The Creative Penn Blog: Helping you write, publish and market your book

Revolutionize Your Writing with These 4 Editing Hacks

September 7, 2017 by Joanna Penn 27 Comments

When you're a new writer, you tend to compare your first draft with someone else's polished finished book.

But you can't compare the two because the difference is in the editing. Here are some tips that you could use when editing your next book from Jess Lourey and Shannon Baker.

You’ve spent months writing that book. Your work included deep research on setting, juggling Scrivener, notecards, and airplane glue to get that plot just right, and diving so deep into the head of your character that you were dreaming her dreams. But now you’re done. Those 90,000+ glorious words are laid out, one after the other, a beautiful first draft.

Time to get an agent or self-publish, right?

Nope. Now it’s time to edit.

Personally, I love editing. It’s like I’ve lugged all the wood, cement, and nails needed to construct this house, and now I get to decorate it.

Other writers hate the editing process, though. They just want to be done with the book already. Whatever camp you’re in, you can make the editing process (even) better by adopting these four editing hacks that Shannon Baker, author of the latest in the Kate Fox mystery series, Dark Signal, and me, author of the recently-released humorous mystery March of Crime, swear by.

Editing Hack #1, from Shannon:

I’m visual, so when I finish my draft, I synopsize each chapter in Scrivener’s corkboard, print it out, and tack it to a real corkboard. Then I tag the ¼ , ½, ¾ places so I can make sure I’ve hit turning points and twists to keep the pace flowing. I can color code point of view and track subplots.

From there, it’s a matter of making revision ideas with sticky notes, and starting in on the rewrites.

Some of my edits for the map book

Editing Hack #2, from Jess:

Read your book out loud. I know you’ve heard this hack, and you’ve discarded it because it’s dumb, right? Your eyes can see your book just fine so why would you bother reading it loud, which is dorky and uncomfortable. This is why:

“I cnduo't bvleiee taht I culod aulaclty uesdtannrd waht I was rdnaieg. Unisg the icndeblire pweor of the hmuan mnid, aocdcrnig to rseecrah at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it dseno't mttaer in waht oderr the lterets in a wrod are, the olny irpoamtnt tihng is taht the frsit and lsat ltteer be in the rhgit pclae.”

You see what your eyes did? They made sense where there was none.

Your ears will not let you down that way. They are parabolic workhorses that will tell you when your flourishes are overdone, your rhythm is too consistent, your grammar not quite right. Read out loud. You gotta.

(Shannon here: Thank you for explaining that to me! I know you’re supposed to read it out loud, and I do, but now I won’t feel so silly about it.)

Editing Hack #3, from Shannon:

We all have crutch words. Common little parasites can include “just,” “that,” “how,” and “with.” My characters smile, nod, half-smile, and turn entirely too much. My latest book contained these culprits: clenched, disgust, dark, dark clouds, place, put, but, get, sat [houses and cars don’t sit], have, look, stride, strode.

Search and destroy.

Or, if you are typing in Word, find and replace.

I always do a search for “I saw” (thought, looked, etc.) if I’m writing first person. “She saw” (etc.) if writing third person. Generally, your point of view will be closer (therefore making your readers feel more infused in the action) if you eliminate those phrases.

Editing Hack #4, from Jess:

This editing hack, which I call the ARISE Method, was a game-changer for me. I developed it when writing Salem’s Cipher, my feminist thriller, in the fall of 2015. The book is intricately-plotted with four character POVs, multiple subplots, and 8 different settings. I needed a way to keep all that in play, and so I developed ARISE editing. The foundation of this method is that every scene in your novel must serve at least one purpose. It must offer the reader:

Action
Romance or Humor
Information
Suspense or
Emotion

I go into more detail about the method in my book Rewrite Your Life: Discover Your Truth Through the Healing Power of Fiction, but here it is in a nutshell.

Summarize each scene of your novel in three or fewer sentences.
Write those summaries on a notecard, one card per scene. If you have multiple POVs in your novel, dedicate a specific color of notecard to specific POV. So, for example, all scenes from Chuck’s POV will be green, and all scenes from Clara’s POV will be yellow.
Review the notecards, and put as many of the ARISE letters as fit into the upper right corner of each notecard. If the scene has romance, pencil in an R. If it also has emotion, pencil in an E, and so on.
If a scene has no letters, chuck it, no questions asked. If it only has one letter, consider what you can add to it to give it at least two. Pencil in a note to yourself on that card. If it’s got at least three letters, it’s golden.

