plot

The Cover is the Hook

Posted on by Brenda Poulos

At an auction, I ended up with a book by an unfamiliar author. I had a stack of books at home to read. I certainly didn’t need another one, but as I placed it on the bottom of the stack, I wondered to myself why its author had decided on such a nondescript cover. Not beautiful. Not exciting. Not memorable.

With dozens of books in my Must Read stack, why would I even include this one?

I made the mistake of turning to page one. Five hours later, I looked at the clock. I’d almost finished the entire book!

It was a great book. Unique plot. Suspenseful, with touches of humor—certainly proof that you can’t judge a book by its cover.

But should you?

Is it really important to have an engaging cover that will attract readers?

Of course it is! Case in point, if I hadn’t accidentally come across this book, I would not have read it. There was nothing compelling about its cover.

Authors, there is so much competition out there! We cannot afford to leave it up to chance readers to pick up our books. Be intentional. Hook the reader from the moment they see the cover–and keep them reading to the end.

Live a Thousand Lives

Posted on by Brenda Poulos

“A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies, said Jojen. The man who never reads lives only one.”― George R.R. Martin, A Dance with Dragons.

I came across this quote, yesterday, and was so moved!

If you are an avid reader, I think you would agree. Each time you read a new book, you are thrust into a plot and setting with unique characters.

To me, that is the lure of reading.

I could have never traveled to so many countries, met so many people, or experienced so much—except for the power of the written word.

Now, with so much unrest in our world, I am even more grateful to authors for their stories. Places I have planned to travel may no longer be safe—or affordable. The ability to hear, see, and move about easily may cause some of us to rethink vacation plans.

However, a short trip to the library, a book store, or one’s computer should yield a plethora of reading material on almost any subject/genre. I am grateful for stories that teach and entertain; books that encourage and stretch my imagination.

Feel like taking a trip? There’s a whole world out there to explore—and it’s as close as your own bookshelf.

Writing Your Blurb

Posted on by Brenda Poulos

You’ve finished writing your book. But you’re not done. Writing your blurb is next on your agenda.

A blurb is a short book description usually found on its back cover or beside a book’s photo on its Amazon page. Its purpose is to make readers want to buy the book by giving intriguing details about its plot, characters, setting, and so on.

The parts of a blurb are: 1) an interesting hook; 2) information about the main character (for example: This book is about a surgeon who loses his eyesight in a car accident.) 3) The primary conflict in the story. 4) Some authors list their credentials for writing the book; others prefer to show theirs elsewhere. 5) Some people include comparable titles, but again, I reserve these for things like a query letter or in marketing.

I put my photo and two-sentence bio on the back cover, but not as part of the blurb. You may feel differently. Just make sure you put it somewhere that readers will see it. 

How long should a blurb be? Short enough to contain the main components, but long enough to be interesting. Keep editing it until it’s perfect because it will follow you wherever you go!!

Remember: A blurb acts as an advertisement for your book. You wrote it; now use your blurb to assure that readers want to buy it!

What’s Up with ‘That’?

Posted on by Brenda Poulos

Just as some realtors are known more for listing and others for their mastery at selling, in writing some authors are known as experts at character development, while others are more proficient at plot.

However, my opinion writers must strive to master characterization and plot. We must also improve in other areas as well. Description, dialog, backstory, and the ever elusive cliff hanger are also important in crafting a well-rounded novel.

And as we grow as writers it is important to stay up on changes within the industry. For example, did you know that within the last year or so the word that, got the ax?

If you want to refer to something specific, you can simply name what you are referring to: “I’d like some more of that” can be changed to, “I’d like some more mashed potatoes.”

Sometimes you can just rewrite the sentence as: I found that the price of a haircut and color in Las Vegas is almost twice what I’d paid in Phoenix, so I may decide to “go gray.” (True, by the way). This can be rewritten as: I may decide not to color my hair anymore because the price in Las Vegas is twice what I paid in Phoenix.

Here’s more information on that usage:  use that for things, but use who/whom when referring to people.“Pass the cookies to everyone who wants one.” Or, “I’d like to test drive that car.”    

Finally, avoid beginning sentences with the word that and avoid phrases such as “the fact that…”

But, if you’re like me and can’t remember all of the rules concerning the word that, simply try to reword your sentences to avoid using it so often that it becomes a glaring repetition. 

So, you caught my misuse above? How about a rewrite:  “…to avoid using it so often it becomes a glaring mistake.”

Inquiring Minds Want to Know

Posted on by Brenda Poulos

In the past two weeks, I have been getting Junk emails advertising—actually guaranteeing—40+ reviews on Amazon and Goodreads. The correspondence says they are fully compliant with Amazon’s rules and regulations.

Why the influx of these so-called review businesses? How much do they cost? Do they deliver what they promise? Do they really “comply”?

Well, the jury is still out on that one because I’m not sure I want to get caught up in something that just might be a scam.

