The Benefits of Journaling for Writers

 

There's nothing like a brand new notebook to get a writer's heart pumping. Unless it's a brand new top-of-the-range MacBook of course. However, even the most expensive notebook is considerably cheaper than that. Writers love notebooks. They love buying notebooks. Then, they decide the notebook is far too nice to write in, and they buy another notebook. And, so it goes. Piles of notebooks and not a jot of writing done. My blog today is to exhort you to crack open that brand new notebook and actually do some writing on those pristine pages. 

Why am I encouraging you to do this - because I am talking about journaling in today's post. In order to embrace journalling, you actually need to write something. Or draw something. Or past something. You get my drift. 

What is Journaling?

It is simply, the practice of writing, without pressure, on a regular basis. 

Why Journal?

Why am I encouraging you to journal? The benefits are both well known and numerous. 

• Improves brain power.

• Improves mood. 

• Improves memory.

• Aids focus. 

• Reduces stress.

• Record day to day events. These may come in useful in your current or future WIP.

• Gets you writing every day.

• To practice stream of consciousness writing.

• Opens up the brain to new ideas.

• Declutters the brain.

• Write without pressure.

• Motivation.

• Practice new or different writing techniques.

• Increases your daily word count as you will be more likely to write

In order to get started, I would suggest you pick a time you will journal each day. Open a notebook and pick up a pen and spend fifteen minutes writing, on any topic which comes to mind. Do this for a week and see how your writing has changed over that time. You will be surprised at how far you've come. 

Now, my Bookaholic friends, if you'll excuse me I'm off to buy another notebook ready for tomorrows writing session. See you soon and until then, keep on reading and keep on writing. 

Constructing a Platform that Works

One for the writers amongst us today. This is a fabulous opportunity to get free advice from an industry expert on how to develop and expand your author platform. 

For the last few months I have been following Amy Collins and listening to her advice to authors. I have been impressed by her focus on giving authors the actual tools that they need to market and sell their books. With so many options out there, have you ever wondered what works and what doesn’t? Do you know what best-selling authors are they doing to get their books on the bestseller lists? What is their secret? 

The answer is, in one simple little word: PLATFORM.

On Sept 10, I am hosting Amy on a free webinar class where she will show you step-by-step how to successfully construct a platform that works for you. During the session, Amy will teach on the following topics:

•          Establishing platform-building habits that only take a few minutes a day

•          Setting up your author's press and interviews

•          Getting reviews

•          Taking advantage of social media

•          Putting your fellow authors and readers to work for you

In essence, platform is the relationship you build with your readers over a lifetime. And platform is what separates truly successful authors from merely talented ones. Join Amy and I on Tuesday to get a road map on how to get that platform and the sales that result.

To register for the online web class or to get the invitation to the replay that will be hosted after, Go To: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/3249143023256353293?source=wendy

Amy Collins

Amy Collins is the founder of Bestseller Builders and president of New Shelves Books. Collins is a trusted expert, speaker,and recommended sales consultant for some of the largest book and library retailers and wholesalers in the publishing industry.She is a USA TODAY and WALL STREET JOURNAL bestselling author and in the last 20 years, Amy and her team have sold over 40 Million books into the bookstore, library, and Chain store market for small and midsized publishers.She is a columnist for and a board member of several publishing organizations and a trusted teacher in the world of independent publishers.

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Wendy H. Jones

Wendy H. Jones is the best selling author of the award winning DI Shona McKenzie Mysteries, Cass Claymore Investigates, the Fergus and Flora Mysteries and Bertie the Buffalo children's picture book. She has also published two successful books for authors, Power Packed Book Marketing and Motivation Matters. As an international speaker, she regularly speaks about writing and marketing. 

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It's Big, It's Bold, It's ScotsWrite17

As an author I am a member of the Society of Authors, an organisation which works to support the interests of British Authors. As a Scot, I am honoured to be part of the committee of the Scottish branch, The Society of Authors in Scotland. 

As a writer I know the importance of investing in my career, and I take every opportunity to develop my writing, and marketing, skills. Therefore, today I bring you news of the ScotsWrite Conference. I am very excited about being on the organising committee for this. The lineup of speakers is phenomenal and I am very much looking forward to hearing them. I mean, who could resist hearing Joanne Harris, Joanna Penn and Jane Johnson. Speakers with names beginning with Letters other than J, will be available. 

