Monday, November 28, 2022

A Huge Thank You!

I had a wonderful time this weekend at the Buffalo Historical Society's Maker's Market! A huge shout-out to friends Laura, who showed up for moral support, and Ann and Jay who traveled great distances to support my efforts as well. So great to see them!

It was a great venue, and the folks who run and volunteer at the museum are the friendliest!

What a super time meeting so many people -- young and old alike -- who were interested in Relic and Eye of the Peacock, their story lines, themes, and inspiration. I had some great conversations! This was my first big signing since Covid hit, and meeting potential readers is really the best part of being an author. Writing is a very isolated craft -- you're really kept company only by the characters you create. But when you do a signing, you get to connect with people who are interested in those characters that you have become so close to. 

So many people out there like to read -- and write. If you bought a copy, I thank you. If it was a gift, I hope they love it. Please feel free to contact me here. And don't forget to write a review on either my Amazon or my Good Reads page. Friday and Saturday let me also talk about this blog and the writing tips I've been offering. I hope you all visit and take advantage! It felt so good to be back in the saddle again!

Sunday, November 13, 2022

My Next Author Signing

The excitement is growing! 

As you know, Covid shut down so many of our enjoyable activities, and they are just now starting to gear up again. In that vein, I'm preparing for my first author signing in quite a while!

Nov. 25 and 26 I'll be signing and selling books at the Buffalo Historical Society's Makers Market. You can find me on the third floor!

There should be some excellent Christmas shopping there as well, as there are over 30 artisans and authors at this juried event!

The Historical Museum will also be open so you can peruse their educational displays as well! What a wonderful time of year to get reacquainted with the Historical Society.


Monday, November 7, 2022

Attending Conferences

Lately, my blogs have been highlighting how to go about writing and getting published. This week, I'm taking a small break from that topic, and yet, I'm not.

In between all of the writing, revising, and editing that leads to a published story, you have to search out additional ways to answer your questions. No one has all the answers. No one's journey is the same as anyone else's, and you can get tips you never knew you needed by talking with other authors and people in the book business.

Saturday, I attended the Indie Author Day at the Buffalo and Erie County Central Library. It's a great mini-conference -- only a half day. This year there were four speakers on the agenda, and I learned something from every one of them. I must say one of my favorites was Susan Bottaccio, the librarian from the rare book room. She detailed all of the resources available in the space and, knowing how important research can be when writing, I was amazed! Frankly, I want to move in and never leave!

Another speaker, Susan Solomon, was very informative. Among other things, she stressed the importance of reviews and writer's groups. She even gave me some personal advice that I won't reveal here, but I am in the process of implementing!

When I attend these events, I always search for at least one take-away from each speaker. Even if you don't find something new, there's the affirmation aspect of such an event. I could sit in the audience on Saturday and repeatedly say, "Yup. I do that," and that feels good.



Tuesday, November 1, 2022

Publishing Series: #9 So You Think You're Done...

Okay. You've written and revised. And revised some more. You're pleased. It sounds good. That manuscript is done! 

Ah, not quite. Now you need to find some beta readers. Three or four should be plenty. They should be people who enjoy a good story. They should also be people you trust to tell you the truth. Their job will be to read your entire manuscript and track their thoughts in the margins. If they have a question, they should write it down. If they are shocked or surprised, they should write it down. They should have a conversation with you and the text in writing in the margins.

Set a date when they should have completed their task and returned the manuscript to you. Then sit down and re-read your story and read their comments. My habit is to spread out at a large table with all the copies in front of me and page through them all at the same pace. I read all the page one comments, then all the page two comments. You get the idea. I also have my writing up on my computer and make suggested changes along the way. Sometimes the beta readers' comments won't help, but if a reader has a question about something they should have the answer to, that is either their fault as a reader or your fault as a writer. You need to figure it out. Having several eyes on the text will help you do that.

If they laugh when you wrote something funny or are shocked when you wrote something surprising, your writing is working. Beta readers can be reaffirming in this way, and they can also help you discover holes in your plot or flaws in your characters.

So what do you do when you have digested all your beta readers' comments? Revise again!

Next Up: Are We There Yet?