Readers. Are they really as picky and fickle as we believe them to be? You betcha.
There's more to it than that though. If you tell a reader a great story they will come back. Most readers will forgive errors in syntax if they aren't detrimental to the story itself. It doesn't matter if it's mystery, suspense, romance, erotica, or a twenty word picture book. If the story is good, people will keep reading.
Reviewers are a different breed in and of themselves. They will ding you for the syntax errors.
But, reviewers are also readers and if your story is good, you will gain points as long as the errors in your writing don't screw with their flow. People will review your book and post their thoughts. Guess what? There's not a single thing you can do about it except sit back and pray they like it.
Before you release your book, find someone who is a reader that will read it for you. Find someone who is good at dialogue and have them read it for you. Then, look for someone who is conscious of tenses and POV and let THEM read it. When all three of these people agree, you have something that will fly with 99% of readers. If you have the money, hire an editor and skip the above. As indie authors, most of us don't have that kind of cash hanging out in a drawer so we have to work together.
Build your network. If you take, you need to give. Don't expect someone to read all your stuff and get nothing in return. Other indie authors are not your competition and they want to see you succeed just as badly as you do. I got into a discussion with another indie author on a blog's comment section and made a friend. Her name is Crystal Lee and her blog is a most excellent read. She is a writer of sci-fi romance and historical fiction and her books have a flavor all their own.
I hold a degree in Graphic Design. Crystal is most excellent at editing. What do you think we're trading?
So get out there and talk to other indie authors!!! Many of them have skills you wouldn't believe and most are willing to help you out - for a return favor.
How did you meet the people in your network?
That's all for today, folks. I hope this post gets you out there, talking to other indie authors and discovering their talents beyond writing - psssst, they ALL have them.
Don't forget, Yassa is due out in JUNE! If you missed your chance to get a free copy of The Abigale Chronicles - Book One, don't worry! It's available on Smashwords for just $1.99!! Go get one!!
Until next time, WRITE ON!!
Jo
Monday, May 7, 2012
Saturday, May 5, 2012
These Boots Were Made for Walking!
And that's what every character must do. In every story - every good story - a character must walk through the proverbial doorway of change. When the story begins, they must be one way, and when the story ends, they must be another. After all, the story is the telling of their journey from point A to point B. Without the journey, you have no tale to tell.
Your character also has a point of decision making. If they choose the left path, they end up one way and if they choose the right path, they end up another.
I will again use one of my characters to illustrate this point.
Temujin, from Yassa (due out in June) -
When the tale begins, Temujin is just nine years old. He is an innocent young man who is about to be betrothed to an innocent young girl. When his father is murdered and he is left in charge of his family, he experiences change. "But," you say, "That wasn't a choice!" Quite right. That is not his proverbial door, he was just a victim of circumstance in that situation. His doorway presents itself when he is ten years old and is forced to make a decision on whether or not to kill his half brother, Bekhter. If Temujin kills the young man, he will be an outlaw. If he doesn't, there's a good chance Bekhter will murder Temujin in his sleep. What to do?
Once a character passes through the door, their life must change forever. There must be no way to return to what they knew before. If you murder someone, you are a murderer and will go to prison - appealing? - and that will irrevocably change your life forever. It's not something you can take back or undo and it will change you when it changes your life. A good story has this moment; usually within the first third of the book.
Yassa's prologue is written from a different point of view than the rest of the book and provides a moment of change for the antagonist, Jamuka. Temujin's moment of change doesn't happen until the end of chapter 3 on page 50. Yassa is around 400 pages long so you can see that the moment of change happens well within the first third of the story.
A journey for a character from the moment of change until some sort of resolution is reached is the rest of your book. Resolution is almost always found in the last fourth of the book. I have found a few books where resolution is on the very last page. It depends on your writing style.
Just remember, one thing is universally true no matter what kind of story you are writing. Your character must change and walk through a door.
What characters do you remember most and what was their moment of change? Discuss!
Time to head out! I will be back Monday!
If you missed it, don't forget to grab your copy of The Abigale Chronicles - Book One today!
Until next time, WRITE ON!!
Jo
Your character also has a point of decision making. If they choose the left path, they end up one way and if they choose the right path, they end up another.
I will again use one of my characters to illustrate this point.
