Independent Publishing

Whose Character Is It Anyway?

March 29, 2019 By John J Kelley 73 Comments

Photo by Pexels via Pixabay Free License

Recently my latest creative pursuit, a departure from my stalled work in progress, has started bumping against a writerly controversy about which I had previously been only vaguely aware, that of authors receiving sharp pushback on their characters and in some cases their entire story concept because of perceived cultural disrespect or disregard. And though my pursuit has to date been a personal one, I still found myself chafing under what at first seemed arbitrary and potentially insurmountable barriers. You see, my current exercises involve crafting scenes in which I seek to embody characters unlike myself, with life experiences far removed from my own. In doing so I imagine their worlds, borne of research and admittedly from instinct too, as with any fiction. On one level the exercise is simply a creative challenge. But it is has also become an emotional touchstone since my attempts to “walk a mile in their shoes” have reawakened my empathy in an increasingly isolating world. Makes for good stuff, huh?

You would think so, or at least I did. But my joy in this new pursuit has since tempered. You see, last week I stumbled upon a New York Times article about author Amélie Wen Zhao withdrawing her debut novel, Blood Heir, from publication following accusations of insensitivity and outright racism in her portrayal of a fantasy world in which characters born with special powers are enslaved. Though Zhao, a Chinese immigrant, has explained the inspiration for the novel stemmed in part from largely overlooked indentured servitude prevalent across Asia as well as her personal experience as an outsider, criticisms soon overtook the initial positive reception of advance readers, leading to her decision to withdraw the novel prior to its scheduled June release.

Not having an advance copy myself, I cannot assess the full veracity of the complaints. Yet the situation immediately struck me as unfair. After all, an author chose to forego a publishing dream pursued for most of her young life right at the cusp of its fruition. In the days since, I have devoured reports of other recent works withdrawn from publication, both before and after their market releases. And though I now have more insight into the issues at play, my feelings remain torn. So I turn to you, fellow Unboxers, to help unravel the decidedly thorny matter of the degree to which writers should shape their creations to meet the expectations – or demands? – of potential readers.
[Read more…]

12+

Author Up Close: Linda Seed’s Self-Publishing Success

March 17, 2019 By Grace Wynter 24 Comments

Welcome to the second installment of Author Up Close, the series that explores several authors’ paths to publishing. If you missed the first in the series, a Q&A with author Fiona Zedde, you can read it here.

There are probably as many articles about the perils of self-publishing as there are about the “fall” of traditional publishing. Most of these articles lack nuance and are more concerned with promoting a perceived “right” way to publish while disparaging the “wrong” way. In reality, choosing a publishing path is a very personal decision, and what’s right for one might not be right for others.

Today’s featured author, Linda Seed, obviously made the right choice for herself and her career when she decided to self-publish. Linda is a contemporary romance writer, a Writer Unboxed Conference alum, and a friend. We’re in a few online communities together, and over the years I’ve watched her career grow from an author who, in her words, “made enough to buy a coffee” to one who now makes a living from her books.

In a sea of self-published authors, Linda stands out because of her excellent writing, commitment to quality, and strong work ethic. And as you’ll see from our Q&A, those things probably had a hand in getting Barnes & Noble’s attention at just the right time in her career.

GW: What do you write and how many books have you published?

LS: I write small-town contemporary romance, with all of my books set on California’s Central Coast. I’ve published nine books so far.

GW: You’re doing what a lot of other authors wish they could be doing right now: making a full-time income from your writing. When you started writing, had this been your goal? If not, when and what changed that?

LS: Honestly, when I started, I didn’t expect to make any money at all. It was more of a bucket list thing—I wanted to have a published book out there. For me, the day I uploaded my first book onto Amazon, my goal was met. Anything else was just a bonus.

