Novel Marketing - Frankly, My Dear . . .

That One Time I Remembered I’m a Writer

Mar 15, 2018 | 14 comments

Funerals and planes.

Yeaaahhhhh. We’re back to this again. But hold on! It’s a good thing. Honest! You know how sometimes the planets align or the flaming arrow flies through the rings or [okay, insert your own #itsasign metaphor here]? Well, that’s been happening.

First, it was about what was inside of me bubbling up, or as Caleb (affectionately known as John-Boy) and I like to toast with our sparkling ciders, “Effervesce, baby!”

But this week, it’s been about the arrows pointing at me. Not like painful arrows, although yeah. There’s been a few of those and I really wouldn’t mind if they shifted direction any second now. No, I mean the “Here’s Your Sign!” arrows. The “OMG! Would you puh-leease wake up and pay attention!” arrows. Yeah. Those arrows.

Frankly, My Dear . . . : That One Time I Remembered I’m a Writer

This week, I’ve been bombarded with an abundance of encouragement from those who mean most to me. Okay, yes, I kind of begged for it from a few of you. I’m sorry I whined and acted a little, uhm, young. [Don’t ask. You know who you are. Just move on.]

But there was a great portion of my peeps who just stepped up on their own. And these words came out of their mouths. Things like, “When are you gonna publish?” “How’s the writing going?” “What’s happening with NOLA?” So, like a reed when the wind stops, I snapped to attention. Yup. That’s right. This Girl has decided to write no matter what.

And ~ wait for it ~ the winds are pushing me to self publish.

I know. I know. That’s not really a surprise. I mean, I talk about it often enough. I created New Inklings Press for such a purpose. But still. There was this pull to get a traditional book deal. And a few days ago, the winds shifted [Again with the winds? Hey, I am the Bohemian Hurricane, so, yes.] and it became very apparent to my Swarm that self publishing is where I’m headed.

Imagine, in just a few months NOLA could be a real thing.

#nopressure, right? Riiiight.

So. I’m sitting here listening to Bread sing “Make It With You”, reworking NOLA, and believing that through the heartache of feeling, shall we say in our most dramatic Southern writer charm, abandoned, there really is a purpose behind everything. Even the painful moments. Ah, now the playlist has shifted to Hunter Hayes’ “Storm Warning.” [Y’all gotta watch his video here: Hunter Hayes’ Storm Warning.] [Thanks, Lindsay!]

Oh, but wait! There’s more!

So, today my friend Jim Rubart and his partner Thomas Umstattd of Novel Marketing had a Facebook Live Event to promote their new Patreon subscription service. Hullo! For what Jim says is the price of a coffee, y’all can join and get ah-mazing perks like freebies and discounts and access and such. What do they teach? Oh, just a little bit of marketing skills for indie writers. Huh. Imagine that. [Jim says give up one coffee a month. I told him that’s sacrilege. I’ll give up a fast food meal instead.]

Yeah. Totally. #itsasign.

Frankly, My Dear . . . : Be Your Own Hero

So, This Girl pulled on her Big Girl Boots that were made for walking, and walked all the way to her laptop and finished rewriting Chapter One. Which is now Chapters 1-4.

And since y’all have been so patient with me (and because, let’s be honest, I need to amp up my marketing game), I’m gifting you the rewrite of NOLA, Chapter One. Just click on the link to get your PDF and start reading.

Your reader self will thank you for it.

With some keys to tap and shoes to fill,
Happy NOLA-ing.
~Molly Jo

And Frankly, My Dear . . . : That’s all she wrote!

Sweeten my tea and share:

Five Things Friday: Instead of a Writers Conference

Sep 1, 2017 | 2 comments

by Molly Jo Realy @RealMojo68

Frankly, My Dear . . . : Five Things Friday

True story. I’m on the phone with SuperGirl ~ our weekly two-hour catch-up call ~ and she says . . . Wait for it. Get this.

She says, “I don’t know if I’m going to Blue Ridge next year.”

MoJoWriterGirlsays “Say, whhaaat?!”

Of course, Blue Ridge isn’t Blue Ridge without my posse. And I’m super happy because during the interview for my now-you-know-about-it new career, I told them straight up, I need a week in May. I’m already committed to being out of state. They nodded. They approved.

So. Girlfriend. If I’m going, you’re going. You got that?

However, I understand that sometimes, as you so patiently pointed out, conferences may be out of reach financially. What’s a writer to do? I’m so glad you asked . . .

Frankly, My Dear . . . : Instead of a Writers Conference

For you, and for so many others, here are five ways y’all can grow your writing skills if you can’t attend a conference.

Online podcasts. Oh, please. Like y’all didn’t see this one coming. In particular, I’m fond of Aaron Gansky’s Firsts in Fiction (and I don’t even get paid to say so!). Another good choice is Novel Marketing with Thomas Umstattd and James L. Rubart. You can Google whatever keywords you’re looking for and “podcast” and a plethora of choices pop up. Try audio only so you can listen in your car, or video so you don’t miss our pretty faces. Just sayin.
Firsts in Fiction cohosts and their photobombing producer
Local writers club. These are great places to meet like-minded people. Let’s face it: When you’re a writer, the only time you fit in is with other creatives. Why wouldn’t you want to join the club? You can trade tips and tricks, hire guest speakers, and reach into the community for sales and marketing. If there isn’t a local club where you’re at, or one that suits your style, create your own.
Frankly, My Dear . . . Make Your Own Meeting
Critique groups are another great source of feedback. Members commit to share their writing in progress and give honest opinions. Think of it as your pre-edit edit. While you’re writing your novel, your team can tell you what works and what doesn’t, which characters need more development, and what scenes are spot on. They can help you hone your first draft into a fine, and sometimes final, draft.
Frankly, My Dear . . . : Critique Groups draw out the best in your manuscript.
Learn online. You can find answers to almost everything online. From blogs on how to write better (The Write Conversation) to writing seminars to college courses and everything in between. And, bonus, you can do it any time, and in your PJs. How’s that for sweet in your tea?
Frankly, My Dear . . . : Learn Online.
Magazines. For realz. What’s a writer without stacks of papers around her? [Note to self: Clear the sofa before next week’s dinner party.] Magazines can be everything from the craft of writing to a collection of stories in your genre to generic use as tear sheets to put in your story bible for reference. You can almost hear it, can’t you? Okay, I’m gonna say it. “There’s no wrong way to use a magazine.”
Frankly, My Dear . . . : Learn through magazines.