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| Image by Ryan McGuire from Pixabay |
I imagine this is what I look like sitting on book panels. Okay, so I've never worn a hat, but I find the facial expression is reflective of my level of expertise. I'm sure to utter more than one uhh...maybe more than a few per question.
For example, at last month's Books at the Beach con, I was on the romantic suspense panel. I quickly felt underprepared on the panel because every other author had one of their books to display in a nice little stand on the table. Not me. I quickly found a cover on my phone for my free eBook and told the audience members they could find it on Kindle.
Then came the questions to the panel. The very first question was how do we, as authors, choose our book titles? The first author to answer said she analyzes the data from key word searches on Amazon and uses that information to decide what would make the best, most searched title.
I was like, damn, that's a good idea. I quickly jotted down the info before giving my answer: I use the Easter Egg theory. The title of each of my stories is found in the book somewhere. I don't use no stinking science!
Next question: how do we choose our covers? Good author answer was how their cover represents this, that, and the other. My answer? I am always the fly in the creative art ointment. The more I try to help during the cover process, the worse it gets. I've learned to message my friend Carrie Butler, who is amazing at all things creative, and beg ever so nicely to tell me what kind of cover said story should have.
Granted that actually is smart. Knowing your limits and getting help. I should probably delete that from this post, but I'll leave it because tis already written and I refuse to backtrack and kill a darling.
I am shoving on to the next, a most basic question, to which I have no basic answer.
Am I a pantser or a planner? The good, authorly answer: I don't plan. The story speaks to me then flows from my fingers like honey dripping from a wild comb.
My answer? I'm a planner, but like every poorly designed roadmap, there are often detours, road blocks, and potholes in all the streets. Not to mention all the crazy city names...
So, that's pretty much my insecurity for this month: how do I share knowledge with anyone when I'm hardly an expert at anything in the book world? Same with posting writerly posts. There is always a little voice in the back of my head that whispers, if I knew this well enough to tell others how to do it, I'd have sky-rocketing sales myself. So, until then, I'll stick with giving my best, honest answers and leave the expertise to the people who have done their homework and are executing with good results.
Fortunately for me, readers are kind and seem to be more interested in the book process, no matter how ugly it is, than they are learning the how-to's of marketing.
But still, this month I'm asking myself...maybe I should study more?
Blurb. As I mentioned above, I basically cheat at finding the title of every book.
The awesome co-hosts for the November 3 posting of the IWSG are Kim Lajevardi, Victoria Marie Lees, Joylene Nowell Butler, Erika Beebe, and Lee Lowery!
The awesome co-hosts for the November 3 posting of the IWSG are Kim Lajevardi, Victoria Marie Lees, Joylene Nowell Butler, Erika Beebe, and Lee Lowery!
The IWSG is looking help! If you'd like to join our admin team, let the ninja-master know! Email Alex Cavanaugh at alexjcavanaugh(at)gmail(dot)com
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What's the purpose of the IWSG? To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
Your way of doing things will help someone though, especially another author who is struggling to find a way.
ReplyDeleteIn the very least, someone might be thinking, "if that ding dong can do it, surely I can". LOL
DeleteI think there's a lot of value in sharing with others how you're figuring out your methods along the way!
ReplyDeleteThat's kind of you. It's the kind of smart advice on your blog that makes me the most insecure. But you're right. It's a process and I'm honest about my process. :)
DeleteI'd be insecure about not being an expert either. But I think if you just explain your process, whatever it is, it will be interesting to people coming to the panel and may help someone on their own path.
ReplyDeleteThere are so many smart writers that aren't just creative, but really good at the business end of things too. I'm not even going to pretend to be that good.
DeleteBy being honest about your process, etc, it will help someone who feels like they're doing it wrong because it's not the way everyone else does it. I'm always relieved when I find someone who has a process similar to mine. :)
ReplyDeleteThat is a very good point. I could be the leader of the scattered-writers guild!! I kinda like that...
DeleteThe keyword thing is a good tip. I either get the idea from the overall story or from a line in the book.
ReplyDeleteSo what if you didn't have a book to display? I bet you got a boost from all those free downloads. :D
I did get some laughs at my book on phone display. Readers are so kind...and so forgiving.
DeleteIt is a good tip. I probably won't do it because you know how I am with tech.
One thing I can promise is that nothing about me is from a formula. I might be predictable...I'll leave that to the readers to decide.
ReplyDeleteI'll keep my "artistic" way of doing things. I've already decided that writing won't be my business, so I'll be following my bliss over my brain cells.
For my pictures books I get the titles first, then the story :)
ReplyDeleteAs long as it works!
DeleteYour post seemed to detail the reasons why I never give writing advice--if I knew how to do it well, I would be doing better! But I always like your advice. It's fun to read and helpful to boot.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Loni. That's means a lot. I'm always worried there's not much I do that is overly academic.
DeleteThere's no right answer for any of those questions. They are just different ways that works for each person. Hugs
ReplyDeleteYou're so right. There is no one right answer. Hugs back :)
DeleteWe all have different ways of doing things. Your answers were just as good.
