At
the Romantic Times Convention last April I told my senior editor that I had learned a
valuable lesson. When my book, Knight of Runes, was getting ready for release
last November I asked her what I should do to promote it. She said write the
next book. I thought she was crazy. This is my first book. No one knows who I
am. Who will buy it if no one knows about it?
the Romantic Times Convention last April I told my senior editor that I had learned a
valuable lesson. When my book, Knight of Runes, was getting ready for release
last November I asked her what I should do to promote it. She said write the
next book. I thought she was crazy. This is my first book. No one knows who I
am. Who will buy it if no one knows about it?
I
read up on book promotion and marketing and as a result I did a three week blog
tour. I tweeted. I Facebooked. I made swag to send to conferences. I did
everything except write the next book. I watched as my colleague debut authors
released their second and third book. I still hadn’t put pen to paper.
read up on book promotion and marketing and as a result I did a three week blog
tour. I tweeted. I Facebooked. I made swag to send to conferences. I did
everything except write the next book. I watched as my colleague debut authors
released their second and third book. I still hadn’t put pen to paper.
When
I saw Angela in April my new story, a series of five books, was well underway. The
beginning of June, Mine Forever , the first of the series was packed up and
sent into m editor. It’s not a sure thing so I sit and wait to hear if they
want to publish it. In the meantime, my now multi-published colleagues and critique
partners encouraged me to start the next story.
I saw Angela in April my new story, a series of five books, was well underway. The
beginning of June, Mine Forever , the first of the series was packed up and
sent into m editor. It’s not a sure thing so I sit and wait to hear if they
want to publish it. In the meantime, my now multi-published colleagues and critique
partners encouraged me to start the next story.
Where
is the stone wall? I’m getting to it.
is the stone wall? I’m getting to it.
I work with building my characters before I work through the plot. I admit I laid the ground work for the second story nicely in the first one so I had a head start. But speaking to my hero, Cameron, was like… speaking to a stone wall. He’s handsome, outgoing, tall and blond. He’s a throw-back to his family’s Viking influence but no matter how much I spoke to him, how many questions I asked he didn’t reveal very much. I love the strong silent type but wasn’t getting the second book written.
On a whim, I spoke to Lady Barbara, the heroine. She was much more communicative. In a matter of hours I had the goal, motivation and conflict right there in front of me.
My
point is sometimes when you can’t get to the route of the issue, problem,
action, etc. change your perspective or point of view. For me, the walls came
tumbling down!
point is sometimes when you can’t get to the route of the issue, problem,
action, etc. change your perspective or point of view. For me, the walls came
tumbling down!
How to you get around problems? How do you take down those walls?
What a great idea. Interview the other characters to gain insight on one tight lipped personality.
Most of my characters have been chatty, but I'll keep this technique in mind for the eventual strong silent type.
Thanks!
Hi!
It took me a few days to finally think of it. I was amazed at how quickly and smoothly the information flowed as soon as I started speaking to her.
Thanks for stopping by,
… Ruth
I'll often change POV when I get stuck in a scene. It usually sets me on the right path again or during the editing stage, if I come across a scene that's flat, a POV change can make all the difference.
LOL – Ruth, I have noticed that it's the males that are the stubborn ones.
When I'm writing a scene that doesn't seem to be working, I often find that I can solve the problem by changing the pov from one character to the other.
We did an interesting exercise at the Carolina Romance Writers meeting yesterday.
1- imagine your character's grocery cart. What's in it? How does she return the cart–in place, leave it in the parking lot, etc.
2-write a monologue as the character describes a deeply emotional moment, such as the death of a loved one
3- describe your character's physical features, what she wears, body type, eduation, career or job, scars, tone of voice, favorite phrase, favorite food, least favorite food, how she relaxes, best childhood memory, mst embarrassing moment, goal in life, describe her best friend, worst enemy.
I thought it was a time-waster at first, but afterwards I felt I knew my character much better.
Great blog, Ruth! It never fails to look at the story from a different Point of View. If find that simply re-reading what I've written can usually point of the flaws, but when the characters are being stubborn, sometimes you need to go deeper. Good luck with Mine Forever! 🙂
I don't interview my characters – I write about them. But the same principle applies. Thanks for the idea.
Great post, Ruth.
@Shelley Munro
You are so right! The men are the stubborn ones. I have to admit it was thrilling when the information began to flow. I couldn't write fast enough.
