Archive for October, 2009

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Revisit Your Story’s Opening

Saturday, October 31st, 2009

I can’t tell you how many manuscripts I see that just don’t seem very interesting or promising when I read the first few pages. If I continue on, however, I will often get into the story and actually enjoy it.

I always wonder, why did this seem like it would be a dull book? Why didn’t the author’s description pique my interest and prepare me for enjoying this story? How did this seemingly mundane, dreary book suddenly catch my interest? Why did it take so long for this to happen?

Most novelists and memoirists desperately need help writing their openings and describing their books. In fact, as I read through some of the books I evaluate and/or edit, I wonder why the author didn’t go back and rewrite the first page or two after completing the book? That’s also when you should write your synopsis and your back cover copy—after you’ve completed the book.

Most authors, however, don’t truly know what their book is about. They don’t understand what it is about their story that is going to entice the reader. They don’t get what is actually intriguing about their books.

You’ve probably read books that were a real surprise to you. The book was actually nothing like what you thought it would be. The description and the first few pages you scanned did not represent the book at all. Sometimes this is a happy surprise and sometimes you feel scammed.

Oh, how many times we have been scammed. The book is touted to be a lovely story of a cat, for example. But it turns out to be a personal memoir and a history lesson.

If you are writing a book, I have a couple of suggestions.

Once you’ve finished your book and after you’ve edited it a whole bunch of times and you’ve done a lot of fact-checking, etc., revisit your opening. Is it as intriguing as the bulk of your story? Does it aptly represent what is to follow? Does it even relate to your story? Most of all, does it grab the reader and make him/her want to continue reading?

Here’s an idea: after completing your manuscript and making it as readable as possible, make copies and give it over to several friends to read. Then ask them to describe your story. You’re not asking for an evaluation or critique, you want them to describe it as if they are giving a book report.

You can provide them with a questionnaire and ask them to give detailed responses. Ask, for example, “What is this book about?” “What is the point of the story?” “At what point in the story did you begin to enjoy it?” “What would you suggest for making this book better?”

Most good books have a point of no return—a place in the book where the reader gets hooked. You want to know when that happened for your test readers.

Pay close attention to what your readers say and you might just get the material you need to rewrite your opening, write your book proposal synopsis and prepare some really good back cover copy.

If you need help writing a book proposal, establishing a career as a freelance article writer, promoting your book or starting your own publishing company, consider signing up for Patricia Fry’s on-demand, online courses. Read about them here:
http://www.matilijapress.com/courses.htm

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Your Opening

Friday, October 30th, 2009

What will cause/entice reader (or a publisher) to read your book? For a novel or memoir, for example, your intriguing title might cause someone to pick up your book. But what’s going to keep him or her reading? Your opening line. The trick is to grab the reader within the first line or paragraph. Wait too long to introduce something interesting, mysterious, exciting or captivating, and you may lose readers and, by the way, that publisher you want to attract.

What makes a good opening line or theme? Many first-time writers tend to start at the beginning. One technique for creating an intriguing opening is to start at the most exciting/dramatic place in the story. Give enough of a snapshot to whet the reader’s appetite, but not so much that it spoils the suspense. At the same time, watch out for the tendency to barely touch on the event. If you don’t give enough, you won’t attract an interest. Instead, you may confuse, thus turn away your potential reader.

For some stories, it works to describe a scene and then tell your story from there. Some authors are expert at starting at the end and bringing the story forward. Some good books begin with a simple, but shocking, ironic or totally off-the-wall statement. The rest of the book seems to be developed around that statement.

If you’re skilled enough, you can actually create an excellent opening by starting at the beginning of your story, but NOT using one of the following:

• Joshua was born to Emma and Jake Laughlin in a log cabin in 1875.

• This is the story of a logger and his challenges.

• Once upon a time in a small city in New England…

Unless your second sentence is truly captivating, don’t even try this.

If you are working on a book, check your opening sentence/paragraph. Is it full of emotion? Does it grab the reader and make him or her want to continue reading? Does it incite questions or promise delicious things that the reader can’t resist?

This weekend, I suggest that you study your opening line. Have others read it and ask them the following questions:

• What do you know about this book after reading the opening?

• How do you feel about pursuing this book after reading the opening?

Read the opening lines in other novels to get an idea of what really works.
Good luck. And I invite you to share your findings here at this blog site.

