Category Archives: Self-publishing

Park Bench and Writing Space

Writing Craft: What Happens Next?

Blogging, Indie Publishing, Self-publishing, Series writing, Writing, Writing Craft, Writing locations, Writing tips, , , , , ,

Do you ever ask yourself, what happens next? My brother Phil shared a video with me the other day. He often does when he comes across something he thinks I may enjoy or find useful (thanks, Phil!). I only had time to watch a few minutes then, an interview with writer/producer Andy Guerdat. But right off the bat, his subject reminded me of a key element of storytelling: getting your audience to care about your story.

Guerdat talks about maintaining an audience/reader mindset when storytelling. He uses the three-word question: “What happens next?” as the storyteller’s tactic to engage your readers, keep them entertained, and keep your story from becoming formulaic and predictable. Those three little words should be at the crux of writing engrossing tales.

The video continued in a film-related vein, and I’ll be honest, at first, I didn’t watch the entire clip. Primarily because as soon as Guerdat mentioned that three-word question, I stopped and thought about the novel I’m currently drafting, Book 3 of the Treasure Quest Series.

I considered it great timing to have heard that question this week.

I’d been planning to post an update on where I’m at with writing Book 3. I planned to share how the work is going, what my hopes and expectations for this draft are. And, truthfully, I’m struggling a bit with how the work is progressing.

So those words, that question, “what happens next?” gave me pause and helped me spend some time mulling a key point of why I write: to entertain and engage, inform and divert and escape.

Hearing the question stated so succinctly reminded me where and how to focus my efforts as I continue writing my WIP.

At the moment, I’ve hit a few snags. But I also have written more consistently than previously. One of the reasons—though I’ve told myself time and again to “just spit out the first draft, damn it, things will be fixed in edits!”—is because I’m writing key scenes that are set in Ireland. While some description and details can be added later, other info is relevant to the story and its progression. Additional research needs to happen up front in order for the tale to progress logically.

And, truthfully, doing that research also helps spark unique ideas. That’s one part of writing (of many!) that I truly love. I can have an idea on which I’ve built parts of a story, but then new research helps inform a cooler, better solution/outcome. Love, love, love that!! Though, of course, that can and does change other elements of the tale, so it’s another reason editing is so crucial. The story still has to work with however the new information has changed it.

So, writing is a struggle to balance research, completion (of draft #1), and plot/pacing. But, with all of that said, I am making progress. Check out this photo of my basic plotline.

Writing Corkboard and What Happens Next?
Writing Corkboard with Green and Pink Notes

I finally had to put this together to see what I had left to write and where I had holes. Especially because Book 3 is just that, the third of the series, and it has many loose ends to tie together. This isn’t everything, but these are the main moving parts. The green post-its are what I’d finished writing last year, and the pink notes are what I need to write to have a mostly finished first draft.

The good news is, I’m all the way through the pinks except for the final four!! Yay!!! Which is not to say I’m done when I finish those, but that will leave me very close with the first draft. I will be soooo freakin’ excited when I get there.

But, as I mentioned at the start, the essential question (or one of them) is still key to remember and view from the readers’ perspective: what happens next? I’ll need to make sure I keep you, dear reader, engaged with my story and characters. And hopefully you’ll enjoy this next story as much as the first two!! Fingers (and toes and everything!) crossed!!

For those of you interested, I went back and listened to the rest of the ten-minute video clip. Guerdat had other useful, writerly tidbits he shared. Check it out here and let me know your thoughts in the comment section below.

Given a couple cool items I uncovered with my online explorations last week, I’m hopefully on a surer path to completing the first draft. And I think as long as I keep asking “what happens next,” I’ll be able to convey the excitement I felt at the beginning of writing this story. What does my ideal reader want? To be engaged and enthralled and maybe even enlightened just a bit. 😉

So, dear readers, I’d best get back to work, hadn’t I? I’ve more to write and more to surprise you with. Thanks for reading and supporting … and stay tuned! And stay in touch, too. I really appreciate your thoughts and comments, so please say hi below or drop me a line at carolyn@carolyngreeley.com.

Coffee House Writing Space and What Happens Next?
Coffee House Writing Space

PS–If you’re curious to journey back in time with me, check out this older post of mine It’s True, I Do Exist. But TB Is Half Missing. – The Mystery of Relevance (carolyngreeley.com) from when I was writing Book 2, Treasure Bound. Oh, how the times have not changed! 😉 I’m still asking, what happens next?