Temujin, from Yassa (due out in June) -
When the tale begins, Temujin is just nine years old. He is an innocent young man who is about to be betrothed to an innocent young girl. When his father is murdered and he is left in charge of his family, he experiences change. "But," you say, "That wasn't a choice!" Quite right. That is not his proverbial door, he was just a victim of circumstance in that situation. His doorway presents itself when he is ten years old and is forced to make a decision on whether or not to kill his half brother, Bekhter. If Temujin kills the young man, he will be an outlaw. If he doesn't, there's a good chance Bekhter will murder Temujin in his sleep. What to do?
Once a character passes through the door, their life must change forever. There must be no way to return to what they knew before. If you murder someone, you are a murderer and will go to prison - appealing? - and that will irrevocably change your life forever. It's not something you can take back or undo and it will change you when it changes your life. A good story has this moment; usually within the first third of the book.
Yassa's prologue is written from a different point of view than the rest of the book and provides a moment of change for the antagonist, Jamuka. Temujin's moment of change doesn't happen until the end of chapter 3 on page 50. Yassa is around 400 pages long so you can see that the moment of change happens well within the first third of the story.
A journey for a character from the moment of change until some sort of resolution is reached is the rest of your book. Resolution is almost always found in the last fourth of the book. I have found a few books where resolution is on the very last page. It depends on your writing style.
Just remember, one thing is universally true no matter what kind of story you are writing. Your character must change and walk through a door.
What characters do you remember most and what was their moment of change? Discuss!
Time to head out! I will be back Monday!
If you missed it, don't forget to grab your copy of The Abigale Chronicles - Book One today!
Until next time, WRITE ON!!
Jo
Friday, May 4, 2012
Characters, You Say?
Characters are an integral part of every writer's arsenal. They are the life of the story; literally. Today is about creation of those characters.
Here is how I dream up my characters: I meet people and I read books about people. That seems too simple, huh? Well, it is a little more complicated than that. Surely you didn't think you were going to get off that easily! Come on, this is a learning experience! Dive in and have some fun with it!
A character is made up of TWO parts: 1. Physical appearance 2. Personality
I will go through some characters I have used in stories and tell you where they came from.
Yassa - Temujin (Genghis Khan), Borte, and Kutula
Temujin comes from history. I read everything I could get my hands on about this kid and the man he became. History told me a lot but to fill in what it was lacking, I had to pull characteristics from people I know and myself. Because there aren't photographs of young Temujin or old Genghis floating around (they didn't exactly have cameras in the twelfth century) I had to make up what they looked like based on rough paintings. Because I didn't meet the man, I have no idea what his character was like. I can only guess based on how he behaved and what he accomplished.
Ditto for Borte and Kutula.
Now, Kutula didn't actually exist, as far as I know, but he was a minor character in the beginning who demanded that he be put into the story. Because he provided a break from monotony and a little comic relief, I left him in there and let him run wild.
Temujin is quirky and does things sometimes that no one can see the worth in until later; these traits come from me. He is proud, brave, protective, vengeful, honorable, and loyal as well; these come from my boyfriend. His physical appearance was based on text I read about the people of Mongolia as a whole, though I did make some allotments to suit myself. After all, he is supposed to be a bit of a dream guy.
Borte is demure, wise, beautiful, and fiercely loyal; these come from characters I have known in books. She's kind of a mishmash of what I would want in a partner if I were a mighty conqueror of continents. Ha! She has her flaws and those I have pulled from myself. She tries to fix everything and has a harsh tongue at times. She can be bitchy and her mind is very fragile. You'll see that during the course of the story and you'll see what fixes her insanity as well. I made the decision to make her look as different as possible from other women in Mongolia because she is supposed to be a rare treasure that is coveted. She had to stand out from the crowd and inspire men to do great things in her name.
Kutula is a male concubine who has aspirations of grandeur and is very very clever. He is a very beautiful man who is willing to help another if they are kind to him or if he sees something in them that is good. I imagined him as the quiet type who is very deadly. His fun side comes from me and how I really enjoy tumbling through fields of flowers and bright colors. Okay, that was a joke. His fun side I got from my daughter. She is disarming, gentle, enjoys life, and is in love with everything colorful. His looks I based on gay men I have known and are kind of a mishmash of all of them in one glowingly lovable character.