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Going After Sales in the Biggest Book Buying Season of All

Thursday, October 29th, 2009

December could be the best month for book sales all year. After all, books make great gifts for every reader on your list. If Uncle George or Aunt Flossie are not what you’d consider avid readers, they might still enjoy a book in their area of interest—wood carving, for example, stream fishing, bulldogs, quilting or entertaining large groups.

Most authors and publishers strive to bring their books out in time for holiday sales. We typically shift our promotional efforts into high gear for the holidays. In case you haven’t noticed, we are a scant 8 weeks from the biggest giving day of the year. So what are you doing to promote your book?

Yes, it’s time. In order to make the sales, you really must be pounding the pavement. Gosh, I guess that’s an outdated phrase, isn’t it? For those of you who are too young to remember, it refers to getting out into the public—out on the street, making cold calls and promoting your wares. Now, we do a lot of our pavement pounding online.

Do you have your face-to-face AND Internet marketing plans in place? What are you doing to draw attention to your book as a gift for the holidays? Here are a few ideas:

• Offer a discount or add a value item to your book and announce this in all of the appropriate places—magazines, newsletters (both print and electronic), websites, bulletins, etc, related to your book’s topic/genre, your blog, your website and so forth.

• Create an absolutely irresistible package. If you have a series of poetry books, tie them together with a lovely ribbon in complimentary colors. For a cooking gift book, package it in an organza gift bag and tie cookie cutters, a small whisk or your signature measuring spoons to it. For a romance or adventure, wrap the book in theme wrapping paper with a dramatic bow or a pair of skimpy panties. Use your imagination.

• Seek out local flea markets, book fairs and bazaars and rent booth/table space to promote and sell your books. Remember, people are in a buying mood this time of year.

• Approach booksellers, gift store owners, museum and resort/hotel gift shop managers or other appropriate retailers about making a consignment agreement with your book over the holidays. If you manage to bring in enough sales, the retailer may agree to make this a permanent agreement.

• Get some press. This is a good time to get some newspaper publicity. If your story—local author pens book—isn’t newsworthy enough, go out and make news and then report it to your local paper. Create a volunteer program, for example.

• Take out a small ad in the newspaper and other relevant publications.

• Arrange to speak to at least a couple of groups within the next month. Make contact now—it sometimes takes time to get on the schedule.

• Ask a few friends to invite their neighbors and acquaintances over for a fun night of demonstrations, play-acting or something else related to the theme or genre of your book.

For example, if your book features how to give your home curb appeal with little expense and effort, choose a nice Saturday morning to demonstrate this at a friend’s home. Few people would turn down the opportunity to have their homes upgraded. And numbers of homeowners would certainly be interested in this unique experience. I would!

Maybe your book is a flaming romance. Help a friend create the mood in their home with candles and music and then invite guests to take turns reading from your book.

If it is an adventure, fantasy, science fiction thriller or mystery, for example, bring costumes and ask guests to act out the parts in one particularly action-packed chapter.

Certainly, you will sell books while also making a lasting impression on everyone involved. And you know how valuable word of mouth is.

My readers would like to know some of your unique and even some of the practical ideas you have for promoting your particular book this holiday season. Please share by leaving a comment.

Remember, I am offering a discount on my book (a great gift for you and for another author you know). Order The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book by check before end of day November 5, 2009 and it’s yours for $15.00 plus $4.85 shipping (US only).

If you want to use your credit card, go ahead and order the book at my website AT FULL PRICE with your credit card and I’ll include a free copy of a book of your choice: “A Writer’s Guide to Magazine Articles,” or “Over 75 Good Ideas for Promoting Your Book.”

Send your check to Patricia Fry, PMB 123, 323 E. Matilija St., Ste. 110, Ojai, CA 93023

Check out the book here: http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html

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The Comfortable, Reliable, Obnoxious Cliché

Wednesday, October 28th, 2009

I’m back, but not completely. The flu bug still has a hold on me. So much for this year’s flu shot. Have any of you contracted the flu this year after having the shot? I should have known the shot was no good—my arm didn’t even hurt afterward. Usually I go around with a pretty achy arm for a few days.

I must say, however, that I’m working again. Isn’t it wonderful to be able to work at home where no one can see how you look or catch what you have?

Today’s topic involves clichés. What is a cliché? It’s a trite, predictable, overused phrase.

