I read this tweet by Eric Ruben (@TheEricRuben) yesterday and it got me thinking. I even began to respond a few times, but every time I tried, I had no real, good answer and I dislike not figuring things out. It’s why I love crime shows and mysteries. I like puzzles. But for some reason, this simple question had me stumped.
Now, I get what you must be thinking: “Seriously? THIS had you stumped?!” But writing is hard. It’s emotionally, mentally, and physically exhausting. Never mind the actual process of writing, editing, and editing again, and bleeding across the pages (metaphorically speaking, of course), let’s talk about the marketing. How are you going to sell that book? Who is your target audience? Do you have a catchy synopsis? Any author you ask will tell you, writing is the easy part. It’s what comes after that cripples you.
This is why I follow people like Mr. Ruben, authors, agents, publishers, bloggers who gift their valuable insight to the writing world. It’s because of them I am now able to bring you this lovely list of how-to’s to help you along on your journey to greatness!
1) HOW TO WRITE A SCENE YOUR READERS WILL RAVE ABOUT by K.M. Weiland
This is an amazing rundown of how to really tighten up those scenes. Without a scene (a good scene) your reader will care very little about the rest of the book. Your scene is what will draw them in and hold them until the last page. What I also really like about this article is K.M.’s Action vs. Reaction section. The Goal, Conflict and Disaster of the first book vs. the Reaction, Dilemma, and Decision of your sequel.
2) HOW TO WRITE A KILLER SYNOPSIS FOR YOUR NOVEL by Daniel Murphy
Heaven help me but there is nothing I loathe more than the very idea of writing a synopsis. This –and algebra– are things designed by the devil himself. But there are authors who swear writing a synopsis (or a blurb) is the easiest part of what they do. To these authors I tip my hat … and sniff their drinks (no way there’s water in that glass). But if writing a synopsis does come naturally to you, go ahead and jump to the next link. Otherwise, have a look at this incredibly thorough and extensive breakdown of what a synopsis is, how to group your work to find said synopsis, and so much more.
3) FIVE COMPARISONS NOT TO MAKE FOR YOUR BOOK by Chuck Sambuchino
This is a bit of a pet peeve of mine, one, ironically, I did once myself and never again. Comparing your book to another author’s work. I’ve seen it all – lovers of The Hunger Games or if you swooned over Fifty Shades of Gray you will want to read (insert book name here). I can’t remember which book I used. It was a long time ago. But the moment I sent it out into the interweb, I cringed. Did I really just do that?! Not only is the author of that book going to see this and think I’m a horrible copy-cat who can’t even describe my own book properly without riding their coattail, but worse, all the readers who loathed that book will now never look twice at my book because they’ll think they’re similar and you do not want that. That is my reasoning, but in Mr. Sambuchino’s article, he goes more in depth on the matter and you should give it a gander before you think about doing it.
4) 11 TIPS TO HELP YOU BUILD YOUR ONLINE COMMUNITY by Cat Michaels
Any good agent, publisher, publicist, or author you talk to will tell you the same thing – you need to build your online presence. The world has changed for writers. No longer can we hide in our dank little basements with our typewriters, occasionally poking our heads out when we’re forced to some event. No, my friend. It’s all about meeting your readers and showing them you’re human and not some untouchable force. I love chatting with my readers. I love that we are in an age where we can meet people clear across the world and never leave the comfort of our homes. It’s a beautiful thing. Ms. Michaels says it perfectly in her article: Writing is a solitary experience, but it needn’t be a lonely pursuit. The indie community is an amazing place. The authors and bloggers there will pull you into their arms and welcome you like a long, lost family member. Even if you’re traditionally published, the writing community, the book community is a place of acceptance, warmth, and support. You just need to find your people.
5) HOW TO TACKLE A BIG REVISION by Carter Higgins
I saved the most dreaded one for last. This is the thing that will make Game of Thrones seem like a cute version of My Little Ponies – Revisions. Feel that? That’s thousands of authors shuddering at the mere mention of the word. Revision is the backbone of your book. This is beyond just editing. This is cutting your baby into pieces (again, metaphorically!) and patching it back together. It’s horribly painful. It’s brutal. It will make you cry because all those hours you spent writing that poetic flow of words, the ones that you birthed from your very soul, you’re about to chop its head off (yes, I’m disturbed by my own gruesome train of thoughts as well). But the important thing to always remember is that your editor knows best. It’s their job to make your book rock. They’re not doing it out of spite or some malicious desire to butcher your feelings. You want your book to be the best it can possibly be, so LISTEN TO YOUR EDITOR & REVISE!
There you have it. There is so much information out there just waiting to be utilized. I share them frequently whenever I come across one I feel would benefit others so be sure to follow me on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, Google+ for the latest publishing tricks. Other than that, I think we can wrap this post up. You can drop me your question in the comments below or if you have an article you want to share, a tip or suggestion – I am all ears … eyes!
