Time to Write

Selling your book (stop the kitchen sink madness)

Getting your book noticed is difficult and one of the strategies that’s now becoming common is to offer bonuses to people who buy it. Sometimes this is used to drive sales on a particular day so the author can become “an Amazon best-seller” (if only for that one day). You order the book online and send your receipt number to the author, who then sends you an email with the bonuses, which are e-books or reports or a CD.

It’s an appealing strategy—if people actually want the bonuses you are offering. Today I received an offer for a book on personal success. One set of bonuses originated from the author and included an interview series and “24/7 access” to him (what, I can phone him at 3 in the morning?). The other bonuses included a CD and mini-course on turning your passion into cash ($497 value—really?), a course on letting out my inner millionaire ($197 value), a business breakthrough quiz and audio program ($247 value), a report on getting cash in 90 days or less ($299 value)…a 12-week interactive course on waking up to my dream (obviously I’m sleeping too much--$695 value)…you get the idea.

According to my calculations, the bonuses add up to a value of $3217.85 (I think that’s right but my calculator was starting to overheat).

Two problems with this. The bonuses were all over the place in terms of topics—it felt like the kitchen-sink approach. Second, do I really believe that someone out there has paid $695 or $497 for the exact same product I am now getting free for buying a $16.95 book? Uh…nope. Frankly it turns me off to the whole proposition and to the author, and that ain’t good.

The Secret Life of Authors, A Novel in a Year, and Me

A little while back there was a good article by Jeremy Treglown in the Financial Times, called "Creation Theories." It took a look at the creative writing process and included mentions of the books, "How I Write: The Secret Life of Authors," "A Novel in a Year: A Novelist's Guide to Being a Novelist," and my own "Your Writing Coach." You can read it here.

If you haven't checked out the book's website, you're missing out on some free tips and techniques, and (if you have the book and use the code words at the end of each chapter) exclusive video and audio interviews with writers, an agent, and many others. Have a look here.

Stephen King on Writing (The Shortest Lesson)

Here's one of the shortest (and best) lessons on writing for any genre of fiction, from Stephen King:

"Really scary books (“The Exorcist” is a good example) succeed because we come to know and care about the characters. I like to say, “It's the PEOPLE, stupid” — NOT the monsters!"

There's more from him here, including an excerpt from his most recent novel, "Duma Key," and a six-minute interview on the "Today" show.

(There are loads more tips and techniques at www.yourwritingcoach.com, and also sign up for our free monthly e-bulletin for more on creativity and productivity--send a request to [email protected])

Are You Ready for Your Close-Up (Writers Getting Interviewed)

Borders book chain will feature more than 100 author interviews on their new website in the Spring. They will link the videos to the site’s search function, so when a book you are searching for pops up, you will have the chance to watch that author’s interview.

"The move into video content will clearly differentiate www.borders.co.uk from any other book retailer and make it a destination site for book lovers, as well as offering a new marketing tool to publishers," said David Kohn, commercial director at Borders. Readers will also be able to upload videos of themselves reviewing books.

Simply Media is handling the project, which will also entail a daily book show on the Simply TV satellite channel. Naturally I’m looking into how they choose the authors to feature (the examples given in the press release are big names like Terry Pratchett and Michael Connelly) and will pass along any useful information. For now you might want to have a look at the site for some of their contests and also interesting news items from the world of books, music, and films on the 'news' section.

PS: I've done another cartoon/text featurette for The Writer magazine (April issue) on words writers often get mixed up. I found another great example the other day: From a sales site for the Mega Book Marketing University (Mark Victor Hanson): “spend the next few minutes pouring over this letter..”

So I poured water all over it. My computer didn’t like that at all. ;-)

(For tips on how to be more creative, send an email request to [email protected] and we'll send you my free monthly Brainstorm e-bulletin--and we never share or sell our list.)

Simplify your life to become a better writer

The design sojourn blog’s anonymous designer reflected recently on how he simplified his life and became a better designer. Most of those ideas would apply equally well to writers trying to juggle too many things. Here are two of his principles:

• Clarity: for each project (or aspect of your life) always know exactly what is the next step you have to take, and be able to express it in one sentence.

• Count on the fingers of one hand: limit yourself to five main projects at one time.

To which I would add:

• Use a map: to keep track of everything, write a mind map or a list of what needs to be done for each project.

