tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40485807968645724672024-02-19T03:23:51.821-08:00Janet's RamblingsRamblings that sparkle your writing, spirit and soulJanet Syas Nitsickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14824387792066497680noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4048580796864572467.post-42731574521520282852016-04-01T15:49:00.000-07:002016-04-01T15:49:24.434-07:00How do you Rejuvenate your Writing Soul?
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">By facing the problem and moving
forward.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>This fall, I
had to confront this type of problem when a health issue had plagued me for more than a year. I was miserable. I tried to deny its existence. However, when I no longer could take it anymore, I gathered up my
nerve and went to see my primary doctor who prescribed a medicine. I took it for almost a week, but after the pill gave me every kind of side effect mentioned on its side-effects sheet, such as dizziness and foggy
vision. I called the office and they referred me to a specialist.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>I eventually ended up seeing a woman doctor. One remedy she tried did not work for me thus that left surgery. </span>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>“Surgery,”
the word hung on my lips. I had never had an operation. My hospital experience included four stays to give birth to my four sons. </span><div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So fear struck me and I sought other avenues, which included a visit to a chiropractor. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>He was a nice man and tired his best, but my problem had
deteriorated to such a point that this did not work. </span>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>A
friend urged me to get a second opinion. I took her advice. The smiley
doctor came in and examined me. His recommendation was the same as the first doctor's. However, this visit was very important since he relayed information about my long-term prospects. This frightened me and I returned home, calling the first
doctor’s office to schedule the procedure.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>February
first was the day of my reckoning. We also face those days in our
writing. What should I write and will this story sell? Is there enough
emotion to make this novel moving and compelling? And, in nonfiction, have I made this information interesting?</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>As with my decision to do surgery, we also must confront our problems and see how to move forward with our desires. In order to fulfill these, we seek recommendations from those in the field as well as our readers. This also means enlisting fresh ideas, rewriting and fine tuning our work. We do this because we know we are in control of our fate so we edge forward with our next great idea. </span><br /><div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>Where
we will end up we do not know. However, if we do not take the plunge we will not know the outcomes just as with my surgery, I moved forward and can say I am no
longer in misery. I again can enjoy life. Praise God! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;">So</span> proceed forward. What do you have to lose? Nothing. This is your road of opportunity thus do not squander it. You never know what lies ahead. That alone should keep you moving onward. God bless. </span></div>
Janet Syas Nitsickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14824387792066497680noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4048580796864572467.post-20627707756836741612016-01-11T18:08:00.000-08:002016-01-12T14:06:54.561-08:00Go Create<style>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In the movie, "It's a Wonderful Life," the angel tells George Bailey, “You have been given a great gift.” Yes, you do and, if we are people of faith, we are called by God to not squander those. </span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqxXMGMyb3opXYj1eqiswxNyA1UrG9LAa7zKvFGUYlPzNnqTCk5Nmxn96oRRfSELluJeljWnjC25SuEz_xUYNNHLxBUe6rprDz3CTgc_VCxr_OtgDifrBBQlNnQ5PR49rsy_Aa0i59XJk/s1600/MyCraftWork3pic.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqxXMGMyb3opXYj1eqiswxNyA1UrG9LAa7zKvFGUYlPzNnqTCk5Nmxn96oRRfSELluJeljWnjC25SuEz_xUYNNHLxBUe6rprDz3CTgc_VCxr_OtgDifrBBQlNnQ5PR49rsy_Aa0i59XJk/s320/MyCraftWork3pic.JPG" width="231" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In this picture, you see what
I made for a romance group’s Christmas party where organizers
challenged each member to bring gifts they created. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Some may not think my creative juices were that great, but I am proud of what I made, especially since many of the items I used came from materials my deceased mother had. To make the eyeglass case, I used her felt and sewed a flower she made onto the case. The small notebook I decorated with Mom's felt and a cross I had on hand along with trimming the book with rickrack. The larger notebook I adorned with my <i>Courtships and Carriages</i> bookmark and again trimmed the book with pink rickrack. I would never describe myself as being "crafty," but I was proud of this achievement. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Be proud of your achievements,
too, even though it is difficult at times. Readers have no idea how much work is required to produce a piece of writing we call our best. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> I recently wrote a nonfiction account
about my husband’s mother – a mother he never knew. He never knew her because as a toddler she was committed to a mental institution. I had developed this article after
attending a conference this fall. I submitted it to a publication, however, officials did not believe it was quite right for that publication. I am not giving up, though, I am going to submit it elsewhere. Never give up! Remember not everything we create is going to appeal to everyone. I will remind you that there are people who do not like Stephen King's work even though he has been successful and admired by many.</span>
<br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This gets me thinking about my craft
items. I wonder if the receiver of my gifts liked it. I hope so but in reality
it does not matter. What matters is if we like what we created. If so, smile and move forward.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Rejections are part of life. There are some people who never will like us, but rejections of any form are difficult to take. However, what we need to do is to persevere.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I market my book at a lot of craft
fairs, and I can tell you responses vary from “I liked that book” to “I liked
your other book better” to no comment at all. Some readers like stories without much substance while others like substance. It is in the eye of the beholder. When people do make a comment about your book, it means two things -- they either did not like it or they have not read it, yet. I can testify to the latter since my bookcase still
contains Bill O’Reilly’s book, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Killing
Kennedy</i>, and he has had two books released since then.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">However, remember no matter how
discouraged you get (and we all do) salvage the fun and satisfaction of a
finished product you created and loved. Now, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">GO AND CREATE! </b><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">God bless, and it is good to be blogging again after a few months absence. </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></span></div>
Janet Syas Nitsickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14824387792066497680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4048580796864572467.post-11095463619415181392015-09-16T11:53:00.000-07:002015-09-16T11:53:33.697-07:00A Trip Inside a Police Cruiser, Made me Think
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">A
couple of weeks ago my husband and I trekked to Grand Island, Neb., to attend
the state fair. Little did we know by the end of the day we would be riding in
a police cruiser.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">No,
we did nothing wrong. In fact, the policeman took pity on us. Below is my explanation.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Each
year my husband and I travel to the state fair so I can sell my novels at the
Nebraska Writers Guild booth. There we can sell our books and in turn we promote
to writers we encounter the benefits of joining the guild.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">There
is a certain place where I park and that is what I did this day. However, you
have to bring your own books. My husband and I had two luggage bags. I pulled
one and he the other. We began our long walk to the 4-H/FFA building, when a
fair volunteer, driving a golf cart, approached us and asked, “Would you like a
ride?”</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Yes,”
we answered, giving a large sigh of relief. The building was a long ways, and
the offer of a ride was well appreciated. But in the end, it caused us a lot of
grief.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">How?
It is one word, b e a r i n g s. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I
lost my bearings. Not walking there, I could not remember landmarks to get us
to the right entrance/exit gates so we ended up at the wrong exit. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">We
exited and I scanned the area, knowing in my gut nothing looked familiar. I
yelled at an officer, who with other policemen were directing vehicles into a
parking lot, and asked him if the road in front of us was Stollely Street. He
came over to us and gestured to a street about a mile from us. He studied us,
seeing our luggage. “That’s a long walk,” he finally said.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">My
heart sank, knowing we had walked around fair exhibits and buildings only to
travel in the wrong direction. I was dumbfounded. It took minutes to even
remember where I parked until the officer said the word, Roush Street. “That’s
where we parked,” I replied.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">He
left and returned minutes later in his police car. He opened the door for my
husband then joked, “You won’t be able to kiss in here,” as my husband slide
into the tiny space between the plastic glass and the door. If you never have
been inside a police vehicle (which we had not), you better not be overweight
or you will be squished. The policeman opened the door for me. I sat down beside
my husband. Yes with Plexiglas dividing us there was no way we could smooch.
