Tag: self-publishing

Interview with Keith Young

Quan

Keith and I go way back to my college days at the University of Michigan School of Art and Design. We were both aspiring comic book creators looking to build our skills, and we bonded instantly. He’s had a stint as an officer for the Detroit Police Department, and is now a researcher and educator on issues of African Mythology and Spirituality. His debut book “Black Goddess Legacy Of The Sacred Black Feminine” deals with those issues.

What inspired your book?

My search for a mother goddess. When I was little I would hear bible stories about god the father and the son, but never god the mother. That lingered with me. I was raised a Jehovah’s witness and eventually joined a church. But I needed more answers so you did more searching.

Did you start with an outline or did you make it up as you went along?

I had an outline of what I wanted to talk about. and it changed over time. The overarching question is who is god the mother.

What researching methods did you use?

Several. I read a lot of books, I have an extensive historian, theologian, archaeologist, and mythologist bibliography. These are respected experts speaking of the history of the mother goddess throughout time.

Did you draw on personal experience?

A big part of the book is investigation. I wanted to infuse the spirit of Indiana Jones and finding history. I used my police experience and forensic process of 5w’s and deductive reasoning. Much of this book is about my personal journey to answer the questions of spirituality I’ve had since my youth.

How did your publish?

I self-published.

Why did you do it that way?

I want to build a publishing company and I want to monetize my intellectual property fully.

Are you looking to land representation?

I am interested in getting representation. I plan for getting other professionals to help publicize and market the book. I will be acquiring help asap.

Who did your cover and marketing?

I did all of my own illustrations for both the cover and the interiors. The book is intended to be a complete visual experience blending both text and images. I used a mixture of traditional art, pencils, pens, ink, painting and digital art. When doing digtal art, I used Crita, Adobe Creative Suite and GIMP. I use Adobe Indesign for the page layout. As far as marketing goes, I plan on hiring a marketer, but I’ve been exploring how to use social media for marketing. A lot of issues with getting professional help is having the capital to hire the right people. I’ve been looking into low-cost and no-cost marketing. The problem is that a lot of those resources start off free, but then they charge for results. But I am open to learning new marketing techniques.

How many revisions did it take to get a publishable book?

16 at the time of this interview. They are really a redundancy for saving. After saving the old documents enough, I just create a new one. I make sure to have multiple backups.

What other ventures have benefitted from this book?

I run a nonprofit called Afro Perspectives. It is focused on educating people about the hidden histories and influences of Afro indigenous people. The book is a conversation starter about African indigenous spirituality. What we were doing before Columbus and the crusaders and their beliefs were imposed upon us. What we thought about gods and goddesses and our place in the cosmos. I want to explore our arts and crafts, and the heritage that was taken from us by colonialism and see if there is anything valuable we can use today. It can answer questions about race and heritage.

Who are the people that would benefit the most from reading your book, and how did you determine that?

I feel that women in general, and Afro indigenous women in particular would benefit the most. My most popular presentations were about the history of Afro indigenous female spirituality.

How did you decide what order to present your topics in?

It began as an outline of the goddesses I wanted to include, then the attributes of each goddess that I feel would be important today. Like why is Athena’s owl important? I ordered topics by how these things occurred to me personally. To retell the story of how I came up with this, my preface explains who I am and how I came up with this book. It was important to also tell my story about finding these goddesses, as well as the goddesses themselves.

How do you juggle being the both the author and the artist?

I don’t have a real process. It just comes by inspiration. Sometimes I wake up with sketches in mind, sometimes it’s all writing. My experience with comic books helps a lot. I have found that visual storytelling techniques of comics have really coming in handing. So I have been researching storyboarding, thumbnail, and how-to-books on sequential art in comic books. And that has helped incorporate the writing and the graphics. This is a visual storytelling piece, where the pictures do more than just describe the text. They are there to evoke emotional response and an enhancement to the story.

How did you ensure that your advice, memories, and recollections were accurate?

I used cross referencing. I referred to photos I took at the time, journals I kept at the time. I vetted my resource materials because all scholars do not agree. I tried to seek out opposing arguments to weigh them for their worth in relation to my work. I used references from credible resources that have been vetted in the academic community and were recognized as the top in their field. I also used unabridged dictionaries and encyclopedias. The book has an extensive bibliography and book list so the readers can go through and check for themselves.

What would you like your readers to gain from reading your book?