With four strands there is something for everyone. These cover everything an author needs, and then some. They are:

• Passion and Mission: What you love (your passion and dreams; finding ideas; identifying your audience; telling the story your way)
• Mission and vocation: What the world needs and what you need (your well-being as a writer; the role of writers in education; fostering creativity and imagination for a healthy society; the power of words; forging cultural links through translation; how to use technology)
• Vocation and Profession: What you can be paid for (how to get paid – properly; understanding markets and marketing; what are your assets and how to safeguard them)
• Profession and Passion: What you are good at (empowering yourself as a writer; diversifying your skills; building your professional reputation)

The programme will be launched on Facebook, Thursday, 15th June at 7 pm. You can join us here

There are affiliate rates for many organisations including, but not limited to, Scottish Association of Writers and Association of Christian Writers. The early bird rate ends 22nd June, so make sure you book before then to get a great rate. Being Scottish, I wouldn't want anyone to miss out on a bargain. The spaces re filling up fast, with delegates coming from as far away as Canada. 

One last thing, did I mention there will be a Ceilidh. What's not to like?

You can find out more about the conference, and book your place, by clicking on the link below. I'm looking forward to meeting you there.

ScotsWrite Conference 2107

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Wendy H. Jones is the author of the best selling DI Shona McKenzie Mystery series of crime novels set in Dundee. Killer's Crew, the fifth booking the series was released in November, 2016. Dagger's Curse, the first book in her Fergus and Flora, Young Adult Mystery series was released on 10th September, 2016. She also has one non fiction book, Power Packed Book Marketing: Sell More Books.

Step Out of Your Comfort Zone

Good morning Bookaholics and my fellow writers. I've been thinking a lot lately about taking a step out of your comfort zone. I've always been an adventurous person. This led me to joining both the Royal Navy and the Army, and I've travelled all over the world. I definitely took a step out of my comfort zone when I moved back to Scotland and took up writing full time. I'm definitely a grab life by the horns and make the most of every minute type of girl. 

However, when it comes to reading I had settled into a steady diet of crime books. Don't get me wrong, I love crime books, and read widely within that genre. Not only do I read every sub genre of crime I also read books by authors local, national and international. Great stuff but a little limiting for an author. This is what got me thinking about stepping outside my comfort zone. All the advice for writers is that they should read widely, both in and out of their chosen genre. So that is what I have decided to do. Never one to be phased by a challenge I have chosen a couple of books to get me started. The first is The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt. The second is The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton

                   

As you can see I don't do things by half. If you want to know more about either of these books you can take a look by clicking on the image. My interest in The Goldfinch came about by my seeing the painting in The National Galleries in Edinburgh. It was on loan from the museum in The Netherlands and as I was there for a meeting I dropped in to have a look. I then bought the book from the gift shop  and left with a souvenir and new reading material. The Miniaturist was bought because I'd heard good things about it and the cover took my fancy. Yes, the cover really is important.

One other way in which I am trying to step out of my comfort zone is by writing short stories. I am not a natural short story writer but I have had some published in anthologies. As the chair of Angus Writers Circle I set a writing exercise each time we meet. Members take this home and write a 500 word piece of prose or a 40 line poem based on the the theme. As a member this encourages me to step out of my comfort zone and develop my writing further. 

Reading a wide variety of genres can also help you as a writer. It helps to open your mind to new ideas and gives your brain space to think. It can also help you to develop a richness of language by exposing you to new words and phrases and new ways of expressing yourself. It can also serve to broaden the book you are writing and make certain aspects more authentic. Let me give you an example. I am a crime writer but to make my book realistic I need to address the real lives of the main characters. There are elements of romance. I feel I cannot make these scenes realistic without reading some romance books. 

My challenge to you today, whether you are a reader or a writer, is to do something different. How can you step out of your comfort zone and in what ways will it change you?

Have a great week Bookaholics. Go and find a book you wouldn't normally choose, grab yourself a drink, curl up in your favourite chair and settle down to enjoy your book. If you are reading something different share in the comments and we might all discover some great new books. See you all back here soon. 

The First Year as a Published Author

It's Christmas day and 2015 is fast coming to an end. This is a time when thoughts turn to the year past and what the new year will bring. Today's blog will be given over to introspection, a review of what has been, and a taste of what is yet to come. 

I cannot believe that a year has gone by since Killer's Countdown was published. Only one year since I put my first book out into the world and waited to see what would happen. Would anyone like the book? Would I find readers? I am told all authors feel like this, not only with the first book, but with subsequent books. I am pleased to report that Killer's Countdown was more than warmly received and is selling well. 

Since the first book came out I have published a further two in the series, Killer's Craft and Killer's Cross. Readers have taken DI Shona McKenzie to their heart and the books are flying off the shelves, in both the physical and digital sense. It has been a whirlwind year of book launches, signings and talks. I consider it a privilege to meet readers and to talk to them about both my books and writing. I have appeared in many guises and there has been a lot of fun and laughter along the way. Signings have taken place in cafes, restaurants, shopping centres, craft shops, fairs, Waterstones bookshops and CLC bookshops. I've given talks in libraries from Dundee to London, at conferences and in village halls. Also at the three book launches in Waterstones Dundee. Again I consider all this to be a privilege and I feel blessed. All three books have been bestsellers on Amazon and in bookstores. As an author I cannot describe the giddy feeling that this brings. I certainly didn't imagine that at the beginning of the year.

