Sittin’ On The Porch With Kelly – Author Elizabeth Seckman – It’s all about the lazy

Posted on November 29, 2014 by Kelly Abell

Today is a delightful day because I’m joined on the porch by author Elizabeth Seckman. We’ve been giggling like school girls since she sat down. So much so, we nearly spilled our tea. Elizabeth shares a delightful story of a lesson learned about being lazy from her… (clears throat) um…muse. Let’s listen.

Even as a little girl, I wanted to be a writer.

Okay, so my idea of a writer was mostly  influenced by Felicia Gallant of  “Another World” (Oh the days of hurrying home from school to watch the soaps!)… sooo basically, I just wanted to spend my life wrapped in boas (the feathery kind) and click around in high heels (on the marble floors of my mansion!).

What I am finding is that writing is, ugh, work. There is no little fairy sprinkling golden words and ideas on my little blond head. (I think Steven King may be holding her hostage, I just can’t prove it.)

So, here I am. At the beginning.  The people in the ‘know’ tell me I need  to blog. And I need to publish some shorts (oh no, not my britches!). And I need to enter contests.  And I need to attend conferences. And I need to network. And I need to join writer’s groups. And I need to write. And I need to edit. And I need to query. And I need to research.  And for crying out loud, MAY I PLEASE HAVE A LITTLE TIME TO READ?

And I’m thinking I better pray.  Pray for a change of heart or the endurance to compete. It’s a tough world out there. So many good writers, so few good readers.

So, it’s important to bring the A game. Don’t get sloppy, don’t get cocky. My college English professor, Dr. Hart (Heartless was the pet name I fondly used in my thoughts). He gave me the first B I ever got in an English class. I was stunned. It almost brought me to tears. He stopped me as I was leaving the class.

He asked in his uber thick German accent, “Miss Hartman. Did my B surprise you?”

“Uh, hell yes.” (I really just nodded…understand, what I say and what I think are rarely congruent)

“You have talent Miss Hartman. But you are lazy. I’m sure you’ve earned  A’ s your whole life with writing that is ‘good enough’, but in this class, you better be prepared to stun me to get your A. Now have a good day.”

“Pecker head.” (okay, so I choked out a simple ‘thank you’…what else do you say to a scary German guy who holds the power to end your scholarship with a B?)

So, now when I write. Dr. Heartless, uh I mean Hart, is my muse (Darn you King, release the fairy!). He sits on my shoulder and barks, “lazy” until I struggle word by individual word until I hear him say, “eh, that’s better”.

And hopefully today’s result is a post that appears effortless ~  a chatty little informative dialogue between friends. And the best part is? You have no idea how many drafts it took to get here (3).  And in the sage, sitcom wisdom of  Dr. Bob Keslo  (“Scrubs”) … “ Anything in this world that’s worth having doesn’t come easy.”

(wipes tears of laughter from eyes) Oh Elizabeth, you crack me up. Thanks so much for visiting the porch today. You can find out more about Elizabeth and her books on my Porch Guests page.

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Self-Publishing Tip #4 – Building Your Author Brand – Author Promotion Videos #amwriting

Posted on November 27, 2014 by Kelly Abell

You have multiple books published and you’re wondering how to promote them all at once? Consider an Author Promotion Video. By pulling together short taglines about each book along with the book cover and other stock photos or video footage, you can create an eye-catching promotional tool that you can use on social media, your own website, and even burn to a DVD to play at an author event.

Don’t know where to start? Personally, I’d use a professional. I’ve seen many authors try this on their own and the free software available through Apple or Windows, just isn’t quite extensive enough to get the job done. Their choice of transitions and text fonts are limited and you want to make sure you don’t use copyrighted photos or music without giving credit where credit is due.

