Indie Book of the Week

 

Good morning, friends and a hearty TGIF to you all! I hope you all have some awesome weekend plans lying ahead of you, even if it’s absolutely nothing. Sometimes I find those are the most enjoyable.

 

So….if you have read my blog for any length of time you know that I always post the, “Indie Author of the Week” or “Indie Book of the Week” on Fridays. Well, today I’m posting a book that I think you, as an indie author might enjoy.

 

We’ve all heard of indie authors and if you are like me, you consider yourself one (doesn’t matter whether you are published at this point or not). I’m also fairly certain that you are curious as to what helps to make indie authors successful, no matter your definition of success. Here’s something that you should buy:

 

Learn how to succeed in indie publishing.

 

With interviews from 34 of the hottest names in self-publishing, “Interviews with Indie Authors” contains a unique view into the world of the indie writer. Each bestselling self-published author shares how they ensure their books are a hit, and what led them to indie publishing in the first place. You will also find out what they think the future of self-publishing will bring. Their first hand experience is invaluable for anyone planning to succeed with their own books.

 

Whatever your background, you will learn from these incredible interviews.

 

With diverse genres such as thrillers, young adult fiction, the paranormal, romance, comedy, fantasy, horror, science fiction, mystery and even non-fiction, whatever you are writing about, this book has it covered.

 

Contains interviews with indie authors such as: Michael McCloskey, Nick Russell, Connie Suttle, Michael Prescott, Terri Reid, Hugh Howey, Scott Nicholson, Kristen Ashley, Aaron Patterson, Carol Davis Luce, Claire Ridgway, Alexa Grace, Marie Force, Shadonna Richards, Colleen Hoover, Barbara Freethy, Joseph Lallo, Rebecca Forster, Caryn Moya Block, Denise Grover Swank, Mainak Dhar, Imogen Rose, CJ Lyons, Bella Andre, Maria Murnane, Theresa Ragan, Russell Blake, Linda Welch, Debra Holland, J. Thorn, James Somers, Karen Cantwell, Tracey Garvis Graves and Elena Greene.

 

Buy it on Amazon now: http://www.amazon.com/Interviews-Indie-Authors-Self-Published-ebook/dp/B008OTUDWO.

 

Have a great weekend! (Evin – www.saplingpublishing.com)

 

Indie Book of the Week – Free Kindle Download Today

It is that time again, folks…time for the “Indie Book of the Week.”

Click http://www.indieauthornews.com/2013/04/new-indie-book-release-deliverance-jennie-marsland.html to download your copy today.

As advertised on, “Indie Author News:”

New Indie Book Release: Deliverance (Jennie Marsland)

New Indie Book Release:
Deliverance – Jennie Marsland –
Historical Romance (April 2013 – 273 pages)

Deliverance is a historical romance set in Canada in 1917. It’s a sequel to the Author’s 2011 release, Shattered. The hero is a returned WW1 veteran who has gone AWOL to avoid being sent back overseas, and the heroine is a returned Red Cross nurse.

About the Book
Autumn 1917

Carl O’Neill is on the run from the Army and himself. Returned from Europe on recuperative leave, he’d rather die than go back to the trenches. He assumes a dead man’s name and leaves his home and family behind him, only to be dumped off the train in the small prairie town of Mackenzie, Saskatchewan. Seriously ill and stranded, Carl has no choice but to confront the demons that drive him – and his growing feelings for the former Red Cross nurse who saves his life.

Naomi Franklin is no stranger to secrets and personal demons. Struggling with the trauma of rape and her experiences in a front-line field hospital, Naomi can’t bear to close the eyes of another young man whose life has ended far too soon. She’ll nurse the stranger who lands on her father’s doorstep and then send him on his way. But looking into Carl’s blue eyes makes her feel like a woman again, while the all-too-familiar shadows behind them touch her heart. When both their lives come crashing down around them, can Carl and Naomi overcome secrets and lies to find each other again?

About the Author
Jennie Marsland is a teacher, a painter, a musician and, for most of her life, a writer. She fell in love with words at a very early age and the affair has been life-long. She enjoys writing songs and poetry as well as fiction.

