Writing and Publishing News from

Do things come to you in duplicate or does that happen to me because I am a Gemini? Yesterday, I wrote about revenge-writing (or writing to find peace or to free oneself from the clutches of an unhappy life or unpleasant situation). That afternoon, I received a note from another writer with a personal story to tell which her dearest friends are discouraging her from writing.

This is not unusual. I often receive similar editorial projects. In recent years it was two travel memoirs, two stories of childhood abuse, two young adult novels, two spiritual books and two business books. When I get a new client, usually another one shows up a day or two later—sometimes the same day.

Requests for book evaluations come in pairs (sometimes triplicate). Last year I worked with two clients living in Africa, two who were local and two sets of pairs with the same first names.

I get writing assignments in pairs or triples. And if I sit down to write an article, I usually write two. I even came out with two books at the same time one year—one on presenting a luau on the mainland and the other, a metaphysical adventure.

I always have at least two cats. When I was into horses, I had two of my own. I buy garden plants in duplicate (or multiples)—roses, kangaroo paws, lavender, lantana, dahlias and so forth. When I go shopping, I generally come home with more than one garment. I recently bought two pair of shoes, for example. When we decided to plant trees in the front yard, of course, I purchased two.

I consider some of my friends (who happen not to know one another) duplicate friends. Three of my closest friends have “twin” friends. These women pairs are so similar in personality, stance, interests, etc. that I sometimes call them by their “twin’s” names.

I’m not a staunch follower of the Zodiac, but the sign characteristics do intrigue me. Gemini is also known for communication. Some say that Gemini’s are natural writers. Obviously, that characteristic applies in my case. I tell people that I can’t not write.

I wonder if other writers frequently experience little hints as to their sign’s characteristics. Have you noticed aspects of your astrological sign showing up in your writing life? I’d like to hear about it.

In the meantime, you can learn more about my professional world at my websites (yes there are two of them). http://www.patriciafry.com
http://www.matilijapress.com

I’m excited. Yesterday I received a cat-a-day calendar in the mail and discovered that it has a picture of our kitten, Lily as the March 15, 2011 cover girl. I had almost forgotten that I entered the Workman Cat Calendar contest this year. This is the second time that I’ve won. In fact this photo got an honorable mention and it is one of three photos shown on the box to advertise the calendar. Exciting.

In case you are looking for a calendar for yourself or as a gift for someone who likes cats, this is Workman’s 365 Cats page-a-day 2011 calendar. Lily is shown surrounded by alphabet blocks. Very cute. http://www.pageaday.com

I don’t think it is unusual for a writer to also enjoy photography and/or other forms of art. Most of the writers I know also engage in other creative endeavors. I’ve always done needlework and sewing. Gardening is another of my creative outlets when I need to or choose to take a break from the writing. I got involved in photography when I found out that many of the articles I wrote needed to be accompanied by photos. You can’t write about drying fresh flowers, making batik dolls and creating items out of horseshow ribbons without illustrating the article with photos. I even took the photos for my first book, “Hints for the Backyard Rider.”

When the grandkids came along, I upgraded my camera equipment and my photo habit accelerated. I was even asked a time or two to take promotional photos of friends and I also used photography in gift-giving. Now each of my grown grandchildren have my sunset and ocean photos (given as Christmas gifts) hanging on the walls of their homes/rooms.

When they were small, I used to put together photos depicting all of our fun family outings and activities in chunky little albums for each child for Christmas. For years, these albums were my grandchildren’s most treasured gifts.

Do you have creative outlets aside from your writing? Perhaps you engage in photography (for your job), you garden (out of necessity), you do a little dancing (when the mood strikes) and/or you occasionally dabble in poetry. I suggest that, if you are working long hours at your writing desk, you are constantly trying to meet deadlines, you are pushing to finish your novel or you are involved in writing a series of serious business books, you take creativity breaks.

