Baby Bailino: Promo Video

This 15-second video was a cinch to put together. All I needed was my book cover, some type, and some fade-in animation, and the quick PowerPoint was complete. Converting the PowerPoint to video took some time, only because my particular version of PowerPoint didn’t have that easy “Create a Video” button that the newer versions have. Luckily, my college-age son had the most recent edition, so I emailed him the PPT and he created the MP4 in, literally, minutes. Then he zapped it back, and I uploaded the file to YouTube, added the music (free, courtesy of YouTube, which asks that you credit the music authors in your description), and voila! A cute little promo video. Then, using a YouTube Downloader app, I downloaded the video, so I am able to use it in other forms of marketing, like here. :) Such a great time to be an indie author!

Don’t Let a Few Beta Readers Throw You Off Course

In the past 24 hours, I’ve heard from no fewer than three fellow authors talk about reworking their books, second-guessing their instincts, or scrapping their manuscripts altogether based on comments from a few beta readers. Now while I’m the first to admit that novel writing is a two-way street — books are meant to be read and loved and cherished by other people or else we’re simply writing diary entries — I am seeing authors put way too much emphasis on early reader input.

I can hand Baby Grand to 10 people and get 10 different opinions about it — all of them valid, of course, because reading is very subjective and personal, but that doesn’t mean that I, as the author, should be adapting my book to honor each and every one of them. As with parenting, I think ideally we should listen to what everybody has to say, but only put into use what resonates with us. After all, these are YOUR characters. This is YOUR story. We don’t just toss our kids out the window when they aren’t to others’ liking.

Listening to input is great and helpful, but it shouldn’t be used as a replacement for your own instincts. You cannot make everyone happy. Only yourself.

This discussion brings to mind an article I recently read in the New York Times about actor Zach Braff crowdfunding his latest film, Wish I Was Here. The crowdfunding aspect aside, I loved this quote from Braff about the final cut of his film, which, by the way, received lukewarm reviews by critics: “I can say wholeheartedly that it is a full articulation of what we wanted to say.”

THAT is what I think we should be striving for as novelists. Is this book a full articulation of what I wanted to say?

If it is, and a few beta readers aren’t getting it, the answer may be to get new beta readers rather than a new manuscript.

 

5 Reasons You Should Write Right Now

1. Because time has a habit of going by. If you don’t make your writing a priority — on the same level as your job or your family — it will always come second or third, and you’ll find that valuable days or weeks will go by in between writing sessions. Ain’t nobody got time for that!

2. Because you have a unique story to tell. As creative writing instructors (myself included) tell aspiring authors across the world, no one can tell your story but you. So get cracking.

3. Because it’s an exciting time to be in publishing. A chorus of new voices. A variety of formats. A slew of new author services. Seemingly infinite ways to reach new readers. What are you waiting for?

4. Because you ARE good enough. Silence that self-critic, but good! And even if you think you’re not, write anyway. You might surprise yourself.

5. Because somebody has to be the next Stephen King or JK Rowling. Why not you?

Meet V. Morley Johnson

This week’s debut author (yes, I’m a few days late, but I won’t tell if you won’t…) is V. Morley Johson, a fourth grade teacher who wrote her debut novel so that her students could finally see a girl be the hero of a story. That’s actually one of the reasons I wrote my own debut novel, Baby Grand. Hooray for heroines!
Name: V. Morley Johnson
Name of book: Daughters of Pahol and the Battle for the Book of Light
Book genre: Fantasy
Date published: November 2011
Publisher: JGroup Publishing
What is your day job? Fourth grade teacher
What is your book about? The Daughters of Pahol have always walked in the light, with the Book of Light, and the Sword of Light as the source of their power. The Daughters of Pahol have protected this Book, the Sword, and the kingdom for generations… until Queen Anriel falls under the power of the Rephaim. The Rephaim are witches who walk in the power of darkness, with a plan to take the throne, and all of its secrets. The exiled youngest Daughter of Pahol is the key to stopping the Rephaim. And the battle for the Book of Light begins…
Why did you want to write this book? I wanted to write a book with a girl as the hero. As a teacher I have read many stories where the boy saves the day all the time. I want girls to grow up knowing that they can be heroes too.
What would you say is the most challenging part of writing a book? The most challenging part is finishing it. The beginning is always easy. It took me about two years to find the time to finish it.
Did you conduct any kind of research in order to write this book (visit certain locales, etc.)? Yes, I researched the names of the characters. I wanted the characters’ names to have special meaning in relation to the story.
What motivates you to write? I like the creativity in writing. I like the feeling of creating something that didn’t exist before.
Did you experience writer’s block? I don’t think I have ever experienced writer’s block. I more so have time constraints that keep me from writing consistently every day.
How long did it take you to write this book? About two years.
How did you go about finding a publisher? I decided to self publish and create my own publishing company.
Why? I researched the traditional versus self-publishing road, and the self-publishing road seemed like it would be the most rewarding for first time authors.
What would you say is the biggest misconception about writing a book? That it is easy and anyone could do it. It takes time to develop a book idea and write it, then rewrite it over and over again.
What was your favorite aspect of the writing process for this book? Discovering who the characters are as they develop throughout the course of the story.
What tools/methods have you employed to promote your book? What advice would you give to writers regarding promotion? I started a blog where I write about my journey as a debut author. I have an author page at Amazon.com, and making connections in the writing community on Twitter. I would advise writers to make as many connections via social media as they could to promote their books.
Do you plan on writing another book? Yes, the Daughters of Pahol is a three-book series. I am beginning to work on the second in the series.
My favorite last question: Oprah once famously said that there is no such thing as luck, without preparation and a moment of opportunity. Would you agree or disagree with regard to your own success as a writer? I would agree. A wise teacher once told me that preparation is everything in life, and over the years I have found it to be true.