I don't keep a journal of interesting traits or interesting people I meet because if I find them interesting enough I will remember them.
Little Abigale, of The Abigale Chronicles, is fully based on me as a child. She is unassuming, honest, and loves adventure.
If you missed the giveaway of the book, stay tuned! I will be giving a deep promotional discount when Yassa releases in June!
I hope this post got you thinking about making your characters round. A flat character, while they will get you through the story, will not make a reader want to turn the page. Your protagonist must have flaws, they must go through change (post on that tomorrow), and they absolutely must have some trait that people will fall head over heels in love with. Otherwise, they are boring and people will fall asleep when they try to read your book.
I'd love to hear about some of your characters and where you got the idea for them. Pop a little comment in below!
9am and time to get to work!!
Until next time, WRITE ON!!
Jo
Here is how I dream up my characters: I meet people and I read books about people. That seems too simple, huh? Well, it is a little more complicated than that. Surely you didn't think you were going to get off that easily! Come on, this is a learning experience! Dive in and have some fun with it!
A character is made up of TWO parts: 1. Physical appearance 2. Personality
I will go through some characters I have used in stories and tell you where they came from.
Yassa - Temujin (Genghis Khan), Borte, and Kutula
Temujin comes from history. I read everything I could get my hands on about this kid and the man he became. History told me a lot but to fill in what it was lacking, I had to pull characteristics from people I know and myself. Because there aren't photographs of young Temujin or old Genghis floating around (they didn't exactly have cameras in the twelfth century) I had to make up what they looked like based on rough paintings. Because I didn't meet the man, I have no idea what his character was like. I can only guess based on how he behaved and what he accomplished.
Ditto for Borte and Kutula.
Now, Kutula didn't actually exist, as far as I know, but he was a minor character in the beginning who demanded that he be put into the story. Because he provided a break from monotony and a little comic relief, I left him in there and let him run wild.
Temujin is quirky and does things sometimes that no one can see the worth in until later; these traits come from me. He is proud, brave, protective, vengeful, honorable, and loyal as well; these come from my boyfriend. His physical appearance was based on text I read about the people of Mongolia as a whole, though I did make some allotments to suit myself. After all, he is supposed to be a bit of a dream guy.
Borte is demure, wise, beautiful, and fiercely loyal; these come from characters I have known in books. She's kind of a mishmash of what I would want in a partner if I were a mighty conqueror of continents. Ha! She has her flaws and those I have pulled from myself. She tries to fix everything and has a harsh tongue at times. She can be bitchy and her mind is very fragile. You'll see that during the course of the story and you'll see what fixes her insanity as well. I made the decision to make her look as different as possible from other women in Mongolia because she is supposed to be a rare treasure that is coveted. She had to stand out from the crowd and inspire men to do great things in her name.
Kutula is a male concubine who has aspirations of grandeur and is very very clever. He is a very beautiful man who is willing to help another if they are kind to him or if he sees something in them that is good. I imagined him as the quiet type who is very deadly. His fun side comes from me and how I really enjoy tumbling through fields of flowers and bright colors. Okay, that was a joke. His fun side I got from my daughter. She is disarming, gentle, enjoys life, and is in love with everything colorful. His looks I based on gay men I have known and are kind of a mishmash of all of them in one glowingly lovable character.
I don't keep a journal of interesting traits or interesting people I meet because if I find them interesting enough I will remember them.
Little Abigale, of The Abigale Chronicles, is fully based on me as a child. She is unassuming, honest, and loves adventure.
If you missed the giveaway of the book, stay tuned! I will be giving a deep promotional discount when Yassa releases in June!
I hope this post got you thinking about making your characters round. A flat character, while they will get you through the story, will not make a reader want to turn the page. Your protagonist must have flaws, they must go through change (post on that tomorrow), and they absolutely must have some trait that people will fall head over heels in love with. Otherwise, they are boring and people will fall asleep when they try to read your book.
I'd love to hear about some of your characters and where you got the idea for them. Pop a little comment in below!
9am and time to get to work!!
Until next time, WRITE ON!!
Jo
Thursday, May 3, 2012
"Indescribable" and Why it Cannot Work for a Writer
Ever hear someone say, "I don't know how to describe it!"? As writers, we are duty bound to describe everything. It comes with the territory. So I discuss feelings today and how we might describe them with our words.
