Tell Me a Story

Wednesday, 3 September 2008

How to present a Story Synopsis

Tell Me a Story

A synopsis is important
A synopsis could be the most important thing you ever write. Get it wrong and your book might never see the light of day. Make it stand out, make it interesting, and you might well be on the way to becoming a published writer.

A story synopsis can take on many shapes; it has no definite arrangement, but like the manuscript, should be double line-spaced and clearly printed.
The chief component of the synopsis, and sometimes the only element, is a short narrative of the story, and SHOULD:-

Always be written in present tense.
Name and describe all major protagonists.
Sum up key events in the novel.
Specify the book’s point of view:
Contain virtually no dialogue:

A background piece might occasionally lead the synopsis itself, but only if the story's framework necessitates explanation, (where the plot may hinge on unfamiliar story elements such as in sci-fi or fantasy).
Brief
Try to keep the synopsis to just a couple of pages. After all, you're trying to entice the editor by presenting a brief sample. The last thing you want, is to bore your tired and weary editor into slinging the synopsis into the bin.

Next post

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PAST SINS
A Love Story

SHORT MOMENTS
Heartwarming Stories

Tuesday, 2 September 2008

Why do we read?

From: Mellow my Rome

Subject: Why?

Message: I would like to gain your perspective on the follow topic. Why should we read books if it is only a one dimensional thought? Thank you!

Well to start with, Mellow-my-Rome, I’d like to say when you’re asking questions, please use your own name, and a little more consideration.
My name is Anthony, and I like people to call me either that or Tony. I find your query a little abrupt. When you're asking for assistance, try using diplomacy or you might not get answers.
I also have to say it seems rather like you’re asking me to answer your homework question. This isn’t the type of query normally asked on my blog. However, that said, I will attempt to put across my ideas.
In my opinion, to say books are one-dimensional, is taking a rather simplistic approach. It smacks of psycho-babble. Who says books are one-dimensional? With what authority do you claim it?
The act of reading is a dynamic process that stimulates all senses.
Provocative descriptions inspire sexual desires, conjure up sounds, bring back memories of smell, and create vivid pictures in the mind.
We cry, smile and laugh with a good story – how can that be attributed to the one-dimensional hypothesis?
There is no question of, ‘Why should we read books’. We read books because we choose to.
Reading is an enjoyable pastime. No one forces us to read (except perhaps, in an educational environment).
We read books for relaxation and pleasure. We choose to lose ourselves in the beauty of well-written books, where the story, in our minds, becomes a perfect translation of events.
Reading is the diametric opposite of a film, where viewers share the director's translation of events - which can never be as perfect as the one in YOUR mind. A book has as many interpretations as there are readers, each creating their own perfect scenario.
If you believe there needs to be a reason for you to not read, then don’t.
To sum it up Mellow-my-Rome, I’m not here to persuade you to read. I have no interest one way or another in the way you pass your time. It will simply be your loss if you choose not to.

Next post on Tell Me a Story

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To Write A Story - 20 Ways To Write A Story Better
20 Things You Should Know About How To Format A Book
Mastering Conflict In Your Story Characters

Monday, 1 September 2008

An interview with author, Sela Carsen

Sela Carsen is just your ordinary, average, everyday stay at home mom.
Really. Ignore the two Monkey Children. And the disaster area she calls home. And the Darn-Near Perfect Husband who patiently puts up with the chaos. Did she mention the Boxer?
If you see her talking to herself while she’s going down the produce aisle at the grocery store with her travel mug of coffee welded to her hand, well, doesn’t everyone do that?
Fueled by the caffeine-induced jitters, she writes comic romances featuring smart, funny, mostly alive, occasionally dead (and undead), and not always entirely human characters. Her writing runs the gamut from paranormal to historical, and from sweet to steamy, with several rabbit trails in between.
She currently resides in Dante’s Seventh Circle , also known as Midwestern Suburbia.

Hello, Sela, would you like to share with us how you came up with the idea for your latest book?

Hi, Anthony, I started writing CAROLINA WOLF about five years ago when we were getting ready to leave England and return home to the US. My husband was in the US Air Force and we’d been fortunate enough to get a tour at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk. I loved it there, but our time was up. We were on our way to South Carolina for his last assignment before retirement. As we researched the area we were going to, I realized that there was a huge swamp nearby – a national park, actually. The Congaree National Park is North America’s largest old-growth floodplain forest.

