Profiting from Reader Feedback

Last month I worked night after night to finish two sample chapters for a publisher interested in my book proposal. Faithfully, I toiled away—writing, crafting, rewriting, revising, writing, and rewriting some more.

WORDS…

 

“Words: They are more than tools used in the transfer of simple information from mind to mind…. I was attempting to use them as paint, spreading them on a canvas rather than paper. I wanted to write to the body and to the senses as well as the mind.  Did I? It’s a tricky goal, and perhaps I shouldn’t admit to having aimed so high. The admission can make failure more obvious.”

~N.D. Wilson, Preface to Notes from the Tilt-A-Whirl:
Wide Eyed Wonder in God’s Spoken World

May we all dare to aim high as we use the amazing gift of words entrusted in our hands …

 

A Question for You:  How high do you aim when you are using words to transmit the message you want to communicate to your reader?  How much do you wrestle with words to make the message as powerful and effective as it can possibly be?

Related Posts:

1. Energize Your Writing with Dynamic Verbs

2. Tip #5: Revision Strategy – Cut Adverbial Fat

3. Figures of Speech: Handle with Care

Figures of Speech: Handle with Care

I had to break away from reading an article a colleague wants me to edit to share this piece of timeless writing advice on the use of figures of speech:

“The simile is a common device and useful one, but similes coming in rapid fire, one right on top of another, are more distracting than illuminating. Readers need time to catch their breath: they can’t be expected to compare everything with something else, and not relief in sight.

When you use a metaphor, do not mix it up. That is, don’t start by calling something a swordfish and end by calling it an hourglass.”

Some of you may recall that these words of writing wisdom come from The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White.  In my opinion, every writer should own a copy, have it always handy, and review it often.  I have one at work, one at home, and the illustrated edition on order — it’s a gem full of writing-nutritious eye candy!

Mmm… I’ll have to think of a better metaphor.

Do you have some examples of good — and not so good — uses of figures of speech to share?

Creative Marketing Ideas for Writers

In “Golden Rule Marketing for Writers,” Emily Akin reminded us that aspiring authors should learn to love marketing and spend as much as 80% of their time marketing their writing.  Still, some writers chew on this idea with apprehension, hoping they will be the exception. I think the problem is that we tend to approach marketing with the wrong perspective.

I recently ran across Meeting Needs, a blog post by Sarah Bolme, Director of Christian Small Publishers Association. She challenges Christian writers to see marketing differently. She says this:  ”Promoting a book is like being a missionary. Missionaries don’t sit at home and wait for people who need Jesus to come to them. They go “into all the world” and seek the lost.”  What a great perspective!

If you are beginning to feel differently about marketing, then you are ready for some new ideas to reach your readers. Here are five links to articles from creative writers and marketers that can get your creative juices flowing:

1. 1. Book Launch Party on Facebook
   2. Guest Blogging
   3. Virtual Author Touring
   4. Twitter Book Marketing
   5. Publishing and Marketing with Scribd.com

Question: How about you?  Do you have some creative marketing ideas that help you reach your readers?  Share them with us.

Golden Rule Marketing for Writers

Editor’s Note: This is a guest article by Emily Akin. Read on and find out how you can enter to win a copy of Emily’s e-book, A Business Approach to Marketing Your Work .

The Golden Rule

 ”So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” Matthew 7:12 (TNIV).

Would you like to sell more of your writing? To get your work published, you must give your customers, the editors, what they need. Editors know what their readers (customers) want, and they only accept work that addresses their readers’ needs. Writers and editors apply the Golden Rule every day, not pursuing their own interests but the interests of their readers.  Read more

Tip 6: Three Must Read Articles for New Authors

Who would turn down an opportunity to chat, with pen and paper in hand, with Michael Hyatt, author, speaker, and Chief Executive Officer for Thomas Nelson, Inc. — and record all his publishing secrets?

Well, we can.  He makes it easy because he has made his wisdom available for free.  If you have not discovered his website and blog yet, get started with these three must read articles for  new and seasoned authors. 

1. Advice for First-Time Authors
2. Five Publishing Hurdles
3. How Can You Get Published If You Don’t Have a Platform?

“If you met with me one-on-one, this is what I would tell you.” ~Michael Hyatt

Question:  have you come accross these resouces before?  Are there any others you would like to share with the rest of us?

The Place to Start

“I just don’t know where to start.” 

Have you ever entertained these words?  I hear them often from my writing students or friends who sense a calling to write.

In her “must have” Bible study for Servant Writers, Write HIs Answer, Marlene Bagnull ofters the only plausible answer:

“Jesus’ example [of prayer] shows us that the place to begin all our writing is on our knees.  It is essential that we seek ‘the mind of Christ’ (1 Cor. 2:16) if we hope to bring his answer to our hurting world. If we’re too busy to pray, we’re too busy.”

“Who can know the Lord’s thoughts? Who knows enough to teach him?”  But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ.  1 Cor 2:16 NLT

::

Related Reading:

Goals, Habits, and Process of a Servant Writer

What part does prayer play in your writing?  We would love to hear from you.

Tip #5: Revision Strategy – Cut Adverbial Fat

Today’s tip will help you become a better revisionist and editor of your own writing.  Our focus is on cutting “adverbial fat.” Think about it.  Do these adverbs improve the reader’s view into your subject?  Decidedly, definitely, distinctly, absolutely, certainly, positively…  The answer is NO.

What is an adverb? Adverbs add meaning to verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs.  But if you choose precise language to say what you mean, adverbs clutter and weaken your prose. Read more

Blogging to Serve Part I

This is the first installment on a three-part series to help you take the first step to build writing discipline, an essential habit for the Servant Writer who wants to serve the needs of others.

In a previous article, Five Reasons to Unleash the “Servant Writer” in You, I challenged you to use the power of words to serve the needs of others and honor God with the gifts He has given you.  The challenge focused on the “whys.”  Now I want to begin focusing on the “hows.” 

Is Blogging for You?

If you are passionate about a topic that can benefit others, one of the easiest and fastest ways to begin sharing your message (and building a platform if that’s what you desire to do) is by starting a blog.  If you already blog to serve, don’t leave yet. I have a challenge for you at the end. 

Many aspiring writers get discouraged because the publishing industry is hard to penetrate.  Yet, never before has “publication” been so accessible to so many.  Blogs are a great way to share your message, build an audience, and get used to writing consistently.  Blogging, believe it or not, can also become a source of income if you decide you want to go pro (more on that later). Read more

Tip #4: How Important Is Research?

Dawn Wilson, Servant Writer and professional researcher, has this piece of advice:

“If writing does not include the depth and accuracy of research, it can become shallow and sloppy. I take notes about everything that interests me, and on just about anything (file cards in my purse, restaurant napkins, the backs of receipts, church bulletins). Read more

Next Page »