ReplyDeleteI needed you on that panel, Diane!
DeleteI relate to your experience, since I tend to freestyle and speak/write off the cuff instead of going from a 100% polished, scripted formula. The idea of choosing titles based on search terms and popularity is so foreign to me. I enjoy choosing them based on literary and musical inspiration, or with profound significance to the story.
ReplyDeleteWe have the same approach. I think I'm accepting the idea that I am not a good book-business person.
DeleteI love Your honesty. I truly think a writer must find his or her own best way and that’s the right way :)
ReplyDeleteBesides consistently lying about my weight, I do try to live as honestly, or in the very least with congruence.
Delete"...analyzes the data from key word searches on Amazon and uses that information to decide what would make the best, most searched title." Give me a break! 😆 When I used to go to conferences (pre-covid), you were the kind of author I wanted to hear from - one who talks about the reality of writing.
ReplyDeleteI need to find a conference near you- post covid.
DeleteI will say, some of these authors, they deserve huge amounts of credit. They are able to balance all the bs of business with the art of writing. My brain starts to shut down when there's talk of anything that seems the slightest bit logical.
So it's true. Imposter syndrome hits all of us. I thought your choice of doing the best you could was the right way to go. :-)
ReplyDeleteAnna from elements of emaginette
That could be it, though my brain immediately responded to your comment with...but is it imposter syndrome if you really don't belong amongst the pros? Or is that a deep-seeded imposter syndrome response? Are there any writer therapies out there? LOL
DeleteYahoo for the Easter Egg method of finding titles, though I will keep the key words idea in mind.
ReplyDeleteThat is a smart answer, right?
DeleteYour way of doing it all is great.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I'll keep my fingers crossed.
DeleteYou are so funny.
ReplyDeleteWho'd a thought about bringing books, right? I'm sure you came across as confident with a bounce.
Hugs
Ooh. I like that bouncy confidence...that does sound a lot like me.
DeleteHugs to you, too my dear friend.
I was less taken by Victoria than I was by toque. LOL. Ahh, a reminder of my Great White North skits.
ReplyDeleteIt's quite all right. I do the same myself. The more people I know, the more often I et names wrong.
ReplyDeleteI think that statement you refused to delete - "Knowing your limits and getting help" - is the best policy we should all subscribe to.
ReplyDeleteI do think it's one of the best tips I ever offer. Get help!!
DeleteTitles can be tough but the blurb is the worst for me.
ReplyDeleteThe more I think about my titles, the more I think I should have worked harder at them. I don't think the worry will ever go away.
DeleteFrankly, honest answers are far more interesting to me than expert tips on titling. And keyword searches usually return answers that do not match a single thing in my head/story.. :)
ReplyDeleteHappy blurbing, happy titling, happy writing.
What I lack in knowledge, I make up in for in frank honesty. It's not that I'm so honest, it just takes a lot of energy to be phony and I look for ways to make life simpler everywhere I go.
DeleteSeriously great tips here, Elizabeth! I never thought to “analyze the data from key word searches on Amazon and use that information to decide what would make the best, most searched title." I'm more like you. Sometimes my titles appear in my stories.
ReplyDeleteI've downloaded your About Us book and can't wait to begin. Thank you so much! I'm a little swamped with reading right now, but it will be my next kindle book to read. All best to you!
I hope you enjoy it. That can be next month's insecurity...that feeling of angst when someone says they got your book and you're scared to death they'll hate it.
DeleteThank you so much for sharing
ReplyDeleteI love that picture. I'm sure that I look like that, hat or no.
ReplyDeleteAnd I love your answers. I think they're perfect. And thank goodness, we aren't all the same for how we write or find book titles. I think your way is a good way of creating a title. I need to do that more.
And you have plenty of wisdom from the writing trenches. I know you do. I've seen it here.
You rock!
You always bring the rays of sunshine, Tyrean. Never go away!!
DeleteI'm guessing you got some laughs, and you had more people wanting to talk to you than the others. I'm always drawn to more personable, human approaches like yours. Being a fly in the ointment myself, I think you're awesome.
ReplyDeleteI did get some laughs. If I can't stun them with my genius, I'll distract them with a joke. It's my best defense mechanism.
DeleteComing up with a title is usually easy for me. A blurb not so much.
ReplyDeleteI come up with titles pretty naturally. Now, are they great titles, I don't know. I suppose that's only for the reader to decide.
DeleteI absolutely love your answers. I think the audience loved them too, honest and pure instinct. :)
ReplyDeleteYou need to join my audience. :)
DeleteYou have an excellent Sunday filled with great weather, fun and creativity.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
I did!! I hope you did too. :)
DeleteRead my new post
ReplyDeleteWill do!
DeleteThank you!
ReplyDeleteYou're doing well enough to get on the panel, so you're doing something right. Choosing a title via keyword data sounds a bit too clinical and calculated to me. You clearly have a more organic approach and I think readers appreciate that and your honesty about not always having a perfect answer.
ReplyDeleteOrganic. I like that. I definitely function on an organic level. Thanks, Nick!
Delete