Random Interesting Stuff (or How I Cut My Distractions and Got Busy Writing Book 2)

How to Break Through Your Creative Block by Maria Popova for Brain Pickings
I'm working on this. I get easily distracted and sidetracked with to-do lists and social media, and then the next thing I know I'm taking a nap. My solution is two-fold.

1. This blog is going to be my repository of distracting but interesting stuff. Rather than posting several times a day, I'm going to try to limit myself to a few posts at the beginning and end of the day, saving up interesting ephemera for one single blogpost every day or so.
2. When I'm staring at a blank page or screen, unsure how to start, I take about 5-10 minutes and do a prewriting just to get things rolling. Instead of worrying about how I'm going to say just the right thing, I start instead with writing about what I'm going to write about. I don't worry about grammar or paragraph breaks or any of that. Sometimes it's just a list. But I'm thinking about the scene and what I want to have happen. By the time I've told myself what I'm going to tell, it's easy to start telling it. The hard work is done.

Why Dogs Make Fun Writing Partners by Jennifer Robson for Writer's Digest
I loved this article, and I couldn't agree more. Layla needs a break about as often as I need a new cup of coffee, so that's a partnership that works. Plus, she keeps my feet warm. I keep her bed right behind my chair, though she often chooses to lie down under my desk or on the rug at my side. She's a good companion since she doesn't say much but is an excellent listener.

"The Poisoner's Handbook," American Experience . WGBH | PBS
My high school English teacher sent me a link to this video on Facebook, and it was definitely worth watching. I've always loved murder mysteries and true crime, so it was interesting to me to see the development of this end of CSI work.

Vampires: Folklore, fantasy and fact - Michael Molina 

 

I don't think I really need to explain why I find this short video sent to me by a friend so fascinating and fun.

Vampire Forensics
I bought this book for my Kindle, and I'm really enjoying the details inside. Though I can't reveal just how (spoilers!), there are definite ways this book will inform some of the things that happen in Book 2. As a reader, I always like knowing that an author has done his/her homework, so I want to be sure I'm following through on that expectation too.

I've got a few more books on their way, and I'll be doing some book reviews once I'm finished reading for those who are interested in vampire lore and history.

History of Magic and Experimental Science
I bought this set of books at the last library book sale. None of them had been read in 30 years or more, but the title alone is fascinating. It's an encyclopedic study of how superstitions about witchcraft and alchemy developed over the course of several centuries into what we now call the sciences.

These books are far too lengthy for me to read straight through beginning to end, but they are wonderful to dip in and out of. Vampires and other supernatural creatures are discussed throughout history, beginning with the Greek NeoPlatonists. Creepy geeky goodness. There are certainly ways in which I will be using information found here.

No Vampires in Pop Culture Feature this Week

This week is hectic in the extreme, but soon the semester will be over and I'll have a little breathing room to do the things I really need to get done. In addition to finishing Ma Chère Antoinne, I have some reviews to write, my garden to get in, some doctor's appointments, and I'll be moving into my new office upstairs at last (photos to come). My Vampires in Pop Culture Feature will be delayed until next week, but I plan to make it a great one.

In the meantime, enjoy the lovely spring weather with all its radiance and splendor.

New account on Storify! Check it out!

Every Little Thing

When I reinvented my cover art, I didn't realize the ripple effect that change would have. Because I had new cover art, I had to:

• Prep my CreateSpace account so it is ready for the paperback version to be uploaded once I'm through writing.

• Update my Amazon cover art and the file download for the Sneak Peek.

• Update my Twitter page background.

• Update my blog background here.

• Update the images on my author website.

• Make changes to my CafePress and Zazzle shops to reflect the change.

• Update my book trailer and sneak peek review videos on YouTube and change my YouTube channel look. 

Book Trailer

Review Video

It took two days and a ton of work, but I have to say that now it's done, I'm really pleased. I think the cover art reflects much more clearly the theme and setting and characters of the novel.

This is why I love my Mac

There are several reasons to love my Mac. But today's reason is topmost in my mind.

I have carpal tunnel syndrome, and it's severe enough that my doctor thinks I may need surgery. Thank goodness, my Mac comes with built in voice dictation software. It's the same software that runs Siri on your iPhone.

See, I'm not typing this at all. I'm dictating this to my computer. That means less strain on my fingers and my wrist and more likelihood that I can avoid surgery. That means I can blog much easier. And that means that I'm not behind on writing my book. And I didn't have to pay a penny for the software, nor did I have to train it. It just understands me.

Mac, I love you. I really really love you.

Now, if I could just get my computer to cook and do dishes for me and maybe fold the laundry....

Taking Care of Business

This last week has been a very busy one. In addition to going through SNOWPOCALYPSE here in Mid Missouri with two rounds of foot deep snowsnorms and accompanying power outages, I've also had a lot going on on the professional front as well.

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My most recent book review on Cynthia Shepp's Book Reviews and Editing Blog just went live--Deadly Kisses by Kerri Cuevas.

There is a giveaway along with the review, so don't miss your chance to enter! I really enjoyed this book.

Check out the review to find out why!

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I was asked to be a part of the library committee for the Horror Writer's Association, which I'm very excited about.

I'm also finalizing my plans for attending the World Horror Convention in New Orleans, June 13-16. If you are also going to the event, give me a shout-out.

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ANNOUNCEMENT!!! 

