Interviewing with a Newspaper

I had my first official interview regarding 47 Destinies: Book One last week.  It was exciting.  I've been so wrapped up in Book Two that at first I had a hard time remembering my plot line from Book One.  Once I refreshed my memory, I had a great time.  For those of you wondering what type of questions are asked, here are a few of the details:

*Date published
*Publisher
*Setting
*Plot line
*Main characters
*History with writing
*How long it took to write
*Where to purchase
*Contact information
*Head shot

A few things I learned from this interview:
*I need to be better prepared with all of the book information
*I am going to get a professional headshot
*I will find out important details like when the article may be published
*I will have book signing dates available

Overall, I did good.  The article came out today in the Georgetown Gazette.  Yippee.  It's my first of hopefully many to come!

Writing a Book: The Edit Phase

Ewww.  As you can see, I don't like to edit.  Well, by the time I have reached the point of doing a 'final edit'.  I have already gone through many versions.  There is the first version in my head, then an outline, first draft, second draft, re-writes, third draft....the list could go on forever, but I don't want you to think I actually track all these versions.  I don't.  Well, I kind of do. 

One of the best hints I tell new writers is to be aware of version control.  There is nothing worse than attempting to figure out which version is the most current.  I label all of my versions in one easy to understand format.  For example, for Book Two my system is Grace.draft.12.16.12.  If I am doing a ton of important versions in one day, I even add the time at the end.  You might think I am obsessive, but I guarantee if you have ever been confused about versions you understand.  Drafts are important.  I have gone back to my drafts to add something back in that I have taken out.  You never know what you might need.  I save all of my drafts in a folder titled 'Draft'.  None of this is rocket science, it is just my method.

I also save it on one portable drive.  I occasionally save a version to my laptop in case I lose the portable drive.  However, I only make edits to the portable drive.  The other versions are merely for backup purposes.  Sometimes near the end, I also email it to myself.  Am I paranoid?  Yes.

For Book Two, I cut down on the number of pre-readers.  In fact, there were only two.  One read to ensure that the character's actions stayed true to their personalities.  The other reader did the main edits.  I stink at commas, 'which' versus 'that', and several other issues.  My editor, who likes to remain nameless, is amazing at all of my weaknesses and more!  After I got the bulk of the story done, I also had one 'fan' read it for content.  Was it good?  Did it flow?  Will people like it?  They helped me answer these important questions.

Currently, I am in the re-reading phase.  I will have a proof done in a week or so of the paperback.  I will read that over and over again.  Then I will read it again.  :)  After, I will send it to my publisher.  And, that is it! 

The edit process in a nut shell.  Crazy, eh?

Writing a Book: It's a Wrap!

I am at the end of Book 2 in my 47 Destinies series.  There are only 2 more chapters to write.  I am stunned.  How did I get here?  And now what?  Coming to the end of a novel is a strange experience.  As the author, you are excited to be near the end.  You have been working close with the characters for several months.  You think about your plot all day long; sometimes at the strangest times and places.  Then one day, you wake up and realize you are almost done.  If you are like me, you may wonder, how did that happen?  Am I really near the end?  Have I chosen the best ending?  Is it good enough?  Is it long enough?  Is it too long?  Of course, then the dreaded editing phase begins. (More on that later.) 

After getting through all the paranoia, then the euphoria begins.  I'm almost done!  I want people to read this!  It's good!    I can't wait to hear what people think.  It is an amazing experience.

So here I am, I have two chapters to go.  Well, enough talking about it.  I need to go finish!

Writing and Chewing

I came to the realization last night while I was writing that I like to chew on things while I am deep in thought.  Anyone that works with me or lives with me, knows that I chew on pens and pencils.  I especially like to chew the top of a pen cap.  Weird, I know.  I also LOVE popcorn, but don't like to chew gum.  So, as I was creating Chapter 8 in Book Two last night, I was very deep in thought.  There were several different angles I could take on a scene and I was thinking about the best option.  When I was in that thought provoking moment, I looked all around for a pen, pencil or anything to chew.  I remembered I purchased some chips from Costco so I grabbed those from the kitchen.  I returned to the scene, chewed and it was all good.

