Tag: authors

Authortalk: The Seller of Secrets

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Welcome to the first edition of Authortalk! I’ll be posting quarterly on small press and indie authors to showcase some of these fantastic lesser known writers.

Today, we’re focusing on author Sheri Yutzy! Her fascinating debut novel, The Seller of Secrets, releases on April 26. Here’s a little about the book.

Inspired by historical Florence, Italy, and based on legends of the Renaissance-era Medici family, The Seller of Secrets is a YA romantasy novel with a sensory and elemental–based magic system.

On the mystical island of Bardia, Bell Asbury’s sister is dying. A girl with an extraordinary but volatile gift for fusing magical elixirs, Bell was eleven when she accidentally struck her sister, Roza, with a magic that left her with an incurable illness. Six years later, she overhears her sister’s fiancé buying illicit ingredients for a brainwashing elixir. Alarmed and infuriated, Bell tries to end the engagement, but Roza’s fiancé is from a noble house, the sisters’ father is in debt, and their mother is eager to have a connection to a powerful family.

Desperate to find a cure for Roza’s disease and an antidote to the brainwashing elixir, Bell uncovers a tangled web of secrets that leads to a man called the Seller of Secrets and his plot to use the brainwashing elixir to force the entire island to obey him. Bell alone can create an antidote, but her experiments risk the sanity of those she loves.

Rian, an infuriatingly handsome spy, offers to help her defeat the Seller of Secrets. Although she knows Rian is a master of deception, Bell can’t stop herself from falling for him. But with so many things changing in her life, Bell doesn’t know who she can trust and who is working to control her gift.

Does that sound amazing? Sheri recently sat down with me to share more about the book, her writing, and what she loved best about the fascinating characters.

Hi Sheri! Thanks for spending some time with me. The Seller of Secrets was such a good book! I loved that it wasn’t a typical medieval setting and instead relied on a lush, coastal location/setting. So I have to ask, where did you get the idea for this book?

The setting of The Seller of Secrets was sparked by a trip I took to Florence, Italy, with my sister and now sister-in-law. The city was so magical and warm, I knew I had to write a story set there. It’s a YA Romantasy, and it’s woven with themes of power and responsibility, trust, and the nature of art, and Renaissance, Italy was the perfect backdrop for those elements. All the themes are things I’ve worked through in my own life. Exploring them through story helps me to process my own growth.

I’ve found that to be true as well. Was there anything you edited out of this book?

In early drafts, Rian was much more sinister and Bell less confident. Mary Weber did a developmental edit for me prior to finding my agent, and she showed me how strong Bell really was. My agent, Rebecca Lawrence, then helped me revise Rian until he was a better match for Bell!

Thank you so much for revising Rian—lol. (I’m not a fan of the dark “bad boy.”) Even though he was less sinister, he and the other characters kept me guessing whether or not they were good guys! You mentioned how Mary Weber helped you find Bell’s strength. Can you give us more insight into her?

Bell is fiercely honest, which may be my favorite thing about her. She’s one of the more innocent characters in the story, which was hard to write well and not overdo it, but I think her innocence works with her honesty. She’s not jaded. She’s hopeful. She believes the best about people. She’s one of my favorite characters but was actually hard to write. 

Interesting. I usually find villains hard to write. How did you get in touch with your “inner villain” to write the antagonist in this book?

This antagonist deceived himself to justify controlling everyone around him. I can find that same temptation in myself when things don’t go my way and I think, It would be so much simpler if everyone did it the way I want. My MC also faces this, so in a way, she shows a positive version of the antagonist.

I’m still laughing over your “inside thought.” Did you ever consider any other titles for this manuscript?

It was originally The Secret Seller, but we switched it to The Seller of Secrets for clarity.

I can see why that might be confusing. This book is your debut novel. How long did you write before you became published?

I started writing my first novel when I was fourteen, so eighteen years ago! I’ve had short stories published over the last ten years, but this is my very first novel.

We’re glad you kept at it—writing can be a long but fun ride. Do you have a playlist/composer or use any visual aids while you’re writing (i.e., maps, Pinterest, magazine pictures, etc.)?

I listen to certain artists for a long time, different ones for each book. I’m working on a woodsy YA fantasy right now, and my soundtrack is Gregory Alan Isakov. I use Pinterest boards when working out the plot, and then later when fine tuning descriptions. 

