person, why not read an excerpt of The Trust or even buy a copy of your own.  A percentage of all sales will be donated to canine related nonprofits.  Support K9 rescues!