Advertising and Promotions?

Well I forgot to turn the heater on in my office this morning. It’s a balmy 25 outside and inside my office it’s real close to that. My fingers are numb, but I ran into the house and warmed up my sweater by the fire. I’m sure my neighbors think I’ve gone nuts running back and forth between the office and the house, but it’s too cold to merely walk.

On to this morning’s writing topic. How do you advertise or promote? Well you may be saying, what’s the difference? I’m going to give you my view of the differences and then a few pieces of advice. To me advertising is something you pay for and promoting is getting your book out there via any channel you can get your two cents in.

Advertising

Advertising is a hot topic among authors. Do you pay a hefty fee and hope that someone will see the ad and buy your book? It’s a catch 22 really. I believe that you need some paid advertising to get your book in front of a different audience than just Facebook, Twitter and various other places. But choose wisely. I’ve heard of too many authors that paid for advertising and never saw the ad or much less found it on the site. Don’t choose too quickly from an exciting email you get from a “advertising firm”.

Take for instance, yesterday I received an email from a company that said they’d put my book on many sites for a fee. They went on to paint a pretty impressive picture of their company. Funny thing is when I Googled their firms name I didn’t find anything, nada, nothing! That was a major red flag for me. They then went into their fees. WHOA!!! Let’s just say, I’d have to sell hundreds of books to even make it back. Needless to say I deleted said email and went on my merry way.

If you find a reputable place to advertise and it’s fairly reasonable for what you’re getting, then by all means go for it. If they say their service tweets and facebooks your ad, go to Twitter and Facebook to see the traffic they garner. If they only have 10 followers and no responses or few retweets you’d best move on. ‘Nough said.

Promotions

Now this can be fun and tedious at the same time. Don’t over promote in a day. The reason I say this is, I’ve tried to analyze the results from a study I did. I tested this theory on Twitter and was amazed. I spent two days just blowing up Twitter with nothing but promotional stuff from my books. I tweeted from every book site I had and yada yada. Then I watched as my Twitter followers started dropping off like wasps in a nest after they met Raid. Well, it’s obvious that this wasn’t a good plan. Then I did this in a more laid back way and gained several new followers. I only tweeted a couple of times during high traffic times and added in books from other authors and funny sayings or just daily writing tips. Amazing the difference. Even had several nice retweets, especially thankful ones from the authors I tweeted. Yes, the first test garnered a couple of retweets, but only from my most dedicated Twitter followers.

A lot of sites say they’ll do the tweeting and posting for you, but let’s get real, we can do that ourselves for free. Well, that’s my opinion and I’m sticking to it.

Here’s a couple of the places that I’ve done paid advertising and seen results:

http://www.rwa.org/ Romance Writer’s Of America – I put an ad in their monthly magazine and had some great results. It’s not very expensive and it reaches many readers that actually read my genre. They’re really easy to work with and totally worth it. Also join their organization to get the monthly magazine and all their wonderful help on their website.

http://www.independentauthornetwork.com/about-ian.html The Independent Author Network. This is a great site also to promote and advertise. The authors here work as a team to tweet and retweet each other’s books. I always notice a big upswing in views and sales when I go in and help other authors. Very reasonable to join.

http://bookclubreading.com Book Club Reading is a new one I’m using for both areas. They help you to get your name and books out to book clubs. Their advertising is fairly reasonable and it’s helped with sales of my Christmas book.

Promotional sites I worked with that are free and easy:

http://www.prlog.org This is a press release site. I use the free option and they produce great looking press releases that you can send out to all your social sites and they put them into several channels. It’s fairly easy to use and set up is easy.

Goodread.com Goodreads is a great promotional area. Set up events for upcoming promotions and join groups that are in your genre. It promotes your name and get’s you some great advice to boot.

Shelfari.com Shelfari is a great place to put your books and gained followers. You can download your books directly from Amazon and even your reading list. I’ve made some great friends on this site.

http://worldliterarycafe.com/ This site is a wonderful promotional tool and I’ve learned a lot from them. Join their group on Facebook and ask what you need to know or just read what others have asked. Of course on the Facebook group don’t promote your books. That part of their site is only for Q & A or helpful hints.

Now these are just a couple. There’s so many great sites out there and I know I didn’t mention even half of them.

As always good writing and May God Bless You…

45 years of Blessings…

Many people try to ignore birthdays. For me I’m so blessed with each year I’m given. The fact that I got up this morning is a blessing in itself. I have so much to be thankful for.

This morning I woke to my wonderful husband and son wishing me a Happy Birthday. Then when I opened my computer my email was blowing up with Birthday wishes from family, friends and fans. It’s amazing the support I’ve received from my family, friends and my adoring fans.