Jennie is a history buff as well as an unashamed romantic. Glimpses of the past spark her imagination, and she believes in happily ever after.

A resident of Halifax, Nova Scotia for the last thirty years, she lives with her husband Everett and their outrageously spoiled Duck-Tolling Retrievers, Chance and Echo.
 

TGIF! (Evin – www.mrgurupublishing.com)

 

The Genre

I picked up a science fiction book in a used book store on Tuesday (one that I ended up buying). I normally don’t read much sci-fi however looking through it really made me think. I was thinking about how difficult it would be for me personally to write sci-fi. I’m more of a mystery, suspense, paranormal type of writer. My mind just doesn’t tend to come up with any good sci-fi material.

I’ve watched enough movies and television series that I’m surprised I can’t write within that genre. It really makes me wonder what makes us as writers, able to create stories within specific genres. Would I be able to write a sci-fi novel even if I tried?

I found an article written by Cliff Daigle on About.com (http://fictionwriting.about.com/od/genrefiction/a/How-To-Choose-A-Genre-For-Your-Novels.htm) and this was his perspective on choosing a genre:

“The choice of genre is a pretty straightforward process for some writers. They love writing one kind of thing, and that’s what they focus on. For the rest of us, this can be a difficult decision to make.

Why Choose?

The easiest choice to make is not to choose at all. By choosing to stay open to writing in any genre you are free to pursue any idea that grabs you. You could write a gothic horror novel, followed by a techo-thriller.

So why choose if by choosing you limit your options? It all comes down to marketability. When a publisher buys your novel what they are really buying is you, the author. They want to know that they can build a platform, a brand, around you and your writing. They need to believe that there will be more books, similar to the first, on the way. That means sticking to one genre.

Imagine pitching a fantasy novel to a publisher. They ask if you have other novels either finished or in-progress. You tell them that you also have a romance, a western, and a collection of hard-boiled crime stories. Does this help you sell your fantasy novel? Not at all.

If all your other books, stories and works-in-progress were in the fantasy genre, then you’d be that much closer to a sale. It might sound shallow, but it does make sense.

Other Benefits Genre Choice

Sticking to one genre has a few other advantages as well:

• Constraints breed creativity. Sometimes having some rules to write by actually makes you more creative. When you can write about anything it can be difficult to know where to start.
  
• You look more professional. It’s important for publishers to see that you understand the need to build a platform and that you’ve started on your own. The more confidence they have in your willingness to market yourself, the better.
  
• You become known as an expert. The more you write in one genre the more people see you as an authority in that area.
  
• It’s one less choice to make. As a writer building a career your life is filled with endless choices. Now you have one less!
  

How to Choose

The most obvious way to pick a genre is to write what you like to read. If you mostly read romance, then write romance. Most of us read in several genres, and that can make it tricky though. Do you choose the one that seems the most marketable? The one you think is the most fun? Flip a coin?

This is ultimately a personal choice, but there are a few techniques that can help you choose:

• Make a pros and cons list. The classic decision-making tool. Write down the good and bad reasons to write in each genre and see how it shakes out.
  
• Go with your gut. After thinking about your options for a while, sit quietly for a while and listen to your intuition. Forget about marketing, or what your friends will think, what does your heart tell you to write?
  
• Pick the most marketable genre. This is tricky since it’s almost impossible to guess where the market is going. That said, you may be choosing between writing in a super-niche, micro-market, and something more mainstream. If you truly feel that they are equally-weighted in every other way, then maybe go with the one you think you can sell.
  

As you examine potential genres pay attention to the ones that attract you, but scare you at the same time. If you’re excited to write in a certain area, but afraid that you won’t be able to do it, then seriously consider choosing that genre. Often what you fear doing is what you need most to grow as an artist.

When to Choose

Do you really need to choose right away? It probably won’t hurt.

If you are writing in several genres, you will have to pick one once a publisher agrees to publish one of your novels. And since your off-genre novels won’t do much to help you sign a deal, you might as well choose as soon as you can.

Can I Change My Mind?