I want them to gain a sense of wonder about this world that we live in and that there is still so much to discover. And it will empower others to take control of our historical narrative and use our folktales and heritage in ways that our counterparts have used theirs. i.e. how the Far East has monetized its cultures and histories in their art forms. I want to spark an interest in us doing that for ourselves. Part of Americanization is the removal of African indigenous stories and lore. There is no Five Deadly Venoms, Mount Olympus or Legend of Eldorado for African culture. I have found a treasure trove of Afro indigenous folk tales that are just as fantastic as the mythos of other cultures. The issue is getting them in front of people. I gave my goddesses the Hollywood treatment for this book to excite others to do the same.

What are you writing next?

The next project is called Young Heroes, and is about unlocking your inner power, increasing your conscious awareness and how you can get a zeal for learning, self-discipline and ancient principles of success for a new generation.

What is your advice to other writers?

Get started as soon as possible, and don’t let anything stop you. There always will be stuff to stop you. The only time you are going to have is the time that you make. Depending on how valuable you think your idea is, that is how much time you will make for it. That is the test of how much you believe in what you are doing. Either your are going to do it or not. Nobody can do it for you. There is no quick way or shortcuts to do it. Learn to love your ideas and be willing to work for them as diligently as possible, no matter how hard it is. Be determined to finish it.

Be Sure to download your copy of Black Goddess Legacy Of The Sacred Black Feminine” today!

The Hidden Costs of Self-Publishing Your Book

Quan

I pay my bills as a freelance graphic & web designer, and many of my clients are authors looking to self-publish and promote their work. There is a lot of merit in that, especially if you are having a hard time finding an agent or publisher that will take an interest in your book. It is simpler and more cost-effective to self-publish than it ever has been before, and you have the advantage of not having to share any of your profits with a publisher or agent.
There is also a lot of work that goes into self-publishing. You’re responsible for literally everything, starting with the actual editing of your story. You’re going to have to get beta readers or hire a content editor to help you finetune your story into something publishable, and you will need a line editor to make sure your spelling and grammar are correct. And the work ramps up after you get your book to where you think you can publish it.

This was advice I gave to a client that was looking to make an illustrated Children’s book. so I’ve also added some of my rates (in case some of you might be interested in hiring me like she did…)
Okay. So you want to factor in how much it will cost to publish your book. Kindle direct can do it for free but they take their printing cost out of your sales. If you’re working on a children’s book, you need to factor in how many illustrations you need and whether they need to be in color or not. My base for an illustration is $100 per (My rates are pretty low compared to most of the industry).
Also you want to factor in actually formatting your book for publication, which I personally charge $200 for (with an additional $100 for creating your book cover).
And finally there is marketing and promotion, which scales depending on how much of it you want to do. You’re looking at creating websites, marketing collateral (flyers, posters, postcards, bookmarks, etc), merchandise (cafepress is a good free way to handle that), signage (for book signings and tradeshows), and digital marketing via email, social media and web advertising. You might want to look up the costs of those venues. Start with Google ads, Twitter ads, Facebook ads, Amazon ads, and mailchimp. or you could hire somebody to do all of that for you, which means you’ll have to get some rate quotes from marketing specialists.
You’re going to want to do some research into the type of markets that will actually buy your book, and depending on which resources you use, that might have a cost, too. And if you really want to do it big, You might need to look into how much it will cost to hire a publicist to officially spread the word about your book.
After you have a gist of how much that costs, then you have to look at how much capital you actually have to work with. How much can you actually, realistically allocate for all of this stuff? and will it be enough?

The good news is that once you have your budget, you can use crowd funding to raise the money you need to do what you want to do. I’d look up similar campaigns on kickstarter and indiegogo to see how others did it. If you have enough supporters (I didn’t for my crowdfunding campaign and it failed miserably), you can easily get the funds you need to make it happen. One of the many keys to having a successful crowdfunding campaign is having enticing enough rewards for your investors, and depending on what perks you offer, those can incur a cost, too.

Even with those costs, if you can generate enough support for your story, your book can still be profitable, especially if you can get a lot of good word of mouth about how good your book is. Check out the work of Renee Scattergood here. She is a successful self-publisher and an expert on book marketing.

Interview with Jennifer Fisch-Ferguson

Quan

I met Jennifer while I was exhibiting at a career fair at the high school my little sister attended. She’s a very personable and warm lady. But what drew me to her was that she was there as a self-published novelist. She was the first (of many) writers I met that found success via self-publishing, and she was an inspiration. Here is my interview with her. You can find out even more about her at her website, www.authorjff.com

What inspires your writing?

I love telling stories. Honestly real life is a great inventor. There are always real events put into the stories because what goes on around us is pretty amazing.

