What do readers want anyway?  They want a spell-binding story that really draws them in and they devour each page—at the end they are left wanting to read more about your characters.  Sounds like a tall order but it is possible.  Think of some awesome books you’ve read that have kept your attention and you didn’t want the story to end.

Let’s break down what are some key ingredients to a spell-binding novel.  First of all you need compelling, believable characters.  Your readers need to relate to these characters and if they don’t get to know them, they can’t relate.  How do readers get to know your characters well enough to relate to them?  You need to write well rounded characters.  Dive deep into their point of view as you write their story.  Never head hop in scenes and make sure that you allow your readers to fully embrace who these characters are. 

For example, stay away from passive voice and utilize active voice.  What sounds better to you?

She was running away from him.

Or

Her heart pounded rapidly and the hair on the nape of her neck stood up as she ran from the intruder.

When your characters are going through an emotional struggle, how do you portray that?  You’ve heard the saying, show don’t tell, well it is extremely important to let your readers in on what is going on in your character’s mind.  When writing a scene, you must only write from his or her perspective.  For example, what does your character see, hear, taste, smell or feel.  In one scene, you cannot jump from two different characters’ points of view.  It confuses readers and does not make for a complete picture of who your character really is. 

What sounds better to you?

Someone approached his desk but he focused on the file in his hands.  When he glanced up, he saw her standing in front of him. 

Or

Marc Abrams heard the clicking of heels approach his desk, but he ignored the intrusion and focused on the file in his hands—until he smelled the familiar scent of jasmine and roses.  Not wanting to get his hopes up, he glanced over and there she stood.  She looked like a tall drink of water in the desert, with her slender physique and shiny hair and piercing eyes.

The first section tells what happens but doesn’t let the reader experience what Marc experienced.  When you read the second section, you are right there with Marc as he heard someone approach and then smelled her perfume.  You feel his excitement, hoping it’s her. Then you get to see how much this person affects him. 

Telling a good story is also about writing compelling, believable dialogue.  You need to write how the character would actually speak.  Not everyone speaks in correct English.  Make your dialogue become a work of art. 

(This is an excerpt from, Bella Lucia.)

She smiled.  “You know, you always make me feel better.”

            He raised his eyebrows.  “Really, because that’s not the impression I’ve gotten from our last few encounters.  I thought you couldn’t stand me.”

            “You’ve grown on me.”

            That brought uproarious laughter from him and his nervousness eased up a little.  “Oh, like a fungus, easy to get and hard to get rid of—those words hurt, you know.”

            The way she scrunched up her nose, endeared her further to him.  “You remembered that, huh?”

            “It’s not every day that a woman calls me a fungus!”

            “You’re not like a fungus, just a little annoying at first.”

            They settled down on the rock wall in front of the police station.  “Ok, I can deal with that.  I know my partner thinks I’m annoying too, but he has his own issues.”

            “Don’t we all?”  The distracted look came over her face again and he took serious note of it.  Before he could ask what was on her mind, she shared her concerns.  “I think my boss is keeping something from me.”

Remember to also keep your facts straight.  Do your research.  Readers don’t like to read a book that is full of mistakes.  Don’t repeat the same word a lot in your paragraphs.  Just try to remember all of these rules to make your story come alive and have fun.  Write and write and write and then don’t put editing on the backburner.  Editing is essential to putting your best work out there. 

What is one of the best books you’ve read lately?


If you don’t jump at the chance some opportunities present—then you miss out on a world of possibilities. Gold Rush

Many people dream about becoming a published writer, but not everyone realizes those dreams because of lack of perseverance and the necessary discipline to find success. The writers, who succeed, are the ones who have a plan, cultivate discipline and keep persevering no matter what obstacles come into their pathway. Have you wondered how to make the transition from part-time freelance writer to full-time writer? 

Your journey should begin with creating a plan and mapping out your strategy. The best solution to your problem of finding more work as a freelancer is to worker smarter, not harder. Don’t waste your valuable time by squandering it on useless, methods that don’t work. What’s working for you now? Have you gotten some freelance assignments already? If something is working, then stick with it. Never put your eggs all in one basket, though. You never know when one writing well will run dry, so be open to other options to bring you writing jobs.

