This is a piece I originally composed for Nancy J. Parra's site - Room With A View
Hitting the Wall
Hitting the wall. Losing one’s muse. Grinding to a halt. These phrases describe a very discouraging situation also known as writer’s block. Why does it happen and what can we do to correct the problem?
Creative difficulties occur for a number of reasons. Perhaps things were running smoothly and then our story ran out of gas. Maybe we have grown careless with our processes and habits, rendering us unprepared for challenges. Our enthusiasm may wane, draining all motivation. Bottom line – we hit a wall when we lose sight of our goal. Without a clear target, we begin to drift and our story may stall.
How can we prevent the proverbial wall from appearing? How can writers apply the power of defined goals to their situation?
An outline provides a writer with a clear path to follow. Writing without an outline is like driving without a map –we don’t know where we’re going. A basic synopsis, complete with ending, will keep our story flowing forward. With an outline, we always have the option of skipping ahead to the next scene just to keep creativity flowing, thus preventing writer’s block from stopping us cold.
An outline will also keep us from wandering from our original idea. Think of all the time we save when we stop chasing rabbits! A physical outline is far more effective than a mental one, too. Our brilliantly conceived story will hold our interest if we can view concrete ideas and plans. Relying on the wisp of an idea in our minds is too vague and eventually leads to frustration. Write out the basic plot and set it in stone.
It takes more than an outline, though. The real strength of our resolve to stay on target resides between our ears! Our attitude and determination will play a pivotal role in our ability to move past obstacles. How strong is the desire to see our vision develop into a tangible story that others can enjoy? It will not matter how well constructed the outline if the story does not ignite the fire in our soul.
Is it really that simple? An outline and our attitude? Yes, because all it really takes to overcome any challenge or problem is a dream and a desire!
So, make preparations before the wall appears on the horizon and the inspirational muse goes missing. Plan a course of action and get excited about the journey. Remember, we don’t have time for obstacles in our path. We’ve got a story to write!
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Friday, May 29, 2009
And Now For Something Completely Different...
If your cat needs to be shaken out of its state of compliancy, call Confuse-A-Cat, LTD!
It was a busy week around the web:
6 Ways to Cure Blogger Writers Block- Marketing Tips For Authors
Two great articles over at The Free Spirit:
Successful book launch event tips from Ho-Jo- Free Spirit
Our Thoughts Make the World- Free Spirit
Nancy discusses branding- Nancy J. Parra
Angela Wilson’s How to Respond to Bad Reviews- Market My Novel
A new online promotions service- Serentiy Promotions
A special mention of the article “70 Non-Fictions Authors to Follow” – Thanks! - Glenda C. Beall
Ashton Kutcher threatens to stop Twittering after new reality show is announced- CNN
“It’s all fun and games until someone gets stalked,” he states.
And since this has become such a popular aspect of my Deviant Art journal, a summary of the past month's movie reviews:
X-Men Origins: Wolverine – B
Star Trek – A
Terminator Salvation – C+
Night at the Museum II – A-
Read the full reviews in my past two journal entries- SpunkOnAStick’s Journal
Happy Friday, everyone!
It was a busy week around the web:
6 Ways to Cure Blogger Writers Block- Marketing Tips For Authors
Two great articles over at The Free Spirit:
Successful book launch event tips from Ho-Jo- Free Spirit
Our Thoughts Make the World- Free Spirit
Nancy discusses branding- Nancy J. Parra
Angela Wilson’s How to Respond to Bad Reviews- Market My Novel
A new online promotions service- Serentiy Promotions
A special mention of the article “70 Non-Fictions Authors to Follow” – Thanks! - Glenda C. Beall
Ashton Kutcher threatens to stop Twittering after new reality show is announced- CNN
“It’s all fun and games until someone gets stalked,” he states.
And since this has become such a popular aspect of my Deviant Art journal, a summary of the past month's movie reviews:
X-Men Origins: Wolverine – B
Star Trek – A
Terminator Salvation – C+
Night at the Museum II – A-
Read the full reviews in my past two journal entries- SpunkOnAStick’s Journal
Happy Friday, everyone!
