Tag: #Writing

Support From The Ones I Love #OpenBook Blog Hop

  By Open Book

July 8, 2024

What kind of support do you receive (or not receive) from family, friends, and your community?

None of my books have made it into a top 100 list on release day.

No matter how long I stare at it, I can’t get the bar on the sales chart to go higher on a book release day. It makes me wonder who among my large family hasn’t bothered to buy a copy. But support comes in many ways.

But I’ve been lucky. Many of you already know that my sister (one of four) is my cover artist. She also helps me with other graphic needs. Of course, she gets a free copy of the print book. I’ll also give her credit and thanks for helping me hunt for new venues to sell my books. My dear hubby puts up with me ignoring him when I’m deep in writing mode and encourages me to keep at it.

Before I retired, the team I worked with liked to tease me about my books-but in a ‘fun’ way. A few of them even bought physical copies. Of course, those sales don’t show up on sales chart.

Since moving, I’ve had to rebuild a local community. I haven’t been able to locate a local writers’ group, (The nearest one is 30 miles away on 2-lane curvy roads, which I don’t want to drive after dark. In the snow. Uphill both ways.) I have met other authors at events, but none of them have ‘clicked’ as far as a continuing relationship. So, I’m leaning heavily on the connections I make on-line.

But there’s an upside.

I’ve sold my books at several local events and have a new (if small) fan base. I found out one of my brothers buys print copies of my books even if he doesn’t read them. My boss (I’m working a part-time job) gives me all the days off I need to attend events. 

Then there’s this group. It helps to keep me focused, and hearing how everyone else deals with the writing life is encouragement in my journey. Even with oceans between us, we’re in this together.

So, I have lots of support. 

It may not be pushing me to the top of the charts, but it helps me to keep trying.

How about the other authors on this hop? Do they have a support system? Find out by following the links below.

And, as always, please stay safe until next time.

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July 8, 2024

What kind of support do you receive (or not receive) from family, friends, and your community?

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Favorite Word Processing Software #IWSG

  By IWSG
 
 
Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
 
The awesome co-hosts for the  July 3 posting of the IWSG are JS Pailly, Rebecca Douglass, Pat Garcia, Louise-Fundy Blue, and Natalie Aguirre!

July 3 question – What are your favorite writing processing (e.g. Word, Scrivener, yWriter, Dabble), writing apps, software, and tools? Why do you recommend them? And which one is your all time favorite that you cannot live without and use daily or at least whenever you write?

 
The first word processing software I used was Novell’s WordPerfect. (Does anyone use it anymore?) That was back in the late 80s/early 90s, when Microsoft programs didn’t rule the world. It was an easy move to Microsoft Word and the rest of the Office Suite when I switched jobs. With all the changes since then, Microsoft has turned Word into more than a simple letter-writing tool.
 
But they also changed the payment model. Unless you purchase a stripped down-version, you pay to use it either monthly or yearly. 
 
No, thank you. That’s why I use LibreOffice, free software that emulates all the basic functionality of Word. Yes, enough of the commands are different to beat copyright claims, but it’s easy to learn.
 

I have another choice for editing.

 
While LibreOffice is great for a first draft, it doesn’t have all the editing functionality as Word. I have another favorite for that. I’ve tried Hemingway, Grammarly, and several others. The one I settled on was ProWritingAid. The free version was useful, but the full version made a big difference. And I received a lifetime subscription as a Christmas present.
 
One caveat: I’ve noticed more errors getting through ProWritingAid in my current editing. I don’t know if I’ve messed up a setting somewhere or what, but I need to check into it.
 
So, that’s what I use. I’ve used both in the writing of this post. I’m making bets on what the most popular answers will be. Check out a few of the other answers by following the links below.
 
As always, until next time, please stay safe.
 
 
 
 
 
 

Celebrating A Writing Achievement #OpenBook Blog Hop

  By Open Book


July 1, 2024

Do you have a special way of celebrating when you finish writing a book?