Have a great weekend,
… Ruth
@Margaret Fieland
I don't really interview them but let them talk to me. But you make a good point. Men are usually less touchy feely. Maybe I should be asking them questions to prod them on. Hmmmm… I'll have to try that next.
Thanks,
… Ruth
@Liz Flaherty
Thanks for stopping by.
… Ruth
@Jessica Lauryn
Hi Jess! I totally agree with you. Looking at the story from different POVs is enlightening as well as fun. I find there is more depth. Thanks for the good wishes with my new story. The waiting to hear from my editor this time is just as nerve wracking as waiting for The Call!
… Ruth
@sandyburney
Sandy, what great exercises. I can see what you mean with understanding your characters. When you do you can put them into almost any situation and 'predict' their reaction.
I'm going to try some of your suggestions. Thanks so much for sharing.
… Ruth
@Rebecca York
Hi! I see my inspiration is not revolutionary 🙂 The rush of information that I unleashed from my heroine was awesome. I see I'm in good company.
Thanks for leaving a comment,
… Ruth
You shared a couple of great points, Ruth. Writing the next story is important – I am so wordy I just kept on going and was luck to sell my first story along with four more. The first one comes out August 21st. It is scary and yes, it is confusing on how to promote.
I wish you well on several more stories. You'll just roll your eyes if I tell you that when my muse gets stubborn, I turn on Phantom of the Opera. They either love it and sway to the music or hate it and start talking to get me to change the DVD. Either way, I win. 🙂
What a great idea! I've had the main character keep a diary and have randomly written down daily happenings and how she/he feels about them…but I'm going to try yours. Thanks for the tip.
@Paisley Kirkpatrick
Phantom, hmmmm… I play classical music. I tried show music but anything with singing distracts me. I start singing along. It is not a pretty sight!
Congratulations on your new release. I know how you feel. My your sales skyrocket!
… Ruth
@Shawna Thomas
A diary. That's a great idea too. I find my characters talk to me in the shower (on the other side of the curtain – I wouldn't want to scare them off) and when I drive to my chapter meetings. I have a captive audience in the car. Where can they go!
I've just started gathering pictures relevant to the story. You just may see it reveal on Pinterest.
Enjoy the rest of the weekend. Stay cool!
… Ruth
I interviewed my characters for my current series and it gave me lots of ideas. Not just on their personalities but for plot as well. It's quite a thrill when you find out something about the characters that you never intended but makes everything come together.
Great post!
Jen Sampson
@Anonymous
Hi Jen!
Yes, it is so wonderful when they reveal something you haven't planned. I'm hesitant to say it but, it almost makes them come alive.
Thanks for stopping by,
… Ruth
Ruth, that's an interesting idea. I have a heroine who refuses to engage until the second chapter.
@ellaquinnauthor
They can be so temperamental! I'm sure when she does communicate she give you great stuff!
Thanks for stopping by,
… Ruth
I'm very curious about the first part of your blog. What lesson did you learn about your senior editor saying you should write the next book?
@Carole St-Laurent
Hi –
I spoke to my senior editor, Angela James, and asked her what I should be doing to promote my book. As a debut author I was eager and anxious to 'get it right.'
Her response surprised me. She said to write the next book. How would that help me sell my first one? Who would buy it if no one knew about it or me for that matter. So, I blog toured, reached out to book clubs for reviews, made swag to give away at conferences, and even paid for some ads.
My first quarter sales appear to have been nice. Angela was unable to tell me what my target book sales were. I know, frustrating isn't it.
My book must have been good. While it is an ebook (my publisher is Carina Press), Audible.com picked it up and Angela told me a few weeks ago Harlequin has chosen it for their direct-to-consumer program in December which means it will go to print.
Here's the clincher. For the Brenda Novak auction I banned together with Caridad Piniero and Eloisa James and gave Tea at the Plaza Hotel in NYC. Our winner was wonderful. She sent me a wonderful thank you note saying she read our books and was disappointed I only had one book. Caridad and Eloisa are multi-published and she was working her way through their list. I had nothing.
So, the short story is, the best way to sell your book is to have more to sell. That is the lesson I have learned. My second book is with my editor and while they decide whether or not they want to publish it I am already writing the next story.
Happy writing!
… Ruth
I like your idea, Ruth. And I got in this time, thanks, Marian