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When
Writers “Get Social”
Steve Cliffe, a great friend and fellow
writer, had never attend a writer’s festival and confessed he didn't think much
of the idea. “So, what, we just get together over a coffee and read each
other’s books or something?” “Oh, it’s way more than that,” I answered, and so
I dragged him off to the Creative Ink Writers’ Festival to show him what he was
missing. He soon learned the benefit
that a festival or conference can bring. It’s mainly hearing other, usually
well-established writers, talk. Not only about how they got there, but how they
write, ideas on building stronger characters, how they promote themselves, and
anything else they feel can assist you. There are many novelists that speak so you
also learn certain aspects of writing pertaining to many different genres.
Usually there is a question and answer session, and more than once a question
has been asked and an answer given that made me say to myself, "wow never
thought of that."
Most writers are an introverted lot that sit
in a darkened room and pound out their muse’s inspiration. So being in a crowd
might seem like a daunting task, but when the crowd has a mutual interest, it
becomes a whole different matter. There are panels from experienced lawyers
talking legal issues, police talking about how they operate, ballistics experts
explaining usage and handling of the weapon and also the effect firing the gun
has on a bullet, and paramedics passing on their expertise. It helps us
immensely, even if it’s only because it makes us realize how little we know and
how much research we need to do. Nothing is worse than publishing a novel and
have someone email you. "I'm a “blah blah” and there is no way what you
did in that scene would be allowed or would work."
One of my biggest learnings was during the
Elevator Pitch Panel. For those wondering what an elevator pitch is, well, it’s
just that. You are on an elevator and before you reach the very next floor you
have about two sentences to pitch your book to the lone agent standing beside
you. Here's what I came up with for my new novel, The Joining:
Slam Ghostbusters
into a large cooking pot, use a classy hotel as the base, toss in a female
Mickey Spillane and Edgar Cayce, stir in a herbal mix of the mob, add a pinch of abduction, season generously with ghosts and serve garnished with a sprig
of TinkerBell.
Most of all, I left inspired to pound away
at the keyboards again.
On top of all of that there were panels on
ways to promote yourself, because most publishing houses these days don't have
budgets to do that for you. One of the biggest things I learned is that being a
published author is indeed a full-time job, as a podcast Steve and I put
together shows. We will both publish and share this on our sites. So, enjoy. And
if you really enjoy it, subscribe to his YouTube channel. His style of wit and
humor is very addictive!
Steve Cliffe’s YouTube Channel "Inkspot"
See you next month!
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The Author's Show Link
Sincerely
Frank Talaber
Email: twosoulmates@shaw.ca
Writer by soul. Words born within.
Karma, the seed. Paper, the medium.
Pen, the muse. Novels, the fire.
Frank Talaber’s Writing Style? He usually
responds with: Mix Dan Millman (Way of The Peaceful Warrior) with Charles De
Lint (Moonheart) and throw in a mad scattering of Tom Robbins (Even Cowgirls
Get The Blues).
PS: He’s better looking than Stephen King
(Carrie, The Stand, It, The Shining) and his romantic stuff will have you
gasping quicker than Robert James Waller (Bridges Of Madison County).
Or as is often said: You don’t have to be
mad to be a writer, but it sure helps.
My Publishers Webpage:
http://www.bookswelove.com/authors/talaber-frank-paranormal-suspense-romance/
My webpage
http://twosoulmates.wixsite.com/frankt-author-blog
My novels and reviews are on Amazon are
at:
https://www.amazon.com/Frank-Talaber/e/B00UC407R0
My Facebook Published Author's page.
https://www.facebook.com/FrankTalaber/
My Facebook short story page
https://www.facebook.com/franktalaberpublishedauthor/
Twitter: @FrankTalaber
I remember those days of going to conferences and meeting other writers. These days I generally go to what I call a writer's marathon. There everyone sits in a room with their laptops and write for eight hours with a lunch break. Looking forward to your next opus
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