Writer's Market 2016 - The Ultimate Guide to Publication!

Photo credit: http://www.writersdigestshop.com/

Hi peeps! Yesterday, I bought my first Writer's Market, deluxe edition! I am super excited for the amazing information within its pages. I intend to read it front to back and take in all the great resources and advice I can find. Anyone serious about publishing their work, be it articles for trade magazines, poetry, children's books, graphic novels, short story anthologies, nonfiction and fiction works alike, the Writer's Market has it all! There is even a nifty section with fresh listings on contests and awards of which you can enter.

The book begins with a letter from the editor, Robert Lee Brewer, and some very interesting and useful guidelines on how to properly use the Writer's Market. I suggest reading this before diving in. After that, you can thumb through at your leisure and see what catches your fancy, from literary agents looking for new talent to publishers who accept unsolicited manuscripts. I must say I have sold myself short over the years not looking into this golden gem sooner. 

The 2016 Writer's Market is in stores now at fine retailers like Barnes and Noble where I picked mine up. It can be pre-ordered for possibly less online as well (but beware of those tacked on shipping fees). With tax it ran me about $53 but the investment was well worth it. I intend on using every available resource this puppy has to offer. With this year's edition, you also get access for a whole year to their frequently updated database at writersmarket.com. You might also want to check out the Writer's Market Guide to Getting Published which serves as an additional companion to the official Writer's Market.

I am very much looking forward to sharing some exciting new news with you soon as I embark on my journey to publication!

Till next time. 

LOL...How Funny are You?

Today, I want to talk about a particularly funny topic: humorous writing. Yes, it’s a thing and yes, it deserves all the respect of other types of professions. After all, who can’t use a good laugh from time to time? In fact, some of the most unforgettable ads and forms are copy are the ones that make us double over with delirious laughter. So the burning question is: how does one achieve it and is it something you can do?

It sure is! (Those with only “how did the chicken cross the road” jokes need not apply.) The key to truly maintaining success when writing a humorous piece is originality. If you don’t have that, well… [insert cricket sound here]. You get the point. So if you are concerned about it and want to add some LOLs or at the very least smiles to your copy, read on to see how it’s done.

I should just point out right now that I come from a long line of goofballs, therefore it’s kind of in my genes to be a goof. If you don’t score so high on the laugh-o-meter, not to worry! Humor comes in many forms, my friend.

Sarcasm

The dark comedy of the written language can often be attributed to some perfectly placed sarcasm. The beauty of sarcasm is you don’t have to throw buckets of it at your audience. A sliver of sarcasm here, a helping of irony there, a hint at mockery elsewhere and voila! You have yourself copy that’s been nicely spiced up with edge and yes even a laugh or two.

Puns

Word play at its finest is best found in a pun that leaves your audience still thinking about it long after they've read it. Suggesting two or more meanings, by spring boarding off words with multiple meanings is a common way to add in a good pun. Alliteration is sometimes added with a good pun as well, often for extra humor. The best thing about a pun is it can quickly spice up your copy and generate a good laugh almost immediately. Not to mention they are often downright clever and often very much appreciated.

Slapstick

Cheap shots and SNL style skit references are fair game here. This style of humor works best in story mode copy. Telling a tale that’s worth a few extra laughs? Slap-stick is excellent for this and it’s easier to achieve than you may think. The best thing about slap-stick is there really is no right or wrong. Bumbling foolishness and epic fails are all a part of life, right?

Niche

Downright quirky and completely niche humor is not an easy thing to accomplish, I won’t lie. A few years back, I covered a travel column piece on the summer festivities at Disney World. It just so happened Epcot had a summer Flower Garden festival occurring during the Star Wars weekends. If you are catering to a group of Star-Wars enthusiasts who also happen to love gardening, you better come up with more than just a blip about greenery and "may the force be with you." Let’s just say creativity knows no bounds with niche-based humor. By the time I was done Darth Vader and flowers sounded like a rosy pair—puns very much intended! It was challenging but rewarding. The best thing about niche humor is that it is literally one of a kind, so you have more freedom to think outside the box and have fun with it.

How Long is Too Long to be Working on Your Novel?

You're writing a novel. You've had the idea for some time now, maybe even let it stew for a little while before finally putting pen to paper. But now that you've started, it's taking you far longer than you planned. Does this sound like you? If so, you are not alone. At some point, I'm sure we've all wondered how long it should take a writer to finish a novel. I have heard that on average, the typical first time novelist takes anywhere from 2-5 years to complete a full length book. Of course there's going to be some give or take here.

So how long is too long?

I have been asked in the past how long it takes to write a novel and while I am a writer I cannot answer that fairly yet because I am still working on my first novel! A brief bit about my own experience...my story idea came to me in 2002. I worked on it part-time for 3 years, stopped completely for 3 more years and then picked it back up for another year, only to change the entire concept.

Fast forward 4 more years and a college degree later, my writing style had changed so much, I decided to start the entire project over. Today, I'm 3/4 of the way done and steadily moving. If you count the restart, I'd say I'm right around the 2 year mark. Will this be typical? I hope not! Did this help you in anyway to better understand your own writing timeline? Doubtful! This goes to show that everyone's pace is different. While there really is no definitive timeframe out there for completing a novel, fortunately there are ways to keep yourself moving at all times, instead of wondering why you are stuck in second gear!

