Lesson 76

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Facebook, lesson, Lesson 76, lessons, post, schedule, social media, Twitter

Hi all, I know I promised a lesson about marketing, but I ended up forgetting it was Wednesday. Whoops! The days are starting to run together, and I’m still trying to get on a regular blogging schedule…

Anyway, it’s Wednesday again, so I’m going to talk about it now.

Marketing. We all hate it, don’t we? Maybe it’s just me, but marketing is something to despise.

A lot of authors (me included) have no idea what to do when it comes to marketing. Well, lucky for me, even though I’m still figuring it out, I have discovered a few things to help with that.

If you have a Facebook page, Twitter account, and any other social media account, you’re going to want to look at when your most popular posts are seen. You’ll want to schedule posts for that time, and more people will see it.

Post often. The more often you post, the more people will see it. Some of those people will want to buy it!

Make connections. If you connect with other authors, they may want to help to promote it. They may want to actually buy your book.

Don’t be spammy. Yes, I just said to post often, but there’s a difference between posting often and spamming everyone. Don’t just send out a ton of links and expect everyone to be okay with it. Don’t message everyone saying, “Buy my book,” and expect to make a ton of money. It doesn’t work like that. That’s not connecting. That’s spamming everyone, and quite frankly, it’s annoying.

Some of these may seem obvious, but I’m still learning. What are you doing to market your book? If you have any tips that aren’t mentioned here, comment below!

The Trouble With Writing

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Days of the Kill, Facebook, marketing, The Trouble With Writing

It’s Monday, so let’s get back to looking at what the trouble with writing is. This week, we’re looking at marketing.

Marketing. That’s a dirty word, isn’t it? Or is that just me? It’s something I have struggled with since I started writing Days of the Kill. I had absolutely no idea what I was doing, so I really just kind of avoided it as long as I could even though my publisher and my editor said that I should be getting the word out about my book well before it came out. Oops.

Let’s just say when Days of the Kill came out, I had done very little marketing. I was going, “Oh, crap. Nobody knows about this book. I should probably have let more people know about it.” Then again, someone bought it the day after it came out, so I was also going, “Hey, posting on Facebook is all I need to do!”

Yeah, no. It doesn’t work like that.

I’ve been working more on marketing lately, and not just throwing ads at people. I’m trying to share meaningful things. Instagram has actually become my favorite source of connecting, which is odd since I used to avoid it at all costs.

That’s the trouble with writing though, isn’t it? Most of us have no idea what we’re doing when we write, and that’s why most of us don’t make enough to not have a day job. A lot of times, one we hate. Or maybe that was just me.

I’ll talk more on how to market on Wednesday. Until then, what do you do to market your book? Comment below!

Prompt 35

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prompt, Prompt 35, writer, writing

Hello, everyone. The world must be ending… I’m getting back to prompts after about nine months. I only know because WordPress tells me so. But here I am again, and it feels great to be back. I guess that comes with not having a job right now, because, well, I lost it.

Anyway, back to what I was talking about. Prompts. I love doing these, so here is today’s prompt:

When did you discover when you wanted to be a writer? Were you met with positivity or negativity? When did you really start to get serious about it?

I’m going to have fun with this one… I hope you do, too!

Lesson 75

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book signings, Days of the Kill, lesson, Lesson 75, lessons, promotion, Resilient, social media

Hi all, I am so sorry about the long break I took! It seemed like everything happened at once, and I just got so lazy with it. I’m back now, though, and hopefully I will be back to posting normally like I used to.

It’s Wednesday, so we’re going to be looking at a lesson. Today, we’re talking about promotion.

I feel like I have talked about this a lot in the past. But it’s become important to me again, so here we go.

I feel like a lot of authors dream of being able to write full time. I know I do. I’m trying to do what I can to get the word about my books (yes, books! Resilient is out now: http://amzn.to/2gqWBXf)

So what do you do to get the word out there about your books? Well, you can post about it on social media. That’s bound to get a few sales. Heck, mine did. Someone bought Days of the Kill for her husband on his birthday! Say what???

Anyway, you can also get it in book stores. If you’re with a publisher, that may happen a little easier, although not much. I don’t have mine on any shelves, but it’s in a lot of UK online bookstores (did I mention I’m American and have never been to the UK?)!

Talk about it with everyone you meet. Not everyone is going to buy it, and you just have to accept that. We are human beings, and all human beings are allowed to have their own tastes. Just be civil when you get rejected, because that will happen.

