It's All About Balance - Tips for Authors

I was involved in some group anthology projects before I started writing novels. For one series, we did almost one hundred in-person and virtual events in about a year and a half to promote the books. It was fun. I enjoyed meeting people and talking about mysteries. But I soon realized a writing life needs balance. With so much travel, there was hardly enough time to write my novel.

Writers have lots of tasks from research and writing to revising and book promotion, and that’s on top of your regular life and responsibilities.

Here are some tips that work for me. There’s no single, magic solution.

• I still have a day gig, so I have to schedule my time. I keep a calendar of key writing events and due dates. I have to stay organized, or the chaos takes over. (I write from 5:00 - 7:30 every morning and then on my lunch hour. If I hit my word goal, then I’m done for the day.)

• Try to write (or revise your work) every day. If you leave your project for a few days, it takes time to get back to the place where you left off.

• To finish a first draft in a reasonable amount of time, I need a daily writing goal. I try my best to hit it. I know if I stick to my schedule, I can have a completed first draft in about two and a half months. I keep a running tally on a sticky note to keep me motivated and to see my progress.

• When you are writing your first draft, just write it. Don’t stop to revise chapters or paragraphs. Make notes and keep going. If you fall into the rewriting trap, it’ll take you forever to finish.

• You can’t just focus on one thing. There are so many tasks for promotion, research, writing, and revising. It’s a lot of work, but you also need to take time for yourself to reenergize. Figure out what works for you. Make sure you exercise and go outside once in a while.

• When I have a new book release, I create a spreadsheet (three months before and three months after). I track all of my online and in-person events, and I make sure I have plenty of time to complete guest blog posts and interviews. Make sure you track all your due dates.

• I hate spending time searching for something I know I have, so for things I want to remember, I make spreadsheets. One has all the blogs, podcasters, book reviewers, and other contacts that I like to follow. I add to this throughout the year, and it helps when I start planning my promotions.

• I also have a spreadsheet of ideas. I used to keep file folders of newspaper and magazine clippings. Now, I keep cool names, interesting locations, weird true crime stories, and names of resources in one document. It makes it so much easier when I’m looking for story ideas.

• Make sure that you’re also reading. It’s important to keep up with what’s popular in your genre. Writers should be avid readers.

What works with your writing style? Let me know what you’d add to my list.

Another Writing Secret - What I Learned about Advice

When I decided that I wanted to write a novel, I bought every book on writing that I could get my hands on. I had quite the collection, and the advice varied greatly. I spent months reading and researching the perfect technique. Then one day, I had an ah-ha moment. I was doing a lot of reading and research, but I wasn’t writing. I was spending all my free time trying to find out the best way to write without developing my own skills. So, I went through all my shelves and weeded through my collection. I kept a few that spoke to me, and the rest went to the Friends of the Library.

Try new things. Learn new techniques, but if they don’t improve your writing process, ditch them and try something else. You have to find what works with your style and your life. When I was reading all the advice books, I was bombarded with outline, don’t outline, write every day, write when you feel like it, make a schedule, set a word count, don’t pressure yourself with daily word counts, use this style, and don’t use that style.

This is what worked for me. Again, if it doesn’t work for you, try another technique. Everyone is different and has his/her own preferences.

Writing is a business, and I needed to treat my work that way. It took me five years to finish my first novel and another two to get it published. I needed to be more productive, and I needed a schedule. I knew that I wanted to be serious about my writing and to have a series. I definitely needed to speed up my process. I outline each book now. I also set daily word count goals when I’m working on the first draft. If I stick with my plan, I can usually finish a complete first draft in 2-3 months. I also don’t edit as I write. I finish the first draft and then move to the editing stage.

Your first draft is not your final draft. It takes a lot of rework and reviews to get it to a publishable state. There are very few writers who can create an almost-perfect manuscript on the first try.

I think it’s important to have a network of writer friends to bounce ideas and questions off of. They are an amazing support group to help you with the disappointments and to celebrate the wins.

