Mandy Eve-Barnett's Blog for Readers & Writers

My Book News & Advocate for the Writing Community ©

Wordsmith’s Collective Thursday – Six Networking Tips for Authors & Writers

May 2, 2024
mandyevebarnett


We have all heard the old adage – writing is a solitary business – however, with the use of technology, writing groups and book events, you need not feel alone. Putting words on a page is the solitary part of an writers life, but it is certainly not the totality of our existence. Without connections and experiences we would not have anything to write about!

So how do you build a network of other writers? Here are some tips, that may help.

Online Social Networks – we all have them, so why not utilize them to connect and expand your writing community connections? It is not just a matter of adding as a ‘friend’, there needs to be interaction. Read their posts, comment and like, but also converse with them on what they write, where they write, what their current WIP is, etc. This is much more meaningful and will build a relationship.

Be Generous – Share events local to them, share your writing knowledge and resources, after all we are not in competition (or shouldn’t be!) Acknowledge their successes and relate to their disappointments. Once you have some connection be proactive and send a message of support, or resources for them to use. Go to Goodreads, or Amazon and write a review for their book, repost to your page and tag them.

Attend Their Events and Invite Them to Yours – If you can physically, or virtually attend each other’s events do so, if not then promote them on your socials. This is mutually beneficial, but shows your commitment too.

Find Your Local Literary Community – Join a local writers group, attend writer’s workshops, conferences and book readings in your area. It is a great way to find your ‘people’, but also to get your name known.

Join Professional Organizations – These can be genre specific, or general, either way your membership allows you to meet like minded people. Benefits of such organizations include discounts, scholarships as well as information in their newsletters, forums, websites, classes and conferences.

Share Opportunities – When you make a connection to a podcast, magazine, blogger, or know of a literary event then share it with your community. If you are organizing an event send out invites not only to your writing community, but also your audience.

Being interconnected with your community benefits you and them – and once you have firm friendships then you can offer to help, or ask for it. Don’t connect and instantly ask for a favour, that is unfair and unprofessional. If someone finds your work interesting, or your plight resonates with them and they then offer some support, accept it and thank them. We grow together through connections.

What has been your experience with connecting with a broader writing community?

Wordsmith’s Collective Thursday – The Interminable Wait – Submissions!

March 21, 2024
mandyevebarnett


I spent over three hours one evening this week writing a synopsis, it was grueling and sucked big time, but I complete it! So this post is a response to that exercise.

After months, or even years, you are ready to submit your manuscript and then comes the grueling task of the synopsis, the cover letter, the pitch. We have all agonized over pressing send on multiple occasions, questioning our narrative, and suffering anxiety over the requisite documents that accompany it. This last, and most heart wrenching stage, is the culmination of many hours of writing, editing, and multiple revisions of our story.

When, at last, we feel confident in the narrative, we task ourselves with research into suitable publishers, and create the requested formatted submission package. Once again, these crucial requirements take their toll on our writing abilities and the ever present doubt that lingers with all our writing endeavors. We ask ourselves – is it polished enough, is it unique enough, have I portrayed the plot sufficiently in my synopsis, have I directed my pitch to the right person… the list goes on.

With countless revisions and the inevitable hesitation and procrastination, there comes a moment when we just have to take that leap of faith and press the send button.

Photo by Vojtech Okenka on Pexels.com

Then we wait – weeks, or months will go by accompanied by obsessive checking and re-checking of our email inbox (and the junk mail folder – just in case!) Some of us will check off the days, or weeks, on a calendar, or return to publisher’s website to re-read the submission process and stated reaction period. Alas, there is no way to hurry the process along, we just have to wait. A subconscious voice whispering all the time – it’s a No, it’s a Maybe, or when we are feeling upbeat – It’s a Yes!

How do you cope with the ‘wait’?

Do you have submission tips to share?

Wordsmith’s Collective Thursday – National Ghostwriters Week

March 7, 2024
mandyevebarnett


Definition of a ghost-writer – a person, whose job it is to write material for someone else, who is the named author.

    This week we celebrate ghost writers, which in itself is an oxymoron as to be a ghost writer your name is usually not mentioned in the body of the work you undertook. There are exceptions to that rule, of course. I know the hybrid marketing book I wrote is one such example. The client was more than happy to have my name mentioned. It was a fun project too, as I created the concept of the hybrid content.

    However, other projects contracted to me have been truly ghost written and I am fine with that. The interesting part of ghost writing is you will write on subjects/topics that may not have been in your wheelhouse so to speak. This is the fun part of the job and a great way to expand your knowledge.

    Ghostwriting may even be a back door to the prestigious corners of the publishing world, connections with select people and normally you have a partial, or full upfront payment, which is normally a flat fee. Another bonus is you do not have the marketing and promotion burden for the project. It is also an excellent way to build your writing skills.

