Novel Research - How Much is Too Much?

Happy Monday, good people of the blogosphere! Welcome to another week of fun. Yeah, it's Monday, but you now have five whole days to get in your writing groove. Today, I'm talking about research. You know, that stuff that makes your book seem plausible to your reader. Ready? Grab those pens and notebooks and let's get going!

As you all are probably aware, when I was writing M, I had to do a lot of research for a few topics and scenes included in the novel. Here are a few:

Buying explosives online (yes, you can!).
What the range on a GPS tracker is.
Best sniper rifle.
What genes are responsible for reproduction.
What genes/chromosome strands are associated with malformations of the heart.
How to pick a lock (actually picked a lock to learn what this was like).
Self-contained cities (how they work).
Moving sidewalks and how one steps onto them.
What genes are responsible for "giantism."

And those are just a few. I've asked other sci-fi writers, and they have pretty much the same experience. You have to learn as much as possible so your story can ring true. Sure, you can ask an expert or read an article about how to pick a lock, but until you do it, you don't know what pitfalls may happen or how it feels.

I've talked about this before on my post Writing What You Don't Know, but sometimes you need to get into the meat of your story by heading out and experiencing things for yourself.

Don't leave your words to someone else. The way I describe something might not be the way you describe that same thing.

As a bonus, the next time you want to write about what it feels like to walk over hot coals, you'll already know. Those little tidbits will be stored in your memory bank or feelings workbook.

It's not just sci-fi that demands research. If you're planning a book where you deal with legal issues or historical facts, you have to look that up, too. Writers are born researchers, and we usually have a thirst for first-hand knowledge of topics.

What's been the most fun/interesting thing you've ever had to research for a book? What book was it?

Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo

The Versatile Blogger Award

Happy Monday, good people of the blogosphere! Today, a little bit of a change. Since my guest last week, Mindy Ruiz, has one book published and we already discussed on the post here (big giveaway going, GO ENTER) and featured it on the sidebar, today I'm talking about an award that was bestowed upon me by a fellow blogger. She's also a member of the 2015 Time for Books Review Team. Who is she and what's this award about? Well, grab a cup of coffee and let's get going!

Thank you, K. J. Farnham, for nominating me for this awesome award! Here's a little about Ms. Farnham:

I was born and raised in West Allis, Wisconsin, home of the Wisconsin State Fair and the Pettit National Ice Center. In 1999, I graduated from UW-Milwaukee with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. I went on to earn a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction while teaching full time. After teaching first grade and third grade for six years each, I am proud to say that I had the privilege of helping hundreds of children learn to read and write.

In 2011, my family of four relocated from Milwaukee to western Wisconsin. (We are now a family of five!) While I was sad to leave teaching, I was ready for a change and excited to explore my love for writing. I got caught up for two years writing and editing for various clients while the book that I’d started back in 2009 went untouched. I finally made it my New Year’s Resolution for 2014 to finish Click Date Repeat, and it was published on August 21, 2014 (my wedding anniversary).

Things I enjoy: travel (especially road trips), running, biking, nature walks, beach outings, coffee and tea.

Things I love: watching my children participate in various activities, reading, writing, Body Pump at the YMCA, The Walking Dead, peanut butter and coconut milk.

Check out K. J. Farnham's blog here.

Information about the award:

The Versatile Blogger Award is given in recognition for the great commitment, diverse talents and generosity shown by bloggers here in our community. There is so much creativity on display that it is difficult to reduce a list to only a few, but for those nominated, it is hoped that it will motivate them as well as celebrate their work to date.

Here are the rules:

• Show the award on your blog
• Thank the person who nominated you
• Share seven facts about yourself
• Nominate up to fifteen blogs
• Link your nominees’ blogs, and let them know

My seven facts:

1. My life is chaotic most of the time, so I tend to lean toward super controlling habits in my writing, editing, and design work
2. I have this strange compulsion to help people, and look for different, interesting ways to give back to the Indie author community (because I'm selfish, and I get to pat myself on the back)
3. I'm very opinionated
4. Because I have such a strong work ethic, I expect the same from others, and it's destroyed relationships when things aren't followed through on or when I feel I'm not getting back the level of commitment I put in
5. I believe in magic
6. I push myself harder than I should, and I'm harder on myself when I fail than anyone else could ever be
7. When people don't like me, I'm okay with it; because everyone doesn't like everyone (just like all people don't like the same book), and I'm not going to be someone other than me to change that

I nominate:

• Ashley Bodette from Book Junkie: Not-So-Anonymous
• Maria Pease from The Paisley Reader
• Ren Reidy from A Little Bit of R&R

You should check those blogs out. Those ladies are amazing!

Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo

Writing Caves or Coffee Shops - Writer Groove

Happy Tuesday, good people of the blogosphere! Today, I'm gonna chat about the different ways writers get their novel creating groove on. Similar to NaNoWriMo, but when every day should be about words. So, grab those pens and notebooks and let's get going!

What's a writing cave?

Well, a writing cave is your zen space. Think of it as the place you go when you need to bang words out on the keys of your laptop, bringing yourself to a place of complete relaxation and creativity. When you enter your writing cave, it should feel like it's begging you to create.

Many writers have a bookshelf in their writing cave. What's on those tall, dark, handsome slabs of wood varies depending on what tasks the wordsmith takes on when in the room. For example: Mine is a short table with design how-to and editing books stacked on it. My issue of the CMoS is right on top, staring at me. It inspires me to do more and be more, and it's a handy reference shelf I access often.

Some writers have novels lining their shelves. Others have mementos, photographs, or other items to spark their creativity. It depends on the mood you're trying to set.

What else should be in your writing cave?

• A visible schedule
• Nail clippers (yeah, ever tried to write with a hangnail?)
• Notebooks (for those ideas you get)
• Pens 

You might also want to have a printer for those scenes you need to work out. Trust me, stepping out of the writing cave with scene in hand can make a huge difference.

I know one writer who prints images of her characters and a snatch of their bios, then hangs them on the wall where she can see them as she writes. When I asked why, her answer was: Because they speak better when I'm looking them in the face.

If you write romance, light a candle or two. Paranormal? Try some posters of otherworldly things.

Or, maybe you prefer to write at a coffee shop. Does the hustle and bustle, or conversations of other people, get your spark moving? Here are a few things to watch out for when choosing to write in public:

• Fluffy chairs (they tend to make typing difficult and staying awake even more of a challenge)
• High-traffic areas (you don't want to get bumped a lot)
• Wi-fi (if you don't need it, turn it off so you aren't distracted by social media or e-mails)
• Bad coffee (yeah...)
• Chatty people

Regardless of where you choose to write, make it your zen space.

Whatever you do, be sure the mood is right for you and your process.  It's your book, and you need to make sure your surroundings are conducive to the creative side of your brain.

Where do you write?

Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo

Beta Readers - When, How, and Why

Happy Thursday, everyone! Guess what? Tomorrow is Friday! Woot! One more day until the weekend and kicking your shoes off for some relaxation time. Hope that made you smile. Today, I'm discussing beta readers per a request by my featured author next week, Inger Iverson. Oh, yeah, you're gonna love her to pieces. Yes, you do have to wait until Monday. Enough rambling by me! Grab those pens and notebooks and let's get going!

Whazza Be-ta Reed-er?

Well, to put it simply, a beta reader is someone who reads your novel and sends you feedback about characterization, plot, and structure. They'll tell you what they liked, what they didn't like, and point out any holes in your storytelling.

A good beta reader will take your great novel and make it an awesome one.

A fantastic beta reader (these people are usually paid) will make inline comments, guide you on structure, give you tips on where they feel you can draw out more emotion, and make sure they can nail the plotline by the end of the book. This kind of beta reader will make your great novel into a bestseller.

I know many authors that use more than one beta reader. Those writers feel they need more than one opinion. It's a preference thing.

How do you find a beta reader?

This question comes up more than I can mention. One of the biggest problems plaguing the Indie author community right now is theft. Sadly, it's often someone who's volunteered to be a beta reader that steals. When speaking with a few of my author friends during our coffee meeting, one of them mentioned she had a friend that send a novel to a beta reader. That person uploaded the work to Amazon and sold it as their own. That author was screwed.

It's SCARY.

So, it's really best to use people you know (and I don't mean randomly via Facebook interactions, but in real life) or trust (this level of trust usually includes a contract - with or without pay).

If you aren't passing your novel off to friends or family, USE A FLIPPING CONTRACT! Protect yourself, please! I can't stress that enough. Even if the contract is for zero dollars, sign it; that may be the only proof you have of ownership if your novel gets stolen. 

Why you should use a beta reader.

Like I mentioned above, they can point out weak parts in your storytelling. Yes, you're too close to the story by the time it's written, and you're likely to think things are properly communicated when they might not be.

When someone says, "I got ABC from that." but you meant XYZ, you'll understand.

When do you need a beta reader?

You should seek out betas once your novel has been through at least two edits by your own hand, before it goes to an editor for pricing. Why? Because your word count could change dramatically between points A and B, based off feedback from your beta readers. You may change a character's name, or you could delete or add entire scenes out of necessity.

