Guest Post

HAVE A BOOK TO PROMOTE? Lyrical Pens welcomes guest posts. Answer a questionnaire or create your own post. FYI, up front: This site is a definite PG-13. For details, contact cjpetterson@gmail.com cj

Sunday, October 28, 2018

When everyone else is complaining


cj Sez:  Remember the adage “Spring forward, Fall back?” Well, I’m now doing my civic duty and reminding you that Daylight Savings Time begins on the first Sunday in November…that’s next Sunday.

That means, if you’re in an area that celebrates DST, you need to turn your clock back one hour in the wee hours of the night between Saturday, Nov 3, and Sunday, Nov 4.

I’m not happy about losing an hour, but I plan to “fall back” my clock before going to bed next Saturday night.

As a result of DST, sunrise and sunset will be about an hour earlier on Sunday then it was on Saturday ... that gives people more daylight in the morning to get ready for church/work/school.

Why do we have DST? Allegedly to save energy. The practice was introduced in 2007 as part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. I truly am not sure if it’s all about energy. After all, we either have to leave our lights on longer in the morning (standard time), or turn them on earlier in the evening (daylight savings time). Granted winter nights are longer than daylight hours, but doesn’t the usage equal itself out? I think there’s more to the story than that explanation. I think someone lobbied for more suntan time on the summer beaches.  What do you think?  
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This came across my Facebook page, from Grammarly and courtesy of a share from Mahala Church (Edit, Write, Teach …FB url    https://bit.ly/2OLDE7N ):
 
Grammarly says this is a fool-proof way to determine if the sentence you wrote is passive voice. Re-write your sentence this way after the verb:

“She was killed [by zombies.]” <—- Makes sense?  Yes. It's passive voice.
“Zombies killed [by zombies] her.” <—- Makes sense?  No. It's active voice.
(From Grammarly Blog)
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BSP (Blatant Self Promotion) I have a story in the soon-to-be-released Hometown Heroes, A Christmas Anthology

The anthology is about Community. Courage. Compassion.

Hometown Heroes brings you five Christmas romances that celebrate everyday heroes.
From paranormal to contemporary to historical, there's something here to fill everyone with the spirit of the season.

A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Cajun Navy Relief, an organization dedicated to helping neighbors in distress

Blurb for my story:
“Hobbes House Noel”   Merrill Cowper rents her beloved Hobbes House lakefront cabin to a stranger and becomes an unlikely hometown heroine when she saves his child from the possibility of a watery death. This would be the year she learns that the best Christmas gifts don’t always arrive wrapped in pretty paper and tied with a bow. Sometimes they don’t even fit under the Christmas tree.
The release date is December 4 . . . watch for it!

That’s it for today’s post. You-all guys keep on keeping on, and I’ll try to do the same. PS: Be sure to enter the contest below for a chance to win a gift bag of goodies.

cj

A few more Christmas gift ideas:
Choosing Carter    https://amzn.to/2CJxs8Z
Deadly Star   https://amzn.to/2O8NFGZ
The Posse, a Western anthology   https://amzn.to/2EKUA9B
Christmas through a Child’s Eyes   https://amzn.to/2JjNrMn

GIVEAWAY CHALLENGE . . .
Let me know you’ve left a new review on any of my work at Goodreads, Amazon, wherever—good, bad, or simply “I read it.”—and I’ll put your name in the raffle hat. The random name I draw on December 6 will receive a nice gift bag of goodies. I’ll post the winner’s name on my Facebook page, so be sure to stop by.

Qrtly newsletter sign-up:  cjpetterson@gmail.com

Sunday, October 21, 2018

Let the marketing begin

cj Sez:
It’s getting to be the season when books are being released in time for gift buying, and I thought you might find something useful in this article I wrote a few years ago.

   Other than the deep, time-constrained editing that happens, one of the hardest parts of the writing process comes when you’ve typed THE END on the last page of your manuscript and sent it off for publication. That’s when you face the daunting task of marketing your beautiful baby.

   Whether traditionally, indie-, or self-published, the task of marketing falls to all authors. In today’s literary world, even big-name publishing houses are requiring their equally big-name author-clients to help market their own brand and creations. (Anyone remember seeing James Patterson on TV or Facebook in the past few months?) The ultimate goal of marketing is, of course, to garner attention for your story and increase sales.

   A fairly easy way to start marketing is to
go on a blog tour with as many bloggers as are willing to host you. You write a post or answer some questions, plug your book, respond to readers, and you’re off to the next blog site. It takes some time and internet contacts to get this going, but reclusive authors usually like this kind of marketing. The neat thing is, with the right internet contact, you can easily reach an international audience. 

   Like James Patterson, authors need to connect with their readers. Actually, they must connect with their readers. That means authors do readings at book clubs and libraries. They do book signings and media (TV/press/radio) interviews. All of those tasks require (gasp) public speaking.

   For me, and a lot of other authors I know, the prospect of public speaking can be a bit scary. Our normal milieu as we create our stories is solitude in front of a computer or with pen pressed to paper. We’re watchers . . . we observe the behaviors of other people and take copious notes for future story/character ideas. Being the watch-ee (in front of an audience) takes us completely out of our comfort zones.