Pinterest is such a time-suck for me, but it really helps with visualization. As I mentioned, writing is a fun but hard profession. Aside from “keep writing,” what’s your best advice for aspiring writers?

Remember why you love doing this! The joy of creating a story you love truly is the best part.

I totally agree! What are your go-to writing resources that could help aspiring authors?

I highly recommend The Writer’s Sanctuary, run by Mary Weber and CJ Redwine. Also, any writing courses by Maggie Stiefvater–I’ve learned so much from her, and her courses are affordable and you can rewatch them. 

Writing courses are an excellent way to learn more, especially if you can’t afford a writing conference. How do you begin your stories? Are you a plotter or a pantser?

A recovering Pantser. In early years, I pantsed because it was easy, not because the plotting stifled my creativity. Now that I’m writing under deadline, I have no time to mess around. 🙂

Speaking of time, how long does it take you to write a book—from preliminary plotting to final proofread?

Tough question, it changes with every book! I would estimate a year if I worked on the same book the whole time. I usually brainstorm and plot while working on a previous book, then focus on drafting the new one, then take a break and edit another story while the first one sits.

Wow, you’re a multitasker! I can’t divide my attention like that, so kudos to you! Do you do any other creative activities other than writing?

I love to knit, bake, and garden.

You’ll be able to get into your garden soon, now that the weather is warming up. Before we go, one silly question: shoes or barefoot?

Barefoot!

 

Thanks so much, Sheri, for giving us more insight into your writing and your novel The Seller of Secrets. And congratulations on its release–it’s a great story!

Check out The Seller of Secrets here: https://www.amazon.com/Seller-Secrets-Sheri-Yutzy/dp/B0F8GK5392/

Pre-order The Seller of Secrets from Sheri’s favorite indie bookstore, The Bibliophile, and get a Mira Byler art print of Bell’s garden for free! https://shop.ohbibliophile.com/products/author/Sheri%20Yutzy

Sheri Yutzy is the author of atmospheric Young Adult fantasy books. She was born and raised as a Mennonite in Ohio, surrounded by beautiful Amish country. She read and wrote voraciously throughout her childhood and never doubted for a moment she would be an author. Sheri lives in a small Ohio city in an old Italianate home with her musician husband and four beautiful children. When she’s not writing, she’s tending her garden, baking something, or pulling her youngest children in their wagon.

Find Sheri online at Instagram @sheriyutzyauthor.

Website: https://sheriyutzy.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sheriyutzyauthor/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/233894456-the-seller-of-secret

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/sherilynyutzy

Substack https://substack.com/@sheriyutzyauthor?utm_source=menu

 

Swag Ideas That Are Fun, Flat, & Frugal

There’s nothing like bookish swag. When an author sends a printed Advance Reader Copy (ARC) or a book that I’ve won, sometimes they tuck little extras in with it. It’s often swag, like a bookmark or some other item. And sometimes, the author or sender gets creative with the package by giving it a pretty wrapper, bow, or even an attractive mailer. But coming up with new swag ideas that are fun, flat, and frugal isn’t easy.

Fun and frugal make sense for obvious reasons. But flat? Why? I remember writing to pen pals back when I was much (much!) younger. Getting a letter always made my day. We would write letters using fun stationery, and include pictures or cards, and we’d add doodles or use elaborate handwriting. What was the one thing we never sent? Items. Why? Because it was too expensive. Things haven’t become any cheaper since those days of pen pal writing (which I know dates me, but there was something special about getting real mail that someone wrote by hand. I text and DM, but it’s not as special. Anyway…)

So what are the rules and regulations concerning postage? Currently, a first-class stamp costs $0.73. For each additional ounce, it costs an extra $0.28. There are quite a few guidelines for parcels. An envelope is considered a parcel if it’s thicker than ¼” and weighs more than 3.5 ounces. If the contents are too inflexible to go through the machine, the package is considered a parcel. And last, if it’s non-rectangular, rigid, or lumpy, it’s considered a parcel.

Shipping parcels internationally is prohibitively expensive. A simple, under-one-ounce letter going to New Zealand costs $1.25—not terrible, but the heavier it gets, the more costly it becomes. And a letter will cost more or less depending on the country it’s heading to.

