AuthorHi, I'm Ray Evans. I'm a certified copyeditor and proofreader. Archives
September 2023
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Are You Committing Any of These Sins??Having worked as a proofreading and copyeditor I read hundreds of books a year. Over time, I have notice patterns in the writings of the authors that I've work with that released best-sellers and those that struggled to sell. None of these are set in stone, as I'm not a great lapidarist(yet), but these tips are based off what I've seen the most successful writer I've worked with have avoided doing so you can do the same 1) Starting a book with the WeatherDo not start a book with the weather. If it's just to set the mood and not to show how a character feels about the weather, you don't want to say too much. The reader will probably look ahead for people. The exception to this is if you're book is about the weather or your protagonist is a meteorologist. 2) Using Words to say "said" that aren't "said"Use "said" and nothing else to show dialogue. The character says the line of dialogue; the verb is the writer poking his nose in. But "said" is much less rude than "mumbled," "gasped," "warned," and "lied." 3) Use Exclamation Points SparinglyKeep the exclamation points in check: no more than two or three per 100,000 words of text are permitted(if you're writing prose). If you're feeling experimental then feel free to use them more often, but proceed with caution; exclamation points are like condiments, use them sparingly to accentuation the entree. 4) No ProloguesAs you know, a prologue provides background information for the reader. It can introduce incidents in the past that are important to the current story.
A novel's prologue is its backstory, and it can be placed anywhere. There is a prologue in John Steinbeck's Sweet Thursday, but it's OK because a character in the novel explains the significance of my guidelines. He says: "I appreciate a lot of dialogue in a novel, but I dislike it when the author describes the speaker's appearance. I want to determine his appearance based on how he speaks." What to do instead of a prologue? Have characters use dialogue for exposition.
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Yes your story should revolve around main characters but your supporting characters be round too. Your readers should remember your secondary characters. Give readers someone to love, loathe, laugh with, etc. Friends, relatives, mentors, bosses, girlfriends, housemates, classmates, you name it. Supporting characters should affect your primary characters and the story arc. How do you build supporting characters that help your primary characters? Here are some things that I've noticed from the authors that I've worked with Give Your Supporting Character Their Own GoalsThe plot follows the main character, but not the world. Supporting characters often impact society or the main character's inner world. Give secondary characters depth. What's their goal? What's stopping them? What's their relationship to the main character? Continue digging. What frightens your characters? What delights them? Avoiding work? Do they love adventures? What do they do on Friday nights: party or chill? These sound like questions you'd ask your primary character, and you would. First, treat them as the main character, but tone it down. You don't need to show us their entire lives, only the parts that illustrate their characters, affect the story, and influence the main character. Make Your Characters Unique with Their DialogueWhat do they say? Do they talk a mile a minute? Or do they speak when spoken to? Dialogue is the best form of character development. Use idiosyncrasies, stutters, slurs, shouts, whispers, and catchphrases. Dialogue conveys emotions. Characters' dialogue tells much about them. Let each character talk in a certain manner when talking to create unique speech patterns. Your readers will always know who's speaking. Supporting characters let you incorporate different themes and lessons into your novel. Another character can indicate compassion, for example.
Fully utilize characters. Don't just include them so your main character has company. First, give them an objective. You can send characters on their own individual journeys Readers will recognize their strengths, shortcomings, and choices of the supporting characters and this will add more layers and nuance to your story. Readers will get more invested in the main character and his or her story by default.
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Use a Contract
After you've found your illustrator a contact is a must so that everyone is clear on the scope of the project.
At minimum your contract should include the following components:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vT0QDG6rWWYbcHYmkwfQH7pPZKfVJCWqs0F6o0CMWUm99bmuAURqVgsNebqUuFoLh2bhuTt1ZwVH2qe/pub But What if It's Not Working Out?
This partnership is usually magical. Both you and illustrator are proud to work together.
