First of all, here's an announcement about PiBoIdMo becoming STORYSTORM. If you're planning to make any new year's resolutions that involve doing more writing, you may want to check it out... Regardless of the genre or age range you write for.
Anyway...
In case you missed my post about it on Saturday: You can now buy Ulrike's Christmas from Smashwords. It's available in formats that work for just about any eReader or tablet, as well as for your average computer. It's also available from some other eBook retailers... Just like all my other books.
Even without the postal strikes currently happening over here, it would be impossible for me to get the paperback version of "Ulrike's Christmas" organized in time for those of you who prefer a physical book to have it in time for Christmas, and I'm not even going to try. One will become availabe in early 2017 though, and I'll post about it on this blog when that happens, which hopefully won't be too far in to the year.
I know this is really short, but I'm going to leave it at this for this week, since I'm sure you're all busy with holiday celebrations, or last minute arrangements for holiday celebrations, or whatever. Today is the Winter Solstice - in fact, this post is being scheduled to go up at the exact time of the astronomical event itself, which is on Wednesday December 21st 2016 at 10:44am UK time - and Sunday is Christmas day, after all. So happy whatever you're celebrating... Stay safe during your festivities!
Showing posts with label PiBoIdMo. Show all posts
Showing posts with label PiBoIdMo. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 21, 2016
Wednesday, October 12, 2016
#Writing Wednesday - October 12th 2016
Firstly, a recent announcement from those who brought us PiBoIdMo (Picture Book Ideas Month)... It's going through some changes.
Secondly, here's a post by Ross Harrison about the upcoming Battle of Hastings stories, which you'll be hearing a lot about in the next week, since this coming Friday is the 950th anniversary of the battle. Ross isn't involved in the story writing this time, but he's a fellow Smashwords author, and contributed stories to Wyrd Worlds and Wyrd Worlds II, which are the science-fiction and fantasy anthologies the Smashwords group on Goodreads did in the past (some of you may remember that I was involved with Wyrd Worlds II). Oh, and... Just in case you missed my post about it yesterday... those of us involved in writing stories about the battle are answering questions all month on this thread, and I'm offering to repost the questions asked on my blog on to the thread on your behalf.
Thirdly, if you're not sure how to approach interaction on social media, just remember to CARE about your readers.
***
If you're an author, and if you're anything like me, your least favourite part of being an author is the marketing. Unfortunately, without the marketing getting done, nobody's going to buy the books we write, are they? So, take a look at these 11 ways to overcome marketing dread, and see if you can make your marketing plan more inviting. While you're at it, you may also like to check out these easy ways to streamline your author brand and winning strategies for your author event. Plus, with the new enhanced, and more flexible, coupon options from Smashwords, you have a bit more flexibility if part of your marketing campaigne is going to include coupons for eBooks you publish via Smashwords.
Regardless of your plans for marketing, here's a great article on how a little knowledge can go a long way when it comes to writing a story readers will love. Plus, these next couple of articles will be useful if you're writing something where you need to make sure you get your facts right about Medieval England, or know the differences between China and Japan.
As this next post explains, you need mini goals to complete your novel. This doesn't just apply to those 80 thousand words or longer ones mind you. It doesn't matter how long, or short, your writing project is, setting mini goals and rewarding yourself when you reach them can be a great way to encourage yourself to complete that story you always wanted to write. Plus, getting the rewards makes the writing process even more fun than it already is!
Finally, with the big holidays upon us, you may like to read this article on crafting seasonal stories that sell.
Secondly, here's a post by Ross Harrison about the upcoming Battle of Hastings stories, which you'll be hearing a lot about in the next week, since this coming Friday is the 950th anniversary of the battle. Ross isn't involved in the story writing this time, but he's a fellow Smashwords author, and contributed stories to Wyrd Worlds and Wyrd Worlds II, which are the science-fiction and fantasy anthologies the Smashwords group on Goodreads did in the past (some of you may remember that I was involved with Wyrd Worlds II). Oh, and... Just in case you missed my post about it yesterday... those of us involved in writing stories about the battle are answering questions all month on this thread, and I'm offering to repost the questions asked on my blog on to the thread on your behalf.
Thirdly, if you're not sure how to approach interaction on social media, just remember to CARE about your readers.
***
If you're an author, and if you're anything like me, your least favourite part of being an author is the marketing. Unfortunately, without the marketing getting done, nobody's going to buy the books we write, are they? So, take a look at these 11 ways to overcome marketing dread, and see if you can make your marketing plan more inviting. While you're at it, you may also like to check out these easy ways to streamline your author brand and winning strategies for your author event. Plus, with the new enhanced, and more flexible, coupon options from Smashwords, you have a bit more flexibility if part of your marketing campaigne is going to include coupons for eBooks you publish via Smashwords.