Again, writing is a business. Authors are required to maintain social media presences, host events, and promote their books. You need to make sure that one part of the writing life (e.g. writing, researching, revising, marketing, promoting) doesn’t take over and dominate all of your time. It’s a balance.

Remember, your job is to write your next book.

Don't Go it Alone - Tips for Writers

Writing is a solitary sport, and it can be a lonely journey sometimes. I encourage writers to find their crew and to cherish those amazing people who help you celebrate your victories and cheer you up when you need it. Your writing friends should be treasured. Here are some ideas for ways you can expand your writing network.

Find a writers’ group. There are many local, international, and virtual ones out there. I am in several, and the advice and camaraderie have been invaluable. I owe so much to Sisters in Crime. I received my first traditionally published writing credit as part of a chapter anthology. There have been so many writers who are so generous with their time and advice that have helped me along my own writing journey.

Use your crew. When you schedule book signings or events, look for writer friends who want to join you. This gives all of you an opportunity to expand your reach at events. Make sure you work with the bookseller/event coordinator to ensure there is space for everyone, and the writers meet all the criteria. Sometimes, booksellers will ask for writers to have a recent novel or for books that are returnable. I love that my writer friends always want to partner. It makes all of the book signings a party, and I get to meet their friends and fans.

Build your network. I am so fortunate to have so many writer friends. We share in-person and virtual marketing opportunities, advice, and ideas. I also reach out to these folks when I have a question that I know that collective hive can help solve. They have been a great source of information and ideas. If you’re not sure how to get started, attend the meetings and volunteer to help.

Gems are everywhere. Don’t overlook the people who share your agent and your publisher. I am so fortunate that both of mine have regular meetings to share information. I’ve found many friends in both of these groups and have partnered with them for in-person and virtual book events.

When I’m asked for writing advice from readers, I always say to find a writers’ group. I am so thankful for all my friends in Sisters in Crime National, Central Virginia, Chessie, and the Guppy chapters; James River Writers; and International Thriller Writers.

8 Computer Tips Writers and Everyone Should Know

I’ve got my technology hat on today. Here’s my list of 8 computer tips that every writer should be aware of to stay safe.

1. Always back up your work (to the cloud, an external hard drive, a thumb drive, etc.). There is nothing more heart-breaking than loosing your file (or your work in progress).

2. Do NOT click on links (in emails, on webpages, or in texts) that you don’t know where they came from. This is the easiest way to get your device infected.

3. Always update your computer, tablet, and phone with the latest patches and fixes in a timely manner. Many of these are fixes to security vulnerabilities.

4. Reboot your computer frequently. Many patches, installs, and fixes require a reboot to take effect. Plus, computers and phones (like people) need to be reset periodically.

5. When out, avoid using public computers and device chargers. You don’t know if they are infected or who is monitoring them.

6. Know which of your home devices have blue tooth connections. If there is no reason to have it on, turn it off and don’t accept pairing (requests to join) from unfamiliar devices.

7. Make sure your passwords are saved in a secure place [e.g. a software manager (software used to securely manage your information)]. They shouldn’t be in a Word file on your computer, a piece of paper, or a sticky note. It’s also not a good practice to save your passwords for websites to your internet browser.

8. Keep removable storage devices (e.g. thumb drives, external hard drives, etc.) in a secure place.

Where Do You Get Your Ideas?

I’m often asked about where my ideas for stories come from. Coming up with ideas has never been a problem. They are everywhere, and no one is safe. Keeping track of the ideas has been a challenge, so this is how I organized them.

• I constantly jot down cool names, interesting words, weird anecdotes, and funny stories.

• When I run across interesting news stories, I save the link or the clipping.

• I write cozy mysteries with amateur sleuths, so I’m always looking for every-day items that can be used as weapons. Hardware stores, auto supply stores, and cookware stores are always good sources of deadly items.

• People know that I write, and they are so kind to tell me about interesting true crime stories or things that happened to them.

• Sometimes, ideas come from movies, TV shows, classes, workshops, documentaries, or overheard conversations.