   That’s where a formulaic “stump speech”* can offer a degree of confidence.

   The first thing I did when my first novel, DEADLY STAR, was handed off to the publisher was to outline a flexible stump speech. Start with an anecdote, give a brief bio, including why I use a pen name and how I chose it. I thought I would follow up with something about where the idea for the story came from, the research involved, the characters, and I plan to read a couple of short excerpts. Then I print it out in large, bold, double-spaced type and practice it. That helps me with timing the length of my presentation and makes me familiar with the flow so I can wing some of it, ad lib a bit, and actually make occasional eye contact with someone. The more often I speak, the easier it becomes.

   Other than participating in panels at conferences, I’ve never had to speak at an out-of-town gathering. If that happens, I’ve read that it’s a good idea stop by the venue and get familiar with the layout. Another trick for newbie speakers is to attend someone else’s presentation if possible…that takes a lot of the mystery out of the event.

Caveat for public speaking: It’s important to really know your work, because the Q&A will bring some surprising questions—always.

   A fellow Sisters-in-Crime/Guppy author and TV investigative reporter Hank Phillippi Ryan came up with seven quick steps for dealing with the scary thought of having to speak in public (and she’s so good at it, public speaking seems second nature to her):

1.      Research your audience
2.      Plan
3.      Practice
4.      Know your stuff!
5.      DON’T worry.
6.      Get big.
7.      Love it and embrace it.

   Now if I could only get steps 5-7 down pat. What step is most difficult for you?

(* “Stump” is another word for “campaign” —like politicians do when they’re trolling for votes. Authors are trolling for sales.)

***

   Be sure to watch Amazon for the soon-to-be-released Christmas charity anthology Hometown Heroes. I am thrilled to have a short story, “Hobbes House Noel,” in it.
"When protagonist Merrill Cowper rents her beloved Hobbes House lake-front cabin to a stranger, she becomes an unlikely hometown heroine when she saves his child from the possibility of a watery death. This would be the year she learns that the best Christmas gifts don’t always arrive wrapped in pretty paper and tied with a bow. Sometimes they don’t even fit under the Christmas tree."
   The anthology, compiled by Bienvenue Press, will benefit the Cajun Navy, that awesome volunteer group, comprised mainly of private boat owners, who assist in search and rescue efforts after hurricane disasters. The organization was formed after Hurricane Katrina hit Louisiana in 2005.

   I’ll post the final cover reveal soon and info on when/where to purchase. I hope you’ll help support them as well.
***

   That’s the post for today. Hope you found something interesting. You-all guys keep on keeping on, and I’ll try to do the same.

cj

For gifts that keep on giving, pick up copies of DEADLY STAR and CHOOSING CARTER . (A hint in case, like me, you have only two more paydays until Christmas.)
GIVEAWAY CHALLENGE . . .
Let me know you’ve left a new review on any of my work at Goodreads, Amazon, wherever—good, bad, or simply “I read it.”and I’ll put your name in the raffle hat. The random name I draw on December 6 will receive a nice gift bag of goodies. I’ll post it on my Facebook page, so be sure to stop by.

Qrtly newsletter sign-up:  cjpetterson@gmail.com
Simon&Schuster Author Page = https://bit.ly/2uo1M0Z

Sunday, October 14, 2018

Cover sneak peek and two halves of a villain

cj Sez:
I am honored to have a short story in the soon-to-be-released Christmas charity anthology, “Hometown Heroes,” compiled by Bienvenue Press and benefiting the Cajun Navy.

Sneak peek at the preliminary cover.

   In case you don’t know who they are, the Cajun Navy is an amazing group of civilian volunteers who travel the country trailering their boats to help rescue victims of storm (read “hurricane”) flooding. Most recently, they rescued many Hurricane Florence and Hurricane Michael victims. Members are awesome in their volunteerism and generosity. I’ll post the final cover reveal soon and info on when/where to purchase. I hope you’ll help support them as well.
***
"Taijitu"
   Let’s talk about how to write a “real” villain. The antagonist, like the protagonist, needs a yen and a yang to be a whole person—i.e., a personality where” seemingly opposite or contrary forces may be complementary . . . where two halves together complete a whole.” Both protagonist and antagonist need a flaw; the villain’s flaw is perhaps that s/he is not thoroughly evil, but has some spark of “good” in him/her. Maybe s/he sends
money to an animal rescue shelter because of a childhood pet. Or supports an invalid mother with some of the money earned from doing evil deeds.  

   The antagonist needs motivation, a goal, and some psychological reason for that motivation. A perfect villain is the same thing as a perfect hero, a cartoon of a character. You have to ask the same question of the antagonist that you do of the protagonist; the question that leads to the plot and theme: What does s/he want, then ask why, and what will s/he do to reach the goal?

   Maybe s/he wants to do something as benign as cause a little family ruckus. Or maybe s/he wants to kill someone. But why? The answer to that is what helps give the character dimension as s/he pushes toward the goal. 