So what of 2016. I am looking forward to what the new year will bring. I will be ushering it in with a free book which will be available on my website - http://www.wendyhjones.com and on this blog. For those of you who are fans of Shona you will understand why it is called DI Shona McKenzie's Guide to Killing Your Boss. For those of you who haven't yet met her this is your chance. This will be the only book in the series which will be free, so it is well worth downloading. As a little taste here is the first reveal of the cover.

It seems fitting as a writer to start a new year with a new book. However, the fourth book in the DI Shona McKenzie Mysteries is well on it's way. I am hoping it will be released in April. You will find out more on this blog in due course. I am also working on a book on Marketing and Promotion which will be released in March. It's a busy time, and I couldn't be happier. Knowing that I am writing books that others enjoy is a heady feeling. Being a writer is a blast.

I hope you my Bookaholic friends have had a fabulous Christmas and that your stockings were stuffed with lots of lovely books. May your new year bring you joy, peace and happiness. If you are a writer I wish you all the very best with your writing and your books. Thank you all for spending the last year with me and supporting me every step of the way. I look forward to spending the next year with you on a myriad of adventures. 

So you Want to Host a Podcast: Part 1 - Lessons Learned

By Andrew Chamberlain


Just over two years ago I realised that there was a gap in the range of podcasts available to writers. There were some great podcasts out there, like “Writing Excuses” and “The Creative Penn”, but I couldn’t find anything that offered practical, applicable advice.

So I decided to start a podcast myself. I reasoned that if I was going to find out more about the craft for myself, I might as well share it with others.

And so “The Creative Writer’s Toolbelt” (CWT) was born. The podcast is a mix of short, fifteen minute episodes that explore different facets of creative writing, and longer interviews with writers and editors. Two years and fifty episodes later I’m still producing one podcast a fortnight, but I’ve also learnt some lessons.

First, I have realised that there are three essential “C’s” to podcasting, these are:

- Content

- Consistency, and

- Capturing an audience

You’ll notice that none of these directly relate to the technical challenges of podcasting. Those challenges are real, but you can overcome them. The real key to podcasting success is to get those “C’s” right. Here’s how I try to do that.

Content

I’ve learnt that if you want to host a podcast, you have to work out why you want to say something before you work out what you want to say. I wanted to create the kind of podcast that I’d find helpful as a writer. I had to work that out first before I decided what I was going to say.

I’ve also learnt that I need to present the best content possible. That means doing the research, thinking for the audience, and presenting the material in an engaging and clear fashion so that they’ll keep coming back for more.

Consistency

From the beginning I realised that I needed to keep up a regular output of material. I chose to create one episode every fortnight. On one occasion I decided to give myself a fortnight off, but when I came back after a month with a new episode my download figures had slumped. It can sometimes be hard work but consistent output is essential.

Consistency also applies to the sound quality of your work. I am sure that I lost some listeners in the early days because they were not satisfied with the sound quality. Fortunately, some of them liked the content enough that they were prepared to tell me they weren’t satisfied – bless them! That’s when I invested in a new podcasting microphone.

Capturing an audience
We all know that it’s not enough to write a book, as the author we have to invest in marketing and selling it. The same thing is true with a podcast. The challenge with podcast marketing is that there are so many ways to do this. Here are some of the things I’d recommend:

- Give each podcast a snappy and compelling title, it does attract more downloads

- If you have a website, set up a page on it to tell people about your podcast. If you don’t have a website, consider setting up a blog on something like Blogpress, or blogger.

- Start a Facebook page and a Google+ page for your podcast and link episodes to it regularly

- Start a group on Goodreads (goodreads.com)and invite people to join this

- Start a twitter account and comment on your episodes when they come out

Finally, remember that podcasting is a marathon not a sprint. Focus on the three C’s, and try to maintain the standard of what you are doing in terms of the audio quality and content. Good luck!


Andrew Chamberlain (www.andrewjchamberlain.com) is a writer and creative writing tutor. He is the host of “The Creative Writer’s Toolbelt”, a podcast that gives practical, accessible advice as well as occasional interviews with writers, editors, and other artists. You can reach the podcast on iTunes here.

Research for Writers

In day two of my blogging challenge I am looking at research for writers. I am sure that all writers would agree that research is crucial in informing their writing. I would venture to say this is true in all genres, even in Fantasy. Not being a fantasy writer I can't actually comment on that, however, as a crime writer I think research can often be key. This is not just for ensuring accuracy but also as ideas for future plots. The most unlikely things can make a crime writer's mind go in seriously deranged directions. 