The Birthday wishes have been coming in from all over and it’s such a blessing. My writing has been a blessing and to be able to publish my long, hard work. It’s been a dream of mine since I was a teenager and guess what, I’m a published author. This blessing has gained me so many new friends and I’ve met some great authors that I’ve been reading for years. It’s been such an awesome time.

So many don’t realize their blessings. They leave them in a closet somewhere and refuse to acknowledge them. Blessings are meant to be acknowledged, appreciated and thankful for. But most of all they are meant to be passed on to others. It’s like the Christmas Spirit should be kept in your heart 365 days a year. Celebrate life daily and be glad for every minute in our short lives. That’s why all my books are .99 through Christmas. I want to give something back to my readers.

Have a wonderful day and know I’m passing on my blessings and well wishes for you all.

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…

Writing to inspire

What does your writing do for you? No, I’m not talking about the royalties or the fans. I’m talking about the inspiration. Does your writing inspire you? Do your characters inspires you to change things, make better decisions, or even change something in your life?

I’ve had messages from fans saying some of my books have inspired them. That’s the best message you can get as a writer. One fan said that one of my books inspired her to follow her dreams of writing. One said they inspired her to follow her heart in regards to a past love. Then one said she was inspired to reach out to her faith and renew her relationship with God. I’ve been honored to hear the comments and inspirations.

Writing to inspire is writing from the heart. If you write like a drone and never put feeling in your work then you’ve only acheived the writing goal, not the inspirational goal. What you put between those covers is important to your reader. If you just put words there and don’t feel anything then what have you accomplished.

As a writer I cry, laugh and feel anger when I’m writing. I enjoy what I do and I pour out my heart with every chapter. Most of the time when I type The End I’m emotionally exhausted. I have to rest and recoop. That’s in my opinion what makes it a work of inspiration.

What inspires you? Is it something in your life or in a book you’ve read? For me it’s a myriad of it all. I can be inspired by so many things. My faith leads me to many inspirations and that’s a big factor in my writing.

I hope that your writing leads your inspirations and leads to inspiration…

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…

Saturday morning and the coffee’s flowing…

I love Saturday mornings. For one thing I get to sleep in for a little longer and when I get that first cup of coffee I can sit and enjoy it. This morning is no different. I sit here sipping coffee and eating the biscuits my hubby pulled out of the oven as I walked down the hall. It’s wonderful to wake up to breakfast already cooked and the aroma of coffee drifting into the bedroom.

The day in Georgia will be dreary and rainy, but it’s Saturday so no matter. My day will be filled with decorating our Church for Christmas. I look forward to this every year. As I’ve said before several times, I love Christmas. It’s a fun time as we gather together to adorn His house with garlands, trees, snowflakes, ornaments and whatever else we can get out. When we’re done it’s transformed into another place, a place of excitement and enjoyment. The children will come in tomorrow and their eyes will let us know if we’ve accomplished our goals.

It’s the same with our writing. If the reader isn’t taken to another place or setting we’ve failed. I try to push the envelope. When I was writing Open The Heart I knew it would be different. I strived to put an element of the wow factor. I wanted you to feel the icy cold chill of a Christmas in the snowy Alps of Switzerland. I’ve had readers that said they felt like they were there.

That’s a writer’s goal. Take the reader away from their everyday stressful life, if only for a moment. When I read a book I want to be transported into another time or place. I want to see it in my mind through the words of the writer. If you can’t pull them into the story you’ve cheated them of a experience. When I wrote Open The Heart I could see every detail and I wanted my reader to see it and feel it. One time during a particular scene where they’re in the snow literally I actually had to wrap up. I had a chill as I wrote the story but when they were inside by the fire I shed the blanket. Funny how your writing affects you…

So, enjoy this day and make it your own. Embrace the world you live in. Do something for yourself today. It’s Saturday!!!

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…

One more thing, Check out the new link to my book at the bookclubreading.com at:

http://bookclubreading.com/open-the-heart/

and go over to avonromance.com to pick up some great Christmas romances. They’ve got a great selection to choose from.

What’s your goal?

A goal is something that we strive to get to. Maybe it’s a financial goal where you want to pay off a bill. Maybe it’s a raise on your job. As a writer most of us want to write full time. Is that your goal? Do you know how to achieve it?

As for me that would be nice, but I still work full time in my accounting office. Some writers go into writing expecting instant gratification. Well, I’m sorry to tell you it doesn’t work that way most of the time. Now don’t get me wrong, some authors have actually made it pretty big in a short time, but it’s not always the case. Some writers I’ve talked to said it was years before they made enough to even think about quitting their full time job.

