Marketing for Authors

Over the weekend, I had the opportunity to attend a workshop for writers interested in how to market their work. It was done through one of my local writing groups via Skype and was led by Jacksonville based author, Valerie Bowman.

Valerie writes Regency Historical Romance novels but also knows a lot about marketing due to her recent obsession for the topic. Her lecture covered most of the points that can be found in her e-book, “Painless Marketing for Busy Authors”. I also ordered this 99 cent book to gain even more background and insight.

In the beginning of this year, I was seriously considering getting a second Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing so I was pretty amped to attend this workshop. I’ve also become slightly inquisitive about it and Valerie hit on many points that I’d already read about. However, her insight into the details and specifics is what made her presentation invaluable to me.

In her e-book especially, you can find a long list of exact things to do to increase your discoverability as an emerging author, some of which I seriously plan on implementing in the future. Plus, her humor was worth it alone.

And I fully agree: Purple pens with your book’s title on them may never get you an added sale, but come on, how awesome is that to see on your desk every day? Very awesome indeed :)

You can check out more on Valerie Bowman on her website: http://www.valeriebowmanbooks.com

-M.McKnight

Where Do I Belong?

So it’s been a loooong time since I last posted, but I just returned home from my first ever writing critique group sesh (YA focused) and I can’t help but feel a little discouraged. Not entirely about my writing itself, but if I really belong in the group.

For the longest time I considered myself a YA writer which I still kinda do, but my latest manuscript I was told, was New Adult instead just based on the character’s age ranges. This was an eye-opener and I started reading all about this new genre; however when I read what other people were saying about the genre, I didn’t feel like my story should necessarily be grouped in with that label. Most people consider New Adult to mean sexed-up YA, but in my novel, while there are sexual situations, I don’t go into any graphic details AT ALL. So this leaves me again with where do I fit in? (Ironic since that’s a recurrent theme in the YA world).

Then I was told I might benefit from a romance writers’ group. Well, I always had this notion of “Romance” as a genre of being explicit erotica with Fabio on the cover. Apparently this isn’t the case, I was pleased to find out. In fact, there are groups that focus specifically on YA Romances.

This came as a relief since the group I just met with didn’t focus on romance that much. So I definitely want to take advantage of the Romance groups out there now and I want to thank Daniel from the group for the encouragement to do so.

I did enjoy reading other people’s work and hopefully next time I will get to know the members better and feel more open sharing my words with them. (I was terrified the first time because I’ve never shared my work before). However, I realize that romance groups may be the better direction for me and I plan on taking that path at least in addition to the group I currently belong to now. (Thanks again Daniel!)

-M. McKnight

YA Authors Panel

Yesterday I had the wonderful opportunity to attend a YA Authors Panel hosted by a writing group I belong to. I met and talked with Young Adult authors, Nicole Zoltack, Jennifer R. Hubbard, John Evans and Alissa Grosso. All of them had inspiring insights into the world of writing for teens, most that I agree with as well.

One of the most important things about writing for young adults is to write in their voice. For instance, when I write, I allow the voice of the character to fully dictate their actions and dialogue. I never try to “talk down” to a teen level; however, I present the story through a teen’s eyes. It doesn’t matter if I would personally do the complete opposite in the same given situation, I have to stay completely true to that character’s voice. Voice is so vital in YA.

Another important thing to keep in mind is to write so that the teen feels it is easy to place themselves in the protagonist’s shoes. Have them feel hope for your character, empathy, have them grieve right alongside them. Knowing teenagers, they fully immerse themselves in a story and often feel like they personally know the characters, like they are lifelong friends. Give readers someone they would want to root for.

Lastly, I believe that YA authors need to be truthful in their writing. Adolescence is not by any means a glamorous time of one’s life, but it is, however, a transitional period in which people must cope with facing reality, discovering their personal identity, finding first love, driving a car, fitting in, getting their first jobs, and often learning that the world is a much bigger and scarier place than they ever realized. For all these reasons and more, I LOVE writing about and for young and new adults.

~M. McKnight

Starting from Scratch

Just when you think you’re finished (You’ve written and edited an entire full-length novel!), then you start thinking about what’s next: the next novel. While I have an idea for a sequel to my finished first manuscript, I’ve decided for now to work on another new concept. I have my characters, plot, and even some scenes outlined, but for some reason I can’t find the proper motivation to begin actually writing.

I’ve tried writing several scenes throughout the beginning of the story, thinking I can piece them all together with transitions later on; however, that’s not the way I typically write. I like to work in consecutive order, from beginning to end. This way, I don’t have to go back and make a lot of edits once all the details are in place; I’ll already know the details of what’s happened and how to better use them for what’s still to come. All writers have different approaches; this is just mine.

I also feel as though I have to ‘get to know’ my main players in the story. Sure I’ve created them and all the quirks in their personalities, but as I start to write, those names on the page slowly become actual people. This goes along with the wonderful quote from Mr. Hemingway in my last post. I agree with him 100% and I strive to acheive this with my characters.

I guess I just have to start slowly and I’m sure before I know it, the creative juices will start a-churnin’. Although a new blank Word document can be really intimidating, I’m excited to begin this new journey. I’m sure I’ll learn a lot along the way, not only about writing and from what my characters reveal to me, but also new things about myself.

Happy Reading and Writing!

MMcKnight

 

A Great Quote for Writers

“When writing a novel a writer should create living people; people not characters”-Ernest Hemingway

Whatcha Readin’?

So I just decided what I’m going to read next: The Spectacular Now. I also decided that I’m going to order some classic literature like A Tale of Two Cities because I never got a chance to read it in the past.

Is anyone reading anything good right now? And if not what books are you looking forward to reading over the upcoming summer?

