Fiction Scribe

I originally posted this at The Book Stacks as a Sunday Salon post, but I feel that Fiction Scribe’s readers are an appropriate audience as well…

Today I feel like having a bit of a rant, so feel free to move on if rants aren’t your kind of thing.

Whether they are in it for the money at the onset or not, I think every writer dreams of writing the book that will sell millions of copies. Writers want to make people feel, want to make people crave their books…

However, I’ve come across some authors - self-published authors, to be specific in this particular case - who seem to think that they need to make quick money now on their books. They also seem to be under the impression that it’s not normal to not be able to do so with any book they produce.

Not so.

The fact is, even though it’s sad, self-published authors aren’t going to get the same time that traditionally published authors do any time soon. It’s a very sad fact but it’s true. Why? Well, you can blame the people who didn’t hire professional editors before putting their self-published books out. You can blame the people who thought/think they are the world’s gift to literature and think they deserve high acclaim - and don’t hesitate to tell people so.

Reality check: Nobody deserves high acclaim; you earn it. Even traditionally published authors have to do that.

I have nothing against self-published authors. I have read the absolute most horrible, unedited, plot crazy piece of crap self-published books out there. But I have also read wonderful, edited, engaging self-published books like The Demo Tapes by Susan Helene Gottfried and Lighting the Dark Side by William R. Potter.

You may lure more people with honey than with vinegar, but another sad fact is that people remember the vinegar far longer than the honey. One self-published book that is horrible in quality (I’m talking editing, formatting, etc) is enough to put the average reader off all self-published books.

Personally, I’ve read the worst of the worst and still give self-published books a chance. Unless I can see that no effort has been put into editing. Then I just have to walk away. But there are a lot more people out there who won’t even give a second chance. They don’t have the time to because reviewers are constantly offered review books. I have over half a dozen on their way to me at this moment.

Self-published or traditionally published, I’m sorry if your book isn’t selling. Truly, I am. However, no one is guaranteed success. No one is promised to be a best seller. All you can do is try, so don’t spit on the helping hands offered (and/or hired) because the bottom line is this:

You have to work your rear end off to sell books.

Period.

Want to get published? Do it yourself – and make a living from it!

Novice or Seasoned… New to the publishing game? TWFSP takes you step-by-step through every stage of your publishing success story. Been around the block a few times? You’ll walk away with a whole host of new tools and insights. Far from theoretical, TWFSP is one big case study: the author’s own “real-world� success chronicle.

In this how-to book from Peter Bowerman, nothing is hidden and no resources are withheld. Bowerman lays it all out for you so you have a true step-by-step guide instead of only the bits and pieces of what he wants to share.

TWFSP is an excellent book if you’re looking for a resource book in pursuing self-publishing. It’s easy to read and can probably answer any questions you have. Bowerman has a way of talking to you rather than at you about things so you can’t help but start feeling excited about the future possibilities for your book(s).

You have to be careful with charisma, though, because it’s easy to get caught up in an idea. While he does mention it in the first chapter, Bowerman could have spent more time emphasizing that it takes a lot of hard work to sell a book on your own and it also takes your own money to make things start happening.

Overall, this book is a great resource. It’s full of websites, examples, to-do lists, and much much more that any author or would-be author would benefit from having around.

Lovers’ Hollow is historical fiction but told through a contemporary lens and it weaves backwards and forwards in time.

Effortlessly interweaving past and present, and building towards a compelling and surprising conclusion, Lovers’ Hollow ranges across three generations and two continents to deliver a page-turning exploration of love, revenge and the true nature of freedom.