Until next time, keep your chin up and keep writing! You got this handled. <3
═ For more helpful tips, visit my Author’s Corner. ═
What if writing wasn't as hard as everyone makes it out to be?
— Eric Ruben (@TheEricRuben) May 3, 2016
Now, I get what you must be thinking: “Seriously? THIS had you stumped?!” But writing is hard. It’s emotionally, mentally, and physically exhausting. Never mind the actual process of writing, editing, and editing again, and bleeding across the pages (metaphorically speaking, of course), let’s talk about the marketing. How are you going to sell that book? Who is your target audience? Do you have a catchy synopsis? Any author you ask will tell you, writing is the easy part. It’s what comes after that cripples you.
This is why I follow people like Mr. Ruben, authors, agents, publishers, bloggers who gift their valuable insight to the writing world. It’s because of them I am now able to bring you this lovely list of how-to’s to help you along on your journey to greatness!
1) HOW TO WRITE A SCENE YOUR READERS WILL RAVE ABOUT by K.M. Weiland
This is an amazing rundown of how to really tighten up those scenes. Without a scene (a good scene) your reader will care very little about the rest of the book. Your scene is what will draw them in and hold them until the last page. What I also really like about this article is K.M.’s Action vs. Reaction section. The Goal, Conflict and Disaster of the first book vs. the Reaction, Dilemma, and Decision of your sequel.
2) HOW TO WRITE A KILLER SYNOPSIS FOR YOUR NOVEL by Daniel Murphy
Heaven help me but there is nothing I loathe more than the very idea of writing a synopsis. This –and algebra– are things designed by the devil himself. But there are authors who swear writing a synopsis (or a blurb) is the easiest part of what they do. To these authors I tip my hat … and sniff their drinks (no way there’s water in that glass). But if writing a synopsis does come naturally to you, go ahead and jump to the next link. Otherwise, have a look at this incredibly thorough and extensive breakdown of what a synopsis is, how to group your work to find said synopsis, and so much more.
3) FIVE COMPARISONS NOT TO MAKE FOR YOUR BOOK by Chuck Sambuchino
This is a bit of a pet peeve of mine, one, ironically, I did once myself and never again. Comparing your book to another author’s work. I’ve seen it all – lovers of The Hunger Games or if you swooned over Fifty Shades of Gray you will want to read (insert book name here). I can’t remember which book I used. It was a long time ago. But the moment I sent it out into the interweb, I cringed. Did I really just do that?! Not only is the author of that book going to see this and think I’m a horrible copy-cat who can’t even describe my own book properly without riding their coattail, but worse, all the readers who loathed that book will now never look twice at my book because they’ll think they’re similar and you do not want that. That is my reasoning, but in Mr. Sambuchino’s article, he goes more in depth on the matter and you should give it a gander before you think about doing it.
4) 11 TIPS TO HELP YOU BUILD YOUR ONLINE COMMUNITY by Cat Michaels
Any good agent, publisher, publicist, or author you talk to will tell you the same thing – you need to build your online presence. The world has changed for writers. No longer can we hide in our dank little basements with our typewriters, occasionally poking our heads out when we’re forced to some event. No, my friend. It’s all about meeting your readers and showing them you’re human and not some untouchable force. I love chatting with my readers. I love that we are in an age where we can meet people clear across the world and never leave the comfort of our homes. It’s a beautiful thing. Ms. Michaels says it perfectly in her article: Writing is a solitary experience, but it needn’t be a lonely pursuit. The indie community is an amazing place. The authors and bloggers there will pull you into their arms and welcome you like a long, lost family member. Even if you’re traditionally published, the writing community, the book community is a place of acceptance, warmth, and support. You just need to find your people.
5) HOW TO TACKLE A BIG REVISION by Carter Higgins
I saved the most dreaded one for last. This is the thing that will make Game of Thrones seem like a cute version of My Little Ponies – Revisions. Feel that? That’s thousands of authors shuddering at the mere mention of the word. Revision is the backbone of your book. This is beyond just editing. This is cutting your baby into pieces (again, metaphorically!) and patching it back together. It’s horribly painful. It’s brutal. It will make you cry because all those hours you spent writing that poetic flow of words, the ones that you birthed from your very soul, you’re about to chop its head off (yes, I’m disturbed by my own gruesome train of thoughts as well). But the important thing to always remember is that your editor knows best. It’s their job to make your book rock. They’re not doing it out of spite or some malicious desire to butcher your feelings. You want your book to be the best it can possibly be, so LISTEN TO YOUR EDITOR & REVISE!
There you have it. There is so much information out there just waiting to be utilized. I share them frequently whenever I come across one I feel would benefit others so be sure to follow me on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, Google+ for the latest publishing tricks. Other than that, I think we can wrap this post up. You can drop me your question in the comments below or if you have an article you want to share, a tip or suggestion – I am all ears … eyes!
Until next time, keep your chin up and keep writing! You got this handled. <3
