Tag Archive for 'fiction writing'

Fiction Book Titles – How Important Are They?

Published on October 28, 2011 in Writing/Publishing. 18 Comments Tags: , , , , , .

I’d like to welcome Mimi Barbour to the Writer2Writer blog.

Mimi offered to blog about book titles, and how important they are in the process of selling your book.  Thank you Mimi for your great offer!

Now, onto Mimi’s post:

 

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Mimi Barbour

I wanted to blog about titles because of the experience I recently had just before the cover for my newest release “My Cheeky Angel” was designed. Thankfully, I caught it in time before the artist had finished it.

This is my story.

The day after I’d sent the information for my new book to the cover artist, I went to a workshop. Thankfully, the talk was about titles and whether they are important. The presenter gave us example after example of titles that really had no information in them. Titles like (I’m making these up) Steamy or The Long Road or Unforgettable.

Let’s face it, today’s media focuses on attracting people within a few seconds. We all know what the television commercials are like nowadays. Even the stimulation we often see on the computer is blinding with color – fast and to the point! It’s almost as if they know their window of opportunity to snag our attention is very short so they better make the best of it. Are they right? I know for myself, I don’t have a lot of time to browse.

Our speaker made us see that if the title of your book doesn’t tell the potential reader anything about your story, then he or she’s quite likely to turn to the next selection that does. If you’re lucky to have a cover that’s to the point, like My Cheeky Angel, which has an angel on the cover, then it might not matter, but what if that reader doesn’t see the cover? Would your title titillate, give them some clue as to what they’ll be reading about?

When it comes to buying books, often I haven’t even seen the cover, but if the title is catchy, it could grab my interest. I’m thinking of books like Eat, Pray and Love and My Sister’s Keeper to name a couple.

The group at this workshop did a little quiz with the book I’d just sent away for the new cover. At that time I was calling the story “Endless Possibilities”, which I thought suited the premise of a guardian angel quite well.

Once we asked for each person’s opinion around the table, the general consensus was that it was a book on self-motivation. Both the men and the women agreed. Then, after some discussion as to what the story involved, and a lot of brainstorming, we decided that “My Cheeky Angel” would be a perfect match.

Nowadays, many of the Indie authors have sole discretion on their titles and maybe some of us don’t give it enough attention. Keeping in mind this concept of letting the reader know something of what the story is about, it’s probably a good idea if we put a lot more thought into what we choose.

Has anyone else had a similar experience with titles? I’d love to hear your stories.

Please know that I love visiting with readers so come and say ‘Hi’ on my blog at http://mimibarbour.blogspot.com or on my website at http://www.mimibarbour.com/ and join my newsletter for a chance to win a free copy of my latest release.

Or follow me on twitter https://twitter.com/mimibarbour

Or on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mimi-Barbour-Fan-Page/203964072966134

***Mimi is giving away two e-copies of her latest release. Leave your comment to be in the running!

Mimi’s latest release:

My Cheeky Angel - by Mimi Barbour

Annie Hynes is a tomboy. Naïve and love-starved, she’ll soon to be celebrating her big 3-0. Something needs to be done! Celi, her ‘down-to-earth’ guardian angel appears to help kick-start Annie’s big change—her looks, her job, her whole life. By taking a managerial position with a sophisticated shoe manufacturer, Annie becomes embroiled with her new associates and hooked on the power of big business. Unfortunately, her exhaustion from overwork forces her to ignore old friends, and her lapse places someone she cares about in terrible danger.

Social Worker, Tyler Jones, previously hurt in two relationships, signals disinterest in women, and only wants Annie in his life as a good buddy. Oh yeah! And to help with his mixed-up street kids. Perversely, once her life alters, he misses her like hell. In one sweet night of loving everything changes. But, due to an overabundance of nightcaps, she doesn’t remember the night he can’t forget.

 

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Here’s an excerpt of My Cheeky Angel by Mimi Barbour:

 

Excerpt:     My Cheeky Angel

 

Monday morning, getting ready for the daycare became a major battle with a mocking, unseen presence. Every one of the outfits she normally wore got vetoed. Her overly casual clothes, strewn in every direction, indicated how few items in her closet would be appropriate for when she eventually became employed in a sophisticated office. The baggy style she’d stuck to for years concealed her body, and when a person strives to go unnoticed in the world, the tomboy look does the job. It isn’t chic, but it is safe.