Lovers’ Hollow – Press Reviews Summary

• SUNDAY INDEPENDENT: ‘A magnificent family saga… highly ambitious, engaging and evocative.’
• IRISH INDEPENDENT: ‘an impressive canvas… a captivating read… an achievement.’
• SUNDAY TRIBUNE: ‘…epic sweep…ambitious scope…an intelligent book.’
• EVENING HERALD: ‘A Haunting Tale… a gripping story.’
• IRELAND ON SUNDAY: ‘engaging and well-thought-out… the characters and mysteries will make you want to keep reading.’
• IRISH EXAMINER: ’succeeds admirably…retains interest throughout its considerable span.’
• EMIGRANT ONLINE: ‘A riveting story…vividly brought to life.’ See full review at www.emigrant.ie
• WOMAN’S WAY BOOKCLUB: ‘Orna Ross has mastered the art of suspense with her darkly portentous prose… I couldn’t put it down.’
• BOOKBAG: ‘ I read all 688 pages over a period of about three days – and this is a big, big story. It’s Orna Ross’s first novel, but it’s crafted with the skill of a veteran and the suspense is masterly.” www.thebookbag.co.uk
• BIBLIOFEMME: ‘An incredible debut that will have the reader absolutely enthralled.’ www.bibliofemme.com
• AMAZON: ‘Lovers’ Hollow will be a classic… [like] Gone With The Wind. It’s as broad in its scope as that. One of the best novels I have read in a long, long time.” www.amazon.co.uk

Hello everyone, and welcome to the very last discussion of Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott. We have been having these discussions since August and it has been a wonderful experience.

I have revisited things I’d learned and forgotten, and I have learned new things. I have new techniques to approach my writing with, and I am very happy with the overall experience I have had reading this book.

We are now reading the last section and chapter of the book, the appropriately named The Last Class.

I hope you’ll join me today in discussing this last section of what has been a wonderful book.

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Hello everyone, and welcome to the book discussion before the last book discussion. We’ll be finishing the book soon, so feel free to drop in and talk about the chapters were reading. Also feel free to go back to past discussions and comment there.

Last week we talked about Writing a Present and Finding Your Voice. Today we’ll be discussing Giving and Publication.

This was an interesting chapter, to say the least. Like Lamott, I tried to find loopholes in it even though it made sense. It still went again my basic instincts about ‘preserving the best’ for a later date.

She’s right, though, in that you should treat your story like your child. Or a loved one. Give all you have right from the beginning. You may make mistakes, but you’ll learn from them and become a better person – a better writer.

I long ago forgot what it’s like to completely give to the stories I write, and I’m glad to have found this book that mentions it.

I love the story she tells of the little boy, by the way. How utterly cute and amazing is he?

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The Bird by Bird book discussion will be continuing tomorrow, don’t forget!

Remember to have your copy of Bird by Bird and have read “Givingâ€? and “Publication”.

Thank you to all who participate. Feel free to jump in at any time on the discussions.

Would you believe we’ve already been discussing this book for about three months already? Wow! Welcome to another discussion.

Last week we finished up part three by talking about Letters and Writer’s Block. This week we start part four: Publication – and Other Reasons to Write. We’ll be starting with Writing a Present and Finding Your Voice.

Some of us write purely for the pleasure. Some of us to be heard. And some – or maybe there’s a little bit of it in each of us – write for immortality.

I love this chapter because it not only touches on Lamott’s efforts to turn bad situations into something more than just bad situations, but it also touches on the basic human wish to influence something. To be remembered in some way.

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The Bird by Bird book discussion will be continuing tomorrow, don’t forget!

Remember to have your copy of Bird by Bird and have read “Writing a Presentâ€? and “Finding Your Voice”.

Thank you to all who participate. Feel free to jump in at any time on the discussions - especially now that we’re starting in on Part Four: Publication - and Other Reasons to Write.

We’re drawing nearer to the end of the Bird by Bird discussions. This has been a great book so far, and I want to thank everyone who has taken part in one or more of the discussions.

Last week we talked about Writing Groups and Someone to Read Your Drafts, both of which inspired me to get out and meet other authors. This week we’re talking about Letters and Writer’s Block.

This chapter may be short, but it’s certainly just what I needed to hear. Writing letters to someone you know can be such a lovely and intimate experience that it’s no wonder all writers don’t start out their story ideas as a letter.

I have many projects going on right now and one of which that I don’t know where it’s going or what it’s doing, and I’m not feeling it at all. I think the letter technique would be a great way to explore the possibilities. I also have a biography of sorts going that I think would be great to address to my future daughter.

This is such an awesome yet simple idea, and I wish I had thought of it.

“There are few experiences as depressing as that anxious barren state known as writer’s block…� – Anne Lamott

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The Bird by Bird book discussion will be continuing tomorrow, don’t forget!

Remember to have your copy of Bird by Bird and have read “Lettersâ€? and “Writer’s Block”.

