One of the key elements of creating compelling characters is finding their motivation. Whether it be internal, external and/or both (ideally), character motivations are what drive them to make decisions about the obstacles thrown at them. This creates conflict which creates drama which creates an interested reader. Even if they Read more…
I’m very behind on my goal of a book a week but made up some ground in July, August not so much. Another mixed month of sci-fi and detectives. My favorite combo. Anyways, September is around the corner, I’ll see if I can get back on track. In the meantime Read more…
So you wrote and launched a book, great! But does anyone know about it? I launched HOST on 08.01.23, it’s crazy to think it’s been out for almost a month already, and I feel like the work is just getting started. Marketing, sales, promotions are key to getting the word Read more…
I love music. I know, that’s equivalent to someone saying I love movies, or I love breathing. It’s also a terrible thing to write on a dating app, but people still write it (tip: be specific). When it comes to music, I’ll give everything a shot (unless it’s pop country, Read more…
It’s been a week since I released HOST and so far response has been good. Mostly pushing to friends and family with plans for wider reach over the next few weeks. Hoping to leverage everyone for reviews and ratings. This portion of the project, the sales, marketing and promoting, is Read more…
It’s alive! It’s a little surreal but I’m excited as friends and family have started to reach out. Many of which helped make this thing happen. Above is the proof for the Amazon hardcover version (hence the “not for resale” tag), but it’s also available in paperback (Amazon for now Read more…
It’s finally here! I just received hardcover and paperback proofs and I’m excited about how they came out. I’ve been walking around my apartment with the hardcover placing it on different surfaces, coffee table, bookshelf, bedside table, on a chair, in the kitchen, in the refrigerator. No one ever mentioned Read more…
They say don’t judge a book by it’s cover but…come on…we all do. (Note: The original idiom is traced to the novel The Mill on the Floss, written by George Eliot in 1860. In the novel, the reference is to a physical book when the character, Mr. Tulliver, uses it when Read more…
My goal for the year is to read a book a week. Spoilers: I’m behind. I’m also behind on posting these as it’s July, but better late than never. May was quite the mix with a little H.P. Lovecraftian urban fantasy, some high fantasy, then a couple crime / espionage Read more…
Finding good comps is harder than I expected. Comps (short for comparable titles) is an important step in the post-writing / marketing / selling phase. The phases I love…not one bit. If you’re going the traditional publish route comps serve as a quick pitch for potential agents / publishers and Read more…