The Editing Process

Today I offer a rare glimpse into my writing world, an actual photograph of (revision number one) for my current manuscript.  Before I begin, let me clearly state this is my way of editing; it is not the only way. Find what works for you. Don’t force yourself (or your muse) into a painful routine that doesn’t work.

Writing should not be (all that) painful. A little bit uncomfortable, yes; blood on the forehead, no.

Looking at the photo let’s be honest…it is a jumbled mess. Many authors would take one look at this debacle and run. I actually find comfort in this.

You are witnessing the birth process.

You can see there is an entire section blocked off with a big NO written on it. However, the confusion begins with the words “Keep this sheet” noted at the bottom of the “no”page.  Why would I emphatically write NO, but still decide to keep this sheet when I clearly do not like anything on it?

Primarily  because I may decide to use it somewhere else. Since I continually try to improve and grow as an author, saving this edit reminds me of the areas that need improvement. (hint: no writer is perfect).  Being a sensory writer; meaning that I must touch the paper and physically print a manuscript before I bleed edits upon it; you will see on the left of this photo is a simple sheet of notebook paper whereby I have freewritten an addition (which I marked through a portion of).

This my friend, is the process. That of writing, READING, marking through, bleeding upon, until finally we release a manuscript to a professional editor who will do exactly the same thing. This is why books take years. This is why we press on, scribbling across pages that ultimately look like train wrecks.

For those who are asking: How does this help me market my manuscript? the answer is simple. Clean manuscripts translate into error-free books. We endure this process to bring our readers something they will adore and, hopefully, something they will encourage their friends to read.

Thank you to everyone who subscribes to  my blog. Please forward it to others who are walking their own personal path toward publication.

Stress-free Marketing: Practical Advice for the Newly Published Author FREE to Amazon Prime Members.

$ 2.99 for Kindle Owners  Paperback

And, In the Garden with Billy: Lessons About Life, Love & Tomatoes, the book that launched me on this journey.

Have a wonderful day.

Renea

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by adviceforauthors on January 17, 2012  •  Permalink
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Today, A Little Humor

"I'm going to write a novel."

Today I would like to share a funny video posted by dwkazzie who has created an entertaining video. Please click the link below.

Truly a funny four-minute look at the misconceptions some authors have. Enjoy, and I dare you not to laugh.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9fc-crEFDw&feature=player_embedded

Have a blessed weekend, and please share this post with friends.

Renea Winchester

Stress-free Marketing: Practical Advice for the Newly Published Author FREE for Amazon Prime Members

$ 2.99 for Kindle Owners

Also available: In the Garden with Billy: Lessons About Life, Love & Tomatoes

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by adviceforauthors on January 13, 2012  •  Permalink
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Finding Balance

The life of an author is filled with chaos.

Whether placing fictional characters in difficult situations, or personally pressing through the real-life anxiety of speaking to a crowd, those who have chosen the author’s life must be brave. Constantly bombarded with life issues as well as characters who-if we’re honest-love to misbehave, oftentimes our lives spin out of control. Today I want to talk about balance.

Dear one, you must take care of yourself.

Pouring your soul into a manuscript is an investment of time. Few authors can boast enough book sales to maintain a comfortable lifestyle. Instead, we have a “real job” that pays the bills. We write during our lunch hour, while waiting in line at carpool, before the sun comes up, or after it goes down. Writers seize every opportunity to put pen to paper, an act that sometimes leads to burnout. Following this initial release comes a period of editing, re-editing, asking veteran readers and authors their opinion on your work, and the assembly of a marketing list.

All necessary.

All tiring.

All worth the effort.

The industry classifies this as a “birthing process.” As a mother, let me say that childbirth is much less traumatic to the body than book birthing. Book birthing is exhausting, never for the weak or faint of heart.

Take heed those who are about to release a book, I am talking to you. Before launching your book into the world, take a moment to breathe. Seek peace and quiet, if only for a moment.

Step away from the work.

Let it rest while you do the same.

Treat yourself to lunch with friends; lounge in a bubble bath; take a walk; savor a steamy cup of coffee. You will be glad you did.