Choose a Target Size for Your Novel

Many of us may not know how long our novel is going to be but the sooner you get an idea of it, the easier it will be to realistically pace yourself! In my case I knew my story was going to be epically long. Knowing this early on has helped me get a better handle on what to expect.

Novels typically range from between 50,000 and 100,000 words, dependent upon a whole plethora of variables (like genre, typesetting, book type, etc.). For mass-market paperbacks, 50,000 words will land you at about 200 pages, while 75,000 words are at about 300 pages. And we've all seen those massive door-stopper books that double as lovely paperweights. :)

Stay Focused

It sounds like a no-brainer but let me tell you, it is anything but! There are too many other elements in life that want to get in the way and destroy your pacing plan! Online, there are a dime a dozen of "quick writing courses" and "draft helper" tools designed to get you writing your full length novel in as little as 30 days. I say don't worry so much about being prolific to start--worry about writing, period.

Pace Yourself...Realistically

Only YOU know what will work best for you and the only way to discover this is to pace yourself realistically. If you are busy and can only drill out work for 30 minutes a day, do it. Work on it every day and devote a space of time only for your writing. Make it a habit and stick to it. Do what works and is attainable. Nothing will stop you quicker than setting a goal that you cannot keep up with.

Understand that "Prep and Pause" is Okay!

Writing a book entails a lot and there is far more to it than just writing the words! What about brainstorming, plot development and planning, character fleshing, and downright research? All that takes time and you know what? It's totally okay. I like to call these things "prep and pause" moments: Moments when I STOP writing and focus on what makes the writing work in the first place. These things are important and should be given time just like your actual writing. (And don't get me started on editing).

Even if you are staring at the wall, thinking about how to best kill off that final main villain, you are working. It's part of your creative process and it should not be cut out or rushed along. Prized bestselling author of The Hunger Games novels, Suzanne Collins once said: "Some days all I do is stare at the wall. That can be productive, too, if you’re working out character and plot problems."

The Takeaway

Whether you write 10 minutes a day or 8 hours a day, write slow and steadily or fast and furiously, keep chipping away at it. Keep moving and stay mindful of your progress. Eventually, you will have perfectly sculptured masterpiece you so desire.

Contract Writing vs. Freelance Writing

So, I'm doing a lot more freelance writing these days than contract writing and while both things are writing jobs, it seems that a lot of folks might not realize the difference between the two. The thing about writing is that it is quite a versatile beast. Dependent upon what you write about and how often you desire to write, one is likely to work better for you than the other.

So what is the difference? While either type can be full-time or part-time work, the real difference is in where you work and for how long.

Contract Writing

Typically, contract writing is when you work with a company but you are not a part of their formal staff. Oftentimes, you might work physically within their office as an independent contractor (1099) and you may be paid on an hourly basis or salaried. These jobs are often for a specified length of time (3-month, 6-month, and 1-year are common ones) and it is often project-driven. If you finish the project within a specified time, your contract may end. If not, it may be extended. Hours may or may not be flexible and the pay is often higher because it is a contract position.

A few years back, I took a contract writing position for a large law full-service law firm and my workload was solely project-driven within a 6-month period. I also received an extension. When the work was completed, my contract ended. Contract positions are a great way to build your portfolio while gaining valuable in-house work experience.

Freelance Writing

For freelancers, the location of the job is the biggest difference. Just like contract writing, you are considered an independent contractor (1099) and you work for yourself, but oftentimes you will provide your writing services under more flexible terms. These jobs may be paid hourly but are more often paid by the project. Work may be for a specified length of time but a project with proposed deadlines is more common. Projects may be large or small.

Unlike most contract work, your services as a freelance writer may be utilized by a client over a longer period of time. Dependent on the relationship you build with your client(s), you may work on a variety of projects and with a variety of folks--be them companies, media liaisons, marketing firms, ad agencies, creative departments, etc.

Freelancers not only tend to work on their own terms, they also often work on their own turf, which means you are likely working right from home or remotely. In the last year, I have taken on several freelance gigs and enjoyed the freedom of managing my own schedule and working with a variety of great folks (lovely clients). With this freedom however, comes the responsibility of needing to stay proactive and focused. Freelance work is a great way to build your portfolio, network with others and build strong references for future work!

The Bottom Line

Yes, there is a difference! Writing come in many sizes, shapes and forms! Now it's up to you to distinguish and conquer! No matter what path you take in your writing career, know that there are endless opportunities out there. Make sure you explore several avenues, try things out, be open minded, and find what works best for you. Nothing is more rewarding than discovering what you love and do best, then going out and doing just that!

Are Job Bidding Sites Really Worth It?

Freelance writers want to make money. We want that next big assignment, awesome client or well-paying gig. It's what we do! So you may have heard of bidding sites like Upwork (formerly Elance), Odesk, and other online freelance marketplaces. All of these sound like great resources, but is it really the best path?