Dig out your camera and go photograph the fall colors, plant a border or a basket of fall flowers, work on your latest (or long forgotten) watercolor project or start knitting a winter scarf. If you’re like me, you will have to justify your time spent on this project by entering it in a contest or giving it to someone you care about. That’s a characteristic of those of us who are rather middle-brained. We yearn to be creative, but we can’t do so just for the pure pleasure. There has to be more incentive than that.

I’d like to hear about your relationship with creativity involving writing as well as activities outside of the writing realm.

Visit my websites:
http://www.patriciafry.com
http://www.matilijapress.com

Also visit my Catscapades blog and see more photos of Lily and other cats.
http://www.matilijapress.com/catscapades

I’ve been gone for a few days. I hope somebody noticed. I attended a mini-class reunion in a nearby town with about 25 former classmates. What a blast. We do a lot of sharing and reminiscing. It’s fun to travel back to the 50s with old friends.

Next year we will gather again and we have an assignment. We are to come prepared to share our passion. We will bring photos and/or examples of what we do that brings us joy. And I think it would be interesting to also explain what or who influenced us to go in that direction—a shop or home economics teacher, a classmate, an experience we had in Brownies or cub scouts for example.

For this event, I will prepare a program using photos and stories in an attempt to share my path into and through the world of writing: what the writing life actually entails/involves, what it feels like to have the freedom to pursue my dream to write and I’ll show off some of my work.

I typically evaluate my writing business every year and this exercise should assist with that evaluation and possible restructuring in 2011. When I conduct an evaluation, I check to see exactly in what direction my business is going—this changes with the economy and with technology, etc. Through these evaluations, I discover where I need to put more of my time and energy, where I WANT to spend more time and energy and what aspects of my business need an overhaul. Through these annual evaluations, I have evolved from full-time article-writer to author of numerous publishing/book promotion books to avid speaker on topics related to publishing, to editor and publishing consultant for authors. Every few years, I watch my business shift and, rather than balk and go into denial, I do my best to shift along with it. That’s the only way we are going to stay in the game, isn’t it—by accepting the new rules and massaging our skills and our focus to conform? It is also a good idea to try to stay ahead of the game when possible.

How is your writing business going? Do you evaluate where you are from time to time. Are you paying attention to trends? Are you flexible in your thinking? Are you constantly improving on your skills? Or do you stubbornly remain stuck in a groove that is not helping you to move forward with your writing work or your book project?

This weekend, take the time to evaluate your writing world. Does it need an overhaul or at least a bit of tweaking? I’d love a report.

Visit my websites:
http://www.patriciafry.com
www.matilijapress.com> http://www.matilijapress.com

How often do you hear someone say, “But it’s hard.”? Do you find yourself using this excuse for not trying something, for not helping someone, for not moving ahead toward your dreams, for not bettering your position in life? Do you neglect your writing project because it is “hard” to find time for it, because it is “hard” to work in cramped quarters, because it is “hard” to think of something to write about, because it is “hard” to approach publishers/magazine editors?

Life can be hard. Relationships are hard. (Have you noticed how many people give up and divorce today?) Just about anything worthwhile in life have aspects that are hard to overcome, deal with, approach, carryout and/or endure. So what? This should not be a reason for us to quit.

Sure there are reasons to quit something or walk away from a situation. But the fact that it is hard (takes us outside our comfort zone, is embarrassing, makes us anxious) should not be among them.

When is the last time you made yourself work through a difficult, but worthwhile project or task? How did it make you feel?

The next time you are faced with a tough task or intimidating project that you really don’t want to do, ask yourself, why am I resisting this? Listen to the answer that comes into your mind. When you think about tackling the project or task, how do you feel—pay particular attention to your gut. Now think about the benefits (if any) of following through with the project, task, invitation or ? What sort of feeling does that thought generate? Perhaps this thought will convince you to work through the fears and resistance you’ve created in your mind.

