Fiction Writing - Character Development

Dear potential author,

Character development is very important. In fact, so important that I don’t know how much to stress this element of writing.

Main characters

Your main characters are like your leading lady and man if you think in terms of film. Without them you don’t have a story. They are the story.

Secondary characters

A secondary character is just that. Secondary. By no means are they redundant. They are there to help or hinder the main characters from achieving their goal.

Describing your characters

Describing your characters is about creating a visual image for your reader. Finding pictures of what you think they look like will help you in describing them. Creating a file for each character is always a good idea. The following questions will help you create your character:

How old are they?

Do they have family?

What do they like to eat, read, listen to?

Are they educed?

What good or bad, habits are they practising?

Until we meet again,

Just Write

Writing Fiction - Getting started

Dear potential author,

Getting started is either going to be challenging or it is going to be a blast. There are a couple of things you need to consider before putting pen to paper or fingers on keyboard.

Who are you writing for?

Knowing your target market will make the writing process easier. Listed are your target group to take into account.

• Children
• Teens
• Young Adults
• Women
• Men

Book formats

In today’s competitive market, eBooks are slowly becoming the readers preferred choice when choosing books. Print on demand has opened the market for self-published author, like me. J

• EBook – Fairly cheaper to produce. Instant publishing option.
• Hardcover – More expensive to produce. Print on demand available.
• Paperback – Expensive to produce. Print on demand available.

Fictions are classified into:

• Story length
• Gender

Story length

Books or works of fiction are divided into:

1. Short story - 1 500 - 30 000 words

2. Novella - 30 000 - 55 000 words

3. Novel - 55 000 - 300 000 words

Fiction gender

Fiction is a complex division and subdivisions of genders, even crossing over. Knowing your market will give you the advantage over someone who is just writing without direction. I should know, I was one of them and it took me almost 7 years to publish my first novel.

Main genders

The list below is my version of the main genders in fiction. Please note that readers are not stupid, they will know if you are not familiar with a specific gender. When choosing a gender make sure that, you are well read. Read all the books you can in the gender of your choice. You must be your genders biggest fan!

• Comedy
• Christian
• Drama
• Erotica
• Fantasy
• Mystery
• Romance - most popular gender
• Satire
• Science Fiction
• Thriller
• Tragedy

Sub genders

Within the main genders you get sub genders. Below is a list of sub genders you might not have known existed. When I am reading I always look for well rounded books. A well rounded book will include some of the sub genders listed.

• Action
• Adventure
• Detective
• Historical
• Horror
• Paranormal
• Mythology
• Western
• Urban

Now that you know a little more about the writing process, I am confident that you are starting out with an advantage. Keep reading my blog and you too will soon be on the road to getting your book published.

Until we meet again,

Just Write

Writing Fiction - Book Marketing Success

Dear potential author,

Book marketing can be one of the most rewarding or stressful factors of your book.  If you haven't noticed I kind of work backwards.  There's a method to my madness, thou.  :-)

Marketing is second on the list as creating a buzz before it is launched is extremely important.  The more people who know about it the better chance you stand to have a best seller.  Eager eyeballs who wants to devour what you have written equals sales.

Types of marketing:

1.     Social media

2.     Blogging

3.     Forums

4.     Website

5.   Book reviews

6.     Book giveaway

7.     Online book stores

8.     Book trailer

9.     Book tours

10. Local newspaper

Having an online presence long before your book is finished is import.  You need to build a following.  I realised it way too late, that's why I have decided to write about it in advance.

Social Media

Being active on twitter, Facebook and pinterest is but a few social media sites where you need to start contributing.  Make friends but also join fan pages or forums where like minded people ‘hang’.

Blogging

Blogging is a fantastic way to build a following.  Blogger dot com is an easy free blogging platform.  Do research on the types of blogging platforms out there.  See what others are doing.  And if you don’t know how, you can always watch tutorials on youtube.

Forums

Book forums like the Goodreads community is a fantastic place to find readers.  It is a social media site for book lovers.  Check it out.  I am there.  Click here to see.

Website

Remember, you are a brand.  You need to build it.  A website is the perfect way to do this.  You are spoiled for choice, but once again, please research your options.  By the way, blogs can be turned into websites, WordPress is one such blog site.  There are free website places like Weebly or you can do what I did.  I host my account with godaddy.com and I designed my site with Serif's Webplus.