   I write little bios for all my characters, including the villain. When I've created their background worlds, I know what makes them tick, how they will react, and what they will say in the situation I create. Their backgrounds are never inserted as an info dump; rather pieces and bits may surface during their dialogues. Knowing my characters inside and out also helps me develop deep point of view scenes. 

   How do you get to know your characters? 
***
   Sisters-in-Crime is an international writers’ organization founded thirty-one years ago by Sara Paretsky, the American author of detective/mystery fiction perhaps best known for her novels focused on the female protagonist V.I. Warshawski. SinC’s mission is to “promote the ongoing advancement, recognition, and professional development of women crime writers.”  SinC president Sherry Harris is quick to add that the organization does have male members as well. Ms. Harris was interviewed by “spawn” (small publishers, artists, and writers network) and you can read more about Sisters in Crime and all that the organization does for writers, bookstores, and libraries here:  http://spawn.org/sisters-in-crime/

***
That’s the post for today. Hope you found something interesting. You-all guys keep on keeping on, and I’ll try to do the same.


cj

For fast exciting reads, stop by Amazon and pick up copies of DEADLY STAR and CHOOSING CARTER. Great for Christmas gifts that keep on giving. (A hint in case, like me, you have only two more paydays until Christmas.)
GIVEAWAY CHALLENGE . . .
Send me an eMail that you’ve left a new review for me to read (Goodreads, Amazon, wherever and good, bad, or simply “I read it.”) and I’ll put your name in the raffle hat. The random name I draw on December 6 will receive a nice gift bag of goodies. I’ll post it on my Facebook page, so be sure to stop by.

Qrtly newsletter sign-up:  cjpetterson@gmail.com
Simon&Schuster Author Page = https://bit.ly/2uo1M0Z

Sunday, October 7, 2018

What attracts you to a book?

cj Sez: I was recently privileged to speak to the Mobile Writers Guild about how to “Give Your Story Its Best Start and Best Shot” at attracting readers. As a reader, what attracts you to a book?
Click on the books to purchase on Amazon
Whether it’s on the library or bookstore shelf or on an on-line book seller, the first thing you do is go the genre section or favorite author you’re interested in, and chances are you check out the title and then the cover.

Titles and cover art, even the quality of the paper may mean something to readers; i.e., is the writing the same quality as the cover? The title and the cover also introduce the tone of the story and the author’s voice. These two items can be your best start and best shot at gaining a reader’s attention. That all-important first line, first page, and first chapter don’t enter the purchase equation until after the reader picks up the book.

Quoting a recent Facebook post commenting on an author’s cover reveal: “Congrats. Awesome title and cover. Can’t wait to read.”  I had the same reaction when the cover of Choosing Carter was revealed.

Conversely, another post read: “I love cover art that looks professionally done. I am not attracted by a book with a cover that looks amateurish….”

Granted, traditionally published authors, of which I am one, don’t usually have the control over the cover art that self-published authors do. The publisher may or may not work with the author to develop the cover art. But for the self-published writers who do have control over their cover art, if you’re not an illustrator or art design expert, consider hiring the cover done … and seek input from other authors for your title. 

It’s Marketing 101, and why there is such a to-do over cover reveals. Just a thought.
***
Congratulations are in order for Stephen Mack Jones, winner of IACW/NA’s Hammett Prize.

The Hammett Prize for Crime Writers is bestowed each year by The International Association of Crime Writers (North American Branch) “for a work of literary excellence in the field of crime writing by a U.S. or Canadian author.”

On July 7, the IACW/NA announced this year’s winning title: August Snow by Stephen Mack Jones (publisher: Soho Crime).  Mr. Jones’s story was selected from among four finalists chosen from the hundreds of crime books published in 2017. He received their “Thin Man” bronze trophy designed by sculptor Peter Boiger.

Nominations are open for IACW/NA 2018. Submissions deadline is December 15, 2018…read the guidelines at: http://www.crimewritersna.org/hammett/
Information: Wendy Hornsby  at 
wendyhornsby2@gmail.com
Chair 2018 Hammett Prize Reading Committee

(cj Sez: Past winners include Stephen King, James Lee Burke, and Elmore Leonard.)

***
This busy man (with the dual jobs of corporate
counsel and buyer for a local business) invited me out for appetizers one evening last week. Grandson Jeff and I are at Bonefish Grill. Do I look happy or what (that is not a question).

You-all guys keep on keeping on, and I’ll try to do the same.

cj


Stop by Amazon and pick up copies of DEADLY STAR and CHOOSING CARTER. Fast, exciting reads and a Christmas gift that keeps on giving. (A hint in case you have only two more paydays until Christmas.)

Send me an eMail that you’ve left a new review for me to read (Goodreads, Amazon, wherever and good, bad, or simply “I read it.”) and I’ll put your name in the raffle hat. The random name I draw on December 6 will receive a nice gift bag of goodies. I’ll post it on my Facebook page, so be sure to stop by.

Qrtly newsletter sign-up:  cjpetterson@gmail.com
Simon&Schuster Author Page = https://bit.ly/2uo1M0Z