And we lean on each other by Leanne Dyck

(rock art by Byron Dyck)

Let's begin this post with one of my favourite Beatles songs, shall we Help --or more to the point Lean on Me

Okay, now that we've sent the mood... 

Authors work alone and yet we all need one another from time to time. That's why I joined a writing group and why I enjoy inviting authors to make guest appearances on my blog. And even though it's not always possible with my rigid blogging schedule (Monday and Friday, without fail regardless of...blab, blab, blab. Fingers crossed), I enjoy participating in blog tours. I view it as yet another way to connect with other authors and have fun. So when Debra Purdy Kong (Casey Holland Transit Security Mysteries) invited me to participate I readily agreed.

(rock art by Byron Dyck)

In order to participate I needed to answer questions four (any Monty Python fans our there?)

What are you currently working on?

Um, well... I take too big a bite when I'm eating and I...

I'm currently working on two novellas (literary and a mystery), a play (yes, a play. I never thought I would but it's a local contest--so how could I refuse?) and two short stories. Oh, yes, and I'm up to my earlobes in revisions. It's all tons of fun. There's not enough hours in the day. But if I were granted more I'd fill them with writing projects.

How does my work differ from others of its genre?

Simple answer:  its my work. By that I mean, my work is heavily influenced by what interests, inspires and concerns me. For example...
I'm dyslexic and am disappointed by the lack of support for adults with learning disabilities. This lack of support leaves learning disabled adults with health and employment problems--some of us wind up on the street or in jail. Potential lost. Lives wasted. But it doesn't have to be this way. Something must be done. All of us deserve to have an opportunity to have our own success story.

Increasing society's knowledge of dyslexia is a good starting point. Hoping to help obtain this goal, I've written a novel about my own experiences with dyslexia.

Why do I write what I do?

My junior high English teacher introduced me to authors like John Steinbeck who gave voice to ordinary people living ordinary lives. And, so, at an early age, I found what I was driven to write about. I've never regretted accepting this invitation.

How does my writing process work?

I write daily and work on a number of projects simultaneously. I'm actively participating in social networking and view this participation as a way not only to sharpen my writing skills but also as a way to exchange ideas with my fellow authors. So I spend each morning (7 days a week) engaged. Then I go for a 45-minute walk and usually end my workday by reading for an hour.

(rock art by Byron Dyck)

Sharing my author journey...

I finished writing my play. And on June 20th I'll share it with some friends, after receiving their valuable feedback, I'll sit back down and

Crime Writers of Canada mini writing conference report by Leanne Dyck

The morning of Saturday, May 25^th I woke before my alarm. By 6:30 a.m., I was in the truck headed for the ferry. I was excited—but not nervous. This surprised me. I’m used to talking to one or two people at a time, in a few hours I would be talking to a room full. But the day wasn’t all about me—there were other panels, other panellists.

Here’s what I heard…

Panel 1:  Moving from Idea to Draft

E.R. Brown, Benni Chisholm, Ken Merkley, Kay Stewart(moderator)

-When conducting research, experts (such as police officers) are helpful—especially if you send them an introductory letter stating what information you want to collect.

An attendee asked:  If your story is based on a true event, how do you avoid being legible?

Answer:  Mask the facts and consult with a lawyer.

There was discussion about plotter or panster. Most present did some type of outlining before writing.

Advice:  -Write the first draft then fix it.

There was discussion about how to make the outlining process easier.

-mind mapping

-mind mapping using Post-it notes

-mind mapping using a whiteboard

-mind mapping using the computer program Scribner

Editors have said that…

-readers want to be in a place

-readers want to learn something

While researching, the Internet provides only a broad overview; therefore, consider purchasing books and consulting experts.

An attendee asked:  Should an author be able to play with the facts?

Answer:  The author should ask herself, “Could this happen?”

If the answer is yes—go for it.

-In writing scenes, instead of trying to account for every minute only write the important scenes.

-You should start the scene with one set of feelings and end it with a different set.

-Beware of sagging middles.

-Each scene should move the story forward.

Food for thought:  An eight-year-old said, “I like this book. I just think the author told too much of it.”