Angry - Having a strong feeling of or showing annoyance, displeasure, or hostility; full of anger.
Okay, there's the definition. What about the feeling itself? How does it affect your body, mind, and thought process? That is what a writer must describe. Forget the damned definition for a minute and think of something that makes you angry. Dwell on it and let it consume you for a few minutes. Now, close your eyes, put your fingers on your keyboard, and describe that feeling.
My attempt (I will use a time I was betrayed by someone I considered a friend in school):
I want to rip her head off her shoulders. If I thought I could physically do that, I swear I would. My heart is racing, my stomach feels like it's on fire, everything in my vision is blurry. I am shaking from head to toe and I am scared I will not be able to control this beast if I let it out of its cage. My hands want to connect with something while balled into fists. My throat is tight and I want to scream horrible things at her. I want to ruin her life so she can feel the same way that I do right now. I would tear her hair, punch her face, and call her every name I think she deserves (which is many).
Now, you can tell someone exactly what betrayal of a friend feels like to Jo. In every book, we read feelings based on those that the writer has experienced. In every character, the writer suffers. If the writer does not suffer, the characters are flat and boring. Let's try another one.
Love - An intense feeling of deep affection
hahaha!! Now that definition is so basic, it makes me want to gag!!
Repeat steps above and write it down.
My attempt (I am thinking of my boyfriend and love of my life, Mike):
My heart is pounding in my chest and my whole body feels like every nerve ending is on overdrive. His face fills my mind and tears spring to my eyes because I am overwhelmed by the intensity of it and there's no other way to release the feeling. If I don't let it out or express it somehow, I am afraid it will keep growing and cause me to shut down completely until I feel his hand on mine or his arms around me. I feel like there is a steel cable that runs from my heart to his and that the further apart we are, the thicker and stronger it becomes. I have a pulling sensation in my stomach and chest that tells me I need to be near him. When I am near him, it stops pulling and lies at rest. I feel an all encompassing fear along with everything else because I worry that it's too good; too much. I see his face and smile because he is beautiful, he makes me unbelievably happy, and my feet and head feel light as a feather.
If you want to, feel free to draw on those descriptions. If you notice, they intertwine with other feelings.
I set this challenge for you today: BEGIN YOUR BIBLE OF FEELINGS
Open up your word processor and list every feeling you can think of. Spend a few minutes every day filling it out. I beg you not to try each and every one of them in a single day because you will end up totally spent and with such a tumult of emotions in you, you might not be able to think. In addition, drawing on all of those memories may leave you with the lingering feelings. You have memories! USE THEM!
Leave a comment today with your attempt. I would love to read them! List your feeling, the definition, and your description! Let's make it fun!
I am running late today. Time to write!!
Until next time, WRITE ON!!
Jo
Angry - Having a strong feeling of or showing annoyance, displeasure, or hostility; full of anger.
Okay, there's the definition. What about the feeling itself? How does it affect your body, mind, and thought process? That is what a writer must describe. Forget the damned definition for a minute and think of something that makes you angry. Dwell on it and let it consume you for a few minutes. Now, close your eyes, put your fingers on your keyboard, and describe that feeling.
My attempt (I will use a time I was betrayed by someone I considered a friend in school):
I want to rip her head off her shoulders. If I thought I could physically do that, I swear I would. My heart is racing, my stomach feels like it's on fire, everything in my vision is blurry. I am shaking from head to toe and I am scared I will not be able to control this beast if I let it out of its cage. My hands want to connect with something while balled into fists. My throat is tight and I want to scream horrible things at her. I want to ruin her life so she can feel the same way that I do right now. I would tear her hair, punch her face, and call her every name I think she deserves (which is many).
Now, you can tell someone exactly what betrayal of a friend feels like to Jo. In every book, we read feelings based on those that the writer has experienced. In every character, the writer suffers. If the writer does not suffer, the characters are flat and boring. Let's try another one.
Love - An intense feeling of deep affection
hahaha!! Now that definition is so basic, it makes me want to gag!!
Repeat steps above and write it down.