Things changed eleven months later, in September 2016. I had two more books out by then, and I had just made my first book free. I went onto Facebook one morning to find a bunch of notifications from friends congratulating me. I learned that Barnes & Noble had featured my first book as their Free Fridays pick. My book was all over their social media, on their website—it was crazy. That drove the sales of my other books, and overnight I was making ten times more money than I had been. That was when I thought, okay, I might be able to make this into a viable business. I still have no idea why they chose my book, but that was really a turning point for me. [Read more…]

13+

How to Plan a DIY Writing Retreat

February 23, 2019 By Erika Liodice 15 Comments

For years I regarded writing retreats as an extravagance. The idea of going on one sounded like a dream, but I could never quite justify the expense. After all, I work from home in a quiet, comfortable office. My schedule allows me to split my time between freelance and fiction projects. And I have few distractions, aside from my team of racing pigeons—though the few minutes a day it takes to fill their water tank and food dish and exercise them hardly count as a distraction. So, why pay good money to go on a writing retreat when I have nothing to retreat from?

Then I heard about Wild author Cheryl Strayed checking into a local hotel to write, and I realized that my view had been too narrow. A writing retreat doesn’t have to involve air travel, exotic destinations, or a hefty price tag. It can be anything you want it to be. Anything you need it to be.

For me, exploring new places is highly inspirational and a catalyst for story ideas. Since I travel periodically for my freelance work, I decided to use a business trip to New Orleans as a chance to create a do-it-yourself (DIY) writing retreat. To make sure I was balancing my client’s needs with my writing time, I booked flights that allowed me to arrive earlier than my colleagues and depart later (which happily equated to cheaper airfare). This gave me pockets of free time on the front and back ends of my trip to hole up in my hotel room for undisturbed writing sprints. It also allowed me to do a few of the fabulously touristy things a Big Easy first-timer might do—wander around the French Quarter, listen to jazz musicians in Jackson Square, and eat beignets at Cafe Du Monde.

My DIY writing retreat served its purpose in terms of word count, but more importantly, it reshaped my view of the experience. A writing retreat, I discovered, doesn’t have to be about what you’re retreating from but rather what you’re retreating to. Though my home office is a productive environment, going to a new place helped me shift out of autopilot and re-engage my brain. At home, the days tend to blur together until I’m puzzling over my daily routines. Did I take my vitamins today or was that yesterday? When was the last time I left the house? Being in a new place helps me slow down and notice details. The melancholy sound of a distant saxophone. The ritualistic hosing down of Bourbon Street each morning. The way you have to hold your breath when eating a beignet lest it tempt the confectioner’s sugar to shower down upon your only pair of black pants.

Whether you need to finish your work in progress (WIP), research a new idea, break through writer’s block, or recharge your creative spirit, a DIY writing retreat might help you find the inspiration, motivation, time, and focus to achieve your goal. Here are five tips to help you plan one:

Define what a “writing retreat” means to you.

The term “writing retreat” means different things to different people. There’s no right—or wrong—way to plan one. When I asked the Writer Unboxed Facebook community to tell me about their DIY writing retreats, the responses were as varied as recipes for a New Orleans gumbo. For Bjorn Larssen, who lives in the middle of Amsterdam, a writing retreat means solitude in the countryside. For Al Budde, who lives in the country, it means people watching in DuPont Circle in the heart of Washington, D.C. For Barbara Morrison, it’s a weekend camp getaway with fifteen writers. For Nora Bailey, it’s a night alone at a local B&B.

Before you begin planning a writing retreat, take some time to explore what the concept means to you. Close your eyes and picture yourself on a writing retreat. What images come to mind? Are you in an urban environment or a rural setting? Are you there alone or with other people? What’s the climate like? What activities are you doing when you’re not writing? What’s outside your window?

As the vision begins to take shape, make sure the destination you’ve identified is an environment that energizes and inspires you. If you thrive in cool weather, you might want to steer clear of Florida in July. If you’re an introvert whose creative energy is taxed by other people, a bustling coffee shop probably won’t provide the solitude you need to do your best work. Be mindful of the conditions that foster (or inhibit) your creativity and productivity when selecting the ideal location.