Revise your manuscript based on what you’ve discovered in the notecards, and bizango! You have a neat, sweet, guaranteed page-turner on your hands.

(Shannon here: I’m SO going to use this on the book I just finished! Thanks for this.)

Do you have any favorite editing tips? Please share them below and join the conversation.

Please join Shannon and Jessie as they continue their blog tour. They will each be giving away three books this tour, and every comment you leave at a blog stop gets you one chance to win.

Jess Lourey (rhymes with “dowry”) is best known for her critically-acclaimed Murder-by-Month mysteries, which have earned multiple starred reviews from Library Journal and Booklist, the latter calling her writing “a splendid mix of humor and suspense.” She is a tenured professor of creative writing and sociology, a regular Psychology Today blogger, a sought-after workshop leader and keynote speaker who delivered the 2016 “Rewrite Your Life” TEDx Talk, and the author of Rewrite Your Life, the only book out there which shows you how to turn your facts into healing, page-turning fiction. You can find out more at jessicalourey.com.

Shannon Baker is the author of the Kate Fox mystery series (Tor/Forge). Set in the isolated cattle country of the Nebraska Sandhills, Kirkus says, “Baker serves up a ballsy heroine, a colorful backdrop, and a surprising ending.” She also writes the Nora Abbott mystery series (Midnight Ink), featuring Hopi Indian mysticism and environmental issues. Shannon makes her home in Tucson where she enjoys cocktails by the pool, breathtaking sunsets, a crazy Weimeraner, and killing people (in the pages of her books). She was voted Rocky Mountain Fiction Writer’s 2014 Writer of the Year. Visit Shannon at Shannon-Baker.com

Mastering Amazon Ads With Brian D. Meeks

September 4, 2017 by Joanna Penn 7 Comments

Podcast: Download (Duration: 46:58 — 37.8MB)

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Today I’m talking with Brian D Meeks about Mastering Amazon Ads.

We have a really interesting chat about some of the biggest things people get wrong with Amazon ads as well as how to integrate ads into a wider marketing plan – plus, how running a Facebook group can be a mixed blessing when it comes to book sales and energy management.

I'm away on a walking trip so there's no extended introduction this week – expect a mega-show next week 🙂

Today’s show is sponsored by all the listeners who support the show through Patreon. Thank you SO much for your ongoing support. It means so much to me that you enjoy the show enough to contribute! If you’d like to become a Patreon supporter, you can support the show for as little as $2 per month and receive the extra Q&A show monthly. Click here to find out more.

Brian D. Meeks writes detective novels, thrillers, and science-fiction under his own name and that of one of his characters, Arthur Byrne. He has co-written several books in the Prosperous Writer's series with Honoree Corder and his latest nonfiction book is Mastering Amazon Ads: An Author's Guide.

You can listen above or on iTunes or Stitcher or watch the video here, read the notes and links below. Here are the highlights and full transcript below.

Show Notes

Blogging as a way to find your author voice

The most common mistakes authors make with Amazon Ads

Tips for successful Amazon Ads

The surprising number of ads Brian runs

Are Facebook groups effective for marketing a book?

You can find Brian Meeks at ExtremelyAverage.com.

What Writing For Children Can Teach You About Writing Fiction

September 2, 2017 by Joanna Penn 13 Comments

There are truths about writing that transcend genre, and in today's article, A.L.Tait discusses how writing for children has provided valuable lessons that will help any fiction author.

I never expected to be a children’s author. As an established freelance writer, author of four non-fiction books and budding writer of women’s fiction, I always imagined that my first novel would be squarely aimed at adults, and I was working hard to make this happen (gathering rejections as I went).

But then I had an idea that I couldn’t ignore (no matter how hard I tried), and so began a steep learning curve, with some hard lessons learned along the way.

This is what writing for kids has taught me about writing fiction.

To focus on story

If a kid asks you what your book is about, they’re not expecting a 15-minute exposition on the themes. They don’t want to know that you set out to write a lively and engaging exploration on the power of friendship and the magic of loyalty. No, they want to know what the story is – and they want it in the shortest, most interesting sentence possible.

Fortunately, there is something about writing for children that just naturally brings the story to the forefront for me.

I remember when I wrote my first full-length novel, which was for adults and which remains to this day unpublished (for which we should all be grateful), people would ask me what it was about and I would ramble on about women, small towns, going home, blah blah blah.

I didn’t even know what I’d had written, nothing was at stake, and, frankly, most of the scenes were there because I thought they’d be interesting to write (which probably explains why it remains to this day unpublished).