One thing I’ve noticed with my writing is that patience is a virtue. Well it may be a virtue but sometimes it’s frustrating waiting on that sale to come through. One big author that I’ve always looked up to and read everything she published messaged me one day. Which for me that was a success in it’s self. She told me to keep up the good work and not to worry about sales that they would come. Her advice was to get out several books and make sure my name was out there. She said it took over two years for her to really see a big up flow of sales. This totally took me by surprise. In my mind I figured she was living the good life, but as she stated, she’s doing well now but it wasn’t always that case. I left the conversation feeling lots better.

I’ve turned out 11 books and have several in the works. As I studied my sales over the last year and a half, I see a trend. And you know, she was right. The more books I have published the more they sale. It’s strange how it works, but I guess a reader picks up a book by an author and if they like the authors style they pick up more of their books. It also helps to have several series going so that the reader is in wanting of the rest of the story.

Don’t forget that as in any business you have to keep up with expenses and royalties. Some authors don’t think about this until it’s too late. Every website expense, writing program, notebook, computer, advertising expense and postage to send books out are expenses to keep up with. Make sure you start a business plan as soon as possible so that this part of your writing life is not swamped with needless stress.

Enjoy your writing and the sales will come. Write what’s in your heart and make it the best you can. Give it the tender loving care it deserves by editing, editing and editing some more. Make the cover a dreamy concoction of what the story means to you. As a writer usually you have in your mind how you want it to look. Then tell everyone about it. Do a social media blitz and show the passion you have for the story. It will be contagious and soon people will catch the passion.

Don’t get discouraged. You’re a writer. It’s an awesome thing and you now have the ability to touch the lives of many, many people.

As always, good writing and may God Bless You…

Social Media is Time Consuming

If you’re an author you know the importance of social media. It’s the backbone of your publishing and selling strategy. The only problem is we try to get on every site we can and then when we sit down to our computer we spend an hour searching all the sites for any inkling of a notice from fans or readers or anybody other than spam mongers. I sit every morning going through my sites and then I spend what time is left before going to the office writing.

We have to make sure we use our time wisely. I am trying to limit my site checking to twice a day. I try to post a blog everyday, but some days I may forgo my usual post for a shorter post or save it up for the next day. That way I have more time for my writing which is important. Since I have a full time job and a family I need to keep my time steady and straight. Following the right course is very important.

As for my accounting office I’ve changed the times I work and added in tidbits of writing time during the day. It helps break the monotony of everyday accounting work with a little writing time. I make sure that every detail is taken care of in it’s own time.

Time with my family is very important too. It’s become common place in my house for my laptop to be in my lap during tv time at night. My hubby and son are used to that’s writing time, but I’m still with them and not closed up in another room. It’s funny the small things that make a difference. I guess raising a child in an accounting office taught me alot about focus. I can depreciate an asset while doling out snacks. So in turn I can now write while watching tv with my family, helping with homework, and cooking dinner.

So, how do you spend your time? Do you waste time on trivial things? Have you got a plan and do you stick to it?

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…

Here’s a link to a great blog about Time from a blogger all writers need to follow:

http://warriorwriters.wordpress.com/2013/12/05/killing-time-is-a-crime-embracing-speed-by-redefining-life-play-work/

Series or finish in one?

When you’re writing the book and the story just keeps going and going, so you finish the story or do you make it into a series? Series can be a continuation of the same storyline with the same characters, they can be a continuation of characters that in the first book were in the background, or it can be just a continuation of the same type of story but entirely different story. What will it be?

For me a couple of my books have stood alone completely. I knew and felt good with ending them at the words The End. But some of my stories needed more. Some were supposed to be stand alone but the characters just pulled at me to be more. In my latest book, Open The Heart, I originally planned on it being alone. As I delved into the story around 3/4 of the way in I knew it had more to tell. You may be saying why not just go ahead and make it a mega novel with 50,000 or more words, but in some instances it’s good to just end on a cliff hanger, leaving the reader wanting more.

In Victoria I knew at the start that it would be a Saga. I knew as I was writing the first chapter how it would end and I built it up to that major cliff hanger which of course has garnered lots of readers writing to me stating that they were hanging on pins and needles. I just smile and know I did the right thing. It’s had several asking when the next book could be expected. What’s funny is they always ask what happens? I can’t tell you until the next book comes out is always my response.

So, what will you next book be? It’s sometimes a hard question. Does your story line have the stamina to carry on for several books? Does your general premise for the book have series quality? Well, let me know how you figure it out.

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…

Have you got a character you don’t like?