I am currently in London and when I discovered that there was a Crime Museum Exhibition at the Museum of London, I had to go. This is a temporary exhibition so I paid my money and took my chance. What a fabulous couple of hours. The museum is packed with evidence from crimes throughout the history of the Met Police, as well as other artefacts I never even knew existed. How about Death Masks from offenders hanged outside Newgate Prison. The earliest one I could see was that of James Greenacre aged 42. He was known as the Edgware Road Murderer and was hanged on 2nd May 1837 for the murder of his fiancee, Hannah Brown aged 47. I'm never going to stroll up the Edgware Road in quite the same way again. 

An older case, but no death mask on display was that of Henry Fauntleroy in 1824. He was the last man to be hanged in Britain for Forgery. Another interesting facet of this case is that he was a partner in the bank from which he stole the money. He admitted guilt but his defence rested on the fact he said he did it for the good of the bank. Funnily enough they didn't believe him. He was hanged outside Newgate Prison in front of a crowd of 100,000 spectators. That's some audience. 

Exhibits include The Kray's Briefcase and a stocking mask which literally is made from the top of a stocking. There are outlines of numerous real cases with the artefacts from these cases displayed alongside them. The most modern exhibits are those from acts of terrorism including the 7/7 bombings. This certainly makes you think about the fragility of human life. It is fascinating in a macabre sort of way. 

As a writer, research can come in many different guises. It is worth looking to see if there is anything you can do which will help you with your writing. My day out has certainly helped me. Look around and see if there is anything different you can do that will help you. It is so much fun being an author so make the most of it. 

There we are for day two my Bookaholic friends. See you back here tomorrow for the next blog in the challenge. Until then keep reading and writing. 

An Author's Thoughts Revealed

It has been a bit of a busy time for me recently. Book two in the DI Shona McKenzie Mysteries is finished and I am waiting for the proof copy to turn up. I am reliably informed it will be here today. This means I can't settle and my thoughts are all over the place. There is still much to do before the launch which still seems so far away. Yet it is less than five weeks. The launch will be held in Waterstones, Dundee on 20th July at 6.30 pm. I'm excited beyond belief, and very much looking forward to the event. So I am sure you can understand why my thoughts are erratic. 

Whilst I am writing this blog, and doing anything else in fact, all I can think about is the postman arriving. Only a writer will understand what it means to hold the first copy of a new book in my hands. This is a time of magic. It belongs to me, and all those months and years of hard work have come to fruition. For five weeks I can hold it in my hand. There is still time to nurture it and make changes. However, in five weeks it will be set free and into the hands of the reading public. All authors know that this is an anxious time. Will readers enjoy the book is what fills my thoughts on launch day. 

So, today, I am finding it difficult to settle. I am finding it difficult to concentrate. What does an author do in such circumstances? Why read a book of course. In order to be an author, you first need to be a reader. My love of reading is up there with that of my writing. I have bookcases full of books which I have not yet read. I can savour the glorious feeling of anticipation as I choose the perfect book. I will then grab a cup of tea, a chocolate biscuit and sit down with the book. It will occupy my mind and hold me in its grip. It will stop me thinking about the postman's arrival.

What's that you say? What have I chosen? That my friends will remain a mystery until next time. See you all back here soon with a review of my chosen book. 

In the meantime I will leave you with a picture of the cover of book two in the DI Shona McKenzie Mysteries. If you haven't yet read book one you can get it from the links on the right hand side of the blog. By for now, and keep reading. 

Blogging for Writers

I have been doing a lot of blogging lately and that has got me thinking about why I spend my time blogging as a writer. It takes up a lot of time, and let's face it, wouldn't this time be better spent on writing my latest blockbuster crime book? So why do I blog as a writer?

Recently I gave a talk, and ran a workshop on blogging. I came up with the following reasons why blogging is important to writers. I am sure there are many more

• Promotes a regular habit of writing
• Can help to focus ideas
• Makes the writer think about their writing
• You will be come a better writer
• Paying it forward
• Sharing ideas
• Supporting other authors
• Book reviews
• Hosting
• Interviews
• Engage with readers
• Develop an area of expertise
• Promotion and Marketing
• It gets your name know within writing circles

Blogging is so much more than writing posts. It is also about reading, and commenting on other people's blogs. I read a lot of writers blogs and have learned a lot from doing so. Leaving relevant comments on other authors blogs is a good way to get known and to engage in the writing community. I say relevant as there are a lot of people out there who do nothing but spam blogs. This is not really the way you want to get known.