Sure. Once you’re established you can start to work in a new genre if you like. Many successful authors write in multiple genres. They didn’t start out that way, though. They mastered one genre at a time, building a fan-base and a catalog before moving on to something new.

Of course if you’re prolific enough to be shopping multiple books in multiple genres you can always use a pseudonym to brand each genre separately. It’s certainly not an easy way to start out though!

The Bottom Line

As critical a decision as this is, it’s important not to let it paralyze you. The worst thing you can do is use your indecision about genre as an excuse not to write. If you really need to write something off-genre, then go ahead. Just make the choice as soon as you can, and keep the words flowing in the meantime.”

Decisions, decisions (Evin – http://www.mrgurupublishing.com)

 

Retail stores and the self-published book

Many authors feel they have made it when they are able to walk into a brick and mortar store and find…their book on the shelf! Well heck yeah! This is one big achievement but I personally feel it has a lot more emphasis placed on it than it should. I’m going to go out in a limb and say that I personally feel I’ve made it when my material is being read and either useful to someone or entertaining someone (depending on the subject of course).

Okay, okay. Some of you may be rolling your eyes at me right now so I’m going to give you some info that should make you truly happy.

Yes, it is a hard task to get indie books and/or self-published books into brick and mortar chains however (and yes, there is a however here), times are changing. As you all know, the world is a digital place and becoming more so every day. You also know that many people are buying books online which is precisely why, many of your chains are now accepting *drum roll* self-published books into their online inventory.

Here’s an article on the very subject, right off of the Huffington Post, written by Smashwords Founder, Mark Coker (www.huffingtonpost.com/mark-coker/ebook-publishing_b_2663965.html):

If anyone doubts the speed at which the epicenter of book publishing is shifting from publishers to self-published authors, look no further than the Apple iBookstore.

Last week, Apple’s iBookstore launched Breakout Books in the U.S., a new book merchandising feature that showcases books from popular self-published authors, including several that have already achieved New York Times bestseller status. The New York Times covered the story last week, as did The Wall Street Journal.

Apple’s merchandising team hand-picked the titles, all of which have earned high ratings from Apple customers.

Disclosure: Many of the eBooks featured were distributed to Apple by my company, Smashwords.

Although the iBookstore has always carried and supported self-published eBooks, last week’s launch signified an escalated commitment on the part of Apple, whose iBookstore currently sells books in 50 countries. The iBookstore first piloted the Breakout Books feature in their Australian store in late November and has since implemented similar ongoing features in Canada and the U.K.

A retailer’s merchandising decisions are among the most important levers driving book discovery and sales. Whether you’re a traditionally published author or a self-published author, such placement can make your book stand out in a haystack of millions of other books competing for your reader’s attention.

Why are retailers such as the Apple iBookstore, Barnes & Noble, Sony, Kobo and Amazon giving self-published ebooks such merchandising love?

eBook Retailers and Readers Are Embracing Self-Published Authors

Over the last few years, I’ve written multiple posts here on The Huffington Post articulating the advantages of eBook self-publishing from the author perspective, such as the opportunity to bypass publishing gatekeepers; faster time to market; access to global distribution; higher royalties; and greater creative control. Many other industry watchers have covered the same.

Few in the publishing industry, however, have examined why retailers are stepping up their support for self-published books, and why readers are purchasing them. When we examine the myriad reasons, we see the playing field is likely to continue tilting to the advantage of self-published ebook authors.

Here, I’ll outline why retailers and readers are supporting self-published books, and what it means for authors:

• Quality. The job of the retailer is to connect readers with books they’ll enjoy reading. The quality of self-published ebooks — measured by reader reviews — has increased significantly over the last few years as indie authors publish with greater professionalism, from editing to cover design to pricing and promotion. The most successful self-published ebooks often match or exceed the quality and desirability of traditionally published ebooks.
• Low prices. The average Smashwords ebook is priced around $2.99. Readers love low cost books, especially if the quality is as good as or better than what’s released by traditional publishers. High quality books sold at low prices make customers happy, and what makes the customer happy makes the retailer happy. Low prices make self-published authors happy too, because a self-published author earns about $2.00 selling a $2.99 book. In order for a traditionally published author to earn $2.00 per ebook sold, the book would have to be priced over $11.00. Why the disparity? Most publishers pay authors 25 percent net for retail sales, which works out to 12.5-17.5 percent of the list price, whereas self-published authors earn 60-70 percent of the list price.
• Diversity. Publishers are in the business of publishing books that they think will sell. In the end, the publisher can only guess what readers want to read. By rejecting most authors, publishers deny readers an incredible diversity of high-quality books that can satisfy both large mainstream markets as well as thousands of smaller micro-markets. Retailers know their customers appreciate the broadest possible diversity and selection of quality books. Indie authors deliver it.
• Readers are the new curators. Readers — not publishers — have always been the ultimate arbiters of what’s worth reading, and reader word-of-mouth drives book sales. In the old world of publishing, publishers and retailers could only guess what readers wanted to read. Today, each time a reader downloads, purchases or reviews an ebook, this data becomes an expression of reader sentiment that ebook merchandisers can mine to identify books worthy of extra promotion. I predict the long-admired gatekeeping function played by publishers will eventually be viewed as detrimental to the future of the written word. Yes, publishers can add incredible value to books, but by making their publishing decisions through a myopic prism of perceived commercial potential, and by pricing their books too high, they’re denying readers great books, and thereby denying authors the readers they seek. These authors are learning they no longer need a publisher’s blessing to publish. Authors are bypassing publishers and publishing directly to readers with self-publishing platforms.
• Unlimited shelf space. In the old print world of brick and mortar book retailing, retailers had a limited amount of shelf space, so they could only stock a small fraction of available books. In the new world of democratized ebook publishing and distribution, self-published writers have the freedom to publish what they want, and readers have the freedom to read what they want. Unlimited shelf space enables more books to be published, and some of these books will go on to find large audiences.
• eBooks never go out of print. In the old world of publishing, if a book sold poorly at first, the retailers would pack up the books and return them to the publisher. These returns would essentially force a book out of print. With ebooks, the books are immortal. They never go out of print. They’re always available to be discovered and enjoyed by new audiences. This means retailers can sell them for as long as the author wishes them to be sold. It means every ebook represents a permanent annuity stream for the retailer, the author and the author’s heirs.
• Sales!. Self-published books are selling. Self-published ebooks are hitting all the bestseller lists. Smashwords retailers are selling millions of dollars of our authors’ books each year, and that makes me happy because it gives our retail partners strong financial incentive to support our authors with new merchandising opportunities in the future.
• FREE series starters. Many of the bestselling indie authors are writing full-length book series, and they’re pricing the first book in the series at FREE. FREE series starters give indie authors a significant discovery advantage over traditionally published authors who invariably see their book’s full potential squandered by high prices.
• High unit volume. Follow the eyeballs. Since Christmas, iBookstore customers have downloaded an average of over one million FREE and priced Smashwords books each week. For indie authors, the high unit volume enabled by low cost, high-quality books means that the indie author can develop fans and author platforms faster than traditionally published authors. Apple — like Barnes & Noble, Sony, Kobo and Amazon that also produce their own e-reading devices — gains two benefits from every download or sale: 1. They sell a lot of books and satisfy a lot of customers; 2. The millions of hours customers spend each month to browse, download, purchase and enjoy self-published books on iPhones, iPads, Kindles and Nooks make these devices that much more essential to the customer’s life.
• Rapid publishing helps authors be more responsive to a retailer’s customers’ desires. Indie authors enjoy faster production schedules, which allow them to satisfy reader desires more quickly, or to cater to hot trends before the trends fade. Indie ebook authors can transform their fully edited manuscript into a professionally published ebook in a matter of minutes, and in a matter of hours or days achieve worldwide distribution at major retailers. Most traditionally-published writers must wait a year or more before their book reaches the market (imagine all the missed sales!).
• Indies are always iterating and evolving. Unlike traditionally published print books which remain relatively static and unchanged after publication, indie authors are iterating their books. As I documented at the Smashwords blog, after R.L. Mathewson uploaded an improved cover image, the book broke out at Apple. A couple of weeks later, her book hit the New York Times bestseller list. Since indie ebooks are immortal and never go out of print, the author can always experiment with different covers, pricing or book descriptions. I document these and other discoverability levers in my free ebook, The Secrets to Ebook Publishing Success. The book identifies the 28 best practices of the most commercially successful indie authors.