As always, I welcome your responses. Visit me on Facebook or my website.

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by adviceforauthors on January 12, 2012  •  Permalink
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Expressing Yourself!

Recently I attended a workshop where someone asked the question: “How many exclamation marks should my manuscript contain?”

The instructor replied: “Before I answer that question,  tell me how many your manuscript contains.”

“Approximately one hundred and thirty.”

The (multiple-award-winning) instructor’s response: “That’s one hundred twenty-nine too many.”

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Recently I edited a chapter in which the words “of course,”  appeared eight times. 

After reading the chapter I wondered, what in the world was this author thinking?

Unfortunately, the author was me!!!!

Don’t you hate it when you read something you have written and then wonder, what in the world was I thinking?

Of course. Upon re-reading the work I realized that the phrase was, of course, completely unnecessary.

So are most exclamation marks! Especially sentences where the author uses multiple marks as a way to really express emotion!!!!!

Our job as the author, and storyteller,  is to choose words that adequately express emotion. While it is grammatically correct to write: “Watch out!” It isn’t necessary to decorate emotional dialogue with punctuation as in the example below:

“No!” I screamed as Angela inched closer to the edge. “Stop!”

While reaching toward her I said, “Take my hand!”

Shaking her head, Angela took another step backward. “Stay away from me!”

“Please!!! Don’t do this! You mean too much to me!”

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Be honest, didn’t you get tired of seeing an exclamation mark at the end of every sentence?

Of course you did.

Readers quickly tire of exclamation marks and repeated phrases (which my critique group calls “an echo”).

Using a yellow, orange, pink, and light blue highlighter, re-read your work and mark phrases that repeat and unnecessarily punctuation. Then take a moment to review how much color appears on the pages. You might , of course, wish to remove every single word that doesn’t strengthen your manuscript.

As always, I welcome your comments.

Blessings and bestsellers to you!

Visit Renea’s website at www.reneawinchester.com and her other blog at http://blogthefarm.wordpress.com

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by adviceforauthors on January 8, 2012  •  Permalink
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Happy New Year

In preparation for the 2012, I clean house and set goals for the new year. This week, I found a Polaroid of my daughter taken when she was in kindergarten. It was fireman’s day, evidenced by the lopsided hat atop her tiny head. She stood with her friends, all were smiling, looking directly at me and the future ahead. Beside the picture I uncovered a Steven Covey journal with a ten year old personal mission statement which read, “someday I would like to write a book.” Blinking away tears, I realize so much time has passed. My daughter has grown into a beautiful teenager and my dream is a reality. 

This year instead of finishing the novel in progress, I released: Stress-free Marketing: Practical Advice forthe Newly Published author… a project that was not on my “to-do” list. I wrote Stress-freeMarketing: Practical Advice for the Newly Published Author after meeting two North Carolina authors at a conference. One had a beautiful memoir filled with professional photographs. However, in today’s market the  $ 34.95 price tag was professional suicide. The second author remortgaged her home only to see her dream disappear in foreclosure while unsold stock gathered dust. Each day images of these women haunted me making it impossible to focus on my manuscript. Then the muse fell silent.
 
Upon sharing my intent to write this book, my husband and I had quite the “discussion.” He argued I was making a terrible mistake. He believed emerging and self-published authors are obstinate, opinionated and “dead set on doing what they want to do regardless of who tries to help them.” Further, he explained, “this is why they self-publish, because they don’t want to listen to anyone in the industry.”
 
I defended that ”if someone had tried to share marketing tips with me when I was starting out, I would have listened.” Surely, I reasoned, newbies would listen to someone who had “been there” and “done that.” Surely, they would want to do everything in their power to sell the books they had worked so hard to write.
 
He crossed his arms and reminded me that I am “not like everyone else.” He reminded me that I had spent months researching my market and compiling contacts. Then he gave me a we’ll see look before saying, “Trust me, writers aren’t going to listen to a word you have to say.”
 
I tried not to cry as his resolve remained. I explained that writers help each other and that I am “doing my part to pay it forward.”
 
