What an odd name for a blog? Actually, no.

This morning I was up and preparing for my day. I have deadlines for the publications I work for/with and they all fall right around the first of each month.

At the same time I have Fiction and Non-Fiction projects that require my time.

And I have my usual responsibilities.

I was up about 1 1/2 hrs early today to start work on these things and just as I began I was seized by an overwhelming fear. These “moments” have recently increased as my success has taken a fevered pitch. NO you have not seen me on the radio talk shows or television yet, but in publishing things work at a snail’s pace. The things that are currently in the works have me so overwhelmed with excitement that I find myself nearly terrified that something will go wrong and they’ll all fall like a house of cards when a breeze blows.

That is where I was this morning. Looking at the stack of work to do, I felt completely inadequate. And for some reason my memory took me back to my childhood when my dad would clear his throat just before speaking.

It was a simply act. Two bursts of air in the back of his throat, always covered by a polite fist. But it told me something was coming. I was about to learn something, hear something, be instructed. My husband still laughs that, even though I’m 32, if my dad happens to clear his throat I stop what I’m doing and focus my attention on him. Sometimes my dad will speak, other times he’ll look at my expectant eyes and say “What? I was just clearing my throat.”

I don’t know why this statement, or this memory was so strong for me this morning. All I know is when I felt terrified, inadequate and without the answers I needed, I remembered my dad clearing his throat. I remembered what it was to be expectant, but without fear. I remembered that for some silly reason, that simple sound comforted me. It was familiar. I knew what to expect.

Maybe it is time for me to clear my throat, in a manner of speaking. Clear away the junk that is blocking my author’s voice from being fully heard. Maybe it is time for me to prepare to speak. Or maybe I need to turn my ear to the one who cleared his voice this morning. When I was sitting alone on my living room couch feeling overwhelmed. I heard someone clear his voice.

And with the expectation of a child, I waited for his voice. All fear gone. I fully expected my answer.

I have to go, I have preparation to do.

Your Coach for the Journey, Tiffany Colter

I’m very excited that my friend, Amy Wallace, has agreed to talk to us today about her second book, Healing Promises. It is interesting to see how writing and marketing change from one book to the other.

Writing Career Coach: Amy, first of all thank you so much for taking time out of your schedule to include us on your blog tour.

AW: You’re very welcome and thank you for having me here! A tour for Healing Promises wouldn’t have been complete without stopping by because you and your husband were such an integral part of the story behind Healing Promises.

Writing Career Coach: This is the second book in the Defenders of Hope series for Multnomah, how was the process of bringing book two to publication different from book 1?

AW: Writing Ransomed Dreams the first time was total fun. I knew no rules and had no one telling me I had no idea what I was doing. Then I found out just how much I didn’t know. But writing Healing Promises was great because I not only knew the rules, but had also survived a major edit and lived to tell about it. Plus, I’d loved seeing Ransomed Dreams polished up and shining after edits. That helped me keep going with Healing Promises because I knew at the end of the editing process the story would be even better.

Writing Career Coach: Your website says that prior to publishing books you had pieces published in compilations. How did those shorter pieces help you to prepare?

AW: Writing shorter creative fiction stories taught me how to pack some punch into as few words as possible and also how to work with an editor. Plus, the income from a few of those stories paid my way to a writing conference where I learned even more about the nuts, bolts and heart of writing.

Writing Career Coach: Amy, you did a great job on creating a realistic character in Clint. To my readers, Amy and I met as she was writing Healing Promises. Her character was going through cancer treatment for the same cancer my husband had. She was writing the book as Chris, my husband, was starting Chemo. It was a “coincidence” that has made us great friends. How did you manage to write such believable characters?

AW: The characters in Healing Promises came to life because I had a number of amazing people share their cancer journeys with such gut-wrenching honesty. One example was meeting Tiff through ACFW and learning that her husband had the exact cancer I’d already been researching. Talk about a very cool God-incidence!

