8.05.2013
De-Mystifying the KDP Select Free Days!
A terrific post by my good friend, AJ Nuest! She gives authors some great ideas on how to make the most of your Kindle free days. De-Mystifying the KDP Select Free Days!
8.03.2013
What Influences Readers?
Ran across a very interesting post this week that I thought my fellow writers might be interested in.
E-Book Formatting Fairies: The Readers Sound Off! How They Read, What They Li...: By: Marie Force New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author I’ve recently concluded the first of what I hop...
E-Book Formatting Fairies: The Readers Sound Off! How They Read, What They Li...: By: Marie Force New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author I’ve recently concluded the first of what I hop...
6.06.2013
Surviving the One Star Review
This one punched me in the gut. You know, like the scenarios
in that commercial for insurance. Life
comes at you fast. My first one star review knocked me on my butt. Although
I never cried, I indulged in a pity party for a few days.
Does this mean I’m a real writer now? I didn’t think my book
garnered enough attention to elicit such a negative response from a reviewer,
especially a fellow author. Why would one author so thoroughly reject another
author? We all know how difficult it is to take rejection. We’ve all been
there. So why the harsh review? Why post the review on every social media site
available? If I read a book that, in my opinion, is poorly written, I will
decline to post my thoughts publicly out of respect for my fellow author.
The book never reached the New York Times Best Seller list.
Heck, it’s never even reached the Amazon Best Seller list. The topic isn’t
controversial. Yes, the book has some flaws. What book doesn’t? There is no
such thing as the perfect book. If I had to do it over again, I’d adjust a few
things. But then… I’ve learned a lot from being edited and from being an editor.
I had some concerns. How would this extremely negative
review impact my sales? My reputation as a writer and an editor? My chances of
ever signing a contract with an agent? My motivation to continue writing? My
courage to request more reviews?
From this negative experience, I’d like to share a few thoughts
that might help other authors survive the one star review with dignity and
class and just maybe give some reviewers a few hints about writing a credible
review.
Some advice for writers.
It is far more beneficial to the up and coming author to form alliances with other writers than to make enemies.
I’m going to admit it. My first reaction was the impulse to
seek revenge. Retaliating would have accomplished nothing except to start a war,
and from my personal experience, revenge is an empty pursuit and offers
fleeting satisfaction. Revenge, anger, and hatred are bitter poison pills one
swallows with the futile hope of injuring someone else. It is far better to
avoid Negative Nancy than to engage her in useless debate over the merits of
her review.
Everyone is entitled to an opinion.
I remember when my eleventh grade American History teacher
told me I was entitled to my own opinions. What a revelation. I’ve been
opinionated ever since! One harsh review is one person’s opinion. The opinion
might have merit and it might not. A series of critical reviews all commenting
on the same flaw deserves more attention from the author than a single negative
review. What have I learned from my reviews? I know now that subtleties are
lost on some people. I need to be obvious about how I close my suspense
plotlines, especially in complicated plots with several different threads
pulling together near the end of the book.
A good agent considers an author’s entire brand.
A writer friend had some great advice. Would I really want
an agent that would reject me based on one negative review? If I ever make it
to the NYT Best Seller list, I’m likely to get tons of negative reviews. In the
long run, one bad review means nothing. I’m going to continue to write no
matter what.
One negative review doesn’t impact sales.
My sales actually jumped a bit right after the review
posted. Go figure that one! :) So I’m moving on. And…my book could use a few more reviews. Play nice…please. From
everything I’ve researched, read, and observed, writers with multiple works
published by the same publisher generate more sales than writers with a ton of
5 star reviews. I am going to admit it. I want my books to sell, not because I
anticipate getting rich, but simply because I want others to read my work.
There is no greater thrill for this writer than when a fan asks when my next
book will be released.
Some advice for reviewers.
If you haven’t read the book, please don’t write a review.