The revolution has begun. The self-publishing revolution and it’s big! (Evin – http://www.mrgurupublishing.com)

 

Designing your own book covers. Good or bad idea?

I follow several writing and publishing groups on LinkedIn and am following an interesting discussion on whether or not designing your own book cover is a good or a bad idea.

I personally have mixed feelings on this one. I mean let’s face it. Not everyone has the money in the pocket to shell out big bucks to hire a graphic designer and I say if you have design skills to go for it. If you are pondering designing your own cover, ask yourself this, “How presentable and professional do I want my book to be?”

Big name authors don’t really have to worry so much about whether or not their book covers catch the attention of their readers. People know their names, love their books and are probably going to buy them regardless of what the cover looks like.

If you are reading this blog however you are more than likely an indie author or someone looking to self-publish. This means that more than likely your name isn’t out there quite yet. That’s not a bad thing. It just means you need to get people to buy your books.

I’ll use myself for instance. My wife and I are just on the verge of being labeled book hoarders (so yeah, now you know my dirty, dark secret). We buy books, books and more books and folks this is on top of checking books out from the library. Okay, back on subject. Basically when I browse books not looking for a specific author, I’ll admit that oftentimes the covers are what catch my attention and make me pick the book up off the shelf for a closer look. I seriously doubt that I am alone in this.

Also, graphic artists have a skill that is more than just being able to put the artwork down on paper. They have the skill to determine the art and design that will best suit your book. One of my business partners is a graphic artist and I’ll admit that since he joined the team, things have been much better in the way of our new marketing materials (for both my own company AND our clients). All I have to do is give him an idea of what I’m looking for and he can bring something to life.

So yeah, in my opinion it’s best to hire a professional. Sure it’s going to cost but truly, what is your book worth?

Let’s hear your opinions. Post ’em below!

Another glorious post from Mr. Guru (soon to be from Mr. Sapling). Okay, Mr. Sapling doesn’t sound right. I’ll think of something. 😉 (Evin – http://www.mrgurupublishing.com)

 

Marketing for Self-Published Authors

*Drum roll*….it’s here. Something ALL self-published authors have been looking for. MARKETING. Notice I didn’t say marketing assistance or marketing advice. I said MARKETING.

Guru Publishing has been evolving over the past year that we have been in business. We’ve been conducting ongoing research into the world of self-publishing and independent (indie) authors and after much work, we’ve found what self-published authors need the most and that’s a good marketing plan. If clients don’t know books exist, they won’t buy them and why? Because they don’t know they exist. It can become a vicious circle.

I’m not saying that all self-published authors fall short in the marketing arena but let’s face it. What do authors do best? Write, not market. Another thing…many self-publishing companies offer packages that include marketing but really. What do these consist of? Posters? Some business cards? The shipping of a media kit to the author to take care of? That is NOT marketing. It’s offering marketing tools to the client, but it’s not actual marketing.

Guru Publishing takes it a step further and offers to do the marketing for our clients. Period. No ifs, ands or buts. We will do the marketing for the author. I don’t mean that we will have a few posters printed. I mean we will do each and every part of marketing that is required to get the book and the face of the author out into the world. Check our site frequently as we begin to list our services: www.mrgurupublishing.com. If you have questions or requests in the meantime, contact me via the contact avenues on my site and I’ll speak with you.

Another perk of Guru Publishing? Yes, we are a self-publishing company but we are a self-publishing company that does not require any form of contract. We are also a self-publishing company that takes no percentage of your sales. Face it. We know what self-publishing really is and that is getting your book out there in print (including e-book format). It’s ensuring your work is professionally edited; it’s getting a great cover design, etc. It’s NOT using an ISBN that belongs to someone else, listing them as the publisher on your self-published book. It’s NOT watching huge percentages of your hard-earned sales go to someone else. It’s all about you having control of your own book.

