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10 Secrets Every Aspiring Writer Should Know

Rob

　　Every aspiring writer believes that the publishing world is mysterious and can’t be cracked. While it can be difficult, it is not impossible. These few ideas can help to navigate the publishing waters.
It’s a numbers game – the more ‘doors’ you knock on the better your chances. Get out there and get known and show off your stuff.

    You are selling a product – you and your book are the products, you must sell them to make it in the business.
    You can market your products both online and off – you should develop a marketing plan to sell your products
    Build it and they will come – Build a following. Create an online presence and build a social media presence to sell your products. The bigger your following, the more publishers will take notice.
    Speaking offers opportunities – Speaking gives you publicity; an opportunity to sell books; another source of income; an audience to become part of your following
    Spend more time marketing than writing – you have to put more effort into marketing than you do in writing so your book gets in the hands of the people who need it.
    Find new magazines to sell to – Newer magazines can be more willing to publish new writers.
    You can write for online venues and make money – there are many opportunities to make money online.
    If you have a blog, write well – If you use your blog to talk about the funny things your cat does, it may be time to rethink careers, instead use it as an opportunity to showcase your writing by sticking to a subject that is relevant to your book.
    Write – the most common sense piece of advice is to write. The more you write and put your work out there, the better you will become and the faster you will be noticed.

So what are you top ten ideas for getting noticed in the publishing world?

How to tell a story your readers will love.

Rob

　　Stories, we all love a good story. Have you ever noticed, when someone begins to tell a story, they capture everyone’s attention? This holds true whether you are telling a story through speaking or through writing.
　　
　　While capturing your audience’s attention is one huge advantage, there are many others. Another big advantage is the fact that while your audience may forget the point you were trying to convey in your speech or in your writing and they may even forget you after a time; however, they will never forget your story.
　　
　　Stories, when told or written to make a point, are often very short and to the point. They do not need a large build up, only enough information to allow the imagination to take over. That is one of the main keys of a well told story, give enough to allow the imagination to grow and create the scene.
　　
　　Stories are much easier to tell when it is something that you either lived through or a story you are familiar with. Stories that you create from scratch can be done and quite well, but they can be harder to get just right.
　　
　　Keep your cast of characters small and different. Too many characters and too many that are similar either in name or description and your audience will be confused. Along with this, keep your actions to just a few. You don’t want your characters doing a million different things, your audience will be lost.
　　
　　Add description, paint pictures for your audience. But leave some for the imagination. If you are telling your story verbally, don’t be afraid to add in some gestures, movements or even act it out and change character voices. All of this will draw your audience in.
　　
　　Read over fairy tales and fables and practice with them and with your own story. When you practice, practice A LOT! Be prepared. Enjoy the experience, have fun telling the story and watch how you capture their attention.
　　
　　

So what suggestions do you have for telling a story?