My attempt (I am thinking of my boyfriend and love of my life, Mike):
My heart is pounding in my chest and my whole body feels like every nerve ending is on overdrive. His face fills my mind and tears spring to my eyes because I am overwhelmed by the intensity of it and there's no other way to release the feeling. If I don't let it out or express it somehow, I am afraid it will keep growing and cause me to shut down completely until I feel his hand on mine or his arms around me. I feel like there is a steel cable that runs from my heart to his and that the further apart we are, the thicker and stronger it becomes. I have a pulling sensation in my stomach and chest that tells me I need to be near him. When I am near him, it stops pulling and lies at rest. I feel an all encompassing fear along with everything else because I worry that it's too good; too much. I see his face and smile because he is beautiful, he makes me unbelievably happy, and my feet and head feel light as a feather.
If you want to, feel free to draw on those descriptions. If you notice, they intertwine with other feelings.
I set this challenge for you today: BEGIN YOUR BIBLE OF FEELINGS
Open up your word processor and list every feeling you can think of. Spend a few minutes every day filling it out. I beg you not to try each and every one of them in a single day because you will end up totally spent and with such a tumult of emotions in you, you might not be able to think. In addition, drawing on all of those memories may leave you with the lingering feelings. You have memories! USE THEM!
Leave a comment today with your attempt. I would love to read them! List your feeling, the definition, and your description! Let's make it fun!
I am running late today. Time to write!!
Until next time, WRITE ON!!
Jo
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Writers that Cannot Feel... Cannot Write
Today I am discussing feelings (or lack thereof) and what happens to a writer that cannot feel.
We all have those days when we are upset and the words flow. We all have those days where we are sublimely happy and the words flow. But what happens when we are numb? When the brain empties itself of all ability to do more than stare at a blank wall?
We read. At least, I do. I find solace in the words of others and they provide me with an escape from my numbness. When I read that Mr. Darcy insulted Ms. Eliza, I feel his insult just as she would have. It provides a way for me to connect to another human being (even if they are fictional).
Readers - and all writers MUST be readers - are a hypersensitive bunch. A true reader will pick up a book and become lost in the story flowing from the pages. If the story is well written, the reader carries a little piece of that book with them for the rest of their lives; especially if the characters have qualities we admire.
Example: When I read about the totally unassuming way that Ms. Jane Bennet looks at every person on the Earth and makes allotments for their shortcomings and flaws and never speaks ill of anyone, I find that quality endearing and my drive to be more like Jane increases. Ms. Eliza Bennet has a sharp tongue and a quick wit that keeps me engaged with her and those are qualities I find most people lacking. I instantly want to be more like Elizabeth.
If you ever find yourself lost in a book or character, ask yourself why. What is it about them that you love? Maybe they are so evil that you are stunned and that's why they stick with you. You begin to watch other people for signs that the character displayed so you will know to avoid them.
Books have a deep impact on our psyche, whether we want to admit it or not. Writers need books to read in order to fuel their passion and introduce them to unique qualities in people that we may never have met in real life.
When we cannot feel, we cannot write because we cannot bring passion to the pages of our stories.
But we can always read.
Remember, today is the last day to get your copy of The Abigale Chronicles - Book One!! Follow me on twitter (@writejomichaels) or follow my blog to get your code for the free download.
I am early today so I am going to poke around and comment on other blogs that I follow.
A question for all you writers out there: What do you do when you can't write? What causes your block?
Until next time, WRITE ON!!
Jo
We all have those days when we are upset and the words flow. We all have those days where we are sublimely happy and the words flow. But what happens when we are numb? When the brain empties itself of all ability to do more than stare at a blank wall?
We read. At least, I do. I find solace in the words of others and they provide me with an escape from my numbness. When I read that Mr. Darcy insulted Ms. Eliza, I feel his insult just as she would have. It provides a way for me to connect to another human being (even if they are fictional).
Readers - and all writers MUST be readers - are a hypersensitive bunch. A true reader will pick up a book and become lost in the story flowing from the pages. If the story is well written, the reader carries a little piece of that book with them for the rest of their lives; especially if the characters have qualities we admire.
Example: When I read about the totally unassuming way that Ms. Jane Bennet looks at every person on the Earth and makes allotments for their shortcomings and flaws and never speaks ill of anyone, I find that quality endearing and my drive to be more like Jane increases. Ms. Eliza Bennet has a sharp tongue and a quick wit that keeps me engaged with her and those are qualities I find most people lacking. I instantly want to be more like Elizabeth.