As a freelance writer, I've done a lot and learned a lot over the years. From content mills, to independent service want ads, outsourcing, contract agreements, freelance gigs, copywriting work, and bidding, it seems I've done it all. Bid sites were particularly sticky for me. For writers who want to build a solid portfolio, further their career, and make serious money, I would not recommend it.

What are Job Bidding Sites?

If you step back and take a closer look, you'll notice that firms like media companies, ad agencies, and in-house agencies are not particularly posting jobs on these sites. Most of the folks on there are typically looking for the best copywriter at the cheapest rate. Add the fact that other writers are on there competing for that job and it's a recipe for disaster. 

Oftentimes, you have to lower your rates just to beat the next guy. Even then you may not even get the bid! Plus you've spent valuable time proposing your services to a job you may or may not get. Also, let us not forget that many of these sites may charge a "quote fee"  or "transaction fee" if you do get the job. Elance charges over 8% of your agreed upon fee payment.

Now What?

In my opinion it is best to market and promote yourself directly to prospective clients who are looking for quality copy, and are willing to pay you what it is worth. You don't want to market yourself to someone who is looking to get cheap copy for a cheap price. Now, not all clients on these sites may be doing this, but many people want that "best deal" and unfortunately that means other standards may have to be lowered, including how much money YOU make!

5 Types of Writers. Which are You?

It's one thing to tell a person that you are a writer. But what about the kind of writer you are? I decided to do a little digging around and see what types of writers I could find out there. I've come up with the following five categories below. Most of the writers I came across seemed to fit into one of these categories or a combination of two or more. Here's a fun list of what I found out:

Type #1: The Literary Devotee:

This type of writer is the closest thing to a "born writer," leaving their mark as the most quintessential of writers. These folks tend to be very creative and imaginative, blending art and literature into one. These types of writers tend to primarily gravitate toward fiction writing. They are able to build worlds in their mind and an uncanny talent to breathe life into their characters with relative ease. They often work alone and are very possessive of their work. 

Type #2: The Entrepreneur:

This type of writer is extremely business minded. In fact, they view writing, all the way down to the physical act, as a necessary means to a greater end. These individuals tend to be very driven and straightforward, and analytical, often gravitating toward PR or Marketing with their savvy communication know-how. They also tend to be good critics and may be more prolific then their Literary Devotee counterpart. They are easily fascinated and have an innate desire to achieve. Writing is seen as a useful tool in the creation of projects--which Entrepreneurs do very well.

Type #3: The Eccentric:

These types of writers tend to be solitary and produce that more cutting edge, outside-the-box type works. They tend to be deep thinkers and have a unique and often memorable style that sets them apart from others and they tend to make a significant impact on others with their writing. These individuals tend to gravitate toward and epic stories, memoirs, or poetry, sharing their profound insights that challenge and stimulate readers.

Type #4: The Avenger:

Messages for the masses and delivering the truth to the people—that is the main objective of the avenger. Whether its an advocacy campaign, a call to action or an exposé, these writers are reporters of the trade. They tend to be opinionated and passionate, yet concise. These types of writes tend to gravitate toward journalism and newsworthy content. They thrive on energy and are often driven to share their reach out to people.

Type #5: The Optimist:

This type of writer is the one who has the gift of gab. They can word things just right and have a sort of "writing charisma" about them. These types of writers tend to gravitate toward non-fiction, educational content, or inspirational pieces designed to engage the reader. Their ability to pursue an audience is similar to the Entrepreneur and their message resonates well with the masses. These writers make great public speakers, social net-workers or life coaches.

Most days, I would consider myself a Literary Devotee because I am very creative and imaginative. Other days I feel more like an Eccentric, seeking to share my wisdom with others in an ekphrastic way. With writing, there are definitely plenty of avenues to travel down!

Which road(s) are yours?

What's in a Character... or Not?

This morning during my "writing devotional" time (where I hop online and read new serials or web publications from up and coming authors), I found myself experiencing a strange happening. I read two different short stories, which were very different in terms of story line but very much the same in terms of something else: the characters.

I love reading the works of new authors or forthcoming writers like myself. I draw motivation, ideas and a sense of comradery from each piece. The experience is quite different for me, compared to when I read the works of the more seasoned or well known authors (which I very much love too). With these earlier pieces, I get to see rough drafts, early prints and raw ideas as they slowly come to life.

Among these up and comers, I noticed the characters were missing a proper introduction or didn't have one at all. It was interesting to see this happen back to back in both pieces. It was also enough to get me thinking. During my days as an editor for my university's literary magazine, I critiqued and evaluated endless piles of submitted works.  And when I say I saw it all, I mean I saw it all.

I'm talking about "what not to do" when describing or introducing your character and then "what NEVER to do" when describing or introducing your character. So I've decided to give my two sense on the best ways to breathe life into your characters so your readers can truly appreciate all that Captain Joe or Stealthy Sam the Assassin or Judy Blue the Housewife has to offer. No matter who your characters are, these tips are worth it. ;)

Understand Why Description is Important

The written word is a chance to share your greatest insights and personal knowledge with your reader. Doing so with a strong visual is necessary for the most effective and memorable experience. Unfortunately, so many times I see an excellent opportunity to engage with the reader through description either overlooked or squandered by the writer! On TV, viewers get the benefit of visuals abound but in the written world, the reader depends on the author to deliver strong visualization. Without it, it is nearly impossible to become immersed in a scene or interested in a character.