Using a professional does a few things for you:

  1. Ensures professional quality
  2. Broadens production ideas – it can be overwhelming to know where to start
  3. Gives you better choices of clear transitions, clear easily readable font, color tones, and timing of transition to music
  4. Professional advice on choices for media that fits your author image

Once it’s produced, then what? You can share the link to the video on YouTube, your own website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram…just to name a few. If you get the original file from the creator, you can upload it to your Amazon Author Page on Author Central. Several other book/reader interactive websites also allow for video uploads, like Goodreads and ManicReaders to name a few.

Burn it on a DVD and take it with you to promotion events like book signings or conventions. This can be a great way to draw people to your table, and they can learn all about you and your books while they are waiting for a chance to speak with you.

Remember it’s all about building a professional brand for you as an author, and this is different from a book trailer. Those are great too, but an Author Promotion Video is all about you as an author, not just one book. They usually work better if you have more than one book published, and particularly if you’re an author that writes in multiple gentres. If you don’t know where to go to have one of these videos made, try Select-O-Grafix, LLC at http://www.selectografix.com. We do a great job for only $50. I haven’t seen too many authors take advantage of this unique idea, but if you’d like to see what one looks like, I’ve posted a few links below. Think of it as your own little commercial.

Casey Knight Book Collection

Kelly Abell Book Collection

Marsha Casper Cook Book Collection

If you’ve used video in a unique way to build your brand, please share with me. I’d love to pass the ideas on to our readers.

Books by Kelly Abell     Cover Designs by Select-O-Grafix

Copyright 2014 by Kelly Abell

 

 

 

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Where Do Story Ideas Come From? Friends and Family #amwriting

Posted on November 25, 2014 by Kelly Abell

children and social network

I was reading a post on Facebook the other day and it read, “Never tick off a writer or they might kill you off in their next book!” I laughed, but that also started me thinking about this segment of my blog. How often do you use friends and family as the basis for a story idea? Should you be cautious? How far should you go in your characterizations, or plot lines?

Guilty. Watch out, friends and family, you could recognize yourself in one of my characters, but never to the point that someone will point at the book and say, “Oh my God, that’s you!” I use bits of personality, bits of physical appearance, and a few direct quotes when I use friends and family as the basis for a character. If I want to use a name, I’ll ask. In my book, Captured In Lies, one of the Secret Service men is named after a friend of mine. I asked his permission first, and he was delighted to be immortalized in print.

It’s my advice to use caution when drawing from family history, or a story that was told to you by a friend. If it becomes tempting to use it in a book, it’s always best to ask permission and then mention them in the acknowledgements. Once I wrote a story about a friend of mine and his reconnection with an old love through social media. I did get his permission to write the story, but didn’t go far enough and ask his love interest. I may have hit a little too close to home with the story, because I think it caused some friction in their relationship. Lesson learned.

Before you get yourself in hot water, I’d examine the story. Possibly pull bits and pieces and then disguise any direct relevance in another plot line or character description. Truth is stranger than fiction, so friends and family, unfortunately, become great novel fodder, but you don’t have to rub anyone’s nose in it.

Books by Kelly Abell     Cover Designs by Select-O-Grafix

Copyright 2014 by Kelly Abell

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Sittin’ On The Porch With Kelly – Author KC Sprayberry – What’s An Editor For Anyway? #amwriting

Posted on November 22, 2014 by Kelly Abell

It’s a nice sunny day here in Florida, and I’m sittin’ on the porch with Author KC Sprayberry. I’m sure she’s enjoying the break from the cold and the snow. We’ve got our coffee and we’re chatting about why editors are so important. KC has a great deal of experience not only writing, but working on the publishing side as well. She’s the Editor In Chief for the Summer Solstice imprint for Solstice Publishing.

Let’s listen as she tells us a story about why your editor is important.

