The Writer's Grab-Bag

Lynda Dickson, Books Direct – Review for “The Connecticut Corpse Caper”

Check out Lynda’s blog to find out about awesome new books, free books, and giveaways. If you’re an author, it’s a great place to promote your book(s); just check out the guidelines.

http://booksdirectonline.blogspot.ca

Her blog is a companion for the website “Books Direct”, which is “one-stop online book store for the whole family”.

http://booksdirectonline.com

I also owe Lynda a huge thank-you for a review of my e-book The Connecticut Corpse Caper (the first in the Triple Threat Investigation Agency series). Here are the links to the review on the Amazon page and Books Direct.

https://www.amazon.com/Connecticut-Corpse-Triple-Threat-Mystery-ebook

http://booksdirectonline.blogspot.ca/search?q=connecticut+corpse+caper

To Wattpad . . . or Not To Wattpad

As I’m building this blog, I’m considering all that I’d like to see on it—such as “Odd Woman Out”, a cross between chick-lit and mainstream fiction, comprised of weekly installments.

Apparently, next to no one has read it, but then I don’t exactly advertise it. My posts on Facebook seem to do little. I’m guessing a) it just plain sucks or b) I’m not “selling” it properly. As my fragile writer’s ego doesn’t want to believe it’s doggy-doo, I’ll opt for the second reason: I don’t (yet) know what I’m doing.

So-o, I asked the amazing, ever-helpful folks in the SPF Community and received fabulous advice. If you want to get some traction with your books on Wattpad, do the following:

get your book featured
follow, vote and comment on stories in your genre
be aware that Wattpad caters more to YA, fanfic, and romance (but you can still make inroads, so don’t be deterred)
get your book featured
enter a contest
post regularly / make sure chapters and the like appear regularly, and
get your book featured.

. . . I believe I’ll see if I can get my book featured. <LOL>

The Light at the End of the Tunnel . . . is Becoming A Little Bit Brighter

The focus of this blog is becoming clearer. I can see categories, widgets, links, posts, pics, book reviews (mine and others).

Each week I’m learning more: what to do and what not to do. Now I need to begin applying it. Easy to say, a little more tricky to do. It’s that <bleeping> thing called time. It’s so very precious. For those who never have to count your minutes, count your blessings my friends!

Until I can get this blog looking the way I want it to (which translates into having the blog “cooperate”, as some days it appears to have a mind of its own), I will share little snippets of info/advice.

My first snippet:

If you’re into writing, there are a lot of great writers groups to connect with. One I’ve recently joined and recommend is best-selling author Mark Dawson’s SPF Community on Facebook. They’re wonderful, helpful, and very supportive! Just so you know, there are “house rules”, and I’m sure Mark won’t mind if I provide some here:

* No promotion, ever. Promotional is anything that you stand to make a financial benefit from in your own capacity. If you post promo, it’ll be removed without notice and you might be taken out of the group.

* Please do not solicit clients.

* Please don’t try and build a mailing list.

* Be kind. Be polite. Be supportive.

Mark also reminds us that this is a group where anyone can join; if you don’t want something shared publicly, however, it might be best you don’t share.

A Tisket, A Tasket

While concepts for this new blog flow like bubbles from a five-gallon champagne fountain, its focus is as clear as a quart of stout beer.

There are so many potential forks in the road to take—should I:

do book reviews
offer editing services
share learning gleaned from fellow writers and bloggers, and/or
present positive support?

The blog world is my oyster; it’s merely a matter of prying it open and indulging. So-o, maybe the best thing to do is dive right in.

As such, today’s post is about keeping the faith.

An authors’ forum recently revolved around a negative review. The writer was dejected, understandably so. Constructive criticism is good; cruel criticism is not.

Every writer must start somewhere. Some will demonstrate an immediate flair—gift—for producing entertaining stories or providing enlightening facts, while others will require time to hone talents and perfect craftsmanship. Quite a few will be lauded early in their careers and a number will need to wait, wait, wait.

It doesn’t matter if you’re the tortoise or the hare. Don’t rush—honor the process and yourself. Above all, keep that faith.

Never, ever, allow anyone to mock or deride. You’ve got it in you to succeed. It may not happen overnight, but it will happen. Just keep believing.

Aagggghhhhh . . . aaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh

I’m feeling sooooooo much better. I’m becoming a bit more blog savvy every passing weekend. I’ve accomplished a few new things in the widget world, and am having the odd issue (anyone visiting my site will likely see “it”). But I’m getting there . . . and it feels awesome!

The Official 1st Grab-Bag Post

In past, I was loathe to admit my age–couldn’t stand the thought of getting older. Now, I accept what’s inevitable; it is what it is. (Sure, I could stand to be free of the wrinkles and sagging skin, but that’ll be taken care of one day, LOL.) The point is: I’ve been writing a good 25 years . . . a quarter of a century . Who’d have ever imagined it would take that long to get published?

But you know? Some writers may be published within a year of starting their first book, others take time (years) to hone their craft. I truly believe there are no coincidences and that things happen when the moment is right. Everything in its time.

Looking back at early writing, I saw good ideas and not-so-good authoring.

Looking back at me, I saw good intentions and not-so-good judgment.

I may not (yet) possess the networking and technical skills to have a dynamic and popular blog, but I do (now) have one . . . so I’m taking baby steps and toddling forward. I hope you’ll take my hand and totter with me.

Here’s to an awesome future for all aspiring and established writers. May we develop in our crafts, find joy in our hearts, and keep benevolence in our souls.

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