Panel 2:  Handling Common Problems in Plot, Character, and Style

Chris Bullock (moderator), Joan Donaldson-Yarmey, Debra Purdy Kong, Lou Allin

-Beware of using local places as the setting for negative events.

-If you’re becoming bored with the story bring in a bad boy or girl.

-Read (lots of) books like an author. When you encounter characters ask yourself why you like/dislike them.

-Feel free to build a character that is a composite of real people.

When building a character start by asking yourself:

What do they look like?

How do they act?

Where do they work?

Then go deeper…

What are their hopes, dreams, fears…

-Once you understand your character outside and in you can bring them to life on the page.

-When you’re working on a series develop a character bible for each character—main and minor.

When building a character

-avoid making them too quirky—you want believable characters

-avoid making them too stereotypical

-be careful how you age your character

-ensure that there is continuity

-secondary characters shouldn't overshadow—if they begin to reign them in.

-don’t have too many characters. Ensure that each has a purpose.

-find your own style

-your words should flow naturally

-use your own voice

-aim for rhythm in your writing

-as the writer matures so does her writing

-don’t let your setting take over

(much thanks to Kay Stewart for taking this photo)

Panel 3:  Marketing Your Work

Leanne Dyck, Robin Spano, Phyllis Smallman (moderator)

I sat down feeling confident. I looked out at the attendees and immediately felt nervous. All those old stories about how I couldn’t read began attacking me. I was tired so I tripped and fell over some words. This made me feel embarrassed. Still, I knew I wanted to be there; I wanted to be a panellist. This is an important part of building my author career. It’s just hard for me—that’s all. But it’s been my experience that the more I challenge myself the easier things become.

I plan to share my speech with you—in a future post, so watch for that.

Robin Spano spoke eloquently about Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads. She said that Twitter allows participants to interact with one another and, for this reason, Twitter serves as an excellent tool for networking. 

She explained that Goodreads has a blog and is an excellent way to promote the books that you've enjoyed reading.

Since Robin spoke I’ve had an opportunity to become more involved with Facebook. I like it because through it I feel like a member of a community.

Twitter and Facebook are more immediate—brief messages sent quickly—than blogging. But what works best for me is having an opportunity to think before I write. I also like having a home base where I draw readers while engaging with them online. Blogging also helps escape the "time-suck" that other forms of social networking create. Basically, I used my panel time to promote the virtues of blogging.

One of the marketing ideas Phyllis Smallman recommended, which I hope to eventually use, is Skype. Imagine being able to do an interactive presentation to a global audience.

Award winning author, Phyllis Smallman, lives on Salt Spring Island, B.C. but spends the winter months in Florida where her books are set. Her fifth book, Highball Exit, comes out in the fall of 2012.
"Smallman...is at the top of her game in this fast-paced tale."  Globe and Mail

Phyllis Smallman writes...

Marketing Creativity

It doesn’t matter if you paint, knit or write books like I do; you need to be able to sell your product the same as Kraft needs to sell their cheese. How do we go about that? Here are some quick tips that may help you.

    1.You need to be able to speak about your work so go to Toastmasters and learn to be a great public speaker.  You’ll have fun and it’s the quickest way to put yourself at ease in front of an audience. More than that, they will become part of your marketing platform.

      2. Have a good talk with yourself and decide what type of marketing you are most comfortable doing.  For me that means not hand selling books at fairs, festivals or signings, but I’m happy to hand out bookmarks.

    3. Build a platform with a community of like minded people.  Join guilds, art groups and associations to increase your fan base and provide new ideas and marketing opportunities. I belong to Crime Writers of Canada, Mystery Writers of America and Florida Writers Assoc.

     4. Give stuff away.  In my case, I put up free short stories where e-books are sold.  When you download a short story of mine there is a few chapters of one of my books attached at the end. Bitty And The Naked Ladies has been downloaded about 30,000 times. Write articles about the work you do and offer them to on-line magazines. This is a way to get your name out there and gain authenticity.  If you give people information, you create fans and followers. My articles have appeared in Omni magazine and in Spinetingler.