When you’re a writer you get the chance to meet many characters through your books. Sometimes the characters leave a lasting memory on you. I’ve fell in love with many of my characters. Wes in “Moonbeam and Roses”, Jared in “Ghost Lover, and Drake in “Open the Heart” just to name a couple of them. It’s amazing the way characters in your writing get in your heart.

But then there are the characters that you love to hate. Those are the characters fans tell you they don’t like which is exactly the point to their bad ways. Take for instance Thomas in “Ghost Lover”. He’s a real snake in the grass. He’s handsome and tries to make everyone including Jess think he’s a wonderful man. But his true colors start to show when Jared comes into the picture to still Jess’s heart. He does everything including attempted murder to get her to love him.

Oh, then there’s Ty in “A Love Never Lost”. He uses his wealth and horse ranch to woo Lilly. But he is obsessed, not in love. He resorts to kidnapping to try to get what he wants. That’s just not nice at all.

Then you have Brent in “Open The Heart”. He leaves Lacey at the altar and then tries to guilt her back. But he soon finds out that true love wins in the end.

Here are three traits that make a bad character:

1: Jealousy – It gets them everytime. Jealousy can cause a character to take drastic measures and make bad decisions.

2: Obsession – Sometimes an obsessed character can do some nasty things to get what they want and usually their wants are not the same wants as the one they’re obsessed about.

3: Evil – Now evil can really make a bad character. They will stop at nothing, even murder to get what they want.

Sometimes the bad characters have fans too. It’s amazing how some people only remember the bad characters in a book. Some of my fans write to me and ask how some of these nasty characters were started. Were they based on people I know? But usually the good ones are based on people I know, not the bad ones.

So as you write your characters, try to put in a couple of bad ones. It makes for an interesting read and can enhance a romance as they try to break it up. Some bad characters can even turn good. Wouldn’t that make a good twist?

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…

Here’s some links to the books that have some nasty characters:

http://www.amazon.com/Love-Never-Lost-Stephanie-Hurt-ebook/dp/B009IQ0LQ0

http://www.amazon.com/Ghost-Lover-Stephanie-Hurt-ebook/dp/B00COQZI5K

http://www.amazon.com/Open-Heart-Alpine-Christmas-Romance-ebook/dp/B00GW6T6AQ

Sunday Inspiration

Well it’s Sunday and cloudy. I’m home from Church cuddled up in the corner of my couch with my sweats on and wrapped in a blanket. To me it’s the best way to write a good romantic scene. My mind is buzzing with ideas for yet another manuscript. Yes I know, I need to finish what I’ve already got started, but that doesn’t stop me from at least whipping out a outline to keep it in my brain.

If all goes well the 2nd book in the Lean On Him series will be completed before Christmas.At lease the cover is completed and ready to go. Hopefully the other works in progress will be completed this year. Hopefully will start 2014 on a new slate.

What inspires you? Is it another book you read? I’m not saying steal someones idea, I’m just saying maybe some character or place in the story inspires you to write. For me several things can be inspiration. As I decorated my Christmas tree on Friday I was inspired about a Christmas idea. Yeah I know my Christmas romance is already out there, but I can still work on one for next year.

It’s amazing how the simplest things can inspire you to put it into words. I’m getting ready to work for a couple of hours and when I emerge from the other side hopefully I’ll be a lot closer to one finish and another start up. Let’s just see how it goes. Of course I do have a lot going on around me. We’re babysitting our grandson and watching Disney’s Planes. Well they’re watching the movie and I’m talking to you great people, but it’s all good.

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…

Choose your words wisely…

Words can be powerful things. They can inspire anger, love, romance, tears, and even envy. As a writer that’s our chosen task is to inspire with our words. Whether it be a mere 5000 word short story novella or a 80,000 word novel, we strive to inspire every emotion in our words. Sometimes the words we choose don’t inspire at all, but encourage.

Words have many different meanings. They can have many facets that follow down a path of the story. Some words mean different things with just the change of scenery. It’s amazing the changes words can bring about in a story. One word can stop the breath of the character or bring about a gasp of love.

As writers we strive to craft a masterpiece just as a sculpture uses a chisel and stone, we use a thesaurus or dictionary to craft the perfect piece of artwork.We chisel at a story and shape it to our way of thinking. We work at it hard and steady shaping out every detail so that the reader is transported to another world. Our characters have to be given the same care as a fine piece of marble ready for the chisel of a master. In order for the reader to understand or know the character we have to choose the right words to describe the character just as a sculpter chisels the features of the face of his art.

It’s amazing how a well crafted story can give you a new outlook, a small sense of accomplishment and maybe even a new set of fans. As I craft my stories I try to put everything at my disposal. Using different words to mold the story into reality can give the reader a new outlook as well as yourself.

As always, good writing and May God Bless You…