So now that USPS requirements are out of the way, it’s easy to see why flat swag is the easiest route to take to reward readers. It ships internationally without too much cost, it works for giveaways, preorder gifts, newsletter thank-yous, and Patreon perks, and readers appreciate it.

What flat swag ideas could you come up with to put in those envelopes to say thanks or delight readers? Once you’ve tucked in a bookmark or two, it’s difficult to create unique ideas that are under ¼” thick.

Here are 20 ideas that are flat, lightweight, easily mailable (fits in a standard envelope) *, and inexpensive.

*It’s possible to purchase big 5”x7” envelopes. I used them for my last launch team and since they’re bigger, everything fit inside neatly.

 

Bookishly Themed: Stickers/Bookmarks/Cardsflat swag

  1. Stickers: art, quotes, or genre-themed designs (vinyl or paper); series-themed packs
  2. Bookmarks: printed with book covers, links, quotes, or series art (i.e., “collect all 5 bookmarks!”)
  3. Temporary tattoos: runes, symbols, logos, or insignias from your fictional world
  4. Mini Button Pins (w/ cardboard backing): still fits in padded envelope if thin
  5. Custom Stationery/Notepaper: themed around a faction, planet, or society
  6. Author Signature Plates: printed stickers readers can use to “autograph” their copy
  7. Quote Cards: high-impact quotes from the book with stylized backgrounds

World Building: Maps/Character Cards/Lore

  1. Character cards: like trading cards with stats, art and bios
  2. Exclusive Short Story Cards: QR code or URL linked to a digital-only bonus scene
  3. World Map Prints: folded or postcard-sized fantasy/sci-fi maps
  4. Die-cut Shapes: flat cutouts of spaceships, family pets, magical objects
  5. Foil Seals or Stamps: “official” guild seals, royal emblems, or rebel insignias

Interactive Elements: Quests/Recipes/Coloring pages

  1. Recipe Cards: “in-world” recipes (e.g., Elven Tea Bread, Space Pirate Ration Bars, etc.)
  2. Printable Coloring Pages: best when digitally delivered but can be printed and mailed
  3. Puzzle Clues/Secret Messages: interactive swag tied to promo game or campaign
  4. TBR Cards: cards with genre-themed reading prompts or challenges

Collectibles/Keepsakes: Mini Art Prints/Postcards/ID Badges

  1. Mini Calendars: small themed calendars with release dates and character art
  2. Mini Art Prints (4×6 or smaller): postcard-size character or world illustrations
  3. Postcards: with in-world messages, book quotes, or location artwork
  4. Access Passes/Badges: “Official” ID for readers—Space Cadet, Magic Initiate, etc
  5. BONUS IDEA—Coupons/Gift cards: if you sell merch or books on your website or have an Etsy shop

 

This isn’t an exhaustive list of flat swag ideas, but you don’t have to attempt the complete list. With my last release, I had an ARC review team I wanted to thank. I created a recipe card, added some wolf stickers and temporary tattoos from Amazon, and added a bookmark with an in-world tagline. To finish, I included a small card that said “thanks!” with a pretty seal on it. (Lesson I learned: The thickness of the wax seal matters. If it’s too thick, it exceeds the ¼” thickness limit. It also adds weight. It’s good to know for next time…)

envelopes ready to be mailedHere are some bonus tips when creating your flat swag for readers:

  • Bundle sparingly: include 2-3 items per envelope max to stay under weight limits (yes, I exceeded that—oops!—but stayed under the limit for most of the envelopes)
  • Work with small printers: try Sticker Mule, Vistaprint, Moo, or local printers
  • Use reusable designs: generic maps or lore pieces can work across multiple books
  • Weigh your envelope: do a trial run with a digital postal scale or take a filled sample envelope to the post office and have them weigh it for you
  • Add a personal touch: handwritten notes, wax seals, or themed stamps
  • Go digital too: offer digital swag for international readers (PDF, printable art, or exclusive stories)

Have fun with the possibilities and consider unconventional ideas. One sticker or card or even a handwritten “thanks!” could create a special connection between the reader, the story, and you.

Are there any swag ideas I missed? What are your favorites? Share them in the comments or tag me; I’d love to add your flat swag ideas to my list!

Happy Release Day, All the Wild Hearts!

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It’s finally here!