• In with the new, out with the old: when you buy something new, throw out something old (my friends will laugh at me suggesting this—but, hey, nobody said living up to your principles is easy…)

You'll get lots more tips on creativity and productivity if you sign up for my free monthly Brainstorm ebulletin--just send an email request to [email protected].

How to be Creative (Stimulating Interview)

Interested in hearing some fresh thoughts on creativity? Listen to an interview on biztechtalk.com by Dan Keldsen, Director of Market Intelligence with author Michael Michalko (his book--highly recommended--is "Thinkertoys").

(Another great way to stimulate thinking is to read my concise monthly Brainstorm e-bulletin--it's free and you can get it just by sending an email request to [email protected].)

The Latest Trend in Publishing

An article in the Independent newspaper reveals a hot new trend in publishing: “hic lit.” In other words, confessional autobiographies by drinkers (or, usually, reformed drinkers). Titles include “High Sobriety: Confessions of a Drinker,” “Cleaning Up: How I Gave Up Drinking and Lived,” and “What Did I Do Last Night?” Coming up: “Mother’s Ruin.”

It’s the latest twist on misery memoirs, which up until now have focused on childhood abuse. Don’t rush to write your alcoholic adventures, though, you’ve missed the boat. Personally, I’m starting work on “Forward My Emails to The Priory: Memoirs of a Net Addict.” (Hmm, I was joking, but then again…)

Writing a Column - Advice from an Expert

At Beyond the Book you’ll find a podcast featuring award-winning columnist and author of the book, “The Art of Column Writing: Insider Secrets from Art Buchwald, Dave Barry, Arianna Huffington, Pete Hamill and Other Great Columnists.” It’s just under and hour long and she talks about a variety of topics, including dealing with writer’s block and how she became a syndicated columnist herself with GateHouse News Service. If you’ve thought about trying to write a column, this is a great introduction. You can also have a look at columnists.com (the site of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists) for more information.

(For more tips on all kinds of writing, check out www.timetowrite.com and for monthly creativity tips, sign up for our free monthly e-bulletin, Brainstorm, send an email to [email protected])

Find Focus to Achieve Your Goals (London area)

My new book, FOCUS, comes out in May in the UK. I'm going to be giving six people an opportunity to go through the entire FOCUS process for overcoming procrastination and finally reaching their goals. The cost will be just enough to cover the expenses (mainly for hiring the venue, plus materials--if i can find a free venue, the cost will be even lower). In exchange, you agree to let me use you as a case study on the website and in promotional materials. Also, you'd be willing to talk to journalists who are writing about the book--at your convenience, of course. Here's what you'll get:

* six sessions in central London
* email contact in between the meetings
* coaching support from me (and also your fellow participants)
* printouts of the materials (and a copy of the book as soon as I get any copies--it's in galleys at the moment)

It doesn't matter what your goal is--it can be related to writing, or weight loss, or personal development, or anything else. If it's a big goal, in the first session we'll chunk it down and help you set a sub-goal that is reasonable for you to achieve in six weeks (after that, I'll still be available to help you via email).

This is a legitimate deal--there are no catches, it's not a set-up for some expensive course, etc. If you think you might be interested, send me an email at [email protected] and tell me the kind of goal you have in mind. Obviously you're not committed to anything until we finalize the dates (probabiy mid-March to end of April), location, and fee, but I'd like to have an indication of how many people are interested. I'll follow up with an email to you once I have more details. I think this could be an exciting six weeks that will propel you to realizing your dreams.

The Power of a Letter (Just Ask Simon Callow)

I've written before how big an impact it can have when you write a letter. Recently actor Simon Callow told the (London) Times about how this affected his life:

"I was obsessed by the theatre and the idea of the theatre, and was a regular visitor with grandmothers and school parties to the West End and Old Vic, in its last days before Olivier took it over, and then in the glorious seasons at the National Theatre he led there in the 1960s.

Such was my obsession with him and his theatre that I wrote him a letter, in which I explained over three closely typed foolscap pages what a fine organisation he was running, and he wrote back by return of post to say would I like a job in the box office? And so it came to pass that I was able to watch him and his extraordinary fellow actors night after night and formed the absurd idea that I – who had never acted at all before – might possibly become one too."

The rest of his story is here.

I've had a few remarkable experiences as a result of writing letters, too. I've told before the story of writing a letter to Rod Serling, creator of "The Twilight Zone," when I was a teen-ager, and the thrill of getting a nice note back from him. Later I wrote to Walter Lantz, the cartoonist creator of Woody Woodpecker, whose drawing lessons on TV I loved when I was a kid. Not only did I meet him, but he did a drawing of Woody for me (unfortunately, both Serling's letter and Lantz's drawing were destroyed in the fire that consumed my house, but they live on in my memory!).

