Writing success isn't about how many books you sell. Still it is nice to sell a lot of books.
Amazon keeps track of their sales. Under details for a title, its best seller position is noted with #1 being the most sold.
Just for fun I checked a few. The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins was number 8.
Liar by Nora Roberts, #115; Finders Keepers by Stephen King, #513; Blessing Way by Tony Hillerman, #34,370.
When checking out writers that may be at Pima Writers' Workshop 2015, the Writers Buffet lists Cynthia Bond. Ruby by Cynthia Bond is an Oprah's Book Club 2.0 pick. Today Ruby has an Amazon best seller position of #3,054. Wow!
Thursday, April 30, 2015
Monday, April 27, 2015
Johanna Lane
Black Lake by Johanna Lane came out in 2014. She may be at Pima Writers' Workshop 2015.
More information on her and this novel can be found at www.johannalane.net
She can also be found on Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads.
At amazon.com you'll find lots of praise for Lane. There is no doubt that she is very skilled.
More information on her and this novel can be found at www.johannalane.net
She can also be found on Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads.
At amazon.com you'll find lots of praise for Lane. There is no doubt that she is very skilled.
Monica Drake
Still doing my homework for the Pima Writers' Workshop 2015.
Kenosha Public Library has Monica Drake's 2013 novel, The Stud Book.
As usual I get a book by the author, check out their web site, and check out Amazon.com (read the reviews, look at the ratings, visit the author page). www.monicadrake.com
Read the first page of The Stud Book, you'll probably read the whole novel.
Kenosha Public Library has Monica Drake's 2013 novel, The Stud Book.
As usual I get a book by the author, check out their web site, and check out Amazon.com (read the reviews, look at the ratings, visit the author page). www.monicadrake.com
Read the first page of The Stud Book, you'll probably read the whole novel.
Sunday, April 26, 2015
David Ellis Dickerson
Doing my homework for Pima Writers' Workshop 2015.
If you send in a manuscript to PWW 2015 for an author's comments, you'll list which authors you prefer to read your work.
David Ellis Dickerson was listed on Writers Buffet blog as a possible. I checked out from the Kenosha Library his 2009 House of Cards. It is a funny memoir.
I walked into a session with an author who had read my submission without ever reading any of her work nor without first attending her presentation at the conference. For me that was a big mistake. I missed a valuable opportunity. When she asked if I had any questions, I just mumbled a few really lame ones. Listening to her presentation and reading one of her books brought home how great a loss.
Dickerson is a good example. An excellent match for people with a sense of humor. An excellent match for those writing memoir. He has the skills, the talent, and the experience.
But before you choose him, check him out in his books, on his website ( www.davidellisdickerson.net ), and at www.amazon.com .
I first scan the author's books --- first pages and last page and then the middle. If interested, I read more. He hooked me on both his first page and last page in House of Cards.
If you send in a manuscript to PWW 2015 for an author's comments, you'll list which authors you prefer to read your work.
David Ellis Dickerson was listed on Writers Buffet blog as a possible. I checked out from the Kenosha Library his 2009 House of Cards. It is a funny memoir.
I walked into a session with an author who had read my submission without ever reading any of her work nor without first attending her presentation at the conference. For me that was a big mistake. I missed a valuable opportunity. When she asked if I had any questions, I just mumbled a few really lame ones. Listening to her presentation and reading one of her books brought home how great a loss.
Dickerson is a good example. An excellent match for people with a sense of humor. An excellent match for those writing memoir. He has the skills, the talent, and the experience.
But before you choose him, check him out in his books, on his website ( www.davidellisdickerson.net ), and at www.amazon.com .
I first scan the author's books --- first pages and last page and then the middle. If interested, I read more. He hooked me on both his first page and last page in House of Cards.
Monday, April 20, 2015
Pima Writers' Workshop
JUST A REMINDER: Pima Writers' Workshop is coming up at the end of May, but if you want a writer or agent to read your work, the deadline is the early part of May.
For more information try Shaw Guides or Writers Buffet ( http://www.writersbuffet.org/news/2015/3/23/27th-annual-pima-writers-workshop-at-pima-community-college ).
For more information try Shaw Guides or Writers Buffet ( http://www.writersbuffet.org/news/2015/3/23/27th-annual-pima-writers-workshop-at-pima-community-college ).
Saturday, April 18, 2015
Spring Fever
Three weeks and I haven't posted anything. It's true I have been caught up in Spring Fever. While I have submitted my novel to agents and I have worked on another novel, it has been without a lot of drive, focus, and determination.
Submitting to agents is not fun for me. The major reason is that they don't write back, email, or call immediately recognizing the brilliance of my work. I did in fact get one immediate response but the agent instead of being blinded by my work was blind to it. Many agents in their guidelines say if they don't respond within three, four, or six weeks to assume they are not interested. Others, the kind I would like working for me, respond with a robo response that the submission has been received and get back with an acceptance or a they-are-not-right-for-the-work response within three weeks.
It is Spring and writing isn't the only thing in the world. But I have gone back to another novel that was bogged down in background. It is now moving along at a nice easy pace. I feel like the fisherman who never catches anything but just enjoys the side of the river and the clouds floating overhead.
Submitting to agents is not fun for me. The major reason is that they don't write back, email, or call immediately recognizing the brilliance of my work. I did in fact get one immediate response but the agent instead of being blinded by my work was blind to it. Many agents in their guidelines say if they don't respond within three, four, or six weeks to assume they are not interested. Others, the kind I would like working for me, respond with a robo response that the submission has been received and get back with an acceptance or a they-are-not-right-for-the-work response within three weeks.
It is Spring and writing isn't the only thing in the world. But I have gone back to another novel that was bogged down in background. It is now moving along at a nice easy pace. I feel like the fisherman who never catches anything but just enjoys the side of the river and the clouds floating overhead.