Regardless of your plans for marketing, here's a great article on how a little knowledge can go a long way when it comes to writing a story readers will love. Plus, these next couple of articles will be useful if you're writing something where you need to make sure you get your facts right about Medieval England, or know the differences between China and Japan.
As this next post explains, you need mini goals to complete your novel. This doesn't just apply to those 80 thousand words or longer ones mind you. It doesn't matter how long, or short, your writing project is, setting mini goals and rewarding yourself when you reach them can be a great way to encourage yourself to complete that story you always wanted to write. Plus, getting the rewards makes the writing process even more fun than it already is!
Finally, with the big holidays upon us, you may like to read this article on crafting seasonal stories that sell.
Wednesday, December 16, 2015
Wednesday's writing wordage - December 16th 2015
Read this post if you're thinking of becoming an author.
***
So, you have your story ideas from PiBoIdMo... Or, perhaps, just from general idea generation. Now it's time to research your concept to find out what's already been done, and give yourself the best chance possible of making sure your book will stand out from the crowd, and that your new twist really is a new one. But, don't forget, even while thinking outside the box, you still need to set some limits, or you'll never get your book done.
Most importantly though... Find what works for you. Even if that means writing out of order.
Also, you should always remember Jen's editing tips... Slow down! Your book takes as long as it does to finnish, and rushing it will only ruin it for your readers, which is not something you want happening... You want your readers to enjoy reading your book. Surely it's worth taking a bit longer than you'd hoped to get it out in order to achieve that?
***
Need an illustrator, or cover artist? Jacob Blackmon is your man! He specializes in fantasy themes; he does work for Paizo on a regular basis, for example. But Jacob doesn't only do fantasy and roleplaying artwork... He does other stuff too. You can see some of his work on his DeviantArt page, as well as by looking at some of my book covers, since he's one of my cover artists.
Marc Curlee is also a great artist, who would be happy to help out where he can. His work is generally more suitable for adults, and not child friendly. But if you're looking for an artist to do covers for books for older readers, Marc's your man! You can check out his DeviantArt page to get an idea of the kinds of things he does.
Both Jacob and Marc can also be found on several social media sites, such as Facebook, for example.
***
So, you have your story ideas from PiBoIdMo... Or, perhaps, just from general idea generation. Now it's time to research your concept to find out what's already been done, and give yourself the best chance possible of making sure your book will stand out from the crowd, and that your new twist really is a new one. But, don't forget, even while thinking outside the box, you still need to set some limits, or you'll never get your book done.
Most importantly though... Find what works for you. Even if that means writing out of order.
Also, you should always remember Jen's editing tips... Slow down! Your book takes as long as it does to finnish, and rushing it will only ruin it for your readers, which is not something you want happening... You want your readers to enjoy reading your book. Surely it's worth taking a bit longer than you'd hoped to get it out in order to achieve that?
***
Need an illustrator, or cover artist? Jacob Blackmon is your man! He specializes in fantasy themes; he does work for Paizo on a regular basis, for example. But Jacob doesn't only do fantasy and roleplaying artwork... He does other stuff too. You can see some of his work on his DeviantArt page, as well as by looking at some of my book covers, since he's one of my cover artists.
Marc Curlee is also a great artist, who would be happy to help out where he can. His work is generally more suitable for adults, and not child friendly. But if you're looking for an artist to do covers for books for older readers, Marc's your man! You can check out his DeviantArt page to get an idea of the kinds of things he does.
Both Jacob and Marc can also be found on several social media sites, such as Facebook, for example.
Wednesday, December 02, 2015
Wednesday's writing wordage - December 2nd 2015
NaNoWriMo and PiBoIdMo are over for another year. So, how did you do? Did you reach your NaNoWriMo goal? Did you manage to come up with a list of 30 ideas for PiBoIdMo? Or, if you set your own goals for either of these, did you reach those?
Whether you did reach your goals or not, I hope you had fun with it, and continue working on your writing.
With that in mind, here's a post with some suggestions for ways of finding story ideas to help you out if you still need a little help with getting inspired, as well as a reminder to notice the grapes.
So, you have your story idea, and now it's time to breathe some life in to it... Starting with your character. Is your character the kind who will be noticed and remembered? Throw your characters a dinner party, and decide if your character is the kind of guest who people will remember or not. If not, think of how you can change that.
