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Category: WordSowers Blog

You hear it in any book you pick up on writing. Show, don’t tell.
The visual picture you want to leave with people applies to so much more that writing. How does it go? I’d rather watch a sermon than hear one any day.
Believe it or not, showing instead of telling applies to marketing as well.
More than book signings and making sure stores carry your book, marketing is about building an audience to hear what you have to say. You have to woo the people you want to reach. Show your audience (don’t just tell them) why they should listen to you.
Don’t just talk about what you’re going to do, do it. Get your message out there for them to see.
“But I don’t have a book out yet.”
If you have your sights set on publication, the wooing of your audience starts now. Wherever your NOW is in the timeline of writing to publication. There are many days I wish I had a jump start on the marketing. Before the contract.
If it feels a bit overwhelming to consider all that is involved in the wooing process, just take it one step at a time.
A good place to START is building a blog. Before you get into the thick of a book release is a great time to fine tune your voice and your focus. So jump in with both feet.
Here are 5 tips for starting a blog:
  • Be willing to learn from successful bloggers.
  • Provide quality content.
  • Post when and how often you promise your readers.
  • Keep it simple. You don’t have to write long involved posts to be effective(no term papers please).
  • Always give a takeaway.
  • And remember to show. Pictures are a great way to create interest and bring in traffic.
I could go on, but I want to hear from you. What have you learned about the wonderful world of blogging on the way to getting your voice heard? Or maybe you have a favorite link to someone you are learning from.
Feel free to jump in and help me build my list.
And have a wonderful blessed day!
Techniques best-selling western novelist Stephen Bly uses when his stories are dragging:
  1. Shoot someone.
  2. Introduce an obnoxious character.  Choose the person who would annoy your character the most?
  3. Go to the quirk (a quirk in a character).
  4. Lose something. Your adrenaline flows when you lose something.
  5. Embarrass your protagonist. What’s the most embarrassing thing that could happen?
  6. Have protagonist kiss the wrong person.
  7. Put your protagonist in a hopeless situation. Then get him out of it.
  8. Have someone crucial to the plot disappear.
  9. Start a rumor about your protagonist. Go to the attic.
  10. Uncover something mysterious about the past.
Check out Stephen’s books and ministry at at Bly books. He also has a fun book for writers. Check it out.
Still Lionhearted, Kat
While visiting my daughter in Medford, Oregon, I called a writer friend in Eugene. She said, “Call Sandy. She’s the director of Oregon Christian Writers Conference this year.”
After talking with Sandy about my great novel in process, she said, “You need to buy the book Story.” I returned to Omaha and bought the book. I read it once and have browsed through it many times.
“Story: Substance, Structure, Style and The Principles of Screenwriting” by Robert McKee, is one of those books I recommend for every author. It’s a thick book full of practical tidbits for fiction, non-fiction or screenwriting.
At Word Sowers May meeting, Matt Meyer will present materials he has gleaned from the book, “Story.” If you don’t have a copy yet, you might want to buy one.
Kat, Still Lionhearted
What if your characters aren’t characters at all—after all, we all know “Veggie Tales,” where vegetables talk. The next time you open a closet listen to what your shoes are saying to you. Or maybe it’s the coat you haven’t worn since last season. Possibly something speaks from the far reaches of your closet. Does your item have a name? Can the dialogue show age, race or gender?
And I’m still writing non-fiction, but the exercise reminds me of the puppet scripts I wrote for years ago. Everything from a tennis racket to a mop carried on vivid conversations and taught scripture, too.

Still lionhearted, Kat

“Save the drama for your mama,” a four-year-old said. Funny how that bit of dialogue can conjure up all kinds of pictures in our minds.
Think back to a dramatic event in your life—usually drama is the serious stuff. When you focus on that scene, what dialogue comes to your mind? Don’t think too hard and of course, don’t edit—write the words. Powerful, vivid or melodramatic.
Look forward to our discussion on dialogue April 5th. Even if you haven’t written anything about dialogue, come join the fun.
Still lionhearted, Kat

Have you ever used dialogue to reveal a secret—the internal dialogue of one person in a room with several others? How do you keep the reader in tune with the other characters in the room while exposing your hidden past?

Try it. Write. Don’t edit. Structure two or three paragraphs—maybe they’ll even trigger a best seller.

Kat, Still Lionhearted

When you are writing age-related dialogue, how do you show the generational differences? Today someone asked a group, “Do you say come to supper or do you say come to dinner?”

For the next few days listen to those around you. Eavesdrop. What dialogue is distinctly mother, teen or grandmother related?