Why in the world am I telling you this?  For several reasons:
1. Writing can reveal things about yourself that you never knew.  They can be small revelations or large ones.  Bottom line: it is a chance to get better acquainted with the one person that will be with you the rest of your life-YOU.  Writing opens up closed areas of your mind.  Try it, you will see.

2. I have cracked a habit that has perplexed me for years.  I was way worse about chewing pencils when I worked at the CCC.  It drove my staff nuts; especially when I accidently chewed up their pencils.  (Huge apology to my CCC staff.)  Was my brain more challenged at the CCC than my current job?  Or have I grown mentally?  These questions I won't be able to answer, but it is fun to think about it.

3.  If I am ever writing one of my novels at your house, please keep all of your pencils and pens away from me.  Consider this your one and only warning.

Writing a Book-Character Development

Thorough character development is an extremely important aspect of any short story or novel.  If your reader does not connect with the characters, the plot alone won’t keep them reading.  The reader does not have to like the characters.  In fact, the characters they abhor can be their favorite.  Readers want to understand the characters and relate a little to their predicaments. 

I have done character development two different ways: I let them develop on their own or I map out their entire life history.  I recommend doing a little of both.  When you are first playing with a new character, allow them to show you who they are.  Try not to ‘box them in’ too much.  Remember, you can always edit it later.  After you get a feel for their personality, then you can begin the mapping out process.  For instance, when Cora appeared in my book, I just let her come alive for me.  Once I could literally see her in my mind, I began to shape the parameters of her life: age, physical appearance, schooling, living situation, siblings, hometown, quirks, hobbies, dreams, and weaknesses.  The list actually goes on and on and on.  After thinking thru all the details of her life, I put it down on paper.  I often referred back to the list when writing Book One to ensure that I kept true to her character. 

When developing Grace for Book Two, I added even more to the character list.  I also created one sentence which described her life very succinctly.  This one sentence helps me stayed focused on the integral aspects of who Grace is as a person.  It is almost like a vision statement for an organization.  It took me over an hour to whittle it down to one sentence; however, I highly recommend making the time for this exercise.  Since Grace is my main character, I need to be sure I have her personality in a nice neat package.  Plus, it gave me the chance to spend some real time with Grace.  It was like we were getting to know each other as friends.  You will spend so much time with your characters that they will begin to feel like your friends!  Sometimes I catch myself during the day wondering what they are doing.  Lol.

Writing a Book-Dialog

This post pertains to writing primarily fiction.  All of my writing prior to 47 Destinies invovled narrative.  If you read my book, you will notice that I love to describe a setting (a future blog post).  I can go on and on and on describing a scene.  In fact, I had to cut a lot of that out in my novel because I tended to ramble about the colors, clouds and ocean.  :)  Attempting to write dialog was frightening.  I had never written dialog.  It seemed like an insurmountable task.  So as most ambitious people do, I avoided it completely for awhile.  I allowed myself to feel comfortable again just writing.  It was free flowing.  Anything that came to my mind I wrote about it.  Nothing was off limits.  Once I gained some confidence, I began to experiment with dialog.  After some time, I actually found it to be easier than narrative.  Say what?  I know, I couldn't believe it either.  My main characters love to banter back and forth.  Interesting, so do I.  So, the dialog just flowed right out of me.  After I conquered the fear of simply trying it, I couldn't get enough.

However, even the best writers have a few issues with dialog: the word 'said' and punctuation.  I pulled out my "Little Brown Book" from college and studied all of the punctuation involved in dialog.  I implemented a tried and true method as well.  Even if my punctuation wasn't 100% correct, I made sure it was 100% consistent!  As for 'said', I now have a list of different words for 'said'.  This list has broadened my horizons and added even more flavor to the dialog.

Don't worry too much about all of these small details.  Keep in mind that practice makes perfect.  The beauty of writing is that you can always edit it!