Friday, March 27, 2015
Sign on the wall
A sign on the wall behind a co-worker's desk read: Plan your work. Work your plan.
For my novel I had written out a plan for finding it a home. Instead of putting it in the bottom drawer, I'll continue to follow the plan. That means it'll be submitted to more agents.
Like looking for a job, the right fit is more important than a rapid placement.
For my novel I had written out a plan for finding it a home. Instead of putting it in the bottom drawer, I'll continue to follow the plan. That means it'll be submitted to more agents.
Like looking for a job, the right fit is more important than a rapid placement.
Saturday, March 21, 2015
Agent Responded
The agent responded. I am impressed with the agent's response and disappointed in not capturing her interest. She responded that she was not enthusiastic enough about the work to represent it. I think that is a wonderful response. So often rejections make me feel the problem is innate to the work. She avoids that.
Even so I think this work goes into the drawer. Perhaps I am not yet good enough. It is my first novel. Now is the time for me to focus on becoming a better writer.
Even so I think this work goes into the drawer. Perhaps I am not yet good enough. It is my first novel. Now is the time for me to focus on becoming a better writer.
Thursday, March 12, 2015
Query Sent
The search for a home for my novel continues. Following the agent's guidelines, I sent off a query with synopsis and the first fifty pages in the body of the email.
Saturday, March 7, 2015
Revision completed.
I enjoyed re-reading my action packed adventure of the sea, but revised only minor problems. The agent said too much sea and too little conversation. I failed to see those areas and feel like a beginning author without perspective on his own work, unable to see the most glaring errors even when highlighted.
All input is valuable. For each comment, I try to make changes that solve that problem the best way possible. After a rest, I make the choice between the original and the revision.
Sometimes negative comments point out the different, the new, or the unusual. The best parts receive the most comments, both good and bad. In this case, I think the agent looked for the literary and found an adventure which disappointed her.
All input is valuable. For each comment, I try to make changes that solve that problem the best way possible. After a rest, I make the choice between the original and the revision.
Sometimes negative comments point out the different, the new, or the unusual. The best parts receive the most comments, both good and bad. In this case, I think the agent looked for the literary and found an adventure which disappointed her.
Friday, February 27, 2015
Sunshine
Another bright cold February day in Wisconsin. To me this feels like one of the brightest winters I can remember. Somehow I missed the long, dreary, overcast days that seem to run on forever. We've had cold and snow. And wind. Lots of slicing, cutting, dangerously cold wind.
Writing is just maintaining itself. Although lots of projects have formed in my mind, nothing creative has made the paper or computer screen. I just do not want to go back and look at the weak points of my novel. Revision is needed. Then it should be in the mail to see if I can find it a home.
Writing is just maintaining itself. Although lots of projects have formed in my mind, nothing creative has made the paper or computer screen. I just do not want to go back and look at the weak points of my novel. Revision is needed. Then it should be in the mail to see if I can find it a home.
Friday, February 6, 2015
Sports Guru
I guess my career as sports guru won't go far. My prediction missed wide of the mark for the Super Bowl.
My writing doesn't seem to be going anywhere either. But can't see myself stopping from wild guesses at football games or at giving up writing; I simply enjoy them both.
My writing doesn't seem to be going anywhere either. But can't see myself stopping from wild guesses at football games or at giving up writing; I simply enjoy them both.
Saturday, January 31, 2015
Superbowl Prediction
My prediction for the Superbowl: A close game going into overtime with a 21-21 tie. Finally the Seahawks will win 24-21.
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
Covert
More and more I notice interesting words. Covert is one of those. Every time I read or hear that word, covert operations come to mind. Somehow I never think of it as a noun. In an adventure story, the escaping hero found a covert.
Monday, January 5, 2015
Sayings
Looking at a list of some sayings in Spanish and their English translations, I see a couple that struggling writers might enjoy:
1. Where there is desire there is ability.
2. Who runs for pleasure, never tires.
3. From word to deed is a great distance.
1. Where there is desire there is ability.
2. Who runs for pleasure, never tires.
3. From word to deed is a great distance.
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Happy New Year
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!
Wishing you all the very best in 2015.
Resolutions? There are many I should make. I have this habit of looking back each year to see if I kept them. Usually I don't keep them. The main reason isn't that they are too optimistic or unreachable. Changing priorities turn me off one road onto another.
Wishing you all the very best in 2015.
Resolutions? There are many I should make. I have this habit of looking back each year to see if I kept them. Usually I don't keep them. The main reason isn't that they are too optimistic or unreachable. Changing priorities turn me off one road onto another.
Friday, December 26, 2014
What Resolutions for the New Year?
Starting to review the year for myself. Looking back before deciding goals always adds a bit of reality.
Tuesday, December 23, 2014
Sunday, December 21, 2014
Writing
My writing has taken a back seat for awhile, but still doing freewrites daily to keep the practice and habit. Five hundred words is my target. Some days it is very difficult to even write five hundred words -- even nonsense. I like to think that those days are the most helpful with keeping the ease of a daily write.
Sunday, December 14, 2014
One Great Way to Write Short Stories
ONE GREAT WAY TO WRITE SHORT STORIES by Ben Nyberg shows a way to write a short story.
What interested me is his view on writers. Are writers made or are they born? Perhaps a little of both. Here are a couple of quotes from that book:
What interested me is his view on writers. Are writers made or are they born? Perhaps a little of both. Here are a couple of quotes from that book:
- "...writing a story requires knowing technique. If you don't have that, no amount of heart or mind will make your stories work. If you do, you can write effective, even publishable stories, even if your creative gift isn't huge."
- "...what you are learning is the technical skill to make the most of whatever storytelling gift you have, to write the best stories you can."
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