My futuristic Red Riding Hood novella All the Wild Hearts is live on Amazon! I’m excited and nervous and overwhelmed…and proud of myself. 🙂

Anyone who puts in the work to release a book should be. But before this time, I didn’t think it was for me. I’d put limitations on myself. I was too distracted, too old, too busy, blah blah blah, to be an indie author. I had an author friend tell me I should be one, and I remember laughing and disagreeing with her. (That conversation was pre-Covid, so it took place at least several years ago.) I was content in my traditional publishing bubble and while I had fleeting thoughts of being a hybrid author, I had no intention of doing it anytime soon. (because–see the limitations above), When the rights to my portal fantasy series reverted to me, I was stunned. What did I do now? I grieved, I wondered, I prayed. I even spent some of that time feeling like a failure, because I felt like I was right back where I started. Eventually, I realized I needed to decide: indie or traditional?

It was a massive decision. I either needed to look for an agent or start looking for an editor. Each path to publication differs from the other (and it’s even more different within the indie author circle, with options like Kickstarter, Substack, Patreon, other serial publishing models like Wattpad). Through much prayer, God told me to go into indie publishing, but I didn’t do it immediately. (Yeah, don’t do that. Bad decision.) I had been traditional—I knew the pros and cons, but indie was scary! So, I spent a long time thinking, praying, arguing, and just trying to understand what being an indie author would look like. God gave me the time, but didn’t change His answer. To this day, I still don’t understand why He led me here (and maybe I won’t ever understand this side of heaven. It takes faith, and that’s okay because faith is a big part of my life).

Since I was still writing despite the wondering, praying, and thinking, I finished the novella All the Wild Hearts, book 2 (a Snow White retelling titled All the Poisoned Hearts), and part of book 3. Now that I’m on the other side of publishing the novella, I’m amazed at what I’ve learned to do. Reels, marketing, graphics, keywords, metadata, formatting—I’m not an expert and I’m still learning. I’m also still distracted, still old, still busy, but God has had His hand on this endeavor every step of the way. I don’t know where He’ll take this series. Maybe it will offer hope and enjoyment to readers—I pray it does, since hope is such a precious commodity these days. I also pray it will make readers think, because fairytales are so much more than silly little oral tales passed around a campfire. Deep truth or hard situations can be buried in the structure of fairytales.

I’m hoping to write a longer blog post someday soon on how fairytales have changed, but the day my novella releases is not that day. Instead, I’m going to celebrate my accomplishment, have some chocolate (a critical part of ANY celebration) and begin working on the next story.

Please go to Amazon and pick up a copy of All the Wild Hearts!

The Seven Books of August

storm between bookstacksAugust was a banner month for reading. When I’m writing, I don’t have as much time for reading, but that wasn’t the case this month. While I usually share 3-4 reviews in my newsletter, I didn’t have room to cover all my recent reads. Here are  ALL the reviews/recommendations! Enjoy!

 

 

**The Unsound Theory (Emilia Zeeland) 4.5/5  Yalena isn’t star crazy, but when she gets an invitation to the Star Academy, it might answer all the questions about where she came from. This reminded me of Harry Potter, in that it was the orphaned Chosen One in space that goes to a special school and makes friends. I enjoyed it and have book 2 waiting on my Kindle.

**Once Upon A Dream, A Twisted Tale (Liz Brazwell) 3.75/5 Although the Prince tried to wake Aurora, he fell asleep. Since she’s still asleep, too, they must navigate her dreamscape and try to break the curse together. This fairytale was based on Disney as the source material (which I disliked a bit) and the Prince was written with Golden Retriever vibes—not very bright but with a goofy happiness and eternal devotion. I didn’t hate it, but I think I’ve read better Sleeping Beauty retellings.

**The Game She Hates (Ella Marie) 4.5/5 In this Christian romcom, Zane and Pearl couldn’t be more different. Although he’s charming, handsome, and plays center for the popular Glaciers hockey team, Pearl isn’t interested. She wants commitment, family…and a man who loves Jesus. Still determined, Zane offers her friendship hoping a mutual attraction will grow, but does he have room for Jesus in his life? Reading a romcom with a faith element was interesting, and I loved the way Zane fell first. The strong faith element didn’t overpower the connection between all the characters, including Zane’s teammates and Pearl’s best friend, Robyn.