Or other achievements in your journey? How do you reward yourself?

The day when you write ‘The End.’ Or send your manuscript off to your editor. Have your first look at the cover. Hold a print copy of the book for the first time. All of those are achievements are worth celebrating. How do you do it?

I’ve heard of authors going out to dinner, or enjoying their choice of an alcoholic beverage. Perhaps a bouquet of fresh flowers graces their desk. Some will take a vacation from writing to allow their muse to have a break.

But I’m not good at rewarding myself. I put so much energy into taking care of other people that I don’t leave enough for me. Yes, I know better, but don’t always practice what I preach.

How do I reward myself?

Sometimes I remember I deserve to celebrate, too. My reward? Dark chocolate. Not your standard, every day chocolate, but the pricey stuff. (Not the over-the-top, break-the-bank expensive variety. I have my limits.) A few pieces go a long way. I’m low-maintenance.

The other way I reward myself is with flowers. Not cut ones, but potted ones for outside. (I only plant a few shrubs because I have to protect them from the local deer.) I allow myself to splurge in the spring. The flowers may only last a season, but they bring me happiness every day for those few months. There’s no landscaping plan. I just buy whatever flowers catch my eye when we go shopping.

Now, these rewards aren’t tied to a specific event. I don’t keep a stash of chocolate handy waiting for am opportunity to celebrate an achievement. My willpower isn’t strong enough to keep me from raiding any chocolate I have tucked away. (Unless I bought it for a specific holiday. Then my ability to ignore the goodies is amazing.)

But back to celebrating my writing achievements.

A simple post on Facebook may be the only public acknowledgement I share. And that won’t be seen by more than a handful of people. I’m not good at all the publicity stuff.

How about the other authors on this hop? Do they reward themselves for their accomplishments, no matter how small? Find out by following the links below.

As always, until next time, please stay safe.

 

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July 1, 2024

Do you have a special way of celebrating when you finish writing a book? Or other achievements in your journey? How do you reward yourself?

The Good, Bad, And Ugly of Ghost Writers #OpenBook Blog Hop

  By Open Book

June 10, 2024

Ghostwriters. Let’s talk about the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Her name is Priscilla.

She hangs out in the spare bedroom at the top of the stairs on the second floor. Other times she’s off somewhere, gossiping with the house goddess, Penelope. When she settles in come evening time, the rays of the setting sun caused create a glow around her silver-white hair, styled in a loose bun. She helped me pick out the new color for the front stairs, a deep purple. She also picked out some of the artwork I hung on the walls.

So far, she hasn’t revealed when she moved into this 100-year-old house, or any of the stories she has to tell. But I’m not in a hurry. I figure we have a decade or more to spend together. I can wait.

Oh, not that kind of ghost writer. Sorry, Priscilla, making you the star of a post will have to wait. Have another cup of tea. Peach, this time?

Now on to ghostwriters of the living kind. Let’s start with the bad (and ugly.) 

I hate picking up a book by a favorite author to discover that the writing style is nothing like previous stories by that writer. Sometimes the ‘partner’ author is listed, other times not. I don’t mind as much when the joint venture is listed up front. When it’s not disclosed, I feel cheated. 

Then there’s the concept of a ghostwriter for a celebrity’s book. It’s well-known they aren’t spending the time to type out their stories and perfecting them to make them readable. The publisher is using the celebrity’s name as the selling point. It has nothing to do with the quality of the writing. The person who is doing the actual writing earns little to no recognition, and is normally paid a contracted amount, without regard to how many books are sold.

But there is a good side.

“Normal’ people may want to leave the legacy of their life story to their family, but don’t have the skills to document it. Their view of the war they served in. Or how they earned and lost a fortune selling drugs. They may be your neighbor or the nurse at the hospital. They have no desire to sell the book commercially, but want to make sure their tales are not lost to the winds of time, at least not immediately. Hiring a ghostwriter is their shot at making that dream happen. As an added bonus, the writer receives extra income that may support their creative endeavors.