But what if it's your story idea that's not working quite right? Simple! Just work with it until you can make it work!
Oh, is it non-fiction you write? If so, here are some tips on generating ideas for, and actually writing, non-fiction books. The tips are officially aimed at writing non-fiction for children, but would generally work well regardless of the age you're writing for, I think. So, you can just as easily use them if you write for adults.
Whether you did reach your goals or not, I hope you had fun with it, and continue working on your writing.
With that in mind, here's a post with some suggestions for ways of finding story ideas to help you out if you still need a little help with getting inspired, as well as a reminder to notice the grapes.
So, you have your story idea, and now it's time to breathe some life in to it... Starting with your character. Is your character the kind who will be noticed and remembered? Throw your characters a dinner party, and decide if your character is the kind of guest who people will remember or not. If not, think of how you can change that.
But what if it's your story idea that's not working quite right? Simple! Just work with it until you can make it work!
Oh, is it non-fiction you write? If so, here are some tips on generating ideas for, and actually writing, non-fiction books. The tips are officially aimed at writing non-fiction for children, but would generally work well regardless of the age you're writing for, I think. So, you can just as easily use them if you write for adults.
Wednesday, November 25, 2015
Wednesday's writing related ramblings - November 25th 2015
The following books of mine are now also available as paperbacks from CreateSpace and Amazon:
Toby's Tales, book 4: Toby's Games
Toby's Tales, book 5: Toby's Special School
Zeena Dragon Fae, book 1: Zeena And The Dryad
Zeena Dragon Fae, book 2: Zeena And The Gryphon
(Click on the book titles to go to their CreateSpace pages).
So, that's 37 of my 42 already published books available as both eBooks and paperbacks; just four older books, and the new degu book, to get the proofs for and make available. Those five will follow as soon as they can be arranged; most likely early next year, due to how close we are to the end of the year now. After that, it will just be a case of arranging the paperback versions of each new book as I publish it.
These 37 books are available as eBooks from Smashwords, Apple iBooks, Barnes &
Noble, Kobo, and a few other eBook retailers that Smashwords distributes to, as well as being available to order as eBooks via many libraries that support e-lending. They are also available as paperbacks via CreateSpace and Amazon, as well as being available to request via bookstores and libraries who order books via CreateSpace.
Well, most of them are. Some of them may not have reached some retailers yet, since it can take a couple of months in some cases. Though they are all most definitely available from the retailers I actually named. But, anyway, they're available in a format that should work for you whether you prefer to read physical books, or have a spacific eReader or reading app you prefer to use.
And the rest will be soon too!
***
If you're a writer too, how's your own writing going?
November is almost over. Are you participating in NaNoWriMo or PiBoIdMo? If so, how are you doing with that?
For those participating in NaNoWriMo... Is your novel coming along well?
For those participating in PiBoIdMo... Are your ideas still flowing? If not, remember that observations and daydreams can be great for inspiring ideas. Not to mention, random comments that others consider strange, are normal for a writer, and can also be great inspiration for stories. Despite being blind, I know for a fact I've had that "yes, dear," look a lot... You don't always need to be able to see in order to know someone is giving you funny looks... Just saying!
***
Regardless of the software you use, if you're a writer too, make sure you take the time to learn to understand the tools of your trade... Especially if you're new to using your chosen software. After all, knowing the basics of how your software works wil help a lot with both editing and formatting.
Toby's Tales, book 4: Toby's Games
Toby's Tales, book 5: Toby's Special School
Zeena Dragon Fae, book 1: Zeena And The Dryad
Zeena Dragon Fae, book 2: Zeena And The Gryphon
(Click on the book titles to go to their CreateSpace pages).
So, that's 37 of my 42 already published books available as both eBooks and paperbacks; just four older books, and the new degu book, to get the proofs for and make available. Those five will follow as soon as they can be arranged; most likely early next year, due to how close we are to the end of the year now. After that, it will just be a case of arranging the paperback versions of each new book as I publish it.
These 37 books are available as eBooks from Smashwords, Apple iBooks, Barnes &
Noble, Kobo, and a few other eBook retailers that Smashwords distributes to, as well as being available to order as eBooks via many libraries that support e-lending. They are also available as paperbacks via CreateSpace and Amazon, as well as being available to request via bookstores and libraries who order books via CreateSpace.
Well, most of them are. Some of them may not have reached some retailers yet, since it can take a couple of months in some cases. Though they are all most definitely available from the retailers I actually named. But, anyway, they're available in a format that should work for you whether you prefer to read physical books, or have a spacific eReader or reading app you prefer to use.