Now you are probably wondering why it says blogging tips at the top of the blog and not a tip in site. I am a regular contributor on the Authors Electric Blog for which I wrote a Top Ten Tips for Authors post. You can read it by clicking here

I contribute to the following blogs on a regular basis:

More Than Writers The blog of the Association of Christian Writers

Do Authors Dream of Electric Books A collection of Indie Authors who talk about books and all things writing

Around the World of Inspired Fiction Mainly reviews of Christian fiction

And of course the one you are reading now my very own Bookaholic 

I am going to finish with an excellent resource for all those writers who blog. This is a book called Novel Blogging: A Writers Guide to Blogging. You can buy by clicking on the link below. 

If you buy the book through this link I will be given a few pence payment through Amazon Affiliates. You do not have to buy this way and can go direct to Amazon.

That is it for another week my bookaholic friends. See you all back here soon. Until then keep reading, writing and blogging.

Interview with Phillip S. Davies - Children's Writer

Today we welcome Philip S. Davies to bookaholics. Welcome Phillip, thank you for joining us. It is a real pleasure to have you here with us today.

I am sure the readers would love to hear a bit about you. Could you start by telling us a little bit about yourself?

I’m a Brummie lad, and still support Birmingham City Football Club, but have lived in far too many places around the UK since then. I’m the youngest of five siblings, but only twenty minutes younger than my identical twin brother. And yes, we’ve played twin tricks on our family and friends. I’ve been happily married to Ann for twenty years, and we have two children, Mark (12) and Rachel (9).

You came to writing via a bit of a different route. What gave you the impetus to change careers to become a writer?

Between 1997 and 2012 I was a Vicar in the Church of England, and noticed the absence of young people from most churches. So what were they doing, these older children, teenagers and young adults? They were at school, on social media, watching films and television, and (some of them) reading books. I began to read some of the grim, dark and tragic stories being published in teenage fiction today, and saw the dividing lines from adult fiction being blurred in terms of violence, sex and bad language. I could sit and complain about this, or I could do something about it, by writing more wholesome, uplifting stories of my own. So I began to write.

Is there a particular place, which is important in your book? If so can you tell us something about it?

One key scene takes place in a desert canyon. I wrote it with a particular place in mind: Sabino Canyon in the Santa Catalina Mountains north of Tucson, Arizona. Since my first visit there in 1985, I’ve been back several times, so it’s a clear and vivid location for me.

Are you able to tell us a bit about your first book without giving too much away?

Destiny’s Rebel is a teenage fantasy adventure set in an imaginary medieval world, with castles and kingdoms, swords and sailing ships.

Kat is ten days away from turning eighteen and becoming Queen. And she’s dreading it. She runs away from her responsibilities, only to get captured. When she discovers a threat to her Kingdom, can she return home in time to save her people? And does she even want to, if it means accepting her destiny?

Where did you get the inspiration for the book?

The first idea came in January 2006, when I woke up one morning having had a vivid dream. I could remember it: the main characters, the situation and the world. I made a few notes, and I’m very glad I did, because it was three years later that I started to write it. The main story has remained the same ever since.

When you are not writing what types of books do you read? What would you say was the best book you have ever read?

The advice to novice writers is to start with what you know and love, so it’s no surprise that I love teenage and young adult fantasy. I grew up on Tolkien, so my best ever book would have to be The Lord of the Rings, but I enjoyed also the science fiction of Isaac Asimov and Arthur C Clarke. I try to read across the wide spectrum of current teen fiction, and I’d say the best of these are Suzanne Collins’s The Hunger Games and John Green’s The Fault in our Stars – both deserved bestsellers.

Who would you say was your favourite character in any book you have read?

If I’m allowed to choose two, Gandalf and Frodo! Gandalf is a wizard of immense wisdom and power, but hides it under a shabby and sometimes playful exterior. Frodo is an ordinary hobbit, thrust into the most extraordinary circumstances and responsibility, and finds within himself the courage and resilience to see his task through. Mind you, I also love those characters with uncertain loyalty, such as Smeagol/Gollum and Severus Snape...

Now we are getting personal. What is your favourite food?

Lemon cheesecake flavoured ice cream.

If you could travel to any three countries in the world where would you go?

America, Australia and Canada.

Why these countries?

They’re all English-speaking! Although I speak French, I’m not confident at it. I also love the wide open spaces. Instead of crowds and cities, I prefer the natural beauty of the Grand Canyon, beaches, rainforests, deserts, mountain ranges, lakes, and so on. I love the cultivated greenery of the English countryside, but when I go on holiday I want something different.

If you ever have a day off from writing exciting books what do you like to do in your spare time?

Spare time means family. We go to coffee shops for morning coffee and afternoon tea, and mooch around the second-hand bookshops.