No matter how well you plan, sometimes a relationship doesn't work out. If an illustrator isn't meeting expectations, you must let them go. You may feel tempted to settle for substandard art to avoid hurting or losing someone's feelings. Don't do this. As career and personal development partners, we must be honest. For that illustrator to learn, grow, and improve, they need unbiased and honest feedback from you. How will they know if they're good if nobody's honest? We create more harm and postpone their career progress when we suppress feedback out of fear. Notice I said "kindly" and "lovingly" Even though they're not the perfect fit for your project, build them up and support them. If they're struggling, don't give up on them.Is she coachable? Is she responsive to your feeback? Are your suggestions quickly implemented? Then they by all means try to work with them. Get Started Today!
By this point you've got:
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You have a wonderful idea for a book for kids. You have to write it. So, you do. You know you get it to an editor and you love your story. But what then? This is where a lot of kids' authors get stuck. They have all the words for their picture book, but they don't have any pictures. In this guide, we'll talk about how to find an illustrator for your kids' book. People always ask me, "How do I find a good artist who won't break the bank to work on my book?" You Need a Good IllustratorThe beauty of a picture book is the interplay between the words and pictures go together. The story shouldn't just be told through words or pictures. The other person should tell the whole story. So, getting an illustrator is a bit like getting married. Your illustrator will always be the other half of your story. Most of the time, you, not the illustrator, will be standing behind your book, and you don't want to stand behind something that would make you be embarrassed about. Don't settle when you're looking for the right your illustrator. You'll be so grateful you didn't. How Much Does an Illustrator Cost? If you know where to look and how to find a good illustrator, you can expect to pay at least $500 for one. The formatting and cover design have sometimes been part of that $500. People are often shocked by this, and they should be. It's a low and fair price for people who are just starting out and want to work with a new artist who wants to gain experience and get paid for their work. I'll explain how it works and how I pay the illustrator in other ways below. It takes a lot of work to illustrate a book. The artist brings their years of experience, skill, and creativity to a story they didn't write, hoping to please the author and show their own "voice" in the story. You are very lucky to find a good illustrator who charges a low fee. How to Find an Illustrator in the Self-Publishing WorldIllustrators are independent contractors who do work for the author in the self-publishing industry. When a person is chosen to be an illustrator, they are usually paid a flat rate. Most of the time, royalty payments are not part of the deal, but sometimes they are. At the moment, Print on Demand platforms like KDP and IngramSpark don't allow for split-royalties. This means that if you want to give royalties to an illustrator, they need to keep good financial records and keep their promise to the illustrator. Because of this, most writers and artists just agree on a flat rate. Different illustrators will charge you different amounts. Find an illustrator who has a lot of experience and has been published. The more experienced, published, and skilled an illustrator is, the more they will charge for their work. I've seen illustrators of this level charge anywhere from $3,000 to $12,000, for example. Also, if an illustrator is just starting out or has only had one or two books published, they will probably cost less. Geography can also affect prices. If you pay an illustrator in US dollars and they live in Eastern Europe instead of North America, your money will go a lot further for them. Using a site like Upwork.com to post a job is great way to do it. In your posting, include all the important information, such as the number of pages, the time frame, a summary of the book, and what I'm looking you're for in an illustrator. Also set your budget. Upwork Lets' them come to youThis is how you find illustrators without searching. Having someone find your posting is a more effective method to start a dialogue because you're attracting someone who agrees with the price and requirements. Sort through illustrator applications. Illustrators can bid above or below the budget amount depending on my ad. And you hire a talented illustrator within my budget. Simple. Having worked in the industry for a while and having many illustrator friends, I know that $500 is not much for a newbie illustrator wanting to build a portfolio. I know how hard it is to sell a children's book and how long it will take to "pay off" your illustrator. Other Ways to find an illustratorHere are some other really good sources to find illustrators for your next children's book
And that's all for today! Come back tommorrow for Part 2 for advice what to do to ensure that your work with you new illustrator goes smoothly!