My purse and briefcase are full of scraps of paper and Post-Its with all kinds of names, crimes, and murder weapons. Sometimes, they look like a deadly grocery list. I needed a way to keep my big idea list organized, and a file folder was too cluttered for me with all the bits of paper.

I created a spreadsheet. One column has the category (e.g. story idea, character name, contact information, story location, etc.), so I can sort my list. I put in my notes and brief description and where it came from in case I need to do an acknowledgement. I have one central location where I transcribe all those bits of paper. If I use one in a story, I make a note, so I don’t repeat it elsewhere. My spreadsheet has grown over the years, and this is a good way for me to keep bits of information for use later.

When I get ready to write something new, I browse my collection of ideas.

What do you do to keep your ideas organized?

Partnering - Tips for Authors

Writing is a solitary endeavor, but you do need a good network of resources or partners to be successful. I challenge you as a writer to seek out others who can help you celebrate the wins and weather the bumps in the road. It’s way too lonely to do it all by yourself.

The best thing that I ever did for my writing life was to find other writers in my genre and my part of the state. As part of these groups, I have found friends, resources, sounding boards, and some amazingly generous people who share their time and talents with others. Their support, advice, and friendship are invaluable.

Events - Book signings and other events are always easier and way more fun if there are several authors participating. I’m so fortunate to have so many friends to recommend and plan events together. It’s also a way for all the participating authors to expand their audiences and to introduce their readers to new authors. Plus, road trips are always fun with other writers. Hanging out with other mystery writers is always a favorite for me.

Promotions - Sharing a table at an event or the price of an advertisement is always a cost savings. I’m able to spread my marketing dollars farther when I partner with others.

Contacts - By networking and working with others, it makes it so much easier when you need a recommendation, review, or a blurb. I would so much rather reach out to a friend or a colleague than do a cold call or email.

Conferences - Large events like conferences and conventions aren’t as scary when you already know people who are going. Every time there is a big event, my writer groups put at the call for meet ups, and it makes the events memorable.

Advice - Whenever I’m about to sign a contract or try a new event or promotion, I always reach out to my network to see if anyone has any experience or advice. It makes a world of difference when a writer friend makes a reference or recommendation.

Opportunities - When people know you, your abilities and that you’re dependable, they are more apt to call you when opportunities arise for events, workshops, talks, promotions, critique partnerships, group blogs, online parties, and a host of other good things.

Just remember that writing is a business, and you need to treat yours like one. If you set up deals with friends and colleagues (and money is involved), make sure that you have a contract and you understand who is responsible for what.

What else would you add to my list?

Group Blogging - A Great Opportunity for Writers

I am so excited. Recently, I’ve joined the talented authors on Writers Who Kill as one of their regular bloggers. Check out the site. I love the variety of posts. My first post goes up in June.

And I love hanging out with this amazing group: Paula Gail Benson, Connie Berry, Sarah E. Burr, Warren Bull, Annette Dashofy, E. B. Davis, Mary Dutta, Debra H. Goldstein, Margaret S. Hamilton, Lori Roberts Herbst, Jim Jackson, Marilyn Levinson/Allison Brook, Molly MacRae, Lisa Malice, Korina Moss, Shari Randall/Meri Allen, Martha Reed, Linda Rodriguez, Susan Van Kirk, and Grace Topping.

Group blogging is a great opportunity for writers. If you get the opportunity, give it a try.

• You get to share the load with other writers. If everyone takes a turn, there’s a lot of content to share.

• You get introduced to new readers.

• You get to introduce your readers to some other authors they may not be familiar with.

• The networking is a wonderful chance to learn about marketing and promotional ideas and opportunities to help you grow as a writer.

• When authors join forces, their reach expands exponentially.

• Regular writing helps you hone your writing, research, and revision skills.

• And you meet some incredibly talented people who are fun to hang out with.

What's Your Writing Process?

What’s your writing process? This is mine. If something resonates with you, give it a try. If it doesn’t work with your schedule and lifestyle, stop and try something else. With this method, I can usually write three mysteries a year.

