EDITS

Editing.  It is an emotional word for a writer.  A writer picks and chooses his/her words carefully. He tells the story that is in his heart, the story that plays over and over in his brain until it is put on paper.

Then the editor returns the copy.  There is so much red on the copy and notations on the margin that it looks like that paper that you threw together in JR High school. 

You thought you had a good story.  You have all ready written and rewritten the story multiple times.  Now, you aren't so sure.  With each correction you make, you feel your ego shrinking.  You swallow your pride and work on.

When it is over, you lick your wounds.  Then you read your manuscript and realize the story is more clear, more focused than it was before.

People think writing is easy.

PROMOTION/COMPUTER/SOCIAL MEDIA

The days of writers staying in anonymity are long gone.  These days, a writer is required to promote his or her work.  Quite often, the promotion is done at the writer's expense.  Fortunately, the computer and the Internet helps in this respect.  Traveling across the country is expensive, but with some work, an author can visit book clubs, schools, and public assemblies of all kinds via webcams or Skype.

A lot has changed since my first book came out in 2002.  Now we have Facebook, blogs, and so many other methods to make the public aware of our book.  In 2002, my sister, Denise, worked hard to make and maintain my first web site.  Last night and this morning it took me (a novice) about an hour and a half to build a nice web page.  As I get more information about the books--and book covers--I will continue to update the site.

I also put together a Facebook author page.  This will allow me to inform "fans" about important events involving the books; release dates, promotional sales, events I will attend, and so on.

Many things have changed in the publishing industry since 2002.  I am beginning to get excited!

My new web site:
http://chanceencounterstlm.wix.com/toni-lamparter-mabry
My author's page:
http://www.facebook.com/ToniLamparterMabry

READING EVERYTHING

People frequently tell me that they have always wanted to be published.  They have a story to tell, but just haven't had the time to get around to writing it.

At one time, being a published writer was a very difficult task.  A person had to research a magazine and know how to slant the story for a specific publication.  To have a book published was even closer to impossible.  Many publishing companies had their stable of writers.  Others had formulas or specific kinds of books that they wished to risk their funds to publish.  A new guy--especially one without an agent--didn't have a chance.

Now things are changing.  POD companies, ebooks, and Amazon have drastically changed the market.  More independent companies and self-publishing companies have emerged.  More people are getting a chance to become a published author.  That can be both good and bad.

A writer should always strive to improve his craft.  Part of improving your skill as a writer is reading the works of others.  At one time I was an English major.  I read and studied the works of the great writers.  What I didn't realize was that I could also learn from those whose writing leave something to be desired.

You see, I have developed the hobby of downloading ebooks.  Some are very entertaining.  Others aren't so great.  Before deleting a book I really dislike, I try to analyze why the book doesn't work for me.  Then I ask myself if I tend to make the same mistake.  For example, last week I read a book where an important character was killed in chapter two.  The murder left me emotionless.  The author had not made me like--or dislike her.  She was not real to me.  Her death was no great loss.  Neither was the book when I deleted it.  I realized I must make my characters real, or my books will be deleted also.

Who knew I could learn from reading bad books.

MAKING CONNECTIONS

What is the difference between:
1) a story that is filled with action, adventure, and well written
2) a story that catches your attention, draws you in, and tugs at your emotions 
Both stories show talent and creativity.  The second story is one in which you and the author have made a connection. 

As a school teacher I was trained to help children to make connections with stories so that they would learn to enjoy literature.  We were to ask the students questions like, "Do you remember a time when you got lost, like Curious George?  Were you afraid?"

Most adult readers do this on their own.  We connect with a character in the story.  We say the book interests us but we really have made a connection that keeps us reading.  It explains why some readers love nostalgic pieces while others enjoy sci-fi.  There is something in that genre or with that author that connects with the reader.

This truth about making a connection with an audience was really brought to my mind a few years ago when I watched the movie The Passion of the Christ.  I tend to disconnect when viewing emotional works, so I found myself analyzing the theater audience.  How were they responding to the movie?

There was a scene where Mary is watching her brutalized son marched to the crucifixion.  The audience cannot connect with that.  Very few women can empathize with a son who was treated like Jesus.  Instead, the writers give viewers a flashback.  We see the very young Mary rush toward her child as he is falling on the gravel road.  Every mother remembers trying to help her child with a skinned knee.  Every mother knows that pain!  In an instant I heard a wave of sobbing in the movie theater.  "Cinema genius," I thought.  I, too, remembered holding my crying child.  I, too, was weeping.