As an editor, I can say I hate when I've done a round one edit and the author adds five chapters because of beta feedback. Not only does it screw the pooch on my price (based on grade and word count), but I then have a whole section (or sections) needing a round one level edit. Round one is different from round two because the first time through takes more time nit-picking sentence structure and grammar. On a round two check, there should be minor changes to pan through. Make sense?

Can your editor be your beta reader?

YES. However, your editor should beta read and offer fixes before round one of editing begins. They should also work it into your editing contract (with dates). Usually, an editor will charge you for this service.

I've been through this exact scenario. I had an author with a book that read like a draft, and beta read it with a lower score for editing. That person still got the two rounds of edits and the proofread, but there were no major additions once we'd been through the beta read.

Not every editor offers that service. Be sure you ask if you feel it's something you may want to do.

Above all else, be sure you trust the person you're sending your novel to. At the very least, use a contract if you're not sure. CYOA - always.

Do you love your betas? Where did you find them?

Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo

Publisher's Weekly Calls for Information

Happy Tuesday, all you beautiful people of the blogosphere! Today, I'm gonna talk about Publisher's Weekly. If you remember, there were a couple of people who got their publishing news from this outlet. Missed that post? You can check it out here. Anywho, I'm not just gonna discuss the publication, but hone in on a specific part: the Call for Information articles. Ready? Grab those pens and notebooks and let's get going!

In every digital issue of PW I get, there's a little article in the front titled: Call for Information.

What is it?

Well, it's the curators of the magazine searching for news. Last week, it was all about wanting books on how-to information for camera phones, Instagram, and books with lots of pretty digital photos in them. They also asked for goodies from publishers on upcoming inspirational titles.

Why does this matter?

You're a publisher if you're an Indie author. There might just be a chance for you to submit your own stuff and be included in this amazing publication.

This week, they're asking for books on the environment and sustainability coming out this spring, as well as health and fitness books about to hit the market.

But I have a special surprise for you! Each week, all you have to do is click this link to see what the PW editors are looking for.

Consider it my easy button gift to you. *grin*

What are you waiting for? Get on over there and check it out!

What do you think? Will you use it?

Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo

Publishing News Hubs

Happy Tuesday, good people of the blogosphere! I'm stepping outside the box a little today and giving you all some insight to where people go to find their publishing news. Perhaps you'll want to check them out! Grab your pens and notebooks and let's get going!

I got the following numbers by running a little poll on Facebook. Sixteen people answered (myself included), so the data isn't great, but it's something to go on. These results might surprise you.

First and foremost, with a whopping twelve votes:

Now, this isn't limited to the newsfeed, though that was specified by one person. It's author groups, pages, and whatnot that top the list.

Second, we have printed or digital publications such as:

InD'tale Magazine (1)
Publisher's Weekly (2)
USA Today BOOKS section/Thursday edition (1)
Writer's Digest (2)
The Writer magazine (1)
Digital Book World (1)

Amazon Newsletter (1)
Galleycat (1)

Coming in third, there's blog subscriptions.

Five people said they get their publishing news from blogs they found on Google, subscriptions, or the ones on popular sites like Writer's Digest.com.

With two votes each, e-mail and Twitter come in fourth.

Lastly, there were three items with singular votes:

word-of-mouth
forums like Absolutewrite
Createspace's page

So, what does this tell you?

For me, it says I might be marketing wrong. I do plenty on Facebook, but I need to branch out into printed publications.

Where do you get your publishing news? Are these numbers a surprise?

Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo

Facebook Pages Gives You Insights to Your Fans

Happy Tuesday, everyone! What I have for you today is gonna make you jump up and down and squeal. While poking around Facebook one day, something interesting caught my eye. You may know how it works, and you may not. I know I'd never even paid attention to it. Well, you can bet I'll be looking a lot more closely now. Grab a cup of coffee and let's delve into this thing called Facebook Page Insights.

You know those e-mails you get each week with your page stats? Yeah, the ones your eyes glaze over when you open and you promptly delete? You're aware it's great information, but who has time to care? Well, those are insight snippets. It's a tiny look into some of the data Facebook is collecting about the folks who interact with your page, and you need to care. But they give you oh so much more if you know where to look.

Open Facebook to your main news feed and look on the right-hand side:

See that thing titled Recent Posts? Look at the bottom. Here:

Click it, click it! You'll get something that looks like this:

Oh, but wait! Our fun is just getting started! Look at the bottom again where it says See All:

Yeah! Now, click that one and be amazed at what you get. Should look something like this:

Holy Information Overload, Batman! Wait! Don't get your knickers in a twist and start crying just yet. I know it's a lot to take in, but let's get to the juicy stuff so your brain doesn't seize up. Scroll down to where your posts are displayed and look at one that's performed well. You can tell by the length of the pinkish bar under the Engagement heading. Mine is a post on Rachael Brownell.