One other thing that really helps, is getting out there and holding a book signing. Yes, you knew it had to come eventually. That’s where I’m focusing a lot of my energy in 2017. I may or may not have signed up for five next year in the past five days… Those hotels are going to get expensive.

Whatever you do to promote, make sure you just get out there, and please be polite! You’ll get farther. I promise. 🙂

What do you do to promote? What has worked? What hasn’t worked? Let me know in the comments!

The Trouble With Writing

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editing, frustrating, major rewrite, manuscript, The Trouble With Writing, writing

Well this is certainly an unfamiliar sight. I haven’t done anything with this series in a long time. Well, I’ve actually been away from blogging for a month, but that’s besides the point. So sorry!

Unfortunately, I will not be doing blog posts for a couple weeks after this, but that is because I will be out of town. I’ll be in Hawaii!

Anyway, today we are looking at the trouble with writing again, after so long of being away from this. This week, we’re looking at editing.

Oh, editing. I can’t stand it. Well, I mean, I tolerate it because  a lot of writing is editing, but it doesn’t mean I actually have to like it.

Currently, I am focusing on a major rewrite for one of my manuscripts. Ugh, right? I mean, I’ve already done a major rewrite of this manuscript once. I hate the fact that I have to do it again. Life of a writer.

The fact is, sometimes it seems like we are writing a whole new book (or is that just me?). It’s a pain, but it’s all for the betterment of the book. And this is before the editor gets ahold of it!

I’m guessing it’s for the betterment of the book, anyway. I’m just hoping the editor doesn’t tell me to put everything I’ve cut out back in! The beta readers have said a lot of negative things about those chapters, so I guess that’s something.

But don’t pay much attention to that last part. It’s late and I’m tired and my mind is everywhere.

Anyway, sometimes we feel frustrated with our manuscript, but we can’t give up. It will be all worth it when we get that book out. I would know!

Well, I guess I’m off to maybe get some sleep now. Maybe I’ll feel rested enough to write on the plane! Until then, keep on writing.

Lesson 74

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excuses, lesson, Lesson 74, lessons, making time, making time to write, writing

I know I’ve been slacking on the posting lately. Sorry about that, everyone! I’m trying to get back to the regular posting. I promise!

It’s Wednesday, so we’re looking at another lesson. It’s been a crazy few weeks, so we’re going to look at making time.

I know I’ve talked about it towards the beginning of this website, but I think it’s time to look at it again.

I’m guilty of this. I’ve been here before. I’ve said, “I don’t have time.” Yeah. I’ve done that. Why? As it turns out, I’m just lazy.

Lately, I’ve been forcing myself to do a little bit every day. I have a goal of editing two chapters a day, although I try to make it more like five. I’m trying to make myself do a lot more. Maybe I won’t get a chance until the evening, but gosh darn it, as soon as I get the time, I’m doing it.

At least, I try to.

Now, maybe I won’t do as much if I’m extremely tired. Maybe I won’t do as much if I can’t think straight. But I try to do a lot. I try to push through and make sure I take the time. I try to make sure I’m doing at least a little bit every day.

If I don’t do anything one day, it’s not because I didn’t have time. It’s because I chose not to.

Try to do a little bit of writing every single day. You might just have five minutes. You might have just a couple minutes. Any writing you do will be a big help. Never doubt that.

Lesson 73

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author, distractions, Facebook, lesson, Lesson 73, lessons, published, social media, writing

Hey all, WordPress is telling me that it’s been a month since I put a post up… Whoops! Sorry about that, you guys!

Today, we’re talking about not procrastinating. This lesson is mostly for me because I’ve been procrastinating a lot lately, but I’m sure others can benefit from it, too.

Night time seems to be the best time for me to work on my manuscript. Here’s the thing, though… Lately, I’ve been looking at Facebook at night instead! Oops. Maybe I should disconnect from the wi-fi so I’m not so tempted. And it might also help to shut my phone off, too.

I know I can’t be the only one in this situation. You sit down with the full intention of writing. Then instead of writing, you find yourself on the internet. Maybe you’re reading this instead of writing. Now, don’t get me wrong, I appreciate you taking the time out to read what I write, but you do need to get that book written if you ever want to call yourself a published author…

Are you really still here? Did you not read what I just said? Well, I guess that means you want me to ramble on some more. Fine by me!

Distractions can come from all over the place. It can come from Facebook or any social media. It can even come from researching for your book. Don’t spend too long researching… It will destroy you.

Been there, done that. Trust me on this one.