I know you are a Christian. What role does faith play in your book?

My novels are not explicitly Christian, but they do have a spiritual worldview. I enjoy placing moral dilemmas before my characters: what to do with our lives, our priorities, the place of duty, loyalty, friendship, selflessness, ambition, service and so on.

My fantasy world doesn’t have dragons, elves or goblins, so it’s a human story, but there are gods. My characters wrestle with issues of faith, guidance, healing, prayer, power, purpose, and so on. I’m intrigued by destiny, fate or the divine will in my stories, and how much we can choose for ourselves about our lives.

Now that we are all excited about your debut novel, when will it be available to buy?

I’ve finished the final revisions for my publisher, Books to Treasure, and the manuscript is now with the proof-reader and the cover design artist. The book is due to go to the printers in June, for Advance Review Copies to go out in July, and for the release and launch in September 2015.

Thank you Philip. I, and everyone at Bookaholics wish you all the very best with your book. Perhaps you would join us again when your book is published.

See you all back here soon my Bookaholic friends. Until then keep reading. 

Interview with YA Author Annie Try

Today on Bookaholic I am delighted to welcome YA writer Annie Try. Thank you for joining us Annie. I know you have a hectic schedule so I am delighted that you have taken time out to spend some time with us today. Now that you are in the hot seat I have some questions to ask.

I am sure the readers would love to hear about you. Could you start by telling us a little bit about yourself?

Where do I start? I am married to Ken, have five children and many wonderful grandchildren. I live in a large old house in rural Norfolk, which is rather shabbier than shabby chic. I have a rich spiritual life, being on the leadership team for a community church. I work from home, not only writing but also as a clinical psychologist, my main clients being children and young people. Once we had a wonderful peacock called Tarquin strolling around our untidy garden, but alas he left one spring to find love and did not return. We still have my parents’ geriatric bossy cat and our Old English Sheepdog, Maisie, who thinks she’s still a puppy.

I have been writing psychological articles and books (as Angela Hobday) for many years, but only recently turned to fiction.

Your book is about two young adults and how they cope with tragedy. Is the book simply aimed at the YA market or could it be enjoyed by other age groups?

I was inspired to write Losing Face, after attending a seminar on working with children and young adults of unusual appearance. There was very little YA fiction on display – only Benjamin Zephaniah’s book which is about a boy who is hurt in a fire. By the time I arrived home I had the plot all worked out for a girl who has to cope with life after an accident that changes her appearance. When it came to being published, the novel was accepted as general fiction. I’m delighted that adults seem to enjoy it enough to buy it for teens they know.

Characterisation is a strong part of your novel. How do you go about developing the novels?

With Losing Face, I started with the characters and an outline story. I drew huge mind maps working out each main characters likes, dislikes, attitudes, etc. Much of this I didn’t use, but it built the foundation for creating realistic people who almost took the story along on their own. They became so alive for me, that I would say “I must go to see to my girls,” when writing or editing.

As well as characters, many books also give a sense of place. Is place an important part of your book? If so, could you give us a taste of the place in which you are writing. If not what led you to omit this aspect of the story?

Losing Face is set in Ely, but I have been careful to not to highlight the place and only focus on the parts of the City which are important to the story. This keeps the emphasis on the central issues in the book. I worked out a fictional street plan for the girls to reach each other’s houses and the centre of Ely. When the action moves to Cambridge, real shop names are used along with an imagined dress shop similar to one I once visited.

Your book deals very heavily with emotions and friendship. How difficult was it to write about this?

Therapy is all about emotions, so I felt I had a wealth of information to use from working with this age group. The trickiest part was to keep the feelings of the main two characters separate, so that each girl experienced and responded to what was happening in a unique way.

When you are not writing what types of books do you read? What would you say was the best book you have ever read?

I read anything in my search for beautifully constructed sentences, exceptional description or an extraordinary tale. I have just started The Guest Cat by Takashi Hiraide, I learned a huge amount from F.Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby and enjoy YA fiction writers such as Mark Haddon, Louis Sachar and Stephen May. The ‘best book’ contest has joint winners; The Time Traveler’s Wife (Audrey Niffenegger) and The Book Thief (Markus Zusak).

Have you got any more books planned? If so could you give Bookaholic readers a taste of these?

Yes I have three nearing completion:

Dancing in the Dark is the sequel to Losing Face, covering Em’s search to find out about her father. What she discovers has huge implications for her own life.

Out of Silence follows psychologist Mike as he struggles with his own issues whilst working to help an elective mute disclose his traumatic past.

Trying to Fly contains both a mystery and psychology as a recovering agoraphobic endeavours to find the truth about an incident in her childhood, when she witnessed a man die.

I plan a third Cass and Em novel and probably a series of novels about interesting people with extraordinary stories who just happen to see a psychologist named Mike.