What is your process of developing characters?

I brainstorm a lot. I usually start with an idea of a normal every day person and see what I can do to shake their life up. Then I create a whole person- likes, dislikes, allergies, favorite foods etc. It helps me to understand them better.

Did you start with a story outline or did you make it up as you went along?

Both. I learned to jot down an outline- because sometimes I get great ideas but don’t have time to sit down and write the story right then. Having an outline is a great guide when I get back to it later, but I always reserve the right to not follow it.

How much research did you need for your story?

It depends on the story. When I first started writing about werewolves, I researched the heck out of wolves and spoke at length to a DVM about their habits and life cycles. I like having factual details in my work. When I wrote my one and only cowboy story, I researched black cowboys and spoke at length with a family friend whose family had been ranchers and cowboys for generations.

What researching methods did you use?

I love interviews with people who know about my topics/subjects. I also look for research or scholarly works done on my topics. Despite writing fantasy works, I like as many facts to be solid as I can. I think it helps build a stronger world.

Did you draw on personal experience?

Of course. Life is pretty fantastical.

How did your publish?

Self published.

Why did you do it that way?

I had sent the script around and had some positive feedback. The process was taking longer than I wanted, so I decided to move forward myself.

How long did it take to land representation?

While I have a work with an agent it still being developed.

Who did your cover and marketing?

One series I hired an amazing artist. The other sets I developed myself with the help of photoshop.

How many revisions did it take to get a publishable book?

Many, many, many. And when I read back through works I always find things that I would like to change or make stronger.

How did you approach bringing a unique take to a well established genre?

I focus on characters and what really drives them. I want the characters to feel honest and relatable. Sometimes even having the moments where the character is either foolish or not likeable.

What are you writing now?

I’m working on 3 pieces- partially because it helps me not get stuck. I am working on Book 3 from my STEAM series which is paranormal romance, a new stand alone work- urban fantasy and Book 2 in my UnRestricted series- YA urban fantasy

What is your advice to other writers?

Make writing a daily exercise. Even if you just write a short story- write something. Use a writing prompt or something to help you get in the habit.

Be sure to check out one of Jennifer’s books! Here’s one of her latest.

Interview with Jessica Cage

Quan

I had the pleasure of being introduced to bestselling author Jessica Cage via a Facebook support group for African-American fans of Sci-fi and Fantasy. This immensely talented author is a prime example of what a write can achieve with enough drive, discipline, and the proper resources. You can view her Amazon author page here for more information about her.

What inspires your writing?

Randomness. There isn’t one thing. I find inspiration in life, dreams, nature, colors, sounds, energy. I like to keep myself open to any form of inspiration. I was recently talking to another creator who said his idea for an entire world came from looking at the moon and seeing it as an eye. This sparked something great for him. That’s how it works for me. I once saw a broken lamp on a train platform and that inspired the story for Last Stop. I had a dream about a mermaid and that inspired Siren’s Call. I loved the willow tree since I was a young girl and that inspired The High Arc Vampires. There is inspiration in every part of life. You just have to stay open to receiving it.

What is your process of developing characters?

I typically let my characters come to me in the raw. I will observe the idea of them inside my head for a while before I start to flesh out anything about them. Its weird when I’m asked this question because I don’t necessarily feel like I develop them. I watch them develop as the story unfolds. It feels more natural that way. But this is typically just my main characters. Supporting characters tend to take a little more work and often times I have to write full profiles on each before I can really implement them into the story or they will go off the rails.

Did you start with a story outline or did you make it up as you went along?

I typically do not start with an outline. If it is the first book of a series especially. I will write the first few chapters before beginning any structural work. I feel it helps me get into the world of the characters a lot better if I don’t have any preset limitations.

Did you draw on personal experience?

Not intentionally but I believe that as a creator, bits and pieces of myself tend to land in the pages. I’ve seen an evolution of my stories as I evolve as a person so its hard not to see myself in the stories.

How did you publish?

I self-publish all of my works.

Why did you do it that way?

I like having control over my message right now. My brand is Characters of Color in Fantasy. The few times I attempted to work with another company for my books, they attempted to change that brand. I won’t allow that to happen.

How long did it take to land representation?

I currently represent myself. I haven’t looked into any as of yet but soon.

Who did your cover and marketing?

I have an awesome list of designers that I work with. For The Sphinx, I worked with Christian Bentulan. Currently, I handle my marketing.

Did you use beta readers? How did you secure them?