Writers work too hard requesting reviews to receive a bogus
review. I love it when it’s obvious the reviewer actually read my work. I don’t put much stock in a review if it’s
questionable the reviewer ever opened the book. I’ve read so many reviews that
appear to be generated from review services, not legitimate reviewers. $5 for 5
great reviews reads just like what it is. You get what you pay for. Most savvy
readers can tell the difference.
When reviewing someone’s baby, please be aware there is a person behind the work, a person who may not take rejection well.
As a writer, an editor, and a member of critique groups,
I’ve reviewed other people’s work for years. The old adage works here. If you
can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all. The “sandwich” review
helps take the sting out of critical comments. Layer one—say something nice.
Layer two—discuss the plotline. Layer three—make your critical comments. And I
do mean critical, not mean-spirited. Layer four—say something nice.
Slamming a fellow author’s work doesn’t increase your book’s chances of climbing the best seller charts.
This type of competition is petty and wasted effort. With
tons of aspiring authors out there vying for attention, dissing a fellow author
accomplishes absolutely nothing. Slamming another author reveals lack of
knowledge about how the publishing industry works and tarnishes the shine on
the author-reviewer’s own brand.
Thankfully, I survived this experience, but not without
going through the five stages of grief. I learned a lot in the process, and
hopefully it has made me a better, more aware writer.
6.03.2013
South Louisiana Inspiration
Just a few pictures to inspire my next novel.
The Myrtles
Nottaway
.jpg)
Magnolia Plantation
Chretien Point Plantation
All photos are in the public domain, courtesy of wiki commons.
5.31.2013
#NewRelease - Flightless by Keri Neal @authorkerineal #kindle
Book Info:
Available on KDP Select
and Paperback
Genre: Young Adult
Paranormal Romance
Release date: May 30,
2013
ISBN: 1484157338
ISBN13: 9781484157336
Synopsis
Pen was a Guardian, but
one violent night took his wings. Ten years later he is given the opportunity
to earn them back.
Jade is spellbound by the
new student. Pen is quiet, but she is determined to learn more about him. When
her terrifying past comes back to haunt her, Pen reveals there is much more to
him than she could have ever imagined.
With his soul on the
line, Pen cannot protect Jade if his feelings keep getting in the way. But with
Jade’s soul on the line, he must protect her from unearthly forces who want her
blood. Will the truth redeem them, or tear them apart?
Bio
Keri Neal designs book
covers. Flightless is her fourth published book. She lives near Austin, Texas
with her husband, two children, two hamsters and a snake. She crochets, sews,
reads, paints and loves all things artsy & craftsy.
Contact info
Blog: writingas.kerineal.com
Cover Artist: booklovers.kerineal.com
Twitter: @authorkerineal
Facebook: facebook.com/authorkerineal
Excerpt
Pen
and I are lounging under a big white umbrella. I am curled up with my head on
his chest. His heartbeat is steady and slow, his breathing shallow. He is
asleep. I pinch his arm playfully. “You’re going to miss it.”
He
takes a deep breath and chuckles. “I’m awake. And I’ve seen my share of
sunsets.”
I
turn my head and rest my chin on his chest. His eyes are still closed. “You’re
a grouch, you know that?”
He
opens one eye and stares at me. “You know I’m going to find you. You don’t need
to do this.”
My
throat burns with emotion. “Yes, I do. You might not make it in time.”
Both
his eyes open and stare blankly up at the umbrella. He is angry. His jaw
clenches and his nostrils flare.
“It’s
almost time.” I crawl up and lie down, straddling him. My blonde hair makes a
curtain around us. He looks sad as he reaches up and holds my face.
“I
don’t know how to say goodbye to you.”
I
smile. The sun is glowing in the horizon. Its resting place comes alive with
color. I see it all happen in the reflection in his eyes.
“Yes,
you do.” I press my lips against his, urgently stealing every taste of him. I
pull his lip through my teeth, and he groans loudly. The sound is erotic.
Suddenly his hand is on the back of my head, pulling me roughly against him.
His lips are not gentle anymore. They are rough and scaly, like a snake. He is
hurting me. I push hard against his chest, only to realize my hands are bound.