***House of Hybrids (Savannah Goins) 4.25/5 This sequel to Whisper of Weapons continues the tale of a misfit group of friends as they travel to recover a missing friend and his animal familiar (which is a rare hybrid). Once they arrive, their search for answers raises more questions and reveals layers to the queen’s deviousness. This multi-POV coming of age story includes adventure, friendship, and a touch of romance.

***Just A Friend (Deb Goodman) 4/5 This sweet romcom follows Sophie and Oliver who have always had an annual standing date for a milkshake…until he doesn’t show. Sophie knew this would eventually happen. So even though she’s stuck in a small town, she’s determined to ignore the feelings she has for Oliver that Won’t. Go. Away. When the two suddenly reconnect, Oliver finds Sophie…different. In a good way. Not that they have a chance—their families have been feuding for years and he can’t see how his jet-setting and her homebody tendencies can mesh. Plenty of sweetness and romance ensue as they strive for their own happy ending.

***Bluebeard and the Outlaw (Tara Grace) 4.25/5 This clever retelling is a mashup of Bluebeard and Robin Hood with fae elements. Robin Hood and her band of brothers rob the rich to help the poor the evil Duke Guy Bluebeard taxes so heavily. So what if the duke is handsome? And brooding? And nothing like she expected? Their community needs financial help, so Robin chooses to marry the duke and kill him to get to the treasure he’s hiding. But as the duke slips past the walls around her heart, she finds more trouble than she expected.

***Her Maine Catch (Ash Keller)4/5 Aspen is ready for a No Drama, No Men summer family vacation. Especially after being dumped by her boyfriend last Christmas. But when her cousin shows up with her new boyfriend, he just happens to be Aspen’s ex. To avoid her ex and his snarky comments about her lack of fishing skills, she begs her way into a fishing class for seniors. Anything has to be better than dealing with her ex in the cabin’s close quarters. But with every cast, she finds herself drawn to the grumpy instructor, leaving her revenge plans far behind…

 

For more book recommendations every month, sign up for my newsletter (See the sign up box on upper right)!

Fantasy books for Christmas? Yes please!

Can you think of anything better than more Fantasy and Sci-Fi titles to put under your Christmas tree?

Yeah, I can’t think of anything either. So hold onto your Santa hats–I joined with fifteen talented authors for a blog tour! Each day a different author and book will be featured, from now until December 19th.

My day is December 4th, where you’ll have access to a fun excerpt from Burn, book 3 from the Firebrand Chronicles. (BTW, did you know a Firebrand Chronicles box set is releasing in January?!? Woot!)

Aside from amazing books to add to your towering TBR pile, there’s also a giveaway! Want all the pretty pictures and more details? Go here!

Here’s the tour schedule:

November 29th: Launch
November 30th: R.J. Anderson – Swift
December 1st: Ralene Burke – Armor of Aletheia
December 2nd: Michelle Diener – Breakaway
December 3rd: Sandra Fernandez Rhoads – Mortal Sight
December 4th: J.M. Hackman – Burn
December 5th: Sharon Hinck – Forsaken Island
December 6th: Ronie Kendig – Dawn of Vengeance
December 7th: Carla Laureano – Oath of the Brotherhood
December 8th: Belle Malory – Deviant Descendants
December 9th: Sara Schaller – The Genesis of Seven
December 10th: Jennifer Silverwood – Stay
December 11th: Anne Wheeler – Treason’s Crown
December 12th: Melissa Wright – Between Ink and Shadows
December 13th: Morgan Wylie –  Silent Orchids
December 14th: Kristen Young – Apprentice
December 15th: Grand Finale

Hope to see you there!

 

Not Perfection, But Direction

Hi, welcome to Jilligan’s Island! Today we have author Tabitha Caplinger visiting!  Her upcoming book, The Wolf Queen, not only has a beautiful cover but an intriguing story. What’s it about? Glad you asked!

Ylva was raised by wolves. That is the story her clan tells of their Wolf Queen. The truth is far more miraculous. Her Gift, bestowed by the Light, enables her to see deep inside the hearts of men. Prince Rohan considers the Light mere superstition and only believes in what he can see with his own eyes. But a great evil is infecting the Four Realms. The battle between the Light and the Darkness is no longer bound to human hearts, and words Ylva and Rohan thought were just legend are being whispered again. The dragon is rising.