I looked on the map again and realized that there was a small town that conjoined the area and started thinking.

Essentially, I started with the setting, then the characters came with it.

And what about planning? Do you plan your stories first with an outline or does it come to you as write it?

I’m a “pantser,” short for “I write by the seat of my pants.” I just start writing and see what happens. I’ve tried plotting a few times, but it’s never worked out. It sucks all the fun out of writing for me.

Some people like to know where they’re heading when they write. Do you know the end of the story at the beginning?

Well …. My husband once asked me that. I said, “Yes. They all end with ‘And they lived happily ever after.’” *gg*

So do you have a process for developing your characters?

No, I’m afraid not. Boy, I should never write a “how-to” book, eh? They develop on the page as I write. Sometimes they absolutely crack me up, sometimes I try to steer them down a road I think is the right one and they quit on me altogether. I always think that you can plan all you like, but you never really know what someone is going to do in any given situation until they’re actually in it. You can assume, but sometimes you’re wrong.

Sela, some people say that authors write themselves into their characters. Is there any part of you in your characters and what they would be?

I tend to write very “everyman” heroines and thus far, they’ve all been Southern. I am a Southern woman, I understand Southern women. Someone once told me that as a Northeasterner, she found it offensive when people called her “ma’am” or opened doors for her. I realized then that I couldn’t ever write an authentic character from that part of the country because I genuinely didn’t understand that attitude or its roots.

What’s your favorite part about this book?

Anthony, I love the way my heroine grows. At the beginning, she’s very ordinary. She even considers herself boring. Through the story, she comes into herself as a whole woman. It was a really fun theme to play with.

If you’re enjoying it, Sela, you’re definitely onto a winner. So would you like to give us a brief summary of the book?

Debra Henry is boring. And she’s okay with that. Really. It’s not as if the teensy amount of witchcraft she inherited is worth much. So what’s up with the werewolves that start crawling out of the woods, er, swamps? When one werewolf saves her from an outcast of his kind, she takes him home to patch him up, but healing him awakens the magic that sleeps in her blood. Suddenly, Debra’s not quite as boring as she thought.

Maddox Moreau likes being the BWIS – the Big Wolf In the Swamp. By day, he’s a wildlife management specialist at the Congaree National Park in South Carolina. By night, he enjoys howling it up with different women. At least until he meets the one woman who can share his soul. Rescuing her seals his fate, but only if he can also protect her from the rogue werewolf with a nasty stalker streak.

Unpredictable magic and rampant werewolves liven up the swamp in CAROLINA WOLF.

When in the process of writing your book did you begin to look for a publisher?

I wrote this one as a response to a call for submission. My publisher, Samhain, was looking for stories to put into an anthology called TICKLE MY FANTASY. They wanted all paranormal romantic comedies. I had written the first few scenes way back when, but never finished it. I realized I had the beginnings of the perfect story sitting in my hard drive and I just went from there.

So what struggles have you had on the road to being published?

I’ve always had the hardest time with promotion. It’s difficult for me to put myself out there and say “Buy my book!”

Tell me about it. I absolutely hate promotion, it’s just something we have to put up with though, I’m afraid. What about the best part about being published?

It’s just incredibly fun to hang out with authors. There’s a camaraderie there that is difficult to understand until you’ve had the experiences of contracts and covers and promotion. We still deal with all the things that all writers do: recalcitrant characters, building themes, getting the words down, but there’s a sense that there’s a concrete goal at the end. It’s almost a relief in some ways.

What do you want readers to remember and carry with them after reading your novel?

That they had fun. That they smiled. That there’s a core of strength in women that they alone can tap. And that they can enjoy the journey of finding that strength and finding love.

And do you have plans to write another book?

It’s already in the works. I’m writing a tie-in story to my first novella, NOT QUITE DEAD. One of the secondary characters really deserved his own happily ever after. After that, I want to get back to my sole historical and revise it, then I can finally start the novel I’ve been playing around with for a while.

Okay Sela, let’s get down to the plug. Where can readers find a copy of your book?

CAROLINA WOLF will be on sale through Bookstore and More in February 2009. In the meantime, you can find my other stories, NOT QUITE DEAD and HEART OF THE SEA at My Bookstore and More, as well as other e-book sellers. HEART OF THE SEA is also available in Kindle at Amazon.com.