    So to all the ghost writers out there – Happy Ghost Writing Week – long may you write in the shadows.

      Wordsmith’s Collective Thursday – Tips on Transitioning from Non-Fiction to Fiction

      February 29, 2024
      mandyevebarnett


      Writing fiction as opposed to non-fiction is a vastly different skill and mind set. In fiction, we entertain the reader, by fabricating characters and their journey, rather than presenting factual information. Initially, when you are considering this change of direction, research the fundamental differences in the styles. Fiction is characerized by an informal tone, rather than nonfiction’s serious and formal tone. In non-fiction you have to be methodical and precise, in fiction, you are free to imagine whole worlds and everyone that inhabits them. There are no limits, and that is why it is so much fun.

      There might be instances when you may need to research subjects for your narrative, but remember to lightly dust them within the story. You don’t need to go down a rabbit hole of facts and list them all out; it will stall your reader enjoying the flow of the story. We need to sprinkle facts, if and when required, and know only the most crucial information need be included. Obviously, this is the opposite of non-fiction protocol, where researched information is critical.

      An easy way to start testing your fiction prowess is with writing prompts – create short scenes or paragraphs, or construct a dialogue/monologue. Write a scene and then read it out loud – did it sound like a story, or a series of facts? The more you write in this style the easier it will become. Accept you are on a learning curve and will need to practice. Take your time and relax.

      Elements to consider when writing fiction:

      1. Point of View (POV) – will you write in first, second or third?
      2. Don’t over plan – this will restrict the natural flow of the story.
      3. Give the story/characters freedom to emerge.
      4. Ensure the narrative includes suspense, conflict and tension.
      5. Write great dialogue.
      6. More showing than telling.
      7. Don’t over explain, or info-dump. This is called exposition.
      8. Give your characters actions.
      9. Write chronologically.
      10. Create character descriptions.

      As you can see elements considered when writing non-fiction are more structured:

      1. Construct a clear premise.
      2. A defined “process”
      3. Attach supporting statements.
      4. Write in a consistent structure.
      5. Utilize visuals.
      6. Include a glossary and index.
      7. Conclude with a solid take-away.

      Writing in different genres, styles, discipline and methodologies can teach us to harness new skills.

      Wordsmith’s Collective Thursday – Defining Your Novel’s Genre

      February 1, 2024
      mandyevebarnett


      For author’s the definition of their fiction into a specific genre can be either simple, or difficult, depending on their choice of subject matter, or trope. You may write stories based on books you enjoy reading and therefore, have a good understanding of the reader expectations for that genre.  For example, if you maintain a propensity for romance, it can be easier. However, you then have to decide which sub-genre your story fits into. This list shows the wide range of choice for the ‘spice’ level, era and theme, among other considerations of your romance novel.

      • Romantic comedy
      • Paranormal romance 
      • Fantasy romance 
      • Queer romance 
      • Christian romance 
      • Young adult romance 
      • New adult romance 
      • Historical romance 
      • Regency romance 
      • Contemporary romance 
      • Erotic romance 

      There may also be a cross reference into other genres, such as crime stories with main character romantic relationships. Even then crime stories themselves can be divided into sub-genres.

      • Romantic suspense 
      • Cosy mysteries 
      • Classic detective/PI 
      • Police procedural
      • Hard-boiled crime 
      • Thrillers (legal, medical, forensic, military) 
      • Suspense thriller 
      • Psychological thriller 

      So, how do you define your novel’s genre? Use this easy equation based on the four elements or parts your novel consists of: character, story, plot and setting. So use: Story (Action) + Plot + Character + Setting = Genre.

       In the past there were set genres, but many have evolved over time to merge with another to form a ‘new’ genre. For example, you may choose historical romance, a paranormal thriller or a medical romantic suspense; just make sure the definition is not too complicated. Another sub-genre is the age group the narrative is targeting, so another descriptor can be used, such as YA paranormal, or romance, Middle grade adventure, or fantasy.

       Here are some basic genres:

      • Fantasy
      • Science Fiction
      • Paranormal
      • Mystery
      • Thriller
      • Suspense
      • Literary
      • Historical
      • Women’s
      • Christian
      • Horror
      • Romance
      • Western
      • Crime-detective
      • Action-adventure

      The best way to understand which genre your novel ‘fits’ into is to identify the topic or theme. In simplistic terms the genre describes the type of story being told, thus setting the stage, so to speak and the expectations of your reader. This classification exists to help your readers find the books they like by giving them the general aspects of the book’s content and then adding a sub-category which tells them more precisely about the book’s content.

      Blog at WordPress.com.