If you ever find yourself lost in a book or character, ask yourself why. What is it about them that you love? Maybe they are so evil that you are stunned and that's why they stick with you. You begin to watch other people for signs that the character displayed so you will know to avoid them.
Books have a deep impact on our psyche, whether we want to admit it or not. Writers need books to read in order to fuel their passion and introduce them to unique qualities in people that we may never have met in real life.
When we cannot feel, we cannot write because we cannot bring passion to the pages of our stories.
But we can always read.
Remember, today is the last day to get your copy of The Abigale Chronicles - Book One!! Follow me on twitter (@writejomichaels) or follow my blog to get your code for the free download.
I am early today so I am going to poke around and comment on other blogs that I follow.
A question for all you writers out there: What do you do when you can't write? What causes your block?
Until next time, WRITE ON!!
Jo
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Working on a Novel is Like...?
What can compare to working on a novel? Digging your way out of sand when you are buried up to your neck and the only way out is grain by grain? How about swimming in a sea of spaghetti that pushes you backward one stroke for every two you make?
Some days, that is EXACTLY what working on a novel feels like.
Then why do we write? Well...
We write because on other days, we are allowed to fly and the freedom our writing gives us on those days is worth one hundred days in the muck. It feels like nothing else in the world to know you have written a compelling story. Most of us just want to share that story with others and allow them a peek inside something they never thought possible. Writers always think of the possible and the impossible and figure out a way to turn it into prose.
When you read someone's book, you get a look inside a whole other realm of possibility. Books can change the way people think. Books can inform. Hell, books can even inspire other books. There is a very good reason that they say the pen is mightier than the sword. Sure the sword WON the battle, but the pen is what made it necessary in the first place. People who went to war or revolted because of words on a page were opened up to injustice that they might never have seen if not for a writer taking the time to put them on paper.
Writing is like breathing to an author. We walk around with our head in the clouds sometimes - okay, OFTEN - but we are usually very charismatic people who LOVE life and see it just a little bit differently than other people. If we couldn't write, we would suffocate and be miserable - even if we had everything else one could want. It is a part of who we are.
But those days when writing a novel is like digging yourself out of that damned sand are the days we doubt ourselves.
A call to action:
Go leave a review on your FAVORITE book by your FAVORITE LIVING author today. Give them their wings so they can give you that next great story.
What do you writers say working on a novel is like? Good days and bad days?
Time to go and get to work myself!!
Don't forget, the offer for a free copy of The Abigale Chronicles - Book One ends TODAY!!
Follow my blog (hint: look on the right side), follow me on Twitter or come like my Facebook page and shoot me a message to get the code for the download.
Until next time, WRITE ON!!
Jo
Some days, that is EXACTLY what working on a novel feels like.
Then why do we write? Well...
We write because on other days, we are allowed to fly and the freedom our writing gives us on those days is worth one hundred days in the muck. It feels like nothing else in the world to know you have written a compelling story. Most of us just want to share that story with others and allow them a peek inside something they never thought possible. Writers always think of the possible and the impossible and figure out a way to turn it into prose.
When you read someone's book, you get a look inside a whole other realm of possibility. Books can change the way people think. Books can inform. Hell, books can even inspire other books. There is a very good reason that they say the pen is mightier than the sword. Sure the sword WON the battle, but the pen is what made it necessary in the first place. People who went to war or revolted because of words on a page were opened up to injustice that they might never have seen if not for a writer taking the time to put them on paper.
Writing is like breathing to an author. We walk around with our head in the clouds sometimes - okay, OFTEN - but we are usually very charismatic people who LOVE life and see it just a little bit differently than other people. If we couldn't write, we would suffocate and be miserable - even if we had everything else one could want. It is a part of who we are.
But those days when writing a novel is like digging yourself out of that damned sand are the days we doubt ourselves.
A call to action:
Go leave a review on your FAVORITE book by your FAVORITE LIVING author today. Give them their wings so they can give you that next great story.
What do you writers say working on a novel is like? Good days and bad days?
Time to go and get to work myself!!
Don't forget, the offer for a free copy of The Abigale Chronicles - Book One ends TODAY!!
Follow my blog (hint: look on the right side), follow me on Twitter or come like my Facebook page and shoot me a message to get the code for the download.
Until next time, WRITE ON!!