Now we are getting personal. What is your favourite food?

That’s easy. My daughter-in-law’s home-made icecream. Rich, creamy and utterly scrummy.

If you ever have a day off from writing books what do you like to do in your spare time?
Dancing, theraping, praying, keeping in touch with family and friends, church activities, playing the cello, encouraging writing groups, planning a holiday (Italy probably). May I have a few more days off than one, please?

I know you are a Christian. What part does this play in your writing? Is your book specifically Christian or aimed at a crossover market?

I would say there is a light Christian thread that runs through the books just because of my faith. I am incredibly aware of the spiritual dimension in people’s lives. That affects my character portrayals although not in an obvious way. I have had Losing Face positively reviewed by non-Christians, so it appears to have met my aim of being accessible to all my readers.

Wow, you really are a busy lady with all those books planned. My mouth is now drooling at the thought of that Ice Cream. I hope you enjoy that holiday to Italy if you ever manage to get some time off. Thank you once again for joining us today and answering the Bookaholic readers questions.

You can buy the book via the following links. Please note Bookaholic will receive a small affiliate payment if you buy the book through these links

      

You can find out more about Annie and her writing in the following links

Website

Blog

Twitter

That's it for another Bookaholic day. I will see you all back here very soon. Until we meet again, keep reading. 

How do Authors Reach out to Readers

I suscribe to author Kristen Lamb's excellent blog and eagerly await each post. Today's blog gave me food for thought. As authors's we are keen to get our work out there and noticed. We use every social media site and join every group in the hope of reaching new readers. As a writer I can identify with this, and understand why authors would act in this way.

However, as Kristen Lamb so very rightly points out, this can often lead to blasting your followers and readers with repeated posts on social media. I have had experience of this when one author posted 42 tweets or retweets one after the other. I kid you not as I counted. Needless to say I no longer follow them. 

The purpose of social media is to reach out to readers and get to know them. The key is in the word social. If we met someone in person would we then talk to them non stop and then walk off without engaging in any conversation. I am sure no one would do this, yet essentially that is what we are doing when we bombard our readers with social media posts without engaging them in conversation. 

I read somewhere that social media marketing should be 90% social and 10% marketing. This sounds about right to me. Let your readers get to know you. I appreciate that some people may not want to put too much out there, however there are ways of engaging in conversation without giving away all the details of your life right down to shoe size and inside leg measurement. How about the following examples from what I am doing now:

• What a gorgeous sunny day in Dundee. I'm in my conservatory writing this and watching the ducks in the stream at the end of my garden
• I really ought to do some weeding. Nah, writing is much more exciting
• Coffee is very definitely a writers best friend. What do you think
• DI Shona McKenzie is swimming in dead bodies. The streets of Dundee are not safe
• Tonight is Chinese night with my 2 oldest friends. Watch out Dundee the women are coming. What are you doing tonight?
• I think my favourite characters in a book, ever, are Jane Rizolli and Maura Isles. Who are your favourite characters?
• The picture at the top of this blog is the view at the end of my garden. Beautiful and perfect for a calm writing environment. What is your perfect writing and/or reading environment?

Just some examples of how you can reach out to readers, seem like a human, and still keep your privacy. If people feel like they know you then they are more likely to respond when you put the occasional post saying:

• So excited about my new book ...  being launched on ...
• I am so full of emotion that my book ...   has reached number 3 in the Amazon top 100

Still no full on marketing but engaging your readers. 

If anyone has any great ideas for engaging readers please let us know in the comments. This is a chance for us to share and help each other as writers.

I would like to thank Kristen lamb for her post Social Media, Book Signings and Why Neither Directly Impact Overall Sales  which was full of advice and inspired this post. This is well worth looking at and Kirsten Lamb is well worth following.

See you all again soon on Bookaholic. This book writing bookaholic is signing off and leaving you to read a good book. 

Crime Writing Tips from Leigh Russell

Reviewed by Wendy H. Jones

Today on Bookaholic I am honoured to welcome crime writer Leigh Russell to the blog. Leigh, the author of the DI Geraldine Steel Mysteries, has very kindly agreed to give us some crime writing tips. I am also excited to have been given a copy of Fatal Act to review.

My Crime Writing Tips

As well as writing a bestselling series of crime novels, I teach creative writing for the Society of Authors in London, and for the Writers Lab on an idyllic Greek island. In addition, I write monthly Writing Tips for the CWA website. So I have a few ideas about writing fiction, both as a full-time author and as an occasional writing tutor. In fact, there's so much to say, it's hard to know where to begin. Since I only have one post here, I'm going to try and condense my advice into a few main points.