There are many, many things in life that require hard work. Writers and authors face situations outside their comfort zones every day. It’s not easy to establish a freelance writing career, to sell an article to a major magazine, to write a book, to find a publisher for your book, to self-publish a book, to market a book. It’s all hard.

But is it truly too hard to even try? I guess you’ll have to ask yourself that question.

A lot of things are hard in life, but most of us do them anyway. The next time you are faced with a blank screen when you’re supposed to be writing an article, you don’t feel like working on your book or you’re afraid you’re going to be shot down if you approach a bookseller or book reviewer, don’t give up. Don’t use the excuse that, “it is hard.” Think about your ultimate goal, the commitments you’ve made and your reason for wanting to pursue this task in the first place and see if you can move beyond “hard.”

http://www.patriciafry.com
http://www.matilijapress.com

It takes the same things it always has, only more of it.

Skills appropriate to the genre/field.
Knowledge of the medium you choose.
A creative approach.
Energy.
Commitment.
Persistence.
Patience.

Without these 7 attributes, you won’t get very far as an article-writer, short story writer or author. Those of you who are already involved in these activities are out there nodding your heads. Those who only dream of entering into some avenue of writing are wondering either how you can break in without adhering to all of the attributes or you are trying to figure out how to attain them all.

People ask me what it takes to break in. Others tell me that they plan to break in. Still others complain that they tried and couldn’t break in. The reason these people failed to establish an article-writing business or become a successful author is because one or more of these attributes was missing. Let’s examine each of the seven attributes:

Skill
You can’t expect to become a writer of merit if you do not have natural talent or you refuse to do what it takes to hone your skills and/or conform to specific submission guidelines, for example.

Knowledge
If you don’t take the time to learn about the publishing industry or the world of magazine writing—I mean really educate yourself about it—you won’t know how to approach it and navigate successfully within it.

Creativity
You really are going to need tons of creativity in order to succeed in the world of publishing, whether your dream is to do freelance work or produce one or more books. The competition in this industry dictates that those who succeed are offering a little bit more—something, perhaps, different.

Energy
I don’t know a writer or author who has succeeded by being lazy. Someone entering the writing field must do so with enough energy to keep up and stride beyond. Freelance writing, whether for magazines, companies or individuals, takes enormous energy—especially when it comes to soliciting work. Writing and publishing a book also taxes ones energy supply, but it is the marketing of that book that is so depleting. It is way more work than anyone expects until they are in the midst of it.

Commitment
Without your commitment, there is no hope of succeeding.

Persistence
Persistence is also necessary, lest you will never get to the front of the line where the assignments are being handed out or where the book sales are being generated.

Patience
Oh yes, there’s a serious need for patience in the writing/publishing field. But this does not mean sitting around and waiting. On the contrary—you must be ever vigilant and diligent in your quest to be published, but patient enough to never give up.

Sure, there are writers reading this who had lucky breaks—who fell into sweet situations without having to endure all on this list. But, for most of us, in this publishing climate, it is going to take everything we have and more to achieve our goals. If it is worth it to you, go for it. If not, you know what to do.

Learn more about my 37-year path into and through the publishing industry and the world of magazine article-writing here:
http://www.patriciafry.com
http://www.matilijapress.com

Tell me your story: PLFry620@yahoo.com.

Where do books come from? A non-writer might ask this question. As a writer/author, you know that books come from ideas, imagination, dreams, inspiration, need… But books can also come from other types of writing—other mediums.

I once wrote a book based on a conversation I overheard while in line at the grocery store. A couple of my books evolved from articles I’d written. Some of my 900-plus blog posts have inspired and provided fodder for some of my books and articles. And I’ve even written books based on questions from other authors. The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book was conceived because I was getting the same question over and over again—“How do I publish my book?”

