Book Packaging & Creativity Workshops

Mia Walshaw

Writing Prompts to Keep You Writing

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Is writing a bit like eating your vegetables? Like eating our greens, we know it’s good for our mind and creativity to write daily, but it’s alright to admit that it’s hard to find daily ideas.

Even if you’re in the midst of a novel, screenplay, or short story, it’s normal to hit the occasional roadblock. When writer’s block strikes, that’s when it’s more important than ever to keep writing. But how and what?

Have Fun with a New Subject

I’m a big proponent that one should always write for your enjoyment. Pick a subject that is of interest to you. You don’t have to be an expert, but you do have to want to learn more about your subject. Half the fun lies in the research. There’s a big world out there. You just have to discover it via the printed page. 

Writing is a bit like exercise in that the more you do it, the easier it gets. And, like exercise, you should write on a regular basis. Coming to your computer or that pad of paper regularly keeps your “writing muscle” engaged. The more frequently you write, the more you develop your writing muscle.

You Don’t Have to Write Just One Story at a Time

However, sometimes project that we are currently working on doesn’t come to fruition. That doesn’t mean it’s not a good project. It just might not be the right project for you, right now. Stephen King offers lots of advice on his writing process. One thing he states is to start multiple projects at one time. While this might be confusing for some writers, King admits that not every project resonates with him. He has stated that sometimes he just stops feeling passionately for one project. That’s when he turns his attention to another. By having multiple plot lines developing at once, he is sure to find the one that becomes his next hit.

By the way, King has published 65 novels, including seven under the pen name Richard Bachman, and five non-fiction books. He has written over 200 short stories. Obviously, his method works well for him. 

Stay Calm and Keep Writing

Don’t let King’s prolific writing quality get you down. There aren’t many people that have a resume like him. The point of this blog is to inspire you to always find something to write about. Do it daily. It can be a letter to your younger self. For that matter, it can be a letter to your dog or cat. Just write. 

And, when you absolutely can’t think of what to write, here’s a list of writing prompts compiled by FIU Libraries (Florida International University).

Perhaps set a writing goal to try one new prompt each week… in between your current projects. Happy writing!

Four Steps to Self Publication

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Four Steps to Self PublicationPublishing a book can be a daunting process. It requires careful follow through and these four steps to self publication. Before you back off, know that even making a cake from scratch can be a big process, and yet, tons of people do it. You simply follow a recipe and take note of each step. Publishing requires the same sort of careful follow-through. Here’s the rundown on the four steps to self publication.

Edit with Eagle Eyes

There’s a trick to catching every typo. Read your work slowly and aloud. But what happens if you have 50,000 words or more? You either get used to the sound of your voice, or decide to ask friends or “beta” readers to edit with eagle eyes. Beta readers are kind souls who don’t mind if the book needs a bit more work. They are happy to have the chance to read a book for free in exchange for offering their input and hopefully, their eagle eyes when they catch typos or grammatical mistakes.  A good place to recruit beta readers is via Facebook or your other social media platforms.

The trouble is that friends and beta readers, just like yourself, may not look at your work critically. Or, they might not be educated in every grammar nuance. This is a risk you take if you don’t hire a professional editor. A professional editor won’t simply look for typos and grammatical mistakes. They’ll also advise you about the pacing and plot structure, the flow of the work, characterization, setting, and other literary devices that make your book stand out.

Create Captivating Cover Art

Is a cover worth a thousand words? When I used to work with screenwriters and film producers, I knew a film distributor that spent more money on the artwork used to advertise a  film then the original price she paid for the script. Her reasoning was that it was the first impression and the tool that would attract consumers. The same can be said for book covers. When perusing Amazon, the cover will stand out first. Then, readers will look at the synopsis or description, and then the reviews. Their decision will be swayed first and foremost by the look of the book cover.