However, we were not in the mood anyway. I wonder why?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
officer drove us to our car and unloaded our bags. He placed them into my
vehicle. We shook his hand in gratitude for having compassion on a dim-witted couple.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">However,
this made me think about writers, and how we too can lose our bearing<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">s</i>. We forget to focus on our next undertaking
and not fret about a past mistake or pet project that may not have done as well
as expected.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">What
is the next hottest genre in publishing? Literary agents will say your
guess is as good as theirs. If they cannot figure it out, how can you? Thus,
the best thing to do is to leave the past behind you and do not give up. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">What
do the experts say? That the worse mistake authors make is to give up after
disappointments. If people had given up on the movie, “Wizard of Oz,” we would
not have this enduring classic since it initially flopped in the theaters when
it was released. Television is what revived it and brought it into the living
rooms and hearts of viewers for decades to come. My hope, though, that it does
not take you that long to achieve your success.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">So keep your powder dry, start
your next venture and put the past behind you. God bless.</span>
Janet Syas Nitsickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14824387792066497680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4048580796864572467.post-17235481425453057062015-06-15T13:58:00.000-07:002015-06-15T13:58:32.151-07:00Having to Say Good-Bye
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">All of us have those years we wish to forget, and this year is one of them
for me.</span>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This year began with a series of deaths. It started
with my sister-in-law. Then my husband’s brother (who was married to the
sister-in-law mentioned above) passed away along with the sudden death of a reporter colleague of mine and ended with the cancer death of a woman who did a lot for
Special Olympics.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She left behind a husband and two adult
daughters – one has Down Syndrome. This mother hosted a wonderful dinner for the special education students before they went to the high
school prom. I remember my youngest autistic son enjoying this meal and his excitement at seeing how lovely the girls looked in their Cinderella
gowns. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>However, the good-byes continued when I learned my dear friend and writing partner was moving far away. We have done so much together not only in the writing arena but in trips to restaurants and just spending good times together. I will greatly miss her. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But besides family and friends, good-byes also occur in writing. Years ago I had to learn how to transition from journalism to fiction writing. A writers critique group taught me techniques to do this. Also, I learned a lot by attending writing conferences, where editing and
promotional techniques were taught as well as learning what a writer’s life really is like. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>One of the first things I learned was when an author receives an “advance” from a publishing
house if that book does not sell out that “advanced” money, the author must
return the sum for those not sold. I was shocked at that because </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>I thought once your book was out there
you were on easy street. Boy was I mistaken. I pictured authors typing out their stories in their pajamas. I also was surprised to find out authors actually had to promote their own work. This still happens in some cases but by in large in today's world most writers must do their own work. </span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>When my first book, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Seasons of the Soul</i>, was released, I had
a book signing at the local library. I envisioned lines around the library waiting
for people to buy it. I had a good book signing but not what I pictured.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Years ago I had lots of book signings at Barnes and Noble when my first book was out. The customer service representative was anxious to have
me come. She encouraged me to stay as long as I wanted. However, years later when my historical romance, <i>Lockets and Lantern</i>s, was released times had changed. The representative actually told me to leave after a couple hours. What made the difference? The e-book revolution took its
toll on Barnes and Noble’s profits. So I had to say
good-bye to those days of the past. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I will truly miss my dear friend. She,
though, needs to go where God leads her family, and we still will stay in touch by
phone, e-mail, write anthologies together and attend conferences. However, it
will not be the same. So enjoy your time with others because nothing on this earth lasts
forever. I turn to God to sustain me through these "life" good-byes.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Now I must say good-bye. But God willing and the creeks do not rise, another post will appear next month. God bless.</span></div>
Janet Syas Nitsickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14824387792066497680noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4048580796864572467.post-43715282420215458072015-02-27T19:46:00.001-08:002015-02-27T19:46:38.752-08:00Should Writers by an Open Book?
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Should
Writers be an Open Book?</span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Yes,
you should be an open book at least to a certain point. Why? Because your
readers want to get to know you, know your background and where you live and
more.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>My first book, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Seasons of the Soul</i>, includes a spattering of personal accounts of my
two different autistic sons. At book signings, people would approach me and express
empathy for my situation, purchasing this book because of my handicapped
children or the book’s uplifting message. Some individuals would say: “God
gives special children to special people.” I smiled and thanked them.
Expressions, such as these, warmed my heart. However, there also were those who
thought they could get my nonverbal son to talk if only they spent 30 minutes
with him. Again, I would smile and say thanks, even though I knew that was
impossible.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Readers want to form a bond with you. Think
about why you purchase books. I buy many because I know the author either as a
friend, an acquaintance or as a member of a writing group. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Bonding is important and you can
establish this in many ways. I know this since I sell my books personally so I
meet buyers, and they will state the reason they are purchasing the book(s).
Some read an article about me or bought my first book so purchased my newest release.
But what do you do if you never or seldom do these kinds of events?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Forums and social media are good
avenues. Ruth Ann Nordin is good at this but I never have participated in one.
Of course, I do social media because you must in this era, and you need to get
acquainted with your followers as much as possible. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Patrons love meeting the authors they love, and
we should return our love through special gifts for our loyal customers,
friends and former and current co-workers. Recently, I sent someone a special
token, a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Seasons of the Soul</i> journal,
for purchasing my latest releases, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Courtships
and Carriages</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Bride by Arrangement</i>
and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lockets and Lanterns</i>. In
addition, I inserted a personal note. No matter what they say about the
Internet nothing is more valuable than a “handwritten note.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Readers also like to know something
about your background, such as where you live. Several years ago, I was selling
my first<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>book in a town about 50
minutes from where I live. One person saw me there and bought my book since I live
in the same town she spent her childhood. However, do not tell everything about
yourself. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I gave out too much data about myself
when I started out. Most people are wonderful, but some will take advantage of
you, such as “potential” writers. I have this book I want to write, they would
say. Could you help me with it? They would ask. If you agree to assist them,
remember your own work will suffer. It is better to connect them with critique
groups and more so you can spend more time doing what is beneficial to you.
However, this does not mean you should refuse every one of these just be wise
about them. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Also, do not provide too much
information about yourself on the Internet. You do need to interact and get to
know your followers, but I suggest not getting too personal with posts, such as
printing your family’s names. We need to be cautious rather than regret it
later. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Do make comments on authors/readers’ blogs,
Facebook pages, etc. This shows you find their posts important and care about
them. However, do not go overboard or you will not be able to do your own work.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>So be an open book, but remember you
need to watch telling everything about yourself and overdoing others’ wishes.
Well, I hope this information has been useful and as always I will end with a
God bless. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Janet Syas Nitsickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14824387792066497680noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4048580796864572467.post-32434040440782514652015-01-06T14:18:00.003-08:002015-01-06T14:23:36.917-08:00With the New Year Came Changes<style>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Last week, I awaited the installer of our new television and Internet
provider to arrive. I did this with a lot of trepidation. It is interesting how these small changes can throw us. I wondered, for example, </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> if what the carrier promised would be better than what our previous
providers had given us.</span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
awoke that day at 5 a.m. to a blistering-cold morning of one degree. I worried if he would show up as planned, but he did and got right to work. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He was a pleasant man who knew his business. Within a
couple of hours, my living room was clear of wires which had stretched beside our couch for years, and another bonus was I no longer had to lock our downstairs-bedroom door to keep the cat from playing
with the wires in there. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Also, the modem was a constant fret of mine since it sat beside by computer. I watched it continually since sometimes it prevented my Internet to work. Every day I would walk into my office and wondered if I would have to unplug it today. Relief swept over me. I never realized how much these items had given me anxiety. It took me a few hours, but soon I felt liberated and in the process I had
better television with the program I missed and faster Internet.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>When the man grasped the wires, he said, “What I have in my hand is old
technology.” He was right. This change was well needed. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Authors also must make changes and try new things. Last year, I tried something new – the anthology, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Bride by Arrangement</i>, with Ruth Ann
Nordin. This endeavor allowed me to reach a different audience through my
story, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">She Came by Train</i>. Ruth Ann
Nordin and I plan another anthology – a follow-up on last year’s – and my goal
is to write book two – a follow-up on <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Courtships
and Carriages</i> – in the Great Plains series.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Now I am excited about writing again along with the busy Christmas activity being over. Winter puts me in the mood to
write. Of course, you sure cannot go outside and enjoy the warm weather. Instead you sit by a fireplace, if you have one. I do but it is not close enough
to curl up beside, but it does keep me cozy and my
fingers warm enough to type even if gibberish is what appears at times. Ha! Ha!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In addition, this is a great time to clean your office, get rid of old files or rearrange your office. I even got to clean my desk where the modem sat and that made me happy. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>You also get to throw away that old calendar in which you were tired of and hang up something new and inspiring. I replaced my office-wall
calendar with a calendar portraying a variety of paintings, including January’s
winter scene with gray skies, cardinal birds perched on a white fence with a
church in the background. The scene filled me with peace and awe in the
Creator’s majesty and prompted me to want to write again.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As I come to a close, remember to embrace the future and the change it brings, and I wish
you the best as you pursue your writing career. God bless. </span></div>