You have your contract signed. The cover art is totally awesome. For weeks you’ve waited on the editor to get started looking over your book, but he or she won’t have much to do. Your book is the most awesome book in creation. There will be little or no problems with it.

author (1)

Visions of a best seller dance in your head. You’re so focused on this that you are searching for places to let reviewers know the Great American novel has happened, and they must, absolutely, read your book and rate it higher than any other book ever written. Why it’s not a stretch to ask your publisher to pay for those places that do reviews, like Kirkus or the New York Times. It doesn’t matter that Kirkus charges from $425 to $575 to review a book, with no guarantee when your book will be reviewed or if you’ll have a good review. That the NYT has a large backlist of review requests never even enters your mind. Your book is going to topple every well-known author off their lists, to become the latest book to vie for a place at the top. 

Then your editor contacts you. Your book is next up in the queue and they’re already going over the pages. You read the email with your heart in your throat. Dizzy dreams of soon having a best seller on your hands cloud your eyes. You have to read the email a couple of times. What does it mean when the editor says you will have to go through three rounds of editing? Your book is perfect. All this person has to do is sign off and let you get the galleys off to these reviewers. Are they nuts?

editor

 Fuming, you dash off an email to the editor in chief in charge of the imprint your book is in. You want this editor fired immediately. They are about to butcher your book. This is not going to happen. When the editor in chief doesn’t immediately bow to your wishes, you’re emailing the publisher, who certainly won’t want such a wonderful book ruined by a hack editor. Yet, even then you don’t get satisfaction, because the same editor in chief you just called every kind of idiot is responding instead of the publisher.

The reality is that every book needs editing, if for nothing more than to check for misspelled or missing words, improper punctuation, or a dropped plot point. Your editor is actually your best friend in this situation. These are things a professional reviewer will notice and say something about. Once a good editor is finished with the process, you will feel like both you and your book have been shaken hard and honed into a work of art. Your book might not make the best seller list, that’s virtually unheard of for first time authors, but you will have a well-written, well-edited piece of work you can be proud to promote. Those who do read your book will be happy to leave a glowing review of your work. You will soon find yourself happy the editor pointed out all those problems and convinced you to accept their suggestions. 

Remember that you spend many months or years writing your book. It has to compete with the thousands of books uploaded every month. Therefore, you want the best possible product available. That’s what your editor is for.

 Thanks so much for joining us KC. Your story reminds all of us why an editor is so important.  Editors…we thank you for your hard and tedious work!

Find out more about KC on our Porch Guests page.

Books by Kelly Abell     Cover Designs by Select-O-Grafix

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My Own Publishing Journey #amwriting

Posted on November 21, 2014 by Kelly Abell

I was feeling nostalgic this morning as I was re-reading my first published book, Sealed In Lies. This book and I have been on quite a journey. It took me over a year to write it, mostly because I obsessed over every sentence. I read the manuscript aloud until my family was sick of it.

I received multiple rejections from agents and small publishers which nearly ended my writing career before it ever got started. I was so discouraged, but my husband kept telling me to keep going, to keep putting myself out there and one day it would happen.

Solstice Publishing took a chance on me, and I remember the day I got the contract. I jumped up and down, did the Snoopy dance in the kitchen and called everyone I knew. No one answered their phone. 🙂 That didn’t matter. I celebrated any way by hyperventilating and shoving my face into a paper bag.

I knew this was a big step for me, but the journey was far from over. Since that day over seven years ago, that wonderful book has gotten accepted into the public library ( a recent acquisition I’m very proud of), and miracle above miracles, it has a movie option. Now, talk about exciting! Villa Vision Pictures took another chance on this story, and I’m eagerly awaiting more news there. That process takes a very long time, if it ever happens at all, but at least that wonderful romantic spy story is finally getting the attention I feel it deserves.

The point to all my musings? Keep up the good fight. Polish your work to its absolute shiniest and put it out there. Be sure to follow all the publisher’s/agent’s submission instructions and learn how to write a kick a** query letter, and you too could be on your published author journey.  It takes time and patience, but if you continue to perfect your craft and learn from feedback you receive it will happen for you too.

Best of luck in your writing journey and stay tuned for more writing and publishing tips.

If you’d like to see what all the fuss is about on Sealed In Lies, stop by my website to pick up a signed copy, or you can buy it here from Amazon.