Click the post text, and you'll get this. Yours won't have Rachael's smiling face, but we can't all be cool!:

Look at all the tasty information your brain has to analyze on the right side! As you can see, that post got 12 likes, comments, and shares. It even goes as far as telling you exactly how the post was engaged with. Wow. Let's look at another one where I did a flash giveaway:

As you can see, this post did way better. Most fans will engage if there's something in it for them. I gave away two copies of Fractured Glass. It kinda went bananas. Let's go back to the Rachael post and click Boost Post. Here's where you can use Facebook ads if you see a certain post is doing well and think more people might enjoy it.

But, that's just a quick foray into the world of Facebook Page Insights. Once you close the popup window, take a look at the top of the page and go bananas with your clicking finger. Check out all the tabs!

This lesson only went over the Posts tab. Can you imagine what secrets the others hold?

What are you waiting for? Go find out!

Did you know about this nifty feature? If you did, how do you use it?

Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo

Submission to Publishers? A List of Eleven

Happy Thursday, everyone! I know how difficult it is sometimes to take the leap to traditional publishing and/or finding that perfect agent. Many of the folks I know are Indie and love it. They wouldn't change a thing. However, if you're interested in finding a publisher, here are ten that are taking submissions now (and aren't Author Solutions). As always, remember to read over ANY contract offered to you. When in doubt, CONSULT AN ATTORNEY. With those things in the back of your mind, let's get to the list!

I'm not putting my stamp of approval on any of these publishers because I don't know them from a hole in the ground. This is only meant to be a list for your perusal. As always, keep your babies (books) safe from predators.

You do NOT need an agent to submit to these houses right now.

Winter Solstice - Solstice Publishing
They're taking New Adult (and all sub-genres) submissions.
See the guidelines here.

Ichthus Publications
They want Christian fiction only.
Guidelines (their website) here.

Harper Collins Christian
Theology, biblical studies, and so forth.
See the whole list here.

Crossbooks
Another seeking Christian fiction, biblical studies, and children's bible stories.
Check it out here.

Tinder Press
Fiction. Seems like all genres. Must not be published.
Guidelines can be found here.

Forest Avenue Press
Looking to publish two literary fiction novels (no short story collections).
Submit by following these guidelines.

JMS Books
Gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, all of that (LGBT). These fiction genres: romance, YA (must be over 10k words), erotica, erotic romance.
See their guidelines here.

Leap Books
They want novellas for their SHINE line! Commercial YA with romantic elements.
Guidelines are here.

Bibliomotion
Trade business novels with high commercial appeal. Yeah, that means non-fiction.
Submit using guides here.

Vinspire Publishing
Ethnic Romance, Historical Romance, Amish Romance, Romantic Suspense. That's the whole list.
See their guide for submission here.

Sinful Press
You have very limited time here. Erotic novels 60-100k words in length.
Check it out here.

There you have it! If you're gonna take the leap, good luck!

Do any of these appeal to you? Are you planning to submit? Tell me about it.

Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo

Merry Christmas!

Happy Thursday!

It's Christmas day and I'd like to take a moment to thank everyone who follows my blog, leaves me comments, and spreads the word about the little corner of the blogosphere I lay claim to.

You all rock!

I hope you have an enjoyable day with your families and eat lots of Christmas goose, ham, turkey, or lasagna!

Remember, tomorrow is the release day party for Fractured Glass. If you haven't joined yet, do that now! Here's the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/events/844476385605030/?ref=br_tf We have a ton of stuff to give away that'll make your Christmas just a little bit merrier.

There will be no post here on the blog tomorrow.

Monday, we have an interview with one of the authors: Casey L. Bond. She's so awesome and has been such a busy lady since last year.

Okay, quit reading this and go play with your new toys!

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo

My Guest Post on Why Reading Matters and a NaNoWriMo Update

Happy Monday, everyone! Today, the lovely Maria Pease allowed me to take over her blog and post a little bit about reading and why it matters. Here's a snippet, you can check out the full post at the link below:

I’d like to start off by thanking Maria for letting me take over her blog for a day! *waves and smiles* You’re awesome, lady! Today, I’d like to talk with you all about reading and what you might not know you can get out of a work of fiction. Usually, I’d say grab those pens and notebooks and let’s get going, but today, I’d like for you to grab a book from your TBR and be prepared to dive in at the end of this post. Let’s go!

Have you ever lost yourself in a book? Become so enraptured and entangled with the characters on the page...

  Visit The Paisley Reader for more!

