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Self-Published Author Confesses to Editing Fetish

July 30, 2011 by 1 Comment
Edit Ruthlessly

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Question: As a self-published author, I edit and proofread everything I read. I read books, blogs, eBooks, magazines, and newspapers with an eagle eye. I can’t stand to read long-winded sentences. I want to shout, “Say what you want to say and say it!”

My issue is I spend countless hours editing and proofreading my work. Once I begin editing, I can’t stop. What can I do to release my editing fetish? It’s driving me crazy!

Answer: It’s good to edit your work but at some point, you must stop. Give yourself a deadline and stick to it. Another alternative is to hire an editor to edit and proofread your writing. An editor-for-hire can make suggestions on sentence structure, grammar, punctuation, and point out overused words. An ‘objective’ eye and voice can strengthen your writing.

Many authors and writers are tempted to over edit their work because they want it to be absolutely perfect. If you do this, you may never get your book published. Writing mistakes happen, and they appear in books written by well known authors. The next time your favorite author publishes a book, scan it for spacing issues, typos, and other mistakes. Obviously, a few mistakes here and there haven’t hurt book sales of famous authors. They may receive an occasional email from fans informing them of mistakes, but that’s it.

How to overcome over editing your writing

1. Set a deadline for editing and proofreading your book and stick to it.

2. Hire an editor-for-hire and allow an ‘objective’ party review your writing and make necessary changes and or suggestions.

3. Realize that mistakes happen; it’s not the end of the world.

4. Join a writing group. If you’re already a part of a writers group, ask members to read your book and make editing suggestions.

5. Take a workshop on how to edit your book quickly and efficiently.

6. Attend writing conferences and speak to editors. Ask them questions about their editing practices such as: How do they edit quickly? How many hours do they spend editing? When do they know they’re finished editing a book? Ask these and other questions — get inside an editor’s mind. This will help you curb your over editing tendencies.

7. Hire a writing coach. A writing coach will help you become the best writer you can be. You’ll learn the reason ‘why’ you over edit and how you can ‘shift’ this habit. Procrastination could be the key or fear of rejection.

Rebecca

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How to Make Your eBook Stand Out

July 18, 2011 by 1 Comment
iPad Display Item

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If you wrote or plan to write an eBook, follow the guidelines outlined below on how to make your eBook stand out. Having and providing readers with great content is half the battle. I know you’ve heard this before, but sales and marketing are part of the equation. Publishing is a business! Remember, you’re not in the business of selling books. You’re in the business of sales and marketing and solving problems.

How to Make Your eBook Stand Out

1. Write an eBook that readers want to read. What problems do people have? What solutions can you offer them? Research and dig to find what people need help with. Of course, if you’ve experienced a problem or got through a difficult time, you can best believe that others have experienced what you did. Write about it!

Make sure your eBook has been edited and proofed before you publish it. Hire an editor

2. Reach out for help. Get together with a group of 2-4 five writers and critique each others’ work. Make sure constructive criticism is the name of the game. Hire an editor (you’ll want to do this anyway) to review your work. Also, check out web-based writing communities such as CritiqueCircle, WritersBBS, My Writers Circle, and other critique groups.

3. Purchase an ISBN number. This is how retailers track the sales of your book.

4. Cover design. Go big, or go home! Make a statement by having a cover design that literally (I know I used literally) stands out. Use bold colors and graphics. You want to grab the attention of readers. However, make sure readers can understand what your eBook is about by creating a ‘targeted’ book cover. This is known as the 2-second test. If they can’t tell what your book is about by looking at the cover, a re-design is necessary. Hire a professional graphic designer or use the services provided by your self-publisher. This way you’ll look like your belong at Barnes and Noble and ‘mom and pop’ bookstores.

5. Think beyond the ink. Thanks to technologies such as the iPad, you can include graphs, illustrations, and video clips. Reading devices will evolve throughout the years. Visit BookBaby and learn about their available special formatting options.

6. No more Word. Alas, you’ll have to convert your Word or Text file to make sure it’s compatible to eReaders. The main file extensions are:

1. EPUB (.epub). Is the most popular and standard format. It allows DRM. Major retailers use this except Amazon.

2. Mobipocket (.mobi). Users can add a blank page within the text for notes, bookmarks, corrections, and drawings. Very cool!

3. Kindle (.azw). This is Amazon’s proprietary format based on mobipocket. It comes with its own digital rights management protections.

The good news is you can use Adobe InDesign (love this) to convert your book to an EPUB eBook. Visit JimAndZetta or ePub Conversion and get assistance with the conversion. Another alternative is to have your distributor/self-publisher convert your eBook for you.