How to Write Your Screenplay: Peter Morgan's Method

The (London) Times feature on film writing that I mentioned yesterday also featured Peter Morgan (writer of The Queen) talking about his method. Here are the highlights:

"It takes two or three months to find the kernel of the story. Then I map out the story over fifteen pages. It's too depressing and frightening not knowing where the story is going...

"After fifteen pages, I'm unable to contain myself and have to start the screenplay. Then I 'word it in,' as the writer Hugh Whitmore termed it--put colour in. The first draft of a script takes about a month.

"The greatest danger is writing too many drafts when a director isn't yet attached to the film, so when one does come on board you are too overcommitted to your version to be of any use. Just do two drafts.

"I just practised. You will probably write a good screenplay on your eighth attempt...I'm 44 and have been doing this for 20 years. I've been successful only in the past five. Be patient, tenacious."

(For a free monthly Brainstorm e-bulletin on creativity and productivity--including how to be tenacious--just send a request via email to [email protected].)

How to Write Your Screenplay: Lee Hall's Method

The (London) Times had an interesting feature the other day on writing films. Several top writers revealed their writing process and one of the most interesting was Lee Hall, writer of Billy Elliot. Here's are the highlights of his process:

"I start writing by dreaming up the story first in images. With Billy Elliot I saw a kid from a pit village jumping on a bed--what I used to do in my granddad's house--but he was wearing a tutu. ...

"Next I normally make some notes and then take a huge piece of paper and free-associate what the essential scenes will be...and then I draw lines between the different scenes and plot how they will connect up.

"Then I write the first draft; this doesn't take long, about ten days...I write a prose description of each scene on little cards: how will it look, what are the central arguments or developments within it? Is the sequence of scenes making sense? I do it in chunks but try not to imagine the whole thing too much. If you do, there's no room to breathe, or to have 'accidents'...

"I never look back while writing the draft, I get too depressed at the gap between my aspiration and the outcome. .. At the end you go back and go through it and through it and through it again."

(There are useful tips about screenwriting in my book, "Your Writing Coach" and the www.timetowrite.com website.)

The Book With 800 Authors

According to thepublishingspot.com, Larry Smith and Rachel Fershleiser, of Smith Magazine, have published a collection of six-word memoirs, called “Not Quite What I Was Planning.” They have more than 800 contributors, all of them credited.

And, in a great marketing move, they have given each contributor a free copy and a packet of posters and publicity ideas. Now they have 800 salespeople around the country putting out the word about ‘their’ book—smart and creative!

(If you'd like a free monthly e-bulletin full of smart tips about being creative, please send your email address to [email protected] and ask to sign up for "Brainstorm")

For Writers Who Have a Blog

Internet marketing guru Mark Joyner has a good free course for bloggers at this address:

"http://www.simpleology.com/training/blogging/index.php"">http://www.simpleology.com/training/blogging/index.php">snag it for free if you post about it on your blog.

It covers:

• The best blogging techniques.
• How to get traffic to your blog.
• How to turn your blog into money.

I'll let you know what I think once I've had a chance to check it out. Meanwhile, go grab yours while it's still free.

Evel Knievel--Branding Model for Writers?

On his freelance switch blog, Chris Garrett ran a post on what freelancers can learn from daredevil Evel Knievel, who passed away a few months ago. All the obits did give Knievel credit for being at least as good at marketing as he was at his motorcycle stunts.

One of the lessons Garrett points out is Knievel wasn't the best, but he was the best known. He talked big, he dressed colorfully, and he built up the hype--in some ways, he was a modern P.T. Barnum. How many writers can you think of who are not the best, but are the best known? There are quite a few!

The answer is not (necessarily) dressing up in leathers and having a loud mouth. But it does help to find some aspect of yourself and your writing that can stand out in one way or another. I've mentioned before the Murder Squad, a group of UK crime writers who banded together to publicize their work. Their promo photo of them walking down the street in shades and outfits reminiscent of Tarantino films makes them stand out.

Another example: the New York author who came up with the idea of the world's smallest book tour--in her living room. The idea got her coverage in the New York Times.

(If you'd like to stimulate your creativity, subscribe to my free monthly "Brainstorm" e-bulletin. Just send a request to [email protected])

What idea can you come up with to differentiate your writing?