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Motivational Mountain Sun

Writing and the Benefits of Critique Groups

Editing, Self-publishing, Uncategorized, Writing, Writing Craft, Writing tips, , , , , , ,

There are many benefits to writing critique groups. I’m a massive fan of them, as you may’ve noticed from previous posts (and book dedications 😉). First and foremost, I hugely appreciate the accountability aspect of meeting weekly to share my work with other writers. That goes a long way toward engaging my creative muscle and keeping me motivated to write.

Writing is largely a solitary art form and occupation. But there’s also the need for feedback on your work and support from fellow writers. Some authors excel at working solo; others thrive with human interaction. I’m sort of a mix, an introverted extrovert. I enjoy working on my own with minimal supervision and distractions, but I absolutely need and value the input of my writing colleagues.

Even though I love writing, (maybe too much? 😉), I find it very challenging at times. Writing, especially for an audience or to sell your books, is both a joy and an act of will at times. The discipline needed to sit and create is huge. Adding to the pressure, I self-publish my books. Which means I set my own deadlines and strive to achieve them without the incentive of formal, real-world repercussions. There are, of course, those personal penalties my brain dishes out in the form of self-castigation, but let’s not linger on those. 😉

And for me, as for many, though the desire to create is always there, the creativity itself, the spurt of inspiration, the flood of words, is frequently and frustratingly elusive.

Sometimes, I just don’t have the energy or resourcefulness to motivate myself all on my own. Sometimes, I need the enthusiastic shove in the bum that my writer pals have given me over the years. When I feel I’m slogging along, spewing garbage, caught up in all the craziness of everyday life, their encouraging, insightful words are more galvanizing than anything I can do on my own.

Enter the Critique Group.

Writers critique group

Yes, critique groups can be a challenge to find, join, start, and fill, but the benefits are considerable when you discover the right fit. Mind you, there are loads of blog posts about how to find and/or form your own group. Here’s a link to a thorough article on Novlr.org that covers many of the steps: Writer’s Critique Groups and How to Form Them – Novlr.

There’s also a good bit about these groups that’s helpful to understand before participating. To that end, here’s another good, longer read that dives into the pros and cons: The Truth About Critique Groups. Lessons learned by writers on the many… | by Teri Daniels | The Writing Cooperative.

So, what’s my story? When I first began to seriously write and edit, I found a couple of local writers’ meetings to participate in. Though large, infrequent, and multifaceted, they taught me many writing basics, and those general meetings were the jumping-off point for finding my first critique group.

Over the years, the first group slowly evolved into the second, and the second unfortunately dissolved as members stopped writing, drifted, or passed away. Ah, life. Some would say the transitions are inevitable. They were precious to me, though, and I’m forever grateful to you guys for everything … you know who you are!

Through those first two forays, I learned not only how to write better, but also how to more usefully interact with other writers, readers, and editors.

I learned the discipline of sharing weekly writing, I grew a thicker skin with the helpful criticisms I received, and I discovered how to offer positive assessments to others and what to look for in their writing. So, I became both a better writer and a better reader and editor myself. In short, I learned a lot.

Now, after a couple years of mayhem (AKA, life), I’ve started a new group. We’re fledgling still, but we’re beginning to find our own groove, our own rhythm. And everyone is so enthusiastic … it feels great to once again be part of a band of writers who want to help each other improve their craft. I’m grateful to start this next journey with these guys (and you know who you are!).

So, where am I going with all this? Having these weekly critique meetings forces me to plant my butt in the chair and either write or edit. Every week. (I can’t say every day, because though tons of fab authors/writers do write every day, I don’t want to force my writing until I hate it. My discipline is to produce working material every week, Monday to Friday.)

Knowing I have an external deadline, and interested, encouraging partners who want to read my work, is what keeps me accountable and keeps me motivated to produce. And the more productive a writer I am, the more the creativity flows and the smoother. Like lubricating the lovely creative cogs.

So, for those of you struggling with the discipline, maybe it’s time you find a critique group. More so than the general, all-encompassing writers’ groups, you may just find a circle of supportive, encouraging, thoughtful, and inspiring writers who motivates you to keep your bum in the seat, and who gives you the straightforward means to stay accountable. This is huge for me. Let me know if it is for you, too … please drop a comment below! Happy trails to you and keep writing! 😉

Before I sign off, in a similar vein, here’s a link to an old post of mine about finding a mentor. This is another great way to work with someone who’s been around the block and can teach you more about writing and the business. Keep this in mind!