When I sat down to write The Mapmaker Chronicles, however, there was no doubt in my mind about what I was writing: an epic adventure story about a race to map the world – and a boy who really doesn’t want to go. Every scene builds the story and the stakes ratchet higher and higher as the series goes on.

There are themes (of course) and lessons (natch) but they are not the focus. When you write for kids, you put story front and centre – a lesson for every writer.

To have an ideal reader

When I started writing fiction, I wrote romance novels.

Why? Well, firstly, I liked reading them (always a good start), but, secondly, I thought they made sense for me as a writer.

At the time I began dabbling in fictional worlds, I was a 20-something features writer for women’s magazines. I understood a whole lot about voice, tone, demographics, target audiences and angles.

To me, the category romance market, with its various lines and demographics, was a perfect fit.

Only it wasn’t. I wrote several manuscripts that received terrific feedback for voice, tone, and writing but received nothing but rejections.

Why? Because despite what my head kept telling me, I just couldn’t get to the emotional heart of writing for romance readers.

Fast-forward 15 years, several non-fiction books, and two kids, and I was writing contemporary women’s fiction that was still ‘not quite’ there.

Until one day I started writing a children’s story. The difference, however, was that I wasn’t writing for ‘children’, I was writing for two specific children – my two boys, then aged nine and six.

I set out to write the kind of story that they loved to read, full of adventure, friendship, and humour.

And it turned out that my agent, my publishing company, and thousands of other kids liked to read it, too.

To embrace impossible ideas

The inspiration for The Mapmaker Chronicles came from two conversations I had with my oldest son that gelled into an idea that made me tingle all over. But I promptly put it in the ‘too hard’ basket and tried to ignore it.

Why? Three reasons:

I was very busy writing a 90,000-word contemporary women’s fiction manuscript
I had never written for children and had no idea how to do it.
A story about a race to map the world sounded EPIC – and EPIC would surely require more than one book and, frankly, I had no idea how to even start writing a series.

The thing about great ideas, though, is that they tend to nag you. A lot.

So when my agent asked me six months later whether I had ‘anything for children’ (because publishers were actively looking for it), I said, ‘Well, I have this random idea about mapmakers’.

Her response: ‘Sounds great, send me an outline.’

At this stage, I should point out that I had never written an outline for a novel in my life. A certified ‘pantser’, I was of the ‘get an idea, sit down and write it’ school of literary production.

So all I could say was, ‘I’ll have to write it.”

Six weeks later, I had produced the first draft of the Race To The End Of The World, book one in the series. It was an exhilarating, edge-of-my-seat experience and I think you can feel that when you read the book.

My agent loved it, but told me I’d need to produce outlines for books two and three. By then, however, I knew exactly where the story was going.

And so I became not only an author of children’s fiction, but an author of children’s series fiction. Both ideas that seemed impossible not three or four months before.

I think that, as writers, we sometimes ignore our best ideas because they terrify us – and I’ve learnt that the ones that scare you the most are the ones that you should embrace most fiercely.

The key is trust

Writing fiction of any kind is not for the faint-hearted. Weathering the self-doubt, anxiety, criticism, rejection and everything else that goes hand-in-hand with the joy of writing, takes time, strength and confidence that in the end everything will turn out all right.

Writing for kids has taught me that there are three keys to that happy ending.

Trust the story
Trust the reader
Trust the writer

And never, ever ignore your best ideas.

Do you write for children? Please leave your thoughts below and join the conversation.

Allison Tait is the author of 11 books, six of them for children. Visit her website for writing tips and inspiration, and to discover more about her EPIC middle-grade adventure series, The Mapmaker Chronicles, now available in the US through Kane Miller.

Forget Marketing Online. 5 Tips for Marketing your Books in Person

August 31, 2017 by Joanna Penn 4 Comments

Book marketing is not all about paid advertising and online strategies. In this article, Maria Dismondy shares how personal connections through speaking, podcast interviews, and networking can help you market your book.

The first time I considered myself a successful author wasn’t when I saw a certain dollar amount in my bank account. It wasn’t even when I reached certain sales numbers. It was the day someone asked me how many people I had on my team.

The answer was one.

I was doing it all on my own and in that moment I realized my power. I told myself if this is where I could take myself on my own, just imagine the possibilities a full team could bring to life. So after six years as a one-woman show, I brought new team members on board and that freed me up to focus on my favorite part of the business – marketing!

Whether you have a team on your side or are going at it alone, here are my top five marketing tips you can implement today to rev up your business and take things to the next level.