Do you have a website for readers to go to?

Absolutely! You can find me at http://www.selacarsen.com/ I blog on a semi-regular basis, too, so click on the blog button

Sela Carsen, Thank you for sharing this moment with us. Good luck with the sales …. And promotion.

The people and rssHugger

At last it is here, rssHugger, a website to help bloggers publicize their blogs, whilst helping people find blogs subjects they’re interested in.

Through the internet, rssHugger is trying to bring blog writers and blog readers together. Each blog is manually checked, so it seems rssHugger will be the first ever, spam free rss directory for bloggers.

There’s nothing like people power.

Friday, 29 August 2008

Question -how do you write a manuscript?

Tell Me a Story

Can you help me, AJ. I'm afraid I've a few questions. How do you write a manuscript? When can you put the information about the book in the transcript? When do you insert the little tribute to someone. Is it when you send your book in or what?

Hi! If your question is HOW to write a book, then my answer is you should try purchasing a text book on creative writing. This blog is too way limited to go into that. I can give a few hints and tips, but for a complete course, you must study a book.
If your question is on the subject of the correct way to PRESENT your work, then take a look at my post Submission Guidelines It's already been covered there. Most publishing houses will toss your manuscript onto the slush pile without even looking if it doesn't meet industry standards, so it pays to do it correctly.
As far as the book blurb is concerned, my publishers asked me to present a short synopsis just as the editing process was drawing to a close, which is a long time after it was accepted for publication.
I was also asked if I would like to present a dedication page at a similar time. So as you can see. You have no need to think about things like that until you have a contract in your hands.

Next post

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An interview with writer, Cindy Price

Cindy Price has been an online friend for a while now, and I thought it time to take a closer look at what she does.
Hi Cindy, would you like to tell us how long you've been writing?

Hello Anthony. Well, actually, I really don't ever remember not writing.

So, how many stories and poems have you produced?

I've written many stories. I have a novel in the works but that's not my passion really. I have hundreds of poems that I wrote years ago and have had a few of them published.

It's always nice to hear of success, congratulations. It isn't often poetry gets published now. It seems to have gone out of fashion. What was it that prompted you to write your latest work?

I see such a need for people who call themselves Christians, to know what they believe and why they believe it. So many people say they know what they believe about God, and about Jesus, but few actually do. If we don't know what we believe and why, then we don't know how to stand against evil when we're faced with it.

So would you say your work was aimed mainly at men, women or children?

It's written really for men or women but my heart is in women's ministry.

Okay, Cindy, let's give you a shameless plug. Where is your work available? How can readers get at it?

A large part of it is on my blog, STAND

Did you get that folk, click your fingers and take a look, that's all it takes. Cindy, let's hope you have a few hits because of this.... Have you anything in the pipeline at the moment?

Well, I'm currently looking for an agent and I have a small piece that should be out in the Spring of 2009.

The best of luck with it, and with finding an agent. Would you like to give a brief outline of your work?

Thanks Anthony. The piece is called "Stand" and is based on Galatians 5:1. The purpose of it is to teach others what God has taught me about standing on His Word to have victory in life.

What a brilliant concept, Cindy. I wish you well. Remember folks, get clicking, take a look at Cindy's work right now on STAND.

Next post

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To Write A Story - 20 Ways To Write A Story Better
20 Things You Should Know About How To Format A Book
Mastering Conflict In Your Story Characters

Wednesday, 27 August 2008

Giving your story that extra zest

Tell Me a Story - Advice

AJ, how can I make my story more interesting to others. I've asked a couple of friends to read it, and they both glazed over afterwards. I know they didn't think much of it, but they made the right 'noises' just so I wasn't upset.

Look at books by successful authors to see how they did it and why you found it interesting. You really should delve into each of your characters until they become 'real' to you. Develop them so they exist as people in your mind, know everything about them, all their faults and highlights, their likes and dislikes, their favourite music, food, films etc.

Unless YOU feel your character's problems are real, no one else will.

Before you start to write, rehearse the story in your mind until you're in the correct mood. Feel the emotions you want to generate in the story, be at 'one' with your characters and the problems they're facing. Have empathy.