Sealed In Lies_Large

Jack Weaver, a super sexy ex- SEAL and under cover operative for the CIA, can’t escape a life of lies. Working in the largest drug cartel in Columbia, Jack lives a life of guns, drugs and beautiful women. All that ends, when Jack is betrayed by his own Deputy Director, Kent Larson, in conjunction with a plot to kill the President-Elect on Inauguration Day. Jack is forced to make a decision that lands him in the middle of a mystery that entwines all of Jack’s former SEAL team buddies whom he’d once trusted with his life.

Caroline, the abused wife of Senator Warren Walters, the current Vice-President Elect, has her own problems, which are only compounded when she discovers Jack breaking into her home desperate for answers. She’s terrified of him at first, but soon realizes he may be the answer to her prayers, when he forces her to leave as his hostage.

Unexpected desire sizzles as Jack leads Caroline on a search for the truth. When he offers to let her go, she finally sees the one man who can free not only her battered body but her heart as well. Together they fight to clear Jack’s name, save a President, and free themselves from a life Sealed in Lies.

Books by Kelly Abell     Cover Designs by Select-O-Grafix

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Writing Tip #5 – To Outline Or Not To Outline #amwriting

Posted on November 18, 2014 by Kelly Abell

Draft Final Tablet Means Writing Rewriting And Editing

Many people ask me, “Are you an Outliner?”

Aside from sounding like a creature from another planet, an Outliner is a writer who outlines the entire novel before writing a word. When I first started writing, I found outlining to be quite stifling. Then as I began to perfect my craft, I would find myself getting twisted up in my plot and constantly having to go back and re-read what I’d written in order to keep the facts of my story straight. In the books I referred to in Tip #4, I started doing some research on plotting, and I think I’ve landed on a method that works pretty well for me.

Under the recommendation of the book on plotting in the Writing Great Fiction Series, I start with the back cover. This is a short summary of your book and how you want to attract your readers’ attention. Doing this first forces you to think through the entire story. What is the basic premise of your plot? By doing your back cover first, you then know where your story begins, what your climax will be, and how your story will end.

Where do you go with all the stuff in the middle? Well, I must confess. I’m a rebel at heart and when you try to force me onto a narrow path, I’m going to push back. I am not a strict outliner in the sense that I have all the chapters outlined to a “T” before I start writing. I have the general premise in my head and then I build a short chapter outline for the first several chapters. A short chapter outline consists of a paragraph or two about what the chapter will be about. Then, as I write the chapter, I flesh out the details. Only doing 4 or 5 chapters at a time still allows me to let my imagination and my characters run free and take the plot in a different direction than when I first contemplated the story. Some people believe that runaway characters are the product of an undisciplined mind. I totally disagree. As long as you stay true to your character profile (which will be the topic of another tip) then I say let your characters lead the way. Sometimes they will surprise you and you will come up with a scene or a plot direction that you hadn’t planned on. That’s the fun of writing.

Once I get my brief (I mean, really brief) outline for the first few chapters, then I begin to write. I flesh out my ideas and add my details and my dialogue. You just have to love it when a beautiful plan comes together.

So, am I an Outliner? I guess the answer is I’m a crossbreed. I do think outlining is important, and for those who can do one and stick to it, I applaud you. I just can’t. I need a little bit of the unknown as I write.

The beauty of writing is that we are all different and approach the written word in unique ways. So I ask you: Are you an Outliner? Post your replies.