Now for my NaNoWriMo update!

As you all know, my right elbow has been deemed unfit for work for a little while. I was hoping to get to write more this month, but fate seems to have other ideas. If I don't let it get better, it'll get worse. Hey, we're talking about my career; I'm going to err on the side of caution. So very little writing for me.

My NaNo word count = 0

Hopefully, I'll be back to normal soon.

In the meantime, go check out Maria's blog and give her some love with a comment!

Thanks!

Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo

Author Interview - Sharon Rose Mayes

Happy Tuesday, everyone! Today, I bring you another author interview from the fab ladies of UtopYA Con. If you don't have tickets to the event, don't worry, there'll be a new chance to jump on board November 28th. You need to bookmark the UtopYA website here so you can get yours. So, without any further blabbing on my part, I introduce to you Ms. Sharon Rose Mayes! Put your hands together, grab a cup of coffee, and let's get going!

Jo: It’s great to have you on the blog, Sharon! You were a complete anomaly to me before I began my stalking *ahem* research of you and your books. Ready to see what I managed to find out?

Sharon: Well if we have to, thank goodness social media wasn’t around when I was young.

Jo: Right? *grin* (Let’s get going! I see you’ve read (or are reading) the book On Writing by Stephen King. What did you learn from that little novel and how are you applying the lessons to your writing?

Sharon: To write for myself, and then worry about everyone else later.

Jo: What a hard lesson for any writer to learn. You’re a roller derby gal, eh? What team do you skate for, where can we see more, and do you use any of those experiences in your writing?

Sharon: I currently do not have a team, and am doing a rec league right now. Though in the future I really would like to be on a team. I need a derby name, does anyone have any ideas?

Jo: That's a great idea for a little contest! You should totally run with it. What’s the most interesting thing about living in Lufkin, Texas? I’m from Lake Charles, Louisiana, so I know exactly the area you live in. *waves to ex-neighbor* Where would you most like to visit?

Sharon: We are having a lot of growth and getting a lot of new quirky locally owned places. It’s growing and while I love Houston and would love to live there my boys go to a good school and I am not wanting to move. I was a literature minor in college and I would love to visit London and stalk some of the stomping grounds of some of my favorite Victorian poets and writers.

Jo: I've always wanted to visit Stratford on Avon. Can you say "Road Trip" for the literature lovers? *grin* Where did the idea for your blog come from? Why did you start it? What are your plans for it?

Sharon: I first started blogging back in the day as a scrapbooker, and have evolved from there into the mom blogosphere.

Jo: A blog on scrapbooking? Cool! I heard you’re going to school. What’s your major and have you had any experiences you plan to write about?

Sharon: My current major is creative writing with a minor in literature, even though I feel held back by Spanish classes. I live in Texas so you would think it would be a little bit easier, but seriously No, habla espanol.

Jo: I'm rolling on the floor laughing. Totally feeling you, though my bane was French. Your cats are soooo cute! How did you come by them and what are their names?

Sharon: I have three Miss Peaches who my kids had snuck home from my mothers, and she ended up being my princess, but don’t let her cuteness fool you she is one tough kitty. The other two were actually Miss Peaches’ own kittens from the one time she got out while in heat. She only had two so of course I had to keep Sookie and Riddick. And yep Sookie is name after the main character from the Southern Vampire Mysteries.

Jo: Wow. Great kitty names! Riddick *grin* Talk to me about your vlog on YouTube. What got you started, and how do you feel it’s helped you with your writing career?

Sharon: Sometimes I get long winded and my kids so not want me to listen to me so I have taken it to YouTube. I wouldn’t say it has helped me with my writing, but I hope it can bring some attention to it.

Jo: Anything new is awesome. Rapid fire question time! Good or bad?

Sharon: Bad! So, So Bad!

Jo: Long hair or short?

Sharon: Long!

Jo: Black or white?

Sharon: Black!

Jo: Time travel question! If you could change one thing you did in your life, what would it be? What do you think the result of that change might be?

Sharon: Definitely finish college sooner!

Jo: I'm on board with that one, too. You’re in a collection of books with a very good friend of mine, Carlyle Labuschagne, titled Certain. Tell my readers a little bit about it?

Sharon: It is a collection of short stories that are related to books that we have released. For example mine takes place before Blood Pact.

Jo: Cool. I need to check that one out. Why did you decide to jump the genre into New Adult under the name S. R. Mayes? Has it done anything for your career you’d like to share?

Sharon: I wouldn’t say it has done anything yet, it was something I did for fun. But of course kept from my mom. *wink*

Jo: Oh my... We'll you're out of the closet now. *evil laugh* Well, I think I’ve probably freaked you out enough for one day. *grin* Is there anything I didn’t ask that you wish I had?

