Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Friends and Family

Thank you.

When you write a book without the benefit of a large publisher behind you, there's many times you can feel like you're on an island, alone, deserted. That's when friends and family pick you up. 

I have an uber small family on my side of the tree, one that increased exponentially when I inherited my wife's side through marriage. My friends list is better and I'm proud to say, has aged well. Some of the people on my holiday card list have been a part of my life for over 40 years; some close to 50.

Point is, I want to say thank you. Publicly. Here and now.  I want to thank anyone, friend or family, complete stranger or casual acquaintance, for taking time to  read or buy my book, and to pass it along to others who might be interested in it. One very precious aunt I inherited through marriage is giving it away as a gift when she has special occasions to recognize. I am so grateful for her support, words don't adequately express it.

It's hard to ask people you know to like and support your work. Sometimes, they don't really like what you've created but care too much about you to say anything. Other times, well, they just can't be bothered because life gets complicated.  But to all who have participated, thank you. I am continuing to try to get people to notice the work. It hasn't been easy-- but thanks to you, it's been easier.

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Which do you read more

So we're back to the issue of marketing your work as a self-published author. And here, you can help. A lot.

There's a temptation to want to push the actual, physical book--- you know, those things that contain pages that you carry around with you on airplanes or to the beach?

Of course, as an author, there's also the idea that you want to be available to everyone, at any time. So Kindles, Nooks and other eReaders are so amazingly tempting to concentrate on.

So I want to know---which do you read most? 

I know you might say, what's the difference? Just offer you story on all three and let people choose. Well, it's not that simple. When you market a book to an audience, you try to make it simple as  possible to reach as many in your target audience as you can. 

So, just in a sampling of the 100 or so people I met in the meet and greet I did in April, I got wildly varying answers. They were all shapes and sizes, all ages, genders , economic stations and education. Many continue to love hard and soft bound books. But many also like the freedom of an eReader--- in fact, many older readers were choosing eBooks, which I found fascinating. They claimed it was because they could store many books in one place,a n read a variety of things at their leisure. Got it.

So again, tell me  what you like. Tell me if it makes a difference (except for price). As an author with a limited amount of time to market, I want to make sure I connect with you. This blog is one way-- offering what you want, in the easiest manner to get it, is another.

That doesn't mean I won't be trying to get into my local bookstores here in the Denver area. It just means I want my efforts to pay off in happy readers-- readers I can reach out to, simply, and effectively.

Oh, yes. Thank you.

Secondary characters

I recently got an email from someone who'd just finished the book, and it contained the following very enthusiastic but terse message:

'I loved Cheshy and Ears. I want to see more of them...!'

My answer? I want to see more of them too!

Secondary and transitory characters have a lot more leeway in a story than the main characters  do and they can be as much, if not more fun to write about, than the original stars of your novel. They'll never carry a story mind you--but they add so much color to places where you need to paint with a broad and inspired palette. I love bringing these people into the story, and into our little world of fantasy.

In "Hidden Legacy", they pop up often, and I give them as much room as I can, while still keeping in mind the story isn't centered on them.  

The future? Well, yes, I've already discussed the fact that there will be a second story. Not sure if Cheshy has retired or not, but Ears will play a role in the upcoming sequel for sure. And there's always going to be a new crop to discover and get to know better.

SPOILER ALERT!

I admit, killing off Bentley was one of the harder things to do. After I was done, I felt I could have used his character more in future settings, just because of what I perceived to be a moral compass of sorts in him that would guide the rest of the Yard team. But alas, he served his purpose. Though watch for more our of Sergeant Jefferson I think--- he's based on some colorful characters I've known and I think there's room for some expanded opportunities for him.

Thanks. Looking forward to YOUR feedback as well.

Discover more about "The Case of the Hidden Legacy" at www.hidden-legacy.com 

Finding a Voice

I asked my friend of almost forty years to explore my book and give me his feedback. Being an old ink stained wretch himself, I felt his opinions would be valuable-----plus it's always a good thing to get another set of eyes on your story to help you locate issues you continually miss, because you're just not looking for them. I kid often with Pat McNulty, author of the book 'GreatMusicRadio.com', about how you can read a story a hundred times and still miss typos and glitches. it frustrates him as much as it does me.

One thing my friend Jeff  discussed  as something he felt would improve the story would be to tell it in third person, as opposed to having Murph describe the action as it was happening.  Third person, for those who aren't quite remembering their literature classes from high school, is telling a story as a narrator, a third person, or, using a $20 title, as the omniscient observer. It's the person outside the glass, looking in. Good idea--- just not for this particular work.

This had to be done as first person-- because as the fictional next generation of story teller (being Doctor Watson's son), Murph shares the adventure, becoming part of what is transpiring. In doing that, he takes us along for the ride. It's a fun way to tell a story and it's, in my opinion, a better way to allow this type of adventure to unfold.

So, for those who are writing, I urge you to find your voice. It may be one,or a combination of voices. But find a strong voice and then let it be the one to tell your story. It makes all the difference in how the story flows, and how it's received by the listener.




Discover more about "The Case of the Hidden Legacy" at www.hidden-legacy.com 

Monday, July 15, 2013

Just do it ( with apologies to Nike)

I had yet another person this weekend talk to me about the book they've been dying to write. Ever since I published "Hidden Legacy", they seem to be coming out of the woodwork.