Veteran authors whom I interviewed agreed with my husband. They suggested I lead marketing workshops, instead of authoring a book aimed at emerging authors. I listened…kinda.
 
Partnering with local brick and mortar bookstores and small businesses, I now offer workshops to emerging authors at a ridiculously low price. Workshop attendees receive a copy of the book, a password to a community blog specifically designed for new authors, and two hours of instruction from yours truly. Businesses who host a workshop receive half of the fee as my way of saying thank you for shelving copies of In the Garden with Billy: Lessons about Life & Tomatoes. I hope these classes will encourage and teach emerging authors as well as benefit small businesses, especially in the winter months when business is slow. The workshops will not make me independently wealthy and the fact that I am not promoting this book with a tour means those who monitor sales information won’t be pleased.
 
Insert crossed arms from the beloved.
 
I like to think of Stress- free Marketing:Practical Advice for the Newly Published Author as a community service project. Someone needed to guide the fledglings and who better than a fellow fledgling that experienced extraordinary success with her first book. Thank you readers, booksellers and book clubs! Knowing that I have written something that, when read, will guide others on their pathway to publication pleases me. I have done my part. The rest is up to referrals and the magic of social media. If I can save one author from financial ruin, my work is done. Once again, the muse is smiling. Once again, it is time to set attainable goals. Once again, I am writing. 
 
Have you set goals for 2012?
 
As we begin a new year, many of us wonder what the future holds. Hopefully I will finish the novel or perhaps the sequel to In the Garden with Billy. I will continue to support independent booksellers and volunteer at the public library, both need our help. And my personal mission statement remains, “I will write a book.”
 
Visit Renea Winchester’s website for more information about her work.
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by adviceforauthors on January 5, 2012  •  Permalink
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Leaving 2011 Behind

As we leave 2011 behind I pause to reflect on this past year. As the economy continues to struggle I hear from many emerging and veteran authors that they are clamouring to sell their books. It seems like everyone is searching for someone to read their work.

Perhaps, just maybe it is time to polish your manuscript through the winter months and release it in the spring, a time when all things are new and exciting. I always advise against releasing books in December through February  because Mr. and Mrs. John Q Consumer have spent any extra money during the holiday, January and February bring with it the hope there will be some sort of tax refund. Unfortunately, any tax refund will be used to pay for the holiday gift spending.

Those who believe that December is the best time to release eBooks (because people are receiving wireless readers as gifts) know this, the majority of books uploaded in December are freebies. If you have a backlist of high-quality books, and if you have a reader following, you might consider offering a book for free. However, I strongly advise against releasing your first book for free. Why? This sets the expectation with your readers that the next book will also be free.

So dear self-published scribe, I ask you to wait. Wait before releasing your manuscript. I do not want you to become discouraged. Wait for winter to pass. Wait for spring to come. Wait. While you are waiting read the newspaper and magazines searching for places to market you book. Polish, polish, polish your manuscript until it shines with the newness of spring.

For those who have yet to visit a seasoned blog written by many successful authors, please follow this link http://southernauthors.blogspot.com/ to read Southern Authors Blogspot. 

Blessings to you for a prosperous, best-selling new year.

Visit my website to learn more about me.

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by adviceforauthors on December 21, 2011  •  Permalink
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Posted by adviceforauthors on December 21, 2011

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NaNo and Emerging Authors Beware

Newbie and NaNoWriMo authors will soon discover a legion of businesses eager to publish their manuscript. Wanting to capitalize on inexperienced authors, these  “reputable companies” whose names we all recognize, basically accept every single manuscript submitted. They are printers, not publishers. 

Don't trust your manuscript with just any ole printer

These printers realize that authors want more control. They are preying on giddy authors who have accomplished a significant goal and now want a finished product.  While I do not advise against self-publishing, I do warn authors to enter with caution. Recognize that there are many businesses who can destroy your reputation in a blink. Also recognize that you may be too “in love” with your manuscript to be rational.

First, prior to publication, step away …pause…and then pass your manuscript to someone to read, and ko-wreck(t) the misstakes [sic].