I did use Betas for this book. I have had a list of readers that I’ve worked with over the years. I find that it is a lot more rewarding to have Betas who have already been invested in my work. I cultivate that list from those readers, the ones who come to me with a pure interest in my work and I offer them the opportunity to join the team.

How many revisions did it take to get a publishable book?

Countless. The initial book took a bit longer than average to write because of the research and developmental side of it, but I stop and revise along the way maybe three or four times typically. Then after the book is complete there are multiple revisions before beta and then editing. After it comes back from the editor I do another read through.

How much research into Greek Mythology did you put into writing your Scorned By the Gods Series?

There was a lot. I spent about a week just trying to get the timeline correct for Asa’s (the main character’s) back story. Because I was essentially blending two characters into one, I had to make sure I didn’t mess up anything about the timeline. I also had to be sure that the character didn’t do anything that would create a negative impact on another character’s storyline outside of this book.  Also, the characters that I created had to intertwine easily into the story and feel as though they were always there.

What were your research methods?

I did the typical online research, I also checked out a few books on certain characters, but the best part of this was the human interaction. I spoke to several people who are well versed in Greek mythology and have studied the works. My idea was that if they accepted my concepts, then everything I did was solid. It wasn’t until I got those thumbs up that I moved forward with writing the book.

What are you writing now?

Currently, I am working on the seventh installment of my Djinn Rebellion Series. After this is complete, I will begin work on the third book for the Scorned by the Gods series. Getting my 2020 releases ready for the readers!

What is your advice to other writers?

There are so many amazing resources out in the world. Use them. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. That was something it took me far too long to realize for myself. Your work will not suffer for it. 

Check out Jessica’s book “Daughter of Medusa” Here!

Interview with Renee Scattergood

Quan

I owe much of the success of my sci-fi/horror book Godmode to book marketing guru Renee Scattergood. She offered a series of promotional programs that really allowed me to get some exposure for the book. But in addition to that, she is also a writer in her own right, with many dark fantasy books to her credit. Check out more about her at www.reneescattergood.com.

What inspires your writing?

I have a very overactive imagination. I get so many ideas for stories that I really don’t need any more inspiration! 

What is your process of developing characters?

I have a step by step process for developing the characters as well as the entire story. It’s 30 steps in all and the character development is Steps 1, 2, 4, and 10 (and there is a reason for breaking it up, but there’s too much detail to go into here). Basically it’s a process of answering specific questions that help develop the stories while developing the characters.

Did you start with a story outline or did you make it up as you went along?

I always plan and outline my stories.

How much research did you need for our story?

My story didn’t need much in the way of research, though I did use generators to help with names for characters, places, creatures, and objects.

Did you draw on personal experience?

The magic in the world is (loosely) based on shamanism. I studied shamanism for several years, so I used that experience to create the magic that exists in this world.

How did you publish?

I self-published.

Why did you do it that way?

I’ve always wanted to be self-published. I have an entrepreneurial spirit, so it was a natural step for me. I enjoy being in charge of all aspects of publishing my work.

Who did your cover and marketing?

My cover was done by Katie Jenkins at Magical Designs. I do my own marketing (marketing is my second love).

Did you use beta readers? How did you secure them?

Yes, I do use beta readers. For Shadow Stalker, I found most of my beta readers on Facebook. Now most of them come from readers of my newsletter.

What is your process for worldbuilding and developing backstory for your fantasy and sci-fi settings?

Most of the world-building takes place in step 21 of my writing process. I do the world-building after the first draft has been written by going back through the story and making notes about things that I need to expand on to bring the world to life. Then I add those things to my world-building files. World-building is generally an ongoing process for me, however, because I will keep adding stuff to my files as needed.

The backstory comes during the character development stage. The backstory is mainly based on the characters’ backgrounds and what was going on in the world around them. I only add or include a backstory if it’s central to the story.

How many revisions did it take to get a publishable book?

With Shadow Stalker, it took many revisions because I didn’t have my current writing process to fall back on. With my new writing process, I cut out a lot of the revisions by working out the kinks before I start writing.

What are some cost-effective strategies for cash-strapped authors to promote their books?

There are a lot of free options out there. I think the best things authors can do is have a presence on social media (for connecting to readers, not selling to them); a blog to build a presence on the internet; doing interviews (like this one), guest posts, and podcasts can also help increase your visibility; and most importantly, you need to have a mailing list so you can promote your new releases to your readers.

What are you writing now?

I’m working on several projects at the moment. I’m writing a novel series called, A God’s Deception. I’m also starting a new serial called Emergence (it’s a prequel to my Shadow Stalker serial), and I’m also working on a fantasy romance novel series under the pen name, Kahlan Richards. 