As you are mapping out your strategy, research skills will come into play. Don’t just jump at the first “opportunity” which comes your way. In the long run, a few extra hours doing your research to ascertain the validity of an opportunity, will pay off. No one wants to be scammed, so thoroughly research the freelance writing opportunities you’ve found and be on the alert for scams.

Some of the online sites you can check into for freelance writing jobs include:  Zemandi, oDesk, Proficient Writers, Interact Media, Elance, Jobs at Constant Contact. Now, there are many copy writers looking for jobs online these days so things are much different than years before the Internet began. In the old days, a copywriter was more in demand because not as many writers were available for these types of copywriting jobs—hence, these copywriters were paid better than most copywriters today. Many of the jobs you will find online don’t pay much per article; however, if you start with some of those sites, and do your research, you’ll eventually find other sites which pay more.

For example, the Proficient Writers site works with writers who have a college degree and there is a more rigorous evaluation period of your work and credentials. Other sites, like Zemandi, review a sample of your work, but you don’t need a college degree to become one of their writers. The oDesk site also offers more than just freelance writing jobs. You can find marketing assignments, virtual office assistant projects and also IT projects. There are some sites which offer higher paying freelance writing assignments; however, some of those sites require a membership fee or bidding per project fee. Make sure to do your research before you proceed.

You can also find more jobs the old fashioned way by connecting with a business who is looking for copywriting help, but does not want to pay a full-time, in-house employee and all the benefits that employee would receive. You can begin sending your resume out to these businesses, but that is more of a cold-inquire approach and may not reap the benefits you’re looking for. Try to check out ads on Craigslist or other places where businesses or individuals are seeking freelance writers for projects. I have received several new clients for my business this way and am currently working on two book projects—one for public relations and one for editing / re-writing.

I did also try the cold-inquire approach and sent my resume into over ten different local businesses and actually did find my very first marketing client that way. I’ve been doing freelance writing and public relations for this client for about four years now. Working on that initial project has branched out into working on several different projects for this client and I eventually was able to work full-time from home and started my own marketing company, Mustard Seed Marketing Group, LLC.

To succeed in your freelance writing dreams, it takes a drive to beat all the odds and if you love writing, don’t give up even when the road gets tough. Make a plan, be disciplined and work hard at achieving success.  

  

The most important task for a writer is to keep writing books. Sounds simple but most often is not so cut and dry. Life gets in the way—you have to continually work on marketing your previous books and branding your name, among other daily tasks. How do you keep the creative juices flowing? Write every day. 

“It is by sitting down to write every morning that one becomes a writer. Those who do not do this remain amateur.” (Gerald Brenan)

“I write when I’m inspired and I see to it that I’m inspired at 9 o’clock every morning.” (Peter DeVries)

Now, for the record, I slack off many days and don’t always keep up with my newest WIP. As I mentioned, daily tasks, the day job, family and other things continually vie for my attention. It takes discipline to flex the writing muscle each day so let’s talk about some ways to make that happen.

1. Set goals. There are three types of goals—immediate, short-term and long-term. Once you figure out exactly where you want to be, the journey towards getting there becomes a little bit easier.

2. Make a decision. Decide to write each day—even if you only write in your journal, you need to flex your writing muscle every day. It’s how you grow as a writer and you don’t allow your skills to get stale.

3. Be Flexible & prepared. Obviously, there will be days that you don’t accomplish each writing goal that you set out to finish. Be open to stretching those writing muscles so you don’t pull a muscle by too much rigidity in your mindset—not allowing for failure. Forgive yourself when you don’t reach your goals, but then get your but back in gear for a new start the next day.

4. Deflect distractions. True, we won’t be able to rid ourselves of all distractions—unless of course, we decide to get stranded on a deserted island and write all day long…and even then, I think we’d find a way to distract ourselves! Set a specific time during the day where you can write and not be interrupted. If you write better in the morning, pick that time or in the evening etc., whatever works well for you.

5. Welcome accountability. This is the one factor that we may not like—however, it will most likely help us the most in our quest to finish the next great novel. Find an accountability partner. Maybe it will be your spouse or best friend or fellow writing buddy. Whoever it is, you need to find someone that you trust to be patient with you, but also give you that push you may need to get back on track.

6. Re-evaluate the plan. Don’t be afraid to reassess the situation—think of it as a necessary evil. Not many people like to get tested on performance, but if you truly want to succeed, you need to always be open to evaluating your progress. This process is hard for me, but I’ve learned to take a step back and assess the situation.

