Category Archives: A blog about the topics of writing

A blog about the topics of writing, marketing options for writers

Guest Posting

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There are many forms of marketing when it comes to your books and brand.

One avenue that I just recently been exploring is to guest post on other sites.

I have been gaining success in people agreeing to let me do a post for them. So far I have talked about how writing for children isn’t easy, a post on Jasper’s POV when it comes to him being part of a series to what has it been like to be a writer during this pandemic.

I have three on tap to work on at the moment.

This is a great opportunity for others to see what you are all about. Especially when that would be the only chance they would have heard of you.

It is challenging to come up with ideas for someone else and make sure it is as pristine as you can get it. But it helps one write down anything in a time of our country where writing might be the last thing on one’s mind.

Why I waited this long to tap into this is beyond me. But, I been having a wonderful time doing this form of, “Hey, look at me!”

If you have not tried it maybe consider it. You might just find that you like it.

A blog about the topics of writing, All about writing

Your writing Voice: Do you know it?

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As writers, do you know what your voice is?

According to Margaret Maron, creator of Judge Deborah Knott: “Voice is the most important ingredient in a successful book. The plot may be clever, but if the voice doesn’t engage us, how can we care?”

According to John Morgan Wilson who writes the Benjamin Justice mystery series: “There is difference between voice and style though it is difficult to get at. To me voice is closer to attitude and the emotional quality of the prose, reflecting the personality of the author.”

According to Chris Roerden:” The first step in developing your voice is not to add something but to identify the ineffective writing habit and techniques you’ve picked up over the years and get rid of them.”

My Character Development instructor said he knew my voice and I did as well. Funny I thought to myself for my last instructor told me the same thing. This is a trend for people out of my writing groups who concur with these teachers. How come everyone knows what my voice is but me? I have read numerous articles on this topic. But I try hard not to think on this and just write. Apparently I am accomplishing the voice subconsciously.

Jason Pinter , former St. Martin’s Press editor states: “Voice is the conversational quality of your writing, the way you “talk” to your reader. It’s as important in writing as it is in conversing aloud with someone or speaking to a group. If your voice isn’t confident, assured, authoritative, natural, and appropriate for your characters and story, the writing will feel stilted, forced, ragged, weak, awkward. Just as speaking aloud is ineffective if one is halting, hesitant, lacking in confidence, and so on.”

This one makes sense to me since for now I can’t verbally express my definition of the voice. One good way is to read your story aloud. It may sound silly but it is a good way to hear one’s errors, pace and flow. Perhaps a writer will discover their voice.

Will I ever be able to describe this important ingredient to others? I do not know. Hopefully though my voice is being written loud and clear in my writings.

A blog about the topics of writing

Guest posting on Voice 9

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I was approached by Voice 9 to write an article for their site. The topic was “Authors in the shade of the pandemic situation.” The point was to talk about creative writing during this crisis. The article came out this past Monday. 

This is what I came up with.

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I’ve told myself often that there’s just not enough time to work on the aspects of writing.

To those who are in this field you know there is writing the book, editing, revising and recycle the process. After that you have to find a publisher or publish it yourself, market it and gosh just so much more.

Than the pandemic started. People in my state in the US were required to stay home. So, my family was home with me, all day and night.

Yay!

But now my meetings with writers, trips to the bookstore and other activities were restricted. I to this day just go to the grocery stores, the doctors and very few other places. My church is streaming so I don’t go to church in the literal sense.

This gave me time. Time that I never could count on before.

I been able to finish volume four to my Jasper, Amazon parrot series and finish round one of edits. I been able to reach out to ask bloggers to review my books, to interview me and to do guest post. Something I knew I had to do but time was not on my side.

What has come from that is a radio interview out of England, some lovely reviews, some lovely interviews and my first guest post on a blog. I been able to maintain the pace since I am home majority of the time just due to circumstances.

Yet, time has also given me insight into the world around me from what I see on the news, the radio and in articles. It’s motivated me to want to write about the conditions that I am seeing play out.

But write about what exactly? How do I choose just one topic over another? I’m not sure. The issues at hand are large in their own right. If I can use my ability to write and spread it through my platform could I make an impact? Would I just anger people? It seems my country has been angry this entire year. Frankly, I don’t blame those who are. I’m angry as well at what I’m seeing.

I would like to try and write on what I’m experiencing. This time in our lives needs to be recorded. Perhaps if it helps just one person it would be worth it. If nothing else, I have the time now to do it.

The article is here:

https://voice9eng.wordpress.com/2020/09/27/authors-in-the-shade-of-pandemic-situation/?fbclid=IwAR1ssMjw8Tu88jVZOUqEjm6qty9S9Fun4thwmHJfLMyPkUll0DINTy9ipHM