Another aspect that breathed life into the characters is what my writing mentor calls “bleeding into your work.” I’ve learned by watching God use my jagged-edged memories as I write that He wastes nothing in our lives. And when we’re willing to open ourselves up and let our characters feel what we felt in all its ugliness and transforming beauty, readers will sense that truth throughout the pages.

Writing Career Coach: Well, Amy, it worked. I wanted you to know when Chris read on page 21 “He already hated the miserable port deforming his chest just below his right collar bone. Who cared if the implanted device made filling his body with toxic chemicals easier? Two days, and he still couldn’t look at the thing.” Chris said “Yep.”

You captured in those first pages exactly what a man feels at that moment. Everyone may see what I mean by going to this page to read the first chapter of Healing Promises.

AW: Wow, it’s high praise to hear that Clint’s thoughts resonated with your husband. Thank you so much for sharing that.

Writing Career Coach: I know you’re involved in other things now that you’ve completed and turned in Enduring Justice, the final book of this series, due out spring of 2009. Tell us about some of those things.

AW: I’m excited about the next suspense series I’m working on as these stories have been brewing in my heart a long time. As to what they’re about…let’s just say they include law enforcement, families with children, and intense storylines.

Writing Career Coach: And you’ve been nominated for a pretty big award for the first book of this series, Ransomed Dreams. Tell us about how you found out. What was your reaction?

AW: I’m still very stunned and totally excited about being a RITA finalist. And the story behind my finding out highlights that. I’m usually busy with homeschooling, so I don’t typically answer the phone during school hours. The morning of the big call, the phone rang about six times, all from the same area code. I kept thinking the telemarketer would give up soon. So I was less than excited to answer when they called again during naptime. But then the very kind woman said she was calling about an RWA contest where I’d finaled. I was too surprised to really hear all that she said or even the name of the contest. Later that evening, I went to a writer’s meeting and told my story to a friend who’s served with RWA. She about jumped out of her chair with excitement and proceeded to tell me I’d finaled in the RITA, a contest I’ve heard described as the Academy Awards for writing. When that news sunk in all I could do was dance in open-mouthed awe that my first novel was nominated for such an amazing award.

Writing Career Coach: That is amazing. You should be excited. Thank you for stopping by, Amy. I hope all my readers will go get a copy of Ransomed Dreams and Healing Promises. They are really excellent stories.

AW: Thanks for having me here, Tiff!

Today I was reading a blog that was talking about how the internet revolution has allowed many opportunities to work from home, while at the same time required the need for more discipline.

That got me thinkings.

I am so glad I graduated from college 10 years ago [actually, 10 years ago next month] long before email, cell phones and txt had taken over. Email was just starting as a regular means of communication and the internet was not quite mainstream.

I was extremely disciplined and focused.

I have seen with the advent of the internet culture so many opportunities for my kids to learn and grow. They are able to email their grandparents in Florida or see places I grew up [via google earth]. But with the internet, comes the need for discipline.

The same is true with writers.

We have the opportunity to make our work so much more authentic [via online research], so much less expensive [using email rather than snail mail] and more widely known [blogs, E-zines]. However, in this chaos it is not the loudest that thrives…but the most genuine.

We have become very good at tuning out ads, but yet we still focus on them when we seek to market our own writing. We need to stop and discipline ourselves. Don’t look for the easiest way to advertise [easy does not mean effective] and instead, we need to take advantage of this wonderful internet revolution to look around at what some others are using to get their message out.

I read 3 books this week [in genres I don't normally read] and I learned a great deal about writing and effectively selling. It was like a piece to the puzzle that I’d been trying to figure out suddenly slid in to place with a “click”. If I hadn’t taken the time to research it there is no way I would have seen it. I had to try something different. I did something I normally wouldn’t do.

So look at what you’re currently doing. Assess the success of each part of your writing life. How are you learning, what are you reading, what is the market doing?

Let these changes influence the way you do your writing and marketing.