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Janet Syas Nitsickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14824387792066497680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4048580796864572467.post-56521082221934786882014-11-13T16:19:00.000-08:002014-11-13T16:21:50.839-08:00Web sites: Keep them Simple<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">After just returning from a Heart of America Christian Network Writers conference in Overland Park, Kan., I took stock of what I learned during several workshop sessions. One great workshop was on how to create an effective Web site. The workshop was facilitated by Jim Watkins of Wesleyan Publishing.<br /> Pay close attention to detail and keep it consistent, he said, highlighting Rev. Billy Graham’s site as a good example of a well done Web site. What makes it a good site is its simplicity. It is not cluttered with material, is easy to read and navigate, Watkins added. Here is a link to that site: <a href="http://billygraham.org/video/heaven/?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=November%202014&utm_campaign=CTV&SOURCE=BT14BYGGS&gclid=CPWlsobI88ECFehAMgodSmkA4Q">http://billygraham.org/video/heaven/?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=November%202014&utm_campaign=CTV&SOURCE=BT14BYGGS&gclid=CPWlsobI88ECFehAMgodSmkA4Q</a><br /> A key to a good Web site is to define the blog or Web site's purpose, he said. Is its purpose for people to become acquainted with you through your author biography (which, according to him, is a must), get a taste of your work through reading samples of your material or is it have people buy your products, books or more? If your ultimate purpose is for visitors to purchase your goods then make sure no more than two clicks takes them there or anywhere else on your site, Watkins said.<br /> What you are offering? That needs to be shown on your home page, he said. Also, include a way viewers can search your site and contact you, he continued. <br /> The most important item is to keep the site simple without fancy colors and fonts, Watkins said. Black lettering on white background still is the best. Also, use easy to read fonts, such as Helvetica, and do not employ point sizes smaller than 10 to 11 points, he said. You can, though, utilize bold and italics to vary the font you chose. Also, he advised participants to <b>never use all capitals</b>. <br /> We read from left to right so place the most important item(s) there, he said. Size means significance. Thus, your largest lettering denotes prominence whereas each size degradation portrays lesser value, Watkins continued.<br /> You can add color to your Web site but try to find a color which represents you and when seen throughout media spectrums it becomes recognizable as "your color," he said. Through my experience, I would not use white lettering because when the item is printed out it will not show up on white paper. <br /> Do not overload your site with images, he cautioned. These take time to load and through my experience it is something which instead of be inviting to viewers could make them instantly leave your site. People are busy so design your site accordingly. <br /> Yahoo small business is good. They have several templates you can choose and cost about $120 a year and are easy to use, according to a person familiar with this method. Most blog sites also are easy to use, and you can use your blog as your Web site. <br /> How do you promote your Web site once it is done? Ask questions on Facebook which provides interaction and visits to your site, Watkins suggested. In conjunction with this, I have a question for you. To those who have read <i>Courtships and Carriages</i>, what character would you like to see as my main character in Book Two of the Great Plains series? Please respond here. I will post this question at a later date on Facebook. <br /> Well, my hope is that this post was informative and until we meet again many of the Lord’s blessings to you. </span></span>Janet Syas Nitsickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14824387792066497680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4048580796864572467.post-73997401580120132952014-10-09T18:51:00.000-07:002014-10-09T18:51:57.146-07:00Writers Need Team Work<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Just as a sport’s team needs to work as a team to win games so must a writer. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>With the completion of my sweet-Christian romance, <i>Courtships and Carriages</i>, I reflected on how those behind the scenes make a product successful. In other words, an author needs a good team, including an eye-appealing cover, excellent editors and a good story which keeps readers' interest and makes them turn pages.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="font-weight: bold; white-space: pre;"> </span>It is important to have <b>an eye-appealing cover</b> like the one above for <i>Courtships and Carriages</i>. The book is released Oct. 17 in e-book with paperback to follow<b><i>.</i> </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>However, it is not easy to get a good design which matches your novel. For one thing, you need the right photograph which tells your overall story. Mine says sweetness and romance, all fitting this story. But other genres would need different qualities, such as a horror book would include dark elements, denoting evil lurking in the shadows. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></b>At a glance, readers must be able to know what lies behind the cover. Currently, I am reading, <i>Doctored Evidence</i>. What is on its cover? A picture of a doctor’s stool and the type of bed you would find in his office or in an emergency room. As indy publishers or with certain traditional publishers, some authors can have input on their cover. But if the author is not allowed to give his/her input then the graphic designer, who never read the book, makes that determination.This could lead to disastrous results like a cover depicting a man wearing pajamas, but no scene contains anything of that sort. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>A good cover also should not contain more than three concepts. Otherwise, it becomes cluttered and leaves readers confused about what your story really is about. My <i>Courtships and Carriages</i> has three -- the girl, the basket and the yellow-wheeled carriage. Each of these are important to the storyline. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>If you are a self-published author, you need to hire a professional graphic designer or be proficient in that area. I met an author a couple of years ago who used his mother’s painting of their Alaskan cabin for the cover. It was terrible. After talking to the man during an author fair, I became intrigued with his family's experiences in Alaska, such as a bear peeking into their window when a certain television show was on air. So I bought his book, however, if I only had seen his cover I would never had purchased it. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Also, you must line up a <b>good team of editors</b>. This is extremely important. I have readers who look over my manuscript and give me their take from a reader’s perspective. One reader is especially knowledgable about farm animals since she grew up on a farm. She also is a great resource for lanterns and cooking without electricity because she experienced these. She has caught several of my mistakes in this regard. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>However, I also have wonderful editors. They are a great team and they look for grammar and spelling errors, historical inaccuracies, if the story flows smoothly and how to improve the overall work. I am so grateful for them. If it was not for them, my work would not be the best it could be nor would people want to read it. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>A key, though, is to <b>have a story which carries readers on an unbelievable journey</b>. Last year I was heartsick when a special person told me I should make major changes to my story. I thought of all the work I had put into it and how now I would have to rewrite it. But she was right, it just was not going to work to make the villain in my <i>Lockets and Lanterns </i>into a good man in this novel. So I changed a lot of it and started a new series -- one where I now had the freedom to create characters I like. Thanks to her input my</span> story flows and the characters shine. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>So line up a great team which may take time. But it will come and with that you will develop a team which works for you and produces the best product possible. God bless. <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></span></div>
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Janet Syas Nitsickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14824387792066497680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4048580796864572467.post-33758467769736294422014-08-07T21:31:00.000-07:002014-08-07T21:31:17.710-07:00Watch for Facebook Scam Artist<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">As writers we need to be out there for people to learn and know about us, but this also makes us vulnerable for scams. Last week, for example, I received a scam and wanted you to be aware of this in case you are targeted as well.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The scam was prevalent and widespread as I saw other friends' posts who also experienced the scam. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> It began with a message from a high-school friend who I never had chatted with before on Facebook. Thus, I was delighted to hear from her and knew she was a good and honest person. This also was why I did not discount the validity of the message from the beginning.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> Her message started</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> with a hello and I responded with a “hi” and continued with a few lines of conversational banter but after that the scam began. It ran something like this: Did you know Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Facebook, is running a $90,000 lottery promotion?</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> L</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">ottery promotion I thought. This is unusual since lotteries are run by municipalities or states and is a form of gambling so how in the world could he offer a lottery promotion, which would not only include the United States but all over the world? This could not be legal. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> In Nebraska, there was a ballot issue to allow for casino gambling (in order to compete with Council Bluffs, Iowa, which has several casinos and lies across the river from Omaha). The Nebraska measure was defeated, but my point is it had to be legally approved. So the word, “lottery,” was a red flag, especially since I am a political junky and a former journalist.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> M</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">y supposed friend’s wining portion was “delivered” to her. Delivered? What an odd choice of words. Money is either sent to your checking account or a check is sent to your home but “delivered?” This gave me an uneasy feeling.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It proceeded, saying they saw my profile as a winner, and I needed to contact this claim agent to receive it. I thought at first my friend was kidding so I wrote yes and answered I sure would not want to miss my 50 cents worth. After this, the person provided a link to this particular claim agent’s Facebook link. If the Internet has taught me anything, it is to not click links from unknown sources.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The message continued. I could see my friend was serious. I replied, "I thought you were kidding but you are serious, aren’t you?" The person replied with a yes. At this point, I stopped communicating with my friend and really got an uncomfortable feeling in the pit of my gut.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I called a friend and asked her advice. She too thought this whole thing sounded too good to be true and mentioned a fact I had not thought of and this was what were the odds that both of us could win? </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So I discounted the message and returned to my regular tasks. About a half hour later, a writing friend asked me to befriend her. I confirmed the request since I did know her. The message again started with a “hello” then asked if I heard about the $90,000 lottery giveaway. That is when I knew the whole thing definitely was a scam.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">What did I do? I deleted the messages and reported the scam to Facebook. You can to do this on your page and select different options, such as “delete” or “delete and report scam.” I soon discovered the person who requested my friendship was already my Facebook friend so I unfriended the fake one and, as with anything of this nature, it is suggested you change your password. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Anyway, I thought I would alert you to this scam since writers use the Internet to interact with friends and provide updates on what you are doing in the writing arena. May this post prevent you from this scam and others. Remember most people are honest brokers, but there always are those scammers. God bless. </span></span></div>