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Bookmark, Anyone?
Author appearances are quite fun! The bookstore sets up a table for you in a prime location. Your books are proudly displayed for all to see. Perhaps the staff even makes an announcement over the loudspeaker!
Then someone approaches your table. First customer! They listen to your spiel and seem genuinely interested. But alas, they only have enough money for the book they originally came to purchase. They promise to get in next time they are in the store and turn to leave...
Wait a minute! That person is leaving empty-handed. What are the chances he or she will remember your book's title during the next store visit? What are the chances that person will even remember it five minutes from now?
The chances are ZERO!!!!!!
If that person does not have a bookmark in his hand, he will NEVER buy your book, because he will not remember you or the title once he leaves the store no matter how charming you were during the encounter.
There's all sorts of promotional items an author can distribute to potential readers - postcards, business card, fliers, even high-end items such as pencils and buttons. But we have to consider two things - cost and usability. A flyer will likely end up in the trash by the end of the day. Buttons are expensive to give away to every Tom, Dick & Harry. A bookmark, however, fits both categories.
Bookmarks are cheap. Whether your publisher supplies you or you order them yourself, large, glossy, full-color bookmarks cost pennies each. Bookmarks are also functional. Every person who reads needs a bookmark. Serious readers need stacks! (I think I must own about a hundred...)
An author who attend events & signings without bookmarks (and it's scary how many I've seen do this) is like a farmers going to milk a cow without a pail. The farmer might get a drink for himself, but there's no milk for later. An author without bookmarks must be a darned good salesman, because his only sales will be during that event!
And bookmarks work in a lot of situations besides a book signing:
- Passing them out to people we meet in locations outside of the bookstore. - Leaving them at the counter of retail outlets that stock our book
- Mailing out with promotional packs or media kits
- Mailing to family & friends - yes, even in the annual Christmas card!
- Leaving one for the waitress who gives us good service
- Pop one into every bill we send - or better yet, put to use all of those postage-paid envelopes we receive and send those people a bookmark (Yes, I really do this!)
- Give your kids a stack to take to school and distribute
- We all belong to various clubs & organizations - pass them out to members at the next meeting
-Don't forget a stack at the local library!
-Send them to fans to distribute
-Heck, leave one in the mailbox for the postal carrier!
Ridiculous? No! Put those little buggers to work! Bookmarks are our little foot soldiers, but they do us no good sitting in a box in our house. Pass them out at every opportunity. Because if we don't, how many books do we sell after the initial encounter with a potential reader?
Think we're back at ZERO again!
The list of possibilities is endless - what else can we do with bookmarks?
Then someone approaches your table. First customer! They listen to your spiel and seem genuinely interested. But alas, they only have enough money for the book they originally came to purchase. They promise to get in next time they are in the store and turn to leave...
Wait a minute! That person is leaving empty-handed. What are the chances he or she will remember your book's title during the next store visit? What are the chances that person will even remember it five minutes from now?
The chances are ZERO!!!!!!
If that person does not have a bookmark in his hand, he will NEVER buy your book, because he will not remember you or the title once he leaves the store no matter how charming you were during the encounter.
There's all sorts of promotional items an author can distribute to potential readers - postcards, business card, fliers, even high-end items such as pencils and buttons. But we have to consider two things - cost and usability. A flyer will likely end up in the trash by the end of the day. Buttons are expensive to give away to every Tom, Dick & Harry. A bookmark, however, fits both categories.
Bookmarks are cheap. Whether your publisher supplies you or you order them yourself, large, glossy, full-color bookmarks cost pennies each. Bookmarks are also functional. Every person who reads needs a bookmark. Serious readers need stacks! (I think I must own about a hundred...)
An author who attend events & signings without bookmarks (and it's scary how many I've seen do this) is like a farmers going to milk a cow without a pail. The farmer might get a drink for himself, but there's no milk for later. An author without bookmarks must be a darned good salesman, because his only sales will be during that event!