Book reviews

Please don't skip this.  Without reviews your book will not sell very fast.  Readers sometimes take a chance on a new author without a review but don't hold your breath.  Your book marketer will have a package that can include a review option.  Use it.  A site like story cartel is created for reviews.  It is best to have reviews at least a month before your book is published.  Wish I knew this before hand.

Book giveaway

I advise you to do this no less than a month before your book is available for purchase.  Goodreads is a good place for this.  Once again,  I have to bring to your attention how important it is for your book to have exposure.  This is a wonderful way of getting the word out.  At this stage, the giveaways are for physical books only.  J  Signing it adds a nice personal touch.

Book stores

An important thing to remember is that your book must be in online book stores, three months before the intended publishing date.  This will ensure that your book has maximum exposure.  Remember, it takes time for readers to find you.

Book trailer

Don't underestimate the power of a book trailer.  It can be posted on youtube and may other video site just like it.  This includes your social media sites, book marketing, etc.

Book marketing

There are many book marketers out there.  Shop around to find the best deal for your budget.  I have worked with Debra from The Book Enthusiast.  She is very good.  Always ready with wonderful advice.  Keeps you calm and on schedule via email correspondence.  Once again, I urge you to find what is working for you.

Local newspaper

Getting published weather traditionally or self-published is a big deal.  Contact your local newspaper at least 2-3 weeks before your book is available.  Write a short query about who you are and your book.  They are always keen for a story.  I did this.  Then tweeted and shared the article from their website.

Enough said on the subject.  Book marketing success will depend on one thing, timing.  Timing is everything.  It can mean sales or no sales.  So start your book marketing efforts ahead of time.  You don’t want to be caught with your pants down, so to speak.

Until we meet again,

Just Write

Fiction Writing - Traditional publishing vs Self publishing

Dear potential author,

Before you decide to write, you must choose which publishing path you are going to take.  You might wonder why I would write this article before I any other.  The reason is simple.  The writing process is easy, but what comes after that is another matter all together.

There are differences between traditional and self publishing.  I chose self publishing for various reasons, but this may not be the best route for you.  After reading below you will be able to decide what is best for you and your book.

Traditional publishing has its place and so does self publishing.  Below I list the differences and similarities.

What is the difference between traditional publishing and self publishing?

For me, I didn't see much of a difference.  Both have to foot the bill to get the book on the market.  The only advantages if your book is accepted is that you get an advance.  You lose all creative input.

Query letters
         
If you take the traditional publishing route you will have to have an almost finished manuscript or a very good synopsis to accompany your query letter to the publisher of your choice.  When you self publish you won't have to deal with writing query letters or the rejection letters that comes with them.

Editing

Traditional publisher is responsible for it.  When you self publish its your responsibility. In an article to come on editing, I will show you how to edit.  My tips and tricks for how to get the editing done
without sweating too much.

Book cover

It is outsourced by traditional publishers.  Here is where you have the choice to outsource or do it yourself as I did.  Again, I will cover this in an article on book covers.

Print and ebook formats

These days is is easy.  It is outsourced by both or done yourself.  When we get to the publishing part I will do an in depth article on it as it is import to get your book available in all formats.

Translations

Will only be done if you are an author that is well known.  :-) That's why I love self publishing.  I can have my book translated if I want to.

Book rights

This is a very complicated subject.  All I am saying is I am self publishing I don't have to stress about book rights.  I can publish anywhere I want because all my book rights belong to me.

Marketing

Guess what?  Marketing is all on you unless you are JK Rowling.  This is another in depth article I am going to do when we get to it.

I can go on and on about why self publishing is worth it, but I am not here to think for you.   I am simply listing facts and letting you decide what is best for you.


Until we meet again,


Just Write

Fiction Writing - What is your Writing Space?

Dear potential author,

Finding space to write is very important.  Don't make the mistake of changing your writing space often.  By having a fixed writing space your are conditioning yourself to know that when you are in your writing space it is time to get busy.

A writing space can be something as simple as the back of a tray with an A4 notepad.  By now I can see quite a few brows arch.  Let me explain.  There is a difference between your writing space and environment.  You can write anywhere you please but what you write with must be consistent.

If you find that you flow when you have a pencil and A4 note pad.  Use that.  I find that my writing flows the best if I use this.  If you flow using a computer, then use that.  For some it might be small post its.

Do a simple test.  Sit in front of your PC/laptop.  Write something.  Note how you feel.  Then write something on a piece of paper.  Note how that feels.  What you are comfortable with the most will be the best writing space for you.

Feeling comfortable when you write should be top priority and not influenced by your environment unless you are in serious editing mode.

Until we meet again,


Just Write