Janet Syas Nitsickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14824387792066497680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4048580796864572467.post-76230458802632744182014-06-24T19:41:00.000-07:002014-06-25T11:47:25.340-07:00Buildin' the Dream Conference<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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From left: Janet Syas Nitsick (me), Ruth Ann Nordin, Judy DeVries and Rose Gordon<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Flying away to Phoenix for a writing conference was one special time not only in what the conference offered but also in the flying experience.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I never flew first class. Heard about it but never dreamed about doing it. However, the trip to Phoenix changed that. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I experienced a full-course meal including wine and dessert and bags arriving first in the baggage terminal. It was a great and sure beats my last time flying where my youngest autistic son ran out the plane while waiting to take off from Omaha Eppley Airfield. You can read about this in my first book, </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Seasons of the Soul</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Of course, the Phoenix setting was spectacular. A little too hot in late May for even this cold-blooded individual with temperatures around 107 degrees. However, how could you not love the sand domes in the horizon? The sight took your breath away!</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">But back to the conference. What I liked about the Buildin’ the Dream Conference was the ability to interact with fellow authors, publishers and workshops speakers. It was more informal. Yes, there were workshops, but you could enjoy eating in the hotel’s breakfast buffet where conferees gathered and intermingle with them or in the lobby area. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">You got to know them. In other words, you were not going off to one workshop after another with no breathing room because the rooms were packed. You did not have to walk a mile or more in high heels to find food. Everything at the hotel was at your finger tips.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The nice advantage of attending a conference like the Phoenix one is you get wonderfully named speakers, such as USA Today best-selling author Rose Gordon, a top book-cover designer Anya Kelleye and a Phoenix attorney, Megan D. Scott, who is an entertainment and copyright lawyer. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Rose Gordon gave two presentations. Her first was “Mistakes Authors Make - Historical.” As a person who knows how to sell and make money, her insights were highly valuable. She knew of what she spoke and you listened. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Rose writes Regency and American historical romances. Think of the setting as your wallpaper where people wear clothing and interact to those time-period dictates, Gordon said. Remember the focus lies in the romance so do not get caught in details which overshadow the storyline. She said your office needs to include a dictionary, access to Web resources, a book on that age’s idioms and a trusted friend who knows more than you about the period.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Adding to Rose’s last point, I have a friend who read my </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Lockets and Lanterns</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">. She is knowledgeable about farms, farm animals, reading by kerosene light and attending a small country school. This friend is an excellent resource. I cannot tell you about the number of times she caught something wrong. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Her second workshop was “Your Books, Your Business.” Gordon told attendees to write with their hearts but think with their brains. Thus make sure your book is done, edited, formatted, has an attractive cover which sells and is marketable. Study your genre, engage the readers, condense descriptions to a sentence or two and become visible like through blog tours, giveaways, promotional items and advertisements, she said. Each piece, though, has its pros and cons. For example, an author blog is where people interact and learn about you. The con is the time involved, she added. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Anya Kelleye showed us some of her cover designs. A book cover must include a strong focal point, evoke emotions and she cautioned against using a script font. Keep it simple. Too many images or text overtake the cover, she said. Remember, she added, your cover does not need to tell your whole novel’s story. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Scott was a great resource. Each state is unique in its own laws, she said. However, no matter where you live when you bring your idea to physical material it is copyrighted even before it is published and recorded with the United States Copyright office, she said. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Besides the above, there were many other wonderful workshops. The smaller arena had such advantages of being able to talk with speakers for a short time after their workshops as well as having room to sit and take notes.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">However, some downfalls did exist. One was the Buildin’ the Dream </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">author</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> conference, and the Arizona Dreamin </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">reader</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> event shared the same Web site page. The two headers used the same colors and unless you paid close attention you could easily sign up for the wrong one. I pointed this out on their feedback form. This, though, was the first time a readers’ event was held. So as with anything done for the first time, there always are problems to work out.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Would I go again? You bet, in a heartbeat. It was a wonderful trip, the conference was fantastic and it was awesome meeting people you interact with on the Internet, such as Lauralynn Elliott and Judy DeVries. It also was great seeing Rose Gordon again. laughing with her, Judy and Ruth Ann. They even taught me some new words. It was a beautiful trip and traveling and sharing a hotel room with Ruth Ann Nordin made it the best. The Lord’s blessings to you. </span></span></div>
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Janet Syas Nitsickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14824387792066497680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4048580796864572467.post-39758144656102027432014-05-27T19:37:00.000-07:002014-05-27T19:37:24.720-07:00Boxing this Giveaway<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Ruth Ann Nordin and I did a Facebook and blog giveaway recently. Ruth organized it and made the whole affair work. I am so grateful for her expertise and the time she spent in this endeavor. There were wonderful prizes, which included the winning of a Kindle, a Western candle and a rectangular-treasure box to place small items, a bread-sized Western chest and the winner’s choice of either e-books or paperbacks. However, what I learned was how much fun a giveaway can be.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">People who won shared their appreciation, such as one winner who expressed her gratitude that the Kindle came right at the best time. Her mother was in need of one. She downloaded recipes and sweet romance books for her. Is that not awesome?</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The interaction with our book readers (Ruth’s more than mine) was also a blessings. Some people shared personal information, and your heart ached for their hardships, health problems and more. We also got a chance to know our audience, and this giveaway in turn gave us a way to express our appreciation of their support. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> In February, Ruth and I picked out the Western items. We planned to do a giveaway in March, but with our busy schedules the giveaway never materialized. So I kept the items to await our next move. Since we were having a joint book signing of our anthology, </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Bride by Arrangement</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">, May 10, Ruth made some cards about our giveaway. We distributed these and gave them out during our book signing. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We were able to get the word out through this and our blog postings. Ruth thought ahead while my brain still was in the clouds. This is why it is good to do these together because what one does not think of the other does. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It also is a good idea (if you have a place to store them) to keep boxes. My husband is not pleased with my basement Christmas collection, but it sure comes in handy in BOXING THIS GIVEAWAY. I have all sizes of boxes. Being a pack rat does come in handy at times.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Besides this, I keep those disgusting store plastic bags. They make great box stuffers to keep the items from breaking and rolling around. Do you hear that Paul? My husband. He wonders if sometimes I have lost my mind. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Doing a giveaway together also provides other benefits, such as getting to enjoy lunch out together after selecting your store giveaway items and keeps the expenses down as well as making the giveaway a happy time instead of a chore. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">At a previous Nebraska Writers Guild conference, one of the speakers said </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">giveaways are important. Why? Because it gets your work out there and could build relationships and readers! </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">When my first book, </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Seasons of the Soul</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">, was released, I hesitated to give away my books. One less book sold. But as the old adage states: You need to invest money to make money. This is the same with books. People need to read them before your book will produce sales.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I hope this post was helpful and if you choose to do this you will find it as rewarding as Ruth Ann Nordin and myself did. Boxing a giveaway is, indeed, fun so package that giveaway up and send it out! God bless. </span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></div>
Janet Syas Nitsickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14824387792066497680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4048580796864572467.post-35570636350366687362014-03-31T21:21:00.001-07:002014-03-31T21:21:35.923-07:00Comparing Your Work with Others<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">When you compare your writing to another author, it can be positive or negative. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A few authors slam a fellow author’s book with one and two star reviews. Some reviews are honest assessments while others are not.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Base your evaluation on readability, storyline, plot durability, realistic dialogue, grammar and more. If you cannot do do this, then do not write a review. Nothing is wrong with that because </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">a</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">uthors need time to write their own stories, engage in social media and do whatever else to promote their work. Doing this leaves little time to read others’ materials and write reviews and that is okay. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I write reviews for two reasons: (1)it keeps my followers informed on what else I am doing besides my work in progress and (2)it assists me with my own writing. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Reading (when I have time to do so) helps you gleam a lot in the way of word choices, character names, plot ideas and descriptions. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Currently, I am reading Mary Connealy’s </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Calico Canyon</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">. The villain is Parrish. I like the way Connealy describes him. “But his temper goaded him. He hungered to make her sorry for what she’d done. The image of her cowering under his fists kept him awake at night and rode him like a </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">spur</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> [my italics] all day.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Playing off one another is fine as long as we do not take their words and ideas verbatim. There are only so many story lines out there, but adding our own bends and twists do make the difference. The </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Twilight</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> series is an example of this. The story is romance but what is different is the werewolf twist. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> W</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">rite your way. Do not write like another author because if you do you will fail. After all, God gave you your own gifts not another person's. My way is to set a scene with the five senses. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In addition, I include historical details, such as I did in Ruth Ann Nordin’s and my anthology, </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Bride by Arrangement, </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">set in Lincoln, Neb., in 1876. The book includes two novellas. Ruth’s story is </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Purchased Bride</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> and mine is </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">She Came by Train</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">. Below is an excerpt from my novella highlighting an old hymn: </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">“As the afternoon sun rays glimmered on the pearly keys, Opal settled herself on the piano stool. Opening one of the hymnals, she turned the page to ‘When the Roll is Called up Yonder.’ Stroking the keys, her fingers graced the notes. She sang as she played the tune. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">“‘When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound and time shall be no more, And the morning breaks, eternal, bright, ...’ Footsteps approached. ‘When the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there. ... When the roll is called up yonder., I’ll be there.’ Finished with the chorus, she turned to Mr. Crowley, who stood in front of her. ‘Yes?’</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">“‘Miss Preston, you have two visitors. One is named Ada Wilcox.’”</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">My brother loved reading an author who added Native American details into his work. This helped set that author apart from others. If you are one who does not care for research (which takes time), then write what fits you. Learning about time periods and how people lived is fascinating to me. By the way, visiting historical homes is one of the best ways to gather information. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I read a variety of genres, which includes romance, mystery, suspense and non-fiction. I read Bill O’Reilly’s </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Killing Lincoln</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">. It gave you a wonderful feel for that era which helped me with my own writing. Even heartwarming, spiritual true stories, such as </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Heaven is for Real, </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">enables me to capture emotions and incorporate these into my own work. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In conclusion, it can be good to compare yourself to others if you do this with the right intent but never deviate from your true self. Write your own story. Garner methods and styles from others, but fashion your own story and your own descriptions. God created you so devise your writing as you want. The Lord’s blessings to you.</span></span></div>