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Why I Decided to Self-Publish: An Indie Author’s Perspective

Blogging, Editing, Indie Publishing, Publishing, Self-publishing, Sequel Writing, Series writing, Time Management, Traditional Publishing, Writing, Writing Business, Writing Craft, , , , , , , , ,

I have exciting news, readers: my second novel, now OFFICIALLY named Treasure Bound, will be published this month! Woo hoo! The road to publishing this book, the sequel to Emerald Obsession, was long and jarring, so I’m all the happier for its coming release.

The preparation these past months has been tedious. As an indie author, tackling the essentials of pre-publication—like editing, conferring with the Library of Congress, obtaining ISBNs, designing the cover—is crucial and a tad nerve-wracking (and ultimately very worth it).

A fun exception to the nervy parts is that while tackling those tasks, I encountered a number of curious folks who asked why I decided to self-publish. Well, that question got me to thinking. 😉 Considering I blog about the writing life, I realized I had a great topic to share with my audience.

EO ebook and print books

If you’re trying to make the indie-vs-traditional decision for your book, spend some time discovering what your goal is and who you want to reach. Why do you want to send your story into the world? Many factors will weigh in on your final decision, as they did for me. But figuring this out, or at least giving thought to your goal will offer you a good starting point.

My original decision to self-publish came about eight or so years ago, prior to the release of Emerald Obsession, and I haven’t once regretted that choice or changed my mind. Before I scoop you on why I chose indie publishing, I’d like to share something that not many of you know. When I wrote my first (still-unpublished) novel, Blind Notice, I decided to try the traditional route. Self-publishing, while not in its infancy back then, was still fledgling, full of tricky bits, and daunting.

Let me add a couple of quick points here for consideration: first, for anyone with a connection in the industry, absolutely ask for their input and advice. So many good things can come from a mentor, or someone able to direct you to the right source for help. The experience and wisdom of those who’ve traveled a similar path is invaluable.

Second, totally my gut feeling, but I truly believe any writer looking to put her- or himself out there should try the traditional path, at least for a short time, to experience that process regardless of the outcome.

Back to my “traditional” journey: I researched and found receptive agents in my genre, wrote and rewrote and polished my query letters, kept an Excel file of my efforts, and then received a number of polite rejections. That taught me a ton about persistence and belief in myself. But the whole process felt like it took an eternity to receive constructive feedback.

You know by now I’m someone who likes to learn and experience things. So you understand why I wanted to pursue traditional publishing, even knowing I was competing with scores of other mystery writers, vying for the attention of a small group of agents, and then publishers. And, ultimately, I failed.

But through all of that, I continued to work on my craft. During this time, I began writing EO. I was dealing with the death of my cousin, who had been my biggest champion (and not dealing well, I have to add), and I felt the driving need not to waste precious time waiting on other people. I grew frustrated with the length of time it would take to make any publishing progress, and I became determined to keep the fate of my work in my hands.

And that’s when I began to seriously research self-publishing options.

So, what made me commit? The short answer was (and still is, despite how long TB has taken) the speed and the control of the process. For me, those two items are intertwined, so I don’t rush either one. And now, for authors looking to earn a living writing (eventually, please, God and fingers and toes crossed!), there are broader opportunities available with self-publishing.

Even so, a ton of work and time goes into producing a quality book—and considering my desirousness of becoming a world’s best-selling author 😉 —I really, really do my best to make sure the work is done, and is done with the highest quality possible. Of course, by that I mean I pay the pros to edit my manuscripts and to design my book covers.

To be treated as a professional author, my book must meet or exceed the professional standards of any other. The writing must be the best I can make it, the book must have an experienced editor review it, and the cover must be the most compelling sales tool my designer and I can create.

There are a lot of “musts” in that paragraph. But those are the requirements of the professional world, so they’re my requirements.

With constant change in the industry, traditional publishers are mandating their newbie authors handle the bulk of their own marketing. This is the other reason I chose the indie route. I’m not a huge fan of plugging the books myself, but I believe in my stories, and so I will. But with having to manage the marketing in both cases, I’d rather retain the creative control and ownership of my timeline that comes with self-publishing.

So the best thing for me is to continue to write at my own pace, produce the books I want to read, publish them myself as expertly as I can, and keep on writing.