Now, I’ve never given ghostwriting a shot, because I’m busy enough trying to write my own stories. But some of the authors on this hop may have. Will they tell us about it? Find out by following the links below.

Anyway, until next time, please stay safe.

What’s that, Priscilla? Penelope is out of Earl Grey? (Sigh) I’ll add it to my grocery list.

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June 10, 2024

Ghost Writers. Let’s talk about the good, the bad, and the ugly.

What Comes Next? #IWSG

  By IWSG

 
Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support
 
Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!
Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.
 
The awesome co-hosts for the June 5 posting of the IWSG are Liza at Middle Passages, Shannon Lawrence, Melissa Maygrove, and Olga Godim!

Remember, the question is optional

June 5 question – In this constantly evolving industry, what kind of offering/service do you think the IWSG should consider offering to members?
 
Good question. If I could figure out the answer, I wouldn’t be part of this group with other struggling writers. But I can’t see into the future. Heck, it’s hard enough to stay current with what is happening in the writing world on a week by week basis. I feel like I’m always getting in on the tail end of the “next big trend” in publicity.
 
One thing I’ve always wanted to develop is a site where authors can share potential events and opportunities for selling books in person. I’m talking community festivals, local book signing days, and the like. It could be a site where authors share with others about their successes and which ones didn’t pan out. It would take a lot of work, and I don’t think any one person could maintain it. Who would have imagined that the Chugwater Chili Festival was a hot market for books?
 
 
Anyway, that’s my suggestion. I’m looking forward to see what ideas everyone else has.
 
As always, until next time, please stay safe.
 
 
 

Because You Can’t Do it #OpenBook Blog Hop

  By Open Book

June 3, 2024

What is the worst piece of writing advice you’ve ever received?

I’ve been lucky.

No one has ever told me that my work is so bad I should stop writing entirely. Sure, I’ve had my share of critiques and criticism, but those I can take time to consider if they help me improve,

Plus, I’ve developed a fairly thick skin. It’s gotten easier to nod politely and ignore baseless harsh words. On line, where no one can see my face, I’m free to display my reaction and delete the email or close the web page. Not as satisfying as slamming down an old-fashioned phone receiver, but not bad.

As a result, I can’t tell you the worst advice I’ve received. It’s been wiped from my brain and replaced with encouraging words.

But the journey hasn’t been all roses and sunshine.

Many years ago, when poetry was my passion, I wrote a poem detailing the mix of emotions I felt when leaving on a solo trip. A fellow poet, whose opinion I respected, commented it needed more humor. It wasn’t supposed to be funny. Yes, I gave up on that piece, but that was around the same time that poetry gave up on me.

The move to fiction was made without consulting anyone. There was no one to tell me I couldn’t succeed. I didn’t rely on advice from anyone-I just did it.

Bad writing advice? I’m sure I’ve received it, but tuned it out. On the other hand, I’ve heard plenty of marketing advice that didn’t work for me. But then, there are plenty of authors in the same boat. What works for marketing is short-lived and changes constantly. But that’s a topic for another post.

I know that some of the authors on this hop haven’t been as lucky as me. Check out their stories by following the links below. 

As always, until next time, please stay safe.

June 3, 2024

What is the worst piece of writing advice you’ve ever received?

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Reading Not Editing #OpenBook Blog Hop

  By Open Book

May 27. 2024

How do you turn off your internal editor when you are reading for enjoyment?

Every author knows how hard it is to spot the mistakes in a first draft—or a final one.

And how easy it is to spot mistakes in the books you are reading. It’s a hard habit to break, looking for those misplaced commas and typos. I’ve stopped trying. Instead, I use them as a moment to hug myself and say, “See, it happens to other people, too.” (Especially in the case of big-name and best-selling authors.) With that, I can move along and not let it interfere with the pleasure of reading.