Sounds amazing, right?  I love learning about the “stories behind the stories.” You know, those things only the author can tell you? Tabitha has some interesting thoughts on choices, living chosen, and how it all ties together in The Wolf Queen.

________________________________________

If you hang around me or my social media at all, you will eventually hear or see the words, “You are powerful, chosen, loved, and never alone.” These are words I firmly believe. Why? Because I believe that each of us was created on purpose, for a purpose. I think that is why we like hero stories and Chosen One tropes. We want to be the hero. We want to be chosen. I believe we already are.

Maybe we aren’t chosen to save the whole world from an apocalypse, but we are chosen to speak life and light to the people around us. We all can live chosen.

That thread, living chosen, is the thread that ties all my books together. Whether it’s urban fantasy, paranormal romance, dystopian, or a little Viking-inspired fantasy coming soon…each and every story carries with it a piece of what it means to me to live like we are chosen for more.

The Wolf Queen focuses on the idea of choice. It’s ultimately a story about how the choices we make can guard our heart and keep it full of light or can let the darkness creep in and take hold.

Ylva was given the ability to see into human hearts and determine whether they were ruled by light or darkness. Looking into our own hearts isn’t so easy. We have to be intentional about opening our eyes to the choices we are making, big and small. We have to be careful to listen to the Light and walk in obedience. When we can’t see our hearts, He can.

To live chosen is to guard our hearts, to consider our choices with care. Why? Because the state of our hearts will determine the state of our lives. When we are full of light, we will reveal that light in our attitudes and actions. When we are full of darkness, it will taint our perspective and defeat us before we even get started in finding or living for our purpose.

Now, this isn’t about being perfect. I’m also a youth pastor and something I say all the time to students (and my pastor husband says it too) is “It’s not about perfection, but direction.” We will make bad choices. The next choice is what will matter most. Will the next choice take us back toward the light or will it pull us further toward the darkness?

I know, all the light and dark talk feels ominous. You could think of it differently if it helps. For you, it could be a choice between peace and anxiety. Or a choice between love and fear. Perhaps it’s a choice between gratitude and complaining, or insecurity and confidence. Depending on the circumstances, those choices could be easy or indescribably difficult. But they are choices we make that will lead our hearts and lives in a direction. Are the choices we are making leading us in the direction we want to go—the direction God wants us to go?

We were each created on purpose, for a purpose by a God who wants to help us discover and live that purpose out. It starts in the heart—with a heart yielded to Him and choosing to follow His leading.

In The Wolf Queen, there is a saying—a battle cry of sorts. “May the Light lead you, and the Darkness fear you.” That is my hope for you. Guard your heart. The Light will lead you. The Darkness will fear you.

________________________________________________________

Thanks so much for sharing, Tabitha! If you’d like to be notified when the preorder is available, check out this link: https://www.blueinkpress.com/pledgetobuywolfqueen.html

About the Author

Tabitha Caplinger gets way too emotionally invested in the lives of fictional characters, whether it’s obsessing over a book or tv show, or getting lost creating her own worlds. Tabitha is the author of The Chronicle of the Three Trilogy, a Christian urban fantasy, and a lover of good stories and helping others live chosen. When she’s not writing book words, she’s reheating her coffee, binging a new show or teaching God’s Word to students. Tabitha, her husband and two beautifully sassy daughters desire to be Jesus with skin on for those around them. They live to love others…and for Marvel movies.

TO FOLLOW TABITHA ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

Website: https://www.tabithacaplinger.com 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TabCaplinger/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Tab_Caplinger/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Tab_Caplinger

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/Tab_Caplinger/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/12824805.Tabitha_Caplinger

 

 

Writing a Series vs. a Standalone

I’ve heard authors ask, “Should I write a series or a standalone?”

My first answer would be to write the story in your heart. DO NOT WRITE TO TRENDS – say it with me. Do not. By the time that story’s written, revised countless times, edited, and polished, that royal Tasmanian zombie-shifter prison quartet trend will have flashed and died.

But if you can see your story going either way, here are a few truths regarding series and standalones.

