I haven’t forgotten how it was when I began writing my first novel. There was a big learning curve and I had only written poetry and short stories before that, so a novel seemed so big, almost overwhelming. I thought how do they do it? Dusty Richards challenged a group of us at the Ozark Creative Writers weekend in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. He gave us the challenge to write our first novel. The winner of his contest would have a full manuscript read by his editor. Back then you needed an agent and a publisher to be published. Back then there were no Indie author alternatives to getting your work published. His challenge was too good to pass up. I took the leap, and Gone to Texas: A Desperate Journey was born. The contest was for western fiction, and when I began, I thought I was writing a western. It turned out to be a western historical romance as I wrote. My first advice for any writer is to be willing to take that leap.
Your first goal is to write the story until you reach The End. And then celebrate because this is a huge accomplishment. Many writers will never finish their first book.
The story is the most important thing in your author career. Finishing it is essential.
I’ve learned a lot since my first novel launched in print in 2009 and I love helping other authors and beginning writers. I’ve been teaching on panels since 2009 at the RT convention in Orlando, as part of both Bobbi Smith’s writing program and Judy McCoys. When I was invited to be on those panels I thought what can I contribute when I’m sitting here with my first book out and next to me are established authors on the NYT lists. A mentor from my Toastmasters days gave me this advice… If you can reach just one writer in the audience and share what they need to know, you will have helped one person and that it why you are there. I have never forgotten that advice and I have never forgotten how
In 2007, when I signed my first book contract, I had an agent, a small advance, and a seven-year contract with a small traditional publishing house. So I’ve been at this for a while and ridden that roller coaster of being a published author. In 2013, when I created my first indie book, I knew the level of quality I wanted my books to have if they were to compete with traditional press books. Today my indie press, Belo Dia Publishing Inc. is where most of my books are published. Belo Dia is Portuguese for “Beautiful Day” and “Beautiful Day” is part of who I am as a person, so it became a major part of my branding. Which leads me to that branding question.
What is branding? I say it’s knowing who you are, acting like it, and making sure your brand reflects that. I know there’s a lot more to it, and I’m no branding expert, but I do know that the more you are yourself and write in your writer’s voice, the more you will connect with readers who will follow you and your work. I recently had my website redesigned with a new logo and a new look and this rebranding fits who I am.
My training as a writer:
I attended the Antioch Writers Workshop in Yellow Springs Ohio, for three summers ***** and studied under Katrina Kittle (fiction), *****, and ****(poetry) There I learned how to critique and be critiqued professionally. I have an article on this topic which I could share with you.
I was a member of two critique groups in Memphis. One was multi-genre, and we met at Robin William’s cousin’s house. Pat had parrots and it was at times a lively group. The other was our little critique group of four local authors who had met at the local RWA group in Memphis TN and then got together to write our first romance novels. Both taught me a lot and I am grateful to them.
Today I let trusted Beta Readers see my first drafts, and then after I tweak the story, I send it on to my editors. I’ve worked with many editors over the years, as I wrote for five publishers when I was traditionally published. Today the type of editor I hire and how many depends upon what the story needs.
My Courses Online:
Promoting Your Book on Radio, and TV Interviews: Moving From Fear to Fun with Successful Author Interviews, is on Udemy and is free. Learn how I moved from fear of public speaking on radio or TV to having fun and even being an online radio show host. (This class is currently under revision as much has changed in the industry since I hosted the radio show.)
Though Blog Talk Radio has since closed, links to my old radio shows can still be found on Apple podcasts and here is the list of links: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hLCU6wPVkRKQpBbElc2KSM7TLjxwOhzW/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=117801568644320780633&rtpof=true&sd=true
Tools I Use:
For writing, I use… a MacBook Pro laptop, a 13-inch silver 2015 edition. Though it’s hard to find one of those ever refurbed these days you can still find a 2017 version which is much cheaper than a new one. https://amzn.to/3XCharN
I write my books in Word using the Microsoft 365 annual plan. https://amzn.to/3zhqNSL
To elevate my laptop I use an adjustable computer stand https://amzn.to/4cxjqVG an awesome Mother’s Day gift from my youngest son.
Attached to my laptop I use this beautiful vintage-looking Quirky Writer keyboard, a wonderful Christmas gift from both my sons. https://amzn.to/4eBdehe I learned to type on a typewriter in high school and love typing on my Quirky Writer. I find it more comfortable to type on than a laptop keyboard.
Here’s a picture of me using it in my office (converted from my youngest sons room) in our old house in Bartlett, TN. We lived there 23 years so quite a few of my books were written here. When we first moved into the house each son had a bedroom and I wrote on a desk in the laundry room.
Once the editing is done, I use Vellum Press to format my books. I’ve created ebooks, paperbacks, and large print hardcover editions. I love it so much that I bought the program. They have a free version you can download. https://vellum.pub/
My cover artist does all my covers: https://coverdesign.sherimcgathy.com/
My Virtual assistant helps me stay organized: https://www.melissaproofs.com/ She also has proofed some of my books.
H4Y has been my website host for years and their customer service is excellent. I now use them for my domain name registrar as well. H4Y link: https://my.h4y.us/aff.php?aff=38
Next Day Fliers is where I make trifold book lists, bookmarks, postcards, and business cards. For graphics to promote my books, I use BookBrush and Canva, or I hire my cover artist. I
I’ve purchased banners from https://www.bannersonthecheap.com/
Fresh Fiction promotes my books every month as I am one of their Fresh Fiction authors. You can see things they are doing for me by starting with my author page: https://freshfiction.com/author.php?id=51323 Then look for my contests. I also write a once a month article “Tales From the Trailer” on the Fresh Fiction blog.
I am a member of the Alliance of Independent Authors.
Click the ALLi link above to discover the benefits of being a member.
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