Body language and dialogue play equal roles in communication. Sign language interpreters are engaging and expressive. While their hands sculpt meaning for the hearing impaired, their facial expressions drive home the emotional tenor. As a public official reads from a prepared disaster statement in calm tones, the interpreter punctuates the message with sharp movements and facial expressions that convey the true seriousness of the situation. Body Language When writing dialogue, channel the sign language interpreter. Have your characters jab with intensity and sway as if buffeted by hurricane force winds. Display emotion not only in facial expression, but with shoulders, posture, gaze. Imagine you are observing your character from across…
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Find Fat Quarters
Find Fat Quarters: A Patchwork of Stories for Quilters at local bookstores or online. It’s my flash collection of quilt-themed stories. It launched in May, I did an out-of-state reading in June, followed by a July book signing in Sisters, Oregon. I wrapped up my summer promotional efforts in August in Bend at a local author Saturday event. Herringbone Herringbone Books in Redmond, Oregon carries Fat Quarters: A Patchwork of Stories for Quilters. Look for it in the local author section just to the right as you enter the store. Owner Brandon Weimer supports local authors by stocking their books and hosting author events and book signings. In addition to…
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Self-Promotion
Self-promotion comes naturally to those raised on Instagram, YouTube, FaceBook and other social media platforms. However, if you are a pre-millennial like me, you may find it hard to toot your own horn. Did I just date myself with that expression? Whether you are just starting to pitch your work or are a published author (indie or traditional), self-promotion will help build your resume. What do I mean? Resumes typically list skills, experience, and training or education with the goal of securing work. In order to get published, a writer needs an editor to notice their work. First, of course you need to have a strong grasp on writing skills…
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Summer Events
This summer has been full of events for me. In May, I launched FAT QUARTERS: A Patchwork of Stories for Quilters at the Redmond Senior Center. This coming Saturday, June 29, I will be reading my flash fiction, Escape al Otro Lado, in Tempe Arizona for little somethings press On Saturday July 13, I’ll be signing books at the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show. Look for me at Paulina Springs Books on Hood Avenue. I’m excited to announce I’ve been asked to participate in Local Author Saturday on August 17, at Roundabout Books in Bend Oregon. Click on the links above for detailed information. I hope you will join me at…
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Five W’s of Press Releases
Press releases answer five questions: who, what, when, where, and why. Answering these five questions will help spread the word to your target audience about your event or product in an efficient, affordable manner. Who Anyone with an event or product to promote should use a press release. Hosting a 100-year birthday party for your favorite aunt? Running an auction to raise funds for the local food bank? Promoting your new book? Start with a press release to get the word out. What A press release is a statement to the media to promote an event or product. Nowadays the media landscape includes everything from print to digital media. Digital…
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Houses and Imprints
Traditional publishing houses and imprints are today’s topic. The best analogy I can think of is a grocery store. Stay with me. The store represents the publishing house and the different departments or aisles represent the imprints. Houses Let’s dig a little deeper. Traditional publishers are made up of big, medium, and small size houses. So, the Big Five compare to big box supermarkets like Costco and Sams serving large and varied populations. Mid-size houses would be like Krogers and Safeway, well-stocked with a variety of products including ethnic foods and often offering locally produced items. Small-size houses would be your Mom and Pop corner stores catering to the needs…
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Publishing Overview
In today’s post I will give you a publishing overview. Let’s say you’ve written the next great American novel. You’ve shared it with a critique group, applied feedback from beta readers, and had it professionally edited. What’s next? This publishing overview post will introduce three kinds of publishing: traditional, hybrid, and indie (formerly known as self-publishing). Traditional Publishers Traditional publishers are businesses that procure, produce, and promote written work. They have a team of experts for everything from cover design and editing to marketing and distribution. Most traditional publishers work with literary agents who pitch manuscripts that fit a particular publisher’s needs. The author signs a contract with the publisher…
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Choose Your Words
Word choice can make or break a piece of writing. When you find the perfect words, they will convey the exact tone, expertise, and information you want your reader to have. Tone Word choice can set a serious or humorous tone. Consider the following: Ricky puffed out his chest and flexed his arms Ricky thrust his chest forward and struck a strongman pose The first example shows preening where the second paints a humorous caricature. A tear slid down her cheek A tear coursed down her cheek One is a trickle the other a torrent. Or consider Spoiled children Spoiled brats Two distinctly different vibes emerge by…
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Create a Board Book
Create a board book for that special infant or toddler on your gift list. Board books are typically concept books with a single theme: family, animals, vehicles, toys. Usually, one page will have an illustration or photo and the facing page will have limited text-sometimes a single word. With durable pages and personalized content, board books are sure to be read and reread. Choose a Recipient I’m a long-distance Grammy. To create a board book for my new grandchild, I focused on photos of family members including those of us who live in a different state. Grammy, Grandpa, and Auntie are featured on two pages each with rhyming text. I…
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Writers Wear Many Hats
With Halloween days away, I’ve been thinking about how writers wear many hats. As children, Halloween is an excuse to slip into another skin. If you dream of being a firefighter, it’s perfectly acceptable to portray yourself as one. Likewise, if you have an obsession with Freddy Krueger, no one will bat an eye if you don a fedora and strap on some wicked fingernails. Costuming How does this apply to writers? Well, unless you are a memoirist or nonfiction writer, you make stuff up. You create firefighters or Kruegeresque characters with nothing more than a vivid imagination and a keyboard. Feel like writing a character who works at a…