This doesn’t mean you have to spend a fortune. Pre-made covers can be found for just $50. Custom covers are usually a few hundred. Working with a book packager, such as myself, gives you access to various cover artists specializing in different styles and genres. You’re more likely to find a cover that suits your genre than if you simply go with the bargain priced cover.

Format for Reader Ease and Visual Beauty

Book formatting takes your book from looking like printed pages off a computer to the way a paperback book should look. Digital formatting allows the same beautiful styles to be transferred to a Kindle or Nook for ease of reading.

Again, it is possible to do this yourself. There are a variety of formatting softwares on the market. The question is do you want to spend your time formatting rather than writing or marketing your book? This question is particularly valid when one learns that quality formatting from a professional does not have to break the bank. Most books that I format are under 100K words and therefore cost less than $200. Shop around and make informed decisions.

Upload to eBook Retailers

Getting your book onto Amazon and other ebook retailers such as Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Google Play, iBooks, Smashwords, and more is your final publishing step. You’ll need to have a few tools ready. This includes your author biography, a synopsis of your book, keywords and categories that help consumers find your book, and knowing what to charge for your book. Each of these components requires research in order to ensure your book is discoverable, fits into the marketplace, and attracts readers.

Fortunately, there are mountains of blogs that will share their opinions on each of these uploading necessities. On the flip side, there are mountains of blogs out there and sifting through the information can be overwhelming.

With all of these steps, my suggestion is to take each one individually. Take time to learn the basics. When it gets overwhelming, take a break and come back to it. Remember that you did just that when writing your book.

I’m Your Writing Muse

Finally, if you need help along the way, I’m just an email, phone call, or Skype/Zoom call away. As a book packager, I take your book from conception to publication. I keep my prices at a minimum, source from affordable vendors, and whenever possible, teach my clients how to do tasks on their own. I’m happy to answer questions and point you in the right direction. If you want someone to take any of these steps off your shoulders so you can focus on your next book, I’m here for you.

Write What You Know or Have Some Fun?

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Write What You Know or Have Fun?
Have some fun while writing and your ideas will carry you away.

No doubt you’ve heard publishers implore authors, “Write what you know.” However, like dial-up internet, VCRs, and BlackBerrys I believe this is a thing of the past. We have the internet and not just the internet of years past, but one with countless, mind boggling numbers of articles, website, research posts, surveys, and access to an unlimited number of people in real time. Should you write what you know or have some fun? Writers, be true to yourself, and always enjoy the process.

The World is Yours

For me, half the fun of writing is research. In fact, I can get so lost in research that it comes dangerously close to being a form of procrastination. I often tell my writing students and book clients that if you’re stuck with a plot point, take some time to research. You will be certain to discover new ideas. With each idea comes to new inspiration for your plot. The world is yours when you open up to possibilities. You just need to be careful that you return to your writing.

Try Something New

If you have a great idea for a spy thriller, does that mean you can’t write it because you’ve never worked in counter-terrorism? Is it true that if you have never held a government job you can’t possibly imagine being a spy for another country? Of course not. Try something new. If you’ve ever seen a James Bond film and loved it, you can imagine a storyline that fits into the spy genre. Should you tweak it? Most definitely. Just because you’ve watched every James Bond film doesn’t mean you should copy them. But, it does give you a standard for light spy thrillers that you can adapt for your sensibilities.

When should you switch gears?

Most writers I know started writing because of their passion for creativity. That doesn’t mean you never have an off day. Sometimes it’s not fun. Research doesn’t always open up new doors. You have to know when to try a different idea. Stephen King has said that he often starts multiple stories at the same time, carefully plotting each one. The distinction is that he knows not every one of those stories will come to a conclusion. If he’s not feeling it, he lets it go. Just because you have a great idea for a story doesn’t mean it won’t run out of steam. Sometimes you switch gears. You give yourself permission to admit that the story idea wasn’t as strong as you originally thought. More importantly, give yourself permission to recognize that you will have more ideas and one is sure to be a better idea.