Of course, I’m not advocating jumping at every little whim that comes along, but rather be DISCIPLINED to take not of what others are doing that works. There will come a time when what you’re doing isn’t as successful as it was before. During those times you need to have ideas in mind to implement.

It is a successful writer who works in the moment, but plans for tomorrow.

Are you successful?

I have to go, I have Coaching to do. Your Coach for the Journey, Tiffany Colter

I’ve been working on marketing plans for projects quite a bit lately and I have noticed that many people don’t recognize how to use what they already know, and connections they already have, to get to where they’re going.

In a marketing plan you are simply outlining for a potential publishing house what you can do to market a book, and how marketable the project is overall. This can seem very daunting until you realize the way you can use your background to build your future.

First, public speaking. Public speaking is a very common way to establish a platform. Randy Ingermanson has a great teaching on this. He interviewed a woman who is a professional speaker [that is how she earns her living]. There are many tips that make the cost of the product well worth it.

Second, previously published works. If you have already published then you can use the current readership, or subscribers to your website, to build from to create a larger sphere of influence. If you were published in a collection of works [like a group of 3-4 novellas in a single bound volume] then possibly working with other authors on the project would work well.

Maybe you are recognized in a particular industry? I have told the story before about being in network marketing and learning a great deal from it. The day I finally relented and pursued my call to write was at a regional meeting. The Senior Regional Vice President had invited a speaker to come talk to us about reaching your full potential. As I sat there I was energized to pursue my dream…writing books. And it wasn’t the man’s 7 figure cash advance that had inspired me either.

I remember how the SRVP had influence over the 200+ people sitting in that room…plus thousands more. When she recommended one of us read a book it spread through the group and hundreds of people bought it, simply on her recommendation.

So being recognized doesn’t mean being head of a multi-national corporation, it could simply mean having a large family or colleagues who value your opinion.

But what if you aren’t a professional speaker? Or multi-published? Or even recognized in a particular industry?

The concept of pyromarketing [see link to the website on the right] shows you that you really only need a small group of people who are excited about what you are doing to launch something big.

So who is that target audience. Dig deep in your story, among the subplots and research, and find that group. As you look there are likely going to be quite a few different ways to impact people of different groups based on the way you emphasize different aspects of your book.

And take time to look in your past: What you’ve learned; Where you’ve been; associations you’ve made. See how different skills you’ve learned have prepared you for your dream of writing. Then add these things to your marketing plan. See how they begin to fit together.

It will give you a stronger plan. And you’ll likely be amazed at what you learn about yourself.

I have to go, I have marketing to do.

Your Coach for the Journey, Tiffany Colter

Hello

Do you ever feel time gets away from you. If you are planning to write a major book, or write articles on a regular basis, you will need to learn how to schedule interruptions.

What do I mean by that?

You need to plan them in to your overall calendar.

If you look back on the blogs this month you’ll see we’ve talked a good bit about focusing and getting things done. That is because as the weather gets beautiful [and those of you with children in school have them to tend] it will be easier for you to lose track of time…and your writing.

As a homeschooling mom, I actually find I have MORE time in the summer. That is because the 4 1/2 hours of ballet [I have 4 daughters], and the hours spent homeschooling each day are suddenly GONE. The kids can play and run outside….but they don’t.

While there may seem to be more time, it actually requires more focus to remain in your routine as the summer months approach.

However, you must schedule some interruptions.

If you fill your calendar to its fullest potential each day, you will always be disappointed. That is why in my time management systems I always put a time pad in.

How much are you trying to schedule in to each day? Are there tasks your doing [chores] that others could do [family]? Are there things you could do together [listen to books on tape while cleaning or driving] to help your writing career?

Finally, are you giving yourself one day off each week to do NOTHING? I know I’m not. That is likely why I’m so exhausted. My productivity had dwindled away to about half what it normally is. So, I think I’ll take some time next week to do nothing. [Ugh, even the thought of it puts a knot in my stomach]. I’ll still need to school the kids and do the housework, but then maybe I’ll take a few minutes to blow bubbles with my 5 year old or play Stratego with my 9 year old. Maybe I’ll let my seven year old make lunch [she loves to make sandwiches for her sisters] and I’ll not complain when she leaves my kitchen a mess.

