Wednesday, January 24, 2007

Wednesdays With Joanne - I can't dance and chew gum at the same time!

Hi all,

I can't "write and market" at the same time, darn it! Fess up! There MUST be other writers out there like me.

With two books published, I'm still hovering between writing being a serious hobby and writing being a job. If a hobby, no worries about anything other than trying to create the next story, the next hero and heroine, the next historical chapter. I've only myself to satisfy, to entertain, and answer to. If, however, writing is a job, there ARE worries to consider: marketing worries. With these worries comes the "job" of promotion and sales, reviews and author quotes, edits and re-edits, booksignings and booktalks, jockeying for notice. I'm doing my best to learn how to be up to the "job," and in doing so, I've learned that I "can't dance and chew gum at the same time."

This morning I'm full-into marketing concerns for A...My Name's Amelia, and have put The Parlor House Daughter on the back burner, yet again. It's important for Amelia's story to reach not only the librarians in Colorado, but also the librarians in the deaf schools throughout the country. That won't happen unless I contact them all with my press packet and "pitch" Amelia's story to them. Thus, time must be devoted to this task. I'm also contacting, or will soon, bookstores in Colorado, hoping they'll give some attention to Amelia's story. Too, there are conferences and meetings coming up and I hope to participate and showcase Amelia's story on these occasions.

For me, I love to write in the early morning hours. I love working on "that next book," but not so easy for me when I've other tasks at hand. It's difficult to get up fresh and write if I'm worried about marketing issues. I'd love to know if other writers have this dilemma, and if they do, how they resolve it. I'm thinking the key is not to worry. The key is not to put so much emphasis on marketing, creative emphasis that is. Just do it, right? Just do it, and free up time for writing "that next book."

I just find this interesting and revealing about myself as a writer. While some can easily dance and chew gum, I'm admitting that I cannot...yet. Tune in tomorrow...

Shalom,
Jo(anne)

Wednesday, January 17, 2007

Wednesdays With Joanne - "Table for Five"

Hi All,

No, I'm not resurrecting last season's tv fare (pardon the pun), but extolling the virtues of "partners in crime and in romance!"

I've learned that I'm not alone...there are others out there...waiting and watching and writing...just like me. Other Five Star-Thomson Gale published authors in Colorado that is. How much fun is this! And guess what? The natives are friendly. Not only are these other writers friendly, but they're generous with their time and their ideas. We're sharing our marketing toys. I like this play group!!!

They are:
Leslee Breene - Leadville Lady
Beth Groundwater - A Real Basket Case
Janet Lane - Tabor's Trinket
Pat Stoltey - The Prairie Grass Murders

Please feel free to visit Beth Anne's Book Corner site at www.bethannesbookcorner.com/sign.html and check out their blurbs and covers. I'm very pleased to be counted among them.

Hey, there's more room at our table. BYOB(books)!!!!

Shalom,
Jo(anne)

Wednesday, January 3, 2007

Wednesdays With Joanne: "For All the WRITE Reasons"

Are there any other kind when it comes to writing?

Yes, I think there are.

If you're writing for the market only, and not for yourself, that's THE wrong reason. Of course the market is a primary consideration, but not the more important. The more imporant is to write from our heart and from our head, hoping the passion in us will translate into something marketable, but not with the market being our driving force.

If you're writing because you know you have bestsellers in you, you probably do, and that's great, but...if you're unwilling to allow critique and the editorial opinion of others (future readers, all) then you're not serving your own interests well. We must listen to those who've gone before us. We must listen and learn.

If you're writing without the reader in mind, without respecting their intellect, without being mindful of their feelings, you're writing for some other reason that will only get you in trouble.

If you're writing, thinking you don't need to put in hard work all the way, from manuscript-to sale-to publication-to marketing and beyond, then you're mistaken, my friend. Leastways, I think so.

Okay, so now let's all get to it! May 2007 be the WRITE year for us all!

Shalom,
Joanne