Describe With Creativity

As writers, we probably have a vivid picture of our characters in our minds. However, just because we do doesn't mean our readers will share in that same vision. We have to DESCRIBE it to them. It seems like a no-brainer but this brings me to the next point. HOW you describe a character is crucial as well. It's not as simple as:

She was 5'8" tall, with long curly red hair and brown eyes and she was very mean.
(This was an actual example of something I reviewed.)

Instead go for a more creative and unique description such as:

She was all legs, some would even say lanky. She watched them, her chestnut brown eyes and auburn curls blending in among the crowd. Her agenda was a dark one.

I'm telling you about the character, describing her and keeping momentum in the scene all at once. You don't have to do all these simultaneously, but this is a great way to say a lot in a short space, without boring your reader.

Go with More but Not too Much

Dependent upon the story, you may want to add more or less description. As above you may want to intertwine it with the story line (which I find best as opposed to stand-alone descriptions). I like to slip descriptions in almost without the reader noticing if possible. As a rule of thumb, I would say it is best to inform your readers with enough description to make the character memorable, yet not too much that the reader is overwhelmed with too many details about the character.

When do I Describe My Character?

When can be as important as what. In the first piece I read this morning, I didn't get a description of the main character until the story was half finished. By then I didn't care anymore. On the second piece, I never got one at all! It was just a young girl and nothing more!  Readers are savvy creatures, so it is important to describe the character sooner than later before they draw false opinions of their own or loose interest altogether.

Character descriptions are fun but they can be tricky if you aren't sure where you want to go with it. Before writing, I always flesh out my characters in advance. Try creating a "character profile" with pertinent tidbits about them. A more in depth option is to create a "character questionnaire" where you get to know your character more intimately as though you were interviewing them! You'd be surprised what you may learn!

Are You a Night Owl or an Early Bird? What's Your Writing Preference?

Do you prefer to write early in the morning/day or later in the evening? In the past, this question has come up a lot. I  find it really interesting how some folks tend to work early while others prefer the night life. Everyone is different as to when they prefer to write and why. I couldn't help but wonder what caused this.

So my question of the day is this: why do some of us gravitate toward the grand sunrise hours to tap into our creative muse while others prefer to howl at the moon while they pen their great works of art? Read on and see what I've discovered.

It turns out that your sleep patterns are actually genetically predetermined! So if you have family members before you who were early risers or late nighters, you could be taking after them. As we know, most things tend to occur during "normal business hours" (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.). So for those who are trying to get things done during these hours, regardless of when they rise from or fall into bed, sleep is going to become a factor.

Not surprisingly, sleep deprivation is a major driving factor in the different ways both early birds and night owls tend to act. Night owls in particular, often experience what is called "social jetlag" because even though they stay up late, they may need to get up relatively early in the morning. I know I do. As a work at home mom, life still calls and believe me, my 9-yr old does not wait.

According to researchers, Early birds tend to be more positive and social, compared to their night owl counterparts who are less optimistic and proactive. Due to fewer pathways in the night owl's brain for feel-good hormones like serotonin or dopamine to pass through, late-nighters tend to be more prone to depression and addiction (yikes). Coffee at 12 a.m. anyone? However, night owls tend to me more creative and have higher cognitive abilities than their early bird counterparts.

In the writing world, this brings forth a very interesting correlation. It would seem that those who get up earlier will be more prone to pounce on their work and will likely drill out more, perhaps quicker than the night owls. On the other hand night owls may have a tendency to produce more creative and cutting edge work than the early birds because who would be crazy enough to stay up late writing anyway, right?

I've been asked the question myself, and I must say I fall into the "night owl" category. The idea of getting up super early and drilling out something even remotely decent is slim to none. For me, I tend to write better in the evening hours. As a night owl, my day seems to be much shorter. I also have the lack of sleep factor to contend with. On the other hand, my sister who is also a writer, is the most devout early bird I have EVER known. We're talking 5 a.m. type early bird. So even though we are sisters, obviously there were both types in our immediate family.

Of course the traits of the early bird and night owl have exceptions, as with nearly everything in life. I'm sure there is a late night writer out there who loathes that "outrageously out of the box" style of creativity, while there is likely an early riser out there who moves at a snail's pace. No matter where you fall on the spectrum, it's interesting (and fortunate) that we are each unique to our craft, regardless of WHEN we decided to put pen to the paper or fingers to the keyboard.

additional source: ASAP Science 

Previously Published Work: What’s the Deal?

If you are like me, you see publications of your work in the near future. But publishing work that has been worked on for some time (enough that you might have shared it online as you've written it) might cause issues for you down the road when you're finally ready to publish. Often times, literary agents and journals will reject a piece of writing if it has been previously published. With the internet taking over in the writing world, this topic has suddenly become more relevant than we may realize. So naturally, you may have questions that deserve answers, like:

• What is considered previously published work?
• Why won't literary agents consider previously published work?
• When CAN you successfully submit previously published work?