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Janet Syas Nitsickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14824387792066497680noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4048580796864572467.post-89778493714198281322014-03-01T17:22:00.000-08:002014-03-01T17:50:12.741-08:00Write your Heart<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">People tell me I should write about my autistic children, and I have done that to some extent in my best of year book, </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Seasons of the Soul</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">. But there are other stories about them, especially my youngest high-functioning, verbal son, which I cannot share.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">At one time, I thought I could write about our experiences of sitting on pins and needles not knowing what the youngest's behavior would be like. But my heart would not allow me to do this. It also exposes our family, and my youngest to the public eye which I do not feel comfortable about right now. He is doing better and lives in a group home. All is well. Praise God! </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So, when others tell you to write about certain topics, don’t do it if it is not in your heart. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Recently, I heard about an author who wrote teen novels but her heart was not in her work. She now is entering a new genre - one she is comfortable in pursuing. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Many years ago I heard this man on the radio. He would advise listeners on business and recommended to callers to not choose a profession based on the money but, instead, go with your passion. For example, if your love is writing, then write what interests you not someone else. Of course, there are times you need a paycheck and have to supplement your income but do not forgo your passion.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span>Author Stephen King was a teacher and pursued his writing in his downtime. He started with short stories before his novels were published, his work turned into movies and his name became a household word. Remember nothing comes overnight.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I laugh when I think about my first book. I was so excited and thought everyone in my community would line up around the block for my book signing. I did have a good turnout, but it was not what I expected. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">You need to work for what you get because no one gives you anything. There are local billboards which say, "Earn It," and that is so right. Anything done well takes time.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Coming from a journalism background, I had to learn the technique of writing fiction. Think about it. A journalist writes what he sees and hears. He does not add emotion, but in fiction your story cannot survive unless it does. Heart racing, she climbed the dark-narrow stairs. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Learning this technique is like going from night to day. I have made great progress, but my education has not stopped. You must persevere to get anywhere. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">But you also need to be realistic. If you are writing poetry, the odds of becoming a poet laureate are not good. However, what you can become is a poet who reaches peoples' souls. My one sister-in-law makes her own digital cards. Each card includes poetry which rhymes, but what is amazing is how she captures that relative’s personality. We look forward to these cards. They warm our hearts. Remember not all value is monetary. Sometimes what we do provides comfort and eases others' pains. This is what my books, </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Seasons of the Soul</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">, and </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Lockets and Lanterns,</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> have done, according to people who purchased them. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In closing, remember to write from your heart. Nothing is as satisfying as to pursue your passion whether it is a full-time or part-time effort. God bless. </span></div>
Janet Syas Nitsickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14824387792066497680noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4048580796864572467.post-31087068682436963832014-01-30T16:04:00.000-08:002014-01-30T16:20:11.859-08:00Descriptive Writing<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Have you watched the movie, “Charade”? If not, go and watch it. This film keeps you on your toes after each scene takes you in different directions. The movie stars Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">When I taught writing, I showed part of this fast-paced film to my pupils and told them to write down what they saw. This made them pay attention. What often happens is we observe the world without really studying our environment.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Many years ago I took a course titled, “Writing for Children and Teenagers.” In their lessons, they told you to keenly observe the people in your life. Watch them and listen to the way they respond to you. Look for such items as the way they speak, their eye colors - not just green but a grey-green - to how they grasp your hand from strong to weak or what? </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">When you “keenly observe,” you notice those hidden things taken for granted. Jot these down. Take a notebook and go outside and just watch life. As I drove Saturday to a writing-group event, I glanced at the sky. It was blue but not just blue it was aqua-blue with pure-white clouds. Notice I used </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">specific</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> words here, and you need to do the same in your writing.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A place becomes “real” in writing when readers see and feel it. This includes the five senses - sight, smell, taste, touch and hearing. Of course, not every scene allows you, for instance, to have a character sip tea, for example. However, when you can incorporate these, it adds “reality” to your work. Here is a scene from </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Lockets and Lanterns</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">, which critique readers said made them feel as if they were there:</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">“Florence pulled her cuffs over her knuckles. Her fingers cool [touch] to the spring breeze, which drifted in from the window behind her. The pot roast smothered in gravy sat on the china platter [taste]. </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">She inhaled [smell] the potent onion aroma and passed the plate to her left.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Descriptive scenes are important. It lets readers know if the work is an imaginary place, such as in science fiction and fantasy, or something they are familiar with either in today’s world or in the past. In Ruth Ann Nordin and my anthology, </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Bride by Arrangement</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">, I set the scene for my novella, </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">She Came by Train</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">, included in the anthology as such:</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">“The train chugged toward the station. Smoke bellowed from the engine’s stack. Standing underneath the roof of the </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">brick-and-mortar depot, Opal gulped as she watched it approach.” </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">What words give you clues to the time period? They are the smoke bellowing from the engine’s stack (denoting a steam-engine train no longer in existence) and her standing underneath the roof of the brick-and-mortar depot (giving you the impression of a past railroad station). </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font: 14.0px Helvetica; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Thus description brings in your audience and helps them experience that period. However, you do not always need a long span of descriptive words to set a scene. In Ruth Ann Nordin’s </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Return of the Aliens</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">, a few choice words show that the setting is contemporary. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">“‘Thanks for the reminder.’ She walked over to the closed door of the </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">dressing room in the bridal shop</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">.”</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">How do you learn to make scenes come alive? Write, write, write and learn to add such items as a breeze (touch), a fragrant flower (smell), a food (taste) and a character’s voice breaking as he/she remembers or experiences something tragic. You cannot do this in every scene, but you can, as previously stated, do that in most of them when you make an effort. Lead the reader in and let them truly “live” with your characters, and this can be done by simply watching your surroundings and remembering to choose specific words and include the senses. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Remember also to use your thesaurus whether it is the old printed copy or online. Take the simple observation test to get you started.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Observation Test </span></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b></b></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Ask yourself questions as you watch your everyday life. Do you see the details and/or remember them?</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1. What specific colors are the sky and the clouds today?</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">2. How many doors are there in front of the school nearest you?</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">3. In a traffic light, is the red or the green on top?</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Now, come up with some of your own to stimulate your mind. Have a pleasant day and many of the Lord’s blessings to you. </span></span></span></div>
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Janet Syas Nitsickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14824387792066497680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4048580796864572467.post-5259839301240861152014-01-07T15:20:00.000-08:002014-01-07T15:20:35.962-08:00Scouts motto: Be Prepared<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;">The Boy and Girl Scouts’ mottos are “be prepared.” However, I failed at that this year. How about you?</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>After the recent release of Ruth Ann Nordin’s and my anthology, <i>Bride by Arrangement</i>, published by Parchment and Plume, I realized I was not prepared. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>(The anthology includes two novellas - Ruth’s <i>The Purchased Bride</i> and mine <i>She Came by Train.</i> The story is where two women meet on a train traveling from Virginia to Lincoln, Neb., in 1876. They live separate lives but keep in contact. <i>The Purchased Bride</i> is a mail-order bride story. Who is this quiet man, Pete Kelly, whom Ada is to marry? Janet’s character, Opal, becomes a governess of a widower businessman with two children. Her employer and a preacher vie for her affections. <i>She Came by Train</i> but only her heart will determine if she will return that way.)</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>But writing <i>She Came by Train </i>took many late nights and wee-morning hours to finish. Because of this, I did not update my social-media sites before the anthology was released in <i>e-book</i> last month. I failed. My only salvation is to complete this before the <i>paperback</i> Feb. 1 edition is released. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>So be prepared by not waiting to the last minute to finish your book but also by remembering to update your social-site profiles BEFORE your book is out. Doing this, acquaints people with you, your book and its cover, such as our anthology. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Ruth taught me to publish excerpts of my work-in-progress on my blog or on social-media sites. In this way, readers get acquainted with your work, which entices people to purchase the product - an excellent marketing tool.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Also, respond to blog comments because this shows them that you value their input, which builds relationships. What else can you do to become more efficient? Setting goals helps. Some people do longterm goals, such as planning when a book will be released in a year. Other people are not as intense. This month I will sit down with realistic expectations in completing my <i>Cameos and Carriages</i>, a prequel novel to <i>Lockets and Lanterns, </i>which was released in 2012. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>However, my short-term list is more valuable to me. I ask myself what I want to accomplish this week. A weekly planner (another great Ruth tip) sits beside my computer to assist me with this. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The small calendar allows me to see a week at a glance. I jot down my daily entries in pencil. Using a pencil is a great idea since if the day goes haywire I can erase and move that entry to another day. Entries include when to submit stories, join or rejoin organizations, write blogs, post work-in-progress excerpts and re-examine certain e-mails. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>How do I know what e-mails to re-examine? I star them in my e-mail system. There are days I am too busy to digest long or confusing e-mails, thus by starring them I can return to them at a better time. Additionally, I do the same with Facebook birthday notifications. But watch that you do not pass your Facebook friend’s birthdate.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Thus do what you can to be prepared. However, also remind yourself that you will fail at times. Humans always do as you know. Well, start out the new year right and perhaps you will want to incorporate some of these tips, and may the Lord richly bless you in 2014. </span></div>