Bring your ideas to the next WordSowers meeting April 5th.

Still Lionhearted, Kat

Someone said a singer must “paint a word picture with a song.” I believe every author must commit to creating a life changing story in every publication—whether how to, news article, or a novel. Commit your work to the Lord and He will add the power punch to lead others to heaven.

Challenge: When you walk through the grocery store the next time, notice the smells, the noise, the laughter, or the couple arguing. Pay attention to the cell phone chatter beside you. Talk to the clerk. Not just “Hello, I have coupons,” but converse with the one behind the counter.

When you leave the store process the adventure with all five senses.

Still Lionhearted, Kat

Stephen King described his early office—a desk in the laundry room. In 2003 I figured if King could make it work, so could I.

Although compact, our laundry ala office, serves the purpose. I moved into this space when widow-hood threatened. My caregiver role demanded I be where I could hear the needs of my husband in the family room next door—far enough to hear his needs and also process my inner thoughts.

Organization has never been my strong point, but I do try. I blame my messy desk on time constraints and the lack of space, but the truth is, given the ideal cubicle with lateral files and bookshelves, most likely I’d still have a million pieces of paper across my desk.

When my dear sweet husband beat the rare cancer, he helped move my office to a small bedroom upstairs. I’ve ten times the room, 4 drawer files, 2 drawer files, 2 large bookshelves and you still can’t see the top of my desk. Paper is important to me.

What did I learn?

  • I’m an author. I write. Sometimes I use a yellow pad and sit on the porch.
  • Sometimes I pack a steno pad and compose in the car.
  • Once in awhile I write a story during the sermon. (Confession is good, right?)
  • I write on toilet paper, napkins, sticky notes and scraps of envelopes.
  • There are steno pads all over my house, but never one at my fingertips when inspiration hits me.

God has given me a passion to share His message—regardless the office space.

Where is your office space—neat or not so neat?
Still Lionhearted, Kat

Years ago when I wrote “Sunshine and Smiles,” a column for the local newspaper, I packed a steno pad with me everywhere—yes, everywhere. Inspiration hit me all times of the day and night and sometimes in odd situations.

One day husband, Young Son and I drove north of our small burg where I clipped my nails and watched the fellows ride go-carts. The guys were excited about the speed, the noise, and who could beat whom. Me, I watched an ant carry a piece of fingernail from one side of the road to the other.

That ant moving a nail twice his size became the inspiration for the weekly article, a couple of husband’s sermons and a motivation for the youth group.

Where did you find your latest article topic?

Thoughts from Lionhearted Kat

At the end of my writing week, I enjoy chewing over my accomplishments. When I receive notification of an acceptance, excitement bubbles through my veins. When I see the printed article that might have a thousand readers, I’m amazed.

The question is: “Why do I continue to write?”

  • What is my drive, the passion, the motivation?
  • Why do I continue to write? Is it for money?
  • Is it for applause? See me, see what I can do?

Obviously the big money isn’t the answer for me. Applause—no, I like kudo’s, but more than that is the drive to help others.

But what about you?

Ask yourself these questions:

  • How do you find incentive to write for others?
  • What is the reason you schedule time to write?
  • When you write, are you engrossed and excited?

Write a paragraph in response and post it in the comment section.

Thoughts from Lionhearted Kat

“My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king;
My tongue is the pen of a skillful writer.” Psalm 45:1

Do not expect the customer service rep to think OUTSIDE THE CUP.

When I received notice an anthology, “Cup of Comfort Devotional for Mothers,” with articles from Audrey and me, was ready to ship, I started calling bookstores and churches. I learned right away it’s easier if there are two smiling salesladies at the table to autograph.

My author friend Audrey and I arranged several book events together. Audrey brought the candies, “Hugs and Kisses.” We stood at a table right inside the door pedaling books and of course, free candies. I’m not sure if our smiles or the candies got more attention, but we did sell books and we built a good relationship with the sales staff.

At the close of the signing a customer service rep thanked us and said, “We’ll sell all of these before Mother’s Day. Easy sell.”

“But this book isn’t just for Mother’s Day,” I said. “This is a book for the year. I’m holding tea parties this summer and I’m promoting Coffee Capers. You know a time when you have a great book event, invite people to learn about the mystery of being an author—Audrey and I can share our story…” I kept talking and talked her into another book event later in the summer.

Lesson learned: Teach the customer service rep how to market beyond the title, beyond the promo pitch, beyond that particular book.

Still Lionhearted, Kat