August: Return to ‘Baby Grand’

Well, the craziness of July is behind me — vacations, home improvements, block parties and lots of freelance work — and now it’s time to focus once again on Baby Grand. The final edit. (At least I hope it’s the final edit.) As I mentioned yesterday on my Facebook page, I always get nervous knots in my belly when I’m about to read the manuscript again. What will I think? Will I like it, love it, like I did before? I’ve given myself the month of August to edit. I’m hoping that’s enough time, because I’m eager to finish Novel #2, which had to be put on the back burners in June, by the end of the year — edits and all. If I can do that, then I’m on schedule, and I can write the sequel to Baby Grand next year, as planned.

My 14-year-old son asked me yesterday why I put this kind of stress on myself, these self-imposed deadlines. My answer was simple: If I didn’t, nothing would get done.

Writing Tip #13

Read, read, read. As often as you can. Particularly the genres that you like to write. Reading will expose you to all sorts of styles and opinions, will open your mind and your heart, will make you more knowledgeable, inform your sensibilities and help you find your place in the literary cosmos. In short, it will make you a better writer. Case closed.

Meet Author Liz Borino

For this week’s Debut Author Q&A, I chat with Liz Borino whose new ebook was recently released by digital publishing newcomer Lazy Day Publishing. (Readers with keen memories will recall that George Pappas, whom I interviewed earlier this month, is also a Lazy Day author.) I found Liz’ description of her book intriguing and thought she totally nailed something that I struggle with: how to describe your book in a tantalizing nutshell. But I’m working on it… :)

Name: Liz Borino

Name of book: Expectations

Book genre: Contemporary Romance

Date Published: December 1, 2010

Publisher: Lazy Day Publishing

What is your book about? Expectations depicts the struggle between what we desire for ourselves and our familial obligations. This is personified by Chris and Matt Taylor, identical twins, who are trying to win their overbearing father’s approval and acquire their trust funds. Their best friend and roommate, Aiden O’Boyle, left his family behind in Ireland to pursue a career in dance. Robert Taylor, Matt and Chris’s father, has set certain conditions that must be met in order for them to receive their trust funds. Matt must work at a job he hates, while struggling with alcoholism. Chris has to deny his own desires and deep love for Aiden to get married to Matt’s girlfriend. All the while, their father continues to use extreme measures to ensure his sons’ compliance. The story takes place against the backdrop of preparation for Aiden’s upcoming performance.

What was the most challenging part of the writing process? Knowing when to stop. My book was 130,000 words when I finished it. I had to do a lot of editing to make it publishable.

What motivates you to write? I can’t not write. It’s the only way to get the stories out of my head, thus preventing them from driving me crazy.

Did you experience writer’s block? I didn’t experience block so much with Expectations as with the sequel. As a matter of fact, Expectations was constantly playing in my head. It became an obsession.

How long did it take you to write this book? It took me one semester to write and about six months to edit properly.

How difficult was it to find a publisher? After several agent rejections, I did another round of edits and started researching publishers that would be a good fit for my book. In the midst of that, I found Lazy Day, or rather they found me. One day, Staci was following me on Twitter. Since I always check out new followers, I went to their website and got so excited because they seemed to be just what I was looking for. Fortunately, I was able to convince them I was what they were looking for as well.