   

 “Didn’t anyone ever explain to you that a body such as yours warrants feminine attire?”

   

 “A compliment? You must be in a good mood.” Annie had given up talking to Celi out loud when it was simpler and a lot less weird communicating with her mind.

    

“Don’t push it. I’m just sayin.”

   

 “You must be the strangest angel in heaven. Just my luck to get a maverick.”

   

 “Hey! I’m an Angel first class. Count yourself lucky.”

   

 “Now I know you’re kidding. I watch ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ every Christmas, as I’m sure you’re aware of.”

Finally, settling on a pair of snug jeans she seldom wore, Annie wrestled over the choice of her top. A new white blouse hung from one hand, and the safer, often worn t-shirt fluttered from the other.  She faced the mirror and waffled.

“Why did I ever buy this silly ruffled thing?” she grumbled.

“Because it’s pretty and modern, so wear the darn thing already.” Celi popped to life in her favorite yoga stance at the end of the unmade bed.

“Why don’t you have any wings? I’ve often wondered about that.”

   

“They’re at the drycleaners. Look, quit stalling and get dressed.”

    

“Why don’t you talk like other people? I can hear your words in my mind, but your lips don’t move.”

    

“Why, why, why. You’re worse than a child.”

    

Annie stopped what she was doing, stuck her hand on her hip, and glared at the diaphanous form.

   

 “Fine. It takes enough energy to appear, why waste more speaking when I don’t have to?”

“It’s very disconcerting.”

   

 “Quit stalling and put the blouse on.”

“You’re a bully!”

“And you’re beautiful. Look!” Magically, the garment draped her form. The white emphasized her tanned skin, and she had to admit that the new fashion suited her. She buttoned it and stepped back.

   

 “It’s supposed to be worn with the top few buttons undone.”

    

 She undid the first one.

“One more.”

   

 “One button, okay! Two? That’s indecent.”

    

“Indecent? Give me a break. You look very much the way any twenty-nine-year old city girl in this century looks.”

It would be easier just to follow directions, she supposed. If she didn’t the button would unexplainably fall open all day long anyway. M

Before she could change her mind, she put on the earrings she’d bought to go with the blouse and slipped her feet into the fancy sandals that lay hidden in her closet after a shopping trip months earlier. She checked out her shiny cap of black hair, which had stiffened from the setting lotion applied earlier, and now stood up in a perky ‘do’. The darkness highlighted her unblemished skin, and brought her face to life.

Annie turned to Celi for final approval, but the angel had disappeared. “Thanks, Celi.” Only a faint fragrance of perfume answered. A scent Annie instantly fell in love with permeated the air around her hair. She’d have to ask Celi for the name of the product and wear it everywhere. It could be her personal smell for success.

A tinkling sound drew her attention to her dresser and there sat a tiny, rhinestone studded blue bottle.

 

“You’re the best Celi, you really are.”

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Buy My Cheeky Angel (Angels with Attitudes) on Amazon now!

 

 

Plagiarism – This Could Happen to You”

Published on July 2, 2011 in Writing/Publishing. Closed Tags: , , , .

Yes, seriously. You could be plagiarized.

Some years ago I had several articles and a webpage plagiarized. By the same person.

Yep, really. And what’s worse, it was a published writer.

Someone I knew personally, and trusted.

It took awhile, but finally she removed my work that she unlawfully claimed as her own.

This sort of thing goes on all the time, mostly by people unknown to us, but it happens. And it’s happening right now.

Take a look at this post and be aware in case it happens to you.

Cheryl

WAHM, Dad, or Grandparent (Part 4)

Published on May 2, 2010 in Fiction Writing, Writing for Children and Writing/Publishing. 15 Comments Tags: , , , , .

This is the last part of Choosing Your Niche, and covers…

Fiction Writing:

Fiction writing can be a lot of fun.  It can also be difficult to break into, especially if you reach for the stars and decide not to start at the bottom of the ladder.