7. Regroup & continue. Once you’ve assessed the situation and realized what’s working and what isn’t, take a breather and then get back to work. Just as with exercise, when you stop for a while, it’s more difficult to get into the routine again—but once you get back on track, you feel rejuvenating and energized with your progress. If you’re flexible and ready to work hard, you’ll figure out your own rhythm and what works best for you.

Currently, I’m enjoying the release of my newest book, Bella Lucia, and I’m busy making the rounds in my blog tour; however, I need to remember to take my own advice and continue to flex the writing muscle each day. I’d love to hear your thoughts and what steps you’ve found helpful in your own writing career.

Get an Idea Journal

I still have one to this day.  Did you ever think of some great idea and then forget about it later on because you forgot to write it down?  I keep my journal handy and write down new book ideas and keep adding them to the list because I never know when I’m going to need a new book idea.

Write Every Day

You’re never going to accomplish anything in the writing world unless you put pen or pencil to paper or start typing away.  I know it’s hard and many times life gets in the way, but if becoming a published author is a dream of yours, then you need to write every day.  Now, this includes any type of writing, whether you are working on your WIP (work in progress) or writing a blog or writing articles for publication or just writing in your journal.  Keep the creative juices flowing and write every day.

Set Goals for Yourself

If you don’t set goals, you will have a more difficult time succeeding as an author.  There are immediate, short-term and long-term goals.  Immediate goals are those that will be done right now, like writing every day.  Creating a story outline and developing your characters, then starting the manuscript.  Short-term goals are those goals that will be accomplished in the next 6 months to a year.  Will you finish that manuscript?  Do you know how to edit it yourself and then find a professional editor?  Where are you going to go to look for a publisher?  Long-term goals will happen in the next year and following.  Once you’ve signed your first publishing contract, where do you see yourself?  Will you start work on your next WIP?

Write First, Edit Later

Not everyone is the same when it comes to their own editing process, but let me share what has worked well for me.  I do some story outlining (not always as strict a process for every manuscript) and then begin to write, always keeping in mind, my four main rules of writing and I don’t do a complete edit until I finish the entire manuscript.  If I start editing as I go, I will get discouraged and may never finish what I’ve started.  Now that I’ve gotten my four rules down, I feel more confident about my writing and have been doing an initial edit after each section I write so I won’t have to do a big overhaul at the end. 

So what are my four rules of writing ~ No. 1, Keep your POV (Point of View) straight and don’t head hop.  No. 2, Write in the active and not the passive voice.  No. 3, Make your dialogue action-packed and not stale.  No. 4, Watch for repeated words in your paragraphs, like too many sentences starting with “she” or “he” or other words.

Find a Critique Group or Accountability Partner

You need to join a writers group or have some sort of critique group that you can belong to.  You must have support as you learn the writing craft and go on your journey toward publication.  I am currently a member of the Christian Writers online group and I also have an accountability partner, who is my husband.  He helps me by always encouraging me and making sure that I am working on my WIPs and completing them and continuing on in my writing career. 

Create an Online Presence

Even unpublished writers need a website.  You may not have a lot of content to fill up ten pages, but that doesn’t matter; you need to start somewhere.  There must be a place online where potential readers and publishers and book reviewers can go to find you and your future work.  Once you sign a publishing contract that is not the time to create a website.  You need to create one before then and you will always be evolving and changing as an author and so will your website.  I am currently using www.weebly.com and it’s very user friendly and it’s free. 

You need to also utilize Facebook and Twitter and other social networking sites.  I would hold off on starting a Facebook Fan Page until you have your first book published (you can have unlimited followers there).  In the meantime, I would begin with a regular Facebook profile (I think the limit is 5,000 friends).  Also work on your Twitter profile.  If you have questions on utilizing social networking as a marketing tool, feel free to contact me and I’ll give you more tips.

Keep on Reading and Learning

Good writers are avid readers.  I have always enjoyed reading and I still do today.  The problem is ~ finding a balance between writing and reading.  Once I get in a good writing groove, I sometimes put reading on the backburner.  However, that is okay since if you’re inspired in your writing, you should go for it.  I just need to remember to take a break sometimes and get back into reading as well.  Always be open to constructive criticism from editors, publishers and book reviewers.  Take the good with the bad and don’t let it stop you from achieving your dreams.