My first novel took five years to write and another two to get published. I edited each little paragraph and chapter, and I did hundreds of rewrites. The revision focus was good, but I never got around to finishing the book. I also read every writing book I could get my hands on. I finally picked the ones that spoke to me and donated the rest of them to the Friends of the Library. It was time for BICFOK. I learned this from the amazing Alan Orloff. BICFOK is butt in chair, fingers on keyboard. Tune out the distractions and write.

Writing is a business, and most readers read a lot. For me, seven years of prep was too long. I knew I had to find a way to speed it up if I wanted to be a published author with more than one book credit.

I write cozy mysteries, and they’re generally between 71 and 75k words. I write a series, so I try to think about the next book, and I also make sure to mention something that happened in a previous book to remind readers of past adventures or to tweak their interest if they haven’t read the earlier books.

Getting Started - I spend about 2-3 weeks doing a summary outline for each book. This helps me see plot holes. It helps me know where to add clues and red herrings. It also lets me plan out the murder or caper. I know who does it and why. It also keeps me from getting stuck in the saggy middle of the writing process. I know what’s going in each chapter. This summary also helps me write the dreaded synopsis later. It is the plan or roadmap when I have to pick up the project on different days.

The Outline - When it’s done, I look over each chapter to make sure there’s enough suspense. Sometimes as writers, we want to move on to the next thing, but you need to slow down the action to build up tension. I also highlight the comic events and the romance to make sure they’re sprinkled throughout the story. I also check to make sure there are enough motives for some of the other characters, so it might be plausible that they are the guilty party.

The Characters - I have a spreadsheet for each book in the series. It has a column for each book. I list basic facts for each person to make sure I keep important attributes consistent. Examples include what kind of car they drive, personality traits, hair color, eye color, etc. I also have a second chart to list key places in the book.

The First Draft - When I sit down to create the first draft, I just write. I don’t go back and edit and revise. I just write. This is what the great Mary Burton calls the “sloppy copy.”

During the writing time, I set a word count goal to keep me on target. I usually do 1k on days I have to work and 3k on weekends and holidays. If I stick to my schedule, I can usually have a rough, first draft in a little over two months. Life does get in the way sometimes. When that happens, I try to write ahead of my word count goal. If I can’t plan ahead, I don’t beat myself up over it. Just keep writing.

I also don’t stop to research or verify things while I’m writing. I make a note in the manuscript and highlight it. That way, I know to go back and check on it during revisions. Keep writing.

Time for Revisions - When I finish the first draft, I let it sit for a couple of days. Then I jump into revision and editing mode. I usually do three or four full revisions on the entire book. I print it out and proofread on paper. I run spell check each time there is a round of revision to catch any little typo gremlins that found their way into the story.

Beta Readers and Critique Group - When I think I’m done with the revisions, I let critique or beta readers give it a whirl, and they always provide good feedback. When I get their suggestions back, I do more revisions and proofreading.

Editors - I am so fortunate to have a fabulous agent and great editors at my publishers, so I don’t pay for an independent editor anymore. But before I had these amazing resources, I did hire an editor to go through my manuscript. You often get one chance to pitch to an agent or publisher, and I had to make my work the best it could be.

Each round of editing leads to more revisions and proofreading. (Spoiler alert: When the publisher gets the manuscript, there are several more rounds of revisions and proofs to check.)

The Agony of Deadlines - One book in each of my three cozy series comes out each year. I don’t write well under a lot of pressure, especially of a looming deadline I try to write ahead of my deadlines, so I have time for the thousands of hours of revisions and beta readers ahead of my contract deadlines.

Flexibility and Grace - I create my outlines and daily word counts as tools to keep me on track. If I need to add or remove a chapter to make the book better, I just make a note on the outline and write on. And if I don’t make my word count one day, it’s not the end of the world. Life happens. I just try to get back on track during the next writing session.

This is what I’ve found works for me. Try pieces and parts that appeal to you but know that your style is your own. If something doesn’t work, try another technique.