Defining Previously Published Work

Previously published work used to be a cut and dry term that simply referenced any type of written work that you may have innocently shared for that purpose alone. In the past if your work, i.e. poetry, short stories, long stories or even essays appeared in a journal, anthology, newsletter, newspaper, magazine, book, textbook, or any other publication---it was considered published. Period. Nowadays, it's a little more complicated.

Today, if your work appeared just about anywhere, including online in a blog, digital lit journal, social media or otherwise, literary journals and editors don't want it. Why? Because they want to make sure that their work is new, engaging, fresh and unique. If it's been out there already (no matter how innocent the sharing was) it's out of the question. They also want to steer clear of any rights violations or issues as well that can now arise with previously published work. So if I post on a blog, share a snippet on an online journal, or even cough up a brilliant comment on social media, THAT'S considered previously published material?

You bet. 

To many that is considered previously published work.

But what about private forums that required a secured login? Surely those can't be pinned as previously published work, right? Here, you've got some leg room. If you unveil an amazing piece of work on a forum or web board, most editors and literary agents will consider it for publication because those areas of the internet are private and intended for community use and feedback. Still, web-crawlers and caches can still have it pop up online and you may want to remove so that it doesn't cause conflict later on.

Quite a hairy dilemma right? I will admit I have done my fair share of online posting and work sharing. I've signed up for forums and support boards such as "Writer's Cafe" and "We-Book" and I never thought twice about it, until I tried to publish a short piece and was told it was previously online, thus it's "integrity" had been compromised!

Larger Writing Projects

Now, if you are working on a much larger scale future publication such as an anthology, memoir or full length novel (like me), then perhaps you can get away with posting just an excerpt. In most cases, that is considered acceptable but within reason. Publishing full chapters or serializing your story in continued posts is a big no-no. You may as well upload the entire book and label it:"free e-book for all and no I don't plan on publishing this same thing later on down the road for actual money, by the way."

A word to the wise. Know your limitations. Literary agents seek out potential talent for a living. They have a keen eye for the business and they are virtually marketing experts when ti comes to representation and lucrative investment in a new author. If they comb the net and find you (and 9 out of 10 times they will), they will see it as unappealing and even irresponsible. Let's not forget previously published work that is completely intentional such as self-publishing may put off an agent because you have been receiving income on the work already, without their help.

Technology is still light years ahead of the publishing industry in the way of trends, laws and rights. There is no doubt that these things are rapidly changing as we speak. As a general rule, it is best to remain on the side of caution and refrain from blasting the internet with your prized literary works of art. Take the proper steps and go the safe route. Seek an agent BEFORE you post work and save yourself the headache of previously published work issues.

Carolyn

A History of Writing: How it Differs in our Brain from Speaking

Have you ever been in a situation where you were lost in translation? How about you said something only to quickly revise it with the common: "Well I didn't mean it like that..." We've all done it. What we say might not always be what we mean, just as what we write may not be what we are trying to say. Blame it all on our mind and how the two are actually completely separated within our brains.
As we know, writing evolved from speaking. Ancient civilizations did not begin writing but rather with grunts, utters, and sounds that translated and developed to form what we know as words of language. It was only after generations of further intelligent development, that we finally embark upon the phenomenon of utilizing a writing tool to create WORDS!

Interestingly enough, modern research shows evidence to support just how separate these two functions are. Let's take my daughter for example. She is 9 years old and in 3rd grade (ah the staple of early learning and the beginning of language art comprehension and vocabulary expansion). She is a fabulous reader, much like I was at that age, getting lost in the wardrobes of C.S. Lewis, and falling in love as well as down the rabbit hole of Lewis Caroll’s classic "Alice in Wonderland." Consequently, her vocabulary is that of a 6th grader and she is sharper than a needle at story comprehension. However, she can't spell to save her life. Why was this? I wondered.

Johns Hopkins University Professor of Cognitive Science, Brenda Rapp, finds it surprising. “We don’t expect that we would produce different words in speech and writing. It’s as though there were two quasi-independent language systems in the brain,” she says. Researchers today specifically want to know if the written word is at all dependent on spoken language. A study conducted in the journal Psychological Science shows that speaking and writing are indeed supported by different parts of the brain via basic motor controls as well as higher level aspects of word construction.

Rapp's interesting study "Modality and Morphology - What We Write May Not Be What We Say," offers a fascinating look at how complex our brain is in effectively separating writing and speech. She details the written language as an "evolutionarily recent human invention," but that it is perhaps dependent on much older rudimentary skills of speech, which we have had command of from the earliest points of time. Still the separation poses questions and requires more research.

The bottom line?

If you can write well and speak as superbly as me, you are a genius!
Just kidding!

 However, because both skills come to me naturally,  I assumed that they were one in the same. Going back to my daughter's situation, I see clearly that this is not the case. While I don't doubt she will improve in spelling eventually, the lack of causality between her speaking and writing skills interests me and only reconfirms how very amazing we humans are.

Carolyn

SEO: What it is and Why it's Important

This is a super-techy post I think anyone trying to increase their web presence online should read. So now I'm putting my tech-savvy hat on and I encourage you to read on...