Overcoming Rejection

Recently, I attended a writer’s conference in which I sat down with two literary agents. A line of us stood outside of a room anxiously awaiting the opportunity to present the pitches for our books. It might as well have been an American Idol audition, I was so nervous. My fingers wrapped around each other, my chest felt like a lead weight was perched on my lungs, and all because I wanted someone to find what I had to say interesting.

Both agents were very pleasant and eager to listen and asked to see the first pages of my novel. My fear wilted away and I felt like shouting from the rooftop, ‘My work is actually going to be read by someone in the publishing industry!’. I quickly got home, wrote a synopsis, and sent off my chapters with crossed fingers.

Unfortunately, the inevitable happened: I was rejected by the first agent I met with. Although kind and respectful, she told me my work ‘didn’t stand out’ for her. Upon reading this, my translation was this: YOU JUST AREN’T GOOD ENOUGH. In hindsight, I can look back and know that this isn’t what she meant, but regardless, it was a hard blow to my self-esteem and my enthusiasm for writing.

I wanted to give up. I wanted to forget about writing my next novel for the fear that it too wouldn’t be worthy of publication. However, after several days went by, I began to miss my characters and the feel of the keys under my fingers. It was then that I realized I didn’t start writing because I wanted to be published, I started because there were words within me aching to be released, and I will continue to write because I LOVE IT. Because what really matters is your passion and your commitment to continue to pursue it despite what anyone else thinks.

As Cinderella once sang, “A dream is a wish your heart makes”, and I plan to Dream Out Loud because you never know when someone’s going to be listening and like what they hear.

Follow your dreams, you’re worth it :)

MMcknight

Some Love for “Warm Bodies”

I wanted to take a moment and share my thoughts on this wonderful debut novel. As a whole, zombies never held that much of an interest to me. However, Warm Bodies explores the concept so much more than your typical horror story. While grotesque at first, the novel’s protagonist, “R”,  takes us on a tour of what his daily life is like. Lots of brain eating, and even more groaning. But then we slowly start to discover that R is different than the rest of his undead race. He can mutter chains of up to four syllables and he longs to know anything about the life he once had as one of the Living. During one of his hunts to feed on human lives, he devours the brain of a young man, which allows him a view into that man’s past- his hopes, his memories, his pain, his love. In short, R witnesses a brief look at what humanity is.

The girl this young man loved becomes a hostage of R’s, but he promises never to hurt her, instead studying her intently. She teaches him that he doesn’t have to allow the plague to control him and that he’s more than just a zombie, at least on the inside. As he grows closer to this girl, fueled partly by glimpses of her boyfriend’s memories of her, R slowly understands the true meaning of what it is to care for somebody else.

The novel dwells on the theme that humanity in its simplest form is something to be cherished, which is then threaded around the meaning of life itself. When we lose our concept of humanity, the plague takes over inside of us, creating something ugly at our core, which in Marion’s novel is symbolized by using zombies. This was a fantastic novel, one that I read within two days because I literally could not put it down. The writing reads in such a well-written poetic way and my eyes devoured each and every word of it. Truly a masterpiece of its own merit, Warm Bodies is a standard by which other novels should be compared to. Simply beautiful and breathtaking, it will be a long time before I stop thinking about this wonderful book.

Getting Serious

Since this month starts a brand new year, I’ve decided that I need to stop simply dreaming and make things happen. My first step is becoming a member of a local community of fellow writers, The Greater Lehigh Valley Writers Group. By joining, for the first time ever I will be surrounded by people who actually comprehend that euphoric feeling of cracking open a new book (or even an oldie, but goodie) and the excitement that churns in our chests when we’re on a creative roll, sitting in front of our laptops. In short, I’ll be able to talk to people who just get it.

This group of writers meets one a month to discuss common writing pitfalls, share inspiration, and offer critiques on works in progress. Moreover, at the end of each months are workshops dedicated to improving your writing and sharing a wealth of knowledge on the world of publishing. I’m greatly anticipating this month’s upcoming workshop on self-publishing. This is my Plan B if I struggle in the traditional route so I’m excited to learn more.

Lastly, but certainly not least, the group holds an annual writer’s conference which last two full days and consists of multiple workshops for writers of all levels. Between a well-known key note speaker from a distinguished publishing company, to opportunities to network with other authors and meet potential literary agents, this will be an experience I know will kick-start my ambition to become a serious author and possibly, for the first time in my life, make those distant dreams something to actually strive toward. After all, you can do anything in this world, if only you believe that you can.

M. McKnight

A Platform is Born

Every story needs a beginning and here’s mine as of now: I’m an aspiring novelist with an avid passion for all things adventure, hope, love, self-discovery and believing in yourself. For most of my life I’ve been writing actively. I’m only 26, but when you start writing short stories at the age of 7 that’s what’ll happen.

Most recently, I am in the process of editing my novel for the umpteenth time so that I can start submitting query letters to potential agents. At first, I considered myself purely YA (Young Adult) since it’s the genre I primarily end up reading. However, now I’ve been setting my sights on the genre of contemporary romance. And let me just point out right away, I do not nor will I ever write “bodice-ripper” romance. My stories are passionate and romantic as the genre should be, but simply put, not erotica.

I enjoy writing stories that are coming-of-age; that tell of ‘finding oneself’ by overcoming great struggles in life. In my novel, I write about not fitting in, trying to figure out what to do with your adult life, striving for acceptance and love, but most of all, discovering different aspects of yourself in someone else. This is truly the heart of what my novel is about.

My hope for this blog is to put myself out there for the first time, letting the world see that I’m serious about becoming an author and my craft. It will be the birth of my platform, so to speak, as an author, and hopefully in the near future, become a place where my readers can come to ask me questions, find new information about my future pursuits, and share with me a love of books.