Writing is a Process

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Are you a writer who starts a project, but won’t finish? If you delve into your writing, but find there isn’t enough “meat” to get to the finish line, it may be fair to stop. But if you stop work on a project because you lack stamina, perhaps you’ve forgotten that writing is a process. Like long distance runs, you must pace yourself, not sprint toward ‘the end.’

In her magically perfect ever so wonderful book (you can tell I’m a fan), “Bird by Bird,” Anne Lamott explains this thought process to her son. When faced with a seemingly impossible writing task — a report on birds — she tells him just to focus on bird by bird. In other words, take each chapter as it comes and allow yourself the freedom to relax.

A Case for an Outline

But what if you run out of ideas and steam along the way? This is why I believe there is always a need for an outline. It’s your roadmap to completion. K.M. Weiland offers an excellent workbook to help authors through the outlining process. I always outline my books, but I also give myself permission to meander a bit. If my outline sparks an idea, I may go off on a tangent when creativity within is flowing. However, I always return to my outline — the roadmap — after I’ve taken the scenic route.

Writing is a Process

Have you ever heard of any writer who publishes their work after only one draft? It doesn’t happen. And, if it does, I will be so bold as to declare, it shouldn’t happen. You’re writing is not perfect… until it is. Here’s my favorite piece of writing advice… allow yourself to be imperfect. You don’t have to craft a perfect first sentence in order to move on to the next sentence. The same goes with each chapter. You don’t have to re-read what you’ve done in order to have permission to move forward. In fact, re-reading before you’ve completed your first draft is a sure-fire way to not finish your novel. Get your ideas on paper. All of them! Then, once you have a semblance of your plot with its twists and turns, then you can add polishing touches.

When is your Novel Finished?

Asking when your novel is finished may seem like an odd question, particularly to new writers. However, experienced novelists know that the writing process can go on and on. You can ensure that the plot isn’t predictable. Good writers will vary their sentence length. Review your characters’ personalities and language to ensure they are original. Furthermore, does the language vary enough between characters or do they all sound similar? Once you get comfortable in taking your time, you’ll know that the writing process unfolds slowly and you will embrace those subtle shifts.

A Satisfying ‘The End’

When you’ve done everything you can and looked at every chapters, line, word, and character flaw, then you will probably want to enlist some friendly readers to get their opinion. I recommend asking for tough love readers  — those who will tell you the truth. Their opinions may result in the need for more re-writing, but in the end, that is a gift. They are telling you how to make your writing better before the world sees it. And with that gift, you’ll remember that writing is a process.

 

Writers, Be True to Yourself

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I like to ask people why they write. Did you always dream of being a writer? In the best case scenario, their face lights up and they reply that they couldn’t imagine not writing. This is my favorite reason, but I recognize that there are others. Some might site financial gain or the thrill of seeing their name on a book cover. I’m not dismissing those reasons; but, writers, be true to yourself. Write for the sheer enjoyment that a creative endeavor can bring.

In my book, “Full Color Life: How to Live a Creative, Balanced Life,” I encourage all people to pursue a creative endeavor, not just those who are already working in the arts. I find that even accountants, lawyers, engineers, and other similar “left brain” professionals benefit from adding creativity to their lives. In fact, the notion of left or right brain has now been dispelled with modern thought leaning to the fact that everyone has the ability within themselves to be creative.

Why Pursue Creativity?

I answer this question in this excerpt from “Full Color Life.

The creative’s life is not always easy. This is especially true if you measure your success solely on monetary earnings. But it’s important to take a step back and consider what else you value. If I were to answer this I would list: family, friends, good health, and time —  the one gift that nobody can buy and nobody can give you. There’s one thing that I feel enhances each one of my core values and that’s my creative endeavors, whether they are writing my own work, editing others’ work, or being physically creative in a dance or yoga studio, which helps me stay mentally focused and physically healthy, both of which fuel my spiritual creativity.