You must also make sure you have a central problem running throughout the story, one that can't be resolved until the very last few pages of the last chapter of the book. Make the problem one that is of paramount importance to the central person, something that affects them if it cannot be resolved. Intertwine this major problem with with minor problems that are resolved within a few chapters.

Hope you found this of value.... and keep writing.

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Looking for a good read? Try:-

Short Moments - collection of 10 short stories

Past Sins - Contemporary fiction

An interview with author, Ken Preston

Ken, how long have you been a writer?

Hmm. How long have I been alive - almost 44 years, so whilst I cannot honestly say I’ve been writing for 44 years it sometimes feels like it.I’ve written stories from a very young age, and have always been a passionate reader. Yet my first experience of reading was a disaster.

Why was that?

Well, at my junior school, my teacher labelled me a failure because I couldn't read. After a visit to the school to complain, my dad took me to the library and borrowed Treasure Island, Kidnapped, and the Biggles books, (basically his childhood favourites) and we read them together. He taught me to read by sharing his pleasure in reading.

And so a future author was born! Wow, some introduction to the world of literature. So how many books have you written?

Not many, Anthony, but if you were to ask me how many books I have started and then abandoned the number would be much higher! I have three completed manuscripts and one almost complete, which I’m planning on finishing soon. Two of them will never see the light of day.

Why is that?

Mainly because they’re not very good, but do I regret writing them, spending all that time and effort creating two novels that will never be published? No, I don’t. They were both valuable experiences, and taught me a great deal about the process. Writing a novel, like all things in life, needs to be learned, and you can only learn by doing.

I think most newbies don’t understand that, Ken. They seem to think all they have to do is sit at a computer and out it comes. They don’t know the hidden years that go into ‘overnight success’.

My third completed manuscript was “Caxton Tempest at the End of the World”, which is now published and available in Europe, America, Australia and Japan! My next book will be “The Devil and Edward Teach”, hopefully available towards the end of the year.

So what prompted you to write your latest book?

Well, “Caxton Tempest at the End of the World”, came about because I’d completed two downbeat novels and wanted to write something more exciting. I'm interested in Victorian literature and the supernatural, so a novel combining those two elements seemed natural. I started by making a list of everything I wanted to include: Foggy Victorian streets, gas lamps, street urchins, a Fagin style bully, a Sherlockian main character, secret societies, tunnels, vampires, demons, etc. How I ended up with a female cowboy and an ass-kicking Chinese martial arts master, I will never know!

It may sound a little odd to start with a list of elements to include in a novel, rather than an idea itself, but the idea soon followed.

So is it aimed mainly at men, women or children?

If you can read, it’s aimed at you!!! I set out to attract a young adult audience, but a lot of adults have read it and told me how much they enjoyed it. And if you read the reviews on Amazon.co.uk you will see my female readership very much love Denver McCade. So I guess it's aimed at everyone, but only if you enjoy the plot elements I listed before. You know, Foggy Victorian streets, etc, etc…

And where can we purchase it?

Any online bookstore, such as Amazon, etc, and ordered from all good bookshops.

Have you any other work in the pipeline, Ken?

Yes, I’m hoping to publish “The Devil and Edward Teach” soon. This is a pirate adventure, again aimed at the young adult audience but hopefully with crossover appeal to adults.

Would you like to give a brief outline of “Caxton Tempest at the End of the World”?

Well, orphan, Jim Kerrigan and his young brother, George, live by their wits on the streets. After stumbling across a mutilated corpse, Jim finds himself thrust into the dangerous world of Caxton Tempest. With new friends, Denver McCade and Johnny Chen, Jim must fight for his life against a killer intent on opening up the gates of Hell. Other forces of evil are gathering, and Tempest finds he needs the help of an unlikely ally if he is to defeat them…

Do you have a website for further information?

I certainly do, Anthony. My web is http://www.caxtontempest.com/ You can read the first 3 chapters for free, find deleted chapters, excerpts from my journal, and a couple of short stories. I have also published different versions of the front cover charting its evolution from initial idea to finished illustration. Plus there are links to my blog and other stuff too.

Ken. Thanks for the insight. I’m sure everyone will be grateful for it, and good luck with your sales.

An interview with author, Michael Raymond

I’d like to introduce you to author, Michael Raymond. Hi Mike, would you like to tell us how long you've been writing?