What is your advice to other writers?

There’s really so much advice and info out there for authors, but when it comes down to it not everything will work for you. Everyone is different, so focus on what works for you and don’t worry about the rest. And don’t be afraid to experiment with new ideas. Use your readers as a sounding board. They love feeling included in your process!

Be sure to check out one of her books here!

Interview with Lisa Robbin

Quan

Lisa Robbin is one of many multi-talented classmates I had the pleasure of working with during my formative years. She is an accomplished singer, actress and author, and now works as a marketing coach for creative-types. One of these days I’d like to hire her myself to help me sell more books and get more people to read this blog. In the meantime, here are her thoughts on writing her two most recent books.

What inspired your book?

I have two books. This first (a business parable) was inspired by an encounter on an airplane. A woman told me I was going to write a book called “The Secret Watch” and by the end of the flight, I had the entire book outlined. My second book was the direct result of 20 years of working with creative entrepreneurs. It outlines my approach for helping creatives make good money doing what they love.

Did you start with an outline or did you make it up as you went along?

Both books started with an outline, though the second book had a much richer outline.

What researching methods did you use?

Google is my friend. For terms, definitions, and fact checking, I looked to the Internet for confirmation. For my second book, I also used personal interviews with experts and case studies from my clients.

Did you draw on personal experience?

My first book is less autobiographical, though it does draw on some personal situations that are more universal in appeal. The second book draws heavily on my own personal experiences as a business coach for creative entrepreneurs.

How did your publish?

I opted to self-publish both books. My brand is about not waiting to be picked, and the lead time for a high-quality, traditionally published book is easily a year or more. I didn’t want to wait that long to get my content to market, plus, I wanted to actually make some money on the book. New authors rarely get a large advance, and the royalty checks are a fraction of the cover price. Self-publishing gave me complete control over the entire process – and a larger share of the revenue.

Who did your cover and marketing?

I hired cover designers for both books, but when it comes to interior, I didn’t know what I didn’t know on the first book. I highly recommend Tracy Lay at DigivisualDesign.com for book cover (and interior layout). I did my own interior on the first book and it shows. My second book is SO much better because I hired a designer that does great work on the cover and the guts.

Because I am in the marketing business, I’ve done my own marketing, which has its pros and cons. Being so close to the work, it can be a challenge to promote the books frequently enough with my audience. And doing it myself means less reach. I built a street team to help me launch both books, but all ongoing marketing efforts are my own. And that’s something pretty common in publishing these days. IF you can get a publisher to pick up your book, they’re still going to expect you to help do some of the outreach and marketing.

How many revisions did it take to get a publishable book?

My first book had about 13 revisions, because I worked with a professional editor. My second book had 4 revisions before we went to press. Even still, I managed to find a couple of things to fix after publishing.

What is the ratio of time you spent researching to time you spent writing?

I write first (a LOT) and then research the points I’m making, so maybe 1 hour of research for every 10-12 hours of writing. But my books aren’t research-driven. I would expect a technical or historical book to require much more research time.

 How did you make time to write?

I have a saying: if it’s not scheduled, it’s stressful. I allotted twice as much time as I figured I’d need to write the books and put it in my calendar as writing time. If I don’t put it in my calendar, it simply doesn’t get done.

How does your published book enhance your other ventures?

My books are the foundation of my speaking and training platforms. I sell them at conferences and events, and use them as content for my courses. My first book also became the foundation for a new coaching card deck (merch) that I created.

What methods did you use to research for your book?

Interviews and google. I also developed an assessment that has been taken by thousands of people over the past 3 years. 

Who are the people that would benefit the most from reading your book, and how did you determine that?

My audience is creative entrepreneurs. Each book serves a different segment of that audience. The Secret Watch is more inspirational in nature, while Creative Freedom is a step-by-step how to for people serious about growing their creative career in a way that works for them.

How did you decide what order to present your topics in?

Narrative non-fiction lends itself to a classic storytelling flow, so for The Secret Watch I started with the conflict and unravelled the story to the resolution at the end. Creative Freedom, being a how-to book needed to start with some context before jumping into the nitty gritty. Then, it was a matter of taking readers through the same process I use with my clients.

How did you ensure that your advice, memories, and recollections were accurate?

Fact checking, looking back over recorded conversations, transcripts, and verifying the results of my clients for the past 20 years.

What would you like your readers to gain from reading your book?

All my books are written to inspire and encourage creatives to do what they most love and stay the course on their dreams… and hopefully make some good money in the process.

What are you writing now?