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Janet Syas Nitsickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14824387792066497680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4048580796864572467.post-28152470972147011882013-08-23T15:15:00.000-07:002013-08-23T15:15:43.174-07:00Writer: The Creative<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglAVYCyHo8d1cVPyKE1G-08adpPyBPU-KLTcx2Liiya7B8mDGbwhdAoBQSf9i7QIjBEoBo8zhOSWRupTyDvA-sOGVHXlqad1jBbEHWN9GdbqmZCABqJiQSQWefzpNeGd9CGSUjLTMkQ04/s1600/Chase'sMyBirthCard.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglAVYCyHo8d1cVPyKE1G-08adpPyBPU-KLTcx2Liiya7B8mDGbwhdAoBQSf9i7QIjBEoBo8zhOSWRupTyDvA-sOGVHXlqad1jBbEHWN9GdbqmZCABqJiQSQWefzpNeGd9CGSUjLTMkQ04/s320/Chase'sMyBirthCard.JPG" width="208" /></a></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Above is my birthday card from my second-oldest grandson, what do you think this is? The answer will surprise you. Done guessing?</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Well, it is a dinosaur that swallowed a rainbow fish. See the multicolored object in the middle? My grandson thought out of the box. Are you thinking out of box? Are you using your creative juices? </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>As a writer, I guarantee you probably do that. But sometimes our drinking well dries up. How do we replenish our creative side? Downtime helps sometimes.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>I recently put my prequel novel on hold. It included some great scenes but the whole concept was not right. Readers need to love your character and if I continued with the way it was going they would not root for him. Thus, I got input from critique groups and entered a contest and received feedback there. These insights will make this project better. But while I sort out on how to fix the problem, a different idea came to fruition. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>And, this is co-authoring a book with great friend Ruth Ann Nordin. Our work in progress is titled, <i>Bride by Arrangement</i>, where two women meet on a train to travel to Nebraska in the late 1800s. When I have mentioned this story, people get excited. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The romance will include two novellas - one written by Ruth and the other by me. My novella is called <i>She Came by Train</i>, where Opal leaves her beloved Virginia to become a governess of two children of a local banker who lost his wife. The plot thickens when a minister from Virginia conducts revival services in the area. She came by train but only her heart will determine if she leaves that way.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>How do we develop concepts? There is no certain path. Mine is to write a scene and see where it leads. Here is an example: </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><i>“Her mind whirled. ‘Mice. You don’t bring those into the house do you?’ she asked in a weak voice.</i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>He shook his head in the negative. ‘No, Papa wants them outside so the cats can have their meals. Miss Preston you looking kind of white.’</i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>‘Miss Preston,’ his shrill voice penetrating her consciousness.</i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>She teetered.”</i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></i>However, everybody has their own method. There are people who are story plotters. One woman Ruth and I ran into at a conference had a huge sheet with a series of notes on it. She needed a king-size bed to display that paper. But if this is the way you create, go for it. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Creators do come in many shapes and sizes and each builds on their own experiences to fashion their stories. For example, in my <i>Lockets and Lanterns</i> the secret the husband hides from his wife comes from my background.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Thus, feed on your past and embellish them to make good reading. Remember those fish tales? They got better as the fish became bigger. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Visiting historical homes or other places gives you ideas. These also make great resource tools to get a real feel for the time period. Even childhood memories assist you. In my prequel, I wrote a scene where a character falls in a lake. I can describe this since as a child my family took me camping and I waded in the river. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>In addition, do not forget about past actions and conversations. Family and friends make wonderful fodder. In my story, “Sweaters of Love,” in <i>Seasons of the Soul</i> I used a conversation between myself and my oldest granddaughter who was 4 years old at the time and weaved it into this fiction tale. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><i>“Mary told Jolleen about how the weather changed.‘Grandma,’ Jolleen said.‘God is a big guy. He will do whatever He wants.’”<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></i></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></i></span>So remind yourself you can take a break; look for new projects to refresh your writing; plot your story your way; generate ideas from experiences, conversations and actions; and fill that drinking well with writing. What you can produce when you put your mind to it is amazing! </div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>How do you create your stories? Look forward to your comments. God bless. </span></div>
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Janet Syas Nitsickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14824387792066497680noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4048580796864572467.post-20701758870984082342013-07-26T20:28:00.000-07:002013-07-26T20:28:13.964-07:00Refreshing the Writer<br />
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A deer goes to a stream to take a drink to get refreshed. We must do the same as writers. We cannot keep up a fast pace indefinitely. We need a break. This means we need to take vacations, cook or do whatever else we would like.</div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Recently, I have been on a cleaning and refurbishing spree. Of course, I have relatives visiting from out of state so this does give me an incentive to get things done. However, even when we do not have something pending, we need to cleanse our minds. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>What does this do? It gives us new perspectives about our writing, and the projects we have on hand. When I am stumped on where to go in a scene, I get away from the computer to think. Time away from it helps me come up with ideas. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>When we put our writing on a shelf, it enables us to spend more time with friends, family and our spouses. A husband lives for our kisses or hugs and when we are busy we brush those aside. Love needs refreshing even if you are married for 33 years as I soon will be Aug. 2. After all, if you are a romance writer is this not what it is about? Those tender times we later embellish in our writings without naming the source of our material. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I belong to many writing groups either locally or online, thus I receive many e-mails. When I miss a day, they add up. To alleviate this stress, I take the weekends off. If I do not, I get a sickish feeling in my stomach. My body is telling me to leave it behind and regroup before I return to the Monday grind.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span>Movies are great downtime moments. Last Saturday, I watched “The Quiet Man,” with John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara. I observed the characters’ interactions - their facial expressions, gestures and actions/reactions. For example, while sitting on a stream’s bank O’Hara gives Wayne a shy look, takes off her nylons then runs through the water. He follows her. This was what she wanted. The scene shows her playfulness and her strong and growing love for him. </div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>When we take deep breaths, it provides us time to view our work in new light. Sometimes “you cannot see the forest through the trees” so to speak. But by laying the piece aside, we can see its flaws. In fact, professionals recommend this. Watch, though, in doing this for long periods, leading to you not finishing a work or substantially delaying its output. For example, a summer off is fine but more than that could make it difficult to get back into the writing rhythm. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Thus, it is alright to take a break to refresh your writing skills. It does make your product better just be wise about it. Well, as always I look forward to your comments. God bless. </span></div>
Janet Syas Nitsickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14824387792066497680noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4048580796864572467.post-51247386722300083192013-05-31T14:30:00.000-07:002013-05-31T14:30:48.730-07:00Those Bugs, Those Pesky Commas<br />
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They may not be bugs but commas can be just as pesky. We have to decide when and where we place them, and this is not an easy task. </div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Below are a few good rules but remember the overuse of commas can be a major problem. Why? Because they heed the reader. Commas are there to provide the reader with clarity. However, if overdone, it will do just the opposite. Thus, keep in mind this rule: <b>When in doubt, leave out. </b></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>The Grammar Rules:</b></span></div>
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One is the use of connecting conjunctions, such as <i>and</i>,<i> but</i>, <i>or, nor, for</i> and <i>yet</i>, with independent and dependent clauses. Independent clauses stand alone and include subjects and verbs. <i>We are visiting Los Angeles</i>. <i>We also plan a side trip to Disneyland. </i>If put together, they need a comma. <i>We are visiting Los Angeles</i><b><i>, and </i></b><i>we also plan a side trip to Disneyland.</i></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></i>Though, a comma is not required if the independent clauses are short and joined by one of the conjunctions. <i>I’ll go this way </i><b>and</b> <i>you take that way.</i> </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></i>However, when an independent clause is joined with a dependent clause, such as a clause with an understood subject (we as in this sentence), no comma is necessary. We are visiting Los Angeles <b>and plan to see Disneyland.</b> </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Non-essential clauses (not essential to the meaning of the sentence according to the author’s intent) are set off by commas. Example: Reporters<b>,</b> <i>who do not reread their articles before submitting them</i><b>,</b> should not complain about their editors' work. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><b>Long</b> <i>introductory</i> clauses or phrases, need commas. (Remember a phrase is a group of words without a subject or verb.) Beyond the sidewalk and over the bend, there sits a thicket of trees.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Introductory words - yes and no - require commas.<i> Yes</i><b>,</b> I will be there. In addition, use commas after a direct address like <i>Father</i><b>,</b> I ... </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Commas in a simple series are disputed. Some grammar books suggest a comma before the last conjunction. My Associated Press Stylebook requires none. The pole was painted red<b>,</b> white<i> and blue</i>. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>A comma is needed after an introductory direct quote. Porter said, “She spent ...” But a direct quote of more than one sentence, a colon is required. And, place a comma after dialogue tags. “Say,” <i>he added</i><b>,</b> “wouldn’t you like to have your picture taken?” <b>Note: <i>According to my stylebook, c</i>ommas always go inside quotation marks</b>.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Place commas after an individual’s age. Andrew Porter, 48, ... Use commas also after hometowns and states. Lincoln, Nebraska. AP guidelines use abbreviations for states in journalist writing and require a comma after them. Example: Andrew Porter, 48, Lincoln, <i>Neb.</i><b>,</b> arrived today.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Well, one more thing. Two adjectives before a noun of equal weight require a comma. <i>Thoughtful</i><i><b>, </b>meticulous</i><i> </i>person ... Otherwise, hyphen the adjectives before the noun, such as an <i>easy-grammar </i>rule, which, of course, is an oxymoron. My suggestion is to have several grammar books at your workplace and always have someone versed in grammar proofread your manuscript. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Remember to place commas in numbers. When you make your first 300<b>,</b>000 sales, praise the Lord for your success and as always I end with a God bless. </span></div>