Search engine optimization (SEO) serves to improve a website’s visibility through a search engine’s query. Visibility can be obtained in two major ways on a search engine: by ranking high on the search list, and by appearing frequently within a search query. A high rank on a search engine ensures that particular site to be among the first sites listed on a search page. Often times we click on the first, second, or third listing in a search and this means more visitors for a top ranking site. Appearing frequently within a search is equally useful, because as we scroll down, we may be inclined to click on a site that is listed more than once. These things greatly increase a site’s visibility, making SEO a smart and powerful tool.

Understanding How Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Can Work for You

SEO not only focuses on text searches but it can also focus on other, equally important search areas such as an image, video, and news searches. SEO creates a useful strategy by analyzing how a particular search engine works. It will observe particular search terms or keywords that are popular or frequent. It will also determine which types of audiences prefer which types of search engines. A website can then begin optimizing by editing site content to frequently include crucial keywords based upon popular searches. This creates what is known as the “search engine friendly” site, where a site will stand out to a search engine and bring in more visitors.

Many search engines, including top search engines such as Google, Bing and Yahoo! use a process called indexing to log the pages of a site. These pages our found via what is known as website “crawlers” or “spiders.” Search engines use these to find pages and it can be guaranteed for either a set fee or on a cost per click basis. Search engine crawlers vary on how they crawl a site. Some pages may not be indexed by a search because if the page within a site is too far from the root directory, it may not get crawled, thus it will not come up in a search. If a company or site owner does not want a certain page crawled and indexed for searches, SEO can be adjusted to include instructions for certain pages to be skipped over.

Another common SEO strategy is to increase the number of inbound links to a site, which in turn increases that site’s rank. Visibility of a site can be greatly increased by cross linking pages within the same website, providing multiple links to important pages quickly. Also, providing steady updates to a site can also increase visibility because web crawler must return frequently to recover additional information. One should beware that search engines can change their search methods at any given time, affecting the rank and visibility of a site. As a precaution, site owners should include additional networking and marketing strategies to increase their site’s presence such as through outside advertising or linking themselves with other websites.

Armed with this information, growing your business with SEO is a smart and progressive way to increase your web presence.

Carolyn

What's the Deal with Online Journaling?

Online Journaling. Where does it fit in today? Read on to hear my thoughts on the matter.

Facebook 

Facebook's "notes" feature has obviously fallen to the wayside as compared with the main wall, and while the wall was not intended for large blocks of tales "to be continued," the trend to journaling actively on Facebook, is growing by leaps and bounds. While Facebook is an interactive, real-time social media platform that serves as a way to network with friends, family, and business contacts, or look up interesting phrases, pictures or posts to pass the time, it can also a great place to tap into your deeper, more poetic side and share your talent for the written word. Facebook brings the traffic potential for much larger waves of exposure, especially since the average friend ratio for a typical Facebook user falls in at a staggering 162 as of 2014.

LiveJournal

Let's consider another quite popular online open diary journaling website: LiveJournal. While the platform of LiveJournal widely differs from that of Facebook, in terms of interactivity, LiveJournal does offer a basic level of social networking. Users can easily "friend" others without a necessary receipt and acceptance. Feeds are easily and automatically accessible to view new posts by anyone that you may have added as a friend. This falls in with the trending feature of "following" as seen on other social media pages.

Blogger

A fan of yours truly. Blogger is most known to host a plethora of personalized and expressive special interest related pages, Despite this, journaling is still very much alive on Blogger and other similar sites. Still, it seems that the informative and entertaining topics tend to be more relevant and searchworthy these days. If we can weed out the opinion hogs, tag sharing and frequent forum-style debates, I dare say traditional online journaling is far from ending. Today, I support the new wave of journalists, dreamers and thinkers, no matter the platform.

Its about the word, not the way.

Carolyn 

Building Connections Through Social Media

As human beings, we naturally want to connect with other human beings. This innate urge dates back
to primeval times when things like safety in numbers and going along with the crowd were a normal way of life not only for ease but for survival. So it's not so out of the spectrum to consider that writers—the solitary and independent creatures that we often are— would want to do the same thing: reach out to others.


Why Writers Should Connect with One Another.

Now when I say we want to reach out to one another, I don't mean we are requesting and audience with just any old person walking by on the street. I mean we strive for that inner, meaningful connection with like-minded individuals. Nothing is more fulfilling than deep and truly engaging conversation with another who understands the tricks, the ropes, and the trials of your trade. Fellow writers can be an invaluable and wonderful ally for the cause. Below, I'd like to outline some true benefits to connect with writers and encourage the wonderful endeavor of online networking.


The Power of Networking for Writers.

Whether you are ready to actively promote yourself, wish to expand your horizons, or just want to make some new friends, Networking is the way. So what are useful ways in which to network you ask? The ways might pleasantly surprise you.


- LinkedIn -

LinkedIn is the world's largest professional network and has been around long enough (over a decade already) to have more than 200 million members! Writing is a profession too, so why should you not take advantage of what LinkedIn can offer you in the way of exclusive professional networking?

LinkedIn allows you the opportunity to create a customized URL for your LinkedIn page that will help to drive you toward the top of a Google search done on your name. Like Google+, you can create a bio where you can use your skills to share a compelling story about yourself that outlines your best skills and achievements. Presentation is key here and it will serve you well in gaining those networking connections you truly want and need.

