Friday, February 6, 2009

What I'm Reading...

Last Saturday on Plotmonkeys guest blogger, Cathie Linz, touched on the subject of dealing with fear and writing. She listed seveal books she'd found helpful and one of those she listed was "Fear of Writing." (sorry I don't have a good picture of the cover that I can show you)

I checked out the website and, being fond of instant gratification, was thrilled to find I could get it as an e-book.

I strongly recommend everyone read Saturday's Plotmonkey blog and also check out fearofwriting.com (if fear is something that holds you back).

Hope it's a great weekend for everyone!!
Peace and Love,
Alannah

10 comments:

Silver James said...

It's not the fear of writing that gets me, Alannah. It's fear of writing query letters and synopsizes. Excerpts. Bio. Cover blurb. I can write the story. I can edit and revise. But marketing? I sooooo totally suck at that!

Unknown said...

Hey Penny,

LOL...it would be great if we could swap off some of our fears. In a past life I worked in advertising, so that part doesn't scare me. Unfortunately, I don't have the time to devote to it, like I should, but that doesn't freak me out. Check out this Yahoo group: groups.yahoo.com/group/MarketingForRomanceWriters

You're not allowed to post any promotional material for your book there, but it's filled with tons of great information and ideas on marketing.

As for my fear of writing, it's always been there but I received a really bad review for RT, and I let it mess with my head. Now, I sit down to write and I just freeze up.

I've actually corresponded with Milli, the author of "Fear of Writing," over the past couple of days and she's given me some great advice on moving past that fear and getting over that bad review.

Another thought...my ADD is showing itself today...Do you belong to RWA or any of it's chapters? Through RWA online and Passionate Ink (the erotic romance chapter) I've learned a lot of marketing tips and tricks as well.

Hope it's a great weekend for you!

Prairie Chicks Write Romance said...

It was a great article over at Plot Monkeys - and now, I'm going to have to check out the Fear of Writing site.

Penny - have you checked out Shrinking Violets blog? http://shrinkingvioletpromotions.blogspot.com/
They have some great marketing strategies for introverts - CJ Lyons guest blog on website/branding is fabulous!

My fear - that I'll be still querying years from now and have nothing to show for it but a pile of manuscripts and blunt fingers :)

Janet

Unknown said...

Hey Janet! Thanks for the additional website, I'll check that out to.

I haven't read your work, but I've seen your talent when it comes to writing purple and I've gotta believe you're going to sell soon!!

Unknown said...

Also, go to www.monicaburns.com and look under the "for writers" tab. In the "business of writing" section she has a "simple marketing plan" and a "detailed marketing plan."

I haven't read through them, I actually just found them by accident while looking at something else on her page. But Monica always has great and valuable advice so I'll be going back and reading them thoroughly.

Silver James said...

Alannah - yes. I belong to RWA and the local chapter both. I just sent in my paperwork for PRO status. I'll check out all those sites. Part of my "despair" at the moment is no release date. There's a lot I'd like to do but can't with no firm "commodity" to sell at the moment. I'm getting my name out there for the recognition factor. It's a tough call. You can write or you can promote. Or you can try to do both and hope for the best.

And if *Penny* disappears eventually, it'll be because I finally got the blogger profile set to Silver. :)

Oh, speaking of ADD. *Oooh. Shinies* Uhm...OH! I've got Wendy Burt Thomas's book "Guide to Query Letters" coming, too.

As for bad reviews? *cringe* Yeah. That would do it. I'm trying really hard to develop thick skin.

Unknown said...

Woo-hooo...it sure didn't take "Penny" long to disappear. I remember being in the same position, as far as waiting for a release date. Several wonderful people had offered to let me guest blog but I couldn't set any of that up until I had a release date. It was very frustrating, but at least you have a game plan for when you do get the release date.

I don't know how certain authors (Monica Burns, Marly Mathews come to mind) have time to write and promote themselves so well. They do an absolutely amazing job in the area of promotion and still write great books. And a lot of them.

Hopefully, someday soon, I'll get the hang of doing both. But for right now I'm concentrating on the writing and doing a minimal amount of marketing. I figure all the promotion in the world won't do a bit of good if I have a crappy book.

Janet said...

Silver - just came from your blog (I've bookmarked it and will go back and catch up on the fabulous articles). But, I have to ask - are you the Silver James over at Casablanca sharing your Mile High story? Wow! And scotch! Double wow. I am impressed.

Janet

Unknown said...

ROTFL...Janet, I'd bet the farm it's the one and only Silver James sharing her mile-high story. After some of the other stories she's shared, I have no doubt it's "our" Silver/Penny!

Silver, I swear, you've had more experiences in your life than most have in 10 lifetimes. Thanks for sharing them so we can all live vicariously through you!!

I'm off to see if I can find the story now.....

Silver James said...

ROFLMAO. Guilty! Alannah, girl...I'm older than dirt. And I grew up in the 60s and 70s. I burned my bra and danced Disco, for god's sake.

I wish I could claim I have multiple personalities. Or the devil made me do it. Or...well...I'll just plead the fifth like I originally tried to do on Casablanca.

Janet, welcome to my little corner of the blogosphere. Make yourself at home over on Penumbra. The more the merrier!