7. Sales and marketing. The most dreaded step for some writers; others embrace the joy of sales and marketing.

Sell eBook here:

1. Apple iBookstore for iPad

2. Amazon (Kindle)

3. Barnes and Noble (Nook)

4. Reader Store (Sony Reader)

5. Google eBookstore (multiple readers)

Use the following marketing tips to spread the word about your eBook:

● Social Media. You’ve heard this before but it begs repeating. Open a Facebook Fan page and actually interact with your fans. Get to know them don’t make it all about YOU because this will deter readers. Hold a contest, say “Thank You” once in a while, chat with your fans, and allow them to have discussions about your eBook. Create a separate Twitter account. You may consider opening a MySpace account since the website is undergoing major changes.

● Create a website. Create a ‘special’ website for your eBook. Blog about it and be open to feedback from readers. You may consider creating a forum on the blog to allow readers to discuss your eBook.

● Schedule a book signing and or readings. Readers love to meet authors. I should know. I volunteered at Changing Hands Bookstore in Tempe, Arizona and witnessed many book signings. It’s exciting for readers to meet and speak with authors. You may consider reading your book and having the audience discuss it. You’ll receive a lot of feedback and insight.

● Get to know other writers. Start a group where writers can meet and discuss writing topics such as eBooks. You could always create an online group or find one on the internet.

● Attend conferences and trade shows. Be where the industry is. Networking and making connections can take you and your writing to the next level.

Writing and selling an eBook has transformed through the years. Digitally distributing your eBook is yet another adventure you get to experience within the world of publishing. If you ever feel that self-publishing isn’t for you or worth it, remember that great writers such as William Blake, Walt Whitman, Virginia Woolf, James Joyce, T.S. Elliot, John Milton, and many others self-publishing their writing at one point or another. Imagine how many more readers they would have reached through eBook readers. Write on, write from the heart!

Rebecca

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10 Easy Ways to Keep Writer’s Block Out of Your Mind

July 15, 2011 by Leave a Comment
The discouraged Nenene suffering from writer's...

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R.L. Stine, author the Goosebumps series, was interviewed by Gotham Writers’ Workshops. He was asked about his take on writer’s block. R.L. Stine says, “I never had writer’s block. I really don’t have time for it – too many books to write.” He tells writers to keep going even when the writing isn’t easy. He makes a good point by saying, “You know you can go back and fix it.” That’s good writing advice.

There really is no reason for writer’s block because every day life provides you with ideas. Whether you listen to the news or read the newspaper, read the news online, overhear conversations, read blogs, or participate in forums; you’ll find inspiration just about anywhere at any time.

10 Easy Ways to Keep Writer’s Block Out of Your Mind

1. Stop believing in writer’s block. This can be tricky when other writers tell you writer’s block is part of being the writer’s life. God knows I wrote my fair share of blog posts about writer’s block. Kick writer’s block to the curb. Start observing your surroundings with your ears instead of your eyes.

2. Participate in writing exercises and prompts. The Creative Copy Challenge is one of my favorites. You even receive feedback on your submissions. Now that’s a novel idea!

3. Do crossword puzzles. This is an excellent way to unlock the hidden ideas in your mind.

4. Play ‘brainy’ or word video games. My mom loves AARP and plays the word games on the website. Heck, I’ve played some of the games featured on AARP. Yahoo! offers brainy and word games as well.

5. Start affirming, “There’s no such thing as writer’s block.” Affirmations are positive statements that work when you’re in a ‘good’ feeling state. They don’t work if you’re feeling down and out. A couple of affirmations for writer’s block are:

1. I have plenty of writing ideas.
2. I easily think of writing ideas.
3. I’m able to create new writing projects.

6. Join a writer’s group or circle. Gathering with other writers is a fantastic way to think of writing ideas. If you need some help brainstorming for ideas, ask your group to help you.

7. Read. When’s the last time you read a good book. Reading is good for the mind and soul. You never know what ideas will ‘pop’ into your head after reading a good book.

8. Write. You probably heard this one repeated over and over again. Here it is again: write every day. Write a poem, blog post, article, short story, or haiku. The point is to write!

9. Subscribe to writer’s magazines. Check out Writer’s Market and Writer’s Digest. These are the most popular publications for writers. Sign up for their newsletters and writer’s block will disappear overnight.

10. Believe in your writing. Sadly, some writers don’t believe in their writing. They’ve probably read or heard too many ‘horror stories’ about writers receiving rejection letters. Remember, John Grisham received 30 rejections for A Time to Kill which was eventually published and made into a movie. This can happen to you if you believe in you and your writing.

Rebecca

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How to Find the Right Writing Partner

May 30, 2011 by 2 Comments
Cover of "The Partner (John Grisham)"

Cover of The Partner (John Grisham)

If you’d like to write a book or keep up with your blog, you may consider finding a writing partner who’ll motivate and inspire you to accomplish your writing goals. If you find the right writing partner, you could co-author a book together and wind up on the #1 Best-Sellers List! The key is to find someone who’s like-minded but also balances you. For example, if time management isn’t your strength, find a writing partner who has impeccable time management skills. You’ll learn how to cultivate this skill which can help you grow as a writer.