Sharon: I loved the questions! Thank you so much for having me!

Jo: Thanks again for taking part in the madness, Sharon! I can’t wait to meet you at UtopYA 2015!

Now, it’s time to reveal the featured book of the week!

Title: Blood Pact
Author: Sharon Rose Mayes
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal
Length (print): 190 pages
Buy links: Amazon Kindle Free  ~   Barnes and Noble Nook Free  ~  Smashwords Free

Synopsis:
Riley Spencer has spent most of her life doing what is normal for her: attending school, spending time with her mother, and training to hunt vampires. It was how she grew up as part of the organization and when Nick comes to town and joins her team everything changes. Now Riley and the rest of her team begin to question everything they have learned about vampires and the organization that trained them to hunt the vampires that hide in the world.

While your fingers are in the clicking mode, why not give this lovely lady a follow on every social media platform I could think of when writing up the template for these interviews?

Twitter: @sharonrose
Facebook: Sharon Rose Mayes
Pinterest: Sharon Rose Mayes
Website: Sharon Rose Mayes

If you have any questions for Sharon, pop them into the comments below!

Well, that’s all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo

Official UtopYA 2015 Poster Vote is Here!

Happy Wednesday, everyone! I had a book review for you all today, but that'll have to wait until tomorrow. Instead, I'm over the moon about bringing you the official UtopYA 2015 poster voting! Give a huge shout out to Janet Wallace, UtopYA Con creator, for starting all this in the first place. Wow, could I be any more excited? I don't think so. Let me give you a couple of details, then we'll move into the posters and the voting. I'll keep it up until told otherwise. Grab your coffee and let's get going.

Awesome designs are by Whit & Ware. Check them out at the link!

**IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE VOTING**

You'll see two posters below. There will only be one poster that'll serve for both the con and the awards.

Got it? Awesome. Let's do this.

How sexy are these designs? I can't wait to see the winning one in person. EEP! **CLICK TO ENLARGE**

Top Centered Clock (#1)

Top Centered Name (#2)

Time for the voting!

Ready?

Set?

Go!

Vote for your favorite UtopYA 2015 Poster Design!

---

Which poster is your favorite?

Top Centered Clock (#1) Top Centered Name (#2)

Did you ever attend UtopYA Con or do you plan to?

Yes No

Contact forms generated by 123ContactForm

Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo

Down for the Count

Happy Tuesday, everyone! Well, I'm out of commission for a couple of days because of an elbow injury. Doc said take it easy on the computer for now so I'll be able to delve in and give my 30 days of crazy writing in November for NaNoWriMo.

Fingers crossed it'll be 100% working by then. Just one week to go.

This year, I plan to write through every day, even if I finish my NaNo novel. Markaza and M both need to be finished, too.

So, we shall see.

Anyway, I invite you to check out some of my archived posts during my couple of days out!

Here are some of the most popular ones according to my stat meter:

Dialogue Exercises - A short series with fifteen dialogue exercises to flex your muscles. Three on each link.
#1
#2
#3
#4
#5

Punctuation Series - All about how to use various punctuation, according to the Chicago Manual of Style, 15th Edition.
Dashing Dashes and How to Use Them
The Period
Comma Part 1
Comma Part 2
Comma Part 3
Parentheses, Brackets, Braces, and Slashes

Choosing a Viewpoint - Pros and Cons of different viewpoints.

lOOk at YoUr xXx series - How to maintain a cohesive online presence.
bLog
wEbSitE
fAceBoOk
tWitTeR
bUsiNeSS CaRd - This one also has a link to a handy PDF you can download and keep.

Your First 100 Words

Enjoy picking through the fun :)

Which ones do you like best?

I'll be back to give you some more tomorrow. Unless some of those authors impacted by the blogger blackout decide to take me up on my offer :)

Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo

Crypt Keeper by K. A. Young - Blog Tour

Crypt Keeper by K.A. Young Molly Maddison #1 Publication Date: October 21, 2014 Genres: Dark, Fantasy

Synopsis:

Book 1 in the Molly Maddison series

Molly Maddison grew up in a funeral home that unfortunately backed up to the largest Insane Asylum in the state. Very few understand what happens after death, Molly does. While other children were playing in the park with their living friends, Molly was in the cemetery playing with the dead. To say she is troubled is an understatement. Now Molly has a new plan, to attempt to lead a normal life, and ban the contact with any of the dead. Realizing that she is madly in love with one of them was never part of that plan. However neither life or death ever go as planned and Molly is called upon to perform her role as the family Crypt Keeper… Is she up for the task? Only time will tell.