Plan your travel.

While the question of whether to drive or fly may come down to finances, both offer great benefits. Personally, I love a long road trip. It’s the perfect opportunity for silent reflection, brainstorming, listening to my favorite writing podcasts, and getting in a creative mindset. Depending on where you live, driving just an hour or two can unlock a whole new world. With that said, flying doesn’t have to be out of the question for the budget conscious. If you’re flexible in terms of destination, you can allow flight prices to dictate the location. Sites like SkyScanner allow you to search for cheap flights to anywhere.

Once you’ve decided where you want to go and how you’ll get there, you’ll need to figure out where to stay. While hotels are generally easy to find and offer numerous amenities and conveniences, they are not the only option. Thanks to sites like AirBnB, HomeAway, and GlampingHub, writers have greater access to less traditional lodging options, such as cabins, campsites, condos, cottages, houseboats, huts, recreation vehicles, tree houses, yurts, and more.

If you’re planning to stay local for a day retreat, check out the lobbies of nearby hotels (especially newer hotels, which are often designed to accommodate work and relaxation); public libraries as well as those at nearby colleges and universities, which are usually open to the public (double check with the institution first); bookstores; cafes; and places of worship, which sometimes have quiet spaces available.

Depending on your climate, consider bringing a folding chair to an outdoor spot, like a park, lake, or beach. One of my favorite day retreats is a simple journey to my local river, where I look for a shady spot with a view of the historic covered bridge. Don’t forget to check with friends and family members to see if they have unused space they can loan you for a few hours (or days). Fellow WUer Jay Hicks used a house/pet-sitting gig to secure some undisturbed writing time. Bjorn Larssen periodically stays in a friend’s guest house.

When you open your mind to the possibilities, you’ll find there are writing retreat options for every budget. [Read more…]

10+

My Ongoing Feud with Billy Joel

January 25, 2019 By Keith Cronin 21 Comments

In the course of my lengthy career as a professional musician, I’ve been fortunate enough to meet – and sometimes perform with – a number of rock stars and celebrities. Most of them have been wonderful to work with. Some of them, significantly less wonderful.

And then there’s Billy Joel. He and I… well, let’s just say that we are not currently on speaking terms.* Not after what he said.

I mean, I can forgive a lot, but not that.

Admittedly, it was a long time ago. 1977, to be precise. But Billy has never taken back what he said – hell, he’s probably said it a thousand times since then. I swear, there’s no apologies with this guy. Not even a hint of remorse. And in my defense, I like to think I’m pretty open-minded and accommodating. But some rifts are just insoluble. Some lines just shouldn’t be crossed.

That’s what happened with Billy. The guy crossed a line with me, and there’s just no going back. Not after he said this:

“I don’t want clever conversation.”

Here’s the thing. As a writer – and as a reader – I DO want clever conversation. In life. In relationships. And especially when it comes to dialogue in fiction.

So today’s rant – er, today’s post, that is – will focus on how to make the conversations your fictional characters have more effective, more engaging, more memorable – in short, more clever.

What’s the big deal with dialogue?

To me, dialogue is the single most powerful way to bring your characters to life. As author, editor and all-around writing guru Sol Stein says in his excellent book How to Grow a Novel, “The minute characters talk, the reader sees them. And we know readers much prefer seeing what’s happening rather than hearing about it through narration.” Stein also points out an additional benefit: “Not to be lightly dismissed are those white spaces on the page created by exchanges of dialogue. They make the reader feel the story is moving fast.”

Dialogue opens up a window for the reader into how a character thinks, how she perceives herself, how she views the world, and often, how she wants the world to view her. As Stephen King observes in his classic On Writing: “What people say often conveys their character to others in ways of which they – the speakers – are completely unaware.”

