Writers and Their Emotions

Posted on by Joel D Canfield

I’m going for a 60s health-ed movie feel in the title, in case you missed it.

[image: sunrise” width=”222″ height=”189″ class=”alignright size-full wp-image-3959]Writing without emotion is pointless. If you don’t move your readers to feel something, you accomplish nothing. Even with non-fiction, teaching a topic requires moving your readers to care enough to latch on.

With fiction, emotion is everything.

It’s no wonder, then, that we fiction writers are a moody lot.

I have days of euphoria. I also have days in the doldrums. (Like when we have the rare phenomenon of 10 gloomy days straight here in the frozen north.)

A dear friend commented this morning that they were feeling down about their writing.

Steven Pressfield posted about the pure unadulterated panic induced by the research for his latest book.

It’s gonna happen. … more … “Writers and Their Emotions”

Real Mystery Writers Attend Mystery Writers’ Conventions. Right?

Posted on by Joel D Canfield

Left Coast Crime 2015: Crimelandia!Next winter we’ll be taking a break from the bitter cold of northern Wisconsin to get soaking wet in Portland, Oregon at Left Coast Crime.

Until James Preston asked if I was attending LCC and Bouchercon this year (both within driving distance of where he lives, lucky dog) I hadn’t even considered writers’ conventions.

I love being with people. It’s one reason book-signing events still appeal to authors. We want to look our fans in the eye, feel their adulation, take their cash with our own grubby little paws. Okay, maybe not that last bit.

In my previous careers I’ve never considered conventions as a way to promote myself. A web developer’s convention? Scarier than Bloody Words, I assure you.

… more … “Real Mystery Writers Attend Mystery Writers’ Conventions. Right?”

Is There a Market for ‘Clean’ Books?

Posted on by Joel D Canfield

In the two days chatting with Alex Zabala y’all commented more on language than sales. Interesting perspective into my readership.

[image: what do readers want?” width=”176″ height=”256″ class=”alignright size-full wp-image-3916]He and I, like some of you, choose not to use certain words. I’ll not get into the “they’re just words!” discussion just now. I’m more interested in what makes good writing, and, slightly less important, what sells.

Can you sell a book without profanity in it? Obviously you can. Alex Zabala’s Treasure of the Mayan King has sold 6,000 copies.

Does avoiding (or including) profanity in your book widen your market, narrow it, redefine it? Or is it immaterial?

That’s a question for readers, not writers.

Since all writers are readers, let’s chat.

… more … “Is There a Market for ‘Clean’ Books?”

6,000 Copies Sold: But How?

Posted on by Joel D Canfield

[image: Alex Zabala]Yesterday’s post had a single question about marketing. Today we get under the hood.

What did you try that you wouldn’t try again?
I don’t like sitting in a booth all day long trying sell books and getting abused by the public. I sold the same amount of books on Amazon, sitting at home drinking beer.

Okay that sounds silly, but my point is, Amazon is a monster seller. Why would I sit all day long in a booth attempting to sell books when Amazon is doing it for me electronically? My blogs, my website and my online presence in Amazon are the biggest selling machine.

Don’t get me wrong, I would like to do future promotions in person but in an atmosphere conducive to selling books.

… more … “6,000 Copies Sold: But How?”

6,000 Copies Sold: Interview with Author Alex Zabala

Posted on by Joel D Canfield

[image: Alex Zabala]Treasure of the Mayan King has sold 6,000 copies. Though Alex Zabala claims there’s no “secret”, you’ll see a theme in his answers: persist in doing good work.

You’ve already met him on my Success Stories page so it’s time to dig into Alex’s success. He’s agreed to answer a few questions. For a talkative witty guy, his answers are uncharacteristically brief and informative. Must be the word “interview”, eh?

… more … “6,000 Copies Sold: Interview with Author Alex Zabala”

This is How it Works in Real Life: Working with an Illustrator

Posted on by Joel D Canfield

Here’s the fun post for the week: developing the art for chapter 1 of Ginger, the Ship Captain’s Cat, which is what Davina and I were doing earlier this week.

From the top, my original email to Davina with her responses and work. We’d had a series of informal intermittent conversations about Ginger; this is where we did the work.

# # #

Joel: Here’s a composite I slapped together.

What I’m hoping for is a simple line drawing: window, cat outline, Japanese buildings hinted through the window. Simple simple simple, not complicated. I’d love to see a 5-minute sketch to give you feedback before you spend much time on this. Is that possible?

Note regarding the ‘5 minutes’ request: I know how artists are ’cause I are one. Part of my madness is to nudge my collaborators out of their comfort zone, especially when I know the results will suit my needs better.

… more … “This is How it Works in Real Life: Working with an Illustrator”

Technical Issues to Consider When Working with an Illustrator

Posted on by Joel D Canfield

[image: artist at work” width=”128″ height=”256″ class=”alignright size-full wp-image-3854]Yesterday’s post about finding and working with an illustrator focused on the soft stuff: art, personality, style.

Today, let’s chat about bits and formats and whatnot.

Once you’ve settled on a visual collaborator for your book, neither of you should assume the other knows all the technical stuff. Assume a blank slate. Talk about everything. Much of it is a collaborative artistic conversation, not simply a technical or printing issue.

For instance:

… more … “Technical Issues to Consider When Working with an Illustrator”

Questions to Consider When You’re Looking for an Illustrator

Posted on by Joel D Canfield

[image: making the selection]When looking for an illustrator, you’ll need to think a bit like a visual artist. This doesn’t always come naturally to folks who create their art with words.

Here are the types of questions and concepts to consider and discuss with a potential illustrator.

… more … “Questions to Consider When You’re Looking for an Illustrator”

Working with an Illustrator: Meet Davina Kinney

Posted on by Joel D Canfield

[image: Davina Kinney] Davina KinneyIt appears the lovely and talented Mrs. Kinney is home and dry in her new place in Utah. She and her all ’round good guy of a husband Vince even invited us to drop by on our next Wisconsin-to-California trip.

If you’re writing a children’s book, it’s hard to imagine it without illustrations. Drawings, the shapes and colors, capture a child’s imagination and help develop their love of reading.

I’ve written 30 stories about Ginger, the Ship Captain’s Cat. This year the first few stories will see print, meaning somebody other than me has to bring Ginger to life visually. You’ve already seen a few sketches, done by friend and illustrator Davina Kinney.

… more … “Working with an Illustrator: Meet Davina Kinney”

Where Do You Get Information and Inspiration?

Posted on by Joel D Canfield

[image: catching up on our reading” width=”222″ height=”273″ class=”alignright size-full wp-image-3834]Reading a couple of Dave Bricker‘s excellent posts and Tom Bentley‘s newsletter I realized I don’t have much of what they used to call a “blogroll” around here. Must attend to that.

Besides Dave’s and Tom’s, the three I drop everything to read the instant there’s something posted are Larry Brooks’ storyfix, Steve Pressfield, and Rosanne Bane’s Bane of Your Resistance which is one of the best blog titles on the web.

In the meantime, tell me: what blogs are on your “must read” list, your “drop everything” list, your “catch up when I have a few minutes” list?