  • Historically, authors are told to write series. Series sell better. If you’re shooting for traditional publishing, it shows agents/publishers you have more than one book in you. Readers like following characters they’ve read about before. (This last point is a double-edged sword. More on this later.) But if there isn’t an arc there, and you aren’t interested in adding or fleshing out secondary characters, don’t force it. Some stories might only be one book long. That’s not a crime. In fact, lately, I’ve hesitated to buy or read a book in a series. Every story seems to be part of a series (says the author who wrote a trilogy. Ahem.) Sometimes I just want to read a well-told, juicy standalone. Sometimes I just want to write a well-told, juicy standalone. But…
  • There’s a benefit to sticking with characters you’ve created, tortured, and triumphed with after just one storyline. I found this especially true with the Firebrand Chronicles. I grew to really know and love Brenna, Baldwin, and Arvandus. Spending all that time with them made me imagine what else could happen to them. After finishing a story, I usually imagine different connecting points between characters and plot. Even my short story “Everwild” (which is in the anthology Mythical Doorways and is FREE, BTW…) is already a four-book series in my head. I have plenty of adventure and mayhem planned for half-fae Flint and full-fae Lila. I just can’t get all my projects written as quickly as I’d like.
  • At the outset, writing a series requires more planning. Detailed notes are imperative—a “bible” for your world, with the characters, their backstories, descriptions, towns, magic system, tech level, money system, languages, belief systems, etc. You won’t remember it all—trust me. Take copious notes and keep them with you while you write. A map is good too, even if it’s one scrawled on notebook paper (which is what I have for my current WIP. I’m not crazy about it, but it’s working—for now.)
  • Over the long haul, world-building is generally less work. Although there are detailed notes being listed in your notebook bible, you create one world. That world lasts for the duration of the series. For each standalone, the author must create a new world. Every. Single. Time.
  • I mentioned how much readers like following characters they’re familiar with. I’ve found some readers don’t want to buy a book and then wait a year for the next installment. So they’ll wait. (*Raises hand.*) Many will wait until all the books are out. You won’t see sales. Don’t let that discourage you. Keep writing the next story. If you’re self-publishing, you could avoid this problem by doing a rapid release (which is writing all the stories, editing and polishing them, and then releasing them in quick succession, usually no more than six months apart.)

Don’t feel you have to create a series if it’s not in you. There’s a place for everyone at the table, both series writers and standalone authors.

Going Deep in Your Story, Part 2

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There are plenty of ways to go deep into the story you’re telling. Many people think going deep refers to deep point of view, which I covered in last week’s post. Today, I want to discuss ways to add richness to your storytelling by going deep in other ways.

One way is to use all five senses (smell, sight, taste, touch, and hearing). Yes, I know this is a basic rule. But think…in this digital age, when was the last time you put your phone away and just looked?  Learn to be an observer of people and environments. People watch. What do you notice? What about your environment? What color of blue is the sky? How does the snow look when it falls slowly?

Take a scene you’re currently working on. Have you included what the character experiences? The purr of a sports car? The stickiness of a fast-food counter? Smells are sometimes overlooked, but I love these lines from Rudyard Kipling: “Smells are surer than sights or sounds/To make your heart-strings crack…”

Sometimes I’ll include the sixth sense, intuition (sparingly). You know that feeling of knowing when someone’s lying or when your hair rises on the back of your neck? This sense is great for creating tension.

I can imagine you’re thinking, “But I can’t write the story and include all of that at the same time—it’s too much!” You’re right, it is. So just write the story first. One of my favorite quotes is by Terry Pratchett: “The first draft is just you telling yourself the story.” Spill everything onto the page. Don’t edit, don’t fuss about word choice. It doesn’t need to be pretty—you can add the five senses in the following drafts.

Something else you can include in the second draft (& third, and fourth, and fifth, and…) is descriptions. Metaphors and similes add to the mood of the story as well. Make use of them (again, sparingly) through the character’s eyes. For example, a high society woman wouldn’t say or think someone was “as happy as a pig in slop.” Stay true to your character so the reader can stay in the character’s skin.

Show, don’t tell, how someone feels. Telling is much weaker than showing.

Shari felt anger sweep over her. Instead: Shari clenched her shaking hands into fists.

Ron was ashamed. Instead: Ron blushed and turned away.

The Emotion Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi is a great resource to use. It matches actions to feelings to help you make the shift from telling to showing.

Enjoy going deep in your next story!