On March 15th, I'll be interviewing my friend and fellow author, C.M. Doporto here on my blog about her bestselling novella, The Eslites and about her upcoming new release novella, Element Part 1. CM writes Young Adult/New Adults Sci-Fi/Urban Fantasy stories, and I have really enjoyed her work.

Check out her website at http://www.cmdoporto.com/ or follow her on Twitter at @cm_doporto.

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I'm in the process of reading through this book again in preparation for the end of Part 1 of Ma Cherè Antoinne.

Any good detective mystery has to get the details right. I am checking myself to be sure I've been thorough. 

Part 2 has now been outlined and storyboarded, and I'm now getting impatient to get started writing that section. Only four more chapters till Part 1 is complete and I'll be able to start telling the next part of the story. I can't wait!

Being SOCIAL is the key to using Social Networks

Skimming through several blog posts about writing, I came across one that made me slow down and pay attention.

The One Thing An Author Should Never Do On Social Media…

Johnathan Gunson says exactly the same thing that I've been feeling about authors' use of social media sites. I see far too many writers who only post repetitive advertisements about their own work. That is a strategy doomed to fail, and I'm glad someone else noticed it too.

If all I see in your Twitter stream is "Buy my Book!" over and over, however cleverly it may be stated, I'm going to tune you out. If you're a friend, I won't unfollow, but I do stop reading what you have to say.

I have one friend who must be using a content generator, because these screaming tweets are posted literally every five minutes, 24/7. If I'm there for an hour on Twitter, checking out the news on friends and celebrities, I'll see those constant posts over and over again. Every time I see one, I want to post back, "I bought the book already. Stop yelling at me!" The only thing stopping me is the fact that I do truly like this person outside of the Twitterstream. Still, it is impossible to believe that such tactics are very successful. If I'm reacting this way, and I'm a friend, I have to believe that strangers are unfollowing right and left. No one wants that kind of constant harangue, and that's exactly how it feels.

At home, I have found ways to avoid advertisements as much as I can. I watch downloaded episodes of my favorite shows which don't include commercials or I prerecord the shows and then fast forward through the commercials when I sit down to watch them. I installed an ad-blocker on my browser so I can avoid as many of those pesky pop ups as possible. And I am not alone. People state that the number one reason they watch TV shows as downloads or on DVD is in order to avoid commercials which they describe as "annoying interruptions."

When I'm on social media, my attitude toward advertisements is the same. That is exactly what constant "buy my book" tweets are, in my opinion. Annoying interruptions in my otherwise interesting stream of posts.

The most successful authors, as Gunson says, already have a following, so they can get away with those sorts of advertising tweets. However, even then, if there isn't other interesting content, either cute pet photos or witty observations or links to fascinating things or conversations with other people, such posts will be tuned out as well. And the very best Twitter users engage their followers directly, replying as frequently as possible to those who reply to their posts. You develop a rapport with readers, and those conversations go a long way to showing that you are not just there hawking your wares, but you are approachable, interesting, and worth taking the time to read on a regular basis.

Your use of Twitter should be a part of your marketing scheme, yes, but your marketing scheme should not just be shouting about what you have to sell. You're selling yourself. Your personality. Your insights. Your personal stories. That is what will make people pay attention to your Twitter posts. And that is what will make them buy your books. People will want to read your books because they have come to know and like you because they've seen that you have something to say.

I think of Twitter like a giant cocktail party. Everyone is there, milling about. If all you're doing is standing in a corner and shouting, people will ignore you. And if you start simply handing out your business card to everyone you meet without regard to whether or not they want it, you will be kicked out of the party entirely.

Cocktail parties are a great chance to meet and make new contacts. And yes, you can give out your business card, but only once people know you and want to receive it. Twitter is no different.

Social networks should be, primarily, SOCIAL, as the name suggests. If you're not being social, you're doing it wrong. And you should also be NETWORKING, getting to know your readers and fellow authors. Smile, shake hands, have a conversation. That is what social networks are about.

Tell them about your books as though you're handing out your business card--sparingly and in a way that engages the audience.

Tell the news about your book:

• Is there a sale? 
• Is it like some other book they might have just read? 
• Is the cover art ready to be revealed? 
• Have you just made a milestone in sales?
• Has it just been released?
• Are you announcing an upcoming release date?

These are all acceptable ways of talking about your book, but be sure that you are doing so in ways that engage and interest people you're already talking to on Twitter. And once you've done so, go back to talking socially.

Exciting News!

I'm very excited to announce that I'll be doing reviews on the Cynthia Shepp Book Reviews and Editing blog. 

Check out their FB page Cynthia Shepp Book Reviews and Editing and give 'em a like too!

Shaking things up, making plans, plus some shameless self-promotion

I made the decision to switch my blog over to Blogger rather than keeping it on Wix where it has been housed. I was just not as happy with some of the functionality of Wix's blog (though I do love, love, love my author website there). In addition, it's not as easy to network with other authors on Wix as it is on Blogger or Wordpress, and that's something I definitely intend to do more of in the coming months.

Also today, I purchased my tickets for the World Horror Convention 2013 in New Orleans and reserved my hotel room. It's official. I'm attending. If you're also going to be going to this event, let me know in the comments below. I'll also be taking a few days of vacation time then to see the sights and wander the city with my very best friend in the whole world.

I'm making plans for a release party for the complete novel at the end of this month. Details will be posted soon!

And now some totally shameless self-promotion, as promised:
It's all five stars for the sneak peek of Ma Cheré Antoinne! Check it out on Amazon for only $.99!