I start to cry as the sun descends into its salty grave.
4.26.2013
My Characters Get By With Murder
Last night, after I had spent a long day with a stubborn
geriatric convalescent, I opened my work in progress and began to get back into
the story. I hadn’t written anything new all day and I was in some major
withdrawal. My fingers itched to tap out more riveting plot. As I sat down and
opened my Mac, it smacked me right between the eyes. I still hadn’t decided who
my villain was and the obvious choice had literally been right at my fingertips
all along. I should have sighed with relief, but I had a big problem. I had
written this character too nice.
Yeah, that’s right. The villain had too many redeeming character traits. So
what’s a writer to do? Of course, I had to go back and scan my manuscript
looking for places where I needed to nasty him up. After that, the plot began
to shine with the sparkle of suspense that had been lacking.
Don’t get me wrong. I often let my characters get by with
murder. Literally. A lot of them have killed at least one person, maybe more.
But I like to add a little depth to my villains. I love to give them just one
redeeming quality so they aren’t so one dimensional. To make them a little
more, you know, human. But this guy? He was just way too nice and understanding
and helpful. Something had to give. So you know what I did? I gave him a gun.
Yep. That changed him into a detestable SOB pretty fast. Once he had the weapon
in his hand, he didn’t hesitate to draw it on my heroine. Ah, did the universe
just realign into proper balance? I think it did.
I’m a pantser. I decide where my story begins and where it
ends when I start a manuscript. But after that? I fly by the seat of my pants.
Or rather sit at my makeshift desk, which is really just my coffee table pushed
up close to my sofa. My “office”. Since I quit that horrid day job the living
room has become my favorite place to play…um…I mean work. Anyway, I digress.
Here’s my long-winded point… In between the beginning and
the end, I allow my characters to develop their own personalities and character
as the story progresses. I allow the action of the plot to proceed according to
what my characters would do next based on their personalities. The story feeds
my characterization. My characterization feeds my story. They feed each other.
A symbiotic relationship. So I let my characters get by with a lot, even
murder.
Can you can imagine how a story could get all janked up if
one of the characters isn’t fulfilling his or her proper role? Heroes should be
heroes, albeit sometimes a wee tad flawed. Heroines should be heroines, even if
they have one or two character flaws they need to work on. I love letting my
characters decide how they want to act and who they want to be, but sometimes I
have to smack one around and make him (or her) play nasty.
4.10.2013
Characters Acting Badly and #MyMuse That Contributes to Their Delinquency
Sometimes the life of a full time writer can be…well,
lonely. I mean, when I’m writing, the only company I have are my characters. If
they started talking to me, I mean verbally, I think I’d freak.
My muse
whispers in my ear in the middle of the night, but that’s something else
entirely. There is no accounting for what she might say or do. If you doubt it,
check out these posts.
Here is what I think my muse might look like…
 |
| Picture in public domain. Courtesy wiki commons. |
Sometimes my characters are sort of like real people, you
know. Today one of them just wouldn’t cooperate with me. I wanted her to do one
thing and she hauled off and did another. This one has a mind of her own. I
gave her a good talking to but she wouldn’t listen. Had to have it her way. It
amuses me for a while to argue with them, but it’s not the same as talking with
a living, breathing individual. I think she forgets she’s fictional. Am I going
to have to restrain her?
Maybe this device would work…
.png) |
| Drawing in public domain. Courtesy wiki commons. |
Do you think that would keep her in line? I mean, my
characters should be careful not to annoy me. I just bought this coffee mug…
 |
| Mug can be purchased at cafepress.com |
This mug means what I say and says what I mean, you know
what I mean? I’ve done some nasty things to my characters. I even impaled one
bad guy on a dead tree before it caught on fire and fell over the side of cliff
into a deep gorge. My characters should quiver in fear of my fast tapping
fingers. And my muse should stop leading them down the path toward destruction. When I tell my heroine to call my hero and make up with him, that's exactly what she should do!
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