And bookmarks work in a lot of situations besides a book signing:
- Passing them out to people we meet in locations outside of the bookstore. - Leaving them at the counter of retail outlets that stock our book
- Mailing out with promotional packs or media kits
- Mailing to family & friends - yes, even in the annual Christmas card!
- Leaving one for the waitress who gives us good service
- Pop one into every bill we send - or better yet, put to use all of those postage-paid envelopes we receive and send those people a bookmark (Yes, I really do this!)
- Give your kids a stack to take to school and distribute
- We all belong to various clubs & organizations - pass them out to members at the next meeting
-Don't forget a stack at the local library!
-Send them to fans to distribute
-Heck, leave one in the mailbox for the postal carrier!
Ridiculous? No! Put those little buggers to work! Bookmarks are our little foot soldiers, but they do us no good sitting in a box in our house. Pass them out at every opportunity. Because if we don't, how many books do we sell after the initial encounter with a potential reader?
Think we're back at ZERO again!
The list of possibilities is endless - what else can we do with bookmarks?
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Author Tina Ann Forkner
This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing
Rose House WaterBrook Press (May 5, 2009)
by Tina Ann Forkner
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Tina Ann Forkner writes contemporary fiction that challenges and inspires. She grew up in Oklahoma and graduated with honors from CSU Sacramento before settling in Wyoming. She lives with her husband, their three bright children and their dog and stays busy serving on the Laramie County Library Foundation Board of Directors. She is the author of Ruby Among Us, her debut novel, and Rose House, which recently released from Waterbrook Press/Random House.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
A vivid story of a private grief, a secret painting, and one woman’s search for hope
Still mourning the loss of her family in a tragic accident, Lillian Diamon finds herself drawn back to the Rose House, a quiet cottage where four years earlier she had poured out her anguish among its fragrant blossoms.
She returns to the rolling hills and lush vineyards of the Sonoma Valley in search of something she can’t quite name. But then Lillian stumbles onto an unexpected discovery: displayed in the La Rosaleda Gallery is a painting that captures every detail of her most private moment of misery, from the sorrow etched across her face to the sandals on her feet.
What kind of artist would dare to intrude on such a personal scene, and how did he happen to witness Lillian’s pain? As the mystery surrounding the portrait becomes entangled with the accident that claimed the lives of her husband and children, Lillian is forced to rethink her assumptions about what really happened that day.
A captivating novel rich with detail, Rose House explores how the brushstrokes of pain can illuminate the true beauty of life.
If you would like to read an excerpt from Rose House, go HERE
The book link is: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1400073596
Rose House WaterBrook Press (May 5, 2009)
by Tina Ann Forkner
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Tina Ann Forkner writes contemporary fiction that challenges and inspires. She grew up in Oklahoma and graduated with honors from CSU Sacramento before settling in Wyoming. She lives with her husband, their three bright children and their dog and stays busy serving on the Laramie County Library Foundation Board of Directors. She is the author of Ruby Among Us, her debut novel, and Rose House, which recently released from Waterbrook Press/Random House.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
A vivid story of a private grief, a secret painting, and one woman’s search for hope
Still mourning the loss of her family in a tragic accident, Lillian Diamon finds herself drawn back to the Rose House, a quiet cottage where four years earlier she had poured out her anguish among its fragrant blossoms.
She returns to the rolling hills and lush vineyards of the Sonoma Valley in search of something she can’t quite name. But then Lillian stumbles onto an unexpected discovery: displayed in the La Rosaleda Gallery is a painting that captures every detail of her most private moment of misery, from the sorrow etched across her face to the sandals on her feet.
What kind of artist would dare to intrude on such a personal scene, and how did he happen to witness Lillian’s pain? As the mystery surrounding the portrait becomes entangled with the accident that claimed the lives of her husband and children, Lillian is forced to rethink her assumptions about what really happened that day.
A captivating novel rich with detail, Rose House explores how the brushstrokes of pain can illuminate the true beauty of life.
If you would like to read an excerpt from Rose House, go HERE
The book link is: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1400073596
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)