Have you ever sat in front of the computer screen and wondered how to begin the first chapter of your novel? I faced that situation not long ago. I'd been to Block Island during the summer and fell in love with the island all over again. As I meandered through winding roads, I thought a story featuring my Vinnie Esposito series characters and the island would make for a perfect murder. I gathered as much free info on the island and its history that I could while there and then sat down to write. Nada! Nothing! There was just too much information (TMI) to deal with at once. Too many possibilities, too many ideas bouncing around my brain.
It took some time, some shuffling of info and thought blooms on paper before I finally managed to get an opening. I crammed words onto the pages without worrying about them. My friend and fellow author, Annette Blair, once told me that is the only way to start. "Get it down," she said. "Then worry about sorting it out later." Smart woman!!!
Writing like the devil stood over my shoulder breathing fire down my neck, I got the scene set. Then....three chapters into the story, I stalled. Tired? Maybe. Free thinking? Definitely not. I set the work aside and now, a few weeks later, my engine has started to rev like I am a Nascar driver. Today is the day! I will jump back into the story and hope I can finish a few laps around the track before my motor stalls. Whew! I was beginnning to wonder if it was going to happen. The story had been rattling around in my attic until it jelled, so I'm ready to get back to it.
Share your story with me on how you begin your first chapter. I'd like to know, really!
Check out my website for the latest give-aways/contest/and information on upcoming books. See who won the ereader contest im August. I may even have gotten that first chapter of the newly submitted Exposito novel so you can have a sneak peak. Cold Moon Dead is the wackiest of the Esposito novels and I'm sure you'll enjoy it.www.JMGriffin.net
My publisher, Lachesis Publishing, has my Vinnie Esposito series on sale at their website. Talk a look and read some excerpts. www.lachesispublishing.com
Showing posts with label freebies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label freebies. Show all posts
Friday, September 16, 2011
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Publicity & Budgeting
When working out a plan for publicity, the first thing I do is consider how much money I have available. The second thing is work out what goodies I will give away that will stay in the public's hands and not end up in the trash.
Give-aways are great, but how much revenue/publicity do they generate? How many new readers will I get? I have gotten emails from people who took my goody bags, so I realize they have at least looked things over and found use for many of them. Since I make much of my own goodies, the interest is usually great. I put together materials people can keep and use, but cost little. Am I crazy? Sometimes I wonder, but as a creative person, I enjoy making my give-aways, staying within my budget and trying to come up with new ideas for fans. You're not an artist/crafter, you say? You don't need to be. My computer is my best friend, I print, cut and paste lots of stuff on sticky paper from Staples. I use a paper cutter to cut them out and then stick them to whatever surface I plan to use. I shop in places like JobLot, The Dollar Tree, Oriental Trading and such. Why pay tons when you can put things together for little cost and do so while watching your favorite television program. It's easier than you think.
Advertising is another issue. When putting my budget together, I try to find what I can get for free, where I can get it and who is offering a 2 or 3 for 1 deal. CoffeeTime Romance is great, but The Romance Studio has done wonders where my advertising is concerned. They do the set-up, the scheduling and offer bargains. Who could ask for more? I take every opportunity offered for interviews, public readings, library appearances, etc. and if my publisher doesn't send out my book for review to everyone under the sun, then I pick up the slack and send it to my favorite places.
Facebook, Linked-in, blogging, websites, and a newsletter also get my name out there. The newsletter thing is in the works right now, but will be on everyone's email soon. I just have to find more time in the day.
So think about what you do, how you can use this information to increase your notoriety and then tell me how it's going. I'd love to hear from you.
Give-aways are great, but how much revenue/publicity do they generate? How many new readers will I get? I have gotten emails from people who took my goody bags, so I realize they have at least looked things over and found use for many of them. Since I make much of my own goodies, the interest is usually great. I put together materials people can keep and use, but cost little. Am I crazy? Sometimes I wonder, but as a creative person, I enjoy making my give-aways, staying within my budget and trying to come up with new ideas for fans. You're not an artist/crafter, you say? You don't need to be. My computer is my best friend, I print, cut and paste lots of stuff on sticky paper from Staples. I use a paper cutter to cut them out and then stick them to whatever surface I plan to use. I shop in places like JobLot, The Dollar Tree, Oriental Trading and such. Why pay tons when you can put things together for little cost and do so while watching your favorite television program. It's easier than you think.
Advertising is another issue. When putting my budget together, I try to find what I can get for free, where I can get it and who is offering a 2 or 3 for 1 deal. CoffeeTime Romance is great, but The Romance Studio has done wonders where my advertising is concerned. They do the set-up, the scheduling and offer bargains. Who could ask for more? I take every opportunity offered for interviews, public readings, library appearances, etc. and if my publisher doesn't send out my book for review to everyone under the sun, then I pick up the slack and send it to my favorite places.
Facebook, Linked-in, blogging, websites, and a newsletter also get my name out there. The newsletter thing is in the works right now, but will be on everyone's email soon. I just have to find more time in the day.
So think about what you do, how you can use this information to increase your notoriety and then tell me how it's going. I'd love to hear from you.
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