Frankly, I love clichés. I speak in clichés. I don’t know why. I guess because it is easier than coming up with fresh statements and you know you will be understood if you use a time-tested, familiar phrase. Sometimes I make up clichés. How do I do that? By tweaking a real cliché into something similar, but original. But then, it isn’t actually a cliché, is it?

In writing, however, we are cautioned against using clichés at all—except in dialog when your character has a habit of spewing clichés, of course; when this is part of his personality. In narrative writing all professionals recommend that you avoid clichés like the plague. (Oops, there’s a cliché.)

Instead of saying, “That night, it rained cats and dogs,” say, “The trio drove right into a Nor Easter and the fierce storm tormented them throughout the night.”

Instead of, “He took off like a bat out of hell,” try describing the details of the scene—color of car, how he slid into the seat, turned on the engine and slammed his foot down on the accelerator. Or keep it simple and say that white smoke spewed from under his back tires and everyone heard a squeal when he took off. Or say, “He was obviously in a big hurry.”

Instead of saying, “He was wasting his breath as far as I was concerned,” say, “I wasn’t interested in a lying word he said.”

Rather than “That’s something you don’t see much in this day and age,” try, “The last time anyone saw that was at a disco club in the ‘60s.”

This week, if you’re not down with the flu, take a look at your current manuscript and scan it for clichés. I’d like to know how many of them you find and how you changed them to make your writing more fresh.

I’m offering an unadvertised special on my book these next few weeks. Send me a check for $19.85 to Patricia Fry, PMB 123, 323 E. Matilija St., Ste. 110, Ojai, CA 93023 and I will ship you one copy of “The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book.” That’s $15.00 for the book and $4.85 for flat rate priority shipping. Learn more about this extremely useful book here:
http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html

Offer ends November 5th, 2009.

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Sick Day

Monday, October 26th, 2009

What do you do when some sort of flu bug finds you despite the fact that you got your shot, take your vitamins, eat right, get plenty of rest and sunshine and exercise regularly? Well, I’m going to hunker down with a friend’s book, in between welcome periods of sleep.

I have one editing project and another on the way. I have SPAWN business to take care of. I have a book to write, a speech to develop, piles of paperwork/receipts, etc. to file, but that’s all going to have to wait while I go into recovery mode.

This affliction began toying with me Friday morning. I fought against it Saturday and Sunday, finally submitting to over the counter stuff to make me feel better—it didn’t. And today, I feel as though I am losing the battle the flu has launched on my poor body. Today, I reluctantly call a sick day.

What is liable to happen if I take a sick day? Will my business fall apart? I guess not, but we sure can convince ourselves that we are needed and that without us, things won’t go as smoothly. What if my book is delayed another one or even two days? What if the filing doesn’t get done until next week? What if I take a day off from the editing on my client’s manuscript? Will my business fail? Will the world fail? And in 100 years (20 years or even a week) will it matter that Patricia Fry succumbed to the dreaded flu for one day?

As you can see, I plan to be back tomorrow. Surely, if I give in for one day, that’s all it’s going to take, right? I’m not bull-headed. I just don’t do “sick person” very well.

Oh, I stay away from other people. I do not go to out shopping when I am, most likely, contagious, even though someone else probably did—or I wouldn’t be in this sick mess. I cancel face-to-face meetings. I do my best to keep these things to myself. (I wish everyone would be as conscientious, don’t you?)

So I’m headed to the sofa with my 3 cats and the book, “Thrift Me Deadly” by Wendy Dager. I hope to be with you again tomorrow with something more worth your while. In the meantime, stay well. Wash your hands a lot (something else I do religiously—but some germ wriggled through the barrier), eat right, sleep well. And if you do get dragged down by some evil affliction, stay home and take care of yourself. No one needs you in the office enough to risk everyone getting sick. Be a good citizen. Keep your germs to yourself.

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Learn to Say YES

Sunday, October 25th, 2009

It used to be that, when I was presented with what I considered a challenge (a task or activity that made me feel the least bit uneasy), I would say, “No!” I would decline the opportunity on the spot without giving the invitation or request a second chance.

And then one day it occurred to me that I may be missing out on opportunities. So I started a new plan of action. I began saying, in the face of an invitation or request, “Let me think about it.” Wow! What a break-through. Often, however, my thought process would take me right back to the cautious, “no.” How was I ever going to get anywhere as a writer with this attitude?