Perhaps the greatest part is the option of linking any other website you might have (such as a blog, or writer's portfolio or website) so people can see what you are made of. From here you will start the basis for useful connections. Connections can be achieved with a simple click of the button (upon invitation acceptance) and ultimately put you in touch with others in their circle. With LinkedIn the possibilities can quickly become exponential.


- Pinterest -

Pinterest is a Social-networking site that is far more useful than just a place to create collages, collect recipes and post photos to a digital corkboard. It is indeed the world's fast-growing image-sharing service and the innovative writer can use this as an invaluable tool to connect and reach out to not only fellow writers but readers, editors, and agents alike!

Pinterest is a fabulous place to cultivate, curate and construct content in order to gain exposure, build audiences, and network creatively at a rapid pace. So how is it done? Believe it or not, words can be king on Pinterest! Eye-catching images may grab a Pinterester's attention, but captions and back-story tidbits are KEY. On this social media platform, less can definitely be more.You are limited to five-hundred characters so this is your chance to pack a powerful and memorable punch all while keeping it short and sweet.

You can easily connect with fellow writers on Pinterest by using it as a virtual bulletin board. You can make announcements, post blips and even promote projects of interest for future collaborations. You can also connect through commenting on other writers’ collections and pinboards. The best part is you can pin things that interest you and also connect with like-minded people at the same time and build an easy following.


- Google+ Networking -

Google is one of the world's largest technology companies so you can feel pretty confident in knowing they aren't going anywhere any time soon. Google+ offers many features that are perfect for the writer looking to connect—and quickly!

With Google+ you can create a personal bio introducing yourself and outlining what you intend to share. From there you can easily build relationships by following people of interest and similarities. This often leads to interaction. You can also share a variety of content through posts, photos, video, link sharing, discussion and more. You can also join other established communities and comment on other posts and content which links people back to you.

A particularly excellent standout feature with Google+ is their video chat feature appropriately named Hangouts. Here you can initiate some very useful networking through discussions, chats, idea sharing and even host meetings with folks locally and around the world!


The Bottom Line.

No matter your choice of networking, the connection potential is bountiful. But don't let your networking goals end here. Remember to continue by reaching out in the real world too and include face-to-face interaction as well. Many networking circles online in many cases will lead to real time connections that can often last a lifetime.


Carolyn

The Curse of the Apathetic Writer

Following my post on Writer's Block - which is the inability to write new content, we now talk about Writer's Apathy - which is the negligence of writing altogether. Apathy is a scary thing in the writing world. It essentially tells you that you have chosen to stop caring. Or does it? Let's take a closer look at Writing Apathy and what it's about.


What is Apathy? 

Simply defined, apathy is the lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern for something. For a writer, this can be a muse-killer. I find writing to be a work of passion and a gift. Apathy is dispassion and it can spread like a disease. For many of us out there it can be a serious issue, a plague that consumes all ambition and desire to continue on. 


When Writer's Apathy Happened to Me

About eight years ago, writer's apathy unfortunately got a hold of me. Like many forthcoming authors, I had been working on this "great" masterpiece... since 1999. Then one day I turned around and said to myself, "Six years of writing and twelve incomplete chapters. Why bother?" At that moment I had reached an impasse. My mind and my desires were no longer aligned and I abandoned my work of art. For months following I didn't care to continue and I even forgot about writing altogether.

A void began to grow within me and while I couldn't put my finger on it, I continued to feel empty. It wasn't until I attended a writer's seminar months later that I realized what I had been missing. The joys of building my fictional world, interacting with my evolving characters, writing passionate passages, screwing up, starting over again. The writing process had escaped me and in that moment I realized I fell victim to writer's apathy.


How to Get Back After Writer's Apathy

I will admit it was not an easy road, and your devotion to the craft is truly tested. Some of us suffer from brief stints of lack of motivation, but writer's apathy can go deeper. So what can you do when writer's apathy grabs a hold of you and how can you get the fire back? 

There are some options available to you if you feel this might be happening to you:

• Experiment. Immerse yourself in new and different genres. Variety breeds creativity.

• Attend. Conventions, seminars, and the like are full of energy, advice, and discussion designed to motivate and engage.

• Talk to others. Other writers, readers, and lovers of all things literary can be chock-full of insight. Get out of your head and into another’s. You might be surprised.

Carolyn

The Truth About Writer's Block

Writer's Block. A writer's worst nightmare, right? But what exactly is writer's block? And how can you tell if you have it or have ever had it? I think it's time to shed some light on this epidemic and find out why writer's block happens to the best of us.


What is Writer's Block? 

It has been defined as the unfortunate moment when an author or writer suddenly loses the ability to come up with new material. It can be a lack of ideas, lack of focus, or simply the inability to come up with good content, period. It can also vary from a minor bump in the road to a full-fledged roadblock. Furthermore, it can last for a few moments, a couple of hours, or even years. 

 As writers, when we find ourselves unable to produce new work, our whole world can quickly fall into disarray. After all, wouldn't it be quite stressful to suddenly not be able to do what you do best? What if you woke up tomorrow and forgot how to talk or if you sat in the driver seat of your car and everything looked Greek to you? Well this is what writer's block can be like for a writer: an absolute nightmare. This in many ways sounds not unlike that of a mental block - you know the full repression of certain thoughts or methods of thinking. 