While the life of an author is filled with people willing to help fledgings through the process, few will read something you’ve written and bleed red ink across the pages. Why? Because authors are notorious for drama, fits, tantrums and other outbursts which (quite frankly) people just don’t have time to deal with.

This is one of the reasons why New York publishing houses will not take a risk on a newbie. They have zero time for drama. They also have zero time to deal with a stubborn author who refuses to see mistakes, or bend to improve their manuscript. They are weary of highly educated authors who believe “The End” means perfect.

Second, ask a self-published author about their results. Filter their response with the knowledge that some printers offer “author incentive” programs. Meaning, if they refer an author to their services they earn a reward. You aren’t asking if they like their printer or were satisfied with the results. You are asking about sales after the end-product was shipped to the author’s home.

You are not one of the suckers born every minute who will fall for a sales pitch. You are seeking the truth.

You understand the importance of distribution, distribution, distribition versus: unsold stock, unsold stock, unsold stock.

Ask point-blank questions. If the self-published author only offers eBooks ask: “How do you direct readers to your ebook?” If the answer is vague, file the response in the “Danger, Danger” category. While it is rude to ask how many copies the author has sold, ask; “where do you garner the most sales?”

Do not under any circumstance upload an ebook in December and expect it to sell.  Let the words rest. Let the words commune with their friends the sentence, the paragraph, the page. Do not be in a hurry to make a mistake. As always, I welcome any questions.

Remember, Kindle owners can order a copy of Stress-free Marketing: Practical Advice for the Newly Published Author for $ 2.99 until the end of 2011. Amazon Prime Members can upload it for free.  Also: In the Garden with Billy: Lessons About Life, Love  & Tomatoes has  once again been added to book clubs across the south. (Hello, Texas and Mississippi readers!)  It is also available wherever books are sold. Click this link  to your favorite bookstore.  (you might have to ask them to order it); Garden with Billy is also available on Kindle and Amazon.

 

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by adviceforauthors on December 16, 2011  •  Permalink
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Posted by adviceforauthors on December 16, 2011

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And the winner is…

Make Your Mark Publishing has selected a winner. First, to everyone who has read and commented on my blog, THANK YOU.  I adore meeting new people and doing what I can to encourage others. That being said here are a few things authors need to remember:

Keep reading.

Keep writing.

Keep supporting those local businesses, including local booksellers.

You can do this….I believe in you. We are all in this together.

Congratulations to  Anne Buginsky  in sunny Florida has won a copy of Stress-free Marketing: Practical Advice for the Newly Published Author.  I hope she will leave comments, or perhaps be inspired enough to leave a review here and on other social media outlets.

For those who didn’t win, Make Your Mark Publishing is holding the Kindle price at $ 2.99 for the entire month of December. It is our gift to you.  Buy it here, or read a sample chapter for free here.

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by adviceforauthors on December 9, 2011  •  Permalink
Posted in Marketing that Works for Newly-Published Authors

Posted by adviceforauthors on December 9, 2011

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Knowing Which Way To Turn

**Remember: All subscribers to this blog are registered to win a FREE copy of Stress-free Marketing: Practical Advice for the Newly Published Author. Subscribe BEFORE 5 pm EST Friday, December 9, 2011. Make Your Mark Publishing will pull the winner at 5:15 EST.
 
Which way?

As you journey into the life of a published author it is important to remain focused.

There are many, many obstacles ahead. First, before you self publish answer the following questions:
 
* Have I educated myself about the career of being a published author?
* Have I identified my target market?
* Is the manuscript error free?
* Am I willing to invest the time, and money to market the book?
* Am I prepared for rejection?
* Do I have a “Plan B?”
 
This week I met a wonderful author. She admitted she didn’t think my workshop would be worth her time, or money. We authors are a skeptical bunch. Appreciating her honesty, I explained that uncertainty is common…now more than ever. My goal is to help, not hinder.
 