We all get distracted sometimes. We all get in this slump that maybe we don’t always know how to get out of. Just look for it. When there’s a will, there’s a way.

What distractions come to you? Let me know in the comments!

Lesson 72

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author signings, AuthorFest, book signings, bookmarks, books, learning curve, lesson, Lesson 72, lessons, writing

Hey all, I’m sorry for not getting a post up these past few weeks. It’s been crazy around here. I also don’t have a laptop currently because my motherboard crashed, so I more than likely won’t be posting a lot until I get it back. I had a few minutes today, though, so here we go.

This week, we’re talking about getting your name out there.

I know, I’ve probably talked about this before, but we’re going to focus on this again just because of the experience I had this weekend.

I was at a multi-author signing called AuthorFest. It was such a great experience! I met so many amazing authors, and because of that, I was invited to more events! And, of course, I got my name out there.

This event was definitely a learning curve for me. I learned the importance of bookmarks… A little too well. I guess I should get on with getting those made!

If you don’t know, it is definitely important to get a bookmark to promote yourself. It can lead people to your website and your books. I never even really thought about it. Now I know the importance more than ever. I sold four books this weekend, which really isn’t bad. Maybe if I had bookmarks, I could have sold more.

But let’s not focus on the negative about that.

The point is, it is so important to get your name out there. Call your local bookstore and get a signing set up. Create your own website. Do whatever it takes to get yourself known. Besides, book signings are a lot of fun. This weekend was my second, and I’ve had nothing but a positive experience.

Keep on writing, everyone. It’s a wild but amazing ride!

AuthorFest 2016!

Lesson 71

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getting stuck, ideas, lesson, Lesson 71, lessons, ten minutes, writers block, writing

Hello, everyone. We’re back to another lesson this week. I know, I know, I missed last week. That’s okay. At least I haven’t disappeared for a few months, like I’ve been known to do. 😉

This week, we’re looking at overcoming that gosh darn rut we seem to get ourselves stuck in. Sometimes, we call it writer’s block.

Personally, I don’t like the term “writer’s block.” That’s something that I don’t believe should be a thing. Look around, and you’ll find ideas all around you. There’s no reason to get stuck with this block.

Sometimes, however, we do get stuck. We hit a wall. We’ll run out of ideas. That’s perfectly fine. But you know what? You can push through it. Write a bunch of nonsense on paper for a while. You’ll get to comprehensive sentences sooner or later. Sometimes my best ideas come from that!

I’ve mentioned before that there was some famous person that suggested writing for ten minutes non-stop. I never did find the name of that person, although I should… (somebody help me out if you know it, please).

Writing for ten minutes non-stop is an amazing way to get going. Yeah, okay, so most of it’s going to be complete crap. I realize that as much as you do. Sometimes, though, you have this amazing thing that comes out of writing that complete crap. I sure have (although, to be fair, I was in a pretty dark place in my life at the time, so it doesn’t take long to figure out why the dark parts of my writing were the best…I couldn’t do sunshine and rainbows).

Write complete crap if you get stuck. Some of the best ideas come from that.

What do you do if you get stuck? Let me know in the comments!

The Trouble With Writing

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forcing, The Trouble With Writing, writers block, writing, writing problems

Hello, everyone. We’re back to another Monday to look at what the trouble with writing is. This week, we’re looking at writing when you’re just not sure what to write.

Not that we’re doing this because I honestly have no clue what to write today. Nope, not one bit. Okay…fine. That’s exactly why we’re looking at this today.

Sometimes we just get into this rut and we have no clue what to write. We get stuck. Some may call it writer’s block.

Now, personally, I don’t believe in writer’s block because there’s always something to be written. We just haven’t discovered it yet. When it’s not discovered, we get stuck.

Once in a while, we have to force out the words. Just a fair warning, it’s more than likely going to be terrible. That’s okay. That’s what editing is for. At least you have words on paper.

Something I’ve noticed that helps is if I get stuck, I just bang out some words on my laptop and don’t let myself stop for a while. Say…ten minutes. Somebody famous suggested that. I don’t remember who it was at the moment, but I’ve seen it on a site that I frequent. It was credited to that famous person. Yay famous person that suggested it. You are a life saver.

I really should look up who that was. Maybe I will and let you all know on Wednesday.

Anyway, I seem to have gotten off track here.

What do you do when you don’t know what to write about? Writing is my therapy, so I can’t just push everything aside for a while. I have to force it.

Feel free to let me know what you do in the comments!