Sounds remedial, I know but here’s the thing. Only fourteen percent of all those who have a dream actually start to pursue it. Most talk themselves out of it before they even line up in the starting block! I’m shocked by that but it’s true. I also have to admit I’m guilty. I’ll bet you are, too. I’m a runner. Nothing clears my head or increases my stamina like a nice, long run. I’ve run marathons (26.2 miles in one race). You’d think my most difficult time would be at the twenty-five mile mark but not so. It’s the FIRST STEP! Before I start any run, I can rapidly come up with at least a hundred reasons why I shouldn’t lace on my running shoes and head out the door. […]
Read the RestArchive | March, 2013
Learning from Fairytales: Creating the Perfect Hero
We’re back to the fairytale and the indomitable hero. If you want to read what Tolkien says about fairytales, have at it. Here’s a link. If you pair it down to something akin to a Happy Meal, shot me an email! I’d like to read it. As much as I appreciate Tolkien’s exegesis on the fairytale, and probably his brilliance far above my own, I can’t get into the long details and descriptions. It’s like a doctoral study. I need a Ph. D. handed to me when I’m done reading it. So, I have to go with a more modern and brief description of the fairytale hero. Let’s recap from the web site Den of Geeks about heroines: “We don’t care who they are, or what it is that makes them interesting. They […]
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The What and Why of Writing: Noble Quest
When we read a novel, we want to go on a journey with the hero and heroine – not watch them wander through scene after scene, chapter after chapter. How do we develop a strong plot that doesn’t veer off-course by mid-book, leaving our characters lost and our readers frustrated? We need to know the protagonist’s Noble Quest. What: The Noble Quest is the protagonist’s goal – what they want to accomplish. When you see the term “Noble Quest,” think What? Think quest, as in quest for the Holy Grail. (Now doesn’t that example make you want to go watch Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade?) Why: Discovering your protagonist’s Noble Quest is a key part of your novel. The Noble Quest is more than your hero deciding “I want […]
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One Thing Marketing: Marketing Before You’re Published Part 3
In the past couple weeks, we’ve talked about practical steps you can take to begin marketing you and your book even before you’re published. Read the first six steps here. 2/12 post Read the next seven steps here. 2/19 post Here are seven more! 14) Start building a newsletter list. Even if you don’t feel you’re ready to start a newsletter yet, it’s never too early to begin building a contact list. But note: You should NEVER add someone to an email list if they haven’t opted in. Simply let people know you’re planning to begin a newsletter in the future and give them the option to subscribe. 15) Enter contests. One of the best reasons to enter a contest is feedback, but let’s say you do well in a […]
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