1) Be brave

This might sound facetious. Believe me, it isn't. Every time I finish a book, I worry. What will my editor say? Will my publisher be pleased? And then there are reviewers, and readers. While you are writing a book, it's yours. You can do what you want with it. You can even abandon it for a different idea. You have that freedom. The story, and its characters, belong to you. But once the book is published, it is public property. Other people wade in. A work that may have taken you months, or even years, to perfect, can be dismissed with a one star review from a disgruntled reviewer. So you need to develop self-belief that is modest enough to take criticism seriously, yet robust enough to resist self-doubt. If you are fortunate enough to be published, or even if you take the plunge and self-publish, you are sticking your head above the parapet. Other people may shoot you down. So you need to be brave.

2) Work hard

Having a creative outlet is fantastic. We writers love writing. That is what makes us writers. Why else would we spend every hour of the day writing, or thinking about plot and character? Eugene Ionesco said, 'A writer never has a vacation. For a writer life consists of writing, or thinking about writing.' As with all the arts, we are fortunate to be passionate about what we do. It doesn't feel like work most of the time. But there are days when it seems hard going. Even being a successful author isn't all fun and glamour! Writing a book can take weeks or months of research, and hour after hour of meticulous rewriting. But it's important to put in the effort, whether you are under contract to a publisher, or just writing for yourself. Because you never know. The likelihood is that no one but your friends and family will ever read what you've written. But there's a chance your book may one day be read by millions of people. So work hard to make sure your manuscript is as good as it possibly can be, before you submit it to agents, or publish it yourself.

3) Writing crime fiction

Writing crime poses particular challenges. The genre has recognised conventions and parameters which make it difficult to be original and yet remain authentic. It's always fun to flout rules, and rules themselves change over time. The modern detective started out as a superhero in whom the reader has absolute confidence. Sherlock Holmes is always right. Recently the genre gave us a spate of flawed detectives, who struggled with their personal relationships. Having, to coin a phrase, done that to death, authors moved on to explore the area of dodgy 'bent coppers.' I am very conscious when writing that many of my readers are very sophisticated fans of the genre. They have seen all the previous metamorphoses detectives have undergone, whether they are private sleuths or police officers following procedure. I think one of the reasons Geraldine Steel has such a wide appeal is because she is relatively normal! She enjoys a drink without being an alcoholic, she is single without being embittered by heartbreak. As well as engaging with the protagonist, fans of crime fiction enjoy suspense and tension, so my books are frequently described as 'page turners'. Structure is key to achieving this tension. Structure isn't what happens in a book, in other words the plot. Structure looks at where episodes are placed in the narrative. The pace in a book needs variety. You can't put all the excitement in one place, leaving long lulls where nothing exciting happens. Getting the structure right is a delicate balancing act that is crucial to the success of any book.

4) Be lucky

This is the final essential key to success as an author. If you're very lucky you may one day find yourself, like me, earning your living writing fiction. It's not all fun and glamour - but I wouldn't change it for anything!

Whatever you do, I wish you the very best of luck in all your endeavours.


As well as being a highly talented writer Leigh is also a genuinely nice person. She is always willing to help other writers, and crime writers in particular. I feel privileged that she has dropped by to give us some very welcome advice.

Review: Fatal Act

A glamorous young TV soap star dies in a car crash. Returning for her sixth case, Detective Inspector Geraldine Steel is baffled as the driver of the second vehicle miraculously survives - and vanishes. Another young actress is murdered and, once again, the killer mysteriously disappears. Geraldine unwittingly risks her sergeant's life in their struggle to track down a serial killer who leaves no clues.

So says the blurb on the back of the book. This hooked me form the get go. When I started to read the book I was then reeled in, hook, line and sinker. The characters in this book are superb, especially DI Geraldine Steel who is the lead Detective and the star of the show. She is feisty and strong and yet funny and vulnerable. I like her and will certainly be looking forward to finding out more about her in future books. Her Sergeant, and Sidekick, Sam is also a likeable character. They play well off each other and this leads to some laugh out loud moments. The characters are real and that is what endears them to me. 

In this book Geraldine finds herself knee deep in lovies, from a local Television Network and Stage School. Each one of them seems to have things that they are hiding and, of course, being actors no ever knows whether they are telling the truth or merely acting. I have to admit that I could have quite cheerfully bumped off a few lovies myself. This is the sign of a truly great author. One who makes you feel you are a part of the whole thing. There is enough mystery and drama for the most ardent of mystery fans and I found I and to keep reading. I would highly recommend this book and any other of Leigh's novels. 

Connect with leigh on:

Amazon UK author page 

Amazon US author page

Web Site

Twitter

Facebook

Thank you Leigh for taking the time to stop by the blog today. It has been a pleasure meeting you and thank you once again for all your help and advice.