I’m currently working on the follow-up book to Creative Freedom which focuses on taking a creative from profitability into a six or seven figure career doing what they love.

What is your advice to other writers?

Write because you can’t NOT do it. Don’t write for the money. The money doesn’t usually come straight away…. at least, not from the book. It comes from the following you create and the Raving Fans that you develop as you write. Build relationships as you write, and don’t stop writing. Even when things seem hard or weird, make sure you take time to get at least a few word down. Those words add up to big ideas over time. 

And don’t try to do everything yourself. Don’t write in a vacuum. Talk to people you trust. Hire an editor or a designer. Pass off all the stuff that takes you out of your zone of genius as soon as practical. You may not be able to hire out everything, but do what you can to take the pressure off yourself to do everything to bring the book to market. Don’t be afraid to start smaller than you’d like, either. Most of us aren’t ready to win the Pulitzer Prize with our first book. That’s okay. Keep writing. Don’t stop writing.

Be sure to get your copy of Lisa’s book “Creative Freedom: How to Own Your Dreams Without Selling Your Soul: A guide to personal and financial success as a creative entrepreneur”now!

Interview with Anne Zoelle

Quan

Anne Zoelle is an old friend and classmate of mine from waaaay back in Elementary school. Her mother was actually our fifth grade English teacher, and one of the first to truly encourage my creative writing. Anne herself has gone on to build a nice name for herself as a writer, first in the realm of historical romance under the pen name Anne Mallory, and now as a fantasy writer.

What inspires your writing?

Challenges! I like to do things I haven’t done before, or explore craft pieces I haven’t tried in depth. These don’t have to be big challenges—it can be writing a book with the aim to make the reader feel as trapped as the main character, or writing a book in first person for the first time, or writing an entire (long!) series in one single POV, or writing three books all at the same time, or writing two separate stories that get weaved together, or redeeming a character who has done terrible things and doesn’t regret them.

So I try to ask myself with each new project—what writing craft can I explore that I may have only skimmed before? I find this very invigorating, and it keeps writing exciting.

What is your process for developing characters?

I write a lot of scene snippets to get the feel for characters. Most of the snippets have to do with emotional arcs and turmoil—focusing on what is holding a character back, why they think that way, terrible internal thoughts about their past, etc. Snippets usually consist of  5-10 lines of dialogue between characters or the internal thoughts of just one.

I don’t have any set process for starting, but I will bop between writing aides early in the brainstorming process as I’m figuring things out (I love reading craft books). I tend to start with character motivation/flaw/ghost elements, then write a few scene snippets, then start a character profile, then write more snippets, then start a Story Engineering spreadsheet, then a few more snippets and maybe even a few entire scenes, then go back to internal elements trying to match and find conflict between characters and characteristics, then I might write more in the spreadsheet, maybe develop a few more snippets, then start writing in earnest.

Development varies by project, but I do whatever it takes to get to know the characters in the story. They are always my primary concern, even when I could write a million words about the world around them.

How much time do you put into your worldbuilding before you start writing…or do you just make up elements of your worlds as you go along?

I do a lot of the big picture building before I start, but I build out a TON of the more intimate world details as I write the first few chapters. The way I write/revise lends itself to creating the big stuff first, then building out the smaller world elements as I go—littering future snippets in side documents as a sort of loose scene outline.

The main world, theme, and ending elements are thought through before I start the first page, and I often do discovery chapters or scenes to investigate characters and possibilities. Discovery scenes may or may not make it into the final book. I have hundreds of thousands of words in scenes and snippets that didn’t make it into my five book series. I try to think of those words as research instead of waste. I definitely write more than what ends up in my final draft.

Do you start with a story outline or do you make it up as you go along?

I do a little of both. From the first bout of brainstorming, I start with the characters and a base world or “world nugget.” Next I figure out the ending of the story based on the character development referenced above, as well as a few key emotional turning points. From those things, I start to build outward. A little world, a little motivation, a little more world, maybe a first chapter, more filling of an outline, maybe a turning point, a written snippet of emotional angst, a little more world, a bit of a black moment, dialogue from the ending, etc.

While writing Chapter 1 and 2 everything is fluid and subject to change. By the end of Chapter 3, I have usually written an outline of emotional snippets that become an actual guide for the book—and they stay pretty static. For me, the first quarter of a book takes longer than the rest because of this.

Actual plot (what is Point A, where do they go, how do they get to Point B, how do they find Thing C…) tends to develop as I write. At the beginning, I don’t need to know they go to the Prime Widget Shop to buy widgets unless someone has an emotional issue with widgets and that needs to be shown on the page. So I write the head, build out the skeleton, then start crafting the monster as I work my way through.