A writing partner can encourage you to say goodbye to writing gigs that keep you stuck. It may be scary at first but when you have someone supporting and telling you, “You’ll be all right,” it can make the transition smoother. You’ll earn more money because you’ll work on projects you enjoy. This will attract new clients to you because you raised your ‘vibration’ which makes you more attractive to clients.

Benefits to working with a writing partner

1. Professional criticism. Constructive criticism will improve your writing. After all, you don’t want to send shoddy writing to an editor, do you? Your writing partner can suggest how you can simply your sentences or more descriptive words. If you haven’t channeled your “inner editor,” a writing partner can point out errors such as the misuse of quotation marks (periods and commas go inside them). A writing partner can point out the overuse of exclamation points or the em dash. The feedback you receive is invaluable.

2. The melding of genius minds. Two heads are better than one, right? Perhaps you have an idea for a book but would like to co-author it. Finding the perfect writing partner means you know the idea or concept backwards and forwards; you know and understand the message. You have a clear vision and know the target audience. Choose a writing partner that isn’t caught up within their ego — this is why lawsuits unfold. The right writing partner is someone who’s open to brainstorming, adds value to you and the project, and is professional.

3. Motivation. Sometimes you’re not in the mood to write. A writing partner can motivate you to stay the course and accomplish your writing goals. If you’re stuck in your comfort zone, a writing partner can push you out of it. They can encourage you to take a risk and apply for writing projects you never dreamed of applying before. A writing partner will push you towards success and cheer you on without taking any of the credit.

4. Inspiration. Choose a writing partner that inspires you. Perhaps they wrote and published three books and coach other writers. Maybe they volunteer at a children’s organization and help young kids find their inner writer. Find a writing partner that will make you want to succeed in your writing career and do better.

5. Accountability. This word has been thrown around over the years by life coaches and therapists and has become overused; however, it still has some value. You are responsible for you. No matter how much a writing partner pushes you, they can’t use Harry Potter’s magic wand and magically make you accountable for your writing. You can only do this. Hold yourself accountable if you want a successful writing career!

Where to find a writing partner?

1. Networking events.

2. Social media websites.

3. Your local bookstore.

4. The library.

5. Local and online writing groups.

If you think you’d like a writing partner, start ‘tweeting’ about it or post something on FB. Reach out to writers in your community and attend local writers groups. Make a list of the qualities you want in a writing partner. List your strengths and weaknesses and see where you could use improvement. Find a writing partner that’s willing to commit to the process, and you’ll be on your way to a fun and successful writing career. Good luck!

Rebecca

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The Bottom Line with Rebecca: Start Your Own Writing Group

April 1, 2011 by 1 Comment
elizabethandforrest

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I’ve attended writing groups both off and online. I prefer groups that meet in person because it’s nice to put a name with a face and it’s easier to discuss the feedback you receive. However, sometimes a writing group isn’t what it appears to be. The organizer may have good intentions about running the group, but sometimes they can be more like a dictatorship rather than a democratic process. Groups need rules and regulations but flexibility is needed as well. If you can’t find a writer‘s group that works for you, why now create one? It may seem like a lot of work but once you get the hang of running the group, it could be a lot of fun.

You may want to cap or limit the amount of people in a writer’s group. Sometimes when groups become too large, it’s easy to get off course. Some groups cap at 20 or 30. You could always limit your group to 10 people and decide as a group if you’d like to allow more members to join. You could always create ‘sub groups’ from the main writing group. You could have a sub group specifically for screenwriting, YA, non-fiction (self-help), novellas, poems, children’s pictures book, or other writing niches.

You’ll have to decide where to hold the writing group. Sometimes bookstores work and sometimes they don’t. A local or ‘mom and pop’ bookstore may work better than a chain bookstore like Barnes and Nobles. The noise level could get out of control. You may consider meeting at the library but they could charge $50 or more to rent the room. This means you’d have to charge a membership fee for your writer’s group or pay the room fee. Another alternative is to have it at your home or if you live in an apartment or condo, they may allow you to use their business center. Again, they may charge a fee to rent the space.

Starting your own writing group could be a wonderful experience. It’s a good way to build and expand your leadership skills. You’ll also strengthen your speaking skills. When you begin a writer’s group, you get to set the agenda and build it with the input of members. Make sure you create a cohesive group. Your group may not be for everyone and that’s all right. Don’t take it personally if you lose members. It is better they leave the group than cause dissension among members. Who knows, your writing group could gain the attention of the local media which could be good for you and all members of the group. Good luck!

Rebecca

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