What did I learn about writing from that moment in the movie theater?  If you want to make a connection, try hitting a universal experience.  In A Changing Season, my main character is dealing with some post traumatic stress, in the form of a dream.  I considered having her dream about physical abuse, but thought that most people could not connect with such behavior from a parent.  Instead, she dreams about a sharp, cold man who cannot communicate.  I felt that people might connect with this sort of relationship.  Any other abuse is merely hinted at.

Did I wimp out or did I find a way of connecting with an audience?  You tell me.

   

THE NEXT STEP

So, I just got the message from my editor that I have turned in all the components for my my first ebook.  I have sent my bio., the questionnaire for the cover art, the manuscript edited, and formatted.  Whew!

I never feel confident about my titles, whether it is a magazine article or a book title.  I must be pretty good at it though.  I am seldom ever asked to change my title.  This time, however, I was told that my title, Second Chances, is very similar to the title of another book that will be released at the same time as mine.  Truth be told, I was getting second thoughts about the title, Second Chances, but I was afraid to say anything.  When my editor contacted me and asked me if I would consider changing the title, I agreed. 

Since themes from Ecclesiastes run through all the books in the trilogy, I decided to go with  the title, A New Season.  It will be available on Amazon as a Kindle release in January.  If you do not own a Kindle, you can get a free Kindle for PC download on your laptop or notebook. 

I can't wait to find out what the next step to this adventure will be!

KINDLE COLLECTION

In my last blog, I posted about my new computer, its size, and its usefulness.  Since my next 3 books will come out in ebook form, I needed a method for reading them.  For this reason I went to the Kindle For Computer link and downloaded Kindle onto my portable computer.

My Kindle application came with 4 books.  I immediately erased 3 of them.  I will probably never read the 4th, but it is such a classic, I kept it all the same.  As I searched a variety of sites, I found that I had a bookstore at my fingertips.  From my home I could now download almost any classic or public domain book for a matter of pennies and in most cases free of charge.  After reading, I could even delete it if I wanted.  Why would I ever go to a library again?

The newest best seller could now be purchased for 1/2 the price of a hardcover or paperback book and begin reading it in a matter of seconds.  Each page is crisp.  You can control the color of the paper (bright or dim) and even control the size of the print--great for someone with eyestrain.

The big jackpot for a cheapskate like me--many of the newer books are free, too.  If an author is trying to create a buzz about a new book, especially the 2nd or 3rd in a series, the first book is, at least for awhile, offered free of charge.  There are several services that will email you about Amazon and Kindle discounts.  Yesterday, I downloaded a book by Jerry Jenkins and Linda Goodnight,both well-known authors who have free book offers. 

I have heard of people who have collected hundreds of books on their Kindle in a very short time.  So far, I am being picky.  In a week's time I have only collected about 10, but I have been deleting the ones I don't like as well as keeping the ones I do.

I do miss turning the pages of a real book, but at least these don't get frayed.  I used to like the smell of the pulpy books, but lately I have become more sensitive to book mustiness.  I am sure I will always love the feel of a hardback in my hands, but ebooks have their place, too.

Here is where you can find the Kindle download:  www.amazon.com/gp/kindle/pc/download/

THE RIGHT MATERIALS

Well, I hit a snag.  My son's computer has Microsoft Work instead of Word.  When my publisher sent a file and I opened it in Work, the file corrupted.  Sigh.  This is not the first time that it happened, but it took almost all day to finish that document.  I have been without a computer for over a year.  It is time I get the right materials for the job.

I gathered all the gift certificates I have been collecting for over a year and put them together.  Then I waited for Tennessee's school tax free weekend to make my purchase.  One weekend a year a list of school supplies, including certain computers, can be purchased tax free.

Finally, I made a list.  What was I looking for in this purchase?  1) I desperately needed a portable computer, something that would fit in my purse or bag.  At the same time, I wanted a computer with a traditional keyboard, not one of those touch screen thingies. 2) I wanted a computer that would allow me to download Kindle style books.  3) I needed Microsoft Word.  I was tired of corrupted files.  4) I was on a budget.  I needed a computer that was economical.

It seemed too much to ask.  I certainly didn't want to compromise on any of the first 3 on my list.  If I got all three of those, I doubted I would be able to keep #4.  I was about to give up and settle for a Kindle.  On my way to the register, I walked past a little Gateway laptop with a 12 inch screen.  It is so cute and fits in my oversize purse.

What did I learn?  When shopping for a computer, know what you want and don't compromise.

Now I have to redo that file and get it to the publisher before Monday.