And the rest will be soon too!
***
If you're a writer too, how's your own writing going?
November is almost over. Are you participating in NaNoWriMo or PiBoIdMo? If so, how are you doing with that?
For those participating in NaNoWriMo... Is your novel coming along well?
For those participating in PiBoIdMo... Are your ideas still flowing? If not, remember that observations and daydreams can be great for inspiring ideas. Not to mention, random comments that others consider strange, are normal for a writer, and can also be great inspiration for stories. Despite being blind, I know for a fact I've had that "yes, dear," look a lot... You don't always need to be able to see in order to know someone is giving you funny looks... Just saying!
***
Regardless of the software you use, if you're a writer too, make sure you take the time to learn to understand the tools of your trade... Especially if you're new to using your chosen software. After all, knowing the basics of how your software works wil help a lot with both editing and formatting.
Wednesday, November 18, 2015
Wednesday's writing related ramblings - November 18th 2015
In case you didn't figure it out from Jacob's post on Friday, or from my announcement about it on Saturday... Not to mention my posts about it on Goodreads, Twitter Tweets, and Facebook posts about it... So, basically, in case you've been hiding under a rock for the past week, and missed all the announcements about it...
My newest book - the one called "Degu's Day Out" - has now officially been released. At least, the eBook version has... The paperback is coming soon (I had to wait until the official release date before I could start putting the paperback through all the review processes it goes through on CreateSpace, since it wouldn't let me do it sooner if I wanted the release dates to match, and then there are things like waiting for the proof to get to me to deal with; it can take a couple of months to get a book done in paperback sometimes, and that's if all is fine during the first attempt).
Anyway... In the meantime, I'm still working on writing "Zeena And The Mermaid" (the third "Zeena Dragon Fae" book).
Do you write for children too? If so, where do you find your ideas for children's stories? Did you know, spending some time living in a child's world could help you. After all, writing for children is easier if you can look at things from their point of view. So, play pretend to get to know your characters.
Also, if you're participating in PiBoIdMo, make sure you hold on to all your ideas, because you never know which will turn out to be the start of a great story. Yes, even hold on to those stinkers! After all, they could come in handy for future stories. In fact, that's good advice regardless of whether you're participating in PiBoIdMo, and regardless of the genre you write in, or age group you write for.
Plus, don't forget to think about what your book is about about while you're working on it. No, that's not a typing mistake, but an alternative way of generating ideas, as well as something you need to consider; especially when writing for children.
My newest book - the one called "Degu's Day Out" - has now officially been released. At least, the eBook version has... The paperback is coming soon (I had to wait until the official release date before I could start putting the paperback through all the review processes it goes through on CreateSpace, since it wouldn't let me do it sooner if I wanted the release dates to match, and then there are things like waiting for the proof to get to me to deal with; it can take a couple of months to get a book done in paperback sometimes, and that's if all is fine during the first attempt).
Anyway... In the meantime, I'm still working on writing "Zeena And The Mermaid" (the third "Zeena Dragon Fae" book).
Do you write for children too? If so, where do you find your ideas for children's stories? Did you know, spending some time living in a child's world could help you. After all, writing for children is easier if you can look at things from their point of view. So, play pretend to get to know your characters.
Also, if you're participating in PiBoIdMo, make sure you hold on to all your ideas, because you never know which will turn out to be the start of a great story. Yes, even hold on to those stinkers! After all, they could come in handy for future stories. In fact, that's good advice regardless of whether you're participating in PiBoIdMo, and regardless of the genre you write in, or age group you write for.
Plus, don't forget to think about what your book is about about while you're working on it. No, that's not a typing mistake, but an alternative way of generating ideas, as well as something you need to consider; especially when writing for children.
Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Wednesday's writing related ramblings - November 11th 2015
Having trouble keeping your ideas flowing for PiBoIdMo? If so, check out these tips you can use to re-fill your ideas well if it starts to run dry, and these tips for tuning in to inspiration. Try not to stress too much about coming up with ideas though; just relax, open yourself up to the possibility of ideas, and they will come... You have my permission to play!
On the other hand, if you're participating in NaNoWriMo, and trying to write a novel,, you may want to bear these tips in mind.