We have to keep the lights on so yeah, we charge for our services but, they are all for you, custom designed by you. YOU design your own publishing and marketing packages with us. We don’t offer pre-packaged deals that may or may not have what you need.

Okay yeah. This post was one big advertisement but, I’m stoked! Check me out! (Evin – http://www.mrgurupublishing.com)

 

How to self-publish on a small budget

This blog post is actually a bit of self-promotion for myself. If you haven’t noticed, my blog hasn’t been as active lately. That is because I have been busy preparing online classes. Self-publishing classes. You my friends, are invited to attend one that is currently pre-enrolling. The pre-enrollment process doesn’t commit you in stone. It saves you a seat.

Please pre-enroll today and please post this to your own blogs! Help me get the word out. I need a specific amount of pre-enrollments for the class to take.

Thank you faithful readers.

http://www.skillshare.com/Self-Publishing-101/986563140

See you in class. (Evin – http://www.mrgurupublishing.com)

 

How to sell your writing

Almost all writers are curious about this one. If you are one of these writers, read on. Waterman Words shares some good advice:

I have to share this beautiful anecdote by Robert Kiyosaki, author of Rich Dad, Poor Dad.

Kiyosaki is a self-made millionaire who began studying how to be rich as a child of nine years old. He was lucky: the father of his best friend was a businessman who was amassing an empire out of nothing.

When Robert and his best friend asked this man to teach them how to make money, they got even luckier. “Rich Dad” didn’t just laugh them off and tell them that they could come back when they grew up. Instead, he decided to teach the two kids about money, using real world experience as his teaching tool.

Kiyosaki learned well. He went on to to master the process of acquiring wealth with minimal investment. His philosophy is that no one should have to “work hard” for money. Instead, it’s much better to “work smart.” Do your research. Crunch the numbers. Look for opportunities. Once you get good at making money, he suggests, you can make tens of thousands of dollars with only a few hours’ work.

So what does this have to do with writing?

Well, Kiyosaki met an aspiring novelist in Singapore in 1995, when he was there on a speaking assignment alongside Zig Ziglar.

He didn’t know that this woman was a novelist at first. She was scheduled to meet him to do a interview for the newspaper for which she worked. Kiyosaki was impressed with her articles, so, when she told him that she dreamed of being a best-selling author like him, he asked her what was stopping her.

Apparently, she’d written a few well-received novels, but they weren’t enough to pay the bills. So she continued to work as a reporter, hoping her big break would come someday.

She asked Kiyosaki if he had any suggestions.

By pure chance, he did. A friend ran sales-training courses right there in Singapore for many major corporations. Attending one of those courses could help her improve book sales and turn her material into best- sellers.

But the writer didn’t react the way Kiyosaki thought she would.

Instead of thanking him for the tip, she stiffened.

“Are you saying I should go to school to learn to sell? … I have a master’s degree in English Literature. Why would I go to school to learn to be a salesperson? … I hate salespeople. All they want is money.” (Rich Dad Poor Dad, p.132)

The reporter began packing her briefcase to leave.

Kiyosaki felt bad for offending her and tried to make amends. He pointed out that he may be a best-selling author, but that didn’t mean he was a great writer. There’s a huge difference between being an excellent writer and selling lots of books.

And if even a bad writer could sell a lot of books, just think what she could do if she had both the talent to write and the talent to sell her writing!

Saying that only made things worse. She retorted angrily:

“I’ll never stoop so low as to learn how to sell. People like you have no business writing…. It’s not fair.”

And she stomped away.

DON’T MAKE THAT MISTAKE

You can’t teach someone who doesn’t want to learn.

In this day and age, it’s naive to expect great writing to sell itself. After all, one of the least publishable genres is literary fiction, not because the quality is lacking but because it doesn’t often appeal to the masses.

There are a number of online programs designed to teach writers how to sell their writing, sell their brand, and sell themselves. Mark Joyner, author of The Rise of the Author, suggests that we’re living at a very exciting time in the world, where the power of the internet is effecting a massive transformation in the publishing industry. Technologies like Print on Demand are allowing the author to wrestle back some of the power hitherto given to the publisher.