If you have tried one of these. I’d be interested to hear about your experience.

Generally speaking though, I would make these few remarks:

It’s a waste of money to pay for a trade book review if you only intend to sell your book on Amazon. You will sell more books by generating more five-star reader book reviews.

For myself, I usually read short and to the point reader reviews, rather than lengthy professional ones. Those reviews mention things like character, plot, theme (which I am interested in as a reader) and less about writing style, editing, and so on.

And, remember, paying for a review is no guarantee that it will be any more positive than reader reviews.

Here’s a plan for finding those reviews which will be of most benefit:

*Go to Amazon and find several books that might be direct competitors of yours.

*Look at their category on Amazon.

*Find the bestsellers in each category.

*Read their reviews and see what review sources are listed.

*You may find some free blogger reviews and/or some free niche publication reviews.

Like I said, I am curious about the “new” paid reviews advertised out there recently. Please write in and share your thoughts.

Who Are You Looking For?

Posted on by Brenda Poulos

How do readers find authors whose writing styles are a perfect fit for their tastes?

     Some readers say they enjoy beautifully-written descriptions of landscape and weather, creating striking visuals and immersing them in the story’s setting. Others want little in the way of setting or character backstory to distract them. Plot and dialog are their focus. They want to dive right into the story.

    Is finding an author compatible with your tastes hit-or-miss? Or is there an easier way to discover authors you’d enjoy reading?

May I suggest?

  • Ask for recommendations from friends who are aware of your specific tastes.
  • Read book reviews.
  • Read authors’ descriptions of their own books in which they will often say, something like, “Fans of (author’s name) will love this book.”
  • Read books which have won contests that focus on the specifics you are looking for. 
  • Use the computer search bar, typing in key words.

You CAN Learn From Others’ Mistakes

Posted on by Brenda Poulos

I’m an avid reader—and writer.

And I’ve come to this conclusion: we writers need to read examples of good writing. We can learn so much from reading the works of renowned authors.

Sentence structure, plotting, character development, just to name a few.

But we also need to read the works of beginning authors and perhaps those not so “accomplished” writers. We will see mistakes that weaken their stories, make plots confusing, make characters flat and unappealing, and so on.

By contrasting the two writing examples, we can identify strengths and weaknesses in our own writing. We can learn from writers at both extremes.

And strive for perfection!!

When A Book is Made Into A Movie

Posted on by Brenda Poulos

Have grand hopes that your book may someday be made into a movie? That millions of viewers will see your words come to life on the big screen?

It could happen, you know.

And it might be an exciting experience—or it may not.

I watched a movie a few weeks ago that held such promise. However, the author sold his/her rights to the motion picture studio and was not involved in the making of the movie.

I was shocked to see that—although the basic plot was intact—the details of the movie were very different than the book. So much so that it changed a rating from PG-13 to something I was embarrassed to watch.

My heart still aches for the author. So, beware and learn from his/her “mistake.” Get legal representation and have your attorney insert a clause or two delineating that you want to see the script and even be present at the shooting. 

After all, it is your copyrighted work. Refuse to let it be changed into something other than you intended.

Don’t sell out for fame. You just might end up embarrassed to see your name in lights.

Go Ahead and Say It

Posted on by Brenda Poulos

We authors are all about words, aren’t we? Saying things in just the right way to elicit emotional responses from our readers… creating perfect visual pictures… producing tension and suspense…

The things we fail to say accurately can be just as important in producing that next Bestseller.

They are often little things. The season, the weather, time of day. Perhaps a current event (911 for example), a famous place (Grand Canyon), even an address (1900 Pennsylvania Ave.)

The exact moment is crucial in a book I just started to write. In this thriller, if I fail to leave out a detail that is important to the plot, readers are likely to let me know about it. And I certainly want them to have the best reading experience I can provide.

Keeping our facts straight is important. The best way I have found is dedicating a spiral notebook to each story. I allow six to eight pages per character. On them I list physical characteristics, occupation, emotional ties, personality traits, age, and so on. I refer to it often so I don’t alter important facts.

I have tried charts and pictures, but found they can take up too much wall space. Clutter makes me nervous. I just don’t write well when my space is in disarray. The important thing is not the method you use to keep track of details as much as that you do use something to help you avoid these common pitfalls. 

Reading and Writing

Posted on by Brenda Poulos

Writers like to read. Need to read.

Not just pleasure reading, which is a “given”.  But also reading about writing. The craft. Punctuation and grammar to be sure, but also reading about genres, point-of-view, voice, character development, plot and hundreds of more things we need to consider—need to master—in pursuit of excellence in writing.

James Scott Bell’s How to Write Dazzling Dialogue and Steven Pressfield’s Turning Pro are two books to add to your library.But don’t forget to pleasure-read, too. 

“All work, and no play, makes Jack a dull boy.”

I read that somewhere…