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<br />Janet Syas Nitsickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14824387792066497680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4048580796864572467.post-5661053383914945472013-04-18T19:09:00.000-07:002013-04-18T19:12:35.274-07:00Conferences, Are They Worth Attending?<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The short answer is “yes,” but the real question is why are they? </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Even after attending several of these, you wonder if you will learn anything new. But as usual, your doubts are put to rest after a conference speaker or two has presented. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Perhaps you are interested in taking the traditional route. Conferences allow you to meet with literary agents on a one-to-one basis. You can pitch your work and see if they believe your story has prospects either in the marketplace or in your ability to tell a good story. Often you bring a synopsis and at least a chapter for them to examine, but other times you just pitch your story. One writer I know has been pursuing this path for a number of years, and an agent at last week’s Nebraska Writers Guild conference requested to see more of her work.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>However, today’s conferences also include a lot of advantages for the self-published author. They put you in touch with professionals in the business, such as in graphic design and marketing. One such speaker was a publishing guru and book designer Joel Friedlander, <a href="http://www.thebookdesigner.com/">www.thebookdesigner.com</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>He spoke on the benefits of each online social media from Facebook, to Twitter, to Goodreads, to YouTube, to LinkedIn to having a blog, stating blogs are the best resource. It is your hub where you can promote, post new ideas, conduct surveys and more, he said. Additionally, he believed LinkedIn to be extremely value in “gaining reputations” through its discussion formats, in being able to ask questions and in building a niche network. <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Additionally, these professionals asked the audience which sold better e-books or print books? The audience replied, “e-books.” But these experts said the opposite. Thus, those brick and mortar bookstores are not going out of business soon. In fact, young people prefer print books, but adults favor e-books for their ability to enlarge print size, turn pages for those with arthritis and other e-book features, the field representatives said. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Conferences also allow attendees to interact with their cohorts - writers published or new to the craft. At this conference, there was a Friday night event where those who wanted to could read from their works. You cannot believe the great talent and variety of genres exhibited, such as poetry, memoirs, fancies, romances and humorous pieces. In addition, you got time to sell your books if you wished to do so on Saturday. If going to attend, why not sell your book(s)? You have nothing to lose since you are there anyway.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>One thing I loved was putting a face to names seen on the e-mail loop. </span>Nothing is better then talking with other writers, finding out where they are in the writing process and sharing experiences.</div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Finally, thank those who did the volunteer work to put the conference together. It takes time and a lot of effort from registering participants, preparing name tags, finding speakers, securing a facility and setting up the room. <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>So once again, get yourself to a conference even if you think there is nothing new to ascertain. You will not be disappointed. See you there and God bless. </span></div>
Janet Syas Nitsickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14824387792066497680noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4048580796864572467.post-90370308047576785092013-02-19T12:51:00.000-08:002013-02-19T12:51:47.923-08:00How to Stand Out From the Crowd<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I was one of 40 authors at a recent library, book-signing event. The organizers also allowed you to sell your books. However, in this environment, you needed to stand out from the crowd. How do you do that?</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>By being different, of course, and this includes wearing something which draws attention (now do not think naughty here). I wore a wedding-dress costume, a blue, large-brimmed hat and white boots, pictured above. People stopped at my table because of the outfit made by a longtime, high-school friend. She did an awesome job with many trials confronting her. I am extremely grateful and thank God for such a beautiful friend.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Why did I dress this way? Because the first two chapters in my five-star, inspiring-historical romance, <i>Lockets and Lanterns</i>, is the wedding scene of the marriage of Red to Edith. The plot is his secret ... her broken heart. Red keeps a secret from his wife which keeps the pages turning. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>But even with a well-written and intriguing story, somehow you have to stand out and wearing costumes helps. Another author dressed in mob attire since his book dealt with that. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>One way to grab attention is to decorate your table with out-of-the-ordinary material, such as using a rod-iron recipe stand in which to hold copies of my novel. I picked it up at a hobby store. In addition, it has a practical value of being able to weather harsh winds during outside events.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Remember to not just sit there but also get up and engage the potential customers. Make sure you tell them your books also are available on Nook and Kindle. In this day and age, this is important. One man took a picture of my book so he could tell his wife and she could order it on Kindle.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>A Harlequin, best-selling author brought a flyer. On it, she listed some of her romance books available on Kindle and Nook and her upcoming non-fiction release on writing. These are valuable tools in standing out from the crowd. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Bringing candies and cookies can bring people to your table; however, my experience has not been good with this approach. I did this early on since one of my stories in my Best of Year book, <i>Seasons of the Soul, </i>is titled, “Grandma’s Cookies.” Thus, I made chocolate-chip cookies as Grandma Blessing did in my story. Oh, I got visitors, such as children, but this often depleted my cookies without getting buyers. So think about your table and whether your gimmick will work. If, though, your purpose is for you and others to just enjoy the goodies, then go for it. It never hurts to indulge and keep yourself and others in good spirits.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Watch what other authors do and learn from them. One author had a book review of her novel and gave it to potential buyers. It helped her sell it. I did that with my first book but because of limited table space have not done this with my romance. You cannot put too much on a table or it will look cluttered. Remember a person scans your table, and you only have a few seconds to catch their attention.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Additionally, shake things up a bit. Do different types of giveaways. Think outside of the box. Work on a grand-prize giveaway where you give something special and your books. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Well, I think I have stated enough for today. Have a great day and remember to think unique - it reaps benefits. God bless. </span></span></div>
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Janet Syas Nitsickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14824387792066497680noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4048580796864572467.post-6920963709299193022013-01-03T18:34:00.000-08:002013-01-03T18:34:29.619-08:00Films and Writing Conflict<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Last week my family and myself saw the movie, “Les Miserables.” We love the story, although never read the novel. However, my husband started complaining about it 10 minutes into the musical production. I, though, enjoyed it and would highly-recommend it for those who like operettas. But I will say the new movie adaptation begins a little slow when compared to the past non-musical, action-packed films of this story I have watched (which by the way my husband loved).</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The tale is set in early-eighteenth-century France. Jean Valjean, the protagonist, cannot find work. His sister’s family is starving so he steals a loaf of bread, but the French police catch him. He is sent to prison where he spends years, not only for the initial crime but for his numerous prison-escape attempts. Finally, he escapes, finding safety in a priest’s home. The priest shows him compassion. Valjean turns his life over to God and from then on he uses his newly-found wealth to help the unfortunate. However, the prison warden, a stalwart man of law, is determined to bring Valjean to justice and pursues him for years. The continual action, plot build up and the element of faith and redemption make this story work. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Memorable tales, such as the above, are that for a reason - action and conflict. Look through your work in progress and see if it is compelling? Does it make readers turn pages? </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Learning how to include conflict is not easy. A first-time author does not know the novel’s first page must speak volumes. There is a conference I attend where writers submit their manuscripts’ first pages. Literary agents and publishing houses listen as the pages are read. You cannot believe how many are rejected for lack of conflict. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>How do you find out if your piece needs that? Join critique groups you can trust. They give you valuable feedback. Remember, though, to stiffen your upper lip because taking their input is difficult. I know this through experience, but if you want to grow in your writing ability listen to their input. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>I belong to two critique group - an intimate one of two people and the other a large group. The small group is such a blessing because we know each other so well that we often know what the other is going to say before it is said. We also get to enjoy each other’s company, grab lattes to sip during our critique session and gulp down great lunches with conversations. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The larger group is beneficial because you get several interpretations. If three or more people, however, say you need to change something, it is a clear sign you need to do that. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Conflict build up does not mean you need to rewrite your whole story. For example, I increased hostility in a graveside scene in my early-twentieth-century romance, <i>Lockets and Lanterns</i>, when a main character stumbles and falls and is left to grab the hand of the person who is causing the conflict. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>A great villain, especially a character with traits of anger and jealously, increases tension. However, if you plan to make this character redeemable in a future work, keep at least a grain of goodness in him.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Details, too, are valuable in enhancing a story line, and this does not necessarily just apply to fiction. For example, Bill O’Reilly’s <i>Killing Lincoln</i>, a non-fiction bestseller for more than a year, makes readers turn pages. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Then Booth hears the crackle of burning straw and smells the sickly sweet wood smoke of burning cedar. ‘One more stain on the old banner!’ he yells, doing his best to sound fearless. No one quite knows what that statement means.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“He looks across the barn and sees Lieutenant Baker opening the door. The actor hefts his loaded carbine, preparing to take aim.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Just as Abraham Lincoln felt a slight instant of pain and then nothing at all when Booth shot him, now Booth hears the crack of a rifle and feels a jolt in his neck, and then nothing. ...”</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Now, I realize <i>Killing Lincoln</i> violates some writing rules, such as not using the word, “felt,” but it is a good example of conflict just the same. Well, this is all I have to say on the subject today. Have a great new year and as always God bless.</span></span></div>