Hi Anthony. Well, as a courseware developer, for 15 yrs. For fun, since 2005.

So how many books have you written?

Just the one so far, it’s called "We The People”. It’s a Science Fiction adventure.

And what prompted you to write it?

I suppose reading an article about dirty bombs and terrorists put the idea into my head.

So is your book aimed mainly at men, women or children?

Well Anthony, it’s really aimed at men and women who enjoy 'what-if' stories.

I’m intrigued, Mike! Let’s give it a plug, where can people buy your book?

It’s available at http://stores.lulu.com/wethepeople

And have you any other work in the pipeline?

I have Anthony, I'm working on a short ebook for writers and formulating the sequel to “We The People”.

You’re quite a busy bee then. Would you like to give us a very brief outline of, “We The People”? I’m sure everyone is curious.

Well, dozens of cities worldwide are destroyed by nuclear bombs. A group calling themselves 'The People' claim responsibility and demand that all militaries disarm and disband.

The hero is a CIA operative who is trying to find the terrorists in a hurry. The governments of the world are starting to comply.Instead of terrorists, he discovers a covert operation by aliens to prepare the world for invasion.

It isn't enough to find and destroy them because he must also learn about the invasion and about the new type of nuclear weapons used in the attacks.

Wow! Great stuff. I hope people are taking note. Do you have a Web address for the readers? I find most like to have a contact place to read up about authors and books.

I do, it’s http://www.mike-raymond.com/

Now then, Mike, I understand you’re doing something rather special with this book. Would you like to explain?

Thanks for mentioning it, Anthony. All royalties for this book are being donated to the Canadian Cancer Society. I’ve started a project called READ for Cancer - that encourages my readers to donate to local Cancer fundraisers and circulate the book. Details can be found on the web site.

Mike, that’s a wonderful gesture. Readers, take note and support this guy. What a great thing to do. You deserve every success. I wish you all the best.

Monday, 25 August 2008

"The Lace Reader" by Brunonia Barry, in $2 million Book Deal

Writer Brunonia Barry has brought about a terrific accomplishment with her striking literary debut, "The Lace Reader".

Even before the novel started building buzz, Barry had created an enormous noise in the literary world.

"The Lace Reader," initially self-published in 2007, was singled out by William Morrow in a $2 million deal for it, together with her next novel. I wish Brunonia Barry well. I just wish I could join her.

In fact, come to think about it, $2 million for every book I can ever write would do me nicely, thank you very much. Ms. Barry hasn't done badly for someone who couldn't get published in the first place and had to do it herself.

How do these people pull it off? My début certainly pales into insignificance by the side of it.

"The Lace Reader" is already sitting at number 53 on the Amazon best selling list. Quite an achievement. My own novel reached number 56 on Amazon Canada for just a few HOURS during ONE DAY.

Not quite in the same league, doesn't have quite the same ring does it. Am I wingeing, am I jealous? Yep I sure am! Who gives a shit!

I wonder if Brunonia Barry will write about me on her blog?

Saturday, 23 August 2008

Is Calpe real or did you make it up for 'Without Reproach'?

Hi. I've just finished reading your novel, Without Reproach - I thought it very impressive. In it you talked about a place called Calpe. Is it real, or did you make it up? The way you describe it, makes me want to go there sometime.

Hi Pauline. Glad you enjoyed Without Reproach. Yes, for sure Calpe is a real place, it's a local resort and you ought to be able to look it up on your browser.

I live not too far from there. Here's a picture of the place. I've included a couple of other pics as well so you'll understand the area where Without Reproach is set.

The 'Peñon' rock, Calpe.

The village of Jalón

The sierra local to Jalón

Next post An author's voice

Friday, 22 August 2008

An Author's Voice

AJ, you mentioned in an earlier post about finding your own 'voice' as a writer. Just what do you mean by 'voice'?