But that power is only useful to you if you learn how to use it.

You cannot afford to make the same mistake as that reporter fifteen years ago. Don’t turn down any opportunity to learn how to market yourself and your writing.

As Robert Kiyosaki concluded:

“The world is filled with smart, talented, educated, and gifted people. We meet them every day. They are all around us…. The sad truth is, great talent is not enough.”

You know you’re going to be rich. I can say I knew you when. (Evin – www.mrgurupublishing,.com)

 

How to choose YOUR genre

Authors become known for their genres. Don’t believe me? Stephen King. What did you think about when I mentioned that name? Thought so. How do you pick one? What resonates with you? Where does your knowledge lie?

Here’s a fun quiz (created by Taryn – That Girl With The Green Pen) that might help you to choose YOUR genre!

1) You are on a walk by a park where a girls’ soccer game is going on. One teen looks extremely worried. Why?

A. This game determines if an otherwise needy senior will get an athletic scholarship to the college of her dreams
B. Her sister disappeared last night, and the kidnapper was the serial rapist/murderer in the area.
C. Her sister disappeared last night, and the kidnappers were faeries needing a Changeling.
D. She’s never played, let alone heard of, soccer before because she is from a world of wizards and dragons and quests.
E. The government is watching her.

2) Two young women walk by you. One holds an intricate golden ring in her hand, and they both are staring at it with apprehension. Why?

A. They’re trying to decide whether to accept the the first girl’s boyfriend’s proposal. It’s a beautiful, sentimental, valuable ring, but he cheated on her once last year.
B. They’re being blackmailed, and this ring, stolen years ago from a visiting dignitary thus nearly sparking a war, is the source. Is turning themselves in safer?
C. They’ve been told its wearer becomes immortal.
D. It is the One Ring, of course! Instead of Lord of the Rings, it shall be Lady of the Rings . . . 
E. It’s a forbidden relic from a time long past, and they’ll be killed if seen with it. Frankly, you’re surprised they’re still alive since government surveillance is everywhere.

3) It’s 8 PM, and you’re herding your family toward the exit at Disneyland. There’s a teenage girl standing against a wall, obviously near tears. Why?

A. Her family left her.
B. She just escaped from a kidnapper and she’s panicked he’ll find her again.
C. Her vampire/angel/weremickey boyfriend dumped her.
D. Disneyland? I only know Middle-Earth.
E. The government found out she’s been dating an Other and cut off her credits, so she can’t catch a bus home.

4) Your flight home was delayed. Why?

A. An old man had a heart attack and, stand back! You’re the only one who knows CPR!
B. Terrorists!
C. The engines will mysteriously no longer work. Probably a golem in the gears. (*Bonus pts to whoever gets what title/author I just referenced.*)
D. Darn dragon needs to eat again.
E. Someone tried to cross the border. Again. Don’t they know no one has immigrated in a century?

5) You crashed your dad’s car. What’s gonna happen to you?

A. He’ll take away your laptop and your cell phone and make you get a JOB! Then you’ll have to hang out with the cute but weird guy at the theatre. 
B. As soon as he realizes you crashed trying to get away from a couple assassins, he’ll understand!
C. You’ll have your wizard boyfriend whip up another one, and he’ll never find out.
D. If car means horse, you’ll have to capture another one from the wild river horses southwest, probably getting yourself killed in the process.
E. Forget Dad! What about the government? Accidents are an Offense!

6) Your sister broke her ankle in the middle of nowhere. What do you do?

A. Give her a piggyback and start walking. Maybe this will prove you’re more than ordinary.
B. Pull her up a tree to hide from the man following you and hope your best friend will figure out your coded message in time.
C. Darn. You’ll have to unmask your secret telepathic skills to summon EMS. Oh well. She’s worth it.
D. Stick her on the back of the wagon and pull it yourself. Good thing the hours plowing Dad’s field paid off.
E. Activate the emergency signal embedded in your palm at birth.

7) Your enemy gets something you really wanted. What was it and why are you so pissed?

