Writing, Money, Choices, Sacrifices

This is an honest look at a writer who today is an amazing success, and what choices and sacrifices she made to get there.

She talks specifics about money, about juggling a regular job with writing, about taking the plunge and being a full-time writer. For her it worked out. It doesn't always.

Rachel Caine's Living the Life.

http://www.magicalwords.net/specialgueststars/rachel-caine-living-the-life/

For the first four years of my professional career, I wrote one book a year … with one amazing year in which I had two books that debuted. And true confessions: the money amounted to maybe $5,000 a year. Obviously, not a full time job. I’ve always been a pretty fast writer, and it took me about six months to finish a novel, even with a full time job on top of it, so very workable. It meant giving up things, though. Principally, it meant giving up something very precious to me: music.

Characterization--a thought and a link

I have often considered this when writing, but am not sure I've ever articulated it.

“Sometimes, creating a character isn’t about deciding who she is, but who she isn’t.”

I saw that in David B Coe's blog entry today about characterization.

He was quoting Chloe Neill's blog entry from the day before.

They both give interesting examples of how this has been useful in their own stories and characterizations.  Check them out!

Headshots

I've talked about these before, but just having had one made, I thought I'd hit a few high spots.

ONE:  Micki Perry, a wonderful friend, writer and mentor once told me to beware of looking 'important' or 'aloof' or 'authory.' That people want to see a picture of somebody who looks like they have a good story to tell, who looks friendly, who is approachable.

I will update that by saying that today, when readers can have easy access to a writer through social media, I am told that readers want to see a 'real person' and not a cartoon character, not a picture of the author's newest book or pet, but a person. An approachable person. The more our interactions are from a distance, the more we want the feeling that they are personal.

TWO:  Max Adams, another wonderful friend, writer and mentor advised me to choose a photographer who does headshots for actors, not one who does families, businessmen, etc. I challenge you to google photographers who do actors vs the others. She's right.

However, if you can't afford a professional photographer right now, that doesn't mean you can't have a good headshot. You need somebody who hopefully knows how to use whatever camera or device you're using to take the photo, who you feel comfortable with. Take a lot of pictures and you'll probably get something you like.

THREE: My own advice is don't look like you're trying too hard. Look casual enough that people will think you might even look that good every day, not like you sat for an hour letting a pro do your makeup. [Ahem.]

Finally-- my new headshot.

  

 

Photo credit: Arianne Martin Photography

Makeup: Shade DuBois

If you're in the Dallas are, check out Arianne and Shade. I didn't get a special rate to promote them. I'm promoting them because they rock, they make it fun and do a fabulous job at a reasonable price.

Local DFW Writers--READ THIS

Next Friday-Saturday-Sunday is ConDFW.  You may think this doesn't interest you. You may be WRONG.

Why? Because this is one of the most economical cons you will attend. It's not all about writing, but there is enough about writing to make the $45 3-day pass a bargain.

I've been going over their schedule and am finding much that is of interest to writers who don't write SFF so let me point out some presentations that you might want to see.

Dealing with Distractions
Self-editing Err0rs
Selling Yourself for Fun and Profit
Historical Warfare: Writing Realistic Combat
Crime Scene Investigation: Trends in Mystery
Is the Pen Mightier Than the Foot? Writing Martial Arts
History and the Usage of the Bow
Don't Quit Your Day Job
ePublishing and You
How to Use Your Villain
Researching the Past: Creating Historical Fiction
Predicting the Near Future [writing fiction set in the next 25 years and how to present technology]
How to Create a Sequel
Publishing Pitfalls: The Science of the Contract
Writing and Collaborating
World-building and when to Stop
Creating Maps
Young Adult vs New Adult
Escape from the Slush Pile
Tips and Tricks for Aspiring Authors
Social Media Marketing

I may have missed something.

I will be autographing my westerns at 1:00 and reading from my new book at 2:00 on Sunday and there will be cookies at both events! If you see me anywhere please stop me and say hi and maybe even take a selfie!

Cool Discovery! Merriam Webster Provides Free Research

This is an interesting article on several levels, but the really cool takeaway:

On page 1624, it says, “Merriam-Webster’s Language Research Service offers owners of Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary the opportunity to take advantage of the editorial resources of America’s foremost dictionary publisher – at no cost. If you have a question about a particular word, such as who first used it or why it has not been entered in the dictionary, an inquiry to the Language Research Service will bring an accurate and concise reply from a Merriam-Webster editor – a member of the largest permanent staff of lexicographers in America.” 

Read more HERE.

This is actually the dictionary I recommend, though any good American dictionary is fine. You do want to use American spellings unless you are selling to a UK publisher, in which case it's fine to use their dictionary and spellings and save them from having to change color to colour, center to centre, gray to grey, etc.

Writing Conference Tips - DFWcon 2013 - KelsNotChelsNOTLIVE ep. 14

I have students going to conferences all over the place. Whether you've been to several or this is your first, you'll find some good pointers here!  And if you see me, say hi, remind me who you are. You know I am terrible with names and faces, but I do want to see you!

Linkage to Possibly Helpful Information

A collection of links worth exploring:

Bob Mayer is a successful writer who is sharing "some basic tools and concepts every successful writer uses." Even though the word "every" makes me itch, because I guarantee unless the only tool/concept shared is "writes words" there are always exceptions to every rule... you may find this helpful. Check it out. It's free.

Active vs. Passive Voice: Read and learn. It's easy, once somebody explains it clearly. I'm lazy and am letting Max explain it clearly. However, there is an even clearer way to explain it, "by zombies!"

David Mamet's Formula for Story: Okay, this is extremely simple and powerful. Add all three things. Stir. Simmer. Enjoy.

If you are in my current class and you have found this entry, leave a comment for extra credit!