There’s a famous bit about how everyone outlines—some people just do it as a first draft.  🙂 Whether you write a whole first draft, a 90 page outline, or anything on the spectrum between, writers are doing some form of discovery in their first phase of a book.

How many revisions does it take to get a publishable book?

For my first 5 or so books, I went through around three personal drafts—the kind where you write to the end then rip everything apart and cobble it all back together. I found it really hard to stay motivated the further in the process I’d get, though. It was like ripping out nails to sit at my keyboard when I was tearing apart a completed but flawed project.

I started doing more backtracking as I wrote (editing large swaths before creating new chapters) and decreased the drafts where I had to tear anything apart. Then I started writing fantasy and I had this huge world that I had to keep track of and I began backtracking like mad.

Now, I revise as I go as a matter of course. That usually looks something like this—write 1st chapter, revise chapter, write 2nd and 3rd chapters, revise first 2 chapters. Write 4th chapter, revise first four chapters. Add a few more lines to the outline. Write 5th and 6th chapters, revise everything. Figure out the midpoint scenery in order to start writing to that element. Write to the midpoint. Take a look at everything, edit where needed, then write like mad to the end (stopping every 4 or so chapters to edit the last few–usually combined with sticking points).

This process takes longer, but I stay excited, and when I get to the last page in the book, I’m ready to send it to an editor that same day. There’s no going back to rip anything apart, because I already did that in smaller waves. I think it keeps my books more streamlined, but it DOES take longer, which can be a huge deficit to anyone looking to finish faster.

Ripping through a large mess makes me want to turn off my computer, but I know my process would cause others to shudder. Definitely find what works for you. Find out what gets you into your writing chair. What makes you excited? How can you get that excitement to overflow or overtake the things you dread? Keep track of what makes you excited to get in your chair and what makes you dread it. Try to figure out a process that sinks the scale to the former.  🙂

How much research do you need for your stories?

It depends on the story. Sometimes I have to dive deep into steam engines, how ballpoint pens were invented, or ancient sites and what could be buried there. But sometimes I’m writing a world I already know pretty well—so less of the research “grind” is required. Still, there’s always something to look up.  🙂

What researching methods do you use?

I have a stable of research books collected over the years, but I still find myself online first. I usually do a general Google search, then I go to Wikipedia for their overview, citations, and links (the “See Also” links can be a treasure trove). Then I’m either back to Google to look at scans from historical primary sources, Google Scholar, or Google Maps—or I’m off to museum websites, libraries, books, etc.

Museum websites are usually chock full of interesting articles and tidbits, and I highly recommend both idle and focused browsing through them—it can spark some great ideas.

Do you draw on personal experience?

I draw on personal experience for some character details or interactions, but because of the genres I write in, I either have to check secondary sources and historical accounts or I get to make up fun things like how magic works (I have no personal experience casting duplication spells that allow a duplicate me to weed the yard at the same time I’m finishing a book, alas).

Writing about the human condition is always at least a little personal, but reaching past personal experiences to try and figure out how someone else thinks is a journey that is continuously fascinating.

How did you publish?

I first published traditionally. I entered a contest and my editor was one of the judges. She contacted me as a result of reading my book through the contest.

I published 11 books with HarperCollins, then decided to hop on the new, fun train of indie/self publishing.

Why did you do it that way?

When I started, traditional publishing was the main avenue for getting books in readers’ hands. I enjoyed my years with HarperCollins very much. But by 2011, self-publishing was providing higher incomes for genre authors who were not in lead/marquee traditional slots. Since I was looking for a change in what I wrote (historical to fantasy), it was a great time to try a new road.

How long did it take to land representation?

I negotiated the first two book contracts with HarperCollins myself, then hired an agent on the third.

Who did your indie covers and marketing?

Damonza.com did five of my covers and I did three. For the new series out in the fall, an artist is creating cover illustrations that I am very excited about. As soon as she is done, and indicates whether she’s open to more book projects (this is her first), I’ll plaster her name everywhere for people to contact. She’s fantastic to work with.

I do my own marketing.

How much forethought did you put into your spinoff and follow-up novels?

A lot! They had to match the first book and build on the world and characters. But, I will say that sequel novels with the same characters automatically get you past the “who are they” questions and discovery and into the “who are they striving to be in this next step” or “what is driving them now” queries. So there’s both more and less required.

What are you writing now?