In addition to providing us a clearer view of a character, dialogue can often leave a lasting impression that is far more powerful than most passages of narrative or description. I often use movies as examples in my WU posts, since more people will be familiar with them, so to help drive home how powerful – and how memorable – good dialogue can be, see if any of these lines ring a bell: [Read more…]

14+

Take a Moment to Enjoy the View

December 22, 2018 By Erika Liodice 5 Comments

In July, my husband and I had the opportunity to hike Mount Rainier in Washington state. At 14,411 feet, Mount Rainier makes our local Pocono Mountains look like anthills. Though our goal was not to reach the summit (because you need extensive training, special gear, permits, and serious survival skills), we challenged ourselves to hike the Skyline Trail up to Panorama Point, a scenic vista halfway up the mountain.

The morning of our hike, we woke to fog so dense we couldn’t see past our fingertips. We considered postponing, but the spirit of our fellow hikers motivated us to continue. We set out, tackling the 1,700-foot ascent one step at a time. An hour passed, yet the fog didn’t relent. The wildflowers at our feet hinted at beautiful meadows beyond the thick wall of white. Two more hours passed, and suddenly our boots were crunching through snow, the only proof we were making any progress.

By the time we reached Panorama Point, the thick white veil was beginning to lift, revealing a staggering view of the peaks of Mount Saint Helens, Mount Adams, and other neighboring giants. As my eyes followed the trail back down the mountain, I was amazed to see how far we’d traveled and proud of what we’d achieved.

My own writing and publishing journey has been a lot like that hike up Mount Rainier. I tend to get so focused on my goals and the tasks at hand that it clouds my vision, and I forget to look up and appreciate all the progress I’ve made. The problem with this mentality is that it can trick you into believing you’re not getting anywhere because there’s always another item on the list. More challenges to overcome. A new mountain to climb. Ultimately it can cause you to burn out.

So, before you start planning your goals for 2019, I encourage you to take a moment, here at the end of 2018, to look back over the past twelve months and acknowledge how far you’ve come.

Begin at the beginning.

Do you remember where you were in your writing and publishing journey at this time last year? What project(s) were you working on last December? What dreams were alive in your heart? It’s easy to forget the little accomplishments that move us towards our big goals. But as my dad once said, “It’s important to celebrate life’s little achievements because the big ones are few and far between.”

If last year is a distant memory, take a quick stroll through your computer files and sort them by date to zero in on the documents you were modifying at the end of last year. Open them and reread your work. Take some time to appreciate the brainstorming and development that went into your creation. If you keep a writing journal or idea notebook, flip back in time to see what ideas had captured your imagination. Revisit the last twelve months in your calendar to recall the activities that led you here today.

I recently did this exercise, and I realized that at this time last year I was venturing into an unknown world. By writing High Flyers: Rookie of the Year, I was stepping away from women’s fiction and entering a new (to me) genre, children’s literature. This decision came with new challenges, like learning how to work with an illustrator, produce an illustrated chapter book series, and reach young readers. At this time last year, I was nervous and full of self-doubt. Today, a year later, I’m on sturdier footing. My illustrator and I have found our flow. I have a better understanding of the production challenges involved in publishing books with illustrations. I’ve experimented with different marketing tactics and have a clearer sense of where my time and money are best spent. This month, I published the second book in the High Flyers series, Pigeon Poacher Strikes Again, and the nervous self-doubt has been replaced by excitement and joy.

What project(s) were you working on at the end of last year? Where do they stand today? What obstacles did you have to overcome to get here?

Acknowledge your growth.

It’s been said that if you’re not growing, you’re dying. Having experienced several periods of stagnation throughout my life, I can attest that I feel more alive and engaged when I’m learning new things and expanding my skills and abilities. But growth can be a tricky business. As desirable as growing may be, it still requires us to do the hard work of leaving our comfort zones. Of trying and failing, and trying again. Of opening our minds to different perspectives and new ideas. Of facing rejection. Growth takes intestinal fortitude. At the very least, it deserves a moment of recognition and respect. So, I ask you to think back over the past year and take stock of all the ways in which you’ve grown. What did you try in 2018? What did you learn? [Read more…]