A. A part in the school play. She’ll ruin it! She’ll make the whole show about her!
B. He kidnapped my mother! How can I not be pissed? I HAVE TO GET HER BACK!!!
C. She’s dating the new boy in school, who may or may not be a weremickey, and if she’s with him, I can’t snoop to find out the truth because she’ll think I’m jealous which I totally am not, because that boy gives me the heebiejeebies even though he’s way hot.
D. He has the Ring of Doom! In his hands, we will all perish!
E. She has proof that I’m a Rebel, and if the government finds out, I’ll Disappear!

8) A person of the opposite gender whom you barely know saves your life. What’s going to happen next? 

A. S/he’ll transfer to your school and cause you to rethink everything you’ve ever thought about your clique’s bullying/vanity/inferiority complex.
B. S/he’ll try to murder you b/c you’re getting too close to finding out the illegal truth about his/her past/drug ring/family.
C. You’ll find out s/he’s a vampire/angel/weremickey, and the two of you will fall in love.
D. You’ll embark on an epic quest to defeat the villain, rescue the Very Important Thing, and battle your inner demons.
E. You will realize something about the too-powerful government and decide it must be overthrown.

Mostly A’s: You are a contemporary writer! There’s something to be said for real life and shoes the readers can easily fill.
Mostly B’s: You are a thriller writer! This genre is underrepresented in YA, so good luck filling that void!
Mostly C’s: You are a paranormal romance writer! Some people may say your MS is just another Twilight, but you know better.
Mostly D’s: You are an epic fantasy writer! Your world-building astounds us, and we love getting lost in your magic. 
Mostly E’s: You are a dystopian writer! Ignore the nay-sayers who think there are too many–there’s always room for a great novel that makes us stay up too late wondering will that be our future.

 

 

Is fiction ever really 100% fiction?

I’ve been pondering. Again. During this current pondering event, I find myself wondering…is fiction ever really 100% fiction? Aren’t there always certain aspects of nonfiction thrown in? Maybe it’s within the development of a character. Maybe you are writing about Mrs. Johnson and her physical appearance is described as that of your grandmother. Or maybe the town of Maintown U.S.A. has characteristics of your hometown. See where I’m going with this?

 

Writers need to most definitely use caution when creating fictional characters based on real people. We all have (or have had) a friend that lives a life that’s probably far better than anything we could ever make up but really…is it an invasion of privacy? While conducting some research on this subject, I stumbled upon a blog (http://crofsblogs.typepad.com) that had some useful information:

“Assuming you’re a capable writer who can cherry-pick real-life events and string them into a story, should you presume to make money and your reputation by, in effect, ratting out your friends? It really is an invasion of privacy; we normally deal with one another off the record, and we resent it when a shared confidence becomes public gossip. More people would sue the authors of autobiographical fiction, if not for the fact that a lawsuit would only publicize the breach of confidence.

For what it’s worth, here’s my solution: Of course the events of our lives inspire us to write fiction, and in a sense all fiction is autobiographical. Even my fantasy novels are set in terrain I know (the Canadian Rockies and western Alberta), and the characters share traits with me and people I know.

But I try to abstract the issues from the events. As an anxious father of daughters, I may write about harm done to young women, but the young women are not much like my actual daughters. I also change the circumstances—not to conceal “what really happened” but to enhance the point I’m trying to make. Once freed of the need to be factually accurate, I can design a setting that makes (for example) harm done to young women a truly appalling event.

So in the case my correspondent wants to write about, I’d pull way back from the true details and try to find a pattern. Then I’d design my characters and setting to bring out that pattern. It might still be set in my own home town, or I might find that some other city makes a better background. (When we set a story in a particular place, we are in effect saying that place is itself a character in the story, which couldn’t have turned out the same if set anywhere else.)

The main character might be somewhat like the real person who inspired my story, but I’d try to develop the personality and motives to highlight the points I want to make: the heroine might be more aggressive, the hero more passive, than in reality, if those traits made it easier to develop scenes and a plot to illustrate my theme.”

So really, it all falls back on WWYD (What Would You Do?) – Think about it (Evin Wilkins – http://www.mrgurupublishing.com)