Author's Corner

Hey there! Thank you so much for stopping by. I hope that the information that I will share here in Author's Corner will provide you with some useful information and tools and encourage you to follow your dream of writing.
This is all information that I have gathered on my own writing journey.
I love helping people. Please feel free to contact me if you have questions or need help with anything.

The Process

Everyone has their own writing style and process, or we can call them quirks. For instance, I have to write on my laptop. I can not do it on my phone, on a notebook, or anything like that. I don't know why, but unless I have an idea already in my head for a scene, I can not in any way write any where other then at my laptop. Weird, huh?

Some authors write on notebooks in the subway, on their blackberry's, iPads, pretty much whenever and wherever. I admit, if I have a scene running through my head, I need to write it down on the closest thing to me. Or if I am driving, I use a voice recorder and talk it out. You don't want to forget any of your thoughts when it comes to your writing. Find a way, or you will loose some good stuff. But when it comes to writing, there is always that place and those tools that you are most comfortable with and they will take you further in your writing because you can actually settle in.

 Let me take you on my writing journey in steps. Hopefully this will help you in some way. If you have absolutely any questions, please don't hesitate to click the 'Contact Me' tab at the top and shoot me an email. So, here it goes.

Writing

FORMAT YOUR WORD DOCUMENT!!

If you are self-publishing, seek out the formatting requirements for where it is that you want to publish. For example; Fractured Heart is published through Create Space. If you go to that website, it will tell you how to format your word document so that it will be ready, formatting wise, when you are done. This is proactive. I suggest formatting your document prior to writing. Seriously, no joke. Do it before.

Okay, so you have an idea for this really awesome book. You are all siked because these characters are talking to you...in your head. Don't worry, you are not insane. That means you are ready to write. You get your laptop open, pull up a word document and you have 'Chapter One' followed by the blinking cursor on your screen. You put your fingertips to the keyboard and your fingers start flying. That's fantastic and it is a great start! If the words are there, write. Don't stop.

or

All you know, is that you want to be a writer. You have some idea, but it's not fully formed, and it's all over the place. You sit down, you try to write, you got nothing. You can't get past the first chapter, the first page, the first paragraph. Please don't fret. It's possible that you need some organization as a writer. There are two types of writers; you've got the planners and the pansters.

Pansters, that's me, they will sit down and just start typing away. Scene after scene will come to them. I'm not saying a panster will not get writer's block, because they will, I'm just saying they don't need to map out their entire story before hand. I do, however, recommend that if your book will be a part of a series that you make an outline. You'll want the basics at your fingertips when you are writing book 2, 3, 4...in the series. You won't always remember where a particular character left off or what their struggle was and how they managed it, so DO an outline at the very least.

The other type of writer is a planner. If you sit down and you got nothing, no words are coming. You're not quit sure where to go from where you are at, you may be a planner. In that case, take your idea and start an outline. You remember those, right? In High School I'm sure you had to do an outline. You can make your own outline or you can find some online. (See links below.)

Once you have your idea, and it's making waves on paper. You are on your way! What ever you do, don't read it and say "This sucks!" or "This isn't very good." or "Maybe writing isn't for me." The first draft is always going to feel that way. I love this quote:

"Write your first draft with your heart. Re-write with your head." ~Finding Forrester~

Just write, and don't look back. Get the story out and worry about editing the story later. Or edit it after each chapter. Alright, you have your outline- you can start writing. You are writing and you get to chapter four and there is a big wall in your brain. YIKES! Even with an outline you can get writer's block.

If you get writer's block, what has always helped me in the past is I would leave and come back to it, write something else, or read a book.

I will say these three things about writing; find time everyday to write, keep reading other books even while you are writing your own, and look for inspiration everywhere; music, reading, poetry, at the beach, in the car, in your life.

 Book Cover

FORMATTING IS IMPORTANT HERE, TOO.

Find out what the size needs to be by searching the site where you will be publishing.

I held a cover model search to find someone local to be featured on my cover. I created an event on Facebook, made flyers, and asked family and friends to share. If you are not teck savvy, or don't have the time to commit to making a cover, then I would hire someone to design it for you. 

Editing
The absolute best advice that I can give when it comes to editing is that you can never read through your manuscript too many times. Each time there is something new that you discover. Whether it is inconsistencies, repetitiveness, word usage, or grammar. Every time you go through it, you are weeding out those things. Go through it as many times as you can until you see none of those things. You also want to make sure that you have a group of readers, at least ten, to read through your novel before it is published. You may not have an objective eye not to mention you have read it so many times that it may seem perfect to you but you definitely want to get other readers opinion before release day. This way you can make changes if need be.

I recommend finding a professional editor. However, it can be very expensive. If you have the money, then by all means, go for it. If a couple thousand is not in your budget for editing- don't settle. Find a friend or family member who is extremely good with grammar, word usage, and sentence structure- and let them help with that. I love, love, love--Grammar Girl. She always has what you are looking for and sites her sources. Then, pick up a copy of the Chicago Manual of Style from the library, purchase your own book, or get a subscription online, and study grammar yourself. The Chicago Manual of Style is the most commonly used tool that editors use. Using the manual will help you stay consistent throughout your writing career in every book, and will answer any grammar questions you have.

It is very important that you try to invest in a reputable editor, though. One of the biggest mistakes a new published author does is that they skimp on the editor and it does significant damage to their reputation. I know, I made this mistake. Don't let it happen to you.

Just remember...it takes time. Don't rush to publish if you are not completely comfortable with it.

Publishing

WHOO, HOO! Fractured Heart has been published! Stay tuned for some publishing tips and tricks.

Please stick with me as I update this page with more helpful tips!

 I am always willing to help anyone out. Please feel free to contact me if you have questions or if you just need someone to talk to about your own writing journey.