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Using Instagram as an AuthorInstagram has a huge reader and writer community, so it's vital to target the correct people. If not, no one may see your posts. If you're not on Instagram, you may wonder how a writer can use this visual medium. Also, as an author, you probably prefer words than images of snapping photos! As an Instagram author, you can upload all kinds of photographs with 2200 characters per caption. Share book images, mockups (or hire a designer to help), moodboards, and selfies to interest your audience. Here are some of the most common mistakes I've seen authors make on Instagram so you avoid them Not knowing your Ideal ReaderKnow your audience. For your book and marketing activities. Knowing your audience means you can develop material they want, as I explain in this 2020 post. The same goes for social media and websites. Also Instagram. #funnyromancenovel isn't appropriate for a fantasy book. Your post will likely confuse readers who are scrolling that hashtag. While this mistake won't hurt sales, it also won't help you sell more either. Not Using HashtagsHashtags are searchable keywords for your posts. Hashtags help you increase your visibility and followers. How about hashtags? Your book and readers come first. For a fantasy novel, use #fantasynovel or #YAfantasy. Search Instagram using your hashtags. Instagram will propose comparable hashtags based on popularity. You can have up to 30, so combine popular hashtags with lesser posts. You can use Also keep in mind that the most popular hashtags are harder to rank for if your account is small or new. Writing for WritersWhat does this look like? Here are some examples: 1) Focusing on writing "how-to-write" content. When you do this youra uthor account becomes writing tips account. 2) Yes, you need hashtags to get your posts noticed but pick relevant ones. Using "#writer #author #writingtips" will attract more writers. Readers want genre-specific hashtags, not "writers". Not that you can't ever share writing tips. But if you focus on writing tips and don't really talk about your own writing, you risk losing readers. Not RespondingInstagram is two-way street. People will comment on your posts and/or send you DMs. If you want to maximize your reach always reply. Even if someone says, "I love your book," be sure to reply with thank them. People like to be seen and heard. If you enjoy a comment but don't know how to respond, 'liking' it is better than ignoring it. Show your audience you appreciate them. As your account grows, you won't have time to respond to every comment or DM. OK. Remember: I t's a social media platform, so you have to be "social" and interact with people. Only Talking About Your BookNot every post should promote your book. Instead, make stuff that showcases your personality and books. A picture of your pet can make your readers smile. And glimpses into your daily life can help humanize you and make you feel more relatable to your audience. Other things that you can share are you hobbies, your childhood, facts about family, your favorite foods, etcetera. A good ratio is for every 6 to 7 posts about your work or literature, post one person item. In Conclusion...Instagram is popular. You can connect with your ideal audience quickly due to the large reader and writer community.
To expand your author Instagram, communicate with others and be real. A few minutes a day is a low-cost approach to expand your following and promote your books. So now that you know what not to do, tomorrow I've got a special post to show what you should be doing to find more readers and sell more of your books!
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Character BackstoryEach of your fictional characters needs a backstory, just like we all do. Elaborate on the pasts of each of your characters and give them depth. Your character's past will help you understand what makes them tick and will influence their decisions in the novel, even though most of it won't appear on the page. Use Concrete Examples to Convey a Character's Personality.Create a personality for your primary and secondary characters based on aspects of real people in order to develop credible characters. This will help you develop a multi-faceted, round character with recognizable personality traits and idiosyncrasies. Describe your Character's PhysicallyCreate a personality for your primary and secondary characters based on aspects of real people in order to develop credible characters. This will help you develop a multi-faceted, round character with recognizable personality traits and idiosyncrasies. Create Supporting Characters.Make characters that directly contrast with others. A foil, such as Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter series, can shed light on the main character's characteristics, assets, or weaknesses. Contrast a static character with a flatter character doesn't change whose arc doesn't change much with a dynamic character that evolves throughout the narrative. ConclusionThese are some great tips that I've noticed that very talent fiction authors that I've worked have done well in their stories.
If you're looking for a proofread or a copyedit, apply for a free sample by clicking ➡️ Free Proofreading/Copyediting Sample!