Now, that’s for minor mistakes. Like we talked about last week, many errors create a different scenario. I can’t overcome those and will stop reading.

It’s not just reading.

My internal editor is finely tuned to pick up missteps in other forms of communication. My ears pick up on bad grammar in TV shows and commercials. (If I happen to walk by the TV when my husband is watching.) Even you-tube videos can be a target. Of course, those can be research for dialogue in my writing.

So, I don’t think my internal editor ever turns off. I even edit my dreams. (You know, getting half-awake, going back to sleep, and dreaming the same dream but making it change.)

How do other authors do it? Find out by following the links below to more posts. Not seeing any? Check back. Most of them show up on Monday.

FYI, next weekend (June 1&2) I’ll be selling books at the 3 Rivers ComicCon in Pittsburgh PA. If you’re in the area, come by and say hi! As always, until we get together again (in person or on-line), please stay safe.

 

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May 27. 2024

How do you turn off your internal editor when you are reading for enjoyment?

 

I Used To Take Pride In Finishing Every Book I Started. #OpenBook Blog Hop

  By Open Book

 

May 20, 2024

What determines whether or not you finish a book you’re reading? Do you review books you didn’t finish?

I used to take pride in finishing every book I started.

That doesn’t happen anymore. If an author spends the first three chapters of a book describing a world, with paragraph after paragraph of nothing but description of scenery, chances are I won’t wade all the way through. If there are major grammatical and spelling errors, it pushes my buttons. Then there’s terrible storytelling. Many of us have experienced that. I used to ignore everything and skim, not read, all the way to the last page. (No, I won’t be naming names.)

But somewhere along the way, I decided I don’t have time for that. There are so many good books waiting to be to read, why waste my time on bad ones? 

I’ve made exceptions for authors I’ve enjoyed in the past, but the current book doesn’t feed my soul or mind, hoping that it will get better. Or deciding I’ve outgrown an author. This usually happens in a series, when I don’t see any real growth in the characters, and I stop following the story.

Do I write them reviews?

Bad books? In short, no.

I refuse to review books that deserve a one or two star rating. (If I haven’t finished reading them, I won’t review them!) Chances of me writing a three star review are slim. Heck, sometimes I feel bad giving a deserved four stars. I want to encourage other authors, especially indies or those with small presses. Shoot, I worry about pointing out obvious typos in a non-critique setting. (Yes, I hope someone will let me know if I’ve made a typo that has been missed by my editor.)

By the way, I struggle with writing reviews almost as much as I struggle with book blurbs. Yes, I know all I have to say is that I loved the book, but I can’t do it! I have to write more. 

If you follow this blog, you know the drill. This is where I tell you to go check the other authors on this hop by following the links below.

And, as always, please stay safe until the next time!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

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What determines whether or not you finish a book you’re reading? Do you review books you didn’t finish?

 

 

Social Media As A Teacher #OpenBook Blog Hop

  By Open Book

May 13, 2024

Has being on your favorite form of social media taught you anything about writing?

It isn’t for everyone

Writing, that is. Social media, too, but that’s another story. Do the two intertwine?

First, let me expound on the ways I hate social media. I won’t name names. (cough. . . FB) I’ve done what social media is good for, and social media helped me stay in meet and touch with other writers. I followed the rules and looked forward to their posts. Liking, commenting, sharing—and suddenly I notice I haven’t seen anything from them for a few days. Or a few weeks. I have to go searching for their posts. (SapphireJBlue, P.J. Fiala, Angela Pryce) Maybe I lose track of them entirely. (Heck, sometimes a post from my daughter didn’t show up on my timeline!)

But I’ve learned from each of them, and many others. I guess that counts as learning from social media. Then there are the various groups and pages that I’ve joined and followed, with other authors willing to share information and resources. Sadly, they often follow the pattern of ‘disappearing’ from my feed.

