Blog
Progress on novels, events, writing materials and general guides will be posted here. And of course, any general comments I have about the world.
A lovely link to explain the reasons why we blog. http://thesecretlifeofthemind.blogspot.com/
Bumper Prize Competition
It’s been an age and a century since I last held a competition. Fret not, tis time for another…And this one has 4 PRIZES on offer! But – before we get there, let’s go over the entry requirements.
Question: Name a book or a movie (that has been published/released in the last 10 years) that had a flashback moment that truly rocked/moved/angered/pained/hurt/choked you. Was there a bit when the Main Character came to realise something that changed the dynamics of the plot or the movie?
Example (albeit a weird one): Kung Fu Panda 2 – When Po performs the Inner Peace ‘Catch the bubble and let it move’ routine, and he relives the moment when his family were attacked … etc … Although it was predictable, the music, the imagery, the execution of it moved me to connect with the character’s plight.
Right … Got it?
How to Enter: It’s all done via Twitter
Yes, I know that will limit your answer but hey, it’s all about succinct answers. And, when answering you have to include a link to this page and a unique hashtag that I will specify below…
So… If I was entering, my answer on twitter would be:
Kung Fu Panda 2 when Po uses Inner Peace to learn about his family being attacked.
#WinPrizeswithFlickimp
http://bit.ly/KTsbGu
Believe it or not, but that only took up 123 characters within the allowed 140 on Twitter. So it can be done.
***Remember*** The #WinPrizeswithFlickimp and the http://bit.ly/KTsbGu must be present.
Deadline: Sunday 20th May 2012 – Midday GMT
FOUR Prizes !!! A secret group will discuss each entry and award on those we agree with.
1. Paperback Copy of Ash Mistry and the Savage Fortress – by Sarwat Chadda @sarwatchadda
Fantastic novel where flashbacks take the reader into the past, and propel the Main Character into a dark quest.
Ash Mistry hates India. Which is a problem since his uncle has brought him and his annoying younger sister Lucky there to take up a dream job with the mysterious Lord Savage. But Ash immediately suspects something is very wrong with the eccentric millionaire. Soon, Ash finds himself in a desperate battle to stop Savage’s masterplan – the opening of the Iron Gates that have kept Ravana, the demon king, at bay for four millennia…
2. The Writer’s Toolbox
From getting past that difficult opening line to rounding out characters, this kit will guide you round the creative obstacles on your literary path. These activities focus on a ‘right-brain’ creative approach to keeping productive. Includes: 64 page booklet, 4 plot twist spinner pallettes, 60 creative cards, 60 wooden excercise sticks and a hinged box.
3.Rory’s Story Cubes
Here you will find unique icons depicting the 54 most important verbs (action words).
4. Five-Minute Writer
This book will inspire you to write – even if you have only a few minutes a day to spare. Each chapter offers a writing-related discussion, followed by a five-minute exercise. It will help you to develop a routine, recognise your life as an inexhaustible source of ideas, stimulate creative thoughts on demand understand the nature of fiction and what it requires of you and remove writing blocks.
GOOD LUCK!
Format to use:
Kung Fu Panda 2 when Po uses Inner Peace to learn about his family being attacked.
#WinPrizeswithFlickimp
http://bit.ly/KTsbGu
Where I’m Going…
Where I’ve been, and Where I’m Going.
The Dark Days are behind me… time to be Positive!
Guest Post: Creating Sales by Amanda S John
Huge thanks to Amanda S John for providing a great post on Marketing for Novels. Agreed that there are lots of posts out there that give tips on marketing, but I have to take my hat off to the succinct joy this post gives.
Chasing sales…
It’s launch day. The much-anticipated moment has arrived; your book is on sale. Resting hopefully on the virtual shelves of Amazon, it’s there to be found and discovered. The cover is inviting, the blurb irresistible. But how do you make sure it is seen and, most importantly, read?
Pre-launch
Ideally, you will have started a marketing campaign before the launch of your book. Keeping your contacts updated with the release date, perhaps organising an online event, and generally creating a hype are essential in the weeks leading up to the big day. The hard work doesn’t stop there, though; it’s just the beginning.
Target the right market
Networking and socialising with other like-minded writers and authors is valuable (and, some would argue, essential for your sanity!), but don’t expect to reach the bestsellers list by rubbing shoulders with others with books to promote. Yes, Indie authors are usually supportive of each other, and the opportunity to provide opportunities for one another to write guest blogs, help promote a new book, etc, should be utilised. When it comes to the hard sell, however, bear in mind that writers may not necessarily be the right audience for all of your marketing efforts – you need to make yourself visible to readers in general, not just those who happen to write as well.