Years later, after missing out on a couple of good opportunities, I decided to short-circuit my protective mode and try a very different tactic.

Now, I’m even more brazen. When asked if I will speak somewhere, teach a class or write an article, for example, I boldly say “Yes!” and then I figure out how I’ll make it happen. If it is absolutely impossible, I generally have plenty of time to beg off. Otherwise, I feel committed and I will follow through.

I can’t tell you how many great opportunities and experiences I’ve had since adopting this approach. I flew to Dubai in British Airways luxurious Business Class and spoke before 800 Toastmasters. I’ve presented workshops before writers and authors in dozens of cities in 11 states. I’ve met some incredible people and I’ve grown as a presenter and a writer.

Sometimes a request may seem a little outside of my area of expertise—I’d rather talk about something within my comfort zone. But, instead of balking, I take on the challenge and usually make it work without a hitch.

What is your typical response to the invitations and requests you get? Do you look at these as great opportunities to promote your book or do you shudder at the thought of facing an audience, traveling any distance, being interviewed or writing your first article?

If you have a book to promote or you want to become known as a freelance writer, the fastest way toward failure is to reject opportunities that could give you exposure.

Think about this over the week. Have you developed the habit of declining invitations and requests? Are you getting a little too comfortable in your comfort zone? If you’re not sure, look at the activity around your book or your writing career. If it is stagnant, maybe you are, too.

Patricia Fry is the author of 29 books, including The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. She presents on-demand, online courses on how to write a book proposal, book promotion, freelance writing and self-publishing. She also does editing work for others. Learn more about Patricia, her books and courses at http://www.matilijapress.com

Posted in Book Promotion, Uncategorized | No Comments »

Connect the Dots For Your Readers

Saturday, October 24th, 2009

When you write a story—whether fiction or nonfiction—do you always connect the dots? In other words, do you make sure to carry your readers along with the story or do you drop them somewhere and make them have to work to catch up?

Do you sometimes get so tired of writing that you leave things out? Does your story move along so fast in your head that you miss writing down important steps? And what about segues? Do you sometimes forget to build bridges from one activity or action to another?

These are some of the mistakes that can be caught during your thorough editing process. But, it is difficult for the author, who is so close to the story, to always catch these blatant errors. These mishaps of fatigue or mistakes due to familiarity can sure ruin a good book.

For example, don’t have your character drive up to his house, turn off the car and then climb into bed. Of course, there are methods you can use to pull this off. You can have the character deep in thought as he pulls up to the house. Once you have the character express some of those thoughts and emotions, you can, perhaps, devise a clever segue having him shut down his overactive mind, go upstairs and turn in for the night.

Read and re-read your manuscript from various points of view, not just the same old stale position. I’ve said this before—get into your readers’ heads. View the story as if you are seeing it for the first time. You’ll definitely pick up on holes in your descriptions, unnecessarily repeated words and terms, misspelled names/words (usually because you changed someone’s name along the way) and areas where the dots need to be connected in order to make the story flow.

Once you have completed your thorough editing work, be sure to turn your manuscript over to an editor. He/she WILL see things that have escaped your keen examination.

This might be a good weekend to sit down with your manuscript using several new sets of eyes. Read it as if you are someone from Mars. Review it from the standpoint of an eager reader. Study it from an editor’s point of view (repeated words, spelling errors, inconsistencies, etc.)

You might find the “self-editing” section in my book, “The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book,” of use in this process. Order your copy now at http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html

Keep this book close at hand as you will refer to it often as you consider publishing options (I provide pros and cons to help you decide the best option for your project), pursue distributors and wholesalers, present your first book signing, attend a book festival, send press releases announcing your book, seek out conferences where you can sign up as an expert presenter on behalf of your book, wonder about getting book reviews (I tell you how to get LOTS of them), develop your marketing plan and so very much more.

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Why Authors/Writers Should Join Forums and Discussion Groups

Friday, October 23rd, 2009

Do you participate in forums and discussion groups to learn more about writing and publishing? Or, perhaps you belong to online groups related to the theme of your book—gardening, New Age thought, motorcycles, bird watching, hiking or finances, for example.

Before I ask you what you’re getting out of it, let me ask what are you putting into it?

• Do you open and read messages from the group?
• Do you respond?
• Do you sometimes pose questions or provide information to the group?