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Janet Syas Nitsickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14824387792066497680noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4048580796864572467.post-61478223170824384602012-12-14T15:03:00.000-08:002012-12-14T15:03:35.468-08:00"Grandma's Cookies"<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Joey Lynn remembered his grandmother telling him to wipe the chocolate off his face. Joey loved his Grandma Blessing’s chocolate-chip cookies. Each Christmas his grandma made him two dozen of the tantalizing treats. That gift was his favorite because it came from his grandmother’s heart. She was poor and unable to buy him a present.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Grandma would not be joining Joey’s family for Christmas this year. She died of a heart attack eight days before Christmas. Joey thought about his grandmother as Christmas Day approached, remembering the cookies placed in a tin can and wrapped in aluminum foil.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Grandma always put the cookies toward the back of the tree, so it would be the last present unwrapped. She wrote his name on the gift tag. But she gave Joey the present personally.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Just a day before her death, Grandma ate dinner with Joey’s family. The family laughed as Grandma told them about the time Dad and Uncle Cliff tried to run away. Dad and Cliff were mad because Grandma made them clean the house. But Grandpa Don, now deceased, found them about two blocks away. Punishment was two weeks of no television.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Grandma’s smile and good-natured personality made everyone love her. She often kidded Joey about his wiry, red hair and freckles. “Those freckles look like strawberries,” she said, “and I love strawberries.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>When Joey was younger, Grandma would gently kiss him on the cheek. But now that he was nine-years-old she had avoided what Joey called, “the mushy stuff.” Joey wrapped his last present. It was his grandmother’s gift. He decided to give the pot holders to his mother.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Joey’s family almost decided not to have Christmas at their house this year. But Dad’s relatives liked their big house. Everyone also loved his Mom’s homemade fudge.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> Uncle Cliff and Aunt Betsy and their daughters—Sherrie and Gracie—were the first to arrive. He wished his cousins were boys because the girls wanted him to play house. Soon, the rest of the family arrived. Dinner included smoked turkey, corn, baked beans and homemade bread.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Sherrie and Gracie distributed the presents. Gracie gave Joey a big box. It was the race track he wanted.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> The big grandfather’s clock ticked off the hours. Relatives laughed and talked about their jobs, the past and upcoming events and, of course, Grandma. Scattered across the floor were wrapping paper, bows and ribbons. Joey noticed one present still under the tree.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>He reached for it. It had his name on it. He unwrapped it. Inside was a tin can of chocolate</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px color: #999900;">-</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">chip cookies. Joey knew who gave him that gift. It was his grandmother. She placed the present under the tree when she visited them. </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px color: #999900;"><i>Even in death, Grandma Blessing reached out and reminded Joey of her love. The same is true of God. He always is there with His blessings and His love for you.</i></span></span></div>
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Janet Syas Nitsickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14824387792066497680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4048580796864572467.post-35744954884603275542012-11-01T15:51:00.000-07:002012-11-01T15:51:33.671-07:00Successful Book signings<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">A smile is worth a million bucks. Well, maybe not that much, but it does help at book signings.</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Who would want to interact with a sourpuss? No one. The same goes for potential customers either at bookstores or at vendor events.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Engage people with a smile. If they wear a beautiful blouse or earrings, tell them you like them. However, be honest with these. A person can sense an unbelievable claim a mile away. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>If at a bookstore, get up and approach customers with your book in hand. Give them a short - and I mean short - description of your book. For example, my spiel of my newly-released, inspiring-historical romance goes this way: “‘This is my historical romance,’ showing them the cover of <i>Lockets and Lanterns. ‘</i>It takes place in Omaha and starts in 1904 and goes from there. Its plot is <i>His secret ... Her broken heart</i>, but it is inspiring. The story gives you a taste of the time period as well as it having a short excerpt, which goes along with the plot, from my grandpa’s 1914 application to the Omaha Fire Department.’ (Why do I mention this? Because my audience is from the Omaha area.) I pause and continue. ‘If interested I am over there (pointing to the book signing table), I will be here from _ to _.’”</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Since my first chapters begin with the marriage of Edith to Owen Sias, I wear an old-fashioned wedding costume. This makes me stand out. In addition, I place a bride and groom handkerchief on my book signing table, and I always have a guest book for customers to sign so later you can send them information about your upcoming books. I also have a professionally-made poster. The large poster includes the book’s cover, my name and the words, book signing, and I place the sign on an artist easel behind my table. However, this does not work at places, such as Barnes and Noble bookstores where space is limited.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>When I am at a craft or art show, I ask people as they pass if they like to read. If not a reader, they feel free to move onward and why waste their time? However, this is a great way to draw readers to your to your table. Once there, I tell them my novel is a historical romance. In this way, I further filter down my target audience. Would a person who reads thrillers really like a historical romance? Probably not. But there are those who might be ready for a change or may purchase it for a family member. You also could promote aspects of your novel. For instance, my romance includes a mystery - the secret. Some mystery readers have purchased it because of that element. Well, I had better go and as always God bless.</span></div>
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Janet Syas Nitsickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14824387792066497680noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4048580796864572467.post-68171323651088518932012-10-02T12:14:00.000-07:002012-10-02T12:14:01.553-07:00The Highs and Lows of Writing<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A writer knows there are highs and lows during the writing process. You question your abilities, your instincts and even your love for writing.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>My low point came several years ago when my manuscript needed help. It was through wonderful friends I learned I needed to add more content. I was devastated but their input made my product better. I doubled its size. I had to learn to take my initial disappointment and my questioning of my abilities and turn it into a product I now am proud to tout. The process switched my low into a high. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>However, taking criticisms is not easy. Find a partner in which you can work with and trust. I have a great writer friend who I value her input enormously. It takes time, however, to find the right working relationships. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>A few years ago I lost a friend due to this. She wanted to critique at times which fit her schedule but would not bend on starting earlier so could have adequate time to go through our works in progress. She also was writing non-fiction, whereas I was venturing into the romance-fiction genre. We did not fit. What resulted was a broken friendship. To be honest, however, there were other things in play which contributed to this. So do not hesitate to walk away if you need to do that, but do it early and find a nice way to sever the critique relationship without hindering your friendship.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Go with your instincts. If your gut tells you to write a certain type of story then go for it. My heart directed me to write an inspiring-historical romance. I did that with <i>Lockets and Lanterns</i>. Its April release was my high point. Remember, though, your novel will not set the whole world on fire but could appeal to those interested in that kind of story. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>This reminds me of a time I accepted a job. My “gut” told me to not take it and my “gut” was correct. This is the advantage of self-publishing you can do it your way. Publishers ask you to write it their way which may not be the path you want to take.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Finally, your high is your love of writing and your low is the process in getting there. One day you receive glowing reviews of your work. The next day you get a fair report. The latter can send you into depression because we always remember the bad ones and forget the good reports. Or, your book cannot get traction no matter what you do so your high hopes are dashed. The truth is nothing is easy and you need to keep working at it. Few people inherit their wealth. They did it through many years of hard work. You can be that person with perseverance and determination.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>When my first book, <i>Seasons of the Soul</i>, was released in 2006. I expected it to sell like hot cakes. It did not. Instead, I got good reviews and it even won a contest, but what the gift book did not do was make money. That part was a low point. This changed, though, with my new release of <i>Lockets and Lanterns</i> and this even brought up sales of my previous book. It takes time to get to your highs. Well, I guess I said enough. Thus, I leave you with this as always - God bless. </span></span></div>
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Janet Syas Nitsickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14824387792066497680noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4048580796864572467.post-16008941753011524082012-08-24T15:13:00.000-07:002012-08-24T15:13:27.840-07:00How do you set a Marketing Table?<br />
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<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0.0px;">In 4-H, I learned how to properly set a table. You must place the fork on the left and the knife and spoon resting on a napkin on the right. But how do you set a marketing table?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0.0px;">At book signings or as a vendor, you want your wares - your book(s) - to be displayed attractively. You cannot stand out in a crowd if your table is not different than the others. A white table cloth does not do the job.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0.0px;">What does? A colored cloth which reflects your book or cover. Before my inspiring-historical romance, <i>Lockets and Lanterns</i>, was released, I used varying cloth colors. Why? Because my book, <i>Seasons of the Soul</i>, was divided into chapters by seasons so I used a red cloth for the Christmas/winter season and a lime-green one for spring.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Now, since my <i>Lockets and Lanterns</i> cover is mainly in black and white, I use a black table cloth. I also can play off the cover’s title: <b> Lockets</b>. <b>Lanterns</b>.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I place my book face down so the locket pictured on the back cover is displayed and beside that I put a small-black lantern. On each side of my guest book (which gives you a marketing list) for people to sign, I have a bride and groom, each made from a handkerchief. Why? Because the cover includes an old-fashioned wedding picture. I bought the handkerchiefs at a fabric store. Shop those and craft outlets for ideas. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Also, do not forget to be practical. If you are doing an outside event, remember wind and rain can endanger your display. Be prepared for these acts of Mother Nature. I bought a rod-iron rack which I use to display my books. This can stand the breezes which come in my neck of woods at any time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Another necessity is business cards. Do not forget those. If a customer sounds interested but lacks funds, have them take a card because circumstances could change. Also, this individual might think later of someone to give your wares to as a Christmas or birthday gift. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Best-selling author Ruth Ann Nordin and I did an event earlier this year. I learned something from her. Catchy titles also bring people to your table, such as her romance, <i>The Wrong Husband</i>. You could not believe the people who stopped or passed us and commented about their “wrong husband.” </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Her idea got me thinking about what I could do at a future event in Seward, Neb. I came up with “It happened in Seward.” I could do this because a minor character, who plays a key role in the plot’s development, moves to Seward. It worked and brought in great sales. </span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A few tips: never dismiss a small town event. These can be better than larger ones where people may come more for the entertain, etc., rather than wanting to stop at booths. In addition, remember not everyone will like your book. If your book is a romance, ask them if they like to read romances. If they do not, why give them a pitch and waste their time? However, if your book, like mine, has a mystery to it, you could plug that angle to a mystery lover. I have done this with my <i>Lockets and Lanterns</i> novel because it includes a mystery where the husband hides a secret fr</span>om his wife. Well, I will go for now and as always God’s blessings to you.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></div>
Janet Syas Nitsickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14824387792066497680noreply@blogger.com5