Hi, Margaret, nice to hear from you. When I talk about an author's voice, I suppose I really mean style. After a while, the way you write will be recognizably 'yours', rather like a painter can be recognized by their painting style. Think about it, you'd never confuse a piece of work by Lowry with one by Constable.
In a similar way, people will know the book is yours by the flow of words, the way you structure your sentences, even by words used. We all tend to have favourite words that are used more often than another writer.
Sometimes, a writer might have more than one 'voice'. This happens when they produce work in a completely different genre - let's say a humour as opposed to a thriller. They automatically adopt a different style. I've done it myself with short stories; I've used a different voice. It wasn't something deliberate. It just happened because of the nature of the story.
When I write about 'finding YOUR voice' I mean settling into a style which you find comfortable. Try to make your work distinctive; don't EVER attempt to emulate another writer no matter how much you might admire them. Be yourself and your voice will start to show.

Next post

Wednesday, 20 August 2008

An interview with author, Susie Clinkard.

Tell Me A Story

Today I'm interviewing Susie Clinkard.

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Hi Susie, would you like to share with us how you came up with the idea for this book and what is the title?

Hello, AJ. Well, "Circuits" is called that because life is full of circles... you often end up repeating mistakes/relationship disasters/all sorts of things. It was written as a cathartic way of laying down some bad s**t in my life... and it worked; I feel much better! "S**t Happens" was named as it was said by a friend of mine's partner of 12 years when she asked him why he was sh***ing her best friend..."

And do you plan your stories first with an outline or does it come to you as write it?

The stories come to me in a rough form, and gain flesh and blood as I write...

So do you know the end of the story at the beginning?

Yes, but not the details...

And what about the "people factor"? Do you have a process for developing your characters?

Yes, they are based either entirely, but usually only partially on people I have met or known.

Well the cat's out of the bag now, I guess your friends will be thumbing through the book like mad, wondering ... Susie, it's often said that authors write themselves into their characters. Is there any part of you in your characters and if so, what they would be?

In both completed books, and in the 3rd, which is halfway through, there are aspects of me in characters...but never a complete, accurate portrayal of my character.

Okay, so what's your favorite part about this book?

I like the beginning and the end in both books, and the start of my 3rd ("No Unnecessary Risks")...the end is going to be a corker, too!

Susie, would you like to give us a brief summary of "Circuits"

Well, AJ, "Circuits" is 'chick-lit', "S**t Happens" is more thriller/horror...the genre I am happiest with.

When in the process of writing your book did you begin to look for a publisher?

At the end of the first book, I sent it to a few and was accepted within a week by two of them. Publication wasn't a big deal for me...I write because I have to.

What struggles have you had on the road to being published?

None... They wanted to charge me at first, but ended up only taking a small amount for artwork for the cover of "Circuits". Neither are charging for "S**t Happens"; (I had the good fortune to have two publishers after that, again, and this time they really like it and feel it will sell itself).

Good fortune indeed. So what has been the best part about being published?

Nothing! Sorry, but I write because I love it, not for fame and fortune...I think maybe that is why my books sell?

Well that's probably the best reason of all; no problems with that. What do you want readers to remember and carry with them after reading your novel?

A warm feeling that they've enjoyed a good read! As one friend said to me after reading "S**t Happens" for me last week..."I shall miss the characters!" That was really, really nice...

It's great when that happens. It means you've hit the mark. And do you have plans to write another book?

I can't actually stop...the floodgates are open! The 3rd, "No Unnecessary Risks" is about child abduction and paedophiles...another thriller/horror.

So where can readers find a copy of your book?

"Circuits" is available through Amazon, Play.com. or to order through bookshops (Athena Press). "S**t Happens" is out before Christmas...I haven't quite decided who this will be with... I need a publisher who will be prepared to take a book every 9-12 months or so from me, and I believe I might be accepting an offer from Dorrance.

A nice position to be in. Do you have a website for readers to go to? Most readers like to be in contact with their favourite authors.

Underway at the moment...I write under Susie Clinkard, so watch this space!

Susie, I wish you all the best. It shouldn't be too long before we see the next book on the shelves.
Next post
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Enid Blyton reigns supreme

10 MILLION copies a year and still going strong!

I always knew it, I’ve always said it; now I’ve been vindicated.

Enid Blyton was my favourite author when I was a kid. Everyone else has been telling me, “Who-ever believed what she wrote? It was such total make-believe.”

Actually, I think the point is EVERYONE believed what she wrote. Didn’t you? I was enthralled by her books, I devowered them as fast as mum would buy them. Enid Blyton was a great storyteller.

J.K. Rowling endured an unusual defeat on Tuesday when Enid Blyton was voted top of the poll to find Britain's best-loved author.