I realized that authors needed to have more information about the way the industry works before they even decided to write a book. Then they need to know their options, the possible consequences of their choices and their responsibilities as a published author. I knew they needed information about approaching publishers as well as self-publishing. They must have an understanding of book promotion, distributors, wholesalers, book reviewers, designing a website, public speaking and so very much more. I knew that without this knowledge, they would be some of the 76 percent of authors who fail every year. Thus, this 340-page book was created from author’s questions.

The book I wrote based on the conversation I overheard was on long-distance grandparenting. I heard two women talking that day about how difficult it is to bond with your grandchildren when they live in another state. In preparation for that book, I talked to a lot of grandparents about how they engage and bond with their long-distance grandchildren. I interviewed the directors of grandparenting organizations. And I pulled perspective and material from my own grandparenting experiences. The result was, Creative Grandparenting Across the Miles.

Recycling or repurposing your writing (as Susan Daffron refers to it) is an incredibly prudent and efficient practice. What are some of the ways you can do this?

• Create blog posts from your articles.
• Write articles from your blog posts.
• Expand thought-provoking emails into blog posts or articles.
• Develop a book from a series of articles or blog posts.
• Design a blog post or article from a speech.
• Create a speech from a chapter in your book.
• Write a book or article based on a portion of your daily journal.
• Turn your genealogy research into a book.
• Write down the stories your grandparents share.
• Produce a book from a letter you wrote or received.
• Develop a class from an article, blog post or speech.
• Expand a tip sheet into an article.

Don’t let your writing die after one incarnation. Use these prompts to keep your writing alive. Get into the habit of recycling your ideas, thoughts, experiences and writings.

For more about Patricia Fry visit her websites:
http://www.patriciafry.com
http://www.matilijapress.com

If you are a freelance writer, you are probably busy from sun up to late night trying to keep your business going.

Authors, likewise, find it difficult to get it all done. Successful publishing and book promotion is more than a full-time job.

Do you sometimes resent having to do those mundane tasks—the non-creative work?
If you have trouble getting it all done, why not hire an assistant?

It’s common for busy entrepreneurs to hire employees to help out. Well, you’re running a business, and you could use help. Why continue struggling to do it all yourself?

I’ve actually hired help throughout my career. I hired a friend to type a complete book into my computer. The original manuscript was created on a typewriter. She also used to help me get query letters out. And I’ve paid my grandchildren to man-handle boxes of books when I needed to move them from place to place. When they were younger, they used to help me prepare promotional mailings.

What are some of the things an assistant could do to help your business run more smoothly and/or to increase your bottom line? Here are a few ideas. I’d love to hear your stories of working with an assistant (an intern, perhaps). An assistant could handle all or some of the following:

• Organize and send out your query letters.
• Do marketing, book or business research.
• Handle your social media accounts.
• Do typing.
• Write and post at least some of your blogs.
• Respond to emails.
• Fill out forms, including interview questionnaires.
• Conduct interviews for articles or your book.
• Seek out new venues and book speaking engagements.
• Design and send out promo material.
• Do filing.
• Keep your website updated.
• Make follow-up calls.
• Run errands.
• Work with graphic designers and printers.
• Pack and ship books.
• Make your travel arrangements
• Take over in the office when you are traveling.
• Design online courses in your topic and implement them.
• Keep your appointment calendar.
• Send invoices and chase down money owed.
• Make copies of handouts, promo material, etc.
• Keep track of inventory.
• Get quotes from printers
• Set up appointments with clients, etc.

Now there are 25 things that the right assistant could do for you while you are busy writing, speaking, designing new programs/products and handling those other things that increase your chances of success in this business.

I have to tell you that I had trouble stopping this list. I originally planned to list 10 things. Then a couple of other great ideas came to me and I continued on to 12. Before I finished proofing this, I had 15 and then 20 ideas. When I decided to stop at 25, I was still coming up with jobs for the assistant. In fact, I’ve convinced myself that I should start interviewing potential assistants to help me in my busy business. Maybe I could spend more time walking on the beach—er, uh, I mean writing and promoting…

http://www.matilijapress.com
http://www.patriciafry.com

Hopeful authors and would be writers have come to me for advice over many years. They started asking me for help long before I was ready to offer it. I mean, I didn’t feel qualified. I was just whittling out a career for myself in the world of writing and publishing—what did I have to give others?