Maybe I’ll sit back and let my imagination fun wild. Maybe I’ll make up a story to tell my kids.

Are you scheduling in interruptions [good and bad]? If you do, your writing will be better for it.

I have to go now, I have editing to do.

Your Coach for the Journey, Tiffany Colter

An important part of marketing your book is having a story your target audience will read. As some of you know, I offer editing services as a content editor in addition to my Career Coaching services [if you'd like to know more you may contact me through my website]. So today we’re going to talk a bit about craft. Without craft, all the marketing in the world is pointless.

Yesterday, I showed the importance of that by showing you an awful scene in a suspense novel. If you were reading a suspense book would you be impressed with writing like that? Likely you wouldn’t.

But each genre has its own tone. People suspend reality and WANT to be pulled in to your stories. They will give you SOME leeway, but not much. If you are writing a sci-fi your reader will expect detailed scientific information or a plot twist involving some kind of species. They will not read long if your book is full of flowery, literary prose.

If you’re writing suspense, you need to keep the pace moving. Give the reader time to breath…but always with anticipation of the next danger. Think of a roller coaster. You are creaking up that hill slowly…but OH the anticipation of the plunge.

If you’re writing a romance…keep the romantic tension high. Don’t satisfy the reader too quickly or what reason do they have to continue the book?

The best way to do this is to read a few books in the genre you write for and feel the tone and pace inherent in each style.

I am a huge language person. I speak French and English fluently. I am fluent in American Sign language [which I taught myself when I was 10 years old] and I know some German and Braille. What I have learned is that each language has it’s own flow and style. Idioms are based on the culture and a shared “inside joke”. Learning a language is about more than vocabulary and grammar. It is about understanding the cultural basis…if you want to gain fluency.

The same is true in writing great books. The language of a Non-Fiction Christian living book is very different from the language used in writing a horror novel.

While blending genres [like Ted Dekker did in the Red/Black/White Trilogy] is fun. You still must know what primary genre you’re writing in, and be true to that readership.

So spend time developing your unique authors voice. Get a feel for the “culture” of your readership. It will help you develop a book that is more marketable-and enjoyable to read.

I’ve got to go, I have reading to do.

Your Coach for the Journey, Tiffany Colter

Happy Monday,

This last weekend I was working on revisions for a Novel manuscript I wrote two years ago. I have someone who wants to see it when I have it reworked so I have spent a good deal of my down time working on that project. I am working in a new subplot which means mapping all the scenes and rebuilding the new subplot around the story line that already exists.

As I read through this work I realized how much I’d grown as a writer in the last two years. The scenes that I’d felt were full of heart stopping emotion…now fell flat. The places where the characters reveal little bits about themselves…well, I was embarrassed that anyone had ever seen this before.

BUT the encouraging part was that I was now recognizing these problems in my writing and I’d learned enough to correct them. I’d like to encourage you to pull one of your old manuscripts off your shelf and look at it. See if you see any sentences like this:

“Dreama, you are such an incredible woman. I am the happiest when I am with you.” …He spoke in to the flames again feeling confident enough to speak full volume. “You make me want to be more than I am. I want to be someone you could be proud of.”

YUCK!!!

I wrote that in a suspense novel. Even I rolled my eyes at this horrible bit of TELLING in my own book.

So do any of you have funny lines that you’ve found in edits? [Your own work only, please. I want us to embarrass no one but ourselves.]

And if you read this, how would you edit it using showing verses telling?

Just so you all know I am editing this scene. In fact, it is likely I’m going to slice this whole overly sentimental bit out of the manuscript all together.

So lets start this week with a laugh and a look at craft. Post some of your funny lines in the comments, or share how you’d edit the one above.

I have to go now, obviously I have some editing to do.