What is the biggest misconception about writing a book? That it’s easy! It’s not, but it is fun and definitely worth it!

What was your favorite aspect of the writing process for this book? I love creating. I love my characters. Their story enthralled me, and I’m so glad I have the opportunity to share it with the world.

You mentioned that there is a sequel to Expectations? Yes! I’m contracted for the sequel, which I’m working on now.

Oprah has famously said that there is no such thing as luck, without preparation and a moment of opportunity. Would you agree or disagree with regard to your own success as a writer? I agree completely. I believe in making my own luck. To me that means, hard work, passion, knowing when to toe the line and when to smash the rules!

Post Book Depression

Post Book Depression. Is there such a thing? Who knows, but I’ve got it.

I googled “Post Book Depression” just to see, and there are folks out there who have already coined the term for when you don’t want a book you’re reading to end, a book that haunts you for days and weeks afterwards. Well, apparently, Post Book Depression hits those of us who write books too. Even more so, I’d venture to say.

Days after finishing revisions for Baby Grand, I didn’t know what to do with myself — and, trust me, with Christmas less than two weeks away, I had plenty to do. I’d get up at 4 a.m. and just lie there in bed. Didn’t even feel like eating — now you know something is up. The malaise has subsided a bit now, but I still feel a tremendous loss, my mind wandering to upstate New York, the setting for Baby Grand, thinking about what’s going on now. I wonder if it’s because I’m planning a sequel, so there’s still more to say. Or is that just the way it is after every book? I wouldn’t know, since this is my first.

C’mon writers, chime in. Do you feel my pain?

Should We Blame James Patterson?

I was reading the latest Entertainment Weekly’s Books section yesterday — the time of the week when I spend 15 minutes with a knot in my stomach wondering (hoping) if Baby Grand will ever be profiled there — and it turns out that this issue’s column was a thriller roundup. Right up my alley.  The author of the article, Thom Geier, wrote that he blames best-selling author James Patterson for “spooking” everyone in the thriller writing business, saying that thriller writers are influenced by the prolific Patterson, who puts out a top-of-the-charts thriller every year, and what’s happening is that “ordinarily dependable writers” are turning out more schlock than shock in an effort to keep up the pace.

Of course, my husband was sitting next to me as I was reading and thought that Geier’s premise was the most ridiculous thing he’d ever heard. “No one is holding a gun to their heads telling them they have to write a thriller every year?” he said. (Ooh, wouldn’t that be an interesting thriller premise!)

Maybe not (although you never know what’s in those publishing contracts…), but as I explained to him, probably ineffectively, is that I can understand the pressures of having to “keep up.” All of us feel it in one way or another — as a parent, a blogger, an industry professional or just as a learned person. But I think that my husband’s right (don’t tell him) that despite those pressures of the outside voices we need to listen to our own voices first and foremost:

Am I ready for my next book? I mean, really ready?

As my AP just told me in an email, I probably am not. She agreed with me that I am a HORRIBLE AP (the capitals are mine), but that the reason I’m stalling and scattered is because I’m not through with Baby Grand, and that my thoughts are still with those characters that I nurtured all summer long who still need me. And she’s right. I haven’t closed the book, so to speak, on that novel yet. Everything is still up in the air.

Was it premature of me to start a new book? Not necessarily, although it was silly to think I could dive headfirst into a new story with a clear head. The better place for In the Red, for now, is simmering on the back burner of my life, until I get the urge to give it a stir every now and again.

Let’s face it: The last thing I want to do is put out schlock. But if I did, the fault would not be in our best-selling thriller star, but in myself.

It’s a ‘Good Girls’!

Well, today is the day that Good Girls Don’t Get Fat, the non-fiction book written by Dr. Robyn Silverman (and me!) about the pressures young girls face with regard to body image, is available in book stores and from book sellers everywhere. Yay!

Last night, several attendees of my Get Published seminar approached me to ask about Good Girls (I brought a copy with me). One woman asked if it was a good resource for parents of boys, since the book says it is written for “parents, guardians, families, teachers, counselors and anyone else who works with or cares about your young women.” I told her yes, that even though the book is girl-specific, the advice that Dr. Robyn offers parents can be applied to boys as well. It’s good stuff for anyone, really. In other words, you know what I’ll be giving for Christmas this year.