B&N

About the Author

K.A. Young is a paranormal/fantasy romance author that lives with her family in the South. She began writing because her mind was swimming with incredible stories that were begging to be told. Her love for reading began as a small child when she realized that a good book was an instant escape to a mystical land that could be reached anytime and from anyplace.

Website • Blog • Twitter • Facebook • Goodreads

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Pretty gnarly, eh? What do you think? Will you check it out?

Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo

Your First 100 Words

Good Tuesday to you all! Today, we're gonna talk about the first 100 words of your novel, why they matter, and what you can do to help them out. No jabbering today on my part; grab those pens and notebooks and let's get going!

I know you've heard it a million (billion?) times: Your first 100 words are everything.

No, they aren't, but they're a crucial part of the whole.

Think about it. When a reader picks up your book on the shelf, the first thing they read is the back, right? Before they pick up a sample digitally, your synopsis is what they read. Once they're past that hurdle, they'll flip the book over, open the front flap, and read a couple of paragraphs. Or, in the case of a digital book, they'll download the sample, open it, and read the first couple of paragraphs.

If they enjoy it, they'll buy. Look at caviar. People like it, they pay a LOT for it.

So, your first 100 words are important, yes, because they're what will get you the sale.

I guess you could say they're one third of your most important elements. Yeah, the other two are your synopsis and last 1k words (I'll go into the last 1k sometime soon).

So how do you beef up those first few paragraphs to make them something readers are dying to get more of?

Move the reader. Give them a wow moment.

Engage the five senses, and use powerful words.

Let's try a little exercise. In this, I'll try to set the tone, hint at the genre, give a great example of my writing style, set the POV, and give a bit of a setting.

My eyes opened to find total darkness.
All my limbs began to tingle, and my breath came in ragged gasps. There was no light for my pupils to adjust to.
Not one tiny speck of illumination.
Those nightmares I had when I was younger were in my face; all too suddenly a grim reality.
I tried to sit up, to get away from the oppressive inkiness, but my head hit something that felt like wood.
Automatically, my hand moved to touch the spot, and I scraped my knuckles across the timber, making them itch with a thousand splinters.

~98 words~

Okay, now we'll have to edit this to read a little more powerfully. Ready?

My eyelids lifted, and darkness assaulted me. Oppressive, thick, suffocating. Even after a moment of lying still, not one speck of illumination could be harvested to penetrate my pupils and assist my sight.
Nightmares I'd had slammed into me full force, and I tried to rise. Something wooden smacked my head, forcing me to remain supine. My hand moved to comfort my battered forehead, only to end up itching with a thousand splinters as my knuckles scraped the timber.
I shook, wondering what I'd done to deserve my mother's punishment again, aware of the tears that were ruining my mascara.

~100 words~

Notice I got more description and feeling into the second pass. If I went over it again, it would probably remain pretty close to what I have here.

Things you know or can safely assume:

• This is a young person in a dark place (some kind of box?), with at least a piece of wood that's so close she can't sit up.
• She's lying on her back.
• This isn't the first time she's been there.
• She's afraid of creatures from nightmares or total darkness.
• First person, past tense.
• There is zero light to be had, which conveys the person is buried somehow, and it leaves the reader wondering.
• This is a punishment for misbehavior - But what?
• She's old enough to wear makeup.
• She's crying
• Probably a contemporary thriller or horror story.

From the first attempt to the second, I condensed passages, used better (stronger) words, and gave you more lead-in.

Read them again and see if you can pick up on the things I changed while conveying the same tale.

Flow wasn't sacrificed, and the sentences are more varied in the second part.

Would you want to read more?

That's the idea. You must convey to the reader many things, but it has to sound natural and leave them wanting to turn the page for more.

So, your first 100 words aren't everything, but they're crucial.

Try this exercise on your own, then go here and copy/paste your text to see if your word count hits the mark.

Post your results below! I'd love to see what you come up with.

Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo

Length of Novels - It Matters

Happy Friday! Welcome back to the humble ablog! Exciting things coming for you next week! Here's the current lineup: Monday - Author Interview with Christina Mercer, Tuesday - Your First 100 Words, Wednesday - Book Review: The Fly House, Thursday - Crypt Keeper Tour K. A. Young, Friday - Fractured Glass Cover Reveal. Yeah, so you wanna come back for all that.

Also, I'll be putting together the official reading list for UtopYA. A page will be dedicated to that endeavor. Be sure you check that out, as well as voting for the official poster design (coming soon)!

Today, we're gonna talk about the length of your novel and why it matters. Remember that post on genre from yesterday? We're keeping with that theme. So, grab your pens and notebooks and let's get going!