Books by Kelly Abell     Cover Designs by Select-O-Grafix

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Putting On Your Online Suit – Making Negative Comments About Your Publisher #amwriting

Posted on November 17, 2014 by Kelly Abell

Happy Childhood. Blond Boy Child Kid Covering Face With Hands

I know I’ve mentioned this before in some capacity, but I keep seeing posts on social media by authors and their content disturbs me. If you are an author, I would advise not making public posts that are negative in nature about your current publisher. A number of things can happen if you do:

  • You lose credibility as a professional
  • You anger your current publisher and may reduce the willingness of that publisher to help you in the future, not to mention publishing future works
  • You negate the desire of another publisher or potential agent to work with you – no one likes a whiner or complainer – it’s best just to avoid them no matter how talented they may be
  • You appear to be hiding behind social media to resolve your problems

Faceless Corporate Identity

If you have a concern with your current publisher, deal with them directly. No publishing house is perfect and they all employ humans who make mistakes. Give them the opportunity to correct their mistake and avoid blasting your dissatisfaction online.

If you feel you must write a review, a wonderful place to voice your concern is through a legitimate website known as Predators and Editors. Here you can voice your concern and those comments are woven into an overall recommendation for that particular publisher. It is a legitimate website that in my opinion is professionally moderated and a great place to find valid information before you seek an agent or publisher.

Just remember that airing your “dirty laundry” publically doesn’t resolve your problem or make you any more respected by your peers and readers. In fact….it could do the opposite with devastating results for you and your books.

Embarrassed Emoticon

Books by Kelly Abell     Cover Designs by Select-O-Grafix

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Sittin’ On The Porch With Kelly – Author Sheila Lamb – How I Beat Writer’s Block #amwriting

Posted on November 15, 2014 by Kelly Abell

It’s really cold today, for Florida that is, and joining me on the porch is author Sheila Lamb.  We’re bundled up under a fleece blankie with some vanilla lattes discussing how to over come writer’s block.  I find her idea intriguing and plan to try it myself. Here’s what Sheila had to say:

A Companion Story…

I’ve loved writing the Brigid trilogy. Once A Goddess and Fiery Arrow are the first two books in the historical fantasy trilogy. For me, it’s been a long term project with stops and starts along the way. I’m even more excited about the accompanying short stories, connected stories that continue with secondary characters. Brawen’s Journey: Fire and Ash will be the first e-book short story, forthcoming from Solstice Shadows.

In the novel, Fiery Arrow, Brawen is kidnapped, along with Patrick, by Irish raiders. She manages to meet a different fate and in the novel, I continue the story of Patrick in Ireland with Brigid. While I was writing the draft and sending chapters to beta readers, more than one reader asked, “What happens to Brawen?” The companion short story was a perfect way to answer that question.

In Brawen’s Journey, Brawen, half Celt and half Roman, searches for her family after Irish raiders destroy her village. She must deal with the Roman legion that takes control of her town and learn who she can and cannot trust along the way. While Patrick’s story continues in Fiery Arrow, Brawen’s Journey shows the aftermath of destruction and her struggle for hope and love.

A companion short story can also help work your way out of writer’s block. We often get stuck in the middle of a long novel. Take a break from it. Try a short story with a character that does not have a leading role in the novel. This could lead to a new story or a new direction for a longer work.

Writing short stories about a secondary character brings a new story to life. Consider companion stories to go along with a novel. Take your characters on a new journey! Take your story in a new direction!

Sheila’s Website

Thanks Sheila! I think writing companion stories is a marvelous idea and one I plan to try very soon.  Find out more about Sheila on our Porch Guests Page and be sure to watch for her companion stories.

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Self-Publishing Tip #3 – Building Your Author Brand Series – Banners #amwriting

Posted on November 13, 2014 by Kelly Abell

Web banners are a great way to build your brand as an author. You need a visual that readers can associate with you as an author. It can either contain graphics from your most recent release or something that brands you as an author by genre, story style, or your characters.

I’ve created banners for authors that really bring their books to life and draw readers to their blog, Facebook page, or website to view more. You can use a banner as your Facebook or Twitter cover photo, across the top of a website or blog, or just a picture you occasionally post on social media to draw attention to your books.

