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THE WRITE STUFF>
The Write Stuff
November 29, 2009
MARKETING, WHAT IS IT? BY SARAH BOLME
A lot of authors treat marketing like it’s a dirty word. Many feel intimidated, scared, and confused by just the thought of marketing.
The problem is that many people have a misconception about marketing.
Bring up marketing and many people will see dollar signs. While advertising is marketing, it is only a small piece of marketing.
In a nutshell, marketing is any activity that connects producers to consumers. It is not self-promotion. It is showing consumers how what you have meets a need they have.
Stop and think about this.
You are thirsty. Then drink Dr. Pepper. Not only will it quench your thirst, but it will also put a spring in your step. Dr. Pepper will not meet just one, but two of your needs: quenched thirst and energy.
You are tired. Your old mattress is no longer comfortable and you wake up with back pain. Then buy a Sealy Posturepedic® mattress. It will give you the best night’s sleep you have ever had because it conforms to your body. Your need: a good night’s sleep. A Posturepedic mattress will meet that need and keep your back pain free.
You need transportation. A Volvo is for you. Volvos are the safest car on the road. A Volvo will not only meet your need of getting you where you need to go, it will keep you safe as it does.
Now think about your book. What need does your book meet?
Your book meets some need in someone’s life. That is why you wrote it.
If you wrote a nonfiction book on any topic, it meets some need in someone’s life. Even fiction books meet needs. People need an escape from their life’s problems. Reading a good story can provide a temporary escape that allows someone to face life again with renewed energy. Your book can fill that need.
Next time you have a chance to promote your book, don’t worry about self-promotion. Rather, engage in meeting other’s needs. Market your book by telling people how it meets a need in their life.
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Sarah Bolme is the author of Your Guide to Marketing Books in the Christian Marketplace which can be found at www.marketingchristianbooks.com. As the Director of Christian Small Publishers Association (www.christianpublishers.net) she helps small publishers market their books in the Christian marketplace. You can read her blog at http://marketingchristianbooks.wordpress.com.
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TIPS FOR WRITING YOUR FIRST NOVEL
BY ANGELA T. PISATURO
Keep a notebook with you at all times. A pocket-sized one will do just fine. Life is full of ideas for books. Observe people and jot down their appearance, quirky habits, and such. For example, in my novel, The Rich American Woman, the character of Sister Joliet was based in part on a person I once knew. Having said that, never completely illustrate another person you know – just take their interesting qualities and/or appearance and incorporate them into your characters.
Some writers use personality profile tests to create characters. I personally find that too cumbersome of a task. I like things simple.
If you experience a beautiful sunset, describe how it makes you feel, and then when you need a setting such as a couple walking on the beach, you can incorporate those feelings.
In short, any experience you have using the senses of sight, taste, smell, and feel whether pleasant or not can add to a story. In my novel, The Rich American Woman, the main character, Amelia is in the mission fields of India. She is being shown the village and its people by one of the villagers when a nasty old camel spits on her shoulder. What follows is a funny scene where she struggles to get rid of the spittle. ( I used an actual incident that happened to me and re-worked it to fit into the storyline.)
When you are ready to write you book. Do a chapter outline. It can consist of the title and just one line to describe the chapter. For example: Chapter One – Amelia gets disgusted with her job has fight with boss and quits.
My chapter outlines are just a starting point to form chapters. I usually re-work the story several times before I am happy with it.
On that note, when you are starting to write the novel don't worry about perfection, just write it. You will go back several times to edit it after the first draft is completed. On the second edit I usually add more character such as vivid scenery, descriptive wording. On the third rewrite, I work on the mechanics of the dialogue. By the time, I get to the last rewrite, which can be seven, or eight times, I fine-tune the grammar and spelling. It's at this point I also recheck my facts in the event the book has some historical information such as The Rich American Woman had in some of its chapters.
Read the book aloud or to someone. If that is not possible, research speech to text software on the internet. I believe Microsoft has a program. You can have your novel read to you by the computer. If it sounds okay after its read aloud then chances are it’s a good book.
These are just some ideas to get you started. In future articles I will delve further into character development and setting scenes.
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Angela T. Pisaturo is author of Treasures in Clay Vessels, The Rich American Woman - two christian romance novels. The Superintendent of Second Avenue, True Friends are Forever, A Gift for Abigail -childrens Books. Presently, she writes a column for Pet Lovers entitled PAWS FOR THOUGHT, published in EastLakeBlister.com.
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THIS MONTH'S CONTEST:
Use the words: Tree, movie, hope, snow; in a 100 word story. Remember all words need to be included in your story. The best story will be posted in next month's newsletter and the winner can pick a free book as well!
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Recommended reading for writers: Writers Digest. This month purchase the special edition entitled: CREATIVITY. Lots of good exercises and advice.
Angela T. Pisaturo
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