Jo
Monday, April 30, 2012
Difficulties of a Writer
This post was spawned by a post over on Rachelle Gardner's blog about the difficulties we face as writers. She asked "What Makes the Writing Life Hard?" and I had an instant answer: Believing in yourself and getting others to believe in you. She talked about it today.
Why is that? My thoughts:
Well, as authors, we all seem to be crammed into a convoluted box that the outside world sees as mystical and scary. They don't know how to step into the box because - let's face it - authors think differently. This goes back to my post from the other day about a true writer being born and not made. We see the World in a different way than other people. They have difficulty identifying with us.
But it can happen!! Don't lose hope!
I believe that if YOU believe in yourself, others will follow in your footsteps. Look at Jim Jones - the guy who got all those people to drink the Kool-Aid laced with cyanide - and you'll have an idea of what I'm talking about. That guy preached with such conviction, people followed him and paid the ultimate price. Now, I'm not suggesting you go get people to believe in your writing so much that they feel compelled to drink poison, but I am trying to get you to see that if YOU are excited about your work and TRULY believe in yourself, others will be too.
What most people fail to realize is, we work for ourselves and write because we have something to say. Period. We aren't unrealistic, we just function on a different plane of imagination. We are different, not crazy. No, we likely won't end up as famous as Suzanne Collins or J.K. Rowling, but we will achieve fame in our own way and in our own hearts.
If you are the spouse or loved one of a writer, please be supportive and PROUD of them. It is quite an accomplishment just to write 100k words; not to mention the edits and re-writes and advertising we all have to do. Most people go their whole lives and never write 100k words. Be proud and tell them you are proud.
I know how it feels to have someone that believes in you. Someone who is behind you, pushing you to do more and be better. He is my driving force and always celebrates my achievements! I would likely never have finished my novel, Yassa, if he wasn't there, encouraging me and telling me how great I am while plying me with an endless supply of coffee!
We all need that special someone who supports us in our endeavors. Link up with fellow authors if you don't have someone else. We should all be there to support and encourage each other!
That's all for today. I am running late!! 9am and time to write!!
Don't forget to follow this blog, follow me on Twitter, or like my Facebook page for your free copy of The Abigale Chronicles - Book One over on Smashwords. It's available in all formats. Just two days left to get yours!!
Until next time, WRITE ON!!
Jo
Why is that? My thoughts:
Well, as authors, we all seem to be crammed into a convoluted box that the outside world sees as mystical and scary. They don't know how to step into the box because - let's face it - authors think differently. This goes back to my post from the other day about a true writer being born and not made. We see the World in a different way than other people. They have difficulty identifying with us.
But it can happen!! Don't lose hope!
I believe that if YOU believe in yourself, others will follow in your footsteps. Look at Jim Jones - the guy who got all those people to drink the Kool-Aid laced with cyanide - and you'll have an idea of what I'm talking about. That guy preached with such conviction, people followed him and paid the ultimate price. Now, I'm not suggesting you go get people to believe in your writing so much that they feel compelled to drink poison, but I am trying to get you to see that if YOU are excited about your work and TRULY believe in yourself, others will be too.
What most people fail to realize is, we work for ourselves and write because we have something to say. Period. We aren't unrealistic, we just function on a different plane of imagination. We are different, not crazy. No, we likely won't end up as famous as Suzanne Collins or J.K. Rowling, but we will achieve fame in our own way and in our own hearts.
If you are the spouse or loved one of a writer, please be supportive and PROUD of them. It is quite an accomplishment just to write 100k words; not to mention the edits and re-writes and advertising we all have to do. Most people go their whole lives and never write 100k words. Be proud and tell them you are proud.
I know how it feels to have someone that believes in you. Someone who is behind you, pushing you to do more and be better. He is my driving force and always celebrates my achievements! I would likely never have finished my novel, Yassa, if he wasn't there, encouraging me and telling me how great I am while plying me with an endless supply of coffee!
We all need that special someone who supports us in our endeavors. Link up with fellow authors if you don't have someone else. We should all be there to support and encourage each other!
That's all for today. I am running late!! 9am and time to write!!
Don't forget to follow this blog, follow me on Twitter, or like my Facebook page for your free copy of The Abigale Chronicles - Book One over on Smashwords. It's available in all formats. Just two days left to get yours!!
Until next time, WRITE ON!!
Jo
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