Follow other Published Authors

I’m a published author and I still follow other published authors.  By follow I mean on social networking sites as well as their blogs.  Other authors can be a great resource to you.  As you watch what others in your field are doing, you can emulate some of their tactics, process what is good for your goals and what isn’t and then stimulate your own ideas as a catalyst from that interaction. 

Research your Publishing Options

At some point, you are going to need to decide how you want to get published.  Will you self-publish through a subsidy publisher and pay your own way?  Will you self-publish on your own?  Will you try to get published through a small press or mid-level publisher?  Are you shooting for the stars and will you try to get in with a larger, traditional publisher? 

Many smaller presses accept unsolicited manuscripts and you don’t need an agent to get you in the door.  Check the Writer’s Market; it is a great resource towards finding a publisher.  I remember the days of paying for postage and the SASE (self-addressed stamped envelope) and snail mailing manuscripts or chapters 1-3 plus a summary out to various publishers.  I’m glad those days are over and you can submit online now (of course there are still some exceptions).  If you want more details on this, just email me.

If you chose an agent, you will need to obviously pay this person.  Some of them get paid only if they get you a publishing contract and others want money upfront.  I signed with an agent once, but I was stuck for six months and could not simultaneous submit my manuscript to publishers while their agency had it; and they never got my manuscript sold anyway.  I like to work on my own, so I don’t have an agent right now.  Once I make the bestseller list, I’m sure I’ll get an agent for promotion, then.  Lol!!     

Never Ever Give Up

If becoming a published author is truly your dream, then don’t ever let anything pull you down.  I received many rejection letters before I signed my first contract.  If you want to become a published author, it will take hard work and discipline, but also determination.  Keep the hope alive!

“It is by sitting down to write every morning that one becomes a writer. Those who do not do this remain amateur.” (Gerald Brenan)

“I write when I’m inspired and I see to it that I’m inspired at 9 o’clock every morning.” (Peter DeVries)

Now, for the record, I slack off many days and don’t always keep up with my newest WIP. As I mentioned, daily tasks, the day job, family and other things continually vie for my attention. It takes discipline to flex the writing muscle each day so let’s talk about some ways to make that happen.

1. Set goals. There are three types of goals—immediate, short-term and long-term. Once you figure out exactly where you want to be, the journey towards getting there becomes a little bit easier.
2. Make a decision. Decide to write each day—even if you only write in your journal, you need to flex your writing muscle every day. It’s how you grow as a writer and you don’t allow your skills to get stale.
3. Be Flexible & prepared. Obviously, there will be days that you don’t accomplish each writing goal that you set out to finish. Be open to stretching those writing muscles so you don’t pull a muscle by too much rigidity in your mindset—not allowing for failure. Forgive yourself when you don’t reach your goals, but then get your but back in gear for a new start the next day.
4. Deflect distractions. True, we won’t be able to rid ourselves of all distractions—unless of course, we decide to get stranded on a deserted island and write all day long…and even then, I think we’d find a way to distract ourselves! Set a specific time during the day where you can write and not be interrupted. If you write better in the morning, pick that time or in the evening etc., whatever works well for you.
5. Welcome accountability. This is the one factor that we may not like—however, it will most likely help us the most in our quest to finish the next great novel. Find an accountability partner. Maybe it will be your spouse or best friend or fellow writing buddy. Whoever it is, you need to find someone that you trust to be patient with you, but also give you that push you may need to get back on track.
6. Re-evaluate the plan. Don’t be afraid to reassess the situation—think of it as a necessary evil. Not many people like to get tested on performance, but if you truly want to succeed, you need to always be open to evaluating your progress. This process is hard for me, but I’ve learned to take a step back and assess the situation.
7. Regroup & continue. Once you’ve assessed the situation and realized what’s working and what isn’t, take a breather and then get back to work. Just as with exercise, when you stop for a while, it’s more difficult to get into the routine again—but once you get back on track, you feel rejuvenating and energized with your progress. If you’re flexible and ready to work hard, you’ll figure out your own rhythm and what works best for you.

Currently, I’m enjoying the release of my newest book, Bella Lucia, and I’m busy making the rounds in my blog tour; however, I need to remember to take my own advice and continue to flex the writing muscle each day. I’d love to hear your thoughts and what steps you’ve found helpful in your own writing career.