Archive for July, 2010
PR Notes: Book Trailer Software Demonstrated
I’ve been working on an eBook (pdf), The Book Trailer Manual, which will be available starting August 15.
That means, of course, that I should create some book trailers. Right?
My teen fantasy, The Wayfinder, is now available for Kindle and for iPhone (StanzaApp/Smashwords) and for the Nook. Perfect. I decided to use it as a [...]
Describing Characters? Be Subtle
When should your characters notice and comment on something and when should it be just subtly included?
Subtext is when something is going on in the story, but it’s only mentioned in passing, slantwise, or it’s just understood. Often, subtext comes out in dialogue, the unspoken things that the audience understands from knowing the characters and [...]
Teaching
I’ll be out teaching three days of professional development for the rest of this week. But look for more next week.
BTW, I’m booking for fall and spring. Here’s my speaking schedule.
Orient Your Readers
Sometimes when I read the opening of a manuscript, I’m totally confused.
Trying too hard to grab the reader. These openings start with something startling. OK. Nothing wrong with that, except
Your Novel’s Welcome Mat: Intriguing Titles
Welcome Mat: Your Novel’s Title
When you are brainstorming titles, think of it as a welcome mat. A title’s job is to bring readers into your novel, story, or picture book. This is why the title is often changed by
Do you get MAD at Editors? I Do
Have Your Pity Party: But Then Get to Work
When you get the letter from an editor about a revision, what do you do?
Frankly, I get mad. How dare that misguided editor
8 Ways to Enrich Your Character
Character Revision: 8 Ways to Jumpstart a Make Over
You have a first draft, but you realize that your character needs work. How do you retrofit a character when you revise?
I don’t think of a personality transplant. Instead, I try to add to and enrich a character. Here are 8 suggestions on how to revise your [...]
Eavesdropping: Real Dialogue
Notes from the Field
If you’re revising a novel or picture book, one step is to look at the dialogue of your characters and sharpen it. Tom Chiarella, in his book,Writing Dialogue suggests recording dialogue — yes, you get to EavesDrop! — around you for a day. At least for a couple hours. [...]
Give Books New Life
Why you Should Promote Your Back-List Books
Author Alexis O’Neill has just released a video for one of her back-list titles. Most authors promote heavily newly released books, but don’t do much for titles a couple years old. I’ve asked Alexis to explain why she’s focusing on her back-list books and give us a few tips [...]
Too Much Social Media?
I have no wisdom for you today, just some questions.
I am overwhelmed with social media! EVERY application out there claims to be able to pull your links together into one place, cross-post, etc. So, here are my burning questions. OK, my whining questions.
How do you prioritize your time/effort?
I do my blog and my writing. [...]
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Popular Series of Posts
- 30 Days to Stronger Characters
- 43 Book Trailer Sites
- 30 Days to a Stronger Novel
- Novel Diagnosis Series
- 30 Days to a Stronger Picture Book
- Psychology of Revision