So, why did you decide to pursue your creative endeavor? Here are some other common reasons: creative control, independence at work, and the ability to make changes at a moment’s notice. In many ways, this last reason encompasses the ones before it. If you work for yourself, there are fewer surprises. You know if a big order is coming or if a client is unhappy. Both good news and bad gives you independence. If something isn’t working, you have time to spot it and change your course. That is creative independence and you can’t get that while working for someone else.

Stamina through the Tough Times

It’s not always easy, but as the adage goes, “Endeavors worth achieving are rarely easy.”

Remember why you toyed with the idea of a creative career in the first place. You dreamed of a creative life with independence, financial security and being able to call the shots. But it’s not always like that, is it? There will be moments of self-doubt when you launch your book or product line and wonder what the public response will be. Times when inspiration flees and you question if you’re cut out for a creative life. Periods when mounting bills make it seem like the daily grind of your current job will not only be your present but your future as well.

It’s the tough times that test a creative individual. When scenarios like those mentioned above crawl their way into your psyche that’s when you must have self-belief…a Full Color Mindset.

Full Color Mindset for Writers and Artists

This mindset…the willingness to pursue a creative endeavor even when it gets tough is indicative of all artists devoted to their craft. I see it in musicians, dancers, artisans.

There’s a beautiful Instagram account called BallerinaProject that showcases amazing ballet dancers striking their pose in the midst of nature’s beauty, city streets or even libraries. This account speaks to me for it’s the same principle that I stressed in the beginning of this post — these dancers can’t help but dance. It doesn’t matter where they are or who is around them. They dance. Because to not do their craft is unimaginable.

I encourage you to write for the joy of the craft and think of financial rewards as a secondary benefit. Drop me a line and let me know what you’re working on today.

Writers Need to be Readers

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Writers Need to be ReadersSometimes the “rules” of good writing are a mash-up of contradictions. Be original, but follow the rules of those who have come before you. Don’t plagiarize, but take lessons from classic story structures. To find the perfect balance, writers need to be readers.

I recently read a literary comparison between The Great Gatsby and Breakfast at Tiffany’s. It implied that n its witty title it stated that Holly Golightly was a different version of Jay Gatsby. National Public Radio listed both of these novels in their “100 Best Characters in Fiction” list with Jay Gatsby hitting first place and Holly Golightly coming in at number 11.

Number 11 out of 100 is nothing to sneeze at considering that this article implied that Truman Capote, who wrote Breakfast at Tiffany’s, must have followed my belief that writers need to be readers. Does that mean he plagiarized from F. Scott Fitzgerald? Not necessarily… Let’s take a closer look.

Here are the similarities between the two books: 

Physical character traits:

  • Characters who are attractive, charismatic and enigmatic.
  • Distinctive speech patterns. Jay uses phrases such as “old sport” while Holly calls everyone “darling.”

Their world:

  • Connections to organized crime.
  • Characters who love to host parties.
  • Parties that stop once the characters find romance.

Their journey:

  • Humble backgrounds.
  • Altered identities.
  • Living vicariously through more glamorous neighbors.
  • Driven by dreams.
  • Dreams ultimately lead to their death and exile.

Technical similarities:

  • First person narratives.
  • Beautiful imagery to describe the setting and supporting characters.
  • Visits to the main character by someone from their past.

Is this comparison meant to imply that Breakfast at Tiffany’s doesn’t deserve to be on the 100 Best List? Absolutely not. I love the book and could watch the movie on continual loop. What Truman Capote did with F. Scott Fitzgerald’s story is to recreate and change it for his own purposes. They say there are only seven story plots. These are:

  • Overcoming the Monster
  • Rags to Riches
  • The Quest
  • Voyage and Return
  • Comedy
  • Tragedy
  • Rebirth

This means you have to take basic principles of good storytelling from previously told tales, but then, you put your own style to it, add your own unique details, envision how your character will be different. 

So keep writing your stories, but educate yourself by remembering that writers need to be readers, too.