In time, however, I began responding to questions posed and was rather surprised, at first, to discover how much I knew—how much I had learned about this profession while working in the trenches as a freelance article writer and published author.

Fast forward 35 years—where does the time go? I now earn part of my living advising, counseling and mentoring writers and authors who are at various stages of their involvement in this industry. I love helping a good writer with a fabulous project move forward toward success. But sometimes, the story does not have a happy ending. Sometimes, the writing is not good and the project is not fabulous and I have to pop a hopeful writer’s bubble.

I think long and hard before I tell a writer something that is less than encouraging about his work. And I always try to share any potentially discouraging news (opinion) with some positive, supportive words.

This week a lovely gentleman brought me a true story he wrote—and I have to tell you this happens often. He described it as a heart-wrenching story—one that is filled with emotion. I read it and felt nothing. I could see the story among the words, but I could not feel it. I explained that the story was a good one—it had potential, but that the writing was off a little. I tried to make the writer understand that the emotion was missing—that the story was presented in reporting/journalistic style rather than storytelling style. It was a fact-filled piece rather than one that touched the heart of the reader.

He didn’t quite get it, so I suggested that he take his manuscript to a local writing critique group for their help. There are usually some good writers in attendance who know how to turn a mundane narrative into a remarkable, touching story.

Of course, I could help get a writer going in a better direction with a project like this, but this writer didn’t have the funds for my fee. Hopefully, I will get another chance to look at his story once he has reworked it.

When others read your story are they touched or do they feel as though they are reading something as bland as instructions for putting together a child’s toy? What is it that makes the difference? Adjectives (descriptive words). You want to paint pictures with words as you write your story. Rather than, “Sally had the ball,” try “Sally held fast to the ball, fearful that Billy Bully would snap it out of her trembling hands again.” Instead of, “Bert entered the room,” say “Chards of glistening light streaming through the stained glass illuminated the room as Bert cautiously entered.”

There are many, many ways to dress up our writing—to create images and emotions such as fear, anticipation, anger, irritation, joy, etc. I invite you to share your before and after sentences. Leave them here as comments.

Visit my websites: http://www.patriciafry.com
http://www.matiliapress.com

My organizational nightmare is over. Don’t you love it when you tackle a complex, complicated, seemingly overwhelming project and see it successfully to fruition?

I’ve been on such a cycle. I’ve been gathering material for my upcoming book revision/update, interviewing authors and organizing their contributions so that they actually fit into the sections of the book for which they are intended. Working with others on a project—counting on them to contribute what you need in a timely manner—often means a lot of communicating back and forth, prodding, begging, pleading… If you’ve ever headed up a committee, you know what I mean. Not everyone has the same goals in mind, is on the same time schedule, cares about the same deadlines.

But the worst is over and I have relaxed a little. The great news is, it took less time than I expected. If the few stragglers left make it in on time and the rest of the project goes well, I think I’m actually going to beat my deadline. My current clients will be happy to have me back on task with their projects. I have to thank them for being understanding of my need to break away from the intensity of their projects so I could concentrate on my book for the month.

So this week I am still working on gathering material and organizing my book-marketing book. I wrote the bulk of the SPAWN Market Update over the weekend—just have to fill in here and there before turning it in. I got the bright idea to check in with some publishers to find out how things have changed/are changing within their companies and the industry within the last 5-10 years. So I’m waiting for them to respond to my questions. I also plan a walk on the beach this week if the fog lifts. (The Market Update is the newsletter I write for the member area of the SPAWN website every month. SPAWN is Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network. http://www.spawn.org)

So how does a writer meet those self-imposed or publisher-driven deadlines? Maybe this will help:
• Commit to a deadline that you know you can meet.