Next came Roald Dahl, with Rowling actually sitting in third place.

Enid has sold more than 500 million books and is best known for her "Famous Five" books and her incredible “Secret Seven” series.

Critics have said her books are sexist, racist and simplistic. It shows how wrong they are. Enid Blyton’s stories remain very popular, still selling more than 10 million copies a year, each of them drawing readers into a previous world of untroubled kids and "beastly" grown-ups.

I wish I could create something like she has. Hats off to Enid!

Next post http://ajbarnett-story.blogspot.com/2008/08/author-andrew-davidson-canada.html

Sunday, 17 August 2008

Author, Andrew, Davidson, makes good

I thought you might like to hear this story about Andrew Davidson. It surely gives everyone encouragement. After all, it might just be you or me next!

TORONTO – Author Andrew Davidson grew up in a small Manitoba town. As a teenager, Davidson began honing his writing style - which set him on a path that has culminated in his first novel. It is a story that has made the man from Canada the prize of the international publishing world.

And what a prize!

His first novel, ‘The Gargoyle’, was chosen by Doubleday U.S. for a massive $1.25-million advance and he signed separate deals with Random House Canada and the U.K.'s Canongate Books, as well as its Australian subsidiary. The privileges to the book have been sold in 20 countries.

Davidson admits that the payout does make him feel “good.”

Good? I'd feel bloody marvellous. Most first time authors get zilch until their book starts selling.

Next post http://ajbarnett-story.blogspot.com/2008/08/publisher-novel-nothing.html

Is there a publisher who will look at my novel for nothing?

Anthony, is there somewhere I can have a publisher look at my novel for nothing?
I've had good things said about it, and friends are saying I should get it published, but I don't know how to do it, or where to go. I don't want to spend too much money for someone to turn round and reject it.

Well Eileen, it's good that people are saying nice things. It's a great boost to your ego.

First off, don't ever think about paying to have your book published. The idea is that a publisher pushes money YOUR way, not the other way around. If anyone asks for money, it's a scam - run away. It should cost nothing

To ensure your work isn't tossed onto the slush-pile before it's been looked at, it must be presented in the most proficient way you can. Let the publisher understand they're dealing with a professional person and they're more likely to give you a chance. See my blog http://ajbarnett-story.blogspot.com/search/label/submission%20guidelines to get the standard way to present your manuscript. There's no certainty they'll look at it even then, but without, it will be tossed to one side.

You'll find a list of reputable publishers and agents in http://www.writersandartists.co.uk/ Just pick one to suit your genre. When you've selected an agent, or publisher (if you're sure they'll accept work without an agent), send a short, polite, letter of enquiry.

However, before you even THINK of sending the letter of inquiry, check your work again and again. Be certain you've tied all those loose ends, that your grammar is okay, and that you've polished your manuscript until it shines.

Then sit back and offer prayers.

Next post http://ajbarnett-story.blogspot.com/2008/08/age-limit-publish-publishing.html

Tuesday, 12 August 2008

Is there an age limit for publishing

Anthony, how old must you be to publish a book? Can someone of 13 be accepted? My daughter seems to be quite talented and I'm thinking of sending her work off. The hype with Twilight has really sparked her.

Well Anna, it's great to hear that your daughter is showing interest and ability. She certainly needs encouraging. However please be aware that you shouldn't give her false hopes. In a few years she might be ready, but in my view you might put her off forever if you push her into something she isn't ready for. If she's rejected (which she almost certainly will be), it might destroy her enthusiasm.

There isn't a stipulated age limit to publish a book; it’s just that until a writer reaches maturity, its doubtful if the manuscript will be up to publishing standards.

I’m sorry to be a wet blanket, but it’s unlikely that someone at the age of 13 would have sufficient facility, vocabulary or understanding of life to produce a viable book. They would be incapable of crafting a professional standard of work. No creditable publishing house would be interested.

At that age, the writer would probably be reiterating work they have read elsewhere. They have no life experience to draw upon. Writers who put part of themselves into the work are the ones who write successful books. A youngster cannot do this - they simply haven't the background.

Even fantasy books like the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer, tap the author’s experiences, transferring emotions and feelings they’ve experienced in life, to the fantasy world. Very few adult writers are able to compete in the harsh world of book publishing, never mind children.