Regardless of whether you're participating in a writing challenge, or just writing in general, I'm a firm believer that you should focus only on getting your story down during the first draft; even if your first draft sucks, or your manuscript is turning in to a monster. Fine if you want to do an outline and then your first draft; I don't outline, but whether you outline or not is up to you. Either way, when it comes to your first draft, just write it, and worry about making it look better later. I'm not alone in this thinking, and here's a post on how writing quickly can improve your storytelling to prove it. This is something you especially want to bear in mind if you're participating in NaNoWriMo, but - as I said - applies regardless of whether you're participating, and regardless of the length or genre of your work.
Speaking of genres... Are you struggling to figure out the genre of your work? Not to worry! Here are 7 things you can do to identify your genre. Genre isn't all that important during the initial writing phase. I mean, it can help to have a rough idea, obviously. But the genre matters more when it comes to pitching or marketing your book.
Anyway... Another thing that applies regardless of NaNoWriMo participation, or the genre you write in, is character creation. So, check out this post or these tips on creating characters. Also, here are some tips on creating characters for children's books, for those of you who write for children.
On the other hand, if you're participating in NaNoWriMo, and trying to write a novel,, you may want to bear these tips in mind.
Regardless of whether you're participating in a writing challenge, or just writing in general, I'm a firm believer that you should focus only on getting your story down during the first draft; even if your first draft sucks, or your manuscript is turning in to a monster. Fine if you want to do an outline and then your first draft; I don't outline, but whether you outline or not is up to you. Either way, when it comes to your first draft, just write it, and worry about making it look better later. I'm not alone in this thinking, and here's a post on how writing quickly can improve your storytelling to prove it. This is something you especially want to bear in mind if you're participating in NaNoWriMo, but - as I said - applies regardless of whether you're participating, and regardless of the length or genre of your work.
Speaking of genres... Are you struggling to figure out the genre of your work? Not to worry! Here are 7 things you can do to identify your genre. Genre isn't all that important during the initial writing phase. I mean, it can help to have a rough idea, obviously. But the genre matters more when it comes to pitching or marketing your book.
Anyway... Another thing that applies regardless of NaNoWriMo participation, or the genre you write in, is character creation. So, check out this post or these tips on creating characters. Also, here are some tips on creating characters for children's books, for those of you who write for children.
Wednesday, November 04, 2015
Wednesday's writing related ramblings - November 4th 2015
A few days ago, I pre-released "Degu's Day Out" via Smashwords.
I scheduled it for release on November 14th 2015, so the eBook version of it will officially be available from Smashwords, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, the Apple iBookstore, and a few other eBook retailers on or soon after that date, in all formats those places offer.
Some of those places - such as Barnes & Noble, for example - offer a pre-order option, so you'll be able to pre-order it before that, if you like. That option will be available in the next few days, if it isn't already (depending on how long distribution ends up taking; it's anything from a few hours to a few days, most of the time, but not always).
The paperback will be arranged when possible afterwards.
***
Good luck to all those who have signed up for NaNoWriMo this year!
Also, good luck to those signing up for PiBoIdMo!
I knew NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) existed, but only just learned of the existance of PiBoIdMo (Picture Book Ideas Month). That's why I'm only just mentioning the latter; despite the final day to sign up to officialy participate being tomorrow.
I'm not signing up for either one this year, or even creating my own personal writing challenge, but I will share anything useful I come across on the subject throughout the month; as I've done in the past month or so with NaNoWriMo.
Like this one on how to stay motivated and write 1667 words during NaNoWriMo, and these 30 ways to gather picture book ideas for PiBoIdMo.
I scheduled it for release on November 14th 2015, so the eBook version of it will officially be available from Smashwords, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, the Apple iBookstore, and a few other eBook retailers on or soon after that date, in all formats those places offer.
Some of those places - such as Barnes & Noble, for example - offer a pre-order option, so you'll be able to pre-order it before that, if you like. That option will be available in the next few days, if it isn't already (depending on how long distribution ends up taking; it's anything from a few hours to a few days, most of the time, but not always).
The paperback will be arranged when possible afterwards.
***
Good luck to all those who have signed up for NaNoWriMo this year!
Also, good luck to those signing up for PiBoIdMo!
I knew NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) existed, but only just learned of the existance of PiBoIdMo (Picture Book Ideas Month). That's why I'm only just mentioning the latter; despite the final day to sign up to officialy participate being tomorrow.
I'm not signing up for either one this year, or even creating my own personal writing challenge, but I will share anything useful I come across on the subject throughout the month; as I've done in the past month or so with NaNoWriMo.
Like this one on how to stay motivated and write 1667 words during NaNoWriMo, and these 30 ways to gather picture book ideas for PiBoIdMo.
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