Writing a Book-The Topic

Once you decide that you want to write a book, you need to eventually pick your topic.  When I began my first book, I wrote about my childhood.  One of my fondest memories was watching the snow fall.  So I wrote a few pages about it.  Once the pages were done, I changed topics and started writing about a prior job experience.  Then I switched gears again and thought about life after college.  One thing led to another and the character 'Cora' came to life.  I am not Cora, Grace or Leslie, (my main women characters), but there are parts of me woven in all of them.  By writing about things that were familiar to me, a character would suddenly pop into my head. 

I had NO idea where the story was headed.  I didn't edit.  I just let the story come out.  Once it began to grow legs, I created an outline.  Over time, I had to go back and clean up the beginning, but by allowing myself to simply write, I didn't impede my own writing process.  At the proper time, you can edit EVERYTHING.  By the time you are done with your book, you will have re-read every sentence more times than you can imagine.  Leave your critical hat for the editting.  When you are writing, be free.  My book did not end up about mu childhood snow days.  Yet, when my main character was in the mountains, guess what I used?  The snow scene I originally wrote many months before.  Let your topic come to you.  Play with it until it feels right.  The more you enjoy your topic, the better odss are that you will stick it out until the book is finished.

Writing a Book-Starting

I am often asked how to write a book.  Here is how the dialog typically goes,

Prospective Author, "I want to write a book, but I don't know how to start."
Marlies, "What is holding you back?"
Prospective Author, "I don't know what to write about.  How did you begin your book?"
Marlies, "The best advice I received on writing was this, just start writing."

Okay, the look on your face most likely mirrors the look I often recevie after giving this simple answer.  I am not being patronizing.  We often make things too complicated in life.  You don't need to be an English major to write a book.  You don't need to go to a class.  There is one thing that you need and that is motivation to write a book.  If you just begin and stick with it, everything else will fall into place.

When I began writing 47 Destinies, I had only dabbled in poetry, short stories and government writing.  However, I had a passion for writing.  I had never attempted dialogue, made chapters or all the other things you will eventually learn how to do.  I just started writing.  Once I finished the book, I noticed that the middle and end pieces were WAY better than the introduction.  In fact, I ended up re-writing some of the first chapters in order to clean it up!  It felt so good to see the progress I made from when I just simply took a chance and began writing.  You can do it, if you really want to do it.

Publishing Your Paperback

For those of you wanting to publish your book in a paperback version, I highly recommend working with www.createspace.com.  This company works closely with you on the myraid of details required to make your e-book into a paperback.  They have tutorials, templates and you can also pay for consulting services.  I did not use the consulting services since I have a professional Photoshop creative expert right in my family (aka-my brother Karl).  I also have a fantastic agent (Thomas) and final editor (Melanie) so I was set!

CreateSpace does not charge for any of the services until you order your first proof book.  They help you with pricing, dsitribution, royalties and everything else you never knew you needed to know.  (That sure would be a snazzy title for a book....hmmmm.)  Anyway, they have top notch customer service and are wonderful to work with on your masterpiece.  CreateSpace is also an Amazon owned company so your book is linked right on to Amazon.  Not bad, eh?

It is also print on demand so when someone buys your book, just one is printed for them.  You don't have to order 1,000 and store them in your garage! 

If you have any questions about how to make all this happen, let me know.  I am an expert with this company now!

Book #2

Yes, I am working on book #2.  I just finished Chapter 2 last night and have half of Chapter 3 written.  The characters are all the same, but the focus is on one character in particular.  I don't want to give too much away for those that haven't finished the first book.  I will tell you that it is also based mainly in San Francisco.  I have been having fun incorporating more landmarks from the city into this book.  If you love San Francisco, you are going to really enjoy this book!  As you can tell, my heart belongs to San Francisco!

Welcome to My Blog

I am excited to have a blog to share my thoughts and ideas.  Ever since I published my book, 47 Destinies, I have been on a whirlwind adventure.  I never in 5 million years had any concept of what it would take to publish a book.  I thought the writing part was the biggest challenge...boy was I wrong!  Writing the book was the easiest part.  Editing and reediting and editing again has given me nightmares.  I doubt there is such a thing as an error free book.  I apologize right now for all errors you have found in reading the book.  My paperback version is super better; however, I am sure there are still errors.  Heck, there are probably five errors in this blog alone.  Yikes.  Who is going to proof my blog?