There are some good, mature, writers out there, with plenty of experience, yet still don't manage to publish their books. I'm afraid it's a very aggressive business - certainly not for the nervous.

Next post http://ajbarnett-story.blogspot.com/2008/08/start-submit-online-publicize.html

Thursday, 7 August 2008

Promoting Books Online

Tell Me A Story - promoting books

I hate promoting books - so I'm always on the lookout for ways of promoting books that doesn't involve forcing my wares on people. Friends are looking out on my behalf as well I'm happy to say. At any rate, I had this list handed to me by a kind on-line friend, and thought you might like to share it. ,

If you have anything to add, send it along, I'll slip it in - or start a new list if there are sufficient. Trying to publicize yourself is damn hard work, and anything that helps, has to be worthwhile. Let's help each other!

Blog on http://www.ecademy.com/module.php?mod=club&c=110
Submit your site to http://www.dmoz.org/
Submit your site to Google, MSN and Yahoo
Join several online social networks
Join several online communities or discussion groups
Add comments to other threads or blogs
Submit a blog to your own site
Use PPC advertising like Google Adwords
Try Ebay
Try http://www.elance.com/
Advertise on http://www.gumtree.com/
Advertise on http://www.craigslist.com/
Start your own ezine
Start your own web ring
Start your own community
Write your own e-book
Start your own affiliate program
Start your own reciprocal link exchange
Register for online networking events
Create a personal page on yahoo, aol or google
Write articles for other people’s ezines
Write articles for other people’s websites
Submit your articles to article directories
Submit your ezine to ezine directories
Do ad swaps with your ezine and other ezine owners

I can't guarantee how effective these way of promoting are, I don't even know what all of them mean, but at least they are something positive in the bid towards promoting books.
If any of you have success, let me know and I'll post it - in fact tell me which bit worked best and I'll give it an extra whiz!

Next post http://ajbarnett-story.blogspot.com/2008/08/story-line-outline.html

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A Summary of Storyline and outline

Tell Me a Story

A STORYLINE places the accent on INDIVIDUALS. It is with regard to the consequence of the scene on the characters.
A STORYLINE summarizes your novel – something you might jot down in the first rush of enthusiasm.

So what is an outline?

Your novel must occur in a coherent sequence. If a reader doesn’t believe part of the story, they’ll throw the book to one side. The OUTLINE allows you to plan this out.
AN OUTLINE is a section-by-section analysis; it acts as a route map through your book.
The OUTLINE provides a solid underpinning to your book. It is the foundation that allow you build with confidence.
An OUTLINE allows you the freedom to write any part of the book you like at any time you decide

Next post http://ajbarnett-story.blogspot.com/2008/08/sex-scene-love-scenes-dirty.html
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Looking for you next read? Try
SHORT MOMENTS a collection of heartwarming short stories
PAST SINS - contemporary women's fiction

Wednesday, 6 August 2008

Sex scene, love scenes, or just dirt?

Tell Me a Story - advice

AJ, can you help me, does writing a love scene in my story make me a pervert? I read somewhere that fanfic people read love scenes like "geeky porn". Now I feel like it's wrong and dirty. Is it? How do you know when it's wrong?

Monique, the only criteria you should worry about, is are YOU comfortable writing love scenes. If you are, it’s fine. If you feel 'dirty', it’s wrong. There are no rules, no guidelines other than common sense. It really is down to you. If you write about something you would think of as 'dirty' in real life, then chances are, you won't ever be truly comfortable. Use that as your own guidleline.
You should certainly never write with someone else in mind. If you do, you’ll stifle your creativity. If you’re concerned someone might think badly of you, or they're reading it because it turns them on, your work will suffer.

YOU’RE the writer, if they don't want to read it, they'll put it down, if they enjoy it for whatever reason, then good. There will always be an element of people who are turned on to a greater or less extent, with love scenes or sex scenes. In the end, does it matter? The storyline should be the main concern.
On topic of storyline, what I will say is the sex content of your novel should never be principal (unless you're writing porn - in which case you wouldn't have asked the question). A sex scene should compliment the story, it should be a natural conclusion to prior events - just the same as it is in life.

Next post on Tell Me a Story

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Looking for a good read?

Past Sins - Contemporary Fiction
Short Moments - Heartwarming Short Stories