#1 Fulfill a Need for Your Book – Public Speaking

Create a dynamic program that relates to the theme of your book or a hot topic in education and market this program to schools.

For example, the book I co-wrote with retired NFL player, Stephen Tulloch, The Little Linebacker, is a wonderful example of ‘growth mindset’ – a hot buzz phrase in education right now. I designed a program connecting my book to growth mindset and it was a hit!

Public speaking at schools, libraries, and other public forums makes up 40% of my income. So while it takes effort, it’s definitely worth it.

#2 Connect with Your Target Market – Podcast Interviews

In order to sell books, people have to hear about your book. And in order for that to happen, you have to connect with people – a lot!

Research podcasts that speak to your target market and pitch to be a guest on those shows.

For example, my target market is educators, parents, and caregivers so I seek out podcasts aimed at those audiences. Since I also offer coaching services for authors, I also pitch podcasts that educate entrepreneurs and writers. It’s a fun way to connect with a large audience.

#3 Give, Give, Give – Create and Implement a Social Media Share Schedule

Speaking of connecting, there’s no better way to do so than through social media. By providing valuable content to your followers, you’re acquainting yourself with your target market while helping to solve a problem and fill a need.

The best way to do this is to plan ahead and map out a social media schedule. There are rubrics designed to suggest optimal posting schedules to meet your goals.

For instance, I try to post on Facebook five times a day. Whatever schedule you deem right for you, be sure you provide real value, are consistent, and that you’re connecting and engaging with those following you.

#4 Meet People in Your Industry – Network

The moment I stopped thinking I couldn’t share with my colleagues out of the fear of competition, I saw my business flourish.

Consider hosting a local networking event for members of your industry.

Join a group on Facebook and connect online.

Attend national conferences that relate to your specialty.

There is so much power in a community. As the old saying goes, “What goes around comes around” really rings true in a positive way throughout the writing community.

For example, a colleague introduced me to media influencers I then got to work with. Others have contributed to my books, and have joined my launch team to help promote new titles.

It’s a simple concept but endlessly rewarding. (And don’t forget your fans – schedule book readings throughout the year!)

#5 Dedicate Yourself to Growth – Education

I saved the best tip for last! The #1 way I have grown my business is through strategies I learned by listening to free podcasts.

There are local and national organizations that offer conferences and online webinars that can be hugely beneficial to your growth. Research a few events and get them on your calendar. I try to attend one each quarter and I listen to podcast episodes to educate and inspire myself to continue to try new things.

So there you have it! Try implementing one, or all of these tips and see if they make a difference for you.

Above all, don’t be afraid to try new strategies, even if they sound different and non-traditional. This philosophy is the backbone to my thriving business; I hope it helps you flourish as well — good luck!

What in-person marketing strategies have worked for you? Please leave your thoughts below and join the conversation.

Award-winning author and founder of the publishing company, Cardinal Rule Press, Maria Dismondy inspires and educates others in the book industry.

Her background in early education and research enables her to touch lives the world over while touring as a public speaker in schools, community forums, and at national conferences. When Maria isn’t working, she can be found embarking on adventures throughout southeast Michigan and beyond, where she lives with her husband and three book-loving children. Find out more about Maria’s coaching services: info@cardinalrulepress.com

Stop Worrying, Start Writing. How to Overcome Fear and Self-Doubt with Sarah Painter

August 28, 2017 by Joanna Penn 8 Comments

Podcast: Download (Duration: 1:03:05 — 50.7MB)

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Self-doubt and fear of failure are a normal part of the creative process, but that doesn't make them any easier to deal with. In today's show, Sarah Painter talks about how to write during the inevitable ups and downs.

In the introduction, I talk about lessons all authors can learn from Dean Wesley Smith's article on how to run a physical bookstore in 2017. I also mention my tutorial on how to build your own author website in 30 mins.

Today’s show is sponsored by my non-fiction audiobooks, How to Market a Book Third Edition, Business for Authors, How to Make a Living with your Writing and The Successful Author Mindset, available now on Audible. If you need some more inspirational audio that will give you actionable tips to make more money with your books AND stay sane while doing it, check them out here!

Sarah Painter writes bestselling contemporary fiction with a touch of magic, and she also hosts the Worried Writer podcast and blog, which helps writers with the mindset behind the writing life. Her newest book is Stop Worrying, Start Writing: How to Overcome Fear, Self-Doubt, and Procrastination.

You can listen above or on iTunes or Stitcher or watch the video here, read the notes and links below. Here are the highlights and full transcript below.

Show Notes