I’m writing a three book series set in an alternative (magical) Persian Empire that I plan to release back-to-back in the fall. Writing the whole series at the same time has been invigorating, and there’s a good chance I’ll try it again with the next series.

What is your advice to other writers?

Find what makes you excited!

Develop coping strategies for whatever your regular “holdup” is. We all have them! There’s a reason writer’s block is so famous.

For me, writer’s block usually means I have a problem in the story that my brain won’t let me move past, but that my brain is too tired/overwhelmed/stressed/lazy to point out concretely. Rereading my WIP or reading craft articles are two ways that have worked to boot me out of a block even when I’d rather play video games. So if I keep avoiding my computer chair? Maybe I read a craft article instead. Or take a small worldbuilding item and work through it. Something usually shakes loose or at least makes me think about a different part of the story.

But sometimes we just need more sleep or self care! So take time for you, too.

Be sure to get your copy of Anne’s latest book, “The Destiny of Ren Crown” and check out the rest of the books in the Ren Crown series!

Interview with Konrad Cowell and Jaylenne Austin

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The interesting thing about Konrad Cowell is that he was incarcerated when he first hired me to typeset and design some books he was looking to publish. The former drug dealer turned motivational speaker had me help him publish his autobiography and upon his release, partnered with Jaylenne Austin to launch a new publishing company. This interview covers their debut erotic urban novel, Desires of the Flesh.

What inspires your writing?

KONRAD: Life.

JAYLENNE: I’ve always loved to read. I will read almost anything but my favorite genre has always been fantasy. But there was always something missing. Then I realized that I was missing. Not me, but people who look like me. Many of my favorite books are less than diverse. And if there are people of color, they are not main characters. So, I just wanted to see “me” in a fantasy novel.

What is your process of developing characters?

KONRAD: I meditate about people with various life situations and envision how they respond to them. I start with a storyline and structure the dialogue with the characters within it.

JAYLENNE: Honestly there is no process, my characters are like real people. They have their own personalities and I’m still getting to know them myself.

Did you start with a story outline or did you make it up as you went along?

JAYLENNE: Free style. Outlines kill the process for me.

How much research did you do for Desires of The Flesh?

KONRAD: Even though the book is considered an erotic novel, it has a religious overtone to it. I’ve been involved with Church protocol for over 25 years, so I was privy to the culture. Also, a lot of my research for this story was based on personal knowledge. Including, the sex.

JAYLENNE: Many, many hours. I had to research everything because the best fiction is grounded in reality.

What researching methods did you use?

JAYLENNE: Internet.

Did you draw on personal experience?

JAYLENNE: No, lol. My life is not nearly that interesting.

How did you publish?

KONRAD: I self published. My reason for doing this was to cut out the middle man. That’s what most publishing companies are. Many take advantage of new authors offering them literally pennies for their work. I was willing to take on the challenge of starting my own publishing company, King Jewel Publications, and marketing my own work. That was really a challenge due to the fact I started this venture while incarcerated.

JAYLENNE: When we co-founded King Jewel we did it with the intention of giving marginalized populations a platform where they could express their creativity. As a Black woman, I am a member of that population, so King Jewel was the obvious choice.

How long did it take for you to get representation?

KONRAD: I’m still doing this without representation. It’s just me and my business partner, Jaylenne Austin.

Who did your cover and marketing?

KONRAD: J.D. Williams of JQW Graphics laid out all my graphics, including website design.

JAYLENNE: We are still sourcing marketing options.

How many revisions did it take to get a publishable book?

JAYLENNE: Desires only took three.

KONRAD: It took about 3 revisions before we were ready to release Desires of The Flesh. However, most authors are never fully satisfied with their artistic literature. They always feel there’s something more they could’ve added or changed. That’s the life of a writer.

Why is corruption in the Church something you chose to write about?

KONRAD: There’s has been a number of well known prominent pastors who have been caught up in all types of sexual indiscretions. I wanted to paint a picture to the public one example of some people in the church struggling with these indiscretions. At the end of the day ministers and pastors are human, and have human urges like anyone else. People need to think about that before they start judging.

What are you writing now?

KONRAD: Currently, I’m writing a screenplay called, “Pharaohs of Egypt.” It’s a dramatic TV series based on ancient Pharaohs.

JAYLENNE: My current labor of love, Lightning Strikes, will lbe available at kingjewelbooks.com in July.

What is your advice to other authors?

KONRAD: Challenge your creativity, be true to who you are in your writing, and live your dreams.

JAYLENNE: Write what you love.

Be sure to get your copy of the debut novel from Konrad & Jaylenne, Desires of the Flesh!