She listened while I explained that I did not plan to write Stress-free Marketing: Practical Advice for the Newly Published Author, last year.  She nodded when I said I was writing a novel, but stopped after meeting people who worried me. Further explaining the number of self-published authors I have met who have  hemorrhaged 5, 10, 20 thousand dollars (and more) on books they can’t sell, this particular author made me smile when she said, “I am in the planning stages.”
 
Finally, someone I can help. Finally, someone who not only has a finished manuscript, but understands that marketing before you release a book is important.
 
We sat, she and I, discussing her book, her plan,the vision she has for her book. Then she said: “what I really need to determine is how I am going to sell my books and whether I want to drag them with me everywhere I go, or whether I trust someone else to help sell my book.”
 
Hallelujah !  Ring the bells. She understands. One more author has been saved from a potential financial tragedy. Now if she will only help  me spread the news to other authors, eventually we will create a world of authors who aren’t worried about selling their books.
 
 
Renea Winchester is the author of Stress-free Marketing: Practical Advice for the Newly Published Author. Her first book titled: In the Garden with Billy: Lessons About Life, Love & Tomatoes, earned a SIBA nomination and a Georgia Author of the Year nomination. She is an award-winning author who believes in the value of community and relationships. Her work has appeared in various magazines, anthologies, and literary journals. Visit her at www.reneawinchester.com
 
 
 
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by adviceforauthors on December 9, 2011  •  Permalink
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Posted by adviceforauthors on December 9, 2011

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Standing Out Among Other Titles

Trivia time.  Without looking, guess how many titles are on Amazon?

Insert Jeopardy music.

Can readers find you?

According to Amazon, there are 8 million titles available either in print or electronic format. Instantly, the question becomes how can anyone find my book in the midst of so many titles?

Not to repeat myself, but you cannot create a nationally recognized name for yourself , which translates into sales outside of your home state and wider recognition, if you do not first invest the time to create a local name. Take heed, emerging authors, I speak directly to you. Authors who successfully sell eBooks incorporate many tactics. A few examples are: creating a web following, establishing a powerful social media presence and generating word-of-mouth advertising. All are done before publication.

All over night success stories takes years to create.

Why in the world would you invest years of your life, to pursue publication, only to expend energy doing the wrong things. It did take you years…right? Please tell me that you aren’t self-pubbing an unedited rendition of your NaNoWriMo assignment; or worse, submitting a smoking-hot manuscript to a power agent. Pretty please, tell me that you have paid an editor, had complete strangers read your work, let the manuscript cool, re-read, prayed, meditated, corrected and re-read (out loud) the entire manuscript before sending it to an agent, publisher, or printer.

Please, tell me you understand the difference between a printer and a publisher, and that you are not going to put your name on something that isn’t ready. Books take years (plural) to ripen. You do not want to know how many emerging authors email me in a panic. Whether they have found me after attending one of my workshops, or by referral from another author, the stories are always the same. They paid $ 5,000 for 50 copies; $20,000 for a thousand copies; they have books to sell (now); they are in crisis mode. As my mother says they have, “got the cart before the horse.” They have self-published, loaded their trunk with a shiny baby and now suffer new parent angst.

Dear author, I am not equipped to solve this type of unsolvable, yet simplistically preventable catastrophe. Unfortunately, no one can. The best I can offer is that you consider my words now, before making an irreparable mistake.

I see you.

I want your work to stand out, in a good way. Because if you don’t do the research before publishing, odds are high your work will not get the recognition you think it deserves.

 Further, if you have caught a second wind after completing NaNoWriMo, join a critique group. Join a local authors guild. Find a reading group. Take the necessary steps to polish your work first. The world should first meet you as a confident author, not a desperate one.

 You can stand out in a crowd, either in a good way, or a not-so-good way. The choice is yours.

Renea Winchester is the author of Stress-free Marketing: Practical Advice for the Newly Published Author. Her first book titled: In the Garden with Billy: Lessons About Life, Love & Tomatoes, earned a SIBA nomination and a Georgia Author of the Year nomination. She is an award-winning author who believes in the value of community and relationships. Her work has appeared in various magazines, anthologies, and literary journals. Visit her at www.reneawinchester.com

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by adviceforauthors on December 5, 2011  •  Permalink
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