If you have someone create a banner for you, ask for specific sizes according to where you plan to post your banner. Facebook cover pages are generally 851 pixels by 352 pixels, Twitter cover/background images should be 1500 pixels by 500 pixels.  In fact, using this link will help you be able to tell all graphic artists what size you need for a particular social media page. I find it very helpful.

http://sproutsocial.com/insights/social-media-image-sizes-guide/

As always, I recommend you pay the slight cost to get a banner professionally done. Graphic artists, like me, have the software to produce a professional quality image that will show up clear on your site. You also want to make sure the font is the right color to match your background colors and it can be read. Another thing to consider in your design, particularly with Facebook, is where the profile picture is positioned on the page. You want to have your banner designed so that the profile picture doesn’t cover up something on your banner.

Make sure your banner is bright, colorful and speaks to your brand. I’ll include a few I’ve done for various authors so you can see what I mean. The important thing is to have one and make your website and social media efforts as engaging as possible. Don’t settle for a picture with just your covers posted on it. Find an artist that will customize something for you that stands out to readers. Until next time…

 

You get the idea.

Happy Promoting!

Books by Kelly Abell     Cover Designs by Select-O-Grafix

 

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How Do I Protect My Ideas? #amwriting

Posted on November 12, 2014 by Kelly Abell

Padlock Sign In Blue Glass Blocks

This week I received an email from Attorney Kathryn Goldman after I signed up to receive this Digital Artists Rip-Off Protection Report. (One I highly recommend you download)

This email contained information about idea protection and I wanted to share it.

I’ve included Kathryn’s Bio at the bottom of this post. Be sure to review it for more information about her. I’m very excited to say that she will be doing a series for me every Monday during the month of December on Book Publishing Contracts. Stay tuned for that.

Here is the email exactly as I received it.

11/11/14

To: kellywriter@hotmail.com

Hi Kelly,I meet a lot of creative and entrepreneurial folks. Many people come to me with the same question:

“I’ve got this great idea that I want to turn into a [book, product, business] and I need help with it. But I’m worried that if I tell anyone about it, they’ll steal the idea from me. It’ll end up getting [published, made, built] by someone else. What can I do?”

How to share your idea and protect it at the same time is a common problem.

There is a legal document known as a Non-Disclosure Agreement that you can ask someone to sign before you share your idea with them. In that contract, they agree to keep your idea a secret, not share it, or use it.

Here is a form Non-Disclosure Agreement you can use if you find yourself in need of protecting an idea, trade secret or other sensitive business information. (Feel free to share it if you know someone who needs it.)

The problem with NDAs is that many folks won’t even consider signing them (too full of legalese), especially if you’re asking for their help for free.

If you are hiring someone to help you, an editor, a graphic designer or a vendor for example, they would probably agree to non-disclosure of your idea. Those are the kind of people you can generally trust not to take your idea in the first place. It would damage their professional reputation if they were accused of stealing someone else’s ideas.

In the early stages of a creative or business idea, if the person or company you’re dealing with will not sign a non-disclosure agreement and you still want to share with them, the key is to make sure that the people you are asking for help are trustworthy. I know that’s a hard thing to determine, but most relationships are based on trust.

So, build a relationship before you share your ideas. Know who you are working with. Trust can be stronger than a contract.​

​How would you feel about signing a non-disclosure agreement if someone came to you with  a new idea they wanted to discuss?

Kathryn

Kathryn Miller Goldman
Goldman & Minton, P.C. dba Charm City Legal
(410) 783-7575
kgoldman@charmcitylegal.com
www.charmcitylegal.com

Although I am a lawyer, I’m not *your* lawyer. This email is for educational purposes only and is not legal advice for you specifically.

Kathryn’s Bio:

Kathryn Goldman is a lawyer who protects writers, artists, filmmakers, and businesses from having their work and art ripped off.  As she mentions in her email, she’s not *your* attorney (so this email isn’t technically legal advice), but you’re still invited to download her Digital Artists Rip-Off Report.

Stay tuned for the series on Dissecting Book Publishing Contracts next month! Be sure to subscribe so you won’t miss it!

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