• Assess the project to determine how much time you need to complete it. And then add several weeks (or days, depending on the scope of the project).

• Start working on the project long before it is due—give yourself at least two weeks more than you think you will need. I always give myself a closer deadline than the one the publisher gives me.

• If you will be relying on others to get information to you, contact them weeks before you need the material and then lie to them about your deadline. If you need it by the 20th, tell them it has to be in by the 15th.

• Follow-up with contributors. Sometimes they forget, set your project aside, procrastinate, lower the priority status of it…

• If you’re working with several contributors, keep excellent records of when you contacted them, what you asked of them, what they promised you, etc.

• While waiting for others to come through, work on those parts of the project that you can do on your own.

• If you’re working with a publisher or magazine editor on this project, always get written (or typed) permission from participants and make copies for the publisher or editor.

• Relax. You’ll complete the project in the same amount of time whether you stress over it or not. In fact, you’ll probably move through it more swiftly if you are calm and collected instead of frantic and worried.

• Remember that deadlines are not sacred. If something interferes with the forward motion of the project—there’s a family emergency or a key contributor/participant needs more time, for example—ask if the deadline can be extended by a week or so (a day or so on a shorter project). While you want to do your absolute best to meet (or even beat) your deadline, life happens and publishers understand—especially if you have always come through on time with excellent projects in the past. If it is your first experience with this publisher or magazine editor, definitely do everything you can to impress him/her.

Visit Patricia Fry at her websites:

Book showroom: http://www.matilijapress.com
Editorial/mentoring services offered: http://www.patriciafry.com

What’s harder than producing an article or book by yourself? Writing it to someone else’s specifications and standards.

I often get questions about the content and length of books and articles: “Should I include expert comments in my book? A bibliography? An Index? A glossary? An Introduction? Etc?” “What length is a typical article? Where should I submit it?”

If you are working with an editor, agent or publisher on a book, they will pretty much direct the project. If you want to be published, there will be no slacking. You will find a way to gather and include all of the amenities they ask for, no matter how difficult or complicated. If you are working on an article, you really must figure out which magazine you are aiming for in order to meet their standards and fulfill their author guidelines. So, again, you are writing to satisfy someone else. Not what you thought writing was about, is it?

But your ultimate goal, if you want to be published, is pleasing your audience—your readers. And you should have them in mind throughout the process of writing and embellishing your article of book project.

When you aren’t sure what direction to take your manuscript, think about your audience. Anytime you feel stumped, defer to your audience—what would they want? How can you reach them? How can you best help them? What do they need from you that you can provide?

It is your responsibility as a writer to bring your readers what they crave in the way of information, guidance and/or entertainment. And you can only do this is you know your audience and if you keep them in mind as your write.

Today, when you sit down to write a portion of your fiction or nonfiction book or you begin to work on your article or short story, bring to mind your audience. For nonfiction, imagine members of your audience reading this. How do you think it comes across to them? Can they understand what you are presenting? Is it clear? Is this the type of information they want/need? Are you responding to all of their questions? Can you back up your statements with credible research or expert quotes? Is your material organized in such a way that it is easy to follow?

For fiction, is your story believable? Does it flow naturally? Do your characters come across as real? Will readers find it easy to relate to your story and your characters? Is the direction of your story unpredictable? Is the writing fresh and reader-friendly?

There’s certainly a lot to think about when you decide to write something for publication. And the mistake many authors make is that they write more for themselves (“this is what I think the world needs to read,” “I want to get my story published no matter what it takes”) than they do for others. And this can be a giant mistake.

Today, evaluate your purpose for writing what you are writing and your reason for writing it. I’d like to know what you discovered.

Visit my websites to see what Patricia Fry and Matilija Press have to offer.
http://www.patriciafry.com
http://matilijapress.com