If you missed my talk at Barnes and Noble on the 8th of January here in Scottsdale – this is a copy of my handout.
Enjoy and let me know what works for you and what questions you have for me. Patricia
Gifts that Keep on Giving- – sharing the journey of writing
Patricia L. Brooks, MAOM
Speaker, Author, Publishing Consultant, Faculty
www.plbrooks.com or www.brooksgoldmannpublishing.com
· “Treat it as a job not a mystical calling. Then you’ll get up every morning and go “to work” instead of waiting for the muse to attend you.” David Morrell
§ Begin Writing Inspiration
– Your memory – no new ideas – your “spin”
– Hopes, dreams, fascinations, fears, longings
– Take ideas, wants, needs, fantasies home to the written word
– Keep the creative juices flowing!
§ Prepare to be an Author
– Workshops and conferences – the “buddy” system
– Books and courses – call yourself a writer
– Festivals, writers groups, networking
§ “Come closer to you and come closer to all things.” Tristine Rainer
§ Writing Plan will happen
– Notebooks and outlines – build your book
– Thoughts in building blocks – storyboards
– Set-up writing “space” – mind map
– Schedule most alert hours – discipline – timeline
§ Research Rules – primary and secondary
– Research thoroughly – internet and more, interviews
– Read authors you admire – bookstores, libraries
– Preview competition – gets stats
§ “Writing doesn’t take time, it takes concentration.” Julia Cameron
§ Revision Roads – macro-micro-fine tuning
– No revisions for a year – write to the end
– Expand, cut, polish over and over again – read aloud
– Respect your readers – your voice – thesaurus
§ Birth of my Baby
– Trust yourself – be proud – set it free!
– Ghostwriters
– Professional Editor or proofreader
– Peer Reviewer – expertise
§ “You can only be a writer all of the time.” Brenda Ueland
§ Publishing Possibilities – it’s not easy
– Self-Publishing – more control, money up front
– Print on Demand – business model – digital printing – cost
– Traditional Publishing, Agents, Publicists
– Book Proposals – pitch story
§ Launch Live – the real challenge
– Web Sites, blogs, social networks, online
– Hot “100 hit list” – Coming Out” Party – partnerships
– PR packets – Media, bookstores, libraries, book clubs
– Specialty, catalogs, Associations
– Business cards, bookmarks, postcards
§ “Allow what is in front of you to lead you.” Natalie Goldberg
§ The Big Picture
– Charity and advocacy
– Purpose, goals, objectives, strategies
– Many markets – CD’s, E books, audio books, foreign, magazines
– Business Plan and a Marketing Plan
§ Suggested Reading:
– If You Want to Write – Brenda Ueland
– Writing Down the Bones – Natalie Goldberg
– Your Life as Story –Tristine Rainer
– The Artist’s Way – Julia Cameron
– Lessons from a Lifetime of Writing – David Morrell
Thank you for coming, Patricia
[email protected] – Cell 480-250-5556
https://brooksgoldmannpublishing.com