What I mean by that, is many writers believe they can sit down and write a piece of fiction, and immediately get picked up by a big name magazine (for short stories), or a big NY publisher (for novels).

The unfortunate thing is that’s far from the truth.

Everyone has to start at the bottom.  And from there you need to build your portfolio, and your reputation.

Again, as mentioned in an earlier section, don’t sell your work for peanuts.  Most editors know which publications pay zilch, or very little, and they will often hold that against you.  On the other hand, some editors don’t care provided your story and writing are brilliant.

The best way to break into this market is to start small.  Endeavour to get a short story published, and build from there.

Flash fiction is also good, and can often be easier to sell.

Things I love about fiction writing:

I can be creative as I want to be.

I get to create characters, settings, and be the sole producer of the plot.

My stories can bring a lot of enjoyment to others.

Things I dislike about fiction writing:

Fiction is very subjective.  While one editor or reader will love it, another will hate it.

That publishers make me wait around forever while they make a decision.

That all publishers are not created equal.

Payment:

Varies – from $5 up to hundreds (or even thousands) of dollars.  In the case of novels, royalties vary depending on the publisher, and also the type of publisher.

Recommended Resources:

“Outside the Square Fiction Workshop” – This award-winning workshop is my number one best-selling ebook, and has literally helped thousands of writers with their fiction. It covers all the concepts, and teaches you how to step outside the confines of fiction writing. *Comes with free bonus copy of Think Outside the Square: Writing Publishable (Short) Stories.

” Think Outside the Square: Writing Publishable (Short) Stories” – This book was written specifically for short story writers. Many writers believe if you can write novels, then you can write short stories. The truth is, there are different ‘rules’ that apply to short story writing.

“How to Write a Children’s Book in 14 Days or Less” – You really can write a children’s book in 14 days or less, and Mel McIntyre will shares his ‘secrets’ with you in this book.

*******“To save $10 off the normal price, click here AFTER reading the info at the above link”

Advice On Writing A Novel

Published on June 18, 2009 in Writing/Publishing. 1 Comment Tags: .

November is National Novel Writing Month, and a contest is held to see who can finish a 50,000 word novel in a month. Some people are scared off from trying this fun challenge by the scope of how large a 50,000 word novel must be.

The key to writing a novel is actually just a few simple steps.

1. The Idea: It doesn’t have to be mind-blowingly unique. It can even be a twist on another book or movie. It does, however, have to be different enough from an other work that your not guilty of plagiarizing.
2. The Characters: This is the real meat of a novel. If you don’t have interesting characters, no one will want to keep reading. Uninteresting characters are the primary reason people will put a book down.
3. The Story: When you sit down to actually write, it helps to have an idea of how the characters and story progress from the beginning to the end. You don’t need to have it all mapped out before your start, but you do need to have a general idea of how it things will proceed.

Now, a lot of would be writers are ultra-protective of their ideas. Don’t be. Ideas are, as they say, a dime a dozen. If you have an idea for a horror novel, for example, odds are that Stephen King has already thought of it. But don’t fear — it’s not the idea that matters by itself. It’s the combination of ideas, characters, and your unique voice that makes the entirety of the story compelling. There are a bunch of writer’s resource sites and forums on the Internet. Don’t be afraid to use them to bounce your ideas off other writers.

When it comes to sharing ideas with colleagues and other writers, most people new to writing are afraid of their ideas being stolen. Legitimate authors aren’t going to steal your idea; they’re too busy working on their own ideas to pilfer yours. In creative writing, ideas are literally a dime a dozen — it’s the implementation and the actual writing that’s difficult and what really matters.

Now that you have the basics of your story in mind, it’s time for you to know what the real secret to writing a novel is: doing it. That’s right. It’s as simple as putting your butt in the chair, and typing away (or using pen and paper if you’re so inclined).

* Take reasonable breaks.
* Write every day.
* Don’t stop working on the project until you’ve finished it.
* Don’t be a perfectionist — mistakes can be fixed once you’ve finished.

If you can follow those tips, you will finish that novel. Once you do that, you’re ready for the next step of the journey … getting published.

More tips and ideas on writing fiction can be found at The Twisted Writer.

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