Thank you to all who participate. Feel free to jump in at any time on the discussions.

Last week we talked about Index Cards and Calling Around. While I don’t like the telephone, even I had to admit Lamott had a point - people are wonderful tools for research.

This week we’re talking about Writing Groups and Someone to Read Your Drafts, both of which I found extremely useful. I hope you’ll join me in discussing them.

This chapter was very enlightening for me because I have never been part of a face-to-face creative writing class or writing group. Yes, I’ve done both online, but it’s not entirely the same. There’s something about sitting there with your notebook of odds and ends that makes the situation unique.

At least, I believe there would be.

I liked this chapter because it was something writerly that, unlike many of the other chapters, I didn’t have a lot of knowledge about or experience in. However, it did inspire me to think about starting up a group here in Australia sometime after Christmas.

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Hello once again everyone! Last week we didn’t have a discussion because I was ill, setting us a week back, but I’m almost 100% well again and ready to discuss.

The week before that, we discussed Broccoli, Radio Station KFKD, and Jealousy - the first two being my favourite out of the book so far.

This week we’ll be discussing Index Cards and Calling Around.

(Please don’t let Calling Around be about the phone…

This was the chapter I was waiting for, in which Lamott reveals herself to be a list and note taker. I, being someone who is addicted to lists, post-it notes, and index cards, was hoping she say she was even the tiniest bit similar.

I agree with Lamott in that knowing you had heard or seen a wonderful something, something you knew you should remember for later, but only remembering you forgot that wonderful something later on. It’s something I think a lot of writers learn the hard way until they start carrying index cards/notepads/note keeper of choice.

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Let the 11th edition of the Bird by Bird discussions commence!

(Isn’t that better? You know you were getting tired of the ‘hello and welcome’ introduction.)

I am thinking about discontinuing this discussion (but in all honest, likely will keep it going simply because I’ll keep reading) due to lack of responses. If you’re reading along or even if you aren’t reading but have an opinion on something I’ve said, please do leave a comment to say hello. (We bloggers are a bit of a fussy lot and get nervous when we don’t know if anyone is reading.)

Last week we had a lovely assignment of “Looking Around” and “The Moral Point of View”. This week we’ll be talking about the interestingly named “Broccoli”, “Radio Station KFKD”, and “Jealousy”. I’ll try to keep things concise and to the point, so if there is anything I miss that you’d like to talk about, you know what to do…

Now to the discussion! (more…)

Hello once again Fiction Scribe readers. Welcome to this week’s edition of the Bird by Bird discussions. Last week we talked about “False Starts,� “Plot Treatment,� and “How Do You Know When You’re Done�. While I had expected them to go differently, I wasn’t in the least disappointed in the content. Once again, Lamott presented valuable lessons in a simple but effective way.

This week we’ll be talking about “Looking Around� and “The Moral Point of View.� Please join me in the discussion – even if you disagree. I’d be happy to hear from you.

I started this chapter slightly confused, admittedly, about what she was talking about. It took me reading a few things twice to grasp what she was trying to talk about – and that is a number of different things.

The first message is one of reverence. Writers need to look at people not so much with their own eyes, but with the detached eyes of someone who realizes everyone is struggling through their own huge piles of crap – self-made or otherwise. It is in realizing that and applying it when you look at people that you lose some of the predispositions that could get you in trouble in your writing.

“Anyone who wants to can be surprised by the beauty or pain of the natural world, of the human mind and heat, and can try to capture just that – the details, the nuance, what is. If you start to look around, you will start to see.�

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Hello everyone, and welcome back to the Fiction Scribe discussion of Anne Lamott’s Bird by Bird. Last week I got a pleasant surprise with finding that, even though I am a dialogue-focused writer, I thoroughly enjoyed the chapter “Set Design”.

This week we will be discussing three sections: “False Starts,” “Plot Treatment,” and “How Do You Know When You’re Done”. I’ll try not to babble on too much for each of them.

This chapter didn’t quite go the way I thought it would go, but it was good nonetheless. Once again, Lamott presents easily understood metaphors to help us to realize what getting to know our characters is all about. I’ve heard this advice before - take everything away from your character and see who is left - but this was presented in a better way.

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