Going Deep in Your Story, Part 1

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Have you ever heard of deep point of view? As a  writer, you want to transport the reader into the story. You want them there with the characters, feeling and experiencing everything they are. Deep point of view accomplishes that.

It’s a more intimate way of writing. The writer removes the narrator and settles into a comfy chair in the chosen character’s head. Although deep POV usually refers to third person, I’ve also found writing this way helpful in first person as well. It is limiting, though. You can’t know what the other characters are thinking because you’re firmly entrenched in your comfy chair. You can see reactions, but the other characters’ thoughts are hidden.

There are several other things to remember with deep POV.

You have to pick a character to inhabit. You can’t do two or three characters at a time. When you change scenes or chapters, you can slip into someone else’s head, but don’t do it within the scene. It’s sometimes referred to as head-hoppping, and it’s very confusing to the reader.

Avoid dialogue tags (in third person.) If you’re in Ron’s head, you wouldn’t say Ron snapped at Sharon. You’d use interiority to give the reader a window into what’s he thinking. For example: “No, you can’t have the last pickle.” He gritted his teeth. I’ve never seen someone as selfish as Sharon.

Avoid “distancing” words. She felt, noticed, realized, thought, looked at, etc. For example: Shari exited the shop. She noticed the dark sky. In seconds, she felt the heavy raindrops soak her clothes as she ran for her car. I’ll have to drive home carefully, she thought.

The same passage with deep viewpoint: Shari exited the shop. Dark clouds loomed, blocking the sun. In seconds, raindrops soaked her clothes as she ran for her car. I’ll have to drive home carefully.

Although these aren’t excerpts from the great American novel, the reader is closer to the characters. They sense Ron’s irritation and experience the storm as Shari does.

A couple of books cover this writing technique. A good one is Rivet Your Reader with Deep Point of View by Jill Elizabeth Nelson. Another is Writing Deep Viewpoint by Kathy Tyers.

Try this technique the next time you sit down to write. It’ll make your characters come alive for your readers.

 

Avoid Vanilla Writing, Part 2

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Welcome to #WritingWednesday. Last week we talked about a few ways to avoid boring writing. This week, I have a few more tips for you to keep your story interesting and your readers engaged!

 

  1. Hello Again: (At these two words, I’ve got The Cars singing in my head.) Anyway, have you ever read something like the following?

“Hello, George.”

“Hey, Larry! Long time no see. How’ve you been?”

“Pretty good. How about you?”

“Well, I can’t complain. How are your kids?”

Yawn. I don’t care about George, Larry, or either of their families. While dialogue should be natural, don’t dwell on exchanges like this. Move on to good dialogue that moves the plot forward.

2. The Land of Exposition: Description is good, as is internal narrative. You’ll need both to flesh out your world and your characters. But please don’t dump it on the page in a massive paragraph. The eyes need white space to rest on. Lots of black words in a big chunk is an invitation to read a little and then skim. Some readers are fine with navel-gazing, descriptions in detail, and mental ruminations on the meaning of life. But keep it pertinent to the world-building, plot, and/or character because a little of this goes a long way.

3. Nobody Cares: The climax scene is critical.  As the two armies face each other, Minerva knows she must keep the faith. If her kingdom doesn’t win the war…she won’t make it to her bridge game on time. The only one concerned about that is Minerva herself.

Make your stakes matter. Then make it worse. What’s the worst-case scenario? Write it into the scene. That’s what your readers will care about. “Make it bad, then make it worse” so the happy ending’s satisfying. Which brings me to my last point…

4. “…and everyone lived happily ever after, forever and ever, with a big, red bow.” Hmm, maybe not. I NEED a happy ending. (I was very cross with Veronica Roth after reading the Divergent series. Just sayin’…) But that’s just me. You must decide how happy your ending’s going to be. Somewhat bittersweet? Tragic, like Romeo and Juliet? Or do we get the true HEA (Happily Ever After)? Even with an HEA, not every character is happy—not the villain and perhaps not some secondary characters. There may be unpleasant circumstances due to bad decisions. That’s okay. Just remember the expectations of your genre (romance readers expect an HEA or an HFN–Happy For Now). A spark of hope on the last page will satisfy your readers.

I hope these points help you craft exciting, riveting fiction. Do you have any rules you follow to keep your writing fresh and interesting? What are they?