Here's my advice to anyone---- write. Write every day. Serious. I mean, even if you embellish a shopping list a little, write every day. Your creative tool is a muscle. If you don't use it, it atrophies.

I recently passed the 100,000 script mark in my copy writing career. 100,000 scripts. That's a load of writing. And my job has been a blessing because it forces me to write every day, whether I feel inspired or not. And that's the point. When you write every day, you learn every day. Every day, I discover something new. Every day, I learn a better way to say something, I learn a new word, I learn how to be tighter, more succinct, more direct.

Writing every day gave me the ability to create crisp, character driven dialogue. I look at my early short stories and they reek. They're trite garbage compared to what I'm able to do now (not that I'm Shakespeare yet. I guess it's all subjective). But I created a better style from writing, learning, improving.

Do it. Write every day. Then start that first book. It's in you. Let it out.

Oh hey-- i got my first return today. Waaaaahhh..! You try not to take it personally, but I want to ask the person who returned their copy to Kindle, 'what?' 'What was wrong?' 'What didn't you like?' Glad after five months on the market, it's only the first.


Friday, July 12, 2013

Begging, Pleading, Groveling

Yes to all of the above.

When you're serious about self-publishing, you run face first into the biggest obstacle--- publicity. Short of running through the Capital building here in Denver wearing nothing but spats and a smile and screaming unmentionable things about our esteemed governor, it's very hard to get noticed by media today. Radio is in it's own little world, internet radio reaches about 3 people, Sirius about 5, newspapers have given up interviewing anyone but Stephen King  and TV is too consumed with Kim Kardashian's behind to worry about anyone hawking and peddling a book. The moral I have learned is this--- either get a plastic surgeon to mold my behind to look like Kim Kardashian's--- or try a little help from your friends.

In radio, where I live work and play, I have relationships that span over 20 years. You'd think that would count for something. But I can't tell you how many of my radio connections I've called after sending them an email detailing my desire for an interview on their station, only to have them tell me, 'oh, sorry, forgot' or 'damn, I think I spammed it' or my favorite to date---'what email?' 

With that in mind, this is my official begging, groveling and pleading moment. Any and all of you, friends I have for years and friends I've yet to make, if I contact you about getting on for a five minute  segment with your morning show or any other segment of the day I might fit snugly into, please take a moment to realize I don't have a massive publishing house or even Kim Kardashian behind me. Self-publishing is a grueling exercise in persistence, and every little bit helps. 

I'm not complaining. Facts are facts---I also work full time, so my day begins at 4. I put in a full ten hours, then get to add in the dad stuff like cooking, carpool and trying to explain to my 15 year old why boys do the things they do. It's after all that, I turn the publicity machine on and try to get noticed. 

I have a story to tell---- a good one. I'm not alone. Many I know who self publish (shameless plug for my buddy Pat McNulty for example and his wonderful radio-themed book, GreatMusicRadio.com) also have great stories and  narratives. So please-- understand this is not just about selling books, it's also striking a blow for the little guy who doesn't have a big brother who's got his back. Please give us the time we need--- or  you'll be seeing way too many clones of Kim Kardashian's behind, in the future.

Monday, July 8, 2013

Old Friends

There was a time a little while back that I told you in this blogspace that I had to clear out all the people and all the voices that were living rent free, in my head. And so I did.

When you strap on a story, characters occupy space in your mind. Some of course, need larger accommodations than others--- but all have access to you, 24/7, and all have demands. Writing a book is a very 'multiple personality'  type of  venture---at least it is for me. With all that going on in my gray matter, it gets hard to pay attention to those who live outside those walls, in the real world. They don't really understand you and they're  much less patient and forgiving than those in your head. My father-in-law comes to mind.

When I finish a story, I open a door and chase everyone out of my head. I have to. Many like to linger, but I need separation, even when I know I'm going to launch into a sequel. I had to get everybody to leave and allow me room to breath, to think, to ferment ideas without any input.

I was happy for a while but soon, ideas began to creep in. Story lines began to develop in my head. And so, as with any story I write, it was the story itself that drove me back to the word processor. And the peace and quiet I was enjoying, with just me lounging in the large empty space known as my brain, now began to slowly recede.
There would be a familiar knock on my imaginative door or a ring on the imaginative bell, and there they were, one at a time, all with character traits in an unkempt bundle, standing with arms full and a look on their face that said, 'I know you're thinking about me. You gonna invite me in-- or what..?'

So, many are back. Some new friends have been invited as well, while some older ones, not. It reminds me of the Catskills, where I used to go as a kid. Every summer in the bungalow colony, you'd say goodbye to everyone and wonder who would be back next summer. It wasn't until the following Memorial Day that you found out.

Conception took place June 17th. Start looking for the new book on Amazon, sometime in about nine and a half months. Some have asked, will Sam and Murph 'get it on'? Come on--- I'd never tell. But I will let you know this one will be full of surprises, twists and turns. It's everything I hope a sequel will be.

For now, I'm going to grab some coffee, relax,  slip into that big room between my ears and relax with some old friends. I admit, it got a little lonely and it's good to see them back. I hope they come back often and visit. They make life special for me. And I hope, in a small way, for you too.