Ten Things I’ve Learned After Nine Years in Publishing

My first book came out in February of 2004. In fact, I had two books release that month.

A small romance from Heartsong Presents and an e-book from Writer’s Exchange.

In August, I left the corporate world to write full time.

And never looked back.

I was hopeful in August of 2004 for a budding writing career. I’d sold another Heartsong with a third on the horizon.

I’d also had interest in my chick lit from then Steeple Hill Cafe.

In September, two hurricane’s blew through our neck of the country. Frances then Jeanne.

While my husband cleaned up after Frances, I sat frantically writing the final chapters of Lambert’s Code in front of a fan, running on borrowed energy from our neighbor’s generator, and my hands were all sticky with dew and humidity.

But I finished that book.

You know, in some ways, every book faces it’s own opposition.

And we have to finish them anyway.

Now that I have a nine year perspective on publishing and full time novel writing, here are some things I’ve learned.

Social Media Minute—Are You Guilty of Spamming?

by Edie Melson
Spam on the Internet is a big no-no. The definition has changed somewhat over the years and now includes social media posts as well as email. No average Internet user would ever dream of intentionally spamming, but without care we can be guilty of spamming.
Why is it called Spam?
There are a lot of theories about where the term SPAM originated, one school of thought is that it originated from the computer group lab at the University of Southern California. Those there applied that honorific because it has many of the same characteristics as the canned version we find in super markets.
Another accepted opinion is that it came from the Monty Python son, “Spam spam spam spam, spam spam spam spam, lovely spam, wonderful spam” since, Internet spam is often repetitious and worthless.
Regardless of where the name came from, we all try to avoid receiving it, and definitely want to avoid sending it.
5 Ways to Avoid Becoming a Spammer

1. Don’t Click on Suspicious Links. These can be found in email, as well as on social media and can infect you with a virus that sends spam to your contacts. If you get an email stating they’ve seen a funny video of you and including a link, do NOT click on the link.

Dream the Impossible Dream

You just thought of Man From LaMancha, didn’t you? What a beautiful message. Did you know that song was recorded by artists that ran the span of genres. Jim Nabors, Elvis, Andy Williams and Frank Sinatra just to name a few.

Why? Because it is powerful. It speaks to going for it, no matter how the odds may be stacked against you. It instills the courage to face whatever challenge that stands between you and reaching your goal.

We’ve seen a lot of changes in the publishing industry this year. It’s enough to make a writer think they’ll never be a published author. It makes you want to sing, “Gloom, despair and agony on me…”

Your dream of being a writer is too important to remain unlived. You’ll face challenges, market nightmares and critics who would rather write bad reviews about your book than to go through the time and trouble to write their own.

You’ll have moments when you feel you’re attempting the impossible. Here’s the truth. You have the absolute right to and should dream the impossible dream. Besides, it’s just a word: I (a)m Possible.

Lots of people have lived impossible dreams. You can, too. Hard is hard and impossible is not as difficult as the world makes it out to be.

Featured Fiction Friday: Meet Carrie Turansky

This year’s Frasier Contest has come to a close. Congratulations to the Semi-Finalists, and our Grand Winner! In order to have the Frasier each year, we introduce the Judges on our blog. Its our way of giving back a little bit to the published authors who help us help YOU! So lets meet one of the Judges that made it all possible: Carrie Turansky, with her new book The Governess of Highland Hall!

Q: Carrie, would you give us a little blurb about your the story?

A: Fans of “Downton Abbey” and the English Edwardian-era will love the romance of The Governess of Highland Hall where governess Julia Foster must find her place when she is neither upstairs family nor downstairs help,

Returning to England from the mission field in India, Julia Foster accepts the position of governess at Highland Hall to help support her parents. But she quickly finds that teaching her four privileged, ill-mannered charges at a grand estate is more challenging than expected. Sir William Ramsey, widowed and left to care for his two young children along with the two teenage daughters of his deceased cousin, is consumed with saving the estate from financial ruin. The last thing he needs is the distraction of a kindhearted-yet-determined governess who seems to be transforming his household with her persuasive personality, vibrant prayer life, and strong faith. Will Julia and William be able to cross the great class divide that separates them, or will the pull toward power and wealth keep them from finding a future together?

Isn’t It Romantic? How to Create Romance

Let’s talk romance.

Yes, men, stay with me. This is good for you too. Especially if you have any romantic thread in your books.

The romantic thread is key to almost every story. A few authors write with little to no romance but most of us have some kind of romantic tension in our stories.

Lately, I’ve seen a few reviews where readers felt the romance in the book was just physical. Nothing but kissing and touching, or nothing how the other “look.” The readers felt deprived of the romantic relationship.

Romance is more about heart than “hand” so to speak.

It’s about how the characters feel about each other. It’s emotion. Connection on a soul-to-soul level.

I remember while writing Diva Nashvegas, I felt the sexual tension between Aubrey and Scott long before they’d even held hands.

When they finally did hold hands, look out. Sparks! Boom! Fireworks!

In fact, we have to be careful not to be too enticing or sensual as we lead up to the first kiss or touch.

The romantic connection must have an emotional hook.

How do you do that?