Your Coach for the Journey, Tiffany Colter

So we have lessons on how to write a query letter for an agent, ideas on creating the marketing portion of our proposal, but how to you build a platform.

You need to build a reputation.

Google your name. Go ahead, I’ll wait.

What did you find? Is any of it you? Is it something that someone would like to read?

Start to create a plan to build an online presence.

If you have any aspirations to write a book go NOW and purchase your domain. Last week you learned all about ways to do that from Tiffany Stockton [it is worth reading last weeks Wed-Fri blogs if you missed them.]

Now, start to find places to write for. A mentor of mine used to say that you have to write a million bad words before you start to write good words. Since he’s published over 30 novels, I think I’ll listen.

Start working on your writing by submitting to various online and print publications.

And always be PROFESSIONAL.

The publishing industry is a tight group. Word gets around. Make sure the word on the street about you is POSITIVE.

And when you write an article, tell your blog readers. Give them the opportunity to celebrate your successes with you.

The stories will help you build a reputation with your future readership, they also give you a chance to build a reputation with editors.

Finally, when you’re putting all these elements in your book proposals these can help you build a reputation with your future editors and agents.

So what would you like to know more about? Next week I’ll use my blog to answer individual questions you may have.

I’ve got to go now. It’s 78 today and will be in the low 60s tomorrow. I have relaxing to do!!

Your Coach for the Journey, Tiffany Colter

Hello and happy Thursday!!

I can hardly believe how quickly this week is flashing past me. Here in the Toledo Ohio area we are finally seeing temperatures consistently in the 50s-60s and this next week we’ll creep in the 70s!!! Okay, so it snowed a week ago, but I believe spring may be almost here!!!

Yes, you southerners may gloat about your BEAUTIFULLY warm temps. I don’t mind. The sun has been out for 3 days straight!! Almost unprecedented in the North.

Today I want to get you thinking about what you should include in the marketing portion of your book proposal.

The marketing portion should tell the publisher how marketable your project is as well as show how YOU’RE going to help market the book. Remember, the primary responsibility for marketing this book WILL fall on your shoulders, so start thinking now!!

So, start thinking how you can spread the word about you book.

Can you write articles? For what publications?
Do you currently have a platform? How can it be used to spread the word about your book?
Who would you like to have as an influencer on the book?

These are some of the things you need to include in your marketing portion. Don’t simply tell them that you’ll write articles, tell them specifically what articles you’ll submit to. If you have a local connection in one of your books [if it's set in a certain town] then see if you can work with that local community to spread the word.

What things can YOU do to increase exposure?

If you’d like specific mentoring on creating your own marketing proposal [or creating a market] then email me using the contact form on my website. I’d be happy to tell you more about my mentoring services.

I have to go, I have marketing to do.

Your Coach for the Journey, Tiffany Colter

Today I had planned on talking about some of the things a person should include in their marketing proposal for an editor/agent, but then something happened last night.

I got frustrated.

Do you ever get that way? You feel like you’re working so hard, but not getting any further. It seems all the study, the effort, the practice, is getting you no further.

You want to write a great story but when you finish you get nothing but blank expressions from your reader. Or even worse, you get gushing that you know is unmerited.

Then you sit down to read a book, to learn a little about craft, and this published book is AWFUL. “How in the WORLD did this think make it in print, let alone on the best-seller list?” You resist the urge to throw it across the room, instead opting to toss it on the table and go in the other room.

That was my evening last night [except I was listening to a book on tape].

I wanted to encourage all of you who are stuck at ALMOST

ALMOST published
ALMOST a requested full manuscript
ALMOST able to go to writer’s conferences
ALMOST done with your first manuscript
ALMOST happy with your writing

ALMOST ready to give up…

Every writer has been there. It is the successful ones who push through that “ALMOST” and write better because of it.

Tomorrow we will talk about marketing, today I needed to stop and blog to myself.

I’ll see you tomorrow, today I have more learning to do.

Your coach for the journey, Tiffany Colter