What Causes Writer's Block?

 Common causes for this phenomenon could be:
•You have run out of inspiration
•You have been greatly distracted 
•You may feel overwhelmed
•The project has proven to be out of your scope
So we are then left with the most important inquiry of all.


How Do You Stop Writer's Block?

One solution is repetition. Keep moving, keep with the motions, and eventually you'll get the pep back in your step. Another is actively maintaining focus. Yet another is one of the hardest things to do: step away! Coming back with a fresh set of eyes can make for a world of difference. So what is my secret?

I do Writing Research!

Indeed it looks like a strange enough a solution at first glance, but I encourage you to look again. I don't experience writer's block today because I have turned my anxieties to research. When I feel myself slipping off the writing treadmill, I turn to a different mode of work. Good writing often requires even better research. Whether I'm looking up German landscapes or the proper way to load a revolver, I'm researching something that will be going into my writing later (in this case my overseas Supernatural thriller).

Research is the systematic process of gathering and investigating materials for later on. Gathering facts for future writing is a great way to actually give your creative brain a rest. I effectively learn and gain insight through research, so when I sit down to actually but those fabulous ideas to work, I've got all kinds of materials to pull from. Research can subconsciously supercharge a fried writing circuit. Don't believe me? Give it a try. You never know what you might just learn... literally!

Carolyn

The POV Tug-O-War... Deciding Who Deserves to Tell the Tale

Point of View (POV) had been an issue for me early on. As a young writer, I found myself writing a lot of fiction works in first person. Having kept a diary from an early age (9 to be exact), it was important to me to chronicle every detail of my life with absolute clarity that left no room for my reader to question who was telling the tale. It was easy to be a victim or a martyr or a hero when I was calling the shots in my stories. I could cry as many rivers as I wanted, sacrifice as many scruples as I needed, and save as many underdogs as my heart desired. My writer’s voice was emotional and poignant, yet always childishly direct and overly self-involved. For me, a story was best told from the eyes of the one who experienced it firsthand. But that was the problem. I was telling the whole story all while showing absolutely nothing.

Fast-forward about six years. In high school, I was encouraged to write a lot of observational and objective pieces, which helped to broaden my scope into the world of third person narration. I told stories with a third person limited voice, trying my hand at portraying different main character vantage points. I soon became less emotional and more literal. There was a distance from myself and my main characters which soon grew into a great divide. I began to lean heavily exposition, trying to fill in the gaps that I felt the narrator created.

I yearned to be back inside one character’s head but I didn’t like the idea of being confined there. What if something major happened in Paris and my character was in Chicago? What then? Tack on a few more years and 7 Harry Potter books later. J.K. Rowling blew my mind. She was everywhere yet nowhere. Inside everyone’s thoughts, yet never left a trace. How did she do it?

Third Person Omniscient!

It was like the flood gates had been opened. The next time I sat down to write it was like there was a flow there that had not been present before. Finally my stories felt cohesive. As a fully omniscient narrator, suddenly I could open up to my quirky inner self, where my plainspoken sense of humor emerged and had a place. My no-nonsense, unapologetic barrage of details held weight and were beautifully relevant to the story. I was telling my readers how it was with just the right amount of entertainment and edge. 

Several things shape a good piece of writing besides POV, but for me it was a major deciding factor in finding my place as an author. While it may come quick for some, others will struggle with discovering what works best for them, like I did. My advice is to try everything first before deciding what best fits you, but above all else, keep your options open. What works today may not work tomorrow. This is something I learned the hard way.

Carolyn

Expressing Yourself is Healthy... Period.

Recently, I was asked: “Why do you Write?” It’s a simple enough question but the answer is where it becomes complicated. Asking a writer why they like to write is like asking a doctor why they cure or help or heal. The reply will most likely not be: “Well, just because.”

The truth of the matter is that if you are doing something you are passionate about, you often might find it hard to put into words how important that passion is to you. Ironically, I found myself at a shortage of words. As a writer, this was a concern. This concern led me to ponder on why people write in the first place. Surely, there are the common reasons like:


·   To make a point

·   To tell a story

·   To communicate or convey

·   To entertain

·   To express


To express. Now that is worth looking into. As we can see, there is far more to writing than just words. A work of art can be nearly anything, such a painting, a song, even a tattoo. Each of these things can be considered ways in which we may express ourselves. Writing is no different. We write because for us, this is often the most efficient, relevant or personable way we can best express ourselves. For writers, words are our own language of art, beauty, and life.


Lord Byron once said that if he didn't write to empty his mind, he would go mad. I wonder how many artists, sculptors, teachers, and all other creative individuals have felt this way. Perhaps the real question is: Why do we express ourselves? The short answer: because we must. We live to express since that’s our chief way of communicating and we express to live. Writers are not the only ones who do this. I believe everyone does this in one way or another. Expressing one's self is what defines us. Whether it is writing or some other sort of medium, it is necessary. I also believe this is healthy.

So why do I write? Well I suppose I do it for my health! Now that is something we can all appreciate.

Carolyn