Let's begin by thinking about why page count plays into your novel writing. If you write epic fantasy, your books will be really long (think LOTR) because you'll be taking time to explain things and build characters and worlds so the reader can see and feel them. You can't label a book that's 100k words in length as epic fantasy and not expect backlash from fans of the genre. In contrast, you don't want a contemporary romance to end up with a 300k word count, either.

So how to know?

Your research lies in the best seller list. Go look at the most popular books in your genre and see how many pages they have. I'll get to the math on factoring an approximate page and average word count in a moment. Write down the top three best sellers and navigate to their Amazon pages. See how long they are.

Now for the math.

I'm gonna use some numbers I grabbed really quickly from the Young Adult list here:

320 pages: If I Stay by Gayle Forman
337 pages: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
306 pages: Where She Went by Gayle Forman

See a trend? Yeah... So, we now have a page count that we'll average. Add all the numbers together:

320 + 337 + 306 = 963

Divide by three:

963 / 3 = 321

For every four pages, you have about 1k words. So, divide by four:

321 / 4 = 80.25

Multiply by one thousand:

80.25 X 1000 = 80,250

Now, I don't know about you, but I've heard Young Adult books range from 35-75k. Our number is slightly more. Go figure.

So, you can gather readers of Young Adult enjoy a length of around 80k. 

This matters because you don't want to try and sell a 300k word novel to a crowd that enjoys, on average, 80k words. You won't do well. After all, you write so others will read your work, right?

I hope this helps you in some way.

What do you think? Did you try it for your genre?

Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo

What's in a Genre?

Happy Thursday, everyone! I bet you're all sighing with relief that the weekend is right around the corner. I know I am. Today, I'm gonna talk with you all about genres. Ever wondered where your book fits in? Grab your pens and notebooks and let's get going.

Why does genre matter?

First off, there are many readers who know exactly what they like and don't like. If they're in love with young adult books, for example, they'll want around 50-100k words, language they don't have to look up, no curse words or sexual situations, and a certain amount of teen angst. If they prefer epic fantasy, they'll be looking for 200-300k words (probably a trilogy of such beasts), massive world building, and a more complex makeup of plot and language.

It matters that you understand the genre you write in. Fans like to know what kind of story they'll get beforehand.

So, if you're swimming in uncharted waters, do some research to find out what readers will expect from the genre label.

Moving on!

I'm not going over every genre out there, just the most popular ones.

• Children's - Books for kids age 7-12. Should be easier to read and not as long.
• Young Adult - This has everything to do with the main character's age. They should be 13-17. Typically deals with coming-of-age type stuff.
• New Adult - Again, it's about age. Usually 17-23ish. Deals with those college years or the first time a character sets out on their own. Can contain more sexually explicit material than young adult.
• Chick-Lit - Books for women. Most commonly contemporary, but has elements of love and sex like a romance. Women empowering.
• Mystery - Deals with solving something.
• Horror - Scares you so badly you have nightmares or soil yourself as the antagonist terrorizes those around them.
• Thriller - Keeps you turning pages because you don't know what will happen next. Deals with possible world issues (biological, political, etc...).
• Fantasy - All about other worlds. Fantastical creatures and magical powers abound.
• Historical - History that can fall into the realm of fiction or non-fiction. Never set in the present unless involving time travel.
• Romance - Usually from the woman's point of view. Centers on two people that eventually fall in love and end up together.
• Erotica - X rated fiction. Very explicit scenes.
• Western - This one is all about setting. Usually the old West (American).
• Legal Thriller - Suspenseful story centering around a trial of some sort.
• Dystopian - These novels deal with the creation of a different society.
• Hen-Lit - Novels for older women. Contemporary, but very little sex (although there may be romance).
• Contemporary - Set in this day and age.
• Science Fiction - Usually futuristic, always deals with some kind of technology. Can include other planets and all that encompasses.
• Literary - Centers on theme rather than plot. People walk away with a changed mindset.
• Urban - Setting is a city, but focus is more about the underground (hidden) section. Usually has a lot of profanity, violence, and sexual situations.
• Time Travel - As the name implies, commonly deals with messing with the natural order of things via time travel.
• Paranormal - Werewolves, vampires, and other creatures that go bump in the night. Or with special abilities of the characters (think X-Men).

Now, these genres almost always cross in some way. You can have a young adult science fiction mystery, dystopian romance, or children's western. Fractured Glass, the anthology I'm working on with four other amazing writers, is young adult sci-fi paranormal horror fantasy magic romance. Yeah, try that on for size. *grin* Basically, you can throw your hat into more than one pile because of the story elements. Just do your research and get on it.

What are you working on? What genres does it fall into?

Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo