Category Archives: Writing Advice

A blog about the topics of writing, Writing Advice

Have you encountered a book where the print was small?

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Have you ever read a book where the print was small?

For Christmas, I received a book from one of my favorite authors, Bentley Little. I was so excited. Then I opened the book and was shocked. Usually, the font and size of the words are 12. This book was at 10.

I purchased a magnifier just to read the book. I didn’t get far.

When one creates a book, everything needs to be taken into consideration. Everything. One has to consider the book cover, editing, revising, and repeat.

But it never occurred to me about the size of the words. I never had to. I have publishers who are good at what they do. It was not until I opened this particular book did this came to mind.

Even on a good day, when I was younger, would I be able to read this without getting a headache.

I still have not finished it. I have completed two books since opening the cover of this particular novel. Considering how long I have waited for a new book by Little, this is frustrating. Maybe I will buy it in large print. Who knows, that might be what is a regular for the rest of us.

Sorry, Bentley, I adore you, but this book will be where it is at gathering dust for now. But it is now something I will keep in mind for future books that I write or buy.

A blog about the topics of writing, Writing Advice

FInding a title for your book: Easy or hard?

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I am close to being done with the final edits for Jasper 4. The manuscript has been done for a while now but the editing process has taken longer than I wanted.

At the moment I do not have a working title. That reminded me of my past titles for my five books that are out. Of the five four were named by someone else. I know how that sounds.

So, I am thinking of ways to title this manuscript. Perhaps a contest, a giveaway or just suck it up and sit down and come up with a title.

It makes me wonder how people come up with titles for their works. If they get help from others or if they are good at figuring it out for themselves.

Some authors will use the main character as a title. Others will use the location of the book. From my titles alone it shows a tease of what is to be found inside between the covers.

One has to make sure that the title is relevant to what a reader will find. If there is a point to your book one can use that.

For example, in Jasper 3 the animals were in peril so I included that in the title. I did get cocky when I finally pulled out a book title on my own. So cocky.

One can’t just slap a title, any title, on your cover. It represents your work and it needs to correlate to the material

So I am back at square one in figuring out a title for this book. Hopefully, something will come to mind soon.

A blog about the topics of writing, Writing Advice

Dream big when it comes to your writing

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Amazon has gotten so big, especially with books, one can feel and get lost in the shuffle.

With all the famous authors out there who are making their publisher, themselves, and Amazon rich, it is easy to feel like you are falling through the crack as an author who is not on that tier level.

But still, we try like little fish trying to get into a bigger pond. It comes down to what is your personal goal for yourself as an author.

If you don’t have any, get some. Now.

I know an author who writes for her pleasure. That is fine. It is if that is your goal. If not, then write up where you want to be, where you want your book to be in whatever time frame you want.

We will have different goals. I have accomplished all except for two. But the two are pipe dreams. One should have pipe dreams, in whatever your passion, job, or life contains.

I like to make it into a higher tier of authors and to have my books made into a movie. Whether by a low-budget company, a mini series, or play, that would be fine.

I am not picky. No, not a lick.

It is fun to fantasize about what actor would play the various characters in my book. Also, not to be outdone, to be on a higher tier as an author, one where one has big book signings and a higher presence in the book world.

There is fun in that. Dream big is a phrase I use a lot. But it is one I practice.