Maybe you believe that such groups are a waste of time. Your time is too valuable to spend chit chatting with people you don’t know. And this could be. Some groups are not well-monitored and the messages are less than useful or informative. But most discussion groups and forums provide many benefits. If you’re paying attention, you might discover,

• Ideas for articles or a book.
• Experts or interesting people you can interview for articles, a book or your blog.
• Updated information or anecdotes you can use in your presentations.
• Resources you weren’t aware of.
• Solutions to a problem you or a client/customer is having.
• New friends/colleagues you’ll enjoy knowing.

If you shun the opportunity to join in with others in forums or discussion groups related to your interests, particularly if you have established a business around this interest, you may be missing the boat. This week, seek out such forums and discussion groups and spend a little time checking them out. Report back to this blog via the comments section and let us know what you gained.

In the meantime, if you are a freelance writer, author, hopeful author or if you enjoy cats or are fascinated by true metaphysical stories (of hypnosis, past-life regression, self-healing, etc.), check out my wide array of books for sale at http://www.matilijapress.com

Yes, I am the author of them all.

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The Writing Publications We Rely On

Thursday, October 22nd, 2009

Have your favorite writing-related newsletters and magazines changed over time? Are you less inclined to read them from cover to cover? What has happened? You used to study every article, read every case history and profile, view every recommended link. And now you either simply scan them or delete them without reading. Why?

I can answer for myself. My reasons involve change. In some cases, my needs and educational/research requirements have changed and in others, the publication has changed.

This morning, I deleted the current issue of my once-upon-a-time very most all-time favorite e-newsletter. I just can’t bring myself to pour through the numerous advertisements and personal gripes and spitefulness in search of the few useful bits of info and articles that might appear.

Other newsletters I subscribe to and once enjoyed carry way too much personal promotion now.

Some have changed their focus and style to something unrecognizable. And others have become erratic in their delivery.

I’m sure that you have been affected by changes in your preferred writing/publishing-related newsletters and magazines, as well. In some cases, it is you who has changed. You are no longer writing fiction; you have decided to produce a book and are more interested in publications related to publishing than writing; you are actively seeking outlets for your short stories or articles.

And all of this is okay. We need what we need and we should spend our precious time with the material that will help us to move forward and to succeed in our chosen area of expertise or interest. But be sure that you do seek out the information that will help you on your journey.

Whatever your current project or interest, there are writing/publishing magazines and newsletters out there designed to help. If you need assistance locating those related to your needs, let me know: PLFry620@yahoo.com

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Is the Recession Lifting for Writers?

Wednesday, October 21st, 2009

My article, “You’re the Expert,” appears in the Book Promotion Newsletter this morning (October 21, 2009). This piece focuses on how to position yourself as an expert in your field and sell more copies of your book on this topic. When you read it, you may say, “Wow! This is the same stuff Patricia tells us to do when we’re promoting a book.” Yup! There’s no way to get around it. If you hope to become successful as a writer or author and/or if you dream of becoming an expert in your field, the processes are the same. It takes tons of exposure, which boils down to an incredible amount of time, energy, work and creativity.

If you aren’t aware of Fran Silverman’s Book Promotion Newsletter, check it out at, http://www.bookpromotionnewsletter.com
Fran also works with authors to get them spots on radio shows. If you have a book to promote, you might want to contact Fran at franalive@optonline.net.

How is your writing business doing this quarter? Are book sales up this month? Things are getting busier here in my office, lately. I am thankful. I have to admit that I am always busy. There is always something to do, even if it is filing (you ought to see my overflowing inbox—it’s disgraceful), trying out new promotional techniques, coming up with new article ideas, recycling articles, catching up on bookwork, seeking out speaking/workshop venues and so forth. But some activities don’t compute into earnings—at least not right away.

SPAWN has kept me extremely busy over the past months. Have you visited our new website, yet? Sign up for our free enewsletter, SPAWNews. http://www.spawn.org. Join SPAWN and you will have access to the incredible SPAWN Market Update. (For members only.) This monthly newsletter provides numerous ideas, leads and information bytes for working writers, authors, artists, photographers and others.

I’d love to hear from working writers and authors to learn how you are doing at this point in the recession. Are things getting better for you? Are you working harder than ever to sell books or articles? What techniques are you using to keep your head above water? Or have you given up permanently or temporarily on your writing work?

Leave your comment here.

Posted in Book Promotion | No Comments »

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