Reviewing Plot a Publishing Plan -- Step One, I'm not surprised the first month in my four month publishing plan is nearly spent. Set-up, organization, and committing to a deadline take time and thought. As part of step one, I passed The Avenue to my brilliant editor. He set himself a deadline of no later than two months. With the manuscript off my mind, inspiration turns to Plot a Publishing Plan - Step Two. Brainstorm Brainstorm goals you have for your Plot a Publishing Plan. Are you … [Read more...]
Plot a Publishing Plan – Step One
May 4, 2018 By
Step One to plot a publishing plan -- any plan for that matter -- is organization. Start with the manuscript you plan to publish. Whether going the traditional route or indie, you're well served with a clean, well-edited manuscript. I learned that very soon after I independently published my first novel. Shoddy editing interferes with the reader's ability to fully sink into your story dream. Every misspelling and awkward sentence structure is a reminder they're reading a story. Give your story … [Read more...]
Putting Your Novel Out There
April 24, 2018 By
When I fell in love with writing fiction, I fell hard. I sold my clinic for children with speech, language, and learning disabilities. I said good-bye to the kids and their parents and teachers, the five therapists working for me and one psychologist on staff. No more euphoric moments watching the children's joy in their accomplishments. Gone with the power lunches with principals of private schools. No need for the latest fashions picked out by a personal shopper or -- new at the time -- my car … [Read more...]
Thematic Significance Statement Defines Every Story Decision
March 30, 2018 By
After big storms where I live, waves leave behind layers of sand that create a soft, smooth beach. As the tide ebbs sand is pulled back out to sea. What is left looks more like the surface of some alien planet than where you're apt to sun yourself. The view of the sandy beach offers little clue of what is hidden beneath the surface. This is often the case with stories and art, too. Define what is beneath the surface of the story you're writing. Write that as a statement that your story proves. … [Read more...]
The Emotional Ebb and Flow of a Creative Life
March 27, 2018 By
I rub the gem, like a mermaid's jewel in my pocket. We're asked to pick a gem we gleaned from the books we read in the On-Line Transformational Book Group. There are so many to choose from in our first book selection -- Anne Morrow Lindbergh's timeless Gift from the Sea. The one that fell in my pocket is ebb and flow. The emotional ebb and flow of a creative life "We have so little faith in the ebb and flow of life, of love, of relationships," Anne writes. When stuck in an ebb in our creative … [Read more...]
Plot Middle Grade and Young Adult Novels to Emotionally Engage Your Readers
March 27, 2018 By
Plot springs from characters in conflict. Readers emotionally connect and turn the pages of your story more quickly when reading scenes with tension, conflict, suspense and that create curiosity and pose the question -- will she or won't she succeed? This is true for every genre and especially so with middle grade and young adult novels. Plot middle grade and young adult novels to emotionally engage your readers. The more emotionally invested your readers are in your characters, the greater the … [Read more...]
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