Hockey is Done....

Minor hockey, that is. My son plays hockey and, as a hockey mom, it's a ton of work. The schedule is brutal for a 7 year old (and for a 40 year old).

Anywho, because I'm still recuperating from the hockey season, I'm going to be lazy and provide a link to literary agent Nathan Bransford's blog. He writes on queries and why they should be specific. Queries are something that most people have a hard time with....unless you have an agent, then you don't need to read this.

I will return with more musings next week after I let loose with a little post-hockey celebrating.

Feeling Rejected?

I had to share this tid bit of information with all of you (my 3 fans): It's about being rejected by publishing houses, agents, magazine editors and everyone else in between.

Take heart my dear writer friends. So, you've been rejected. So what? Have you been rejected 11,100 times? Probably not.

Jacob Appel has. I kid you not. Over 11,000 times. That could certainly put a dent in a person's ego. He must be made of steel.
Check out Pimp My Novel.
Also check out Literary Rejections on Display.

The Flow of Writing

The flow of writing. What is it? And why is it uber-important?

Being in the flow of writing means not backing down from your story and not editing your words before they hit the page. It means expressing yourself as you are and how you want to.

It's your book, dammit! Get your words out there and write like your fingers are on fire.

"But...but", you might stutter, "how does writing 'whatever comes out' get me an agent/publisher/on the best seller list?"

The point, and I know this is going to sound redundant, is that you let the words flow out of you. The next step, after you have your story on the page, is to go back and make the changes you need to make. But, stay in the flow of your self-expression.

Readers will see through you if your story is awkward. They will know when you are not writing as 'you' should be writing. It just won't flow.

I discovered a blog by a recently published author and I love it. This woman is funny and natural and I want to make her my new best friend. Her book isn't out till September, but, just by reading her posts, I want to read her book. There is nothing forced there.

If you want to check it out, go to Kiersten White's blog at Kiersten Writes.

Stay in the flow.

Imagination

JK Rowling gives 2008 Harvard Commencement speech inspiring others to hold-fast to their imaginations and their dreams... no matter what. (Click on link underneath video if video doesn't load.)

J.K. Rowling Speaks at Harvard Commencement from Harvard Magazine on Vimeo.

Book Trailers: Marketing for Your Book

I think I've been living under a rock for at least a year. I recently learned about creating Book Trailers, a fantastic and creative way to promote your book online.

I've perused a few trailers and they make me want to, at the very least, check the book out. Even if the genre isn't my 'thing'.

Here's a book trailer for Wake by Lisa McMann.






Let's see the trailer for Duma Key by Stephen King.





And Witch Fire by Anya Bast.



As you can see, not much money needs to be spent on creating these trailers. Add a few eye-catching pictures, a dash of tantalizing music and some snappy words (the most important ingredient) and you'll be reeling your readers into checking out your book.

Write or Die by Dr Wicked

A little something to keep you focused and on track during Nanowrimo (or any other time of the year). Write or Die by Dr Wicked helps you with your personal word count goal by keeping you in line if you aren't on target.... set your target word goal and decide if you want to experience Gentle, Normal or Kamakaze consequences.

Good luck and have fun.

Kindle Numbers: Traditional Publishing Vs. Self Publishing

I came across JA Konrath's blog about how he makes more through ebooks than he does traditionally. Interesting.

Kindle Numbers: Traditional Publishing Vs. Self Publishing