     I send out a newsletter once a year, when I have a new book out, to update readers on what’s happening and to remind them that I’m still writing. I include any new publishing events, awards or books. For instance, I won a bronze medal from Independent Publishers this spring.  That will go in my fall newsletter to announce my new book, Long Gone Man, coming out in Sept from Touch Wood. To receive newsletters, which you can use as a template, go to www.phyllissmallman.com and I’ll add you to the list.

     This is the most important point.  You want people to like you. Don’t annoy them. Don’t over-send things to them, don’t over-invite them to events, don’t over social media them and most importantly, don’t always make it about you. Be nice.

Mystery Mini Chats followed the panel discussions. It was an opportunity for readers and authors to engage in dialogue about books. 

Guest Post: mystery author Debra Purdy Kong

How/why did you start to write?

I started to write because it was the best way I had of expressing myself. It began with journal entries, though I have to say that writing book reports in school was the only thing I really enjoyed and did well. After obtaining a diploma in criminology, I sold my car and left for Europe to figure out what I wanted to do back in 1979. I continued journal writing and wrote letters home, and then tried my hand at a short story. I also wound up sharing an apartment with an aspiring singer/actress who loved my stories and encouraged me to keep going. I loved the process of writing and editing so much that I took her advice.

How did you become an author?

I became an author after writing many drafts of my first mystery, Taxed to Death, and deciding to self-publish in 1995. It was a terrific learning experience. By the time I signed a contract with a traditional publisher for The Opposite of Dark, I’d had plenty of promotion and marketing experience, and had written three more mysteries.

Why did you decide to self-publish?

There were a number of reasons. Seventeen years ago, my sister had breast cancer. It was a difficult year, but one of the things I learned was not to wait for a lifelong dream to fall in one’s lap, but rather to make it happen, if possible. Who knows when any of us run out of time? Also, my husband was looking to start a small business on the side and liked the idea of publishing, so he financed the project while I learned how to do the layout, and so forth. I wanted to learn about book production and the business of publishing and promotion.

What was your first published piece?

My first published piece was a personal essay called “A Dancer’s Foot”. It was about my years of ballet study from age eight to sixteen. I didn’t enjoy the experience that much, and hated it by the time my mother let me quit.

Where was it published?

It was published in 1982, in a glossy little magazine from Ontario that was just starting out. They paid me $90 and I was thrilled. I thought, how hard could it be to write and earn money? Three years passed before any of my stories or essays were again accepted for publication. Two more years passed before I was actually paid anything, and I think that was in American stamps.

How did you find your traditional publisher?

It took over ten years to find a traditional publisher, (including two years spent with an American agent) and thirty-five submissions to publishers. One day, someone told me about a BC publisher who was interested in mysteries set in the pacific northwest, so I submitted The Opposite of Dark to her. A year later, I had a contract.

What did you do before embarking on your writing career? Was it an asset to your writing? How?

Before writing, I worked as a secretary for a firm of chartered accountants, which was where I met my future husband, and where I came up with the idea of writing about a young, overly enthusiastic tax auditor for Taxed to Death and Fatal Encryption. I never did use my diploma for career purposes, but the some of practicum and volunteer experiences have appeared in my novels and stories.

What inspires you?

Great writing inspires me!

Please share one of your successful marketing techniques

One of my successful marketing techniques was to join a forum for independently published authors on amazon and get to know people. They’ve given me some great marketing tips, but they’ve also bought my books and have reviewed them, which is always a surprise because I’d never ask anyone to do this. Happily, these efforts resulted in sales. So, I pay it forward and support indie authors when I can.

Parting words

When it comes to writing, success is a really hard thing to define. Sometimes, I’m not sure we should even try. For some, it’s publication credits, for others, success is determined by royalty cheques, or awards. For me, success is about tenacity and becoming a better writer; learning to listen to those who are trying to help. 80% of the one hundred stories, essays, and articles I’ve had published were initially rejected by editors who took the time to offer helpful comments. For me, writing is always about learning. It always will be.

Debra Purdy Kong's blog