Smile, It's Good for Your Book

There's something about smiling that takes my breath away.



Unlike frowning, the movement just makes me feel better. How about you?

When I don't feel like writing I'm usually frowning - fumbling over what to write next. Writer's block may come, if only for a moment.

Have you ever thought that smiling was good for your book?

Imagine what you could accomplish in a given day with a happy, positive attitude? 10 pages, 20?

Negativity gets in the way of so many things and I've decided not to go there. At least not today. :) There is so much I want to accomplish, so much I want to write, so much of that winding path that I want to travel. Frankly, I don't have time to do anything but smile.

Here's to a successful day!

Kathryn

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Penny Ross

Another author interview! I'm enjoying these and learning from each of you.

Today we have Penny Ross. Find out what Penny uses recipe cards for besides recipes, learn what area of writing she dreads the most and why and where she sells most of her books.

Penny Ross

 

Tell me about yourself. What got you started in writing?

I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember. I started out with poetry and journal writing when I was young. Then when I had kids I started to write novels after my kids went to bed. I’ve published two novels so far and my third will be out in November. I write children’s books as well. I have one published and have to decide which children’s book to publish next.

How and where do you write? Do you prefer a lap top or do you prefer writing freehand?

I write on my couch most of the time with my laptop. I have background music on since it gets me in the zone. When the weather is nice I sit outside in my gazebo and gaze at my pool while I write. I love listening to the birds while I peck away at the keyboard. I find that restful and inspirational.

I prefer a lap top for my novels and freehand for my children’s books. For my most recent novel, ‘Stolen Spirits’ I sketched out chapter outlines freehand on recipe cards. I have many characters in that novel so I had to be very organized.

What's your favorite part about writing? Your least favorite part about writing?

My favorite part about writing is letting the characters take over the story to see where it will go. I love to be immersed in a writing project. I often have more than one writing project on the go. The one that grabs my attention and gets me caught up in the story is the one I concentrate on. I also love to edit so I dedicate countless hours to that. My least favorite part about writing is marketing. There never seems to be enough hours in the day and I prefer to write when I have the time. Marketing takes a lot of time and effort. You also have to be out in the public eye to sell your books. I find that hard to do, as I’m not a salesperson at heart.

How do you come up with your characters? Why would readers want to get to know them?

I’m a people watcher so I combine traits from real people onto my characters. Often readers comment some of my characters are based on me but that’s not true. I like to write characters that people can relate to. I like to see where a character takes the story and how their values impact the direction of the plot.

What types of marketing do you do to promote your writing?

I have an author Facebook page, I’m on Twitter, LinkedIn, Goodreads and Pinterest. My books are available online, through my website and in bookstores. The bulk of my sales come from schools since my books are curriculum based so I do direct marketing to school divisions. I’ve also had two book launches where I sold books. 

How do you schedule your writing time? When do you write?

I write whenever I can. I don’t have a set schedule since I work full-time. Since I’m an educator I write during summer, winter and spring break. That’s when I get the bulk of my writing done. I also write for a few hours most weekends. If I’m doing research for a novel I fit that in on weekends and in the evenings.

What are you currently working on? Do you have a new book out?

 

 

http://ow.ly/pHNs1



I’ve been working on two children’s picture books and a children’s legend. I’m doing the final edit on my ‘Stolen Spirits’ young adult book that will be out in November. My first children’s picture book, ‘Mrs. Muggles Learns to Read’ was published in March of this year so it’s relatively new. My first young adult book ‘Bird of Paradise Drums Beating’ was published over Christmas vacation last year.

Do you have a project on the back burner? Tell me about it.

 

http://ow.ly/pHNld

 

I’m partway through a sequel to my ‘Cave of Journeys’ middle years book. The setting for that one is Australia. We had a family vacation there last year and fell in love with the animals and climate. I just started a novelette about paying it forward. It combines fantasy with real life choices.

What would you tell a beginning writer who wants to publish but doesn't believe he/she has enough talent?

Go for it! Believe in yourself and strive for your dream. The more you write, the better you’ll get. If you have a story in you it will fall into place if you allow your creative side to take over. Surround yourself with positive people who believe in you and you’ll do well. Once you’ve written a book or two then you can learn the mechanics of how to publish. Start with the creative side then work on the practical

organization of the project.

 

http://ow.ly/pHN8p

 

***

Thank you, Penny! Learn more about Penny here:

 

http://www.butterflydreamspublishing.com/butterfly1/Welcome_About.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Getting Ideas for Your Next Book

I don't know about you, but by the time one book is finished, or nearly finished, I am thinking of book two. And often, my ideas come when I least expect them.

This happened to me recently while at the bank. I was discussing with the bank teller about my new book, "Scrambled," (because I always share my new book with potential readers) and she seemed interested, so I gave her a short synopsis. Looking to the right I noticed an interesting office. The office was decked out with shoes. There was a shoe calendar on the wall behind a desk and a small, red shoe hanging on the hook. There were also pictures of shoes on the walls.

I said to the teller, "Boy, that person sure loves shoes."

"You should see them. She always has on a new pair."

Just then the woman walked by. Sure enough, she was wearing some sparkling red shoes.

That got me to thinking. What about a teenage detective, some amateur teen sleuth that is addicted to shoes. Depending on the mystery, she chooses a different pair for the occasion.

That visit to the bank was incredible. I got an idea for a new series of teen books (that you should be seeing at about the 4th book in the Susan Sleuth series) because I was observant at the bank.

Getting ideas, the best ones anyway, come when you least expect them, or when you're in an environment to receive them.

Another case in point.

I was working through some issues with my mother's divorce and remarriage a few years ago. As a young child, the divorce of my parents hit hard. And one day it occurred to me that if I wrote down my feelings I might be able to work through the trauma. What came later was a fictional novel called, "A River of Stones." In it, the main character, Samantha, must find out who she is  and her place in the world after her mother divorces and re-marries.

The best ideas often come from writing prompts or class assignments. "Scrambled," came from a college assignment.

Getting ideas for your next book doesn't need to create a headache, but a joy. Here's to your next joyful discovery!

Kathryn