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In a good story, the author gives the characters goals, challenges, and conflict. Writers make characters sympathetic to engage readers. Character development is a common literary term, but it's a vital part of fiction writing and a creating a compelling narrative arc. Why Is Character Development Important?Character development gives a character individuality, complexity, and depth that drives your story. Character development is how a character changes over time. Three-dimensional characters are believable and realistic. Each has a relatable appearance, personality, and biography. Motivations drive a character's actions and decisions, generating the story's arc. Here are four tips to help you: Character MotivationConsider Harry Potter, who was driven to seek revenge on Lord Voldemort for the deaths of his parents. The best fictional characters have a strong internal motivation for doing what they do. This helps develop compelling protagonists and antagonists and establishes a narrative arc. One of the first things to figure out in a novel is what motivates the protagonist, as that's what the rest of the plot will revolve around. Pick the VoiceHow will the story be told? First person point of view lets a character, usually the main character, tell the story using "I" and "me." A voice from outside the action is a third-person point of view. How a character's information is revealed over the course of the story depends on the point of view of the narrator. Reveal Character's SlowlyAvoid giving away too much about a character when you first introduce them. As you narrate the story, reveal details little by little, just like how people get to know one another gradually over time in real life. ConclusionWe just covered a lot of ground today! Stayed tune because tomorrow, I'll have 4 more tips for you!
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8 Tips to Write a Horror Novel11/14/2022 Horror is supposed to scare, surprise, shock, and repulse audiences. Horror novels, films, and TV shows use horrific pictures, themes, and situations to create dread in the reader.
Horror is about story, characters, mood, and atmosphere. Horror stories explore the unknown to shock and frighten. Whether it's your first time writing horror or you're attempting to improve, keep these tips in mind: 1. Draw from real-life experiences: Recall things that scared you as a kid or make things you love and a spooky twist. (Stephen King loves this.) 2. Start with the title: Most writers start with an idea and then choose a title. Do the opposite. Titles help generate story ideas quickly. 3. First write the ending: Once you start writing, it's easy to trick people from the beginning of the story and subvert their expectations from the ending. 4. Hook the reader immediately: Start with a startling or shocking first chapter to establish the who, what, when, and where. Early introduction of crucial plot points allows your plot to unfold. 5. Use cliffhangers: Pique the reader's curiosity in future events to keep them reading. 6. Add twists: Keeping a reader interested through a story's middle is difficult. A twist helps. 7. Throw a red herring or misleading lead. Intentionally mislead the reader to prevent prediction. 8. Take inspiration: Reading other authors' stories can give you ideas. Horror films and novels can help your writing. Study a horror writer's work. How do they handle twists and cliffhangers? How do they build tension?
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Amazon lets you launch a Free Book Promotion on a KDP Select title. Amazon limits free book listings. You can make any KDP Select book free for up to 5 days every 90-day membership period. You can utilize all 5 days at once or one day at a time over 90 days. You can't run a KDP promo on the first day of your enrollment date. Here is how you set up a free promotion: 1. Click the ellipsis button ("...") next to any KDP Select title in your Bookshelf. 2. Select "KDP Info". 3. Select "Free Book Promotion" under "Price Promotion." (Default is "Kindle Countdown Deal"). 4. Click "New Free Book Promotion." 5. Enter start/end dates and click "Save" Avoid ending on KDP Select's last day. If your book is in KDP Select and you want to run a $0.99-$2.99 promotion, you can also run a Kindle Countdown Deal. Select "Kindle Countdown Deal" from the drop down and choose dates. Countdown deals provide several benefits, including: 1. If your book is regularly priced above $2, you keep 70% of the royalties. 2. Amazon promotes Kindle Countdown discounts on dedicated and daily deal pages. And that's it! Come back tomorrow part two and find out how to to enroll your book in free promotion if you book is not enrolled in Amazon KDP Select!
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Free days and promotions can cause the algorithm to put your book in front of more people.
The people who wait for free promotions and only get free books are never going to buy your book so you're not truly losing any money on them. Any publicity is good publicity and giving your book a quick boost in amazon's algorithm will potentially putting it in front of more eyes. But if it's taking advantage of their desire to have something free to get your book in front of people who will pay or leave reviews some people feel like it's worth it. It's just one tool in the marketing box. Generally people who hunt down free books are not the same folks who regularly buy books. Hopefully a few of those eyes that land on your book will want to buy it. |
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