I’m not suggesting you hunt down every online Kindle forum you can and spam them with constant links to your book (unlikely to win you any support or respect). Instead, do everything you can to make yourself available to readers – join sites like Goodreads (www.goodreads.com), where readers actively seek new books to read, set up an author page on Amazon and link it to a blog or website, and remember the old-fashioned ways of promoting a book. Book signings may not be an option for ebooks, but there are still plenty of ways to arrange readings and events, whether they are online or in ‘real life’!
Keep in contact
If a reader contacts you, reply to them. The more genuine relationships and interest you build in your writing career, the more potential readers you have waiting for your next book. If you have a website, set up an option for fans to join a mailing list. It’s an effective, personal way of letting them know of any news and future releases.
Spare the time
As much as it would be lovely to finish a novel, put it on sale, and begin work immediately on the next one, it won’t quite work that way if you are self-publishing and managing your promotion. Marketing your book needs careful time management – there’s no denying that networking, blogging, and keeping your readers updated will take up a significant chunk of your schedule. Accept that this promotion stage is just another essential part of the writing process, and set aside a decent amount of time to do your campaign justice.
I’m currently trying to put all of the above techniques into practice with a promotion campaign for my new novel, ‘She & I’, which is available via Amazon and in paperback via Feedaread (www.feedaread.com).
How long does it take for a family to unravel when it’s built on a foundation of deceit and mistrust?
Sarah is caught in emotional turmoil following a violent first marriage and the realisation that her second is a sham. Her eldest daughter, Lindsey, is fighting against the expectations of both her mother and society and finding she is capable of actions that are shocking, even to her. As their relationships begin to fall apart, the two women embark on the most defining and revealing week of their lives, discovering that nothing is as it seems, and everything will change. Forever.
You can find out more about me and my writing at www.amandasjohn.weebly.com
Completing Novel 3
Roll out the fanfare, for the Think Less… Write More approach has served me well.
I am one evening away from completing my third novel: “Adam Khan”, and my excitement levels are p-p-p-p-popping!
It’s been a mixed experience with this novel. There have been days of words flowing like a river, and then some where I tore shreds off my lips… BUT – like I keep saying, when you hit a blocky moment, just add bullet-points and move on to the next scene. From the date of restarting this novel (because the previous 30k was absolute rubbish), I will be hitting 63k.
And that’s within 33 days!
Yes, yes, yes, I know there are some that could do that within a week itself, but for me – it’s A-mA-zing!
I’m already looking forward to the redraft stage. And after that, 2 further novels that are floating in my head.
Could I have novel 4 and 5 written before the end of the year? Maybe… Let’s Roll!
Moving on from a Dead Novel
Pop over to read my Guest Post on the Nomad Novelists Writers’ Group site, on how ditching a novel you love isn’t always a bad thing.
http://nomadnovelist.wordpress.com/2012/04/29/moving-on-from-a-dead-novel/
Bullets over Words
I have a bone to pick with myself
Each session of writing begins with: A sheet of paper with the plot scribbled down,a pen to record word count every so often, ITunes playlist selected, and Me
With one eye on the start time, a glance at the plot, I pound the keyboard like a loveliest of words that must be poured or the universe could implode
Seriously, I write with passion.
But, at a certain point, before I want it to occur, my endurance levels sink. I’ve probably got down 1500 to 2000 words bashed out, and my mind wants to do more, but my mind says stop. Hang on – how dare my mind put me in a mixed up state of confusion. Stop telling me to write, if you intend to halt me.
Arggghhhhhh..
In the end, I do slow down and find that the last six lines of each chapter are bullet points of what else I must write to complete the chapter
Groan… Why do I do this to myself?
Well… It’s not all bad. When it comes to the redraft, I may have to add further words, but that’s what redraft is all about. The first draft isn’t the final product. It is the voice of your thoughts that told the story. And modifying it is what makes a better story
The bone I intended to pick… I’ll leave it alone.
There may be instances when you struggle with a chapter. Don’t worry; just list in bullets what you think you need, and move onto the next chapter. You ca always come back to add, delete, update, slash, destroy, massacre and create ann another day.
Live long.
About Me
Polishing up my YA SciFi with optimism for 2012. Love to write and create images. Fantasy, Sci-Fi, the weird and the wonderful. I tweet with a smiling heart. Based in Leicester, UK, I intend to write!