And that’s the trick, my friends. For those who want to write, keep on doing so. Writing more will make you a better writer. So will reading more. Sharing your words with critique partners will also make you better. And becoming better will make you want to share your gift. I say, go for it!

But before you go, haha, you may want to check out this post, “Should You Self-Publish Your Book? 5 Essential Questions to Help You Decide,” from a website I enjoy, thewritelife.com. The author, Blake Atwood, has relevant advice to help you decide which choice would be best.

One last thought: whichever path you choose, and for whatever reasons, don’t forget you may need to reassess at some point. Or consider new options. Try to stay true to the path that makes sense for you and your goals. If an agent or traditional publisher knocked on my door, would I answer? Sure, I’d let them in and see what we could work out; after all, there’s that whole “world’s best-selling author” thang for me to consider. Haha. 😉

Old-school printing press
New-school printing

Which choice will you make? Tell me in the comment section below, or directly at carolyn@carolyngreeley.com. Would love to hear from you. 😉 Happy writing and reading, all.

PS—Stay tuned for Treasure Bound release details and cover reveal! Coming soon!

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Missing? Yes. In Action? Oh, Yeah.

Blogging, Editing, Indie Publishing, Publishing, Self-publishing, Series writing, Writing, Writing Business, Writing Craft, Writing time, , ,

Wow, it’s been an incredibly long time since I last blogged. Do you guys even remember who I am? I hope so. I haven’t (really) gone anywhere. And I certainly didn’t mean to go MIA without explanation. That, however, is exactly what happened.

I’ve worked in a number of different types of jobs and environments in my life. Regardless of the setting, though, one big thing is required of all:

You have to show up and do the work.

But I can honestly say that as much as I love to write, showing up every day, doing the work, is so much harder because it’s a creative endeavor.

Not hard as in “sit down and let my fingers do the talking,” but hard as in composing, producing, saying something meaningful. I’m a writer, yeah? But I’m only as good as the words I use to communicate and the things I wish to say. Readers are overloaded with choice, so the struggle to say something relevant—say it creatively, purposefully—is real. And daunting to tackle on a daily, weekly, monthly basis.

So, yeah, sometimes instead of penning nonsense, I don’t write at all. Or more specifically, I don’t share my words with the public. There are tons of authors who can argue the benefit of writing daily; that routine just isn’t me, isn’t what I can or want to make the time to do. I’ll say this, though, which I’ve potentially said before and likely will again: writing well takes practice, and I know I become better the more I discipline myself. My skills don’t necessarily regress when I’m not corralling words, but in neglecting the words, I know my craft is idling instead of improving.

Back to that “not writing for public consumption” thing. That’s been the case these past few months of no blog posts. No apology, simply flat-out truth: I haven’t blogged lately because I’ve been working hard to finish the self-edits for my second novel. And in my non-author-y life, I’ve dealt with a number of bad things, a few tough-but-good things, and one very wonderful thing in the past half year. As ever, lots to juggle.

How about we gloss over those other bits for now (heh-heh-heh, writer’s prerogative) and focus on the first part: my fifteen zillion rounds of personal edits for Book 2, Treasure Bound, are DONE! Can I get a woo hooo?

More notes

Yes, it’s true: after all those additional years of writing, rewriting, and editing, and then hitting up a few trusted beta readers, I finally packed up my manuscript and shipped it to my editor (you know, via email). Now, I’m chomping my fingernails, researching new cover designers (can’t afford the increased price for the guys who did such a great job on my first book), and re-familiarizing myself with the necessaries for publication, things like formatting styles, ISBNs, LCCNs, BISACs, and the rest of those fun requirements. (For some fab info on the topic of self-publishing, check out Jane Friedman’s detailed blog by clicking here.) Good thing memory serves, as do the notes I took copiously the first time out. Whee.

While I await the feedback from my editor, I’m doing my best to get back to writing my blog and brainstorming BOOK 3!!! Because, yes, Virginia, there is a Book 3 lurking somewhere in my brain’s nether regions. Though I added another six thousand words to Treasure Bound since my August post (yippie!), I still have more story to tell. And I hope people enjoy Book 2 enough to stick around for the rest of the ride.

And now, readers and friends, what’ve you got to say for yourselves? Are you still out there? 😉 That’d be great, for sure. I hope you’ll let me know what you’ve been up to these past months, either in the comments section below or by email. You know it: carolyn@carolyngreeley.com. Hope to hear from you soon.

PS—The plan is to publish Treasure Bound later this year, so stay tuned. Woo hoo!

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