My favorite form of social media isn’t considered social media by many.

I belong to two email groups, one devoted to marketing, the other to crime scene information. Guess what? I never miss a post, and they never disappear from my inbox. And they are searchable by topic, so it’s possible to find information I vaguely remember but want to verify. Even if they aren’t topics I care about at the moment, the information can be stored away for later. Sometimes older technology is more reliable. Best of all, the algorithms never change and I don’t worry about getting kicked out because I’m mostly a lurker.

So there you have it. My favorite form of social media to learn from doesn’t include pictures, likes or upvotes, just text. How about the other authors on this hop? Find out by following the links below.

As always, until next time, please stay safe.

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May 13, 2024

Has being on your favorite form of social media taught you anything about writing?

Selling Books Face-To-Face #OpenBook Blog Hop

  By Open Book

May 6, 2024

Do you attend book selling events? (Can be local events such as craft shows and festivals.) What is your best tip to sell books at one?

I love book signing events! Or any event where I can meet people and talk to them about books. My books, specifically. Just yesterday, I took part in a craft fair at the firehall a few blocks away.

It wasn’t a big event. If more than 400 people came, I’d be surprised. I heard several of the exhibitors lamenting their poor or non-existent sales. But in 6 hours, I sold a dozen books. While that isn’t a huge number, it was enough to meet expenses and make a small profit.

But the highlight of the day was talking to several people who’d bought a book at a previous event, or borrowed a book from a friend to read, and told me how much they’d enjoyed it. Then there was a fellow vender who bought three of my books first thing in the morning and mentioned that she was up to Chapter 7 in The Marquesa’s Necklace by the end of the event. (Sadly, that meant she didn’t sell much herself.)

I’ve participated in big events, too.

The first time I did a book signing was at a comic con in Cheyenne, WY, back in 2016. I had no idea what I was getting into. I overspent and overbought, but learned a lot and had fun. I’m still using the banner I had created for the event. (Official records say 12,000 people attended. It was the biggest event I’ve taken part in.)

Things I’ve learned over the years and many events:

Even if you have a chair, be prepared to stand. A lot. It’s harder to talk to people if they are towering over you. (Standing is easier on your neck, too!) I often move out from behind the table to have a conversation, and cut down on the noise in a busy room.

Make sure your books are easy to touch, and don’t be afraid to pick up one and hand it to a person showing an interest. Last year, I moved to a display rack to hold my books, and my sales went down. Coincidence? At the last event last year, and the first one this year, I still used the rack, but I also placed copies of my books directly on the tables. My sales returned to standard levels at both events.

Top tip? Be prepared to smile and say hello. Don’t wait for them to approach you. (If they are avoiding eye contact, it’s OK not to bother them.) Have something they can walk away with. Your business card is a necessity, in my opinion. I’ve tried the trick of having candy on the table, first to attract people, and second to keep them hanging out for a few minutes, but it doesn’t work for me. On the other hand, people like taking the postcards I have featuring my books. They can be used as bookmarks, and are a heck of a lot cheaper than having commercially produced ones.

What else?

On a personal level, if you can, enlist a buddy to help. It’ll make it easier to take breaks. Otherwise, make friends with the venders next to you. I haven’t run into one yet that didn’t mind keeping an eye on things while you run to the restroom. You’ll want to keep your throat wet, so bring plenty of water or your beverage of choice.

That’s more than one tip, I know, I couldn’t help myself from oversharing. Still, I’m sure that other authors will pick up on something I didn’t know or forgot. Check out their posts in the links below. Or add your suggestions to the comments.

And, as always, please stay safe until the next time!

(FYI, my next signing event is the 3 Rivers ComicCon in Pittsburgh, PA, June 1-2nd. Quite the switch from the Pleasantville PA spring craft show! https://3riverscomicon.com/

May 6, 2024

Do you attend book selling events? (Can be local events such as craft shows and festivals.) What is your best tip to sell books at one?

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